Because people often underestimate the effort required for owning dogs, there may well be a Staffy at your local rescue centre needing a loving home. However, a rescue Staffordshire bull terrier could be more challenging than a puppy, so experience would certainly be recommended. You should always do diligent research before buying or adopting any breed, to make sure they’re right for your life situation. We recommend checking with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group to find out about responsibly and safely purchasing a dog. We’ve also put together a guide to buying a puppy or dog online to help you safely and sensibly assess your options.
Care
While Staffies can enjoy cosying up indoors with you and the family, one thing they never normally lose is their prey drive with cats and small animals. Therefore, they don’t usually fit well in a house with other pets. They also tend to be diggers by nature, so it’s worth securing your garden fence before letting them out unattended – and perhaps letting go of any attachment to neat flower beds.
First-time owners of a Staffordshire bull terrier should be aware that they’re chewy by nature, too. You can keep their jaws off your more prized possessions and slippers simply by giving them lots of tough chew toys to get their teeth around. You should give them several smaller meals a day, rather than one big meal, and it’s a good idea to consult your vet about weight monitoring as they’re prone to getting overweight, which puts unnecessary strain on their joints.
Grooming
Most Staffies are pretty easy to keep looking handsome with a once-weekly groom and a bath when they get muddy. They’re prone to some skin conditions, so be sure to always use dog shampoos recommended by your vet. They can shed a little, but not excessively, and more at the turn of the seasons. You should stay on top of trimming their claws, which your vet can help with, and it’s also advisable to keep their ears clean and free from debris to avoid infections.
Exercise
Staffies need plenty of daily exercise to keep them healthy and to stop them from getting bored and taking it out on your furniture or other possessions. They’ll need a minimum of one hour’s walk. If you like to walk further or go out for bigger excursions at the weekends, they probably won’t want to miss that either. To burn off any extra energy and ensure you have a quiet evening, it’s also a good idea to have a play or training session – after which they should settle down and chill with you. Staffordshire bull terriers tend to struggle in the heat, and you should refrain from over-exercising them during the hottest part of the day to avoid heatstroke. You can always ask your vet for advice about how hot is too hot to take your dog out.
Temperament and training
Staffordshire bull terriers tend to be intelligent and eager to please, and will usually see training and learning as a fun activity. However, stubbornness is another common trait in this breed, so you’ll need everyone in the family to get on board with firm, consistent training to ensure they know who’s boss. It’s a good idea to socialise them a lot from a young age with various different people and dogs. Puppy classes are a great place to start and should bring out their loving and gregarious side. They’ll usually get on well with any size of family and any age of humans. Most Staffies are naturally boisterous when playing, as they tend to be muscular, so they might accidentally hurt young children or vulnerable family members.
Common health problems
Staffordshire bull terriers are prone to several health issues, but many of these can be screened for and a responsible breeder should be able to provide evidence of this. Common problems with Staffies include:
- hip dysplasia – this is where the hip joint doesn’t fit together perfectly and will eventually lead to arthritis
- allergies
- a skin condition caused by demodex mites
- eye conditions
- cancers
- a metabolic disorder called L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria – this can be identified with a DNA test
Just because some breeds are prone to certain conditions, it doesn’t mean that your dog will have all or any of them. If you’re worried, you can always consult your local vet before committing to a dog.
Thinking of buying a puppy? Take a look at what to expect in your puppy’s first year and the lifelong cost of owning a dog.
FAQs
Are Staffordshire bull terriers dangerous?
No dog is inherently dangerous, and Staffordshire bull terriers are not considered dangerous dogs in England. They are listed as dangerous in some countries, however, so you should research thoroughly before travelling with your dog.
How long do Staffordshire bull terriers live?
It varies from dog to dog, but a healthy Staffy will usually live for between 12 and 14 years.
How much does a Staffordshire bull terrier weigh?
Though not tall (between 33cm and 41cm), muscular female Staffies can weigh 11–15 kg and adult males up to 17 kg.
Are American Staffordshire bull terriers banned in the UK?
‘Amstaffs’ are different from English Staffordshire bull terriers. They’re bigger and have a different face shape, ear shape and other characteristics. Neither breed is currently banned in England.
