Questions and answers series from past magazines found here
The easiest way to explain this is to compare the Stafford hock to that of a rabbit. A rabbit must have an overlong hock because it must be able to quickly and purposefully get away from its prey. It does so by a very long and quick hopping motion so that it removes itself from…
A slipped hock will fold forward with virtually NO pressure, and the dog will be unable to resist it. To determine a slipped hock, place several fingers on the back of the hock lightly pressing forward until the dog either picks up the foot and steps forward or the joint collapses forward . …
… meantime we can use the drawings from Alan Mitchells book (with hispermission) to explain what we are looking for in photography. Dish-faced – A slight concaveness of foreface, the tip of the nose is higher that the stop, when viewed in profile. Down-faced – where the muzzle inclines downward from the skull to nose .
Your article on bite was very good; however, in spite of the AKC’s breed description as to bite and the acceptability of a “level” bite, you indicate that the “level” bite is undesirable. It may be undesirable in England but in the US, it is acceptable. This leaves judges and others who are not familiar…
The muzzle should start wide and deep. The depth is achieved by a powerful underjaw which can be compared to a familiar object. Make a fist of your hand and look at the shape produced when you look at the thumbside by the second joint of the first finger down to the back of the…
Owing to the different angles of the spines of the vertebrae from the withers to the tail, it will be seen that the top-line could never be absolutely level. Obviously, since the spinal processes are in four distinct areas and in each area they incline in different directions, where they do meet there has …
…of recording Staffordshire Bull terrier strains and pedigrees based on the Line and Family method has been exhaustively covered by Mr. H.N. Beilby, of Bromsgrove, whose outstanding services to our breed I have referred to in Chapter II. His findings are published in great detail in the second (1948) edition of The Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
I have a bitch here who is clear by parentage of HC. I was recently told she still needs a CERF test. Can you tell me why? I thought if she doesnt have cataracts then her eyes are fine. Thanks Answer: Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) is dedicated to the elimination of heritable eye disease…
I have a seven month old male that has gone through puppy socialization, obedience and listens and responds to all the basic commands when he is in class and in our house or backyard beautifully. I am having trouble with the basic walk at times. There are so many distractions that it is very difficult…
My personal experience has been with two very different singleton pups. The first had a very “stable” easy going mother. As this pup grew up his basic genetic make up was confident and low key. I have a very large multi-dog household so the “family” provided him with lots of social interaction within my family…