MARCH 2006

THE STAFFORDSHIE BULL TERRIER BREED COUNCIL OF
GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

PRO'S REPORT ON THE MEETING HELD AT THE COACH
AND HORSES, MARKFIELD ON SATURDAY 4TH MARCH 2006.

The chairman, Patrick McGlynn opened the meeting at 11.10am. There were 11
constituent clubs present, East Anglia, East Midlands, Merseyside, Morecambe Bay and Cumbria, North
East, Northern Counties, North West, Notts and Derby, Potteries, Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, and Southern Counties. Apologies were received from Alyn and Deeside, North of Scotland, Scottish, South Wales, Downlands and Western. Apologies were also received from the Secretary.

During the free discussion period there was some discussion as to the price that is being charged for blue Staffords, which in some cases can be up to £1800. Unfortunately there appears to be a ready market for these dogs, and the only way to attempt to counteract this overpricing is to make as much information readily available by whatever means possible to inform the public of what they should be paying. It was also felt that because of the enormous increase in the number of blues advertised perhaps a little outside influence had been put into breed in some instances to produce the blue colour. Strictly speaking Blues are a throw back of nature, and only occur occasionally from black brindle lines.

The Breed Council expressed its revulsion at the recent story in the press concerning the dog which was tied to a tree and burnt to death, but it was agreed local intervention to this or any other incident would have more affect and could be more beneficial rather than the overall Breed Council getting involved.

The theft of Staffords is never far from anyone’s mind and attention was drawn to the fact that over 30 have been stolen from the South London area since Christmas. Unfortunately the Southern part of the United Kingdom is known at the Golden Triangle in dog theft terms, because of its historic association with wealth. In many instances animals are stolen for amongst other things to fund crime and drug dealings by means of demanding a ransom. The Breed Council again expressed its total commitment to offering advice on protecting your Stafford. Please remember that there is a direct link to the dog lost web site through the Breed Council web pages on the www.stafford.co.uk site.

Clarification was sought as to the qualification for Crufts at Premier Open Shows. Any dog or bitch which goes BOB at one of these shows qualifies for Crufts, these shows are an attempt by the Kennel Club to increase the entry at open shows.

Perhaps the most important matter discussed at this Breed Council Meeting was the L2HGA and HC situation. It is with a great sense of pride that all the hard work that has gone on over the years in working towards finding the gene responsible for these two conditions has come to fruition. Not only do we as Stafford owners have to thank the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket but all the owners who tirelessly provided samples for research, but the endless work done by the Breed Council Genetics Sub Committee in organising the two excellent seminars in January, and for all the hours they put in doing the background work. Dr. Jeff Sampson from the Kennel Club was invited to speak at the meeting, and stressed the Kennel Club’s commitment to the Breed.
It was agreed at the last Kennel Club Finance and General Purposes Committee that animals that have been DNA tested will have their results published in the Kennel Club Gazette. In addition their genetic status will appear on their registration forms. Dr. Sampson has invited anyone who has received their test results to submit a copy of them together with their registration document to him personally at the Kennel Club in Clarges Street and any registration documents will be reissued showing the genetic status of that animal.

The Kennel Club also intend to write to anyone who has registered or has been involved in the transfer of a Stafford over the last five years informing them of the health issues and the testing that is now available. They are also investigating a “bar code” system to indentify litters of staffords in the registration department, so that they can send out the relevant information.

The Kennel Club is actively exploring in conjunction with the Breed Council the method of marketing this information. They are both of the opinion that as many individuals as possible should be made aware of this information and are both totally committed to get this up and running as soon as possible.

For your information there is an extremely informative article entitled “Breed Council sub Committee Recommendations on the issue of DNA in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier”, which can be read on the www.staffords.co.uk web site, this article goes into greater detail than this report and is well worth reading. This Report is in future going to be circulated to every Secretary of every Breed Club that is a member of the Breed Council so that anyone who wishes to be kept up to date with what happens at Breed Council Meetings can ask for a copy.

The Breed Council is totally committed to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and I hope you will all agree that the hard work put in has been well worth the achievements.

The Corresponding meeting in 2007 will be Saturday the 3rd March.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 2.50pm

Veronica Brown
Public Relations Officer.
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