Compact Staffords Blog

- AKC Sanctioned  -
- Terrier Group Only ‘B’ Match -
additional features
- All-Breed Canine Good Citizen Test -
- All-Breed Health Clinic -
February 9, 2009Held at the Ann Arbor Dog Training Center
1575 N. Territorial Rd., Whitmore Lake, MI
(First exit North of M-14 Exit #49, East of US-23)

Match Judge:  TBD
CGC Test Evaluator:  Ms. Bobbie GreenEntries Taken from 9:00 - 10:45 am
Judging will begin at 11:00am
Testing for CGC to follow Best In Match

Puppy classes divided:
4-6 mo., 6-9 mo., 9-12 mo., and Open
(Major pointed dogs of any age MUST be shown in Open.)Entry Fees:  $10.00 per dog.

TCM “Dog Dish Cafe”
will be open for lunch & refreshments For further Match information contact
Match Chairperson: Lori Pollack - 517-552-8040CGC and Health Clinic Inquiries can be directed to
Bobbie Green - 313-537-3662

Here is a great and wonderful article that was share with us on our message board. We hope you like it as well. 

The Absolute Importance of Type
by Diane Jessup

Read carefully the words of wisdom:

My main “warning-cry” concerns itself with the direction of the breed, which many breeders – many novices – still subscribe to, a direction that would lead us off the beaten path, far off of our breed goal; toward breed ruin.
In all my articles, lectures, and judges reports of the last few years, I have desperately tried to point out that we must cling to the breed standard of the working dog, and I gave reasons why we must do so – as it was once laid down, as a model of the breed’s design. I have emphasized over and over again that we should not get overly engrossed in details of outward characteristics, even if they are ever so attractive, when, for the breeding value of the dog, he must be based entirely and decisively upon the totality of hard constitution, good health, endurance, authentic working structure and stable temperament.
The vision, the understanding of this standard, is thus sometimes lost. Many young fanciers have unfortunately hardly ever seen correct conformation in respect to these dogs. They become intoxicated with appearance which so often has so little in common with the working dog as he is supposed to be. In this case, the only thing that helps is trusted faith in the system, until one’s pondering leads to eventual understanding. The belief in what is well meant – the thoughtful suggestions and guiding principles – are for the welfare of the breed’s future.

These are words which any serious student of our breed should study, and hang on the refrigerator door! They are that important. They were written in 1929 by Max von Stephanitz, the “father” of the German shepherd dog. This man is worth listening to. Almost single handedly, and with foresight, dedication and understanding not equaled by any breed founder before or since, he brought the German shepherd from a homely, little known farm dog to become the top working breed of the past several decades.

It was done with German discipline and attention to detail. It still is. And while Americans will never embrace the discipline necessary to breed along the European fashion, still, much can be learned from a study of their successes—and our failures.The GSD is a mess in America. Bred along the system warned about above, our GSDs are laughable caricatures of what the German system produces. American German shepherds are shunned by all in need of serious working dogs. Police departments must import their dogs from Europe. The German shepherd in America has been bred to fad standards – not the enduring standard – and now stands as the primary example of how poor breeding can “split” a breed.What has this to do with our bulldogs? Everything.

Von Stephanitz was a wise man. His primary concern was not only to preserve what he had worked so hard to bring together but also to put in place steps intended to continue to improve the breed far into the future. The German system works, though it too, faces an eternal struggle with faddist as well. Even within GSDs in Germany, there are two types, much to the disgust of real fanciers. There are “show dogs”, though at least they must earn a working title to be considered for top honors. And there are working dogs who would not place in a conformation show. However, the gap is small enough that the average fancier would be hard pressed to tell them apart. Not so in America.

Because character is seen as much a part of a dog’s “conformation” to standard as physical appearance (as well it should) the German system insists on working titles for all “champions” and breeding dogs. There are classes for non-titled dogs, but those dogs are given scant attention and can never obtain the highest honors. But why the Germans produce superior GSD is so much more than just this intelligent inclusion of character testing of show dogs. The primary reason for its success is a strictly enforced breed standard, and the insertion of “breed wardens” into the mix.

