East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

What an absolute honour to judge at the Golden Jubilee Championship Show of the Club that you have been involved with for almost forty years, and what a show it was. The Committee pulled out all the stops to ensure that everything was organised and executed according to plan, and that all exhibitors and visitors left with goodies, a smile on their faces and good memories of a day spent with the East Anglians!

Thank you so very much to all that entered your dogs for my assessment, not every dog can win a prize but I hope that every exhibitor felt that their dog had my full consideration. Every single dog showed the very best of temperaments, meeting me like an old friend. On a hot day I wasn’t aware of any dogs not coping, Mouths, on the whole, were acceptable, just one undershot, a few with some untidy dentition. I didn’t note any badly misplaced canine teeth although where have those large canines gone? Fitness was on a reasonable level, and presentation generally is good. As is seen at a lot of shows these days there is a divergence of size and shapes, if breeders aim for a balanced blend without exaggeration they are likely to hit the mark.

As always, when judging there are compromises to be made but I was pleased with my final line up and truly feel there are a few dogs in there that will reach the dizzy heights quite easily. At the end of the day I was delighted to be in full agreement with my friend and co-judge, Mary Coble, for the ‘bests’ - the dog stole both of our hearts for Best in Show, with the bitches holding their own for the remaining top awards. Good luck to you all for the future – it was, indeed, a Golden Day!

MINOR PUPPY DOG (4, 1 abs)

1st PASSERNOMEN JUCUNTIUS JOCO

Three very different puppies, at different stages of their development, so quite a conundrum to unravel. This young dog is still a raw youngster with time on his side. He has good length to his muzzle with strength of underjaw and no excess fleshiness, an earnest expression with dark eyes, and was in tune with his handler. On the move, he moved with the enthusiasm you would expect from a puppy, displaying a correct topline and securing his place with sound front action

2nd MATRIXSTAFFS KNIGHT STAR

This young fellow has the maturity lacking in his classmates today, showing a developing skull shape with good width to his muzzle. He has ample width to his front, lovely solid bone and neat feet with good padding. He will be an interesting dog to watch mature, good luck with him

3rd POWERPACK SINGULARITY

A pup that needs time to come together but has everything there for the making. He sports enough bone and has a decent body shape with ribs already springing. He is clean in muzzle and has a pleasing breadth to his skull with cheek bumps developing.

PUPPY DOG (3)

1st SKYLAND IMPERIAL

An impressive young pup with plenty of ring presence, this chap had the advantage of better balance at this stage. He is another with a good width to muzzle and skull, showing a distinct stop without being overdone and he has great pigmentation, which enhances his expression. His body shape is developing nicely with enough brisket and strength in pasterns. He showed enough width and angulation to his rear end. Beaten to BPIS by his litter sister today, he has a bright future

BEST PUPPY DOG & BEST OPPOSITE SEX PUPPY

2nd TORKAVI NIGHT FURY

Another promising youngster with a lot to like, stronger in head than 1st, with a very engaging expression, plenty of width to his skull and a pronounced underjaw. He has correct width to his front, solid, round bone and a shapely rib coming on, though a little longer cast than the class winner. He was presented in excellent coat and condition and worked nicely for his handler

3rd PASSERNOMEN JOCUNDO

Giving a lot away in maturity at not quite seven months, this puppy needs time to develop and settle. He has a clean skull and muzzle with good pigmentation , level topline at all times and a smooth, close coat with fabulous shine

JUNIOR DOG (6, 1 abs)

1st BIGGLESWICK MR TOM (AI)

Another decision not made easy by the quality of the dogs, whilst I appreciated the bone and substance of the 2nd placed dog, the cleaner outline and settled, free movement of the winner tipped him the wink. Both smart, typical Staffords in contrasting ways this beautifully pigmented red dog has everything set in the right place, although he has some maturing to do still. He is one of those dogs where there is no exaggeration and everything flows seamlessly from one part to the next. I’ll be interested to see him when in his prime

