The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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The Staffordshire Bull Terrier derives from the Bulldog and a small local terrier which was similar to the Manchester Terrier. Early in the history of dogfighting, big dogs such as the Mastiff and the Bulldog were the stars. By the nineteenth century, coal miners in Staffordshire, England wanted a smaller, faster dog. This is why the Bulldog was crossed with a terrier to produce the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
In the beginning, they were called "Bulldog Terrier" and "Bull and Terrier." The Bulldog bred then was larger than the Bulldog we know today-it was about 60 pounds. The terrier that was bred with it is very similar to our modern day Manchester Terrier. The Staffordshire Bull Terriers are dogs of high intelligence, lean muscle and incredible courage.
Bull and Terrier breeds were believed to have arrived in North America sometime in the mid 1800s. Here they developed along different lines with a heavier, taller dog being the end result. They should be 14 to 16 inches tall. Males should weigh 28 to 38 pounds, females 24 to 34 pounds. Their coat is smooth, short and close to the skin. Their colors can be red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colors with white.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1974.
