Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier originated in England and was used to fight other dogs for sport. They are a mixture of many different types of terriers and the English Bulldog. Today these dogs are still unfortunately used for fighting but are primarily a loving companion.

This breed has an incredibly muscular body that is strong and agile. They have a large head with small triangular ears that are pricked upwards. These dogs have a powerful jaw and strong, straight athletic legs. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffie) has a long slender tail that comes to a point at the end. These dogs are beautiful specimens of their kind and have an extraordinary physique!

Loyal, affectionate and extremely loving, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is of the utmost devoted dogs known today. They are playful and enjoy being part of the family as this is what makes them truly happy. This breed is a great family pet that cherishes the children and will get along well with other pets if they are raised with them. A variety of toys will be needed for this breed because they love to have little treats to chew on and squeaky trinkets to entertain them!

Color

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes in a large variety of colours such as black, red, fawn, brindle, blue, and white. These can be all solid colours or a mixture of solid with patches or small markings of the white.

Coat

This breed has a very short, dense coat that is hard to the touch. It is sleek and well managed making it very easy to groom and upkeep.

Personality

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a courageous and outgoing dog that would make a great addition to the family! They have a goofy yet dignified attitude and a well behaved character. These dogs are polite and have a great demeanor. The Staffie can be stubborn but this is to be expected from any breed. Although these dogs make great family pets, they are not suggested for every family because they need an owner experienced in raising dogs that are a bit more difficult to train. Socialization of the Staffie should be started at a young age and be done around dogs, people and other animals (cats, etc.) to ensure they can live comfortably with these as adults!

Care

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier will need very minimal grooming because they have a short, easy to care for coat. Brushing once per week and bathing every 2 months will be perfect for this dog. They are prone to Hip dysplasia, and cataracts as these are the most commonly inherited diseases of this breed and owners should check the medical background of the puppy's parents before deciding to buy.

Training

This breed will need a master who is experienced in owning dogs and in training. The Staffie is a lovely breed but will need extensive training and socialization at a young age which should be carried out into adulthood. Training should be done in a gentle manner but consistently and very repetitively so they grasp each concept. Sessions should be short and made to be fun for the dog so they are excited to learn and have the notion that obedience is a treat!

Activity

The Staffie will need at least an hour per day of exercise which could be time spent in an off-leash park or on a long walk. They will do well in an apartment as long as exercise is given daily. A small back yard would be preferable for them to run around in, but isn't necessary.