Here is a Brief History on the Staffordshire bull terrier
The Staffordshire bull terrier first came in to existence around the seventeenth century. It became necessary to develop a dog, which possessed a longer and more punishing head than the Bulldog. To also combine agility and strength that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier have.
It is believed this breed was derived from the fighting Bulldog of the day with some terrier blood introduced.
This cross-produced the Bull, Terrier and Pit dog. These dogs are renowned for their tenacity and courage and excellent companion and good with children.

The Pit dog was a favourite with miners and steelworkers and was prevalent amongst the chain makers of the “Black Country” where the dogs were not only made to fight for entertainment, but these dogs also provided a working man with an extra income when worked against badgers.

The Humane Act was introduced in 1835, when baiting sport and dog fighting became unlawful. A group of men in Staffordshire endeavoured to preserve their breed, by introducing the dogs to the show world. The standard was written describing the dog’s attributes, from this the dog was called the Staffordshire bull terrier
The Kennel Club officially registered the Staffordshire bull terrier in 1935. With the first show for the Staffordshire bull terrier had taken place in 1935 August I think, in the West Midlands area, there were 60 dogs and bitches.

The Staffordshire bull terrier received championship status in 1938. Over the years this breed has become a successful show dog.
I know this breed has a bad name from the Pit bulls but they are such loving dogs and they love children. They are very intelligent, loyal, trusting dogs.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the 5th most popular dog in the UK, due to the breeds love of people and children in particular, the Stafford is a very popular family dog. However this dramatic rise in popularity has unfortunately seen a huge increase in dogs needing help.

The lifespan of a Staffordshire bull terrier is on average between 10 -12 years.

I have 2 my first Levi who will be 10 years old in September she is black brindle she’s going grey around her mouth now. I paid £70 for her when she was 8 weeks old; she had been mistreated and is still very nervous of men. I let her have one litter, she gave birth to 5 puppies. Unfortunately one of them died 18 hours after birth, the mum will know if there is something wrong with any of the litter and they will kill it. Which is what happened, I went for a coffee downstairs came back and counted 4 “where’s the other?” I lifted Levi up and there she was, it was as if she was sleeping. I picked her up massaging her heart but I was too late, all I could do was sob. I named her missy I think she was blind as she was the only one that couldn’t find Levi teat to feed from. My dad made a coffin and we planted her under a rose bush.

I kept one, as I lived with my parents and mum wasn’t over keen on having 6 staff’s. I sold each for £250.00.
I kept a boy and named him Flex he’s brown brindle with a big fluffy white chest and both front paws are white. He was 7 in February.
Since day one with Levi she has slept in my bed, yes under the duvet, and Flex sleeps on top of the duvet. They are very protective dogs; they still act like puppies all they want to do is play, all the time. They do need regular exercise like all dogs.

A lot of old biddies call them the Devil dogs. Which they are 100% not, most people class them as pit bulls, which are completely different. I did have a Pit bull many years ago, she was so strong, never go near them while eating or go near their face. She managed to eat her way through a fire door. She was too much to handle for me; she needed a good strong man to handle her.

Anyway back to Levi & Flex, they are great guard dogs but loving at the same time. As I was saying earlier about how intelligent they are, I do sign language with my son, as he is profoundly deaf. Levi & Flex have picked up on the signing and understand, I sometimes sign to them how cleaver is that.

They are very protected towards Jordon my son; they don’t like it when people bend down towards Jordon if they don’t know them. You have to get their approval first before your allowed near Jordon. Once Jordon is in bed Levi & Flex will guard him, Levi will lie inside he’s room by the door and Flex will lie out side by the door. Until its time for their walk, as soon as there back, they run straight upstairs to make sure he’s fine and asleep.

Flex will always be the first to stand he’s ground being the male, when they play he will pounce on her and chase her round the garden and inside the house. She is very crafty Levi will hide until he runs past then she gets her own back. They are so funny to watch.
I have also found that these dogs do get a little jealous, they hate to be left out. Even when playing with the scallectric Jordon loves it, when the cars come of the tracks the dogs will get them for him.

They are the most lovable, caring dogs in the world. They are ok with other dogs, if another dog starts they will have ago back, as we all would.

Levi loves banana's and strawberry's and she loves wotsit's
Flex loves kiwi's.
They both love chocolate, which dog doesn't.
Yes chocolate is bad for them, but I don't see any harm with them having a tiny piece at christmas.

As soon as you walk in the door, there they are waiting to jump on you, Flex throws me to the ground and then they slobber loads of kisses.
Levi likes to give you a present from my slippers to a pillow.
She still loves to crew my slippers.

You can talk to them, and they seem to understand, there great for cuddles. They get upset when I am, and when Jordon has been in hospital as he has a lot of health problems they get so very sad.

There hair gets everywhere, even after waching your clothes I am always finding there hair sticking out of my bra's, that's when tweezers come in handy.
There do pull while on walks, Flex pulls and takes you for a walk, Levi doesn’t pull she just loves to be nosey, she will tell you the route in which you can walk.
I feel it is how you bring your dog up, to how they are towards other people and animals.

I will update this with some up to date photo’s soon.

Thank you for reading
Jayne x

©Jordon-2004