Consider a world where our bulldogs were judged in a similar fashion to how GSD are judged in America by the United Schutzhund Clubs of American (USA) which, despite its confusing name, is not primarily a schutzhund organization, but rather a German shepherd breed club. USA clubs hold German style shows, invite over respected European judges, and divide the dogs up into groups never seen in an American show. At their Seiger shows (Seiger and Seigerin are the top male and female of the year and dogs which are destined to make an impact on the breed for years to come) there are the usual classes for young dogs, but with a twist. No young dog may earn a “V” rating (the highest) only “SG” (second best) for the simple reason the dog is not mature. Wins in this class are considered only a way to present a promising young dog to the world and say “watch for me in the future!”

So, first off, consider the improvement if no bulldog could obtain a breed championship at the ludicrous age of 6, 7, or 8 months of age. Better yet, no immature dog could be judged worthy of a “Grand Championship” . How can one know what the final temperament and conformation of the mature dog will be? You cannot. And to not address that issue is ludicrous.

The OFA will not certify hips on a dog before it is 24 months old—so how do we reconcile that with a 12 month old “grand champion” being used as a stud? The Germans certify hips at one year of age, one reason they are still struggling to eliminate dysplasia from their dogs, but they do require god hips for a dog to become a champion.

In my opinion, the single best feature of the European fashion dog show is the written critique. Each dog is given a report on what the judge saw that day. It notes the dog’s size, color, and remarks about strong and weak points. These reports are listed by breeders when advertising studs or puppies. It helps the serious breeder chose a stud or future brood bitch which will compliment or hopefully improve his animals.

Imagine for a moment an American pit bull, or American Staff or Staffie bull show where each competitor is handed a paper upon which is written the critique of an experienced, dedicated breed expert. Not someone who has written a book, not someone who is an old time dog fighter, not someone who owns a registry, but a person who has proven themselves to be dedicated to that breed. Who has put in their time, studied under other, experienced judges, and proven their worth. Imagine those critiques are openly advertised. Hard to imagine, isn’t it?

Why? Because as Americans, we value our “freedom” more than our stewardship of dog breeds. Imagine putting regulations in place to stop back yard breeders from producing unsound, substandard animals? It has been tried, in a very limited way, with resulting hysteria from everyone; including those who should know better.

American’s do not want to be told what they may, or may not do. They do not want a breed warden to tell them who to breed to, or which puppies to cull. It is unimaginable. And, because of this, our dog’s “type” is in a crises state.

Imagine a world where the “Seiger” pit bull must have a working title, hips rated Good or Excellent by OFA, and a written critique from a legitimate judge handed out. Imagine a show where the judge does not give out simply first, second, third, and leave you wondering if perhaps she thought these dogs the best of a bad lot. The German system allows the judge to rate the dogs. “VA” is outstanding—above excellent quality, “V” is excellent, “SG” is very good, and from there is goes to “satisfactory” and unsatisfactory. And, better yet, within these ratings, the judge can now rate her dogs “VA1, VA2, V1, V2, etc. What this allows is a complete rating which shows the competitor and the fanciers exactly what she thinks of this dog – regardless of where it placed in the winnings. So, in a class of 8 animals, you might have results as follows: VA1, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, SG1, SG2. It is so much more than “first place” and “second place”. It tells the competitor, ‘hey, your dog may have been in second place, but it was still a really worthy animal’, or, in some cases, where you might see only SG1, SG2, ‘hey, there were no really exceptional animals presented to me, and even though you got second place, your dog is not “V” worthy’.
Judging like that takes guts. And it produces results.

More from Von Stephanitz:

As with so many breeds, sport and fad breeding led to more severe evidence of natural traits, and therefore to bad breeding situations that had nothing more in common with working ability. This may seem nice to the faddist, however, for the true lover of Nature, who doesn’t engage in matters based on eye appeal, it appears as a strange caricature.

Over-sized, massiveness, height, racing ability, straight front or tucked up racing dog body would be for the shepherd an adverse perception leading to the death of the breed. And actually, some of our dogs and especially those who receive applause among the novices resemble the racing dog type in his over-sized, narrowness, tucked up appearance and effemination. The Borzoi, who hunts the wolf on the Russian prairies does not look like this; he is still a correct, rugged fellow. He who looks around at dog shows, pages through dog magazines, will find often enough that there are still a few other breed’s destinies which are threatened, that is, they are about to step out of their breed type because they are not bred upon a breed goal, but rather upon an imaginary “beauty concept”.

