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The Stafford Knot, Inc. is an independent publication and not affiliated with any specific breed club. TSK is a collaborative effort from like minded Stafford enthusiasts whose common goal is to support the health testing of purebred Staffords. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove any material submitted. All material on this site is copyright protected & cannot be used unless indicated without the written consent of The Stafford Knot, Inc. Thank you.
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NOV/DEC 2012 P R O M O T I N G T H E S T A F F O R D S H I R E B U L L T E R R I E R VOL 3 ISSUE #6 FREE
CHANGINGESTIMATES
DR. CARMEN
BATTAGLIA PAGE 8
The Stafford Knot promotes Health Tested Staffords while benefiting Stafford Rescues Worldwide
Q&A
‘FIGHTING WEIGHT?’
PAGE 52
STAFF ONLY
PAGE 12
HEALTH TESTING
INFO
PAGE 58
BRAGS
PAGE 55
Cover Story on Page 4
FEATURED RESCUES
PAGE 60
ON BALANCE
JASONNICOLAIPAGE 35
PAT HASTINGS'
PUPPY PUZZLE
PAGE 22
The Stafford Knot, Inc.
SLIPPING HOCKS
PAGE 18
WORKING AND
CONDITIONING YOUR DOGS
PAGE 32
ILLUSBREED
STANDARDPAGE 68
STAFFORDS
UNLEASHED
PAGE 48
The Stafford Knot Behind the Scenes
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The Stafford Knot, Inc. is an independent publication and not affiliated with any specific breed club. TSK is a collaborative effort from like minded Stafford enthusiasts whose common goal is to support the health testing of purebred Staffords.
We reserve the right to approve or disapprove any material submitted.
All material on this site is copyright protected & cannot be used unless indicated without the written consent of The Stafford Knot, Inc. Thank you. Contact Us
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COVER STORY
U-CH WAVEMAKER PACIFICA, CGC (AI) - 'MARINA'
(UK CH BAYSEND NICE ONE CYRIL X UWP AM CH U-GRCH CAZOMIC LOOK BUSY, URO1, CGC, CAA (UK IMP)
@ 6.5 MONTHS OLD
2012 GREAT WESTERN TERRIER ASSOCIATION - CALIFORNIA
SBTCA AREA 3 REGIONAL SPECIALTY
SUNDAY JUNE 24 -
BEST BRED BY EXHIBITOR
JUDGE JACI MCLACHLAN - “DARCY” UK
@ 10 MONTHS OLD
2012 NESBTC STAFFORD CLASSIC - NY
FRIDAY SEPT 28 -
BBE, WINNERS BITCH & BEST OF WINNERS
JUDGE PAT HARKIN -"HARKLINE" UK
(5 POINT MAJOR WIN)
SATURDAY SEPT 29 -
RESERVE WINNERS BITCH (TO A MAJOR)
JUDGE MARTIN MURPHY -"BROCKMAR"
THANK YOU TO DIANE & TREVOR TAYLOR (NIATONA) FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND TRUST IN ALLOWING US TO USE YOUR BOY CYRIL AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ENCOURAGED US TO SHOW THIS LOVING AND SWEET GIRL. SHE IS A JOY TO LIVE WITH AND A LOT OF FUN TO SHOW.
SOMETIMES YOU DON’T RECOGNIZE A GOOD THING UNTIL YOU STEP INTO UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY.
LYNN & JIM 2012 UKC TOP 10#6 SBT
L2-HGA & HC DATABASE PROJECT
THE STAFFORD KNOT ONLY ACCEPTS ADS FROM OWNERS AND BREEDERS OF DOGS WHO HAVE BEEN HEALTH TESTED. THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ARE L2-HGA & HC TESTING. WE PROVIDE INFORMATION ON WHERE TO GO TO HAVE THESE SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE TESTS PERFORMED.
DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED TO BE SCANNED AND SENT IN TO THE EDITORS FOR APPROVAL. FURTHER HEALTH TESTING (CARDIAC, CERF, PHPV, HIPS, ELBOWS, PATELLA, ETC) IS ALSO ENCOURAGED. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO BUYERS THAT THEY SEE THESE DOCUMENTS PRIOR TO PURCHASING THEIR NEW STAFFORD.
IF ALL BREEDERS AND OWNERS WERE TO TEST, STAFFORDS WOULD ALL BE BETTER OFF SIMPLY BY THE FACT THAT WE WOULD HAVE MORE INFORMATION REGARDING WHERE THIS BREED IS GOING AS FAR AS HEALTH MATTERS ARE CONCERNED.
TO FURTHER THIS POINT, IF ONLY CLEAR TESTED (L2-HGA & HC) STAFFORDS ARE BRED FROM - THESE TWO GENETIC DISEASES COULD BE ERADICATED IN THREE GENERATIONS OF BREEDING. THAT’S CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
SOME ARGUE THAT THIS WOULD NARROW THE GENE POOL TOO MUCH AND IS NOT A NEEDED STEP TO IMPROVING THE FUTURE OF THIS BREED. TO THOSE I SAY, POSSIBLY, HOWEVER - IS THAT CARRIER STUD DOG SO STRUCTURALLY SUPERIOR TO HIS CLEAR TESTED BROTHER THAT YOU WOULDN’T CONSIDER USING THE BROTHER INSTEAD? JUST SOMETHING ELSE TO THINK ABOUT.
TSK IS COMPILING REGISTERED NAMES AND SCANNED DOCUMENTS OF ALL TESTED (CLEAR, CARRIER AND AFFECTED) STAFFORDS FOR A DATABASE PROJECT SO THAT DOCUMENTATION WILL BE ON HAND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. IN THE U.S. OUR REGISTRIES DO NOT DOCUMENT THESE TEST RESULTS AS THE K.C. DOES IN THE U.K. THEREFORE TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO OWN ‘CLEAR BY PARENTAGE’ STAFFORDS HAVE NO PROOF IN HAND SEVERAL GENERATIONS DOWN THE LINE. IN TIME, WE AT TSK HOPE THE DATABASE WILL HELP THOSE WHO WISH TO KNOW THE STATUS OF A PARTICULAR DOG OR LITTER.
IF YOU HAVE A TESTED STAFFORD - PLEASE SEND ONE EMAIL TO [email protected] CONTAINING THE FULL REGISTERED NAME, REGISTRATION NUMBER, SIRE AND DAM REGISTERED NAMES AND SCANNED COPIES OF ALL HEALTH TESTING DONE ON YOUR DOG. PLEASE ONLY SEND ONE EMAIL PER DOG. IN TIME, WE HOPE TO BUILD A NAME ONLY DATABASE WITH THIS INFORMATION. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING
We are also working on a database of semen stored from health tested stud dogs. If you have semen stored from a tested dog and wish to have him included, please email [email protected] with health scans, pedigree information and contact information. Also please indicate whether or not the semen is available for use.
www.staffordbook.com
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Each year there are hundreds of exhibitors who
leave the ring unhappy about the placement of
their dog. Some are disappointed because they did
not win others because of a comment made by
the judge. Here is an example of a comment that
will upset many owners and handlers. "I liked your
dog but it was to large". Most owners and handlers
translate that in ways that would upset most
judges. The dilemma is this. Does it mean that their
dog was to big based on the standard or that
there was another dog that was closer to the
standard for its height? This is not always an easy
problem to understand and emotions run high
when judges make these remarks.
The facts are that the judge and breeder are
central to making breed improvements and there
are rules that control the judging process. These
rules are important because they can influence a
breed's function, the quality of those that win and
to some degree, the destiny of a breed. In this
respect, it is fair to say that there are certain
aspects of the judging process that are not
perfect. For example, if a judge questions or
doubts the size or weight of a particular entry this
could become a disappointment for the handler
and owner depending on what the judge does or
says.
The judging guidelines require that an estimate be
made about height unless there is a disqualification
for size in the breed standard. For the breeders
and the owners of dogs who know their dogs to
be within the standard, making an estimate about
this trait can often times result in not winning.
These owners and handers believe that estimating
size is not a satisfactory way to interpret the
standard.
While most breed standards do not make height
or weight a disqualification, they do place great
emphasis on these traits with specific language that
speaks to gender with words like " the ideal or
correct" size or weight etc, etc. Given this language
it might seem strange that out of 153 breeds only
31 have a height disqualification. Of these only
twenty disqualify for under size, eighteen for over
size and sixteen for both under and over a specific
size requirement. The remaining 122 standards do
not have a disqualification for size. Some believe
that the lack of a disqualification is to be
interpreted as only guidance to the judge. This
leaves the subject open to a wide range of
interpretations. When a standard refers to a trait
with words like "the ideal or correct", should one
wonder what the intended meaning is or what
interpretation should be given the trait?
Would all clubs agree on how to interpret these
words? Probably not. Some would point out that
there are breeders who knowingly breed and
exhibit dogs that are too large or too small based
on the standard. Does this mean that because
there is no disqualification that anything goes?
Changing Estimates by Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia
continued
When a judge suspects a dog to be over or under
the standard most use the time accepted ritual
that has been passed down over the years. Some
call it the "guesstamate" procedure because they
are not allowed to measure or weigh. In a study
reported by Willis, judges were asked about their
procedure. Later the dogs were actually measured
using a wicket.
To everyone's surprise, Willis found the error rate
to be very high even among the most experienced
judges. When Willis asked these judges about their
procedure most said they marked a place on their
skirt or pant leg so they could stand next to the
dog, look down and make an estimate about the
dog's size. If the breed was examined on the table
most said they spread their fingers and determined
height by looking at the distance between their
thumb and little finger. A third group said they
could estimate size by observation alone. They
simply "eye balled it" based on their "years of
experience". It seems strange that in this age of
advanced technology, it would take a simple study
by
Willis to demonstrate that this procedure is out
dated and fraught with error. Many have asked if it
wouldn't it be better to allow judges to measure
any dog they believe to be too large or too small
since the purpose of the wicket is to measure
when there is doubt. If judges were allowed to
measure or weigh, they would have more accurate
information on which to base their decision. A dog
that is a little too big or too small might still be the
best one in the ring for its over all quality. The
dilemma for what happens next is called judging.
The disgruntled prefer to call it "guessing or
estimating". At the end of the day it all boils down
to a judgement. Should judges be denied the right
to know when the breed standard calls for a
specific size or weight?
Related to this is the reality about what we should
not forget. Those that win are the ones who will
be bred to the most. Under current AKC policy,
breeds without a disqualification for size or weight
are at the mercy of a judge's ability, skills,
experience and interest at making estimates. Willis
demonstrated that even the best could oftentimes
be wrong.
When I asked several judges about this, they
remarked that the estimate has always been the
tradition and to "change it now after all these
years would only delay the show". If we think out
of the box for a moment and admit that the
wicket and the scales are superior to making
estimates, there just might be a better way.
Suppose that judges were allowed to use wickets
or scales at specialty shows as a way of testing the
idea. Would this not be an improvement over the
current method?
Changing Estimates by Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia
Article taken from
Breeding Better DogsBuilding a Better World of Dog Breeders
At a recent show weekend several of us decided to
guess the heights of several Staffords and then use a
wicket on them to see if anyone guessed correctly. We
guessed and measured about 6-10 Staffords. We were
all surprised at the outcome.
There were 6-8 of us participating with several of these
people having many years in the breed and in dogs in
general. Each personl would make a guess, out loud
with a Stafford standing in front of us using our eyes,
hands, leg whatever method each person wanted - then
we placed the wicket on the dog - everyone
participated in this operation so the wicket was in
correct position on each dog and each dog was
properly stacked.
Out of all the Staffords that were measured only ONE
dogs height was guessed correctly.
The one Stafford that was guessed correctly was
guessed correctly by almost everyone who
participated. This was a very fit and balanced bitch.
It just goes to show you that you cannot always rely on
your eyes or experience to give you an accurate
picture of height. The next time you are standing
rigside and you hear someone remarking on the height
of a dog in the ring or at a show - keep this in mind.
Until the wicket is brought over that dog it’s anybodies
guess what its true height is.
* *Guessing Heights a note from the Editor
www.staffierescuescotland.co.uk
STAFF ONLY
An All Stafford Flyball Teamby Aaron and Rebecca Kirzner
This year at the North American Flyball Association Canadian American (CanAm) Classic a group of Stafford enthusiasts joined together to create a team
consisting of only Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Nine people organized a team of six dogs earlier this year to compete at
the NAFA Can AM Classic. The team would be called “Staff Only.”
“... A GROUP OF STAFFORD ENTHUSIASTS JOINED TOGETHER TO CREATE A TEAM CONSISTING OF ONLY STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIERS.”
What is Flyball you ask?
In the past, Flyball has often been the least well known of the competitive dog sports. Recently that has begun to change
as Flyball has become increasingly popular. This year marked the entrance of 202 teams at the CanAm Classic, the largest flyball tournament in the United States.
Flyball, as defined on the NAFA website:
“Flyball races match two teams of four
dogs each, racing side-by-side over a 51 foot long course. Each dog must run in relay fashion down the jumps, trigger a
flyball box, releasing the ball, retrieve the ball, and return over the jumps. The next dog is released to run the course but can't cross the start/finish line until the
previous dog has returned over all 4 jumps and reached the start/finish line. The first team to have all 4 dogs finish the
course without error wins the heat. Jump height is determined by the smallest dog on the team. This dog is called the ‘height
dog’.”
