Staffordshire Bull Terrier: The Gregarious Goofball

Muscular yet sensitive, driven yet laid-back, curious yet stubborn, Staffordshire Bull Terriers certainly have range. This burly-built breed is small and compact, but their personality (and ear-to-ear smile) can fill the room. They can play for hours (and hours) before collapsing on the couch, ready to binge-watch your favorite show. These dogs are fiercely loyal and strive to be tag-along sidekicks, going on adventures and keeping you locked in their sights, even when it’s time for bed; get ready for cuddles!

At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. We’ve designed our dog supplements to target a range of trouble spots in your dog’s health—many of which include common issues for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 

In this article, we’ll dive into the history of the “Staffy,” give you some information and tips on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your little tough guy turned family man, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 

Quick Facts

Origin: England

Size: Medium

Breed Group: Terrier

Lifespan: 12–14 years

Coat: Short hair—minimal grooming needed

Temperament: Loyal, courageous, driven & spirited

Exercise Needs: The Staffordshire Terrier is an active, energetic breed. These dogs love to play and love it even more when you get involved. Their small, compact frame is deceptively strong. They do well with long walks, hikes, or nature strolls but may need a little more mentally stimulating exercise, like fetch or tug-of-war. So, you’ll need to get a little creative with their daily routine. 

Training: While behavioral training is necessary for all dogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers might require a little more because of their robust and muscular nature. Young, untrained Staffordshire Bull Terriers may bring a little chaos into your home, barreling through your living room at midnight in a fit of zoomies; but they mean well. You can harness this energy through consistent exercise and training.

Dog Health: Like other medium-sized terriers, Staffies can suffer from unique health issues, like joint dysplasia, allergies, poor kidney health, and cognitive decline. Below, we’ll discuss effective supplements for these common concerns. 

Happy Paws for Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Enrich your dog’s health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!

In-Depth Look at Our Popular Supplements

With their irresistible “begging face” and emotion-filled eyes, it’s next to impossible not to spoil your Staffy, especially with treats. And once you reach for the treats, these dogs can only hide their excitement for so long. So, treat them with healthy treats (that actually taste like treats).

Our high-quality, tail-waggin’ dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your Staffy’s health, while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few supplements to help you care for your canine companion.

Cognitive Dog Chews: Balance your dog’s mood, stress, and mental health with our Cognitive Dog Chews. These vegan, chicken-flavored treats use powerful blends of vitamins and antioxidants to care for your dog’s brain and neural health. 

Bladder Health Dog Chews: Bladder issues can pop up anytime during your dog’s life. Our Bladder Health Dog Chews help address the symptoms of poor renal health, like incontinence and urinary tract infections. Add these treats to your dog’s routine to enrich their kidneys with all-natural compounds, like cranberry, Kona berry, and nettle leaf. 

10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to fortify your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored treat introduces ten key nutrients to keep your Staffy healthy, happy, and active. 

Immunity Booster Dog Chews: Allergies are common for most dogs, and our Immunity Booster Dog Chews are here to help! These pumpkin-flavored soft chews use a range of adaptogenic mushrooms, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to enrich your dog’s immune system and build back stronger immunity.

Hip & Joint Dog Chews: Soothe the symptoms of joint dysplasia with our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! Packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.

Common Health Concerns

Like other medium-sized terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are often prone to common health issues like these:

Elbow & Hip Dysplasia: According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), many medium-sized dogs are susceptible to various forms of joint dysplasia, which stems from genetic or environmental factors. This ailment occurs when the bone in a joint is misshapen, leading to an awkward fit in your dog’s hips and elbows. In their early years, your dog won’t notice this problem. But as they age, the misaligned joint can lead to pain, osteoarthritis, limping, and trouble standing up.

Cognitive Decline: Even with steady exercise and a healthy diet, your dog can experience potential cognitive decline. This can result in low mood, minimal energy, and prolonged lethargy. 

Allergies: Your Staffy can have an overactive immune system, leading to a number of common allergies. Plus, with their short coat, these allergies can snowball into several types of dermal dilemmas. Signs that your dog has allergies include frequent skin infections, fur loss, constant licking, itching, scratching, or red, inflamed skin.

