The Online SBT Annual

CRUFTS JUDGES BIO 2026

STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER’S

With Crufts just a short number of weeks away, I thought it would be a good opportunity to give the exhibitors and visitors to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier ring an in-depth bio on each of our judges. Both Karon and Martin are long-standing servants of the breed, and 2026 is their time to shine on the green carpet. I found it most enjoyable to engage with both judges to learn about where they are from and what there journeys have encountered. They are both highly knowledgeable and dedicated to the breed. There is always a special atmosphere around the Stafford ring, and I see no difference this year. Exhibitors, enthusiasts and visitors will travel long distances to enjoy the spectacle that is Crufts, and the biggest cheers of the day will no doubt be from the corner that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier holds. That will be what Karon and Martin have to look forward to: handing out that CC, making someone's day as memorable as theirs. On behalf of the SBT Breed Council, in advance, we wish everyone safe journeys, a memorable day and the best of luck. Steve Bainborough PRO 

DOGS KARON JACKSON (JACKABYTE) 

Karon’s journey began in Tipton (the home of the well-known bare-knuckler boxer “the Tipton slasher”) in the heart of the Black Country, where her family roots were, with time spent on a large estate known locally as the “Lost City.” Life there was grounded in a strong, hard-working community, where Stafford and Stafford-type dogs were simply part of everyday life. Surrounded by them from an early age, Karon’s lifelong passion for the breed was almost inevitable. Her first family, Stafford, arrived in 1969 — a brindle bitch called Queenie, who sparked a love that would shape the rest of her life. In 1980, Karon owned her first Kennel Club registered Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Sheena, a mahogany brindle with white socks. When Sheena was around six months old, Karon took her to the SBTC parent club handling class at Shepwell Green near Darlaston. That day proved pivotal. There, she met and interacted with a group of highly respected breed stalwarts who would become mentors and lasting influences: George Walton (Walstaff), Frank Burford (Gwynford), Vera & Gerald Westwood (Nethertonian), Fred Gadd (Gadkey), Jim Beaufoy (Wyrefare), Lee Rhodes (Teracota), Roger Pugh (Rocellio), Paul Wilkinson and Alan Small (Bethane), just to name a few. Karon was never afraid to ask questions, always eager to learn. Over the next 40 years, she became a true student of the breed, sitting at ringside talking with many more experienced breed people such as Colin Powell (Bowtman), Danny Gilmore (Dumbriton) Clare Lee (Constones), Anne Dick (Bourtie), and many more besides, learning and absorbing not only knowledge of the breed’s virtues but also the hard lessons that come with losses as well as wins.Over the years, Karon has owned and loved reds, brindles, and black brindles. Her first champion and black brindle was inspired by Mike Davies’s Stormbull Solo, which led her to purchase a pup from a repeat mating 14 months later, CH Stormbull So Wot JW (Tyler), a dog who would be an influence in her breeding story. Just a few other notable dogs bred or owned include CH Bourtie Wot a Steal JW, CH Strongstorm Style is Eternal at Jackabyte, CH Jackabyte Miss Moneypenny JW, CH Jackabyte Wonderlust at Rhebelstaff, CH Jackabyte Boletoro at Nettleworth and CH Jackabyte Javikah. 1982 was Karon’s first ‘Red’ Stafford, and from here Karon began breeding in 1985, her first Jackabyte’ litter arriving in 2003. From her breeding programme came dogs that would leave a meaningful mark on her life and the breed, including a mahogany brindle bitch, Jackabyte Top Totty (from a mating between a red bitch Rocellio Miss Elegance at Jackabyte to Black brindle dog Ch Kannechor Young Hustler). She was mated to CH Stormbull So What JW. This breeding produced Watchman V, and subsequently the connection of this line has produced Watchman VI, and the latest young recruit Watchman VII — three males with linked lineage creating Stafford history. These have created proud moments for Karon, seeing dogs she had bred going on to serve with the Staffordshire Regiments and meet many members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries. To date, Karon has bred 14 litters over 40 years. Her involvement in the breed naturally led her into judging. Although initially unsure if she was ready, Karon took the leap after encouragement from others. Her first judging appointment was in the mid-1980s. She awarded her first Challenge Certificates at Birmingham National in 2009 and has since also judged overseas more than 30 times. Over the course of her judging career, she has assessed just short of 3000 Staffordshire Bull Terriers within the UK and her overseas appointments. Karon has awarded CC’s on 10 previous occasions in the UK. Karon has also been involved with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Parent Club for several years, where she works tirelessly behind the scenes, especially on show days, making sure everything runs smoothly. This work ethic has also transferred to our Breed Council, where she dedicated 14 years of her time as the Breed Liaison Officer. All of this, I am sure, is appreciated by all within the breed. For Karon, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is far more than a breed — it is a way of life. She treasures their companionship, loyalty, strength, character, and unmistakable honesty. As she puts it, with a Stafford, what you see is what you get — and that’s exactly why she loves them. Away from Staffordshire Bull Terriers, her work life as an NHS Practitioner gave her experience of life and how delicate and precious it can be. Karon loves a Sunday Roast and being with family and is a loyal supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. Karon, in her younger years, did ballroom dancing for many years, she competed and swam for Staffordshire County and at 15 was a long-distance runner for Tipton Harriers.

