Staffordshire Bull Terriers are playful and courageous dogs that make great family companions.
Keeping a Staffordshire Bull Terrier size chart with you as soon as you get this puppy will help you in keeping track of their weight as they grow.
On average, an adult Staffordshire Bull Terrier weighs between 23 and 38 pounds and stands at about 13 and 16 inches. Females tend to be lighter and shorter than males.
Continue reading to learn how you can help your Staffy maintain a healthy weight, when you should neuter or spay them, understand the factors that may affect their growth, and how you can use the Staffordshire Bull Terrier weight chart to help maintain a healthy weight.
When Do Staffordshire Bull Terriers Stop Growing?
Staffordshire Bull Terriers stop growing when they reach the ages of 12 and 18 months. Some dogs reach their adult size earlier while others take their time.
A Staffy puppy stops growing when their growth plates completely close and there is no production of new tissues.
However, they will continue to become wider and bulkier until the ages of two to three years. At this age, they will also develop mentally and emotionally and start behaving like an adult dog.
To ensure that your puppy achieves optimal growth, provide them with a complete and balanced diet as well as daily exercise.
Some factors can affect the growth of your puppy including genetics, health, nutrition, and physical activity.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Weight Chart
Monitoring the weight of your Staffordshire Bull Terrier using a weight chart specifically designed for them as a breed will ensure that they maintain an ideal weight throughout their life.
A healthy weight keeps your puppy protected from illnesses such as obesity, hip dysplasia, and heart diseases.
At three months old, your Staffy should weigh about 10.9 and 15.2 pounds, they should weigh about 18.7 pounds and 27. 9 pounds at the age of 6 months and at the age of one year, they should weigh about 24 and 36.4 pounds.
You can weigh your puppy at home using your bathroom scale and record the numbers to keep track of their weight. If you notice any changes in your puppy’s weight, take them to the vet to ensure that they are not overweight or underweight.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Size Chart
Age | Weight |
---|---|
3 months | 11 - 15 lbs |
4 months | 13.5 - 20 lbs |
5 months | 17 - 24.5 lbs |
6 months | 18.5 - 28 lbs |
7 months | 20 - 30 lbs |
8 months | 21.5 - 32.5 lbs |
9 months | 22.5 - 34 lbs |
10 months | 23 - 35 lbs |
11 months | 23.5 - 35.5 lbs |
12 months | 24 - 36.5 lbs |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppy Development Stages
Birth – 2 Weeks
This phase of your puppy is known as the neonatal stage where your Staffy is fully dependent on their mother for food and warmth.
The milk that the mother produces contains all the essential nutrients that the puppy needs for their early growth and development. Since the puppy cannot regulate their body temperature, the mother keeps them warm.
Your puppy spends most of their time sleeping and eating and they are not able to move around because their leg muscles are not yet strong to move around.
You should deworm your puppy at this age because they are susceptible to worms as their bodies are still weak.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
This is the transitional stage and your puppy’s eyes and ears are beginning to open and your puppy becomes aware of their surroundings.
They will now start socializing with their littermates and people. Their milk teeth will start appearing and you can start feeding them puppy food.
When your puppy reaches the age of two months, they should be vaccinated so that they are ready to move to their new home. At the age of 12 weeks, your puppy’s different senses will be fully developed.
4 Months – 9 Months
This is the adolescent stage, and your puppy is a teenager when they reach the age of four months old.
This is the perfect time to start training your puppy because they will start showing signs of dominance and proper training is required to ensure that they have positive behavior as they grow.
This is the age to think about neutering or spaying your puppy if you are not planning on breeding them. Your puppy may start showing behaviors such as hostility, disobedience, and being picky about being around people.
10 Months – 18 Months
This is the age where your Staffordshire Bull Terrier stops growing and becomes an adult as they reach their adult height and weight.
You can switch their puppy food to adult food as they now have different nutritional needs. Remember to do the transitional process slowly so as not to upset your puppy’s stomach.
Adult
Past the 18-month mark, your puppy is considered an adult even though they may still add a few pounds to their weight up to the age of three years.
It is important that you feed your dog the right amount and type of food and provide them with adequate exercise to avoid unnecessary weight gain which may lead to health issues such as obesity.
Take your Staffy to the vet regularly for medical examination to ensure that you catch any disease at an early stage and provide treatment.
How Big Do Staffordshire Bull Terriers Get?
As an owner of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, you may be wondering how big your puppy will get when they are fully grown.
There are a few ways that you can use to predict the adult size of your puppy including looking at the parents, paws, Staffordshire Bull Terrier size chart, and doing a DNA test.
The size of the parents is a clear indication of your puppy’s size when they are fully grown because physical characteristics are inherited by offspring from the parents.
