The so called Irish Staffordshire Bull terrier is a variation of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier registered by The Kennel Club K.C. The breeders of this type feels that it is more in line with the original dogs that where first recognized by the Kennel club back in 1935. The Irish variation is more agile and lean than its relatives that are attending the conformation shows arranged by the kennel club in England.
The Irish strains of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier originate mostly from Kennel Club stock sent to Ireland in the 1950s. These were kept as working and show dogs and took the best of both sides. They where tried out in the Badger trials that used to be held in Ireland. They where allegeable used for dog fighting before the American pit bull terrier where widely spread in Europe and caught the sole attention of the dog fighting fraternity.
Even tough the origin is purely from English stock, the name Irish Staffordshire Bull terrier came about when the working strains where brought back to England in the 1980´s. The name has been widely used. The name has often been misused when it has been used to label dogs that has absolutely no relationship with the Irish dogs, but just happened to be a bit more lean and agile than the standard K.C version of the breed.
Other names that has been used to label the working type Staffordshire Bull terrier, including those that may not have any relationship with Ireland are Old type Staffordshire Bull terriers, true type and working type. Famous bloodlines of the Irish Staffordshire Bull terrier is known by names such as Psycho, Dublin Red Strain, Flynn.
A misconception that has been widely spread by the RSPCA is that there is nothing going by the name of Irish Staffordshire Bull terrier, and that the name is just a cover up to hide American Pit Bull terriers present in The united kingdom even tough they are outlawed under the Dangerous dog act. This is a false statement, as written above there is actually a set of bloodlines of the Staffordshire Bull terrier going by this name.
Modern activities that these dogs are used for are Fox hunting, Badger drawing and weight pulling. They are also being showed on specialized conformation shows aiming to preserve the proper look of the old type Staffordshire Bull terrier.
See also
External links
Staffordtribute
The Swedish Staffordtribute
WMK - Breeder of Irish Staffordshire Bull terrier