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| Staffordshire | South Wales 22 Judge's Critique |
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South Wales 22 Judge
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STAFFORDSHIRE BULL SOUTH WALES 22 Judge: Tec Norton Thanks to all the exhibitors who contributed to a great entry at this show held in the middle of nowhere, on a Thursday. The classes were a bit skewed in favour of Limit and Open, these latter two accounting for more than half the entry. Understandably this is where most of the quality can be found and this was certainly the case today, especially the Open Bitch class where I could easily have found two line-ups and still there would be deserving quality dogs going unplaced. There are a number of predominant dogs around at the moment (as has always been the case), so it’s not surprising to see so many very similar dogs and these account for a good chunk of winning dogs over the past 10 years or so. In particular, there is a trademark head that we see on a regular basis, including today, that is very appealing, resulting in handsome dogs and beautiful bitches. That said there will always be some deviation from the norm and it doesn’t take much to change the appearance, only a few millimetres to exaggerate a breed point – for instance too much top skull (not much in evidence today) or too short in the muzzle (in evidence today). I don’t intend to comment on where the breed stands at the moment in respect of faults and imploring breeders to take note – yesterdays faults are no longer to be seen; today’s, well they are with us and eventually we will move on to the next pre-potent stud dogs with their characteristics built in – different virtues and faults. I’d like to think that my winners were largely well-balanced dogs and the two CC winners are top notch Champions. In the years to come (hopefully still around for me personally) I will look back and say “I was there”. 1 Rowe and South, Illori Akinlana JW ShCM VW. A well balanced dog, typical head, domed skull, not overdone, good drop of brisket, in very good condition. He has a good front and it was this that swung the class his way. This is the third time I’ve had the privilege of judging him; from Puppy (in 2015), through Limit and now in Veteran! Finally made it to first place, well done. 2 Mayren, Ch Bellarouge Adonis at Fergiestaffs JW. A powerful looking dog with a head to match, well balanced in respect of depth and width of rib, a similar balance to his front, width and length of leg. He has a level topline, held on the move. Two quality dogs fighting (not literally) it out to win the Best Veteran award for 2022. 1 Lloyd-Williams, Cwmhâf Celtic Quest. Only six month old, a really nice puppy, very cool character, standing like a trooper as if he’s been doing this for years, a great front with good weight of bone. Super head at this stage, not short not long with a distinct stop, complimented by his round, dark eyes just the right size, set well apart. Body wise. Short back but balanced with his height, very promising. Best Puppy Dog. 1 Beckwith, Ginstean Good Luck Charm. Typical deep through head on this black brindle with an appealing expression, another with well boned front legs and neat feet, his front is sound and balanced showing the required depth of brisket, confirmed when looking in profile, also not lacking in spring of rib when looking down on him, height balancing with body length, rear could do with being a bit stronger, but stifles have correct angulation. 2 Kirk, Kirstaff The First Avenger. There are positives with this red dog, not overdone in any way, an attractive look about him and if anything I preferred the head on this one. Let down a bit with a relatively narrow front. Not much to choose between first and second. 1 Raynsford and Stevens, Raynstaff Old Fashioned. I liked the compactness of this dog producing a well balanced outline and not overdone in any way. Front on he looks very sound with some width to his front, the right amount of bone and the drop in brisket all providing an impressive aspect. I’ve not mentioned his head yet – he has a typical head seen regularly so I won’t list all the features, just to say it was just right in terms of skull/muzzle proportions and stop/eye size and placement and underjaw. Maybe I have listed them. He moved with a level topline. 2 Wilson, Northstaff Nightmare. Very similar to first, so most of the things stated about him applies with this dog as well. I did note also that he has well angled front and a good bend of stifle so I’ll mention them. Today, I preferred the roundness of the eyes in the first, which improved the expression. 3 Butler, Alport On Tour. If anything a tad narrow front, plenty of bone, head wise quite an attractive expression, a bit fleshy on muzzle, not as well balanced as the first two. Reserve Stanway, Waystaff Strikes Mayhem. 