STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER HEALTH
By Margo Milde SBTCA Health Chair
T
he Sta ff ordshire Bull Terrier (or, “Sta ff ords” as we informally call them) is a remarkably healthy and resilient breed of dog. However,
scene. Many Sta ff ords have a high prey drive, and unless very well trained, are inclined to chase wildlife, cats, and other small animals at any opportunity when they are not confined by a leash or fence. Th ese escapades may take them far away from the safety of their home, or into the path of heavy tra ffi c. Most Sta ff ords go through a long puppyhood of relentless chewing; their taste for chewing objects knows no safe bounds, and may include common household objects dangerous to gnaw on such as electric cords. For all of these reasons, always leash your dog when you are not in a secure fenced-in area, and always provide your Sta ff ord with a safe place in your home, such as a crate or secure dog run, when you are not directly watching him, especially when he is still a puppy or adolescent. Basic obedience training will help to guarantee your Staf- ford will come when called and walk nicely on a leash, further ensuring his safety and a long and happy life with you. “STAFFORDS ARE GENERALLY NOT HEAT TOLERANT.” Sta ff ords can be escape artists, and many have been known to tunnel under or climb over fences, or even—yes—barrel right through the less secure confinements. If you can’t supervise your Sta ff ord’s every moment in your fenced yard, make certain your fencing is “escape proof”. Unfortu- nately, being occasionally misidentified as
American Pit Bull Terriers, Sta ff ords have been stolen from yards; make certain your gate is securely locked when you are not directly supervising your Sta ff ord in your yard. Because of their high pain tolerance, underground “invisible” electric fencing is often a poor choice for a Sta ff ord; such fencing also makes them even more prone to theft. Sta ff ords are generally not heat toler- ant. NEVER keep your Sta ff ord out in the direct sun on a warm day for more than a few minutes, and, on hot summer days, try to limit your Sta ff ord’s most boisterous activities, even in the shade, to the cool of the evening hours. Because of the structure of their head and airways, Sta ff ords can overheat very, very easily, with only a few minutes of brisk exercise on a warm day. Th e risk of overheating is especially severe on days of high humid- ity. Dark-coated Sta ff ords are even more prone to hyperthermia (overheating) than the predominantly white-coated Staf- fords. If you don’t have air conditioning, the liberal use of electric fans will help to keep your Sta ff ord comfortable indoors on those hot summer days. If your Staf- ford is kept in a kennel, the kennels should be situated in a breezy, shady area dur- ing the summer. Of course, you should always provide your dog with plenty of fresh water, but this is especially critical during the warmer months. While any dog can dangerously overheat in a parked car on a warm day, Sta ff ords are particu- larly at risk. In addition, because of their short coats, Sta ff ords do not tolerate cold temperatures, and are never to be kept as an outside dog or in an unheated kennel in areas where winter temperatures can get chilly. Older Sta ff ords can be espe- cially sensitive to cold. A warm, soft, cozy indoor bed at night is a pleasure which no older Sta ff ord should be denied!
all Sta ff ord owners and breeders must be aware of common Sta ff ord a ffl ictions in order to better care for this most wonder- ful breed! Th is article is a brief summary of medical conditions occasionally found in Sta ff ords. I have prepared a separate bib- liography entitled “Genetic-based Health Resources for Owners and Breeders of Staf- fordshire Bull Terriers” for further infor- mation on most of the topics described in this summary, as well as several additional topics related to Sta ff ord health concerns and general canine genetics. Th is article is for general information purposes only, and cannot take the place of an actual consul- tation or visit with your dog’s veterinarian. Sta ff ords only rarely act ill or injured. However, because of their stoic nature, we know that Sta ff ords only rarely choose to show pain. Th erefore, any Sta ff ord owner must immediately attend to their dog when it acts abnormally or otherwise in distress, since a Sta ff ord displaying discomfort is an ill or injured Sta ff ord indeed. Because of their bold, fearless, and irre- pressible nature, Sta ff ords are all too often injured. Jumping o ff balconies, being hit by cars, and run-ins with wild critters occur all too frequently with Sta ff ords. Due to their heavy muscular structure, Sta ff ords are prone to drowning since many can- not swim well or even stay afloat. While a proper Sta ff ord will rarely, if ever, initiate a dispute with another canine, if the other dog decides to pick on your Sta ff ord, you can be almost certain that your Sta ff ord will take up the challenge; severe injuries can result to both dogs if you don’t quickly step in and remove your Sta ff ord from the
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