2nd KAMARISTAFFS ROYAL RANSOM AT BOWTMAN

No denying this lad is all male Stafford! He has a melting expression, with neatly set and carried ears, strong skull and muzzle, with cheek muscles well pronounced. Width is a word I could use throughout and it is pleasing to see, his shoulders are well angled, round, strong bone and padded feet, a spring of rib very evident and width to his rear, which is muscled, with correct set on and carriage of tail. Smart dog – I hope he has done his main growing and now just hones his virtues

3rd KANNECHOR GUESS HE’S BACK

This young dog is a standard sized chap of good balance with an appealing and typical expression, using his ears to advantage. Only just junior age so plenty of time to continue maturing, he was presented well, just not quite the keenness of the two in front of him today - I liked his style

Res CWMHAF AMBASSADOR

VHC HIGHBOURNE LORDOFTHEDANCE AT KNOCKON (AI) (Imp Aust)

YEARLING DOG (5, 1 abs)

What a smashing class – not the biggest in numbers but each had lovely qualities. It must be mentioned, although Reserve in the class doesn’t get a critique, he wasn’t beaten all day for ‘dog with the waggiest tail’!

1st KEEPASTAFF LITTLE BENZ

Va Va Voom - loved this dog! What a fabulous picture he presents, flashy markings, superb coat and in such good nick. He is upstanding, on great feet with strong pasterns and a lovely width to his front. His brisket has dropped as required and his rib is sprung just right at this age providing him with shape when viewed from all angles. A classic head shape, if I were to criticise at all it would be a rounder eye shape would be ideal, but his eyes are dark and piercing, his underjaw is strong and his ear carriage is just perfect. He moved like a dream, holding his topline and driving from a strong rear end, with spot on tail carriage. I think we will hear more of this lovely dog

2nd NIATONA WRECK IT RALPH

This beautifully marked dog lost out to the 1st placed dog by only a small margin, the winner showing a cleaner outline and more animation. This chap has a really keen expression, love his powerful underjaw, noticeably wide open nostrils and pigmentation, he displays strength and masculinity. He stands on solid bone, looks from any angle as though he’d be hard to knock over, with a good width to his front, forechest in evidence and noticeable depth to his brisket, short in couplng, where he widens again into his angled rear with thigh development.

3rd ALPORT ON TOUR AT ETERNALCO

From a kennel known for its quality this is yet another, a standard dog with everything in the right place, he has type, strength and fire – all to be admired. He also has great pigmentation and a beautiful coat. He was turned out in really good order though on the move lost his top line a little. A smart dog.

Res RONJAC ROB ROY MCGREGOR

MAIDEN DOG (3, 1 abs)

1st POWERPACK SINGULARITY

3rd in Minor Puppy, won this class by virtue of his more standard size and overall type

2nd BULLBROTHERS BURNING GOLD

An upstanding dog, handled to advantage, this dog had no excess flesh or exaggeration and showed a bang level topline. In comparison to the class winner his head lacked definition at this stage and he was straighter behind

NOVICE DOG (4)

1st ELITEBULL MISCHIEF AT BELLASTAFF JW

This dog won the class with consummate ease, a very typical example from this successful kennel, he will no doubt go on to bigger and better things. He has all the required attributes from neat ear carriage and pleasing expression, strength of head to his well held topline and maturing back end, I particularly liked his width and strong pigmentation. He was presented to advantage, working well with his lady handler, my notes say a good dog all round.

2nd CWMHAF AMBASSADOR

Shown in the junior class, with a Reserve placing, this young dog showed better with his owner/handler. I have seen before that he doesn’t enjoy being stacked and then tends to drop off at the rear, but when more relaxed and free-stood his topline levelled out giving a better overall outline. He has depth through his skull, with beautifully coal black, soulful eyes, well placed, and clean lips enhancing the expression. His shoulders are well placed but currently he lacks width in front and needs forechest and brisket development to balance. Not yet the finished article, he moved more positively than the dogs behind him in this class to secure a well deserved place

3rd FURRED BANDITS KING JOLIHEM (Imp Nor) Typical looking, standard sized dog, nicely marked with a decent all over shape. He has a pleasing length of muzzle and distinct stop without exaggeration, attractive expression ensured by well positioned and carried ears and round, dark eyes. He has a strong neck and his shoulder placement is fine although he gave away a little on top line and today he definitely wasn’t playing the game today when he moved

Res STAFF DREAM Z-GREY

GRADUATE DOG (7, 1 abs)

1st EARTHQUAKE STAFFS WEAR IT WELL AT TIGERBULL (Imp Esp)

This dog is a class act, turned out in cracking condition with a real firm back end on him. He held his top line standing and then on the move with sound propulsion up and down the mat, showing balance in both skull and body proportions, while fixing me with his excellent expression. He is a proper show boy with tremendous ring presence and commands attention – easy to see why he has done well in his show career so far, and not difficult to know that he will continue to do so. Good luck with him!

