First Published: 2000
Hardcover 127 pages (2000) with dustcover
Publisher: Northbrook Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 1857362438 (limp) / 185736242X (cased)
Product Dimensions: 31.7cm x 21.5cm x 1.5cm approx
Book Weight: 915g approx
Book Description:
"This is a crusading book, one which looks at the much loved Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed, and asks whether the current standards are drifting too far away from the original concept of the breed which should represent agility, fitness and courage. Comparisons are made between the present English type and the Irish which are more in line with the dogs which used to be bred. The author reveres in the memory and work of the old pioneers and respectfully points out their views on what our objectives should be in breeding this great breed. He believes the Irish Staffordshire is very much the old type of dog and hopes that more will be done to bring all Staffordshires back to taller and fitter dogs."
CONTENTS:
Introducing the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Early History
The Illegal Sports
Establishment for Pedigrees For Staffordshires
The Standards Explained
Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club
Breeding
Health of the Dog
Odds & Ends
INDEX
A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR:
Welcome to Shaunyhoyz Irish Staffordshire Bull Terriers, I feel it is appropriate to tell you a little about myself and my ways with the dogs. Over the last decade I have had the privilege of being the President of the only true S.l.B.T.C. in the world which regularly holds shows. Throughout the years we have spent the time perfecting, call it moulding, a pure-at-heart, natural working form of Stafford. The breed name was put up with many others at a committee meeting back in 1990 and was voted in by the vast majority. Previous to this meeting they were known as Old Time Stafford's.
Because of the Pit Bull issues we started to preserve the pure bloodlines of the Irish Stafford so as it would not get mixed up with any other breed. To date there are only 372 pure bred and registered Irish Stafford's in the
world, yet we see hundreds for sale. Only puppies of registered parents may register with the club, this rule was brought in from 1996 for the sake of the breed. We are very strict and when a litter of pups are registered, the breeder must send a photo of the dam and her litter; this stays on file. When the new owner of the pup sends in the form, a photo must be submitted. My beliefs within my breeding plans are to produce harder, stronger extremities of natural survival. There is nothing shy about this breed. Over the years I have seen little but crucial height to weight ratios change, stamina more than double, and the prey drive and protective drives are very high. This is one reason why you must be an experienced owner before you entertain a pup from me, as they are noted as getting their owners in to all sorts of bother (my sort of dog). Don't get me wrong for after many years of generation breeding all my dogs are master and family friendly. It is the strangers they don't like.
As a pup they can give as much as they can take, the problem is they don't know when to quit. Their bite power is very strong and their teeth can do a lot of damage even at only 8 weeks old. The same sexes should be parted no later than 12 weeks (they may do it for you). This to me is the Stafford of old. They are purer Staffordshires than the A:.C. show Stafford's of today, the Irish Stafford is the true Stafford.
That is one side of my Stafford's; the other is that you will find it hard to pick another breed which can out-rank his will to serve and please. They can be very protective and if brought up one to one, then he will become your partner and will not like strangers touching you, however, he will overcome this if you want him to, as all he or she wants, is to please you. They love a challenge which is OK if you are there, it's when your not, you have to worry. He is a thinking machine; say he was left in a run and the only way out was up, then you can guarantee that's where he will go, should the urge take him. The moral of the story is they are very agile, determined animals and if left in inadequate surroundings they always think the grass is greener at the other side so you might as well have left the gate open.
Once you fully understand a breeds' natural, basic instinct and refine the genes, you will understand its nature and all its instincts and drive. The Irish Stafford is one dog I will admire for the rest of my life. I have had the pleasure of sending a few dogs to different parts of the world, whether it has been for a pet, guard or catch dog (wild boar). All have done me proud!
I guarantee they can do as I say, if not I will give you your money back, or another dog. They have no health problems whatsoever. I do not breed much and I am pleased to be able to pick and choose who gets one of my
Stafford's. I used to have 32 adults, which I have refined into six and 1 have connections with various owners; i.e. half shares and studs, etc. I also believe in culling when necessary, because the /(/M- of the jungle means the fittest survives. My preferences for the conformation is a male - 19" to the shoulder, he will look good at 44 Ib, but 39 Ib is better. A female at 17" to the shoulder, she will look good at 36 Ib., but 32 Ib. is better. I like to see
fit and healthy dogs, not starved ones. You can only achieve the good results if you feed and exercise your dog properly.
I thank you for taking the time to learn a little about the breed. You will find it impossible to speak to me on the phone. Sue does all that now, as I have figured that if people really want to learn and are very interested they will
come and see personally; that way you are going to receive my full attention for that day and time wasters won't get a look in.This allows me to spend more time with my dogs, as that's what it is all about to me. Don't be put off. Sue knows a lot more than most and is the Secretary of the S.l.B.T.C. and knows most of my ways with the dogs. If you wish to visit me and my dogs then I will gladly spend time with you.
It took me ten years to write my book on the Irish Stafford's. We have also had the first Stafford books reprinted going back to the early 1900's, written by the first Stafford men that pioneered the Stafford to be Kennel Club acknowledged. Their ways are not appreciated by the K.C. today, yet even though these men are long gone, their words of wisdom still stand with people like myself. It is how these men write, it is how their books read, it is the true facts that put the K.C. off acknowledging such men as their first ever President Mr Jack Barnard as well as Mr Joe Dunn, Mr H.N. Beilby Joe Mallen and Count V.C. Hollender. The Staffords they wrote about are the old time Stafford which is the Irish Stafford. If they were alive today, I know which Stafford they would prefer, but don't take my word for it; take this opportunity to decide for yourself."