Female Staffies are more likely to resemble their mothers while male Staffies will look like their fathers.
The paws of your puppy are another indication of their adult size. If they are bigger than normal, then your puppy still has some growing to do.
You can also check the Staffordshire Bull Terrier growth chart that shows their expected weight when they are fully grown. If you cannot access the parents’ information, do a DNA test with the help of your vet, and predict their adult size.
An male Staffordshire Bull Terrier weighs about 25 and 38 pounds with a height of between 14 and 16 inches while their female counterparts weigh between 23 and 35 pounds and a height of around 13 and 15 inches.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Size Chart
The male Staffordshire Bull Terriers are slightly heavier and taller than the female Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
A male Staffy weighs around 25 and 38 pounds with a height of between 14 and 16 inches while their female counterparts weigh between 23 and 35 pounds and a height of around 13 and 15 inches.
Knowing the size of your puppy specifically the height will enable you to buy them the right dog gate, winter clothes, and belts. You can measure the height of your puppy at home using a measuring tape.
Find your puppy’s withers and measure from the ground to the withs when your puppy is standing straight on a flat surface.
Will Neutering/Spaying My Staffordshire Bull Terrier Affect His Growth
Neutering and spaying are related to growth. Sex hormones are necessary for the growth of Staffordshire. It is unnecessary to neuter a puppy when they are still very young.
It is good to wait until the puppy is about the heat cycle stage which is around four to nine months. If you have no plans of breeding your Staffordshire Bull Terrier, it is okay to spay it. The best time to neuter and spay your dog is when they have stopped growing.
Spaying prevents the dog from unwanted pregnancies and minimizes the risks of breast cancer, UTIs, and ovary cancer in females.
It helps the dog not to be aggressive and prevents testicular cancer. Neutering or spaying sometimes affects the growth of the dog.
American Staffordshire Terrier Vs Staffordshire Bull Terrier Size
These two lovely breeds are a good fit if you want a goofy, lovable dog. These two have clear differences. The American Stafford Terrier is bigger than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in weight and height.
The Bull Terrier has a more compact body than of American Staffordshire Terrier. The American Staffordshire lives longer than the Bull Terrier.
The American Staffordshire reaches a height of about 18-19 inches while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier goes to a height of 14-16 inches.
The American Staffordshire Terrier weighs about 50-70 pounds while the Staffordshire weighs 24-38 pounds.
Factors That Affect Staffordshire Bull Terrier Growth
Genetics And Gender
The growth of your Staffy can be affected by genetic health conditions. Looking at the puppy’s health records, and their parents are the things to ask the breeder.
Learning about their genes will help you to know the type of diseases the dog is prone to and the dog’s appearance. Females are usually smaller than male dogs.
Nutrition
Feeding your Staffordshire dog is crucial but knowing the food to give to your dog is more important. Do not just buy any food online because having an inappropriate diet can mess up your puppy’s life.
When you give your dog unsuitable food it can cause adverse health problems, therefore provide your dog with protein-based recipes
Check on the ingredients of the meal you purchase to ensure that real meat is the number one source of protein.
Physical activity and health
Staffordshire’s overall health is important in their growth curve and any health problems that may arise later.
Physical activity helps in maintaining the overall health of the dog. When they are exercised regularly, they stay physically fit and right weight hence good health.
How Much to Feed a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppy
Staffordshire puppies burn energy faster than older dogs hence they need more feeding in a day. The Staffordshire suggested serving needs is 2 ½ cups of dog food per day and should be fed three to four times a day.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs smaller frequent meals because they grow rapidly. Puppy food is recommended for puppies because they have the required nutrition which plays an important role in the growth of Staffordshire.
Feeding the puppy three times a day helps the puppy to easily digest the food and keep consistent energy levels.
Consider not overfeeding your Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy because they easily gain weight as compared to adults. It is also good to proportion every puppy’s meal because their metabolism and energy levels vary.
How To Tell If Your Staffordshire Is Underweighted or Overweight
Being overweight is a great challenge to even the most careful pet parents. Being overweight comes with a lot of challenges. Regardless of the dog breed, you should be able to feel the ribs of your Staffy are not covered with a thick layer of fat.
Your Staffy should have a wider chest than the abdomen and should be visibly tucked up from the chest to the stomach. The Staffy’s chest should be more pronounced because they have a larger than average chest.
When your Staffy has extra weight, there is no separation between the stomach and the chest and no waist. Your Staffy’s could be underweight if you can see the ribs, waist, and stomachs have ribcages.
What Are the Most Common Conditions to Be Aware Of In Growing Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppies
Staffordshire’s are wonderful pets but they are susceptible to certain conditions. If you are considering a Staffy ensure the parents have undergone the health screening to reduce the chances of the puppy being affected by certain conditions.
