Why Are There So Many Staffies In Shelters?

The Staffordshire Terrier is a movie star of the dog world: brave, determined, and stellar good looks. There are two main types of Staffies: English and American. The English Staffy is smaller than the American. Both are known for their independent intelligence, versatility, and affection, particularly with children. However, this breed is overshadowed by misconceptions and prejudice. So, why are there so many Staffies in shelters?

Why Are There So Many Staffordshire Terriers In Shelters?

So many Staffordshire Terriers are in shelters mostly due to their popularity leading to overbreeding and misconceptions about their temperament and needs. Breed-specific legislation comes into play, causing concentrations of Staffies in shelters in areas where they are allowed.

Misunderstandings about their nature and the challenges of their high energy levels often result in abandonment by unprepared owners, further increasing their numbers in shelters.

Misunderstandings, misinformation, and legislation certainly do cause a lot of Staffies to end up in the shelter. However, plenty of Staffies end up at the shelter even if they are allowed in the area and adopted deliberately by people who thought they wanted the breed.

Here’s what you need to know about how the staffies’ innate qualities, place in society, and public perception land them in shelters in America and worldwide.

Related Post! Why Are There So Many Pit Bulls In Shelters?

Popularity and Overbreeding

The Stafford Bull Terrier, affectionately known as the Staffy by their fans, is an extremely popular breed. This is in part because of their striking good looks, affectionate, loyal, and protective nature, and unfortunately, the perception that they are tough and imposing. 

Popularity isn’t typically a good thing for any dog breed, and the Staffy is no exception. When dogs get popular, they find their way into shelters more often.

The powerful appearance and reputation that go along with dogs like them make Staffordshire Terriers popular both in movies and TV shows and at the end of the celebrity leashes.

It’s no surprise that dogs made popular in movies and TV end up popular in homes, backyards, and, yep, shelters. There was a direct correlation between the rise in representation of German Shepherds in movies and an increase in the number of German Shepherds in shelters.

They’re heavily represented on social media. Influencers and posters are often highlighting their rescue story or emphasizing how gentle they are with the family, despite their reputation. 

That Popularity Is Self-Perpetuating

The upside of all this visibility is that it might encourage folks to go adopt a staffie that’s waiting for them in a shelter. The downside is that irresponsible breeders try to cash-in bred dogs without having homes lined up for them, and often don’t practice good breeding practices. 

For example, in an attempt to get more dogs and sales quickly, they may not allow female dogs to rest and recover. This impacts the health of both the dog and the puppies. These breeders are often going for physical traits that will allow them to sell more puppies. These traits may include things like big heads, shorter bodies, muscular frames, and interesting colors like merle. This can easily result in poorly bred dogs who are difficult to sell.

If they can’t sell the puppies, they’re likely to discard them. And because of the stigma attached to so-called bully breeds, it can be hard to adopt them out once they pass the cute puppy stage.

There’s a reason people like having Staffies and that they’re so popular, but this popularity is a double-edged sword. If you want a Staffy, there’s a good chance you can find one at your local shelter. By making responsible choices in breeding and adopting, every Staffy can find a home.

Misunderstanding and Misinformation

Just like the Pitbull, the Staffordshire Terrier is shrouded in misunderstanding. Both positive and negative misunderstandings result in these dogs ending up in shelters.

Bully Breed Traits

Dogs with short fur, big jaws, and powerful, muscular bodies, known as bully-breed dogs, face significant discrimination. 

The public often perceives these dogs as being inherently aggressive and unpredictably dangerous. These perceptions largely come from the dog’s looks. However they are also rooted in the Staffordshire’s history as a fighting dog.

Other people utterly reject any negative traits associated with the Staffordshire Terrier. Many claim that they are just like any other dog. This is true, but not always in the way they mean. 

All breeds have certain breed characteristics that can affect their behavior. 

Just as Rat Terriers may be more likely to chase rats, and Hound dogs to bay at raccoons, there is a prevalence for Staffordshire Terriers and other breeds with a history of dog fighting to show aggression towards other dogs, particularly when they mature and especially if the dogs are of the same gender. 

People who reject the notion that there’s any inherent aggression in Staffordshire Terriers may be setting themselves up for a disaster when the dog behaves within breed expectations, leading to the unfair ‘unpredictable aggression’ label and the dog being abandoned.

