Guildford & District Canine Society

Guildford & District Premier Open Show

Sunday 18th February 2024

Staffordshire Bull Terriers –

Judge: Natasha Walker (TESHLEYSTAF)

Thank you to the society for inviting me to judge at their valentine’s premier open show. While thankfully the rain stopped, the sun shone inside with a great atmosphere, and a well-run show. A super big thank you to my steward Kevin Papworth for his efficient running of the ring and to the Southern Counties Staffordshire Bull Terrier Society for sponsoring the breed. And a final thanks to all of the exhibitors for your entries, I am very grateful.

Puppy (4,0)

1. Moorcroft’s – ELLCHANSHA CHARM THE DEVIL AT MOORSTAR

At just 7 months’ old didn’t he just charm me! Black brindle dog, and mature for his age. To me this dog fits the standard incredibly well. So keen and alert in the ring, he did not take his dark round eyes off me, his expression is spot on and incredibly handsome. His head proportions are good, muzzle tight lipped harbouring a correct scissor bite. Every angle I looked at him, he just looked right, which to me describes the balance of him. Excellent rib for size, level top line, close coupled and good bend of stifle. His feet were neat and tidy, showing no weakness in his pasterns. He brought his devil side out trying to test his handler on the move but he moved with ease, holding his top line and with such drive. With that and his look in profile it secured him his class and later on secured him BOB and BPIB. I think he will have an excellent future ahead of him, and in my opinion hopefully charming himself to high honours, best of luck with him and have fun I think you’ll enjoy it.

2. Burton’s - MAVERICK OF THE LAKE

I found myself splitting hairs between 1 & 2. Like 1, 2 is a classy boy of excellent breed type even at a young age. He had a look about him, that said pick me which made it tough! 8 months old, black brindle standard dog. Similar to one, he has a lovely head with neat ears. His head housed distinct stop, dark eyes, good muzzle length, clean as a whistle and correct scissor bite. Strong well boned front, and well laid shoulders which led down to tidy feet. Sufficient rib for his current age and size, close coupled and good rear angulations. He played his handler up a little bit, but being told it’s his first show he showed well. He held his top line on the move, and but was a tad unsettled but again being his first show and in sand, it was well enough to see what I needed to see. His expression is cracking, and I wish I could bottle it! Between these two boys, I really found myself nit picking and he just lost out on the movement and the look in profile that 1 had. However, I really feel he has an excellent future ahead of him and time on his side. I will certainly watch him with intent. Best of luck with him.

3. Rowland’s – BILLROSESTAFF HE’S THE ONE

Junior (2,0)

1. 174 – Blagg & Whitehead’s – KEEP IT LOWKEE

11 month Red boy, incredible condition for his age, he was rock hard to touch but not overdone. Another dog with wonderful ring presence and expression, he didn’t take his eyes off me. I liked this boy’s head proportions a lot. Good length of muzzle, clean tight lips, round eyes and neat ears. Correct scissors bite. Good depth to his brisket, enough width to front, well laid shoulders, enough rib, and a sufficient angulated rear. He is slightly longer cast but it is necessary for his balance and does him justice. His movement was parallel, and seemed eager to power around the ring. His handler and him look like a work in progress, but he was shown with patience and very well. Lost out in the line-up due to his maturity at this stage. My biggest complaint is I couldn’t take him with me, hes a sweetheart.

2. 178- Johnson’s – EXODUSBULLS BOSS ADONIS

17 month strong blue dog with a very typical head, distinct stop and round eye, well-muscled cheeks and correct scissors bite. He had good strength for size and plenty of rib. He made his handler work hard for it today, as he certainly wanted to play. Couldn’t match winner for movement. In my opinion a higher level of conditioning would improve the overall picture of this lad.

Post Graduate (1,0)

1. 176 – Harvey’s – CWMHAF BRING ME SUNSHINE

She brought the sunshine with her. This girl did everything to make her handler work hard, she is a cheeky character which portrayed in the ring. Black brindle bitch just shy of 2 years old with a headpiece that she uses to her advantage with her very pretty and playful expression, neat ears, distinct stop, round dark eyes that stared straight into me. Good length of muzzle, tight lips and a correct scissor bite. Her body had plenty of depth to her brisket and width for her size. Well laid-back shoulders, her pasterns showed no signs of weakness, which led down to well-padded and neat feet. Her tail was carried low and she shows a good bend of stifle. Her condition is excellent, well-muscled and fit, a credit to her owners. She was playful on the move but her handler settled her and she moved well holding her level top line showing parallel movement. I considered her for top honours, but preferred the overall profile of the BOB, I was pleased to award her RBOB.