Despite stereotypes, Staffordshire bull terriers do NOT show increased risk of aggression compared with other bull terriers.
The study, led by the RVC’s VetCompass programme, explored the health of 1,304 Staffies compared with 21,029 non-Staffordshire bull terriers, compiling a list of the 36 most common disorders, including dental disease, ear infection and obesity, across both groups of dogs to see which was healthier.
The findings show that, overall, there was no difference in risk detected in the majority of disorders.
The Staffordshire bull terrier is one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK. The breed has a reputation for being tough with a tendency towards aggression, but until now, there has been limited reliable evidence on their general health.
Importantly, this new study shows no evidence that the overall health of Staffies differs significantly from other dogs in general, however, it does provide owners and breeders with a list of disorders with higher risk that they can monitor for in their dogs and help address and seek veterinary support as early as possible.
