Staffordshire Bull Terrier: breed description, nuances of care

Nemo me impune lacessit - "No one provokes me with impunity." This is the motto of the staff bull breed in one of the most popular national clubs in Canada, which exactly matches the character of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The unprecedented courage, perseverance and indestructible courage of the dog earned the respect and wide popularity of the breed in many parts of the globe. In the famous story of E. Seton-Thompson, “The History of the Bull Terrier,” a young dog, a robust snap, wins the battle with a seasoned wolf.

Having high intelligence and goodwill in relations with people, the bull terrier is the most reliable companion dog. Everything else, this is a dog with humor - she smiles at you all the time. Take a closer look!

Various ancient chronicles indicate that the ancestors of the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier were kept at the reigning courts hundreds of years ago. These mastiff-like animals were used by the Romans as gladiators in arenas, to persecute bears, lions and bulls. Actually, the term "bull terrier" itself came from the English bull (bull).

The breed appeared in the XVI century, in the English county of Staffordshire as a result of mixing the blood of Old English mastiffs and bulldogs. Bull terriers were used as fighting dogs, because the breed succeeded in being strong, strong, with excellent reaction. The author of the breed is also known - the English Duke Hamilton, who managed to get a real fighting dog.

Over time, the Staffordshire Bull Terriers, thanks to their fighting virtues, have established themselves as participants in fierce and uncompromising dogfights and bullying bulls. Since 1835, such fights began to be held regularly.

In 1935, an amateur club of staff bulls opened in England, whose president D. Mullen was elected. A year later, an exhibition dog session was held, and the press burst with laudatory publications about this amazing breed.

The breed standard was approved in 1936, and the breed was recognized as the best as a home companion. In 1974, the staffbulls were put on the tribal lists and formally formed a standard that fully reflects their features.

After a time, the bull terriers became regular participants in many prestigious exhibitions. In 2006, the staffbull as the best domestic dog won the appropriate status. In England, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is by far the most popular companion dog.

Professionals call dogs “stuffies”, which, in contrast to popular belief, are not as aggressive as they seem at first glance, rather, on the contrary, they are affectionate and playful. However, they are supposed to be kept in strictness, not spoiled, so as not to create conditions for the unforeseen manifestation of aggression against people or animals.

According to the standard, adult staffs look both massive and elegant in physique. In males, the raised muscular system looks great. The dog reaches a height of 40 cm. The average weight of males is 17-20 kg, bitches - 15 kg. The coat is short and stiff and, along with rough skin, is well adapted to protect the dog’s body in combat.

Characteristics of dogs, in accordance with the provisions of the standard, reflects their main features:

• short and slightly expanded skull, prominent cheekbones and frontal part;
• dark tip of the nose and lips (without bryl);
• jaws tightly arranged and strong;
• protruding and slightly hanging ears;
• eyes are rounded, colors depending on the suit of the dog;
• powerful neck, with well-stretched skin (no folds);
• large loin, chest strong;
• the stomach is powerful, not falling;
• legs are slightly shortened in proportion to the body;
• paws are strong;

• the coat is dense, smooth, shortened;
• the bite is correct, with tightly spaced lips;
• the back is wide and even;
• small tail, slightly narrowed towards the end.

Bull terriers are classified as shorthair. Wool has no undercoat. Typical colors:

• amber colors;
• reddish tint;
• dominant light;
• blue (gray);
• black.

We note a number of interesting and useful points.

• Staffordshire bull terriers are commonly called different, alternative names - “staff” or simply “stuff”.

• Their hunting instincts and guard inclinations are poorly developed, which is important to consider when choosing a dog breed.

• For about half a century, Staffy has been acting as a living mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment of the Prince of Wales.

• Staffbul will not be lazy for days to enjoy “soapy” TV shows with the owner. The breed exists in a very dynamic mode and is characterized by an accelerated pace. Therefore, she prefers pleasant idleness to a game or significant physical exertion.

