In the past 18 months, many of us have welcomed a new four-legged friend into our homes as dog ownership at the Kennel Club increased nearly eight percent in 2020.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dogs to choose from, there is a lot of thought to be found before choosing your perfect puppy.
There are even scientific guides to take advantage of, with the book “The Intelligence of Dogs” by psychologist Stanley Coren, which ranks races based on instinct, obedience, and adaptability.
One dog that is often at the top of people’s wish lists is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier – he was one of the UK’s 10 most popular dog breeds in 2020 and has a number of positive traits that make him a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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The Staffy comes from the Black Country of the Midlands and is a mix of the Old English Bulldog and Old English Terrier.
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Like all bull breeds, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can trace its heritage back to the now extinct Greek Molossian War Dogs – a breed that was popular over 2,500 years ago.
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Sir Percy FitzPatrick’s popular book Jock of the Bushveld, published in 1907, featured a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross in the title.
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In 2018, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) campaigned for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier to be added to the list of restricted dog breeds. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Kennel Club, the Dogs Trust, the Blue Cross, and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home contradicted the proposal, which was immediately rejected.
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