MADOC
GRUB
JEWEL
continued
Each dog and their handlers all joined together from different Flyball teams throughout the region. Lisa Glass
Skorija and Madoc (Wavemaker Dardevle, FM) from team FBI. Kris Patzer and Sprinter and Beth Zeiner and
Grub (Homebrewed Cheeky Monkey RN CGC FDCH-Silver) from team Hard Drive. Angie Heighton and Pedro
(Spring Loaded’s Vote for Me) from team Spring Loaded. Rebecca Clas-Kirzner with Jewel (Am Ch. Oxheart’s The
Devil Wears Prada FMX) from team Blue Ridge Blast. And finally Helen Fotheringham and Fire (Exquisite’s Too
Hot to Handle CGC FM TFIII) from team Mighty Mutts
This wouldn’t have been complete without some additional team members. Aaron Kirzner the box loader. A box
loader loads a ball for each dog. Peyton Maristch who was Madoc’s assistant. Our coach and ball collector was
Kim Shepherd. Joan Werleman was our wonderful videographer. Marty Shepherd was our pass caller. A pass
caller is someone that tells you how close the dogs are passing each other at the start finish line. The closer the
passes, the better time you will have. The team was also cheered on by Dirk Elber and Chaffy.
The day had a bit of a rough start to it as everyone gathered together to run this crazy team of dogs. The dogs
and handlers took a few heats to get into the groove of things. All of the Staffy’s were full of energy and were
feeding off of each other. Crowds gathered to watch this team run when they heard the strange gremlin noises
every Staffy owner is familiar with coming from the ring. Even opposing teams would stop to watch this unique
crew of dogs run. As the day progressed the team came together and ran their races well. Even when one of our
team mates was out for some of the races, the team still carried on. The team’s best time of the day was 19.152
seconds. This is quite a feat for a team composed entirely of height dogs. Staff Only placed 3rd in a tough Open 3
Division. As the day ended, next year’s Staff Only team was already well under way to being planned for the next
CanAm Classic.
STAFF ONLY An All Stafford Flyball Team
(left to right) Angie and Pedro, Helen and Fire, Rebecca and Jewel, Aaron the box loader, Kris and Sprinter, Dirk and Chaffy, Beth and Grub, Lisa and Madoc, Peyton and Bounder.
Merchandise also available at www.cafepress.com/thankdog
Slipped hocks are not at all the same as flexibility of the joint. A flexible joint can be flexed or extended quite far with gentle, steady pressure. It is very easy to push a normal
dog's hock forward until the joint is straight up and down (i.e. 180 degrees). However, there is tension, sort of like when you push sideways on a stretched rubber band or bungee.
A slipped hock will fold forward with virtually NO pressure, and the dog will be unable to resist it.
To determine a slipped hock, place several fingers on the
back of the hock lightly pressing forward until the dog either picks up the foot and steps forward or the joint collapses forward
The difference being - between pushing the joint forward, and the joint "collapsing" forward. How far forward it goes, i.e. past 180 degrees, is irrelevant.
Because a slipped hock can "collapse" forward, a dog with this condition does not have the leverage to drive forward from the rear. A dog like this may actually appear to have
fluid movement when running loose but will not be able to generate much power under load. His power will come from the front rather than the rear.
Dogs with this condition are capable of doing multi-mile runs with no trouble, but running slowly and building up to that. The muscle they would need to develop from the running will help protect the joints even though it could not improve
them.
Many people do not exactly understand why our early Stafford breeders would have desired a well let down hock,
nor do they understand what this means.
The easiest way to explain this is to compare the Stafford hock to that of a rabbit. A rabbit must have an overlong
hock because it must be able to quickly and purposefully get away from its prey. It does so by a very long and quick hopping motion so that it removes itself from danger by making several leaps very quickly.
A Stafford was bred for endurance, & strength of rear movement - the purpose of a well let down hock allows for this endurance with ease - a dog with a well let down hock
can move, run and chase for a long time very easily but
perhaps not in as quick order as that of the hare. This of course will also enable the dog to achieve greater drive off his rear. As well, when viewed from the rear, the hocks
should be perpendicular with no turning in or out. The metatarsals are short in well let down hocks.
If the dog suffers from either a slipping hock or an overlong hock he will lose the purposeful rear drive that is required of
a Stafford.
Slipping Hocks
2012 UKC #2 SBT
(article taken from - PUPPY PUZZLE - EVALUATING STRUCTURAL QUALITY
Available from www.DogWise.com
Pat Hastings uses a specific order to evaluate
puppies. These are listed in her book, Tricks of the
Trade. The following article is a brief summary of
her process.
First of all, evaluate a puppy’s temperament by
gently turning it over; cradle it in your arms,
supported against your body. Does the pup
struggle to become free? Does he lay quietly or
attempt to lick you?
Does he grasp your arm with his paws?
Next, using a mirror, look at the pup in a
suspended position. Since the pup must hang freely
without bearing any weight, he must be picked up
properly so that he is able to relax. Practice will
teach you how to pick up a pup by the bone
structure of the head and between the rear legs.
Once you can do this successfully, you will notice
that "a well structured pup will hang in a very
nearly stacked position." If
the pup is relaxed when suspended, but does not
hang in a stacked position, there is a structural
reason.
Now look at the pup’s overall balance in a standing
position. Also check the proportion of the pup in
relation to the breed standard. (i.e. height in
relation to length, depth of body in relation to
height of leg, etc.) Remember, what you see at 8
weeks will most resemble the structure of the pup
as an adult. If something stands out as you look at
the whole picture, search for the cause as you go
over each piece.
SPECIFICS FOR THE EVALUATION
PROCESS
Temperament
A standard of excellence must include a good
temperament as well as structural soundness. A
pup that holds on to your arm when turned over
and cradled in your arms is usually an insecure
pup. One who opens its eyes wide when tipped
down a bit head first may well be fearful and grow
up with an exaggerated startle response, become
sound sensitive, and have a fear of new things in its
environment. An aggressive pup will not let you
hold him on his back, just as a pup that will not
meet your eyes may not bond well and become an
independent soul as it matures.
Socialization and exposure to a variety of positive
experiences can help minimize certain traits, but
the genetic causes of these traits remain intact. A
pup that has a sound temperament will be relaxed
and confident.
Head
Examine the cheekbone ridge or zygomatic arch
between the eye and ear to get an idea of how the
head will develop. If the ridge surface is flat and the
areas above and below it fairly flush, the back skull
is most likely going to grow in proportion to what
you see now. If the surface is not flat or the ridge
is curved, most likely the back skull will broaden
out of proportion. A significant indentation above
the ridge between the eye and ear normally
The Process of Evaluating Puppies Using the Hastings' Puppy Puzzle
continued
predicts the formation of a dome shaped head. If
the back skull broadens significantly, position of the
ears as well as shape and position of the eyes may
be altered. If the evaluation suggests that the back
skull will remain in proportion, then shape and
placement of the eyes and ears will
remain proportionally the same also.
Muzzle
The round pellet-like formation that feels like a
pearl and is found at the inside corner of the eye
determines the width of the muzzle. If that pellet
formation is present, the muzzle will usually grow
forward in proportion to what you are looking at.
If absent and you feel only a small indentation, the
muzzle will most likely narrow.
Neck
The neck is the key to determining front assembly
problems. The head should be well above a line
drawn along the puppy’s topline. If the head is not
above this topline, something is not right with the
pup’s front assembly. Dogs have seven vertebrae in
their necks. The shoulder blade of a short necked
pup can actually hide one or more of these
vertebrae on an x-ray.
Also look at the elbows to verify a poor front
assembly. With your left hand under the chest,
squeeze the elbows together with your index
finger and thumb just until you feel resistance. If
the elbows come together, there is a problem with
the front assembly. The reason is that the upper
arm is in front of the rib cage rather than along
side, causing sloppy upper arm movement rather
than strong forward action.
The importance here is that a dog with a short
neck will most likely have less reach since a dog
can only reach to the end of its nose. Therefore,
the shorter the neck, the shorter the reach.
Front Assembly
Bones must be balanced to work in unison and
move front assembly muscles properly.
One way to determine this is to measure with
your hand the length from the notch near the
point of the shoulder to the top of the blade. The
distance should be approximately the same as that
from the point of the shoulder to the notch of the
elbow.
Shoulders
"The shoulder blades should fit smoothly and
blend onto the rib cage." The shoulder blades
should not be the highest point of the dog; rather,
you should not be able to see them. A proper fit of
the blades will most always provide the proper
space between tips. If these tips are too far apart,
the dog will move wide up front; if they are too
close, the dog will be restricted in being able to
lower its head. Both straight and short upper arms
can cause a soft topline.
Elbows
Using your left hand placed on the pup’s shoulder
blades, gently push to the side. If the elbows move
outward, this indicates poor muscle attachment
and/or loose ligaments which will cause a dog to
toe in due to throwing the elbows outward.
Depth of Chest
Loin is measured from where the last rib comes
The Process of Evaluating Puppies Using the Hastings' Puppy Puzzle
continued
off the spine. The distance from the last rib to the
pelvis should be shorter than the distance from
the last rib to the shoulder. A loin that is too long
reduces support of the pelvis, causing more
likelihood of topline problems. A short loin, on the
other hand, restricts the dogs ability to bend
sideways.
Rear Assembly
Ideally, the length between the point of the
buttocks and the kneecap should be approximately
the same as the measurement from the kneecap
and hock.
Stifle angle often does not show on a young pup.
However, most often the sharper the hock angle,
the more stifle angle you will see in the adult.To
check the balance of the rear assembly, drop an
imaginary plumb line down from the point of the
buttocks to the ground. The line will drop at the
toes of a well structured dog; this is the balance
point required for proper movement. If the feet fall
bar behind the plumb line, the rear legs are too
long and the pup has sickle hocks. The hocks
appear to bend in an effort to provide balance as
feet are moved forward; this causes decreased
range of motion behind.
The view from behind in a well structure dog
should look like an inverted "U". If the puppy
provides the appearance of a "V", this suggests a
narrow pelvis causing the dog to move narrow in
the rear. In general, Pat Hastings feels that the dog
should not be narrower at the rear than they are
at the shoulders.
A dog that moves wide behind may well have
knees that angle out. The patella or kneecap should
flow into the body. If the knees point out, the pup
may be more prone to injuries due to the stress
weight bearing will place on the other joints in the
rear assembly.
Also check to see how the rear feet point when
you pick up the pup’s rear slightly and drop it.
Turning in or out of the feet can suggest an
imbalance of muscle mass on the inside or outside
of the leg. (If the pup toes out, he may move as if
he were cow hocked even if he is not.)
"Hocks are the cornerstone of the rear assembly.
The rear pastern should be perpendicular to the
ground, and the hock joint itself should have no
forward or side motion to it." A shorter hock will
give endurance. Ideally the hock at 8 weeks should
be no more than one-third the total height of the
pup’s rear.
Slipped hocks, or double jointed hocks, are a fairly
common problem that can often be identified
when a dog will not hold its rear in the stacked
position (the dog will constantly attempt to move
a rear foot forward). Basically, weakness in the
tissue causes the joint to hyperextend or collapse
forward. Most times, if this is seen in a pup, it will
continue for the rest of the dog’s life. The problem
here is that if one
joint is weak, the knee, or next joint up the line,
will compensate. If the knee wears out, then the
hip is stressed. It is for these reasons that slipped
hocks should not be dismissed lightly.
The Process of Evaluating Puppies Using the Hastings' Puppy Puzzle
continued
Topline
"A topline problem is rarely created by the spine. It is usually a compensation issue." Softness in the
topline is usually the result of a problem in the front assembly, such as straight shoulders, straight upper
arms, or a forward projection of the front. Wrinkles over the shoulders usually stem from straight or
wide shoulder blades.
A roach in the topline results from a rear assembly problem. Slipped hocks can be one cause, as the dog
carries more weight on the back in an attempt to keep pressure off the legs. The same effect results in
an older dog with arthritic changes in the back.
Croup and Tailset
If a problem is detected in a young pup, generally the croup and tailset will not improve. However, a
proper tailset can deteriorate over the next two years since the three vertebrae between the hip and
tailset are the last bones to fuse during growth. Poor rear structure and lack of opportunity for free-
running exercise are both factors in poor tailset.
In summary, Pat Hastings reminds us that the three most important reasons For evaluating puppies
include:
1. Determine Structural Problems. Breeders need to search for the causes of structural problems if
they want to improve their breedings. Identifying a poor rear does not help a breeder unless you
understand specifically what you don’t like and what is needed for improvement.
2. Determine which Puppies to Keep in your Breeding Program.
3. Determine Suitable Homes for Each Individual Puppy.
The Process of Evaluating Puppies Using the Hastings' Puppy Puzzle
http://www.staffie-rescue.org
www.sta f f iesonl ine .org .uk
From my love of Bull and Terriers every thing unfolds.
When talking about improving the physical condition of the dog, we must also take into account its mental condition. The
activity you use must also be fun for both you and the dog. In doing this we can achieve soundness of limb, peak fitness and great looking dogs.
Diet also plays a big part in trying to achieve the above.
Weather depending I spend around five to eight hours per day in activity.
I split the activity into two sessions a day. In the morning we have a lighter relaxing walk along the track for around eight kilometers. We save the more demanding training for the afternoon session. I also feed my dogs twice a day after they
have had their exercise.
I don’t do any real training before fourteen months old just introducing them to walking and moving on different
surfaces. Playing and running on different surfaces such as dirt, sand and ploughed fields helps its co ordination, stability and flexibility.
The first thing I do before the real physical work is started is to test the temperament of the dog, this would be done around thirteen months of age.
