Midland Counties Canine Society

Midland Counties Canine Society Limited

Championship Dog Show

First Day: Thursday, 26 October 2023

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Judge: Jenny Smith (Willowstaff)

My thanks to the Midland Counties CS for the opportunity to judge this prestigious show. I would also like to extend my personal thanks to all exhibitors for supporting me with an excellent entry of 143 (155) which was the highest Terrier Group entry. I was fortunate to have some top quality exhibits to assess and some difficult decisions along the way. I was extremely pleased with my final lineups which reflected the type of Stafford I look for. As on previous occasions, I found the bitch classes to have more strength in depth than the dogs. There was a great atmosphere ringside with enthusiastic applause for the principal winners and temperament was, without exception: excellent. It is always an honour to judge our breed and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

MPD (8 4 Abs.)

1 Watson’s Dringshaw Masterpiece. Skewbald of 7 months. An eye-catching, confident puppy. He has a well-proportioned head, good mouth, coal black eyes, neat ears. clean, straight front and good width to chest. He is well balanced with correct rear quarters and moved well. Very promising. Best Puppy Dog.

2 Marsden’s Jayneze Doctor Jimmy at Modlife. Brindle with white front. Just 6 months and a little overawed on his first experience in the ring. He has an attractive head and expression, dark eyes, correct ear carriage and excellent teeth. Moved ok once settled. Preferred the overall cleaner outline and movement of 1 at this stage.

3 Thorley’s Crewstaff Half Blud Prince

PD (6 3)

1 Marachowska & Marachowski’s Passernomen Jucuntius Joco. 11 months’ black/brindle presented in very good condition. He has a well-defined head of good strength, dark round eyes, good depth of underjaw, strong teeth and correct ears. He has sufficient lift and is balanced with a straight, well boned front of good width and has neat feet. Prefer slightly less rear angulation. Movement ok.

2 Woodward’s Cotsward Drops of Jupiter. 9 months’ black/brindle possessing very good overall balance and has a clean outline. He has correct front and rear angulations, is straight fronted and moved well holding a level topline although carried tail slightly high. His head is clean with dark eyes, correct ears and dentition. Close decision, but just preferred the head properties of 1, having more stop and width to muzzle. Nevertheless a nice type of dog.

3 Lloyd’s Kalostaff Es Lo Que Es. 11 months’ black/brindle.

JD (3 1)

1 Carr’s Tropical Red Rum at Almostaffs. Standard red with black mask. Although not quite the athleticism I prefer, he won this class on his positive virtues/overall soundness. He has a strong, well defined head with alert expression, good eyeshade, correct mouth and strong underjaw. Prefer slightly more length of muzzle and a shade more upper arm for better overall balance. However, he has good width to chest, a straight, well boned front, was in good condition with adequate bend of stifle and moved well.

2 Marachowska & Marachowski’s Passernomen Jocundo 11 months’ black/brindle that presented a more athletic outline than 1. He has a head of good strength but prefer cleaner muzzle. He has dark eyes, neat enough ear carriage and correct teeth. Front is straight with clean shoulder line, good width and body is in fit condition. Rear quarters were over angulated and moved erratically, so unable to assess.

YD (6 2)

1 Rudd’s Zivannaz Own It. Red with white front/feet. A quality, well presented dog with super head and expression of correct proportions which was clean and well defined. He has dark eyes, correct ear carriage, excellent mouth and clean muzzle. Front straight and of good width, although prefer slightly cleaner shoulder line. Good level of fitness with defined, well angulated rear quarters and correct topline. Moved well once settled.

2 Page’s Elitebull Mischief at Bellastaff JW. Black/brindle and a shade stronger overall than my ideal. However, he is a very attractive dog with a punishing head piece, good strength to muzzle and deep through skull. He has dark round eyes, neat ears and excellent teeth. Adequate fitness, good rear quarters, neat feet with dark nails. Moved well.

3 Thomas’ Biggleswick Mr Tom (AI)

PGD (9 2)

1 Kirk’s Kirstaff The First Avenger JW. Upstanding Red that is clean all round but would have preferred slightly fitter. He has a head of good strength which is well defined, complemented by neat ears, dark eyes and correct dentition. He has a clean shoulder line and straight front of correct width and is well up on his pasterns. He has good balance and correct rear quarters. Moved well holding a level top line. A very nice dog.