2nd ZAKDAN DEVIOUS DEVIL JW

While I was captivated by the expression and style of the 1st placed dog over this fellow, that is not to say that this lad is without many of his virtues. He has certainly improved as he has matured, and that will, in my opinion, continue. He has super weight of bone for his size with good balance, excellent pigmentation and neat, well padded feet with the desired turn out and strong pasterns. He certainly scored over the rest of the class in width, angulation and power of his rear

3rd ITCHEBOREN RED LIPSTICK

Not quite the balance of the dogs placed above him, this dog also has good feet and strength in pasterns, although he is straighter behind. His coat is of lovely texture, with clear markings and well pigmented. His head is without exaggeration or wrinkle, with a decent muzzle length but he lacks strength in underjaw. Whilst he has width to his front and enough rib there is insufficient brisket at this stage.

Res ROWELLSTAFF EASY TIGER

VHC BIGOR STANCE AT ECLIPSEBULLS

POST GRADUATE DOG (9, 2 abs)

1st NARKYA DEADPOOL

This class was quite a mixed one, with dogs not only of differing type but also of differing stages of development. The 1st placed dog is an upstanding chap with clean outline throughout, standing on decent bone and with neat feet. He has a keen look, accentuated by dark, well placed eyes and was presented in a commendable coat and condition. Although straighter in the rear end than the 2nd placed dog, he moved out reasonably and edged the class today by virtue of his maturity in body

2nd NORTHSTAFF NIGHTMARE

A lovely all over package, this dog knows how to show off what he has and works so well for his handler. He has good head proportions with strength to his underjaw, noticeable cheek muscles and well pigmented throughout.. No excess flesh, decent weight of bone with required turn out at pastern and neat feet he is a fine young dog who will continue to develop and improve I feel

3rd TILLCARR FIRE COLLECTIVE

In contrast, this dog is a mature and very typy Stafford who held my attention throughout the class. He is extremely well boned with a shapely body; I loved his honest expression, round, dark eyes and the neatest of well set ears, he was just a little ‘more’ than I was looking for

Res ILLORI BACK CHAT

VHC PASGAL REACH OUT AND TOUCH

LIMIT DOG (10)

1st CATSTAFF’S SOUL REBEL – DOG CC & BEST IN SHOW

This class was great to judge as each dog carried plenty of virtue and thereby gave me lots to consider, however even in such strong competition this classy dog was always going to be in the mix and when it came to the decisions needed his style and ring presence secured him top spot. He shows strength and balance with a clean outline, quality round bone, with width and shape to his body, each part complimenting the next. His rib is well sprung, brisket showing plenty of heartroom, topline level with close coupling, and great rear angulation ensuring a no nonsense stride which meant he covered the ground with little effort which ultimately not only meant he headed this class but also that in the final line up he demanded – and got – the CC. It was great to know that my co-judge felt the same way about him that I did and was happy with the Best in Show decision

2nd MARSTAFF THE REVENANT

A very smart dog of size and substance, this quality lad has great bone, a clean, straight front and smashing development of both rib and brisket. He showed a level topline both stacked and on the move, but today he just didn’t quite have the clean lines of the class winner

3rd ALPORT BOLD RULER

A well deserved 3rd place for this standard dog who was turned out in tip top condition. He has a classic head shape and used his neat ears to enhance his expression. Compact in body with short coupling, he has good width and angulation to his rear. He moved well enough but not quite with the freedom of the two placed above him

Res SIKAISTAFF SHADOW WARRIOR AT MAIDENDALE

VHC BETHALEESE’S POLDARK

OPEN DOG (12, 3 abs)

