The breed originated in Staffordshire, England (hence their name) back in the 19th century. They are a mix between Bulldogs and other Terrier type dogs. They rose to popularity in the United States in the 20th century and over time were bred to a larger size then originally bred, which led to the naming of the English Staffy.
The Staffy is strong willed dog who is not for everyone. To avoid poor behaviour, boundaries and rules must be set and followed. Without this, they can become destructive and will easily become the ruler of the roost if allowed to. This can also lead to anxiety and behavioural issues very quickly.
A Staffy has two speeds, a million miles an hour at full throttle or asleep… there is no in between. They are fantastic for an active lifestyle and thrive on daily mental and physical stimulation. They are a dedicated dog that with the right pack leader and very obedient and affectionate. As with other breeds, if raised from a young age correctly, they can happily live with other household pets, ensuring corrections are given when needed as they can get easily excitable very quickly.
Their short coat offers an easy to maintain coat all year round, with regular brushing preventing too much shedding all over the house and bathing only as needed.
The Staffy can be found in varying colours including, red, tan, black, blue and brindle with or without white markings too.