Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier originated from the stock sent by the Kennel Club to Ireland in the mid 50s. The breed has originated purely from the English stock. Breed strains were then sent back from Ireland to England in the mid 80s. The popular bloodlines which belong to this breed of dogs are recognized as Dublin Red Strain, Psycho and Flynn. The main functions of these dogs include activities such as hunting badgers and foxes and also for pulling weight.

They are known to be very strong and muscular; they have a highly developed jaw and their head is very broad. They have a short muzzle and distinguishable cheek muscles. Their rounded eyes are typically brown. Their noses are typically black but white and red coloured noses are also common in families of the species, which also have blue eyes. Their teeth need to make a scissor-shaped bite. Their ears should be either half-pricked or rose. The neck must be muscular and short. The legs in the front should be well spaced. The coat is sleek, soft and closely set. They come in a variety of colours like fawn, black, blue, red, white or any other brindle colour with markings. Certain colours are predominant for particular bloodlines. This breed does all its activities to its full capacity: work and play. It loves its family and is known to be obedient, courageous and affectionate. These dogs are friendly and are not suspicious of strangers. They are good with children and their families. They are very compatible with other dogs and are always up for a play. As a breed it is stubborn and intelligent. They need regular and strict training. Their strong jaws can tear through and rip apart fences and panels. They need to be watched and taken care of. It is advisable to not free it from its lead without ensuring safety of those around.

This breed of dogs is perfect for jumping, agility and pulling and obedience competitions. They are highly fearless and have a danger of injuring themselves. They are not the most ideal breed for family pets because they require experienced and firm training. They are generally good with strangers but seem to take advantage if they sense fear in the strangers towards them. They are well adjusted with children and families yet work best with older children. This breed of dogs holds the world record for jumping the highest. This breed was bred mainly for fighting other dogs, but currently they are used as pets and family dogs. However, they are not the ideal dog for all families. If provided with an experienced and dominant owner they can flourish as excellent house guardians. Housebreaking may prove to be difficult with this breed of dogs as they still not very well acquainted with the practice of living in houses. Also, these dogs are so courageous that they do not realize the physical danger they are in while playing and can end up hurting themselves.