Breed Standard History
The Original Breed Standard of 1935
By Joseph Dunn – May 1935
Description of Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The following is a description of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as adopted by the Club at a General Meeting held on June 15th, 1935, at the Cross Guns Hotel, Cradley Heath, Staffs. This description is mainly an amplification of the Standard as laid down by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club. It is considered that this description, which has been drawn up and approved by many of the leading owners, who have bred Staffordshire Bull Terriers all their lifetime, will be of material assistance to the smaller owners and to the novice breeder.
GENERAL APPEARANCE. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth coated dog, standing about 15 to 18 inches high at the shoulder. He should give the impression of great strength for his size, and although muscular should be active and agile.
HEAD. Short, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, mouth level.
EARS. Rose, half prick and prick, these three to be preferred, full drop to be panalised.
EYE. Dark
NECK. Should be muscular and rather short.
NOSE. Black
BODY. Short Back – deep brisket, light in loins with forelegs set rather wide apart to permit of chest development.
FRONT LEGS. Straight, feet will padded, to turn out a little and showing no weakness at pasterns.
HIND LEGS. Hindquarters well muscled let down at hocks like a terrier.
COAT. Short, smooth and close to skin.
TAIL. The tail should be of medium length tapering to a point and carried rather low; it should not curl much and may be compared to an old-fashioned pump handle.
WEIGHT. Dogs 28 to 38lbs. Bitches 4lb less.
COLOUR. May be any shade of bindle – Black – White – Fawn or Red or any of these colours with white. Black and Tan and liver not to be encouraged.
FAULTS. To be panalised. Dudley nose, light or pink eyes, tail too long or badly curled, badly undershot or overshot mouths.
SCALE OF POINTS
By Joseph Dunn – May 1935
Description of Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The following is a description of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as adopted by the Club at a General Meeting held on June 15th, 1935, at the Cross Guns Hotel, Cradley Heath, Staffs. This description is mainly an amplification of the Standard as laid down by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club. It is considered that this description, which has been drawn up and approved by many of the leading owners, who have bred Staffordshire Bull Terriers all their lifetime, will be of material assistance to the smaller owners and to the novice breeder.
GENERAL APPEARANCE. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth coated dog, standing about 15 to 18 inches high at the shoulder. He should give the impression of great strength for his size, and although muscular should be active and agile.
HEAD. Short, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, mouth level.
EARS. Rose, half prick and prick, these three to be preferred, full drop to be panalised.
EYE. Dark
NECK. Should be muscular and rather short.
NOSE. Black
BODY. Short Back – deep brisket, light in loins with forelegs set rather wide apart to permit of chest development.
FRONT LEGS. Straight, feet will padded, to turn out a little and showing no weakness at pasterns.
HIND LEGS. Hindquarters well muscled let down at hocks like a terrier.
COAT. Short, smooth and close to skin.
TAIL. The tail should be of medium length tapering to a point and carried rather low; it should not curl much and may be compared to an old-fashioned pump handle.
WEIGHT. Dogs 28 to 38lbs. Bitches 4lb less.
COLOUR. May be any shade of bindle – Black – White – Fawn or Red or any of these colours with white. Black and Tan and liver not to be encouraged.
FAULTS. To be panalised. Dudley nose, light or pink eyes, tail too long or badly curled, badly undershot or overshot mouths.
SCALE OF POINTS
General appearance, coat and condition |
15 |
Head |
30 |
Neck |
10 |
Body |
25 |
Legs and Feet |
15 |
Tail |
5 |
Total |
100 |
Current Kennel Club Breed Standard
Staffordshire Bull Terriers
General appearance
Smooth coated, well balanced, of great strength for his size. Muscular, active and agile.
Characteristics
Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children.
Temperament
Bold, fearless and totally reliable.
Head and skull
Short, deep through with broad skull. Very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, nose black.
Eyes
Dark preferred but may bears some relation to coat colour. Round of medium size, and set to look straight ahead. Eye rims dark.
Ears
Rose or half pricked, not large or heavy. Full drop or pricked ears highly undesirable.
Mouth
Lips tight and clean. Jaws strong, teeth large, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Muscular, rather short, clean in outline, gradually widening towards shoulders.
Forequarters
Legs straight and well boned, set rather wide apart, showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which point feet turn out a little. Shoulders well laid back with no looseness at elbow.
Body
Close-coupled, with level topline, wide front, deep brisket, well-sprung ribs; muscular and well defined.
Hindquarters
Well muscled, hocks well let down with stifles well bent. Legs parallel when viewed from behind.
Feet
Well padded, strong and medium size. Nails black in solid coloured dogs.
Tail
Medium length, low-set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. Should not curl much and may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.
Gait/movement
Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernible drive from hind legs.
Coat
Smooth, short and close.
Colour
Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black and tan or liver colour highly undesirable.
Size
Desirable height at withers 36-41 cms (14 to 16 inches), these heights being related to the weights. Weight: dogs 13-17 kgs (28-38 lbs); bitches 11-15.4 kgs (24¼-34lbs).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dogs ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
*Note for prospective puppy buyers
Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.
(Courtesy of The Kennel Club)
Staffordshire Bull Terriers
General appearance
Smooth coated, well balanced, of great strength for his size. Muscular, active and agile.
Characteristics
Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children.
Temperament
Bold, fearless and totally reliable.
Head and skull
Short, deep through with broad skull. Very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, nose black.
Eyes
Dark preferred but may bears some relation to coat colour. Round of medium size, and set to look straight ahead. Eye rims dark.
Ears
Rose or half pricked, not large or heavy. Full drop or pricked ears highly undesirable.
Mouth
Lips tight and clean. Jaws strong, teeth large, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Muscular, rather short, clean in outline, gradually widening towards shoulders.
Forequarters
Legs straight and well boned, set rather wide apart, showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which point feet turn out a little. Shoulders well laid back with no looseness at elbow.
Body
Close-coupled, with level topline, wide front, deep brisket, well-sprung ribs; muscular and well defined.
Hindquarters
Well muscled, hocks well let down with stifles well bent. Legs parallel when viewed from behind.
Feet
Well padded, strong and medium size. Nails black in solid coloured dogs.
Tail
Medium length, low-set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. Should not curl much and may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.
Gait/movement
Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernible drive from hind legs.
Coat
Smooth, short and close.
Colour
Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black and tan or liver colour highly undesirable.
Size
Desirable height at withers 36-41 cms (14 to 16 inches), these heights being related to the weights. Weight: dogs 13-17 kgs (28-38 lbs); bitches 11-15.4 kgs (24¼-34lbs).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dogs ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
*Note for prospective puppy buyers
Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.
(Courtesy of The Kennel Club)