Staffordshire bull terrier

Staffordshire bull terrier (staffik) is bursting with energy and the owner has to face it. However, this did not prevent the dog from gaining the nickname “nanny” – because of his patience with children. Staffik always wants to be the center of attention, which makes it absorbing.

Nature

Staffordshire bull terrier (staffik) has a strong, firm character. He is characterized by cheerfulness, curiosity, courage, tenacity and self-confidence. His enormous temperament is sometimes difficult to tame. Although some individuals grow out of youthful madness and become more stable with age, one should not expect our terrier to be satisfied with a short walk – it is a volcano of energy that needs to be released. A bored and runaway dog ​​wreaks havoc. However, we should remember that intensive training and strength sports can only be started with an annual pet.

Many young dogs are prone to destruction, so it’s better for them to limit access to things in the apartment. In moments of great excitement or joy, the staffic sometimes behaves erratically, so you must be careful not to accidentally hurt someone.

The representative of this breed is faithful and attached to the family. In his homeland, he gained the nickname “nanny dog” because he has endless patience in dealing with children. However, it should be remembered that an appropriate attitude towards toddlers should be taught to staff from a puppy, and instill in children the principles of proper dog behavior.

Staffordshire bull terrier (staffik) always wants to be in the spotlight, which is why it can be absorbing. Because he loves people, he is friendly even to strangers. Rather, it will not work as a guardian, but in the event of a real threat without hesitation he will stand up for his master. It rarely barks, which does not mean that it is quiet – it produces a whole range of different sounds (a typical feature of this breed).

This gladiator in the dog’s skin has a very high threshold of pain, physical injuries do not make much of an impression on him, he often does not signal ailment, so he must be carefully monitored. Instead, he is sensitive to the raised voice – screaming is a severe punishment for him. So you need to treat your pet warmly but firmly and not let him do anything, otherwise, we will quickly bring up a small despot.

It is rare for the staff to show dominance over the housemates, but if not properly raised, it can be aggressive towards foreign dogs. Although it generally lives well with small animals at home, it can be a big threat to a neighbors cat.

Skills

When dog fights and other bloody entertainment were banned, staffics became family dogs and are still today. They work well in some sports, e.g. in agility, flyball, obedience, weight pulling (weightlifting), dogtrekking (walking with a dog).

Staffordshire bull terrier. Training and education

The representative of this breed is intelligent, learns quickly, but is also perverse and stubborn. It needs consistency, positive motivation and the owner’s involvement in the exercises. Staffik is staring at his master and is happy to follow orders, but his work must give him pleasure. If we try to make the training fun for him, he’ll give it to him completely.

You should start learning at the dog kindergarten. Raising a dog of this breed, one cannot neglect proper socialization. The toddler needs to be provided with many stimuli – he should visit new places, have contact with various people, children and above all other pets. The latter affect the later relationship of staffik with foreign dogs, so be careful that the puppy does not get into a fight or be bitten.

Growing terriers should not be allowed to jump and race with adult dogs. It is better not to drag too long with your teeth when replacing them, because you can deform your bite this way.

Who is this race for?

Staffordshire bull terrier (staffik) is not suitable for everyone. The owner should be consistent, lead an active lifestyle and have plenty of time. Basic knowledge about raising dogs is also recommended.

Staffordshire bull terrier. Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages

• absorbing
• at a young age, he is prone to destruction
• in moments of excitement, it is not very delicate

Advantages

• faithful and very attached to the family
• gentle to people
• great companion for children
• active, can play dog ​​sports
• intelligent, eager to learn
• easy to care for
• suitable for living in a block of flats

Health

Staffics are generally in good condition, but there are several diseases typical of this breed. The most serious – though rather rare – are L-2-HGA (L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria) and cataract (HC). The first is an incurable genetic metabolic disease that attacks the central nervous system. Her most common symptoms include convulsions, muscle stiffness and cramps, shaky gait, hyperactivity or dementia, and dementia. An attack of the disease can occur as a result of intense effort or strong emotions.

A cataract is a hereditary eye disease. The first symptoms often appear already at the puppy age, they usually affect both eyeballs and can lead to complete blindness at the age of 2-3 years.

For both diseases, DNA tests are available to assess whether the individual is healthy, sick or is carrying a defective gene. It is important for breeders to do these tests on their dogs and for puppy buyers to ask about the test results (they will not show up if two healthy individuals or a healthy one are associated with the carrier).

Occasionally, persistent hyperplastic vitreous (PHPV) occurs – a birth defect involving the growth of blood vessels that supply the lens of the eye in utero. Larger changes can lead to blindness (a disease that can be diagnosed in 6-8 week old puppies during a specialist eye examination).

Young animals have skin problems caused by food allergies. Sometimes demodicosis occurs – it can occur in mild (usually self-healing) periods of a temporary reduction in immunity (e.g. during tooth replacement) or in generalized form in animals with genetically impaired immunity. There may be a habitual dislocation of the patella, dysplasia of the hip joints, and in growing staffics – youthful lameness.

There is also an elongated soft palate (a defect typical of dogs with short muzzles), which can cause difficulty in breathing and faster fatigue. The disease is most often accompanied by wheezing, wheezing and snoring while sleeping. In extreme cases, this requires surgical excision of excess tissue. In blue staffics, alopecia (alopecia areata) occurs – an incurable genetic disease of the hair that manifests itself after the end of the year. White individuals sometimes experience deafness.

