The Staffordshire bull terrier possesses an imposing persona that hides its sensitive side, according to the American Kennel Club. The dog, which has its roots as a fighting animal, gained recognition by the English Kennel Club in 1935 and eventually by the American version in 1974. The breed continues to battle a bad reputation from its days as a dog that individuals used for their own entertainment in the dog pits.
Description
The average Staffordshire bull terrier is not a tall dog, with the males standing between 18 and 19 inches tall at their shoulders and the females a bit shorter at 17 to 18 inches. These dogs, however, have a compact body. Males weigh 35 to 40 pounds and females 30 to 35 pounds. The dogs are wide at the shoulders across the back and are extremely muscular, with formidable jaws.
Coat
The hair of the Staffordshire bull terrier's coat is smooth, short and very close to its skin. The colors can vary between red, white, blue, black and brindle. Often, the colors combine in a dog, with black and white animals or brindle and red common. The dog sheds very little and requires a minimal amount of grooming. Staffordshires have no "dog odor" and do not require bathing on a regular basis.
Background
Rat killing was a sport enjoyed by the British working class in the early part of the 1800s. This led to a cross between the bulldog and the black and tan terrier that produced a strong-jawed breed that people could handle without fear of the dog turning on them. When rat killing lost its appeal, the owners of these breeds decided to pit them against each other for their version of sport. Even as dog-fighting bans tried to put an end to the practice, the dog breed retained its dislike of other strange dogs.
Behavior
This breed has a tendency to show aggression toward other dogs with which it is not familiar. Therefore it is prudent that you keep it on a leash whenever it's in an outdoor area that's not enclosed. As puppies, the Staffordshire bull terrier will chew extensively and should have the proper chew toys to exercise this habit. The terrier will also dig when given the chance, making it important for any fenced-in areas that enclose the dog to have some sort of reinforcement at the bottom.
Personality
In England, the Staffordshire bull terrier gained the moniker of the "nanny dog" for its temperament around children and willingness to protect them. It has a playful character and enjoys exercise and playing with its owner. The dog's curious nature translates into it always being on the alert. Owners of this dog should expose it to many people at an early age to socialize it properly.
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