History:

In the beginning

Terrier: from the Latin terra meaning earth or land. Etymologically, a dog which is sent down burrows in the 'earth' after its quarry).

Formed in 1888, the Bull Terrier Club of England published a 'Breed Standard' this is a schematic for the breed if you will. This Breed Standard listed all the desirable attributes of physical development and temperament that a dog should possess.

Today, all recognised breeds have a Breed Standard, this is established and maintained by the Kennel Club and is the stand to which all responsible breeder should abide by.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was not formally recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club until the 1930s! The breed received its own class at Crufts Dog Show in 1936, which was won by Cross Gunns Johnson, owned by Joe Dunn.

It is suggested that much of the work to achieve the high-profile status of a Kennel Club breed was done at a Staffordshire fanciers meetings at the Cross Guns Hotel in Cradley Heath (this was once part of South Staffordshire before the county borders were changed). About fifty breeders met at the club and formed the Original Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, which became know as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club in 1936 following a number of complaints from the Bull Terrier Club regarding the use of the word: 'Original'!

The Southern Counties Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, (of which I am proud to be a member), held the first breed specific Staffordshire Bull Terrier Show in June 1946. Over 300 dogs were entered, demonstrating once again, the breeds popularity

Although originally bred to fight, owing many of its physical attributes to the 19th Centurary Bull Dog, the breed crossed with several other terrier breeds to create a dog with superior strength, tenacity, agility and speed. Excellent attributes for a dog expected to fight in a confined space, often known as a 'Pit'. Dog fighting is illegal and has been since the early 1900s. Sadly it still continues today perpetrated by the criminal element in our society.

Today's Stafford is a world apart from that original fighting dog and is popular on a world wide basis. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is now bred its looks, character and temperament. Our breed now competes in the Show Ring, Obedience and Field Trials, Agility Competions and is trained and works in a multiple disciplines.

The Stafford makes an excellent companion dog and, like me, the Stafford originates from an area called ''The Potteries'; Stoke-upon-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Walsall and Birmingham. This was the area in the UK where the breed was first standardised.

Unwanted!

Unfortunately today, the Stafford is often demonised as the direct result of two main factors:

Poorly informed media reports which seem to refer to any Bull Breed type as a Stafford. often in the must disturbing circumstances, linking the poor Stafford to the more aggressive fighting dog, the pit bull which is banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The disgusting and antisocial behaviour by disaffected people who select 'Bull Terrier' types as 'status animals' and use them as tools of intimidation to maintain their own 'territories'. (I was sat in Salisbury A&E, it's a long story involving my Husband who is a farmer and a sharp piece of farm equipment! Flicking though magazines I came across an article called "The Hounds of Harlesden" beautifully illustrated with cartoons. I must say it chilled me to the bone, the article was about 'low-life' intimidating residents of Harlesden with, yes you guessed it, Bull Breed dogs they had identified as Staffords! It categorised all Stafford owners myself included, as "ignorant scum"! I have requested permission to reproduce the article and will do so here if permission is granted).

The Nanny Dog

The Staffie's temperament has often made it a great friend to children and loyal to its owners.

Most Staffies are highly intelligent and active dogs that get on well with both adults and children alike; they are affectionate and dedicated, much preferring the company of humans to that of dogs.

If, like me, you live in a household with more than one adult staffie, (I have four), you get used to being greeted by a wave of affection when you return to your home. Just make sure that you never nod off on the sofa..... It's very difficult to find the remote control or to get up with four Staffies sleeping on you, and the snorring.....

In short

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has become a victim of it's own success. In addition to the responsible owners who have to give their Staffie up to a rescue, due to a change in their financial or relationship situations, and do so only as a last resort, irresponsible breeding practices coupled with people who purchase puppies via the internet or at a car boot sale on little more than a whim have lead the Stafford and Bull Terrier crosses to be in the 'Top Five' most unwanted and abandoned breeds of dog in rescue.

Statistics provided by the RSPCA show that the Stafford and Bull Terrier Crosses are the most likely breed to end up at RSPCA animal centres closely followed by Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Collies.

The RSPCA argues that the common perception of a Staffie as an aggressive dog often is a by-product of the ill-informed and irresponsible owners that are more concerned with the dog’s muscular image rather than the ownership of a pet.

RSPCA North regional superintendent David Millard, said: "Staffies have had a terrible press …our experience suggests that problems occur when bad owners exploit the Staffies' desire to please by training them to show aggression."

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