NWSBTC Open Show 30th August 2026

Judge – Alexa Keetch (Dynastaffs – USA)

This was a bit of a first for the North West – an overseas judge and all the way from the US, to boot. Alexa comes with a great pedigree in the show world successfully campaigning several dogs to their title. Alexa came being gifts a sparkling collection of Stafford models for all the main winners – see below – to be added to the prizes supplied by the Club, plus the special vet bed, donated by Martin Johnson – thank you Martin.

This was the second show at this venue – Hoghton village hall – and a few modifications after the first, in particular the ring made a tad narrower and the utilisation of just two mats instead of the three. This created more space on either side to accommodate more cages and more room for the exhibitors and spectators alike, as per the photo above. Incidentally the above photo captures quite a few of the people attending the show – in years to come it’s always interesting identifying people at the ringside.

A few more of these

Once again we were sponsored by Gilbertson & Page with their Dr. John range of dog food.

The entry was 65 dogs, 10 up on the last Open show held in January 2026 so we are quite pleased with this positive result given the negativity these days – some Clubs considering going down to one show (some already have done this). This entry has attracted exhibitors from a wide area including Lanarkshire, Durham, Cumbria, West Midlands, Lincolnshire and Shropshire, plus over the border from Yorkshire.

You only have to look at the above photos to see quite a few spectators including Jimmy & Maureen Devine, Eric Galvin, Bryn & Julie Allsopp, Bev Harrison, Christine Wibberley, Paul Quinn, Pos & Karen Davidson, John Kenyon, Kelly Wilson, Audrey Hubery, Pete Rhodes & Frank Reader to mention some. Also, just popping in with their new 4 month old puppy was Roy & Debbie Needham to say hello and see breeders Karen & Martin Johnson. We’ve not seen Roy and Debbie for a few years, it’s really nice to see them once again, taking the plunge. I should say that these two have bred two Champions going back to the noughties – Ch Stormpike Dark Lord and Ch Stormpike Ebony And Ivory at Bullred (for our Chairman Roy Day).

So coming here is not a bad day to pass a few enjoyable hours catching up with fellow Stafford aficionados’.

There were a number of Committee members missing on the day but those that turned out, more than made up for it. Amongst these are newcomers Louise O’Malley and Mark Lomax – Louise assisting Secretary Claire Crossman on the admin front – see photo below and Mark helping out here and there, in particular the raffle.

Main Winners

Moving on, today the BIS was a Champion Dog – Ch Jayneze Doctor Jimmy at Modlife, bred by Jayne Winrow and owned by Jayne and Peter Marsden, all from the North East.

Best bitch, reserve BIS and Best Puppy went to a spectacular puppy Jackabyte Paradoxe Pria, this bitch already a RCC winner, these having travelled up from the Midlands. Takes some doing winning that lot, you can see why Karon is so pleased.

Reserve Best dog went to the aforementioned Martin & Karen Johnson with their Tillcarr Fire Soldier, but this kennel won Junior Bitch with Bethaleese’s Dammit Janet by Tillcarr and bred the Limit Bitch class with Tillcarr Fire Phoenix at Troystaff (owned by Jamie Smith & Mrs)

And Reserve Best Bitch was Jayneze Miss Attitude, litter sister to the BIS winner, with another litter sister Jayneze Ramona placed second in Limit. So, all in all not a bad day for Jane.

Reserve Best Puppy was the dog Shawrigg Definitely Maybe, bred and owned by Tracy Hamilton and Robert Murphy, more long distance travellers, this time Scotland. This puppy is out of their Champion bitch Ch Bonnie Lass of Angels Peak Shawrigg.

Best Veteran went to Liz & Paul Stanway’s Waystaff What’s The Crack, you can’t keep Liz out of limelight, although she did win Minor Puppy Bitch with her latest puppy, Waystaff Love Conquers All.

Judges critique

The day started with our President Geoff Boote, introducing the judge and presenting her with a small gift from the Club.

