Affectionate, intelligent and with a kind, gentle nature, Staffordshire Bull Terriers have unfairly been given a bad reputation over the years. People pleasers through and through, this breed is relatively easy to train, but their intelligence, combined with an occasional stubborn streak and competitive personality means they need a firm leader.
Facts & advice
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
A courageous companion who loves to play
Vital stats
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| Size: | Medium |
| Coat: | Short-haired and low maintenance |
| Exercise | 1+ hours a day for adult dogs |
| Life span: | 10+ years |
| Breed group: | Terrier |
| Temperament: | Fearless, affectionate, loyal |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier temperament & personality
Though they are affectionate and kind, Staffies don’t always know their own strength and can be boisterous.
- Loving and gentle, Staffordshire Bull Terriers love being around family, but, like all dogs, they should never be left alone with children.
- Originally bred for sport, Staffies can get competitive and even aggressive with other dogs without plenty of socialisation from an early age.
- As part of the terrier group, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are natural diggers and also have an extremely high prey drive so are not suitable for homes with other pets.
- Whilst they’re not particularly territorial, Staffies will “protect” their family members and will alert you to the presence of visitors, animal or human.
- As companion dogs, Staffies love being around their families, so don’t do well being left alone for too long.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier training & exercise
Eager to please, Staffies are relatively easy to train, but their stubborn streak requires a firm, patient hand.
Training tips
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers are quick learners but can also be impulsive and stubborn so getting in the basics of puppy training early is important.
- Good lead training is essential as the muscular Staffy has a tendency to pull.
- Consistency is key when it comes to training. Socialisation and training should be ongoing throughout your Staffy’s life.
Keeping them happy
- Staffies do best in the heart of the family and will happily join in with everything and anything. They don’t do well when left alone.
- A bored Staffy is a destructive Staffy so make sure your dog gets plenty of playtime, exercise and attention.
- Known as “the nanny dog” Staffies love children, but should always be supervised in case they get too boisterous.
- Staffies can be prone to overheating, so make sure they have plenty of water and shade to keep cool in hot weather.
Exercise
- Not for the idle owner, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are extremely active and energetic dogs and need around two hours exercise per day.
- Staffies love to run, but make sure you’re in a secure area before you let your dog off the lead.
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers are an extremely intelligent breed so plenty of mental stimulation is important to keep your dog’s mind in top condition.
Game ideas
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers are mouthy dogs, which means they love to chew. A game of frisbee will give your Staffy a good run around whilst also giving them something strong to chew on.
Common Staffordshire Bull Terrier health conditions
Like all breeds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are prone to certain conditions, and choosing a reputable breeder or rehoming organisation should be the first step to having a happy and healthy dog. To help you be more aware and prepared for the most common health issues, if they should arise, we have put together some information on the health issues that we see the most in Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Eye disorders are very common in dogs. Conjunctivitis, for example, is due to the most superficial layer of the eye becoming inflamed as a result of infections, irritants, allergies or trauma. Another common, painful eye irritation is corneal ulceration, which happens when the surface of the cornea is grazed as a result of scratches from other animals or vegetation, or because of foreign material in the eye, chemicals, heat or smoke, or infection. Treatment depends on the type and severity of eye problem and may be required for life to keep the dog’s vision in good health. Corneal ulcers, for example, can be treated using eye drops and sometimes surgery.
The skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body and a number of disorders can affect it. Like other dogs, Staffies can suffer from allergies that lead to dermatitis (skin inflammation). Allergies can be caused by many different items, including things that are inhaled (such as pollen or dust mites), items that are eaten (for example, wheat), items that the dog comes into contact with (for example, washing powders), or bites from parasites such as fleas. Another skin problem, pyoderma (meaning ‘infection of the skin’) is usually caused by bacteria, fungi (‘ringworm’) or yeasts. Staffies can also be affected by a skin condition called demodectic mange. It is caused by the parasitic mite demodex, which can multiply rapidly and damage the hair, leading to hair loss and flaky skin. Skin disorders can be managed using various treatments, usually required long-term, which means the dog can get on with enjoying life.
Like all dogs, Staffies can develop masses (lumps and bumps) in the layers of fat, skin and muscle that cover their bodies. These might be warts, cysts, lipomas (soft fatty lumps), abscesses or tumours, such as mast cell tumours or histiocytomas. Mast cells are normal skin cells that help dogs respond to trauma and damage by releasing histamine. These cells can sometimes replicate into a serious type of tumour called a mast cell tumour. They vary widely in size and shape, but most take the form of a solitary lump within the skin. Histiocytomas are benign skin tumours that can appear suddenly on the surface of the dog’s skin. Despite their appearance, they are not painful. Generally, treatment depends on the size, location and exact nature of the lump, but almost always involves surgical removal.
