Potteries Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

Potteries Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

18th February 2024

Judge: Lesley Foster (Tusselstaff)

A huge thank you to the hardworking committee for inviting me to judge my beloved breed and to each and every exhibitor who allowed me to assess their pride and joy. Thanks are due also to my very able stewards who kept the ring flowing smoothly. This was a new venue for the club and fair to say it seemed to be a success. The atmosphere around the ring reminded me of days of old with the chatter and clapping. Mouths were generally good but I would like to mention the lack of rib and the long thin feet noted in a few of the exhibits. If moving forward and deciding to breed with such exhibits please do take this into consideration as both of these areas are key when thinking about ‘fit for function’ and of course the breed standard.

Minor Puppy Dog (2, 1 abs)

1. Viking Louie

Very excitable black brindle pup, who was difficult to go over. Good head shape though I was unable to assess his teeth properly. A typical Stafford pup he very much wanted to share his kisses though when he manages to stand still, he displays a decent front and side profile. Movement was a little erratic but keep practicing and remember to keep it fun for him.

Puppy Dog (4, 2 abs)

1. Crewestaff Half Blud Prince

Black brindle dog with broad skull, short in foreface, neat ears and pronounced cheek muscles. He scores highly in body for age, displaying a straight front with ample depth of brisket, well boned, good spring of rib, level topline, and close coupled. Shown in good condition and worked well with handler. Reminds me very much of his sire. Pleased to award him Best Puppy Dog.

2. Harlivstaff Captain Coady

Red dog, clean in head and with good expression. Eyes dark enough for coat colour and good muzzle to skull ratio. Handler does have a tendency to stand him a little narrow at times, not as mature in development and a tad longer caste than 1st. A little unsettled on the move.

Junior Dog (6, 0 abs)

1. Sikaistaff Black Barrel

Smart black brindle dog, good headshape, clean, with nice length of muzzle, darkest of eyes and neat ears. Straight front of ample width and depth of brisket. Liked his profile, overall balance and condition which won him the class. He does have a tendency to lean forward on occasion so always double check him when he’s stacked. Moved and handled well.

2. Kalostaff Es Lo Que Es

Pleasing black brindle dog who I have judged before and with lots to like. Broad skull of good proportions, distinct stop, neat ears. Body is developing well, ample width to front, well boned fore quarters, plenty of rib for age and nice length of leg. Moved well once settled and works well with handler.

Yearling Dog (3, 0 abs)

1. Elitebull Mischief at Bellastaff JW

Quality black brindle dog with a cracking expression. Broad skull, short foreface, dark eye, neat ear carriage. Correct front and depth of brisket, short strong neck, ample bone, level topline, good angulation to rear. Good pigmentation with dark nails and well-padded feet. Moved and handled well. Liked him very much

2. Deldenas Billy Miske

Black brindle dog, carrying similar virtues to 1st. Maturing well, he has a decent front, good body shape and condition, slightly shorter coupled than 1st, enough rear angulation, moved and handled ok.

Novice Dog (5, 1 abs)

1. Kalostaffs Es Lo Que Es

2nd in JD

2. Bullbrothers Howay the Lads

Dark brindle with white flash to chest and paws. Nice type of dog with good head and expression, up on the leg, good side profile, tad longer caste than 1st, would benefit from more ringcraft to get the best from him, but liked him nevertheless.

Post Graduate Dog (4, 1 abs)

1. Fairlenium Iron King at Canisstaff

Impressive flashy pied who is a real head turner, broad skull, distinct stop, pronounced cheek muscles and cracking expression. Plenty of width between well boned legs, pleasing profile from all angles, good bend of stifle and strong hind quarters, presented n in good condition and handled well.

2. Geordiestaff Am Clammin at Invictastaff

Appealing brindle with white flash to chest and toes, well chiselled head, distinct stop, neat ears, correct eye shape. Straight forequarters, nice amount of lift, pleasing side profile, good tuck up and level topline. Moved and handled ok.