I would do this by introducing the dog to live bait (caged of
course, safe from harm), this will indicate the true character of the dog before spending hours or work into attaining full physical fitness.
The original function of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is often forgotten. I train my dogs with both live and inanimate bait, I prefer to train in woods and on difficult terrain.
Perseverance is key when trying to achieve full fitness.
Swimming is also an activity that I use, because it does put stress on the the dogs joints but is very good for
coordination and building stamina.
I use a flirt pole as a fun activity, it is fun for both the owner and the dog as well as being very good exercise.
There are many activities that you can do with your dog,
what you do is up to you so long as you are both having fun.
What is more important is that you do something consistently and regularly.
There is nothing better for both you and your dogs than spending time together out side with nature and it gives me great satisfaction to know that my dogs are healthy, happy
and fulfilled.
Working and Conditioning Your Dogs Owner and trainer Daniel Taskov
PASOphotos by Jindra
THERE IS NOTHING BETTER FOR BOTH YOU AND YOUR DOGS THAN SPENDING TIME TOGETHER OUT SIDE WITH NATURE AND IT GIVES ME GREAT SATISFACTION TO KNOW THAT MY DOGS ARE HEALTHY, HAPPY AND FULFILLED.
*TSK understands some of our readers may not like using live bait for testing temperaments however this author is in Czech Republic and for him it is totally
acceptable. TSK does not judge our readers and prints unedited articles as submitted.
www.staffordwelfare.com
www.sbtcv.org.au
http://w11.zetaboards.com/
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
When I was a kid I once participated in a science
competition whereby each contestant was handed
one box of plastic drinking straws and about 10
feet of masking tape. We were given a pair of
scissors, a ruler and 20 minutes on the clock. Our
task was to produce a structure that stood at least
4 inches high and spanned 1 foot in length. The
structure was to serve just one purpose; to
provide solid support for a series of progressively
increasing weights. Last one to collapse would
win. After the full 20 minutes the result of my
labor was a drinking straw bridge that was
somehow even weaker than the straws themselves
had I not “engineered” them at all. It crumbled
under about ¼ the weight of the winner.
Consequently I thought that the whole exercise
was stupid. Frankly, I still do. However, it is not
altogether without its merits if applied to
something that really matters….like Staffords.
Here’s a test for you. Take 38 pounds of clay in
one hand and the breed standard in the other.
Mold a dog that is 16 inches tall and 16 inches
long. Now make him look like everything the
standard says he is supposed to be. Take each
section of the standard and identify some of the
main descriptors you have to work with:
General = of great strength, muscular, active, agile
Head = short, deep, broad
Neck/Body = muscular, short, deep, close, wide
Fore = well boned, rather far apart
Hind = well muscled
The breed standard clearly defines ideal size,
proportions, and substance which essentially tells
us the proper balance between bull and terrier.
Make no mistake; there is little room for personal
interpretation of those descriptors, “deep,”
“broad,” “wide,” “rather far apart.” The
parameters of balance are handed to us in
objective language, and our personal understanding
of “deep,” “broad,” “wide,” and “rather far apart,”
must comply with what the standard says about
Proportion and Substance, and to a lesser degree,
but still important, Size.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Height at shoulder: 14 to 16 inches. Weight: Dogs,
28 to 38 pounds; bitches, 24 to 34 pounds, these
heights being related to weights. Non-conformity
with these limits is a fault. In proportion, the length
of back, from withers to tail set, is equal to the
distance from withers to ground.
Taken out of context the reoccurrence of words
such as short, deep, wide, and broad may be quite
misleading. How deep is deep? How wide is
wide? The answers to these questions lie in the
fact that you only have 38 pounds of clay to work
with. Without the guideline for Substance words
like “short” and “broad” could mean whatever we
want them to mean according to our own
preferences and even physical stature. After all,
isn’t a “thin” hippo still quite massive to a “wide”
gazelle? With the Stafford, we are not discussing
size as much as we’re talking about
proper proportion, ideal substance / correct
balance.
continued
The Height and Weight guidelines are not in the
standard because male Staffords must weigh 38
pounds - for some mystical reason. That
measurement on its own is somewhat arbitrary.
Rather, these guidelines are key to the much more
important concept of understanding proper
balance.
Blindfold a fat man and read the breed standard to
him. Leave out the section about Size, Proportion
and Substance. In his mind “wide” may mean huge
and ”broad” may mean massive. Throw “well
boned” into the mix and it’s easy to see why he
may begin to envision a Bullmastiff. Although the
standard takes most of the guesswork out of it for
us, we still insist on complicating matters by
detaching the subjective elements from their
objective roots and applying modern tastes, selfish
agendas, and our own images. We should all
remove the blindfolds and re-align our
interpretation of these subjective words (like
“Deep”, “Wide”, and “Broad”) with what they really
mean within the context of those 38 pounds of clay.
Whether we like it or not, just as with the straw
bridge competition mentioned above the materials
we are given have limits. Any interpretation that is
not within the bounds of those limits is not an
interpretation at all. It is at best “poetic license”, but
according to the guidelines for the project (the
breed standard) it is more accurately a
misinterpretation resulting in a fault that we are
often deliberately selecting. There are other faults
mentioned in the standard. What if we decided
that a curled tail is really more attractive than a
pump handle? Should we deliberately breed for
curly tails and argue that this is our personal
interpretation of the standard? Of course not.
That’s ridiculous, right? The standard very clearly
indicates this is a fault. Yet that is exactly what
we’re doing with the substance and balance of our
dogs, which is a hell of a lot more important than
the tail.
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard breeders
say “I don’t mind a 45 pound dog as long as he’s
balanced.” What they don’t realize is that in order
to fit the standard’s guideline for proper proportion
and substance he’d have to be 17 ¼ inches tall.
This is not just opinion nor conjecture. It is
outlined for us in simple, certain terms. At just 16
inches a 45 pound dog may be a beautiful animal
with lots of presence about him. He may give the
appearance of a powerful, proportionate canine, but
he is by no means a “balanced” Staffordshire Bull
Terrier unless you totally detach the concept of
balance from how the AKC / SBTCA breed
standard directs us to define proper substance and
proportion. There is one gray area/exception to
this. We are assuming that the dog in question has
a proper length of back and is in “show” weight; i.e.
fit and with a tuck. The standard still calls for our
breed to be “rather light in the loin.” On the other
hand, if the dog is in fact carrying 45 pounds of
couch potato fat and a massive “hotdog gut” on a
frame that should have 38 pounds if he were “show
fit,” then it’s possible that there is proper balance
hidden beneath the surface. In this case the owner
has ruined it by making him fat. This condition (or
lack thereof) is not uncommon.
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
continued
On the day that fat dog shows up in the ring he is
still out of balance due to the extra weight, and
should be judged accordingly. However, this is a
problem that is easy to remedy. With diet and
exercise he may be more competitive the next go
‘round since the underlying substance and
proportions at the proper level of fitness may
indeed be there. For the purpose of this discussion
let us return to the assumption that the non-
conforming dogs mentioned are not simply fat, but
they naturally exhibit excessive substance even with
a good tuck, i.e. "being rather light in the loins.”
A breeder recently showed me his dog and asked
what I thought of him. In my estimation he was a
top sized dog at 16 inches but weighed in excess of
46 pounds. I told him that the dog was too short.
I said that I’d like him more if he were at least an
inch taller. Though my response was truthful it was
of course not 100% accurate. In this case it was a
lot quicker to just say the dog should be taller than
to explain that his chest is too low, his shoulders
are too wide, his muscle is too bulky, his bone is
too heavy, on and on. The man looked at me
strangely and asked why on Earth I’d wish for the
dog to be taller than the standard calls for. He
admitted that the dog is heavier than the standard
says is correct, but contended that if the dog is still
the appropriate height, then he only has the one
fault. Whereas if he’s heavier and also taller then he
would have two faults. I could literally see the
bull’s-eye he was drawing on his forehead with that
comment!! One of the very first things every
person should learn about this breed is why that
line of thinking is utterly destructive. I hate to keep
writing on this subject, but any number of
respected experts will tell you that we (US
breeders) simply haven’t gotten it right after all this
time. If we don’t have a contingency advocating the
side of moderation and strict conformity to the
breed standard’s definition of substance then the
exaggerations will continue to get out of hand and
the breed will not be just be “changed.” It will be
lost.
In the exercise above we began with 38 pounds of
clay. We were asked to take the raw materials and
build a dog using the standard as a recipe. In reality
this is the opposite direction we should move. The
standard is of course neither a blue print nor a
recipe. It is a description of what already exists,
not a formula for building it. This distinction is very
important. We begin with the whole dog and put
him to the test of the standard. We cannot piece
together the dog from the Standard. If you find a
(whole) Stafford who you think is muscular, wide,
short, close, deep, broad, and otherwise could be
described using all of those subjective adjectives in
the standard, then to fully evaluate him you must
put him to the test of the rest of the standard.
Does he fit the objective bits as well as the
subjective ones? How would you classify his
substance and balance; not by your own personal
preference, but according to what the standard
gives us? If you look at a dog and in your mind he is
“Terrier” yet you measure him and according to the
breed standard he is of ideal substance and
proportion, then who is correct? Hint: The breed
standard always wins! Take every dog in your
house and put them to the test until your personal
interpretation of those elusive adjectives fits all
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
continued
continued
parts of the standard. Learn to identify what 38
pounds of clay looks like and what 48 pounds looks
like. Many of us are willfully choosing faults that are
in conflict with the breed standard. This is
unacceptable. Remember, plain and simple; the goal
is to breed dogs that best fit the standard. To this
end, we may need to adjust our own perspectives
that we’ve formed over the years, and we should
certainly demand that the SBTCA direct AKC
judges do the same. It’s a simple request: Please
judge our dogs to the breed standard - every part
of it. On the other hand, you may not like what the
standard says about substance. You may not want
to follow the standard at all. That is of course
every individual’s right as a breeder. But if this is
the case do not assert that your “interpretation” of
an objective passage allows for an animal to carry
20+% more mass than what is clearly defined as
correct substance. Admit that you consciously
choose not to follow the breed standard then
either fight (in opposition to every other KC in the
world) to change the how the SBTCA / AKC
standard defines “substance” or start a new breed
all together. I suggest “American Staffordshire
Bulldog” for the name of your new breed. Recent
trends suggest that AKC recognition should be a
cake walk.
If you aren’t comfortable with limiting yourself by
that pesky height/weight clause, or if you feel that
the issue has been overly discussed and argued to
death in the breed, then I understand completely.
This argument is common, and the sheer thought of
it being brought up again can wear on a person.
Over the past 25 years I have been involved in
several other breeds. Believe me when I tell you
that the size issue comes up in almost every breed
from the smallest sight hounds to the largest cart
dogs. You’re always going to have folks ranting
about how big the animals have gotten or how
exaggerated they are these days. This issue is
certainly not exclusive to Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
As mentioned, it is not actually an argument of
“size” with the Stafford. Size is secondary. We’re
talking about disproportionate weights to heights
which change the entire dog by altering substance
and balance. This issue is probably more important
to a fighting dog than to a guard dog, sheep dog,
sled dog, bird dog, rabbit dog, bear dog, and cattle
dog combined. Think about how important proper
proportions and balance are to efficiency and
athletic performance. Like it or not we’re dealing
with a dog who was originally designed as a combat
animal. Think about what wrestlers and boxers go
through to get their weight in proportion to the
rest of their bodies for optimal balance between
strength and agility. Pound-for-pound efficiency is
the key concept here. There is no tolerance for
excess with these athletes. Also consider that the
word “wide” to a welter-weight boxer does not
mean the same as “wide” to a power lifter since
they have completely different functions. A broad
terrier is more svelte than a narrow mastiff. The
Stafford is wide, thick, and broad; but he is all of
these things for a 14-16 Inch terrier, not for a
powerhouse of a working dog.
On the surface, height and weight should be quite
simple. Getting a feel for it is typically one of the
first issue people tackle as they begin learning about
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
continued
the breed. For being such a simple concept it’s still
an obvious problem when quite often the most
standard dog appears to be the weakest one in the
ring. Everyone knows 15 inch 29 pound bitch looks
totally out of place at most AKC shows, yet
according to the standard she couldn’t be of more
ideal substance. How sad is that?
What if we could just throw this whole height/
weight thing out the window? We’re all tired of
hearing about it anyhow, right? If we took the H/W
clause out of the standard completely would we
then have no guidance at all for deriving a common
meaning of phrases such as “well sprung” and “set
rather far apart”? How would we know how deep
is “deep” and how wide is “wide”?
Consider that in 1935 Great Britain when these
adjectives were first chosen to describe the
Staffordshire Bull Terrier the average man in the
was right at 5’ 9” and weighed 163 pounds. Today
in the US he is also very close to 5’ 9” but weighs
upwards of 185. This is not meant as a shot at
modern US culture, but the point is that our
perspectives tend to change as we ourselves
change. Everything we see, hear, touch, taste and
smell is filtered through ourselves and our
experiences with the time in which we live. I once
saw a Pontiac Trans-Am on the narrow streets of
Kyoto Japan. That thing was an absolute Monster!
Likewise, a 6 ft tall 200 pound man in 1935 England
would have been considered quite large, yet a man
of this stature certainly doesn’t illicit stares today.
