Morecambe Bay & Cumbria Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Critique

Morecambe Bay & Cumbria SBTC Open Show

Staffordshire County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford.

Friday 18th January 2019.

I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge this, my first Breed Club Show. I would also like to thank all of the exhibitors for their entries and for accepting my decisions in such a sporting manner and for the supporters and spectators who stayed until the end, despite how long the day was, immediately following Manchester Champ Show, and the weather turning to sleet and snow at about 4.30pm.

I was delighted to have 75 dogs with an overall entry of 79 – 39 dogs and 40 bitches – and 62 dogs actually present on the day.

The ring was of a good size, allowing the dogs to get into a good stride so that movement could be assessed.

Generally I found the overall bone and substance of the dogs to be much closer to what I expect Staffords to have whereas I found some of the bitches to be very much lacking in this department with some of them seeming to me to be almost from an entirely different breed. It is the case that bitches should be slightly smaller overall than dogs, but they should still give the impression of great strength for size which for me, sadly, many bitches in the ring today just do not have. Having said that, I was very pleased with the top placing’s in all of my bitch classes who had the strength and substance I was looking for.

I found some fronts to be narrow in both dogs and bitches, making front movement very close and undesirable. There are good handlers out there who can stack their dogs to give an initial impression of a wide front but on the move and halting in a free-stand, this clever handling falls apart and shows exactly what the exhibit is lacking, if they are observed with a discerning eye.

Minor Puppy Dog 6 (1)

1st – Briant’s BALLINDONA ROGER THE DODGER 11/05/18 (Zoellies Northern Star With Ballindona X Antrelleda Just Jane At Ballindona)

Gorgeous mahogany brindle dog with a strong head having correct skull to muzzle ratio. Correct scissor bite, neat ears and dark eyes with dark eye rims. Wide chest, straight front, neat feet with plenty of bone and substance throughout. Decent rib for a youngster and moved well to & fro.

2nd – Riley’s HATSON COME ON THUNDER 02/06/18 (CH Molru Nothing Else Matters X Jefmor Straight As A Die)

Black brindle dog, slightly smaller in stature that 1st but still presenting lovely overall balance. Strong head, neat ears, correct bite and dark eyes. Ribs starting to come, short-coupled, level topline and correct tail carriage. Preferred neater feet on 1st on the day.

3rd – Hammond’s JOEMIKESTE EYE OF THE STORM HAMMYSTAFF 04/06/18 (Hammystaff Hanky Panky With Idyllicstaff X Seenworstaff Storm Warning At Joemikeste)

4th – Gibson’s HOLMANE MOLDAVITE 18/05/18 (CH Rochlawie Behold The Hour JW X Tagstane Calamity Jane At Holmane)

Puppy Dog 1 (0)

1st – Murray’s CINFEL MELODIES TAILOR 23/01/18 (Roughnecks Justice For All X Cinfel Melodies Tinker)

Stunning red dog with a black mask and a cracking expression which he used to maximum effect. Though this dog stood alone in his class, he absolutely stood out for me, pushing very close for higher honours today in the final challenge but I was very pleased to award him BEST PUPPY DOG and also BEST PUPPY IN SHOW. Great skull to muzzle ratio, correct scissor bite, neat ears, dark eyes and eye rims all coming together to give this dog a very commanding look which he used throughout the class and the line-up at the end of the day. He has a wide, straight front with good bone, forechest, spring of rib and depth of brisket. He was light in the loins and in lovely physical condition but still having that covering which, for me, is essential to ensure the sleek outline. He had a level topline which he held when stationary and on the move, moving well both away and back. Turned out in lovely, clean condition and both he and his handler worked well together and presented a very pleasing overall example.

