Article II
This article was published in the Winter 1997 issue of the "Staff
Status" magazine.
WHY DO WE WORSHIP THE BULL AND SACRIFICE THE TERRIER
By
Carolyn Stewart
I think that the old-timers such as Cockney Charlie Lloyd, Joe Dunn, H.N.
Beilby, Joe Mallen, and J.T. Barnard would think we have lost our way.
The men who formed the first Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club worked
their dogs and showed them. They firmly and always held to the belief
that a dog should look like it could do what it was bred to do. Since
they had practical experience, they knew how a dog should be constructed in
order to get the job done. They had this in mind when they wrote the
first breed standard in 1935.
Although sixty-two years have passed, and a new breed standard has been
adopted, there have been no significant changes that would effect the
over all function of the dog other than the height to weight ratio. The
original standard called for dogs to be 13 inches to 18 inches tall.
However, the weight of 28 - 38 pounds in relation to height, still applies, and
nonconformity with these limits is a fault. If we actually followed the
current standard this weight would probably be all right for a show
dog, but a bit on the heavy side for a fighting dog.
Since the abolition of dog fighting, Staffords have continued to grow in
popularity to the public and dog fancy. Bill Boylan, one of the
old-timers, felt that dog showing would be the death knell for the
Stafford. He knew that there are always those breeders and show enthusiasts
whom might be called "exaggerationists" who when told that a
Stafford should have a wide skull, short and strong and muscular body,
would breed and show a dog with an extremely wide skull, and short, low
stationed, thick body.
Too many of the top winning show dogs enter the ring with a fault -- they
do not conform to the standard. Both in the height to weight ratio and
in appearance (they do not look like they could do the job they were
bred to do).
Today, we are seeing show specimens that may be 16 inches in height, but
are weighing 46 - 50 pounds or more. At that height to weight ratio,
they would not have the agility or endurance of a fighting dog. I read
a description of the Stafford that stated they should be envisioned as
a tank in battle, with all the functions of a tank. A tank may be able to
climb hills, crush objects by sheer weight, track through water, etc...
But a tank is a ponderous piece of equipment, and compared to other
equipment used in battle, is more difficult to maneuver. If the
old-timers who actually fought their dogs felt that a tank like dog could win
in the pit, they would have bred them that way -- they didn't. They wanted a
dog that was quick on it's feet, able to spin on it's hindquarters,
dodge teeth, lunge forward in an instant, and not run out of gas.
Why do we worship the Bull and sacrifice the Terrier? True strength and
agility have always been the cornerstone of the Staffordshire Bull
Terrier. When we talk of strength we do not imply the strength of the
old massive Bulldog, but rather the graceful balanced strength of the
Bull and Terrier. When we talk of agility what we mean is power - the power
of free and rapid motion,
Since dog fighting is no longer an appropriate lifestyle for the
Staffordshire Bull Terrier, his popularity as a loving and faithful
companion continues to grow. When bred to the standard, today's
Stafford is active and energetic. He loves to ride in the car, go hiking, jogging,
back packing and delights in sharing in his families activities. Although
gentle and sweet by nature he can and will protect his human family, if
duty calls.
Thankfully, there are still some breeders who have managed to ignore the
dictates of fashion and continue to breed Staffordshire Bull Terriers
that are true to type. They are the real backbone of the breed for they
have taken this pugilistic warrior and turned him into a wonderful
modern athlete.
By: Carolyn Stewart
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THE TYPE THAT WE PREFER
Active, agile and possessing a lot of stamina. A good
balance of Bull and Terrier.
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THE OTHER TYPE
Heavy, cloddy type of dog - more Bulldog than Bull and
Terrier.
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