Hiya, I have a 9 month old staff whom I adore :)  When we bought him, he sort of chose us and we had no intentions of showing with him.  However he has turned out quite nicely and his breeder says we got the pick of the litter and he's a 'right cracker' anyway, is there any staff pepole I could send some pics of hm too and let me know what you thnk of him?  It would be nice to have some unbiased opinions of him, being a new staffy owner I do think he is a nice looking dog, but I don't trust my judgment and to me he is the best dog in the world anyway!
Thanks alot Sue

hiya scoobi
you are quite welcome to send me a picture
mc004i4091@blueyonder.co.uk
mark

scoobi

Its quite difficult to see the full potential of a dog from photos.  The best bet would be to find out if there are any SBT or bull terrier ringcraft classes in your area and take him along.  If you do show him, he will need some training in that direction anyway. Or you could get a book on staffs from the library and check him against the breed standard, although if he is only 9 months, he has a bit more developing to do.  Best of luck.

Can you scan a copy of his pedigree to me and send me a pic aswell so that I can give you an idea of which judges may like him. Best way to start to him off is at a general open show and see how you do then progress to a breed specific (SBT's only) Open show then if you feel confident enough take the step up to a Ch. Show. What is his KC reg name and who are his dam and sire? E-mail is luxnallsstaffords@yahoo.co.uk

I know it is quite difficult to make a judgement of any dog in a photo.  there are only two ringcrafts near me and neither of them really cater for any of the bull breeds and the people were quite snotty.  I understand he would need training although he is quite well behaved and has done several companian shows and behaved impeccably. I have loads of books and go to shows regularly to watch other specimens of the breed, I guess I just don't have the confidence in myself and him and don't wish to spend a fortune on trainig and entry fees to get laughed out of the ring!!  Although I am sure that won't happen, I just wanted to hear any comments on my dog :) 

Thanks Mark

I reckon you should just go for it.  If you've tried Companion Shows and he behaved well, you should be ready to do your first open show.  Nobody will laugh you out of the ring, we've all got to start somewhere.  I've been at quite a few shows where first-timers have nervously entered and got a first. I'll bet he'll do you proud.

I know I keep telling myself that......I'm just not a very competitive person, used to show horses but stopped because I couldn't stand the bitching!!  I'm hoping to do some obedience with him as well, got a few private lessons with my trainer booked in, I'd love to give those border collies a run for their money LOL in my dreams, no seriously a few staffs in some obedience shows will hopefully help the breed profile!!  After that then I'd like a go at agility, so looks like I'll have to swallow my nerves, thanks everyone
Regards Sue

Go for it! :-)

Scoobi where are you ?

Lel shouldn't that be "ScoobyDoo where are youuuuuuuuuuuuuu" ;)

Karen. Sorry couldn't resist.

Karen
thats terrible :D :D :D

hi sue you can send me a pick if you want i might not be able to help cos seeing a dog in a pic is not the best way to do it but i sure do like looking at stafford pic lol

bobbie3917@aol.com

Same here, I'll try and have a look at your dog for you and see if he looks like he has potential.  But showing is about having fun too :)
Anyway, Rachel.SmithTelford@guidedogs.org.uk
It's just nice to see other people's Staffies :)

Hi

Just pick up courage and go for it, I attend open show with Bosun - his 19 months old now, and I really enjoy it - you will not be laughed out the ring, Bosun is no way a champ dog but we have won a nice collection of rosettes along the way - usually when there are only a couple of entries hee hee!!

Debbie

Haha! Same with us Debbie.  Even got best Puppy once when we were the only one entered.

Hi eveyone thanks for all your positive comments, I shall be sending some pics when my batteries have recharged (the camera that is!) I am from Birmingham not far from where staffs first came from actually but I live in Hull now which unfortunately has rather a bad population of bull breed owners (see thread in general about staffs!)  I shall just have to bite the bullet I guess and go for one.  One question though, do staffs ever misbehave in the ring, the ones I've seen have been beautifullly behaved but Jack does have the habit of lunging occasionally.  I'm not very big or strong and its not amusing!!  Hence the private lessons staring next week.  I can actually imagine showing staffs would be more friendly than other dogs is this right?
Thanks Sue x

Hi Scoobi,
I'd love a photo too.
I have 3 Staffords myself, and show 2 of them.
I love looking at other peoples Staffords.
michellelowson@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks.

Mitch.

Hi Scoobi

I live in Hull too, small world heh? If you are interested in training your staff to the KC Good Citizens award I know the dog club in Hornsea do that, it may give you more confidence in his obedience around other dogs and help with the lunging, they hold it in a place called Catwick. I am thinking of taking part in September for the bronze with my girl. I think their web address is www.hornseadogclub.fastnet.co.uk - they give all the details for the club on there.

Nikki