4 Higginson, Fairlenium Iron King. 1 Knight, Kalostaffs Dark Knight. Very smart, flashy looking dog; terrific head, clean cut. Deep through, distinct stop, eye placement spot on, no fleshiness on muzzle. Enough weight of bone, front just right, correct amount of rib development, body length matching height, rear quarters as required, in fact you would have to say this dog is bang on the standard. 2 Mayers, Maynestaff Smooth Criminal. Similar type to first with comparable (and desirable) body. Spring and depth of rib and rear quarters, and neat front with the right amount of bone, if anything this dog is slightly narrower in front, and I preferred the cleaner expression on 1. Nevertheless a very typy dog, not overdone in any way and another standard dog. 3 Harwood, Marstaff The Revenant. A bit much for me this dog, well up to size with, what judges used to say in the old days, a punishing head. Otherwise a powerful look to him with a well muscled rear. 4 Playle, Kalostaffs Warlord. 1 Gough, Manark Made to Measure. I liked the head on this dog. It’s without exaggeration, the ratios (head/muzzle length) just right with a distinct stop as opposed to a deep stop, eye placement and ears presenting a very attractive expression. This is another dog that is pretty well balanced with a deep brisket and well sprung rib, short coupling and well muscled rear. The dog stands pretty wide at the front and would prefer a bit more bone on the legs. Movement a bit erratic. 2 Summer’s, Tillcarr Fire Dynamic at Warriorstaff. Altogether a different dog compared to the first, more compact, with quite a tight front, typical head of this type, perhaps a tad short muzzle. 3 Fairhurst, Fairlenium’s American Pie. I quite like the head on this pied dog, I suppose typical of the genre with a deepish stop that doesn’t spoil the composition. Body wise he’s quite short in back which is fine, let down by a narrow front that throws his balance. The first three here could be clones they are all so alike, particularly the heads. So the usual sentiment applied here, splitting hairs to determine the places. 1 Gicquel, Quash Marvelous Hagler De Stafflorence. The more I looked at this dog the more I was took by him. An extremely attractive head in shape and expression. The skull not overdone, distinct stop (there I go again with that one), round eyes set just right, neat ears, clean lips and the list goes on. You’d have to say a perfect front, just the right amount of bone; body wise, no disappointments there either. Good luck with him in the future, in contention for the RCC. 2 Plumstead, Callastaff Son of The Moon. A double take with the first except this boy has a bit of white on the front. Head wise, the same applies here as with the first placed, possibly this dog is a bit cleaner in the muzzle. Can these heads get any better? Handsome, some would say beautiful. Elsewhere, if anything this dog is a bit wider in front but not to his detriment; also, doesn’t appear to have the depth of brisket as the first. We are talking inches/flinches (or should I say millimetres). 3 Parker, Jackabyte Boletoro at Nettleworth. As I say above I’m looking at a facsimile of the first two, at first glance I thought I was looking at Stormzy, that’s not surprising though (same sire). 4 Johnson, Ellchansha Hotshot. First time I’ve been up close with this dog, I liked him as well. 5 Funnell, Powerpack Tam O’shanter JW. 1 Desmond, Ch Elitebulls Challenger JW. This class was full of top dogs as you would expect and the cliché that placings could be different on another day didn’t apply here with this dog. As soon as I saw him I had to look twice. What a dog. He takes your breath away, looks fantastic from any angle. He has to be one of the best headed dogs ever and I think that gets him through most occasions. I could trawl the Standard and relate how this dog measures up to the various clauses and I have to say he gets a few 9’s, mostly 10’s. For me, the perfect dog and I was pleased that he was entered under me. Thank you very much. 2 Thomas and Griffiths, Ch Gazstaff’s Black Magic. One of Challenger’s progeny and has a similar look about him (as do most). If anything a bit more four square and this gives this dog the balance that he possesses, exemplified by both the front aspect and looking in profile. Looking down on him from the rear he’s well ribbed up, short coupled and has a powerful back end. RCC. 3 Arntzen and Manito, Ch Catstaff’s Used To. A perfectly balanced dog that I have seen many times from the ringside, but never up close. So today I had that pleasure and was impressed with his head. Both shape (skull/muzzle ratio and stop depth, not too deep) and expression where eye/ear placements come together to give that very attractive look. 4 Jackson, Ch Jackabyte Javikah. 5 Yates and Tune, Chelmbull Jack Black. 1 Rowe and South, Illori Akinlana JW ShCM VW – winner of Veteran class. 1 Daly and Lees, Starolestaff Arabella at Boscador. This girl reminded me of one of ours from the past, that I showed as a Veteran. An almost identical head, a great expression let down a bit by her flighty ears which she held back until I took her photo! She is really tight lipped and has plenty of underjaw. She can be best described as cobby, on the small side, with a wide front that allows a well sprung rib and deepish brisket. Very nice. 1 Lloyd-Williams, Cwmhâf Cariad. Litter sister to the Minor Puppy Dog winner, even I could tell. They are identical, although this one’s obviously a bitch. Head wise they are like two peas in a pod, very cute and appealing, particularly the shape/eye placement, no sign of wrinkling with clean lips, it will be very interesting to see how the both of them develop, what can go wrong? 2 Heron, Dilirystaff Euphoria. A rare brindle. Different head shape to first, with a slightly longer muzzle and not quite so deep. Perfectly acceptable, as is her front. Bodily, needs to come on a bit, but early days yet. 3 Davis and Booth, Sharmara Patronus Charm. Another brindle and the same could be said about this one. Very pleasing head shape and expression. Reserve Thomas and Ford, Panda Sorceress. 1 Thorley, Crewestaff Bonnie Lass. A very classy look about this girl, very well balanced, perfect front, with the right amount of bone, well ribbed up and correct depth of brisket, length of back balances with height, strong rear quarters; and I’ve not mentioned the head yet. Very attractive expression resulting from having everything in place. I hope the breeder/owner fully campaigns this bitch, plenty of hope for the future, Best Puppy. 2 Quinn, Callastaff Five Years at Bowferry. Atough decision putting this bitch in second. I know she has been campaigned and has been rewarded with plenty of cards, had to be happy with a second today. Very similar to first, they could be litter sisters. Splitting the proverbial hairs here. 3 Crawford and Wilson, Northstaff Bay Bomber for Crowstaff. Yet another top notch puppy in fit condition; if anything this one needs to body up a bit and will then compete with the best. 4 Membury, Mitzstaff Mystical Queen. 5 Rochelle, Kirstaffs Dolly’s Daredevil. 1 Wall, Goldwyn Shes The One. I wonder why they gave her this name? When you see top quality like this you have to look twice to be sure you’re not seeing things. What a super bitch this is – sleek lines, a term not actually mentioned in the Standard. But I could list all the Standard’s requirements and relate how this girl matches up. All I can say is that she’s petty much perfect and size wise (not small) she’s very much my cuppa. I awarded her the RCC today, a close call for the CC. 2 Price and Heron, Dilirystaff Love Me Tender. Has her work cut out competing with the first but she’s one that grows on you the more you look, there’s a lot to like - her head for instance has just the right shape with respect to muzzle/skull ratio and her expression is enhanced with a distinct stop, eye size and placement, complemented by rose ears. Body wise nothing to complain about either and this applies to her front. Well done. One thing. She tends to roach her back when standing but this miraculously levels out on the move. 3 Sandford, Fairlenium Iron Queen. She came back for more in Post Graduate – see you there. 4 Rowe and South, Illori Constellation JW. Appeared later in the Good Citizens class. 5 Preston, Tillcarr Fire Inigma. 1 Foulkes, Bullbrothers Wildflower. This is a bitch that I have actually noticed at recent shows and liked her then, as I do here today. She’s got a lot going for her. She didn’t put a foot wrong. Many years ago I introduced a new term for describing bitches heads as “pretty” and that’s what applies to this pied bitch. She has a very appealing expression. She’s got it all complemented by dark eyes, tight lips, deep through head, muzzle not short, not long. Bodily she has well developed rib both in depth and width, her front slightly narrow but sound. 2 Jackson, Jackabyte Nemesis. A bit of a toss up between this bitch and first place, so what’s the difference? Not a lot, front on very similar although this one has more bone. Just checking the photo I took and she’s having a good look at the first place, showing the whites of her eyes. I think this bitch typifies a generic type seen about at the moment. Classic head shape and expression (distinct stop, eye size and placement, etc), this one with clean lips. She has a shortish body, matching her height and giving her the balance you see side on. What I said about the first in respect of the front applies here, only marginally. 3 Thomas and Ford, Satip Don’t Stop Me Now. Actually this bitch isn’t too dissimilar to the second placed, with almost identical heads, very attractive. You’d never be able to separate them in a line up. She has quite a wide front, which goes in her favour, perhaps she needs to body up a bit to complete the picture. 4 Millar and Cherry, Finnstaff Queen of The North. 