for me personally Gameness means determination and drive, it does not and should never mean dog to dog aggression in the sense of growling, lunging, snarling etc. Some have likened gameness to "controlled fury" meaning that they could easily seperate the dogs when fighting, as they would have to for washing purposes and treatment of wounds etc. The dogs were often encouraged by verbal command when they were in the pit although the handlers were not allowed to touch the dogs.

Dogs in the fighting pit would not show normal patterns of pre-fight aggressive body language, they wouldnt necessarily growl or snarl or hackle, they would just get to business. so a snarling aggressive dog on the end of a leash is an accident waiting to happen not a game dog. and certainly not a dog to be proud of.

I wouldnt want a dog that was aggressive towards other dogs! my dogs all get along, but as Ive said before I do like to supervise them at feed times and playtimes to make sure nothing happens, prevention is better than cure.

My dogs arent aggresive towards other dogs, like I said before they watch with interest when they see other peoples outwardly aggressive dogs are lunging at them, they are not wanting to start fights, and thats the way I like to keep it.

my dogs are not "game" in the true sense of the word as to find if a dog is game you have to test it against other dogs, and that is something I have never done and never would, so my dogs are bred from "game dogs" in the not so distant past of their pedigree, which had been tested in this way, so they are bred from game lines if you like, but that does not make them game. Theres a big difference.

What it does ensure is that they are fit, healthy and not bred to a standard of looks, so that is why I choose these dogs rather than go out and get KC staffs, plus the fact I like irish type dogs better.

Does this clarify anything or should I just give up and bang my head off a brick wall? :smt021
It might be more likely to listen and open its mind

(sorry but frustration at going over and over the same thing tends to bring out the sarcastic side of me )

q. Anyone fancy nipping in to the pub?

a. Yep, I'm game!