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UK Weight Pull History
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The First APA Weightpull in England
19/05/2005
By Mark Landers
The past weekend in Sheffield, UK, history was revisted. We were proud to be a part of what hopes to be a European/British Isle's insurgency of working dogs. Sheffield located in the South Yorkshire section of the UK, is a hardworking blue collar community, a steel town that has a steeped and proud tradition of hardworking and hard playing people. If anyone has a copy of the movie "The Full Monty", this is the city it was filmed at.
You can't go one city block and not see some "bloke" walking his "staffy" tight at the end of it's lead, proud as a peacock walking down these historic brownstone laden streets. Even though there is a breed specific ban against the American Pit Bull Terrier, there is no doubt that the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier is still the counties canine of choice.
Steve Lewis, Eli and myself were welcomed into Steve and Ellie Owen's home like we were part of their family. Two more gratious and hardworking people would be hard to find, putting on their show while tending to their four children. It is remarkable to see the dedication and the love for their dogs they exhibit. Their all community of dog friends, some of which are Steve's football mates, were there to lend a hand. Mick, Richard, David, just to name a few, were all great lads with hearts of gold.
The pull was Sunday the 15th of May. It was the first sanctioned all breed APA weightpull in the UK, and you couldn't have asked for nicer weather. The pull itself followed an ABA sanctioned dog show which attracted well over 40 participants. Myself and Steve Lewis were treated to many fine examples of AB's in England. The whole event was staged on the cricket field, yes I did say cricket field, at Davy Sports and Social Club in Sheffield. Though only eight dogs entered, everyone's participation was wonderful as this sport is virtually unknown at this point in the UK. Two staffies, one weighing in at 39 and the other at 40, stole the show with their percentages. Chris Speakmans little red dog had highest percentage pulling 700 lbs on a rather tough cricket field. Chris's mate Allan, was not far behind with his brindle dog "Boomer" pulling a substantial 600 lbs. In the 80 lb class we were treated to two of the best looking muscular boys in the field, Player and Kojo, both great looking American Bulldogs. Skelley and Steve should both be proud, we are proud of both of them. The 100 lb class was full of great talent. Craig Limb's dog Reba had a great showing pulling a solid 600 lbs. Ian's Thor, a little bit in front of Reba with a strong 700 lbs pull. Tony and Tilk took second in the class with a 900 lb showing. And with most weight pulled with an outstanding 1400 lbs, Andrew and Yukon.
We can't, Eli and I, thank everyone enough for their warm and gracious hospitality. With the effort and I do mean work ethic that Steve and Ellie and the rest of their mates seem to be putting into their dogs, it won't be long before they are coming over to the states and taking back some gold medals to this town that is known for hardworking people, staffie bulls and of couse one of the best football teams on the face of the earth, SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY.
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Interview With Mr Steve Owen
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This is an interview with Mr Steve Owen of Brightsides Kennels, Founding Member of The Players Club UK, and current president The United Pulling Federation.
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Intro
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I have known Steve for some time now, and although I met Steve through American Bulldogs, in the past two and half years, I have more involved in both weightpulling, and The Players Club UK. With Steve's help have become a judge under the UPF.
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Background
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Those who meet the man, or should I more importantly I should say 'dogman' can only attest to his generosity, but his unfailing attention to detail and correctness in his chosen sport.
He offers his time, effort, and enthusiasm to both those who start in the sport of weightpull, and established pulling canines, as well as those who come occasionally to aid the development of their dogs conditioning, and training.
Make no mistake, this is a serious mane from a steel town, who has grown up with his own sense of values, wearing his heart on his sleeve, and will be quick to pull you up if you make idle boasts.
This interview is by way of answering some of the questions about who, why, and how weightpull became such a big part of the Brightsides legacy.
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When and where was your first experience of weightpull as a sport?.
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"I visited the USA in 2003 with a good friend Pete Thomas, to the American Bulldog Club Los Vagas and whilst watching the weightpulling competition, I got roped into manning the back of the cart-and loved every minuit, I was hooked. I thought then that it should come to the UK in that form, controlled, safe and clear, with appropriate rules.
Initially with the American Pulling Alliance-and now with the United Pulling Federation, which currently I am proud to be president of".
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Who has been most influential to you in the sport, and the development of the sport now in the UK ?.
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"Steve Lewis of Lewis Bulldogs, and Mark Landers of MGK from the USA, both of which I have Brightsides stock from.
