I would like to thank the officers and committee of Southern Counties Staffordshire Bull Terrier Society for inviting me to judge at their open show. It was a lovely venue and the committee looked after me wonderfully.

I would also like to thank the exhibitors for their entries. I was pleased to find some depth of quality across the entry, including a number of promising youngsters who should go on well with maturity. Dogs were presented in good condition, and I appreciated the time and effort from all who took part.

Class 1 – Veteran Dog (2/0)

1st – Johnson, Mrs K & Mr M. CH TILLCARR FIRE COANDA JW.

Well balanced 8 year old male with a lovely head, short and deep through with a broad skull, distinct stop and pronounced cheek muscles. Dark, well set eyes giving a keen expression. Correct rose ears. Clean, tight lips. Strong, short neck flowing smoothly into a wide front and straight, well-boned legs. Close coupled body, deep brisket and a firm, level topline. Powerful hindquarters providing good drive on the move. Presented in excellent condition for his age. Thank you for bringing him. Best Opposite Sex Veteran in Show.

2nd – Shipp & Hammond, Mrs L M, Mr J D & Mrs S M. HAMMYSTAFF HANKY PANKY WITH IDYLLICSTAFF JW.

Upstanding 9 year old red male of great strength and substance. Strong, deep head with a broad skull, distinct stop and dark eyes. Strong, muscular neck leading into a wide front with straight legs. Clean outline, close coupled body and well sprung ribs. Well-muscled hindquarters providing good movement. A lovely veteran showing great type and soundness for his age. Thank you for bringing him.

Class 2 – Minor Puppy Dog (1/0)

1st – Davis & Davis, Mr K, Mr C & Mr C. SHARMARA FIDELIUS CHARM.

A highly promising 8 month old brindle and white young dog who is coming on nicely. Balanced head with dark, round eyes and neat rose ears. Good mouth with a correct scissor bite. Strong, clean neck blending into a wide front with good width of chest and straight bone. Brisket is developing well for his age. A beautifully compact, short-coupled body with a level topline and well-sprung ribs. Hindquarters show nice angulation. Stands on neat, well-padded feet and carries a well-set tail. Moved very well. A bright future ahead for this young lad. More than happy to award Best Puppy Dog & Best Puppy in Show. Thank you for bringing him!

Class 3 – Puppy Dog (1/0)

1st – Nolan, Mrs H C. HAMMYSTAFF TAINTED LOVE.

11 month old red and white pied male with a strong head, distinct stop, dark round eyes and neat, well-carried rose ears. Tight lips and a correct scissor bite. Muscular, clean neck flowing smoothly into well-placed, laid-back shoulders. Close-coupled, compact body with a level topline and deep brisket. Hindquarters are well-muscled with nice angulation. Stands on neat, tight feet and carries a correct, tapering pump-handle tail. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing him.

Class 4 – Junior Dog (1/0)

1st – Jurascheck & Humphries, Mr L & Miss G. RIENNSTAFF JUGGERNAUT.

A black brindle male of standard size. Broad, deep skull with a distinct stop, dark round eyes and neat rose ears giving a typical keen expression. Good mouth with tight lips. Strong, short neck widening into a well-boned, wide front. Brisket is coming on nicely for his age stage. Compact, close-coupled body. Hindquarters show good rear angulation. Unsettled on the move today but definitely showed drive! Thank you for bringing him.

Class 5 – Yearling Dog (4/1)

1st – Wells, Mr K & Mrs L. WELLSSTAFFS YOUNG WARRIOR JW.

Black brindle male of standard size, strong head, dark eyes and neat, well-carried rose ears. Correct bite. Strong, muscular neck transitioning smoothly into a well-boned front showing great width. Close-coupled, balanced body. Very well-muscled hindquarters. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing him.

2nd – Rawlings-Brown, Mr D & Mrs K. LENNOX THE GREAT.

Brindle male of standard size. Lovely head with a broad skull and a distinct stop, complemented by a correct muzzle length that maintains the desirable standard proportions. Good, dark eyes and neat, well-carried rose ears. Well-structured forequarters with straight, well boned legs with good width to chest. Close-coupled, balanced body. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing him.

3rd – Birmingham, Miss S. NIATONA INSPECTOR BLAKE.

Class 6 – Novice Dog (2/0)

1st – Davis & Davis, Mr K, Mr C & Mr C. SHARMARA FIDELIUS CHARM.

See 1st in Minor Puppy Dog.

