Temperament: This dog breed needs a very dominant experienced owner. As the Staffordshire Bull Terrier lives at full speed, and nothing is done by halves. While with the right owner and family you see a loving wholly affectionate dog with a sense of humour and so much courage it has to be controlled or can hurt itself. These dogs are very people friendly. Staffordshire Bull Terrier dogs will love children and the only real concern is that the child needs to know how to be a good young leade,r to avoid problems over dominance issues.

The Staffy is good with other pets but really needs a very good leader to enforce rules. Socializing this dog, well and early, will help the dog develop well. One of the biggest problems for this dog is the chewing, they do. It will be no good just giving them a few plastic chew toys as these will be in shreds in minutes with possibly health concerns due to plastic being swallowed. There are ranges available for this strong chewer. As this is a big chewer never allow the dog to chew your hand, as a puppy, as this sends the dog the wrong message.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be trained in obedience and agility and are in the top of the field in the UK. Here is a dog that needs and loves a challenge, so set ones that you can use rather than the dog choosing things you do not want.

All family members have to be firm consistent leaders, for this dog to understand its place in the family, so families with young children or lacking good dog leadership and experience should not get this dog. This dog is strong and without the good leadership can become stubborn and very hard to handle. It cannot be stressed enough that this dog has brilliant stamina and needs very long walks daily.

Health issues: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can have eye complaints and screening needs to be seen, by you, before getting a puppy. Hip dysplasia, tumours are also seen in some lines. Soft palate that is elongated is another problem seen in some puppies. This breed is also known to have gas like all the bull terrier types.

Grooming: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is easy to keep looking good by brushing their coat daily with a good brush for short haired dogs.

Living Conditions: This dog, if given plenty of good exercise daily, can live in an apartment. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can cope with a small garden.