How to Groom a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are dogs with boundless energy and an appetite for life. They are friendly towards just about everyone, including many strangers, and make great family pets. Their coats are sleek and shiny, coming in a variety of colors: white, red, brindle, blue, black and any combination of those colors with white. They require a full grooming every 10 to 12 weeks and a general grooming once a month.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Natural bristle brush
• Scissors
• Cotton balls
• Chamois cloth

1. Brush the coat with a natural bristle brush. Staffordshire Bull Terriers have soft, short hair that lies close to the body. For these dogs, brushing is mainly a way to keep dirt out of the coat and maintain their glossy veneer. Use long strokes in order to massage the dog while cleaning its coat. Massages are good for this breed, which has a very stocky and muscular build.

2. Clip the dog's whiskers with scissors if desired.

3. Bathe or dry shampoo your Staffordshire Bull Terrier when necessary. Put cotton balls in his ears while bathing to keep water from getting in.

4. Run a chamois cloth over the coat for an extra gloss.

Tips & Warnings

• Staffordshire Bull Terriers usually get along with other pets in their household, but may be aggressive towards dogs they don't know.
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a life expectancy of 10 to 16 years.
• As the name implies, breeders developed these dogs by combining Bulldogs with Terriers in Staffordshire.
• Bull Terriers are susceptible to cataracts, HC, PHPV (both eye complaints) and hip dysplasia. Like all the bully type breeds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers often have gas problems.