Wow. Written in 1929, these words echo hauntingly in the ear of those who have watched the breeding practices of the American pit bull over the past two decades. How true that the show ring is all about fads. In the 1980’s in response (conscious or not) to the ever increasing size and bulk of the AKC and UKC dogs, the animals seen winning conformation shows over at the ADBA took on the opposite look. Skinny, tucked up, racy looking little dogs were the fad. The cry was “athleticism” but the result was the same as von Stephanitz predicted; the dogs diverged from breed type to satisfy a fad.
Twenty years later, the fad has changed – as fads always do. This is why it is imperative that a breed standard stay unchanged through the fickle trickle of time. To not do so leads a breed to be swayed back and forth, ever changing, ever at the mercy of faddist breeders.
Today we see the opposite fad. In part due to the interest in weight pulling, in part due to the typical American “bigger is better” mindset, the breed is now threatened by those who breed massive, faulty structured and over-built animals which more closely resemble a lame mastiff than a working bulldog. The standards call for a “medium” dog—not overdone in any area. But “medium” is not exciting. It is not sexy. And it does not attract the novice buyer. So, fad breeders advertise dogs with incorrect extremes as if they were somehow better than dogs which meet the standard. “Widest!” “Shortest” “Biggest” “Biggest head!” These breeder’s ads are shouting from the rooftops: “There is nothing ‘medium’ about my dogs! They are bred strictly for fad. Their shoulders, rears, and size render them incapable of any meaningful work, but I don’t care; I am making money!”

What is “Type”
Type has two meanings. First, type is what makes an American Staffordshire an American Staffordshire, and not a golden retriever. That is breed type. Second, there is a more subtle type, that which marks dogs of a well established line. For instance, the dedicated fancier may well be able to look at a dog and say, “She is from the White Rock line”, or “That looks like a Fraja dog”. That would be identifying line type.In a world full of back yard breeders, breed type suffers, and line type is almost impossible to find. Can a person who buys two or three dogs, puts up a website, breeds three or four litters be called a “breeder”. Not to the serious fancier. These folks are, almost without exception, out of the breed and onto greener pastures within three to five years.

Dog World magazine used to be an interesting place to keep tabs on long term breeders. Through the fifties, sixties and seventies, you would see consistent ads from breeders who were staying the course. They were always there, month after month, year after year. These were the breeders who, for the most part, developed dogs with line type. Pick up Dog World today and you see a very different picture. It has become a tragic showcase of fad breeders and puppy mills. Each American pit bull ad screams louder than the next “My dogs are not medium working dogs! My dogs are cripples, but they look cool. I’m proud my dogs don’t meet the standard! I am here today to breed for fad size, fad color, fad stockiness, and I don’t care! I will do what I want despite the damage to the breed.”

At a show today, be it AKC, UKC or ADBA, you will see a huge variation of breed type. Many people think this is fine, and that it represents a mythical “variety of type” from which the breed was founded. They will cite examples such as Colby’s Pincher, who was a large dog at a pit weight of 56 pounds, and Colby’s Spring who fought at 22 pounds.(1) Variation in type is certainly to be expected when a breed first comes to have a standard formulated. And, the legitimate written standard of the day – and to this day – give room to the fancier for variation in size, and line type, but not in breed type.

For instance, a Sorrell line pit bull placed beside a White Rock Am Staff, would both show differences in breed type; they are, after all, two separate breeds. However, they would both be recognizable as fitting within the original written standard. They would both be “medium” in structure, showing an athletic and supple body. They would both fit within the minimum, maximum weight standard. Their forelegs and hindlegs would fit the proportions outlined in both AKC and UKC standards. Their necks would be strong and supple, not overly short and thick. Both dogs would also display line type, which is made up of both the good points and poor points that any line will display. There would be no doubt in any educated observer’s mind which dog was which, and it is this variation in type which is acceptable and even admirable to have within purebred dogs. It keeps things interesting. And, the breeds are not harmed.

There is need for the correctly built 35 pound pit bull. There is need for the correctly built 65 pound pit bull. There is no need for dogs which are intentionally bred with disregard for the standard. There is even less need for a registry which changes its standards for the whim of fads, or worse, for the sake of sucking in money from the very people whose callous disregard for the stewardship of the breed damage our dogs so.

