To own an SBT
An agile bulldozer
The SBT is a very affectionate breed, wich love people and often are terribly bad guarding dogs because of its huge love towards man. It is very patient with children. It is very agile and even if it can jump very high straight up from a sitting position it is also rather clumpsy in a bulldozer way, and it might in its eagerness happen to tumble over a small child when trying to steal a kiss. The SBT do not know of "personal space" and wants to be as close as possible to its owners, regardless if it is about sitting i a lap, kissing or jump right into the owners arms.
Weather and wind
When getting a dog, you are often warned that you will be forced out on harsh walks early Saturday mornings, even if you have the flu and it is the worst rain outside. Owning an SBT you do not need to be concerned about this: the grown up SBT normally likes Saturday morning naps and would rather stay under the blanket in the bed than be forced outside in heavy rain.
An active couch potatoe
The SBT is a fast learner and normally likes most things the owner is up to, everything from agility, obediance, shows, trails or searching during the day, but as good as all staffords also enjoys spending time on the couch on the evening together with the family.
At the same time that the SBT is a fast learner, it is also very stubborn. As an owner of an SBT you have to be even more stubborn and consequent.
It has a lot of will to please its owner why the most effective way to train your SBT is by soft methods, joy and much rewards, rather than getting into a mental fight and letting it get outflow for its stubborness.
Love of life in 120 kilometers an hour
The SBT is a very intense breed, who always gives 120% in whatever it occupies itself to, no matter if it is training, being stubborn, greeting someone, kissing or destroying a toy. If you do not like this intensity you should consider another breed.
With other animals
An SBT loves people and would probably let both friends through the door as well as burglars through the window. If it is socialized early with other animals it often works well, but you should never forget that it is a terrier. A rat or rabbit that are running across the floor away from the dog may trigger their instinct to hunt.
It normally goes well together with dogs that it knows and meet often, but does not necessary like every dog it encounters on walks. Even though it is a long time since it was bred as a fighting dog, an owner can not afford forgetting its history. An SBT should not be more "aggressive" than other breeds towards other dogs, but smaller things that between other breeds could be smaller fuss, may when an SBT is involved fast become a fight of life and death. As an owner you never put your dog in a position where you risk this.
Daily grooming
The SBT does not demand heavy grooming, it demands hardly any fur care, and you seldom have to cut the claws. It needs the same amount of exercise as other middle sized breeds, but has to have mental occupation to get tired.
Health
The SBT is considered a generally healthy breed, but some deseases are more noticed than others. Read more about this under Health.
Traits of character
The SBT is a large dog in small package. Being very muscular and strong, it is also very sensitive and affectionate. It is stubborn and wants to be close to its family. If finds itself at home in all environments. They normally love being around children; there is a reason they are called "the nanny dog" in the breed's home country.
In the book The Guide to Owing a Staffordshire Bullterrier Marion Lane writes that if you want to know about a breed you should not ask a breeder or a buyer, but other loose people who have spent some time with the breed. She says an owner is objective and that is why most breeds are described with the same words*: intelligent, loyal, affectionate etc. Through quoting what others have said meeting the SBT she put together the follow descritpion about the breed, which I think spontanousley describes some of the breeds traits of character:
"Wow, he's strong!" This comment usally follows the first careful pat on the dogs back.
"This would be the first!" There are genuine surprise in the vet's voice. The SBT is apparently the only dog that really has fought to get through the clinic's doors.
"Kelly, don't hurt the doggy." The threeyear-old's mother are somewhat embarrassed. Her daughter has just struck the stafford in the head with a toy. Meanwhile, the stafford patiently pinches his eyes preparing for the next hit.
"Whoa!" This is the surprised yell of a person who choosed to ignore the owners warning that his male does not like other males, exclaimed at the same time that he hurries to drag his barking dog away from the staffords face.
"Excellent!" The teenaged boy whissles in admiration when the stafford jumps right through the air from a sitting position
"What a friendly dog!" This is the most warming comment, which often reveals surprise that the dog that was expected to be mean, actually was so kind.
