East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club Open Show Special Award Classes

Natasha Walker (Teshleystaf)

1st September 2024

Firstly, thank you to the committee for inviting me, as an upcoming judge the SACS are an exciting hands-on experience, that give you a challenge of a limited awards and quality dogs which sadly left some beautiful dogs unplaced.

Mouths as a whole were genuinely okay; bites correct so I won’t focus on them. One thing I have noticed a few shorter sternums. This part of anatomy plays an optimal part in protecting those vital organs and so would hope it gets addressed within breeding plans sooner rather than later. I would say condition is something lacking as a whole but appreciate warmer temperatures takes its toll in the current months.

Thank you to Martin, Lynsey & Gary my stewards. The atmosphere of the whole day was great, and I want to thank every exhibitor.

Puppy Dog or Bitch (6,0)

1. 61 - Waltham’s - Dringshaw Stobe

White dog, with incredible pigmentation and maturity for his age. Strong and balanced well put together young chap. Strong head, deep through, clean tight lips, dark eyes. Plenty of width to his front, deep brisket, more than enough rib, good angulation to his rear. Level topline. He just kept ticking boxes. Moved out well, his handler could benefit from moving him a tad faster, but I saw enough. To state the obvious, I would like neater ears whilst absolutely within the standard just having rose ears would finish him off. As he matures, I would like to see him in a hard condition but a puppy his just right.

2. 43 - Robinson, Robinson-Cox & Cox’s – Hamason Sweet Little Mystry

A White & Red Brindle Pied Dog, who I judged not long ago. I still believe can challenge a few. He is an incredibly smart lad with balance. His head is his power play, it’s strong, clean, his ears neat, eyes dark with enough underjaw. His front is developing well still, with enough width, depth brisket. He is well off for bone and has enough rib. His rear angulation is good and developing well. It’s good to see him coming on well. Playful for his handler today which didn’t allow him to show his best movement. Which couldn’t match first today.

3. 66- Yates’ – Keepastaff Lock and Load at Zakdan (imp Dnk)

Beautiful yet strong girl. Frustrating this girl met these two boys today as I feel this award doesn’t do her justice. I really liked her. She is mature without loosing femininity, well balanced. She looks the piece throughout. Her head just right, harbouring neat ears, round eye, and deep stop and clean lips. Her front developing with good bone and width. Her body maturing nicely and her rear well angulated. She moved very well. She just didn’t have the spring of rib of 1 &2 which found me splitting hairs. She was handled really well, but the handler could note not to hide her face, I was happy to seek it out as she’s a beauty, but she has wonderful spirit and expression I wouldn’t want it missed.

Special Award Open Dog (13,5)

It is safe to say I can imagine these dogs could swap places on any given day.

1. 53- Thomas’ & Griffiths’ – CH Gazstaff’s Black Magic

A dog who I have admired ring side for a long time and hands on did not disappoint. It’s clear to see how he earned his crown. A handsome standard black brindle dog. He is very much of breed type and very classy. Completely unexaggerated. Fit for function, in more than just the fact he is an incredibly fit dog. This dog had his eyes on the prize in the ring, excelling with drive and power. A good blend of bull and terrier, his head clean and well proportioned. He is well boned, has good rib, and a well-defined rear. At a push a touch more angulation in his rear would be the only thing I’d change. But he is a well put together package, holding his top line stacked and on the move. He finished it off with a killer expression which captured me from the minute he stepped into the ring. I saw no other option but to award him the class on the merits that he has.

2. 58- Waltham’s – CH Dringshaw Athos JW

White and Red pied dog who I could easily take home with me. Another dog that you can see how he earned his titles. Top size compared to 1, but harbours that all important balance from all angles. It is clear he is of great strength for his size. Now, I noted I that I wished I could watch this dog move all day because it was free flowing with economy of effort, and just spot on holding his topline. His head is stunning, with again beautiful expression. It housed neat ears and a distinct stop, dark round eye, with great pigmentation. He has well produced cheeks muscles, clean tight lips with deep under jaw. His forequarters well boned, straight front, with well placed shoulders. He has plenty of rib for size. Slightly longer in body, but necessary for that all important balance. His rear end well defined and muscled. Could perhaps benefit from a little more bend of stifle but movement and balance are so good on this dog, I would really be nitpicking. Lost out to 1, due to 1 being that bit more standard but still a stunning dog none the less.

3. 37- Moorcroft’s – Ellchansha Charm the devil at Moorstar

I judged this young lad when he was 7 months old, I loved him then. Now 6 months on and I can tell you he is maturing like fine wine. I said then I believe he will charm himself to high honours and I truly still believe he will. He is so standard, in many traits. He has a round strong head with deep broad skull, distinct stop and uses his dark round eyes to charm you that’s for sure. His muzzle is clean and tight lipped. His body, while still developing still shows good rib, well boned, level topline and good rear angulation. He moved out so well with his handler. To me right now, he just lost out as compared to 1 and 2 he wasn’t the finished product that they were but given the age difference he has the time to work to it, I genuinely will keep watching him with interesting as in my humble opinion believe he is a champion in waiting.

Special Award Open Bitch (14,5)

1. 17- Hammonds’ – Hammystaff Hot Love

Hot Love is what I fell in here. Her red and white markings can play with your eyes, but your hands will find the points you want of this young girl. First and foremost, she is fit, credit to her owners, she is a feminine yet well muscled balanced powerhouse. Her head pretty yet strong enough, neatest of ears, round eyes, clean in muzzle, good depth of under jaw. Her forequarters well set, with great width to front, depth to brisket. Well sprung ribs, her rear had good angulations, muscles developed. Correct tail set. She moved well enough. Today she didn’t have her the spark I had seen ringside previously but it being hot I feel it took its toll and I found that’s the one thing I would change; I wanted just that bit more drive from her rear end when she moved. However, coming back up the mat she showed me her sparkle with a darling of expression, and sealed the deal. She is an incredible bitch.

2. 28 – Jones’ – Rougestaff Red Velvet

What a feminine girl, so pretty and elegant. I imagine she could be missed as she isn’t flashy, and not overdone. Just as you would like them. She stood in the class expecting me to find her, and that I did. She is a lady, but do not be fooled she was ready to tell her competitors what for and that made me smile. She is incredibly standard. Her head isn’t overdone, pretty and feminine, clean lipped. She has enough bone for her size and has the neatest of feet and the most level top line, it didn’t move a smidge on the move on the stack or in between. Her rear angulations are spot on. She moved up and down the mat with a free-flowing movement. My only niggle is I would like to see her in a harder condition.

3. 32 – Liggins & Curd’s – Ellchansha Under Your Spell at Knockon

Another stunning feminine bitch different into 1 and 2. Up to size in comparison, black brindle who has a stunning head piece. Her eyes are round deep and dark, skull broad and deep through. Another who’s expression is on top form. Her lips tight and clean. Hands on she is hard to touch, she is more than meets the eye. With just enough substance to please. Good rib and deep brisket, her rear angulations are good. Neat well-padded feet. She moved well coming and going, is alert and up on her toes every minute in the ring. Handled perfectly like a well-oiled machine. Lost out to 1 and 2 due to preferring the over all profile of them.