STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

breed of terrier developed in 19th-century England for fighting other dogs in pits. The breed was created by crossing the bulldog, then a longer legged and more agile dog, with a terrier, possibly the fox terrier or one of the old breeds known as the white English and the black-and-tan terriers. Once known by such names as bull-and-terrier, half and half, and pit bull terrier, the Staffordshire is a stocky, muscular, and unusually strong dog standing 17 to 19 inches (43 to 48 centimetres), with an average weight of about 30 to 50 pounds (14 to 23 kilograms). Its coat is stiff and short and may be any canine colour, solid or variegated.