The Staffies’ Place in Society

Staffies occupy a sometimes contradictory place in society. They’re often associated with strength and prestige. But they can also be considered low class, depending on the area. 

For instance, in Australia, there’s an association between bogans, which would be considered rednecks in America, and the Staffy. 

The prejudices that people feel against people groups that they associate with the Staffy are also extended to the dog.

Expert Opinions

In reality, Staffordshire Terriers are quite different from the prejudices and assumptions about them. 

According to Animal Management Expert Melanie Isaacs, Staffies are known for their gentle natures, especially around children. These dogs are actually very unlikely to bite or behave unpredictably, according to multiple studies. 

They tend to tolerate antics from children with steady patience. They’re actually less likely to behave unpredictably or aggressively than many other dog breeds. That is, assuming they have stable and supportive owners and have been raised and socialized properly. 

One study compared them to a group of Golden Retrievers and the results were shocking. They found “no significant differences in the occurrence of aggressive behavior in inappropriate situations” between them. 

However, when Staffordshire Terriers do behave aggressively, the results can be disastrous. This is a brave, powerful dog that’s not afraid of a fight. 

When they do attack a person or animal, they may do damage. 

Breed experts point out that like other historically fighting breeds, Staffordshire Terriers shouldn’t be trusted unsupervised around other animals. There is always the possibility that a breed instinct will come out.

Public Perception

Interestingly, when the public’s perception of Staffordshire Terriers was studied by Blue Cross, some contradictions came out. 

Nearly 50% of people said they were hesitant to adopt a Staffy because of negative descriptors like brutish, ugly-looking, or frightening. On the other hand, 80% of people blame the Staffordshire’s bad image on irresponsible ownership, not the dog.

Legislation

If there’s anti-breed legislation in your area, it’s likely the Staffordshire Terrier will be targeted by it. This is pretty much the breed it was written for, them and Pitbulls. Legislation against Staffordshire Terriers has ruled out entire cities, counties, and even countries worldwide. 

The intent is to improve public safety, but there is no scientific evidence that breed-specific legislation improves public health. 

What did happen is that people who had otherwise had legal, happy Staffordshire Terriers suddenly had a reason to abandon them. 

In some areas, research finding that breed legislation is ineffective and is in fact more trouble than it’s worth are causing these restrictions to be repealed. 

The 2020 Royal Veterinary College study found that there was no significant aggression risk difference between Staffordshire Terriers and other breeds. This caused many people to advocate for evaluating dogs as individuals rather than basing bans on breeds.

Even if Staffordshire Terriers are legal according to your federal, state, or municipal laws, you may still have a hard time finding somewhere to live with one. 

Many homeowners associations and landlords do not allow staffys. Even if they do, they may struggle to get insurance if they allow them. 

This can make it very difficult for people to find somewhere to live with their Staffordshire. These dogs are often surrendered to shelters when an owner has to move and can’t find somewhere to bring the dog with them.

High Energy

Like all terriers, Staffordshire Terriers have no shortage of energy. These dogs seem to almost shiver with excitement and boundless enthusiasm. 

This energy level is great if you want to go on lots of jogs or practice a dog sport like agility. But it can be a real challenge for people unprepared to deal with it. 

This is a powerful dog that can accidentally hurt people or other animals or damage property in their excitement. Many people find the muscular, whip-like tail particularly problematic. 

People who bought the dog as a status symbol, intending to take it on a couple of walks a week to show it off, often find themselves made a fool of by their overly rambunctious and unbehaved Staffordshire Terrier. 

These dogs need daily extensive activity like fetch, runs, or agility training. 

They’re smart too. 

Without plenty of puzzle toys like this one on Amazon and training sessions, your Staffy is likely to turn their energy into a force of destruction. These dogs are also well-known fence jumpers and escape artists (the tendency to escape is what lands so many huskies in shelters, too). If they’re not given plenty of physical and mental stimulation at home, they may go looking for it on the streets.

During the Staffordshire’s teenage stage, generally between 6 and 18 months, they can be particularly challenging. During this time, increased energy levels combine with the dog’s desire to test boundaries and find independence and autonomy. 

Not sure how old your staffie is? Check out my comprehensive guide to determining how old your dog is.

