Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Frequently Asked Questions

Staffies have consistently been one of the most popular breeds in the UK for decades thanks to their loyal, kind and fun-loving natures. If you are thinking about getting a dog and wonder if a Staffordshire Bull Terrier would be the right dog for you, the frequently asked questions below might help you make that final decision.

What is the life expectancy of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are generally very healthy dogs and thanks to their size, they enjoy quite long lifespans. When well cared for and fed an appropriate diet to suit the different stages of their lives, Staffies can live from anything from 12 to 14 years with some dogs living even longer.

What is the difference between a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Pitbull?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are often confused for being a banned breed, namely the Pit Bull. However, they are not related in any way. They are a lot smaller than Pit Bulls and they weigh a lot less too. A male Staffy’s ideal weight should be anything between 13 to 17 kg with females being several kilos lighter. Male Pit Bulls are a lot heavier. When it comes to height, male Staffies stand at between 36 to 41 cm at the shoulder with their female counterparts being slightly shorter. Male Pit Bulls are a lot taller.

Are Staffordshire bull terriers smart?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very intelligent dogs and are always eager to please which is why in the right hands, they are easy to train. It is worth noting that because Staffies are so smart, they often test just how much they can get away with and why they must always be handled firmly and fairly throughout their lives. With this said, they do have a bit of a stubborn streak which must be taken into account during their training. The problem is getting a young and boisterous Staffy to stay focussed when they are being trained which takes time and a lot of patience.

What health problems do Staffordshire bull terriers have?

Staffies are known to be healthy dogs, but they can suffer from several acquired and/or hereditary health issues. These are detailed below:

• Hereditary cataracts (HC)
• L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L2HGA)
• Distichiasis
• Persistent hyperplastic primary Vitreous (PHPV)
• Posterior polar subcapsular cataract (PPSC)
• Mast cell tumours

What Colour is a pied Staffy?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers come in a variety of colours which includes the following:

• Red
• Fawn
• White
• Black
• Blue
• All the above colours intermixed with white
• Any shade of brindle
• Any shade of brindle with white markings

When a Staffy has a white in their coats whatever the colour, they are described as being “pied”.

Are Staffordshire Bull Terriers an aggressive breed?

Providing a Staffy is well socialised and trained from a young enough age, they are not generally aggressive. However, in the wrong hands, Staffordshire Bull Terriers can become dominant and aggressive making them much harder to live with and handle. As such, it is really important for Staffies to be well handled so that they know who is the alpha dog in a household.

How much money is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are among one of the most popular breeds in the UK and for good reason. They make wonderful family pets providing they are well socialised and well trained from a young enough age. As such, well-bred puppies can command a lot of money and according to our Pets4Homes statistics, Kennel Club registered puppies cost around £930 on average. Non-Kennel Club registered puppies usually cost around £480.

Are Staffordshire Bull Terriers banned in the UK?

Staffies are not a banned breed in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The problem is that they are often mistaken for other breeds which includes Pit Bull Terriers although they are not related in any way. For the moment, there are no plans to ban the breed here in the UK bearing in mind that Staffies are one of the most popular choices when it comes to family pets and companions throughout the country.

Are Staffies affectionate?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are renowned for being loyal and loving by nature. They form extremely strong bonds with their families and are never happy when left to their own devices for any length of time which often sees them suffering from separation anxiety when they are which often sees them being destructive around the home.

Do Staffies swim?

Staffies are not built to be good swimmers thanks to their large heads, short legs and wide chests. They are always at risk of drowning because they have real trouble staying afloat. As such, great care must be taken whenever a Staffordshire Bull Terrier runs free anywhere near water just in case they fall in and need rescuing. This includes when they are near rivers, lakes, ponds or the sea.