Historical Lines and Families
Mr. H. N. Beilby was a highly respected authority of the breed and studied the Lines and Families of the early Staffords, some of them pre-war 1939-1945. The Line is the sire’s male ancestors, i.e., the sire’s, sire’s, sire. The Family is the bitches female ancestors, i.e., dam’s, dam’s, dam.
Mr. Beilby established six main Lines, being the M, J, L, R, B and C and 60 bitch Families. The Lines were given the initial of the Sire’s name and the bitch Families were numbered, i.e. Family 2. In those days the Lines and Families had a distinct importance and progressed in accordance with a sire or bitches popularity or reputation. Figures on the right show the number of registrations recorded at the end of 1946 sired by these males.
Mr. Beilby established six main Lines, being the M, J, L, R, B and C and 60 bitch Families. The Lines were given the initial of the Sire’s name and the bitch Families were numbered, i.e. Family 2. In those days the Lines and Families had a distinct importance and progressed in accordance with a sire or bitches popularity or reputation. Figures on the right show the number of registrations recorded at the end of 1946 sired by these males.
J Line |
Fearless Joe |
1,200 |
M Line |
Brindle Mick |
1,500 |
L Line |
Game Lad |
500 |
B Line |
Rum Bottle |
300 |
R Line |
Ribchester Bob |
500 |
C Line |
Cinderbank Beauty |
100 |
These Lines and Families were published in ‘The Stafford’ magazine and charts updated regularly at first. They helped breeders and enthusiasts to follow a particular Line or Family of their choice, which depended on the preferred Sire or Dam and no doubt location. Back then not everyone owned cars and breedings were made more locally, which established tighter lines and elevated the popularity of the Stud dogs of the area. With the acceptance of the breed with the Kennel Club in 1935, breedings and pedigrees could now be recorded with an official body.
Many enthusiasts in those days strongly favoured Staffords of a particular Line or Family and bred to it, bearing in mind that these dogs and bitches could be seen close up on pedigrees of that time. Even in the 60’s and 70’s some enthusiasts still referred to their Staffords Line or Family and kept their breedings quite close to them. I remember corresponding with Arthur Baxter in the late 60’s and he pointed out the ‘Lines’ from which his stock descended. My uncle would also refer to the Line or Family from which a particular Stafford descended from, as if it was obvious.
Many enthusiasts in those days strongly favoured Staffords of a particular Line or Family and bred to it, bearing in mind that these dogs and bitches could be seen close up on pedigrees of that time. Even in the 60’s and 70’s some enthusiasts still referred to their Staffords Line or Family and kept their breedings quite close to them. I remember corresponding with Arthur Baxter in the late 60’s and he pointed out the ‘Lines’ from which his stock descended. My uncle would also refer to the Line or Family from which a particular Stafford descended from, as if it was obvious.
J – LINE FEARLESS JOE
The J-Line was favoured mostly by Black Country enthusiasts, whose founder was Fearless Joe, grandson of the famous ‘Johnson’. ‘Joe’ sired Jim the Dandy, who unfortunately died young, but not before sireing Tackle and Chestonion Overdraft. Tackle sired Brigands Gunner, Tactful Steve, O’Boy and Emden Convoy. Vindictive Monty another important son of Fearless Joe sired Vindictive Montyson and Springheeled Jack, who produced Boy Dan and The Great Bomber.
Boy Dan sired the well-known Brinstock Challenger and Ch. Brindled Mac among others. The Great Bomber sired Red Turk, who sired Sans Cooper. Sans Cooper sired Ch. Freden Blonde Bombshell (b) and Ch. Freden Fireworks, who sired Ch. Chestonion Satans Fireworks. The Great Bomber also sired the important Bomber Command from which some of the Wychbury dogs descended through Faithful Pal. Bomber Command also sired Ch. Peter the Bomber, who was the sire of Ch. Peter’s Boy, who sired Ch. Wawocan Benita (b) and Ch. Iron Bill of Phylmajhar.
