MEET THE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER: INDOMITABLE COURAGE, HIGH INTELLIGENCE, AND TENACITY
Compact, muscular, and packed with courage, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a breed that radiates strength and heart. Known affectionately as a “Stafford,” this breed was developed in 19th-century England for bull baiting and dog sports—but it has since become a loyal and loving companion. Staffords are famously fond of children, affectionate with family, and full of energy. With the right leadership, they are joyful, gentle, and deeply bonded companions that never lose their zest for life.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was accepted by the AKC for registration in 1974, with show status granted the following year. However, the Breed Standard was not rooted in the US disco era. In the UK, there existed 40 years of evolution to the Standard prior to AKC acceptance. It is important to consider this history not only to have a better understanding of today’s Standard but ultimately to provide important context that will assist in our interpretation of the modern breed and our evaluation thereof.
The first Standard was written in the UK in 1935. It began by describing the ideal Stafford as 15 to 18 inches tall. Dogs were to weigh 28-38 pounds, with bitches 24-34 pounds. Compare this to our current Standard, which brings the heights down to 14-16 inches, yet leaves the weights exactly the same. This is by far the most significant change to the Breed Standard throughout its evolution in terms of how it impacts our interpretation of the balance between bull and terrier, as well as the subjective descriptors found throughout the rest of the Standard.
“Evolution of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Standard” by Jason Nicolai SHOWSIGHT April 2013
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