First Published: 1988

Hardcover / Dust Jacket

144 pages

Publisher: Interpet Publishing

Published 1988 / Reprinted: 2000

ISBN: 1860541496

Product Dimensions: 25.2cm x 19.3 cm approx

Book Weight: 585g approx.

Book Description:

This book examines the history of the breed from its first origins through to the present day. The breed's unique character is described, together with helpful advice on living with a Stafford. Dr Fleig draws on his wide experience of this inimitable terrier to discuss choosing, training and socialising a pup, feeding and healthcare. A section on showing Staffords gives invaluable information on presenting the breed to its best advantage in the ring. For the expert, there is an analysis of the Breed Standard, which features comments by Stafford expert Mary Pringle. There is also a discussion on line-breeding by Norman Berry, another respected breed authority. Illustrated with stunning new colour photos and useful line-drawings, this updated edition of an established breed 'bible', is a must for all Stafford enthusiasts.

Interface (refers to revised version)

"Intelligent, loving and courageous, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a dedicated following of dog lovers all over the world.

Taking his name from the Staffordshire Black Country, he was originally bred for bull-baiting and dog-fighting as early as the 19th century. The development of the breed is linked directly to the Industrial Revolution and the difficulties of the working class, for whom a game dog would infer prestige and respect.

This new, revised version of Dr Dieter Fleig’s The Staffordshire Bull Terrier examines the history of the breed from its first origins through to the present day.

The breed’s unique character is described, together with helpful advice on living with a Stafford. Dr Fleig draws on his wide experience of this experience of this inimitable terrier to discuss choosing, training and socialising a pup, feeding, and health care. A section on showing Staffords gives invaluable information on presenting the breed to its best

advantage in the ring.

For the expert, there is an analysis of the Breed Standard, which features comments by Stafford expert Mary Pringle. There is also a discussion on breeding which includes a section on line-breeding by Norman Berry, another respected breed authority.

Illustrated with stunning new colour photos, and useful line-drawing, this updated edition of an established breed ‘bible’, is a must for all Stafford enthusiasts."

Cover photograph: Ch. Bombstaff

Blackthorn At Bullhawk, owned by Sharon Pearce and bred by Russell Marsh 

Excerpt © 

A large exhibition was organised in 1974 in the Bear Gardens Museum in London by the Southern Counties Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club. This was not in order to celebrate the animal atrocities of the past, or to generate any interest in them. It was designed to explain how the anatomy and character of the present-day Stafford was dictated by its original purpose. The breed has its origins in the dog-fighting of the early 19th century and it is important to understand that dog-fighting at that time was hugely popular among certain sections of the population. But, of course, animal fighting as a public spectacle goes back in time much further than that. Samuel Pepys recorded in his diary on August 14th 1666 that it was a "very rude and nasty pleasure". The Romans had a method for appeasing exploited and oppressed people, 'panem et circenses' - bread and circuses. They served as a distraction from the miseries of life. In the Black Country, in the 19th century, people were mercilessly exploited. Not only were adults compelled to labour under terrible conditions in dangerous coalmines and ironworks for sixty hours or more a week, but it was quite usual for children to work ten hours a day underground. Hunger and poverty forced the whole family to pool their efforts in order to survive. In addition, they had few rights and little social standing. Those who know what affection from an animal can mean will appreciate why these despairing people kept pets - most of them dogs, who earned their own living as ratters and as guards.

CONTENTS:

AUTHOR'S NOTE

FOREWORD

Chapter One: HISTORY OF THE BREED

The road to riches

Bull-baiting

Dog-fighting

Billy the ratkiller

Specialist breeding

The English Bulldog

The English Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The ban on fighting

Original Type

The great Joe Mallen

Gentleman Jim

The death of Fearless Joe.

Chapter Two: DEVELOPMENT OF THE BREED

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

Championship status

Judging and breeding material

Registrations

The dangers of popularity

Germany

America

Europe

Chapter Three: CHARACTER OF THE STAFFORD

Dogs and their owners

The dog Buller

Bella the bitch

The all-purpose dog

The one-man dog

The sociable dog

Staffords and children

The guarding Stafford

The Stafford with other dogs

The importance of social contact

Ignorant owners

The full life.

Chapter Four: BUYING A STAFFORD

Partners for life

Quality time

Buying from a breeder

Early puppy development

Dog or bitch?

Selecting a litter

Questions of health

Bad mothers

Assessing the puppies

Checking the ancestors

The puppy head

The puppy’s mouth

The eyes

The body

Other important points

The nature of puppies

Buying an older dog

Understanding puppy development

Trial periods for older dogs.

Chapter Five: LIVING WITH A STAFFORD

The safe garden

Dog cages

Exercise

Using a lead

Development through play

Coat care

Feeding

Worming and vaccinations

The indoor dog

The veteran

Training your Stafford

The established order

Punishment

Receptive learning periods

Training and the Stafford character

Curbing aggression

Stopping a fight

Guard dog training

Dog shows

Show presentation

The correct stance

Show movement

Show judges

Chapter Six: THE BREED STANDARDS

The 1935 Standard

The quandary of size and weight

The current Breed Standards by Mary Pringle

The true Stafford by Mary Pringle

The true Stafford

Chapter Seven: THE BACKGROUND TO SUCCESSFUL BREEDING

The basic requirement

The responsibilities of breeding

Planning a breeding programme by Norman Berry

Establishing a strong line

Line breeding

In-breeding

The prepotent dog

Breeding back

Out-crossing

Bloodlines

Breed type

A select breeding study.

Chapter Eight: THE FUTURE OF THE BREED

Sensible breeding

Continental development

Promotion through showing.