2nd – Grindy, Mr A. SHEILDSTORM TWO FACE.

Black brindle male with a white flash on his chest, with a well-muscled silhouette. Strong, deep head and neat, rose ears. Correct scissor bite. Wide, well-boned front showing great substance through the forequarters. Well-defined, muscular body condition throughout. Moved okay and handled well. Thank you for bringing him.

Class 7 – Post Graduate Dog (3/0)

1st – McKenna, Mr A M. KENSESQUI GOBI SPARHARD’S.

Red male of standard size, presented in peak condition, muscular and hard to the touch. Strong, clean head, deep through. Distinct stop, dark eyes and neat, rose ears. Correct bite. Strong, powerful neck flowing into well-laid shoulders and a wide front with good bone. Compact, close-coupled body with well-sprung ribs and a firm, level topline. Strong, well-angulated hindquarters. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing him.

2nd – Buchan, Mrs N J. HAPPYSTAFF HAKUNA MATATA.

A well-proportioned black brindle male showing good breed type. Clean, typical head with dark eyes and neat rose ears. Correct bite with tight lips. Balanced through the body with a level topline. Strong hindquarters with well-muscled thighs and clean angulation. A quality exhibit who just lacked the ultimate hard conditioning of the class winner today. Thank you for bringing him.

3rd – Scolari, Miss E. STAFFRANOS CYBER PUNK.

Class 8 – Limit Dog (2/0)

1st – Durrell, Mr S & Mrs X. HAMASON GREATEST SHOWMAN JW.

Red and white male of standard size. Strong, well-proportioned head with a distinct stop, dark eyes and neat rose ears. Correct bite with tight, clean lips. Strong, muscular neck widening into a well-laid shoulder and a broad front with good bone. Close-coupled body with a level topline and excellent depth to the brisket. Moved and handled well. Having judged this dog previously where he appeared somewhat 'flat', he was in a much happier disposition today; this verve and confidence showed through today and improved his ring presence and helped him secure the class. Happy to then award him Reserve Best Dog.

2nd – Gardner, Miss F. LABRASTAFF ESPRESSO.

Black brindle male of standard size. Strong head with a broad skull, distinct stop, dark eyes and neat, rose ears. Correct bite with tight lips. Short, strong neck widening into a well-structured front with straight bone. Broad and compact through the body. Well-muscled throughout his quarters. Pushed the winner close today. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing him.

Class 9 – Open Dog (5/0)

1st – Moorcroft, Mrs N. CH ELLCHANSHA CHARM THE DEVIL AT MOORSTAR JW.

A top quality black brindle male of standard size who catches the eye for his excellent balance and construction. Strong, clean head completely free from any exaggerations, featuring a broad skull, distinct stop, dark round eyes and neat rose ears. Correct bite with tight lips. Short, strong neck widening smoothly into a broad chest showing good width and excellent bone. Compact, close-coupled body with a level topline. Beautifully defined, well-muscled hindquarters. Moved and handled well. A very well-balanced exhibit who fully deserves his title. More than happy to award him Best Dog and Best in Show. Thank you for bringing him!

2nd – Norris, Mr A G. LABRASTAFF MAGMA AT HAIDASTAFF.

A standard sized brindle male with good head properties with correct skull depth, well-placed dark eyes and neat, rose ears. Correct bite with tight lips. Strong neck leading into front quarters that show good width to the chest and straight, well-boned forelegs. Compact and close-coupled through the body, maintaining a correct topline. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing him.

3rd – Robinson, Robinson-Cox & Cox, Mr H, Mrs M A, Mrs C L & Mr S C. HAMASON SWEET LITTLE MYSTRY JW.

RES – Knight, Mr P D & Mrs L M R. KALOSTAFF DARK KNIGHT.

VHC – Grindy, Mr A. SHIELDSTORM TWO FACE.

Class 10 – Veteran Bitch (6/2)

1st – Johnson, Mrs A. CH ELLCHANSHA ONCE UPON A TIME JW.

An outstanding 8 year old black brindle bitch who oozes quality and balance. She possesses a beautiful, strong, clean head that is completely free from any exaggerations. Broad skull with a distinct stop, lovely dark round eyes, neat rose ears, and a correct bite with tight lips. Strong, muscular neck widening into a front showing good width of chest and a deep, well-sprung brisket. Close-coupled, athletic body that remains beautifully muscled and tight throughout. Moved and handled well. A fantastic girl who rightfully took home many awards today. Happy to award her Best Bitch, Best Veteran in Show, Best Opposite Sex in Show & Reserve Best in Show.

