How Often Should You Bathe A Staffy? – 10 Grooming Tips

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a fairly low maintenance dog when it comes to bathing and grooming. One of the many perks to owning a Staffy. As a Staffy owner for more than 10 years I can offer many pro tips when it comes to their grooming and bath routine. 

How often should you bathe a Staffy? A Staffy will need a bath every 6-8 weeks. With the exceptions of a muddy, or stinky Staffy from an adventure outside, a regular routine of bathing every 2 months is a good rule of thumb. You shouldn’t bathe your Staffy more than this as it can irritate their skin.

Staffies are often prone to very sensitive skin, and bathing them more frequently than once every other month can lead to serious irritations. When you bathe your Staffy too much this can strip away some of the natural protective oils they produce. Dandruff, cracked skin, and sores can develop from over bathing your Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

My Staffy and I have bath time and her grooming routine down to a science now. After a few years of trial and error with various frequencies, products, and regimes, I have a bunch of tips to offer. Stick around for some of my best Staffy bathing and grooming hacks.

Tip #1 – Do not bathe a Staffy more than once every 6-8 weeks, unless absolutely necessary.

Do Staffies Like Baths?

Every dog is different, but I think I can confidently say that the majority of Staffies do not like baths. This is not just my Staffy, but almost every Staffy owner I speak with. Staffies do not like water, or being wet. Whether that is a bath, rain, or backyard sprinkler.

Now of course there will be some owners who will say that their Staffy loves the bath, or at least doesn’t dislike baths. I have never met one of these owners but I’m sure they exist. In this author’s personal opinion, these Staffies that like baths are the exception and not the rule.

My Staffy doesn’t just dislike baths, she despises them. Bath time for my girl Ruby is probably the most pathetic display of over dramatics you will witness. The sad looks, the avoidance of the shower head and wet cloth, and the loud, deep sighs of dismay. It’s all very over the top for a quick 10 minute soak.

Keep Your Staffy Comfortable While They Bathe

The best you can do for Staffies when giving them a bath is to make it comfortable for them. Even if they hate the ordeal, using the right temperature of water makes a big difference. I tend to get the running water temperature just right before we begin. Somewhere around lukewarm.

Using hot water can be uncomfortable for your Staffy, and like humans, can dry their skin out much faster. The hot water will strip away much of the good natural oils in their skin, leaving dry, irritated skin after their bath. Cold water can be just as uncomfortable, but not nearly as bad for their skin. 

Tip #2 – Find a temperature around lukewarm to slightly cold to keep your Staffy comfortable, and maintain their skin’s health.

Keep Your Staffy Safe While They Bathe

Bathing your Staffy in a shower can be a little sketchy if they are prone to moving around a lot to evade the water. This can result in all sorts of slips, bangs, and bumps on a slipper shower or bathtub surface. Using a good non slip mat while bathing can reduce the risks of injuries.

I use a SlipX Solutions bath mat for a few reasons. One, it works amazing and looks great. No drainage issues ever, and that sucker always stays in place. Two, it comes in black (as well as 13 other colors). And three, it is a great price. Grab one for your and your Staffy over on Amazon.

Tip #3 – Use a non-slip bath or shower mat to keep your Staffy from slipping and injuring themselves.

A second safety tip for bathing your Staffy is to avoid getting water in their ears and eyes. The ears can be especially problematic. Not only is it very uncomfortable for your Staffy to get water in their ears, it can lead to health problems like ear infections.

The best method when using a sprayer or shower head is to work from the neck down, and avoid the ears and eyes. Using a damp cloth on your Staffies face and head is the best way to ensure the least amount of water is coming in contact with the ear canal and eyes.

Tip #4 – Use a face cloth around your Staffy’s ears and eyes. Avoid getting water inside the ear canal or eyes.

Last, but certainly not least is drying your Staffy after their bath. I typically just use a big bath towel to give Ruby a good drying. This is by far her favorite part. Some people however swear by using blow dryers. These can be fine, but you must make sure you are keeping it a safe distance to avoid burning your dog.

Burns are definitely something you want to avoid when blow drying your Staffy. You also have to be careful not to scare them with the noise of the dryer as well. These loud noises can spook a dog very easy leading to panic and scrambling which can result in accidental injuries.

Tip #5 – Use caution with blow dryers. They can burn and frighten your Staffy.

There are specific dog hair dryers available with various temperature settings and noise reduction technology to ensure a comfortable drying session. Products like the Shelandy Pet Hair Force Dryer are available for purchase on Amazon.

Maintaining a safe and comfortable bath environment for your Staffy can make something they dislike that much more tolerable. Take the necessary steps and precautions to create a more positive association with bath time.

Do Staffy Dogs Smell?

