East Midlands Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

A huge thank you to East Midlands for inviting me to judge my first breed club show. Doing one sex felt like a great way to ease into it with a fantastic number of dogs entered. Thank you to my stewards Dave and Keith for keeping the ring running smoothly for me. Mouths were found to be good and have therefore not been mentioned in my critiques but I did find a number of exhibits with dirty teeth. This didn’t impact my decisions but is just part of presentation and something to think about to ensure your dog looks its best. Fitness was also something that could be improved, I know we’re just getting back into the show season which can excuse some lower level of fitness but it really does make a difference to look at and feel. After a long day of National Terrier judging, I want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who stayed behind to exhibit, watch and support the club and my co-judge Natalie and I on the day. I very much enjoyed my judging and thank you to everyone for taking my decisions well.

Minor Puppy Dog (1).

1st Sandford’s JODEL’S KNIGHTS WHITE SATIN AT LORNICSTAFF, 7 month old red and white pied baby who seemed to be very much enjoying his time in the ring. Lovely shaped head with dark round eyes, a nice length of muzzle and a clean lip. His ears need to settle but as his head grows I’m sure they’ll balance out nicely. He was ever so happy to see me that it was difficult to assess him fully but it’s all good practice as a pup. Good shoulders leading into rib that is developing well held by a level topline. Good angulation and moved well - a very happy chappy who I’m sure with development, has more to come.

Puppy Dog (7)

1st Deen’s ELLCHANSHA THE DEVIL IN ME AT TONDOO, 9 month old standard size, black brindle boy who won this class on balance, bone and substance. Super clean head with dark round eyes, open nares, good length of muzzle and neat ears giving a lovely expression. Strong neck leading into well placed shoulders held by neat feet, always up on his toes. Good depth of brisket and rib developing well. Level topline leading to strong hindquarters and a low set tail. Very impressive pup that I’m sure the handler will have some fun with. Good luck. BEST PUPPY DOG AND BEST PUPPY IN SHOW

2nd Lewis’ KARJAYDAN THE BARBARIAN, 11 month old red and white with dark mask. Handsome lad with dark eyes, neat ears and open nares who was enjoying his day. Lovely placed shoulders with feet turning out slightly as they should. Depth of brisket still to come which will help fill him out across the front to enhance the picture. Good rib, topline and hindquarters. Moved well. Just preferred the width of front of 1. Best of luck!

3rd Mills’ STORMBREAKERS VENGEANCE AT MILARKE BULL

Junior Dog (10,2a) This was a lovely class to judge with dogs of lots of virtue. The first three had me in a pickle and I’m sure will change places regularly as they go through their show career.

1st Howard’s MATRIXSTAFFS KNIGHT STAR, 15 month old black brindle strong headed boy with the neatest of ears, dark eyes, clean lip, strong underjaw and open nares. He was certainly the more forward of the first 3 and really did show himself well. Strong neck leading into a well boned wide front, deep brisket and neat feet well up on pasterns. Rib is still developing but he has a level topline, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. In lovely condition and moved well.

2nd Lloyd’s KALOSTAFF ES LO QUE ES JW, 16 month old black brindle boy with the roundest dark eyes, neat ears, open nares and nice length of muzzle giving a lovely expression. Nicely muscled shoulders leading to a clean front on neat feet. Beautifully level topline with good rib dropped to his elbow. Preferred his spring of rib to 1 but preferred the rear angulation of 1. He was the fittest dog in this class and a credit to his owner. Thank you for bringing him.

3rd Green’s Sikaistaff Black Barrel

Yearling Dog, (3,1a)

1st Green’s SIKAISTAFF BLACK BARREL, almost 18 month old black brindle boy who was 3rd in the Junior class. Beautiful head with dark eyes, neat ears, well developed cheek muscles and open nares. Good width to front with neat feet well up on pasterns. Short, strong neck leading into good spring of rib. Preferred the depth of brisket of first 2 in Juior which is why he was placed 3rd. Good rear angulation which was well muscled, finished off with a low set tail. Moved well

2nd Marachowska & Marachowski’s PASSERNOMEN JOCUNDO, 15 month old black brindle lad. Taller than 1 but balanced in length. Nice shaped head with dark eyes, distinct stop and nice length of muzzle - he certainly kept an eye on me. He was not as mature as 1 and was being a bit of a fidget for his handler but could see good qualities in his clean front, neat feet and developed rib. Preferred the overall balance and developed rear of 1 but sure with time on his side, this will come. Best of luck!

Novice Dog (3)

1st Seaton’s COOLIO AT GANGSTERS PARADISE, on first glance around this class, I really liked the look of this standard sized, 3 year old brindle and white boy. Beautifully developed head with nice length of muzzle with distinct stop, well developed cheek muscles, dark round eyes, good underjaw and neat ears. Clean front with neat feet and good depth to brisket and well developed rib. A smart chap that with a little more ringcraft practice could have some fun with his handler. Thank you for bringing him.

2nd Rochelle’s KIRSTAFF GOD OF THUNDER, 11 month old red and white boy with dark mask. He’s got a lovely head with dark round eyes, good length of muzzle, clean lip and neat ears giving a very smart expression. He’s clearly still a puppy and a slow maturer is no bad thing in my eyes but in this class he lost out on maturity against the older dog. However, he has a nice outline with clean shoulders, neat feet and rib developing well. Preferred his rear angulation to 1 but lost out on the depth and width of front of 1. Wishing you all the best with him.

