And when did we decide that cruelty and division were acceptable ways to live? I have been thinking a great deal lately about what has happened to people. Not politically, not religiously, and not in terms of which side of an argument someone occupies, but something much more fundamental. Something Read more
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard describes far more than individual anatomical features. It describes a dog whose temperament, construction and movement must work together. The Stafford should never be viewed as a collection of isolated parts. The complete dog should remain recognizably Stafford: strong, agile, balanced, confident and capable. Temperament Read more
Recently I have noticed a familiar little comment appearing beneath photographs from specialties. A group of Stafford people is sitting around a table after the show. Maybe they are having dinner. Maybe someone has a cocktail. Maybe a visiting judge is sitting among them, talking dogs, laughing and enjoying the Read more
Build things that outlive the criticism.
Most people know to avoid puppy mills and obvious commercial breeders. The harder cases are breeders who appear knowledgeable, caring, and involved in the breed, but whose actions tell a different story. Unethical breeding is not defined by kennel size, social-media popularity, show wins, or the number of litters someone Read more
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier should never be timid, uncertain, or unstable in temperament. Correct Stafford confidence is quiet, natural, and deeply rooted — a dog that moves through the world with assurance, curiosity, and complete trust in itself. Temperament is not secondary in this breed; it is a fundamental part Read more
Correct Staffordshire Bull Terrier movement should reflect the breed’s purpose: efficient, athletic, balanced, and powerful without exaggeration. The standard specifically references “discernible drive from the rear,” an important phrase that speaks to both structure and function. A Stafford should not move with short, choppy steps or excessive speed masking inefficiency. Read more
For generations, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has been associated with the distinctive leather “Stafford collar” — a broad, sturdy collar traditionally crafted to complement the breed’s powerful neck, clean outline, and unmistakable character. More than decoration, the collar became part of the breed’s visual identity, particularly in England where working-class Read more
Original article published by Wavemaker Staffords: https://wavemakerstaffords.com/the-currency-of-humility/ In the world of dedicated breeding, it’s easy to be dazzled by the glitter of the show ring—the purple rosettes, the gold trophies, the spotlight of a win. Yet, behind every great dog, there stands a legacy. Decades of meticulous selection, careful planning, Read more
To my fellow breeders in this wonderful, challenging, and rewarding world, I’ve been reflecting on our community lately. It’s easy to sometimes feel like we’re on separate islands, focused solely on our own kennels, our own goals, our own ways of doing things. There can be a quiet sense of Read more
I saw a need and filled it by becoming the creator, Sr. editor & Creative Director for The Stafford Knot, Inc., an online non profit 501c3 publication promoting health testing in Staffords and which benefits SBT rescue.
