Staffordshire bull terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, also known as a 'Stafford' or 'Staffie', is a breed of short-haired, small- to medium-sized dog that was developed in Staffordshire, England and northern parts of Birmingham. The breed originated by crossing the Bulldog and Black and Tan Terrier, and evolved over time with the infusion of other breeds for refinement of purpose which, in Victorian England prior to the banning of blood sports in 1835, was ratting, bull-baiting, and dog fighting, the latter of which continued as a clandestine sport. The Staffie is a descendant of the now extinct Bull and Terrier cross, an ancestry developed in England in the early 19th century. The Bull Terrier, founded by James Hinks of Birmingham, England, the Staffie, the American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier all trace back to the bull-type terrier breeds with the common component being the Bulldog. After the banning of blood sports and pit fighting in 1835, attitudes changed which, over the course of a few centuries, resulted in generations of responsible breeding and further breed refinement of the Staffie as a popular family pet and companion dog. The Staffie's association in early 19th century as a fighting dog made it difficult to gain recognition by the Kennel Club (KC) in the United Kingdom (UK) but was eventually added to their purebred registry in 1935. Staffies first arrived in North America in the mid to late 1880s but it was not until 1974 that the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the Staffordshire Bull Terrier into their purebred registry. The Staffie is a stocky, muscular and unusually strong, small- to medium-sized dog that stands 14 to 16 in (36 to 41 cm) at the shoulder. The dogs weigh 29 to 37 lb (13 to 17 kg) and the bitches 24 to 34 lb (11 to 15 kg). It has a broad chest, strong shoulders, well boned wide set legs, a medium length tail that is carried low and a broad head with a short muzzle; its ears fold over at the tips and are not cropped. The Staffie's coat is short, stiff and close. Base colours can be red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of the aforementioned with white, any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Over the course of a few centuries and generations of responsible breeding and further breed refinement, the Staffie has evolved into a popular family pet and companion dog. They are considered loyal, courageous and affectionate, and are among the dog breeds recommended by the KC as suitable for families. They have a reputation for pugnaciousness, and when challenged by another dog it is characteristic of them to not back away. It is often recommended that Staffies receive early socialisation, preferrably beginning when they are still puppies. Staffies are healthy and robust dogs with a life expectancy of 12—14 years. The KC mandates visual eye testing, and DNA testing for hereditary cataracts and L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria for all breeding stock. They further recommend DHA testing for primary hyperparathyroidism. The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 made blood sports illegal, and effectively stopped bull and bear baiting in the UK. Bull and bear baiting required large arenas which made it easier for authorities to police, whereas illegal dog fighting was much harder to terminate because fight sponsors kept their venues hidden and closely guarded in private basements and similar locations. As a result, dog fighting continued long after bull and bear baiting had ceased. It was not until the Protection of Animals Act 1911 was passed that organised dog fighting in Britain was effectively terminated. Badger baiting is another clandestine blood sport from past centuries that has risen in popularity despite legislation. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) 'suggests that as many as 20,000 badgers are killed due to badger baiting in the UK in a single year.' In the early 1800s, “Bull and Terrier” crossbreeds had been developed to satisfy the need for vermin control and the taste for blood sports. In the mid–19th century, James Hinks wanted to develop a socially acceptable 'gentleman's companion' with refinement, cleaner lines, and courage without the aggressive tendencies. Two different types of Bull and Terriers resulted, including Hink's cross of the Bull and Terrier with the English White Terrier to achieve a more refined appearance with better legs and a nicer head. A later outcross included the Dalmatian and Collie which led to the development of an athletic white dog known as Hink's 'white cavalier', the forerunner to the modern Bull Terrier. Devotees preferred the original Bull and Terrier type over Hink's Bull Terrier, and remained loyal to their preferred type, which became the modern Staffordshire Bull Terrier of the same ancestry as the Bull Terrier.