Notts & Derby District Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

Notts and Derby District Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

Christmas Open Show – Saturday 4th December 2021

My most sincere thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge this lovely show, my 2nd Breed Club appointment. The hospitality was second to none. Thank you to my two extremely capable Ring Stewards – Jane Neal and Lindale Turner – with a special thanks to Lindale for his expert support to help me manage around the ring with my disability and made my role as judge so enjoyable. Finally, a massive thanks to all of the exhibitors and spectators who were there to support the Club, the show, myself and each other – without you dedicated people there really would be no shows.

The ring was of good size for the entry and there was enough room for the dogs to get into their stride for movement to be assessed. In the main, my class winners all moved well though I feel that movement is becoming an issue within the breed with rear ends very close or even crossing on some exhibits. There was also a lack of drive from some dogs and narrow fronts are still evident – which results in front movement not being desirable. Eyes were generally dark, though eye rims, particularly on some of the black brindle exhibits, were unfortunately not dark which gives an undesirable “bespectacled” expression. Mouths and bites were on the whole correct, though several exhibits had small teeth which is not what the breed standard asks for and potentially results in untidy mouths and canine tips not being easily visible. However, a “tight” canine is not a misplaced tooth or an inverted canine, as I interpret the breed standard – all teeth should be close or tight otherwise this is not a scissor bite. Having said this, all of my top winners were excellent specimens of the breed and a pleasure to judge. Thank you all for your entries.

MINOR PUPPY DOG 2 (1)

1: Stanway’s – WAYSTAFF STRIKES MAYHEM (A.I.) 12.05.2021 (AM CH Classy Staffys Strike Force (IMP USA) x CH Stormfire Crack The Code At Waystaff (IMP SPN)). White and red 7 month old pup with good bone, dark eyes and correct bite. Rose ears carried well and will appear comparatively smaller as this boy’s head develops, as I am sure it will as he matures. Good width of chest and a straight front with neat, tidy feet. Spring of rib starting to develop nicely on this youngster and his topline was OK both standing and on the move. His tail set and carriage was good and good bend of stifle. Overall a smart pup at this stage and pleased to award him BEST PUPPY DOG and BEST OPPOSITE SEX PUPPY IN SHOW, just losing out to the bitch today on overall maturity.

PUPPY DOG 3 (0)

1: Knight’s – KALOSTAFFS DARK KNIGHT 08.12.2020 (Alport Hallo Man x Blue Phantom Shadow At Kalostaff). Black brindle with white at almost 12 months of age. A compact dog with sufficient bone, a good bite and decent feet. He has neat ears and a decent spring of rib and good topline. Bend of stifle good and moved OK.

2: Benfield’s – BRAVE SPIRIT UNCUT GEM (NAF) 11.12.2020 (CH Earthquake Staffs Twin Turbo x Edition Bull Staff Brave Spirit). A top size red dog of almost 12 months of age, but balanced throughout nonetheless. This boy has plenty of bone, a good width of chest, straight front and neat feet. He has neat ears, a good bite and a strong underjaw. He has a level topline, stacked and on the move, with a correct tail set-on and carriage. He moved well. Just a bit too much all over on the day but think he will do well as he moves up the classes against more mature dogs.

3: Howard’s – MATRIXSTAFFS KILGHARRAH 19.12.2020 (CH Rubericla Trailbreaker x Caymenstaffs Little Minx). Black brindle dog, another of almost 12 months old. Nice young dog shown in lovely coat condition. Not quite as compact as my 1st placed today and not as balanced as my 2nd placed pup but I am sure things will even up as he matures.