2 Tomkins’ Pasgal Reach Out And Touch. An attractive black/brindle dog that I liked very much. He has a well proportioned head which is clean and not overdone, with a neat ear carriage, darkest of eyes and good mouth. He is balanced in body, short coupled with correct front and rear quarters. To be critical, he could be a bit more up on his pasterns and a tad fitter. Nevertheless, another nice type of dog that moved very well.

3 Yates’ Zakdan Devious Devil JW

LD (16 1)

1 Crawford’s Dekayro Mystic Mac For Crowstaff. An impressive, masculine dark brindle with white front/toes. He has a fabulous head and expression, which is well defined, clean and not overdone. He has neat ears, the darkest of eyes and is strong in muzzle and underjaw with correct dentition. He has a clean shoulder line leading to good width to front and well boned forequarters. Body is well balanced, short coupled and in fit condition with level topline and correct rear quarters. Moved well with discernible drive. A dog with fantastic ring presence that demands attention. Delighted to award him the CC & BOS. Congratulations and good luck for the future.

2 Funnell & Wiggins’ Powerpack Kilgobnet JW. Black/brindle. Another top quality dog in this very good class and one I have admired in the past. He presents a well balanced, unexaggerated outline with head perfectly in balance with body and nothing overdone. His head is well defined and of correct proportions with great expression, dark eyes, good underjaw and teeth. He is clean off the shoulder line, straight fronted with sufficient width and bone. Balanced in body with sound rear quarters. Moved well. In the challenge just preferred the head type/animation and superior condition of 1. Well deserved RCC – Congratulations.

3 Jones’ Kamaristaffs Royal Rumour JW

OD (7)

1 Clements’ Sajojistaff Power Up. Upstanding black/brindle dog in excellent condition which is a credit to his owners. He is very well constructed and clean all round with the desired lift for good overall balance. He has a clean head with neat ears, dark eyes, good depth of underjaw and excellent mouth. Another dog that was alert, had plenty of ring presence and moved with positivity but prefer a shorter muzzle and more stop as reflected in the challenge.

2 Fairhurst’s Fairlenium’s American Pie. Standard pied dog. A smart dog in good condition that I liked. He has a super head and expression which is well proportioned with defined stop, correct length of muzzle, neat ears, darkest of eyes and good bite. Body is well balanced, in good condition with straight, well boned front, sufficient lift and sound rear quarters. Unfortunately when I moved him he was not quite as positive as I would have liked, and lacked animation.

3 Gibson’s Holmane Moldavite At Staffordsmax

VD (4)

1 Rowe & South’s Illori Akinlana JW, ShCH, VW. Black/brindle that I had previously awarded BPOB, unfortunately this is my first opportunity to judge him since. A dog that for me, should have gained top honours. Black/brindle that is clean as a whistle all round with just enough lift. Head of good definition with dark eyes, correct dentition and neat ears. He has excellent balance, good width to front and is well boned. He has correct rear quarters, a level topline and moved very well. A dog that belies his 9+ years and his condition is a credit to his owner. Considered for RCC. Delighted to award Best Veteran in Breed.

2 Mitchell’s Our Little Cracker VW. Blue with white front and feet of 10 years. He has an attractive, well proportioned head with defined stop, good length of muzzle and correct dentition. His front is clean, straight and with nice amount of lift. He has good feet, ample bone, level topline and good balance. Moved out well enough, however lacked muscle tone and not the condition of 1.

3 Jordan’s Ch Dazmarnic Know Wot I Mean JW, ShCH

SBD (5 3)

1 Howe & Fryatt’s Brinstar Red Marauder (unplaced PGD). Powerful red with black mask/nails and white front. He is strong in head and muzzle with a well defined stop, dark eyes and neat ears. Shown in fit condition with correct rear quarters and moved ok once settled. Not quite the overall outline/balance I prefer.

