The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has common ancestors with the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier. As a result, they share common traits. However, one feature sets the Staffordshire Bull Terrier apart from the other two terrier breeds — the size.
It’s the smallest among three, but how big does a Staffordshire Bull Terrier get?
Quick Navigation
How Big Does a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Get?
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier size comes in a wide range. A male Staffordshire stands 14-16 inches and weighs 25-38 pounds, while the female Staffordshire stands 13-15 inches tall and weighs 23-35 pounds. This dog belongs to a medium-sized category.
Just like other dog breeds, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s size varies depending on its gender. Generally, females are smaller than males. The chart below shows the comparison of size between the two genders.
| Height (in inches) | Weight (in pounds) | |
| Female | 13-15 | 23-35 |
| Male | 14-16 | 25-38 |
The Staffordshire Bull usually reaches its adult size by the time it turns 12 months old and reaches full-height by 18 months. As your dog matures, the head changes become noticeable. It changes shape as the muscles develop.
Aside from the difference in size, they also have different temperaments. The female Staffordshire Bull Terrier is mild and it gets along well with other pets.
On the other hand, a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier is stubborn and aggressive towards other dogs.
Ensuring Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier Reach Its Full Size
Taking care of your Staffordshire Bull Terrier helps him get his optimal growth. Your dog will need appropriate food, proper exercise, a safe environment and vet check-ups to meet its required nutrition.
In the next section, I will discuss several factors affecting your Staffordshire Bull Terrier reaching its full-size potential.
Regular Meals
Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs two meals a day. The amount of food you give your dog will depend on its activity level. For example, if you have a 35-pound dog that doesn’t move a lot, you can give a one and a half cup of dog food.
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier usually weighs 25 to 38 pounds so the safest amount of food to give them is between one to two cups a day.
Aside from your dog’s activity levels, remember to give your Staffordshire Bull Terrier food appropriate for its age as well. Make sure it meets your dog’s nutritional requirements to ensure your Staffy reaches its optimum full-size.
Emotional Support
Anxiety slows down the growth of your Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy. For example, if your dog is stressed, it loses its appetite to eat. Instead of growing and gaining muscles, it loses weight. Stress and anxiety can also cause other problems like behavioral issues.
As an example, your Staffordshire Bull Terrier will start chewing toys, doors and window sill that causes injury to itself.
Ensure you don’t neglect and abandon your dog. Anxiety and stress cause your dog’s immune system to weaken. According to Jeff Werber, an Emmy Award-winning vet says that dogs are unable to fight disease or infection if they have a weak immune system caused by stress.
It impairs the growth of your dog as it becomes susceptible to infections and diseases.
Remember, you are your dog’s world. He will crave your attention a lot. Spend some quality time with your dog. For example, a regular walk with your Staffordshire Bull Terrier helps deepen your bond and also helps to reduce unpleasant behavior such as whining or barking.
Veterinarian Check-ups
Regular check-ups are advisable and recommended. Annual vet check-ups ensure the general wellness of your Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Your dog undergoes different stages of growth and requires different levels of attention and care.
If you want to ensure the optimal growth of your dog, you might need your vet’s health advice and diagnosis.
Appropriate Exercise
Helping your dog reach its optimum full-size doesn’t mean allowing him to gain weight more than the normal. In the US, there is an estimated 50 percent of overweight dogs and 25-30 percent are obese. Obesity is something we want to avoid for our dog.
Regular exercise such as walking helps your Staffordshire Bull Terrier maintain its normal weight.
However, give your Staffordshire Bull Terrier an appropriate exercise according to its age. The AKC recommends a short walk or short playtime if your dog is still a puppy. A Staffordshire Bull Terrier usually has high energy and would require a lot of exercise than the low-energy breeds.
An adult Staffy requires a minimum of one hour a day of exercise. Meanwhile, a senior Staffordshire Bull Terrier might not be able to walk or run the same way he did during his younger years. It’s best to consult your vet about the amount of exercise you need for your senior Staffy.
The Reason Why Staffordshire Bull Terrier is Small and Muscular
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are bred to be small and muscular because they are intended for dog fights. This breed of dog originated from England and is a product of crossbreeding between English Bulldogs and varieties of English Terriers.
Breeders want to incorporate the aggressiveness of a bulldog and the agility of terriers.
For them, this makes a perfect breed for dog fights.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers might be small-looking dogs but they have powerful muscles. However, good breeding transformed this breed of dog from a fighter to a gentle companion.
Related Questions
At What Age Do Staffies Stop Growing?
Staffordshire Bull Terrier stops growing when it reaches its maturity age between two to three years old. However, it stops getting taller as early as 12 to 18 months when it reaches its maximum height.
How Do I Know If My Staffy Is Overweight?
There are several ways to know when your dog is overweight, you can feel the fat over his ribs. You will also notice that your Staffy’s chest is wider than its abdomen and has an invisible waist. You can’t distinguish between the chest and the stomach.
Conclusion
To sum it up, your Staffordshire Bull Terrier gets bigger between 23-38 pounds and stands between 13-16 inches tall. The male is usually bigger than the female.
As a Staffordshire Bull Terrier owner, it’s important to ensure we provide its basic needs such as your dog’s nutrient requirement, proper exercise, emotional support and vet visits to help your dog attain its full-size potential.
