The Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Contrary to popular belief, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are affectionate dogs with an awful lot to offer any household that decides to include one. Kind, and incredibly loving, the Staffie is ranked as 5th most popular breed in the UK, and perhaps surprisingly, the 2nd best with children.

The United Kennel Club says “This breed has indomitable courage, high intelligence and tenacity. Coupled with its affection for its friends, and children in particular, its quietness and trustworthy stability make it an all-purpose dog.”

Staffordshire Bull Terrier History

Staffordshire Bull Terriers were originally bred in, surprisingly enough, Staffordshire, England, and were bred for the purpose of Bull-Baiting in the 19th Century. Rather than being bred for good looks or trophy value, they were bred to be strong, agile and tenacious.

It is no doubt this that has left the Staffordshire Bull Terrier with a stigma attached to them that is now, almost 200 years later, completely out-dated and inaccurate. Staffies are wonderfully intelligent and fiercely loyal. Extremely good family dogs, they play well with humans, adults and children, and with other dogs in the family. They can sometimes have problems with unfamiliar dogs, but nothing that can’t be sorted with a strong lead and some well-developed arm muscles!

Blue Staffordshire Bull Terriers

We own a gorgeous Blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Herbie. He’s 9 months old and is basically the canine version of Phil Mitchell - short, stocky, barrel-chested and a bit of a lad. He doesn’t strain on his lead when we’re walking him, he doesn’t bark or growl at other dogs and his owners have chosen not to humiliate him with one of those ridiculous studded harnesses which are fit for neither man nor beast. He has a cute red one with puppy paw prints on it, to give you some sort of idea of his level of mean-ness…and yet he is always warily approached.

When people do approach him however, the one thing they always comment on is his colour. He is a very dark blue-grey, with gorgeous big dark eyes. Blue Staffordshire Bull Terriers are deemed ‘the most sought after’ of the Staffie colourings, and are highly priced and it would seem, relatively rare. Blue Staffies, I have learned, should be dark, with black noses and inky eyes. If a Blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier is light grey, and with light eyes it is considered to be ‘undesirable’. However, if you wish to just enjoy your pet and not parade it in front of a panel of judges, all variations of Blue Staffies are healthy, however light or dark – lack of pigmentation is not indicative of bad breeding.

Training Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppies

Being a first time dog-owner, it has, and continues to be, a learning curve. Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies (and all dogs) are like children. If you raise a child with no boundaries, no rules or punishments they will grow to be unruly and vicious, with no respect for people’s boundaries or a sense of right or wrong. Staffies are exactly the same. If you let your Staffie run wild with no time-out sessions, without the proverbial ‘naughty step’ and without a clear understanding of the right way to behave, you will end up with a 38-pound monster who is basically pure muscle with some eyes and whiskers.

A Staffy Conclusion

Unfortunately though, some people have given Staffies a bad name. People being the operative word. It’s unacceptable that dogs like Staffies, who are loyal, intelligent and affectionate have such an unshakeable stigma attached to them because of irresponsible human beings who have not taken the time to train their pet.

Staffies make brilliant companions – so if you are considering owning a Staffie, Blue or otherwise, go for it and don’t worry about the bad name they have been given. They are boisterous and incredibly strong, but all you need to enjoy such an energetic and beautiful breed, is to make sure you’ve got a helmet and pads for the first couple of training months!

Other Staffy Tid Bits

• Weight : Males - 30-38 pounds, Females - 25-35 pounds
• Height : (at withers) 14-16 inches
• Eyes : Dark, can bear resemblance to coat colour.
• Ears : Half pricked, not large/heavy.
• Head : Short, broad skull. Highly pronounced cheek muscles.
• Litter : 4-6
• Life : 10-15 years.