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| Information about this breed
GENERAL| Nick-Names |  | Staffie, Staffy, Staff, Stafford, Staffordshire, SBT, Nanny Dog
| | Dog Group Kennel Club |
| Terrier Group
| Breed Classification & Breed History
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| The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a member of the Terrier group and it's beleived they share a common ancestory with the other bull breeds of the Mastif-like "Old-Fasioned Bulldog". This was then crossed with the "Manchester Terrier" and the now-extinct "English White Terrier" to Produce the Bull & Terrier".
Next, some of these Bull & Terriers were mixed further with Dalmations, Greyhound, Spannish Pointer, Foxhound & Borzoi to produce the White Cavalier (now Bull-Terrier) while the other variation was crossed with other breeds such as the now extict "Blue Paul" which is where a small percentage of Staffs get the rarer blue coat from.
Their long line of ancestors were bred from the mid 16thCentury for everything from Bull Baiting, Rat-pitting, Hunting and even Sheep Hearding; today they are primarily human companions or used for activities such agility shows and even weight pulling. The breed was only recognised by the UKKC in 1935 in England (1974 in the USA), originally to be classified as a "Bull Terrier" but the name was taken instead by it's cousin (the other Bull & Terrier previously known as the "White Chavalier Bull & Terrier").
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COST OF OWNERSHIPFeeding Requirements
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| The Staffie is an undemanding dog to feed with no special dietary requirements (though Orijen Dry food is recommended); they generally have a good appetite but can become fussy if they are given too much choice or if they realise it can be used to psycologically manipulate the owner, this is usually attention focused so is best to ignore if it occurs as they are a very perceptive & emotionally aware breed.
| Average Puppy Price
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| NZ$700 to NZ$1,500 depending on lineage
| Lifespan
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| 9 - 16 years depending on diet & lineage
| Average Litter Size
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| 4-6
| General Physical Description
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| The Staffie is a compact, powerfully built dog that is muscular all over. These short-coated dogs are very people orientated. They have a large square head with eyes that are set looking straight ahead. Their coats are short, smooth and close to the body. |
| | Size Category |
| Medium
| | Ailments |
| As a breed the Staffie is a hardy dog that doesn’t suffer from many health problems. However they have been known to suffer from eye problems.
| | Common
Ailments | | Sunburn on stomach from bathing on back, or white staff can get sunburn
on face
| Intelligence
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| Quite possibly the most intelligent by way of emotional intelligence and manipulation. Are most likely to utilise their intelligence to please owner or win favour. Foody/greedy staffies may use to get what they want though the urge to please the owner may overcome the selfish urge.
For general trainging purposes, less than a Border Collie but definately more intelligent in sutuational free-thinking tasks.
For self serving tasks, nothing to the extent of the very intelligent but self-serving Basenji (which incidentally do not also rate high on scientific charts) although can display similar crafty sneakiness in order to win favour with masters. E.g. the capacity to shift blame or give the appearance that another pet is to blame for a purposeful breakage, theft, etc
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| Susceptibility To Illness |
| Low
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CHARACTERISTICS| Energy |
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| High
| | Overall Exercise |
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| 100 - 120 minutes per day
| | Distress Caused if Left Alone |
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| High, human companionship is essential as this breed will suffer separation anxiety
| | Personal Protection |
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| Very high, although this is not indiscriminate as with most guard dogs. They seem to have a high capacity to sence & judge actual threats
| Offensive Attack
| | | | | | | Low (requires great deal of training for security use as
it is in a pure-bred's genes NOT to bite humans)
| | Suitability As Guard Dog |
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| High but unlikely to attack, just intimidate
| | Risk of Sheep Worrying |
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| Medium to high, must supervise around livestock unless
| | Tendency to Bark |
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| Low, but learn from other dogs (generally yelp or "talk")
 ..caught mid-sentence
| | Ease of Transportation |
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| Medium (easy if cage used from young age)
| | Level of Aggression |
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| Low to humans, medium to dogs (low if socialised from a pup)
| | Compatibility With Other Animals |
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| Medium (High if socialised from pup as a dogs instict is to chase, and a cats is to run away. Being such fast & powerful dogs, you must always discourage a Staffie from chasing cats it does not know. A Staffy will allow a cat or much smaller dog to remain dominant if older than itself or be very caring and cuddly to younger animals as seen here. Staffies are great to snuggle up with as they are always warm)
 
| Suitable For Children
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| Very High (assuming it's a pure-bred)
| | General Character And Temperament |
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| The Staffie is an intelligent and active little dog, which gets on well with children and adults alike. They can be quite vocal, and make funny sounds which can be quite amusing. They should be socialised, especially with other household pets, and training started at an early age. The Staffie is a hardy dog full of stamina, not quick to pick a fight but more than able to defend themselves if necessary when attacked. They are affectionate dogs, much preferring human company to that of other dogs, this can be seen more in the adult dog than the puppy. They can, and some do, retain their puppy character throughout their lives, making them quite a handful. With their great sense of humour, intelligence and the fact they are boisterous life is never dull with a Staffie around. They can be very destructive if they are left alone at home for long periods of time and need frequent human affection.
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GROOMING| Coat Length |
| Short/Smooth
| | Grooming Requirement |
| Once a week
| | Trimming |
| None
| | Requires Professional Groomer |
| Only for nail clipping with dark claws (just use a good file instead)
| | Grooming |
| The Staffie is an easy breed to groom. Their shorthaired coats can be groomed using a rubber-grooming mitt once or twice a week.
| | Colour |
| They can be red, fawn, white, black, blue, brindle or any of these with white in colour.
| | Shedding |
| Little
| Suffers From Allergies
| | Sometimes, or polluted water can cause or agrivate xzema, some shampoos can cause dandruff
| | Causes Allergies |
| Rarely (sometimes by swimming, chemicals or aelgie, etc)
 ..I will follow him anywhere
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