What’s Next? 

As we continue to move away from the dark days of dog fighting, the shift in how Staffordshire Bull Terriers are perceived is not just a victory for the breed itself, but for the broader movement to end animal cruelty. The hard work of rescues, advocacy groups, and compassionate individuals has created a platform where education, awareness, and compassion can flourish.

However, there is still work to be done. While many Staffordshire Bull Terriers have found loving homes, some continue to suffer in shelters or as victims of neglect. My personal opinion is that the number one way to protect the breed from neglect and any form of abuse is at least these two things - 

1) Responsible breeders taking extra steps to ensure they only place their pups in the best of homes. A thorough application process including different lines of questioning and a contract is essential. My contract requires the owner to at least get my full involvement and signing off in rehoming should that be needed, and in the rare occasion that rehoming has been necessary (typically for a major crisis) I have taken the dog back and rehomed it myself. 

2) Those looking to purchase a pup only buy from reputable and credentialled breeders. These are relatively easy to find on sites like AKC.org  Though I do advertise on puppies.com it has its fair share of back-yard breeders whose dogs are not full-bred or well-bred Staffys. Continuing to encourage this practice by buying their pups only adds to the problem as they will keep breeding and in many cases give unsold pups to friends, neighbors or sell them out of their trunk at a Walmart. 

As we look to the future, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can serve as a powerful symbol of change – a reminder that with understanding and compassion, even the most misunderstood creatures can find their place in society. It's time to continue pushing for more education, stricter animal protection laws, and above all, a world where Staffordshire Bull Terriers, like all dogs, are celebrated for the loving companions they are.