A Staffy dog doesn’t smell as a general rule. A healthy Staffy will smell like a normal dog. Nothing particularly offensive or off putting. Some dogs like Boston Terriers can have a particular smell that is out of the ordinary, but Staffy dogs are just fine.

When you do notice a strong or offensive odor coming from your Staffy it could be a sign of certain health problems. Things like ear infections, skin infections, and terribly bad breath can all be health issues with offensive and strong odors. Not to mention excessive gas.

Check your Staffy over if you notice a particularly bad smell, and consult with a vet if you notice any signs of infections, or irregular gas and bowel movements.

Related Article – Why Does My Staffy Fart So Much? – Top Tips For Toots

The Best Shampoos For Staffies

Staffies are notorious for having very sensitive skin, my Staffy being no exception. We have tried a dozen or more different shampoos over the years, and finding the right one has been a process of trial and error. 

Lucky for you all my years of bathing my Staffy have brought the definitive list of the best shampoos for Staffies to fruition. These are amazing products that I use myself and swear by. They not only leave my Staffy clean, moisturized, and itch-free, but also smelling fantastic.

Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo for Dogs 

Wahl makes an excellent dog shampoo that provides instant relief from itchy dry skin. The Oatmeal base shampoo concentrate comes in a variety of scents. My personal favorite is the coconut lime verbena. The PH balanced formula is a great way to relieve, and prevent, dry itchy skin on your Bully breed. The high concentration formula also means that a little shampoo goes a long way.

Zesty Paws Oatmeal Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo

Zesty Paws is a great brand and one that I have complete trust in as a dog owner. I have used their Zesty Paws Oatmeal Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo and their Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for my Staffy’s skin and they are both great products.

The Zesty Paws Oatmeal shampoo contains oatmeal, aloe vera, vitamins, quinoa and almond extract to help sooth, relieve, and moisturize your dog’s skin. It has a great vanilla scent and leaves my dog’s coat very soft, and supple. Combined with the Salmon oil this shampoo has greatly reduced my Staffy’s shedding as well. 

Moosh Natural Dog Shampoo

Moosh Natural Dog Shampoo is one I had been hearing about for a while, and only recently tried. The Moosh brand shampoo touts its 100% natural and organic formula using bentonite clay as one of its cleaning and healing agents for sensitive, irritated skin. Along with the shea butter, argan oil, and aloe vera natural ingredients.

The raving reviews on Amazon were right. Moosh is a fantastic natural dog shampoo. My Staffy’s skin and coat were smooth, supple, and looked incredibly healthy. The scent is hard to pinpoint, and is very subtle, but clean smelling. I’m not sure what is in that magic bentonite clay, but it works!

Tip #6 – Use a hypoallergenic, natural moisturizing, itch-free shampoo for your Staffy’s sensitive skin

Do Staffies Need Grooming?

Staffies do need grooming, but far less than most breeds. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a very low maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. A simple weekly brushing to remove loose hairs, dirt, and allergens is all it takes.

A regular grooming routine can help maintain your Staffy’s coat while also giving them a great dermal massage to maintain healthy happy skin. My Staffy is particularly sensitive to environmental allergens like pollen and dust in the spring, and a good brushing can help remove these pesky particles.

Not only will a regular grooming routine of a few minutes a week leave your Staffy looking and feeling great. It will also reduce the amount of hair you find on your floor, couch, bed, and clothing. 

Tip #7 – Give your Staffy a good brushing weekly to remove loose hair, dirt and allergens.

When Do Staffies Shed Hair?

Staffies will shed hair all year round, but you will notice a lot more shedding in the springtime. Though Staffies tend not to shed much, especially if they have a good healthy diet of a premium dog food, and a good fish oil supplement. Spring is generally when you will see them shedding much more than usual.

Brushing your Staffy a few times a week during the spring can keep that shedding under control. Even if you don’t notice a lot of hair coming off your dog, a more frequent brushing routine can remove those dust and pollen allergens that may bother your Staffy.

Do Staffies Need Haircuts?

Staffies don’t need haircuts. One of the many low maintenance perks of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is they will never have to visit the groomers for a haircut. Saving your hundreds, if not thousands in the course of a lifetime. The Staffy has a short coat that will remain the same length all year round.

The Best Brushes For Staffies

Getting a good brush for your Staffy can make all the difference in the speed and efficiency of their weekly grooming routine. For me the quicker the clean up the better. That’s why I always look for a brush with a self cleaning, or easy to clean head.

Over the years I have tried a variety of brushes for my Staffy. Some are awkward to use, others are too sharp or rough for my Staffy’s short coat. Through some trial and error I have found a few that I use regularly, and a couple I have added to my wish list. 

Brushes have come a long way in recent years, and these are just a few of the best options available.

