<b>Appearance</b>
Staffordshire Bull Terrier physique
Weight: 29-48 pounds (13–22 kg)
Height: 14-16 inches (35–40 cm)
Coat: Smooth, short and close to the skin
Litter size: 4
Life span: 10-15 years

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a stocky, muscular dog with great strength and athletic ability.

They have a broad head, defined occipital muscles, a relatively short foreface, half prick ears, dark round eyes and a wide mouth with a clean scissor-like bite. The ears are small and either rose or half-prick. The cheek muscles are usually pronounced. Their lips show no looseness, and they rarely drool.

The head tapers down to a strong well muscled neck and shoulders placed on squarely spaced forelimbs. Their rib cage is well sprung and is topped by a level top line. They are tucked up in their loins and the last rib of their cage should be visible. Their tail is carried like an old fashioned pump handle and should be neither too long nor too short. Their hind quarters are well muscled and are the drive in the Staffordshire's gait, being well let down in the hock.

They may be coloured black, brindle, red, blue, white, or any blending of these colours with white. White with any colour over an eye is known as piebald or pied. Skewbald is white with red patches. Liver-coloured and black and tan dogs sometimes occur but these are considered an unacceptable colour for the show ring or any reputable breeding program. The coat is smooth and short.

The dogs stand 35–40 cm (14–16 in) at the withers and weigh 13–22 kg (29–48 lb) with male dogs heavier. The jaw type has about 220 to 255 pounds of force (0.98 to 1.13 kN).

As with many breeds with show determined characteristics, the 'Staffordshire' can suffer from several health problems including cataracts and breathing problems.


<b>Temperament</b>
Terrier breeds are generally bold, inquisitive and fearless. The Staffie is renowned for its reliability as a family dog, with special emphasis on their reliability with children. The breed thrives in the family environment, being a suitably compact size for close family living. They can be protective of their family, especially those with small children, and it is for this reason that they make an excellent family guardian and watch dog.[1]

As a result of their dog fighting heritage, one of the problems noticed in this breed is a tendency of aggression towards other dogs. It must be understood that even a Staffordshire Bull Terrier with "good" temperament may fight when challenged by another dog and should therefore be adequately controlled in public places. Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners have a certain obligation to society (as could be said of all dog owners), and should always ensure that their dogs are correctly and adequately housed and not allowed to roam freely in public and in the vicinity of unfamiliar dogs. It is always good advice to avoid allowing your Staffordshire to make eye to eye contact with strange dogs, as this is normally seen as a challenge.

It is important that any breeder can satisfy you that the puppy you are interested in, and its parents, have a stable temperament.

Avoiding aggression can also be aided by proper socialisation and training of the puppy. Puppies should be regularly exposed to the full gamut of situations that they are likely to encounter as older dogs. Regular, supervised contact with other dogs, children and any other family pet, along with early obedience training will help ensure that the dog grows into a well-socialised animal.

Obedience training is imperative to ensure that the owner feels they will have control over their dog in any situation.