A Staffie loves people with everything they've got. The wag starts at the tail and takes the whole back half with it, the mouth opens into that wide Staffie grin, and they lean into your legs as hard as they can. Owners describe a strong, solid little dog who was soft as anything at home and wanted to be under the duvet by bedtime.
The breed comes from the Black Country and Staffordshire, bred in the 1800s from bulldogs and terriers. Their history is rough, but the modern Staffie is a family dog through and through, and one of the breeds you see most often in British rescue centres. A lot of owners got theirs from a rescue and say the dog chose them.
Each Small Goodbyes portrait comes in oil, watercolour, charcoal, line or pastel, with a free preview before you pay, and is made to order for your Staffie. If a friend has lost their Staffie, see our dog memorial gifts.
| Kennel Club group | Terrier |
|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth, UK | 11.3 years (Royal Veterinary College, 2022) |
| Coats you see most | red, fawn, white, black, blue and brindle, often with a white chest |
| Styles that suit | oil for brindle and black; pastel or watercolour for red and fawn |
What owners remember
The grin, more than anything. Then the wiggle when you came home, the sigh as they settled against you, and the snoring. Staffies are clowns and cuddlers: they'll steal your spot the second you stand up and then look surprised you want it back. Many owners also talk about how gentle theirs was with children, and how wrong strangers were about the breed.
Choosing the photo
The grin is what most families want, so look for a photo with the mouth relaxed and open. A Staffie's head is broad, and a front-on photo at their level shows the shape best. Dark brindle and black coats lose detail in harsh sun, so choose a photo taken in shade or near a window.
Which style suits a Staffie
Oil brings out the stripes in a brindle coat and the shine on a black one. Pastel and watercolour suit red and fawn and make a softer picture. Charcoal works well for blue Staffies, where the drawing builds the coat from greys.
If they came from a rescue
Rescue Staffies often arrive with a past their owners never fully knew. Many families find the picture they want is from the first year, when the dog finally relaxed. Others choose a photo from the end, when they'd been safe and loved for years. Either way, the portrait is made from the photo you send.
If it has only just happened, the first few days are on our dog memorial portraits page, and our guide to pet grief is there when you want it.