Speaking of type in regards to the judging of German shepherd dogs, Ricardo Carbajal, Chairman of the USA Breed Advisory Committee stated: “When referring to breed type the main characteristics in question are harmony and proportion. These must always follow the standard and be in total balance. Anything that tends to be exaggeration violates type and must be penalized. It is the emphasis on these exaggerations such as excessive rear angulation or size that lead many top German breeders to conclude that ‘American’s don’t know what type is.’”

How sadly true for all breeds. When breed and all breed magazines carry ads displaying dogs which do not resemble breed type, how can the novice learn what is correct? When registries change their standards to include animals far larger than ever intended by breed founders, how can the novice know what is correct? When judges refuse to withhold ribbons, and worse, put up unsound, shy, and untypey animals, how can the breed be saved?

There have been sporadic attempts to come up with breed suitability tests, working registries, and other ideas which would help. Sadly, all have failed. There is not enough interest from breeders; not enough interest in stewarding our breeds through to the next generation as we found them. The current generation must never assume they are wise enough, or experienced enough, to change a breed standard. But each generation sure tries, always to the detriment of the dogs.

The biggest problem at this time is unique to our breed and to our time. ‘Fad breed’ overpopulation is not unique, but coupled with breed specific legislation (BSL) aimed at our dogs, it is. America is drowning in bulldogs. Once considered rare, they are now the single most popular breed in the U.S. Doubt that? Consider that there are three registries for the pit bull/Am Staff. And that is not even counting Staffie bulls, considered by the public as “pit bulls”. Consider further that most “pit bulls” are not registered. Consider that just one registry registered more pit bulls in 2003 than the AKC did Labradors. When you add in the other registry, the number is greater than AKC Labs and golden retrievers combined. Take a look at Petfinder.com, or at your local shelter. The highest number of abandoned animals are pit bulls.

Because of this, the problem becomes: ethical breeders are not going to be producing dogs for public resale at this time. They understand and empathize with the sad fact of the daily killing of hundreds of bulldogs in American shelters. And yet they know that responsible breeding must go on to keep the breeds from extinction; more so now than ever, since “pretenders” have almost taken over the breed. If all responsible breeders shut down, in ten years the pit bull would be extinct, and in its place a hybrid animal no more like the athletic, “medium” dog who earned the name, than a dogue de Bourdeaux.

The answer to saving our breed is three pronged. First, everything possible must be done to discourage and halt novice, back yard breeders and “big name” puppymills. Proposed breeding “bans” (if enforced, and that is always questionable) should be embraced by the ethical breeder. Who would not jump at the chance to make producing a litter a little more difficult? For the ethical breeder it is already a difficult and expensive project; a few hoops more, which (again, if enforced) will help to stop back yard breeders, should be welcomed.

Second, every serious breeder must study the AKC or UKC standard (dependent on their breed) and understand it. If the standard is not to their liking, then they must find a breed which fits their ideal, and breed that. Added to this, they must understand that a win at a dog show is hardly important enough to be criteria when deciding if a dog is good enough to be bred. Hip and health checks are a non-negotiable part of the ethical breeders program. They do not make excuses about bad hips; they do not blame an accident or the certifying registry. They suck up and deal, and move on.

Ethical breeders understand that sound and “typey” temperament is just as important as meeting the physical standard of the breed. For this reason, they understand what bulldog temperament is about, and they never breed a dog who fails to represent it. They do not make excuses: “she is just a little shy”, or “he doesn’t like men”, or “she was abused”.

Third, serious, ethical breeders should work together to produce a system similar to the German style. A system which gives merit to those animals who are outstanding. That encourages the breeding of our “medium” built dog with its characteristic good temperament and heart.

Serious breeders must sacrifice and work hard to come through this most devastating of times in the history of the breed. This is done by stopping all sales to the general public; serious buyers will find ethical breeders. They always have, and they always will. To produce a litter and offer pups for sale in the paper, or over the internet is unethical and unacceptable at this time. To breed without a full waiting list of well checked homes is irresponsible and damaging to our breeds. To not cull poor specimens—as hard as it is - is to give the breed another black eye.

