Crufts

Crufts - 6th March 2026

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Dogs

A very special day and absolute honour to be judging dogs at Crufts 2026, one that many aspire to and I am privileged to have been given the opportunity. What a prestigious Show this is and I would like to thank the Crufts Committee for the invitation. The hospitality and organisation was first class. The overall quality of dogs made decisions in some classes challenging and interesting, but as the saying goes, many will change places on another day. On this day, my own interpretation and opinion based on everything I judged was mine, on that day, at that time. I found no issues at all with breathing, and no concerning visual evidence of very narrow nostrils. In the main, dentition was fine, although I did view some canines without their tips at all, and others where canines were somewhat shortish and sat snuggly into the edge of the top gum and although not incorrect, they should be larger, stronger canines freely positioned correctly and not overly tight. I saw the odd undershot, overshot and wry mouths plus dirty teeth; the latter being something which is avoidable. Movement overall was acceptable, and I saw some very good movement, but some lacked an amount of driving power and tended to move ‘steady and obediently’ rather than showing reach and drive from the rear, often having straighter stifles and short front upper arm hindering reach. There was a small amount of ‘untidy’ movers lacking the parallel fore and aft movement desired, but on the whole, acceptable, with no major physical concerns observed. Mostly, the dogs were in good fettle and were presented clean and well groomed; a healthy first step to facilitating your dogs to compete well in the show ring. Some classes my choices were easier, whilst others such as Junior, Yearling and Open classes, had such a depth of quantity and quality, I was spoiled for choice; splitting hairs as they say to finally arrive at my final 5 class placings. I shortlisted some classes to highlight the depth of quality in the cut before ultimate selection. I looked for evident fitness, clean, well groomed, healthy looking dogs, balanced and of breed type, and there were many who fitted my expectations. The usual remarks apply, so many went cardless who deserved recognition, but unfortunately there are only 5 placings. My sincere thanks to each and every one of you who exhibited, from near and far, allowing my assessment of your dogs. My thanks also extend to my very able and appreciated ring Stewards, Bob Potts and Jaci McLauchlan for keeping the ring in order and flowing through what was a magnificent entry – a sterling job by both. It was an honour to Judge alongside my fellow breed enthusiast Martin Grimwood (Bitches) which made the day one for the memory books.

GCD (10,3)

1. Hall’s GEORDIESTAFF LOCAL HERO JW. Brindle with white dog striking at first look. Liked the strength to his head with good width and depth of skull. Neat ears, and well placed round eyes giving a pleasing expression. Distinct stop. Well boned straight front. Good feet and up on his pasterns. Enough chest width. His brisket was of correct depth to elbow. Firm in body and build. Shapely rear with evident muscle build. Handler presented him to best advantage. Moved out well.

2. Mills’ STORMBREAKERS VENGEANCE AT MILARKEBULL. Red upstanding dog with no exaggerated excessive flesh. Good skull width and enough depth to balance. Dark muzzle which enhanced his facial expression. Pronounced cheek bumps and clean foreface. Straight boned forelegs. Enough width of chest. Correct depth of brisket. Strong neck with muscular covering to withers. Fit condition. Moved and presented in good form.

3. Cockeram’s BULLYBRANCH CLEVER COAL.

R. Wilkie’s GEORDIESTAFF TOON ARMY.

MPD (1)

1. McCafferty’s WONDERSTAFF THIS BOY. B/br who stood alone in this class but certainly did not disappoint. Plenty to appreciate in this youngster. He has a head shape which is of good balance and ratio. Rose ears and good eye placement presenting an attractive look. Correct bite. His front is straight, has good bone and neat feet. His chest is of good width and feels to have plenty of depth to his rib and developing brisket. Pleasing body lines with good bend to stifle and let down of hock. Moved around the ring with confidence. Really nice young pup who should go on to compete well.