I would like to thank the North West Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, for inviting me to Judge their 80^th Anniversary Open Show, August 30, 2026. What an amazing event it was! Well ran by all staff involved, and I felt very welcome. Thank you to Claire Crossman and Roy Day for making me feel right at home, and along with my ring steward, Kerrie Coombes, kept things running smoothly and moving forward.

The quality overall was amazing, and I felt very fortunate to have such a great entry to go over. Thank you to all the exhibitors for entrusting me to give my fairest opinion on the day. I felt everyone was grateful and accepting of my lineups. This club should be commended for their great sportsmanship and for encouraging fellow exhibitors. It was nice to hear the applause after each winner was announced.

Minor Puppy Dog – 6 entries, no absentees

1^st Shawrigg Definitely Maybe

Red and White puppy that caught my eye from the moment he entered the ring. Very clean throughout, with a beautiful expression. Good bite. Nice feet, good bone, and bend of stifle. Level topline that held on the move. Nice tail set that showed off his movement that was very nice, especially for being so young. He was handled very well. A very bright future ahead for this young pup. Best Puppy Dog In Show

2^nd Kamaristaffs Royal Bruce

If this young black brindle pup had given more ears and expression he would have pushed hard for first. Lovely head piece on this dog. Clean tight lips, with a nice bite and large teeth. Nice round dark eyes. Level topline with a nice tail set and once this boy settled he moved out very well. He was handled well.

3rd Black Celebration

Puppy Dog (3,2 abs)

1^st Simpstaff The Pretender

Red with white markings. Another very nice puppy. Nice dark Pigment. Clean head with beautiful dark mask and good bite. Tidy ears. Wide front with good bone. Tight feet. Handled well and moved well. Only one in class, but was still pleased to award this dog 1^st place.

Junior Dog (4, 1 abs)

1^st Proudstaff Day Tripper

As soon as this male entered the ring I knew he was special. Beautiful Black Brindle. Clean round head with a Keen expression, good bite. Large dark, round eyes that followed me as I moved around the ring, as if to say “keep looking at me” and I did. Good bone, lovely front, up on his well padded feet. Plenty of chest for his young age. Nice tuck up. Level topline that held while on the move. Powerful rear, for his age, that will continue to mature as he does. He was handled very well and as he moved around the ring he commanded my attention. He will be one that I would like to see in a year. He pushed hard for top honours, only reconsidered due to maturity. He has a bright future ahead of him.

2^nd Sparhard’s Punisher

Red with white. Nice wide front with good bone. Lovely pigment and happy to be in the ring. Easy to get expression. Ears ok. Feet ok. Moved well and handled well. A little strong for me, but well balanced for his strength and proper balance should never be ignored.

3rd Jazostaffs Super Moon

Post Graduate Dog (6, 2abs)

1^st Tyneview Etna Nero

Nice top skull that showed off this boys strength of head. A lot of expression. A little larger ear, but still acceptable. Good bite. Clean front with good feet. Nice tuck up in the loin. Level Topline. Moved well. Was a very happy dog in the ring.

2^nd Dusklight White Heat

Beautiful White Male. Showed up in excellent condition, one of the fittest on the day, and the owner should be commended for his condition. Good bite. Clean front with good bone. Feet ok. Nice tuck up that accented his top condition. Nice tight coat and excellent spring of rib. I tried really hard to get ears and expression out of this boy. Had he been a little happier for me he would have pushed hard for 1^st.

3rd Geordiestaff Toon Army at Teamposse

4th Kensesqui Gobi Sparhard’s

Limit Dog (2)

1^st Tyneview Rizzius Lusso

Brindle with white, broad skull with stronger muzzle that is the appropriate width. Good bite. Keen round eye. Good front with ample bone and bend of stifle. The standout for me on this boy was his strong rear, great angulation and tail set. Something I feel Staffords have been lacking lately. A little larger ear, but acceptable. Moved well and handled well.

2^nd Dusklight See Me Now

White and Brindle also in excellent condition. Clean head with nice round eye. Nice fore chest with good bone. Feet Ok. Nice rear angulation with a lot of tuck up. Tight coat and nice tail set. Well muscled. Would have liked more expression out of him. Handled well.

