What the official standard says
FCI standard no. 76 for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier lists the permitted colours precisely. Allowed are:
- Red
- Fawn
- White
- Black
- Blue
- Each of these with or without white
- Any shade of brindle, with or without white
The standard is equally clear about what is not permitted: black and tan (black with brown markings) and the liver colour. A dog of these colours, though it may be an excellent companion, does not conform to the breed standard.
Black — elegant and always in style
Solid black is one of the most loved and striking colours of the breed: a smooth, glossy, even coat that highlights the Staffy's typical musculature. It can appear as solid black or black with white (markings on the chest, toes, muzzle).
It is a colour that fully conforms to the standard and is much sought after. Our current litter is in fact an all-black litter.
Brindle — the timeless classic
Brindle is perhaps the most iconic colour of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier: a fawn or reddish base crossed by dark striping, in endless shades. The standard allows any shade of brindle, from light to very dark (so-called "black brindle", so heavy it looks almost black).
It can be solid brindle or brindle and white (with markings). It is a colour full of charm and deeply tied to the history of the breed.
Fawn and red — from honey to copper
Fawn covers the shades from cream/honey to golden beige, while red ranges from copper to an intense brick tone. Both are allowed with or without white. They are warm, bright colours, much appreciated. These dogs often have a darker facial mask.
White and pied
White is allowed, as are all colour + white combinations. Predominantly white dogs with coloured patches are often called pied. They conform to the standard and can be very striking.
The blue case: beauty and caution
Blue is a slate-grey that comes from a dilution gene acting on black. It is present in the standard, so it is an allowed colour. However, it should be understood for what it is, honestly.
The diluted gene that produces blue is associated, in a proportion of dogs, with colour dilution alopecia (CDA), a skin condition that can cause hair loss and dermatitis. Not all blue dogs suffer from it, but the risk exists and is linked precisely to the dilution.
For this reason serious breeders treat blue with great caution and avoid matings between two diluted dogs (blue × blue), considered problematic from a health point of view. Be wary of anyone who promotes blue as a "rare and precious colour" at a high price while ignoring the health aspects: health comes before aesthetics.
🏆 Our approach to colours
At our Del Piccolo Diavolo kennel the choice of breeding dogs always starts from health and breed type, not from the "fashion" of a colour. We select colours that conform to the standard, with parents tested for L2-HGA and HC, and we avoid risky diluted matings. A lovely colour on a healthy, typey dog is worth infinitely more than a "rare" colour obtained at the expense of welfare.
Does colour affect temperament?
No: this is a myth to dispel. The coat colour has no relationship with the temperament of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. A black, brindle or fawn dog can be equally sweet and balanced. Temperament depends on the parents' genetics, on socialisation and on how the puppy is raised — not on the shade of the coat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rarest Staffordshire Bull Terrier colour?
Among the permitted colours, blue is the least common because it comes from a diluted gene. Be careful, though: "rarity" is often used as a sales lever to raise the price, ignoring that blue carries possible health risks (dilution alopecia). A rare colour is not a value in itself: what counts is health, breed type and the correctness of the breeding.
Is black and tan permitted?
No. The FCI standard expressly excludes black and tan and the liver colour. A dog with these coats does not conform to the breed standard, even if it can be an excellent companion. The presence of these colours may indicate crosses or non-pure lines.
Is a blue dog less healthy than the others?
Not necessarily, but the dilution gene that produces blue is associated in a proportion of dogs with colour dilution alopecia (CDA), a skin condition. This is why responsible breeders avoid matings between two diluted dogs and treat blue with caution, putting health before aesthetics.
Does the coat colour change as the dog grows?
The base colour stays the same, but the shades can become better defined with growth. Brindle puppies, for example, show sharper striping as they grow, and black dogs can lighten slightly in the sun. The structure of the colour, however, is genetically determined at birth.
Does colour affect the price of the puppy?
In a serious kennel, no: the price reflects the selection, the health, the genetic tests and the pedigree, not the "fashion" of a colour. If a seller asks much more for a "rare" colour (typically blue), that is a warning sign. Find out what to check before getting a puppy.