Best treats for Staffies: A simple guide for strong, loving Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Staffies are one of Britain's best-loved breeds – and anyone who's shared a sofa with one knows why. They're affectionate, cheerful, people-loving and full of energy, with jaws made for serious chewing. That combination means treats and chews play a big part in a happy Staffy's life. This guide explains the best treats for Staffies, from tasty training rewards to long-lasting chews, how much to give, and how to use treats to keep a clever, busy Staffy content.

At a glance:

Strong jaws need suitable chews: Choose long-lasting, natural chews sized for a powerful chewer, and always supervise.

Small, tasty rewards for training: Staffies love food, so tiny meaty pieces make training easy.

Keep them busy: Brain games with treats help keep boredom chewing at bay.

Watch the waistline: Staffies are muscular, but extra treats can soon add up.

In this guide:

• What makes Staffies different?
• What to look for in treats for Staffies
• The best types of treats for Staffies
• Chews for Staffies
• Using treats to train your Staffy
• Common treat mistakes with Staffies
• Treats for Staffy puppies
• How many treats should a Staffy have?
• Choosing the best treats for Staffies

What makes Staffies different?

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a muscular, medium-sized terrier with a big heart. The Kennel Club lists the breed's exercise needs as up to an hour a day, though many active Staffies happily do more.

A few things to know when choosing treats:

• They love people. Staffies are famously affectionate and often very food-motivated, which makes reward-based training a joy.
• They're strong chewers. Staffies have powerful jaws, so flimsy chews and toys don't last long.
• They need mental work. Animal Friends notes that Staffies may chew furniture when they don't have enough to keep their minds busy.
• They can be sensitive. Some Staffies have sensitive tummies or skin, so simple treats with short ingredient lists can help.
• They're muscular, not chunky. A fit Staffy has a clear waist – extra treats can hide it quickly.

What to look for in treats for Staffies

The best treats for Staffies are:

• Tasty and meaty. Staffies tend to love strong, meaty flavours.
• Easy to break. Tiny pieces for training, so you can reward often.
• Simple. One meat or fish makes it easy to know what your dog is eating – handy if your Staffy has a sensitive tummy.
• Grain-free with no added nasties. No artificial colours, flavours or fillers.
• Robust chews. For chewing time, choose natural chews sized for a strong chewer.

The best types of treats for Staffies

Training treats

Everyday rewards for recall, loose lead walking and good manners. Our Meaty Bites are small, tasty and ideal for training – every pack is 100% one meat.

High value treats

Every Staffy has a favourite. Strong-tasting meats like venison or wild boar are often top of the list. Save these for recall, busy places and the moments that matter most.

Simple treats for sensitive tummies

If your Staffy has a sensitive tummy, choose treats with a single protein and introduce new ones slowly. Our sensitive stomach dog treats are a gentle place to start.

Treats for brain games

Scatter feeding, snuffle mats and puzzle toys turn a few tiny treats into a long, satisfying activity – perfect for a busy Staffy brain.

Chews for Staffies

Chewing is a natural, satisfying behaviour, and Staffies love it. The right chew can help your dog relax and keep their jaws busy on something you're happy for them to chew.

Look for chews that are:

• Long-lasting – a powerful chewer will make short work of anything soft.
• The right size – big enough that it can't be swallowed whole. Take it away once it's small enough to swallow.
• Natural – simple ingredients you understand.

Our yak chews are made from yak milk, long-lasting and rawhide-free. Always supervise your dog with any chew, and count chews as part of their daily treats.

Our guide to long lasting dog chews explains how to choose a safe size. If your Staffy is chewing things they shouldn't, our guide on how to stop your dog chewing everything can help.

Using treats to train your Staffy

Staffies are clever, keen and eager to please – especially when food's involved.

