Feb 21 2008
The Beauty and Strength of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Staffordshire bull terrier is similar in appearance and temperament to his close relative, the American pit pull terrier. In fact, these two breeds are so much alike that some do not make the distinction between the two. The Staffordshire bull terrier originated in Staffordshire, England in the nineteenth century. The breed was the result of a cross between bulldogs and a variety of terriers, and was created for the then popular sport of bull baiting.
When interest in this sport diminished a number of years later, the popularity of the breed diminished as well. However, the Staffie returned to popularity once again a century later when the United States took and interest in the breed as well, and by 1935 it had made its return to the show ring. Today, the Staffordshire bull terrier can make a great family pet for an owner who is experienced with dogs and can lead the Staffie with a strong hand.
Appearance
The Staffordshire bull terrier is a medium-sized dog, weighing in at 25-38 pounds for the male and 23-35 pounds for the female. The coat of this breed is short and smooth, and can come in a variety of colors including black, blue, fawn or red. The body of this dog is short but muscular, making this animal as strong as he is agile. The ears of the Staffordshire bull terrier are generally rose or half-prick, and they are not terribly large or heavy in relation to the rest of the animal.
Temperament
Contrary to what many think of this breed and his close cousin the American pit bull terrier, this dog is exceeding friendly and highly intelligent. His eagerness to please results in an obedient creature that can be fairly easy to train, and his willingness to play makes the Staffordshire bull terrier the perfect choice for many families. This dog can become protective of his family, and may become confrontational with other dogs he meets, especially those that are a similar breed to him. The Staffordshire bull terrier has a tendency to be stubborn as well as intelligent, so a firm hand and consistent training is the most effective path to an obedient, well-trained dog.
The Staffordshire bull terrier can make a wonderful family pet, but it is not the right choice for everyone. This breed tends to do best with an owner that is experienced in dog training and will be able to give the dog the firm leadership that he needs. If you are thinking about adding a Staffordshire bull terrier to your family, it is important that you talk to breeders and your veterinarian about whether this breed will be a good fit for your family. With the proper training and plenty of attention, the Staffordshire bull terrier can bring your family years of enjoyment and companionship. Enjoy your Staffie!
Most people consider a pet a member of the family — and for good reason. Pets offer companionship, amusement and unconditional love. Studies support that owning a pet offers a multitude of emotional and overall health rewards.
However, with the plunging economy and the rising costs of food, fuel and housing, cash-strapped Americans are pinching their [...]
She can jump from the floor to the top of the refrigerator, or bound across your desk without disturbing a single sheet of paper. Your cat personifies the graceful, enviable sure-footedness of her species. But what about her eco-footprint?
With 88 million domesticated cats in the country (according to the National Pet Owners Survey by the [...]
On September 12, 2008, Mars Petcare US issued a voluntary recall of their Everson, PA, plant dry pet food product due to potential Salmonella contamination. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if
there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in
people as well, [...]
Moving away from home can be traumatic. Add to that living with strangers and having to leave behind beloved pets, and it’s a wonder anyone wants to go to college at all.
Luckily, some colleges are starting to recognize the fact that when students are allowed to bring their pets with them to live in the [...]
Anyone who knows me well can attest to the fact that I spend a good amount of time looking for new and interesting products and supplies for my pets. (I have a cabinet full of cat toys, and a growing collection of collars for my dog).
Through my Internet journeys, I came across FunStuffForDogs.com, and as I [...]
While flipping through a recent issue of O magazine, I spied the end-all be-all compliment to my new living room decor, pillows with the mugs of dogs and cats on them.
The pillows, created by the aptly-named Pillow Pillow Pillow, are crafted by designer Aaron Stewart.
According to Aaron Stewart and Hornet Toys, the line of comfy, cozy [...]
Summer has arrived and for many families, that means more fun and festivities, but for pets it can become a stressful time due to increased sudden noise such as thunderstorms, neighborhood festivities and fireworks.
“The summer can be a difficult time for pets with the noise of stormy weather and neighborhood commotion. However, recognizing these changes [...]