Junior Dog 7 (1)

1st – Blanch Calonge’s STORMFIRE SEX SIMBOL 08/12/17 (Sant Fost Solo Poker X Stormfire Fire Cracker)

Powerful white and brindle pied dog. This is a lovely compact muscular dog who, for me, has many of the attributes that I am looking for. A strong head with correct skull to muzzle ratio with a clean foreface and no excess of flesh – too much of which I see on dogs today giving a wrinkled, fleshy expression, which is undesirable. Good sized teeth with a correct scissor bite. Neat, correctly carried ears, dark eyes giving a lovely expression. A short, strong neck leading to a wide, straight front with good forechest and plenty of bone. Short in the back with a level topline which he held when stacked and on the move. Moved with power and drive and having a very well-muscled backend. Shown in fit, hard condition and I was pleased to award him RESERVE BEST DOG, just losing out to the sparkle of my Best Dog on the day.

2nd – Smart’s TNT EDITION RENEGADE OF ARNHEM 23/02/18 (Am CH Thrashers One Eyed Willie x Arnhem Shut Up N Kiss Me)

White and red pied dog with a good head, correct skull to muzzle ratio. Large, correctly placed teeth giving scissor bite. Clean face giving a pleasing expression. Eyes not quite as dark as my 1st placed dog but dark enough for a pied dog. Correctly carried ears though preferred the slightly smaller, neater ears of my 1st placed dog. Lovely wide front with plenty of bone. Good rib cage which is developing well for a puppy. Good level topline and good backend and bend of stifle giving correct driving movement. Slightly longer-cast than my 1st placed dog and giving away a little on maturity but a smart pup nonetheless who was turned out in fantastic condition.

3rd – Lee’s LEEBEE’S MARBOOZA 21/07/17 (Aymstaff Money’s Too Tight x Leebee’s Precious)

4th – Moureu-Larrang’s NEVER DIES ICE WHITE DU CLAN MOLOTOV 11/10/17 (Biggleswick God’s Me Judge X Illicite-in-love Du Clan Molotov)

Novice Dog 2 (0)

1st - Smart’s TNT EDITION RENEGADE OF ARNHEM 23/02/18 (Am CH Thrashers One Eyed Willie x Arnhem Shut Up N Kiss Me)

See 2nd in Junior

2nd – Zibolka’s BLAZEN STAFF’S BOB VOM HEIBECK 30/06/17 (Blazen Staff’s Aston Martin One-77 x Sara Vom Gaukanier)

Red dog with black mask. Good head with correct bite, dark eyes and neat ears. Decent bone with straight front though preferred the slightly wider front on my 1st placed dog. Good pigmentation with lovely dark nails though preferred the neater feet on 1. Good muscle tone and shown in good condition, level topline and correct tail carriage. Moved well.

Post Graduate Dog 7 (6)

1st – Blanch Calonge’s STORMFIRE LEBRON JAMES JW 26/08/17 (Waystaff What A Cracker X Stormfire Copyright)

Flashy red dog who has a lovely head and expression with good skull to muzzle ratio, dark eyes and eye rims, neat correctly placed ears. Large teeth with correct scissor bite. Strong neck leading to wide straight front with plenty of bone, neat, tight feet, good forechest and a great depth of brisket and spring of rib. Muscular dog with a level topline correct tail carriage and moved well. Pushed hard for higher honours today, just preferred the more compact overall outline of his kennel-mate on the day.

2nd – Major’s MAXSTA FLOYD LORD OF THE WENT 12/03/17 (CH Eclypstaff Cuz I Can X Maxsta Lucy’s Princess)

Black brindle dog with a nice typey head of correct proportions. Correct bite, neat ears and dark eyes giving a pleasing expression. Decent bone and width of chest with a good, straight front, good spring of rib and lightness in loins. Level topline held on the move and moved well with drive. Just preferred the slightly better forechest and depth of brisket on my 1st.

