"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."
From the 1997 reprint (Beech Publishing House)