By Richard Chilcot

Amongst the most popular breeds in the U.K. the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (or Staffie) is a muscular, medium size breed of dog. The Staffie can trace its origins back to the Nineteenth Century as a fighting dog. Its popularity emerged due to a decline in the popularity of bull baiting and the rising popularity of dog fighting. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was bred specifically with dog fighting in mind, preserving the stocky, muscular body of the bulldog whilst elongating its head to make it more effective in the ring and was known as the Pit Dog or Bull and Terrier. Despite its courage and aggression in the ring the Staffie also developed a reputation for affection, particularly towards children, a fact that is preserved by the Staffie being one of only two breeds to have its characteristics defined by the Kennel Club as being good with children.

The Humane Act of 1835 did not stop dog fights from occurring but it start the process of turning the breed from a fighting dog into a family pet and show dog. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier acquired the