Staffordshire Bull Terriers.....
Where Champions are Born not Made.
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Here is a superb article on the early days taken from www.sbtrescue.org.uk
ORIGINS OF THE BREED
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
 | Adapted from an original article by BILL BOYLAN - Pictured in 1939 with Ch. Game Laddie, born January 1936 (BoB Crufts, 1938) and Emden Challenger, born March 1937). |
During 1933, Staffordshire Bull Terriers were mentioned in 'Our Dogs' after an article in John Bull about the miners' fighting dogs. A letter appeared in that journal about these dogs that had no written pedigree. It was late in 1934 that a real move was made when a letter appeared in 'Our Dogs' from Stewart Poole of Tipton, who asked for anyone interested in the formation of a club for Staffordshire Bull Terriers to contact him. I did this but unfortunately, he received only nine replies so it was decided to wait a while and use 'Our Dogs' to emphasise the betterings about this wonderful breed that had taken a lot of stick owing to bad publicity of the dog-fighting days.
The first Cradley Club Show (above) was held following this event and took place nine weeks later, l7th August, 1935 with Mr. H. N. Beilby as judge. All the notable dogs of that era were there, such as 'Jim the Dandy' (below)
from whom the original standard was chiefly taken, 'Cross Guns Johnson,' who six months later secured the first award for Best of Breed at Crufts, 'Fearless Joe,' his son 'Vindictive Monty' (the first one) and my own 'Game Lad.' In bitches, were 'Brave Nell,' 'Queenie', and from the North, 'Lioness.' The awards were: Open Dog and Best in Show 'Jim the Dandy,' 2, 'Game Lad,' 3, 'Cross Guns Johnson,' Res. was 'Vindictive Monty,' Open Bitch 1, 'Brave Nell,' 2, ' Queenie,' 3, 'Lioness,' Res. 'Victorious Lass.' Special awards other than for best dog and bitch were for best second prize winner and best over four years of age were awarded to 'Game Lad.'
Crufts 1936 was another important event for Staffords, as this was the first time our breed had been on view there, and much attention was paid by a man who heard so much about these dogs in the past. Mr. Joe Dunn, the club secretary and founder was chosen to judge. He made Mr. Joe Mallen's 'Cross Guns Johnson' Best of Breed and Tom Walls brindle bitch 'Brother of Looe' best bitch. It is sad to report that the dog died soon afterwards and did not leave any progeny. That was a tragedy which could have been avoided, and no doubt meant a big loss to us as a breed.
I well remember the arrival of the Cradley coach with those dogs at the Wembley Way. I wondered how they had fared on the journey as they were all in a lively mood and did manage one scrap on the benches. Two contenders were Jack Barnard's 'Barham' and 'Cloth of Gold.' Jack had by then bought 'Jim the Dandy' and had him there with his others. The well known all rounder, Mr. Jas. Saunders, was the judge for Staffords and for his best dog and Best of Breed was a newcomer to us in Miss Joan Elliott's good brindle 'Bocking-Joseph' with' Game Lad' second. Best bitch was my own 'Timyke-Mustard' who was sired by 'Game Lad.' By that time Joe and Mrs. Lil Mallen had become our friends, and this developed over the years into real affection, but with the loss of 'Cross Guns Johnson' Joe seemed out of things and events, but he soon got a young brindle dog registered as 'Game Bill' whom he later sold to Dan Potter. This dog went on to win Best of Breed at Crufts 1937 under Phil Dee.
However, on 25th May the same year, 'Gentleman Jim' (left) was born, bred by Jack Dunn and sired by 'Brindle Mick,' who was the dog-founder of the well known M-line, and incidentally, he was full brother to 'Cross Guns Johnson.' That was very satisfactory to Joe and it did help him over his previous bad luck. This turned out what was to be a second good start, as history has proved. Earlier, on 1st January, 1936, I also had bred a litter that included a brindle dog which I registered as ' Game Laddie,' who later entered for Crufts 1938 at which show 'Gentleman Jim' was entered in the puppy class. He was made best Stafford puppy in show, while 'Game Laddie' was made Best of Breed. The judge was Mr. H. N. Beilby. Of course it is well known that 'Jim' was the first champion of our breed; in fact, he and 'Laddie' were the only champion dogs to be made, pre-war.
