A Blue Staffy, the nickname that is affectionately given to the Blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is increasingly becoming a very popular dog. But what is it exactly? What are its origins? Where did the breed come from and when? Is it actually blue? Should you get one and would it be the ideal dog for you? That’s what you must read on to figure out.
What Exactly Is a Blue Staffy?
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, originating in England, is descended from the old bull and terrier group of dogs. Despite a rather grim history, they’re some of the most adorable dogs in the world.
Their classification has been rather murky and jumbled, since they have also been called Pitbulls or Brindle Bulls or Staffordshire Pit-dog or Patched Fighting Terrier in the past. But Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a distinct breed that was recognized by the The Kennel Club of Great Britain in 1935.
They’re different from the American Staffordshire Terrier, popularly known as AmStaffs (although both come from the same stock). The Blue Staffy has a solid blue coat but the breed also comes in multiple colors.
A Short History Of the Blue Staffy
Now, let’s look at the history of the Blue Staffy. Or Staffies in general. Where exactly did they come from? Not much is actually known about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s early history because of unregulated breeding practices. At the time – in the 19th century – mixed breed dogs which were partly Bulldog and partly Terrier were used for brutal bloodsports like dogfighting, bull baiting and rat baiting.
Of course, the different percentages of Bulldog and Terrier varied in these dogs as the breeders selected traits that would best help them in the ring. They were referred to by a variety of names, including half-and-halfs, halfbreds and bull and terriers. Many modern breeds, including Staffies, Pitbulls and AmStaffs can trace their origins back to these mixed dogs.
There were at least two varieties of Bull Terriers around in those days. One was the Bull Terrier which was also called the White Cavalier and the other was the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, named for the county where it was developed. The former left its fighting days behind earlier than the latter and this is why it took Staffies so long to be admitted to The Kennel Club.
As a journalist once stated, kennel clubs didn’t accept dogs that drew the blood of their own kind to be associated with them. It was only much later, with the criminalization of bloodsports like this that these breeds began to be registered as proper purebred dogs. Now, of course, they’re considered beloved family companions but their journey towards that has been far from easy.
Recognition By Kennel Clubs and General Popularity
While The Kennel Club (KC) was established in 1873, it was only in 1935 that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was formally recognized by the KC. Bull Terriers and Bulldogs, on the other hand, were recognized much earlier, in 1874 when the members of the KC published The Kennel Club Stud Book to document the pedigree of certain dogs.
There are six modern breeds that are descended from the bull and terrier dogs of old. Of these six, five are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) – Boston Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier. The American Pitbull Terrier isn’t recognized by the AKC while the KC only recognizes four, leaving out AmStaffs and Pitbulls.
The Staffy breed was popularized by a man called Joseph Dunn who was very passionate about the breed for their own sake and persuaded the KC to recognize the breed as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Without him and his associates, the entire Bull and Terrier group of dogs might have disappeared altogether.
The Kennel Club has worked to popularize Staffies as family dogs and companions. While they’ve retained the courage and tenacity of their early ancestors, these dogs are extremely loyal and affectionate. There are thousands of registrations of the breed in recent years and they’ve become especially popular in Australia, New Zealand and France.
Although modern Staffordshire Bull Terriers do have a stigma attached to them as fighting dogs, awareness has helped people to understand that the dark past of the breed doesn’t have anything to do with its current disposition.
Other Colors That the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Comes In
While the Blue Staffy is certainly striking in appearance with its smooth blue-gray coat and white patch on the chest, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes in various colors. The blue coat is a dilute gene – one that is found in various dog breeds – and the Blue Staffy actually lacks pigmentation. They aren’t rare at all with 70 percent of the registered Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the UK and Australia being blue in color.
However, the other colors are white, black, fawn or red, liver (also a dilute gene), black and tan (not a desirable color in this breed), black and white pied, skewbald (also called red pied) or any kind of brindle. While black noses and dark eyes are preferred in this gene, with dilute colors like blue and liver that isn’t possible. Thus, the Blue Staffy often has light eyes and gray noses while the Liver Staffy has light eyes and brown noses.
The only difference between the two is that the first is a desirable color while the latter is not.
Blue Staffy Appearance and Size
The Blue Staffy has a short, sleek coat that is a pale shade of blue-gray. With a strong and muscular build, these dogs are small to medium in size. They have broad heads and erect ears that fold at the tip instead of lying flat against their skull. This gives them an appearance of being alert and clever.
