THE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER

As Pets: Staffies are tenacious and playful, boisterous and very friendly - though well behaved when trained. Other words used to describe them are - exuberant, impulsive, sensitive, intelligent, energetic, tough, robust, courageous, curious, people-loving, comfort-loving, protective, devoted, active, quick, agile, silly as a wheel and sometimes bull-headed or stubborn. They are adored by their owners and are one of Australia's favorite dogs.
 

Ideal owners: Staffordshire Bull Terriers love people. They are suitable pets for families, but as they are strong, enthusiastic dogs they may bump over small children. Staffies enjoy riding in the car, running on the beach, bush hikes, romping and playing in the back yard and curling up (on you) to watch TV. They are said to be good watchdogs but because of their love of people they are not well suited for guard or attack-dog training.
 

Nature: The breed is very human-orientated and loyal, though they can be aggressive to other dogs. It is important to socialize them with children and other dogs before the age of 18 weeks. Their friendly nature means that they will go to strangers readily and risk being stolen for use in illegal dog fights. (One of Rufous' sisters was stolen before the age of 15 weeks).
 

Appearance: Staffordshire Bull Terriers are smooth coated, neat looking medium sized dogs. Well muscled in the hindquarters with a strong tail, they are agile and have great strength for their size. Staffies are easily recognized by their short broad head shape. The fore face is short, the cheek muscles developed and stop is distinct. Usually the eyes are dark and the nose black. The ears are half pricked and not large. The tail is one of the breed's special characteristics and should not be docked. It is low set, medium length and is carried in a curl like a pump handle.
 

Size: Stocky, medium sized dogs, Staffies reach full maturity between the ages of 18 - 24 months. Dogs are usually larger than bitches in weight as well as height. 
Staffies stand about  (14"-16") at the withers (or back).
Dogs weigh  (30-40lbs) and bitches (25-35lb).
 

Lifespan: about 12 years.
Color: The coat colors are red, fawn, white, black or blue and various shades of brindle. White patches go with any of these colors.

Training: Basic obedience training is really necessary for Staffies. They do well in obedience competitions. The training needs to be positive and creative. While Staffies are smart and quick to learn they are sometimes bull-headed so patience, persistence and firmness is needed. They can be very impulsive and the owner needs to be the one to think ahead.  The young dogs are very 'oral' and need safe chew toys, unless you decide to allow them to cut their teeth on your furniture, clothing, shoes and other belongings. They love to wrestle, chase and play tug-of-war, but you must set the rules and always remain the boss.
 

Health: Staffies are hardy little dogs so it is surprising that up to 50% of births are caesarean section. There are usually six to eight pups per litter.
One not uncommon birth defect can be cleft pallet.
Some Staffies can suffer from hip dysplasia (degenerative bone disease);
luxating patella's (slipping kneecaps);
entropion (an eye disease) but these are not common ailments.
Sun burn and skin cancer will effect pale-colored dogs or dogs with pale noses.
Staffies can be accident prone; they will rush in where angels fear to tread and they rarely develop a road sense.
 

Maintenance: Staffies are happiest indoors with the family and are easily house-trained. They shed very little hair and the most grooming they need is the occasional brushing. For a dog who spends most of it's time indoors a bath every 10 to 14 days is plenty.
They need attention to ears, teeth and glands just as any other dog.
They are susceptible to fleas and ticks and in Australia should be checked for ticks daily and monthly treatment for heart worm and intestinal worms is necessary. .
Staffies do not tolerate extremes in temperature. In hot weather they will look for shade and water. The respiratory system of these bull dog descendents can contribute to overheating. If they wheeze of seem to gasp for air after activity on a hot day they need a bath of cold water, a pool or dam to soak in to lower the body temperature.

History: Staffordshire in England, the origin of fine china (Wedgwood and Spode) is also the birthplace of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
I have come across a few different stories in my reading so I will include a few of them here.

