| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | ||||||||||||
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| Country of origin | ||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | ||||||||||||
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| Breed standards (external links) | ||||||||||||
| FCI, AKC, ANKC, KC(UK), NZKC |
An English breed of dog, originally bred for bull-baiting and dog fighting, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a short, muscular dog with a broad head, thick neck and powerful jaws. The coat is short and may be coloured black, brindle, white or tan (reddish tan).
They are renowned for loyalty to their owners and evenness of temperament, which makes them a good family pet. When properly bred and socialised, they are fond of people, playful, energetic, and not naturally aggressive. They may, however, willingly take on any dog that goads them to fight.
The Staffordshire has arisen from centuries of careful breeding to develop a strong dog that is placid towards people. It should not be confused with the pit bull, a breed of uncertain origins and unpredictable temperament.