Blue Staffy: Your Complete Guide
A unique and beautiful variant of the Staffordshire bull terrier, blue staffies are a wonderful breed with big hearts and bright minds. The breed is often confused with pitbulls and similar types of bulldogs, which has caused a lot of confusion and misinformation regarding their personalities and temperament.
Blue staffies make great companions, but they are not animals that can raise themselves, and they will require an owner willing to spend some time training and exercising the dog daily.
If you are considering adopting a blue staffy or want to learn more about the breed, read on. Whether you want to know about any general health issues they may have or where the bulky breed descended from, this article has you covered. To ensure that you are prepared for a potential puppy of your very own, this guide will completely cover the blue staffy.
A Quick Look at the Blue Staffy
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 24 – 38 lbs, 14 – 16 inches |
| Coat Type | Sleek, Short, Shiny |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Bubbly, Bright, Affectionate, Attentive |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
What Is the History of Blue Staffies?
The blue staffy comes from the Staffordshire bull terrier, a stocky bulldog breed that originated in Britain in the 19th century. Originally created to take part in dog fights of the age, the dogs came from a large group of mixed breeds such as the “patched fighting terrier” and the “brindle bull.”
These crossbreeds kept being bred until two distinct types, known as the bull terrier and Staffordshire bull terrier, came about. While the breed immediately became popular in the United States and in the United Kingdom, it took a while for them to be officially recognized by a kennel club due to their history of fighting.
It wasn’t until the 1930s that the Staffordshire bull terrier – blue, brown, or otherwise – was officially recognized by a kennel club. The name Staffordshire comes from the county in England where the breed had already been wholeheartedly adopted by the population.
While some individuals still hold a skeptical view of blue staffies, they have become much more widely accepted than their more discriminated ancestors. While some can still be territorial towards other animals, they have become a favorite of larger families who want a dog that their kids can bond and grow with.
What Do Blue Staffies Look Like?
If a group of people all want a blue staffy, their mental image of the dog will be very similar from one person to another. The blue staffy is always going to come in a sleek, blue-grey coat that sticks tight to its muscular, stocky frame. They are compact and powerful, typically being as wide as they are tall.
They will typically come in one uniform blue; their ears will be short and folded with a large, prominent forehead and big, bright eyes. Their chest puffs outward, and the muscle of the legs can make it seem like they walk with a light sway to their step.
What Size Is a Blue Staffy?
Blue staffies make a great middle-of-the-road companion in terms of size, as they have the strength and density for someone who doesn’t want a purse pup, but they are small enough that they won’t take your knee with them when they run past you. While their broad shoulders do stand out, they do not measure very high and rarely stand above sixteen inches.
Their weight can sit between 28 to 38 pounds and should be monitored and managed as blue staffies are at risk for hip and elbow dysplasia.
What Is a Blue Staffy’s Coat Type and Length?
The coat of a blue staffy will sit snug on the body and should be fairly easy to maintain and care for. Their fur is straight and tight and can even look shiny in certain lighting. While they may seem like a good breed for folks with allergies, they do still shed and are by no means hypoallergenic.
They will not leave clouds of fur behind them, however, and their coat and color are still remarkable to behold without the excessive inches on their coat.
What Is a Blue Staffy‘s Temperament?
A blue staffy could make friends with just about anything on two legs, and they will almost certainly try. An outgoing and energetic breed from their first steps, the canines are an efficient and amiable mix of attentive, affectionate, brave, and bullheaded.
Their enthusiasm towards people can make it easy to train them as they are very attentive, though large crowds can spell trouble. Despite some beliefs to the contrary, they are exceptionally alert and can make wonderful guard dogs. One thing to be cautious of in blue staffies is any potential for aggression toward other animals, which is not uncommon.
Are Blue Staffies Good With Kids?
All dogs will need to be monitored around small children, particularly when they first arrive into a home. With that in mind, blue staffies often make wonderful companions for children and larger families due to their affectionate and outgoing personalities. They will often grow to be inseparable from the younger members of your family and can make excellent first pets.
