Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mom Snuggles Her New Puppy

Everybody thinks puppies are cute — but no one more than their own mothers! That’s right, doggy moms aren’t immune to how cute their offspring are, as this protective mama shows in a new video.

Instagram user @our_hope_for_strays shared a video of a black dog, likely a Staffordshire bull terrier, hugging its pup. The mama lies on her stomach with her front paws wrapped around her tiny puppy. The puppy is asleep, tucked under its mom’s chin as she hugs and cuddles with her baby. By the end, the puppy wakes up and lifts its head to explore its surroundings, but the mom’s protective leg won’t let her baby get too far. It’s so incredibly sweet, isn’t it?

“She gave birth to her first pup and couldn’t stop hugging it,” the video was captioned. One person commented, “There is nothing stronger than a mother’s love and protection. 🐕👍”

This is so true. It’s called a “mama bear instinct,” but maybe we should call it a “mama dog instinct” instead!

All About Staffordshire Bull Terriers

These dogs have sometimes been referred to as “nanny dogs” due to their reputation among enthusiasts for being good with children, though this label is not officially recognized by major kennel clubs, and all dogs should be supervised around children.

According to the American Kennel Club, Staffordshire bull terriers will be 14-16 inches high and weigh up to 38 pounds when fully grown. This playful, energetic, and courageous dog breed is short and broad with a short coat that comes in many different colors. They are known for being sweet-natured, good with children, and loyal companions.

This dog breed is also very intelligent, learns new things easily, and responds well to training. Historically, they were bred for bull-baiting and later became popular as companion animals. The AKC rates Staffords as moderately protective, which makes this video of the Stafford mother hugging her pup even more unique.

Why Mother Dogs Are Protective Over Their Babies

Despite how cute it is to see a dog holding its baby in this protective way, it could be a sign of something wrong. After all, dogs are often exhausted and happy to get a break from their newborn puppies. Some dogs in the wild have even eaten their own puppies that are too loud, as a survival instinct! But this one is holding onto its pup like a scared child gripping its teddy bear at night. What gives?

This could be in part due to a phenomenon that happens in the first three weeks after puppies are born, when the mother dog gives her pups undivided attention and care. After that period, she will often leave the puppies’ whelping box to give the puppies time to learn how to be independent. It could be that this video was taken during those first three weeks, when mothers are closer than ever to their puppies.

Another explanation could be that the mother felt threatened or anxious. The VCA Animal Hospitals says that if a dog mother (especially a first-timer) becomes anxious, then she may attempt to hide her young. If that was the case for the dog in the video, it would be pretty effective, given the way the pup is tucked under its moms legs.

However, sometimes hiding or moving the puppies can cause problems. “She may continually move the puppies from place to place, which may endanger them if they are placed in a cold or drafty location,” VCA Animal Hospitals stated on their website. They recommend caging or confining the mother dog and her pup together in a secure, secluded area to keep both the mother and the puppies safe from inadvertent or intentional harm.

Of course, if you feel like there is something wrong with your dog’s behavior or that her puppies are in danger, you should call your vet immediately. Whether she is attempting to hurt the puppies out of a misguided notion that she’s helping them, or neglecting her puppies when they are still too young to regulate their own body temperature, there are many different ways a dog could harm her own baby.

Stafford Puppies

Staffordshire bull terrier puppies, like the one in the video, are very playful and energetic, and love to chew and chase balls. As they grow older, they tend to be protective of babies and little kids and are extremely loyal to their humans. They will cuddle with you and act as gentle guard dogs when they feel threatened. This could also explain why they are especially protective of their own young. If you are looking for an absolutely adorable dog who will fit in with your family, a Staffy might be the one for you.