The dogs that were used to formulate the breed
standard by our lanky British ancestors also carried
considerably less weight for their height (33 pounds
at 17.5 inches) versus the modern Stafford who
should be 38 pounds at 16 inches. Ponder that for
a moment. When the standard was first written
those early 17.5 inch 33 pound dogs were the very
models that bore definition to the words “wide”,
“deep”, and “well sprung.” Today, we’d call them
thin, wispy, rangy, and would never think of them as
balanced. Even without the explicit height / weight
parameters printed in the standard, the historic
context of the breed would dictate what these
descriptors mean.
We have seen a progression toward more
weight per height over the years. The standard has
been loosened up over time to allow for the fact
that we now have show dogs, not fighting dogs.
That move was already made, and our current
Standard accounts for it, so anyone who argues that
a 45+ dog is fine since they’re now show dogs is
dead wrong. They should still be show Staffords,
not show bulldogs. We arrived at 16 inches and 38
pounds for a top end to make allowances for
modern size variations and specifically for the new
role of our breed as a show dog. Had we not done
this the standard would still call for our dogs to be
30 pounds at 17 inches. Obviously, there should be
allowances made for non-conformity, and I don’t
know many people who suggest disqualifying
Staffords outside of the H/W parameters set forth
within the standard (though there are a few).
Perhaps it’s like speeding just a little bit on the
interstate. The trick is knowing how much is too
much. While that may be somewhat of a personal
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
continued
question for every breeder and judge to ask him/
herself we all need to come up with a threshold of
tolerance and stick to it. Keep in mind that the
standard does not define a threshold of tolerance; it
just says that the heights are related to the weights.
It sets the IDEAL limit. How close to “ideal” you
want to be is up to you. I’ll be the first to admit, I
will only consider it a very mild fault for a dog to be
40 pounds on a square, 16 inch frame. I will fault a
17 inch dog for being too tall, but I won’t totally
dismiss him as long as his general H/W ratio and is
similar to that of a 16 inch 38-40 pound dog thus
resulting in proper substance / balance. In this
case, the 17 inch dog should carry about 43-44
pounds, but he would otherwise have to be an
absolutely superb example of the breed in order to
make up for the size fault. Once again, size isn’t the
most important issue here. It’s proper substance.
In evaluating a 15 inch bitch, I personally like her to
be about 30-31 pounds, which I realize is also
heavier than the standard calls for in its strictest
translation. I don’t kid myself. I realize that I have a
tolerance for slightly more substance than the
standard says is ideal, and I’m ready to admit that. I
will never argue that such non-conformity actually
“fits” the standard. It simply does not. All other
things being equal, the guidelines given in the
standard always rule! In all actuality I can’t look at
every dog and tell you his exact height and weight.
No one can. Judges do not have a wicket and
scales in the ring, so there has to be some level of
tolerance for variations in heights and weights since
we’re not actually keeping strict tabs on them. At
the same time we cannot hide behind the fact that
measurements aren’t taken at shows, and thus
contend that they do not matter. You can call it
proper “substance”, “balance,” or “blend between
bull and terrier.” Any way you look at it the breed
standard gives us specific heights and weights that
are to be related while explicitly stating that
nonconformity within the limits is a fault. We
should be taking measurements at home and come
to understand what the proper substance of a top
sized bitch (16 inches and 34 pounds) looks like at a
glance. It might not be obvious to the naked eye if
she’s 15 ¾ inches as opposed to 16” or 36 pounds
instead of 34, but we should certainly be able to
identify that something is awry when we see a 40
pound bitch. Unless she’s 17 inches tall she’s out of
balance. Any judge or breeder should be able to
recognize this in an instant. Regardless of whether
or not specific numbers (height/weight
measurements) come to mind it should be obvious
when an unbalanced specimen stands before us.
The best way to train yourself on how to recognize
ideal balance and substance as outlined in the
standard is to get your hands on as many 16 inch 38
pound dogs and 15 inch 29 pound bitches as
possible. Make sure they are of proper length as
well, since a long back will make the dog heavier
than desired and could throw off the perception of
substance.
The tables provided below take a very literal and
mathematical look at the definition of “substance”
and consequentially balance as outlined within the
standard which states that the given heights are to
be related to given weights. Previous versions of
these tables have been published in the US, UK,
South Africa, Australia, and Russia. They have been
used for educational purposes and fun match
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
continued
competitions whereby the dogs are measured and judged on their strict compliance and deviation from the
standard ratios for H/W. Use the tables to compare how your own dogs stack up. If necessary adjust your
perception of balance to match what our breed standard dictates.
These tables are based upon the progression of Pounds-Per-Inch from 14 inches to 16 inches as objectively
inferred using the SBTCA / AKC breed standard to which Staffordshire Bull Terriers should be judged.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Height at shoulder: 14 to 16 inches. Weight: Dogs, 28 to 38 pounds; bitches, 24 to 34 pounds, these heights
being related to weights. Non-conformity with these limits is a fault. In proportion, the length of back, from
withers to tail set, is equal to the distance from withers to ground.
Dogs
The standard dictates that dogs begin at 2 PPI and progress to 2.375 PPI from 14-16 inches. This is an
increase of .375 PPI over a 2 inch increase in height. Which translates to increments of .0469 PPI for each ¼”
of height increase. The table below carries out these proportions all the way through a hypothetical 18 inch
dog.
Height Pounds Per Inch Standard Weight
14 inches 2.0 (given) 28 pounds (given)
14.25 inches 2.05 29.21 pounds
14.5 inches 2.10 30.45 pounds
14.75 inches 2.15 31.71 pounds
15 inches 2.19 32.85 pounds
15.25 inches 2.25 34.31 pounds
15.5 inches 2.29 35.50 pounds
15.75 inches 2.34 36.86 pounds
16 inches 2.38 (given) 38 pounds (given)
16.25 inches 2.42 39.33 pounds
16.5 inches 2.47 40.76 pounds
16.75 inches 2.52 42.21 pounds
17 inches 2.57 43.69 pounds
17.25 inches 2.61 45.02 pounds
17.5 inches 2.66 46.55 pounds
17.75 inches 2.71 48.10 pounds
18 inches 2.76 49.68 pounds
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
continued
competitions whereby the dogs are measured and judged on their strict compliance and deviation from the
standard ratios for H/W. Use the tables to compare how your own dogs stack up. If necessary adjust your
perception of balance to match what our breed standard dictates.
These tables are based upon the progression of Pounds-Per-Inch from 14 inches to 16 inches as objectively
inferred using the SBTCA / AKC breed standard to which Staffordshire Bull Terriers should be judged.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Height at shoulder: 14 to 16 inches. Weight: Dogs, 28 to 38 pounds; bitches, 24 to 34 pounds, these heights
being related to weights. Non-conformity with these limits is a fault. In proportion, the length of back, from
withers to tail set, is equal to the distance from withers to ground.
Dogs
The standard dictates that dogs begin at 2 PPI and progress to 2.375 PPI from 14-16 inches. This is an
increase of .375 PPI over a 2 inch increase in height. Which translates to increments of .0469 PPI for each ¼”
of height increase. The table below carries out these proportions all the way through a hypothetical 18 inch
dog.
Height Pounds Per Inch Standard Weight
14 inches 2.0 (given) 28 pounds (given)
14.25 inches 2.05 29.21 pounds
14.5 inches 2.10 30.45 pounds
14.75 inches 2.15 31.71 pounds
15 inches 2.19 32.85 pounds
15.25 inches 2.25 34.31 pounds
15.5 inches 2.29 35.50 pounds
15.75 inches 2.34 36.86 pounds
16 inches 2.38 (given) 38 pounds (given)
16.25 inches 2.42 39.33 pounds
16.5 inches 2.47 40.76 pounds
16.75 inches 2.52 42.21 pounds
17 inches 2.57 43.69 pounds
17.25 inches 2.61 45.02 pounds
17.5 inches 2.66 46.55 pounds
17.75 inches 2.71 48.10 pounds
18 inches 2.76 49.68 pounds
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
continued
A 16 inch 45 pound Stafford carries 2 distinct faults:
#1 At 45 pounds he is to be faulted for being
outside of the size guidelines. This on the surface
could be a minor fault if it didn’t affect anything
else, perhaps like a tail that is set too high.
#2 However, at just 16 inches he carries as much
mass as a 17.25 inch dog should, and is thus grossly
out of balance. This is a much more serious fault.
A 17.25 inch 45 pound Stafford carries 1 distinct
fault:
#1 At this height and weight he is to be faulted for
being outside the size guidelines.
If fit, assuming he’s not stripped down to 45 pounds
or fattened up to 45 pounds, this dog is of proper
balance, and with all other things being equal
exhibits better conformity to the breed standard,
and should be placed above the 16 inch dog of the
same weight.
When it comes to size, most judges may have a
limit in mind beyond which they will not tolerate.
Remember that the judge should penalize a 45
pound dog to same degree he/she penalizes a 17+
inch dog as these are equal non-conformities of
size. If 17.25 inches is too big, so is 45 pounds.
Every judge should realize however, that balance is
much more important than size. If a 45 pound dog
is just 16 inches tall or the 17.25 inch dog is only 38
pounds these faults are much greater than a
balanced specimen who is simply oversized.
I know of a bitch who stands 15—15.25 inches.
She once weighed right at 32 pounds in “show fit”
condition. This girl won several specialty shows and
was awarded wins under 11 different international
breeder/judges. She proved herself an excellent
example of the breed by an impressive number of
respected opinions. She then set out to impress the
AKC judges as well. In the process of doing so she
put on about 6 pounds. To say this bitch fared well
under the AKC judges would be a gross
understatement. While being campaigned she
dropped a few pounds, became more fit and once
again conformed to the standard a little better.
When this happened the wins under the AKC
judges slowed down, and the big (group) wins
ceased all together, so she gained the weight back.
Also while being shown she found herself on
several occasions back in the ring under UK
breeder/judges. She always got a good look, but
never got another big win under a UK judge. When
the judges were asked what they thought of her.
Each time they would say she’s a lovely bitch, but
there’s just too much of her, or that her condition
throws her out of balance. Why does there exist
such a disparity between the understanding many
UK judges have about balance and what it takes to
win under the large majority of AKC judges? It’s a
poor argument to contest that most UK judges just
like skinny Staffords. They don’t, but many do
require that our dogs be within close adherence to
what the standard outlines for proper substance as
well as fitness. I cannot fathom anyone suggesting
that the average AKC judge who is exposed to 5 or
6 Staffords every other month has a more correct
understanding of our breed than most UK
breeder / specialists who are accustomed to an
average dog show on any given weekend with
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
an entry 2-3 times as big as our national specialty. Obviously we are showing to non-specialist AKC
judges 95% of the time. In many of those rings you will find a preference for faults, contradictions to the
standard, and an improper image of substance. Should we be striving to appease judges who have a
misunderstanding of our breed or should we strive to correct their understanding? I’m as guilty as the
next person. I have personally put excess weight on my own dogs to play to a judge’s preference when
I knew they would not consider a dog with proper substance. It has been proven that adapting to the
judges’ tastes (and misunderstandings) can work. At the same time, I believe we as a fancy should
reclaim the wheel. The SBTCA is charged with educating judges to follow every aspect of the breed
standard from nose to tail and more importantly, everything in between. Judges should be taught to
recognize when they’re looking at a dog that has ideal substance for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier verses
one that simply looks powerful and attractive yet is in fact out of balance. They also need to know
when they’re looking at an otherwise balanced dog who is being exhibited at an excessive weight, and
they should certainly stop selecting for this fault. If we (SBTCA) direct judges to discern when exhibits
are in proper condition then we could further eliminate personal preferences for substance that are in
blatant non-conformity to the breed standard.
The old AKC breed video tells judges that there are 3 distinct “Types” of Staffordshire Bull Terriers: A
“Bulldog type,” a “Terrier type,” and a “Balanced type.” This is a fundamental misnomer with flawed
logic that contradicts the breed standard and should be forgotten. How inaccurate and ironic is it to
say that type, (that which make the Stafford distinctly Stafford, setting him apart from all other breeds)
can be identified in three different blends from two different influences (bull and terrier)? Type is
singular to a breed or variety. Three “types” suggest three different varieties. There exists no such
allowance for this variation in balance in the breed standard which addresses Substance by indicating
that heights are to be related to weights, not that “Terrier,” “Balanced” and “Bully” are all acceptable.
When conducting ring-side mentoring sessions for judges seeking AKC approval for our breed I am
often asked about this notion of the “Trinity of Types” to which I reply, All you need to
remember is that if a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not of the “Balanced
type” then he is by default of the “Unbalanced type.” Plain and simple: It doesn’t
matter what name you give it. If it’s not balanced, it’s unbalanced. Should judges be taught that the
unbalanced “type” is acceptable?
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
continued
In the end I’m not suggesting that if you find yourself with a 15 inch bitch that is 35 fit pounds that you
don’t consider her worth of showing or breeding. Not at all, but I do suggest that you consider this a
moderate fault that needs correcting. She is in fact carrying 20% more substance than what the
standard dictates for her height, and is thus unbalanced. Stop and imagine how different you would
look and feel with an additional 20% of your own body weight at the same height. When it comes
time to breeding her, work on eliminating that very evident fault just as you would if she had a sloppy
top line, light eyes or a gay tail. It’s time we call a fault a fault even when it’s on an attractive animal.
This is key to the athleticism and agility of the breed which is imperative we maintain even without the
original combat function. The Stafford still needs to theoretically look the part to be a proper Stafford.
