Choosing the right dog breed for yourself is a big decision, and it’s even more important to choose wisely when you have a family. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to dogs, and it can be a challenge to find a breed that will suit everyone’s tastes. One of the most popular dog breeds for Australian families is the Staffy. What makes this breed so well-suited for such a wide range of households?
We’ll answer that question, as well as give a rundown of the breed’s traits and temperament so that you can see whether a Staffy is right for your family.
Staffy Appearance
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or Staffy, is classified as a medium-sized dog, but has the appearance and physical stature of a much bigger dog. They stand only 14 to 16 inches tall, and generally weigh between 25 to 40 pounds. Their frame is well-balanced and athletic, despite their heavy weight for their height.
Their muzzle is short and their cheek muscles are pronounced, giving them the broad head and strong jaw which can also be seen in other bull-type terriers. Their coat is short and sleek, coming in a variety of colours.
Staffy Temperament
The Staffy was originally developed as a bull-baiting and pit-fighting dog in the 19th century. The idea was to combine the power and strength of a larger Bulldog with the agility and speed of a Terrier. Hundreds of generations of breeding mean that the modern Staffy is far removed from these origins, but it still retains some of the bravery and tenacity that were the key traits of these fighting dogs.
The Staffy can be described as curious, trusting, and playful. In England, the breed is called the nanny dog because of how well it does with children. They enjoy the company of people, almost to a fault. The Staffy isn’t a dog that you can leave alone for extended periods – they need a lot of interaction and mental stimulation. The Staffy looks like a working dog, but is a companion dog at heart. A responsible dog breeder should be able to breed gentle, well-behaved Staffies with no health problems.
Should You Get a Staffy?
Staffies typically only want two things in life – to be close to their humans, and to play around. Since the Staffy is a companion dog, they thrive on the attention of their family and want to be around them at all times.
Their high energy level and intelligence mean they crave physical and mental stimulation. Expect play sessions to last around an hour at least for the average Staffy, with exceptionally energetic dogs having almost boundless energy. Despite their desire to play, they also love comfort and cuddling, and will gladly join you on the couch for a nap.
Staffies are very affectionate towards their human family members, and are always on the alert for anything that may be a danger to them. However, they don’t make the best guard dogs, as they don’t care much about their humans’ property. Even children generally get along very well with properly-bred and socialised Staffies, though all interactions should still be supervised.
A well-socialised Staffy will do well in just about any home, so long as they’re properly trained. Training a Staffy should begin as soon as they’re brought home, and they require a patient and confident trainer who also has a firm hand. Because Staffies are intelligent, they frequently have their own way of doing things. A trainer must be able to motivate the Staffy to use this intelligence to do things the proper way.
You should get a Staffy if all these traits sound like a good fit for your lifestyle and you think you have the experience and knowledge to be able to cater to a Staffy’s training and exercise needs. Getting a dog is a lifetime commitment, and seeing a dog thrive is one of the most rewarding experiences for a dog owner. Setting your Staffy up for success will ensure that they turn out to be the most loving, affectionate, and gentle dogs for your family.