The next ten years are probably the most important in history, for our dogs. Will they become extinct through breed bans and fad breeders? Or will they persevere, as they have for so many hundreds of years? Each of us holds the answer on the end of our leash, and in our heart.

(1) The American Pit Bull Terrier, by Joseph L Colby

Hello

I would like to start by Thanking you for taking a monent out of you time to read our Blog.  I’m tring to get as many Staffordshire Bull terrier to come out to the AKC show held at the Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan on February 28, 2009 & March 1st, 2009. The deadline for this show is Wednesday, February 11, 2009. So far we have 6 dogs signed up to attend the show. 1 males and 5 females. Please pass the world a long to others in your area who show. I hope that you are able to join us and promote the breed.

Thank you and God Bless

Compact Staffords 

It’s really simple: Buying from an irresponsible breeder. I need you to hear this: If you buy from an irresponsible breeder, you are killing shelter dogs. Yes YOU. 

What’s an irresponsible breeder? Any breeder that does not breed as a caretaker and devotee of her particular breed, as shown by showing, performance events, health testing, and being involved in a community of her peers.

Where do you find irresponsible breeders? Flea markets, swap meets, newspaper ads, your own neighborhood and generic sites on the Web that list a bunch of breeders on the same page. They’re the person at your office that let his girl dog get pregnant. with out knowing the health of the dogs. They’re the friend of a friend who bred their dogs “just once.” They’re your cousin who thinks she can make some money by breeding their dog to another registered dog. They’re the people with the plastic sign at the end of their driveway: “Reg Dog For Sale $250.” Some of them even have gorgeous websites and professionally produced graphics; many of them are wonderful people, members of churches, clean housekeepers. They don’t look like puppy mills or evil people. But hear this: I don’t care if the breeder is your best friend and you think her dog is just awesome and your kids love the puppies when you came over to see the litter. 

If their are not a responsible breeder, walk away! Go visit any vet’s office and ask to see the big bottle of Euthanol and take a good hard look at it, then go to your shelter and pick out the six dogs that are going to get that needle because your friend bred their dog.

Learn to recognize the birdcall of the irresponsible breeder: “We focus on breeding happy, healthy pets.” “You don’t need a show breeder; you just want a pet.” “We don’t want our dogs ruined by the stresses of the show ring.” “I am going to breed her once and only once, just so I can keep a puppy.” “This mix offers the best of both worlds-the nonshedding poodle and the easy-going Lab” (or insert the two or three breeds of your choice). “Our pets are our babies-we breed only for temperament.” “Mom and dad vet-checked.” “Champion lines.”"Family-raised adorable pets.”

Learn to recognize the website of the irresponsible breeder: Dogs pictured lying down or playing. Males and females are called “mommies” and “daddies.” Puppies are often shown with props, or with hats on, or on a satin background. A special place in hell is waiting for those websites that show all the breeding females obviously pregnant or lactating (because, presumably, they are never NOT pregnant or lactating). There are no show pictures (where the dogs are “stacked” foursquare) or groomed pictures. The dogs have no achievements aside from looking cute. There’s usually a focus on external qualities: the biggest puppy, the smallest puppy, particular (often “rare”) colors, desirable hair textures or lengths.

So how does your purchase kill a shelter dog? Buying from an irresponsible breeder does several things: one, you’re buying a dog that you could have adopted instead. Irresponsible breeders don’t offer you anything that you can’t find at a shelter;
they do not breed only the best to the best; they don’t warranty health or temperament; they don’t test and prove their dogs to demonstrate that their breeding stock looks, acts, or performs the way that breed should. So they are competing
directly with the shelters in terms of putting dogs into people’s arms, and when people can buy a puppy instead of adopting an older dog, they virtually always do so.

Second, irresponsible breeders don’t just produce the puppy you brought home. That was one of a litter of perhaps six or eight. You gave them a pretty BIG CHECK for almost no work on their part, so they’ll do it again. Maybe they’ll get a couple more bitches and make it a part-time job. So yeah, you may take this dog home and love it and never give it up, but your purchase encouraged the breeder to make thirty or forty or fifty more dogs. Can you guarantee that they all ended up in good homes? Can you be sure that they didn’t end up in shelters? The purebred dogs in shelters are the result of irresponsible breeders-yup, the same one you just handed a check to. It’s as simple as that.