There are other breeds of dogs that carry more mass for their height, and there is plenty of room for
bulldog aficionados to go play in that yard. But do not blur the lines that separate our breed from all
the others. We’re not talking about size. We’re talking about messing with the very definition of
“breed type” here. Take an objective look what you’ve got and always be striving to get more
conformity with the breed standard. That is the definition of “conformation” and the goal of the
contest. If your dog has 20% non-conformity to the H/W guidelines, then don’t ignore it or accept it as
your personal preference or interpretation of the standard. You wouldn’t do that with an undershot
mouth or “scorpion tail.” It’s a fault, but not just any fault. It’s one that skews the proper blending of
bull and terrier which is paramount to defining what a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is. Consciously work
to tighten it up over the next generation or two. The more accurately our dogs fit the breed standard
the more consistent the stock will be, the better the judges will become, and the longer the
Staffordshire Bull Terrier will be around to share its world with us all.
On Balance By Jason Nicolai
This article was first published in the Summer issue of the SBTCA magazine “Staff Status’ and was reprinted here with written permission by the author. Please do not reprint or publish this article, or any other article appearing in TSK, Inc. without written permission from the author. Thank you.
www.ca fepress .com/thankdog
For several years I have attended the famous AKC terrier only performance week in Kimberton PA with my
American Staffordshire Terrier. The week is comprised of 4 days of agility, 1 day of rally, and 1 day of obedience.
My first encounter with a Stafford was not at this event, but attending this event year after year and meeting the
incredible performance Staffords from all over the country and their owners sealed the deal for me. One day I
would own my very own Stafford and become a part of this dynamic group!
As the years ticked by and I continued
to drool over the Staffords I met, I also
observed that while many terrier breed clubs sponsored special awards for their dogs, it didn’t seem that the
Stafford club did so, or at least not consistently. My terrier tenacity kicked in and I set forward with my goals. 1. To own a Stafford. 2. To give all
performance Staffords the recognition they deserve at this event.
Both desires certainly presented their challenges along the way but that only made the end result that much more
sweet. I acquired my first Stafford in September 2010, Elivid's Shaken Not Stirred. Call name, "Bonnie". And, with the blessing of the SBTCA, the agility,
obedience, and rally entry at Kimberton 2012 was to be supported! OMG! Now... What exactly did I get myself
into?
I soon discovered what exactly I got myself into in both regards. It became
readily apparent that I would need to
Staffords Unleashed!
JEAN HARVEY AND LIGHTNING
CHRISTINE EDWARDS AND FOXY
SARGE AND J ILL TICE (HIT)
GUS (OWNED BY GWYN SCHEIDT
MY TERRIER TENACITY KICKED IN AND I SET FORWARD WITH MY GOALS.
LIZZ KESTER AND LENA
continued
draw again on my own terrier-like tenacity to not only get my Stafford ready to compete but also to pull off the best supported event ever.
As I dealt with the challenges of training the highest drive dog I have EVER owned, I also struggled with how to get this supported entry thing off the ground. I had no idea what I was doing. I started to write notes to various yahoo group lists for advice. A few people responded but I was still feeling overwhelmed and wondered if anyone really cared and whether even I could truly make this happen.
No one who is reading this will be surprised to learn that Karyn Dawes responded to my cry for help. Everyone in Staffords knows of her incredible accomplishments with her own dogs, her mentoring of others in all sports, and her tenacity in making sure that everyone knew what great performance dogs Staffords are. Her email wasn't chock full of details that led me down a path. It was a matter of fact statement of what to expect and what not to expect. While not the answer I was looking for, it was the best advice I received and sent me on my mission to find my way to achieve my goal. Karyn and I emailed a few more times about various things and I knew she would be there for me, as she was for anyone who asked for help.
In the months that followed, I started to work on determining budget and awards. I wanted participation in the event and I wanted participants to be HAPPY. Eventually things started to click. I made rosette decisions. I decided on prizes. I gave myself a budget and made sure I was comfortable with the amount should a chunk of it have to come out of pocket.
Then the unthinkable happened. The person I had hoped to look to throughout this process, Karyn Dawes, fell ill at an agility trial. She sadly passed away a few short days later. The Stafford community was thrown into a state of shock and I became aware of how truly special to the bull breeds this lady REALLY was. It wasn't a hard decision at all to dedicate Kimberton 2012, and all future years of supported entry at Kimberton, to Karyn.
At this point things needed to kick into high gear. I advertised the event and the supported entry in memory of Karyn wherever I could think to post it. Gears started to
move like a well oiled machine and before I knew it, the event was here and competitors from across the United States flew and drove in for the event.
Christine Ann Edwards from CA brought Foxy to compete in obedience and agility.
Jean Richardson from IL brought Charlie to compete in obedience.
Gwyn Scheidt from NC brought Gus to compete in agility and obedience
Jill Tice from NY brought Sarge to compete in agility, rally, and obedience.
Stephanie Crawford from NY brought Itty Bitty Bea to compete in rally and obedience.
Lizz Kester from VA brought Lena to compete in rally and obedience.
Jean Harvey from PA brought Lightning to compete in rally and obedience.
Angie Mitts from PA brought Senna to compete in rally. She's a puppy!!!
Kay Datesman and Denise Visco from NJ brought Pearlie to compete in agility, rally, and obedience
Debra Roseman from NJ brought Bonnie to compete in agility, rally, and obedience
Even though the event started on Tuesday with agility, the supported entries started on Wednesday with rally. In the rally ring we had 7 Staffords entered across multiple classes resulting in a total entry of 10.
Staffords Unleashed! By Deb Roseman
THE AUTHOR - DEB ROSEMAN & BONNIE
continued
Rally qualifying results were as follows:
Kay and Pearlie earned an RAE leg with scores of 98 in Adv. (1st place!) and 85 in Exc
Lizz and Lena earned an RAE leg with scores of 95 in Adv. (3rd place!) and 92 in Exc (2nd place!)
Jean and Lightning earned an RAE leg with scores of 96 in Adv. and 85 in Exc.
Jill and Sarge earned an RN leg with a score of 97 in Nov B (3rd place!)
Angie and Senna (puppy!!) earned an RN leg with a score of 95 in Nov B
Stephanie and Itty earned an RA leg with a score of 89 in Adv B.
On Wednesday night, everyone except Denise and Kay (who had other commitments) joined up with Beth Dunkle Zeiner and Lisa Glass Skorija for drinks, dinner, and to talk Stafford! Beth and Lisa both have multiple Stafford households and are well known for their flyball fame! A great time was had by all and more across the miles friendships formed...
The supported entries continued on Thursday with obedience and agility. Once again, our versatile Staffords did not disappoint! In the obedience ring we had 9 Staffords entered across multiple classes resulting in a total entry of 10. Obedience qualifying results were as follows:
Deb and Bonnie competed in Beginner Novice A obtaining a score of 192.5 to finish their BN title. (1st place!)
Jean and Lightning earned a CD leg with a score of 190.5 in Nov B and completed their CD title
Stephanie and Itty earned a CD leg with a score of 190.5+ in Nov B (4th place! they had a run off with Jean for placement)
Jill and Sarge earned a CD leg with a score of 192 in Nov B (2nd place!) HIT STAFFORD!!!!
Christine and Foxy competed in Open B and demonstrated Foxy's amazing and unique frog-dog drop on recall! They received a score of 187 (3rd place!)
In the agility rings we had 5 Staffords entered across multiple classes across all days resulting in a total entry of 35. On the supported day of Thursday, Agility qualifying results were as follows:
Gwyn and Gus qualified in T2B.
Christine and Foxy qualified in EXC B JWW (2nd place!)
Although Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday agility classes were not supported, qualifiers included:
Denise and Pearlie QQ’d in EXC B STD and JWW on Tuesday with 2nd and 3rd placements. They also Q’d in EXC B STD on Wednesday with a 2nd place
Gwyn and Gus Q’d in EXC B STD on Tuesday. They also QQ’d on Wednesday in EXC B STD and JWW with a 1st place in STD! To continue their amazing week, they also QQ’d on Friday.
Christine and Foxy QQ’d in EXC B STD and JWW on Friday with 2nd and 3rd placements.
All qualifiers received a Stafford knot tug toy and a special rosette. Additional prizes for more difficult challenges included giant gift bags full of treats for those teams earning RAE legs, and as High In Trial Stafford, Jill Tice and Sarge received a gift certificate for a custom hand stitched leather stafford collar and lead set!
I of course wanted everyone to go home with something whether they qualified or not, so at the end of the day on Thursday, we held an NQ raffle. Prizes consisted of Stafford knot tug toys, Stafford fleece collars from the UK, and a Stafford garden flag. Everyone went home with some kind of memento, happy memories, and new friends.
As this event came to a close, I breathed a huge sigh of relief and reflected back on my adventures with my Stafford and my adventures in organizing my first ever supported entry. Both are challenges that I took on with full disclosure and both eyes wide open. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY! I look forward to the continued support of our performance Staffords and their owners from the SBTCA and Stafford fans! People love to watch our adorable, entertaining, athletic dogs! And… I look forward to whatever challenges my Stafford continues to throw at me throughout her lifetime
We could not have done any of this without our generous supporters!
We thank you so much for supporting our performance Staffords!
Supporters were (in no particular order):
Staffords Unleashed! By Deb Roseman
The Stafford KnotNESBTCChristine Ann Edwards Stephanie CrawfordJean HarveyDayna LemkeJudy HellerTomek MatusiakJohnny Miller Amberly Staffords
Teri Crestani KeetchLisa Glass SkorijaBeth LloydToni PawsonMelissa NessJenn IrwinSharon AdamsJudith BreckaEmily Sieger
Q & ATo the folks at The Stafford Knot:
I recently was at a show when a lady sitting ringside within earshot of my group referred to a dog in the ring who in her opinion was in ‘fighting weight’ and shouldn't be at a show. She went on to say that the only way a Stafford can meet the heights/weights clause in the Standard was if they are kept ‘in fighting weight’ and that this dog was not a show dog. I wanted to ask her what she meant because to me the dog she was pointing out looked to be in fantastic physical condition and I later came to find that it also does agility and flyball. I would have said that the dog in question was instead in ‘sporting weight’ which in my mind has nothing at all to do with fighting, construction or how it met the standard. She sounded ignorant to me. Can you please elaborate on this topic?
Thanks, Ray Phillips
Hi RayThanks for your email - this is a great topic - one which could be answered in many ways. We think Alan Mitchell discussed this best in his book “The Show-Stafford Handbook - An Unwritten Standard Explained” (reproduced by TSK with permission from Alan Mitchell) P. 132-134
“In your time in the breed you will her many particular details in the Stafford’s construction justified by fitness for the purposes for which the breed was intended. Let us look at reality.
Most dogs will fight, most Staffords are more effective than most other breeds, however, there is a world of difference between a show Stafford and an exceptionally effective fighting dog.
Any dog which has the aggression, the jaw power and will can win dog fights, some dog fights.
A dog which will continue to fight despite pain and injury, and taking punishment until it wears down the resolve of the other dog will win most fights even between Staffords.
A dog with an acute fighting brain and all these characteristics will be a successful fighting dog.
The rest comes down to construction. When all these things are equal the dog which is lightly built
Send your letters to [email protected] or - Send your Q&A question to ASK TSKThe Stafford Knot, Inc. runs Letters to the Editor as they are sent - no editing. They are not necessarily the opinion of
this publication or those who are associated with it.
continued
Q & A continuedwith bone, skull, rib and muscle sufficient to give agility and strength but no more than that, and a dog with immense stamina to undertake a marathon fight will be a great fighting dog.
This means that the SHOW Stafford is not designed for the pit at top level. The best Staffords retain the courage, the total reliability with people, the acute brain, nerve, dash and confidence of the pit dog. The best characteristics of the pit dog have been preserved and housed in a most attractive shape and manageable size.
When debating a point in the Standard disregard any premise on which an argument is based if it claims it is that which fits the dog for fighting.
If we were breeding a fighting dog, appearance would count for nothing. We would be breeding a light, tall, moderately strong-skulled dog with not an inch more girth in skull and body than was essential and not an ounce in bone and muscle more than necessary and for what? To exploit suffering for money.
The jaw needed to be longer than it is now as the dog usually takes hold from the side gaining a grip with one side of the jaw. When the jaw is short as in the Bulldog and the Boxer they can only take a head-on grip and this is a critical limitation in a fighting dog.
The head itself was not overlarge. A rule of thumb was an inch of skull for an inch of height. That would make a 16” skull on a 16” dog.
The ears were cropped if necessary but any ear which could be held back close to the skull and on the top of the neck out of the way were acceptable.
When writers generalise they claim types and areas matched. Cradley and bully dogs not easily knocked off their feet, Darlaston, terrier and Walsall leggy. This was only an approximation and related to the dogs of those days. Hence a bully dog then would be terrier today.
There is no point in quoting and of these with reference to show dogs.
For better or worse our best show dogs have been refined into an attractive, manageable dog of great personality and character preserving the courage, reliability and undying love for humans. It is a far better looking and sounder dog than the pit dog of old. Let us always discuss breed parts in the show dog refering to the show dog and the Standard.
LIGHTNING
NEW TITLES
CH Farsydes Lightning Strikes Twice CD, BN, RECH Heart N Souls Doctor X x CH Farsydes Butterfly Effect
‘Lightning’ has been a busy boy this year! He has earned 3 new titles, Beginner Novice (BN), Companion Dog (CD) and Rally Excellent (RE)!
