Staffordshire Bull Terrier health problems

Since they’re such cheerful dogs with ever-wagging tails, it’s easy to see why Staffordshire Bull Terriers are the canine companions of choice for so many families!

Their high levels of intelligence mean that Staffordshire Bull Terriers are often excellent to train. However, it’s important to work on their loose lead walking, to help discourage pulling on the lead, when your Staffordshire Bull Terrier becomes over-excited during their walkies.

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s short, smooth hair usually needs to be brushed weekly, to keep their coat shiny and their skin healthy.

Explore our Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed guide for more information about these lively dogs! 

Please note: We’ll refer to dogs of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed as ‘Staffie’ or ‘Staffies’ throughout this breed guide.

Which health conditions can affect Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

Please remember that while the following health concerns are frequently seen in Staffordshire Bull Terriers, each dog is a unique individual. So, your canine companion isn’t necessarily going to suffer from any of the health conditions commonly experienced by Staffies. But, if you’re considering pet insurance, you could read our guide to insuring your Staffordshire Bull Terrier for more information.  

Always speak to your vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s health.   

Don’t forget to visit our dog first aid guides to discover the basics of canine first aid.

Skin allergies and infections (Atopy) in Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopy or skin allergy in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is a common diagnosis in this breed. Dogs with atopy are likely to scratch, chew, and/or lick the parts of their body that are itchy, inflamed or irritated, which could include face, ears, armpits (axillae), tummy (abdomen) and paws.

Vets can diagnose atopic dermatitis by evaluating your Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s medical history and symptoms, alongside performing a thorough assessment of your dog’s skin.

Just like human allergies, such as hayfever, that require ongoing treatment to manage symptoms, canine atopic dermatitis will probably need to be treated throughout your dog’s life, too.

It can take some trial and error to work out which treatments (or combination of treatments) will work best to ease your dog’s symptoms – for example, medication and/or soothing shampoos. Though, thankfully, the majority of atopic dermatitis cases can be managed effectively to make sure your Staffordshire Bull Terrier is able to enjoy life to the full.

Hip dysplasia

Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic condition (something a dog is born with) that impacts their hip joints. For Staffies with hip dysplasia, either one or both of their hip joints are unstable and can cause them to experience pain, swelling, and stiffness – resulting in lameness. Eventually, hip dysplasia can cause Staffies to develop arthritis.

Treatments for canine hip dysplasia include weight management, anti-inflammatory medication, and surgery.

Eye ulcers

An eye ulcer, or ‘corneal ulcer’, is a wound on the front of your Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s eye. Eye ulcers can vary greatly in severity, though they often appear suddenly and might get worse over a short space of time. 

Although eye ulcers can have many different causes, ranging from injury to infection, the shape of a dog’s face can increase their risk. For example, eye ulcers are commonly seen in flat-faced breeds, like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Symptoms like a runny eye, holding their eye closed, and cloudiness of the eye could suggest your Staffordshire Bull Terrier is suffering from an eye ulcer.

Along with a physical examination of your Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s eye, a vet may use a green-orange dye, called fluorescein, to check the size and severity of an eye ulcer  

To treat a canine eye ulcer, your vet could prescribe eye drops and pain relief, as well as providing support through frequent check-ups, until your Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s eye has healed. If, however, your Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a deep corneal ulcer or their eye fails to heal after a course of treatment, they might need surgery to treat it.

Cataracts in Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Cataracts may occur in the Staffie breed.

Although cataracts in humans are often associated with getting older, that’s not the case for dogs. Your Staffie may inherit cataracts from birth, though they could also develop cataracts at any age as a result of eye inflammation, diabetes, or nutritional issues.

A cataract can lead to blindness over time, so if you notice your Staffie’s eye(s) becoming blue, appearing a different colour inside, or the iris (the coloured part of the human eye, generally brown in the Staffie) and lens becoming less distinct, it’s important to take them to the vet for a check-up.