How similar are Staffy Bull Terriers to English Bull Terriers? Need input please

Back ground on myself. I currently have a two year old male English Bull Terrier Apollo. He was hell on wheels as a puppy I got him at 10 weeks but he slowly has turned into a great dog even though he still has energy for days which can be hard to burn off. I am working with a few very reputable Staffy breeders that have been breeding/showing for over 15 plus years to find the perfect female Staffy puppy that will fit into my family and get along with Apollo. All of the breeders I am working with have tested the parents or grandparents and they were found clear of L-2-hga, hereditary cataracts, and other medical issues. Apollo also came from a very reputable English Bull Terrier breeder and has grown into a great dog who loves everyone he meets, doesn't have a mean bone in his body, has non stop energy that wears out 99% of other dogs, and he goes to the dog park daily with zero aggression issues. I did a lot of basic/advanced puppy classes with Apollo along with obedience classes and did non stop daily socialization when he was a puppy. I plan to do the exact same with my future female Staffy puppy.

My main questions are:

How different is raising a Staffy compared to an English Bull Terrier from a puppy to an adult? Examples like crate/house training, walking on a leash? to basic commands? and puppy biting?
Do Staffys and English Bull Terriers have similar personalities? affection levels? energy levels? and outlooks on life as a breed in general?
Since I raised Apollo an English Bull terrier from a puppy to an adult will that make things easier with my future female Staffy puppy? Does that Bull and Terrier training pass over to my Staffy?
Apollo is a mile a minute if he isn't sleeping on my lap or giving affections he is full speed ahead. What kind of Staffy puppy personality will match him and my family the best?
What are the biggest differences aside from size in the Staffy and English Bull Terrier?
Are Staffys more prone to dog aggression than English Bull Terriers?
Are there any specific Staffy questions I should ask these breeders I am working with aside from the temperament, family tree, and medical history of the parents? All of the breeders show and are heavily involved in the national Staffy club here.
What should I completely avoid in a Staffy breeder and puppy?
Overall what are some of the most important things I will have to do with my new female Staffy puppy that is different from other breeds? Thanks

Hi! Is this Nayan? If so, I was chatting to you on the forum facebook page! Appologies if not!

I walk with Theia and a large group of english bull terriers on a regular basis. From chatting with the owners of the bull terriers, they are very much the same with regards to energy levels! Either snoring soundly, or full tilt!!
Staffies aren't predisposed to dog aggression, any more than any other breed, especially when you socialise them well (which it sounds like you have with Apollo). They are eager to learn, and please, which makes training fairly easy if you find what motivates them, we have found this with Theia. We also put the hard work in while she was a young pup, and it continues now (she is 15 months). Crate and house training was a breeze, and she walks well on the lead. Her recall is also fab. You will need to be firm and consistent with the training, occasion stubbornness isn't unheard of, but I think you already are!
Personality wise, staffies are generally uber friendly towards people, and will welcome visitors to your home with open arms!
In my opinion, if you do the same with a staffy that you have done with Apollo, you should end up with a very well adjusted dog. And having a role model for a pup would be quite useful as she will learn from him.
After just re reading your post, you have answered a lot of your own question with regard to breeders and dog health. I would always prefer a breeder who has the dogs in the home rather than a kennel setting, and someone who isn't overbreeding their dogs.
Look for a confident and curious puppy, but not the trouble maker of a litter!
I hope this helps a little, but I am confident that you could raise a Stafford to be a wonderful companion for you and Apollo.
Lynn x

Lynn thanks so much for all the great information you posted! It must be a small world because I did contact you through facebook in my quest to learn everything about the Staffy breed. I have read anything and everything I could find online about Staffys but know the owners are the best resources so posted on this forum.

