Male vs Female Staffordshire Bull Terriers: 3 Key Differences

Written by Sarah Feaster
Published: January 10, 2024
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Staffordshire bull terriers may have had a ‘ruff’ past, but these intelligent, loyal, and lovable dogs make great family pets. With minimal grooming, these cute canines are only high maintenance when it comes to demanding your attention. Interested in adding a staffy to your family but unsure of the differences between male and female Staffordshire bull terriers? You’re in luck! Keep reading to learn about the three key differences between male and female staffies.

About Staffordshire Bull Terriers

puppy staffordshire bull terrier in front of white background

While great watchdogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are also sweet family dogs.

©cynoclub/Shutterstock.com

New to the Staffordshire bull terrier breed? Step right up to learn about these cozy and sweet snugglers! According to the AKC, years of responsible breeding have helped transform these former gladiator dogs into loving and playful companions that especially love kids. While relatively small for being a bully breed, Staffies exhibit a lot of heart. They’re energetic, clever, brave, and loyal and can play tirelessly as long as it isn’t too warm. Staffordshire bull terriers come in a variety of colors and typically live 12-14 years.

Comparing Female and Male Staffordshire Bull Terriers – A Basic Overview

TraitsFemalesMales
Size14-16 Inches Tall, 24-34 Pounds14-16 Inches Tall, 28-38 Pounds
TemperamentMore Submissive, Usually Mix Better with Other DogsMore Dominant, Tries to Be the Leader of the Pack
Response to TrainingMore Independent, Less Motivated to PleaseMore Eager to Please

The Featherweight Division: Differences Between Male and Female Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sizes

Staffordshire bull terrier

Staffordshire bull terriers are on the smaller side when it comes to bully breeds.

©Melounix/Shutterstock.com

One of the few differences between male and female Staffordshire bull terriers is their overall size. As mentioned before, these lovable wigglebutts are relatively compact canines, despite their dense frames, and typically weigh less than 40 pounds. However, males do weigh more than females on average. Female staffies generally weigh between 24 and 34 pounds, whereas males are usually between 28 and 38 pounds. Despite the weight difference, males and females are surprisingly similar in height, growing between 14 and 16 inches tall.

Male vs Female Staffordshire Bull Terrier Temperaments

Pair of Staffordshire bull terriers

Staffordshire bullterriers are loving and loyal dogs.

©Hamik/Shutterstock.com

Staffies are energetic terrier tornados with big personalities. They make wonderful family dogs and great watchdogs for your home. However, temperaments differ slightly between male and female Staffordshire bull terriers. While both are playful and curious, males typically try to assert their dominance over other dogs more than females do. Additionally, they are even known to test boundaries occasionally with human family members. Conversely, female staffies seem to exhibit less territorial behavior and dominance, which makes them a little bit easier to assimilate in a family with multiple dogs. However, with plenty of positive reinforcement training and supervision, both male and female staffies can make great additions to your existing pack.

Male vs Female Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Response to Training

Dog life jackets

Staffies are both smart and athletic dogs.

©Melounix/Shutterstock.com

In addition to being loving and energetic, Staffordshire bull terriers are very intelligent. Our Adora-bull buddies thrive in active households that provide plenty of physical exercises and mental stimulation. Staffies are relatively easy to train, excel in obedience, enjoy a variety of dog sports, and are even happy to join you on the trails or paddling a nearby lake.

However, there’s one difference when it comes to training male and female Staffordshire bull terriers: males are more eager to please their human counterparts despite their desire to test boundaries. With plenty of positive reinforcement, you and your male staffy will be mastering commands and tricks in no time! Conversely, because they are more independent, you may need to be a little more patient when it comes to training a female Staffordshire bull terrier. Easy ways to overcome this obstacle include making training sessions short and focusing on making it fun for your furry friend. Once she becomes bored or feels like it’s becoming too much of a chore, she’s more likely to become uninterested and disengage.  

Enjoy a Happy Life with These Muscly Munchkins

A brindle staffordshire bull terrier sitting on a hill

Staffies make great companions at home, on walks, and even out on adventures.

©everydoghasastory/Shutterstock.com

Staffordshire bullterriers are excitable and loving dogs who crave companionship. They want to spend as much time as possible with their families – both in the house and outdoors. While male and female staffies are very similar, they differ slightly in size, temperament, and responsiveness to obedience training. If you’re looking to add a Staffordshire bull terrier to your family, make sure you have plenty of great toys, be prepared to walk your new pooch even in poor weather and plan to dedicate plenty of time to training your clever new canine. While small, these affectionate pups will take up plenty of space in your home – and heart!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Melounix/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Sarah Feaster is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is on outdoor recreation and dogs. A 2009 graduate of Lycoming College, Sarah is a creative and strategic marketing professional with more than a decade of experience crafting captivating content. When she's not in front of her computer, Sarah is typically losing herself in the Pennsylvania woods or enjoying the sunshine from her SUP - but either way, she's always accompanied by her two dogs.

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