Hip Dysplasia where the hip joint does not fit perfectly and eventually leads to arthritis. There is a skin condition that Staffy can suffer from which can be from allergies or through the Demodex mites.
They also go through some eye conditions. They are also prone to some cancers. They also experience this genetic condition known as L-2-Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria which affects the nervous system of the dog.
Do Staffordshire Bull Terriers Experience Growing Pain
Most dogs like Staffordshire are susceptible to bone and joint disorders during their growth. The disorders include hypertrophic osteochondritis and osteochondritis dissecans.
This condition can cause a lot of pain to the affected dog. It is good to be keen on your dog to be able to know when they have growing pain.
What To Do If My Staffordshire Bull Terrier Is Not the Right Weight
Is it said that the dog is not the right weight if they are underweight or overweight and following a healthy diet will ensure a healthy dog?
When your Staffordshire has extra weight, it is usually because of a lack of exercise and overfeeding. If you give your Staffy large meals and a lot of treats they will put on weight if they don’t exercise as they should.
If you suspect that your stuffy has extra weight, get them checked first by the vet, and he gives you a go-ahead, ensure to take it easy on him, and allow the dog to build up stamina again. Do not push him too hard.
Give your dog a healthier brand of treats and seek advice from the vet about portion control and the food they can recommend.
When your dog is underweight, ensure that you give your dog food that is rich in proteins and supplements for vitamins and minerals. Keep the meal schedule in check and ensure that they maintain their metabolism.
How To Help Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier Lose Weight If He Is Overweight
The most important factors that can help your Staffordshire to lose weight are diet, lifestyle, and exercise.
Mixing proper diet and exercise helps the overweight to shed some pounds faster. Eliminate food that can cause weight gain and provide your dog with good portions of food.
Before trying to help your Staffordshire to lose weight go to the vet to rule out any health issues that could make your dog gain weight. Give your dog healthy treats such as green beans, cooked lean meat, and carrot slices.
Avoid any human snacks because they are high in calories and can cause faster weight gain.
Exercising the dog consistently is beneficial toward Stafford’s weight loss, you can take your dog to play with other dogs in the park because it will contribute to their weight loss.
When mealtimes are broken up, the dog will be able to digest the food better and give the dog small portions many times to allow them not to go hungry. Homemade food is also beneficial because the dog will get the ingredients and nutrients needed.
How To Properly Weigh My Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Finding the right measurement for your Staffordshire dog is a good thing. It is more accurate when you take them to the vet, but it can also be done at home.
There are two ways you can measure your dog’s weight.
The first method is using the dog’s weighing scale. This will help in regular tracking of their growth so you can detect any abnormalities early.
Secondly, you can use your bathroom scale. Hold your dog and stand on the weighing scale. Record the weight.
The weigh yourself without hod the dog and also record the reading. Now, find the difference between the recording when holding the dog and the recording when not holding the dog. The difference is the weight of the dog.
Checking your dog’s weight regularly is recommended to ensure that they are on the right weight track.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Genetics and Common Health Problems
The Staffordshire Bull terrier is a stocky, strong, muscular, and generally very healthy dog. They only have a few hereditary and common problems they can develop.
Being aware of those issues is an important aspect to consider. Staffordshire does not have very many common health issues. The following are the common problems that affect this breed:
- Canine Hip dysplasia is a joint problem that affects the dog’s hip joint. This problem occurs when there is a malfunction of the ball at the top of the leg and the hip socket. The constant grinding and rubbing of this cause loss of function as the joint deteriorates. You can prevent this by keeping the puppy from heavy, high-impact exercise during its early stages.
- Cataracts are also a condition that affects this breed. It manifests at around the age of 8 weeks and if not treated it can make the dog go blind within 2-4 years. This condition needs to be prevented during the breeding process by ensuring that two carriers of the cataract gene are not bred together.
- Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (PHPV) is another hereditary eye condition. It is not progressive but it causes a lot of discomfort. The puppies should be screened at 6 weeks so they can be cured.
- L-2 Hydroxy-glutaric Aciduria(L-2HGA) is a neurometabolic disorder that affects the nervous system of the dog. The responsible gene for the condition needs to be available in both parents when breeding. This disease causes seizures, tremors, and muscle stiffness when exercising. Symptoms usually present at the age of 6 months to 1 year. Prevention of this condition involves DNA testing before breeding. Breeders should ensure female and male parents are tested and cleared before breeding.
Final Words
Understanding the factors that can affect your Staffy’s growth such as health, nutrition, genetics, and exercise will prepare you in supporting them with what they need to grow.
Your puppy needs adequate exercise, regular check-ups by the vet, and a balanced diet to ensure that they achieve all of their growth milestones.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with all the necessary information that you need concerning the growth of your Staffordshire Bull Terrier.