Staffordshire bull terriers make excellent family pets.
The Staffordshire bull terrier is a breed of pit bull. As a large, intimidating dog, it has specific needs and fits better in some environments than others. To have a successful experience with a Staffordshire bull terrier, it's important that potential owners understand and respect the breed and its needs.
Features
Staffordshire bull terriers are muscular, broad-bodied dogs. They have broad heads with short faces and small ears. Their coats are short and smooth, and come in red, fawn, white, black, blue or a combination of any of these. They stand 13 to 16 inches tall and can weigh up to 38 pounds.
Needs
Staffies need good levels of discipline, but respond better to positive reinforcement and leadership, as in pack leadership. They need to be well socialized and entertained by a wide array of toys and companions. As large, intense dogs, Staffordshire bull terriers go all out all of the time, and require lots of room and time for physical exercise.
Temperament
Staffordshire bull terriers are very intense dogs. They are courageous, obedient and very loyal, and are extremely affectionate to their families. Although they can be somewhat intimidating due to their strength, Staffies are actually clowns with an outgoing sense of humor.
Best Matches
Staffies are very good with both children and adults. They are therefore good with single people and families. They can be matched with households that have other dogs, but require strong guidance so that they don't become aggressive toward the other animals.
Medical Considerations
Staffies are prone to cataracts and should be consistently monitored for eye problems. They also can be struck down by hip dysplasia when they are older. These dogs are genetically predisposed to tumors, and need to receive regular vet checks to keep an eye on possible growths.
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