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blue in sbt
Blue in SBT
The overall issue with "the most popular colour"
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There is nothing rare or unusual about blue colour in SBT. It is uncommon because ethical breeders choose not to breed it. “Rare” colours are nothing more nor less than a marketing scam.
Blue Staffordshire bull terriers are incredibly popular as pets, but they are rarely seen in the show ring or at breeder's households. Sometimes it's said that blue dogs are so rare, and this myth is often used to justify the higher price for blue puppies. Blue Staffordshire bull terriers are not rare and probably never were, but ethical breeders usually choose not to work with this colour, so it’s not as easy to see around, and there is a large list of reasons for it, most of which are about the most important - the health.
Blue Staffordshire bull terriers are incredibly popular as pets, but they are rarely seen in the show ring or at breeder's households. Sometimes it's said that blue dogs are so rare, and this myth is often used to justify the higher price for blue puppies. Blue Staffordshire bull terriers are not rare and probably never were, but ethical breeders usually choose not to work with this colour, so it’s not as easy to see around, and there is a large list of reasons for it, most of which are about the most important - the health.
Blue colour is accepted by the breed standard and appears as a result of a dilute mutation. The genetic pool of the breed was clearly not ready for such a huge rise in demand for blue dogs when they filled Instagram and Pinterest. As a result, we have a huge population of blue SBT with an unstable immune system, prone to allergic and autoimmune reactions, and no less a population of dogs on vet-line dry food and immunosuppressants (apoquel, medrol, etc.). The problem of a dilute mutation hides on the surface - it is a mutation whether we want it or not, and a mutation never occurs in a vacuum. It affects something else besides the colour itself. Based on the experience of breeders and the scientific data that is available today, in the case of blue SBT, the immune system suffers the most, and then - the digestive system and even the nervous system. The very idea of the ability to control and use (or overuse) a mutation (in this case, a dilute) should make us think twice. And it's not just the SBT: similar things are happening now with Dobermans, French Bulldogs, and other breeds where "rare, exclusive" colors occur as the result of dilution. "Mutation is random; natural selection is the very opposite of random." Richard Dawkins, 1996
Breeders and owners necessarily should understand that if a dog is only able to eat a single or vet-line kibble or is taking immunosuppressants is NOT a HEALTHY dog, even if is in remission. Immunosuppressants, as can be guessed by name, only suppress the symptoms. When symptoms are suppressed, the actual cause of the problem does not vanish anywhere, and the functional abilities of the suppressed immune system are very questionable. A healthy dog is a dog whose immune system is functional and adequately responds to triggers, food, and environmental components, has no allergic or dermatological symptoms, and is able to eat a variety of foods without any harm to health. This is accurate both for blue dogs and for any other colours and breeds.
Blue dogs who were born from so-called double blue (blue sire x blue dam) matings are known as especially problematic. If both parents of the dog are blue (not dilute carriers), then the risks and amount of possible issues for future puppies increase significantly. But true, only then one can get a full blue litter and be able to earn more, since the demand for blue puppies is higher, and higher is the price. Since 2023, blue x blue breeding and using dogs from two blue parents in further breeding have been completely forbidden in Norway by the local Kennel Club.
Chances of finding an ethical breeder of blue Staffordshire bull terriers are extremely low because of these risks, and it's totally understandable: it's hard to remain ethical while gambling with health. Well, if by healthy we mean dogs that can eat a variety of food without side problems and have stable functional immunity. For sure, there are plenty of stable blue dogs nowadays, but it's always about the differences between stability, remission, and actual health which is worth reproduction. In terms of foods only, dogs are scavengers by nature and the history of domestication, and eating a variety of foods should not be a problem for any dog of any breed and any colour. If an individual's dog immune and digestive systems are accepting one particular food only, those systems can be very vulnerable when faced with components that will be considered inappropriate or pathogenic. The immune system is complex and consists of not only maternal immunity but of artificial immunity (vaccines) and gained immunity too. The gained part is trainable, like a muscle, and like any skill it will atrophy when not used properly.
In a body the systems work tightly together, interconnected by numerous molecular processes. Therefore any issues with one system's functions can not avoid affecting all others. It may take time, and those connections are not so easy to find at first sight. However, nowadays there is a good amount of scientific material on correlations of the immune system with digestive and nervous functions. Commonly in dogs who suffer from severe immunity issues or allergies, we often see other digestive and even nervous disorders too like OCD, stereotypes, and anxiety disorders.
It is important to understand that the peculiarity of unstable immunity is not limited to chronic problems only, for which it is technically possible to more or less support the dog with conservative or natural methods. Unstable immunity may react differently to vaccination or behave unpredictably if got in touch with some viral and bacterial diseases, which other dogs could likely tolerate more easily or have a better response to therapy. Anxiety or hyperactivity, which are often found in the breed, especially when bred for color, are only an additional stress factor complicating the work of the immune system. As a result, unfortunately, the health of these dogs can be very vulnerable in case of trouble.