JUNIOR DOG 4 (1)

1: Hammond’s – HAMMYSTAFF RED REVENGE 23.11.2020 (Magicgem Invictus x Hammystaff Scarlet Witch). Stunning red dog with black mask and white chest. Lovely head and expression with a great skull to muzzle ratio. Neatly carried rose ears of perfect set and size. The darkest of eyes and dark eye rims. He has a lovely, wide front with a good forechest and straight front. He has good, strong bone and a lovely spring of rib. He has a pleasing lightness in his loins and was shown in great coat condition. He has a level topline which he holds on the move and when stacked. He has a great bend of stifle and good muscle development on his backend which enables him to move effortlessly around the ring. His movement was good today and he behaved very well for his handler. His tail set-on and carriage is correct. This standard-sized, compact young dog had everything I was looking for – a great level of fitness, great strength for size and for me, everything a Stafford should be in every department. Very pleased to award him BEST DOG and BEST IN SHOW.

2: Clark & Ortizo’s – POWERPACK LACHLAN DORIN 28.07.2020 (Powerpack Tam O’Shanter x Powerpack Alura Finvarra). Black brindle with white toes and flash on chest. Overall a neat, compact dog with a good head and expression with desired skull to muzzle ratio. Lovely dark eyes and eye rims, neat ears and good bite. Sufficient bone with a level topline and moved OK. Width of chest OK, though preferred the width and overall strength of my 1st placed dog today.

3: Waltham’s – DRINGSHAW ATHOS 21.09.2020 (Assilio Lisbon Lion x Dringshaw Boule De Neige). A top-sized white and red pied dog but another that was perfectly balanced throughout. He has a stunning expression with a great head and lovely developed cheek bumps. He has the neatest of ears and lovely dark eyes. A wide, straight front with plenty of bone and neat feet. A level topline which he held on the move and when standing. He has a correct tail set-on and carriage and was shown in lovely condition, both coat and fitness. He did not seem settled on the move today but moved sufficiently to see that he is sound. He really is a lovely dog with many strengths and virtues, in my opinion, but on the day I felt my 1st & 2nd placed were closer to stated elements of the breed standard.

MAIDEN DOG 1 (0)

1: Edwards’s – NIESENBULL IVANHOE 15.04.2020 (Edgeworth Arturo x Taurinstaff Sweet Serenade). Black brindle dog with a decent head shape and neat ears. He has dark eye rims giving him a pleasing expression. He has a level topline and he is short-coupled with good thigh development. Moved OK.

NOVICE DOG 4 (0)

1: Hammond’s – HAMMYSTAFF RED REVENGE 23.11.2020 (Magicgem Invictus x Hammystaff Scarlet Witch). See 1st in JUNIOR DOG.

2: Edwards’s – NIESENBULL IVANHOE 15.04.2020 (Edgeworth Arturo x Taurinstaff Sweet Serenade). See 1st in MAIDEN DOG.

3: Carthy & Jones’s – HOMAFAR AVOCA COMMANCHE 06.03.2019 (Deldenas Black Shadow x Homafar April Thoughts). Black brindle dog with lovely dark eyes and a good skull to muzzle ratio. He has sufficient bone and a decent enough front and neat feet. He is short-coupled with a good spring of rib.

4: Benfield’s – BRAVE SPIRIT UNCUT GEM (NAF) 11.12.2020 (CH Earthquake Staffs Twin Turbo x Edition Bull Staff Brave Spirit). See 2nd in PUPPY DOG.

GRADUATE DOG 7 (3)

1: Clark & Ortizo’s – POWERPACK LACHLAN DORIN 28.07.2020 (Powerpack Tam O’Shanter x Powerpack Alura Finvarra). See 2nd in JUNIOR DOG.

2: Wise’s – MONTGOMERY GUARD 05.07.2018 (CH Satip Sorboss At Vrabarbull x Labyrinth’s Princess). Black brindle dog with a pleasing skull to muzzle ratio. He has dark eyes and dark eye rims which give him a lovely expression. He has plenty of bone and a good width of chest. He has well developed, powerful thigh muscles and moved well, winning him his place over the other exhibits today. Preferred the neater ears of my 1st placed dog.

3: Edwards’s – NIESENBULL IVANHOE 15.04.2020 (Edgeworth Arturo x Taurinstaff Sweet Serenade). See 1st in MAIDEN DOG.