Limit Dog (1, 1abs)

Open Dog (2, 0 abs)

1. Ellchansa Hotshot

Quality black brindle dog with good headshape of correct proportions, clean and unexaggerated, dark eye and near ear set. Loved his expression. One I have previously judged as a puppy and nice to see that he has matured as hoped. No coarseness on this dog, front is straight and true, brisket to elbow, ribs well sprung, pleasing profile all-round and well turned out. Moved and handled well. Pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog

2. Waystaff Strike Action

Striking pied dog presented in excellent condition. Well-proportioned head, correct stop, neat rose ears and ample cheek bumps. Clean as a whistle all round and well balanced, he has straight forequarters, ample depth of brisket, nice amount of lift and daylight beneath, decent spring of rib, light in loin and good tuck up. Presented in good condition. Handled well though had a tendency to play his handler up on the move. Preferred the fitness of this dog to 1st but preferred the movement of 1st on the day. Sure these two will swap places on many an occasion.

Veteran Dog or Bitch (2, 0 abs)

Loved the attitude between these two veterans, no mistaking they still had fire in the belly regardless of age and weren’t shy to express it.

1. Illori Akinlana JW ShCM VW

Quality black brindle dog, pleasing headshape of good proportions, clean and unexaggerated, good length of muzzle, dark eye, neat ear carriage, topped off with a smattering of silver sprinkles. One I have judged previously and who never fails to please. He excels in front with straight well boned forequarters, ample brisket, well ribbed into strong loins and good tuck up and neat well-padded feet. Presented in excellent condition and despite his age was up on his toes throughout. Very much wants to please his mum this boy. Moved and handled very well. Very pleased to award him Best Dog.

2. Zakstaff Winterfell

Beautiful brindle bitch with silver frosting, classic head shape with correct stop, small neat ears, dark eyes and appealing expression. She is compact in body with straight forequarters, ribs well-sprung and strong rear. It is just lovely to watch the rapport between this girl and her handler and she very much seemed to enjoy her day.

Minor Puppy Bitch (4, 0 abs)

1. Ellchansa Under Your Spell at Knockon

I certainly was under her spell! Superb black brindle bitch of immense quality, she has the loveliest of heads, clean and feminine, darkest of eyes, neat rose ears set correctly, tight in lip, and wicked expression. Extremely well balanced all round and without any exaggeration, she displays a well-shaped body with nice amount of daylight underneath, correct depth of brisket, neck flows well to withers, adequate rib and light in loin. Moved and handled very well. I have no doubt she will have a very bright future and will watch her with interest. Pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch, Reserve Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show

2. Hammystaff Hot Love

Attractive red and white bitch, clean head of good proportions, good skull to muzzle ratio, neat ear set and dark eye all making for a pleasing expression. Her front is straight and of ample width, good bone and substance, enough depth of brisket, well ribbed for age, another who is clean as a whistle and well balanced all round. Moved and handled very well, just unlucky to meet 1st today.

Puppy Bitch (5, 1 abs)

1. Ellchansa Put a Spell on You

Feminine black brindle bitch with splash of white to chest. Typey head shape, dark eye and pleasing expression. Enough width to front, with sufficient spring of rib for age, she holds a level topline and is well balanced all-round. She was a little unsettled at first but relaxed as the class went on. Moved and handled well. I later found out she is litter sister to 1st in MPB who I would say is ahead in terms of development at this stage but what a lovely litter, well done.

2. Dringshaw Danse du Feu

Smart red bitch with white to chest and fore legs. She has a clean unexaggerated head, correct stop, rose ears, dark mask and pleasing expression. My notes say she looks like she has a huge dark grin with her markings (certainly made me smile). Liked her balance and lift, she has ample bone, good front of sufficient width, level topline, decent spring of rib well angulated rear. Nicely balanced bitch, moved and handled well though she did make her handler work for her place.

