Breed standardStaffordshire Bull Terrier
| 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 though with broad skull. Very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, nose black. |
| Eyes |
Dark preferred but may bear 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 of 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 hindlegs. |
| 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 ins), these heights being related to the weights. Weight: dogs: 13-17 kgs (28-38 lbs); bitches 11-15.4 kgs. |
| 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. |
| Notes | Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. |
