Staffordshire Bull Terrier

  • Overview

    The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a strong, barrel-chested dog who gives the appearance of being small but sturdy. They are smaller than other breeds of bull terriers — most weigh less than 40 pounds and are only about a foot tall. These dogs are courageous and obedient. They love having the sense that they are pleasing their owners and making them proud. They can be headstrong and slightly stubborn in training, so they perform best with a dominant owner who is not afraid to put them in their place and refuses to give in to their mischievous whims.

  • Personality

    The Staffordshire terrier hates to feel neglected. This is not a dog who will respond well to being left alone often. He needs to feel as if he is part of the family and will appreciate accompanying his owner on even the smallest of outings. These dogs are playful, active balls of energy who love to clown around with their owners and play vigorously with other dogs. Staffordshire terriers are tenacious in play and when running or exercising outside, but they have the ability to quickly calm down and become quiet, gentle companions in the home. Staffordshire terriers throw themselves into all kinds of play, which unfortunately means that they love to chew. Make sure you provide your pup with plenty of acceptable things to chew so he does not cause any unwanted damage. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are enthusiastic about everything they do, whether it's romping through the yard or playing with their owners inside. They love to be part of the action and they long to know they're loved. These dogs do best in homes where they receive plenty of attention and proper training to help their friendly, bubbly personalities blossom.

  • Coat Care

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers have short, smooth coats. Their coats come in six solid colors that include red, fawn, white, black, brindle and blue. Some Staffordshire terriers have white markings on their chest or feet.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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Brushing

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier's coat will lose its shine if it is not brushed weekly.

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Bathing

With preparation, perseverance and a positive attitude, bathing can become a fun and fulfilling part of the regular grooming cycle, while helping your dog avoid many diseases and infections.

Smooth coated breeds adhere to the general rule of dog bathing: about once every three months. The coat should end up fresh smelling, shiny, with no loose or shedding hair. First give the dog a good brushing to remove dead hair and mats. Place a rubber mat in the tub to provide secure footing and fill the tub with three to four inches of lukewarm water. Use a spray hose, pitcher or unbreakable cup to wet the dog, taking caution to avoid getting water in the eyes, ears and nose. Massage in pet shampoo, saving the head for last. Immediately rinse thoroughly, starting with the head to prevent soap from dripping into the eyes. Towel dry. Wipe wrinkled breeds with a soft cloth and make sure they are totally dry after bathing.

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Hair Clipping

Clipping or trimming your dog’s coat is far easier than you would ever imagine. With the right clipper, trimmer and scissors, giving your dog a haircut is easy on your wallet and your schedule.

Dogs with smooth coats generally only require trims and tidying up in areas of excessive hair growth using a trimmer or blunt scissors. It's always wise to take a dog for a short walk or exercise to calm them down before trimming. Remember to brush the coat first to remove any tangles and mats. Don't forget to trim around the paws, pads, tail, chest and sanitary areas, as needed. The coat should lay flat and smooth against the body when finished.

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Nails

Because these dogs love to play and occasionally rough-house with other dogs, make sure to keep their nails trimmed so they don't hurt themselves or others whom they enthusiastically greet.

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Eyes / Ears

Not all breeds and coat styles require routine trimming in and around the eyes and ears but all should undergo regular inspection and cleaning around these sensitive areas. Doing so will help prevent the development of infections that could seriously damage these amazing organs.

It is always important to routinely clean your dog's eyes and ears, and examine for potential infections. Some smooth-coated dogs, like Basenjis and Boxers, and dogs with large ears, like Weimaraners and Great Danes, have sensitive ears that should be checked weekly for infection and cleaned with a cotton ball. Gently wipe a cotton ball moistened with mineral oil, olive oil or witch hazel in your dog's ear, being careful to avoid the ear canal. Never use a Q-Tip, which could cause damage to the inner ear if your dog suddenly shakes or jerks his head. Bushy hair growth within the ear can be thinned with tweezers or blunt scissors. Use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around the eyes, ears and face. If you have a small dog, like an Italian Greyhound, take special care to clean around their eyes with a cotton ball or soft cloth and use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around their eyes to make sure they are comfortable. Dogs with facial wrinkles, like French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers, should have their faces wiped down at least weekly to prevent infection.

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Teeth

Many owners do not realize how important it is to brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis. Some dogs are prone to dental problems and sensitive teeth, especially small dogs with tiny teeth and dogs with special diets. These problems can be easily combatted with frequent brushing.

Cavities are rare with dogs but gum disease caused by tartar buildup is not, which is why they require regular brushing with toothpaste and a toothbrush formulated specifically for dogs. While daily brushing is ideal, doing so on a weekly basis will be a big help in avoiding the need to bring your dog to a veterinarian for a cleaning, which usually has to be done under sedation.