They tend to have lighter eyes than the typical Staffordshire Bull Terrier, being light brown or blue in color. Their eyes are round and set forward. With flattened snouts and big, gray noses, the Blue Staffy is a handsome dog if not a pretty one. The tail is usually quite short and ends in a tapered manner.
The smooth coat of a Blue Staffy means that it doesn’t shed a great deal and needs minimal grooming. Their strong build is highlighted by their shorter size as these dogs definitely aren’t of the lean and lithe type. Standing at about 14 – 16 inches (36 – 41 cm) at the shoulder, they might weigh anywhere between 29 – 37 lb (13 – 17 kg). The females tend to be slightly lighter than the males.
Blue Staffy Temperament and Behavior
The Blue Staff – and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in general – doesn’t have the best reputation. Known for their pugnacity and their refusal to back down when challenged by another dog, their fearlessness harks back to their fighting roots. However, that is just one part of their personality. In general, the Blue Staffy makes for an affectionate, loyal and gentle pet. They even get along well with children and are often referred to as ‘The Nanny Dog’ because of their kind and tender demeanor.
These dogs are known for being fond of human companionship and they’re unwaveringly loyal to their owners. They’re energetic and playful, which makes them good companions for young and active families. And since they’re so good with kids, that’s just a plus. They’re intelligent dogs and are very eager to please, which means that they can be trained without too many problems. Despite their origins, they get along well enough with other dogs when they’re properly socialized.
Socializing your Blue Staffy is a must. The sooner you can start familiarizing your pup with different animals, people and environments, the better. It helps them become more well-adjusted. Otherwise, they might become anxious and belligerent when they meet new dogs and people.
If you get a Blue Staffy, you’ll find that they’re total goofballs and absolute whirlwinds of energy. They’re surprisingly emotional and sensitive and can understand when you aren’t feeling your best. They’re always willing to cuddle to lift your spirits. They do need lots of physical and mental stimulation, however, so if you live in a small apartment, are out all the time and don’t have a lot of time and effort to give to your dog, this isn’t the breed for you.
Blue Staffy Health
As with all breeds, the Blue Staffy also has its own health problems. They’re generally an athletic and energetic breed but that doesn’t mean that they don’t suffer from problems. They have a life expectancy of just over 11 years, which is short for a small to medium sized dog breed.
Skin problems and neurological issues are some of the common health issues faced by the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. And as with many breeds with dilute genes, alopecia and hair loss is a potential issue for the Blue Staffy. Keep an eye out for hip and elbow dysplasia or cataracts.
You should schedule regular visits to the vet to make sure that your pet is in optimum health. Adequate exercise, a balanced diet and proper grooming habits help to prevent certain diseases and keep them healthy.
Blue Staffy Exercise and Grooming Needs
The grooming needs of a Blue Staffy are quite moderate. Since Staffordshire Bull Terriers have such short, wiry fur, they don’t shed a lot. They also don’t get matted or tangled. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have to groom your dog. Regular brushing helps keep their coats shiny and healthy. It’s also essential bonding time with your dog.
Blue Staffies don’t need extensive haircuts like breeds such as the Shi Tzu. But they do benefit from a trim once in a while. You can take them to a grooming salon for this. Ear cleaning and trimming of nails every few weeks is beneficial to the health of your dog and dental hygiene is of great importance. Your vet should be able to recommend some dog-safe toothpaste for your use.
The exercise needs of a Blue Staffy aren’t moderate at all. They need to be kept physically and mentally stimulated as they’re high energy dogs. This means daily walks, regular playtime, allowing them to play with interactive toys and puzzles and having regular training sessions with your dog. They do well with routines and regular hours so it’s important to be consistent with your pets. Their daily walks, mealtimes and bedtime should be properly regulated for their physical and mental health.
Blue Staffy Price
The initial price of a Blue Staffy is anywhere between $300 and $2700, depending upon the breeder that you get it from. It’s best to look up reputable breeders so your Blue Staffy doesn’t come with any health problems and genetic disorders.
However, having said that, there are also quite a few Blue Staffies that are put up for adoption. Despite being a purebred dog, their fearsome reputation means that some do get abandoned from time to time. There are many shelters and charities looking for good homes for these dogs. So you should check them out before deciding to buy a dog straightaway.
Conclusion
And that’s all that you need to know about the Blue Staffy. I hope that this article was helpful and that you gained something valuable from it.