Border Union Agricultural Society

Border Union 2025 - Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dogs Judge: Mr David Levy

BOB 2144 - Elitebull Valentine Ms L Jennings

DCC 2144 - Elitebull Valentine Ms L Jennings

RDCC 2123 - Alport on tour at Eternalco Mr D & Mrs T Butler

BCC 2179 - Dringshaws Girl on Fire Mr K & Mrs E Smith

RBCC 2153 - Magellason Tipsy Tilly (JW) Mr S & Mrs N Mason

BP 2116 – Jojalane I Drink Wine Mr & Mrs J Bassford-Lane

BV 2196 - Ch Northstaff Notorious Mrs K & Mr S Wilson

Firstly, thank you to all the exhibitors for making the day so very enjoyable looking over your dogs and bitches. Thank you also to my hard-working stewards, the show management and everyone else who helped to make the day and the show such a success. Finally, thank you to Scotland for being such a wonderful place to visit. As well as our 3 days in Kelso, Val and I spent the following week visiting Pitlochry and Loch Ness and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

Looking back, this was the 34th Championship show where I have judged or refereed Staffords. It continues to amaze me that I seem to find something new every time. Overall, the quality of exhibits was good with some exceptional specimens, some typical and just a few that fell a little short at this level. In particular, I was surprised by the number of dogs and bitches with very soft feet and long splayed toes. Rear movement and toplines however, were generally better than at some shows I’ve judged with very few issues.

Although the gait/movement clause wasn’t included in the breed standard until 1987, the current version “Free, powerful and agile with economy of effort. Legs moving parallel when viewed from front or rear. Discernible drive from hindlegs” does seem to describe the underlying stability, balance and power that should characterise the Stafford. It’s good to see this practical improvement.

On a different point, one otherwise seemingly excellent specimen disappointed when I was presented with a mouth full of really small teeth. I don’t recall noting this in any show Stafford before. Owners must be aware of the faults with your own stock as much as the virtues. Aim to breed onwards with the overall welfare of the breed in mind. We have had situations before where a “fashion” in the breed began to gain traction and nearly spoiled “type”.

Class 769 Minor Puppy Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

   1ST 2116 - Jojalane I Drink Wine Mr & Mrs J Bassford-Lane

7-month-old, well pigmented red with white markings. Very much a baby but more mature than the others in this class. He has a decent mouth, round dark eyes, tidy lips and ears he’ll hopefully grow in to. His rib cage and hindquarter muscle are developing well, he has nicely bent stifles and a level topline. He moved well enough for an excited youngster. {BPIB}

  2ND 2156 – Skyland Tilikum Mr A & Mrs E Miller

Just a few days younger than 1st but taking a little longer to develop. This black brindle pup has a lovely expression, shapely skull, good ribs, a nice square stance, bent stifle and tidy feet.

  3RD 2121 – Dusklight See Me Now Miss A Boulton & Mr C Hayton

Class 770 Puppy Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

 1ST 2189 – Geordiestoon Defiant Boy Mr M Walsh & Miss K Lloyd

This 11½ month old traditional brindle with white markings has a strong head, super expression, excellent mouth and tidy lips. He stands square with a level topline and moved OK.

 2ND 2174 – Nettleworth Needless to Say Mr M & Mrs C Rudge

Just a day under a year and this smaller black brindle has very neat ears and a well-proportioned head. He stands square with a level topline and well-muscled hindquarters, clearly defined second thighs and well-bent stifles.

 3RD 2168 – Geordiestoon Agamemnon Mr A Phillips

Class 771 Junior Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

 1ST 2144 – Elitebull Valentine Ms L Jennings

Nearly 14 months and this well pigmented pied dog with white markings is developing nicely. He has an ideal expression, neat ears, dark round eyes, albeit with some pink around his nose and eye rims. His bite is perfect and tight lips complete the super head. He is beautifully balanced with a square head, square body, powerful hindquarters, good bone throughout and no exaggeration at the shoulders. He moved well with a degree of drive and a level topline. {BOB, DCC}

 2ND 2132 – Sharmara Lacrnum Inflamari at Duffman JW Mrs M Duffield & Mr T Mansfield- Duffield

Just 3 days under 18 months but this well pigmented deep red dog with white vest and toes is smaller than 1st. He has a good scissor bite, dark round eyes set in a strong head. He is well boned throughout and has level while moving which he did with real purpose.