Bomber Command also sired Ch. Sandra’s Boy, who was the sire of the famous fawn bitch Ch. Tawney of Dugarde (b) who was regarded as one of the best bitches at this time. These are possibly some of the most important earlier Staffords from the J-Line, but later came the well-known Ch. Major in Command of Wychbury, who was the sire of Ch. Fredanita of Wychbury (b). Major in Command was sired by Ch. Wychbury Diamond King. The J-Line was an extensive and important Line.
Bomber Command also sired Ch. Sandra’s Boy, who was the sire of the famous fawn bitch Ch. Tawney of Dugarde (b) who was regarded as one of the best bitches at this time. These are possibly some of the most important earlier Staffords from the J-Line, but later came the well-known Ch. Major in Command of Wychbury, who was the sire of Ch. Fredanita of Wychbury (b). Major in Command was sired by Ch. Wychbury Diamond King. The J-Line was an extensive and important Line.
M – LINE BRINDLE MICK
The M-Line took over in popularity through Brindle Mick, who sired Brindle Bill, Furnace Jake, Red Ruin, The Bandit and his brother, the famous Gentleman Jim, who sired many good dogs, including Ch. Fearless Red of Bandits, Ch. Son O’ Jim, Ch. Jim’s Double of Wychbury and Ch. Widneyland Kim. They in turn produced many other notable Staffords. Brindle Bill was a very important M-Line male stud, who was responsible for Tenacious Pete and Bucks Mick, who sired that great looking bitch Ch. Lucky Star of Bandits. Brindle Bill also sired Old Cross Guns Showboy of Woldingham, who in turn sired the highly regarded Stowcote Pride. Brindle Bill also sired Clarkstead Pete, who sired Wychbury Trouble, who sired Honest Joe and Brigands Bos’un’s Beau.
Jolly Roger out of Son of Jim was also an important sire, producing Ch. Quiz of Wyncroft, Ch. Corsair of Wyncole, Ch. Brigands Red Rogerson, Ch. Emden Corsican and Brigands Benbrooke Pirate. Of course the M-Line was extensive and famous for many other good ones – far too many to mention here.
Although the M-Line became the most popular it had strong links with the J-Line. As mentioned earlier Ch. Gentleman Jim a prolific sire, was M-Line, but his dam Triton Judy was J-Line. Brindle Mick himself was out of Brave Nell a J-Line bitch sired by Fearless Joe. These two lines always had close links and an example later during the 1960’s and 1970’s were of the two well known M-Line males Ch. Game Flash and his son Ch. Rapparee Renegade, who both carried J-Line blood through their dam’s side.
B – LINE RUM BOTTLE
The B-Line for Rum ‘Bottle’ is better known as the Tommy Westall Line. This was an old line founded by Mr. Westalls grandfather circa 1868. The first known records actually started with Rascal, who produced Game Cock and Scorpion. The most notable dog of this line was ‘Rum Bottle’, which was a red dog of 35lb, sired by Game Cock. Scorpion sired Hyena (Mulberry Masterpiece).
One of the most famous dogs of this line was Henry Melling’s Tough Guy, by Rum Bottle out of Viper, who was advertised from game bred stock in those days. Rum Bottle sired Invincible Lad and Eager Lad when mated to Invincible Lass. Eager Lad was the sire of Tornado, who himself sired some of the Roundcroft Staffords, through to Idol Bruce and Ch. Constones Ballyhill Bruce.
One of the most famous dogs of this line was Henry Melling’s Tough Guy, by Rum Bottle out of Viper, who was advertised from game bred stock in those days. Rum Bottle sired Invincible Lad and Eager Lad when mated to Invincible Lass. Eager Lad was the sire of Tornado, who himself sired some of the Roundcroft Staffords, through to Idol Bruce and Ch. Constones Ballyhill Bruce.
