Paisley & District Canine Society

Paisley & District Canine Society Open Show

08th January 2024

Staffordshire Bull Terriers

I offer my very sincere thanks to the Committee and Officers of Paisley and District Canine Society for the invitation to judge at their Open Show, and for the very warm welcome that my wife and I received throughout the day. If invited to judge at this show, I would highly recommend accepting the invitation. Thanks very much to the very knowledgeable Claudia and Dick who stewarded the ring in the most efficient manner and looked after me so well on the day, keeping everything moving with ease. I had a super entry of Staffords to go over and I thank all of the exhibitors for giving me the honour of going over your dogs. At this time of year, with often poor weather, it is not easy to maintain the level of fitness evident in some of the Staffords exhibited at this show and I appreciate the work and dedication required to get and to keep them in such excellent condition. It is very pleasing to note that my Best of Breed today went on to take Group 2 in the Terrier Group and that my Best Puppy went on to win Special Terrier Group 1, then Reserve Best Puppy in show. The Stafford also won Best Veteran in Show and I offer my congratulations to all their proud owners. Well done!

I thought it appropriate to critique 1st to 3rd with only 4 classes and a couple of repeat placings.

Puppy Dog/Bitch (2, 0)

1st. Moffat & Moffat’s GLENSKYRA ARRAN AURORA FOR KARGONSTAFFS (B)

A tiger brindle bitch of some quality. Standard size and well proportioned, she has nothing overdone. Her head is distinctly feminine with dark, round eyes, well placed rose ears and a good length of muzzle with a perfect scissor bite. She has well placed shoulders, tight elbows level with her brisket, a straight front with the correct shoulder angulations. Ample rib for her age, nice tuck up to her loins, close coupling, a level topline resting and on the move, excellent rear assembly and correct tail carriage give her a very appealing outline. She moved out, across and back with ease. Whilst still a puppy, her potential is there for all to see, and I am sure she will have a very bright future. Best Puppy in Breed.

2nd. Owen’s TAGSTANE TERRORS CLASP (B)

Another tiger brindle bitch, also very well constructed. Stronger and bigger all over than 1st, she has a strong head with a broad, deep skull. Neat, well-placed ears and round eyes. Her bite is perfect. With correct angulations front and rear, a level topline, deep brisket, and well boned limbs, she moved well when she settled, but gave her handler some work to do. Unlucky to meet 1 today, but another youngster who has plenty of potential.

Junior Dog/Bitch (5,1)

1st. Gallagher’s ALSHANCORN SAYS WHO (B)

Black brindle with white flash. A very classy and impressive bitch. Her head is of excellent proportions with good width and depth of skull, a distinct stop, good length and strength of muzzle housing a perfect scissor bite of big, white teeth. She has well placed rose ears and round dark eyes which she used to her advantage. Her expression is superb. With a good length of leg, ample width of chest, depth of brisket and spring of rib, a level topline stood and on the move, strong loins with a well tucked up underline, perfect angulations front and rear, her outline is very pleasing to the eye. She moved freely and with ease. With her coat short and shining, her nails short and her teeth spotless, she was put down in excellent, fit, hard condition. She was very easy to appreciate. Reserve Best of Breed.

2nd. Moffat & Moffat’s GLENSKYRA ARRAN AURORA FOR KARGONSTAFFS (B).

See 1st Puppy.

3rd. Carr’s TROPICAL RED RUM AT ALMOSTAFFS (D)

A strongly built red dog of standard height, he has a strong head, good bite, good drop of brisket, short coupling, level topline and a strong rear assembly. He moved well when required, carrying his tail correctly.

Post Graduate Dog/Bitch (8,1)

1st. Gallagher’s ALSHANCORN SAYS WHO (B)

See 1st Junior dog/bitch.

2nd. Chambers’ KAMARISTAFFS ROYAL RASCAL (D)

A very impressive black brindle dog, bang on standard. He has a strong, broad, and deep skull, good strength of muzzle and a scissor bite with big, white teeth. Round, dark eyes and perfectly set rose ears enhance his appearance. Hands on, his shoulders are strong and are well angled, no looseness in his elbows, his chest is broad and his front excellent. His strong neck tapers to his level topline, he is close coupled and has a strong loin and rear quarters. A good spring of rib, good depth of brisket and a nice tuck up are all evident. With good muscle mass, he was presented in fit condition with a short, gleaming coat showing those muscles. He moved well and was handled well to exhibit his virtues. Had there been a prize for Best Dog, he would have taken it with ease. He had to give way to 1st on the finest of margins today. Good luck with him for the future.

3rd. McClelland’s ROCHLAWIE EVER MAIR (B)

A standard sized, strong black brindle bitch. She has neat rose ears and dark eyes, and she was in fit, hard condition. Well angled in front and rear quarters with a good topline, well sprung rib, and strong loin, good bend of stifle, she moved well both out and back.

Open Dog/Bitch (6,0)

1st. McConachie’s CALGACUS NIAMH (B)

A fit and athletically proportioned black brindle bitch of real class with nothing overdone and everything that she needs. I loved her head. It is perfectly balanced with a good length of muzzle and strong underjaw housing a perfect scissor bite. Her neat rose ears and the darkest of eyes give her an expression to die for. She has a great length of leg, correct angulations, a good width of chest and drop of brisket all combining to give her the most impressive front. Her neck is strong and tapered to her withers, she has an excellent topline, close coupling and a strong, spannable loin. Her rear quarters are well angled, with a well bent stifle and rock hard first and second thigh. In profile, her tuck up enhanced her overall appearance, and it is perfectly obvious that a great deal of effort has gone in to attaining this level of fitness. Her movement was the best on the day, her legs moving parallel and her pump handle tail carried correctly. Her neat feet had short, black nails, her short coat was gleaming, and she was presented in superb condition. Effortlessly took the class, it was my pleasure to award her Best of Breed.

2nd. Campbell and Morrison’s STAFFI FAMILYKASSARI (B)

Black brindle bitch, stronger all over than 1st and very fit. She has a strong but distinctly feminine head with a wide and deep skull. She has a scissor bite with large, white teeth. Dark eyes and neat ears provide her with an excellent expression. She is well constructed with ample lift, a good width of chest, deep brisket, and well sprung ribcage. Her shoulders are well angled and there is no looseness in her elbows. With a level topline, short coupling and strong hind quarters, she moved very well. Another that was presented well, with a short and shining coat, well tucked loin, and hard muscles in her first and second thighs. An impressive Stafford bitch.

3rd. McClelland’s ROCHLAWIE CUTTY SARK (B)

Black brindle bitch with white front, presented in excellent condition. Her head is of correct proportions, with neat ears and dark eyes. Her bite is spot on and her underjaw strong. She has a well boned front of good width and no looseness, and neat feet. She has good rib, good depth of brisket, a level topline, firm loin and muscular rear quarters. She moved well out and back with correct tail carriage.

Jim McCarthy (Laochra).