Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (colloquially nicknamed: Staff, Staffie, Staffy, Stafford or Staffross) is an ancient, medium-sized, short-haired canine breed originally bred in the United Kingdom to compete in dogfights after fights between dogs and other animal species (bears, bulls) were prohibited there. After the prohibition of dog fights, the selection made it a breed with a character completely compatible with what is expected of a pet, which allowed the "Staff" to conquer a certain respectability and to begin to be presented in competitions. The breed was thus recognized by the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom as the Staffordshire bull terrier in 1935. The breed is of English origin, related to the Bull Terrier and comparable in appearance (in a smaller size) to the American Staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier. Courage Courage is one of the founding characteristics of the breed's history. While aggressiveness can only develop if nurtured by the breeder, courage has always been considered by Staff fanciers to be an innate quality. This is an important character trait in such athletic dogs, as it is the guarantee of a dog that is in control, calm, serene, and therefore adapted to the noisy and turbulent life of a family. Breeders therefore value courage highly and while they always take pride in breeding a courageous dog and reject timid subjects, they do not seek to breed aggressive subjects. The reputation of the breed Since the 1980s and the repetition of dramatic accidents involving dangerous dogs, the Staffordshire bull terrier or crosses of Staffs have been cited, alongside other dog breeds, as having been responsible for aggressions against children, adults or other animals. The RSPCA fears that breeders are re-naming pit bulls as Staffordshire bull terriers to avoid prosecution. Even if confusion often reigns, in such cases, on the exact title of the breed involved in the accident, and if the defenders of the Staffie systematically question the belonging of the culprits to the breed itself, it does not Nevertheless, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can, like any dog, occasionally turn out to be a dangerous dog. A report from the government of the province of New South Wales (Australia), dating from the end of 2009, identified the Staffordshire bull terrier as being the breed most frequently implicated in bites on humans (ahead of the Australian Cattle Dog, the German Shepherd and the Jack Russell Terrier). "Staffordshire-type" dogs already topped a similar report for the same province in 2006. However, while the report attributed 279 attacks out of 2,325 to a "Staffordshire", only one attack out of 2,325 was positively identified as having been perpetrated by an "English Staffordshire" (Staffordshire Bull Terrier). On the other hand, 58 attacks are positively identified as being perpetrated by an "American Staffordshire", a totally different breed with a size one third larger than that of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. In the first quarter of 2010, 1,122 incidents involving dogs (listing dog attacks and bites on people and animals) were reported across the province of New South Wales. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier appears responsible for the greatest number of incidents. Affinities with humans The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a dog with a big heart, usually affectionate towards humans. He expresses his affection by jumping, nudging, begging for attention. For this reason, the Staff may not be the ideal dog for those who prefer a quieter, more reserved companion. Finally, the Staff is very adaptable, moves without being disturbed, and can change owners easily, which makes it more vulnerable to "dognapping". Mark Evans, Chief Veterinarian of the British Association for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA), while acknowledging that "the Staff's media image is appalling" adds "It's not their fault and we have to look good side of the leash. When treated and educated well, the Staff makes an ideal companion. Our experience shows that problems only arise when a bad owner exploits the Staff's desire to please to develop their aggression." Legislation specific to the breed The staffordshire bull terrier does not fall under the categorization if it has the LOF. It is therefore not mandatory to have the detention permit and to declare it at the town hall. Hereditary diseases affecting the Staffordshire Bull Terrier L2-HGA aciduria L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria is a genetically transmitted neuro-metabolic disease which was first identified in 2001 by the Neurology Department of the Animal Health Trust. Subsequently, a number of affected dogs were identified in England, Scotland, Wales and the United States. Affected dogs show, between 6 months and a year (but sometimes up to 7 years) clinical signs of incoordination (ataxia described in Amstaff), muscle rigidity during exercise or after excitement, a change in behavior or epileptic seizures. This transmissible genetic condition has quickly become a serious concern in Staffordshire bull terrier populations. Hereditary cataract (HC) Hereditary cataract is a transmissible genetic condition. It is a progressive and bilateral disease: affected dogs develop it at an early age and it progresses until the dog is totally blind. DNA testing for hereditary cataract and L2-HGA aciduria Thanks to research from the Animal Health Trust laboratory, it has been possible since January 2006 to carry out DNA testing to find out if a dog is "Clear" (healthy) , "Carrier" (healthy carrier) or "Affected" (affected) vis-à-vis hereditary cataract and L2-HGA aciduria. "Clear": the dog has 2 copies of the normal gene and will not develop L2-HGA or HC, nor pass any copies of the L2-HGA or HC gene to any of its offspring. "Carrier" (healthy carrier): the dog has one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutant gene that causes L2-HGA or HC. He will not develop the disease but will pass the L2-HGA or HC gene to 50% (on average) of his offspring. “Affected”: the dog has two copies of the L2-HGA or HC mutation and is affected by L2-HGA or HC. He will develop the disease at some point in his life, provided he lives to a certain age. Here are the acceptable mating combinations: Clear X Clear: All puppies will be born Clear. No need to test puppies. Clear X Carrier: 50% of puppies will be Clear, 50% of puppies will be Carrier (on average) There can be no affected dogs in such a marriage. Puppies intended for breeding will need to be tested. To avoid producing affected dogs, the following 3 combinations of animals should be avoided: Carrier X Carrier Carrier X Affected Affected X Affected Distachiasis and PHPV Two other hereditary diseases affecting the eye and its adnexa may be subject to regular monitoring in breeders to prevent their extension within the breed. The first is distichiasis, a malformation of the rows of eyelashes which causes some of them to rub against the cornea and thus cause superficial damage to the surface of the eye. The second is persistence and primary vitreous hyperplasia (PHVP), a condition in which the primary vascularization of the lens persists instead of regressing, leading to the formation, in the anterior chamber of the eye, of a fibro-vascular tissue responsible visual disturbances. Skin problem Diluted coat alopecia is a genodermatosis (the most common in dogs), which concerns the blue Staffie. This condition, which is probably genetic and hereditary, generally affects blue coats and affects many races, although it is still often under-diagnosed. Puppies are normal at birth and the disease develops between 4 and 18 months (sometimes later). It progresses and extends to the diluted zones. The limbs and the head are generally spared or affected late. At the end of its evolution, alopecia affects the whole body, except the undiluted areas which are not affected. It is often accompanied by pyoderma, responsible for pruritus. The vital prognosis is not at stake, however these genetic affections are irreversible and only the symptoms can be alleviated using keratomodulating shampoos and emollients. In the event of secondary pyoderma, appropriate antibiotic treatment will also be necessary. The administration of vitamin E seems beneficial by decreasing seborrhoea and alopecia. The only way to overcome dilute coat alopecia would be to eliminate affected dogs from breeding. The breed is also known for a certain propensity for mastocytoma, which is often seen on the stomach, possibly due to the Staffordshire Bull Terriers' habit of taking long sunbaths lying on their backs.

