Caring for your Staffordshire Bull Terrier: common health problems
Staffordshire Bull Terrier health guide covering common issues, senior care tips, and the importance of insurance.
Read moreAffordable, comprehensive pet insurance designed for Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
✓ Up to £12,000 vet fee cover
✓ Receive up to 100% back on eligible vet bills
✓ 95% of claims paid within 3 days
✓ Simple, quick claims process with support from our friendly UK team
✓ Proud to be Feefo Platinum Trusted Service rated
Give your Staffy the protection they need — without the stress.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (often affectionately called the “Staffy”) is one of the UK’s most popular and misunderstood breeds. Originally bred in the 19th century, today’s Staffy is known not for aggression, but for loyalty, affection, and a deep love of people.
Recognised by the The Kennel Club in the Terrier Group, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are compact, muscular dogs with a famously big smile. They are confident, courageous, and extremely people-oriented — often referred to as “nanny dogs” due to their strong bond with children.
Despite their tough appearance, Staffies are affectionate family companions who thrive on human interaction.
🐾 Average lifespan: 12–14 years
🐾 Average adult weight: 11–17 kg
🐾 One of the most popular breeds registered with The Kennel Club
🐾 Officially recognised by The Kennel Club in 1935
🐾 The average claim for Staffordshire Bull Terriers is £845
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are generally robust but can be prone to certain hereditary conditions.
Common Health Issues:
Skin Allergies – Ongoing treatment £500–£1,500 per year
Hip Dysplasia – Surgery £3,000–£7,000
Hereditary Cataracts – Surgery £2,000–£4,000
L-2-HGA (Neurological condition) – Genetic test £100–£200
Cruciate Ligament Injuries – Surgery £2,500–£5,000
Chronic skin conditions and orthopaedic surgery can become costly, which is why many Staffy owners choose lifetime cover
Wondering if a Staffy is the right dog for you? Here’s a few things you should know before you bring a ‘sofa hog’ home…
Staffordshire Bull Terriers require a balanced diet that supports muscle mass while maintaining a healthy weight.
Key dietary considerations:
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces strain on joints and lowers the risk of long-term health complications.
Staffies are energetic, playful dogs who enjoy interactive activity.
Daily exercise needs:
They are strong dogs for their size and benefit from consistent, positive training.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are ideal for:
They are less suited to homes where they’ll be left alone for extended periods, as they form very strong attachments to their owners.
From chronic skin allergies to orthopaedic surgery, veterinary costs for Staffordshire Bull Terriers can quickly add up. Ongoing treatment for allergies alone can amount to thousands of pounds over a lifetime.
Comprehensive insurance helps ensure that if your Staffy develops a hereditary condition or suffers an injury, you can prioritise their care — without financial worry.
Superior – the most comprehensive insurance cover we offer, with the lowest excess, giving you confidence that your dog will be looked after if illness or injury strikes.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£12,000
100%
£1,000,000 per claim
–
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£9,000
100%
£1,000,000 per claim
–
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£6,000
100%
£1,000,000 per claim
–
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£12,000
£9,000
£6,000
100%
100%
100%
£1,000,000 per claim
£1,000,000 per claim
£1,000,000 per claim
–
–
–
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Mid-range – our most flexible plan, offering a choice of co-payment and excess levels and packed with a range of optional extras to suit your dog’s needs.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£12,000
90%, 80% or 70%
£1,000,000 per claim
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£9,000
90%, 80% or 70%
£1,000,000 per claim
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£6,000
90%, 80% or 70%
£1,000,000 per claim
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£12,000
£9,000
£6,000
90%, 80% or 70%
90%, 80% or 70%
90%, 80% or 70%
£1,000,000 per claim
£1,000,000 per claim
£1,000,000 per claim
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
Optional Extra: Get up to £50 annually for key pet care needs like de-sexing, microchipping, worming, teeth cleaning, and more. Additional cover includes vaccinations, health checks, flea/tick control, and diagnostic tests, with no excess.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Safety-net – accidents or illness can happen at any time, and our Catastrophe and Economy policies provide cover for your dog when emergency treatment is needed.
Cover for each injury or illness for 12 months from the date of the incident or when symptoms first appeared.
£4,000
for each injury and illness for 12 months
100%
£1,000,000 per claim
–
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£6,000
100%
Optional extra: £1,000,000 per claim
–
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£3,000
100%
Optional extra: £1,000,000 per claim
–
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Cover for each injury or illness for 12 months from the date of the incident or when symptoms first appeared.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
Lifetime cover
for illnesses and injuries, year after year.
£4,000
for each injury and illness for 12 months
£6,000
£3,000
100%
100%
100%
£1,000,000 per claim
Optional extra: £1,000,000 per claim
Optional extra: £1,000,000 per claim
–
–
–
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
8 weeks – under 8 years.
Terms, conditions, and excesses apply. Cover depends on acceptance criteria, and there may be policy limits and exclusions. Make sure to check the policy details on the dog insurance page before taking out a policy.