PD (9)

1. Kerry, Houwaart & Daley’s JACOBEAUS THE LEGACY. What a tidy puppy this b/br dog is. Plenty of height to him standing on a good stable frame with ample bone and body covering. Strong but unexaggerated head with neat ears and appealing expression. Good under eye fill and definition of stop. Balanced proportions throughout. Correct bite. Straight front on neat feet with good pads. Lovely profile showing correct depth of his brisket with a level topline and steady tuck up into his loin. Firm hindquarters showing good muscle tone with shapely thighs. Great coat. Overall his physical condition was top class for a youngster. He stood well and once settled he produced sound movement. On his toes and made his handler work, but his handler got the best from him and they presented well as a team. He will go on to trouble the best I’m sure and will watch his progress with keen interest. Pleased to award him BEST PUPPY DOG, and later to be awarded BEST PUPPY IN BREED.

2. Ibsen’s KEEPASTAFF LET’S LOAD IT (Imp Dnk). B/br standard dog who has depth of quality with ample bone and a sturdy frame. Good width of skull and deep through, with neat ears and round dark eyes offering a very pleasing expression. Distinct stop. Clean foreface, tight lips, correct bite with good sized teeth and strong underjaw. Straight front on neat well padded feet. Ample rib with correct depth. Pleasing balanced body proportions, with good lay of rib and short coupling. Lovely bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Plenty of width across his rear quarters showing definition with a good inner and outer thigh, although I would like to see him a tad firmer to touch as he approaches the next classification—he’s a puppy so nowhere near a finished dog, plenty of maturity ahead of him. Very appealing young dog who will continue to challenge his class mates all the time.

3. McDermott & Arntzen’s PROUDSTAFF’S DAY TRIPPER.

R. Griffin’s JAZOSTAFFS SUPER MOON.

JD (27,1)

1. Bassford-Lane’s JOJALANE I DRINK WINE JW. Red with white. Very appealing young dog who is not exaggerated in any part. Clean well defined skull of correct proportions and without excessive flesh. Neat ears and good eye placement giving an attractive animated expression. Standard dog possessing good bone and a straight front showing strong pasterns, but I would prefer tighter feet. Ample width of chest with correct depth to his brisket. Close coupled body which is well covered and firm, whilst showing a good degree of muscular definition throughout. He has everything in balanced proportions with a level topline and clean defined underlines. His bend of stifle was good and well let down hocks. Rear quarters were firm and shapely with evident inner and outer thigh development. Very attractive, balanced young dog with an energetic ring presence, producing driving, positive movement. Presented in top form and to advantage by his handler.

2. Seymour’s DEKAYRO’S EYE OF THE TIGER. Brindle dog who competed very well in this class, pushing first place all the way. Smart dog of good overall balance and proportions. Clean headed with ample width and depth. Nothing overdone or coarse. Lovely expression from well set dark eyes and rose ears. Distinct stop. Clean shoulder line down to a straight front with good bone and neat feet with good pads. Correct depth of brisket and rib which balanced his bodyline. Tucked up well into firm loin. Shapely rear quarters showing ample muscle and build. Short tight coat. Correct tailset. Moved out well. Eye-catcher and one who I would anticipate will go on to do well.

3. Rawlings-Brown’s LENNOX THE GREAT.

R. De Jong’s NOUCAMP BACK IN ACTION.

YD (24,1)

1. Desmazes’ WAYWARDSTAFF VOLENS NOLENS (Fra). Impressive b/br dog with a lot to like. Upstanding dog of good height with ample bone standing on a sturdy frame. His head and skull are of good proportions, having sufficient width and depth. Pronounced cheek muscles. Good under eye fill. Ample width of muzzle. Neat ears and well placed dark round eyes giving an attractive enticing expression. Correct bite. Well boned straight front on tight feet with good pads. Enough width to chest. He has a good shoulder line and firm well covered withers from a strong neck. His brisket is of correct depth and he has good rib. His underline shows a steady sweep to his tuck up with a firm loin leading to shapely, muscular rear quarters housing good inner and outer thigh. Generous width to his rear. He carried his topline level and produced sound movement which was clean and flowing.Put down in impressive physical condition with a gleaming short coat. Presented and handled expertly. One to watch for the future.