3rd – Hable’s LALIE’S NINOS NORIEGA TE MATA 27/08/17 (CH Kanock Wild Eagle X Little Black Ocean Blackbull Diamonds)

4th – Stanway’s WAYSTAFF STRIKE FORCE (AI) 21/09/16 (Am CH Classystaffys Strike Force X Waystaff Double Or Nothing)

Limit Dog 10 (2)

1st – Rees’ EDGEWORTH ARTURO 06/02/15 (CH Rotherstaff Black Tie X Bullhawk Jibby Beane Of Edgeworth)

Lovely black brindle dog with a pleasing head shape and expression with correct skull to muzzle ratio. Correct scissor bite, dark eyes and eye rims, neat, correctly placed ears. Strong neck leading to well-placed shoulders with a wide front, good forechest, plenty of bone and a nice straight front. Good spring of rib, short in the back, level topline. Strong backend with a good bend of stifle giving a powerful, driving movement. Lovely compact, muscular dog shown in great condition – another dog who made my final decisions very difficult for higher honours on the day.

2nd – Shipp’s HAMMYSTAFF HANKY PANKY WITH IDYLLICSTAFF JW 21/06/16 (Jodel’s Fernando X Hammystaff Heavenly)

A lovely red dog with a black mask and a flashy white chest who I judged as a puppy and am delighted to say he has fulfilled the promise that he had back then. Strong head of good proportions with a clean face, correct bite, dark eyes and eye rims. Neat correctly carried ears and a lovely strong neck leading into a wide chest. Great bone and substance with decent forechest, straight front and neat feet with dark nails. Good spring of rib, level topline, correctly carried tail and great driving movement. Just preferred the more compact outline of my 1st placed dog today.

3rd – Rogers & Slack’s BERRYSTOCK HAWKER TEMPEST 12/12/16 (CH Frisian Staff’s Enter Sandman X CH Berrystock Charlie’s Angel JW)

Black brindle dog with a lovely head shape and pleasing expression. Correct bite, dark eyes and neat ears. Good bone, straight front, decent rib, light in the loins, moved well and shown in great condition. I just preferred the more compact size and overall outline of my 1st placed today.

4th – Heron’s DILIRYSTAFF ALL THE RAGE 30/01/17 (CH Staffash The Hurricane X Stormfire Special Blend At Dilirystaff)

Open Dog 5 (2)

1st – Stanway’s AUS CH MOSSTROOPER KENTUCKY MOON (AUS IMP) 14/02/16 (Mosstrooper Strikes Mayhem X Mosstrooper Mischief)

Stunning white and red pied dog with a lovely head shape of correct proportions, possessing the correct muzzle to skull ratio. Clean face with no excess flesh, correct scissor bite with large teeth and no lippiness. Darkest of eyes that just draw you in. Correctly placed ears, though does not often use them to enhance his expression. Strong neck flowing into correct shoulders. Lovely wide chest with good forefront, straight front and ample bone and substance. Neat tight feet. Good spring of rib and depth of brisket, short-coupled and level topline held when stacked and on the move. Muscular dog with strong backend and a good bend of stifle. Correctly placed and carried tail. Moved well and shown in lovely condition – fit and hard but still having a good covering of flesh. This dog for me just sparkled on the day and actually looked like he was really enjoying himself which was what clinched him BEST DOG and BEST IN SHOW on the day.

2nd – Jordan’s DAZMARNIC KNOW WOT I MEAN JW ShCM 25/02/16 (CH Cazomic Crime Fighter JW X Dazmarnic Kiss N’Tell)

Red dog with good head shape, correct scissor bite, dark eyes and neat ears. This boy has great bone and substance, good width of chest and lovely straight front. Toe nails were a little lighter than I would like to see. Good body development with decent spring of rib. Powerful dog that moved well and shown in very fit, hard condition – a real credit to his lady owner. I just preferred the cleaner face and more compact outline of my first placed dog.

3rd – Aure’s JISKALWIN LISAVA DU DOMAINE D’ISHTAR 22/06/14 (CH Eclypstaff Cuz I Can XCH Heart Full Of Soul Berserker)

Left the ring without waiting to be critique’d.

