I have been in love with Staffies ever since I met my first one back in 1999. One day I knew I would have a Staffy of my own, and in 2010 that became a reality. I knew a lot about Staffies before bringing my girl Ruby home, but I never experienced the bond of owning one. Well let me tell you.
Are Staffies very affectionate? As a whole Staffies are one of the most affectionate dogs you will ever meet. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a very loving and affectionate breed of dog that bonds strongly with their owner. A Staffy is never shy about showing their affection.
I have never met a breed of dog that compares to the love and affection of a Staffy. These dogs have one of the sweetest temperaments you will ever see. My Staffy is always by my side and loves to let me know that I am loved.
Over the 10 years I have owned my Staffy I have picked up on all the subtle and not so subtle ways Staffies show their affection. I have also picked up on how they show their needy side too. In this post I will go over the affectionate facts when it comes to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Are Staffies Cuddly?
As a general rule Staffies are very cuddly. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier may be a high energy, athletic, and somewhat imposing looking dog, but they love to cuddle. A Staffy loves nothing more than to curl up on the couch, in bed, or generally anywhere they can with their people.
My Staffy is never far from my side. She takes every opportunity she has to curl up right beside me. I could be playing video games, reading a book, or working on my laptop, and she is glued to my thigh. Always needing contact with me.
I am one of those people that lets my Staffy sleep in my bed at night. The glee in her face when I tell her it’s bedtime is nothing short of adorable. Once she sees that I am settled in she cuddles right up under my arm looking for belly rubs or to rub her head on my beard. The girl loves to cuddle.
How Do Staffies Show Affection?
There are several ways Staffies show affection. From giving direct eye contact, displaying excitement when you arrive home, to bringing you your smelly shoes and socks. Staffies have a few subtle and not so subtle ways to show affection.
These are 10 ways that your Staffy will show affection:
- Soft eye contact
- Cuddling next to you
- Leaning up against you
- Sleeping in your bedroom
- Bringing you their favorite toy
- Bringing you your smelly shoes and socks
- Licking you
- Checking in with you
- Getting excited when you arrive home
- Raising their eyebrow
Some of these seem quite obvious. Cuddling next to you and leaning up against you are all not so subtle signs of affection. The same can be said about being excited when you come home. Tail wagging and smiling are signs of excitement and happiness that your Staffy will display.
Bringing you articles of clothing with your scent on them is also signs of affection that might not be as obvious. A Staffy recognizes you primarily through scent. Wanting to be around your scent and bringing items they know belong to you is a sign of affection, even if it is unwanted behavior.
One of the more fascinating and very subtle signs of affection from your Staffy is raising their eyebrow. A study in Japan showed that dogs will raise their eyebrow, especially the left one, when they see their owner.
“The results showed that the left eyebrow moved more when the owner was present than at baseline. No bias in terms of eyebrow movement was observed when the dogs saw attractive toys. These results suggest that dogs show facial laterality in response to emotional stimuli. This laterality was specific to social stimuli, probably reflecting the dog’s attachment to the owner.”
Science Direct
Why Do Staffies Lick You So Much?
As a general rule Staffies will lick you as a sign of affection, seeking attention, or when they are over excited. Licking is a natural way for a Staffy to show affection and be close with the owner. There are occasions however where licking may be a sign of a health problem.
Speaking from my own experience the primary reason my Staffy licks me so much is affection. She is eager and willing to lick me at any opportunity, especially when she is really excited to see me. Other times she will use this technique to get my attention. Why? Because she is looking for some affection herself.
When dogs lick themselves, especially their own lips or nose, this can be a sign of discomfort. I notice my Staffy begins to lick her nose excessively when she is sick to her stomach and about to vomit.
Staffies will also lick their lips and nose when they are nervous or uncomfortable. Hugging your dog for example can elicit this response. As much as you love your dog, hugging is not a natural behavior to dogs and can make them feel trapped or confined.
Are Staffordshire Bull Terriers Clingy?
As a whole Staffordshire Bull Terriers can be clingy dogs. The Staffy is a very person oriented dog and loves being around their people, but this can develop into unwanted and clingy behaviors. Clingy behavior can easily develop into separation anxiety as Staffies are prone to this type of stress.
Because the Staffy is prone to separation anxiety or general clingy behavior it is important to teach them how to be alone. There are times where you will need your space, have to run errands, and go to work. Training your Staffy to be comfortable on their own is going to be a crucial skill.
Staffies can be a little high maintenance when it comes to this clingy behavior. There are however various techniques and tools you can use to help ensure your Staffy is not anxious and a well balanced happy dog.
Related Article – Can You Leave A Staffy Alone? 10 Tips For An Anxious Staffy
Do Staffies Love People?
Staffies love their family, but do Staffies love other people as well? As a general rule Staffies love people even outside of their family unit. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a very friendly, happy, and social dog with other people.
I can’t keep my Staffy away from other people that wish to meet her. My Staffy is the biggest social butterfly you will ever meet. All it takes is a little acknowledgement from a complete stranger and she is wagging and looking to greet them immediately.
I have often joked that my Staffy would probably go home with a total stranger if given the chance. Not because she doesn’t love me, but because she is just so loving in general. She loves meeting people, especially children.
Are Staffies The Most Loving Dogs?
Staffies are one of the most loving dog breeds. A study conducted by Eukanuba found that Staffordshire Bull Terriers are among the top 5 most affectionate and loving dogs. The strong bond a Staffy forms with their family is hard to miss.These study results come as no surprise to any Staffy owner.
This may be my bias speaking, and how this study was measured could be questioned. Each dog is different, and many breeds of dog are very loving and affectionate. With my Staffy I am never in doubt that she loves me, and is generally loving of everyone in my life.
I have no problem stating as a fact that Staffies are ONE of THE most loving dogs you will ever meet.
Why Do People Love Staffies?
There are several reasons why people love Staffies. From their loving nature and eagerness to please to their clever and courageous temperament. Staffies are a wonderful family companion, friendly neighbor, and well rounded dogs.
The Staffies eagerness to please is among one of their most endearing qualities. As we covered in this article the Staffy is a loving and devoted pet. This eagerness paired with their intelligence makes the Staffy easy to train, which any dog owner would love.
Staffies will keep you active and on your toes with their zest for life. The Staffy is a very active dog that loves to interact with their humans. Whether it be nice evening walks, or a good game of fetch. There is never a dull moment with a Staffy around.
Who would love a low maintenance dog when it comes to grooming? Nobody, that’s who. With a Staffordshire Bull Terrier you won’t be spending hours grooming them and breaking the bank while you are at it. People love the Staffy’s short, sleek coat, and ease of care.
Bringing a Staffordshire Bull Terrier into your home is a great choice for your family. Though raising a Staffy is a serious commitment, it is worth every second spent doing so. Even for first time owners willing to dedicate the time to learn about the breed and put in the energy, a Staffy is a great choice.