2. Murphy’s BROCKMAR TOP BOY. B/br. Another impressive top size dog of quality, who I understand is already a Champion but the catalogue did not list that. He has a broad skull which is deep through. He has a defined stop, neat ears and well placed dark eyes giving an attractive animated expression. Strong underjaw housing a correct bite. Straight front which is well boned, and good feet with ample pads. Upstanding on a sturdy frame. Plentiful chest width with good forechest. Correct depth of brisket and good rib. He carries his topline level. His body is defined showing muscular definition and in profile his outline portrays strength and power. Eye-catching dog who is easy to appreciate and acknowledge his numerous attributes, living up to his name “Top Boy”. He pushed first place all the way, just being outdone by the slightly cleaner more settled movement of the first. In great physical form and shown well by handler, who worked with him as a team.

3. Evenga’s BANDIT OF STAFFYNESS (Deu).

R. Flos’ DAN CH NONOSTAFF MIGHT AS WELL BE AWESOME (Dnk).

UGD (19,3)

1. Miller’s SKYLAND TILIKUM. B/br standard size dog who shone in this class amongst his competitors. His overall condition and fitness was evident with plenty of muscle and tone. Good head and skull shape with balanced proportionate ratio. Darkest of eyes, set well giving an appealing expression. Pronounced cheek muscles. Good width of chest. He has a very good physically fit body with clean lines. Carried his topline level. Moved out around the ring with ease being shown and handled well.

2. Ibsen’s KEEPASTAFF FLYING SHADY (Dnk). B/br with white socks. Compact standard size dog with a short coupled body. Balanced throughout with nothing overdone but has plenty on offer. Well put together overall with clean outlines. Broad deep through skull. Dark well placed eyes and neat ears. Pronounced developed cheek muscles. Strong underjaw housing a correct bite. Strong short neck. Broad chest which is deep showing correct depth of brisket. Straight front with ample bone and neat feet. Good shoulder angulation. Carries his topline level. Moved with drive from a powerful packed rear. Moved well both ways. He has a confident ring presence. Handled and shown well.

3. Buchan’s HAPPYSTAFF HAKUNA MATATA.

R. Walsh & Lloyd’s GEORDIESTOON DEFIANT BOY FOR WEORC JW.

GD (11,2)

1. Mackay’s AIXIT BARON MOLEY. B/br. This dog easily draws your attention. A balanced dog with a lot to appreciate. He has a strong head with good width and depth to his skull. Neat ears which he uses well and round dark eyes set well and offering an inviting expression. Distinct stop. Clean foreface, strong underjaw and correct bite. Straight front of good bone on tight feet. His brisket is of correct depth. Carries a level topline. Profile showed clean lines throughout with no exaggerated areas. Rear quarters were developed well with a shapely firm muscle covering. His handler got the best from him and he moved around the ring showing effortless positive movement. An appealing dog of good breed type.

2. Walbey’s TYNEVIEW RIZZIUS LUSSO. Well balanced, unexaggerated of nice overall type. Head is clean—not overdone with good size skull and proportions. Defined muzzle with good width. Dark round eyes. Strong underjaw housing good sized teeth and a correct bite. Straight front with enough width and strong pasterns. Good shoulder placement. Correct depth of brisket. Level topline. Pleasing body outlines and proportions when viewed from all angles. Correct rear angulation. Moved out well. Presented in good form and condition.