Veteran Dog 1 (0)

1st – Hall’s GEORDIESTAFF CANNY LADDIE JW 10/01/12 (CH Kalhol Dark Maruda X Rekrahstaff Miss Attitude Cum Geordiestaff)

Black brindle dog that I have had the pleasure of judging before. Only just into Veteran Class but you would never believe it as this dog was shown in great physical condition. He has a strong head with a good skull to muzzle ratio, correct scissor bite, lovely dark eye and neat ears. He has plenty of bone and substance with a good width to his chest and a decent front. He has a good spring of rib, decent topline and moved OK. I was very pleased to award him BEST VETERAN DOG and BEST VETERAN IN SHOW – over his Dam!!

Minor Puppy Bitch 8 (1)

1st - Bissell’s ANNEMSTAFF MAGGIE MAY 29/04/18 (CH Maxsta Prince Of Celts X Angelmart Pearl Of Luke)

Beautiful black brindle bitch with a stunning expression. She has a great head shape with good skull to muzzle ratio. She has a clean face and a good scissor bite with large teeth. Lovely dark eyes and neat ears which she used to great effect. She has good bone and substance with a wide, straight front. Lovely neat feet too. Good body development for a youngster, short in the back with a good spring of rib. A level topline and correct tail set-on and carriage. Moved well and shown in great condition for a minor puppy – I don’t expect youngsters to be fit and hard, as this should come with maturity and not be forced at such a young age. Just pipped to the post for Best Puppy Bitch on maturity on the day, but I am sure her day will come very soon.

2nd – Turner’s ON THE HILL TWO AT TIDESTAFF 15/05/18 (Mumiah Made IN Ulster X Crumkill On The Hill)

Brindle bitch with good head shape, clean lipped and neat, correctly placed ears. Good width of chest and straight front. Decent bone and substance and body just starting to develop nicely. Level topline and moved OK.

3rd – Stanway’s WAYSTAFF HONEY MOON 23/06/18 (AUS CH Mosstrooper Kentucky Moon X Waystaff Double Or Nothing)

4th – Martinez’s BULLBROTHERS JUST PERFECT 02/05/18 (Diamonds Of Blanch Knock-Out X Bullbrothers Black Mamba)

Puppy Bitch 7 (0)

1st – Drummond’s BALLINDONA SHOOTING STAR FOR FELLKNOTT 01/02/18 (CH Callastaff Lakeland Lad X Ballindona Bodicca)

Black brindle bitch with a beautiful head shape. Dark eyes and eye rims, neat ears, good scissor bite. Good width of chest, straight front and plenty of bone and substance. Great spring of rib, short in the back, level topline and light in the loin but still keeping a nice covering. Good muscle tone which gave this bitch good, driving movement. Very pleased to award her BEST PUPPY BITCH and RESERVE BEST PUPPY IN SHOW.

2nd – Nicholson’s BALLINDONA BOBBYDAZZLER 01/02/18 (CH Callastaff Lakeland Lad X Ballindona Bodicca)

Litter sister to 1st placed puppy and possessing very similar attributes to her. Good head shape with correct scissor bite, dark eyes and neat ears. Good bone and substance and good width of chest, though this was the deciding factor between 1st & 2nd for me today as I preferred her sister’s overall strength, though I was really splitting hairs. Another puppy in good condition with a lovely compact outline, short in the back, level topline and good movement.

3rd – Yates’ ELLCHANSHA HAPPY EVER AFTER 08/02/18 (CH Rotherstaff Black Tie X Bullhawk Maybe Mytime)

4th – Gallagher’s ECLYPSTAFF THUMBELINA 27/01/18 (CH Eclypstaff Cuz I Can X Eclypstaff Sky Full Of Stars)

Junior Bitch 6 (0)

1st – Martinez’s STORMFIRE PRINCESS FIRE AND ICE (IMP ESP) 04/11/17 (CH Deestaff Mr Playboy X Stormfire Whatt A Belter)

Pretty red and white bitch with a good head shape having a pleasing skull to muzzle ratio. Correct bite with large teeth, ears a little heavier but neat and carried well nonetheless. Dark, well-placed eyes. Good width of chest with ample bone and substance. Straight front, decent topline shown in great physical condition yet still possessing good covering. An overall pleasing compact outline to this bitch having “great strength for size”.

