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STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER Tel. 329/4324298 Fax +39/06-9901753 |
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STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER Tel. 329/4324298 Fax +39/06-9901753 |
| The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
first came into existence in or around the seventeenth century. As bull
baiting declined in popularity and dog fighting enjoyed a surge of
interest, it became necessary to develop a dog which possessed a longer
and more punishing head than the Bulldog and also to combine strength and
agility. It is therefore believed that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was
derived from the fighting Bulldog of the day with some terrier blood
introduced. This cross produced what was known as the Bull and Terrier or
Pit Dog; these dogs were renowned for their courage and tenacity and
despite their ferocity in the pit were excellent companions and good with
children. In fact it was not unknown for an injured dog to be transported
home in a pram with the baby! |
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| Although dog fighting and other
barbaric pastimes of the day were patronised by the aristocracy - Lord
Camelford reportedly owned a famous dog called 'Belcher'- fighting dogs
were also owned by the poorest of families. The pit dog was a favourite
with miners and steelworkers and was prevalent amongst the chainmakers of
the " Black Country " where the dogs were not only fought for
entertainment but provided a working man with valuable extra income when
worked against badgers or as ratters. |
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With the introduction of the Humane Act in 1835, baiting sports and dog fighting became unlawful and a group of men in the Staffordshire area endeavoured to preserve their breed by introducing them to the show world. After much discussion the Standard was written describing the dog's physical attributes and this dog was named the Staffordshire Bull Terrier to differentiate him from the English Bull Terrier. |
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The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was officially registered
by the Kennel Club in 1935 and the first club show for the breed took
place in August 1935 at Cradley Heath in the West Midlands where 60 dogs
and bitches were entered . The founder club was named The Staffordshire
Bull Terrier Club and is affectionately known as 'The Parent Club'. There
are now a total of 18 clubs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranging
from the North of Scotland to the West of England. The breed received
championship status in 1938 when CC's were awarded for the first time at
the Birmingham National. The first two Champions of the breed were Ch.
Gentleman Jim and Ch. Lady Eve. The popularity of the breed has now spread
abroad with well established clubs in many countries including Australia,
Eire, France, Germany, Holland, Spain and the USA, to name but a few.
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