5 Reeves, Getodawgs Thunder Rosa. 1 Sandford, Fairlenium Iron Queen. Third in Junior. This pied bitch has a strong head, clean muzzle which matches the skull in depth and width and not too short in length. The usual coal black eyes, set wide apart with a distinct stop all contributes to her very typical expression. She has a sound front which looks a tad narrow but I think this aspect is down to the handler not getting it quite right. Yet another with plenty of rib and relatively short in body and some strength at the rear. 2 Jones and Merrick, Magicgem Queen of Hearts at Rougestaff. The old saying that beauty comes in small packages applies here. For a second, I thought this was the same bitch that came second in Junior, so at the risk of repeating myself here we go. Muzzle length relative to skull produces a balanced head shape, clean lips, stop not overdone (just right) and dark, round eyes of a good size. We have a sound front, everything in proportion bodily. 3 Noonan and Bunt, Skyestaff Fall Into Line. A typical head with neat ears, everything in place to give a pleasing expression, sound front, an immature look about her body wise but with well muscled rear quarters makes me think that she’s on the go all the time. 4 Thomas and Ford, Kall’s Black Beauty. 5 Holmes, Barielle Aiyana. 1 Hands and Freeman, Skyestaff She Conquered JW. I can understand why this bitch has done some serious winning, she’s certainly come on since winning all those puppy classes last year. I have to say that there seems to be a mould being used to produce these heads. Again we see this with this girl. All the elements come together to produce a very attractive expression. I realise that we should be considering the whole dog when judging but most of us are looking at them front on and with this bitch you have everything, from the head as mentioned to a very sound front, just the right width and bone. Nothing wrong behind the collar either, strong contender here today. 2 Wilson, Elitebull Elysian Dream at Kalverin. Not a great deal to choose between this bitch and the first, another benefiting from the mould, so what applies to the first also applies here. If anything her muzzle is a bit shorter but very marginally. A class act. 3 Rochelle, Mournestaffs Dollys Brae. They keep coming these quality bitches and here we have another. This one has a very “clean” head with no looseness of skin and clean lips. If anything she has more top skull leading to a deeper stop and a deep through head, but it’s the eyes that stand out. Large and the most roundest of eyes and dark to boot. Quite a wide front, body and rear spot on. Another looker. 4 Funnell, Powerpack Alura Finvarra JW. 5 Duncan. Jackabyte Wonderlust at Rhebelstaff. If I thought Limit was the real deal what about this class with eight Champions and the rest have all seen the big time, CC and RCC winners all. 1 Johnson, Ch Ellchansha Once Upon A Time JW. For me this girl has got to be one of the all time top bitches. Where to start? At the front end. Her head is perfection. I see a lot of photos of her and have never seen a bad one. All the usual attributes apply in bucket loads. I can list them but why, all the considerations merge to produce a beautiful aspect un-surpassed. Again front on she’s as sound as they come with her width and depth of chest just right, as is the amount of bone. She is presented in fit condition so much so that maybe she could do with a bit more covering. But that’s being hypercritical, all I can say is thank you for bringing her and I understand that this is her last show, so I’m the lucky one to be here to award her the CC. 2 Murphy, Ch Brockmar Rewrite The Stars. The first of two rewrites and she is a star. I’ve seen this bitch from afar whilst gabbing at the ringside so wasn’t sure what she really looks like. Well she looks really smart and given her pedigree so she should. She’s slightly more cobbier than the first. That’s no criticism. Again a terrific head and expression bringing all the various facets to produce that very appealing look. It was that look that confirmed this placing as I was looking at these two Rewrites. Behind the collar, she has it all. Nothing at all of any concern. 3 Norman, Amavia Rewrite The Stars. Yet another bitch with a fantastic head that is so typical, nothing overdone, a cracking head shape, very appealing expression, clean cut lips, great (dark) eye placement. She has a very sound front, perhaps could have more bone to balance. She has a deep brisket and has a well sprung rib, she is short coupled and has a strong rear with well bent stifles. 4 Wells, Ch Taraiel Ray of Light at Wellsstaffs. An outstanding bitch, presented in fit, hard condition. 5 Hands and Freeman, Gazstaff’s Black Velvet at Skyestaff. Fifth place is no insult in this class given the strength of quality of bitches not actually placed at all. 1 Kendall, Ch Rossobull Upsy Daisy. Not placed in Open, fantastic brindle coat, straight front with right amount of width and bone, plenty of rib, balanced body with a strong rear. From the ringside in the past I thought she has a hard stare expression wise, but not so. The latter is very attractive front on, although her muzzle is a tad short. 2 Rowe and South, Illori Constellation JW 4th in Junior, another with an attractive head and expression, straight front, she hasn’t the rib development of the first. Looks like she’s had enough and wants to go home. 3 Daly and Lees, Starolestaff Arabella at Boscador, winner of Veteran class.
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