3. Vallin’s VIRTUS ET HONOR U ARE GOLD (Fra).

R. Shepherd’s HARLIVSTAFF CAPTAIN COADY.

PGD (15)

1. Kendall’s MARENYSTAFF LORD SPIDERMAN (Imp Esp). Upstanding white with black pied. Presented in top physical condition. This dog has muscles in abundance, yet nothing was over exaggerated or coarse. His body is hard and defined with no excess flesh but had plenty of body mass covering, showing his firm, shapely physique. Dark round eyes set well with neat ears gave an appealing expression. Head shape balanced and of desirable proportions. Clean foreface with no excess flesh, tight lips housing a correct bite and clean dentition. He has a straight front with ample bone. His shoulders are well laid back, and his brisket falls to his elbow with good rib. He carries his topline level when on the move and standing. Light in loin, defined and muscular. Powerful hindquarters with ample muscle bulk and a pronounced inner and outer thigh. Correct tailset. Profile shows clean unfettered lines with balanced body proportions. I preferred him free stood by the handler as this showed his natural foursquare stance. Handler got the best from him and presented him in top form.

2. Sinclair & Hayward’s GLENSKYRA LOMOND LAD JW. Very appealing b/br showing a lot of quality. Different make-up and stronger built dog than first, he is smart, classy and with much to appreciate. Clean head of good proportions, no excessive flesh. Muzzle/skull ratio spot on. Neat well set ears and round well placed eyes giving an attractive expression. Correct bite housed in a strong jawline with tight lips. Straight front with solid bone on neat tight feet with good pads and stood well on strong pasterns. Correct brisket to elbow depth. Well proportioned body showing balanced outlines. Level topline both standing and on the move, striding out well. Liked this lad a lot and he pushed the first place all the way. Very nice overall dog presented in great form.

3. Duffield & Mansell-Duffield’s SHARMARA LACRNUM INFLAMARI AT DUFFMAN JW.

R. Bennett’s POWERPACK SINGULARITY.

MidLD (15,2)

1. Thomas’ BIGGLESWICK DEVILS DREAM. An appealing red dog who is very easy to appreciate at first glance. He has a depth of quality which hands on examination confirms. A dog who challenges at every turn and one who was never out of the final top honours decision. His head is of good overall size, showing strength without exaggeration with ample width of skull which is deep through. He has neat ears and good eye placement giving a very attractive animated expression. Straight solid boned front on neat feet with good pad. He has a good width to his chest with correct depth of brisket, rib ok. He tucked up smoothly into well covered firm loin area. His physique is admirable and shows off his overall shape which is very pleasing in profile. He pushes the best and rightly deserved his place, winning the class with ease. Smart dog who moved out with purpose. Very responsive to handler. He was shown to advantage which enhanced everything on offer. This dog will I’m sure give all his competitors a run for their money as his attributes are many. One to hit the top no doubt at all.

2. Lloyd’s KALOSTAFF ES LO QUE ES JW. B/br dog who has a high degree of quality with a lot to appreciate. He has a balanced head with strong skull, ample width and depth, well placed dark round eyes and neat ear set giving a pleasing expression. Distinct stop and broad muzzle. Good under eye fill. Pronounced cheek bumps. Correct bite with good sized teeth and strong underjaw. Well boned straight front on well padded neat feet. Good width of chest and forechest. Correct depth of brisket with good ribcage. Profile showed a pleasing outline with level topline and gentle sweep up into a well covered firm loin and sound muscular rear quarters with plenty of muscle. A dog who is easy on the eye with many attributes to be acknowledged and appreciated from any angle. Moved out well and showed to his best by his handler.

3. Thorley & Fearnley’s CREWESTAFF HALF BLUD PRINCE.

R. Waltham’s DRINGSHAW STROBE JW.

LD (14,1)

1. Jennings’ ELITEBULL VALENTINE JW. White with red pied dog. Very appealing from first look. Not overdone in any area. Impressive standard size of good overall proportions. Head and skull of correct ratio having balanced width and depth. Pronounced cheek bumps, defined stop and good under eye fill. He has neat ears with well placed dark round eyes giving a very engaging expression. He has a good underjaw housing a correct bite. Straight front with solid sturdy bone on neat well-padded feet and up on his pasterns. Good lay of shoulder with correct fall of brisket. Ample rib. His profile showed good underline from his brisket at correct depth, gently rising up to his well covered firm loin of good width. His rear quarters, with virtuous angulation, have muscular definition with a strong inner and outer thigh, plenty to fill my hand. Classic lines with no harshness or exaggerated points. His movement was positive and steady, holding his level topline. His handler shows him to advantage and they work as a team. He pushed all the way for top honours and I’ve no doubt at all he will go on to attain his title with the stacked attributes he has. Very pleased to award him the RESERVE DOG CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE.