Many owners think their dog has just gone crazy, which may cause them to surrender them before they have a chance to overcome their teenage craziness.

Inadequate Socialization

Early and consistent socialization with a wide range of people and other animals is extremely important for any dog. But for breeds like the Staffordshire, it’s even more essential. 

Staffies are strong, determined, intelligent, and can be independent. 

Without being told how they’re supposed to feel about a new person or animal, they may make up their own minds. 

Because of their bravery, Staffies may be more likely to react aggressively than with fear to something they don’t understand.  Not always, though. Joel was a poorly socialized staffie who was afraid of everything.

Staffordshire Terriers can be prone to co-species aggression as a breed trait. Therefore, plenty of socialization with other dogs is critical. However, it doesn’t always guarantee a dog-friendly adult staffy.

Socialization also involves exposing your dog to lots of scenarios. Staffordshire Terriers are one of the few breeds that may really stand up to protect their person if they think they need to. 

That means it’s important that you teach them the difference between harmless unexpected events or new situations and real threats that should be defended against.

Without proper socialization, a wide range of negative behaviors may come out. 

Dogs may react fearfully to new people, dogs, or situations. This can lead to aggression, obsessive barking, inappropriate elimination, destructiveness, and other problems. 

Some Staffies will develop serious aggression towards people or other animals that their owners can’t handle. This can lead to the surrender and almost certain euthanasia of the animal.

Economic Factors

Unfortunately, lack of funds causes many dogs to be surrendered, regardless of their breed.

However, because there are so many breed restrictions and housing issues when it comes to Staffordshire Terriers, people who find they need to move when they can’t pay the rent are very unlikely to easily find an affordable new place where they can bring their Staffy. 

Staffordshire Terriers can often be found for adoption cheap or even free. Some people adopt a Staffy on impulse or for personal protection when they’re feeling scared. 

However, they may find the reality of feeding, providing medical care, etc., higher than they expected. Many people may hope that surrendering the dog will enable them to find a home better able to financially care for them.

Lack of Commitment

Owning any dog requires a great deal of commitment. But an intelligent, powerful dog like the Staffordshire Terrier demands a lot from its owner.

This breed is too often purchased or adopted impulsively. Puppies are cute and readily available for cheap or free. Adults are often some of the most common at a given shelter, depending on the area. 

Getting a dog easily and affordably, often without much thought ahead of time, does not tend to lead to a great sense of commitment. Once people realize that this dog needs several hours of exercise, that they can be tremendous escape artists, and that they have a love of chewing that demands plenty of heavy-duty toys, they may think twice about whether they want to keep the dog.

They’re often grouped in with pit bulls, which isn’t a great categorization to have in American shelters. 

If the Staffordshire has issues like dog reactivity or aggression, prey drive, especially towards other household pets or children, or other common problems that come out of insufficient training and exercise, the commitment on the owner’s part is even more strained.

Health Issues

Staffies are generally healthy, robust dogs not prone to illness or injury. However, every breed has specific health concerns, and the Staffy is no exception. 

This breed can be prone to hip dysplasia, especially in poorly bred individuals designed more for bulk than soundness. 

Eye issues aren’t uncommon in the breed, and many have skin conditions like hair loss or allergies. Some lines are prone to hereditary heart problems. 

This athletic and fearless breed may be a little more likely to get into trouble than some others. They may be more likely to end up fighting with other dogs, escaping the yard, etc. 

A sudden medical bill if a Staffy is hit by a car and injured, or gets into a bad fight with another dog can quickly skyrocket into the thousands. That’s money that some families simply do not have available. 

Chronic conditions can be both costly and frustrating to address. The quality of life issues can take the joy out of dog ownership. This can ultimately lead the owner to surrender the dog, perhaps in hopes that the adopter will be better able to handle their medical conditions.

Breed Confusion and Misidentification

In America, pretty much any medium-sized or large dog with a muscular build, short coat, and big, square head is lumped in as a bully breed. The same is true in many other countries. 

These dogs have worse outcomes at shelters, even in areas where they aren’t banned. In areas where they are banned, they are often euthanized upon intake.

A purebred Staffordshire Terrier may be mistaken for a Pitbull, or no thought may be given at all to exactly what breed they are.

