February 2025 Open Show Critiques
Downlands SBT Club Open Show
Sunday 23 February 2025
Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Judge: Samantha Mignano-Fricker (Calavey)
I would like to say thank you to the officers and committee of Downland SBT Club for giving me the pleasure and honour to judge the Staffordshire Bull Terriers at their February 2025 Breed Club Open Show.
I had an extremely enjoyable day, and the hospitality was second to none. I would like to thank my stewards who assisted the smooth running of the ring with me. Thank you to the exhibitors forentering and accepting my decisions in good spirit. Thank you.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers
32 Dogs, making 35 entries with 15 absentees
BEST IN SHOW: CONSTANT, SIKAISTAFF CASK STRENGTH JW
RES. BEST IN SHOW: MARSHALLSAY, FERGUSTAFF TUDOR LEGACY
BEST PUPPY IN SHOW: WALKER, WELLSSTAFFS JUST A DREAM FOR TESHLEYSTAF
BEST VETERAN IN SHOW: ROWE & SOUTH, ILLORI AKINLANA JW ShCM VW
Best Dog: Marshallsay, Fergustaff Tudor Legacy
Res Best Dog: Norris, Labrastaf Magma At Haidastaff
Best Puppy Dog: NO ENTRIES
Best Bitch: Constant, Sikaistaff Cask Strength JW
Res Best Bitch: Harvey, Cwmhaf Bring Me Sunshine
Best Puppy Bitch: Walker, Wellsstaffs Just A Dream For Teshleystaf
Class 1 Veteran Dog (3 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: ROWE & SOUTH, ILLORI AKINLANA JW ShCM VW
Black Brindle dog that I have judged before, and he is still not disappointing. 10 years young slightly
showing his age with grey on the muzzle but in excellent muscular condition. Clean proportionate
masculine head with dark eyes, distinct stop, clean muzzle of the correct length and correct bite.
Good neck and shoulder placement leading to a straight front giving correct reach in front. Level top
with enough spring of rib. Good angulation to rear quarters with very good muscle tone and bend of
stifle. Good, clean lines and well balanced all over. Moved and handled well in the class holding his
topline. Pleased to award Best Veteran in Show.
Class 2 Minor Puppy Dog NO ENTRIES
Class 3 Puppy Dog (1 Entry) Abs: 1
Class 4 Junior Dog NO ENTRIES
Class 5 Novice Dog NO ENTRIES
Class 6 Graduate Dog (1 Entry) Abs: 0
1st: BLAGG & WHITEHEAD, KEEP IT LOWKEE AT PINDBYSTAF
Top size Red dog, 2 years old. Had his naughty mindset on today. Masculine head with deep stop
and strong muzzle. Good bone in front with enough width and a good spring of rib. Short, close coat.
Level on top just needed to settle today on the move.
Class 7 Post Graduate Dog NO ENTRIES
Class 8 Limit Dog (1 Entry) Abs: 0
1st: MITCHELL, CHEDANSTAFF DEVIL STAR
6-year-old Black Brindle dog making his way to veteran this year. Top size male with some good
virtues to the breed. Nice overall outline with a masculine, clean head. Dark eye, neat ears and a
good stop. Straight front, level top with enough spring of rib. Good rear angulation and drive when
on the move once settled.
Class 9 Open Dog (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: MARSHALLSAY, FERGUSTAFF TUDOR LEGACY
Red and White dog. Lovely standard dog, with a great outline overall. Breed typical masculine head
with neat ears and dark eye, excellent pigment, pronounced cheeks, a distinct stop and clean muzzle
housing a good bite. Clean neck widening gradually to the shoulders and a true straight front.
Enough rib with a level topline. Strong on the move using his well-muscled rear quarters with a good
bend of stifle and angles. Please to award Best Dog and Reserve Best in Show
2nd: NORRIS, LABRASTAF MAGMA AT HAIDASTAFF
Brindle Dog with a lot to like. Strong, masculine head with dark eye and neat ears. Nice profile,
straight in front, good spring of rib and nicely angled and developed rear, very good muscle tone.
Moved ok. Awarded Reserve Best Dog.
Class 10 Veteran Bitch (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: DALY & LEES, STAROLESTAFF ARABELLA AT BOSCADOR VW
Brindle bitch absolutely demanding attention for such a compact fireball. Feminine but strong head
with dark eye and distinct stop, clean muzzle housing the correct bite. Lovely straight front with
excellent forechest and brisket. Good spring of rib and a level topline, short in loin with good rear
angulation, and correct bend of stifle. Moved well with purpose and attitude.