Breeder: Stacey LongOwner: Jean and Dave Harvey
L2-HGA normal & HC Clear by DNA - certification on file with TSK
Send us your BRAGS, Litter Announcements, Seminar & Show Announcements
The Stafford Knot Brags, Shows, Litters
RUGBY
NEW TITLE
BISS AKC/UKC GCH Rugby's Brighton Rock By Izumis TTCH Rave Reviews Here At Izumis x CH Rugby's Steeleye London TT
‘Brighton’ finished her UKC Grand Championship with tough competition in September 2012, in Perry, GA
Breeder: Susie KeelOwner: Susie KeelL2-HGA & HC Clear, CERF, OFA Hip, Elbow, Patella, Cardiac - certification on file with TSK,
continued
L-BELLE
NEW TITLE
FO URO3 UCDX UWPO UGWPCH1 UACH UNJCH GRCH Dynamo Sureshot Smart as a Fox VCD2 TD CDX AX MXJ RE CA SPD NJ-N TT CGC
Foxy went to the Kimberton All-Terrier Agility & Obedience trial in PA and came home with a new title & brags!Thurs-Q ExB JWW 16" 2nd place
Thurs-Q Open B Obedience, 3rd placeFri-QQ in agility, and new MXJ!
Breeder: Paul & Patricia Menard Owner: Christine EdwardsFully health tested, certifications on file, available upon request
Send us your BRAGS, Litter Announcements, Seminar & Show Announcements
The Stafford Knot Brags, Shows, Litters
JAZZ
NEW TITLE
Heart N Souls All That Jazz, CD RNCH Heart N Souls Fifth Element x CH Shaunchars English Dancer‘Jazz’ earned her Companion Dog Title this year!!
Breeder: Cindy LongOwner: Jean and Dave HarveyL2-HGA & HC Clear by parentage
continued
MAT-STAFF
SHOW WINS
Ashbull O'Driscoll at Mat - StaffZakstaff Black Baron JW x Ashbull Tiz You
“Hugo” was WD, BOW, BOS 2012 STAFFORD CLASSIC -Breed Specialist Martin Murphy "Brockmar" IRL
BPIS Stafford Classic 2012 - Breed Specialist - Susie Krauth "Karma" USA
Breeder: G. J & S. Stone Owner: Tomasz Matusiak & Mariusz CzyzakL2-HGA, HC clear, certifications on file, available upon request
Send us your BRAGS, Litter Announcements, Seminar & Show Announcements
The Stafford Knot Brags, Shows, Litters
MAT-STAFF
SHOW WINS
Ch. Sebsonic Shakira at Mat - StaffCh. Stormbull Solo JW x Sebsonic Damarkos Pearl JW
The Only THREE-TIMES STAFFORD CLASSIC BEST OF BREED WINNEREric Galvin -"Scousious" UK, Pat Harkin -"Harkline" UK, Martin Murphy -"Brockmar" IRL
Our Sincere Thanks to All The Judges Who Thought So Highly of “Phoebe”
Breeder: M & S DaviesOwner: Tomasz MatusiakL2-HGA, HC clear, certifications on file, available upon request
Wanted Samples for PHPV/PPSC Research.If you own or have bred a dog diagnosed with either of these eye conditions, could you help by supplying mouth swabs from the affected dog plus its parents and litter-mates.
Any PHPV positives found in litter screenings are not reported in the Breeds Record Supplement, nor are any cases of PPSC - hence this appeal.
If sufficient samples from affected cases can be obtained, it is hoped that research to determine the inheritance of both conditions may be commenced, possibly leading eventually to DNA tests similar to those available for HC and L-2-HGA.
A copy of the eye test certificate and a copy of the dogs pedigree would also be appreciated. All samples and information will of course be confidential just in case anyone has any concern's about that.
If you can help with this and thus help the Stafford , can you please contact one of the following who can supply swabs and any information required. SImply click their name to send an email.
Diane Taylor
Lesley McFadyen
Archie Bryden
Many thanks for your co-operation.
The Stafford Knot wishes to provide the following information for your convenience. TSK encourages health testing of all Staffordshire Bull Terriers, especially those used for breeding purposes and/or performance events. The testing is made available to be used as a tool to eliminate certain diseases from a breeding program. Used wisely, this can be accomplished. The following testing information is provided as a service to you, however should not be used as the only health checks your Stafford receives. There are many more health issues to be considered when breeding dogs, caring for dogs and when looking to buy a purebred dog. As always, please seek the advice of your personal veterinary specialists for your day-to-day needs of your dogs. Thank you!
***PLEASE send in your test results for the databases. Accurate records are valuable to the breed***
Remember, if you choose to breed from a carrier you must test the entire resulting litter to determine clears & carriers. Thus if you choose to keep a carrier from that litter, the same must be done for each subsequent litter resulting from
breeding carriers. If you sell carrier pups, please consider spay/neuter so that more carriers are not produced. With the advent and ease of genetic testing many of these diseases could be eliminated by only breeding clear to clear. To use a
known carrier requires an extra step of responsibility. There is no excuse to breed an untested dog.
Testing Facility For L2-Hga & HC
Animal Health Trust
Lanwades Park, Kentford
New Market, Suf folk CB87UU
Phone: 01638 751000
Fax: 01638 750410
Email Website Direct Link
Testing Facility For L2-Hga Only
Canine Genetic Diseases - University Of Mo.
321 Connaway Hal lColumbia, Missouri 65211-5120 USA
Phone: 573-884-3712
Fax: 573-884-5414
Email Website Direct Link
Testing Facility For HC in USA:
http://www.animalgenetics.us/Canine/HC.htm
* * * Please note - a CERF or PHPV test done by a canine ophthalmologist is NOT the same test as the DNA test for HC - BOTH tests should be carried out * * *
Other labs offering L-2-HGA test in Europe:
France www.antagene.com
Czech Republic www.genomia.cz
Germany www.laboklin.de / www.laboklin.co.uk
Testing Facility For Hip, Elbows, Patella and Cardiac Certifications *
Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA)
2300 E Nifong BoulevardColumbia, Missouri, 65201-3806 USA
Phone: 573-442-0418 Fax: 573-875-5073
Email Website
*Note: A Board Certified Cardiologist must perform all Cardiac exams.
A qualified licensed Veterinarian can provide X-Ray films for hips, elbows and Patella.
Testing Facility For Eye Certifications*
Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)
1717 Philo RdP O Box 3007Urbana, IL 61803-3007 USAPhone: 217-693-4800 Fax: 217-693-4801
Email Website
*Note: A Board Certified Canine Ophthalmologist must perform all CERF exams.
CERF exams are annual exams for breeding stock.
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Coat color testing for those wishing not to produce blues, dilutes or black and tan can be found at many labs now.Contact us if you cannot find one.
The Stafford Knot Featured Rescues
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Pepper - Female - NY
Maggie - Female - CTMaggie is an adorable 3 yr old, tiny little girl in need of a home! Maggie weighs 35 lbs, and is happy to be picked up and carried around! Maggie is a total love and just wants to cuddle. Maggie loves to be with people, however she really needs to be the only animal in the home. She came from Tennessee. We know that she lived there chained outside. When she arrived at the rescue, she loved people and was horribly dog aggressive. Working with her, she is now much more tolerant of other dogs if they don't invade her space. We have also found out that she likes big quiet male dogs. But, she needs to be kept away from little dogs and cats.
She is quite mellow. She loves belly rubs and is very happy to hang out in her crate/run and not cause any problems. This little girl deserves a good home. She is in Norwalk, CT.Watch Maggie's Video Here: http://bullybreedrescueinc.org/Videos.phpShe is with: http://bullybreedrescueinc.org/Dogs-For-Adoption.php. CONTACT
Pepper is about five years old. She’s sweet, smart, good in the house and loves everyone. She’s not particularly dog aggressive, but she’s not exactly dog tolerant either, so she should probably be in a one-dog home. She loves to sit on the couch or on a chair, right next to her people, she gets excited when she meets and greets, but she settles down quickly. In other words, she’s a typical Stafford. She’ll make someone a great pet. We really cannot believe she is still in a foster home!There is a great video of her here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-F3VvK5YFY&feature=email CONTACT
Denver - Female - N. CADenver's owenrs have lost their home and cannot keep her. She is an older Stafford, born in 1998, who would do best as the only dog. Denver loves to play fetch with the ball, she also loves all people and especially children. She has been to obedience class, and is very eager to please. She loves getting scratched. She loves to take walks, but since she is older, she does not need long walks. She also loves to eat. She is a very loving dog. She is not food aggressive but a little dog aggressive. She needs a final place to call her own in her last days. Please consider giving Denver a place to call home. CONTACT
The Stafford Knot Stud Gallery
The Stafford Knot lists health tested stud dogs in the gallery, however, it is up to you to verify this testing by asking to see the certificates for each test if they are not made available here for download. We have screened this to the best of our ability, but cannot guarantee dogs listed have been tested. PLEASE ask for copies of certificates before using dogs at
stud for the health and the future of our breed. Thank you.Stud Gallery Ads run annually
DayDream Ch. Slam Dance, CGC (Imp UK)“Nigel”
DNA - AKC - #P24384L2-HGA, HC, PHPV Unaffected, OFA/PennHip Hips, Patella, CERFhttp://www.offa.org/display.html?appnum=678935#animal
Tel 530-306-0305
Frozen semen available to health tested bitches only.More photos of Nigel available. Health documents available by request.
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Continued on next page
AbsoluteBIS BISS CH Belnore Dream Keeper OFA‘Beau’
AKC DNA - V426729Clear of L2-HGA, HC, OFA/PennHip Hips, OFA/PennHip Elbows, Patella, OFA Cardiac - documentation available upon request
Tel 337-255-3508
LAST ISSUE FOR 2012 STUD GALLERY
=======================================MoonstruckCH Moonstruck The Stamler Express, TT“Stamler”
L2-HGA, HC, PHPV Unaffected
"Available to Heath Tested Bitches with Correct Stafford Temperaments Only"Health documents available by request
MoonstruckMoonstruck Blue Asher, TT“Asher”
L2-HGA, HC, PHPV Unaffected
301-261-4202 "Available to Heath Tested Bitches with Correct Stafford Temperaments Only"Health documents available by request
The Stafford Knot Stud Gallery
The Stafford Knot lists health tested stud dogs in the gallery, however, it is up to you to verify this testing by asking to see the certificates for each test if they are not made available here for download. We have screened this to the best of our ability, but cannot guarantee dogs listed have been tested. PLEASE ask for copies of certificates before using dogs at
stud for the health and the future of our breed. Thank you.Stud Gallery Ads run annually
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LAST ISSUE FOR 2012 STUD GALLERY
=======================================The Stafford Knot is an independent publication and not affiliated with any specific breed club. TSK is a collaborative effort
from like minded Stafford enthusiasts whose common goal is to support the health testing of purebred Staffords. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove any material submitted.
All material on this site is copyright protected & cannot be used unless indicated without the written consent of The Stafford Knot
Thank you.Contact Us
Merchandise now available - proceeds benefit Stafford rescue worldwide!CLICK to shop and donate to SBT Rescue!
ElvidCh/U-Ch Heaven's Warrior De El Doradostaff “Bruce”
L2-HGA and HC Clear, PHPV Unaffected, CERF, OFA Hips Good, OFA Elbows, Patellas, & Cardiac Normal, AKC DNA - V615701
[email protected]://www.elividstaff.com
"Health documents available by request. Available at stud to approved, health-tested bitches only."
LAST ISSUE FOR 2012 STUD GALLERY
The Stafford Knot is offering classified advertising of goods and services which are dog related. Ads are limited to 20 words, no images. For larger ads please consider gallery advertising. The Stafford
Knot cannot be held responsible for any items sold through this page. All sales are between seller and purchaser.
TSK makes no warranties either written or implied.
The Stafford Knot Classified Advertising
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Thankdog - All Breeds Equal Help fight BSL promote responsible dog ownership. T-shirts, Calendars, Stickers, & more. Proceeds benefit Stafford [email protected] CLICK here to shop
Pitstars SBT Supplies - Stafford Collars & Leads plus all your Stafford needs. Made & supplied by Stafford people for Stafford peoples Staffords. Pitstars SBT Supplies FB, www.pitstar.co.uk (+44)07958) 355382
Take advantage now of this incredible deal on classified advertising! These prices wont last long!
Bull Breeds Online Your online forum for all Bull Breed lovers and canine enthusiasts! bullbreedsonline‘Like” us on Face Book
YOUR AD HERE!
Limited Editions FitPaws Canine Conditioning Equipment, Natural Treats + Chews, Toys, Tugs, Collars. Unique accessories for your unique pets. www.limitededitions1.com [email protected]
Young Living Essential Oils Experience therapeutic benefits of essential oils for your family & pets too! Use Independent Distributor Referral #1166695http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/
Hello Stafford! You have seen Hello Kitty & Hello Pitbull - now comes Hello Stafford - available on shirts, mugs, stickers and more. Sales benefit fight against BSL and support rescue and health testingCLICK here to shop
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The Stafford Knot, Inc. has applied for 501(c)3 status. If granted, your donations and ad money will be considered tax deductible. We will keep our readers posted as soon as we know.
YOUR AD HERE!YOUR AD HERE!
The Stafford Knot Breeder DirectoryThe Stafford Knot cannot be held responsible for the breeders listed below. Please do your homework and ask to see health certificates, discuss terms and decide whether the Stafford is the correct breed for you prior to purchasing a puppy. Remember, Stafford rescues are also available and make be wonderful pets in the right homes! A Stafford is not the breed for everyone. Please be responsible dog owners and take responsibility for you and your dog in all situations. Contact us with questions.
