Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Staffies should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. 

Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior) and adjustments will be required as their needs change with age. Some dogs are prone to getting overweight so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

It doesn’t take much work to keep a Staffordshire Bull Terrier looking smart. Occasional baths and weekly brushings with a horsehair mitt or deshedding glove to pull away dead hairs will help to keep him in beautiful condition.Staffies shed a low to moderate amount and they may do a heavy shed once a year.

Trim his nails once a month if needed, and check his ears once a week for dirt, redness, or any bad odour that may indicate an infection. Wipe them out weekly with a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to prevent problems. As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.

The Stafford requires regular exercise to stay mentally and physically fit. This exercise can be a game of fetch, running, a hiking trail or a walk on the beach. Although a Stafford in good physical condition can keep up with an athletic owner, they usually settle right in when they come back in the house after a good exercise session. The breed can be heat intolerant and should never be overworked in warm or humid weather.

These dogs radiate energy, and need long walks and plenty of play time. They vibrate with energy and enthusiasm and are always ready for adventure. His curiosity and tenacity can sometimes lead him into trouble.

Veterinary care is essential to a dog’s health and wellbeing, however, the frequency of treatment and checkups will depend on the dog.

Scheduled six-monthly health check visits with your vet are important to ensure your Staffy healthy and happy throughout all life stages. In these annual visits, your vet will complete a physical examination, take your dog’s temperature and check his heartbeat, among other things. Routine maintenance for your dog gives you a chance to track your dog’s growth and development and discuss any concerns with your vet, and forms a key part of preventative care.

Today’s responsible breeders are producing sweet-natured, family-oriented Staffies with a reputation for being patient with kids. These are true-blue loyal companions but the old fighting instinct still lurks within. The muscular, but agile Staffordshire Bull Terrier still retains its traits of courage and tenacity making it vital that Staffy pups are socialised early on with other dogs to learn good canine manners.

The Stafford is a sensitive and loving companion who enjoys playing more than being tough. He sees life as a joyful adventure and lives it to the fullest. He is known for his love of people and trustworthy nature. His greatest desire is to spend time with his people, whether that means vegging out on the sofa, running errands in the car, going for walks or participating in activities like agility, flyball, obedience and therapy work. He dislikes being left to his own devices. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not a breed that can be left outside alone or at home for a long period of time without human companionship.

The Stafford is intelligent, learns easily, responds quickly, is calmly protective, and can be a loving and fun companion. They have an ardent desire to please and easily comply with the requests of their owners.

They’re challenging to have around strange dogs, however, so off-leash walks and dog parks aren’t usually possible with these dogs. Many Stafford owners get involved with more organised canine sports like agility or obedience to give their dogs a mental and physical workout.

When it comes to training, it’s important to take into account the Stafford’s exuberant, impetuous, stubborn and sensitive personality. Patience, persistence, and firmness are all necessary to keep him on the straight and narrow, but never be harsh, either verbally or physically.

Staffies were originally bred to fight other dogs and most have retained a strong prey drive. They must be trained to control their temperament traits to truly become a perfect pet. It is imperative that from the beginning a Stafford puppy have clear and consistent training. They should not only learn the rules but also accept that they must always follow them. They are able to live with other breeds if managed correctly and need to respect a pecking order. The top positions of this hierarchy must be held by the family members (including children). They can be good with cats and other animals if introduced with caution. At heart, Staffies are terriers which means they have guts and will retaliate if challenged.

Although not looking for trouble, the Staffordshire will not back down to a challenge and is not always agreeable with other dogs. He is also not too fond of cats, although a few Staffords that are raised with other household pets can live with them in harmony.