Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Originally bred as fighting dogs, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or "Staffie" has a mixed reputation. Many regard them with suspicion as aggressive dogs, but owners testify to the Staffie's loving temperament as a family pet.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a British breed of short-haired terrier of medium size. It originated in the Black Country in the Midlands. It is the direct descendant of the bull and terrier cross-bred from the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier.
After the introduction of legislation criminalising dogfighting in 1835 and again in 1911, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was more commonly kept as a companion dog. Its history as a fighting dog made it difficult for the breed to gain recognition by the British Kennel Club; it was eventually recognised in 1935.
The Staffie is a stocky, muscular and unusually strong dog of small to medium size. It has a broad chest, strong shoulders, well-boned wide-set legs, a medium length tail carried low, and a broad head with a short muzzle with ears with folded tips. The coat is short, and can be red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of the aforementioned with white; any shade of brindle; or any shade of brindle with white.
It is a healthy and robust dog with a life expectancy of 12–14 years and has a reputation for pugnaciousness; when challenged by another dog it does not back away.
The nickname for the Staffie is "The nanny dog" as they are so good with children. The Staffie is the breed that is recommended for a family with young children by many of the welfare and re-homing organisations. The Kennel Club describes the breed’s suitability to young children. It is one of only two breeds to have this recommendation.
Further reading
Links to external websites are not maintained by Bite Sized Britain. They are provided to give users access to additional information. Bite Sized Britain is not responsible for the content of these external websites.