This article is dedicated to providing quick, to the point answers to some of the most common questions I see asked about Staffordshire bull terriers.
Do you have a question not on the list that you think others could benefit from having answered? Feel free to ask away in the comments below and I'll do do my best to answer it and add it to this list.
Staffy FAQs Answered
Click to View Question List
1. How Long Do Staffies Live For?
Staffordshire Bull Terrier dogs live for an average of 12-14 years. Healthy dogs reach this age, but other factors such as diseases and the environment can influence the life expectancy of the Staffy.
2. How Big Do Staffies Get?
Female Staffies usually reach a mass of 11-15 kg (24 to 34lb) and a height of 33-38cm when matured. Males, on the other hand, reach a mass of 29 to 37lb (13-17kg) when mature and a height of 36-41cm.
Staffies have a broad chest, medium-length tail, broad head, stiff shoulders, short muzzle, folding ears, and wide-set legs.
3. Are Staffies Good With Children?
They have been referred to as the "nanny dog" for a good reason. A Staffy is ideal for families with kids; the dog is patient and gentle, but you should always supervise it when with your kids. At times, they can be rambunctious and may knock down small children.
It's also vital to teach your kids how to touch and interact with the dog to caution against bad manners that can irk the dog. Also tell your kids to avoid approaching the dog while its sleeping or eating.
4. Are Staffies Dangerous Dogs?
No, staffies are not naturally dangerous dogs and are not banned in the UK under the dangerous dogs act 1991.
However, Staffies are energetic and strong so this has made them and other similar looking dog breeds a target for breeders of fighting dogs. As a result, staffies have garnered a bad reputation because of this. When raised well, a staffy should not be a danger to anybody.
5. Do Staffies Malt?
Yes, Staffies do malt. Luckily, they have a short coat and will not malt as much as many other breeds of dog. They don't require a huge amount of grooming but still need some care if you want them to have a healthy coat and skin. Read our article on the best grooming brush for a staffy here.
6. Do Staffies Jaws Lock?
No, Staffies don't have a locking jaw. However, they do have a very strong jaw muscles and will generally bite and hold if they were to attack an enemy.
7. Are Staffies Pitbulls?
No, Staffies are not Pitbulls. However, the breeds do share some slight similarities in their looks.
The Amercian Staffordshire bull terrier or "Amstaff" is a larger, bulkier breed of staffy that has more in common with an American pitbull. Amstaffs are often confused for being a pitbull. American pitbulls are banned in the UK, taffies are not.
8. What is the Ideal Weight for a Staffy?
According to Kennel Club Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed standard guide, a healthy adult male Staffy weighs 13 to 17 kg. A healthy female Staffordshire bull terrier, on the other hand, should weigh between 11-15.4 kg. Click here for more information on keeping a staffy at their ideal weight.
9. When Do Staffies Stop Growing?
Staffies grow to their full height between the first 12-18 months but they'll continue to widen and grow bulkier until they reach maturity. Their maturity age can be as early as 2 years or late as 3 years.
10. How Much Should You Feed a Staffy?
The weight of your dog plays a huge role in determining the amount of food they need. As a general rule, 1 to 2 cups of dry food daily should be good for an adult staffy. If your dog is heavier/more active, go closer to the 2 cups. You can then reduce or increase their intake depending on how their weight, energy levels and mood.
For slightly more accuracy, you can measure their food based on calorie intake using this formula: [Dog's weight in KG x 30] +70.
View our recommendations for the best foods for adult staffies here.
11. Can Staffies Get Sunburn?
Yes, like people Staffies get sunburns that cause in a red skin. If the sunburn is too intense, your Staffy can get a slight fever so it is best to take precautions for them in the hotter months. Our article on preventing dogs from overheating has some tips.
12. Why Do Staffies Lick Your Face and Hands?
Licking is a form of communication to dogs. When a dog licks your face or hand, he/she could be trying to communicate to you, to keep you clean or to simply show affection to their owners.
Of course, the other option is that you have something on your face or hands they can smell and like the taste of. This is common if you've been sweating or touching other dogs.
13. Can Staffies Eat Raw Chicken?
Yes, Staffies eat raw chicken but care must be taken when preparing it to avoid bacterial infections and illness. Many dog owners have seen some benefits from feeding their dog a raw food diet. Read this article for more on raw food diets for staffies.
14. Can Staffodshire Bull Terriers Swim?
Generally, Staffordshire bull terrier dogs do not make good swimmers due to their stocky limbs and large, heavy head (relative to their bodies). However, a staffy can still learn to swim if you get them used to the water when they're younger. You may also want to consider a dog life jacket like this.
15. Do Staffies Get on With Other Dogs?
Yes, Staffies are usually friendly to other dogs that are familiar to them like others in the family home.
They can sometimes be wary of other dogs if they haven't had the chance to get used to them when growing up. Staffies tend to be quite protective over their territory so cautioned should be exercised when bringing unfamiliar dogs into their home. For more information on helping your dog get used to other, check out this article.
Best joint supplement for staffies ?
