Grooming
If you love your low-maintenance lifestyle, you’ve met your match with the Staffy. Staffordshire Bull Terriers have relatively few grooming needs; they don’t require regular brushing or trips to the groomer, and only need to be bathed once a month (or after playing in a mud puddle). Plus, because they’re smooth-coated, Staffy dogs are light shedders, so you won’t have to up your vacuuming game or invest a fortune in lint rollers. Their nails should be trimmed every week or two to keep them neat and tidy.
To maintain your dog’s dental health, veterinarians recommend brushing their teeth daily. You should also take your Staffy dog to the vet annually for professional teeth cleaning.
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Training
Like any other dog breed, Staffordshire Bull Terriers can pick up bad habits like destructive chewing if left to their own devices. The best way to avoid these behaviors is to start training your Staffy dog early on—as soon as you bring them home is ideal. If you wait too long to start training, it’ll be a lot harder to rein in those impulsive or bad habits and replace them with good ones.
Because they’re intelligent, inquisitive and eager to please, Staffy Bull Terriers respond well to training, especially when motivated by positive reinforcement like food, affection, toys and playtime. Training is also the perfect way to channel their abundant energy and intelligence.
Early socialization is important to bring out the naturally friendly nature of this pup. Take them on walks in the neighborhood to meet new friends, both two- and four-legged. Enroll in puppy school, where they’ll learn to play nicely with other puppies and mix and mingle with other adults—all under one roof.
While you might be tempted to take on training all by yourself, Staffords can require an experienced trainer to put them on the right path. Seek out a certified trainer who’s worked with Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the past to ensure the best results.
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Diet
Staffordshire Bull Terriers aren’t picky eaters and can easily thrive on high-quality commercial dog food. Choose a formula that matches your dog’s current life stage (puppy, adult, senior) and activity level—young, growing pups who expend a lot of energy tend to need more protein than older, less active dogs.
To make sure your dog food is complete and balanced, look for the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) statement of nutritional completeness on the label. While some breeders may recommend raw food, it’s best to consult with your vet before determining your dog’s diet to guarantee all their nutritional needs will be met.
For Staffy dogs, treats are practically a necessity, especially during training sessions. Your dog will be more motivated to respond if there’s a small, pea-sized food bit waiting for them. But be sure not to over-treat; just like with humans, consuming too many calories will cause your dog to gain weight, which can lead to heart disease and arthritis. So, treat calories should be accounted for in their daily intake. Consult with your vet if you have questions about how to balance your Staffy’s diet.
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Exercise
When you were a kid, your parents encouraged you to get outside and play. As a Staffy parent, your dog will do the same thing. Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a lively and jovial personality and love to play. To provide them with an outlet for their ample energy and playful tendencies, Staffy dogs should get at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise twice a day. If you don’t give your dog a healthy outlet for all that enthusiastic energy, they may become anxious and bored, which could lead to destructive behavior.
When taking your Staffy dog outside, you’ll need to be careful; bull types are known for their boisterous nature and strong prey drive, so they’ll chase after squirrels and other critters every chance they get. Structured dog sports, like lure coursing, nose work and barn hunts can provide your dog with a fun way to channel those instincts in a controlled environment.
They may be active, but it’s not all “Go! Go! Go!” with Staffy dogs. There’s one thing they love even more than romping around and playing: spending time with their families. While they love being active, they’re also perfectly content curling up next to you and snoring softly on the sofa while you binge-watch your favorite show.
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Environment
Staffy Bull Terriers can thrive in a wide variety of settings, as long as they’re loved, trained and properly socialized. With their medium, compact size, they’re well-suited for apartment living, but only on two conditions: You spend plenty of time together and their exercise needs are met. Otherwise, you may end up with a sad, restless dog who releases pent up energy by chewing on the TV remote. (Which then may make you sad and restless.)
They make an excellent addition to any household, regardless of family size. They’re devoted to their humans, especially the younger ones. Because they love being at the center of your world, Staffy dogs may not adapt well to a multi-pet home, especially if they’ve already reached adulthood. Your best chance of successfully introducing them to other pets is to adopt them as puppies and invest in proper obedience training and socialization.
The Staffy dog breed does well in any climate, but that doesn’t mean you can leave them outside—unless you’re out there with them. Their happy place is wherever you are, so if you’re rarely at home or want an outdoor pet, this isn’t the breed for you.
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