L – LINE GAME LAD
The L-Line founded by Game Lad was also from the Black Country and he was a prolific sire in his day and of course produced the outstanding Ch. Game Laddie owned by Mr. Bill Boylan, who must be given credit for the development of this Line and his knowledge of Staffords. Brinstock Democrat was out of ‘Laddie’ and later came Brigands Bash’em, who was out of Belted Hero a grandson of Game Lad.
R – LINE RIBCHESTER BOB
Ribchester Bob the founder of the R-Line, sired Ribchester Joe, who in turn sired the well-known Mulberry Move On and Ribchester Max. One of ‘Max’s son’s was Vindictive Monty of Wyncroft, who sired Emden Czarist and also Ch. Head Lad of Vilmar, who sired Ch. Milkern Guardsman, who sired Ch. Gilcroft Guardson. For many years ‘Milkern Guardsman’ held the honour of appearing as the S.C.S.B.T.S. badge logo with the wording ‘Nemo Me Impune Lacesit’, founded in 1937.
C – LINE CINDERBANK BEAUTY
Cinderbank Beauty C-Line was perhaps the least well known Line, but had sired 100 registered progeny at the end of 1946, and sired Togo, who sired Pike Lane Spitfire and the superb bitch Ch. Widneyland Model. Two other bitches that came from this line were Ch. Gwornall Eve and Ch. Gwornall Judith.
I had not heard anybody mention these old lines for many years until I spoke to Peter Jepson back in June 2018, a few years before he died. I was not surprised when he recalled some of the old J-Line and M-Line dogs that he owned or were behind his ‘Gamestock’ Staffords pedigrees. Not only did he have great knowledge of the breed, but credit must be given to him for his foresight, bringing Ch. Game Flash to his Gamestock Kennels in Ripley, Surrey in the 1960’s and making this bloodline available and more accessible in the South of England.
He line bred his stock, producing many notable Staffords with the Gamestock affix, which breeders were able to access through his stud dogs. Two outstanding examples in my opinion were Josie Ashburner’s ‘Cubik Snow Rocket’ (1969) and Penny Funnell’s ‘Ladstaff Fireball’ (1977). Both were strongly bred back to Ch. Game Flash. Cubik Snow Rocket was sired by Gamestock Black Jack and Ladstaff Fireball was sired by Gamestock King Mick. These two long-time Stafford fanciers are still enthusiastically showing their present day Staffords.
He line bred his stock, producing many notable Staffords with the Gamestock affix, which breeders were able to access through his stud dogs. Two outstanding examples in my opinion were Josie Ashburner’s ‘Cubik Snow Rocket’ (1969) and Penny Funnell’s ‘Ladstaff Fireball’ (1977). Both were strongly bred back to Ch. Game Flash. Cubik Snow Rocket was sired by Gamestock Black Jack and Ladstaff Fireball was sired by Gamestock King Mick. These two long-time Stafford fanciers are still enthusiastically showing their present day Staffords.
The last dog Peter showed if I am correct was ‘Bomber Bill of Gamestock’ a bull of a dog, but absolutely teeming with character. In 1986 ‘Bomber Bill’ sired an outstanding son in my opinion called ‘Our Darkest Midnight’, who was shown at the East Anglian Club shows, a big 17-18 inch black brindle that knocked my eye out!
Although these Lines and Families are no longer so relevant and some no longer exist, they are not all extinct. All Staffordshire Bull Terrier pedigrees and bloodlines go back to these early dogs, but some lines have become mixed. The pictures shown herein are just a few examples of Staffords from these Lines and Families, but they have all helped to influence us and the breed we have today.
There are obviously far too many important well-known Staffords from past era’s up to the present day to mention and this is just a glimpse. I have often been asked what are the best I have seen, but when I think about it I come up with a list as long as my arm and then realize I have missed several out and that is without mentioning some that were rarely shown or never saw a show ring.
