Buying a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; full ophthalmological testing before breeding (includes checks for multiple inherited diseases). Litters should also be screened for PHPV.
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- PHPV – Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous
- congenital abnormality of the eye, impairing vision
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Allergic skin disease
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- Demodicosis
- skin disease caused by demodex mites
- Epilepsy
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- Follicular dysplasia
- hair loss
- Luxating patella
- abnormal kneecap causing pain & lameness
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- HC – hereditary cataract
- clouding of the lens within the eye, leading to loss of sight
- L-2HGA – L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria
- progressive weakness and neurological defects in young dogs
Other Tests
- Putnam scoring for patella luxation