How to Breed Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Staffordshire bull terriers are one of the most recognizable of the old world bull baiting breeds. They were originally developed in the late 1700s as bait for bulls in the fighting ring. When these violent bloodsports were outlawed in the mid-1800s, the breed was shifted to the underground dog fighting ring, where they excelled due to their large size and powerful jaws. As fighting became a crime in most nations, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier grew in popularity as a loving, caring, protective pet. Breeding Staffordshire Bull Terriers can be an extremely rewarding experience, although it does require time and effort to produce a healthy litter.

Things You'll Need

  • Pedigree Vet records Show or performance records
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look over your female's pedigree to determine her lineage. A good pairing between male and female is essential to producing a good litter of puppies. Decide if your female comes from show lined Terriers or working line Terriers and base your search for a stud dog on your findings.

    • 2

      Review vet records for your female to make sure she is a good breeding specimen. Only healthy Staffordshire Bull Terriers should be bred, and your female should be free of any genetic defects. Staffies are generally a very healthy breed, but both potential parents should be tested for conditions such as persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and distachiasis, which can be passed onto the puppies.

    • 3

      Contact owners of stud dogs you are interested in. Discuss your female with them and ask about their breeding policies to see if your breeding ideals match. The stud owner will tell you about her male and will ask you questions about your girl to see if she thinks the breeding is going to be a good match.

    • 4

      Discuss breeding fees and contracts with the stud owner of your choice to finalize the arrangement. Often breeding fees are waived in lieu of a puppy, so ask the stud owner if she prefers payment or a pick puppy. Look over contracts and make sure that all points of the breeding agreement are in the contract to avoid any future problems.

    • 5

      Take your female to the stud dog's kennel for the breeding. Most stud owners prefer to house females on their property to allow the pair to breed multiple times during her heat cycle, so be sure you take plenty of supplies for your girl. If your girl will be bred using artificial insemination, speak to your veterinarian to arrange the pick up and insemination.

    • 6

      Pick up your female at the end of her fertile period. Most females will be receptive for a period of 5 to 7 days, and your girl will most likely be bred multiple times during her cycle to ensure fertilization. Speak with the stud's owner to make sure there were no problems during her stay and to gather any information that might be necessary to track her pregnancy. Keep your girl as calm as possible during her trip home, as breeding can be a stressful experience.

    • 7

      Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure the breeding was a success. He will evaluate her physical condition to be sure she is in good shape to carry a litter and will give you advice on what to feed her to give her growing litter the best care while in the womb. Ask any questions you might have and review her breeding dates to determine a due date for your new litter of Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies.