WIMARU REG'D STAFFORDS
"everything a Stafford should be"
History
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier first came into existence in or around the seventeenth century. As bull-baiting declined in popularity and dog-fighting enjoyed a surge of interest it became necessary to develop a dog which possessed a longer and more punishing head than the Bulldog and also to combine strength and agility. It is therefore believed that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was derived from the fighting Bulldog of the day with some terrier blood introduced. This cross produced what was known as the Bull and Terrier or Pit Dog.
Although there has been some discussions over the years about the origin of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, authorities generally agree that the breed can be traced back to the Mastiff-like dogs through the old Bulldog which, when crossed with some of the British terriers, produced the first bull-and-terriers.
Books published in the early 1800's which refer to the "bull-and-terriers", "pit dogs" and "fighting dogs", confirm this.
The old-fashioned Bulldog was a fierce, courageous animal used in bear and bull baiting as early as the mid sixteenth century. When these so called "sports" were outlawed, their supporters turned to dog fighting and sought to create a dog that, while retaining the legendary courage and ferocity of the bulldog, would incorporate the greater agility of the terrier.
Terriers thought to have been used in the cross were the Manchester Terrier and the now extinct English White Terrier. In addition, crosses with various breeds of the old working terriers were made. Because of the interest of various groups of English fanciers, two distinct types of bull-and-terrier emerged and by 1900 they were easily distinguished. James Hinks, in or around 1860, crossed the Old Pit Bull Terrier, now known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and produced the all-white English Bull Terrier. Hinks's elegant leggy white dogs were recognized by the Kennel Club (UK) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the late 1800's. These are known today as the "Bull Terrier". The other bull-and-terrier, the colliers' and chainmakers' dog, was not as readily accepted due to its reputation as a fighting dog.
When baiting sports and dog fighting became unlawful with the introduction of the Humane Act in 1835 a group of men in the Staffordshire area endeavored to preserve the breed by introducing them to the show world. After much discussion the first standard was written describing the dogs physical attributes and was named the "Staffordshire Bull Terrier" to differentiate him from the "English Bull Terrier".
As time went on the modern breed evolved into one with a temperament suitable for a pet and companion. It gained respectability, becoming a dog worthy to show. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was officially recognized by the Kennel Club (UK) in 1935 and the first club show for the breed took place in August 1935 at Cradley Heath in the West Midlands. A total of 60 dogs and bitches were entered.
In 1938 the first Championship points were awarded in Birmingham, England. The first two Champions of the breed were, Ch. Gentleman Jim and Ch. Lady Eve.
