ARE YOU HOPING TO BUY A SBT PUPPY?
Ask yourself if a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the right breed for you and your family. Do you understand the true nature of the breed? Staffords are not the right breed for everyone, they can be strong willed. You need to know, warts and all, what you are letting yourself in for. Speak to experienced owners before you decide.
Breed Club secretaries will know of forth coming shows where you can meet Staffords and their owners. They may know planned litters from reputable breeders. They have first-hand experience with the breed so are a good source to answer questions about the breed’s health, temperament or anything Stafford related. Breed Clubs are found nationwide so there should be one fairly local. They should be the ‘first port of call’ for anyone looking for a Stafford puppy.
Buying a pedigree Stafford should not be done ‘on the cheap’ nor should it come from a bad breeder no matter how sorry you feel for the pups. By buying there you’re condemning more pups to the same fate. If the breeders can’t sell they’ll think twice before breeding again. By going to a responsible Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeder you stand the best chance of getting a dog that will enjoy a happy and healthy life.
Beware of ads selling pups in local papers and on various dog selling sites on the internet, there are no background checks so any dodgy dealer can advertise there. Think carefully is you see any of this advertising:
Remember if something doesn’t seem right don’t be fooled to rush in and buy! Always give yourself time to think about making the right decision – a reputable breeder will not push you into having one of their pups. They will want to find out if you and their puppy will be well suited.
When you have found a litter consider these questions to ask the breeder before going to see them
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Health Information
L-2-HGA (L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria) in Staffordshire Bull Terriers affects the central nervous system, with clinical signs usually apparent between 6-12 months (although they can appear later). Symptoms include epileptic seizures, unsteady gait, tremors, muscle stiffness as a result of exercise or excitement and altered behaviour
HC (Hereditary Cataract) in Staffordshire Bull Terriers has been recognised as an inherited condition since the late 1970’s. Affected dogs develop cataracts in both eyes at an early age
PHPV (Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous) It is a congenital condition (present at birth). This means that if a puppy is born with PHPV it can be detected by ophthalmic screening from 6 weeks of age
PPSC (Posterior Polar Subcapsular Cataract) This type of cataract usually remains as a small, punctuate cataract and doesn’t usually lead to sight problems. It has been placed on schedule 3 of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme because a number of Staffords that have been through the Scheme have been found to have this type of cataract. It cannot be detected through litter screening. The mode of inheritance is unknown and has a variable age of onset.
Eye Screening Clinics
https://www.bva.co.uk/canine-health-schemes/find-an-eye-panellist
Litters should ALWAYS be clinically eye screened prior to leaving home and it is imperative for new puppy buyers to be aware and make sure ALL DNA and clinical health tests are in place for ALL of the above conditions.
You can go to the Kennel Club’s website and check any KC registered dog’s health status although litter eye screening is not recorded there.
http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/mateselect/test/Default.aspx
SBT Breed Standard
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/standard.aspx?id=3080
Contact details for Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Clubs
DOWNLANDS STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Mrs Vickie Kemp vickie@flametip.com
EAST ANGLIAN STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Mrs Lesley McFadyen easbtclub@gmail.com
EAST MIDLANDS STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Mr Jay Rogers emsbtc@gmail.com
MERSEYSIDE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Ms Michaela Riley michaelajackson1993@hotmail.co.uk
MORECAMBE BAY & CUMBRIA STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Ms Elaine Pearson elainepearson007@hotmail.com
NORTH EASTERN STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Miss Jaci McLauchlan darcySBT@aol.com
NORTHERN COUNTIES STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Miss Stacey Rhodes ncsbtclub@outlook.com
NORTHERN IRELAND STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Mr Jim McCarthy jimamccarthy@hotmail.com
NORTH OF SCOTLAND STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Mrs Julie Gray julie@staffie.co.uk
NORTH WEST STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Mrs Claire Crossman crossmanclaire@yahoo.com
NOTTS & DERBY DISTRICT STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Ms Helen Reaney rolenskasbt@gmail.com
POTTERIES STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Mrs Sheila Reader s.reader47@yahoo.co.uk
SCOTTISH STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Mr Gareth Owen tagstanesbt@gmail.com
SOUTHERN COUNTIES STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER SOCIETY
Mr Ken Meneer. scsbts1937@gmail.com
STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
Mr Alan Hedges alanhedges1947@gmail.com
STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB OF SOUTH WALES
Mr Kevin Jones maxstakev@hotmail.com
WESTERN STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER SOCIETY
Mrs Lisa Emery secretarywsbts@mail.com
The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme comprises of anyone that breeds KC registered dogs and fulfils KC requirements: currently eye screening of litters is only a recommendation. Check the accolades to see if the breeder is a member of a SBT Club
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/acbr/Default.aspx?breed=Staffordshire+Bull+Terrier
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