That, I suppose, is how it all began, and started to grow as the second formation was of our own Southern Society, whose first show was held 1st May, 1937, the judge being the well known all rounder Mr. Jas. Saunders, who had an entry of 76 made by 21 exhibitors. There are now numerous Stafford Clubs in Great Britain and others in many parts of the world. I feel certain, that for Staffords to have achieved such a high realm of popularity from that tiny start in the mid-thirties is an outstanding and almost unbelievable feat well worth recording.
Joe Dunn
Adapted from an original article by Freddie Phillips
Mr. Joseph Dunn it is sad to say passed away just 42 years to the day since the first meeting was held in June 1935; he passed away in June 1977.
Now I would like it to be known that Joe had no time for any blood sports and it was a well known fact that he was connected with the R.S.P.C.A. so any supporters of fighting were not encouraged and I think this was one of the reasons that certain people turned against him.
I do not think the Club would have gained recognition with the Kennel Club if it had not been for the effective way that he used his influence that he had made as a judge and breeder of Toy dogs and I think it best to quote what Mr. H. N. Beilby said about him in 1936.
(l-r) Matt Weaver, Fred Grove, Joe Dunn, Fred Holden, H. Beilby and A. Payton Smith present Mr. Joe Dunn with a gold watch at the Woodman Hotel, Cradley Heath (then headquarters of the Club) in recognition of his services as Secretary. Joe Dunn was responsible for getting the club recognised by the Kennel Club. His great knowledge of show dogs was a wonderful asset as Joe was also Secretary of the Birmingham Show Dog Society. The Chairman, Mr. Fred Holden is making the presentation.
Our secretary, Mr. Joseph Dunn, is a great deal more than merely a secretary, he is one of the best known dog men in the Black Country. It would not be far wrong to say that he is the originator of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, and certainly he and a few other old hands are responsible for the formation of the Club in 1935. He takes a very keen interest in the welfare and development of the Stafford, no trouble is too great for him where the welfare and development of the breed is concerned, and the Staffordshire breeders owe him an everlasting debt of gratitude for the time and energy he has given so generously to the variety.
The club shows that he has organised on our behalf have been models of what such events should be, and on the financial side the position is thoroughly satisfactory. As a judge he is in great request at some of our largest shows when his awards, arising from his clear sightedness and experience do much to direct the breed along the approved lines of development as set forth in the club standard.
The Brigands (above) were soon to become well known and Joe owned the first champion bitch in Lady Eve. He also owned another good dog Champion, Brigands Bosun, who was sold to Mr. Arthur Payton Smith and on his good authority I can add that Joe never had a penny out of the deal. Arthur was told to pay a certain gentleman the amount of cash required for him and collect the dog and this is as much as I will say about the matter, but for the record I think one of the best dogs he ever had was a dog that was rescued by him; it was Brigands Bashum (above left with Brigands Judy). He was not shown because one ear had been ripped almost off, but he had a remarkable stud record and I would say sired more puppies than any other dog.
I was at the meeting on the Sunday moming at the Jolly Collier, Cradley Heath, when Joe resigned. He refused to turn over any books or records and it was said that they were burned, and I have always supported his action because of the way he had been treated. He had been openly slandered and abused by members he had done so much for and he left the club a very bitter man and never came back, but always remained one of the breed's top judges and a top all rounder until his retirement some 10 years ago and I had the satisfaction of driving him to his last 3 big shows at Plymouth, Sleaford and North Wales. I worked with Joe at Austin Motor Co. Ltd. in the 1930s and was connected with him with more than one breed of dog and always found him very fair and knew him in the palmy days and in the bad days of his serious muscle complaint in the arms when he had to wear a cage for 2 years.
The stories that could be told about the Stafford before the club was formed are countless and one told by the late Fred Silvers was that he bred a litter and let a fellow have the pick for 10 shillings. It turned out to be one of the best dogs at that time, but Fred said that he went for the puppy when Fred was at church on the Sunday morning and he was never paid for the dog. Now this was the thing that caused the trouble and many times when the members travelled together with their dogs to shows on the train on more than one occasion a member has come back with a black eye.
