meet the...Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 4: Bull Breeds
Sub-group 4-B: Bull-and-Terrier Breeds
Origin Country England
Weight Males: 28-38 pounds. Females: 24-34 pounds.
Height Males: 14-16 inches. Females: 14-16 inches.
Other Name(s) Staffy Bull
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
Like the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed comes from a long line of strong working dogs. The breed descended from bulldogs and molossoid dogs that were used to catch large game (such as wild boar), and some of the grittiest terriers used to hunt and dispatch dangerous game (such as foxes and badgers). As agriculture became the norm and hunting became less of a necessity and more of a sport, these bulldogs, molossoids, and terriers were sent after bears, bulls, and each other as blood sports competitors, with the most vicious dogs bringing in the most money and fame.
Animal fighting was prohibited in 1835, including the baiting of dogs against bears and bulls, as well as each other. However, while one blood sport’s era of terror had finally come to an end, another was in line to take its place. Although concealing a bear or bullbaiting was difficult, a dog fight was a different story. Unlike in the bear and bull ring, where size and strength won the day, in the dogfighting pits, grit, stamina, and survival instincts ultimately determined whether a dog would live to see the next match. Many of today’s most beloved dog breeds originated in the pit, including the Boston Terrier, the Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
By the 1930s, authorities began to crack down on dog fighting, and it became illegal in more areas with steeper penalties, especially in England. One breeder and fancier by the name of Joseph Dunn wanted to ensure that his dogs remained unaffiliated with the fighting pits so that they would not disappear along with the illegal sport of dog fighting. He worked hard to showcase the dog’s more endearing characteristics, such as its handsome exterior and affectionate nature. He coined the term “Staffordshire Bull Terrier” to indicate their place of origin and to differentiate this breed from the Bull Terrier. He pushed for recognition of the breed with the English Kennel Club (KC), and in 1935 the breed was officially recognized in the Kennel Club’s stud book. From that point, the Staffy Bull quickly became a favorite in his native England. After the war, the breed eventually made its way to the United States, where it was used to develop the larger American Staffordshire Terrier breed.Breed Characteristics
Head: Somewhat brachycephalic to somewhat mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, strongly wedge-shaped, and somewhat large, yet in proportion to the rest of the body. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles. The skull is broad, approximately as wide (measured across the top in front of the ears) as long (measured from occiput to the stop). It is well padded, with strong temporalis muscles, divided by a well-defined furrow that starts at the stop and runs toward the occiput. The skull should never appear domed. The head and skull are deep and broad throughout, appearing somewhat viper-like from powerful masseter muscles, and possess the overall good substance of bone throughout. The head should appear in balance with the rest of the dog.
Eyes: Moderate in size, somewhat rounded to open-almond in shape, and medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and preferably well-pigmented according to the coat. White portions of the coat that overlap with the eye will result in a lack of pigment and a pink rim, which is acceptable. The eyes are never small, narrow, overly large, or bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium to small in size, set high on the furthest edge of the skull. The ears may be rose, half-pricked, button, or asymmetrical, with one of each acceptable ear type. Large, long, drop, hound, or fully erect ears are undesirable. The ears should always be natural and never surgically cropped.
Muzzle: The muzzle is somewhat short, full, deep, broad, well-formed, and powerful. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level from the stop. It should never slope downward or appear “pushed-in” or snubbed. The upper and lower jaws are strong and well-developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, and are never snipey or weak. The lower jaw is well-developed but not undershot by any means. The lower jaw should never recede or appear weak. The muzzle should appear as a square with a slightly rounded end.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black in standard varieties but may be self-colored according to the coat in nonstandard color varieties. The nostrils are well-opened.
Neck: Moderate length allows for a proud head carriage, Strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Body: Compact, solid, close-coupled, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined but indicative of agility and power. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Forefeet may orient slightly outward.
Tail: Set somewhat low on the croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried gaily up over the back. The tail is to be left natural and never docked short. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, gently curved, or forming a “pump handle.” Kinked or curled tails are incorrect for this breed.
Movement: Powerful yet agile, effortless, efficient, energetic, and smooth, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: Originally forced into the role of a tenacious brute in the pits, today’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier has become an English gentleman. They are well-loved for their intelligent, playful, and agreeable nature toward people. However, they can be aggressive toward other dogs and animals. This tendency can be curbed if they are socialized to other dogs and animals in early puppyhood. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 4: Bull Breeds
Proportions: Slightly off-square with the length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The distance from the withers to the tail should be equal to the distance from the withers to the ground. The ideal length-to-height is between 5:4 and 10:9. Females may be slightly longer. The body is well-put-together, with sturdy substance and medium bone. Males may appear slightly more masculine, being a bit more substantial in size and mass, while females may appear more feminine and refined. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Somewhat brachycephalic to somewhat mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, strongly wedge-shaped, and somewhat large, yet in proportion to the rest of the body. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles. The skull is broad, approximately as wide (measured across the top in front of the ears) as long (measured from occiput to the stop). It is well padded, with strong temporalis muscles, divided by a well-defined furrow that starts at the stop and runs toward the occiput. The skull should never appear domed. The head and skull are deep and broad throughout, appearing somewhat viper-like from powerful masseter muscles, and possess the overall good substance of bone throughout. The head should appear in balance with the rest of the dog.
Expression: Alert, attentive, lively, intelligent, and jaunty.
Stop: The stop is distinct and definite.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 2:1 and 2:3, with the topskull being somewhat longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is slightly convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is somewhat short, full, deep, broad, well-formed, and powerful. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level from the stop. It should never slope downward or appear “pushed-in” or snubbed. The upper and lower jaws are strong and well-developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, and are never snipey or weak. The lower jaw is well-developed but not undershot by any means. The lower jaw should never recede or appear weak. The muzzle should appear as a square with a slightly rounded end.
Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws. The upper lip should fall right at or just above the lower plane of the strongly developed lower jaw. It should never conceal the lower jaw’s line.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black in standard varieties but may be self-colored according to the coat in nonstandard color varieties. The nostrils are well-opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are well-developed and strongly pronounced, giving the head and face breadth. The cheeks should not appear overly smooth or chiseled.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, somewhat rounded to open-almond in shape, and medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and preferably well-pigmented according to the coat. White portions of the coat that overlap with the eye will result in a lack of pigment and a pink rim, which is acceptable. The eyes are never small, narrow, overly large, or bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium to small in size, set high on the furthest edge of the skull. The ears may be rose, half-pricked, button, or asymmetrical, with one of each acceptable ear type. Large, long, drop, hound, or fully erect ears are undesirable. The ears should always be natural and never surgically cropped.
Body and Tail
General Description: Compact, solid, close-coupled, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined but indicative of agility and power. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length allows for a proud head carriage, Strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Topline: Level and straight from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut and may be flat, level, or slightly arched yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Croup may be somewhat flat and level or gently sloped.
Underline: A slight (yet easily detectible) tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set somewhat low on the croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried gaily up over the back. The tail is to be left natural and never docked short. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, gently curved, or forming a “pump handle.” Kinked or curled tails are incorrect for this breed.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body, never appearing loose. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of sturdy bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, sturdy bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns. Stifles: Well-bent. Hocks: Well-let-down.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Forefeet may orient slightly outward.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The coat is short, smooth, and close to the body throughout. It should remain in as natural a state as possible without trimming.
Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes two color varieties of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed: the standard and nonstandard.
Standard coat color variety: Any shade of red, fawn, black, or blue, all with or without white. Any shade of brindle, with or without white. Solid white or white with markings in any of the above-listed colors or patterns.
Nonstandard coat color variety: Any color not included in the list of standard colors, including liver. Liver, black or blue, with tan or brindle points. All with or without white markings or white with any nonstandard color pattern markings or patches.
Movement
Powerful yet agile, effortless, efficient, energetic, and smooth, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
Originally forced into the role of a tenacious brute in the pits, today’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier has become an English gentleman. They are well-loved for their intelligent, playful, and agreeable nature toward people. However, they can be aggressive toward other dogs and animals. This tendency can be curbed if they are socialized to other dogs and animals in early puppyhood. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