4: Carthy & Jones’s – HOMAFAR AVOCA COMMANCHE 06.03.2019 (Deldenas Black Shadow x Homafar April Thoughts). See 3rd in NOVICE DOG.

POST GRADUATE DOG 6 (2)

1: Harper & Whittaker’s – BETHALEESE’S POLDARK 07.11.2019 (Kyraloebis Brucie Bonus For Leger x Bethaleese’s My Girl). Lovely compact black brindle dog with a good head of correct proportions, well-developed cheek bumps and nice round dark eyes with dark eye rims. Neat, well-set and correctly carried ears giving this boy a really lovely expression. He has a lovely strong neck without being “stuffy” leading to a good width of chest, a straight front and neat feet. He has good bone and a nice spring of rib, he’s short-coupled with a level topline which he held on the move and when standing. He moved well and was shown in lovely condition – both coat and fitness. Pleased to award him RESERVE BEST DOG and pushed very hard for RBIS.

2: Clark & Ortizo’s – POWERPACK LACHLAN DORIN 28.07.2020 (Powerpack Tam O’Shanter x Powerpack Alura Finvarra). See 2nd in JUNIOR DOG.

3: Stanway’s – WAYSTAFF CRACKERJACK 19.07.2019 (Waystaff What A Cracker x CH Mosstrooper Making Mischief At Waystaff (IMP AUS)). Red dog with white chest. Another standard, compact dog with good head proportions and a lovely expression. Good bone, a decent width of chest and enough spring of rib. His topline is OK and his tail set-on and carriage is correct. He was shown in very fit, muscular condition and has great thigh development. I preferred the neater feet on my 1st & 2nd placed today.

4: Wise’s – MONTGOMERY GUARD 05.07.2018 (CH Satip Sorboss At Vrabarbull x Labyrinth’s Princess). See 2nd in GRADUATE DOG.

LIMIT DOG 4 (1)

1: Clark & Ortizo’s – POWERPACK LACHLAN DORIN 28.07.2020 (Powerpack Tam O’Shanter x Powerpack Alura Finvarra). See 2nd in JUNIOR DOG.

2: Gibson’s – HOLMANE MOLDAVITE AT STAFFORDSMAX 18.05.2018 (CH Rochlawie Behold The Hour JW x Tagstane Calamity Jane At Holmane). A lovely dark brindle dog who have judged before – he has matured well. He has a good skull to muzzle ratio with nicely developed cheek bumps. He has a correct scissor bite and clean lips. He has a decent width of chest and a straight front with lovely black toe nails. He has a good spring of rib and enough depth of brisket and his tail set-on and carriage is correct. He moved OK and was presented in lovely condition. I preferred the neater feet and stronger overall bone on my 1st placed today.

3: Waltham’s – DRINGSHAW ATHOS 21.09.2020 (Assilio Lisbon Lion x Dringshaw Boule De Neige). See 3rd in JUNIOR DOG.

OPEN DOG 3 (0)

1: Kontakevica’s – CIB/LV/EST/LT/BALT CH WHO MADE WHO DE LOS TIZONES (ATC ESP) 11.11.2017 (Sennyards Rubeas Blood Challenge x Atomkraft Namaste Tizones). Black brindle dog of pleasing proportions. Good skull to muzzle ratio with dark eyes. Ears and bite OK. Lovely width of chest, straight front and neat feet. Level topline and correct tail set-on and carriage. Shown in lovely condition.

2: Preston’s – TILLCARR FIRE STARTER JW 28.06.2017 (Ch Eclypstaff Cuz I Can x Lawstaff Delilah For Tillcarr (IMP RUS)). Black brindle dog with a great head, good skull to muzzle ratio, neat ears and correct bite. Straight front with enough bone. Level topline which he held stacked and on the move and he moved well. He has good muscular thigh development and was shown in good condition, preferred the wider front and overall balance of my first placed dog.

3: Waltham’s – DRINGSHAW ATHOS 21.09.2020 (Assilio Lisbon Lion x Dringshaw Boule De Neige). See 3rd in JUNIOR DOG.