If you are looking for a dog that will fit into your already full home, a blue staffy can make a great choice if you are willing to put in the time to get the pooch acclimated.
When bringing a dog around children, ensure that both the child and the staffy do not feel cornered or threatened, and be mindful of either party getting too touchy with the other. While dogs tend to enjoy meeting new people, having too much going on at once can be overwhelming, and children can get too excited and go past a canine’s comfort zone.
Are Blue Staffies Good With Other Animals?
Staffies are never a lost cause, and while they can have some animal aggression, it does not mean they are incapable of being around other pets. They should be very carefully monitored, however, as their fighting ancestry makes them bold, fearless, and open to the idea of an altercation with the neighborhood Labrador.
Staffy owners can get the dog on board with other animals, though it will be a bigger chore than with other, less territorial breeds.
If you are looking to bring a blue staffy to a house with a few pets, it is ideal if the staffy is young and can grow up with the other animals. Similarly, keep an eye on how the blue staffy interacts with other animals at the shelter or breeder to see how they play with other four-legged friends.
Are Blue Staffies Aggressive?
If you raise a staffy in a calm environment from an early age, they will typically get along with most of the people that they come into contact with. The breed is uniquely lovable and very friendly, though they do have a tenacity that can be too much for meek owners. If you are not able to put your foot down, it is possible that the breed can trample you with their ample energy.
A blue staffy can get into trouble when they are around other animals, particularly dogs. This breed has a tendency to enjoy the company of everything and anything that isn’t other canines, and can have loud, surprising outbursts around new animals if not socialized early.
Do Blue Staffies Bark?
The breed will bark to alert or warn you, though they are not known for being boisterous barkers. Similar to all dogs, a blue staffy will bark at unfamiliar noises, new people they are uncertain of, and most dogs that exist within sniffing distance. They will not bark at sharp breezes, your neighbors walking up the apartment stairs, or you entering the house.
This does not mean that every staffy will sit, speak, and shake exclusively when spoken to, however. Each dog, like a person, has their own personality that will shine through as it grows older and more independent. So, even though most blue staffies sit on the quieter side, it is possible that you may have a more vocal pooch that requires obedience training to quiet down.
Are Blue Staffies Affectionate?
There aren’t people who dislike blue staffies, only people who haven’t met them. The breed is bubbly and affectionate, with an attitude and temperament that hardly fits their dense, muscular frame. They will jump up on your lap at a moment’s notice, snuggle up for hours, and act like you went on a year-long voyage every time you run to the gas station for a snack.
If you want a dog with a tough exterior and a soft, gooey inside, few animals fit the description better than the sleek blue staffy.
Are Blue Staffies Intelligent?
Due to how little information is available about the newer breed variation, they rarely get featured in lists discussing the most intelligent breeds. Due to the blue staffies’ beefy appearance, people can often be led to believe they are on the dimmer side. Speaking plainly, this is incorrect.
The blue staffy is wonderfully bright and capable of several intellectually demanding tasks and tricks. Delightfully nosy, staffies will investigate nearly all sights and sounds that color their world. However, their obedient nature makes it easy to tune their attention toward you, making them one of the most trainable dogs out there.
Are Blue Staffies Energetic?
Anyone that has owned a Staffordshire or blue staffy will attest to their shocking speed and agility, which feels impossible given how short and stocky their stride is. Some dogs are satisfied lounging around with the occasional walk; a blue staffy is not one of them. They will need regular outdoor time, and dog parks and spacious backyards are ideal for infrequent sprints.
Blue staffies really enjoy their spontaneous circular sprints and will appreciate any place that allows them to stretch their legs. If you live in an apartment complex, consider taking them to a dog park or committing an hour of your day to spend outdoor time with your new four-legged friend.
Are Blue Staffies Easy to Train?
Absolutely! The dogs delight in pleasing their owners and are sharp and attentive enough to show genuine progress very quickly. No dog is a carbon copy of another, though blue staffies generally do not get distracted easily (especially if they are in a familiar environment) and can become very cooperative partners in obedience training, agility training, and more.
Are Blue Staffies Good Watchdogs?