Its really nice to see someone fully researching a breed that they are interested in!
Not sure if anyone else on here has an EBT as well as a staffie, but I might not have spotted them!
There are tons of links on this forum too, though I suspect you have already been through the site with a fine tooth comb!!
I think it's about time you posted a picture of Apollo too!
Lynn x

I can't offer any better advice than that already posted above. I also know an EBT but to be honest his training hasn't been that great and I think he might be a bit slow on the uptake so we don't walk together as he's a real handful.

Lynne is spot on with the training of a Staffy and the socialisation.

Welcome to the Forum

Suki is an AmStaff and she is great with people and other dogs so I think the personalities are the same. The only difference I can think of is weight and strength.

Hiya! Another that's glad to see people doing breed research. I've trained both EBT's and SBT's - I absolutely love EBT's but do find them more challenging than our Staffords. They're probably the funniest breed I've come across - always acting a clown and trying to entertain. Some of the laziest couch potatoes I have met have been EBT's, but in general I think they're about on a level with SBT's energy wise and also affection wise. I think they may be the most stubborn of the bull breeds. There are definitely similarities - boisterousness, silliness, little love bugs. I think SBT's are slightly more people oriented though, and therefore easier to train - EBT's have more of a tendency to do their own thing. You will be much more succeful trick training etc with an SBT, they seem to be a little brighter.

Ebt and staffies have a similar temprement ebt eyesight isnt as good as a staffies. Thats all i know

Have to echo what Jstaff and Rachel have said. we used to have an admin a while back that had EBT's and I have a friend with two. my observations are that an EBT are slightly more stubborn as they are more free thinkers while a staffy will will aim to please and the decide if they liked the experience or not afterwards. staffords can be a little bit goofy and puppy like which reflects in the playtime. either way they are a well matched breed to have together with an EBT.

The only thing you have to watch for really is the old green eyed monster, that's the only thing that will spoil anything really, but that goes for any dogs really. Females tend to end up ruling the roost in general.
Bull Terrier tricks. They look pretty similar don't they.

I can't add to anything anyone else has said breed wise, but a few thoughts on breeders.

I think by going to a reputable breeder you'll be avoiding a lot of the problems staffies suffer from which, to a large part, come down to how they are treated and handled as young pups. Far too many are sold too young - as young as 4 weeks - which leads to all sorts of behavioural problems. If you do come across a breeder who will sell at anything less than 8 weeks, walk away.

Ask about how the pups are kept and how they are weaned. Steer clear of early weaning unless it's for the health of the mum or pups, and steer clear of puppies kept on their own. I personally would always perfer a breeder who keeps their dogs as balanced, well socialised pets, not in outside kennels etc., as that will ensure that the puppies are well handled too.

Importantly, I would also look for a breeder who breeds for temperament above looks. Make sure both parents if possible are well balanced, happy dogs without excessive fears or shyness.

But, when it comes down to it you get such variation within a litter that choosing which puppy is really the key. I do think that the puppy you first see will be the dog you get. The pushy puppy becomes the pushy dog, the nervous pup the nervous dog.

It sounds to me like you have your head so well screwed on in the right direction that you'll be fine. So much staffie 'aggression' is due to worry, not getting the early socialisation, training issues, etc, rather than them being aggressive dogs. I personally think they are sensitive dogs who tip over the edge quite quickly, and whose breeding/instinct then leads them to what looks like aggression.

Please come and introduce your new girl when you get her, I think we're all intrigued to see who you pick after all the great research.

Having owned both, the main thing I would say in my experience, would be that my EBT was slightly higher strung than the staffies I've had.

Max was a complete f**ker as a pup, and tested us all to very close to breaking point .. but he's all brawn and no brains, and isn't the sharpest tool in the shed bless him so we could eventually bribe him with stuff

Baron (my EBT) on the other hand, loved to strop, and sometimes looked at us like he had already decided he was going to play us up today the bugger, and he was a big lad and very fit ... saying that, after having 3 bull breeds now, I would have another EBT tomorrow to be honest

I was just wondering why you don't just get a female English?