Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog breed

Proper nutrition and care can contribute to the lifespan of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Puppies have small stomachs and should be fed small amounts up to four times a day. But this should be reduced to once or twice a day for adult dogs. 

Staffy dogs can easily become overweight, so make sure they have the right balance of all the main nutrients. The amount you should feed your dog will be on the food packaging. If you’re ever unsure of the best food for your Staffy, speak to your vet. 

Thanks to their short, smooth coat, Staffy Bull Terriers are a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. Although they shed a bit, it only takes weekly brushings with a horsehair mitt or hound glove to keep their coat in beautiful condition. 

Long nails can be painful for Staffy dogs, so avoid letting them grow out too long. Clean their ears regularly to remove excess wax and debris, and give them occasional baths. Given the Staffordshire Bull Terrier size, the grooming process shouldn’t take much time.

Staffy dogs are energetic and require regular exercise to stay fit – at least an hour a day. If you can implement plenty of play and games in their exercise, even better! Whether it’s playing catch, running alongside you or hiking through the woods, Staffies are bound to enjoy their outdoor time.

While Staffy Bull Terriers are in good physical condition, they usually want to relax after an exercise session. Be careful not to overwork them in warm or humid weather, as the Staffy breed can be intolerant to heat. 

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are intelligent, learn quickly and are calmly protective. That means they can easily comply with their owners’ requests and have an inherent desire to please. 

However, Staffy Terriers were originally bred to fight other dogs and must be trained to control their temperament traits. Staffy puppies should have clear and consistent training, including obedience exercises.

With a tendency to show aggression towards other dogs, Staffies must be taught to walk on a lead. Ongoing socialisation is also important, with a focus on teaching them to pay attention to their owner in the presence of other dogs. 

Hip dysplasia is a genetic  condition that affects a dog’s hip joint. The ball and socket joints rub together, causing swelling and inflammation. Affected dogs will experience lameness in their hip and weakness in their back leg. Hip dysplasia can occur from a young age when the bones are not fully developed. However, growth rate, diet and exercise can also cause this condition, putting Staffy dogs at risk.

Dogs with hip dysplasia are likely to develop arthritis when they’re older. But this can be controlled with pain relief. In severe cases, hip replacement surgery is optional, but this can be complex and expensive. However, dog insurance can help with the cost of treatment.

A luxating patella is when the kneecap moves out of place from the femoral groove where the knee flexes, causing dislocation. This usually occurs in dogs that have a shallower femoral groove, such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Signs of luxating patella in dogs include occasional limping, a skipping gait and an abnormal sitting posture.

Luxating patella can also be a result of an accident or injury. A vet will rate a dog’s condition from mild to severe, with treatment depending on the timeframe of the condition. It’s recommended to not breed dogs with this condition, to prevent it from being passed onto their pups.

Staffy dogs have very sensitive skin and are more prone to suffer from allergies resulting in inflammation, irritation and itchiness. This is usually caused by environmental factors like dust, pollen, mould or plants. Your vet can help you and your dog find the trigger and provide medicine to manage the allergy.

Staffies can also be affected by a skin condition triggered by the demodex mite. These mites live on all dogs and don’t normally cause any issues. However, they can multiply and invade the skin if a dog is unable to fight off parasites and infections.

Like all dog breeds, Staffy dogs can also develop cancer. Some cancers are more common than others in this breed, such as mast cell tumours and tumours of the spleen and liver. The breed can also be susceptible to skin cancer too .

Symptoms of cancer in Staffies include unusual tiredness or lethargy, weight loss or swelling in their abdomen. If you notice any of these, you should contact your vet immediately.