BITCHES MARTIN GRIMWOOD (STORMSTAFF)

Martin was born in South Wales, in Crickhowell. At the age of seven, he moved to Scotland, where he remained until he was 27, before eventually returning to Wales. His involvement with Staffordshire Bull Terriers began by mistake. Originally, Martin had wanted a Bull Terrier, inspired by Bodger from the Disney film The Incredible Journey. However, his father came across a litter of Staffordshire Bull Terriers instead, and that chance encounter marked Martin’s first introduction to the breed. His first Stafford was called Storm (The Duke of Zilabra), and Storm was not just a dog or a pet, but a best friend. With memories cherished and shared, Stom became the name behind the affix he proudly carries today — Stormstaff. Martin first began showing in 1984. After getting married, the family decided to have a dog as a family pet, and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier was the only breed that was going to come into the home. So a Stafford it was, and after attending handling classes, Martin entered the show ring for the first time with his Stafford Sam (Stormstaff Telegram Sam). Showing started as a slow-burning hobby, as he would equally love to run his dog across the beaches and in the mountains in Wales. Martin has bred 3 litters, from which came Stormstaff Sky’s the Limit, who was BOB at Crufts. Martin also handled CH Stormlodge Anne Bonny to her crown and had a CC awarded to Stormstaff Rose of Mooncoin. Martin turned his attention to judging, and after being talked into doing so, he thought he would give it a go and see if he liked it! And in 1988, he officiated at his first show for Carmarthen and District Canine Society. His passion for judging soon outweighed his drive toshow, and some 400 dogs later, he received his first championship show appointment at The Potteries in 2004. Since then, he has gone on to judge in excess of 2,000 dogs, gaining extensive hands-on experience in the breed. Martin has awarded 14sets of CC’s at 10 different Championship Shows. Overseas, Martin has had the pleasure of judging in Australia, America and Ireland twice each and in France, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Martin’s long-standing involvement with Staffordshire Bull Terriers at breed club level began in 1986 when he became a member of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of South Wales. In the early 1990s, he joined the Western Staffordshire Bull Terrier Society, where he has served as Secretary, Chairman, Treasurer, and in many other roles over the years. His dedication and hard work for the club have been unwavering, and he remains an integral part of the Western Staffordshire Bull Terrier Society today. Along the way, Martin has been influenced and inspired by mentors, including Bryn Cadogan (Dogan) Ken Davis, and Anne Gatenby (Kerrisdale). Some of his fondest memories of shows include socialising, learning from respected breeders and judges, and enjoying a beer or two along the way. Martin has achieved a judging diploma with distinction from the animal care college run by David Cavill and has spoken at breed club seminars for the Potteries SBTC, Morecambe Bay & Cumbria SBTC and his very own Western SBTS.The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is something truly special to Martin. He deeply admires the breed’s heritage, its history, and the challenges it has overcome over the years. His respect for the breed and its future remains close to heart. Away from Staffords, Martin enjoys a Currey and is a Motherwell FC Supporter. Martin's time within the breed is one of dedication and commitment, and with in-depth knowledge comes experience spanning over decades. It is well deserved that Martin has the opportunity to judge at the very top, and I am sure the day will be a memorable andenjoyable experience for him to look back