One of the jocks of the doggy world and England’s Nanny Dog, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is a gentle, docile, and fun-seeking breed of tough-looking dogs. These active breeds of dogs come from a line of fighting dogs, so they look and feel strong and confident but are absolute angels. They will dig the ditches and chase the felines but will adore your love and do anything to keep you happy and smiling.
They are a stubborn breed so training them properly is a field day, with a lot of consistency needed on the owner’s part. But it’s not entirely wrong or impossible or even that hard when you put some effort into it. But they can manipulate their owners if you let them, so good luck with that part too. They’re agile and obedient, and sports is a good activity for you to do with them, be it a few rounds of good ol’ catch or just a long jog through the neighborhood. Anything to give them that physical and mental challenge will keep them satisfyingly active.
History
The story of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier started a few centuries ago in England when dogs used to wrestle it out in a pit where people bet on who would win the actual dog fight. These dogs were bred specifically to be strong and compete in the sport-all originating from their granddaddy, the Pitbull.
These blood sports were banned in 1835, but the pit dog wagering activities continued on underground levels. Usually housed in cellars, these breeds of bull typed dogs would either battle it out, gladiator style, against one another or set against packs of rats. So these gamblers took the pitbull out of service from that ban earlier and bred them with the quick and feisty Terrier, and we got these breeds of dogs that had this punishing jaws of a bulldog combined with that fierce spirit of a Terrier.
Most of the breeds created this way have now gone extinct but the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed which was perfectly by Birmingham’s own James Hink rose as one of the most successful and enduring breeds, named after the county of Staffordshire where this breed was popular.
After their arrival on the American continent this breed grew taller, they got heavier offshoots, and after over a hundred years of perfected yet responsible breeding, the brawler breed transformed into the loving trustworthy family companion we know today.
Characteristic
The Staffordshire Bull Terriers are never shy or snarly. They grow up to 16 inches in height and to around 38 pounds in weight. They’re imposing figures, with their strong, muscular build, intense stare, and powerful stance. Recognized for their short broad head that goes along with that muscular build, the Staffordshire is an affectionate breed with strength and determination that only a firm yet gentle owner can handle. It is their patient attitude that brought them the nickname Nanny Dog, the Staffordshire is especially loving towards children. However, this does not mean you take the name literally and leave the baby in its care all alone.
They’re bred to be active and agile and thus need a lot of exercise daily and a good chew toy for their great jaws that are known to have a high bite force of 328 PSI. However, this terrier is known to be non-aggressive to most people despite packing a good package in its mouth. They love people’s company and are okay with relaxing on a sofa while watching a cricket match with their owner, running an errand in the parks or shops, or just going on a trip or a short walk; they’re ready for it all. They don’t like being alone. Staffies bond with the entire family and love everyone equally with the same enthusiasm.
These medium-sized dogs have easy care for the coat to go with that gentle nature of theirs. They carry the bull breed looks through those broad heads and muscular bodies. But it’s their size and those ears that set them apart from the rest of the bull breeds. They have a medium-sized tail that’s carried low and uncropped ears that are small and shaped like withered-rose. The coat comes in a long range of colors from black to grey and fawn to red and white, there are just a lot of options.
Temperament and Socialising
Known for their faultless temperament around people, the Staffordshire is however a little less friendly around other dogs and animals although the second part of the information depends heavily on the training and socializing skills it happened to have picked up. So, remember to involve them in socializing activities from early on and keep on continuing that socializing. It does have the nickname Nanny Dog over in England for a reason. It has gained quite the reputation as the perfect play partner and companion for a child. The perfect guardian you might add. But, as stated above you can’t just put your child in its sole care as is the case with any dog in a non-fictional setting.
They are after all bred to be fighting dogs, so have a little remnant of their original purpose somewhere in there that requires them to be aggressive towards other dogs, but gentle and loving with their human handler.
Grooming
Their short coat makes the Staffordshire a relatively easier breed to groom. They shed less so just a weekly brushing of their coat should suffice to keep it clean and shiny. This is also done to remove any dead hair from the coat. It is recommended for you to occasionally check their ears for any signs of inflammation. Their nails should be trimmed only when deemed necessary.
Health
Living up to 14 years the Staffordshire Bull Terriers are known to have a high pain tolerance and this makes it hard to track any health issues so owners should be alert to any changes to the dog’s behavior and health status. The Staffordshires are prone to diseases like Cataracts, which cause impaired vision and lead to blindness, and L-2-Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria or L2HGA, a metabolism condition that leads to dementia and behavioral changes in the Staffordshire.
Other health issues that the owner needs to look out for include Mastocytoma, Skin allergies, Distichiasis, Hip Dysplasia, and Demodectic Mange among many others.
Cross-breed variations
There are of course newer breeds that have arisen through cross-breeding a different breed of dogs with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Some of the most popular of these include the
Miniature Rottweilers which are mini pups are a result of breeding between a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Rottweiler. The small stature comes from a popularly larger breed the Rottweiler is the runt of the litter.
Starfish is a cross between a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Scottish Terrier.
Staffordshire Bullmastiff is a cross between a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Bull Mastiff.
Staffpatterdor is a cross between a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a Patterdale Terrier, and a Labrador Retriever. They have a nervous yet loving temperament.
Facts
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is also known by names like Staffy, Staff, Stafford, Staffy Bull, Staffy Dog, and of course Nanny Dog.
After the decline of dog fighting, the breed was kept preserved by introducing them to the world of Show Dogs by the working class families after the ban on bullfighting and dog fighting back in 1835.
The distinctive factor in a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is their cheek muscle, the wide jaw short muzzle, and ears that fold over at the tips.
In its home country, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is known as the Nanny dog due to their reputation as a child’s playmate. They also make a good guardian for them
A Staffordshire’s head will sometimes split around the age of 6 months or older. The trait has nothing to do with their skull or anything inside breaking however and is due to their muscles fully developing along with a dip in the middle of the head.
There are around 27 recognized coat colors for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that are recognized officially.
Some Famous Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Sergeant Stubby who served in World War I was the most decorated war dog of the Great War. He was the only dog to be promoted to Sergeant. Found wandering through the army training session at Yale Field in Connecticut and befriending Corporal Robert Conroy, Stubby was smuggled into the vessel bound for France and he found himself on the Western Front of the combat. Stubby was able to detect gas much earlier than humans and had an acute hearing that could hear even the quietest sound from advancing enemies. Becoming known as a Mercy Dog, who would scan the battlefield for injured soldiers and comfort them as they lay there or alert paramedics of the wounded. Stubby was made a life member of the American Legion and awarded a Special Gold Medal by the Humane Education Society for his services to his country.
Sui, who accompanied beloved Australian Conservationist Steven Irwin was well known for accompanying Irwin in his many wild adventures, helping him in handling crocodiles and snakes. Sui even made several appearances in the show, The Crocodile Hunter. Irwin had raised Sui since she was a puppy and would be rarely seen on his adventures without her by his side. He even named his daughter, Bindi Sue after her. Irwin wrote in one of his writings, “Sui protected Bindi for six years. It was so funny-no one was allowed to muck with Bindi whilst Sui was guarding her. Then Bindi would put bows in her hair and play Barbies with her. We lost count of how many times Bindi fell asleep on top of a very, very patient Sui.”
Winston, is the fancier specimen of the breed, accompanying popular Hollywood actor Vin Diesel.
British Actor, Director, and dancer, Tom Holland homes a beautiful Staffie, Tessa who he is seen face timing with and reading his scripts to.
Originally published at https://happybark.com.au on September 6, 2022.