Once labeled a bully breed, a dog’s chances of being adopted drop considerably. 

Furthermore, simply the fact that there are so many dogs that look like Staffordshire Terriers in shelters seems to detract from their desirability. 

Staffordshire Terriers tend to do even worse in the confines of a cage than other breeds. They often show erratic behavior like spinning or aggressive barking and lunging. This causes their chances of being adopted or pulled by a private rescue to be even lower.

Strong Physical Appearance

Staffies are powerful dogs. These all-around farm hands can just as easily drive cattle or pull a cart. And they probably won’t back down from fighting off a predator either. 

The muscular appearance and big jaws can give this dog an intimidating look. This is emphasized if the owner chooses to crop the ears and tail. 

Staffordshire Terriers have a way of looking right into your eyes, a trait that is very endearing for those that love them. But it can be off-putting or downright frightening if you don’t know them or think they may be aggressive. 

While Staffordshire Terriers tend to be very affectionate and loyal dogs with a larger-than-life enthusiasm, their boisterousness can come off as difficult to handle or even aggressive. 

Neighbors, family members, or the owners themselves may feel frightened of a Staffy, which may lead to its surrender.

Media Sensationalism

The media has a powerful effect on public opinion when it comes to dogs. Whenever a dog is popular in Hollywood, it tends to have a surge of popularity in the community as well. 

However, the reverse is also true. 

Breeds that are portrayed as being dangerous by the media are often thought to be that way by the public, regardless of whether it’s true or not. 

The media often portrays them as being violent and unpredictable. 

Then other myths proliferate about them, such as the misconception that they can lock their bite, which is not something dogs do. Or that they’ll go crazy with aggression without warning, something that is not only untrue but in fact much less likely in Staffies than in some other breeds.

History of Dog Fighting

Like the Pitbull, English Bulldog, and Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Terrier has dark origins. They were originally bred to attack a bear or a bull chained to a stake and were also used for dog fighting in the 18th century. 

However, as society evolved and blood sports largely fell out of fashion, the dog was adapted to a general farm hand and All-American dog. 

They were used to protect livestock, pull carts, hunt rats and vermin, and generally do whatever was needed around the farm. However, the dog aggression was not entirely eliminated from the breed.

When Staffordshire Terriers do fight, the fights are often more serious than with other breeds. 

Despite not having been used for dog fighting and being a dependable farm hand for generations, there’s still a strong association with Staffordshire Terriers and dog fighting.

Training Needs

Staffordshire Terriers are highly intelligent, but they also have historically served roles that demanded a good deal of independent intelligence. This means they aren’t always as trainable as breeds developed to work very closely with people. 

Staffies can be stubborn. They also occasionally suffer from selective hearing when they want to do something you don’t want them to do. 

While they learn quickly, it requires lots of consistent positive training in a variety of environments to be confident they’ll behave as requested. 

Expect your Staffy to learn a new skill in one sitting. Don’t expect them to generalize that learning as quickly to new situations.

Without training or with poor training, Staffies can be very difficult to manage. 

Staffordshire Terriers are brave, proud dogs that often don’t take well to negative training. They may become reactive or aggressive if trained with harsh and punitive methods. 

Most people are relatively unlikely to rehome an out-of-control small breed dog. However, an out-of-control Staffy has a very good chance of being rehomed.

High Prey Drive

Prey drive is the desire to chase prey animals or things that may be perceived as prey animals. It’s present to some degree in pretty much all dogs. However, it’s higher in dogs that have historically hunted, like the Staffordshire Terrier. 

One of the Staffordshire Terrier’s important jobs on the farm was to chase away predators or vermin To this day, they still have a very strong prey drive. 

Expect training your Staffy not to chase squirrels to be one of the more challenging aspects of your regimen. 

Many dogs with prey drive generalize to non-prey items that are inappropriate for chasing, such as smaller pets like cats or even children. 

Dogs who experience prey drive can seem unpredictable. They may get along perfectly well with cats or kids in the house or when nobody’s running. But then they may chase or even attack when a child or animal behaves in a prey-like way that might trigger the drive, like running, squealing, etc. 

Being chased can be very stressful and frightening, especially by a big, powerful dog. 

Dogs that act out of prey drive but are believed to be aggressive may be rehomed before the family really understands what’s causing the behavior.

