Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Like every breed, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Start positive, reward-based training early, with clear boundaries.
• Work on recall from a young age, as they can be very excitable.
• Socialise them widely with people, dogs and experiences, and consider puppy socialisation groups.
• Teach them to focus on you around other dogs rather than rush over to play.
• Train them to cope with being alone for very short periods.

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other dogs

  Can be selective about other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Usually happier in a house.

• Garden

  A garden is helpful.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Some dog experience helps.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Hereditary cataracts

  Clouding of the lens of the eye, which can lead to blindness. A DNA test (HC-HSF4-2) is available, and eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, including litter screening, is recommended.

• L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA)

  A metabolic disorder that affects the nervous system. A DNA test is available.

• Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous

  A problem in which the eye does not develop properly before birth.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia

  In hip dysplasia the joint does not fit together properly, which eventually leads to arthritis. The Royal Kennel Club recommends elbow testing under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme, and hip screening is also available.

• Skin conditions

  Staffies can suffer from skin allergies and from a skin condition caused by demodex mites.

• Certain cancers

  Some cancers are also among the conditions Staffies may develop.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Staffordshire Bull Terrier home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Staffordshire Bull Terrier home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Staffordshire Bull Terrier suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.