For the first time in the 147-year history of the Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) Dog Show, an American Staffordshire Terrier, aka Amstaff, won the Terrier group. Hooray! “Trouble” is a very handsome 4-year-old whose pedigree name is GCHP CH Lbk’s Rebel And Proud Party Crasher.
Although Trouble the Amstaff was in the running for the coveted Best in Show title, that honor went to yet another historic first: A cute Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen named Buddy Holly. A dust mop — er, Pekingese — won the Reserve Best in Show title, meaning he/she/it is the second runner-up.
Trouble’s handler summed it up perfectly when asked what people should know about this breed. “They’re just the best family pet that anyone could ever have,” she replied, and I bet anyone who’s had one as a pet would wholeheartedly agree.
While it’s exciting that an Amstaff was awarded this honor, I have mixed feelings overall. Amstaffs are usually lumped in with American Pit Bull Terriers and subject to the same breed bans and undeserved reputations as “dangerous” dogs due to negative media stories and a very misleading bite reporting website. Because of unfortunate factors like overbreeding and landlords (and most home insurance companies) who prohibit them, shelters across the country are full of these “pit bull type” dogs.
My concern is that people may decide to buy a purebred Amstaff instead of adopting one of the many dogs who also very deserving of a loving forever home. Here’s hoping that won’t be the case, and instead Trouble will encourage more people to adopt this breed.
If you’re like me, while watching the WKC Dog Show you probably spent some time assuring your dog that they, in fact, were the actual Best in Show. This is true of my Ella and true of your dog(s), too.
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