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MediumTerrier Group

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was developed in the Staffordshire and Birmingham regions in the 19th century from Bulldog × terrier crosses.

Calculate Staffordshire Bull Terrier age
Lifespan12 yrrange 12–13
SizeMediumTerrier Group
Weight24–38 lb10.9–17.2 kg
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11

Gallery (3)

About

About the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was developed in the Staffordshire and Birmingham regions in the 19th century from Bulldog × terrier crosses. It is the third-most-common breed in UK veterinary records (n=61,548 in VetCompass) and far more prevalent in the UK than in US registration rank.

Aging

How Staffordshire Bull Terriers age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 12.0 years (n=61,548) — one of the largest single-breed samples available. L-2 hydroxyglutaric aciduria is the defining inherited metabolic concern (DNA-testable); hereditary cataracts and PHPV secondary.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 12 yr · range 12–13Senior careSenior at 7 · geriatric at 11Common health issues6 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
24–38 lb(10.9–17.2 kg)
Height
14–16 in(35.6–40.6 cm)
Coat type
Short
Colors
BlackBlack & WhiteBlueBlue & WhiteBrindleBrindle & WhiteFawnFawn & WhiteRedRed & WhiteWhiteWhite & Brindle
Temperament

Temperament

How Staffordshire Bull Terriers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

cleverbravetenaciousaffectionate
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr

    Elbow Dysplasia

    Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr

    Patellar Luxation

    Description and veterinary guidance for Patellar Luxation land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
90min
per day

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are high-output dogs — plan for 90 minutes of daily activity across a mix of walks, off-leash play, and purposeful work.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.