I learned from these two dogmen, the subtleties that develope the potential pulling dog into a champion, both gave me their time and hands on experience on training that is now my legacy in the sport".
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What was your first weightpull dog ?.
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"Beau was our first weightpull trained dog, she was an insperation to all of the family, as well as a great pet-and is still sadly missed to this day".
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Which is the best weightpull dog you've seen ?.
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"Neebles, who is from the same kennels as our dog Player-MGK, and Boogie an APT and a number of dogs seen in the USA, including Chooper who is sire to our dog Cali', but its difficult because the sport is so big in the states, and so many dogs with really good pulling reps' its hard to single out particular dogs".
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Weightpull in the USA is a bigger event-both in participants and spectator wise- do you see the time when it can become propotionatly as big in Europe and the UK ?.
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"If people can put aside their differences and pettiness-it certainly can become proportionatly as big. The USA would be hard to beat for size and participation".
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Given your aims and expectations for the sport in the UK, do you think we can match some of the weights pulled there ?.
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"I can answer that better by saying; with training method, time spent developing technique, alongside thought knowledge and investment in stock base, in time to come it is possible".
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Which do you feel is the best pulling substrait-Carpet, Dirt, Grass or Rails ?.
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"Traditionally for me Carpet and Dirt-but all substrates have equal benifits in the sport".
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Where do you see weightpull in the next ten years in the UK ?.
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I "believe that in ten years time it is possible for the sport to be at a seriously high level in the UK, but off course that does depend on participation, and willingness to spend time training and developing the bond between dog and handler. I still get the same buzz on the track today as I did in Los Vagas all those years ago-wether I'm pulling my own dogs or training other peoples".
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What do you think as a club we need to do to get the sport to reach that potential?.
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"During the last season we took the sport out to the public, through demo's, educational come and try sessions at major events, but always keeping to the philosophies of both The Players Club and within the disciplins of the rules of UPF.
This was both fun and educational for us and we hope the public, but also a learning curve for the club members. We will continue this season too. Also the club continues with its regular training sessions at the base camp + we have the website and the forum here, we also log on to other forums and answer questions about our sport".
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What made you choose American Bulldogs ?.
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"When I first saw the American Bulldog, I was impressed with the muscle bulk, and the look of sheer power, meeting trainers in the states also introduced me to the work ethic within the breed, also the drive within the breed impresses me constantly, and of course and not least, the ability to protect my family".
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Do you have a preference for the sport, dogs or bitches ?.
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"After Beau, my next dog was Player from the MGK Kennels, a serrious dog with a pulling legacy behind him, Player is my dog, and has produced some awesome pulling dogs to continue his legend here and in Europe. But we have had equal success with Bitches, Cali,Diddy who is my son Kane's dog and pound for pound one of the strongest dogs I have ever seen, and now Missey from our kennels is comming to her own, so although I have Player I really don't have a preference".
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Weightpull for sport vs conditioning, is there a difference or even a conflict ?.
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"All weightpull is benificial when done with experience, and the more time spent dragging and developing technique will pay dividends for the dog on the track".
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Do you feel that weightpull sits alongside any other sport,or alone in its discipline ?.
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"I believe that all sports for dogs are benificial, and possative-it strentghens the bond and training between owner and dog, weightpull clarifies that you have the strongest dog".
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The developement and birth of The Players Club UK, is clearly written on this website- but what drives you forward, as most of the consistant pulling dogs in this country are within The Players Club UK, and most of them within your own kennels ?.
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"As I have said earlier, I still get the same buzz today as I did when I started, but through the base camp, and the activities we plan the chance to train new dogs and bring the bond between dog and owner closer together".
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As within any other developing sport/activity people come along and train with you, then start their own clubs/organisations-is that an issue for you?, and if so why?.
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"If these new clubs have practice and discipline, and pull alongside a reputable org' I dont have any problem-But I wont tollerate shoddy practice and risking the dogs wellbeing for personal gain and as a sales tool-and that is done far to often, partly because people feel they dont have tp put the time in to gain and develope sound knowledge, rather that a taster and 'off they go'-after all I still learn different things when ever I pull my dogs".
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Do you have a message for those out there reading this interview ?.
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"I am always available to chat dogs! and help you sett up your own training/club whatever your breed, and EVERYONE yes EVERYONE is welcome at the base camp, to come along get involved and find your own level in this my chosen sport".
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"Well then its just for me to say thank you to my friend not only for this interview, but on behalf of The Players Club UK.
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