Hi there id like to ask , my staffie bitch seems to get recurrent ear infections she is generally quite an itchy dog and is taking apoquel , but im not to keen on her being on them ive tried loads of things, i think she may have some sort of allergy but apparently even if she is tested it still might not get a diagnosis , any suggestions ; Alison Ryan
Hi Alison, thanks for your question. It should be noted that I’m not a vet so this won’t be qualified/professional advice.
However, I can give you some personal experiences as one of our previous staffies was also very itchy and had particular trouble with his ears. He didn’t get regular infections of them but he was constantly scratching inside his ears.
We had good results with a couple of the products from this company: https://www.stinky-stuff.co.uk/
They sell natural remedies and we used the “ear stuff” product for ears (of course) as well as their “non-stinky stuff” for other itchy/irritated areas of his body. The non-stinky stuff comes in liquid form but you can refrigerate it, which makes it more of a vaseline consistency and easier to apply.
To answer your question about allergy testing, I think it might be a route worth exploring. As you mentioned, it could turn out to be fruitless but it may also help solve the issue so could be worth giving it a go, especially if nothing else seems to be working.
I hope this helps. Let me know how you get on with it, I’d love to hear your solution when you find it!
Laine @ smiling Staffy
Our white Staffie appears to be deaf, vets told us it would cost hundreds to go to a specialist for diagnosis & probably be no treatments if he was. When we were getting food for him, from a well known pet store, a staff member at the door fussed him & within 30seconds his skin was turning pink. The staff asked if he chewed his feet? He does!
He advised we put him on a diet for sensitive gut & skin, but also fed him carrots as they are a super food.
His diet is now meat, chicken, grain & rice free (white fish based dried food) with diced carrot. He has carrots as treats. Do not waste your money on special diet dog treats, just buy cat treats, they are fish based anyway!
Good Luck x
Thank you for your experience and advice !
We having a concern about our 6 months Stafford terrier , her skin quiet often turns bright pink and being a white colour dog it comes through very noticeable. Sometimes after hot summer days here in Australia, we were thinking it could be from the sun also as we know dogs do get a sunburn. But another thought of allergies and sensitive skin never left our mind, I am thinking of your advice about the fish based cat food – I find it very interesting to research and try , thank you Jay! Carrot 🥕 is also my favourite to give her as a treat , and I believe a whole one exercises the gums and cleans the teeth too, and putting one in a freezer for hot summer day is s great way give them ice carrot stick to lick and cool down 😉
Thank you again .
Pavel.
Morning,
I have a question to ask about House Training.
Our 13 week old pup has been doing really well with house training and has not weed in the house for weeks but we had a set back this past week. He began weeing in the house again and also went twice in his crate, which he has never ever done. This has coincided with him beginning to cock his leg. This morning he went out for his first toilet, after a few minutes of coming back in he cocked his leg properly against one of our kitchen units and weed. Is this unusual for a 3 months old? From what I have read male dogs do not usually begin to do this until they are between 6-9 months. Also I wondered if this is why he has started to wee in the house again.
Would welcome advice on where we go from here .
Thank you
Kind regards
Josephine
Hi, Boo my female staffy is turning 5 years old in March, over the last six months she has started to shake a lot, clinging and is also very protective of me, she has also become quiet aggressive towards other dogs not all the time its quiet sporadic and she never bites thank goodness but just tells other dogs off that she does not want them near her , she was attacked on her back side 2 years ago so unfortunately when a dog smells her behind as they do she is not a happy dog, I have also taken treats and her ball out of the equation when around dogs she does not know. Boo runs with a pack of 6 dogs and never have a problem with them but as you can imagine all the new puppies around at this time is a worry as she had always been fantastic with puppies (she lives with 3 cats) but yesterday a little puppy that she has played with on many occasions, Boo just grabbed him by his nose as he was jumping on her, no Puncture marks or bites but just putting him in his place, but as you can imagine as Boo is a staffy people just think the worst and I was mortified. Boo is my Second Staffy (Bayon was a boy and I had none of these problems) I am concerned for her and why she seems so aggressive, As I said before her treats and ball are put away when new dogs enter the equation. Also in the last 6 months she has developed a fear of loud noises or hearing a noise that she cannot identify and just shakes and pants then hides!. Apart from the above issues , she is a fabulous dog and as u know fabulous with humans and children. Any advice would be wonderful so that I can ensure she is happy and calm. thank you in advance
My staffy age 7, has started to be nervous around me. When I go near him and try to start stroking him at times he growls at me and walks away to someone else. He has changed so much no quick movements as normal especially when someone comes in the house. I take him out all the time runs in car a walking. Past 24 hours a massive difference with him, he’s is not the same. Hurts me seeing him like this.
Hi, I’ve been given a staffie bitch, she’s 3rys, she is very difficult at times, myself & my partner have had her 3 days, she seems a bit temperamental,she grabbed my mates jeans (male), and she wouldn’t let go, have you any tips please
Hi my blue staffy thunder is 8 months old now, I was asked by my daughter’s friend if I would allow him to be a stud for her dog. At what age is best to allow males for stud? Thanks.