On the whole the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a relatively healthy breed.
 
Current known conditions within the breed for which testing is available, and for which you should expect at the very least to know the status of with regard to any puppy purchased, are L2HGA, HC-HSF4-2, PHPV/PPSC and Elbow Dysplasia*(ED).

*In 2025 the Kennel Club introduced a new 'Breed Health Standard'. This standard will evolve depending on results and potential emerging conditions specific to the breed.

Included alongside DNA testing for L2HGA, HC-HSF-4-2 and eye screening for PHPV/PPSC is a new test for the breed, deemed 'Best Practice' for Elbow Scoring.

This is on the basis that abroad the statistics for SBT's diagnosed with ED is considered high enough to review and monitor in the UK. I have carried this out on all my breeding bitches and puppies I have kept/shown as I have always considered this to be worth doing.

As below, ED can be particularly painful and lead to arthritis. I like to know that before I enter into conditioning and doing any form of sports with my dogs, that their joints are sound and that doing increased activities will not exasperate any potential problems for them in the future.

I have also included information on non-breed specific conditions which in some cases can be relatively common, including pyometra (which is a potentially life threatening condition in bitches) and skin allergies.

In 2023 we enrolled the breed into the Cambridge University BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) Research and are awaiting published results for this. Sadly there are cases of respiratory problems in some SBT's and it would be great to address this as a breed to ensure those cases do not become more frequent. Below is a great link to their website which provides detailed information on BOAS.

About BOAS | Department of Veterinary Medicine
 
If you are looking at buying a puppy and want to check the health status of the parents they can be found online on the Kennel Club Health Tests Results Finder Page. If using the Registered Name of the dog to search for results you must ensure you enter it exactly as it is recorded including any punctuation if applicable >>> Kennel Club Health Test Finder

For general health and clinic information find us on Facebook  SBT Health | Facebook
 
L-2-HGA (L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria)
 
ONE TO WATCH >>> Madge - an L-2-HGA affected Staffordshire Bull Terrier
   

L-2-HGA is a metabolic disorder where acid levels in urine are not metabolised correctly and this causes changes in the grey matter in the brain. Symptoms can become apparent at an early age and range in severity. They can include but are not limited to, an unsteady gait, fits, cramps and acting abnormally, all which can be very distressing to witness. Although the symptoms can appear at any time it is most commonly apparent between 6 months and 1 year of age.

A dog may be a 'carrier' of the disorder and will show no symptoms. If two carriers (who show no signs of the disorder themselves) are mated this can produce affected puppies.
 
Fortunately due to the dedication of people involved in the breed and the works of the Animal Health Trust there is a DNA test available so breeders know whether dogs are carriers of the disorder and thus ensure that puppies will not be affected. Anybody who has the breed at heart will make sure any dogs they breed from are either tested or hereditary clear.
 

I would personally recommend the Canine Genetics Centre for DNA testing. Costing less than £73 it is a small amount to pay to ensure the future health of your puppies. Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bundle | Canine Genetic Testing

Some of the team involved with this organisation were the original founders of the genetic tests we have available today and all monies they receive go toward further genetic research.   

HC-HSF4-2 (Hereditary Cataract)
 
This is an inherited condition which was recognised in the breed in the late 1970's. If a puppy is affected it will become apparent within a few weeks to a couple of months of age, so it is possible you could collect a healthy looking puppy to soon discover it will be blind within 2 to 3 years.
 
As with L-2-HGA parents can be carriers and without being tested it is possible they can produce affected puppies. As mentioned above there is a DNA test available so to know the health status prior to breeding.
 
PHPV (Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous)

With this condition the eye of the unborn puppy does not develop normally, blood vessels which help develop the lens of the eye are not re-absorbed as they should be and results in deposits on the lens which can result in mild vision impairment to severe (blindness) depending on the grade or severity of the condition. Outside the UK it is graded 1 - 6 with 6 being the most severely affected. In the UK it is either 'unaffected' or 'affected'.

Although it can be operated on it is a serious operation and can be both traumatic and very expensive. At this moment in time there is no test available and the mode of inheritance unknown, but being congenital (existing at birth) means it is detectible from 6 weeks of age by eye screening. It is not progressive so will not worsen. 

Reputable breeders will litter screen their puppies prior to placing in homes so their status is known.

For further information: PHPV - Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous
 
PPSC (Posterior Polar Subcapsular Cataract)
This type of cataract presents as an area of degenerative and malformed lens fibres that form an opacity in the central posterior subcapsular area of the lens. The mode of inheritance is unknown and it can present at any age of the dogs life. It is for this reason at this present time it is recommended to screen any breeding stock annually.

Elbow Dysplasia

As mentioned above this was introduced as a 'Best Practice' test for SBT's in 2025.

The condition itself is one where the elbow joint doesn't develop properly, often leading to pain, instability and osteoarthritis. It affects the growth of cartilage and structures around the elbow. It is believed there is a strong genetic link and environmental factors can also influence, such as severe obesity and particularly excessive exercise as a young puppy.

Signs & Symptoms

• Forelimb lameness (Limping and discomfort when walking, especially after rest or exercise.)
• Reduced range of motion in the elbow
• Head bobbing (when walking)
• Pain (shown when moving the elbow)
• Excessive turn out of paws (Please note a slight turnout is expected in the SBT, but beyond this it may indicate abnormal joint alignment.)

Grading is from 0 to 3, the highest side scored is taken as the overall grading, with 0 being the optimum score, showing no signs of dysplasia.
  

Luxating Patella
   

In layman's terms this is a condition where the dogs kneecap pops out of place and is mostly evident when a dog 'hops' with its back legs. (Attempting to move it back into place.)

***UK SCORING SCHEME SET UP***

I hoped to be able to set up a scheme for scoring and recording the results in the UK and am pleased to announce on 18th July 2020 this was achieved! (Please contact gemma@illori.co.uk for a copy of the form.)

This isn’t mandatory, but is a useful tool available cheaply for anybody who chooses to do so. By scoring your own dogs you can build up a history of the health of them.

 
The scoring needs to be carried out by a competent vet and is a manual examination of the patella.

It is graded 0 - 4 as below:

PUTNAM (1968) SCORING SYSTEM
(Dogs must be at least 12 months of age and micro-chipped at the time of testing.)
Excessive force should not be used when manipulating the patella.
 
Grade 0 - Normal

Grade 1 - The patella luxates manually but spontaneously returns to the trochlea when released.

Grade 2 - The patella luxates spontaneously or on manipulation and remains luxated at a certain angle of the stifle joint. It is either spontaneously reduced on active flexion or extension or can be manually reduced by the examiner.

Grade 3 - The patella remains luxated most of the time but can be manually reduced. However, relaxation occurs spontaneously.
Grade 4 - The patella is permanently luxated and cannot be manually repositioned.
 
I do not currently have a list of recommended vets but will look to collate one over time from those submitted. On enquiring with those involved in breeds that already do this it seems most vets tend to do it for free when there is already an appointment, or will charge £10 to complete it. (So basically a routine appointment fee and possibly £10 on top.)

Further information can be found here: Luxating patella

Pyometra
 
This is an infection in un-spayed bitches which if un-treated can be fatal.
 
Pyometra – literally ‘pus in the womb’ – presents with a range of signs, from the obvious (thick creamy pus discharging from the vulva) known as an open pyometra, to the subtle (loss of appetite) a closed pyometra.
 
Symptoms can include increased thirst, a swollen abdomen, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue and depression, possibly accompanied by an obvious fever, typically it occurs between one and three months after her season. HOWEVER there may be very few signs, particularly in such a hardy breed as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and it could be they just seem 'off colour' and less lively.
 
Most vets will advise surgical removal of the infected uterus when it’s safe to do so. However, unlike spaying, an emergency pyometra procedure carries a high risk from infected tissues and thus is far more complicated and expensive than a normal spay. This alone is a reason to consider spaying any bitch which is not to be used for breeding. 

Allergic Reactions

 These can manifest in any breed, but it is always worth knowing what to look for. Below are pictures I took of Echo when she reacted to something (still unknown) in November 2011. She has never had it since so we wonder if she was stung or bitten by something.

Below you can see the swelling in her face and lips and her eyes were closing, this was the first thing I noticed. 

Hours later, the swelling had gone on her face but the hives had appeared, which can be itchy. At this point she had been given piriton and was more comfortable. All signs of the reaction were gone within approximately 24hrs. The advice I was given by my vet was to give a piriton and watch to ensure her breathing wasn't compromised by the swelling. The piriton can be repeated, but please contact your vet for further advice about this. It is worth keeping anti-histamines in your house so they are always readily available.