One breed that gets a lot of attention is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Over the years, it’s not always been positive. Unfortunately, this breed has been misused in parts of the world due to their natural athleticism and strength. But real ‘staffy’ owners will tell you a different story; the real story of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They’re lovers and not fighters. Full of love and affection, they make the best family pet whether you’ve got young kids or old dogs in your household.
The Loving Staffy
Let’s be honest with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s British past. It was a breed developed for blood sports in England, involved ratting and bull-baiting. They were also used for dogfighting. But when these sports were outlawed in 1835 in the UK, the centuries that followed allowed responsible breeding to take its place. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, known lovingly as the ‘staffy’, became a family companion due to their affectionate and loving nature. This is why staffies are still one of the most popular breeds in the UK today.
Of course, most dogs are described as loving and devoted to their owners. They’re pack animals that love to please. But my experience with staffies is that they don’t just love their human; they adore everyone they meet. With their infamous huge smile, they crave human interaction, perhaps more than they do with other dogs. I’d go as far as to say the breed is obsessed with humans.
The Positives
When you’re looking to introduce a dog into your home, you want them to become part of your family. With such a loving personality, the Staffy is the perfect match. They’ll immediately greet everyone and make sure everyone gets a cuddle and licks. After that, you’ll have a loving dog for life. My Staffy was abandoned in the Yorkshire Moors and despite her difficult past, she’s always been affectionate towards everyone she meets. She instantly trusts everyone and can’t wait to have some fun. Instead of being protective and guarding our home, she welcomes everyone who comes through the door with a wagging tail! This can be just what you need after a long day.
When I take my Staffy to the local pub, she’s the talk of the town. Everyone can’t wait to see her and she loves all of the attention. She’s wagging her tail at everyone that comes in and if you make eye contact, she won’t stop until you’ve greeted her!
This is a breed that is a suitable companion for a family home with children. They’ve even earned the nickname, ‘nanny dog’, due to their affectionate nature. In fact, there are only three breeds mentioned by the Kennel Club that are suitable for households with young children. You’ve guessed it; the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is one of them. Of course, it’s essential that any dog is supervised around children. But you can enjoy peace of mind when owning this breed if you have young kids in the house. They’ll accept attention from anyone.
Since staffies love their owners so much, it can make them easier to train. They love to please and are eager to be taught more commands by their favorite human. Treats definitely help too! They’re loving nature makes them enthusiastic and you can introduce a training session at any time of the day; they’ll be ready.
The Downsides
Are there any downsides to the loving nature of Staffies? Well, there are certainly some things you might want to consider. Since they love their humans so much, they can become clingy. Say goodbye to ever going to the bathroom by yourself again! Some staffies can become velcro dogs; they want to be by your side all the time and they follow you everywhere. If you like your independence, this is something to consider. Since this breed is also known for being high-energy, they won’t always want to just sit beside you either. They might have a ball or rope ready for tug-of-war. If you’re busy, this can become frustrating or if you don’t have time to play.
Adoring humans mean that Staffies don’t like to spend much time alone. Their sociable nature means they will crave attention whenever you’re home. If you work long hours then a Staffy will miss you a lot during the day. It is possible they could become destructive if they’re bored without stimulation when you’re away. With some training and toys, this could be avoided. While some dogs relax and enjoy afternoon naps, the Staffy can be the complete opposite. They’ll want you to play and interact with them. If you’re looking for a lazy dog that becomes part of the furniture, you may want to consider another breed!
Another consideration is the friends and family you have. Do they like dogs? Are they comfortable with being licked and jumped on? Staffies don’t know boundaries sometimes and definitely don’t know a lot about personal space. If you hang around with someone that doesn’t like or is scared of dogs, they could find this overwhelming. Staffies adore everyone but you’ve got to remember that not everyone feels the same about our furry friends.
While Staffies can be easier to train because they love you, they may also need more training to understand calmness. They can jump all over you, which not everybody wants. It can be necessary to teach them some manners when around other people. This is something that can stop with training and they’ll be eager to learn. So, it shouldn’t become a problem.
With their loving personalities, Staffies have so much to offer. They’ll become best friends with everyone they meet; I can’t go on one walk without my Staffy stopping to greet someone! Their adoration for humans makes them the perfect family companion, even if you have young kids. It’s important to make time for your Staffy; this will make sure they’re happy and content. Don’t pay attention to the history of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, look forward to the future with your bright and loving companion!