STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER RECOGNIZED: 1953
CKChttps://www.ckc.ca/CanadianKennelClub/media/Breed-Standards/Group%204/Staffordshire-Bull-Terrier.pdf
The breed standard outlines the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed, and ensures that a dog can carry out
its original purpose. Breeders and judges should be mindful to prioritize dogs that are healthy and sound in both mind and body.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth coated dog. He should be of great strength for his size, and although muscular, should be active and agile.
TEMPERAMENT
From the past history of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the modern dog draws his character of indomitable courage, high intelligence and tenacity. This, coupled with his affection for his friends, and children in particular, his off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, makes him the foremost all purpose dog.
SIZE
Weight: Dogs, 12.75 to 17.25 kg (28 to 38 lb); bitches, 11 to 15.25 kg (24 to 33.5 lb)
Height at the withers: 35.5 to 40.75 cm (14 to 16 in); these heights being related to the weights.
COAT
Smooth, short and close to the skin.
COLOUR
Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colors with white. Any shade of brindle, or any shade of brindle
with white. Black and tan, or liver color not to be encouraged.
HEAD
Short, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, black nose. The mouth should be level – i.e., the incisors of the bottom jaw should fit closely inside the incisors of the top jaw, and
the lips should be tight and clean.
Eyes: Dark preferable but may bear some relation to coat color. Round, of
medium size, and set to look straight ahead.
Ears: Rose or half pricked and not large.
NECK
Muscular, rather short, clean in outline and gradually widening towards the shoulders.
FOREQUARTERS
Legs straight and well boned, set rather wide apart, without looseness at the shoulders, and showing no weakness
at the pasterns, from which point the feet turn out a little.
BODY
The body should be closeͲcoupled, with a level topline, wide front, deep brisket, well sprung ribs and rather light in the loins.
HINDQUARTERS
Should be well muscled, hocks let down with stifles well bent. Legs should be parallel when viewed from behind.
The feet should be well padded, strong and of medium size.
TAIL
Should be of medium length, low set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. It should not curl much and may be likened to an old fashioned pump handle.
FAULTS
Any departure from the aforementioned ideals shall be considered faulty to the degree in which it interferes with the health and well being of the dog and the breed’s traditional purpose.
To be penalized in accordance with the severity of the fault:
x Light eyes or pink eye rims
x Tail too long or badly curled
x Non conformation to the limits of weight or height
x Full drop and prick ears
x Undershot or overshot mouths
The following faults should debar a dog from winning any prize:
x Pink (Dudley) nose
x Badly undershot or overshot mouth
Badly undershot—where the lower jaw protrudes to such an extent that the incisors of the lower jaw do not
touch those of the upper jaw.
Badly overshot—where the upp
Riise Staff Bull Terrier Breeder 