• Male bulls are more aggressive and prone to competition among themselves. For this reason, keeping two males in the same house will require remarkable exposure from the owner.

• Intelligence and sharpness of staff is important to regularly develop training.Dogs also need early socialization.

• Staff bulls have a high pain threshold - they are easier than other breeds to withstand injuries and even serious wounds.

• The breed is contraindicated in overheating and significant hypothermia. Therefore, for staff recommended home and apartment maintenance.

• Staffbul is a sport breed, with proper education and training, it is able to show excellent results in dog frisbee, agility and freestyle.

Despite the definitely aggressive look of the bull terriers, in reality they are loving and true friends. In a relationship with a person, they are friendly, even when meeting with strangers, dogs usually do not show aggressiveness.

Smart and gentle staffs are extremely loyal, cheerful and perky in nature, they love to be in the center of attention. Staffballs are active, always confident in their abilities and really love games.

The bull terrier is alert and focused on hazard identification. Controlling the situation and the environment, he will immediately warn the owner about it, and if necessary, will instantly engage in a fight with the offender.

Steffi has a positive attitude towards children and is always ready to protect them. Dogs get along quite well with cats and other pets.

Nonetheless, kindness and poise of character do not prevent them from being real fighters. Dogs are not the first to attack, but they are ready to give a worthy rebuff to any aggressor. A huge energy, physical strength and low pain threshold of an experienced fighter helps them in this. Males are somewhat more aggressive than females, therefore regardless of the conditions of upbringing, they should instill the skill and understanding that even a minimal demonstration of aggression is prohibited.

Some features of the staffbull character:

• the dog can not be kept in the yard, but only at home;
• walking exclusively on a leash, as individual dogs can be aggressive towards strangers;
• stuffy - dogs with developed intelligence, but not without some originality (stubbornness);
• the dog is partial to home comfort and coziness;
• puppies are great lovers of chewing, so durable toys for the dog will not be redundant;
• Staffies love to dig;
• it is difficult to tolerate heat, so in the summer it is necessary to monitor the possible overheating of the dog;
• it is an animal with a highly developed predator instinct, which imposes a special responsibility on the upbringing, training of the dog and control over its behavior;
• this is a reliable protector of the owner, but he often treats property indifferently.

We highlight some of the shortcomings of the breed.

1. Staffbulls are poorly tuned for good relations with other animals. The breed is dominant, striving to occupy a leading, dominant position among other dogs.
2. Staffies consider cats and small rodents to be their prey, which must be caught.
3. Often they show obstinacy and the desire for dominance in the family, which can be avoided only with the help of proper and patient education.
4. Their training and considerable physical activity take a lot of time.
5. A long separation from the owner is fraught with psychological trauma for the dog.

Genetically, staffballs are strong and hardy animals that do not particularly feel pain. Therefore, it is often not possible to determine the dog’s disease in the early stages of its development. On average, they live 12-14 years. The lifespan of an animal is most often determined by a hereditary factor. However, not the least place in this context is also occupied by diseases typical of the breed. therefore the topic of vaccinations is extremely relevant here.

Staffi puppies, especially those under the age of one year, are extremely vulnerable to infection. During this period, the puppy's immunity level is low - he recently broke up with his mother.

Sure, vaccination does not provide complete protection against the occurrence of diseases, but the likelihood of their occurrence decreases significantly. Vaccinated animals tolerate diseases much more easily than unvaccinated animals.

Primary vaccination is usually carried out in nurseries, where breeders are required to obtain veterinary passports. In the future, the owner must adhere to a special vaccination schedule:

• complex vaccination is carried out at 2, 2.5, 6 and 12 months and then repeated annually;
• The rabies vaccine is given at 7 months and is subsequently repeated annually.

In content, the staffs are unpretentious and quickly adapt to new conditions. Experts recommend that you keep them in a country house or spacious apartments. This dog is mobile, energetic, and space gives it the opportunity to splash out excess energy.