The kneecap (or ‘patella’) sits in a groove at the end of the femur (thigh bone). A dislocating (or ‘luxating’) kneecap is one that pops out of its groove. A relatively common condition in Staffies and other small breeds, dislocation happens because the alignment of the bones from the hip through the knee to the ankle is not straight, which pulls the kneecap to one side. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition, but surgery may be required to reduce the likelihood of arthritis and enable the dog to live a normal life.
The cruciate ligaments are found inside the knee joint and hold it stable. Cruciate ligament disease means that this ligament slowly frays and gets weaker and can get worse over time. Treatment for cruciate ligament disease usually is surgery to help stabilise the knee joint. However, like all dogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers can also develop arthritis from this condition, and long-term treatment is often required to keep them active.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier grooming
Staffies are quite low-maintenance when it comes to grooming but usually have one heavy shed per year.
- A Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s short coat is easy to maintain and only requires brushing once a week.
- Staffies are a low-shedding breed in general, but a regular brush will help remove any excess hair.
- This breed also has very little “doggy smell” so bathing should only be required if your dog is particularly dirty.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier nutrition
Staffordshire Bull Terriers can be prone to food allergies so choose their food carefully and check with your vet for specific advice if you are having issues with your dog and their diet.
- Choose a grain-free feed.
- Staffies should be fed twice a day.
- Staffies can be susceptible to bloat, a condition that can be very painful, and potentially life-threatening, for your pet. To avoid this, space exercise and food an hour apart and be sure not to overfeed.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Considering welcoming a loyal and loving Staffordshire Bull Terrier into your home? Before you buy or adopt one, here are a few important things to remember.
- Due to their competitive spirit Staffies can be hostile towards other dogs and may do best in a single dog household.
- As terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers also have a high prey drive and will chase cats and small pets.
- Known as the “nanny dog” Staffies love children and will stand guard over younger members of their pack. Just make sure they don’t get too boisterous when playing with toddlers and young children.
- Whilst they are people pleasers, Staffies can be stubborn and impulsive at times and are best suited to more experienced owners.
- Choose a licensed and reputable Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeder if you’re buying a puppy. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.
- Like all dogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers can suffer from a range of health conditions so always look carefully at the veterinary cover provided when shopping around for pet insurance as not all policies are the same.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier frequently asked questions
Staffordshire Bull Terriers have an unfair reputation as being dangerous or aggressive. Whilst the breed can be very vocal and protective, they are not known to be aggressive by nature and are in fact loving and gentle dogs who crave companionship. Aggression is generally a behavioural issue that will arise if your dog is left alone too often, becomes bored, is not exercised enough or is improperly trained.
Staffies, like their Bulldog ancestors, were bred as cattle drivers and fighting dogs. However, this gentle breed are now widely loved for their affectionate, kind nature and are even known as the “nanny dog” due to their caring and protective personalities.
Whether you’re looking to adopt a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or buy a puppy, it’s important to make sure you’re getting your pet from a reputable organisation or breeder. If you’re looking to adopt, you can use Petplan’s rehoming directory to find an organisation. If you want to buy a puppy, make sure you find a reputable breeder.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are intelligent and quick to catch on, but they can have a stubborn streak that can make training more challenging. Consistency and patience are vital when it comes to training Staffies and they’ll respond best to shorter, fun training sessions with plenty of positive reinforcement.
Whilst they are friendly with people, Staffies can be competitive with other dogs which can lead to hostile behaviour. Early socialisation is key for a well-rounded, sociable dog, but this is a breed that usually does best in a single dog household.
In general, Staffies don’t enjoy spending too much time alone, preferring to stay in the heart of their family. They are happiest in busy households with lots going on and need plenty of playtime and attention to keep them happy and engaged. For this reason, it’s best not to leave your Staffy alone for more than a few hours at a time. If you do need to leave your dog alone, make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them busy and consider having someone check in on them.
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Staffordshire Bull Terrier insurance considerations
Most Staffordshire Bull Terriers live long and happy lives, but they can suffer from specific health problems, such as skin allergies and eye conditions. That’s why it’s important that when choosing dog insurance, you consider the length of time policies cover different conditions. Petplan’s Covered For Life® plans refresh the veterinary fees each year allowing you to claim for ongoing conditions for the rest of your pet’s life providing there is no break in cover.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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