2nd – Marshall’s MARSTAFF TRUE GRIT 07/09/17 (CH Cazomic Crime Fighter JW x Lackyle Banimpire Dearg)

A taller bitch than my 1st placed, which was a factor in my decision-making, but she has a beautiful head and expression with a lovely strong head, good skull to muzzle ratio, good bite, dark eyes and neat ears. She has good bone and a straight front but I preferred the width of chest on my 1st placed bitch. Neat tidy feet, though nails were a little lighter than I would prefer. Decent spring of rib, level topline, correct tail set-on and carriage and moved well with drive. Shown in very fit, hard condition which is a real credit to her owner. However, the physical appearance of this bitch accentuated her height and length – my 1st placed being more compact and closer to the breed standard, in my opinion.

3rd – Hall’s LEGENDSTAFF SWEET LADY CUM GEORDIESTAFF (Imp) 20/02/18 (Legendstaff Enjoy Da Ride X Legendstaff Gossip Girl)

4th – Heron’s DILIRYSTAFF MYSTIC STAR 09/12/17 (Manark Fast N Furious X Dilirystaff Elegant Red Sky)

Novice Bitch 3 (1)

1st - Hall’s LEGENDSTAFF SWEET LADY CUM GEORDIESTAFF (Imp) 20/02/18 (Legendstaff Enjoy Da Ride X Legendstaff Gossip Girl)

Black brindle bitch with a good head shape, dark eyes, good bite and neat, tidy ears. Decent bone and body just beginning to develop for a youngster. Short in the back, giving her a more compact outline, which won her this class. Moved OK.

2nd – Sanders, Morrell & Saunt’s INDIRA V.D WESTMAAT (IMP NLD) 26/06/17 (Aereon Jimmy Woo X Aereon Line Of Fire)

Black brindle bitch with a good skull to muzzle ratio, good bite, dark eyes and neat ears. Decent bone and body OK, though slightly longer-caste than my 1st placed bitch. Shown in nice condition, a credit to her lady owners. Moved and handled well for her lady handler.

Post Graduate Bitch 4 (0)

1st – Beesley’s MAXSTAFF MISS WHIZZ 27/10/16 (Rowelstaff Mr Ferguson X Jodanzac Missy Lou)

Tidy red bitch with a black mask, white chest and the most wicked expression which is backed up by her feisty nature, always a bit of a handful for her lady owner! But she always gets the very best out of this lovely bitch who has a great head with correct skull to muzzle ration, clean face, correct bite and the darkest of eyes. Ears correctly placed and though carried slightly higher, they are correct, within breed standard and used to great advantage. She has a lovely wide straight front with plenty of bone, good forechest, depth of brisket and spring of rib. Level topline short in the back, correct tail set-on and carriage. Good muscle development and shown in great condition. Moved with purpose and drive – a very close decision for higher honours today.

2nd – Gardner’s BALLINDONA FAB’U’LUSS FOR LABRASTAF 14/03/17 (Rowansblac Luvly Jubbly For Ballindona X Ballindona Caol Ila)

Black brindle bitch with a decent head, good skull to muzzle ratio, neat ears and nice expression. Sufficient bone, width of chest and spring of rib. Level topline, tail carriage and set on was good. Moved well.