Bull terriers do not have a tendency to disable furniture or other household items - they love to just frolic and play. Therefore, frequent walks of the dog are extremely useful for her. It is necessary to walk it at least 2 times a day. Moreover, during the walk it is important to ensure high activity classes.

Staffball care is easy. Its short hair sheds in spring and autumn. However, if the dog is kept in rooms with dry and warm conditions, a change of coat can take place throughout the year.

In the case of Staffi bald spots, dandruff, dry and brittle hair, it is recommended to replace the shampoo. It is useful in such cases to look at the quality of the food. A consultation with a veterinarian will not be out of place here.

To improve the functioning of the circulatory system, stimulate growth and eliminate dying hair, the dog is recommended to be combed once a week using a brush with natural bristles. During the molting period, the procedure is carried out as necessary.

They bathe stuff once a month with a special detergent with air conditioning. In this case, the coat is rinsed with warm water, and the shampoo is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1. After foaming, the dog is washed abundantly with warm water. Shampoos are not recommended to be applied to the animal’s coat without dilution.

At the end of the bath, wet the dog’s coat with a towel, and then comb it over the coat. It is advisable to insert cotton wool in the ears for the quickest removal of moisture. After swimming, it is not recommended to walk staff for 2 hours for final drying. In winter, the dog is bathed at the end of the final walk.

Regular inspection of the animal’s eyes is very important. Small grains in the corners of the eyes are not dangerous, they are easy to clean with a lint-free cloth moistened with warm boiled water or chamomile broth. In case of redness, swelling of the eyelids, profuse lacrimation, you should seek the help of a veterinarian.

Once a week, you need to check the ears of the dog. Sulfur and dust pollution are eliminated with a cotton pad moistened with warm water. With a clear excess of sulfur, a bad smell from the ears, redness of the skin do not self-medicate, it is better to consult a veterinarian.

Milky teeth in puppies appear at about a month of age, after 5 months, radical ones erupt. Mature stuffy has 42 teeth, of which 12 are incisors, 4 are fangs, 26 are indigenous. The bite is classic, scissor-like.Dogs are taken care of 3-4 times a week using a special toothpaste using a brush or brush on the finger.

The claws are trimmed with a special clipper once every 2 weeks in the winter and once a month in the summer, because in the summer the dog runs a lot and grinds the claws to a large extent. After trimming, the burrs are removed with a special nail file. Excessively hard staffbul claws are difficult to trim, therefore, to soften them, it is recommended to hold the paws in warm water for several minutes.

After walking, the dog’s paws should be wiped with a damp towel. (you can wash away the dirt from them and in the shower). Wounds or abrasions found on the paws are treated with an antiseptic. In order to prevent the occurrence of cracks on the pads in the diet of the animal daily include a small amount of vegetable oil.

In winter, protecting your pet's paws helps rubbing special wax or cream into the pads, which are washed off at the end of the walk. Another method for saving pet paws from travel reagents is the use of silicone shoes.

In the cool period, the dog needs clothes (sweater, raincoat, jumpsuit) that saves the shorthair animal from hypothermia.

The treatment of the bull terrier with substances against ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, lice eaters) is required. They can cause significant harm to the animal - cause constant itching, allergic reactions, and more.

So, the tick tolerates pyroplasmosis - a deadly disease for the dog. Therefore, an after-walk inspection of the dog's integument in the neck, armpits, abdomen, tail, head and ears is mandatory. If a tick is found, it is more advisable to consult a veterinarian. After treatment, it is important to control the dog’s appetite, temperature and physical condition.

Pyroplasmosis is manifested by the following symptoms:

• temperature up to 39-42 degrees;
• lethargy, lethargy;
• unhealthy appetite;
• reddish-brown urine;
• the dog rests heavily on its paws, especially on its hind legs.

