The Staffordshire Terrier Mix, Your Next Family Pet

Are you looking for a family dog with a high degree of loyalty, a strong desire to please, a pleasant disposition, and a high degree of intelligence? Although there are many breeds of dogs out there with some blend of these qualities, these traits are all common among the Staffordshire breeds of dog, which includes the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, and the American pit bull terrier. Dogs with a mix of these breeds, known as Staffordshire terrier mixes, are likely to be the best family pets you have ever owned, as it is well known that “mutts” make the best family pets.

Many people have found that dogs of mixed breeding make the best pets. Although it isn’t clear why, it seems that “mutts”, or mixed breed dogs, have the best qualities of the breeds they come from, and none of the problems associated with pure breeds. For example, although Staffordshires are generally healthy breeds, it is common for purebred dogs to have problems with their hips, eyes and hearts, and they are prone to melanoma. However, a Staffordshire terrier mix will have most of the positive qualities associated with Staffordshire breeds, and few of the health problems. Now you may be thinking “If this is all true, then what is the history behind these breeds, and why do they have such a bad reputation?”

It is thought that the bulldog, bred originally for bullfighting and bear bating, was crossed with a game terrier breed to create the modern day Staffordshire terriers. Ironically, the qualities that made the predecessors to the modern Staffordshire’s so ferocious in the ring - eagerness to please human masters, tenacity, high intelligence, courage, and trustworthiness toward humans - are exactly the qualities that make the modern day Staffordshire terrier mix such a wonderful family dog, as well as a target for those who would exploit these traits. Unfortunately, some owners of these breeds exploit their eagerness to please by training them to fight, giving Staffordshires an undeserved bad reputation. In fact, many dog experts agree that few dogs are more loving toward their family.

So if you are ready to add a member to your family, adopt or buy a Staffordshire terrier mix. By doing so, you will be gaining a dog with all of the positive qualities of the Staffordshire breeds, all of the positive qualities of the other breed it is mixed with, and few of the health or behavior problems of either breed. He or she is likely to become the most loving member of your family in no time.