Breed Standard

General appearance:

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth-coated dog. It should be of great strength for its size and although muscular, should be active and agile.

 Height at shoulder:

14 to 16 inches

Weight:

Dogs, 28-38 pounds; bitches 24-34 pounds. Weight should be relative to height.

Head:

Short, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles. distinct stop, short foreface, black nose.

Eyes: Dark preferable, but may bear some relation to coat color. Round, of medium size, and set to look straight ahead.

Ears: Rose or half-pricked and not large.

Mouth: A bite in which the outer side of the lower incisors touches the inner side of the upper incisors.

Neck: 

Muscular, rather short, clean in outline and gradually widening toward the shoulders.

Body:

Close coupled, with a level topline, wide front, deep brisket and well sprung ribs being rather light in the loins.

Forequarters:

Legs straight and well boned, set rather far apart, without looseness at the shoulders and showing no weakness at  the pasterns, from which point the feet turn out a little.

Hindquarters:

Should be well muscled, hocks let down with stifles well bent. Legs should be parralel when viewd from behind.

Coat:

Smooth, short and close to the skin.

Color: Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colors with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black-and-tan or liver color to be disqualified.

Gait:

Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernible drive from hind legs.

For more information on the standard visit www.akc.org.