VETERAN DOG 1 (0)

1: Thompson’s – ALPORT HALLO MAN 22.09.2013 (CH Sandstaff Bold And Fearless x Hallo Qween). Black brindle dog in good condition for a veteran. Good head shape with neat ears and good bite. He has a wide front and plenty of bone with a good spring of rib. Topline and movement both OK.

MINOR PUPPY BITCH 11 (3)

1: Benfield’s – ROWENDA LADY DEMELZA 09.03.2021 (Rowenda Brown Bomber x Mournestaffs Maggies Leap). Black brindle bitch who has great strength and substance, well off for bone. She has a good skull to muzzle ratio and a very pleasing head shape and expression. She has a lovely wide chest with forechest and brisket to match. She has a good spring of rib for a youngster and she held her topline while stacked and moving. She has a good bend of stifle and was shown in lovely condition. Her tail carriage was a little high but I am sure that will settle as she ages. Last time I judged I awarded her sire BEST OF BREED and looking back at my notes, she has many of his desirable attributes. Good luck with her, she is lovely. Very pleased to award her BEST PUPPY BITCH and BEST PUPPY IN SHOW.

2: McFadyen’s – NIATONA CALL ME KAREN 25.05.2021 (CH Tillcarr Fire Coanda JW x Catstaffs Wicked Games (IMP NOR)). Red brindle bitch who was slighter all over than my first placed, but a lovely bitch nonetheless. She has a good skull to muzzle ratio with neatly carried ears. She has a sufficient width of chest and a straight front. She is short coupled with a level topline, neat feet and a good tail set on and carriage. Moved OK.

3: Wall’s – GOLDWYN SHES THE ONE 19.04.2021 (Trawden Ice Cool x Minnie Mouse De Kaughan (IMP FRA)). Red bitch with black mask. This girl has a lovely head shape with great skull to muzzle ratio and neat, tidy ears. Dark round eyes and eye rims that all compliment her beautiful expression. She has good bone and a level topline and nice tight feet. She has a good bend of stifle and muscular development as it should be for her age. Preferred the wider front and overall compact outline and balance of my 1st & 2nd placed today but I am sure this girl has a very bright future as she matures and fills out.

4: Preston’s – TILLCARR FIRE INGMA 16.05.2021 (Tillcarr Fire Collective x Tillcarr Flirt With Fire).

5: Woolley’s – BETHALEESE’S BEWITCHED 11.03.2021 (CH Tillcarr Fire Coanda JW x Bethaleese’s My Girl)

PUPPY BITCH 2 (1)

1: Shaw’s – MATRIXSTAFFS MORGANA 19.12.2020 (CH Rubericla Trailbreaker x Caymenstaffs Little Minx). Black brindle bitch with a nice head shape of correct proportions. She has correct eye shape and neat, tidy ears. She has a straight front and neat feet and moved OK.

JUNIOR BITCH 3 (1)

1: Pieterse’s – STAPPHIRE YELIA COVER GIRL OF CHANGAMIRE (IMP ZAF) 15.09.2020 (ZA CH Stapphire Fayan Mist x ZA CH Eukleia Keamie Mikka Of Stapphire). Red bitch with white chest. Lovely head shape with the correct skull to muzzle ratio. Dark expressive eyes with dark eye rims. Strong neck leading to a straight, wide front with good forechest and depth of brisket. She has a good spring of rib, ample bone and a correct tail set on and carriage. She has a good bend of stifle and muscle development as it should be for her age. Moved well, both moving away and on return.

2: Horvath’s – FUNNY FIGHTER’S LANA (IMP HUN) 09.12.2020 (Funny Fighter’s Boy Son By Topp Quality x Funny Fighter’s Beki). Black brindle bitch with decent head shape and skull to muzzle ratio, neat ears, dark eyes and eye rims. Enough bone and level topline. Preferred the overall balance and strength of my 1st placed bitch.