 3RD 2137 – Geordiestaff Local Hero L Hall

Class 772 Yearling Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

 1ST 2129 – Bullbrothers Montecristo Mr S Cushley

Almost a mirror image of my old champion bitch, this 19-month-old, red dog with white markings might appear unbalanced unless you can ignore the off-centre white stripe on his face. He actually does have a nice broad square head, tidy ears, an excellent mouth and tight lips. He is a standard and balanced dog; if on the lower end size wise. He has adequate bone, well sprung ribs, level topline, muscled hindquarters and is light in loin – a feature hopefully being restored into the SBT Breed Standard very soon. He has well knit paws and moved with some purpose. Overall, a very nice dog.

 2ND 2130 – Hasburystaff Top Gun JW Mr N Davies

Almost 2 years old and a very nice black brindle with white vest and toes. He has a strong head with half prick ears, dark round and a soft yet intense expression. His foreface is really nice; his mouth is OK, with tight lips and large nostrils. When it comes to his body, I particularly noted "well-muscled shoulders without being blocky”. He has well spring ribs, a deep brisket, level topline and is also light in loins. He has well set, muscled hindquarters and moved Ok.

 3RD 2141 – Jodel’s Khalif Mr A Heath

Class 773 Novice Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

 1ST 2174 – Nettleworth Needless to Say Mr M & Mrs C Rudge

(See class 770)

 2ND 2192 – Geordiestaff Toon Army Miss J Wilkie

A traditional brindle shown fit. He has an excellent mouth with scissor bite and a nice shaped skull. HE moved superbly and held his level topline throughout but was generally not quite balanced to my eye – just a little narrow and a stronger head than body.

 3RD 2151 – Bullbrothers the Navigator Mr I & Mr J R Martinez

Class 774 Graduate Dog

Entries: 8 Absentees: 1

 1ST 2144 – Elitebull Valentine Ms L Jennings

(See class 771) {BOB, DCC}

 2ND 2157 – Dringshaw Strobe JW Mrs E Miller

A white pied with just a few small brindle patches on his face, inside his ears and under his coat. He has delightful rose ears, intense dark expression, a short foreface and perfect mouth all set in a well-balanced head set on a well-balanced body.

 3RD 2173 – Hamason Sweety Little Mystry JW Mr H Robinson, Mrs M A Robinson-Cox & Mr S C Cox

Class 775 Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 3

 1ST 2187 – Tyneview Etna Nero Miss N Walbey

Brindle with narrow white vest, a nice shapely head, large nostrils and excellent bite. He has a nice deep brisket and held his level topline when moving.

Class 776 Limit Dog

Entries: 8 Absentees: 2

 1ST 2149 – Bullbrothers Howay the Lads Mr I & Mr J R Martinez

A very nicely balanced brindle with small white markings and a lot of virtues. He has a strong, shapely head, very typical expression, large nostrils and tight lips. He stands square with excellent bone throughout, well-muscled shoulders, level topline, good spring to his ribs, short-coupled and a deep brisket. He moved with drive although he was perhaps a fraction straight in the stifle.

  2ND 2190 – Dringshaw Masterpiece at Sparkstaff Mr J & Mrs R Watson

A red/white pied with many super attributes but perhaps not as balanced as he needs to be. He has a strong head, excellent expression, super mouth with large teeth and tight lips. He has good rib and brisket when viewed from the front but just seemed less typical from the side. He did move well and held a level topline but

  3RD 2185 – Biggleswick Mr Tom (AI) Mrs K Y & Mr S Thomas

Class 777 Open Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

 1ST 2123 – Alport on Tour at Eternalco Mr D & Mrs T Butler

Well balanced brindle with a very shapely head, lovely rose ears, typical Stafford expression, short foreface, perfect mouth and tidy lips. He has excellent bone, ribs and brisket. Ideal hindquarters with powerful muscle, well bent stifles and ideal hocks. He moved parallel with purpose and kept a level topline. {RDCC}

 2ND 2170 – Ch. Niatona Wreck it Ralph Mr G & Mrs S Reynolds

Lovely to see this red and white lad again although with my lousy memory I didn’t realise until I was reviewing the catalogue afterwards. He has a strong head, tidy half prick ears, typical expression, neat lips and a perfect scissor bite. He really does have large nostrils, an item that the RKC recognises as a significant point for our breed. He is just so well balanced with adequate bone, well-sprung ribs, deep brisket and a level topline that he retained while moving with determination.

  3RD 2181 – Waystaff Strikes Mayhem (AI) Mr P T & Mrs E A Stanway

Class 778 Veteran Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

 1ST 2196 – Ch Northstaff Notorious Mrs K & Mr S Wilson

An 8-year-old nicely balanced black brindle shown fit with nice rose ears, shapely head with distinct stop a decent mouth for his age and he moved well keeping a level topline. He has adequate bone, lovely deep brisket, plenty of rib and neat feet. {BVIB}

 2ND 2147 – Diamondstaff Wee Mac at Durhamstaff Mr M & Mrs S Manghan

A slightly younger black brindle with a nice head shape, decent mouth, adequate bone who also moved well enough and held a level topline.

Class 779 Minor Puppy Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

Alec Waters used to say,“Look at puppies at 2 days, 2 weeks and 2 months and then ignore their looks till they get to 12 months”. I think this class demonstrates the wisdom of those words. Both of these young ladies are lovely puppies, but at a very difficult stage to really view their virtues and maybe just need to be getting used to the show ring while they grow.

 1ST 2165 – Tagstane Amber Whiskey Mrs T & Mr G Owen

This 6½ month old brindle has a shapely head, good mouth so far, square front, level topline and is beginning to develop her hindquarter muscles. Hopefully she will grow into her loose skin and ears to realise the promise she is showing for a baby.

 2ND 2127 – Eclipsebulls Night Queen Mrs F P Cook

A couple of months older and therefore a little more mature, this brindle also has a shapely head, square at the front and moved OK.

Class 780 Puppy Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

 1ST 2169 – Niatona Tafyta Muttonfudge Mr G & Mrs S Reynolds

This well pigmented red/white is developing nicely and at 10 months old could become really nice indeed. She has a well-shaped head, good mouth, decent rib and brisket, developing hindquarters and moved really nicely, retaining her level topline.

 2ND 2148 – Bullbrothers Black Oil Mr I & Mr J R Martinez

A compact and balanced 10½ month old black brindle with a decent spring of ribs and adequate brisket; nicely muscled hindquarters. She has a well-shaped head with a short foreface, excellent mouth and typical expression.

 3RD 2150 – Bullbrothers Northen Star Mr I & Mr J R Martinez

Class 781 Junior Bitch

Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

 1ST 2118 – Sikaistaff Thug Rose Miss R Bennett

A nicely balanced 17-month-old black brindle bitch, a square from all angles. She is another with a nicely shaped head, distinct stop, shorter foreface, perfect mouth, dark, round eyes and a very feminine expression. She moved well enough, is well boned and has plenty of rib, deep brisket, muscled hindquarters, strong tight feet and a level topline.

 2ND 2186 – Biggleswick Wicked One Mrs K Y & Mr S Thomas

Also 17 months old and this red with white markings has large, dark round eyes which don’t protrude but do somehow give her quite a sad expression. She does have a perfect scissor bite, moved with drive and held her topline. She is the first bitch to score maximum points on my little reminder notepad today.

 3RD 2155 – Skyland Ryoko Mr A & Mrs E Miller

Class 782 Yearling Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

 1ST 2166 – Tagstane Forever Fuschia Mrs T & Mr G Owen

A well-muscled, balanced and fit 20-month-old brindle bitch with a strong head, typical expression, distinct stop, correct bite and tidy ears. She is nicely mature and has a good spring of rib, deep brisket, level topline and well-muscled hindquarters.

 2ND 2163 – Thebilecious Te Amo Miss L O’Malley

This 18-month-old red with a white vest has a shapely head in good proportions – pronounced cheeks, medium foreface, broad skull and dark round eyes set well. Typically for a red, her ears are a little large but another in a class where all the exhibits had good mouths. Rib, brisket, topline and hindquarters are all good but she is a little long in the back.

