The Art of Carrying On
On perseverance, purpose, and the occasional buzzing fly There comes a point in life when you realize that not everyone is going to celebrate…
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Category: Editorial
28 pieces of writingWhat Kind of Athlete Should a Stafford Be?
Originally posted on The Stafford Knot library blog https://thestaffordknot.com/what-kind-of-athlete-should-a-stafford-be/ Running. Is it important? It is an interesting question when discussing the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.…
Continue readingUnderstanding the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Standard describes far more than individual anatomical features. It describes a dog whose temperament, construction and movement must work together.…
Continue readingThe Breed Beyond the Ribbons
Remembering why we show dogs. For more than two decades, dog shows have been part of my life. I have loved evaluating dogs, studying…
Continue readingMarina — Almost Fifteen
GCHB BOSS UCH UNJ Wavemaker Pacifica CA BCAT DMX DS ASA AJX BANJ RATI TKN CGCA CGCU VHMA VSWB CHIC On November 21, Marina…
Continue readingThe Stories We Choose to Believe
An accusation is made. Details are repeated by people who were never present. Assumptions become certainty. Silence is interpreted as guilt. And before long,…
Continue readingJudges Are People Too
On judging ethics, hospitality, and remembering the human side of dog shows. Every so often, a photograph appears on social media showing a group…
Continue readingMeaningful Breeding
Meaningful breeding means doing all the right things. Making thoughtful decisions. Planning carefully. Spending what it takes. Celebrating when things go well — and grieving when they don’t.
Continue readingStewards of Something Greater
In the world of dedicated breeding, it’s easy to be dazzled by the glitter of the show ring—the purple rosettes, the gold trophies, the spotlight of a win. Yet, behind every great dog, there stands a legacy. Decades of meticulous selection, careful planning, and sometimes heartbreaking setbacks, all undertaken by those who came before us.
Continue readingYour Success Doesn’t Diminish Mine
To my fellow breeders in this wonderful, challenging, and rewarding world, I’ve been reflecting on our community lately. It’s easy to sometimes feel like we’re on separate islands, focused solely on our own kennels, our own goals, our own ways of doing things. There can be a quiet sense of competition in the air. But
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