KC Breed Standard
The Kennel Club (UK) Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard
Official Standard of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Last updated November 1st, 2025
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch information related to this breed for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as unacceptable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.
General Appearance
Smooth-coated, well balanced, of great strength for his size. Muscular, active and agile.
Characteristics
Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children.
Temperament
Bold, fearless and totally reliable.
Head and Skull
Short, deep through with broad skull. Very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, nose black.
Eyes
Dark preferred but may bear some relation to coat colour. Round, of medium size, and set to look straight ahead. Eye rims dark.
Ears
Rose or half pricked, not large or heavy. Full, drop or pricked highly undesirable.
Mouth
Lips tight and clean. Jaws strong, teeth large, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Muscular, rather short, clean in outline gradually widening towards shoulders.
Forequarters
Legs straight and well boned, set rather wide apart, showing no weakness at the pasterns, from which point feet turn out a little. Shoulders well laid back with no looseness at elbow.
Body
Close coupled, with level topline, wide front, deep brisket, well sprung ribs; muscular and well defined.
Hindquarters
Well muscled, hocks well let down with stifles well bent. Legs parallel when viewed from behind.
Feet
Well padded, strong and of medium size. Nails black in solid coloured dogs.
Tail
Medium length, low set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. Should not curl much and may be likened to an old-fashioned pump handle.
Gait/Movement
Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernible drive from hindlegs.
Coat
Smooth, short and close.
Colour
Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black and tan or liver colour highly undesirable.
Size
Desirable height at withers 36-41 cms (14-16 ins), these heights being related to the weights. Weight: dogs: 13-17 kgs (28-38 lbs); bitches 11-15.4 kgs (24-34 lbs).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog's ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.