3rd Dekker Balemans’ MAXIMILIAAN

Postgraduate Dog (8)

1st Yates’ ZAKDAN DEVIOUS DEVIL JW, standard sized, solid black brindle boy who could be used as a silhouette for a stafford he has such a lovely outline. This is the fourth time I’ve judged him now and he just gets better each time. Strong head of good depth and breadth, the neatest of ears which he uses to his advantage, strong cheek muscles, distinct stop, dark eyes, clean lip and strong underjaw. I remember saying when I judged him before that he was a slow maturer and I feel I was right - he’s come on even in the last 9 months. He has the cleanest front with width and depth, stood on tight feet that turn out slightly. Good rib with brisket dropping correctly to his elbow. Level topline and a low set tail. His rear angulation has developed well with well let down hocks. His condition is fantastic and a real credit to his owner. Moved well. Considered for the “bests” but I’m sure the best is yet to come!

2nd Green’s SIKAISTAFF BLACK BARREL, See 1st in Yearling.

3rd Wiles’ JUNOSTAFF BIG MAN

Limit Dog (6) Found myself splitting hairs between the first 2 but in the end fitness won the class.

1st Harper and Whitattaker’s BETHALEESE’S POLDARK, standard sized black brindle and white boy with good head and expression from his dark eyes and neat ears. Lovely open nares and clean lip with well developed cheek muscles. Short, strong neck leading to a clean front with lovely width and depth. The neatest of feet well up on his toes at all times. Very compact dog with absolutely rippling muscle! Good rear angulation with well let down hocks and low set tail. If people want a lesson on conditioning - go speak to this owner, an absolute credit to you. Thank you for bringing him.

2nd Jefferson’s ALPORT BOLD RULER, standard solid black brindle boy who has a beautiful head and expression. Neat ears topping a well developed head of excellent depth and breadth. Well developed cheek muscles and good underjaw. Nice shoulder placement with good depth of brisket and spring of rib. Longer cast than 1 with well developed rear and low set tail. Moved well with his owner and even anticipates the turn before his handler which made me smile. Just preferred the more compact dog of 1 and overall fitness.

3rd Davies’ JOMELLO STAND BY ME AT CWN HARDD

Open Dog (9,1a)

1st Ibsen’s DK/SE/HUN CH KEEPASTAFF LITTLE BENZ, I’ve stood in the ring next to this dog a number of times and always thought he was flashy but have always been so focused on my own dog I’ve never given him much of a look - how I was pleasantly surprised! Super flashy, standard black brindle with white socks and chest. Lovely head shape that is strong yet so clean with a good strength to his underjaw. Dark eyes and beautiful ears that he likes to pin back to his head but when he uses them he has a cracking expression. Short strong neck leaning to correct shoulder placement with a wide front stood on neat feet well up on his pasterns. Good depth of brisket, dropping to his elbow and well developed rib. Level topline with well angulated rear and low set tail. He moved well in sync with his handler. If I had to change one thing, I’d have him a touch fitter but he ticked all the other boxes for me today to take the top spot. Thank you for bringing him, I wish you all the best with him. BEST DOG, RESERVE BEST IN SHOW AND BEST OPPOSITE SEX IN SHOW

2nd Stanway’s WAYSTAFF STRIKES MAYHEM, red and white pied boy who feel you have to get your hands on to appreciate. He has a super head with tidy ears, dark eyes, clean lip and well muscled cheek bones. Short, strong neck leading to a wide front stood on well laid shoulders and neat feet. Lovely rib dropping to his elbow held on the most level topline. Well angulated rear with well let down hocks and low set tail. Moved well. He was in lovely condition. He pushed first hard for this but I just preferred the cleanliness in head and expression of 1. RESERVE BEST DOG

3rd Thomas & Griffith’s CH GAZSTAFF’S BLACK MAGIC

Veteran Dog (3,1a) And to wake everyone up after a long day, the noise arrived as the veteran boys entered and so did their voices!

1st Lewis’ CH BIGGLESWICK SPLASH OF GINGE, 9 year old red and white boy with excellent bone and substance. His lack of grey hides his age with his head having maintained excellent strength and cleanliness with dark round eyes, strong underjaw, topped with neat ears. Strong neck leading into a clean wide front with lovely spring of rib. Level topline finishing with well angulated hind legs. He is in fabulous condition for his age and could teach some of the younger dogs entered today a thing or two. Thank you for bringing him, an absolute pleasure to go over.

2nd Rowe & South’s ILLORI AKINLANA JW ShCM VW, 9 year old black brindle boy with white toes. He’s showing his grey in his face but another veteran in excellent condition. Taller than 1 and more compact but is well up on his toes knowing his showman job for his handler. Clean head with correct length of muzzle, strong underjaw and open nares. I’ve judged this boy before and he STILL doesn’t want to show his ears but they are neat when you can find them. Strong neck leading into correct shoulders with a wide front stood on tight feet. Level topline and good rear angulation. Preferred the tightness of his feet compared to 1 but he was pipped for a preference in 1’s bone and substance. He’s a joy to go over - thank you for bringing him.

3rd Heron’s DILIRYSTAFF ALL THE RAGE

Judge Charlotte Burton