By staffmad
Date 15.12.03 07:44 UTC
looking at a post further back I was worried to see a suggestion that the stafford should be in utility, not terrier! The stafford is a bull AND terrier. The original dogs 1st registered in 1935 were a far cry from the kind of dogs we see in todays show ring. The dogs back then, the true shape, were far less bully, showing a BLEND of bull and TERRIER.
The dog was bred not only to work in the dog pit, but also to vermin, ratting was popular, and Badger trials. Now last time I looked rats and badger both need a dog to go to ground. Some staffords are still used today to draw fox quite legally
Thankfully there are people today who are making a stand against the more extreme show type of stafford, and using pure KC stock are breeding dogs with a little more leg, and muzzle. dogs that look like the bred did back when it was 1st registered.
It is however true that the EBT was bred as a show dog. they were certainly tried out in the clandestine sports, but proved more than wanting in the area, although a few did make it as badger dogs.