Back in the 80’s I once asked Freddie Phillips (Cradbury) that stalwart from the Black Country his views and if he thought the breed had changed. Freddie produced the photographic magazines and told me, ‘there were always some good ones and many not so good.’ I think the same still applies, but we all take the best dogs home.
Although these Lines and Families are no longer so relevant and some no longer exist, they are not all extinct. All Staffordshire Bull Terrier pedigrees and bloodlines go back to these early dogs, but some lines have become mixed. The pictures shown herein are just a few examples of Staffords from these Lines and Families, but they have all helped to influence us and the breed we have today.
There are obviously far too many important well-known Staffords from past era’s up to the present day to mention and this is just a glimpse. I have often been asked what are the best I have seen, but when I think about it I come up with a list as long as my arm and then realize I have missed several out and that is without mentioning some that were rarely shown or never saw a show ring.
Back in the 80’s I once asked Freddie Phillips (Cradbury) that stalwart from the Black Country his views and if he thought the breed had changed. Freddie produced the photographic magazines and told me, ‘there were always some good ones and many not so good.’ I think the same still applies, but we all take the best dogs home.
ANCIENT HISTORY
By H. N. Beilby (1951)
For those who like ‘brain tanglers’ here is one which shows how the ‘M’ and ‘J’ Lines of Staffordshires are connected.
It will be more readily followed if the chart is traced at each step. (Fig. 1)
Joe Mallen mated his bitch ‘Rose’ to a dog named ‘Mick,’ belonging to a Mr. Edwards; this produced ‘Johnson’. ‘Johnson’ was bred with Mr. Stoner’s ‘Lady,’ and had two sons known as ‘Mallens Brindle’ and ‘Monty.’
‘Monty’ was mated to another of Joe’s bitches called ‘Nell,’ which resulted in the birth of ‘Fearless Joe,’ who went to H. Pegg, and ‘Triton Judy,’ who became Jack Dunn’s property.
‘Mallens Brindle’ when bred to ‘Garratts Floss’ produced a bitch which was registered as ‘Queenie’ and owned by Mr. Silver.
This bitch was mated to her cousin, ‘Fearless Joe,’ and had a litter which contained ‘Vindictive Monty’ and ‘Brave Nell.’
‘Brave Nell’ was then out-crossed to Mr. Perry’s ‘Tiger’ (whose sire and dam are mere names to the writer), and produced the ‘one and only’ ‘Brindle Mick.’
‘Mick’ when bred with his grand-aunt ‘Triton Judy’ became the sire of ‘Gentleman Jim.’
It will be seen that on his dam’s side ‘Mick’ is strongly bred to the ‘J’ Line.
It will be more readily followed if the chart is traced at each step. (Fig. 1)
Joe Mallen mated his bitch ‘Rose’ to a dog named ‘Mick,’ belonging to a Mr. Edwards; this produced ‘Johnson’. ‘Johnson’ was bred with Mr. Stoner’s ‘Lady,’ and had two sons known as ‘Mallens Brindle’ and ‘Monty.’
‘Monty’ was mated to another of Joe’s bitches called ‘Nell,’ which resulted in the birth of ‘Fearless Joe,’ who went to H. Pegg, and ‘Triton Judy,’ who became Jack Dunn’s property.
‘Mallens Brindle’ when bred to ‘Garratts Floss’ produced a bitch which was registered as ‘Queenie’ and owned by Mr. Silver.
This bitch was mated to her cousin, ‘Fearless Joe,’ and had a litter which contained ‘Vindictive Monty’ and ‘Brave Nell.’
‘Brave Nell’ was then out-crossed to Mr. Perry’s ‘Tiger’ (whose sire and dam are mere names to the writer), and produced the ‘one and only’ ‘Brindle Mick.’
‘Mick’ when bred with his grand-aunt ‘Triton Judy’ became the sire of ‘Gentleman Jim.’
It will be seen that on his dam’s side ‘Mick’ is strongly bred to the ‘J’ Line.