Staffordshire Bull Terriers Grooming Tips & Styles

Staffordshire bull terriers are sweet-tempered, short-haired dogs who are a delight to be around and are as easy to groom as they are easy to love. However, low maintenance does not mean they don’t require any maintenance. This dog’s coat should still be cared for with a regular grooming routine. So, what should you incorporate into a Staffy’s grooming regime?

Stick around to learn a few grooming tips that’ll help with your Staffy’s coat and keep them in peak condition.

Do Staffordshire Bull Terriers Need a Haircut?

Nope, it’s not necessary. In fact, we wouldn’t even recommend cutting your Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s coat.

The fur on your Staffy’s short coat is less than 2.5 cm long, so you don’t have to worry about taking your dog to the groomer for a trim. Besides, a Staffy with even shorter hair might look a little strange.

Additionally, Staffies have very sensitive skin. A haircut could put them at greater risk for problems such as skin cancer, heat stroke, and sunburn. Giving your Staffordshire bull terrier haircuts isn’t good for them and should only be done if your vet recommends it.
 

How Do You Groom a Staffordshire Bull Terrier at Home?

Home grooming sessions can be great for your Staffy and give you more freedom to use the products and tools you like best.

Staffordshire’s have very sensitive skin and are prone to skin problems. Home grooming also lets you keep an eye on your dog’s skin, and you’ll be able to react quickly to any changes.

Brushing

Your Staffy still needs to have a regular brushing regimen, even though they’re a short-coated breed. Brushing is necessary for a shiny coat and healthy skin, and it should be done on a weekly basis.

Weekly brushing removes loose hairs and prevents shedding around the house. It also prevents skin infections or irritations from matted fur and removes dirt and dead skin from your dog’s coat.

Make sure you choose the right brush for your bull terrier’s needs. A bristle brush has soft bristles and removes dead or loose hair. This also feels gentle and soothing on the coat. The rubber curry brush is a good brush to use regularly. It massages the body, which improves blood flow and promotes good skin.

Bathing

• Just like all grooming activities, you need to make sure to use the correct products. You shouldn’t use human shampoos on your dog as they’re made from a different formula and can harm the skin.
• Invest in a good hypoallergenic and moisturising dog shampoo. Some shampoos are targeted toward specific issues, like flaky skin. Natural or organic shampoos are always a great option.
• Avoid using water that’s too hot – lukewarm water is fine. It isn’t as harsh or drying on the skin and doesn’t strip the body from its natural oils. You should also consider getting a non-slip mat to keep your dog safer in the bath.
• Wash your dog backwards from the head down to the tail. Or use a shower head to control the water’s direction. This will stop the water from getting into the eyes and ears, preventing problems like ear infections.
• Lastly, make sure to rinse out all the shampoo and use a moisturising conditioner. Towel drying is best to avoid burns when blow drying. If you are going to blow dry, use a low setting and be gentle around the ears.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers: Additional Grooming Requirements

While brushing and washing your Staffy requires very little effort, there are additional steps to the grooming process that need more attention to detail.

Nail Clipping

The claws are often overlooked during grooming because it’s not as visible as other parts of the body and can be a hassle to do. To keep your Staffy’s paws in good condition, you need to clip their nails. Here are some things you need to know before doing this task.

How often does it need to be done?

Clipping should be done on average every 3-4 weeks, but this depends on how active your dog is. Staffies are generally high-energy dogs, so their claws naturally wear down as they run around. The claws on the black legs are shorter and don’t need as much trimming. Your dog’s nails shouldn’t be touching the ground when they stand.

Staffies also have a dewclaw on the inner part of the paws. This will need cutting, as it isn’t worn down like the other claws. It’s higher up on the leg and doesn’t touch the ground.

How to do it

Hold your dog’s paws firmly when clipping their claws

Don’t cut too much of the nail off, or you’ll graze the quick. This is a cuticle with blood vessels and nerves that run through the nail.

If you’re struggling to see the quick because of your Staffy’s dark claws, just trim little by little to avoid cutting it. If you accidentally cut them, hold a tissue to the wound for a few minutes until it stops bleeding.

Use the right nail clipper

Different nail clippers work best for different dogs, and you should choose the best for you and your Staffy. If your Staffy has thick nails, then plier dog clippers would be best. You would use these in a similar way to how you use scissors.

If your Staffy is on the smaller side, perhaps the guillotine nail clippers are a good choice. These are often the easiest to use and work with a similar action that human nail clippers use.

Distract them.

Let them lick sticky treats like peanut butter so they’re too distracted to put up a fight.
 

FAQs

When Should You First Groom a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

This is usually after their second round of shots and when your Staffy has become used to its new environment and has its body handled. About 10-12 weeks is a perfect time, but if not, it should be done before 16 weeks.

How Often Should I Bathe My Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

A Staffy only needs to be bathed once every 6-8 weeks because of their sensitive skin. Any more than that can cause irritation and strip off the body’s natural oils, causing dry skin and dandruff.

They should only get another bath if they’re extremely muddy or dirty. Otherwise, use dry shampoo or shampoo wipes during those intervals if needed.

Do Staffordshire Bull Terriers Require Professional Grooming?

Not at all!

Grooming doesn’t have to be done at a fancy parlour that costs you a fortune. There’s nothing wrong if you enjoy pampering your precious pooch like that, but you can also choose to groom your Staffordshire in the comfort of your own home.

Should I Shave My Staffordshire Bull Terriers for summer?

No. Cutting your Staffy’s hair without the vet’s recommendation isn’t advised. Their fur can stand as extra protection against sunburn, heatstroke, and other related problems.

You can keep your Staffy cool by:

• Getting them a paddling pool. This way, they can take a dip in the pool when they get too hot.
• Sitting in the shade. Move their toys, bowls, or beds to a shady area from the sun.
• Top up their water regularly. Nothing is more refreshing than a cool glass on a hot day. You can also put some ice in the water to make it cooler.
• Don’t walk them during peak heat hours.

Final Thoughts

Regularly grooming your Staffy has to be done, especially if you want to keep their skin healthy. Make sure you use the right products to get the best outcome and keep your Staffy looking as good as it feels.