STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER
Terrier Group
View Registration Requirements

Copyright 1992, United Kennel Club, Inc.
Revised April 15, 2007..



History

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a descendant of the Bull and Terrier crosses made in Great Britain in the late 1700's. It was given the name "Staffordshire" in reference to an area where it was very popular, to differentiate it from the other Bull and Terrier breeds.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1975.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth coated dog that possesses great strength for its size. Although muscular, it is active and agile.

This breed has indomitable courage, high intelligence and tenacity. Coupled with its affection for its friends, and children in particular, its quietness and trustworthy stability make it an all-purpose dog.

The head is short and deep throughout with a distinct stop.

SKULL - The skull is broad and the cheek muscles are very pronounced.

MUZZLE - the foreface is short, with strong jaws and clean, tight lips.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite; the outer side of the lower incisors touching the inner side of the upper incisors.

Serious Faults: Badly overshot or undershot bites.

EYES - Dark eyes are preferred, but may bear some relation to coat color. The round, medium size eyes are set on to look straight ahead. Dark eye rims are preferred.

NOSE - The nose is black.

EARS - The rose or half-pricked ears are not large.

Serious Faults: Full drop ear. Full prick ear.

The muscular, rather short neck is clean in outline and widens gradually toward the shoulders.

The shoulders are well laid back.

FORELEGS - The straight, well-boned forelegs are set rather far apart at the shoulders, but show no looseness at the elbow. The pasterns are strong, and the feet turn out slightly.

The body is close-coupled with a broad, deep chest and well-sprung ribs. The loins are fairly light and the topline is level.

The hindquarters are well-muscled.

HIND LEGS - The stifles are well-bent. The hocks are well let down. The legs are parallel when viewed from behind. Dewclaws are generally removed from the hind legs.

The strong, medium-sized feet are well padded.

The medium-length tail is not docked. It is low-set, carried rather low and tapers to a point. It does not curl much, and may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.

Faults: Too long or badly curled tail.

The short, smooth coat is close to the skin. Neither the coat nor the whiskers are to be trimmed.

Acceptable colors include red, fawn, white, black, any shade of brindle, and blue, with or without white.

Serious Faults: Black and tan or liver.

Height, measured at the shoulders, ranges from 14 to 16 inches. Weight ranges are as follows: dogs, 28 to 38 pounds; bitches, 24 to 34 pounds. Weight depends on the height of the individual dog.

The free, powerful, agile movement is accomplished with an economy of effort. When viewed from the front or the rear, the legs move parallel. There is a noticeable drive from the hind legs.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.