Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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Information on Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Although there has been some discussion through the years about the origin of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, authorities generally agree that the breed can be traced back to the Mastiff-like dogs through the old Bulldog which, when crossed with British terriers, produced the first "Bull and Terriers." Books published in the early 1800s which refer to "Bull and Terriers," "Pit Dogs," and "Fighting Dogs" confirm that the cross existed at that time. The old-fashioned Bulldog was a fierce, courageous animal used in the "sports" of bear and bull baiting as early as the mid-sixteenth century. When these "sports" fell from public favor and were outlawed, their supporters turned to dog fighting and sought to create a sporting dog that, while retaining the legendary courage and ferocity of the Bulldog, would incorporate the greater agility of the terrier.
Terriers thought to have been used in the cross are the Manchester Terrier and the now-extinct English White Terrier. In addition, crosses with various of the old working terriers were made. Because of the attentions of different groups of English fanciers, two distinct types of Bull and Terriers arose and by 1900, they were easily distinguished. James Hinks' elegant white dogs, produced by crossing the old Pit Bull Terrier with the English White Terrier (and some say Pointer and Dalmatian), were recognized by the Kennel Club (England) and the American Kennel Club at the turn of the century. This "White Cavalier" is known today as the Bull Terrier. The other Bull and Terrier - the Stafford, which was owned by the common man - was not as easily "legitimized."
Fanciers of the "working class dog" met in England in 1935 to form a club for Staffordshire Bull Terrier fanciers and draw up a Breed Standard. In 1938, the first Championship Points were awarded in Birmingham. The first Staffordshire Bull Terriers brought to the United States lived their lives out simply as companions; it was not until 1975 that the American Kennel Club recognized the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as a registerable breed that could be shown outside of the Miscellaneous Classes. The first SBT to be registered in the American Kennel Club Stud Book was the dog, an English Import, Champion Tinkinswood Imperial; the first American Champion was a bitch - the Australian import Northwark Becky Sharpe.
Characteristics and Temperament
Although individual differences in personality exist, there are some things that you can expect to find in the personality of every Stafford. They are tough, courageous, tenacious, stubborn, curious, people-loving and comfort-loving, protective, intelligent, active, quick and agile. They are extremely "oral" youngsters and need a safe alternative to furniture, toys and clothing for their busy jaws. They destroy nearly everything in there first year, so beware. Staffords love to play tug-of-war and to roughhouse, but YOU must set the rules and YOU must be the boss. This is not a difficult task if you begin working with your Stafford when she is a puppy. Be very firm, and do not be scared to use a newspaper if she had done something wrong.
Most Staffords, particularly bitches, make excellent watchdogs. They would never allow a stranger in or even near to you house. Their alert, musclebound appearance is so striking that it's easy to forget that they are smaller than most American Pit Bull Terriers. As Steve Eltinge in the book, The Staffordshire Bull Terrier in America says, "When a Stafford shows its teeth in a snarl, it can be frightening." They look tough and can be a positive deterrent to thieves, but because of their natural fondness for people, most Staffords are temperamentally ill-suited for guard or attack-dog training." As with other members of the Bull and Terrier family, they can be the biggest people lovers in the world! That I can assure you, they stick to you and love you no matter what.
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier desires, more than anything else, to be with her people. Most adore a car ride, going on hikes and walks, enjoying a romp up the beach, swimming in the sea, playing through and catch with a ball and cozying up (or on) to you when you settle down for an evening of TV or reading. This is ons thing she always do, she lie
Whatever the activity, "from the time it awakens in the morning until the quiet of night, a Stafford lives life to the fullest." (The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, by Steve Eltinge)
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a "natural" dog and generally robust. The short coat of this breed requires little grooming other than an occasional brushing and a bath. The downside of this drip dry coat is that Staffords are susceptible to fleas and ticks. The general remedies to discourage fleas and ticks are recommended, as well as a thorough going-over with a flea comb during the worse months of summer. The other important thing is to keep there bedding, if they have any, clean. One remedy is to use baby powder, yes, you read it right. It keeps away the ticks and fleas. It works! Staffords covet human attention to the extent that I have seen several of them gather around their "person", waiting to be combed from head to tail for fleas!
Care of nails, ears, teeth and anal glands are the same as they would be for any other breed (beginning when young and attention on a regular basis). It is very important to clean their ears very often. It is possible that it can fill with wax, and it is very painfull for her. Talk to your vet on how to clean her ears properly.
The Stafford is not a dog that tolerates weather extremes easily. Because of its short coat, it prefers plenty of shade and water on sweltering summer days (a child's wading pool has been a popular choice in the past; supervised of course). Its Bulldog ancestry and brachycephalic (short-headed or broad-headed) respiratory system can contribute to overheating. Watch carefully to be sure that your Stafford doesn't become overheated during intense play in the summer; if she appears to be wheezing or gasping for air, find the nearest source of cold water and soak her to lower her body temperature.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers can boast a number of obedience degrees and are "quick studies," provided the trainer utilizes a positive, creative approach. Staffords are smart with a capital S. Young puppies enrolled in Kindergarten Puppy Training classes can begin to learn good habits and mix with other puppies. In addition to AKC obedience competition, Staffords have been successful Therapy Dogs, participated in Agility Competitions and even "gone to ground" with other terriers!
Staffords are exuberant, impulsive, sometimes bull-headed ... and surprisingly sensitive. A trainer must learn to be persistent, patient, and firm. Make sure that she listen to you, talk to her in a firm voice. She must know the difference between your firm voice and your play voice. She can learn this from a very early stage and would not forget that the firm voice goes with the newspaper, and the play voice with the ball. They can be realy bull-headed and have a will of there own, but good training and a firm voice can make a lot of difference. One thing to remember is to keep all your friends from trying to train your dog. She must listen to you and only you. Basic obedience training (at the very least) is a must for any Bull and Terrier. It helps to maintain control in unexpected situations. Because of their impulsive natures, the other cardinal rule of Bull and Terrier ownership is "always think ahead." An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Ons basic rule to remember: " Keep your dog on a leach at all times." You may know your dog, but you can never say what another dog would do, and as for a Staffordshire, she would fight to the end. So when she on a leach, she know that she is under your control and MUST obey you at all times.