2nd – Buchan, Mrs N J. HAPPYSTAFF COULD IT BE MAGIC.

12-year-old black brindle bitch of standard size who is an absolute credit to her owner. She retains lovely breed type, showing a good head with typical skull properties, dark eyes, neat rose ears and a correct bite. Close-coupled and compact through the body, maintaining a pleasing outline. Hindquarters still show good, clean angulation. Moved and handled well. It is always a pleasure to see veterans of this age enjoying their time in the ring. Thank you for bringing her!

3rd – Gardner, Miss F. BALLINDONA FAB’U’LUSS FOR LABRASTAF.

RES – Ashburner, Mrs J. JODANZAC JOYFUL EVENT.

Class 11 – Minor Puppy Bitch (1/0)

1st – Rowland, Mrs C. BILROSESTAFF SWEETIE PIE.

As her name suggests, a sweet 6 month old red bitch who is a real baby. Clean head for her age, with a distinct stop developing and dark round eyes. Front is straight boned with just enough width to her chest for her age. Close-coupled. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing her.

Class 12 – Puppy Bitch (6/1)

1st – Shipp, Mrs L M. IDYLLICSTAFF NANGI.

A beautifully balanced 11 month old red and white pied bitch. Strong, clean head completely free from exaggeration, dark eyes, neat rose ears and a correct bite. Strong neck blending into well-placed shoulders and a front that carries good width of chest for a young bitch. Compact, close-coupled body with a lovely level topline and balanced outline. Moved and handled well. A high-quality puppy with a very promising future. Happy to award her Best Puppy Bitch. Thank you for bringing her!

2nd – Hammond, Mr J D & Mrs S M. HAMMYSTAFF LOVE YOURSELF.

Another high quality 11 month old red and white pied bitch who pushed the winner hard in a lovely class. Strong, well-proportioned head with a distinct stop, dark round eyes, and neat rose ears. Correct bite. Well-balanced body with excellent, clean muscle development throughout for a puppy of her age stage. Stood and moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing her.

3rd – Johnson, Mrs K & Mr M. BETHALEESE’S DAMMIT JANET BY TILLCARR.

RES – Fryatt, Mr A. BRINSTAR RED WILLOW.

VHC – Osborne, Mr M & Mrs L. FELLENDBULL ETERNAL.

Class 13 – Junior Bitch (5/1)

1st – Payne, Mr S. VIDARSTAFF CRIMSON CHAOS.

Standard sized red bitch with a white chest and white paws. She is beautifully clean through the head, with a well-proportioned skull, clear stop and lovely dark round eyes. Good, strong neck leading down into front quarters that display enough width of chest for her age. Balanced, muscular body condition with a firm topline, coupled with strong hindquarters showing good angulation. Moved and handled well. A very tidy, athletic young bitch. Thank you for bringing her.

2nd – Whitney, Mrs D. VIDARSTAFF PRINCESS SKADI.

A standard sized red bitch who is the litter sister to the class winner. Unsurprisingly, she shares many of the same virtues as her sibling. A clean head, lovely dark round eyes, a good front and a strong, muscular body with correct rear angulation. Moved and handed well. There is very little separating these two lovely sisters and it simply came down to a personal preference for the slightly cleaner outline of the winner on the day. Thank you for bringing her.

3rd – Towli, Miss F. FRANZSTAFFS CLEOPATRA.

RES – Canavan, Mr G. BOLDSTOCK INFINITE FLAME.

Class 14 – Yearling Bitch (3/0)

1st – Wells, Mr K & Mrs L. WELLSSTAFFS SHINE A LIGHT JW.

Standard sized black brindle bitch with a clean head with a broad skull, distinct stop, dark eyes and neat rose ears. Correct bite and tight lipped. Excellent forequarters featuring a wide front with good, straight bone. Compact and close-coupled through the body. Hindquarters are well-muscled with good, clean angulation. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing her.

2nd – Willetts & Billingham, Miss G & Mr M. HAMASON HEART’S ON FIRE JW.

Another quality young red and white pied bitch with good depth to the skull, distinct stop, dark eyes and neat rose ears. Correct bite and tight lipped. Clean neck widening into a wide front with good bone and a well-developed brisket. Lovely muscle conditioning throughout her body. Just a little unsettled in her performance today, which slightly affected her movement at times, but she is undoubtedly a very nice girl who has plenty of time on her side. Thank you for bringing her.

