East Of England Agricultural Society

EAST OF ENGLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OPEN SHOW 6TH July 2022

Staffordshire Bull Terriers Judge: Lesley McDonald (Tusselstaff)

A huge thank you to the officers and committee for their kind invitation to judge Staffordshire Bull Terriers. It was a bittersweet day as I had lost my mum unexpectedly just days before the show and thought long and hard about being able to fulfil the appointment however, I felt I owed it to the exhibitors who had travelled for my opinion.

A shame the show couldn’t have been on the same day as the breed champ shows but nethertheless it was a beautiful setting, lovely weather with quality exhibits to be found. Also a bonus to see Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed go on to be placed in both terrier groups.

Puppy (6, 0)

1st Alport on Tour

Quality black brindle dog, strong but clean head of good proportions, just loved the expression on this dog, neatest of ears, dark eye and good bite. Straight front and well boned, he has a compact body with good spring of rib, level topline and well balanced all round. Moves well once settled. Pleased to award him Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed he also went on to be placed TG3 and Puppy TG2.

2nd Northstaff Nightmare

Very similar to 1st in lots of ways, a well-balanced black dog with white chest. Good head shape, neat ear set and correct bite. Well balanced and compact he has good angulation with true front, well ribbed and level topline. He scores highly in profile and was handled excellently. Just preferred the head and expression of 1st.

3rd Bilrosestaff Shes the One

Brindle bitch with the cleanest of heads, good skull to muzzle ratio, tidy ears and eyes dark enough for coat colour. She has a straight front, pleasing side view, well angulated and plenty of lift. For me, I would like to see her a tad fitter but appreciate she is still in puppy. Clean as a whistle all around, very tidy bitch.

Junior (3, 0)

1st Illori Constellation

Attractive black brindle bitch, clearly feminine she has a clean head with good skull to muzzle ratio, neat ears, dark eye and correct bite. Straight front of ample width, level topline, well tucked up, good angulation and neat feet. Well balanced all around, another who scores highly in profile, shown in good condition, moved well and displays great rapport with her handler. Best Opposite Sex

2nd Zakdan Devious Devil

Pleasing black brindle dog, typical headshape which is strong but not overdone, good dentition, straight front, well boned, ample rib and good topline. Moved ok and works well with his handler

3rd Fairlenium Pixie Queen at Sharbelle

Pretty pied bitch with attractive headshape which is clean all around. She has enough width to front, angulation ok and level topline. She was quite unsettled today and carrying a little excess weight, but I would say she is worth putting the effort in for, I was quite taken with her.

Postgraduate (5, 2)

1st Pasgal Wishing on A Star

Very attractive black brindle bitch with splash of white to front, loveliest of heads, neat ears, dark eye and correct bite. I was very taken with her expression, such a pretty girl. She has ample width to front, good depth of brisket, level topline and neat feet. Her handler does have a tendency to overstretch her at the rear which obviously affects her profile, just doublecheck her when stacking. Moved well.

2nd Jasamarch Ditsy Diva

Similar in type to 1st this pleasing black brindle bitch has a feminine head with super expression particularly when she uses her ears to her advantage. One I have judged before and pleased to see she has matured as I hoped she would, she has a good front, straight and true, shorter coupled than 1st but carrying an extra pound or two today which can make all the difference when nit picking between exhibits. Moved and handled well and sure these two will swap places many times.

3rd Zakdan Devious Devil (2nd in Junior)

Open (2, 0)

This class caused me the biggest headache of the day- two fab exhibits, very different from each other but each full of virtue resulting in nit-picking between the two.

1st Illori Akinlana JW ShCM VM

Topsize black brindle dog with sprinkling of silver, cleanest of heads with good skull to muzzle ratio, correct bite, dark eye, neat ear carriage. Excellent front with good depth of brisket, correct angulation front and rear, light in the loin and good tuck up, well balanced from all angles. He is one I have judged before and despite his age this is probably the best I have seen him. Hard to the touch he was put down in excellent condition and has great rapport with his handler. I thought highly of him in the final line up, unfortunately he appeared unsettled and distracted possibly due to being handled by someone else.

2nd Tillcarr Kissed by Fire

Attractive bitch with clean and expressive head of good proportions, dark round eye, neat ear set and correct dentition, all making for a wicked expression. She has a good front, plenty of bone while obviously feminine, good spring of rib, correct angulation and pleasing side profile. Shown in good condition, moved and handled well