Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Moderate
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Miss Jayme Collins (TRUBEAUTEE)

jaymecollins417@gmail.com
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Breeder - Mrs Kim Reeder (GAMESTER)

kimreedergibb@gmail.com
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2. Margaretha and Frans Coetzer. Zeracious. 2100061491

History

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was bred from the old-fashioned Bulldog and the English White Terrier (now extinct). Originally bred for bull and bear baiting in the 1800s, this fearless breed is now one of Australia’s most popular breeds, ranking second in the top 10 Australian dog breeds. It is a wonderful all-purpose companion dog, especially for families with children.

Characteristics

Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity, the Staﬀordshire Bull Terrier is highly intelligent and aﬀectionate, especially with children. It has proven its ability in the show ring, the Obedience and Utility rings as well as ﬂyball. They also make great therapy dogs.

The Staﬀordshire Bull Terrier is known for its independent mind, which is one of its greatest charms. It is a ‘gentleman’, unless set upon; however, it is also one of the most aﬀectionate, trustworthy and gentle creatures with humans, with a legendary love of children.

Submitted by Elaina Chandler. Photo by Cassie Caple. 2100018328

Temperament

The Staﬀordshire Bull Terrier must be sound physically, as well as in mind. It is bold, fearless, trustworthy, dependable, friendly, tolerant and totally reliable, in particular with children. The breed is well known for its love of people, and would not be as popular as it is without this. The Staﬀord’s population is the largest in Australia with registrations of over 4000, not including the unregistered population.

Appearance

The Staﬀordshire Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, well-balanced dog with a short, close coat with a natural gleam. It is active and agile with great strength for its size. It is an athlete with long and resilient muscles; when in good condition it will give the appearance of being smooth and hard. It is clean in outline, free from ﬂeshiness and should never be fat.

Maintenance

A ﬁt, healthy Staﬀord will always be easy to maintain. They are easily cared for, with a natural diet of meat and biscuit, and the occasional bone. A weekly brush and a bath once a month will suﬃce. It requires a daily walk or run in the park or beach with a ball to maintain physical and mental ﬁtness.

Health Issues

Staﬀordshire Bull Terriers have very few health problems. Most breeders test their breeding stock, for hereditary diseases, such as L2-HGA (a metabolic disorder) and Hereditary Cataracts (HC). It has been documented recently that Staﬀords are no longer on the HC list in the UK and have never been here in Australia.

Skin problems may be an issue, but with the correct diet and environment this problem is avoidable. If fed correctly and exercised Staﬀords will have fewer problems. There have been some instances where their heads are far too short, causing breathing problems. It is against breed standard for a Staﬀordshire Bull Terrier to have this problem.

Suitability

This tough but lovable breed is suitable for urban or rural environments. A bored Staﬀord will often bring the washing in from the clothes line or even assist you with the gardening if left alone for too long. The Staﬀordshire Bull Terrier is ideally suited to family situations, but is also a great companion for individuals. This breed must be well trained otherwise it may become unruly.

Words: Kim Reeder on behalf of The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Society of NSW Inc

Image: Cabal Canine Candids

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 26 Mar 2015)

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Breed Standard - Staffordshire Bull Terrier

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Smooth coated, well balanced, of great strength for his size. Muscular, active and agile.

Characteristics

Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children.

Temperament

Bold, fearless and totally reliable.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Short, deep though with broad skull. Very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, nose black.
Eyes	Dark preferred but may bear some relation to coat colour. Round, of medium size, and set to look straight ahead. Eye rims dark.
Ears	Rose or half pricked, not large or heavy. Full, drop or pricked ears highly undesirable.
Mouth	Lips tight and clean. Jaws strong, teeth large, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Muscular, rather short, clean in outline gradually widening towards shoulder.
Forequarters	Legs straight and well boned, set rather wide apart, showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which point feet turn out a little. Shoulders well laid back with no looseness at elbow.
Body	Close coupled, with level topline, wide front, deep brisket, well sprung ribs; muscular and well defined.
Hindquarters	Well muscled, hocks well let down with stifles well bent. Legs parallel when viewed from behind.
Feet	Well padded, strong and of medium size. Nails black in solid coloured dogs.
Tail	Medium length, low set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. Should not curl much and may be likened to an old fashioned pump handle.
Gait/Movement	Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernible drive from hindlegs.
Coat	Smooth, short and close.
Colour	Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black and tan or liver colour highly undesirable.
Size	Desirable height at withers 36-41 cms (14 to 16 ins), these heights being related to the weights. Weight: dogs: 13-17 kgs (28-38 lbs); bitches 11-15.4 kgs.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.