3rd – Rose, Ms M D. KODAKNOTT MIRACLE GIRL AT AURWILSTAFFS. 

Class 15 – Novice Bitch (4/1)

1st - Shipp, Mrs L M. IDYLLICSTAFF NANGI.

See 1st in Puppy Bitch.

2nd – Ghinn, Mr J. TILLCARR FIRE FEVER.

Standard sized black brindle bitch with a clean and very pleasing silhouette. She has a well-proportioned head with lovely dark round eyes and neat rose ears. Correct mouth with clean, tight lips. Clean neck flowing smoothly into a front that shows enough width of chest. Compact and close-coupled through the body with a firm topline. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing her.

3rd – Burton, Mr M. TRUFFLESTAFF BAMBENIE AT BARBARY

Class 16 – Post Graduate Bitch (7/2)

1st – Jones, Messrs A & D & Mesdames G & K. ROUGESTAFF RED VELVET JW.

Standard sized red bitch whom I have had the pleasure of judging previously and she continues to develop along very promising lines. She has a strong, beautifully clean head with a distinct stop, lovely dark round eyes and neat rose ears. Correct bite with tight lips. Clean neck flowing smoothly into a front that carries ample width and straight bone. Compact, close-coupled body that is well-muscled throughout, paired with strong hindquarters showing correct angulation. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing her.

2nd – Smith, Dr S. KOKO THE QUEEN.

Standard size black brindle bitch with a good head with correct skull properties, dark eyes and neat rose ears. Correct bite with tight lips. Front features straight bone and displays enough width to her chest. Compact and closely coupled through the body, she maintains a firm topline both standing and on the move. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing her.

3rd – Rose, Ms M D. KODAKNOTTS BOO HOO AT AURWILSTAFFS.

RES – Gardner, Miss F. BLOSSOM QUEEN BEE FOR LABRASTAFF.

VHC - Burton, Mr M. TRUFFLESTAFF BAMBENIE AT BARBARY

Class 17 – Limit Bitch (7/1)

1st – Johnson, Mrs A. ELLCHANSHA CAST A SPELL.

A standard sized black brindle bitch who catches the eye for her lovely balance and conditioning. Beautifully clean through the head with a broad skull, distinct stop, dark round eyes and neat rose ears. Good mouth with tight, clean lips. Front is straight-boned, displaying good width to the chest. Compact and close-coupled body that is well-muscled throughout. Strong hindquarters with correct angulation. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing her.

2nd – Durrell, Mr S & Mrs X. HAMASON ANGEL EYES.

A lovely red and white bitch with a clean, feminine and balanced outline. She carries a beautifully clean head with good skull properties, dark eyes and neat rose ears. Good mouth with tight, clean lips. Front is straight-boned, showing enough width to her chest for her frame. Compact through the body with a firm topline, coupled with strong hindquarters showing correct, clean angulation. Moved and handled well. Thank you for bringing her.

3rd – Johnson, Mrs K & Mr M. TILLCARR DESIRE FOR FIRE.

RES – Harvey, Mr M J. CWMHAF BRING ME SUNSHINE.

VHC – Smith, Dr S. KOKO THE QUEEN.

Class 18 – Open Bitch (3/1)

1st – Rowe & South, Miss G L & Mr D. ILLORI CONSTELLATION JW.

A standout black brindle bitch who immediately catches the eye for her phenomenal, hard condition. She has a very good head with correct skull proportions, dark round eyes and neat rose ears. Correct bite with tight lips. Front is straight-boned with good width to her chest. Balanced through the body with a firm topline, leading to strong hindquarters with excellent, clean angulation. Moved and handled very well. She was comfortably the fittest exhibit of the day, which carried her through the class. Happy to award her Reserve Best Bitch. Thank you for bringing her!

2nd – Johnson, Mrs A. ELLCHANSHA PUT A SPELL ON YOU.

Another high quality black brindle bitch who put up a strong challenge in an excellent class. She features a well-shaped head with good skull properties, dark eyes and neat rose ears. Correct mouth with tight, clean lips. Her front is straight-boned and shows good width to the chest, blending into a compact, balanced body outline. She was presented in good, hard condition throughout with fine muscle tone. Stood and moved out well. Thank you for bringing her.

Judge; Georgia Kirk (Kirstaff)