Page 205 - Showsight April 2013

the same throughout every revision of
the standard for nearly 70 years.
Head: “Short, deep through, broad
skull, very pronounced cheek muscles,
distinct stop, short foreface…” This par-
ticular language is unchanged from the
1935 standard. Modern additions to this
section include details of the correct scis-
sor bite, tight, clean lips and dark eye
rims with an allowance for pink on a dog
with white around the eye.
Body: Originally a separate section, it
is now combined with Neck, Topline and
Tail descriptors. “Deep brisket”, “level
top line” and “[rather] light in loins” are
all carried through from 1935 to today.
“Short back” evolved into “close cou-
pled” and “forelegs set rather wide apart”
was simplified to “wide front.”
Even though many of the adjectives
that describe the Staffordshire Bull Ter-
rier have remained the same throughout
the evolution of the standard; e.g. “deep”,
“wide” and “broad”, the interpretations
have changed. How we visualize subjec-
tive words like these is mandated by the
above referenced changes that were made
to increase the overall substance of the
dog. How wide is “wide”?
In 1935, the same word was used, but
as predicated by their original function
the dogs from 70 years ago were more
moderate compared to what today’s stan-
dard call for. If you compare the 1935
standard to modern standards for other
breeds you will find that the substance
of the original Staffordshire Bull Terrier
was something akin to today’s American
Water Spaniel or in taller examples, the
Wheaten. This shift in how we translate
the descriptors found within the stan-
dard does not suggest free, subjective
interpretation today. The guidelines for
substance are still given, and they are
in fact referenced in today’s standard as
“limits.” Non-conformity outside these
limits is not a disqualification, but it is
to be faulted. The modern show Stafford
should be exhibited in the condition out-
lined in the breed standard: “although
muscular, should be active and agile.”
The standard call for him to be “rather
light in the loins.” A Stafford in proper
show condition exhibits what is often
referred to as “tuck up” at the loin. The
relatively short history of the Stafford-
shire Bull Terrier in the US is that of a
family companion, show dog, and per-
formance sport animal. Fortunately he
has never been a known as a fighting dog
in this country, but he should never lose
the strength, athleticism, and agility that
is a reminder of that original purpose.
One other significant change that
occurred in the breed standard prior to
the Stafford ever making its way to the
US was alluded to previously. This was
the elimination of a 100 point judging
system that weighted the importance
of the various elements of the standard.
This is of considerable interest in under-
standing what the original architects of
the breed found to be most important.
Originally adopted in 1935, the last pro-
posed version that was to be submitted
for approval in 1949, but by that time the
Kennel Club (UK) had eliminated the
100-point scoring system from all breed
standards, see Figure 1.
Today, when people ask if the Stafford
is a “head breed” we can look back and
see that even though it’s certainly not
everything it was in fact quite impor-
tant to those who originally decided how
to prioritize the foundations of breed
type. The original 1935 version of this
scale actually had the head as 30 points
before the revision was made attempting
to address “movement.” The head was
of particular importance to a group of
people trying to standardize and obtain
consistency with a new breed. Over the
years breed type has tightened up as the
standard has evolved. The purpose of
the standard is, after all to describe the
ideal specimen of the breed. The more
strictly we adhere to it, the more consis-
tency we will see as the breed continues
to improve alongside the words that are
used to outline its makeup.
General Appearance &
Coat Condition 10
Head 25
Neck 10
Body 25
Legs & Feet 15
Tail 5
General Movement &
Balance 10
“A Stafford in proper show condition exhibits what is
oftEn rEfErrEd to aS ‘tuck up’ at thE loin.”
“ovEr thE yEarS BrEEd typE
haS tightEnEd up aS thE
Standard haS EvolvEd.”
Fig. 1: Last proposed 100-point scoring system
version, c. 1949.
ShowSight Magazine, April 2013 • 205