About the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Despite their affable, friendly nature, this dog breed has had to outrun an unfortunate history. In 19th century England, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was bred for illegal dog fighting. Because of their small frame, quick agility, and determined tenacity, Staffies were seen as the quintessential breed for these underground dog fights. Fortunately, after the sport’s popularity waned, the public quickly realized the breed’s true character—one that’s sensitive, friendly, and downright goofy.

These dogs have a short coat that doesn’t require much grooming. Their high energy pairs well with most active households, while their gregarious personalities earn an irreplaceable spot in the family unit. Their small size lets you bring them along for daily adventures, whether on a road trip, a trip to the park, or a day out in nature. 

Their Temperament

Over the years, this dog has evolved into a confident, loyal breed, often striving to be the center of attention. Their rambunctious energy makes for entertaining playtime, while their goofy nature quickly wins over hearts and earns a ton of laughs. They even have a laugh of their own! When their intelligence trumps yours, or they’re overcome with excitement, you’ll hear your Staffy let out a noisy, little chortle—a sign of a healthy, happy dog. 

These dogs are bright, energetic puppers. So, they need a certain pedigree of playtime that involves mentally stimulating and physically tiring activities. Now, these activities don’t have to be certified dog sports. But fetch, tug-of-war, and training games are among the Staffy’s favorites. If you take your dog out on long walks, make sure to give them enough sniffing opportunities; this dog is mighty curious.

Because they’re natural extroverts, a socialized Staffy is pleasant around strangers and newcomers. Over the years, well-trained Staffordshire Bull Terriers have earned the nickname “Nanny Dog” for their deep affection toward young children. If you have other pets, like a cat or senior dog, a young Staffy can be a harmonious addition, with the right training and socialization, of course. 

How to Care for These Dogs

Staffies are relatively low maintenance. They are quick learners, so training sticks; and they have short, smooth hair, so shedding isn’t a major concern. Thanks to good breeding and proper training, these dogs have outrun their unfortunate dog-fighting history. Now, they can show their soft side—one that’s deeply affectionate and endlessly loving.

Here are a few key tips for keeping your Staffy happy, healthy, and lively from their puppy years and well into their golden years.

Early & Often Socialization

Socialization is when you gently introduce new people, pets, and situations to your puppy, typically when they’re seven to eight weeks old. Socialization helps your dog get comfortable with novel experiences and environments. Without proper early socialization, your dog may feel nervous around newcomers, strangers, and other dogs, often leading to anxious behaviors, like barking, scratching, and chewing.

To socialize your dog, take them to new places and reward them with gentle, caring encouragement. This will help your dog learn how to recognize friends from foes, while also building your bond with them.

Daily Exercise

Daily exercise gives your dog an outlet for their canine crazies. Whether you take them on long walks, spend countless hours playing fetch, or bring them along on runs, your Staffy needs active playtime. They’re little balls of energy with a high canine IQ. Mix all that in a small, stocky terrier, and you will have the perfect exercise companion for the next few years. If you struggle to keep up with your dog’s daily exercise needs, they may find other outlets for their energy, like chewing up your favorite sneakers or running laps around the couch. 

Dog Training

Obedience training gives your dog a ton of structure. Dog training lets you reward desirable behavior. Training also gives your dog the much-needed structure that they crave. Without proper training, your dog may become unruly and develop undesirable habits. 

Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements 

Keeping your Staffy happy, healthy, and active shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your Staffy easily with healthy, tasty treats. 

FAQ

Is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier the same as a pit bull?

The term “pit bull” is a pretty broad term that includes American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bulldogs, American Pit Bull Terriers, and a large number of other dog breeds. So, yes, technically, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are pit bulls.

Is a Staffy a good family dog?

With the right training and resources, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can make an excellent family dog. They have an easy temperament around children and infants. They’re patient, kind, and attentive. Plus, their rambunctious nature can make playtime fun for all. 

Although, it’s important to note that some Staffies tend to jump on people out of excitement. If this happens to a small child or an elderly person, this dog can knock them down, which may cause injury. So, having a well-trained Staffy is best if you intend to have them around children or the elderly. 

Are Staffies cuddly?

Staffordshire Bull Terriers love attention from people and keeping their family in their sights. So, yes, Staffies can always be down for cuddles.

How do you give a Staffordshire Bull Terrier health supplements?

You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.