First Published: circa 1940
24 pages - privately published and printed
10th Edition - Paperback Book - circa 1950
52 pages (see image below)
Size: 22cm x 14cm. Weight: 110g approx
some facsimile reprints include:
Facsimile Edition 1990 * Nimrod Press Ltd
Third Edition 1993 * Beech Publishing House
Fourth Edition 1997 * Beech Publishing House
2nd New Edition 2002 * Beech Publishing House
Facsimile Edition 2020 * Home Farm Books
Extract from the booklet:
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
“It is an acknowledged fact that of all the animals the Dog holds the premier position as man’s most faithful companion and servant. Indeed, as a servant the usefulness of dogs tends to increase. By careful breeding man has succeeded in developing a wide variety of types, and there are now dogs specially suited to supply man’s individual requirements in a hundred different ways.
There are dogs peculiarly bred to be pets. There are also dogs bred with infinite care to be an invaluable ally of man when game hunting and shooting. There is the sheep dog, without whose services the difficult task of sheep farming in mountainous areas would be impossible. There are dogs that will guard man’s possessions in face of every opposition. Indeed, in whatever sphere man’s activities may be engaged – sport, pleasure, war, industry, commerce or ordinary domestic life the dog always has and always will find a sure and certain place.
While acknowledging all the natural qualities possessed by the dog, it has to be admitted that much of his present intellect and many of his moral characteristics have been carefully fostered by man. By means of constant companionship, patient training and scientific breeding, dogs have been produced that are as mentally alert as they are physically perfect. The general public are indebted to we breeders, who are continually striving to improve the qualities of man’s most faithful friend and servant, which sometimes is a most difficult problem. In the British Isles, in particular the work of breeders has been carried out with unfailing enthusiasm and devotion.
Many difficulties and problems have had to be overcome, but, thanks to unremitting labour and constant study, British dog breeding has reached a very high standard of efficiency. Therefore dog lovers who desire to own a dog that will prove a true, staunch companion and faithful servant will be well advised to purchase a true British product, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They will also be well advised to place their requirements in the hands of a reputable breeder. By so doing, they will be showing their appreciation of the work of those responsible for maintaining and improving the high qualities of our most noble breed. We ourselves have always aimed at breeding and trying to produce the very best, to give the public full satisfaction and quality to the last degree.
My idea of compiling this booklet is to try and enlighten and advise the novice and to give those advice who do not know a true and full description of the Stafford. Although in the eyes of a large majority of the general public the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a new breed, yet is may be classed as a very old one.
Two very well-known gentlemen have been very kind to me in allowing me the use of the three blocks in my booklet, "Bull Baiting," "Bear Baiting," and "Dog Fighting" : J. Wentworth Day, Esq. Editor of The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, and Walter T. Spencer, Esq., the well-known print dealer, bookseller, and collector of old sporting pictures, of New Oxford Street, London, and I take this opportunity of thanking both for allowing me to enlighten the public with these pictures of some of the old-time so-called sports, and to every lady or gentleman interested in old-time sports. They should not miss the opportunity of reading "A Falcon on St. Paul's," a fascinating record of London's sporting and natural history, by J. Wentworth Day, Esq., price 10/6.
The standard of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club was taken from this dog, and the remarks reprinted from Our Dogs, 26th April, 1935 issue, are :- "After visiting several kennels of very old breeders of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, I have compiled a standard of points which, in their opinion and mine, is very typical of the breed. The photograph of a brindle and white dog illustrated in this column will give readers some idea of a real Staffordshire.
"This dog is 2½ years old, stands 17½ inches at shoulders; circumference of skull, 17 inches; neck 15½ inches, 26½ inches; length of back, 16 inches; tail 9 inches; weight, 33 lbs, in hard condition. His breeding can be traced back over 30 years by its present owner - J. DUNN."
FOREWORD (10th Edition circa 1950)
"The Staffordshire Bull Terrier" has not been written in competition with the numerous books on Dogs.
It is intended as a concise and complete guide for expert and novice alike, introducing to all - the merit of the "King" of the Canine World, as such it is complete.
Each page is a mine of information and has been written with great thought by one who was cradled in the complex task of Breeding, and fixing type so that the gamest of terriers could be recognised at a glance.
The Author, in unwasted words has collected facts, Principal facts, practical facts, and facts from a long personal experience.
In addition no source 0f authentic information has been missed, and the results of the search is presented in a handy form for the self instruction of the reader.
ALFRED JONES, A.R.P.S.
Hon. Sec. Potteries Bull Breeds Society.
Chairman Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle and District- Gundog Club.
Chairman Congleton Canine Society.
Book Reprint Description:
From the 1997 reprint (Beech Publishing House)
"Jack Barnard, the first President of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club was in a strong position to write about those early days of the development of this noble breed.
This book shows that the breed was in existence long before being recognised but the Kennel Club. It also recalls the days when cockfighting, bull baiting and dog fighting were the sports of the multitude. He was greatly opposed to these practises and no doubt helped to modify the law and make dog fighting illegal.
The cruelty and savagery were appalling, yet, at the same time, there was great devotion to the dogs owned; they were regarded as part of the family.
One of the sections shows to what lengths the owners were prepared to go to win bets, often to the detriment of the poor dogs. Yet in this same chapter, the reader is fascinated and brought to the stage of tears, marvelling at the courage of the dog and the cruelty of the master.
This title in the CANINE LIBRARY. It gives a brief history of the Staffordshire and shows how the breed came up from a fighting dog to the affectionate dog - still courageous - that is kept today by many thousands of enthusiastic owners."
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Obituary
MR JACK BARNARD
1960
It is with the deepest regret that we have to record the passing of Jack (Chestonian) Barnard in the prime of life. Jack was an institution in the breed. He not only participated in the drawing up of the original Breed Standard but it was from his famous dog " Jim the Dandy " that most of the description was drawn. It was a strange fact that of the many Staffords owned by Jack Barnard, “Jim” was the only well-known one not to bear his famous prefix.
Jack was to the fore when The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club was formed and was elected its first President. Transcending all this, however, was the fact that he was a Character. One of a band of ''indestructibles" who formed the backbone of the Breed in its formative days, who matured and blossomed as the Breed prospered and seemed to become infused with the character, if not the characteristics, of the Breed.
His counterparts were such men as Joe Mallen, Horace Priest, Fred Holden and Dan Potter. These would all '' have a go '' at one another at the drop of the hat, but woe betide any interloper with ideas of getting into the act; like good Staffords they would gang up, demolish the opposition, and get back to their private fight.
Unlike the majority of his contemporaries, Jack was a fluent speaker and was in great demand either as an after dinner speaker or, more frequently, as toast master at the Midland's Clubs functions, at which it was always a thrill to hear him discourse on his favourite subject - the Stafford.
He was the author of several monographs on the Breed and here too his character was much in evidence, steeped as it was in the history of the Breed.
His interest in canine affairs did not, however, stop at Staffordshires. He was recognised as an authority on Bullmastiffs and was an established all-round judge whose services in this field were in constant demand.
Jack had been in poor health for about five years, causing him to retire from his Insurance business and, had he followed medical advice and severely curtailed his doggy activities, he would no doubt still be with us. Despite having to go into hospital several times, as soon as he felt at all better he would again plunge into the round of shows and judging. It was his life and that sums it up completely.
A.W.A.C.
(published in The Stafford - Spring 1960)
