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The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (above, American Champion Donnellas Quite a Boy) is a dog designed to fight; he was bred in the 18th and 19th centuries by crossing terriers with Bulldogs to produce an agile and immensely powerful dog. He would be pitted (the fight arenas were called 'pits') against bulls, bears or an equally matched dog, and the most successful Staffordshire Bull Terriers could earn their owners a lot of money. There is a report of a dogfight at the Westminster Pit in 1823 where two dogs fought for an hour and fifty minutes, the winning owner taking 40 guineas home. Bull and bear baiting became illegal in 1835, but dog-fighting continued throughout the rest of the century and it was not until 1911 that dog fighting became illegal. Although they were extremely vicious when fighting, Staffordshire Bull Terriers were also family dogs and any sign of poor temperament in the home meant that they were disposed of; so although he can be argumentative with other dogs he is an exceptional family dog and the Breed Standard describes him as "highly intelligent and affectionate, especially with children". It is his great misfortune to be confused with the Pit Bull Terrier, a dog which bears a superficial resemblance to him, but has nothing in the way of the kindly, eager to please Staffie expression. Surprisingly, the Staffordshire Bull Terrieris not reliable as a guard dog; he has been so carefully bred to be reliable with people that it is not in his nature to warn them off. However, he has an unfairly earned reputation of being aggressive, so unwelcome visitors tend to be deterred by his presence. This has led to him being singled out in many countries where Breed Specific Legislation is being or has been introduced against dangerous dogs; there is some particularly draconian legislation in the pipeline in some Canadian Provinces where prohibited breeds can be seized and used for laboratory experimentation. A totally reliable breed unless they are ill-treated, they need their friends to stand up for them. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a very popular dog in the show ring - the Staffordshire was recognised the The Kennel Club in 1935 - though he retains every ounce of his powerful muscularity and has certainly not become effete. He comes in almost all colours, solid or with white or any shade of brindle, but black and tan and liver are highly undesirable. This could be because a famous fighting dog, Bridget, was mismated to a black and tan street dog and the subsequent progeny were all cowards, and it is said "nearly ruined the fighting dogs of London". A delightful dog in the house, but caution needs to be exercised when he meets dogs unknown to him. To read the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Standard click here.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breeders
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Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Clubs
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue and Rehoming Dorset Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue
Mrs D Dennet Dorset 01202 699198
Downlands Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club Rescue Service
Pat Pritchard (Co-ordinator) Surrey 020 8641 2786
Leicestershire Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue
Mrs Norma Vann 01664 840570
North Eastern Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club Rescue
Mrs A Hubery 01388 608763
Northern Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue
Bob Whittall (Co-ordinator) 01229 465791 Email
Anna Murray (Hon. Secretary) 07747 831 293 Email Website
Scottish Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue
Mrs K Hamilton 01620 850298 or 07775 875993
Tracie Warren 0131 458 4318 Email Website
South Eastern Counties Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue
John & Gwen Laker 01227 471647
South Wales Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue
Mrs C Pascoe 01792 423021
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue
Mrs F B Green 01204 573942
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue/Rehoming
Mrs J Mason 01273 418081
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