Irresponsible breeders are going to keep on breeding until they cannot sell puppies. The market must end. That’s why it’s YOUR responsibility, not just theirs. The first time they have a litter of seven dogs who are all still chewing on kitchen cabinets at age one, having consumed several thousand dollars worth of food; the first time they have to raise an entire litter of dogs until the patellas start to fail on all the dogs; the first time they get some of the pain and none of the dollars, they’ll reconsider doing this again. Until then, they will keep making puppies.

So what now?

There are exactly two main ways to obtain a puppy or dog: adopt from a rescue, shelter, or pound; and buy from a responsible breeder who SHOWS (or perforance events) their dogs, who HEALTH TESTS (not just a “vet checks”), who INTERVIEWS YOU and who has standards for where they places their puppies-which means they may tell you no-who REQUIRES A WRITTEN CONTRACT including a puppy-BACK CLAUSE so your dog (pet) never ends up in a shelter or
rescue, and who is open to PEER REVIEW and a member in good standing in her community (as shown by participation in a club or recommendations from other good breeders in the area). These are the qualities that set her apart as a responsible breeder, and they’re what keep your purchased puppy from adding to the statistics of homeless dogs.

Help save a dog today by adopting or recuing one from a kill shelter. 

This was writen by a friend of Compact Staffords and we share some of the same view on this topic.

Thank you  and God Bless

Compact Staffords has added a new lady to the family. Thanks to Carol Patterson at Edelhaus Kennels  we have a 12 week old female Staffie. We have Named her Edelhaus MT Carmel at Compacts Aka Caramelita. We will be showing her in AKCand UKC events.