2. Moorcroft’s ELLCHANSHA CHARM THE DEVIL AT MOORSTAR JW. B/br. Stylish, standard size dog and another of very good proportions and balance. He has a strong head with broad skull, well placed dark eyes and neat ears set well to offer an enticing expression. Correct muzzle to skull ratio with no excessive flesh. He has a straight front of solid bone, sitting on strong pasterns and neat well padded feet. His brisket has correct depth and he has a good spring of rib into a shapely loin which was firm. Compact body. Notable bend of stifle and well let down hock. He carried a level topline and moved out around the ring with clean flowing movement. His handler showed him to his benefit, working together as a team.

3. Parthaune & Arnold’s SAXONIA STAFFS MISTER MUFFIN (Deu).

R. Marsden’s JAYNEZE DOCTOR JIMMY AT MODLIFE.

OD (46,7)

I have to comment on this huge class; the sheer number of exhibits of breed type and depth of quality was impressive. To have this many in one class was certainly pleasantly challenging. I made an initial cut and then another. I felt there were so many who deserved recognition of their quality and performance, rather than just pick the final 5 immediately. Thinning the class twice and then selecting the eventual winner and the 4 other placings, for me, highlighted the profound strength of competitive breed quality there was in this class alone. Hence, I have critiqued all 5 final choices.

1. Kenny & Kenny Farrelly’s BROCKMAR BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME B/br of standard size, powerful and muscular with great strength for size. As soon as I had my hands on him I could feel his firm muscular shape covered by a short gleaming coat. Clean foreface and distinct stop. Correct muzzle to skull ratio giving a balanced proportionate strong head, broad and deep through. Dark round eyes and neat rose ears all set well to offer a captivating expression. He has a straight,solid boned front and neat feet with good pads, standing on strong pasterns. He has a well sprung rib and correct depth of brisket with good length to his sternum. Profile showed underline flowing up to a tight tuck up to his loin, muscular and shapely – confirmed when viewed from above. Great body outline and short coupled with a level topline which he held both standing and on the move; his profile silhouette on movement retained a classic picture of all round balance. Muscular rear which was shaped with ample covering, a good handful of firm inner and outer thigh. Alert and on his toes, never fading into the background. When often glancing back around the class, he caught my attention repeatedly. An inquisitive male, he did like to sniff the carpet, as males do, but the handler worked well with him to show the power he had, producing sound driving movement once he settled, which from his construction would be evident. In the final line-up he put his best foot forward, galvanising what I had already seen, giving me his attention the whole time. Today for me, he stole the show—‘because I loved him’. I was more than happy to award him the DOG CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE and then he went on to be awarded BEST OF BREED on the Referee’s decision.

2. Jones’ KAMARISTAFFS ROYAL RUMOUR JW. B/br dog of quality with clean outlines. Often viewed him from ringside and thought he looked a creditable example. Getting my hands on him as a Judge confirmed what I had previously glimpsed. He is an eye-catching, smart, upstanding dog. Top of the height, with classic balance combining athleticism and clean lines. He has no exaggerated coarseness or excess flesh. Shapely, well-proportioned body lines. This dog has a strong head which has plenty of width, deep through, with correct muzzle to skull ratio, clean foreface and tight lips with strong underjaw housing a correct bite and dentition with good sized teeth. His front is straight, sturdy bone, strong pasterns and good feet. He has correct depth of brisket with good rib and width of chest to balance. His underline shows a steady sweep up to his firm loin which is well covered and shapely, following on to his muscular defined hindquarters which were firm to touch with packed inner and outer thigh and well let down hocks. He moved around the ring with effortless motion and portrays a very nice profile. He was a credit and was handled to perfection and presented in top form.

