Bear & Bull Baiting reached the height of popularity from the middle of the 16^th Century through to the middle of the 17^th Century when very large & powerful dogs were required to “thro” the bull. From the end of the 17^th Century it became more to tether the bull and a somewhat smaller bulldog was developed. (this Bulldog was leggier, lighter and altogether quicker than the English Bulldog seen today). This Bulldog is the first direct ancestor of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier hence the reason you see undershot jaws & screw tails even in the lines today.

As Bull baiting became less popular, dog fighting enjoyed a sudden surge towards the end of the 18^th Century & some modification to the Bulldog was required as the Bulldog was bred to pin & hang on at all costs which was not suitable for dog fighting. A lighter, more agile type was required with a different grip requirement was far more suitable so it is likely some Old English Terrier blood was introduced hence the new name for the fighting dog occurred – the Bull & Terrier. As a result of this selective out-crossing the weight of the fighting dog was reduced, the Bulldog being 50-60 lbs and the Old English Terrier being 20-30 lbs, the ideal Stafford falling between this. This extreme variation in size / weight is the reason we see this variation today.

With such a blood thirsty history you wonder how this dog could have become the very popular family pet that it is today. Is should be noted the key requirement for the Stafford of old was that it must, above all else, possess great courage. Even the rules of dog fighting tipped in the favour of the courageous dog, the one who would not give up, who kept coming up to the scratch line rather than towards the most aggressive animal. A loud aggressive Stafford is not typical of the breed, the old timers preferring those who silently watched & waited, only acting when asked or provoked.