All about your Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terriers – also known as Staffies – are kind and affectionate. Discover this loyal and courageous breed, and get tips on a range of topics from exercise, grooming and behaviour, to what you can do to keep your dog healthy and happy.
Breed information & advice
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is athletic and muscular, with a lot of strength for their size. A cross between the Bulldog and a Terrier, they enjoy being around people and thrive under the guidance of an experienced owner. Here’s more you should know:
- Belonging to the terrier dog group, they are energetic with incredible stamina, so need plenty of exerciseBelonging to the terrier dog group, they are energetic with incredible stamina, so need plenty of exercise
- Their short-haired coat is easy to groomTheir short-haired coat is easy to groom
- They'll typically weigh between 10kg and 17kg when fully grownThey'll typically weigh between 10kg and 17kg when fully grown
- A healthy dog will usually live up to 12-14 yearsA healthy dog will usually live up to 12-14 years
Typical size of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Medium: 33cm-41cm
Recommended exercise & nutrition
Staffordshire Bull Terriers need plenty of exercise every day to maintain their health and muscle tone. Your dog will appreciate a run outdoors or a game of catch in the park, but even several walks around the block will please them. It’s a good idea to introduce training when your dog is a puppy and they’ll need your full attention when out and about, if you’re to get the best out of them and keep them focused.
Feed your Staffordshire Bull Terrier high-quality dog food, served over two meals each day. Exact amounts will vary depending on their size and age, and the guidance given on the food packet. To avoid bloating, give them at least one hour to recover after exercise before feeding them.
Up to one hour of exercise per day
When at home your dog will enjoy the opportunity to lounge around, but make sure you keep them active every day with up to an hour’s exercise.
Common health problems & illnesses
Staffordshire Bull Terriers need all of the usual vaccinations, flea and tick control, and dental checks to go on to lead a healthy life, but it’s worth being aware of some of the more specific ailments which can affect this breed, so you can look out for any symptoms.
Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are a cancer of the immune system and one of the most common forms of growths in Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Check your dog regularly for any growths, redness or swelling - it's always wise to have lumps and bumps investigated by your vet, so they can be diagnosed. Treatment for MCTs may include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The cruciate ligament is found in the knee joint – there are actually two in each knee. If it's ruptured, while not life-threatening, it can be very painful, leading to lameness, swelling and arthritis of the joint. Cruciate ligament damage can be caused by a range of underlying factors, such as the shape of the bones around the joint, your dog's breed, and weight. It can also be caused by a traumatic event. There are many ways to manage affected joints so it's best to visit your vet to discuss the problem at the earliest opportunity to minimize ongoing issues.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers can develop skin problems such as atopic dermatitis, sometimes caused by an allergy to pollen or dust. Watch to see if your dog is scratching the same body part over and over, and as a result he may suffer hair loss or develop sore spots. Your vet will be able to advise on the best course of action, but it may involve some dietary changes or treatment with steroids, for example.
Elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia both mean that the conformation of the joint is abnormal, leading to the deterioration of the bone and loss of function of the joint. The end result will be osteoarthritis accompanied by pain and reduced range of motion. Treatment mostly consists of management of the osteoarthritis or joint replacement.
This breed is prone infections with a parasite known as the Demodex mite. This is a small, cigar-shaped mite which is only visible under a microscope and can lead to bald and flaky skin. Your vet will be able to diagnose this disease and advise on the best treatment.
Dog name popularity
If you’re struggling to think of a name for your Staffordshire Bull Terrier, take a look at the most popular ones at Tesco Pet Insurance for inspiration.
Bella
Luna
Lola
Roxy
Ruby
Average treatment costs
Wondering whether pet insurance for your Staffordshire Bull Terrier is worth it? We’ve put together the top five conditions claimed for by Tesco Pet Insurance customers in 2021. To give you an idea of how much vet bills can vary, we’ve shown both the average cost and the top 10% most expensive costs for each condition.
Top five conditions and average costs
|
Condition |
Average cost |
10% most expensive |
|---|---|---|
|
Lameness |
£827 |
£1,906 |
|
Cruciate rupture |
£2,770 |
£4,236 |
|
Mast cell tumour |
£1,447 |
£2,866 |
|
Arthritis/DJD |
£532 |
£1,047 |
|
Tumour |
£795 |
£1,682 |
Tesco Pet Insurance claims data from paid treatments including excesses from 01/01/21 to 31/12/21.
Considering Staffordshire Bull Terrier insurance?
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Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.
Grooming advice
Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a relatively low-maintenance, short-haired coat that will shed annually, so you’re unlikely to notice much hair loss at other times of the year. Brushing your dog’s coat once a week will remove any dead or loose hair and they don't require frequent baths – once every three months should do it.
It’s a good idea to brush their teeth every day, but at least two or three times a week, to prevent tartar build-up and any resulting bacteria.
Trim your dog’s nails regularly to keep them from catching on the carpet and other furnishings. If you can hear a clicking sound as your dog moves about, this may be an indication that their nails are too long.
Also make sure you take care of their ears, which are prone to collecting debris and can become red or inflamed. Simply clean them with a cotton ball and a cleanser recommended by your vet – only wipe around the outer edge of the ear canal and if using cotton buds, don’t go any further than the first knuckle of your finger.
Fun & interesting facts
- Despite being bred in 19th Century Britain to be a small, fast fighting dog, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of today is known as a loving companion.
- Truly man’s best friend, they are known for their intelligence and loyalty.
- The Staffie’s coat comes in various colour combinations including black, white, brown, blue, brindle, red and fawn.
- The breed has appeared on the big screen, starring in the film Snatch.
- Celebrity owners include Vin Diesel, who has a Staffie called Winston.
Important Information
The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to pet breeds, but does not constitute expert veterinary advice. If your dog or cat falls ill or has an injury, contact your vet immediately. Tesco Pet Insurance has a partnership with vetfone™ which means that as a customer, you can benefit from their advice as part of your policy.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
All facts and figures were correct at date of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.
Vetfone™ is a 24/7 unlimited, free telephone or video call service that provides expert advice from vets or vet nurses qualified with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). If your pet has a medical emergency, or you need advice on health, grooming, feeding or behaviour Vetfone™ is there to help.
As a Tesco Pet Insurance customer, you can access friendly, expert advice from qualified Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a standard benefit with your policy, and the service is provided at no additional cost. A quick telephone call or video call could answer any questions you have about your pet, give you peace of mind and could even save you a trip to the vet.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
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