1st CALLASTAFF SON OF THE MOON – RESERVE DOG CC

Although I judged this dog as a young pup and awarded him then, today he was a real surprise for me. Now, as a finished Staffordshire Bull Terrier, with no exaggeration, his balance and maturity is there for all to see. He has a really engaging expression, thin, rose ears carried so well, and good width of muzzle with depth of underjaw. His neck is strong and his shoulders very well placed, brisket is deep and ribs are well sprung, all in all creating a picture of power and strength. Compact in body and with a good bend of stifle to showcase his drive from the rear he presented a real picture of Stafford masculinity. This was another class of top notch dogs and he took top spot; in the final line up he didn’t quite hold his topline so well on the move so had to give way to the Limit Dog for overall top honours, but nevertheless was well worthy of the RCC

2nd CH CATSTAFF’S USED TO

I remember this dog coming to our first Club open show following Covid and it was plainly obvious then that he would do well, and what a show career he has had, he has done it all in the very best company with nothing to prove. He is of fabulous type and was presented in the very best condition today, muscles on muscles and with his coal black coat gleaming like shot silk. A little shorter in neck than the class winner, he has the darkest of eyes, placed perfectly, that draw you in. He has smashing width to his skull and muzzle, a distinct stop and developed cheek muscles all ensuring a typical Stafford expression. His body is compact and so well balanced with strength of rear that powered him on the mat. I was delighted to have had the opportunity to judge such a lovely Stafford

3rd CH GAZSTAFF’S BLACK MAGIC

And the lovely dogs just kept on coming! A nicely balanced dog with a great head shape, distinct stop and nice length of muzzle, clean lipped, with dark eyes and neat ear carriage. He has good width to his front commensurate with his back end, although a little less angulation than the dogs above him. A shapely body with noticeable rib, he stands on solid bone with neat feet which would benefit from a little more padding, he was also turned out in the best nick, with a beautiful coat, which is just the way all dogs should be!

Res CH NIATONA ARLO COOMBES

VHC CH DRINGSHAW ATHOS JW

BRED BY EXHIBITOR, DOG (6, 4 abs)

1st CH GAZSTAFF’S BLACK MAGIC

Placed 3rd in Open, my notes said ‘fit as a butcher’s dog’!

2nd POWERPACK TAM O’SHANTER JW

A really nice style of Stafford, no fleshiness, balanced width fore and aft with a properly set on tail. Today he lost out on length of rib, but I loved his great overall shape without exaggeration, and especially his spotty white foot!

VETERAN (8, 1 abs)

1st CH DAZMARNIC KNOW WOT I MEAN JW ShCM – BEST VETERAN DOG & BEST OPPOSITE SEX VETERAN

Lovely Bruno! I judged him and awarded him RCC in 2019 and was delighted to see he attained his Champion title. Now a Veteran he is still retaining all those lovely qualities. He has the most engaging expression: round, liquid eyes, balanced head properties, and a tinge of grey hair just making it all the better. He still moved like a dream and held his topline beautifully. I loved his type and style, My Best Veteran Dog but he had to give way to his female counterpart in the contest for Best Veteran in Show – I doubt he or his lovely lady handler minded too much, they are both very gracious

2nd ILLORI AKINLANA JW ShCM VW

I’ve had the pleasure of judging this lad in the past too and also meeting him out of the ring on numerous occasions – he never disappoints as he is always on his toes and turned out in the pink. His silver chops add a touch of dignity but he has a puppy like twinkle in his eye. Clean as a whistle throughout he has a good weight of bone and width to his front, leading to shoulders with a lovely lean muscle covering. On the move he held his topline and drove out with good tail carriage

3rd CH BIGGLESWICK SPLASH OF GINGE

Got to love the oldies because on top of all his other attributes today this lad still has plenty of fire! A lovely clear coat colour with great pigmentation, he has good bone and a shapely body with plenty of rib and brisket. Strode down the mat like he owned it!

Res ALPORT HALLO MAN

VHC ILLORI AZIZI

JUDGE: LESLEY McFADYEN (ARAIDH)