The Online SBT Annual

Firstly my sincere and heartfelt thanks to the society for the invite to judge at the first championship show of the year. To my two stewards Donald and John who kept the ring running efficiently and made the day pass with combination of efficiency, attentiveness and humour. Finally to the exhibitors for allowing me the honour to assess your prized possessions. Good luck for 2026 with hard work, dedication and smidge of luck I hope all your dreams are fulfilled.

Onto the dogs. I must say I feel the depth of quality in attendance on the day was not as deep as one would hope. That said as I looked along my final lineup I was pleased with the high quality and breed type on display and I was left wishing for a couple more bits of card. I found several messy mouths, loose fronts and a few poor toplines something I think the ever creative and talented breeders in the breed will want to address in future plans. Fitness was an issue for many with very few what I would determine as properly fit, with at least two being overweight. I understand everyone's circumstances are different but you spend a lot of money to enter shows and anything that gives a judge a reason not to pick your dog should be eliminated where possible.

On a positive note I found no dogs showing any sign of respiratory difficulty and the overly short muzzles were at a minimum. Temperaments were as you'd expect impeccable and it was a joy to see our representative in the groups perform so well and while not placed they were all able to showcase the breed in a positive light. The higher classes especially had some real quality and that made making decisions difficult but really enjoyable.

It was a pleasure to judge alongside Mr Martinez and I was pleased to agree with him on most of our final decisions.

SpeciaBD

Really difficult task this class, lots of variety and a large age range

1st Geordiestaff Toon Army

21 month old brindle dog who won this class on breed type and maturity. Decent masculine head, would like to see him fill some of the loose skin as he hits full maturity. Ears ok, decent topline both stood and on the move. A little loose at the elbow, the higher level of fitness that will be needed with maturity will hopefully improve that. His handler done a good job with him. Moved well enough with a happy jaunty aura. Gave way to a very nice bitch for BSBIB.

2nd Wonderstaff This Boy

A promising 6 month old lad who caught my eye. Really nice typy head with a mixture of bull and Terrier. Decent amount of strength for his age with a good underjaw. Nice width to his front and correct front construction. Enough rib for his age, level topline which he held reasonably well on the move. Rear is somewhat loose at this stage and his rear movement reflected that. Overall a promising puppy who lost out on maturity in this class and also for BPD but one I think will give his owner some fun times.

MPD

1st as 2nd SBD

2nd Proud Star Day Tripper

A young B/B with an appealing expression. Head of good proportions and clean lips housing goodsize teeth. Dark eye, Ears ok, decent front but one would hope maturity brings more width to balance him. Enough rib, topline ok and good rear angulation and tail carriage. Moved ok when settled by his handler. Bested today by the balance and bone of winner but plenty more battles ahead for all the youngsters in this class as they change and mature.

PD

1st Keepastaff Let's Load It (improve dnk)

9 month old strong headed standard sized dog. Well boned straight front, level topline held when he moved which he done well with drive. Enough rib for this stage with good rear angulation. Nice tail set. Pleased to award him BPD and on the referees decision BPIB. Well done

2nd Dexilystaff Northern Star

9 month old Red and White dog. Not as mature in head as winner. Nice head ratio, dark eye and tight lips. Decent front construction with plenty of rib. Topline ok both stood and on the move. Excellent rear angulation and tail set well. Moved well. He's at the stage of development where he needs time for his head to catch up but when it does I think he'll be quiet the picture. Gave way today on maturity and consequently balance.

JD

1st Jojalane I Drink Wine

Nicely balanced red and white dog who draws you to him. This lad possesses the head ratio I believe to be correct with a good strong muzzle. There is nothing overdone and consequently his head is appealing from all angles. Decent front with enough width. Ok for rib, topline strong and level . Would prefer tidier feet if I was nitpicking but theres no denying he's a rather handsome example of the breed. Moved ok once settled but does tend to work his handler hard. Considered him for RCC today, A dog I feel will trouble the best under the right judges.

2nd Eastreet Thundercracker

A stronger type of dog than 1st but of no less quality. Strong head with dark eyes, enough length of muzzle. Good strong short neck. Nice front assembly. Topline held both stood and on the move. My personal preference for the head ratio on winner meant he settled for 2nd today but a class dog with lots of virtues... a little erratic on the move but once youthful exuberance passed he moved true with drive .

YD

1st Elitebull Valentine JW.

A smart dog who is predominantly white with some red. A proper eyefull this lad. Great head with a nice expression. Dark round eye and clean head with no excess or exaggeration, tidy ears. His front assembly is a major virtue with a good amount of bone and width and a fantastic forechest. Enough rib, level topline held well and correct rear angulation. Rear quarters were well muscled and moved him round the ring with effortless drive. Did consider him for CC but lost out on maturity, I was delighted to award the RCC in really good company. I feel this dog has every chance to go all the way. Best of luck. RCC.