2 Cooper & Lyn’s Fairlenium’s Bat Out Of Hell. Brindle with white collar, front and feet. His head is well proportioned, of good strength and definition, with an attractive expression. He has dark round eyes and neat ear carriage. Well boned but prefer a cleaner shoulder line. Reasonable rear angulation. A bit lethargic on the move and not quite as well put together as 1.

MPB (15 5) This was a lovely class to judge.

1 Winrow & Greaves’ Jayneze Ramona – 6 months’ black/brindle. A fabulous puppy and very much my type: clean as a whistle all round. She has a well proportioned head, dark round eyes, neatest of ears, good muzzle strength, correct mouth and a superb expression. She has perfect all round balance, adequate bone and correct front and rear quarters. Moved and handled extremely well. Will watch her progress with interest. BPB and BPOB – congratulations and good luck for the future.

2 Waltham’s Dringshaw Danse Du Feu. Skewbald of 7 months and sister to MPD/BPD. Another quality puppy that I liked very much. She is well up to size, has very good overall balance and is well constructed. Head is of correct proportions and in balance with body, with an appealing expression complemented by dark eyes, neat near carriage and correct dentition. She has a clean outline, straight front, level topline, good muscle definition and moved well.

3 John’s Llanstaffs Obsession – 7 months

PB (5 2)

1 Woodward’s Cotsward Sky Full of Stars. 9 months’ black/brindle. Another lovely puppy that possessed the clean outline I prefer. She has a proportionate head with lovely expression, correct dentition, dark eyes and neat enough ears. Would prefer a shade more stop, but overall she is a very nice type of puppy that was presented in excellent, fit condition and moved positively. On this occasion just lost out in the puppy challenge, however it will be interesting to watch all these youngsters as they develop and compete in the future.

2 Winrow & Greaves’ Jayneze Miss Attitude – 6 months’ black/brindle completing a trio of very promising puppies from this litter and class. Just 6 months and litter sister to MPB/BPOB, therefore giving away a lot in maturity to 1. However, there is a lot to like about her: she has a beautiful head type, neat ears, dark eyes and good teeth. She has a straight, well boned front of good width, is balanced and well put together. On this occasion preferred the conditioning and more positive movement of 1.

3 Marachowska & Marachowski’s Passernomen Jubaris

JB (10 6)

1 Emery’s Kodaknott Duckin El Del Casails. Pied. This young lady just filled my eyes; I loved her super head with feminine expression and her overall balance and condition. She has a well defined head which is clean and proportionate to her body, complemented by dark eyes, correct dentition, good depth of underjaw and strong muzzle. She has a clean shoulder line, straight, well boned front, neat feet and was well presented in fit condition with well muscled hindquarters. Moved out very well. My pleasure to award her RCC – Congratulations and good luck.

2 Maskell’s Dekayro She’s Like The Wind. Black/brindle that is slightly stronger through than 1. She has a lovely expression and well proportioned head of good strength, housing the darkest of eyes, correct bite and very neat ears. She has the right amount of width to chest, has good balance and neat feet. Would benefit from being a shade fitter.

3 Jones’ Kamaristaffs Royal Velvet

YB (10 5)

1 Land’s Zivannaz No Stopping Me Now At Winzack. A very attractive red with white chest and toes. She has a superb head which is of correct proportions with defined stop, deep through skull, clean, strong muzzle and good depth of underjaw. Neat ears, dark eyes and correct dentition completed the picture. She is well boned, is balanced with straight front and well muscled hind quarters. Would prefer a slightly cleaner shoulder line. She has a lot of quality but on occasions sinks into her shoulders which spoils her outline and she was unsettled on the move.

2 Desmond’s Elitebull Conquest. Black brindle and a shade more of her all over than 1. She has lovely head of good strength, dark, round eyes, good stop, underjaw and dentition. She is well balanced with a clean outline, straight front with desired ‘lift’ and just the right amount of rear angulation. I liked her but unfortunately she moved with her nose to the ground and was therefore impossible to assess.

3 Thomas & Griffiths’ Skystaff Truest Desire for Gazstaff

PGB(15 1)

A very promising trio in a class containing several quality exhibits

1 Hands & Wyatt’s Skystaff’s Take Me On. I really liked this brindle that had many of the attributes I look for. She has a super head shape with dark eyes, neat enough ears, correct dentition and a pleasing expression. She is well balanced and has the cleanest of outlines and correct rear quarters. Prefer tidier feet. Moved very well. Needless to say she was one of 3 I considered for the RCC.

