MARCH 2008 PRO REPORT

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Council of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
PRO’s Report of the meeting on
Saturday 15th March 2008 at Markfield

The Chairman opened the meeting at 11.02 with 16 clubs being represented:
Downlands, East Anglia, East Midlands, Merseyside, Morecambe Bay, North East, Northern Counties, North West, North of Scotland, Notts and Derby, Potteries, Scottish Club, Southern Counties, South Wales, Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club and Western.

FREE DISCUSSION PERIOD

A number of newspaper articles were discussed, one that was uncomplimentary to the Stafford from the Barnet area, which was passed to the Southern Counties to deal with. A second very positive one from the Edinburgh area, and it was agreed that the Breed Council should make every effort to highlight articles such as this.

Paula Jackson from Stafford Rescue was welcomed to the meeting by the chairman and asked to address the delegates.

She gave a very interesting account of the problems currently being encountered by Rescue which was sympathetically received by those present. She asked that clubs should point potential new owners of Staffords towards responsible web sites. She made it clear that Rescue was just that – rescue – not a re-homing service. All their efforts went into helping genuine cases.

It was pointed out that many dog wardens offered a free “chipping” service and that some would even attend Stafford breed club shows if asked.

The decline in Breed Club memberships was discussed and seen as a worrying trend. The facts that out clubs are too show orientated was discussed at some length. Some delegates wondered whether time had come to confirm whether there were simply too many breed club shows. As an alternative to one show each year it was suggested that a Fun Day where non-show Staffords might be encouraged to attend could be arranged.

After a healthy discussion it was agreed that delegates should take this idea back to their clubs to canvas opinion.

The Officers of the Breed Council for the next two years are as follows.

Chairman, Patrick McGlynn,

Secretary, Jaci McLauchlan,

PRO Helen Reaney

KCBLO Alan Hedges

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 1.25pm,

The date of the Next meeting is Saturday 12th July at a venue to be decided in the North of England.

Veronica Brown,
Public Relations Officer

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