There is some argument on the internet regarding their ability as watchdogs, though most experts agree that blue staffies can become very proficient guard dogs. They are naturally alert and quick to learn, with their senses well-tuned to pick up any unfamiliar noises. Similarly, their bark sounds like it came from the belly of a bear rather than the throat of a foot-tall dog.
A few owners have reported that their staffies are too friendly to be considered worthwhile guard dogs, though the personality of your specific dog will largely determine this.
Are Blue Staffies Good Service Dogs?
Considering how important a service dog’s position is, it should be stated that a dog’s temperament will play a huge factor in its ability to perform service tasks. If your blue staffy is attentive, obedient, and calm, the breed can make wonderful helpers. They do have a considerable prey response, so ensure they can see critters without giving chase.
As emotional support animals, they can provide considerable aid to those with emotional or mental illnesses. The breed is known for being incredibly sweet, emotionally intuitive, and fond of their bipedal buddies. If you are looking for a dog to help you or a loved one, blue staffies are a wonderful choice, given they have the right personality.
How to Care for a Blue Staffy?
The good news about blue staffies is that they are incredibly adaptable and can fit into most living situations, as long as they can get an hour or so of daily exercise. If you are moving them into a home with a big backyard, they will be grateful. They may also show you their terrier side and start leaving large holes across your property.
They can also easily get under most fences in under a few minutes and may need to be monitored if owners cannot “staffy proof” their fence. Avoid leaving them outside for long periods of time on sweltering days, as they are not able to handle the heat. They love attention and need one-on-one time to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.
Do You Need to Groom a Blue Staffy?
They will need to be brushed once or twice a week. They do not get dirty easily, and their coats are much easier to clean than other dogs. Baths are pleasantly simple; their coat is easy to wash, and they dry much quicker than their more hirsute cousins. Their nails should be trimmed monthly or whenever they can be heard walking over solid surfaces.
Finally, they will need to have their ears checked regularly to avoid dust, dirt, debris, or unseen infections. Dental health is as important for dogs as it is for humans, so ensure your pooch is getting their teeth brushed to avoid health issues down the line.
Do Blue Staffies Shed?
They do not leave large piles of fur in their wake, but they will shed lightly throughout the year. They are not hypoallergenic, and their fur will irritate those with canine allergies enough to be a concern. Contrarily, they can be brushed once or twice a week, which should keep fur from ever getting out of hand.
What Health Problems Do Blue Staffies Have?
Staffies are known for having fairly long lives, though they do pose a risk for specific medical issues. Shelters do not always have access to the medical history of a dog, but most reputable breeders will. If you decide to go the route of a breeder, inquire about the dog’s pedigree before making an expensive decision.
The following are the most common illnesses and ailments a blue staffy may have:
Reach out to a local veterinarian to get a better idea of how to prevent illnesses in your pets, as they will have more specific information on your individual dog.
How Long Do Blue Staffies Live?
Staffies can live between twelve and fourteen years. Their overall lifespan will depend on a variety of different factors, such as their quality of life, overall diet, and medical background. The general lifespan of an animal is an educated prediction and not a certainty, and outliers in both directions exist.
What Should a Blue Staffy Eat?
The average blue staffy must eat anywhere between 1 ½ to 2 ¼ of nutrient-rich dog food, depending on their lifestyle. If your staffy is spending their afternoon breaking the sound barrier in your backyard, give them a hearty meal. If he spent his day lounging around in shade-covered corners, you can bring their calories down a bit.
Is a Blue Staffy the Right Dog for Me?
Blue staffies are excellent additions to most homes, and they fit several different lifestyles and living situations. If you want a loyal dog that is sweet, intelligent, and able to follow directions, the blue staffy is brilliant. If the blue staffy is going into a home with multiple dogs, the owner may find they have bitten off more than they can chew.
Staffies are ideal for houses that plan on having one pet: the blue staffy. For the best results with another dog, get two dogs that will grow up and bond together. The best way for two canines to come together is by allowing them to grow into adulthood with one another. While no dog is perfect, the blue staffy is a quick learner, a loyal pet, and a lifelong friend.