KING KOMB™ – Deshedding tool

The King Komb has taken the grooming world by storm in recent years. This amazing grooming brush has a unique, easy to clean design with 51 perfectly sized rubberized bristles to remove allergy triggering dander. Helps keep your pets coat silky smooth.

The King Komb’s unique retractable self cleaning action makes brushing your dog fast and easy. The soft rubber bristles work great at removing the loose top and undercoat hair, while also providing a great massage and dermal stimulation.

FURminator Short Hair Dog Deshedding Tool

The FURminator is one of the top rated products on Amazon, and for good reason. The ergonomic design is easy to use to remove loose hair and undercoat, and the FURjector button makes cleaning up a breeze.

The FURminator works amazing on my Staffy, and although she is not a big shedder, the FURminator definitely helps keep her looking healthy, and removes those pesky spring allergens. With over 23,000 reviews on Amazon with a 4.7 out of 5 star rating, you can be sure this product works great. 

SleekEZ Original Deshedding Grooming Tool

The SleekEZ is the #1 patented deshedding tools for pets in the world according to the company. The patented wave pattern stainless steel brush gently removes pet hair with no tugging or pulling.

I have to admit this uniquely designed deshedding tool has me intrigued. The reviews are phenomenal, and the product’s ergonomic design looks amazingly simple to use. The premium grade wood gives it that extra charming look as well.

Tip #8 – Use a gentle, easy to clean brush for your Staffy to make grooming that much easier

How Long Should a Staffy’s Nails Be?

The general rule of thumb I use for how long my Staffy’s nails should be before a trim is the sound they make. When I hear my Staffy’s toenails clacking on the ground I know they are too long and due for a trim. If the nail is protruding over the pads of their feet, that is a good visual cue as well.

Another indicator is usually the sharpness of my Staffy’s nails. When they have reached a sharp point I know they are due for a trim. This only happens for me and my Staffy in the winter months however. Generally the exposed pavement in the non winter months does a good job of grinding her nails down.

Typically I don’t need to trim my Staffy’s nails often because we walk so much. A well exercised Staffy on a sidewalk will keep their toenails at a good length and rarely do I find they get too long. You should be keeping an eye on them however. Long nails can snag and break causing injuries and discomfort for your Staffy.

Tip #9 – When you can hear your Staffy’s nails on the floor it’s probably time for a trim

How Do I Trim My Staffy’s Nails?

Trimming a Staffy’s nails can be tricky. My Staffordshire Bull Terrier has thick black nails and knowing where the quick is located is near impossible. When you trim your Staffy’s toenails do it slowly, and not a lot at a time. Slow methodical clips, toe by toe, is the safest way to ensure you don’t cut too deep.

Tip #10 – Trim your Staffy’s nails slowly and carefully toe by toe to avoid cutting too deep.

This is admittedly one of the hardest grooming practices for me as an owner. Once when my Staffy was young I cut too far and caused her to bleed and yelp. I never felt so guilty in my life, and as a result have avoided the old school clippers since. 

There are some great safety clippers on the market that I have seen others use, but for me I needed something other than the clippers. I have since gone with a toenail grinder that is much easier for me to use with confidence. 

The grinder allows me to slowly scale back the toenail without worrying about causing injury. It’s not just me that prefers the grinder as a safer alternative to clippers, many dog groomers prefer the grinder as well.

I use the Casfuy Pet Nail Trimmer now and it works like a dream. The low vibrations and noise level doesn’t spook my Staffy, and I can confidently give her a great pedicure when needed. If you are like me and hate clippers, go grab yourself a Casfuy on Amazon.

Bonus Tip – Get yourself a good Dog Nail Grinder tool instead of clippers

Casfuy Pet Nail Trimmer: Painless Paws Grooming & Smoothing

Casfuy Pet Nail Trimmer is one of the best grooming tools you can find. The sleek and easy to handle tool gentle grinds and smoothes your dogs toe nails in a safe and comfortable manner. Not to mention it is super quiet and low vibration, so it won’t freak out Fido.

If you are anything like me you hate trimming your dog’s nails with the old fashioned clippers. My Staffy has thick black nails, and I always worry I am cutting too much. Not to mention she hates it too. The Casfuy has been a dream to use on her, and we’d never consider going back to the old way of nail trimming.

Final Thoughts

Grooming and bathing your Staffy is a breeze compared to most dogs. The low maintenance Staffordshire Bull Terrier will only take a few minutes each week to keep them looking great. A bath to keep their skin healthy, coats shiny, and smelling terrific will take an additional 30 minutes every other month.

Keeping your Staffy safe and comfortable as they bathe is important. Skimping on the precautions and tips offered in this post can set you back with health problems. Keep a regular grooming and bathing practice a part of your Staffy’s schedule.