Its sadden my heart to hear of people who are looking and want a Staffordshire Bull Terrier but will not look for a reputable Breeders who care for the breed. The Staffie breed is slowly begin to be over breed by a lot back yard breeders (irresponsible Breeders) who are only out there breeding to make a few dollars. Their number one focus is quantity and not quality.   In the past few months I have found numerous Staffy breedings round the United States and all of these breedings with not one bit health testing begin performed on any of the dogs. A lot of these breeding were done by back yard breeders (irresponsible Breeders) who DO NOT compete in any dog events or who DO NOT know much about the breed it self. Some of these breedings that I found had Dogs that DO NOT fit with in the standard that is written by the AKC or any other Kennel Club. Many of these breedings had Dog who were 17 inch plus and who weight was 45 to 50 lbs. We have a big Staffie problem that is developing with in the Staffy breed itself and that is Staffie Bulls who are too tall, have multiple health issues and are non-conforming to the breed standard. That’s just what we need Staffordshire Bull Terrier that fit the American Pit Bull Terrier standard. How and Why does this happen? How can we continue to work at trying to remove the Staffie from BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) list from around the world with things like this going on? How can we prove that Staffies are different if they fit another breed standard?  I believe that we as breeder need to sell or place all pets as spayed or neutered. Yes it’s nice to have and own an intact pet but we as advocates and ambassadors to the breed must and should stand up and help make a change for the better of the breed and its future. Please don’t get me wrong just because one person does not own a lot for staffies it does not make them a back yard breeder. The term bark yard breeder (irresponsible Breeders) the way I interpret refers to people who do not care about or for the health of their dogs or the dogs they breed or any one else’s dog. In my years of caring, handling, working and showing the SBT breed, I have found countless Staffs who have had short life spans, heart problems, hip problems, skin problems, eye issues, high levels of dog aggression, and some even with human aggression. I know that the world said it all on ownership but a lot of this can be prevented if more advocates and ambassadors of the breed took the time to educate those back yard breeders (irresponsible Breeders) with the facts of the health and the future of the breed. Here in Michigan alone I have found a couple staffy who are affected or carriers of L-2-HGA and have been bred or are being bred. I for sure do not what to lose a whole breed of dog because of people who are not informed or educated with the facts of health testing. I hope we can learn by looking at what has happen too many other breeds through out the years. Screening people, interviewing new homes are both a great start but I think that all registration papers should be with held or co-own if the individual does not participate in any dog events. No full registration papers should be given out, unless you know them, show against the, or compete against them or they have been breeding for years. This all sound nice in a perfect world but we all know it will never happen. Why? Because of MONEY! Man’s love and need for it. What got me inspired to write this is that I know of an individual who came to me looking for a Staffie puppy. So, I guided this individual to a few repetitive breeds that I know of, but this individual felt their price and term were too much for them. This individual went out and found some back yard breeder (irresponsible Breeders) who sold them a puppy for $800.00 and then found another back yard breeder (irresponsible Breeders) who sold them another puppy for $800.00. I have now come to learn that this individual just wanted a few dogs to breed for a little extra money. This individual now feels he can do what ever he wants with his dog’s scents he owns them. This is wrong in all and every aspects. The Dogs that he bought will never fit with in the standard that is written by the AKC or any other Kennel Club. Both of the litters come from a sire and dam who are 17 inches plus and 45 to 50 lbs. Both dams after 8 weeks of having 8 to 10 puppies still weighted 42 lbs. I have seen the pedigree for both these litters and their not one champion dog within 6 generations.  Now this is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier problem that I’m referring too. If no one has a problem with this, well lets all just start breeding dogs with short life spans, a multitude of health issues, a series of faults and who do not conforming to the breed standard.  This individual calls me and tells me about his findings. Me begin the breed advocate and ambassador that I am, I told this individual that their actions and his lack of care for the breed will not get them the quality of dog that they desire.I’m deeply touch with the fact that this individual had the currish to BAD mouth me to 2 local back yard breeders (irresponsible Breeders) that I have help to place dogs and that I would recommend. Now thanks to this individual my relationship with those back yard breeders (irresponsible Breeders) is no more. Looking at the good side to this is that I can not be associated with to those back yard breeders (irresponsible Breeders).  If those individuals want to continue to breed poor quality dog more power to them. So in the long term you reap what you sole. Dogs with short life spans, a multitude of health issues, a series of faults and who do not conforming to the breed standard.     I have spent the last few years of my life working to better educate the public about the breed. Showing the world how wonderful the breed is. Through many dog events, just simple letting people see and interact with the breed. I have spoken at some dog events and have had countless conversations with other breed enthusiast. I have been working with a few of true Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners, handlers, breeders and fans on establishing Mid-West Stafford’s. Goals that I would like to see Mid-West Stafford’s accomplish. To do more breed education in as many dog events as possible. To promote proper breeding etiquette and good breeding programs or steps to follow. To redefine questionable SBT breed standard issues.        If someone out there does not agree with my opinion please feel free to reply back with your point view on this situation. Thank you and God Bless Jose of Compact Staffords

What a nice turn out this show was. We had 9 staffies on Friday, 14 on Saturday and 9 on Sunday.

Friday’s Results:

Blessings’ Come to Me w/Massie(Diddy) took Reserve in the Champion Class losing to Amandlas Lady Marmalade(Mya) of Blessings Kennel. who went on to win Best of Breed and take a group  2nd

Other class results are:

Jane’s boy Mk’s The Guardian cerebus(Drock) won the Grand champion class

Faith’s boy Steinstaff Caperike Eezeekyale(Zeek) won his class and Reserve Male

Beth’s girl CNC’s Mystic Absolut Trouble won her class and Best Female

Saturday Results:

The Champion Class was won by Amandlas Lady Marmalade(Mya) of Blessings Kennel. Reserve went to Sureshots Gemini Feelin’ Feisty of Sureshot Kennels

The Grand Champion Class was won by Karma’s Ain’t No Sunshine of Sureshot Kennels. The Award of Merit went to Sureshots One Step Beyond and Sureshots Little Bit of Luck

Sunday’s Results:

Blessings Come to me w/Massie(Diddy) won the Champion Class. The Grand Champion Class was won by Amandles Lady Marmalade(Mya) of Blessings Kennel and She went on to win Breed.

Maybe the biggest UKC show around. People and dogs from all aroung the US come to compete in 3 All- Breed Dog Shows (Confirmation), 2 Agility Trials, 3 Dog sport Trials, 2 Obedience Trials, 2 Terrier Races and 2 Weight Pulls. All the Events are to be held at The Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds. The address to the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds is 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

We will compete in Confirmation with Diddy.

Come out and give your support. hope to see you there.