Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix: Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
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The Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier is a mix between the beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback and the popular Staffordshire Terrier. Both breeds are smart and can be sociable, which makes for well-rounded mixed-breed puppies. These pups are strong, athletic, and loyal dogs that are great at various tasks, including hunting, agility, and even servicing those with disabilities. They can also be great family pets.
Are you thinking about bringing home this mixed breed as a household companion, or are just interested in the breed overall? Either way, you’ve come to the right place! Here is everything that you need to know about the Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix.
| Height: | 16–26 inches |
| Weight: | 35–80 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–13 years |
| Colors: | Brown, black, white markings |
| Suitable for: | Active families, singles, outdoor life, adventurous lifestyles |
| Temperament: | Loyal, intelligent, curious, explorative, adventurous |
The Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Terrier were both originally bred for different reasons. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred in South Africa to hunt large animals like lions, which is why they were previously known as the African Lion Hound. The Staffordshire Terrier was bred to fight and bait big animals like bears in Great Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries. A mix of these two breeds results in a robust, agile, athletic, muscular dog that also tends to get along well in family situations.
Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix Puppies
The typical Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix puppy is highly energetic and loves to explore their surroundings and bond with their human companions. That said, these mixed-breed puppies can be quite timid and need a bit of reassurance when it comes to being confident in their surroundings.
Noises, visitors, and abrupt changes (even subtle ones) in the household environment can frighten the average Rhodesian Staffordshire pup. If not desensitized to daily sounds and activities, these dogs can grow into defensive and aloof dogs as adults. Even as puppies, from about 12 weeks old, these dogs require light daily exercise for optimal health and happiness.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix
These mixed-breed dogs are a delight to spend time with. They are extremely smart and tend to catch on to cues quickly. Potty training is typically easy, as these tend to be clean dogs that don’t want to infiltrate their surroundings with urine and feces.
As for temperament, these dogs are good-natured and family-oriented. They adore the attention and companionship of their human family members. They are interactive yet patient with children, and they love games like tug-of-war and fetch. They are extremely obedient and will do almost anything to please their human companions. They can feel threatened by strangers, though, in which case, they’ll typically bark as if protecting themselves, while keeping themselves well away from the action. For this reason, socialization is extremely important.
Another thing to know about this mixed breed is that they are extremely affectionate. Despite their size, they tend to think that they’re lap dogs, and it’s up to the lap owner to balance their pup and ensure that they don’t fall off!
You should take out this mixed breed on regular outdoor adventures in addition to daily neighborhood walks. These dogs enjoy swimming in the pool, lake, river, and ocean, hiking in the forest and mountains, camping, and exploring new areas on leash. The more they spend time in public areas and spaces where they will encounter new experiences, the more confident and obedient they will be in their everyday life.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Rhodesian Staffordshire pups are typically great with kids and can put up with things like excessive handling and teasing well. They tend to go with the flow and not take things to heart. That said, some of these dogs need reassurance when interacting with kids to ensure that they are “doing the right thing.” The consensus among most owners of this mixed breed is that they can get along well in a variety of different family situations and household environments.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix can get along well with other pets, but they must be socialized from a young age. Introducing new pets to this mixed breed when they aren’t used to being around other animals can result in territorial and destructive behavior. These are naturally predatorial animals, so they might have a tendency to chase smaller animals like cats. They should learn how to get along with smaller animals while they are still pups themselves and cannot cause too much damage.
Things to Know When Owning a Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix
If you are interested in adopting a Rhodesian Staffordshire Mix as a pet, there are several things that you should know to ensure that you can commit to their specific needs and wants as time goes on. Here are the most important things to keep in mind.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
This is a large dog breed that requires a quality, high-protein diet in order to thrive as they age. Provide them with age- and size-specific commercial dog food that has real meat as the first ingredient. When they’re a puppy, give them food designed specifically for large breed puppies.
As they become a teenager, slowly transition them to food specifically made for large-breed adults. This will help ensure that all their nutritional needs are met as time goes on. Things like carrots and celery sticks, broccolis stalks, and small bites of unseasoned yet well-cooked meat can be supplemental snacks and treats.
Exercise 🐕
The average Rhodesian Staffordshire mix requires at least 45 minutes of daily exercise to stay calm, happy, and healthy. These energetic dogs will get vocal and destructive if they don’t have a constructive outlet for their pent-up energy. You will know if your pup hasn’t had enough exercise because they will bark excessively until you do a physical activity of some kind with them. Take your Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix on a walk of at least 30 minutes through your neighborhood every day.
You’ll also need to dedicate another half hour or so to various activities, such as fetch, hide-and-seek, swimming, or playing at the dog park. These smart dogs love to problem solve, so providing them with things like puzzle toys and old socks tied in knots can help keep them feeling satisfied and calm during the evening hours.
Training 🎾
You should find that your Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix takes well to obedience training from a young age. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them sensitive to commands, and they never seem to want to stray far from their companions. These dogs have a high prey drive, though, so they should never be trusted off-leash in public settings where there is a possibility that they will see wild animals or stray cats.
These agile, athletic dogs can do well in agility and hunting with specialized training. If you aren’t well-versed in dog training methods, it’s a good idea to work with a professional until you feel confident in your skills.
Grooming ✂️
This mixed dog breed has a short, thin coat that does shed, even in the winter, but it does so lightly compared to other breeds like the Golden Retriever and even the Rottweiler. A good brushing twice a week is all it takes to keep their coat shiny and soft.
These dogs don’t require bathing unless they become excessively dirty from outdoor adventures. They should get enough outdoor exercise to keep their nails naturally trimmed. Brush your Rhodesian Staffordshire’s teeth at least two times a week and offer them dental chews the other days. Clean their ears a few times a month.
Health and Conditions 🏥
While the Rhodesian Staffordshire mix is generally a healthy dog, there are certain health conditions that they are susceptible to, though that is par for the course when it comes to most breeds. Susceptibility to health problems depends on things like the dog’s lineage, their diet, their exercise routine, and their overall lifestyle.
- Allergies
- Joint dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Deafness
Male vs. Female
There are not many differences between male and female Rhodesian Staffordshire mixed dogs. Males tend to be noticeably taller and stouter than females. Females seem to mature faster and can therefore be trained more easily. Overall, though, these dogs are equal when it comes to behavior and other traits.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix
1. These Dogs Can Be Shy
Despite being curious and adventurous, these dogs can be extremely shy when they are put in new situations. They might try to hide in a corner or bark their way out of the situation. Their ultimate goal is to get away from strangers and into an environment where they feel comfortable. Early socialization can greatly help with this issue.
2. These Dogs Tend to Like the Ocean
The Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier Mix seems to instinctively know how to swim and can even swim past the wave breaks in the ocean. This is a great opportunity for exercise.
3. These Dogs Are Lovers
These canines tend to be loving dogs that like to lie in laps and give big saliva-filled kisses whenever they have the opportunity.
Final Thoughts
The Rhodesian Staffordshire Terrier is a wonderful mixed dog breed that everyone should get to know. These dogs are good with kids, can live among other animals, and love nothing more than a good adventure. If you’re looking to adopt your own, make sure you meet one in person first, and understand the commitment that it takes to keep the dog happy and healthy now and in the future.
Featured Image Credit: (L) Ilona Frey, Unsplash | (R) Katie Bernotsky, Unsplash
