Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, also called the Staffy or Stafford, is a purebred dog of small to medium size in the terrier group. It is muscular and well-boned, with strong shoulders, a wide chest and wide-set legs, and it is agile and quite active.

The head is broad and the ears fold at the tip. The coat is short, stiff and close. It may be white; black, blue, fawn or red, all with or without white; or any variety of brindle, with or without white.

Staffords usually stand 36-41 cm at the withers. Males weigh about 13-17 kg, and females roughly 2 kg less. Today the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is considered a family pet and companion dog, and is among the breeds recommended by the Kennel Club for families.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier takes its name from Staffordshire, and it originated in the northern parts of Birmingham and in Staffordshire. It descended from 19th-century bull and terrier dogs, made by crossing bulldogs with various terriers. These crosses went by many names, such as Patched Fighting Terrier, Staffordshire Pit-dog and Brindle Bull.

The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 outlawed bull- and bear-baiting, but illegal dog fighting carried on in hidden venues. Organised dog fighting in Britain largely ended only with the Protection of Animals Act 1911. The early link with fighting made official recognition difficult.

The Stafford shares ancestry with the Bull Terrier, though the two developed separately and do not look alike. A 2017 genome-wide study suggested bull and terrier type dogs map back to the terriers of Ireland, with origins around 1860-1870.

In 1930 the name Staffordshire Bull Terrier first appeared in advertisements. Breeder and judge Joseph Dunn worked for recognition, and the Kennel Club approved the name in 1935. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club formed in June 1935 and approved a breed standard the same day. The breed was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1954 and by the American Kennel Club in 1974.

The Kennel Club describes the breed as bold, fearless and totally reliable, and well suited to families. Its breed standard notes a particular affinity with children.

Staffords have a reputation for pugnacity, and when challenged by another dog they are known not to back away. The American Kennel Club describes them as having traits of courage and tenacity, and as mild, playful companions with a special feel for kids.

A 2022 study concluded that most behavioural traits are heritable but that behaviour only subtly differentiates breeds. It found dogs stereotyped as aggressive, such as pit bull types, were not more aggressive than others, and that behaviour is primarily shaped by environment rather than breed.

A 2022 UK study of veterinary records found a life expectancy of 11.33 years for the breed, just above the overall average of 11.23 years. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12 years, compared with 12.7 for purebreds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Staffords show a predisposition to juvenile onset demodicosis. In a UK study, 2.14% of Staffords under two years old had it, against 0.48% overall.

Neurological disorders identified in the breed include cerebellar abiotrophy, Chiari-like malformation, myotonia congenita and L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. The breed is also one of the most commonly affected for hereditary cataracts.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

Is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier a good family dog?

The Kennel Club lists the breed among those recommended for families, and its breed standard notes a particular affinity with children. The American Kennel Club calls it a mild, playful companion with a special feel for kids.

How long do Staffordshire Bull Terriers live?

A 2022 UK study found a life expectancy of 11.33 years, and a 2024 UK study found 12 years. The 2022 figure was just above that study's overall average of 11.23 years, while the 2024 figure was below the 12.7-year average for purebreeds and level with crossbreeds.

Is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier a banned breed in the UK?

No. In 2018 PETA lobbied Parliament to add the breed to the restricted list under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The RSPCA, Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and Battersea objected, and the proposal was rejected.

What is an Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

It is not a recognised breed. The name is sometimes used in the UK to advertise American Pit Bull Terriers in an attempt to get around the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. No kennel club recognises it.

Is a Staffy the same as a pit bull?

Staffords are often confused with pit bull types because they share common ancestors from the early 1800s, and in some places they are defined as a pit bull type. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a separate, Kennel Club recognised breed.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is nicknamed the Staffy or Stafford.

The first name requested for the breed, Original Bull Terrier, was rejected by the Kennel Club in 1935.

The breed club was formed at a meeting in the Old Cross Guns pub in Cradley Heath.

Watchman has been the military mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment since 1882.

Cooper, adopted by Staffordshire Police in 2018, was the first of the breed in that force. He worked as a police dog until 2022 and appeared on Crimewatch Live.

In 2019 and 2020 the breed had the highest number of Kennel Club registrations in the Terrier group.