| All rights reserved. |
| Michigan Staffys |
| The English version of its pit dog had been recognized by the British Kennel Club as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (apparently, the bull terrier fanciers over there were more reasonable or wielded less influence). For many years, people regarded the Staffordshire Terrier ("Staf" or "Staff") and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier ("Stafford") as the same breed, even though they had developed along entirely different lines and had different standards. Among show people, there has always been a fascination with imported stock. Thus, in the mid-50's, some Staf people imported Staffordshire Bull Terriers and bred them to their Stafs. Well, this set off quite a civil war among the Staf set, since many of them would not accept Staffords as being the same breed. Howard Hadley, one of the most reputable and influential staf people led the successful fight to get the Staffordshire Bull Terrier declared a separate breed by the A.K.C. A problem then arose because the registry had two breeds with very similar names: Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. At this point, the Staf people, who had fought so hard for the name "American Bull Terrier" so long ago, were offered that name back-but they refused! Their reasoning was that they spent over twenty years and thousands of dollars promoting the name "Staffordshire," and they were now unwilling to give that up. This made absolutely no sense, of course, for the Staf had never become popular, and most people had no idea what they were. In any case, the name "American Staffordshire Terrier" was hit upon as a compromise and, the last I heard, it still the name being used. (from The World of the American Pit Bull Terrier 1983 by Richard F. Stratton) Three breeds that are often confused are a Staffordshire Bull terrier, and American Staffordshire Terrier and an American Pit Bull Terrier. STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER - The English show version of the Pit Bull. It has been developed along different lines from the American Staffordshire Terrier, being smaller and having a squat appearance. AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER - The show counterpart of the American Pit Bull Terrier. The breed was formerly known as the Staffordshire Terrier, but "American" was later added to emphasize the this breed had developed along lines different from those of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. (from This is the American Pit Bull Terrier 1976 by Richard F. Stratton) AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER - As the only bull-and-terrier dogs used as pit fighters, these dogs were bred only to other dogs of the same cross. A purebred type was eventually fixed as a result of this careful selection for specific functional qualities. (from Pit Bulls and Tenacious Guard Dogs 1991 by Dr. Carl Semencic) |
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier does everything full throttle: play, work and love. It is extremely
courageous and obedient, affectionate with a sense of humor. A born fighter, the Staffordshire was a
perfect combination of the bulldog and the Old English Terrier of the seventeenth century. He
possessed the strength and gameness of the Bulldog with the speed and agility of the Terrier. The
performance of the cross was tested in the dog pit and therefore, natural selection, over a period of
decades produced the perfect fighting machine.
Prior to the formation of the Breed Club in 1935, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was commonly known
as the Bull and Terrier or the Pit Dog.
courageous and obedient, affectionate with a sense of humor. A born fighter, the Staffordshire was a
perfect combination of the bulldog and the Old English Terrier of the seventeenth century. He
possessed the strength and gameness of the Bulldog with the speed and agility of the Terrier. The
performance of the cross was tested in the dog pit and therefore, natural selection, over a period of
decades produced the perfect fighting machine.
Prior to the formation of the Breed Club in 1935, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was commonly known
as the Bull and Terrier or the Pit Dog.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION:
Our dogs are always happy to meet people! The breeds reputation with children is second to none.
Adored and adoring within its own family circle. It is usually good with other pets in the household
but may be combative with dogs outside the family, especially dogs of his breed or related breeds.
They are intelligent and stubborn at times but this is the appeal of this "human" in doggy fur! The
Staffordshire needs firm and consistent training. They are persistent and active. As a puppy they
tend to chew a great deal so make sure you provide them with plenty of strong structured chew toys.
Do not allow it to be off its leash unless it is safe to do so. They can be trained for agility and
competitive obedience. Staffys love a challenge and a variety. These dogs are not recommended for
all families because they need firm, experienced handling and training. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
possesses tremendous stamina and must have plenty of exercise.
Our dogs are always happy to meet people! The breeds reputation with children is second to none.
Adored and adoring within its own family circle. It is usually good with other pets in the household
but may be combative with dogs outside the family, especially dogs of his breed or related breeds.
They are intelligent and stubborn at times but this is the appeal of this "human" in doggy fur! The
Staffordshire needs firm and consistent training. They are persistent and active. As a puppy they
tend to chew a great deal so make sure you provide them with plenty of strong structured chew toys.
Do not allow it to be off its leash unless it is safe to do so. They can be trained for agility and
competitive obedience. Staffys love a challenge and a variety. These dogs are not recommended for
all families because they need firm, experienced handling and training. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
possesses tremendous stamina and must have plenty of exercise.
| HOME OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER |