Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a dog of high intelligence, lean muscle, and great courage. He looks forward to daily exercise, and his powerful jaws enjoy a supply of sturdy chew toys. While he is a sweet-tempered, affectionate dog, his strength and determination require an experienced owner who can work with him in a firm, but gentle, way.

Information you should know before owning a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has great affection for people.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are gentle, affectionate, trustworthy, and loyal.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier requires a rigorous exercise regime to maintain his muscle tone. He will live happily in the city or the country as long as he is given a good physical workout.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier had its beginnings in England many centuries ago when the Bulldog and Mastiff were closely linked. Bullbaiting and bearbaiting in the Elizabethan era produced large dogs for these sports and later on the 100-120 pound animal gave way to a small, more agile breed of up to 90 pounds.

Early in the 19th century the sport of dogfighting gained popularity and a smaller, faster dog was developed. It was called by names such as "Bulldog Terrier" and "Bull and Terrier." The Bulldog bred then was a larger dog than we know today and weighed about 60 pounds. This dog was crossed with a small native terrier which appears in the history of the present-day Manchester Terrier. The dog which this produced, averaging between 30 and 45 pounds, became the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

James Hinks, in about 1860, crossed the Old Pit Bull Terrier, now known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and produced the all-white English Bull Terrier. The Bull Terrier obtained recognition by The Kennel Club in England in the last quarter of the 19th century, but the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, due to its reputation as a fighting dog, did not receive this blessing.

In 1935 the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was recognized by the Kennel Club in England and enthusiasts were able to conduct conformation matches. The sport of dogfighting had long been made illegal and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier had evolved into a dog of such temperament as to make him a fine pet and companion and a worthy show dog.

Bull and Terrier breeds were believed to have arrived in North America sometime in the mid-1880's. Here they developed along different lines with a heavier, taller dog being the end result. Today's American Staffordshire Terrier represents that breeding.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club Stud Book effective October 1, 1974, with regular show classification in the Terrier Group at AKC shows available on and after March 5, 1975.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Short
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Smooth-coated, well balanced, of great strength for his size. Muscular, active and agile.
	Characteristics Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children.
	Temperament Bold, fearless and totally reliable.
	Eyes Dark preferred but may bear some relation to coat colour. Round, of medium size, and set to look straight ahead. Eye rims dark.
	Mouth Lips tight and clean. Jaws strong, teeth large, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Muscular, rather short, clean in outline gradually widening towards shoulders.
	Forequarters Legs straight and well boned, set rather wide apart, showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which point feet turn out a little. Shoulders well laid back with no looseness at elbow.
	Body Close-coupled, with level topline, wide front, deep brisket, well sprung ribs; muscular and well defined.
	Hindquarters Well muscled, hocks well let down with stifles well bent. Legs parallel when viewed from behind.
	Feet Well padded, strong and of medium size. Nails black in solid coloured dogs.
	Tail Medium length, low-set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. Should not curl much and may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.
	Gait / Movement Smooth-coated, well balanced, of great strength for his size. Muscular, active and agile.
	Coat Smooth, short and close. Colour Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white.
	Colour Black and tan or liver colour highly undesirable.
	Size Desirable height at withers 36-41 cms (14 to 16 ins), these heights being related to the weights. Weight: dogs: 13-17 kgs (28-38 lbs); bitches 11-15.4 kgs.