3. Lloyd-Williams’ CH CWMHÂF CELTIC QUEST. B/br smart classy dog who challenges the best. Nothing overdone on this dog yet he has everything in balanced proportions whilst retaining all the strength and size. He has a deep through skull of good size with comparable width, very clean with tight lips and strong underjaw. Enticing expression with well set dark round eyes and neat rose ears. Clean straight front with good width to his chest and forechest. Ample rib and correct fall of brisket with lovely spring of rib. Short coupled and level topline. Profile showed a steady flow up to a well covered firm loin. His rear quarters were solid with ample muscle and shape. He moved out well, with drive. Handler is attentive and got the best from him. Very worthy of his title and turned out in top condition.

R. Davies’ CH HASBURYSTAFF TOP GUN JW. B/br with white. An impressive upstanding dog with proportionate balance throughout. A dog I have appreciated on many occasions from ringside and he didn’t disappoint on examination. Easy to see why he is already titled. A showman who portrays himself very well with confident ring presence. He has a broad strong head, very neat ears and an appealing expression. He has a straight front carrying good solid bone on well padded tight feet. Ample rib and brisket with good length to his sternum. Tucked up well into his strong loin. Firm rear quarters with good width. Moved soundly and shown to advantage.

VHC. Reynolds’ CH NIATONA WRECK IT RALPH. Red with white. Never had the opportunity to examine this dog before, but always had an eye for him from ringside. Strong broad skull, clean with definition. Dark eyes and neat well placed ears. Correct bite. Solid front with good bone, deep chest with plenty of width and correct depth to his brisket. Strong clean shoulder. Ample rib into strong firm loin. Muscular rear packed with solid definition. He produced driving movement and held his level topline. Nothing intense here but an all round good ‘un with plenty to appreciate.

VD (11,3)

1. Desmond’s CH ELITEBULLS CHALLENGER JW. B/br dog, just under 9 years of age, who I judged some years ago as a younger dog awarding him the RCC. He doesn’t disappoint at all in his veteran years. Still impressive, well balanced and a quality about him which is so easy to appreciate. Clean strong skull, broad and deep through. Neatest of ears and well placed dark round eyes giving an animated expression. Looking straight at his face, it just melts the years away as he still has it all. His front is straight with ample bone on neat feet with strong pasterns. He has good width to his chest with correct fall of brisket. He is well ribbed and has a gradual sweep up into a shapely tucked up loin. Rear quarters are defined and muscular, he could shame some younger dogs with his physical attributes. He motions around the ring with effortless drive maintaining his level topline and commanding profile. He doesn’t put a foot wrong and could still compete with some of the younger dogs. He was awarded BEST VETERAN IN BREED.

2. McClelland’s CH ROCHLAWIE BEHOLD THE HOUR JW. B/br of 11 young years. He belies his age as his condition and shape are there to be appreciated. I judged him as a younger dog quite a few years ago, awarding him the RCC on that occasion, and boy does he still conjure up all that I thought of him on that day. A very sound dog in every department. Nothing overdone, he is balanced, neat, smart, appealing and a dog of breed type. Fitting the standard well, with a head size and shape of equal width and depth, well placed dark eyes and neat ears all contribute to such an alluring expression. He has a straight front with ample width to his chest. His brisket is of correct depth and he retains his shapely rib. When viewed in profile, he portrays a beautiful image of a very balanced, clean, stylish dog looking in great form. I just love him and it was a tight decision against first place, losing out only to the younger buff on more driving movement.

3. Corcoran’s CH/IR/INT CH MOLRU THE NAVIGATOR.

R. Thomas & Griffiths’ CH GAZSTAFF’S BLACK MAGIC.

Karon Jackson (Jackabyte)

JUDGE CRUFTS 2026 – Staffordshire Bull Terriers (Dogs)