Posts by Richard F. Stratton
Champion
I recently saw a suggestion that dog people not refer to their Bulldogs as champions because it would draw the attention of humaniacs. I, myself, would advise to always assume that anything you put online in any form will be perused by humaniacs; however, should we avoid calling our dogs champions? After all, there are show champions…
Read MoreMy Road to Perdition
Admittedly, I love Bulldogs, but how did I get that way? Looking back, I can figure it out because it certainly wasn’t predictable. I was a seven-year-old boy who kept rabbits, and I was horrified when my father decided that it was time to butcher some of them. It was the Depression, after all, and we…
Read MoreThe Sacred Trait
If there is one thing that distinguishes Bulldogs from all other breeds, it is gameness. Deep gameness. It has been around for a long time in our breed. I would say that it is greater in Bulldogs than any other animal. Some people would select gamecocks instead because they fight with steel, and it is…
Read MoreThe Yearling: a Promise Finally Kept
byRichard F. Stratton In one of my books I made mention of the 1947 movie The Yearling, and I promised someday to give details about the bear hunt and the Bulldog that was used in the movie. Several times since then, readers have mentioned to me that I never made good on that promise, and…
Read MoreThe Eleventh Commandment
by Richard F. Stratton Yes, indeed, we must all hang together, or most assuredly, we will hang separately.—Benjamin Franklin Although not religious myself, I recall that Barry Goldwater had an Eleventh Commandment. It was: “Thou shall not speak ill of other Republicans.” In my opinion, that’s a good rule for politicians—but it’s even a better rule…
Read MoreThe Dominion of Size
The Dominion of Size by Richard F. Stratton The bigger they are, the harder they fall.—Bob Fitzsimmons But they always fall on me!—Howard Heinzl Pit dogs are matched to a specific weight, and if one comes in only an ounce over, the opponent can claim the forfeit. That very fact should show the importance of…
Read MoreScrewballs and Psychopaths
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 universally pretty much lacking in fear…
Read MoreThe Puritiy Obsession
It is easy to see why purity has been highly valued. Gold is an example. It has never had much industrial value, but it has nonetheless been a highly prized metal because of its scarcity and beauty. The only problem is that pure gold is much too soft and malleable for use for regular commerce in coins, so…
Read MoreTough as Nails
“Nails” was the name of the very first APBT I ever saw. He was lent to me by Carson Morrow, at the time the Chief of the Border Patrol. I asked Chief Morrow how Nails got that name, and he told me that he was as tough as nails, for one thing. Apparently, he was the smallest dog…
Read MoreGrand Champion El Titere
Grand Champion El Titere After having heard all that I had about Titere and reading about him, when I finally met him, I had the feeling I was in the presence of greatness. It was a special honor being photographed with him. It was like being photographed with Man of War or Secretariat. Or Jack Johnson. Shakespeare. Albert Einstein. Yes, he was…
Read More