• Short, fun sessions. Five minutes at a time keeps your Staffy focused.
• Reward calm greetings. Staffies love people so much they can be very bouncy. Reward four paws on the floor.
• Practise loose lead walking. A strong dog pulling is hard work – reward your Staffy for walking by your side.
• Build a great recall. Use your best treats, and practise in safe, enclosed areas first.
• Teach "leave it" and "drop it". Useful for any dog, and especially for a strong chewer.
• Use treats around other dogs. Reward calm behaviour when you see other dogs on walks.

Miss Dixie isn't a Staffy, but she shares their love of a good cuddle. A tiny treat for settling calmly next to us has done more for her manners than any amount of telling.

Common treat mistakes with Staffies

• Chews that are too small. A strong chewer can swallow pieces whole. Size up, and take chews away once they get small.
• Too many "just because" treats. Staffies are experts at looking hopeful. Save treats for things you want to see more of.
• Treats that are too big for training. Large biscuits slow training down and add up fast.
• Leaving chews unsupervised. Always stay nearby while your dog chews.
• Changing treats too often. If your Staffy has a sensitive tummy, introduce one new treat at a time.
• Not enough brain work. A bored Staffy will find their own entertainment – usually on your skirting boards.

Treats for Staffy puppies

Staffy puppies are bundles of energy and teeth.

• Choose small, soft pieces. Little mouths and short sessions.
• Check age guidance. Make sure any treat or chew suits your puppy's age.
• Give them something to chew. Teething puppies need suitable chew toys – supervise and offer swaps when they chew the wrong thing.
• Socialise kindly. Use treats to help your puppy feel good about new people, dogs and places.
• Teach calm early. Reward your puppy for settling, not just for doing tricks.

How many treats should a Staffy have?

PDSA recommends that treats make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily food, with their meals reduced to match.

• Break treats into small pieces. Your Staffy values the reward, not the size.
• Count chews. Long-lasting chews count towards the daily total too.
• Use part of their meals. Kibble works well for brain games and easy training.
• Check their shape. You should be able to feel your Staffy's ribs and see a waist.

If your dog has a health condition, is on medication or you're worried about a change in them, please speak to your vet first.

Choosing the best treats for Staffies

The best treats for Staffies are tasty, simple and suited to a strong, busy dog. A good starting kit is:

• Small, meaty treats for everyday training.
• A high value favourite for recall and busy places.
• A long-lasting natural chew for quiet time.
• A few tiny treats for brain games.

Our air-dried treats are natural, grain-free and come in single proteins, which many owners of sensitive dogs prefer. Rotating two or three proteins keeps your Staffy interested and gives you a clear favourite for the hardest moments.

Summary:

The best treats for Staffies are tasty, simple and easy to break for training, with long-lasting natural chews for their strong jaws. Use brain games to keep a busy Staffy content, supervise all chews, and keep treats to no more than about 10% of your dog's daily food. Simple, single-protein treats are a good choice if your Staffy has a sensitive tummy.

FAQs:

Q1: What treats do Staffies like best?

Most Staffies love meaty treats, especially stronger-tasting proteins like venison or wild boar. Try a few and see which gets the biggest reaction, then save that one for training and tricky moments.

Q2: What chews are safe for Staffies?

Choose long-lasting, natural chews that are big enough not to be swallowed whole, and always supervise. Take the chew away once it's small enough to swallow.

Q3: Are Staffies food motivated?

Most are very food motivated, which makes training with treats easy and fun. It also means it's important to keep an eye on portions.

Q4: What are the best treats for Staffy puppies?

Small, soft treats that suit your puppy's age. Use them for training, socialising and rewarding calm behaviour, and give suitable chew toys for teething.

Q5: How many treats can a Staffy have a day?

PDSA recommends treats make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily food. Count chews as part of that, and reduce meals to match.

Q6: Why does my Staffy chew everything?

Chewing is natural, and Staffies love it. Boredom, too little exercise or teething can make it worse. Give suitable chews, plenty of brain games and exercise, and reward your dog for chewing the right things.

Ready to keep your Staffy busy? Try our Natural Yak Chew – long-lasting, rawhide-free and made from yak milk.

This guide is general information to help you care for your dog. It isn't a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your dog's individual needs.