Staffordshire Bull Terriers: An Owner's Companion

Rating:
Summary: buy it
Review: a simply must buy for all stafford enthusiasts,full of useful information from whelping to the showring,also cover's the history of staffords in the usa.

Rating:
Summary: Great well rounded book on SBTs
Review: I am a prospective Staff Bull owner. I wanted to learn more about the breed after seeing them at a Dog Show a month ago. My experience with with the breed at that show was very positive. The dogs were very friendly and sociable. My 2 year old son loved petting a young SBT pup and getting his face licked like a lollipop by it :) The book is really great in explaining the breed's history in the UK and the USA. It also does a great job of interpreting the breed standard and how its modifications have shaped what the Staff Bull is today. This book describes to a potential owner what to expect from a SBT, how to pick out a puppy from a litter, how to raise it, etc. It also goes into breeding and whelping. The only thing that I feel is a negative is that the photos are all black & white. However, overall it is a very informative book and one any potential or current SBT owner should read.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book, Worth the Money!
Review: I found this book quite enjoyable throughout. The history section is adequate, and discussion of conformation is quite interesting. I agree that too many breeders are breeding "bully" staffords now which is a shame. The authors however argues that the Stafford was not used for fighting in the black country, but only baiting sports. I do agree they were used for baiting, and also that MOST show staffords ("modern") would be overcome or lack agility,stamina,and gameness in the pit. However the modern conformation is very different from old. Look at Game Laddie, perfect pit conformation as many of the old-time dogs. I don't condone dog fighting, however I have proof that Staffords were still fought in the 19th century in the UK, rarely, but surely. They should be an all purpose dog, great with people, game, strong, agile, athletic, and good fighters and baiters. This is what they were and this is what they SHOULD BE! It is good to read this book and make your own opinion as we need to save our Staffords for becoming like the English Bulldog as the trends have already suggested.