Frome - Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Physical Characteristics of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

(excerpted from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Short, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, black nose.

Eyes: Dark preferable, but may bear some relation to coat color. Round, of medium size, and set to look straight ahead.

Mouth: A bite in which the outer side of the lower incisors touches the inner side of the upper incisors.

Ears: Rose or half-pricked and not large.

Neck: Muscular, rather short, clean in outline and gradually widening toward the shoulders.

Color: Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colors with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white.

Forequarters: Legs straight and well boned, set rather far apart, without looseness at the shoulders and showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which point the feet turn out a little. The feet should be well padded, strong and of medium size.

Body: Close coupled, with a level topline, wide front, deep brisket and well sprung ribs being rather light in the loins.

Tail: Undocked, of medium length, low set, tapering to a point and carried rather low.

Height at shoulder: 14 to 16 inches.

Weight: Dogs, 28 to 38 pounds; bitches, 24 to 34 pounds, these heights being related to weights.

Hindquarters: Should be well muscled, hocks let down with stifles well bent. Legs should be parallel when viewed from behind. Feet as in front.

Coat: Smooth, short and close to the skin.

Contents

He was once prized for his fearlessness as a bullbaiter and fighting dogfollow the Staffords evolution from its bull and terrier ancestors into a distinct breed now found in show rings and homes around the world.

He is courageous and strong, yet devoted and gentlefind out about the traits that make the Staffordshire Bull Terrier a unique and wonderful choice for a companion dog. Also explore health concerns that can be seen in the breed.

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Staffordshire Bull Terrier by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Be advised about choosing a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, typical puppy. Understand the responsibilities of ownership, including home preparation, acclimatization, the vet and prevention of common puppy problems.

Enter into a sensible discussion of dietary and feeding considerations, exercise, grooming, traveling and identification of your dog. This chapter discusses Staffordshire Bull Terrier care for all stages of development.

by Charlotte Schwartz

Be informed about the importance of training your Staffordshire Bull Terrier from the basics of housebreaking and understanding the development of a young dog to executing obedience commands (sit, stay, down, etc.).

Discover how to select a qualified veterinarian and care for your dog at all stages of life. Topics include vaccination scheduling, skin problems, dealing with external and internal parasites and common medical and behavioral conditions.

Consider the care of your senior Staffordshire Bull Terrier, including the proper diet for a senior. Recognize the signs of an aging dog, both behavioral and medical; implement a special-care program with your vet and become comfortable with making the final decisions and arrangements for your senior Stafford.

Experience the AKC dog show world, including different types of shows, the basics of ring procedure and the making of a champion. Go beyond the conformation ring to obedience, agility and other competitive events.

Learn to recognize and handle common behavioral problems in your Staffordshire Bull Terrier, including barking, jumping up, aggression with people and other dogs, chewing, digging, separation anxiety, etc.

K ENNEL C LUB B OOKS S TAFFORDSHIRE B ULL T ERRIER

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-210-8

eISBN 13: 978-1-59378-987-9

Copyright 2004 Kennel Club Books An Imprint of I-5 Press A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Photography by:

Norvia Behling, Kent and Donna Dannen, Wil de Veer, Doskocil, Isabelle Franais, Tony George, Bill Jonas, Mikki Pet Products, Nikki Sussman and Theo von Sambeek.

Illustrations by Rene Low.

A bold metaphor of Britains spirit, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier represents the modern example of the bull and terrier dogs. This muscular beauty is called Wildstaff Nightmare.

Mankind has enjoyed the faithfulness of the dog by his side for centuries. Few dogs desire to please their human masters as much as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Dogs in general have accommodated man and his every whim for many generationsanything to please the master. Todays Staffordshire Bull Terrier, in mind and body, echoes that sentiment with might and determination.