Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed guide

Staffordshire Bull Terriers originate from the Staffordshire region of England. Also known as Staffies (Staffy) or Staffords, they were originally bred in the early 19th century from the Bulldog and English White Terrier (which is now extinct) for bull and bear baiting. Staffordshire Bull terriers are a wonderful all-purpose companion dog, especially for families with children. They’re a breed that loves to learn and work, and have a tendency to become bored and destructive quickly. They excel in sports for this reason but otherwise a wonderful and loving breed.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Temperament

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are highly intelligent, very curious dogs that enjoy attention. They are brave and not afraid to take risks, and are often described as being boisterous. They are known to be affectionate, friendly and gentle towards humans (especially children), and make great therapy dogs. They can be aggressive towards other dogs. While the breed has a reliable temperament, they have an independent streak and can be stubborn at times.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies for sale in NSW

Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies for sale in VIC

Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies for sale in QLD

Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies for sale in SA

Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies for sale in WA

Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies for sale in NT

Ideal Home for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Families with children are well suited to the Staffy, given their good nature with children. This breed requires human companionship and so should not be left alone or outside for long periods of time. They also thrive on attention so owners should have sufficient time to play with their dogs. Given the energetic nature of this breed, owners should also be prepared to exercise their dog on a daily basis otherwise they can be prone to boredom and misbehave.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers need to be very well trained as early as possible to prevent the dog from becoming unruly, so their owner should be committed to provide training as early as possible. When training, the owner should be prepared to be consistent but also affectionate.

How Much Space and Exercise Does a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Need?

Given Staffordshire Bull Terriers’ athleticism, abundance of energy and high intelligence, regular exercise is a must so that these dogs can remain mentally and physically fit and do not become destructive. This exercise can include fetching a ball, running or walking alongside an owner or any other type of physical activity that challenge them mentally and physically. However, these dogs are sensitive to heat and so should not exercise excessively when it is hot.

Grooming Needs

This breed does not require too much maintenance. They have little odour and so bathing is not required on a regular basis - monthly is enough. A good brushing over weekly to remove any dead or loose hair and will keep the coat shiny. Dirt will come out very easily upon brushing, given the short length and smoothness of the dog’s coat.

General Facts about Staffordshire Bull Terriers

A fully grown Staffordshire Bull Terrier is medium sized and grows to be approximately 36-41 cm tall with a weight of around 13-17 kg (male) or 11-15 kg (female). They are very muscular, athletic and quick on their feet. They have a short head and snout, with a broad skull, pronounced cheek muscles and a wide, strong jaw. This breed has a medium length, but strong, tail which is carried low.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Coat and Coat Colours:

The Staffy coat is very short, smooth and lies close to its skin. It comes in a variety of colours including red, fawn, white, black, brindle, blue or any of these colours with white.

Thanks to Carmen Milne - STEPPENWOLF STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIERS for great pics - Rbiss Steppenwolf Harley Quinn ''Keeley'' and pup Steppenwolf J'Taime (AI) "Jolie"

Check our listings for puppies for sale here and click on the links to our breeders below to go to their profile page. You can also click here to search for Registered Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breeders by location.

Source: Wikipedia

Potential Health Issues in Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Staffords have few health issues (especially if they are fed and exercised correctly). Responsible breeders test their breeding stock for hereditary diseases such as L2-HGA (a metabolic disorder) and Hereditary Cataracts (HC). Sta?ords are no longer on the HC list in the United Kingdom and have never been here in Australia. Skin issues can be a problem but they are usually related to a poor quality or inappropriate diet. Other potential health problems that can occur in Staffords and other breeds are listed below.

L2-HGA (L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria) – a neurometabolic disorder that occurs when dogs lack a particular enzyme to break down the L-2 Hydoxyglutaric Aciduria in urine, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, thereby impacting the central nervous system and resulting in a lack of coordination, muscle tremors, stiffness, poor learning ability and epileptic seizures. While the symptoms of this disorder can be treated, there is no cure.

Hereditary Cataracts (also known as Juvenile Cataracts) – this occurs when opacity or cloudiness occurs in the lens of the eye and progresses rapidly. It occurs early in the dog’s life and may result in the dog becoming blind by the age of 3. It is very rare in Australian dogs.

Atopic dermatitis – a skin allergy which causes the dog to itch, and sometimes causes hair loss or sore spots on the dog’s skin.

Demodectic Mange – this occurs when dogs with a weakened or compromised immune system, develop red, scaly and itchy skin with hair loss as a result of demodex mites. It can be either localised or generalised.

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) – a hereditary condition whereby the thighbone does not fit snugly against the hip joint, leading to lameness or arthritis and resulting in pain and debilitation for the dog.

Elbow Dysplasia – a hereditary condition caused by different growth rates of the 3 bones in a dog’s elbow, causing joint issues and painful limping.

Patellar Luxation – this hereditary condition occurs when the femur (thigh bone), patella (knee cap) and tibia (calf) are misaligned and slips out of place, causing arthritis.

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) – this is a congenital condition, which varies in the degree of severity, causing a developmental defect in the normal regression of some of the intraocular structures of the eye.

Distichiasis – this occurs when a dog has extra hair growing on the edge of their eyelid, which rubs against the surface of the corneas and causes mild irritations and corneal ulcerations.

Entropion – this is a hereditary condition caused by excess eyelid tissue, small eyes, or both and resulting in eyelashes rubbing against the dog’s cornea or conjunctiva, or both, which can cause immense pain damage for the dog and damage to the cornea.

Ectropion – this is a hereditary condition, whereby the lower eyelid droops away from the eyeball, revealing an additional eyelid and the conjunctiva, resulting in conjunctivitis.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – this refers to a range of inherited retinal degenerations.

Staffy Fun Facts

- This breed is known for its love of and protection of children and they are nicknamed the ‘nanny dog’ in England.

- Staffords look more fierce than they really are and are sometimes mistaken for Pit Bulls. Despite having what some people consider a menacing look, Staffy's are not even the slightest bit aggressive. Their stocky build, strong head, and intense eyes give them a somewhat fierce look but they are not a vicious breed.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier FAQ's

How should Staffies be trained?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers should start to be trained and socialised with other dogs as early as possible to encourage good behaviour. Despite this breed being extremely trustworthy, they still have a fighting instinct and may be aggressive towards other dogs if not trained properly.

This breed is very intelligent and can learn quickly, although can be stubborn when being trained. Consequently, the trainer should be strict, strong, clear, and consistent to get the best training outcome.

Do Staffies bark a lot?

Staffies are not prone to excessive barking. If they bark a lot it is usually due to things that can and should be addressed eg: boredom, separation anxiety, frustration/lack of sufficient exercise, attention-seeking or territoriality.

How often do Staffordshire Bull Terriers shed?

Although this breed sheds heavily once a year, they otherwise shed very little.

Staffy References and Resources:

Australian Dog Lover - Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Dogs NSW - Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Information

Is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Right for your Family?

Dog Breed Info - Staffordshire Bull Terriers

If you are a small scale ANKC registered breeder and would like to be listed here, just contact us or follow a few simple steps to add your details yourself.

We welcome helpful comments and contributions to information about this breed by email

View Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeders