There are many theories as the origin of today's Staffordshire bull terrier. After consulting a great many books the popular conception would be as follows:-
Officially the kennel club did not recognise the staffordshire bull terrier until the mid 1930's, however the ancestry of these dogs can be traced back as far as the beginning of the nineteenth century. Bull and terrier
dogs first became known in England when "Bulldogs" were carefully bred for the purpose of baiting bulls. There is a vast difference between dogs then known as bulldogs and our modern breed of that name. Then the dogs
were straight legged, sometimes with a longish muzzle and were dogs of agility. By the middle of the 17th century, the popularity in England of baiting sports with at least
the nobility had declined rather dramatically, by 1835, humane groups succeeded in outlawing all baiting sports in an act of Parliament known as the Humane act of 1835. The
public demanded a new sport that their bulldogges could complete in to satisfy there lust for blood sports. The dogs courage and gameness was then tested against each other as
well as in the rat pits of the day. Due to bulldogs nature "grip and hold" a more athletic faster dog was required, a dog that could also be picked up easily if the need required a
fast getaway. At this point it is widely rumored that the terrier blood may have been introduced. This then straightened the leg and helped create longish/er muzzle and were
dogs of agility, speed and stamina. It was due to their exceptional gameless and fearlessness led the dogs there until dogfighting was legally abolished.
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Photo supplied by mastini dogs |
Modern day Bulldogge |
 The interbreeding of this terrier with whatever other terrier lines may or may not have been included, produced the dogs eventually named Staffordshire bull terriers. Of course it is possible that the
original bulldog was the bull terrier type (stafford/pit) and the stories of the infusion of the two breeds is still a relic of a vivid imagination to justify the bulldog of today. These dogs were
especially popular with the coal mining and industry workers of the staffordshire area, the name seemed appropriate.
As a result of the dogs courage and confidence, these dogs were
appreciated for their devotion to people and for their rock steady reliability. Even known today as the "Nanny" dog to many a family. Many of them used then and now for companions and playmates for children.
The stafford today has many names and also many varieties, Irish Stafford, leggy Stafford, big boned stafford, old tyme stafford and last but not least the KC stafford. |