We reserve the right to approve or disapprove any material submitted Form to advertise in Breeders Directory can be found HERE
AlabamaCornerstoneThe FolmarsAlabamahttp://www.cornerstonestaffords.net205-966-8114L2-HGA, HC
"Staffords that are exemplary in type & balance"
GeorgiaWavemaker StaffordsJim & Lynn CaswellGA, USA EMAILwww.wavemakerstaffords.com770-666-6121L2-HGA, HC, Hips, Elbows, Patella, Cardiac, CERF
“Naturally reared - Promoting health, exercise & the Breed Standard - Wavemaker Staffords....naturally”
CaliforniaChavier StaffordsKim Washington-SmithSouthern CaliforniaEMAIL 213 - 760-9081L2-HGA, HC, CERF
"Breeding Staffords with Charm"
Illinois1 of a Kind StaffordsAndrew CurrierPeoria IlEMAIL 309-691-7134L2-HGA, HC, Hips, Elbows, Patella, Cardiac
“Unequalled in type, balance, fitness & health”
CaliforniaGemini KennelBeth LloydSouthern CaliforniaEMAILwww.angelfire.com/ca2/geminikennelL2-HGA, HC, Hips, Elbows, Patella, Cardiac, CERF
“From show dogs to GO dogs.”
MarylandHi-Impact Staffords (Reg)Rich NewbergerBaltimorehttp://hiimpactstaffords.com410-323-4141L2-HGA, HC, PHPV, Hips, Elbows, Cardiac, CERF
“Bred to standard not by design”
GeorgiaRamstaff StaffordsAngie & Kevin BeezleyGeorgia, USAEMAILwww.ramstaffkennels.com770-888-5255L2-HGA, HC, Hips, Elbows, Cardiac, CERF
“Ramstaff...focusing on the standard blend of bull & terrier with true stafford temperament...always”
MarylandMoonstruck StaffordsJudy HellerEdgewater, MD 21037EMAILwww.moonstruckstaffords.com 301-261-4202L2-HGA, HC
Quality Staffordshire Bull Terriers of Correct Type & Temperament for Show, Performance & Companion "The Ultimate Nanny Dog”
Continued on next page
LAST ISSUE FOR 2012 BREEDER DIRECTORY
MichiganBlessings' KennelCathy Micallef Southeastern MIEMAILwww.blessingskennel.org 734-634-9328L2-HGA, HC, Hips, Elbows, Patella, Cardiac, CERF
“Wonderful companions with show & working potential!”
Wellington, New ZealandBattleaxeGrant & Louise [email protected] http://www.battleaxekennels.com0064 478-9313 L2-HGA, HC, PHPV
VirginiaElvid StaffordsSterling, Virginiahttp://www.elividstaff.comEMAIL
“Staffords that exemplify the Standard both in the home and show & performance rings"
BREEDERS WHO ADVERTISE WITH TSK HAVE SUBMITTED PROOF OF HEALTH TESTING
WisconsinMSLF KennelsCindy BundyEMAIL 262-857-9412L2-HGA, HC, Hips, Elbows, CERF, Other
“We strive to promote sound minds and bodies.”
YOUR KENNEL HERE
YOUR KENNEL HERE
LAST ISSUE FOR 2012 BREEDER DIRECTORY
© 2011 Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, MS
Balance = Lack of Exaggeration
We are seeking volunteers to help continuously update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested.
Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested. Thank you to all who have contributed to this Illustrated Breed Standard and to those who have given permission to use images of your dogs.
Thank you to the photographers who have given permission to use the photos in this Illustrated Breed Standard. If we have missed anyone it was not intentional. No harm nor foul is meant.
This is an educational tool only. ©TSK 2012
With the formation of the first Staffordshire Bull Terrier club in 1935, a standard was drawn. Jim the Dandy owned by Jack S. Barnard, was chosen as the most perfect specimen of his time, and his breeding could be traced back thirty years or so.
If we compare that standard with today's standard, and then compare the majority of today's show specimens with either standard, we can see that a contradiction of type exists, and that the Bulldog has been developed at the expense of the Terrier. We find this unacceptable, since the combination of both breeds was essential to producing a dog that was very unique and original. (text taken from The Stafford Mall)
Jim The Dandy
Jim The Dandy
©TSK 2012
We are seeking volunteers to help update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested. Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested. This Illustrated Breed Standard is an
ongoing project. Future issues will contain updates and changes.
"Non-conformity with these limits is a fault" Any departure from these limits should be considered a fault and the ‘SERIOUSNESS’ with which the fault should be regarded, should be in exact proportion
©TSK 2012
Overall Balance
©TSK 2012
Males 14”...... 28lbs14 1/2”..30.45lbs15”........32.85lbs15 1/2”...35.5lbs16” ....... 38lbs
Females14” ........24lbs14 1/2”...26.25lbs15”.........28.80lbs15 1/2”...31.31lbs16”.........34lbs
“Heights Being Related to Weights” Size, Proportion, SubstanceHeight at shoulder: 14 to 16 inches. Weight: Dogs, 28 to 38 pounds; bitches, 24 to 34 pounds, these heights being related to weights. Non-conformity with these limits is a fault. In proportion, the length of back, from withers to tail set, is equal to the distance from withers to ground.
©TSK 2012
Thank you to all who have contributed to this Illustrated Breed Standard and to those who have given permission to use images or drawn illustrations of your dogs.
Thank you to the photographers who have given permission to use the photos in this Illustrated Breed Standard. If we have missed anyone it was not intentional. No harm nor foul is meant.
This is an educational tool only. ©TSK 2012
We are seeking volunteers to help update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested. Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested. This Illustrated Breed Standard is an
ongoing project. Future issues will contain updates and changes.
The Stafford Topline
The withers are located where the vertebrae face the rear of the dog (between the shoulder blades) and end at the point they begin to change direction where there is also a noticable pad of muscle. There should not be a noticable dip in vertebrae behind the withers but allowing for layer of muscle pad according to fitness level.
Toplines are designed to help the dog perform a particular function, in this case they must be agile enough to perform the job they were originally designed to do. In very fit dogs there will be muscle pads along either side of the spine. This should not be confused with a dip or roach in the topline.
There is a very slight arch over a fairly short loin. The arch occurs over the unsupported-by-ribs portion of the topline (the loin). The strong, flexible loin contributes to the Stafford’s endurance. The topline must be correct or balance is not possible.
The croup is located after the loin and at the point of the hip bone just in front of the sacrum where there is a slight drop to the tail set(2nd orange arrow) There should not be a severe drop at the croup but should be a slight rise over the loin which mimics a show of tuck below.
The example to the right shows a Stafford in good physical condition showing a correct topline - it is easy to hide a topline with layers of fat instead of muscle - the appearance changes. This level of fitness isnt often seen in a show ring but is shown here for example of a well constructed specimen.
photo by Jindra H
The topline is measured from the withers to croup
©TSK 2012
We are seeking volunteers to help update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested. Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested. This Illustrated Breed Standard is an
ongoing project. Future issues will contain updates and changes.
A muscular, clean head of good depth & breadth, with pronounced cheek muscles and definite stop and in balance with the whole dog. A strong deep underjaw is a pre-requisite. Loose skin or pendulous lips to be severely penalized.
The fore-face/muzzle is short in relation to the rest of the head, shorter in this respect than most terriers’ but not so short it interferes with function. It should be approx. 2 parts skull and 1 part muzzle measuring from the tip of the nose to the stop, and then measuring from the stop to the occiput.
The Stafford should not have a domed, apple head. There should exist a ‘furrow’ made up of muscles on the top of a mature Staffords head. Puppies and young Staffords may not get this muscling until they reach 12 months or so but it should be there as adults. Same goes for the pronounced cheek muscles. Until the Stafford reaches maturity (preferably between 2-5 years old depending upon the lines) the head will continue to change and mature. The head will change continuously throughout the Staffords life.
His foreface, muzzle and jaw, should be equally balanced for width and depth and continue the strength of his head as a whole. A foreface which falls off below his eyes makes for a ”foxy” head. But too much bone will make him coarse and take away from the quality of the head.
Enough is the key word.
©TSK 2012
Mouths - Muzzles
The dog on the right has normal Staffordshire Bull Terrier canine placement however the occlusion does not line up properly on this bite
©TSK 2012
©TSK 2012
We are seeking volunteers to help update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested. Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested. This Illustrated Breed Standard is an
ongoing project. Future issues will contain updates and changes.
©TSK 2012
©TSK 2012
We are seeking volunteers to help update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested. Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested. This Illustrated Breed Standard is an
ongoing project. Future issues will contain updates and changes.
Illustration at left taken from “The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Handbook” by John F. Gordon, 1951 - showing a correct Stafford front - “Legs reasonably straight in line from shoulders, showing no weakness at pasterns, from where the feet turn out a little.”
The Stafford FrontElbows tight against the body, showing no looseness, legs perpendicular to ground, dropping straight from the shoulder. The
chest drops just to the elbow and no further. Well sprung but not barreled.
Moderation is key - Not overdone but showing strength - too much rib spring will hinder efficient movement and too much
depth of brisket only adds bulk and heaviness not conducive to agile and free
movement. Not enough forechest or brisket weakens movement.
The Stafford requires excellent balance to move freely.
Pinched and too narrow with weak pastern
Overloaded shoulder, chest drops below elbow, weak pastern
Bossy shoulder, lacking depth of chest, low on leg
Bossy shoulder, out at elbows, short leg, too thick, not balanced
©TSK 2012
We are seeking volunteers to help update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested. Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested. This Illustrated Breed Standard is an
ongoing project. Future issues will contain updates and changes.
The Stafford Foot - Well Padded & Tight
©TSK 2012
We are seeking volunteers to help update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested. Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested. This Illustrated Breed Standard is an
ongoing project. Future issues will contain updates and changes.
Rear Angles
©TSK 2012
Thank you to all who have contributed to this Illustrated Breed Standard and to those who have given permission to use images or drawn illustrations of your dogs.
Thank you to the photographers who have given permission to use the photos in this Illustrated Breed Standard. If we have missed anyone it was not intentional. No harm nor foul is meant.
This is an educational tool only. ©TSK 2012
The Stafford Coat & Colors
We are seeking volunteers to help update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested. Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested.
Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colors with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white. Black-and-tan or liver color to be disqualified.
The Stafford coat should shine. It is a single coat and thinner and finer than a fox terrier. It is of medium texture neither course nor silky. The coat should be very close fitting, Because of its fine coat the Stafford feels the wind and rain and if you are judging in inclement conditions expect to see even the best topline with a roach.
Staffords are to have a black nose - a brown nose denotes liver. Eyerims should be dark (some white or pied dogs will not have dark rims). Since Staffords do come in so many colors, no judging preference should be made as to color with the exception of Black and Tan (correctly described as Tan Point Markings) or Liver.
Black & Tan can mean marked like a Manchester Terrier or Rottweiller. Sometimes this color is not as clearly defined and harder to notice the tan markings. The marks over the eyes, on the face, on the chest, inside the front & rear legs and under the vent can also appear as brindle (on a black brindle) or as cream (on a red or fawn). Liver staffords are recognized by the lack of black pigmentation on the nose (brownish in colour) and usually very light eyes “yellow” (not light brown which some dogs will have) and sometimes light nails.
Both of these colours are disqualifying traits and should never be shown, bred or encouraged.
When judging the Stafford do not penalise “battle scars” . As a fighting dog it is certainly permissible to have scarring and is part of the history of the breed.
All feet in solid coloured dogs should carry black toe nails. When the nails have been subjected to a good deal of wear and tear the black pigmentation can look shabby and worn however if you look at the root of the nail a truly black nail will be seen. Check for good pigmentation in diluted coloured dogs – such as blues and fawns as they cannot have the black nose genetically but still should carry good pigment and not appear washed out.
Excellent pigmentation can also show as dark gums and lips and inside the ear leather also being dark.
EXAMPLES OF TAN POINT MARKINGS
EXAMPLES OF GOOD PIGMENTEXAMPLES OF LIVER
Photo - Ross Anderson of Aberdeen, Scotland ‘Neyo’
Dark gums, lips in a red dog
Dark gums, lips a in a BB dog
inside of ear leather blackblack nails
©TSK 2012
The Stafford Gait
Pigment
Since Staffords do come in so many colors, no judging preference should be made as to color with the exception of Black and Tan (correctly described as Tan Point Markings) or Liver.
All feet in solid colored dogs should carry black toe nails. When the nails have been subjected to a good deal of wear and tear the black pigmentation can look shabby and worn however if you look at the root of the nail a truly black nail will be seen. Check for good pigmentation in diluted colored dogs – such as blues and fawns as they cannot have the black nose genetically but still should carry
good pigment and not appear washed out.
©TSK 2012
The Stafford Gait
We are seeking volunteers to help update this project. Please email [email protected] if interested. Knowledge of the breed, structure, genetics and movement is suggested.
Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernible drive from hind legs.
If we do not know the mechanical factors involved in movement, our ideas are apt to be unsound.
Viewed from the side on the move you will see the tip of the front foot reaching the end of the muzzle. The foreleg must reach forward of the line of scapula then on the foot striking the ground, forward momentum would then see the scapula travel over the striking foot which then ends behind the center line of the scapula. Similarly with the rear foot strike and the line of the pelvis.
When the Stafford is moving away from you - you should view its rear pads pushing off effortlessly.
There should be decidedly no effort on the Staffords part to get his pads and body support under his center of gravity.
When viewed coming towards you there is no paddling, wading, circling, stilted movement or looseness. The front legs should block your view to the rear legs in parallel motion with effortless ease of movement.
