Show Critique For SBTCSW Open Show Held On The 19th August 2007
Bitch Judge - Veronica Brown (Rotherstaff)
To be asked to judge at any show is an honour, but to be asked to judge at a Breed Club Open Show is an enormous privilege and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Officers and Committee of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of South Wales for inviting me to judge bitches at their Open Show and for the very warm welcome they extended to both my husband and myself. My thanks also to my very efficient stewards who kept things running smoothly for me throughout the afternoon. I was very flattered with such a good entry and enjoyed judging with my co judge John Thompson from America. When it came to the final decisions for top honours for the day we were in total agreement. Finally I would like to thank those who entered for the very sporting way in which they accepted my decisions.I do however have a couple of observations to make. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier should in my opinion be an animal which gives an impression of great strength for its size, is fit and balanced throughout, a complete package, possessing clean lines, tight feet with no exaggerations, so I was slightly concerned at finding some flat feet and over heavy muzzles, yes there should be strength of muzzle but not over fleshiness, as this can give an almost foreign appearance. Mouths I have not mentioned in my critique as generally they were good, the couple or so that were not quite right were placed accordingly. Finally condition; fitness comes with hard work, not through diet alone, if they look good they should feel good, rock hard. As a result several nice bitches lost out because of lack of condition; what a shame. Some coats could do with attention and I was not impressed with having dirty hands on occasions. Having said all this I was very pleased with my final line up and thank you for making my day so special.
Veteran Bitch 9, 6abs.
I love judging veterans, thank you for bringing them.
1st Tittley’s; Spearhead Jewel Jade
91/2 year old black brindle bitch who did not look a veteran though a greying muzzle gave a hint of her advancing years. Still possessing all the Stafford sparkle. Great Head shape with a lovely dark eye. Could have shown some of her younger competitors a thing or two when it came to condition. Appeared to enjoy her day out and moved up and down the mat with ease, a real credit to her owner and she went on to be a well deserved BVIS. Well Done.
2nd Cocking’s, Dusky Angel
7 year old black brindle still in reasonable condition, pleasing enough head shape dark eye. Well off for bone, but did not appear as outgoing as the class winner, which was noticed when she moved up and down the mat.
3rd James’s, Lynkhali Monday’s Princess.
Minor Puppy Bitch 6,1ab.
1st Johnson’s, Tillcarr Black Betty
When I turned round at the start of this class and saw this little jewel, all the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I seriously considered giving her top honours but then thought no, she is a 6 month puppy and should be judged as such. She just stood there on the mat like a seasoned show dog, looked me in the eye and dared me not to award her first place. Loveliest of head shapes with coal black eyes, ears do need to settle a little but I am sure they will in time as she has plenty of growing up to do. Plenty of bone, best of fronts and body shape, beautifully presented and went up and down the mat as if she owned the place. I was really pleased that she went BPIS and I know she will have a really good career in the show ring. I do wish she was mine and wish you all the very best with her.
2nd Simpson’s Briganah Black Orchid
Another very nice black brindle puppy, who was unlucky to meet the winner today. Slightly different but pleasing head shape with a stronger muzzle. In good condition, short couple, good front. Very well presented, sound movement, and I am sure she will also have a bright future.
3rd Hitchcock’s, Alcnik Memphis Minnie.
Puppy Bitch 8 1abs,
1st Stoke’s, Lucky Lucy Lass
Very nicely put together red and white pied, great head shape with the darkest of eyes and lovely expression. Good bone with nice straight front, short coupled in good condition, sound movement. The overall package was a winning one today. Pity she came up against a minor puppy who could not be denied. Good luck with her.
2nd Summerfield l& McDermott’s, Spikers Bits and Pieces
Slightly younger than the class winner, possessing a strong head and dark eye, didn’t have quite the construction of the winner, however, short coupled with a nice bend of stifle. Movement OK, well presented and handled.
3rd Roger’s, Valadast Miss Mac.
Junior Bitch 7, 1abs.
