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The Staffie is a medium sized stocky dog with a short foreface and head, broad, wrinkled skull, and wide chest. It is so well muscled that even the jaw and occipital muscles are exceptionally pronounced.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is very similar in appearance to the American Staffordshire Terrier though considerably smaller.

Since this dog is slightly longer than it is tall you will immediately notice the low center of gravity and firm stance.  This is NOT an aggressive posture.  It is simply the shape of the dog.  It does, however, give the impression of great strength and power.  And both of these attributes apply to the Staffie breed.

It's small size allows this breed to be surprisingly agile while the heavy musculature provides strength that belies the size. pronounced jaw/cheek muscles

If you should have the opportunity to live with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or know someone who does, you will quickly learn that  despite it's reputation from pit fighting, this dog is a lover not a fighter. It has a wonderful and playful personality - it is really quite an entertaining and fun loving character.  You will find most Staffies to be companiable, amiable, docile, obedient, courageous, strong willed, tenacious, fearless and even-tempered.  They are extremely intelligent, highly trainable, and possess a strong desire to please their people.  In fact, Staffie puppies are known for being extremely easy to house train.

Most of these dogs are quite gentle and are known for loving children.  The nickname "Nanny dog" originated in the UK due to both its innate love of playtime with children and its eagerness to protect and defend children.

Given the history and breeding of the Staffordshire some still demonstrate aggressiveness toward other dogs. Exercise care and supervision when socializing this dog with other animals.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a great deal of stamina and requires strenuous daily walks and / or active and challenging playtime.  Staffies excel at both obedience and agility which can be incorporated into daily training and exercise.

The Staffie is a very low maintenance dog.  Brush daily to remove dead and loose hair and bath or dry shampoo as necessary.  The coat can be raised to a gleaming shire if rubbed with dry toweling or chamois.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a higher than average incidence of Mastocytoma (mast cell tumors).  These are cancerous proliferations of mast cells which can and do spread.  But the secondary damage done by the spreading tumors can be more harmful than the cancer.

As with any breed, irresponsible breeding can cause the spread of hereditary genetic flaws.  These conditions can be detected with DNA testing before symptoms occur.  DNA testing for genetic conditions need be done only once in the life of the dog.  A responsible breeder will have tested both the breeding stud and the brood bitch prior to mating to avoid producing litters that are likely to develop these medical conditions.

The two most common of these genetic conditions for this breed are Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria (HA), a metabolic disorder resulting in behavioral changes and dementia-like symptoms; and Hereditary Cataracts (HC). 

Two additional conditions that can develop in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and affect vision are: Distichiasis (commonly known as “double eyelash”) where eyelashes are misdirected and begin to rub against the eye, particularly the cornea, causing ocular surface damage; and, Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (or PHPV) which is a condition whereby the blood supply to the ocular lens fails to regress and fibrovascular tissue forms causing hazy vision.  Staffies should be given an ocular exam periodically throughout life to check for these conditions.

The Staffie desires human companionship and attention as much as it desires food.

The Staffie can be seriously affected by cold weather and should only be sought as a house pet.

In the UK the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is sometimes referred to as the 'Nanny dog' due to its innate love of children and eagerness and ability to assume a role much like that of a child's nursemaid.

As a result of their history and breeding Staffordshire Bull Terriers can be aggressive with other dogs and have a strong prey drive.

The Staffordshire is typically a poor swimmer. Employ supervision around pools, lakes, etc.


Chosen lines of the Staffordshire Terrier were instrumental in the development of the American Staffordshire Terrier.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the 5th most common breed of dog in the UK in 2011.

The Staffie is the only breed to have the words 'totally reliable' in its breed standard.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is one of only two breeds from over 190 recognized by the UK Kennel Club to have a mention of the breed's suitability with children.

Given their natural fondness for people most Staffords are temperamentally ill-suited for guard or attack-dog training or duty.

Staffordshires express their affection through jumping up, nuzzling, licking and pawing.  Even when trained they may still be overly enthusiastic with people.

Staffordshires are perhaps not suitable pets for those who prefer quiet, reserved dogs.

Staffies are extremely adaptable in terms of changing homes or even owners.  Unfortunately this can make them easy prey for dog-nappers.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is often subject to breed bans worldwide that target the Bull and Terrier family. However, Australia, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and New Zealand make clear a distinction between the American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier and thus they are exempted from Breed Specific Legislation.  However the RSPCA fears that breeders are re-naming pit bulls as Staffordshire bull terriers to avoid prosecution.

Jock of the Bushveld is a true story by South African author Sir Percy Fitzpatrick. The book tells of Fitzpatrick's travels with his dog, Jock, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, during the 1880s, when he worked as a storeman, prospector's assistant, journalist and ox-wagon transport-rider in the Bushveld region of the Transvaal (then the South African Republic).

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier's love of people demands an owner that recognizes the breed's need to be part of the family.  This is not a dog that should be kept outside or expected to act as a guard dog.

The Staffie does best with an owner that is an experienced dog owner that assumes the alpha role and has time for training, socialization and exercise on a regular basis.

The Staffordshire can adjust to city / apartment life if adequately exercised.

The Staffordshire breed was developed in the UK in the late 1700 and early 1800's.  This 'bull and terrier dog' resulted from crossing the bulldog with the 'black and tan terrier', aka 'Pit Bull Terrier', in effort to create a quick and fearless dog to compete in the rat pit which eventually crossed over to dog fights.

Selective breeding of the resultant litters led to a small, nimble and agile dog with an incredibly strong jaw.  Though these dogs were bred to fight each other they were also bred to be passive and subservient with people so that they could be handled when in an agitated state in the pit.
When pit fighting and dog fighting were outlawed the dog remained popular as a pet and show dog.  At some point the name 'Staffordshire" was applied in reference to the area where it was very popular and to differentiate it from the other 'bull and terrier' breeds.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was admitted to the English Kennel Club in 1935 due to it's success in the show ring after dog fighting was banned.  Although the breed arrived in the United States in approximately 1880 it was not admitted to the AKC until 1974.

AKC, Terrier Group
CKC, Mastiff Group
UKC, Terrier Group

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR

To date all of my research into Designer Breeds based on the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has only resulted in a couple of dogs.  Click here to view them.
There is also some confusion as to whether certain designer breeds are based on the Staffordshire Bull Terrrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, or the American Pit Bull Terrier.  They are very similar. Click here to view designer breeds based on the American Staffordshire Terrier, or the American Pit Bull Terrier.