3rd – Hands’ SIRIUSTAFF HEART OF GLASS AT SKYESTAFF 11/05/17 (CH Elitebulls Heartbreaker For Regalbull JW ShCM X Starolstaff Lady Bea With Siriustaff)

4th – Meara’s MILLAMEAR OUT OUT 09/10/13 (Ramblestaff Solo Eclipse At Millamear X Sabahouse Black Bedevil At Millamear)

Limit Bitch 7 (4)

1st – Rogers’ BERRYSTOCK MISS SPITFIRE 12/12/16 (CH Frisian Staff’s Enter Sandman X CH Berrystock Charlie’s Angel JW)

Lovely black brindle bitch who really looks the part from every angle. Strong head of excellent type with good skull to muzzle ratio. Good cheek bumps, large, correct teeth, clean face dark eyes and neat, well-placed ears. Strong neck leading to correctly placed shoulders and a wide front with a good forechest and depth of brisket. Straight front, plenty of bone and nice neat feet. Good spring of rib, short in the back, and light in the loins with a well-muscled back end giving great driving movement. Level topline and correct tail-set on and carriage. An overall well-balanced bitch with all the attributes I was looking for, great strength for size and, for me, the correct overall shape and size fitting the breed standard perfectly. Pleased to award her BEST BITCH and RESERVE BEST IN SHOW.

2nd – Moureu-Larrang’s SITUATION’S DUTCH CONNECTION 20/03/17 (Lord Largo Pineapple Du Clan’Molotov X Earthquake Staffs Bada Bing)

Nice red and white bitch with a good head having a pleasing skull to muzzle ratio. Dark eyes, correct scissor bite and correct ear carriage. Good width of chest, good bone and straight front. Decent body, topline OK, good spring of rib. Correct tail carriage and moved well.

3rd – Jones’ ROUGESTAFF FLAMING ICE 04/10/12 (Blazinstaff Light My Fire JW ShCM X Rowelstaff Prada’s Pride At Rougestaff)

Strong white and red pied bitch with a good head shape, correct bite, darkest of eyes and neat ears. Nice, wide chest, straight front and plenty of bone. Good body and rib, level topline held when stacked and moving. Moved very well and in good shape – a real credit to her owners for a mature bitch.

Open Bitch 2 (0)

1st - Stanway’s STORMFIRE CRACK THE CODE AT WAYSTAFF (IMP ESP) 30/03/16 (Waystaff What A Cracker X Stormfire Strawberry Cheesecake)

White and red pied bitch with a good head and pleasing expression. Correct scissor bite and lovely dark eyes. Correct ear placement & carriage. Strong neck leading to well-placed shoulders. Good, straight front and sufficient bone with neat, tight feet. Good forechest, depth of brisket and spring of rib. Short in the back and light in the loin. Level topline when stacked and on the move. Tail set-on and carriage correct. Lovely condition with good muscle tone to feel as well as see whilst still having good covering. Won this class on her physical condition on the day. Pleased to award her RESERVE BEST BITCH, preferring the slightly stronger stature of my best bitch on the day.

2nd – Moureu-Larrang’s I NEED YOUR MONEY DU CLAN’MOLOTOV 27/08/13 (Heyko X Elvira Du Clan’Molotov)

White and brindle pied bitch with good substance and bone. Good head shape, dark eyes, correct bite, neat ears. Strong neck, wide straight front with good forechest, depth of brisket and good spring of rib. Level topline, correct tail set-on and carriage and moved with drive. Preferred the condition of 1st on the day.

Veteran Bitch 3 (2)

1st – Hall’s REKRAHSTAFF MISS ATTITUDE CUM GEORDIESTAFF 18/07/07 (Staffwize Shogun X Heather Spirit Of Love Via Rekrahstaff ShCM)

Black brindle bitch that I have had the pleasure of judging before. She has a lovely expression with dark eyes and neat ears, looking really happy to be in the ring. She has good bone and substance and was in good physical condition for such a mature lady. She has nice neat feet and a rather jaunty movement, adding to the overall happy appearance of this girl. Pleased to award her BEST VETERAN BITCH and RESERVE BEST VETERAN IN SHOW losing out in the challenge to her son, so I’m sure she and her lady owner will forgive me for choosing the dog!

Clare Robinson-Cox (HAMASON)