THE TROPHY AWARD WINNING DOGS ARE PICTURED WITH AT IMPORTANT I.K.C. EVENTS.

The Intercontinental Kennel Club (I.K.C.) proudly portrays excellence in canine fitness and health as priorities.  DVD films and review publications display award winning dogs of proven athletic prowess in our popular revelations.

Due to an explosion of interest, of late, in the revival of particular old breeds towards their authentic forms as true working dogs,  the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is re-examined in the following: we set out to differentiate between fact and fiction, considering available information.  With the main interests centred around the revival and maintenance of the breed's best known characteristics; being that of a superlative canine athlete of notable agility, marked degrees of determination, and equal to all that an unquestionably reliable man-dog relationship.  We have in our midst today an array of excellent stock specimens to base programs upon.

With that in mind let's consider  the Classical Old-Type Stafford;  growing in popularity stakes within and outside establishment circles in the U.K. and abroad. These are being kept by younger generations of owners, re-capturing the finer points of the original type, some of which are pictured on this site.

The revised INTERCONTINENTAL K.C. STANDARD for Staffordshire Bull Terriers offers notes, plus illustrations*, as guidelines  for breed students to consider, from the following.

  OVERALL APPEARANCES; should portray that of  a smooth-coated dog standing about 15 - 18 inches at shoulder, radiating athletic propensities in hard condition; obvious muscular development is highly recommended.

  WEIGHT; in hard condition, can vary from 30 - 40 lbs for males and 4 lbs less for females; according to a given specimen's height/weight ratio.

  UNDUE EXAGGERATIONS in either of the above must be discouraged. Generally, Staffords have been  medium-sized  dogs and, as such, we aim to retain that status on historical levels, and as a tribute to old-timers of bygone days. Breed students are herein reminded ...  when exaggerations are encouraged, where do they end ?

  COLOUR; strong/deep colourations of brindle, black, brown, white, including black & tan, red, blue, and combinations of the same are ideal,  weak dilutes are not -

  HEAD; shall be short, deep thru' with broad skull and pronounced cheek muscles .. clear-cut stop and short-ish foreface - research indicates the near-ideal would be an equal distance from the stop, as a centre-piece, to the tip of the nose and back part of the head where the ears are set,  with reasonably level mouth.

  NECK; shall be muscular and not unduly short.

   BODY; not unduly short; allowing for flexibility -

  FRONT LEGS; straight, with well padded feet, showing no frailties at pasterns.

  HIND LEGS; will be muscular, and let down at the hocks; being typical Terrier-like.

  COAT; should be short, close to the skin and glisten when in condition.

  EYES; preferably, dark

  EARS; will be half-dropped when alerted ..

  NOSE; black or dark, ideally ..

  TAIL; to be of medium length, carried rather low, shaped like an old-fashioned pump handle.

  FAULTS; assessed by  excessive departures of any above-stated points ..

   CONCLUSION; in all aspects of life, there have been and always will be 'exceptions'; the outstanding, extra-ordinary from the norm - be they smaller or larger - providing the most desirable characteristics are conspicuous for adjudicators to consider, compared to rivals on the scene, such specimens must be assessed equally to all others in the circumstances .. no more, or less - whether a small one of 24 lbs and 14 inches in height .. or large one of 48  lbs. and 20 inches in height  - 'beauty is in the eyes of the beholder'
 

Within these circles it's felt that efforts must be continued to retain the best qualities of the early strains, as mentioned earlier, while such qualities are intact, before the show fraternity leaves the breed more and more 'hollow' of it's inheritance of dynamism.  It must also be said, from the same circles of enthusiasts that operating within the law's of their respective countries is paramount in importance.  To do otherwise can set back their efforts, so staying on high moral grounds pays off in the long term.  Recommended athletic trials can be studied offering opportunities to promote the dynamism we seek: within the law and giving real tests of agility and determination!

Stafford's & Other Dynamic Dogs
These are dog shows with a difference.  Unlike the establishment set of fashion followers, our pursuits appeal to more adventurous dog owners who consider athletics and aesthetics on more equal levels than some dog-folk do. indeed.   In our circle it's more a matter of 'Handsome Is What Handsome Does' rather than what looks alone may account for.

The motto of the I.K.C. is  'Facto Non Verba' from the Latin, meaning 'Deeds Not Words'.  From the spread of photo's displayed hereon that motto reflects the pristine fitness and exemplary health we encourage devotees to aim for; resulting in happier, healthier and longer living dogs to get enthused about.  The I.K.C. operates a specialist registration service for Classical Type Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners.; established in 1980, aiming  to consider all applications  of purebred specimens in particular, and not to accept dogs otherwise bred, knowingly, in general.

Also, although our shows are mainly SBT 'spectaculars', they include a 'Bull Breed' element for various Bull breed folk interested in our dynamics department - and what opportunities it offers their dogs, one being the restoration of 'Old Types' rather than the continuous over exaggeration that is the vogue in so many Bull breeds today.   Indeed our departure from the well worn establishment path seems a popular one, viewing the 'Dynamic Dogs' DVDs is elucidating on that point - they're different.   Also it's worth noting what helps to make that so is the contributed material from our subscribers who send in video clips for use in the tapes, along with material filmed at our shows combined.  That way, all subscribers have the same opportunities to show their dogs strutting their stuff on the world wide stage.