Posts by Richard F. Stratton
Roots of the Grand Old Breed
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…
Read MoreThe Dog Behind the Myth and Headlines
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…
Read MoreScreaming Fury and Silent Intensity
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…
Read MoreObsession
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…
Read MoreIntroverts and Screwballs
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…
Read MoreHubbard and Dibo
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…
Read MoreEarly Influences
Early InfluencesbyRichard F. Stratton When I wrote my first book on the American Pit Bull Terrier breed some forty years ago, the breed was but little known—and yet, it still had a somewhat notorious reputation among those few who did know about it. For that reason, I tried to make my book as classy as…
Read MoreBulldogs and Terriers
Bulldogs and Terriers Of course, I can always be counted upon to argue that a Bulldog is, well, a Bulldog. That there was no need to cross him with any terrier. In fact, I have written earlier that the burden of proof should now be upon the proponents of those who argue the cross with…
Read MoreArms Race
The ridiculous arms race that went on between America and the soviets for many decades has been used as a model by biologists for understanding all the different elements that drive organic evolution. For example, starfish feed on shellfish, and shellfish develop senses that can detect starfish and the ability to move out of their…
Read MoreA Rose by Any Other Name
Does it make any difference what the American Pit Bull Terrier breed is called? After all, it is still the same breed regardless of its designation, right? As Juliet said in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.†She is…
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