MAIDEN BITCH 2 (1)

1: Woolley’s – BETHALEESE’S GOD’S EYE 07.11.2019 (Kyraloebis Brucie Bonus For Leger x Bethaleese’s My Girl). Black brindle bitch with a pleasing head shape, keen expression and dark eyes. She has a straight front and neat feet. A compact, short-coupled bitch who moved OK with a decent set on of her tail.

NOVICE BITCH 5 (3A, 1W - over-qualified for class)

1: Martinez’s – DAYS OF STAFFORD TURNS ME ON AT BULLBROTHERS (IMP ESP) 03.01.2020 (Days Of Stafford Spot On x Days Of Staff All Eyes On Me). Red bitch with white chest. Good head shape with correct skull to muzzle ratio, neat ears and a pleasing expression. She has a good width of chest, good forechest and depth of brisket. She has plenty of bone and a great spring of rib and neat, tight feet. She is compact and short-coupled with good muscle tone and moved well.

GRADUATE BITCH 7 (3)

1: Oakley’s – HOMAFAR JOMANDA 06.03.2019 (Deldenas Black Shadow x Homafar April Thoughts). Black brindle bitch with good bone, a pleasing head shape and good skull to muzzle ratio with no excess of flesh or lippiness. She has dark eyes and eye rims and neat, tidy ears giving her a lovely expression. She has a decent width of chest and a straight front with lovely neat, tight feet. She has a level topline which she holds stacked and on the move. She has a great overall outline with the desired lightness in her loins. She moved very well which won her this class today. Please to award her RESERVE BEST BITCH.

2: Roper’s – TRAWDEN SKYFALL 24.10.2019 (Trawden Ice Cool x CH Trawden Ice And Spice JW). White and red pied bitch with great bone, strength and substance. Good skull to muzzle ratio with dark expressive eyes. Strong neck leading to a wide, straight front. Good forechest and spring of rib, level topline and strong, muscular thigh development. Moved well. Preferred the cleaner muzzle and tidier feet on my first placed today.

3: Jones & Merrick’s – MAGICGEM QUEEN OF HEARTS AT ROUGESTAFF 05.03.2020 (Seastaff Riviera Lad At Shirestaff x Leebee’s Luxurious Of Magicgem). Red bitch with white. Good head shape with pleasing skull to muzzle ratio, lovely dark eyes and neat ears. Spring of rib coming along, short coupled and a level topline. Moved OK. Preferred the width of chest on my first two placed bitches today.

4: Prutton’s – JASAMARCH DITSY DIVA 04.01.2019 (CH Rochlawie Behold The Hour JW x CH Welshstaff Mysterious Girl).

POST GRADUATE BITCH 3 (1)

1: Shaw’s – MATRIXSTAFFS BLACK VELVET 01.05.2019 (CH Rubericla Trailbreaker x Caymenstaffs Little Minx). Black brindle bitch with enough bone and a compact outline. She has a decent skull to muzzle ratio with dark eyes and eye rims and neat ears. Dark, well-pigmented nails and neater feet than my 2nd placed bitch today.

2: Lloyd’s – BLUE PHANTOM SHADOW AT KALOSTAFF 15.04.2017 (Blue Regiment x Pringle My Dancing Lady). Blue bitch with plenty of bone and a thicker-set bitch than my 1st placed today. She has a decent skull to muzzle ratio with a pleasing expression and neat ears, though heavier ears than 1st. A very muscular bitch who was shown in decent condition, slightly longer cast than winner and preferred the pigmentation and overall outline of 1st placed today.

LIMIT BITCH 8 (1)

This was the strongest class of the day with a lot of quality bitches.