Junior Bitch (5, 0 abs)

1. Northpoints Dressed for Success at Waystaff (IMP NLD)

Well balanced red bitch with white. Head is clean and feminine, good skull to muzzle ratio, correct amount of stop, pronounced cheek bumps, good ear carriage, dark mask. I liked her expression very much. She has a well-defined body shape, straight front of good width, brisket to elbow, well sprung ribs leading through to light loins. Shown in good condition and moved well. Featured highly in the decision making for Reserve Best Bitch and sure she will have a bright future.

2. Skyland Consort JW

Standard black brindle bitch, feminine head, dark eye, good balance between skull and muzzle, correct ear carriage all making for an attractive expression. Straight forequarters, enough rib, close coupled and level topline. Moved and handled well but just preferred the overall balance and condition of 1st on the day.

Yearling Bitch (1, 1 abs)

Novice Bitch (3, 0 abs)

1. Shooting Red Stars of The Warriors Red Skins (IMP FRA)

Red bitch with white chest and fore feet. She has a typical headshape, eyes dark enough for coat colour but would prefer a neater ear. Well ribbed into strong loins she has a nice profile but would benefit from being fitter. Moved and handled ok.

2. Blue Boy Winner at Milarke Bull

Standard sized blue bitch, clean in head, decent length of muzzle, rose ear and correct eye shape. Would prefer a black nose and darker eye to complete the picture. Placed above 3 as she has a better front, short coupled and with a level topline. Another who would benefit from being fitter. Moved and handled ok.

Post Graduate Bitch (7, 0 abs)

1. Illori Constellation JW

Super black brindle bitch who I have judged before. Clean defined head with correct stop, short in foreface, neat rose ear, dark eye and attractive expression. She scores highly in profile, has a straight front of good width, ample depth of brisket, neck flows well into withers with good shoulder angulation, good spring of rib leading to well defined tuck up and topped off with short close coat in good condition. Very much liked her shape and style and full of spark on the day. Moved and handled very well and pleased to award her Best Bitch and Best in Show

2. Scratchline Bobby’s Girl

Black brindle bitch with white chest and feet. This is a bitch of some quality and immediately caught my eye in the ring. Cleanest of heads, correct stop, pleasing length of muzzle, dark eye and wicked expression. Similar virtues to 1st, straight forequarters, ample spring of rib, good balance all-round and well-defined tuck up. I’d put more practice in with her as she tried to fight her handler all the way for this place. Lovely bitch with plenty of potential.

Limit Bitch (5, 1 abs)

1. Jewelstaff Heart and Steel with Wyrefare

Smart black brindle bitch with white to chest. Clean in head, correct stop, dark eye, tidy ears, well balanced between skull and muzzle. Straight front, good depth of brisket, ample spring of rib, pleasing profile when viewed side on, level topline and close coupled. Great rapport observed between her and her handler. Moved and handled well.

2. Legacy Staffords One Spirit Free Lilli at Canisstaff (IMP FRA)

Pretty black brindle bitch with a smattering of silver, feminine head, good length of muzzle, clean and unexaggerated, dark eye, good ear carriage and pleasing expression. True front, ample rib, well angulated rear, clean as a whistle all round. Moved and handled well. Just preferred the movement of 1st.

Open Bitch (3, 1 abs)

1. Powerpack Allura Finvarra JW

Very nice black brindle bitch, clean in head, good muzzle length, dark eye, rose ears and pronounced cheek bumps. One I have judged before and I’m still taken with her expression. Straight front of good width and substance, well ribbed, good body definition and light in loin. Moved and handled very well and very much appeared to enjoy her day.

2. Bullbrothers Mist Mydnight

Black brindle bitch with white to chest. She has good head proportions though would prefer a tad cleaner in the muzzle, correct stop, dark eye and typical expression. Decent enough profile and body wise, not too dissimilar in style from 1st but preferred the head and expression of 1st. Another who would benefit from being fitter.