 3RD 2154 – Ladarna Glen Doll Mr W & Mrs H Week

Class 783 Novice Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 2

 1ST 2165 – Tagstane Amber Whiskey Mrs T & Mr G Owen

(See class 779)

 2ND 2184 – Biggleswick Mind Your Back Mrs K Y & Mr S Thomas

This is the litter sister to 2nd in junior and daughter of 3rd in Limit dog. I was amazed to see that these 3 and only these 3 got maximum points on my notepad at Kelso. She has a perfect mouth and was one of the best moving keeping her topline level. She is a red with just a small white flash. She has a typical head and delightful expression; good bone and nicely developed hindquarters with stifles well bent.

 3RD 2117 – Sparkstaff Worlds End Miss G J Bell & Mr J R O’Brien

Class 784 Graduate Bitch

Entries: 9 Absentees: 2

 1ST 2155 - Skyland Ryoko Mr A & Mrs E Miller

A dark brindle with narrow white vest, Strong head in balance with a lovely square body. She has tidy rose ears, nice expression from dark round eyes and a perfect mouth with tidy lips. She is well boned with plenty of rib and adequate brisket. She is nicely short coupled and has well developed hindquarters.

 2ND 2158 – Glenskyra Arran Aurora for Kargonstaffs JW Mr P & Mrs J Moffat

A nice head on this mahogany brindle with broad skull and muzzle, neat half prick ears, large round eyes giving a typical expression, a good mouth with scissor bite and noticeably large teeth.

 3RD 2172 – Hamason Belle o’ the Ball Mr H Robinson, Mrs M A Robinson-Cox & Mr S C Cox

Class 785 Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

 1ST 2153 - Magellason Tipsy Tilly JW Mr S & Mrs N Mason

A small but competitive class. This black brindle is a very stylish young lady with a very typical head, broad skull, half prick ears, large, round eyes giving a super expression, perfect scissor bite and tight lips. Her neck, shoulders and topline all run together smoothly while well sprung ribs and deep brisket are fully in proportion to the rest of her build. Her hindquarters are adequately muscled with distinct second thigh, well bent stifles and neat feet so that when she moves, it is with both grace and power. {RBCC}

 2ND 2139 - Kamaristaff Royal Duchess Mrs P Harkin & Mrs K Jones

Ran 1st close in many respects. This black brindle demonstrates most of the same virtues and only lost out on fairly minor points.

 3RD 2142 – Trufflestaff Nyekundu Itri S C Hopkins

Class 786 Limit Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

 1ST 2179 – Dringshaws Girl on Fire Mr K & Mrs E Smith

Red with white vest markings exuding quality and balance. A strong but feminine head with half prick ears, round, dark eyes giving a delightful expression, large nostrils, tidy lips and scissor bite. She has a very square, balanced stance with no exaggeration and adequate bone. Good spring of ribs and deep brisket, short coupled and with powerful hindquarters and good muscle she moves very nicely with some determination. There were probably 4 or 5 bitches in these higher classes that warranted a close look in the challenge but I felt this one just pipped them. {BCC}

 2ND 2120 – Dusklight Del A Soul Miss A Boulton & Mr C Hayton

A powerful but smaller white bitch with brindle spots on her skin and coat. She has neat ears, tidy lips, scissor bite. She is well boned, has a barrel of ribs and shapely, muscled hindquarters. She moved OK and kept a level topline.

 3RD 2167 – Tagstane Terrors Clasp Mrs T & Mr G Owen

Class 787 Open Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

 1ST 2138 – Ch. Bonnie Lass of Angels Peak Shawrigg JW Mrs T Hamilton & Mr R Murphy

A red and white with a strong head but one fully balanced with the body and in no way exaggerated. She has a broad skull, neat ears, round dark eyes and expression plus her perfect scissor bite and tidy lips. Her shoulders are impressive and the strength carries on through the legs, well sprung ribs and deep brisket. Her topline, and movement are good too.

 2ND 2119 – Dusklight Cassiopeia Miss A Boulton & Mr C Hayton

A finer red pied bitch with a lovely expression from dark round eyes and a good scissor bite. She has nicely padded feet, reasonably shaped hindquarters and moved OK.

Class 788 Veteran Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

 1ST 2159 – Kargonstaffs Kokoro Mr P & Mrs J Moffat

Still active and fit, this 8¼ year brindle bitch has a great level topline and moves well. She has a well-shaped head, dark round eyes and a decent mouth. Her bone, shoulders, rib and hindquarters are all decent for her age.