Main
About breed
Health
Lifestyle & care
Education
Links
Blog
Main
About breed
Health
Lifestyle & care
Education
Links
Blog
SBT with kids and animals
SBT with kids and animals
English Staffordshire bull terrier might be specific when it comes to relationships with all family members or with other families
main /
about breed /
About breed
Staffordshire bull terrier and family dogs
The first thing that usually comes up in this term is the historical past of bull-type terriers, which to varying degrees, depending on the breed and the lines, leaves an imprint on their current temperament too. This imprint is still more or less there, but it's not as dark as the media sometimes describe it. It's also a part of our beloved breed, not the only one and not always our favourite one, but an important piece that makes a Staffordshire bull terrier's character as we love it. Yes, SBT are often spicy, rarely dog-friendly, and sometimes make multiple pet households challenging. On the opposite side, attempts to breed out all the spicy parts in the breed were already done, but genetics is much more complicated than a pizza: you can't take out pieces that you don't like and enjoy the rest. In genetics, you are losing some pieces or gaining some, and the amount of fearful, insecure Staffordshire bull terriers nowadays puts much more strain on the breed fans than their attitude towards other animals.
Staffordshire bull terriers get along with other dogs in the family and love to play, and like most terriers are very social. However, multiple dog households require daily management to ensure that each dog's needs are met and fulfilled. That's essential so that the dogs will live happily, and the risks of conflicts between them will be low.
With a Staffordshire bull terrier in multiple dog households, communication issues or resource distribution between the dogs can easily escalate into conflicts if not managed and prevented. SBT is assertive, often rude in body language, and can be inattentive to the body signals of another dog. They get excited quickly and can easily become emotionally overloaded. Special attention is required in situations where dogs are excited by or interested in resources in common: food, toys, favorite places, and even the attention of the family members. Sometimes the resource that provokes a conflict can be something as insignificant as a place on the couch or too a too exciting game. Managing these situations requires family attention and certain experience, so it's best to make sure in your skills and capacities before getting a second or more dogs. But still needed to say that it's not that much of a breed-specific thing. Of course, SBT do have their mentioned qualities, but conflicts can also happen in a pack of poodles or any other breed. And with any breed, multiple dog households will require much more of the owner's attention to provide all dogs quality lives.
The risk of conflict sometimes increases when it comes to dogs of the same sex - males often do more complicated with other males, as do females with females, especially during heat periods and significant hormonal changes, but its not a strict rule. Depending on dog’s characters, they can get along better too. It is also not recommended to leave several dogs of any gender together alone without supervision, but this is also a fairly general recommendation, relevant to other breeds as well. In our kennel females do live together in one household including heat periods, but they often walk and train separately, and do not stay home alone together. Conflicts in any family cannot be completely avoided, like with humans, but sufficient attention to safety precautions can make the lives of its members comfortable and safe for both people and dogs. However, if the family is not able to invest a lot of time and effort in managing it, the dog should better remain the only one in the house.
With a Staffordshire bull terrier in multiple dog households, communication issues or resource distribution between the dogs can easily escalate into conflicts if not managed and prevented. SBT is assertive, often rude in body language, and can be inattentive to the body signals of another dog. They get excited quickly and can easily become emotionally overloaded. Special attention is required in situations where dogs are excited by or interested in resources in common: food, toys, favorite places, and even the attention of the family members. Sometimes the resource that provokes a conflict can be something as insignificant as a place on the couch or too a too exciting game. Managing these situations requires family attention and certain experience, so it's best to make sure in your skills and capacities before getting a second or more dogs. But still needed to say that it's not that much of a breed-specific thing. Of course, SBT do have their mentioned qualities, but conflicts can also happen in a pack of poodles or any other breed. And with any breed, multiple dog households will require much more of the owner's attention to provide all dogs quality lives.
The risk of conflict sometimes increases when it comes to dogs of the same sex - males often do more complicated with other males, as do females with females, especially during heat periods and significant hormonal changes, but its not a strict rule. Depending on dog’s characters, they can get along better too. It is also not recommended to leave several dogs of any gender together alone without supervision, but this is also a fairly general recommendation, relevant to other breeds as well. In our kennel females do live together in one household including heat periods, but they often walk and train separately, and do not stay home alone together. Conflicts in any family cannot be completely avoided, like with humans, but sufficient attention to safety precautions can make the lives of its members comfortable and safe for both people and dogs. However, if the family is not able to invest a lot of time and effort in managing it, the dog should better remain the only one in the house.
Staffordshire bull terrier and other dogs
Staffordshire bull terriers and dogs outside the family circle rarely get along, thus sometimes they still do. As a rule, puppies and young dogs are more willing to meet them, but many SBT owners find out that by the age of 2-3 years, their dog suddenly begins to react differently or unfriendly even to those dogs, with whom they previously liked to play with.
