BORDPOL STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIERS

ESTABLISHED 1987

A Competitors Eye View of Showing

The Problem

Having shown a lot of dogs over many years I have come to learn that
the problem with judges is one of three things :

Good - When you win. What a good judge. An excellent eye for a dog
            and so knowledgeable.

Bad - When you lose. What an idiot. He doesn't know one end of a
          dog from the other. He must be blind.

Political - He bred the winner. The last time the winner was overseas he
                stayed with the judge.

The Solution

Stop complaining.
Accept that this is how it is, how it was long before we got involved and
how it is going to be long after we are gone.
Show the grace to acknowledge that somebody else's dog is better than
yours and the judge made the right call or alternatively when you really
should have won, shrug your shoulders and say 'that's showing you win
some you lose some' because sooner or later you will win a class you
didn't deserve to.

Remember

Moaning doesn't change anything and only serves to spoil things for
yourself, nobody else.
If you are a genuine dog lover who loves dogs then you will not be
sufficiently bothered to complain about what is, after all, merely another
persons opinion.
If you really don't like the judge then don't enter. It's a free world, nobody
is forcing you to show your dog.

At the end of the day we do it because we love the dogs and it is
supposed to be fun.

Author: unknown

Temperament in the show ring

Temperament cannot readily be judged in a show ring. It is also wrong to
assume that the temperament of the dogs in the ring is a general representation of the staffie temperament as only a small percentage of dogs will have a show career. In spite of this, there is desirable temperament or behavior in the ring. Outward ness, boldness but never timid. A staffie should show spirit, which is not to be confused with aggression. Their concentration should be towards the handler but they should still be curious and aware of their surroundings.
Undesirable ring temperament would be uncontrolled and unnecessary aggression towards the judge or handler. Show behavior is also very dependant on a proper socialization and ring training program. True temperament, however can only be appreciated and assessed by the dogs
full time owner and is the breeders responsibility to uphold it.

SHOWING YOUR STAFF

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are shown face to the Judge, not side ways. The type of collars and leads used are, Studded leather at least an inch wide, females can be show in a narrower collar to express their femininity of the breed. Leashes used are of leather also with matching studs and are normally just over a meter long. The meaning of a wide collar is, if a staff accidentally gets himself into a squabble with another dog, he can be coked of by firmly twisting the collar from the top side with both hands, this puts pressure on the dog’s troth and cuts of the air supply, the dog will release his bite Staffordshire Bull Terriers should always be handled from an early age if you want to show them, you start by putting the puppy into position, this is important so the puppy is used to your hands around the puppies body. You place one hand griping the chin and raising the head, and the other hand between the rear legs, slightly widening his rear posture, and holding him firmly into position for not more than 10 seconds at a time. As the puppy gets used to this, he will accept that when he is called he stands position next to you, it is important that if you want to show your Staffie, you do not use the command SIT, this is a bad command to teach your puppy. When he is called beside you, he should accept you as no threat, and all puppies will either sit or jump when called, so if you put them into position and praise them, they soon learn, they should also await certain praising words from you, as this keeps them focused, if treats are used, the training is easier.

WALKING YOUR STAFFIE: When teaching your Staff to walk, you must always keep him short, Staffs are a breed of dog that will pull, when walked with other dogs or once he gets used to the lead. He will always try to show off and look imposing, pulling on the lead, however this is not acceptable in the Show Ring, a Staff should always walk with pride, lead slightly taught and free, without pulling, walking beside you on the left hand side.

CHECKING THE TEETH: Any puppy should get used to having his mouth checked, and this also should be started at a young age. Most puppies enjoy having there gums rubbed with your fingers, and accept it when you raise their lips to view their teeth; do not proceed longer than 2 seconds at a time.

Author: Jerry Polidano