Staffordshire Bull Terriers Trivia Quiz

Answer: England

England - the clue is in the name! They were bred in the 1800s so are a relatively new breed.

Answer: Dog-fighting and bull-baiting

Dog-fighting and bull-baiting is the correct answer. Breeders of the dog took the agility and drive of a terrier and the strength of a bulldog (hence "bull terrier"). It would have taken generations of selective breeding to create the breed we have today. Fortunately, bull-baiting and dog-fighting are now banned by law in the majority of places but dog-fighting is the reason why Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not typically good with other dogs.

This does not mean that they cannot live with other dogs at all, but that the owners of them must be particularly strict with training, discipline and socialising so that their animals will live together peacefully.

Answer: An active yet sensible family with older children and no other pets

Physical exercise is a must for any Staffordshire Bull Terrier so an active family would be ideal.

They are generally great with older children. While they typically will not hurt a younger child on purpose, they are very strong dogs, so may pose a physical hazard to families with children under eight.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not typically good with other animals so work best where they are the only pet in the household.

A short stroll every day just will not cut it for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier - they need a good VIGOROUS walk or jog daily.

They love company do not fare well in a household where they are left alone for long periods frequently.

Anybody who uses them to boost their "tough guy" image would possibly be the worst person to own a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It is this sort of person who perpetuates the unfair and inaccurate image that they are vicious dogs.

Answer: Black and tan or liver

This means that in the show ring, any Staffordshire Bull Terrier which has these colours will be immediately disqualified. This does not mean that they are bad dogs that cannot make loving pets, just that physically they are not a perfect example of what the breed should look like.

Answer: Cataracts

Irresponsible breeding is the cause of genetic conditions. Reputable breeders will only breed dogs that have passed genetic testing to rule out such conditions being passed on.

Answer: Courageous, devoted, loving, energetic, intelligent

The typical Staffordshire Bull Terrier should exhibit all of these characteristics. It these traits which make them a challenging yet loving companion for many. The British Kennel club states the breed is "traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity" is "highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children" and is "bold, fearless and totally reliable".

Answer: The "nanny dog"

The "nanny dog", whilst not in common use today, was once a well-used nickname for the breed, reflecting the typical affinity the breed has with children.

Answer: A mixture of media bias, irresponsible ownership/breeding and how the breed physically looks

The media prints what people love to hear and the public love something to hate - something to really get angry about. There are also many irresponsible owners of the breed out there that refuse to train them and simply use them to perpetuate a "tough guy" image. They are also hideously over-bred which means people are breeding dogs with genetic temperament issues (dogs which need a one-way ticket to the spay/neuter clinic!). Finally, many people think that just because a breed had strong jaws and big muscles, it is automatically vicious. This reason I find the saddest of all. Behind every aggressive dog is an irresponsible human.

The idea that they have an enzyme in them that makes them suddenly "turn" on people or that their brains grow too quickly for their skulls is totally untrue - as is the idea that they're a mascot for Hell's Angels.

Answer: It is very easy to exploit their natural willingness to please and train them to be aggressive

Their natural willingness to please is part of the reason why so many of these wonderful dogs have been trained to be aggressive. Too many thrill-seeking idiots enjoy exploiting them and turning them into monsters. Often gangs will use Staffordshire Bull Terriers to terrorize their neighbourhoods - and unfortunately it is often these gangs who participate in dog-fighting.

Answer: They are terriers, which is a type of dog that was originally bred to hunt rodents

Ultimately, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a terrier. Terriers were originally bred to hunt and kill rodents so generally it is not a clever idea to keep them in the same home as some of these traits may remain. However, problems can be prevented with good socialization and obedience training from puppy hood.