The Online SBT Annual

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.