Korvosa Staffords
The Stafford
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, in a nut-shell, is a medium-sized, muscular breed of English origin showing great strength for its size. The muscular but agile Stafford is courage and tenacious, but should have an exuberant affection and empathy for humans big and small, with an unmatched zest for life, with a quietness off duty. It is not uncommon for a stafford to not particularly enjoy the company of other animals, or be less tolerant of other dogs; therefore, Staffords are not dog park dogs.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffie/Stafford) should not to be confused with the American Staffordshire Terrier (Am. Staff) or American Pit Bull Terrier (Pitty). These are three very distinct breeds, with their own unique history and characteristics.
"Every pet may not be a show dog,
but be assured, every show dog
is a pet."
- Patricia Craige Trotter
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The Breed Standard
A breed standard is the guideline that describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed; ensuring that the breed is fit for function. The purpose of a dog show is to evaluate quality breeding stock in order to maintain the integrity of the breed. A dog with good conformation (appearance and structure), is more likely to produce correct, structurally sound, puppies than a dog with poor structure.
General Appearance
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth-coated dog. It should be of great strength for its size and, although muscular, should be active and agile. Height at shoulders ranges from 14 to 16 inches, and weight between 24 - 38 pounds. These heights being related to weights.
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Colour red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle, or any shade of brindle with white. Black and tan or liver colour not to be encouraged.
*Be advised that no reputable breeder will purposely breed blue dogs. Blue dogs do not meet the standard naturally. Due to the backyard breeders, many blues now have Colour Dilute Alopecia and allergies, or produce affected puppies. Blues are not rare, and no blue dog has ever obtained a champion in the country of origin.
Temperment
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is described in the breed standard as bold, fearless, and utterly reliable. Beyond these traits, Staffords are highly intelligent and exceptionally active dogs. To thrive, they require consistent physical exercise and mental engagement, casual daily walks alone are insufficient to meet their needs.
This breed is best suited to individuals or families who are deeply committed to spending time with their dog. Staffords form strong bonds with their people and prefer constant companionship. Prospective owners should be prepared for a dog that wants to be involved in every aspect of daily life; privacy quickly becomes a thing of the past.
It’s also important to acknowledge that some Staffords may have limited tolerance for other animals, including dogs. While socialization plays a role, temperament is largely influenced by genetics. Responsible ownership means understanding and accepting this aspect of the breed and remember what the breed was originally bred to do. While they should not go seeking a fight, they shouldn't back down either.
Health Testing
Though a relatively healthy breed, responsible breeders prioritize comprehensive health testing before breeding. For instance, the most effective way to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia is to breed dogs with certified healthy hips. Similarly, ensuring puppies are free from hereditary cataracts requires selecting parents who are unaffected by the condition.
Ethical breeding begins with transparency and a commitment to health. Below is a list of health screenings that all Stafford breeders should perform by the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals. Click on each item to learn more about the specific test or condition.
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OFA Elbow (new)
Optional:
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Breed History
Although there has been some discussion through the years about the origin of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, authorities generally agree that the breed can be traced back to the Mastiff-like dogs through the old Bulldog which, when crossed with British terriers, produced the first “Bull and Terriers.” Books published in the early 1800s which refer to “Bull and Terriers,” “Pit Dogs”, and “Fighting Dogs” confirm that the cross existed at that time.
The old-fashioned Bulldog was a fierce, courageous animal used in the sports of bear- and bull-baiting as early as the mid-sixteenth century. When these sports fell from public favor and were outlawed, their supporters turned to dog fighting and sought to create a sporting dog that, while retaining the legendary courage and ferocity of the Bulldog, would incorporate the greater agility of the terrier.