Finnish Moose Hunter
(Translation of article in Finland's largest newspaper:)
Helsingin Sanomat
November 1, 1965
STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER DOWNS MOOSE
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier, one of the rarest breeds in Finland, recently
proved herself an able moose hunter in rural Ähtäri where the 11
month old Bandits Brindadulci ("Betty") discovered a
recumbent moose and drove it successfully toward the hunters.
This is the world's first known case in which a member of this English
breed has ever even participated in a moose hunt, much less with such
success.
Betty's owner, Ähtäri resident Olavi Virpio, admitted that chance played
a part in the incident. Last Saturday while he and four other hunters
were hunting moose in the forest, Betty got scent of a moose that was
lying down about 200 meters from the group.
Betty chased the moose about 300-400 meters before driving it into firing
range. Betty has also proven herself to be an excellent bird dog and
has helped her owner bag several birds although she will not be a full
year old until the end of November.
"After another year, no doubt I'll have lots more," says Mr.
Virpio who has already had numereous offers from hunters who would like
to purchase Betty. But all offers have been firmly turned down.
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Photograph by Helsingin Sanomat photographer of an
immature Bandits Brindadulci (Betty) at
the age of 11 months, two weeks after the
moose hunt and one month before her first birthday.
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At the moment there are only six adult Staffordshire Bull Terriers in all
of Finland, one of which is a male. The breed was brought into this
country by American-born teacher Steve Stone who himself owns two
bitches as well as a recently-born litter.
Stone says that Staffordshires have been used for hunting lions in Africa
and wild boars in New Zealand.
In these northern latitutudes, the breed is still rare. There is only one
in Sweden and merely a few in Canada where moose abound, so this really
is the first time in the world that a Staffordshire has been known to
run down a moose, according to Mr. Stone.
Finland's only male Staffordshire Bull Terrier is owned by Helsinki
resident Olavi Åberg who imported it from England in 1964. The dog won
the Junior Class at his first dog show in 1965.
In Finland this terrier breed serves primarily as a companion dog,
according to the Finnish Kennel Club. However, it is known that
Smooth-Hair Fox Terriers have also participated in moose hunting.
