The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has quite an intimidating appearance. They have strong muscular bodies, a dominant stance, and a fearless gaze. That said, these dogs are nothing to fear. The “Staffy”, as many refer to them, are gentle dogs with soft personalities. They are extremely affectionate with their families and are known to be wonderful with children. While there is a stigma that these dogs are naturally aggressive, it is simply untrue. Like any other dog, their nature will largely depend on the environment and the home that they were raised in.
The Staffy was originally bred in the 19th century to be a compact, quick-moving fighting dog. Weighing between 24-38 pounds of pure muscle, these dogs were quite fierce in their early days. Thankfully, the dogfighting days are behind us, and these former fighting dogs can live the life they deserve. The Staffy retained their highly energetic nature, and it is necessary to run these pups every day for them to feel their best.
While there are exceptions, the Staffy does not typically do well in multiple animal homes. They have a very strong prey drive which wouldn’t bode well for a 10-pound cat. Socializing these dogs is extremely important as it will allow them to feel comfortable around new dogs and people. The Staffy is highly intelligent but is also stubborn. Their personalities require a dedicated owner that is ready to put in time and effort into properly training them. A more experienced dog owner is usually recommended for this breed.
Even though training these dogs can be a challenge, the payoff is well worth it. The Staffy makes an amazing companion dog and will not want to leave your side. Whether it be running an errand or watching a movie, your Staffy will always prefer being with you to being alone. These dogs are so loving that they are often used as therapy dogs as well. They have a happy, enthusiastic demeanor that will be sure to always put you in a great mood.