Prior to the 19th century, animal fights were extremely popular and widespread, and the wealthier classes did not disdain these spectacles which, in their finer forms, might involve donkeys, bulls, bears, boars, lions and panthers. Cattle on their way to the slaughterhouse were often pitted against dogs, much to the delight of the public, as the dog's bite could sometimes be used to immobilize the animal before execution. Little by little, the name of Bull-dog was given to dogs confronting bulls. During the 16th and 17th centuries, for the pleasure of the King of England, an official place was built, “the Bankside Bear Garden” where the best fighters were raised. The first selections did not relate to the physique, but to the going, the courage, the skill and the bite of these dogs in combat. In the United Kingdom, animal fighting was officially banned in 1835, when the first animal protection laws were published, but these measures contributed to the development of dog fights, which were easier to organize and hide from the authorities than the fights involving bears or bulls. This new "sport" then became both a medium of choice for bettors and a way of continuing to test the qualities of this or that lineage against another. The character of the Bull-dogs previously used against the bulls did not completely satisfy the taste of the spectators who found them too slow, too heavy, not tough enough and generally unsuited to this new kind of combat. At the same time and in the same circles, there were Terrier-type dogs (Old Black and Tan, Old White, Fox, etc.) that weighed from 4 to 10 kilos and were also the subject of popular shows, organized around a pit. Small, agile, lively and aggressive, these Terriers were put in the presence of rodents that they had to destroy during “rat killing matches” giving rise to large gatherings of gamblers. We do not know which breeder (unless it is the result of chance) had the idea of ​​crossing Bull-dogs and Terriers, the fact remains that he soon came out of it a type of dog combining power, flexibility, mobility, stamina and courage. These dogs, named Half and Half or Bull and Terrier or English pitbull or Sporting bull terrier are the common root of Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. Able to fight furiously, pursue and ruthlessly bring down a fox or a badger and sleep the same evening in the bed of the children, this type of dog, at the same time fighting dog, pest hunter and companion dog, made the Anglo-Saxon working class happy throughout the 19th century and a good part of the 20th century. At the start, several types coexisted, such as the Warlaston, short and light, and the Walshall, tall in stature with very "terrier" lines. Quickly, starting from short and stocky specimens of Bull and Terriers, certain amateurs, particularly in the area of ​​Staffordshire, begin a selection. It was in 1934 that a breeder, Joe Dunn, proposed bringing together the "Brindle Bull Terrier" (name given by Londoners) and the Staffordshire Bull Terriers (name given by the miners of Staffordshire) in the same club and under the same designation. The club will be created in 1935 and the breed approved by the Kennel Club on June 15 of the same year. The drafting of a standard could not bring homogeneity to a herd that was too heterogeneous, so much so that during the first show organized by the club, a renowned breeder, Henry Melling, registered three of his best subjects, all of different type. . Among them was presented "Jim The Dandy", a 13 kg black brindle male of high quality. Later, he became the most sought after breeder of the years 1936 to 1938 (with more than 250 descendants). He is the son of "Fearless Joe" who died following a badger hunt, and the brother of "Vindictive Monty", winner of many competitions, himself the grandfather of the famous "The Great Bomber". From the year of creation of the club, 174 dogs will be registered in the Stud Book. "Gentleman Jim" and "Lady Eve" were the first Champions of England in 1939.

Although each individual has their own personality, all Staffs share common traits. Due to its history, the breed is known for its courage, intelligence, and tenacity. These qualities, associated with his kindness for his masters (children in particular), his stability, his calm make him a dog very adaptable to all situations. It has been said that "no breed has so much affection for its family" Due to their affinity for children, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are sometimes nicknamed "Nanny Dog" in England. The breed is naturally athletic and can be intimidating. However, due to their natural affection for human beings, most Staffs are not suitable for guard or defense work. Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies are very easy to raise and potty train very easily.