1. It is generally agreed that the breed can be traced back to the Mastiff-like dogs through the old Bulldog which, when crossed with British Terriers, produced the first "Bull and Terriers".  Books published in the early 1800s which to "Bull and Terrier", "Pit Dogs", and "Fighting Dogs" and confirm that the cross existed at that time.
The old-fashioned Bulldog was a fierce, courageous animal used in the "sports" of bear and bull baiting as early as the mid-sixteenth century. When these "sports" fell from public favor and were outlawed, their supporters turned to dog fighting and sought to create a sporting dog that, while retaining the legendary courage and ferocity of the Bulldog, would incorporate the greater agility of the terrier.
Terriers thought to have been used in the cross are the Manchester terrier and the now-extinct English White Terrier. In addition, crosses with various of the old working terriers were made.
Because of the attentions of different groups of English fanciers, two distinct types of Bull and Terriers arose and by 1900, they were easily distinguished. James Hinks's elegant white dogs, produced by crossing the old Pit Bull Terrier with the English White Terrier (and some say) Pointer and Dalmatian, were recognized by the Kennel Club (England) at the turn of the century. This "White Cavalier" is known today as the Bull Terrier. The other Bull and Terrier - the Stafford, which was owned by the common man - was not as easily "legitimized."
Fanciers of the "working class" dog met in England in the 1935 to form a club for the  Staffordshire Bull Terrier fanciers and draw up a Breed Standard. In 1938, the first Championship Points were awarded in Birmingham.
The first Staffordshire Bull Terrier taken to the USA lived there as companion dog. It was not until 1975 the the American Kennel Club recognized the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as a registerable breed that could be shown outside the Miscellaneous Classes. The first Staffie to be registered was dog, an English Import and the first American Champion was a bitch imported from Australia.

2.While Josiah Wedgwood was slaving away at his kiln in the 1700s, just down the road the Staffies' forebears were probably being readied for another round of bull-baiting. It was thought beef would be tough unless the beast was 'hot' before slaughter and so Staffordshire Bull Terriers were developed to tease the cattle. Whether an honest belief or an excuse for cruelty, bull-baiting was a popular pastime, later replaced by dog fights. Today's dog, however, is literally centuries away, and is proving to be a faithful, attractive and surprisingly popular choice for pet owners. (from Burke's Backyard Fact Sheet-roadtest)

3. Staffordshire Bull Terriers originated in Great Britain, where the dogs of the 'bull and terrier" combination of the early 19th century were his immediate ancestors. What were called "bulldogs" in those days actually had little of the appearance of the Bulldog as we know the breed today. This early bulldog was a longer-legged animal, being actually more similar to the Staffordshire descended from him than from the Bulldog of modern times. Their terrier side consisted of the early English Terrier, which was derived from several of the basic terrier breeds. The combination of these two types -"bull and terrier" - produced dogs of great proficiency for the 'sport' of pit bull fighting, so popular with miners and ironworkers of the early 19th century. "Bull and terrier" dogs were strong, agile, and tenacious. What other qualities they might have possessed were of little or no interest at the time.
Unfortunately and unfairly, the stigma of its early occupation has been a difficult one for the Staffordshire to overcome. Unfairly, the Staffordshire's ancestors were bred and taught to fight other dogs, and all instincts to do so were carefully nurtured by their owners. It was the thing demanded of them; it was their way of life. It made them valued and respected.
It was undoubtedly the outlawing of pit dog-fighting by the Humane Society in Great Britain that caused those with 'pit bulls' to take a speculative look at the dogs they had created, and perhaps to take notice of some of the other qualities these dogs possessed, their intelligence, their loyalty and devotion and their potential as outstanding 'family dogs' who under normal circumstances could make excellent farm and family protectors and companions. Bull baiting, a popular 'sport' up to that time, was declared illegal by Great Britain's Humane Society in 1833. This action eventually was followed by the legal abolition of pit fighting (one dog against the other) which took a considerably longer time to enforce. In fact, it was close to a century later when the British police finally toughened their attitude in such a manner as to stage a real crackdown on dog fighting activities. Meanwhile, the purebred-dog fancy of Great Britain was growing with consistency and at an almost amazing rate of speed. The Kennel Club (Great Britain) had been founded toward the turn of the century; many show-giving all-breed clubs were holding dog shows. Specialty clubs were being formed to award and promote the interests of the more popular breeds.
The 'fighting' dogs then came to be regarded in a different light, as they were given the opportunity to socialize with people and to learn what it is like to be a family dog. It was found that the Stafford, when not being goaded to fight, is a gentle, docile animal, devoted and eager to please. Probably for the first time, Stafford people were becoming acquainted with their puppies and dogs on a different basis and finding them to be of excellent temperament.
A Staffordshire fights when prodded and provoked into doing so by the human to whom he is devoted. He can be taught to fight but he is not a trouble maker and is not viciously inclined toward people. Staffords love people - adults and children - possessing particular rapport with youngsters. Staffordshire Bull Terriers by A K Nicholas)

STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard

History

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a descendant of the Bull and Terrier crosses made in Great Britain in the late 1700's. It was, given the name "Staffordshire" in reference to an area where it was very popular, to differentiate it from the other Bull and Terrier breeds.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1975.

General Appearance and Characteristics  

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is one that possesses great strength for its size. Although muscular, it is active and agile. Its character is one of indomitable courage, high intelligence and tenacity. Coupled with its affection for its friends, and children in particular, its quietness and trustworthy stability make it an all-purpose dog. It is smooth-coated.

Head  

The head is short and deep through. The skull is broad. The stop is distinct. The cheek muscles are very pronounced. The foreface is short.

TEETH -- A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite; the outer side of the lower incisors touching the inner side of the upper incisors.

Serious fault: Overshot or undershot bites.

EYES -- Dark eyes are preferred, but may bear some relation to coat color. The round, medium size eyes are set on to look straight ahead.

Faults: Light eyes. Pink eye rims, except where the coat color surrounding the eye is white.

NOSE -- The nose is black.

Serious fault: Dudley nose.

EARS -- The rose or half-pricked ears are not large.

Serious faults: Full drop ear. Full prick ear.

Neck

The muscular, rather short neck is clean in outline and widens gradually toward the shoulders.

Forequarters

FORELEGS -- The straight, well-boned forelegs are set rather far apart at the shoulders, showing no looseness. The feet turn out a little at the pasterns, which are strong. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed.

Body

The body is close-coupled. The topline is level. The length of the backline, measured from the withers to the tailset, is equal to the distance measured from the withers to the ground. It is rather light in the loins. The front is wide, with a deep brisket. The ribs are well-sprung.

Hindquarters

The hindquarters are well-muscled.

HIND LEGS -- The stifles are well-bent. The hocks are well let down. The legs are parallel when viewed from behind. Dewclaws are generally removed from the hind legs.

The strong, medium-sized feet are well padded.

Tail

The medium-length tail is not docked. It is low-set, carried rather low and tapers to a point. It does not curl much, and may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.

Faults: Too long or badly curled tail.

Coat

The short, smooth coat is close to the skin. Neither the coat nor the whiskers are to be trimmed.

Color  

Acceptable colors include red, fawn, white, black, any shade of brindle, and blue, with or without white.

Height and Weight  

Height, measured at the shoulders, ranges from 14 to 16 inches.

Weight ranges are as follows: dogs, 28 to 38 pounds; bitches, 24 to 34 pounds.

Weight depends on the height of the individual dog.

Fault: Nonconformity with height and weight standards.

Movement  

The free, powerful, agile movement is accomplished with an economy of effort. When viewed from the front or the rear, the legs move parallel. There is a noticeable drive from the hind legs.

Disqualifications

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism. Black and tan, or liver-colored dogs.