Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society

Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society Premier Open Show

Judge: Dave McKimm

Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

BOB 1097 - Fairlenium Iron King at Canisstaff (Mr M & Mrs S Hudson)

RBOB 1096 - Cwmhâf Bring Me Sunshine (Mr M J Harvey)

BP 1094 - Stonecut The First Seed (Mr G Fox)

Thank you to the Society for inviting me to judge your show and the hospitality afforded me

My thanks to my very capable steward on the day and of course my biggest thanks to all those that gave me the privilege of assessing their dogs and the sporting manner my decisions were accepted.

It was a warm day, and all the dogs coped extremely well with no cause for any health concerns or breathing issues. I found no issues with any serious mouth faults or tight nares. However, several of the dogs were very unsettled in parts, perhaps also not coping so well with the surface in the rings being for equestrian use and fitness levels on some dogs were an issue which did affect places awarded on the day.

672. Staffordshire Bull Terrier – Puppy (3,0)

1ST 1094 - Stonecut The First Seed (Mr G Fox) BPIB and went on to gain TGP3

Black Brindle male of 11 months , with a strong headpiece on him, compact and balanced in appearance ., Good width and depth to head and a distinct stop, lovely dark eyes and tidy ears creating typical expression with a hint of something that could explode into bouncy energetic puppy at any moment to add to the excitement, exactly the kind of Stafford you just know talking to him to make him feel at ease is just going to gain a bit of Stafford style love whether you want it or not. Good bite and good strength to underjaw, ample bone and good width to front which is straight and clean and showing forechest , a strong neck leading into good front and rear angulation and pleasing in side profile, showing a nice sensible level of fitness for a youngster of this age tucking up nicely into the loins. Movement was the best of the class holding his topline, saw what I needed to see but majority of the exhibits were struggling to piece it all together on the day. Was pleased to stay and watch him in group and he put in a great performance after such a long and warm day to gain a G3. Well done and all the very best for the future.

2ND 1092 - Jojalane I Drink Wine (Mr & Mrs J Bassford-Lane)

Smart looking red male of 9 months with flashy white markings and a lovely dark muzzle with a touch more length to my class winner and cleaner in the foreface, rounder but classic head that is still developing with a well-defined stop, nice dark eyes and tidy ears used well to create good expression. Ample bone and clean straight front of good width. This little fella really gave his handler and me a hard time making him very difficult to assess but with a little patience and a spot of Stafford wrestling saw what we needed to see, movement was ok, holding a level topline. Not quite the fitness level of the class winner though at this age I will never consider this to any degree and had he been a little more settled then for sure I would have had a far tougher decision on my hands. Look forward to seeing him come on and watch the results with interest.

3RD 1095 - Dusklight Small Town Boy at Maskalon (Mr D & Mr N Gutierrez Gonzalez & Hirst)

Very much the baby of the bunch at almost 7 months, white and red male, head developing nicely with good length to muzzle, bite ok, eyes dark enough for coat colour, still growing into his ears but knew how to use them and attentive in class. Enough bone and a clean front of enough width, moved ok holding a level topline. Most important in competition across such a wide age gap so young is just learning the ropes and a very confident youngster enjoying his time in the ring eager to please his handler thankyou for bringing him and good luck for the future

673. Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Special Yearling (2,1)

1ST 1100 - Chapmeek Angelo (Mrs L Walker)

Red and white male of 13 months. Overall, very strong male with head to compliment, showing good width and depth, good length to muzzle which is encased in a dark mask and ample underjaw. eyes dark enough for coat and ears tidy enough and used well, short powerful neck flowing into correct shoulders, bite appeared to be ok but reluctant to let me have a real look. Plenty of bone, decent width to front showing forechest and good depth of brisket, , front and rear angulation ok with powerful hindquarters, though possible he would benefit from shaving off a little more covering. Very excitable male and happy to be in the ring, movement that we captured was ok and held a level topline but to get a proper assessment a bit more practice needed at ringcraft but please persevere to get the best out of him on the day and have fun with your best mate.

674. Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Post Graduate (3,0)

1ST 1096 - Cwmhâf Bring Me Sunshine (Mr M J Harvey) RBOB

Attractive Black Brindle Bitch approaching 3.5 years. She is obviously kept very active, and fitness was impressive, probably best on the day. Strong but feminine head with a good length to muzzle and well defined stop, eyes dark enough along with tidy ears she used very well and on her toes throughout, good width to muzzle and a strong underjaw housing a correct bite. Powerful front shoulder assembly with adequate bone leading down to nice tidy and well maintained feet. Her condition in side profile was very pleasing to see, and the hands only verified this when running over her tight fitting coat, correct shoulder placement with ample rib, correct coupling and rear quarters of steel, once she settled on the move and pace adjusted correctly, she went well holding a level topline. When considering for my RBOB her fitness and alertness just pipped the Limit winner to seal the deal. Thank you for bringing her along and all the best of luck with her

2ND 1093 - Brave Spirit Uncut Gem (Miss P Benfield)

Top size Red male with white blaze of 4.5 years that demonstrated balance for size. Strong well defined head of good proportion, eyes dark enough for coat and tidy enough ears that were used well throughout. Strong muzzle of correct length with good underjaw housing a correct bite. Plenty of bone and a good clean straight front of good width. Another with good levels of fitness leaving the hands to confirm what the eyes can see, front and rear angulation ok, moved ok holding a level topline. He knew his job on the day and performed it well, thank you for bringing him.

3RD 1100 - Chapmeek Angelo (Mrs L Walker)

See 1st place Special Yearling Class

675. Staffordshire Bull Terrier – Limit (1,0)

1ST 1099 - Pasgal Reach Out and Touch (Mr G & Mrs L Tomkins)

Black Brindle standard male of almost 5 years and nothing overdone, pleasing head, dark enough eye and well used ears which were tidy enough, defined stop, good skull to muzzle ratio and correct bite with a clean foreface. Showing good balance for size and clean front good bone with neat tidy feet and correct depth of brisket. A strong neck of correct length leading into correct shoulders, ok for rib and front and rear angulation ok, correctly coupled but I thought on the day could benefit a little more work on fitness to give him a bit more of a tuck up . Moved ok holding a level topline, thank you for bringing him

676. Staffordshire Bull Terrier – Open (1,0)

1ST 1097 - Fairlenium Iron King at Canisstaff (Mr M & Mrs S Hudson) BOB

Brindle and white male of just over 4 years. Very strikingly marked with almost a full white front , a dog that does draw your eye in for closer examination. Exceptional powerful head of good width and depth with strong cheek muscles, good width to his blocky muzzle which has enough length and clean enough in the lip housing a correct bite. Dark enough well placed eyes and well placed tidy ears though he isn’t so keen on using them at times and requires a bit of encouragement with his laid back attitude. Good amount of bone and sound clean and straight front of good width and good depth to brisket. A powerful neck tapering into well laid powerful but not overdone shoulders, well ribbed and correctly coupled with a pleasing underline just tucking up nicely to complete the picture in side profile. Presented in excellent condition with sound powerful and well angulated hind quarters. I have judged him before, the most memorable point about this dog would be movement and he didn’t disappoint with no doubt about him being the best mover on the day , knows exactly what his job is and does it exceptionally well with a fantastic relationship with his handler. Once all my class winners were lined up and moved again I had no hesitation in awarding BOB

He stayed for Group and no placing but just not the dog for the judge on the day in a group of quality Terriers. A well performing ambassador for our Breed that did not put a foot wrong, well done and thank you for bringing him and all the very best of luck for the future

Thankyou

Dave Mckimm