CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

So you think you've rescued a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

 On a typical week, www.petfinder.com lists scores of "Staffordshire Bull Terriers" in shelters/pounds around the USA. Usually none of those are even POSSIBLE SBT or SBT mix. Occasionally a couple will be. The rest are not. Many shelter workers have never met a true SBT, so it's hard for them to understand. Many others think they're doing a poor homeless pitbull a favor by giving him a more rare purebreed label. It might be done with good intentions, but it corrupts statistics regarding our breed. It makes it REALLY DIFFICULT for us in rescue to locate the staffybulls (we have to sort through thousands of mislabeled dogs!) And it deceives the families who adopt. Below is an illustration and some facts to help:

1. STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIERS (STAFFYBULL / SBT)  are still a semi rare breed in the United States. There were LESS THAN 900 registered with the AKC at last count. Rare breeds naturally do not show up in shelters very often. Meanwhile, Pitbulls (APBT, AST) are estimated at a population of 5 MILLION in the USA.  Statistically, you have probably found a stray pitull or pitbull mix because the breed is overpopulated at this time.  However, we have recently seen an increase in numbers in our breed, and homeless numbers are on the rise. So it's imperative that we learn to tell the difference!

2. StaffyBulls are small, short dogs. Expect them to be 14 to 16 inches, or less at the shoulder.  If the dog you've found is taller than this, it is probably not a SBT.

3. A StaffyBull has an octagon/ or box shape head, half rose or prick ears (never cropped), tight/clean lips, round eyes and a black nose. Meanwhile, Pitbulls & AmStaffs usually have rectangular shaped heads, a longer muzzle, looser flews/lips, almond eyes & a longer back. Also, the pitbull sometimes has a red nose, cropped ears & frequently has cow-hocks.

4. The typical StaffyBull is usually shorter and wider than a pitbull, but not always. Pitbulls come in many sizes and shapes. This is why we use the HEAD SHAPE, EYE SHAPE AND LIPS to be sure. You might find a short, wide pitbull - - - but their head shape, eye shape and lip characteristics will almost always tell you their breed. See the illustration below for these differences!

YOU CAN LEARN TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE!

By Cheryl Ellicott, Angel Rock Staffords, USA   www.angelrockdogs.com & Oasis Rescue, SBT Rescue USA

Please feel free to PRINT THIS flyer and deliver to your local shelters.