Breeders and owners necessarily should understand that if a dog is only able to eat a single or vet-line kibble or is taking immunosuppressants is NOT a HEALTHY dog, even if is in remission. Immunosuppressants, as can be guessed by name, only suppress the symptoms. When symptoms are suppressed, the actual cause of the problem does not vanish anywhere, and the functional abilities of the suppressed immune system are very questionable. A healthy dog is a dog whose immune system is functional and adequately responds to triggers, food, and environmental components, has no allergic or dermatological symptoms, and is able to eat a variety of foods without any harm to health. This is accurate both for blue dogs and for any other colours and breeds.
Blue dogs who were born from so-called double blue (blue sire x blue dam) matings are known as especially problematic. If both parents of the dog are blue (not dilute carriers), then the risks and amount of possible issues for future puppies increase significantly. But true, only then one can get a full blue litter and be able to earn more, since the demand for blue puppies is higher, and higher is the price. Since 2023, blue x blue breeding and using dogs from two blue parents in further breeding have been completely forbidden in Norway by the local Kennel Club.
Chances of finding an ethical breeder of blue Staffordshire bull terriers are extremely low because of these risks, and it's totally understandable: it's hard to remain ethical while gambling with health. Well, if by healthy we mean dogs that can eat a variety of food without side problems and have stable functional immunity. For sure, there are plenty of stable blue dogs nowadays, but it's always about the differences between stability, remission, and actual health which is worth reproduction. In terms of foods only, dogs are scavengers by nature and the history of domestication, and eating a variety of foods should not be a problem for any dog of any breed and any colour. If an individual's dog immune and digestive systems are accepting one particular food only, those systems can be very vulnerable when faced with components that will be considered inappropriate or pathogenic. The immune system is complex and consists of not only maternal immunity but of artificial immunity (vaccines) and gained immunity too. The gained part is trainable, like a muscle, and like any skill it will atrophy when not used properly.
In a body the systems work tightly together, interconnected by numerous molecular processes. Therefore any issues with one system's functions can not avoid affecting all others. It may take time, and those connections are not so easy to find at first sight. However, nowadays there is a good amount of scientific material on correlations of the immune system with digestive and nervous functions. Commonly in dogs who suffer from severe immunity issues or allergies, we often see other digestive and even nervous disorders too like OCD, stereotypes, and anxiety disorders.
It is important to understand that the peculiarity of unstable immunity is not limited to chronic problems only, for which it is technically possible to more or less support the dog with conservative or natural methods. Unstable immunity may react differently to vaccination or behave unpredictably if got in touch with some viral and bacterial diseases, which other dogs could likely tolerate more easily or have a better response to therapy. Anxiety or hyperactivity, which are often found in the breed, especially when bred for color, are only an additional stress factor complicating the work of the immune system. As a result, unfortunately, the health of these dogs can be very vulnerable in case of trouble.
Our first SBT is a blue.
Common problems in blue Staffordshire bull terrier. Photos used by permission of the dog's owner
- MLPH Genotype--Melanin Phenotype Correlation in Dilute Dogs. doi:10.1093/jhered/esp010
- Color-dilution alopecia in dogs. J Vet Sci . 2005 Sep;6(3):259-61. PMID: 16131833
- Spencer-Segal, J.L. and Akil, H., 2019. Glucocorticoids and resilience. Hormones and behavior.
- Craig, J.M., 2016. Atopic dermatitis and the intestinal microbiota in humans and dogs. Veterinary medicine and science.
- Harvey, N.D., Craigon, P.J., Shaw, S.C., Blott, S.C. and England, G.C., 2019. Behavioural Differences in Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis Suggest Stress Could Be a Significant Problem Associated with Chronic Pruritus.
- Hilmersson, A., Sigmundsdóttir, G. and Vilde, B.S., 2020. The Juvenile Canine Intestinal Microbiota: Development from Birth to 12 Weeks of Age.
- Kelly, J.R., Kennedy, P.J., Cryan, J.F., Dinan, T.G., Clarke, G. and Hyland, N.P., 2015. Breaking down the barriers: the gut microbiome, intestinal permeability and stress-related psychiatric disorders. Knezevic, J., Starchl, C., Tmava Berisha, A. and Amrein, K., 2020. Thyroid-Gut-Axis: how does the microbiota influence thyroid function? Masson, S. and Gaultier, E., 2018. Retrospective study on hypersensitivity-hyperactivity syndrome in dogs: long-term outcome of high dose fluoxetine treatment and proposal of a clinical score.
- Miller, A.H., Haroon, E., Raison, C.L. and Felger, J.C., 2013. Cytokine targets in the brain: impact on neurotransmitters and neurocircuits. Depression and anxiety. Mori, A., Goto, A., Kibe, R., Oda, H., Kataoka, Y. and Sako, T., 2019. Comparison of the effects of four commercially available prescription diet regimens on the fecal microbiome in healthy dogs. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science.
References
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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.