1: Heron’s – DILIRYSTAFF SPIRIT OF LOVE 23.01.2019 (Manark Fast And Furious x Dilirystaff Devious Spirit). Tiger brindle bitch with white chest and feet. This bitch has a lovely head shape with a great skull to muzzle ratio, dark, expressive eyes and dark eye rims, neat ears set and carried correctly. She has a correct scissor bite, a good under jaw and is clean lipped giving her a very feminine and endearing expression. She has a great width of chest, a straight front, ample forechest and depth of brisket, well-sprung ribs, short-coupled and a level topline when stacked and moving. Her tail is of correct length, set-on and carried correctly. She has a lovely compact outline, a good bend of stifle and great drive with sound movement - best mover in this class today. For me she has the correct blend of bull and terrier throughout and great strength for her size. A lovely bitch who for me, is everything a Stafford bitch should be. I was pleased to award BEST BITCH, RESERVE BEST IN SHOW and BEST OPPOSITE SEX IN SHOW.

2: Turner’s – ON THE HILL TWO AT TIDESTAFF 15.05.2018 (Mumiah Made In Ulster x Crumkill On The Hill). Brindle and white bitch who I judged previously as a youngster and she has developed well into the promise she showed back then. She has a good head shape with decent skull to muzzle ratio. Another bitch that is strong in the head but clean and without excess flesh. She has lovely, well-developed cheek bumps and a correct bite. She has neat ears and a very keen, alert expression. She has good bone, a wide, straight front with good forechest, drop of brisket and spring of rib. She has a level topline and good tail set-on and carriage and won her place on fitness and movement over 3rd place today. It was a very close decision between her and my 1st placed today and she also pushed hard for RESERVE BEST BITCH.

3: Howard’s – MATRIXSTAFFS BLACK BEAUTY 01.05.2019 (CH Rubericla Trailbreaker x Caymentstaffs Little Minx). Black brindle bitch with a strong head and good skull to muzzle ratio. She has dark eyes and neat ears and a good bite. She has a good width of chest and a straight front. She has sufficient bone and was shown in lovely coat condition though I preferred the movement and overall condition and lightness of loin in my first two bitches today.

4: Waltham’s – SHORTYROCKS FAITH TRUST AND PIXIE DUST JW (IMP USA) 25.08.2018 (Dringshaw Valentino x Seenworstaff Lucky Me).

5: Mayren’s – FERGIESTAFFS HANDS OF STONE 28.10.2019 (Marstaff Sundance Kid x Joemikeste Queen Of The Nile At Fergiestaffs).

OPEN BITCH 2 (1)

1: Stanway’s – WAYSTAFF FULL MOON 27.12.2018 ( Aus CH Mosstrooper Kentucky Moon x CH Mosstrooper Making Mischief At Waystaff). White bitch with the darkest of eyes, a good skull to muzzle ratio, ears and bite OK. She has a lovely feminine expression. She has plenty of bone, a wide front, good forechest and spring of rib and was shown in very fit, hard condition. She is short-coupled with a level topline and a correctly set-on and carriage of her tail. Moved OK.

VETERAN BITCH 6 (4)

1: Roper & Harrison’s – CH TRAWDEN ICE AND SPICE JW 12.03.2014 (Albermarbull Ice White x Trawden Ice Gold). A topsized white and red pied bitch who is completely balanced from every angle. She has a great head and skull to muzzle ratio with dark eyes and eye rims, neat ears and a gorgeous expression – having seen her from ring-side so often for me, she is even better up close. She has a good width of chest, straight front, great forechest, spring of rib and depth of brisket she has a level topline when stacked and moving. She has a good bend of stifle. She has a correct tail set-on and carriage and neat feet. She was presented in lovely condition, both coat and fitness and as my notes say “smashing bitch”. A worthy champion who I was pleased to award BEST VETERAN BITCH and BEST VETERAN IN SHOW.

2: Turner’s – TIDESTAFF MYSTICAL MAGIC 25.03.2010 (Stormpike Dark Prince Of Jajca x Tidestaff Firecracker JW). Black brindle bitch who was smaller in stature all over than my 1st placed. She has a nice head shape with dark eyes and neat ears. She has sufficient bone and a good spring of rib and width of chest. I preferred the bend of stifle and overall movement of my first placed today.

JUDGE: Clare Robinson-Cox (HAMASON).