Staffordshire Bull Terrier

STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER

Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
History The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a descendant of the Bull and Terrier crosses made in Great Britain in the late 1700's. It was, given the name "Staffordshire" in reference to an area where it was very popular, to differentiate it from the other Bull and Terrier breeds.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1975.
General Appearance and characteristics
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is one that possesses great strength for its size. Although muscular, it is active and agile. Its character is one of indomitable courage, high intelligence and tenacity. Coupled with its affection for its friends, and children in particular, its quietness and trustworthy stability make it an all-purpose dog. It is smooth-coated.
Head
The head is short and deep through. The skull is broad. The stop is distinct. The cheek muscles are very pronounced. The foreface is short.
TEETH -- A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite; the outer side of the lower incisors touching the inner side of the upper incisors.
Serious fault: Overshot or undershot bites.
EYES -- Dark eyes are preferred, but may bear some relation to coat color. The round, medium size eyes are set on to look straight ahead.
Faults: Light eyes. Pink eye rims, except where the coat color surrounding the eye is white.
NOSE -- The nose is black.
Serious fault: Dudley nose.
EARS -- The rose or half-pricked ears are not large.
Serious faults: Full drop ear. Full prick ear.
Neck
The muscular, rather short neck is clean in outline and widens gradually toward the shoulders.
Forequarters
FORELEGS -- The straight, well-boned forelegs are set rather far apart at the shoulders, showing no looseness. The feet turn out a little at the pasterns, which are strong. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed.
Body
The body is close-coupled. The topline is level. The length of the backline, measured from the withers to the tailset, is equal to the distance measured from the withers to the ground. It is rather light in the loins. The front is wide, with a deep brisket. The ribs are well-sprung. Hindquarters
The hindquarters are well-muscled.
HIND LEGS -- The stifles are well-bent. The hocks are well let down. The legs are parallel when viewed from behind. Dewclaws are generally removed from the hind legs.
The strong, medium-sized feet are well padded.
Tail
The medium-length tail is not docked. It is low-set, carried rather low and tapers to a point. It does not curl much, and may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle. Faults: Too long or badly curled tail.
Coat
The short, smooth coat is close to the skin. Neither the coat nor the whiskers are to be trimmed.
Color
Acceptable colors include red, fawn, white, black, any shade of brindle, and blue, with or without white.
Height and Weight
Height, measured at the shoulders, ranges from 14 to 16 inches.
Weight ranges are as follows: dogs, 28 to 38 pounds; bitches, 24 to 34 pounds.
Weight depends on the height of the individual dog.
Fault: Nonconformity with height and weight standards.
Movement
The free, powerful, agile movement is accomplished with an economy of effort. When viewed from the front or the rear, the legs move parallel. There is a noticeable drive from the hind legs.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism. Black and tan, or liver-colored dogs.