Staffordshire bull terrier (staffik) is moderately resistant to weather conditions. Although he is a thermophilic dog, he does not tolerate hot weather so he should take long walks and training early in the morning or evening. He also doesn’t like rain and moisture. Winter walks will not hurt him if he is constantly moving.

Feeding

The exemplary staff is a strong dog, well-muscled, but not heavy, so you need to take care of his line. It is best to use good quality ready-made food for medium breeds. You need to pay attention to the amount of protein in food, because too high protein content can cause skin problems. If our pet has a normal metabolism, he can be given high energy products during intense training sessions.

Staffiki tolerates the diet quite well (natural raw food). During the molting period, preparations containing unsaturated omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and vitamin kits (preferably under veterinary supervision) may be used.

Puppies require careful nutrition and weight control up to the age of one. They must be slim, but not thin – they should have a scratched line of the last pair of ribs and a visible indentation in the weakness.

It is worth prophylactically giving preparations protecting joints with glucosamine and chondroitin to staffikers during development and to dogs playing sports. The daily dose for an adult dog is best divided into two meals.

Care

The dog of this breed molts in spring and autumn. There is not much hair, but it is short, hard, it gets stuck easily and it is quite difficult to clean it. When changing the coat, it is even recommended to comb your pet every day to get rid of dead hair faster – except during the molting period, it is enough to do it once a week. It’s best to use a rubber glove or a rubber comb.

Wipes soaked in care products are also used, which refresh the coat and skin, remove dirt and eliminate unpleasant odors. A slightly damp cotton towel will also work well.

We bathe Staffika as needed in ordinary shampoos for short-haired dogs or shampoos coloring and emphasizing the color. For quadrupeds who have had skin problems before, you can use medicinal cosmetics, e.g. iodophore or biosulfur. Regularly check your ears and shorten your claws.

Staffordshire bull terrier (staffik) does not require special preparation for the exhibition. Before entering the ring, you can apply preparations that will polish the coat, making the muscles more visible.

There are two methods to present a dog of this breed. The first is issuing from the so-called freehand – the animal stands on a loose ring in front of the handler, keeping eye contact with it. The second way – more popular on European and Polish rings – is to put on a tight leash (the dog is heavily forwarded and positioned). Leather ringlets with chain elements are used to present staff.

Accessories

We take young staffics for walks in a wide leather or sackcloth collar (we use braces for adults). Instead of traditional leashes, it is better to use long lines or automatic leashes that will give the puppy greater freedom of movement.

Breeders warn against letting young dogs loose in busy places, because as they grow up, they can be excitable and unpredictable, e.g. without hesitation they will run across the street if they are interested in something on the other side.

Toys should be strong and solid. They should be issued to a dog under control, because staffik is able to destroy each of them and can swallow bitten fragments. Teethers and balls made of hard rubber, kongi, cords and natural delicacies will work best.

For sleeping, let’s buy a staff, a soft bed or a pontoon, although many dogs of this breed are more likely to lie in the beds of their owners. Puppies during the absence of household members can be left in a large metal cage, in which you need to put a bed, a bowl of water and something that will take care of the toddler, e.g. a smoked ear.

History

The origins of the Staffordshire bull terrier – like all bull breeds – should be sought in 19th century Great Britain. Breeders decided then to create a breed that combines the strength and courage of a bulldog with the tenacity and agility of a terrier. So they crossed the then bulldogs with Manchester Terriers and no longer existing white English Terriers. In this way they obtained medium-sized animals – quite diverse in type – which were called bull and terriers.

They were used for dog fights, as well as biting rats in time, which was then a popular pastime among English workers. The largest share in creating the so-called pit dogs, or fighting dogs, was owned by craftsmen, miners and tavern owners. Their animals were characterized by enormous strength, agility and sharpness towards their brethren, while not aggressing towards people.

Over time, many of these dogs went to the United States with English immigrants, where they were crossed, which contributed to the emergence of new breeds ( American Staffordshire Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier).

Staffordshire bull terrier (staffik) remained unchanged in the British Isles. When in England officially banned the use of dogs for fighting, staffics quickly became valued companions of the family. Duke Hamilton played a big role in breeding this breed, which probably also contributed to the creation of her modern image.

Staffordshire bull terrier was registered by the English Kennel Club in 1935, and already in 1936 appeared at the Crufts exhibition. The first English champions in 1939 were the bitch Lady Eve and the dog Gentleman Jim. Staffs are currently one of the most popular dogs in Great Britain. There are several clubs gathering lovers of this breed.

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Staffordshire bull terrier – group III FCI, section 2, reference number 76

• Country of origin: Great Britain
• Size: desired height at withers: 35.5-40.5 cm; dogs weight 12.7-17 kg, bitches 11-15.4 kg
• Coat: short, smooth, close-fitting hair
• Color: black, red, fawn, white, blue, with white patches, brindle in every shade or brindle with white; black and tan ointment undesirable
• Maturity: 2-3 years
• Lifespan: 10-14 years
• Weather resistance: medium

Interesting facts

Staffiki (also recorded “stafiki”) belong to the group of dogs known under the common name TTB (bull type terrier). Other known breeds in this group are bull terriers ( commonly called bulls) and American Staffordshire Terriers (amstafs).