2nd Wellstaffs Young Warrior JW

18 month old dog who possesses bundles of class. Best of heads with correct muzzle length, correct stop, cheek muscles developing nicely and good underjaw. Would prefer neck a smidge shorter and handler should be aware of stringing him too much when stacking. Excellent front with good bone and width and no looseness. Enough rib at this stage, good topline, and good rear angulation. Fitness a credit. I've every expectation this dog will challenge for the big awards once his body matures with him. Really good mover.

PGD

1st Hamason Sweet Little Mystery JW

Brindle and white topsize dog who moved as well as anyone here today. Strong yet unexagerated head with dark eye and correct ratios. Strong short neck flowing well into well laid and muscled shoulders. Good width to his front. Ok for rib. He's probably a bit longer cast than is ideal but he has really good balance about him. Holds his topline really well on the move. His movement is true with clear drive from powerful well muscled rear quarters. Won this class with a bit in hand. He had my CC and RCC winners either side of him in the line up and he looked at home in that company.

2nd GeordieStaff Local Hero JW

21 month old dog. Nicely proportioned head with a dark eye. Good strong underjaw. Front of sufficient width. Ok for rib. Good Rear angulation. Topline good both stood and on the move, this was the clincher in earning him 2nd place in this class. In decent fit condition. Couldn't match 1 for drive on the move.

LD

1st Ellchansha Charm The Devil at Moorstar

A black, brindle and white dog of just over 2.5 years. I judged this dog as puppy nearly two years ago and thought he was nailed on champion, little did I known I'd be lucky enough to hand out his crowning CC. He has a head that oozes class, it is of good strength with no coursness or exaggeration. Correct length of muzzle housing a perfect bite with teeth of good size. Dark round eyes and neat ears mean all the ingredients are there for the typical staffords expression that stops you in your tracks. His front assembly is good with sufficient bone and width and well laid shoulders. Well sprung rib and nicely short coupled. Topline is as a Stafford should be but is missing so often at the moment. Rear angulation is spot on. Can he carry his tail a smidge high? Maybe, but the whole dog oozes class. He moved incredibly well with drive from his well muscled rear quarters. I was delighted to award him the CC his crowning one (subject to RKC approval) for a title I feel is long overdue. A word for his lady handler who knew her job. She was inconspicuous as a good handler should be, she has a good dog and she knows it and gets the best from him without becoming the center of attention, a handling lesson for some. If this dog is shown in this condition all year I'm absolutely certain this won't be his last bit of green card. Thank you for bringing him and congratulations.

2nd Tillcarr Fire Soldier

21 month old typey dog. Smaller dog all over than winner but very standard and balanced. Head of good proportions with a lovely dark eye and a wicked expression. His underjaw stood out to me as a great example of a virtue missing too often at the moment. Good front construction with enough width. Decent rib, level topline and good rear angulation. Reasonable muscle tone. Coat was gleaming. He made his handler earn her keep today. Couldn't match one for movement today, this was likely down to his overexcited nature on the day. I called him back to challenge for RCC but there was just a bit of maturity and showmanship ahead of him. A good dog this one.

OD

1st Karimstaff Royal Rumour JW

A dog of undoubted quality. A really nicely proportioned head with the required ratio. Good underjaw and strength to his muzzle and clean as a whistle throughout. Keen and alert expression. Decent width to his front and correct shoulders. Enough rib and a level topline held well on the move. Short coupled and good rear angulation. Moved well around the ring driven by powerful quarters. He was in my thoughts for both major awards and I had a last look at him after picking up the RCC but in the end I preferred the more forechest of the yearling dog but really was having to split hairs. His day will come.

2nd CH Karimstaff Royal Ransom at Bowtman JW

Litter brother to one and what a litter it was. This dog is stronger in head than one but possesses all the same qualities, has a little more rib than winner. Lovely short coupling and good well muscled rear. Moved well once he settled. Well set and carried tail. When one has two dogs of such quality one has to split them and my personal preference for the style and ratio of the winner's head carried the day today but I can certainly see what so many before me have found so appealing.

VD. Biggleswick Splash of Ginge.

Another I've judged previously and hes a favourite of mine. Im told this was his retirement show and he can relax know he's done the breed a great service. Still maintain a good level of condition and his movement will put many to shame. Hes a well constructed dog and hes a credit to his owners. Head showing some signs of age but eyes still keen and alert. Good front with decent topline. A cracking dog

Here's to a successful 2026 for one and all

G Thomas

(Gazstaff