Medicines based on the condition of the dog will be chosen by the veterinarian. It can be:

• drops at the withers;
• spray (before a walk);
• collar (for regular wear);
• tablets (after consultation with a veterinarian).

The sick dog usually tries to take refuge in a dark place, eats poorly, responds languidly and is constantly thirsty. Often he experiences frequent urination, the manifestations of diarrhea, constipation are not excluded, blood appears in the urine, feces. Purulent discharge may occur. Mucous membranes turn pale, often become cyanotic. Wool fades, ruffles.

Typical Staffi pathologies:

• cataract;
• manifestations of deafness;
• dysfunction of the ovaries;
• bowel obstruction;
• stones in the urinary system;
• inversion of the eyelids;
• cell carcinoma;
• arthritis;
• impaired joint function;
• dislocation of the patella;
• allergy.

Walking begins after the 2nd vaccination. First, the puppies are taken out for a walk in their arms, after 3-4 days on a leash. It is immediately necessary to start training the dog for the “nearby” team and the owner’s voice. During the necessary early socialization, puppies are first walked in calm and deserted places, then they are introduced to more crowded places and vehicles.

So the kids will quickly get used to their surroundings. It is also important to teach puppies to muzzles from an early age. Staffbullies do not particularly favor dogs, so you should wait a while with such acquaintances.

Dog parks are perhaps the best place for effective physical loading of a pet. Here you can do and agility, and play using goodies and toys. It is better to train the dog in a protective suit - the staff has strong jaws.

Nutrition is the most important factor determining the health of animals, their physical abilities and energy potential. It is not necessary to feed staffbull too much, because with its sedentary lifestyle, obesity will follow. The established staffi diet should be strictly observed from an early age.

Already at 1.5 months the dog’s diet is divided into 5-6 feedings. This regimen is adhered to up to 3 months. After 6 months, the diet is detailed:

• since morning - dairy products;
• dinner - cereals in milk or in broth;
• By the evening - vegetables with meat;
• late in the evening - A slice of boiled or boiled meat.

At the age of 6 months, the puppy is fed with eggs and buckwheat. Oatmeal is rarely used. A little later, the dog is transferred to the diet of an adult - 2 times a day. The main dish on the menu is meat, which occupies up to 65% of the total diet. Periodically, instead of meat dishes they give fish.

In the diet, the presence of:

• sugars;
• salty dishes;
• flour products;
• sweet
• potatoes.

Staffy is a breed with a fighting genealogy, so obedience training is a priority and starts from a very young age. The dog must be able to obediently walk next to the owner, on a leash and without him. The early and skillful socialization of staffbull is the key to his successful upbringing and training. With a puppy you need to be in public places, ride with him in vehicles. The pet should not have a hint of aggression towards strangers.

Taking into account the peculiarities of the breed, it will be useful to obtain several consultations with an experienced instructor, especially if you feel a certain lack of necessary experience in raising a dog.

In this regard, it will be useful to look at existing programs such as UGS, ZGS (guided or protecting city dog). Staffy may well become an effective bodyguard, but for walking the dog will need to be displayed in a muzzle and on a short leash.

A pet should be accustomed to following a number of simple rules:

• eating should be done only after the household has eaten;
• entrance to the house only after the owner;
• games, pampering, and sleeping on household furniture are prohibited.

The breed is absolutely not designed for the intentional development of its aggression. Such experiments are fraught with poor outcome and disturbances in the psyche of the dog. Staffbul can easily become an uncontrollable animal.

Beginning dog breeders should not start a breed, since the education of staff is a difficult process, requiring a lot of time and attention. To dominate the dog you need skill, strength of character and experience. It is not recommended to show weakness in relations with a dog.

The dog must learn that it has a strong owner. With a verified and consistently implemented approach to training, staffs quite successfully learn the teams and easily execute them. They are smart and have a developed intellect, but sometimes they can persevere, refusing classes. In these cases, it is worth choosing a different time for training without punishing the pet.

About the features of the breed, see the video below.