2 Smith’s Scratchline Bobby’s Girl. Another superb bitch that I liked. Black with white front/toes. She has a well proportioned head of good strength with super expression and excellent mouth. She has a good depth of underjaw, dark eyes and neat ears. She is balanced in body, short coupled and has good rear quarters and neat feet. Unfortunately she was let down by erratic movement which was reflected in her placing.

3 Bowman’s Sikaistaff All Of Me At Kamiflo (see 1st SBB)

LB (15 4)

1 Quinn’s Callastaff Five Years At Bowferry JW. Black/brindle with white markings that oozes quality from head to toe. She has the most attractive of expressions and a clean, well defined head which is not overdone and is in balance with body. She has neat ears, darkest of eyes, good stop and clean muzzle of good strength housing correct dentition. She was alert and animated and presented in fit condition with a clean outline, sufficient ‘lift’ and bone and neat feet. She has correct rear quarters and moved very soundly. Delighted to award Bitch CC and Best of Breed. Congratulations.

2 Marsden’s Auchdaran My Meggy Sue. Another top quality black/brindle/white markings that featured strongly in the challenge. A bigger package altogether than 1 and not quite the same level of condition, however she has a superb head and expression, good depth of underjaw, correct mouth and dark round eyes. She has a defined stop, neat enough ears, straight well boned front, good tuck up and correct rear quarters. Moved extremely well.

3 Hands & Freeman’s Skystaff She Conquered JW

OB (10 2)

1 Wells’ Ch Taraiel Ray Of Light At Wellsstaffs. A quality Black/white chest/feet that is very eye catching and was on her toes throughout. She has a lovely head, wonderful expression and superb front of good width. Clean shoulder line, dark eyes, good underjaw and dentition. She has sufficient depth of brisket, enough tuck up although would prefer in slightly harder condition. Correct rear quarters and good overall balance. Moved well.

2 Norman’s Amavia Rewrite The Stars. Brindle/white markings and another lovely bitch in slightly fitter condition than 1 and there is a shade less of her all round. She has a clean, well proportioned head of correct proportions with an attractive expression complemented by dark eyes and neat ears. She has a clean shoulder line, straight front, is well balanced and moved well, liked her. Just preferred the outstanding qualities of 1.

3 Lewis’ Jasamarch Celtic Queen

VB (3)

1 Thompson’s Starolestaff Lady Bea with Siriustaff JW. Brindle of 9½ years that has the head type and overall balance I prefer. She has a lovely expression and head which is well defined with correct muzzle to skull ratio, strong underjaw, dark eyes, correct ear carriage and dentition. She is straight off the front, not overdone in any way, has correct rear quarters and moved well.

2 Robinson, Robinson-Cox & Cox’s Studstaff Sugar And Spice of Hamason JW ShCM. Red with white markings of 8½. Another lovely older lady. She is more compact and stronger through than 1, having a typical head with pleasing expression, dark eyes, neat ears and correct dentition. She is clean lipped with good underjaw. Strong head, short neck, straight, well boned front and correct rear quarters. Moved well. Just preferred the overall balance/cleaner lines of 1.

3 Walker’s Delicious Daydreamer At Teshleystaf

SBB (2)

1 Bowman’s Sikaistaff All Of Me At Kamiflo – 3rd in a strongly contested PGB class. Black/brindle with white blaze that I liked very much. She has a lovely clean head with required muzzle to skull ratio, nice white teeth, well placed eyes and neat ears. She has a super expression, is well balanced and shown in fit condition with straight front, defined waist and correct rear quarters. Moved well.

Best Special Beginners & Special Beginners Terrier Group 1. Congratulations – a great achievement both personally and for the Breed.

2 Mills’ Blue Boy Winner. Standard size Blue with good head properties, defined stop, ears a little flighty. She has a straight, well boned front of good width, neat feet, is deeper in brisket and does not have as much leg as 1. Moved well. Preferred the style and overall balance of 1.

Jenny Smith (Judge)

2 November 2023