Longevity in Shelters

Being in a shelter for any amount of time isn’t fun for any dog. However, Staffies really get the short end of the stick when it comes to shelters. 

Staffordshire Terriers tend to behave very poorly in a shelter environment. 

These loyal, energetic dogs tend to become desperate and rapidly develop behavior problems when locked up in a small space without the attention of a person. 

Staffies often show problematic behavior like spinning or acting aggressively in the kennel very quickly. 

This kind of behavior makes it less likely that they’ll be adopted. And all the time they’re kept cooped up their behavior only worsens, which makes it even less likely that they’ll be adopted. 

Staffies face an average of a 23% longer wait time compared to other breeds (source), and it’s often much longer. Staffy-type dogs have spent well over a year at my local shelter, and some don’t make it out at all.

How You Can Help Staffies in Shelters

Raising Awareness and Changing Perception

If more people understood what Staffies are truly like, fewer of them would end up in shelters. If you know someone considering getting a dog, discuss the possibility of adopting a Staffy. Emphasize both the positive and potentially negative aspects of the breed. Educated adopters are far more likely to provide a lifelong home. 

Responsible Ownership and Preparation

If you are considering getting a Staffordshire Terrier, please visit your local shelter. Staffordshire Terriers tend to have stable temperaments, so the behavior you observe in a three-year-old is likely to remain consistent.

Adopting an adult whose characteristics have all fully developed gives you a better chance of adopting a great dog.

Conversely, adopting a puppy means you may end up with genetic traits common in the breed. If you are determined to adopt a puppy, choose a responsible breeder. Pick one that stands by their puppies for life and has conducted all relevant health checks and genetic screenings. 

Throughout your Staffordshire Terrier’s life, be responsible in supervising their interactions with other animals. Be especially vigilant as they mature, as this is when aggressive behaviors are most likely to emerge. Early, consistent, and positive socialization sets up a Staffy for positive interactions with people and animals throughout life. Training must be positive, consistent, and non-negotiable to raise your dog into a polite pet that’s a joy to be around.

Legislation and Regulation

Staffordshire Terriers and their owners face regulations worldwide. It may be that the breed is completely banned in your area. It may be restricted in how they can be handled or where they can go. Or they may be legal on the federal and state level but possibly banned from housing communities or rental properties.

Regardless, there’s a good chance that legislation will affect your life with a Staffordshire Terrier.

Ongoing research finds that breed-specific legislation does not reduce dog attacks. Most advocates for the Staffordshire Terrier believe that education for owners and the public, and treating each dog as an individual, is the best way to curb negative experiences with dogs.

If you have a role in legislating Staffies, consider honestly whether the particular legislation is likely to achieve its intended effect and what negative impact it is likely to have on this breed and their owners.

Shelter Transport Programs

Every region is characterized by its own population of abandoned dogs. However, the percentage of Staffordshire Terriers and similar breeds in shelters in some areas is truly staggering.

I live in such an area. At least 90% of the shelter dog population consistently comprises Pitbulls, Staffordshire Terriers, or other bully breed dogs.

This phenomenon has resulted in a massive movement of Staffordshire Terriers from shelters in the South and in places where they are banned, to locations where they are allowed but less prevalent.

Generally, the move is from South to North and from urban to suburban areas. Sometimes, Staffordshire Terriers are even moved from shelter to shelter within a region. The goal here is that they will attract attention where they didn’t before.

Relocating a Staffy significantly increases their likelihood of finding a permanent home. It also helps to redefine their image by introducing the real loving, gregarious, and very silly dog into regions where they are more likely to be thought of as aggressive or dangerous.

Transportation programs for Staffies and other breeds that are highly concentrated in certain areas are often the only chance these dogs have of making it out alive. Consider volunteering with one of them.

Sources

• https://www.bluecross.org.uk/news/its-only-skin-deep-staffies-are-the-most-unwanted-dog-breed-rejected-because-of-unfair
• https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0106565
• https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0208393
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2387261/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S155878780700264X
• https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/news/is-the-staffordshire-bull-terrier-as-tough-as-its-reputation
• https://www.huffpost.com/archive/au/entry/why-staffys-are-the-least-popular-dog-for-adoption_au_5cd37d33e4b0acea950196cf