1st Pearce’s, Inkastaff Midnight Chaos
This bitch has the best of heads and expression which completely melted my heart. Of lovely overall quality and construction in great condition, short coupled lovely bend of stifle. I felt that her movement has to settle to see the best of her. She won her class with ease however and was in contention for top honours. A lovely girl and the best of luck with her
2nd Hitchcock’s, Jollyjons Coppers Legacy of Kriskat
Another nice bitch, slightly stronger in the muzzle than the first. Nicely constructed, Short coupled with a strong back end. In first class condition, and moved up and down the mat with real purpose.
3rd Smart’s Arnhem Twice as Nice.
Maiden Bitch 5, 4abs
1st Bohane & Britcher’s Witches Brewing Potion;
Stood alone this youngster. Plenty to like about her, pretty puppy face with a lovely dark mask. Well up on the leg and lovely overall shape for her age. I congratulate her handler because she was being a minx at the beginning, but once she had learnt who was in charge she moved up and down the mat effortlessly. A nice youngster.
Novice Bitch 7, 4abs
1st Bohane & Pritcher’s, Witches Brewing Potion..
2nd . Whitley’s, Fabrehn Take a Bow; This youngster was reserve in the puppy class. A strong girl for her age. Good head, nice body shape, though would prefer a slightly longer reach of neck to balance the overall picture. In great shape and moved up and down the mat well.
Post Graduate Bitch 11,5abs.
1st Morgan & Morgan-Pistor’s, Biggleswick Qui Moi
Beautifully headed red bitch with an appealing expression and the darkest of eyes. Standard in size, plenty of bone, great front, nice overall body shape and in excellent condition. Moved up and down the mat with ease, and it was the complete package which won her this class.
2nd Evans’, Greek Goddess in Red
Lovely red and white pied, who as I said in my notes has a really cracking expression. Short coupled, well off for bone with good movement, but her lack of overall condition came into the final equation for her placing. A nice girl.
3rd Hughes’s, Michways She’s the one with Mishdar JW.
Limit Bitch 8, 3abs
1st Stamp’s Zantiastaff the Odyssey
Clean headed dark eyed beauty who just stared right as me. Beautiful head shape with just the right strength of muzzle. Lovely front and well proportioned in the body. In really hard condition, with a strong and well muscled back end. She moved up and down the mat with drive, though I did think her top line did get lost for a second. However, in the final line up she had the overall quality I was looking for and was really pleased to award her BB and she went on to become BIS. Well done and all the very best with her in the future.
2nd Powell’s Foxstaff Mystic Magic JW Sh CM
I remember judging this bitch at her very first show. I liked her then and I like her now. She has grown into a nice bitch with a pleasing head shape and lovely dark eye. A nice size and good overall body shape. Moved up and down the mat with ease and was well handled.
3rd Tittley’s Garwstaff Jewels Lucky Gem.
Open Bitch 11, 6abs.
To me, to turn round to look at your class and to see three Champion bitches present at an Open Show is a real honour, thank you for bringing them. They are all worthy of their titles, and it was only my opinion on that day.
1st Johnson’s Ch. Tillcarr Ring of Fire Sh. CM
Top size girl, but what you see is what you get. Lovely head shape, so clean, with a great dark eye. She has a correctly constructed front, is short coupled with a nicely muscled back end. A bitch of great strength without being over the top. In first class condition and I was really pleased that as I went over her that the overall package was one I really liked. I had thought she might be too strong, but the word balanced springs to mind. There is no doubt that her handler gets the very best out of her and she showed her socks off. She became my RBB and went on to be RBIS. Well done.
2nd Robinson & Bird’s, Ch. Leger Knockout Whist
Another really nice bitch, if anything slightly stronger in the head than my winner, very strong underjaw, darkest of eyes, in prime condition, possibly even better than my winner, but I just preferred the front of the winner. However, a pleasing body shape, well muscled backend. Was a little hesitant on the mat but moved well enough for me to see that she does move well. Handling as one would expect was spot on.
3rd Ferguson’s, Ch. Challimers Molly Malone at Fergustaff JW. Sh. CM
Judge, Veronica Brown