Archive for December 2019

Without a doubt, the American Pit Bull Terrier is the most controversial breed in the world today. It wasn’t always thus. Only forty years ago, it was but a little known breed, and the people who did know about it often had misconceptions. Now the breed is so famous that its name is part of the lexicon, and…

The Dog Behind the Myth and Headlines Civilize him as you please, make him whatever color you like, man will still worship the born fighter—John Taintor Foote That is what Foote said in his story about a Pit Bull named Allegheny, and there is such a ring of truth to the quote that I have…

Screaming Fury and Silent IntensitybyRichard F. Stratton I enjoyed reading about Siega in the last issue of SDJ, and I have no doubt she is a terrific dog, and I would love to own her. However, I have seen a lot in my long life, and I have noticed that often the winners are easy…

Recently, my middle son, Robert, and I were up in Canada for the Ralph Greenwood Memorial Show. I had taken a moratorium on my retirement as a show judge to help out at that event for several reasons: to honor my old friend Ralph’s memory, to see good dogs, and to meet with old friends…

Introverts and ScrewballsbyRichard F. Stratton People in the show dog community and the public in general tend to think of shy dogs as having been abused. They don’t realize that it is an inherited tendency. One reason for that is that show dogs don’t win if they demonstrate any shyness, so the show breeds are…

Hubbard and Dibo by Richard F. Stratton Of all the pit dogs of which I am aware, Dibo was probably the most influential. He marked a turning point in the pit dog game. I don’t think we know just how great a dog he was himself, and there is some dispute as to whether he…