Class 11 Minor Puppy Bitch (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: WALKER, WELLSSTAFFS JUST A DREAM FOR TESHLEYSTAF
Brindle & White bitch at 8months. Nice feminine head with dark eye, distinct stop, and good bite.
Straight front and enough spring of rib for age. Level top leading to good rear angulations and
hindquarters. Needs to settle on the move, still young but seen enough for first place. Awarded Best
Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy In Show.
2nd: GHINN, TILCARR FIRE FEVER
Another nice young Black Brindle Bitch, which could swap places with one at another show. Strong
but feminine head with excellent pigment, dark eye, good stop and strong muzzle housing a correct
bite. Nice front with enough spring of rib leading to nice rear angulation. Moved ok.
3rd: MANN, NIATONA FANNEE SCHMELLER
Class 12 Puppy Bitch (1 Entry) Abs: 1
Class 13 Junior Bitch (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: HOPKINS, TRUFFLESTAFF NYEKUNDU ITRI
Red bitch. Lovely feminine exhibit, of breed type in size and overall proportions. Feminine head with
expression and good pigmentation with the dark mast, dark eye, neat eyes, correct bite and distinct
stop. Clean neck leading to straight front with turn out at pasterns, nice spring of rib and a level top.
Good rear development and angles for age. Moved and handled well.
Class 14 Novice Bitch (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: HOPKINS, TRUFFLESTAFF NYEKUNDU ITRI
See 1st Junior Bitch
Class 15 Graduate Bitch (8 Entries) Abs: 4
1st: HOPKINS, TRUFFLESTAFF NYEKUNDU ITRI
See 1st Junior Bitch
2nd: GUTIERREZ GONZALEZ & HIRST, DRINGSHAW SUGAR MOON AT MASKALON
Red and White top size bitch with a feminine head, dark eye, neat ears, clean muzzle housing a
correct scissor bite. Straight in front with a deep brisket, enough spring of rib. Good muscle coverage
and overall balanced. Moved ok.
3rd: WAREHAM, MAYNESTAFF MORNING GLOW
Class 16 Post Graduate Bitch (4 Entries) Abs: 1
Another class where the first two exhibits could easily swap places.
1st: HARVEY, CWMHAF BRING ME SUNSHINE
Brindle bitch with a lovely feminine head and expression with dark eyes, neat ears, defined stop and
clean muzzle housing a correct bite. Good shoulder placement leading to a straight front and good
pasterns and neat feet. Enough depth of brisket and rib. Lovely topline and well-developed muscle
to rear quarters with good angulations. Excellent coat condition. Moved well and pushed hard for
top honours today, awarded Reserve Best Bitch.
2nd: THOMAS & GRIFFITHS, SKYESTAFF TRUEST DESIRE FOR GAZSTAFF
Another good Brindle Bitch with a nice feminine head, good expression and attitude. Dark eyes, neat
ears, distinct stop and clean muzzle housing the correct scissor bite. Straight front, enough spring of
rib and level top leading to correct tail carriage. Good muscle conditioning but preferred angulation
and movement of winner today as slightly unsettled on the move for her handler today.
3rd: BURTON, TRUFFLESTAFF BAMBENIE AT BARBARY
Class 17 Limit Bitch (4 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: CONSTANT, SIKAISTAFF CASK STRENGTH JW
Black Brindle standard bitch of excellent development, balance and proportion. Lovely feminine
head with great expression, dark eye, distinct stop and neat ears. Clean muzzle with tight lips
housing the correct scissor bite and teeth of good clean size with well-developed cheeks. Good,
clean neck and tight shoulder placement leading to a straight front giving correct reach to front with
nicely turned-out, strong pasterns. Good width and depth of chest, nicely ribbed, short coupled and
a level topline with breed type tail set and carriage. Good angulation to rear hindquarters and bend
of stifle allowing for good rear drive on the move. Short, close coat of excellent condition. Moved
and handled well. Extremely pleased to award her Best Bitch and Best in Show.
2nd: ROWE & SOUTH, ILLORI CONSTELLATION JW
Black Brindle bitch. Clean, feminine head with correct proportions, dark eye, neat ears, distinct stop
with clean muzzle housing a correct scissor bite. Clean neck into good shoulder placement, straight
front with good turnout of pasterns. Good spring of rib with a level topline held on the move. Good
angulation to rear quarters with good muscle tone and bend of stifle. Handled and moved ok.
Class 18 Open Bitch (1 Entry) Abs: 1