The Stafford is not expected to move like other terrier breeds. In order to be balanced all the time he is moving he has to place his front feet slightly under his body with each stride . This inward inclination must begin from the shoulder and never from the elbow.
The front feet should never touch each other or cross in movement and any looseness in shoulder is highly undesirable. The gait must be light and jaunty with the feet skimming the ground without any wasted movement.
The hind legs should drive strongly moving as much as possible parallel with each other. They should never touch or cross each other in movement.
The Stafford on the move should show strength, agility and drive. The Stafford will appear extremely light and bouncy on his feet. This is caused by the width of the front assembly with a well developed rib cage , the lighter loin and slightly less width of rear.
Also because of the lesser width at the rear, the hind legs although moving parallel will be just slightly inside the line of the front legs.
A specimen that is loose in shoulder can be supported by his handler while on the stack however as soon as the dog becomes mobile any structural faults will become apparent.
In the show ring, Staffords should be walked at a steady pace and not run. Always ask exhibitors to walk their Stafford on a loose lead.
The Stafford is an efficient working machine, not a cloddy bulldog, heavy breather gasping for air in a show ring nor a prancing terrier. Effortless movement with discernable drive from the rear is the goal.
Photo borrowed
©TSK 2012
In SummaryThe head should appear clean. No wrinkle or bunched up expression. One should strive for 2/3 to 1/3 ratio head to muzzle with a definite stop but not an EXAGGERATED stop or lack of stop. The stop itself should be almost vertical. The easiest way to determine accurate stop is to place your thumb on the stop and look at the angle of your thumb. Do not be fooled by the profile view of the eye socket and mistake this for the stop. The lip should be very clean, thin and tight to the teeth meeting top and bottom with no flews or wrinkled, fleshy or spongey excess thus giving the Stafford a somewhat serious expression at times. The lip should not turn down at the end or be excessive. Exaggerations of under jaw include total lack of under jaw, weak under jaw or too strong an under jaw. None of these are correct. Depending upon the cleanness of the lip - this can be difficult to asses without a hands on going over.
The nose itself may turn up slightly at the tip, but keep in mind the plane of the muzzle and the head - they should be parallel to one another. When the muzzle turns up more than the plane of the top skull the dog has a dish face and if the planes dip downward - a down face - neither is clean, balanced and will be exaggerated in expression. When the muzzle is too short or too long they will lack balance. Ears can deceive on a glance so best to get your hands on the dogs head and feel for placement, thickness of leather and size.
Does the dog have sufficient length of leg? If not is it due to a short upper arm or just overall shortness of bone? A balanced Stafford should measure the same from the withers to the ground - as it does from the withers to the base of the tail set. Staffords are a square breed. They are not low to the ground or squatty. They are not way up on leg either. Enough leg, enough back - not too much, not too little. Is there massive bone or fine bone? Neither is balanced. Staffords are square - BALANCED with no EXAGGERATION..
Is the animal wider in front than looks natural or is it pinched in front? Neither is correct. The front legs should appear to drop directly down from the shoulder. The front shouldn't appear to be ‘in’ or ‘out’, and MOST CERTAINLY shouldn't look like a bulldog. The legs straight, no weakness at pastern but the tight well padded feet DO turn out a little. Not a lot, and not straight with upright shoulder as in other terrier breeds. The rear should appear strong - not HUGE and not weak and narrow - somewhat even to the front but slightly narrower when viewed from above.
There should be a definite waist line with approximately 4 fingers width between the last rib and the hip bone. One should see that last rib as well, showing no fat or wrinkle and sufficient tuck up from the profile.
A Stafford is certainly well muscled, yet not bunched muscle - long and lean muscle is much more suited to the breed and its original intended purpose. Not a heavyweight boxer but more like a middleweight. It must be able to move easily, be active and agile. Too much bunched muscle is exaggeration and the dog will lack balance. Not enough and he will appear soft and will not function correctly. Exaggeration of muscle in either direction will affect movement as well.
Its all about a balance. NO EXAGGERATION.
© BDG 2009-2013 - This publication & Illustrated Breed Standard was produced by & may only be used with written permission from TSK or Brown Dog Graphics
Credit goes to the following for contributing to this publication:Showing and Judging Dogs - Hilary Harmar, The Show Stafford Handbook - Alan Mitchell, Annette Baxter, The Staffordshire Bull Terrier - John F. Gordon, The Dog In Action – McDowell Lyon, Fred Phillips, HN Beilby, Raymond Crilly, Craig Dillon, The Stafford Knot, David & Carolyn Alexander, New Zealand Kennel Gazette, Diane & Trevor Taylor,
Mick & Jenny Smith, The Staffordshire Bull Terrier in America - Deiter Fleig, The Complete Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Danny Gilmour, The Staffordshire Bull Terrier – Mike Homan, Staffordshire Bull Terriers – Shaun Barker, Staffordshire Bull Terrier – Alec Waters, The Complete Staffordshire Bull Terrier – Danny Gilmore, Deb Saunt, Leighanne Reid,
Stafford Club of Victoria, Erica Schelfhorst and many others.
Thank you to those willing to allow the use of photos of their dogs in this publication. This is Version 12.2 and was produced by The Stafford Knot, Inc.
The Stafford Knot Back Issues
January 2010Issue #1, Vol #1Articles include: Joseph Dunn - Hints to the NoviceSBT=Bulldog+Terrier
February 2010Issue #2, Vol #1Articles include:SBT Breed Seminar, Raymond Crilly - Judges EdBreeders Code of SilenceSBT Exhibition Center(Past Crufts Wnners story NOT included)
March 2010Issue #3, Vol #1Articles include:Info on Health TestingIllustrated Breed StandardBalance & Movement - Judges EdPHPV - Tala’s Story - HealthDemodectic Mange - Alternative Therapies for Treatments - Health(WKC stories NOT included)
April 2010Issue #4, Vol #1Articles include:Info on Health TestingIllustrated Breed StandardRX For Whelping & Caesarians - Breeders Ed What You See is What You GetThe Tragic Loss of Bloodlines & Mentoring in America - Breeders EdA Very Special Boy Meets His 1st Stafford
May 2010Issue #5, Vol #1Articles include:Info on Health TestingIllustrated Breed StandardTan Point Markings - AKA Black & Tan Judges/Breeders EdStaffords in Working TrialsFibro Cartila....what? - HealthHow to Select Against Genetic Disease with Knowledge, Not Hope - Breeders Ed
June 2010Issue #6, Vol #1Articles include:Info on Health TestingIllustrated Breed StandardGDC Genetics Interview Breeders EdBalance in the SBT Judges/Breeders EdOne By One - What YOU can do!The Disappearing Sperm - Breeders Ed/HealthSBT Breed Record Holders, Part 1
July 2010Issue #7, Vol #1Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardDogs Who Fly - Dock DivingJudging My Way - Judges/ Exhibitors EdThe Holy GrailHow to Weight Pull with your Staffordshire Bull TerrierTrack Training - Starting OutFlyball - “Organized Chaos”
August 2010 - Veterans!Issue #8, Vol #1Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardGrey Muzzles & Puppy Dog TalesStaying in the GameMy SunshineTammyAlfMay be viewed HERE
September 2010 Issue #9, Vol #1Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardTraining Your StaffordForequartersWhat Price GloryEarly Neurological StimulationMay be viewed HERE
October 2010 Issue #10, Vol #1Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardLiving With CushingsDon't Steal My JoyWhat is Natural RearingUsing Genetic PedigreeMay be viewed HERE
email [email protected] for copies of articles if not linked here
November 2010 Issue #11, Vol #1Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardMiracles Do HappenNostalgiaThe Versatile StaffordThe Genetic PedigreeArnica MontanaMay be viewed HERE
December 2010 Issue #12, Vol #1Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardThe Breed TodayPuppies For ChristmasPets As TherapyUnderstanding Recessive GenesA Tribute To TrilbyWhen Things Don’t Go As PlannedMay be viewed HERE
January-February 2011 Issue #1, Vol #2Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardArthritisHow Cassie Became an AustralianObedience ChampionWhat is L2-HGA?Teaching Bite InhibitionThe Truth About VaccinesThe Eukanuba ExperienceQ&A - ToplinesMay be viewed HERE
The Stafford Knot Back IssuesMarch - April 2011 Issue #2, Vol #2Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardCherish Every MomentImportance of Nutrition in Natural HealingWhat is CERF?Competitive ObedienceUnderstanding Judging ConsistencyHow Diatomaceous Earth WorksQ&A - UnderjawMay be viewed HERE
May - June 2011 Issue #3, Vol #2Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardTally Ho - Lure CoursingThe Topline of the SBTThe Rule of FivesInterview - Norman Berry (Rendorn)Renal Disease in CaninesHereditary Cataracts in StaffordsQ&A - BitesMay be viewed HERE
July - August 2011 Issue #4, Vol #2Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardBreed Specific LegislationHip DysplasiaPreferred Breed TypeThe Problem with Dog ParksWhat Veterinarians are Saying About the Raw DietInterview with Tony Brindley (Cabrindle)How It All Began
Sept - Oct 2011 Issue #5, Vol #2Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardGot Itch?The Backyard PuppySportsmanship, Part 1Sportsmanship RevisitedDog ShowingQ&A - Slipped HocksMay be viewed HERE
Nov - Dec 2011 Issue #6, Vol #2Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardThe SBT Standard - A Personal InterpretationBreeding - The Big PictureWhere Have All The Pure Breeds Gone?The Ostrich SyndromeFoster Mom Finds RewardsThe Head of a Staffordshire Bull terrierQ&A - Hocks Let DownMay be viewed HERE
Jan - Feb 2012Issue #1, Vol #3Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardFaultlessness vs VirtueA Dog Named TillyBSL - Banning LassieMeet the BreedWhat is Your Target?Choice of Stud DogLetter To The Editor: ImportsMay be viewed HERE
Mar - Apr 20112Issue #2, Vol #3Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardVaccination Reactions Can Mimic Disease SymptomsPhil DrabblePlaying COIKennel BlindnessBull & TerrierLetter To The Editor: StructureMay be viewed HERE
May - June 2012Issue #3, Vol #3Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardSCSBTS 75th Anniversary of 1st ShowHints to the Novice: Joe DunnOur Dogs - Review of 1936 byHN BeilbyThe Breed According to Fred PhillipsPictorial Early StaffordsLetter To The Editor: Weak StructureMay be viewed HERE
July - Aug 2012Issue #4, Vol #3Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardLine Breeding - Past & PresentBuilding ConfidenceWhy The Shit Hits The FanFlying Bricks - FlyballThe Stud DogLetter To The Editor: Judge CompetencyMay be viewed HERE
Sept - Oct 2012Issue #5, Vol #3Articles include:Illustrated Breed StandardOn BalanceChanging EstimatesFlyballAgilityPuppy Puzzle Q&Ar: Fighting WeightMay be viewed HERE
A Breed DividedBull OR Terrier? BOTH!
Hang around dog people of any breed long enough and you will hear the usual conversations of discord and frustration. Maybe its due to the fact that the Stafford is a breed which came together of two very different breed types of dogs - Bulldog and Terrier - that our group of fanciers is even more divided than most. Everyone interprets this blend in their own way and everyone has their own opinions as to how that blend should appear. Stafford folk seem to have similar qualities to their
dogs in so far as character - they do not back down easily when challenged. The division in this breed can be quite heated and the lines between engaging conversation for the sake of education and debate and downright argumentative angry spats is easily - and often - blurred. Like our Staffords, we are a passionate group of enthusiasts, arent we?! It can go as far as friendships dissolving over a difference of opinion.
As a group we should be able to come together and agree that this is a blended breed - there should be a balance of bull and terrier - even if your personal preference is one or the other - the balance of them together should be what is correct - a 50/50 blend. Place your personal preference aside. We should be able to work towards a healthy Stafford in body, mind and structure who equally represents a nice even blend of Bulldog/Terrier with the best qualities of both - isnt this what was in mind when the breed was being developed? We dont want to promote the weaker qualities of either. What should be strived for is a non exaggerated, balanced, structurally correct, well tempered and healthy animal who can do the job asked of it according to our written Breed Standard - ‘a foremost all purpose dog.’ - A big ticket to fill, yes - but if we work together it can be done.
This is our final issue of our 3rd year. It is my hope that we have been able to bring ideas to Stafford fans around the world which made them think - are we promoting the breed - or are we promoting our separate interpretations of the breed? It isnt easy to work with people you do not agree with but for the breed to survive as intended when created - it is our responsibility to do so.
Thank you for helping to promote health testing in the breed and raising money for Stafford rescues - Share TSK with someone! Thank you to all of you for supporting TSK!
Go hug your Staffords!Lynn Caswell, Sr. Editor, Creative Director
From the Editor
The Stafford Knot The Back Page
TSK WANTS YOU!
SEND US YOUR ARTICLES, EXPERIENCES, IDEAS PLUS QUESTIONS FOR OUR Q&A PAGE!
TSK BENEFITS STAFFORD RESCUES WORLDWIDE BUT WE CANT HELP WITHOUT YOUR HELP
THINK ABOUT A GALLERY AD, BRAG, CLASSIFIED OR BREEDER DIRECTORY AS AN AFFORDABLE WAY TO HELP RESCUE PLUS ADVERTISE YOUR DOG, KENNEL, COMPANY OR PRODUCTS.
Kayleigh
**Final issue of 2012 - TSK has applied for 501c3 status - if we do not get approved we plan to discontinue the publication**