However, this must not be surprising: most Staffordshire bull terriers are so-called dog selective or dog intolerant. SBT might not be the best breed for you if you want to meet with large dog groups and spend time in dog parks. A sufficient understanding of the character of your Staffordshire bull terrier and the body language of dogs can help to avoid dangerous situations and conflicts, but overall it’s not a dog park breed. A dog of any breed should be safe for the society in which it lives, and the owner should be able to manage the dog's emotional state and keep it out of potential conflicts. It is always the owner's responsibility not to put their dog in situations that will be too exciting or too much for them, the same as it is with children. To be fair, SBTs are rarely liked by other dogs in the neighborhood too. Staffordshire bull terriers are assertive with rather rough body language, and most dogs do not actually welcome it in communication. To learn more about dog communication and body language we recommend looking into "On talking terms with dogs" by Turid Rugaas.
However, this must not be surprising: most Staffordshire bull terriers are so-called dog selective or dog intolerant. SBT might not be the best breed for you if you want to meet with large dog groups and spend time in dog parks. A sufficient understanding of the character of your Staffordshire bull terrier and the body language of dogs can help to avoid dangerous situations and conflicts, but overall it’s not a dog park breed. A dog of any breed should be safe for the society in which it lives, and the owner should be able to manage the dog's emotional state and keep it out of potential conflicts. It is always the owner's responsibility not to put their dog in situations that will be too exciting or too much for them, the same as it is with children. To be fair, SBTs are rarely liked by other dogs in the neighborhood too. Staffordshire bull terriers are assertive with rather rough body language, and most dogs do not actually welcome it in communication. To learn more about dog communication and body language we recommend looking into "On talking terms with dogs" by Turid Rugaas.
Staffordshire bull terriers and cats can get along quite well if introduced to each other at an early age. Many might even play, sleep, and spend some time together, but it depends on the characters of both individual animals. If you are planning to introduce a cat to a dog or vice versa, it is recommended to refer to a behaviour consultant who could provide some hints for a successful introduction in your individual case. Still, even if a dog is comfortably living in a house with a cat, acute reactions on cats out on the streets are still very much possible - this is a completely different concept from dog’s perception, and the owner's attention is often needed to redirect the dog's impulse from chasing or lunging.
Staffordshire bull terrier and cats
Staffordshire bull terrier and kids
Staffordshire bull terrier can be very attentive and patient with children, although the “nanny-dog” thing is more of a stereotype. This breed loves company of children, but it is important to remember that the Staffordshire bull terrier is active, strong, and often impulsive, which are not the best qualities for a potential nanny. Both the dog and children should be carefully introduced and learn how to interact with each other under supervision of adults. However, this is absolutely not breed-specific - the same rules apply to any kid and any animal. Remember that neither a child nor a dog (of any breed) can critically assess a situation or be actually responsible for their actions, so the supervision of a responsible adult in their communication is essential.
Staffordshire bull terrier and other animals
Staffordshire bull terriers can possibly live with other pets under some careful management, and the sooner the puppy understands how to live with them in a shared space, the easier and safer it will be. However, in the case of most smaller pet animals, direct interaction is not suitable: an active dog prone to pronounced hunting behaviour has not much else to do with rodents, turtles, or farm animals. It will be enough for the dog to understand that it should keep its distance from, for example, sheep and that chickens are not toys to chase. The same applies to small house pets, especially rodents. Terriers are very much expected to hunt them, and it's hard to blame a terrier for being a terrier. Direct access to rodents should be excluded, even if the dog seems interested and calm, and for the rodent, it would be unnecessary stress too. As some folk say, if you have a python, a hedgehog, and a canary, the key to family happiness is to ensure that they will never meet.
* Gossamer Snowstorm (Viuga)
*Svargsaga Barracuda Babe (Burya)
Read more
Read more
More info
More about Staffordshire bull terrier
Is SBT the right match for you?
Despite all our love for SBT, we have to admit all breeds have their cons - it’s not avoidable. It remains to make sure that none of these cons are a red flag for your family and that you and your dog will become the right match.
Character of SBT
Each dog is an individual with its character and features, but breed representatives share many traits in common.
Showing and breeding dogs was never a main goal for me. I started in the dog world from behavioral modification and training, gained a degree in rehab and myotherapy, studied nutrition (raw/dry), trained nosework disciplines and already for several years owned an educational dog-blog and taught lectures for dog owners and professionals. Throughout all these fields I strongly promote complete/holistic approach and advocate for dog’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Showing and breeding dogs was never a main goal for me. I started in the dog world from behavioral modification and training, gained a degree in rehab and myotherapy, studied nutrition (raw/dry), trained nosework disciplines and already for several years owned an educational dog-blog and taught lectures for dog owners and professionals. Throughout all these fields I strongly promote complete/holistic approach and advocate for dog’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Showing and breeding dogs was never a main goal for me. I started in the dog world from behavioral modification and training, gained a degree in rehab and myotherapy, studied nutrition (raw/dry), trained nosework disciplines and already for several years owned an educational dog-blog and taught lectures for dog owners and professionals. Throughout all these fields I strongly promote complete/holistic approach and advocate for dog’s physical and mental wellbeing.
