How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Staffordshire Bull Terriers
The stocky and charming Staffordshire Bull Terrier is closely related to the American Staffordshire Terrier through its lineage which connects to the Bulldog. Developed in the early 19th century as a smaller and more agile pit fighting dog, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier could be fierce in a fight while still maintaining loyalty, love, and affection towards its owners and other people in general.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was developed through a purposeful cross breeding between the Bulldog and a predecessor to the dog breed we know as the Manchester Terrier today. A cherished family companion with a sweet disposition; today, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is well known as a lover and not a fighter.
A dog with immense and impressive musculature and a fierce stare, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can strike fear in the hearts of some who first meet this dog. However, this dog’s appearance is dramatically opposed to its soft, sensitive nature. This breed is far from vicious and is instead a dog with a heart for adventure, joy, and fun.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier delights at every opportunity to spend time with people. Trusting by nature, this dog is content to spend its time in whatever pursuit its family is engaged in; whether it be a hike, a car ride, or an afternoon lounging on the couch. A versatile dog breed, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier excels at many different sports including agility, flyball, therapy work, and obedience.
By nature, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is both active and athletic. The breed requires regular daily exercise to thrive. The breed does not enjoy time spent alone, preferring to receive much love and attention from its family. If properly exercised and not overfed, this breed is not prone to becoming overweight.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a natural with children. It is a dog that is both patient and gentle. However, this breed can display dog aggression.
The best dog foods for Staffordshire Bull Terriers should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Staffordshire Bull Terriers
It is always a challenge trying to understand how much of a commercially prepared diet to feed a dog. The best dog foods for Staffordshire Bull Terriers list suggested serving sizes based on age and weight on the side of their packaging. Owners can use this as a helpful guide, beginning with these amounts and making adjustments as needed until the proper portion has been determined.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not predisposed to gaining excess weight but still should not be free fed. Experts agree that all food for this dog should be measured and all intake monitored. This is key to achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight to promote good health.
Dietary Requirements for Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog Foods
The active Staffordshire Bull Terrier requires a diet that is primed to meet its every nutritional need. The best dog foods for Staffordshire Bull Terriers include a lean, meat-based protein as the basis of its foundation. The ideal basis of a high quality diet is a whole meat or meat meal.
By-products are typically taken from inferior cuts of meat that can be difficult for dogs to digest. Plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are also hard for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier to process and can be common allergens for many dogs. Other ingredients best avoided in a diet for this busy breed are chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Carbohydrates play an important role in the diet of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, contributing the nutrients needed for digestion and a strong immune system. These carbohydrates can come from fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. The primary role of any selected carbohydrate in a diet for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is its ample amounts of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
Healthy fats are critical to health and wellness in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It is from these ingredients that this sensitive breed gains fuel for its energy reserves and support for coat and skin health. The ideal sources of these healthy fats are animal-based foods such as oily fish and chicken fat. Some plant-based oils also offer excellent servings of the essential fatty acids the Staffordshire Bull Terrier requires.
It is always a great idea to consider a food that contains helpful supplements to boost the overall health of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The best supplements for this breed include glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier:
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Lean, meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier does best on a diet that is based on a lean meat. Whole meats or meat meals provide the best foundation for this athletic breed.
Diets based on by-products or plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are not of sufficient nutritional quality to power the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and thus, are best avoided.
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Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients provide no nutritional benefit to a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Diets containing any of these items are best left on the shelf.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Feeding the Staffordshire Bull Terrier a diet that includes supplements is a great way to boost this sweet-natured dog’s health. The ideal supplements for this breed include glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.