Open Dog (2)

1^st Ch Jayneze Doctor Jimmy at Modlife

Beautiful Black Brindle. I have admired this male since he was a pup and he did not disappoint. He made his handler work, but when you watch him settle and move out, he moves effortlessly. Clean throughout always willing to give ears, round dark eyes, a beautiful expression and nice scissor bite with large teeth. That was just the start. Nice deep chest that filled my hand as I was going over him. Good bone and well padded feet. Up on his toes. Nice spring of rib and tuck up that lead to a powerful, driving rear with proper angulation. This dog is very well balanced with beautiful parallel movement that held a very nice top line. This handler does an excellent job with his energy. Fits the standard as I interpret it, and I was honoured to go on to award him Best Dog and Best In Show.

2^nd Tillcarr Fire Soldier JW

Another Beautiful black Brindle that ticks all the boxes for me, and fits the standard. Even though only two dogs in the class this may have been one of my toughest classes of the day. I have also watched this dog as a pup and hoped to see him in person one day. I was honored to get that opportunity. Beautiful head with tidy Rose ears that he was willing to use to show off his keen expression. Lovely scissor bite and tight lips. Good bone with nice well padded feet. Would have preferred more width to his front, but this did not affect my decision of the day. Too much to love about this dog. Level Top line that held on the move, while driving properly from the rear. Nice parallel movement and rear angulation. Handled very well. Proud to go on to award him Reserve Dog.

Challenge for Best Dog

Best Dog – Ch Jayneze Doctor Jimmy at Modlife (right).

Reserve Best Dog – Tillcarr Fire Soldier

Challenge for Best Puppy Dog – winner the Minor Puppy Shawrigg Definitely Maybe – left

Halftime – the raffle

Bitches

Minor Puppy Bitch (3 entries)

1^st Waystaff Love Conquers All

This young white and red girl sure made her handle work for it. Once settled she moved out very nicely and with purpose, driving with power from the rear, especially for her young age. Very clean and expressive with nicely set rose ears. Front was really nice and she had the tidiest of feet that were well padded. Level topline with a nice tail set and good angulation. This girl has a promising future.

2^nd Dusklight Polar Express From Fergiestaffs

White and red girl with lots of expression. Very clean head with tight lips. Nice rose ears. Good bite. Nice tuck up for her age with lovely angulation. Head is still developing and I would really like to see this one again, after she matures a bit, as it was splitting hairs with the 1^st place winner. Movement was nice and she was handled well.

Puppy Bitch (5, 1 abs)

1^st – Jackabyte Paradoxe Pria

Black brindle bitch that grabbed my intention from the first second she walked in to the ring. She has one of those expressions that is hard to take your eyes off. Large, dark, round eyes hat followed me everywhere. Clean head with tight lips and a correct scissor bite with neat rose ears that only enhanced her keen expression. Standard in size with nothing overdone. Good bone and well padded feet. Lovely front. Up on her pasterns. Level top line with nice rear angulation. Good spring of rib. Handled well. This is one I would love to have taken home. Happy to further award her Best Bitch, Best Puppy and Res. Best In Show.

2^nd Go To Dream Auricstaff (IMP CZE)

Brindle and white. Flashy girl that is also a nice standard size. Clean face with tidy lips and Keen expression. Lots of bone with tidy feet. Nice powerful movement with well laid Hocks. Not as much drop of chest as my 1^st place, but that will come. She has plenty of time and I have no doubt a bright future. Handled well.

3rd Simpstaff Best Of You

4th Jodel’s Layla with Tyneview

Junior Bitch (3, 1 abs)

Another really tough class that came down to splitting hairs. These two could have changed places on any given day.

1^st Bethaleese’s Dammit Janet by Tillcarr

A lovely standard sized black brindle that oozed breed type. Very clean and expressive. The handler definitely got the best out of her. Clean head with tight lips, scissor bite with large teeth. Good front with ample bone and well padded tight feet. Nice drop of chest. Good spring of rib and well bent stifle. Tight coat and moved out well.

2^nd Ebonystaffs Black Panther

Beautiful black brindle with a standout front. Nice forechest and good bone. Up on her toes with well padded feet. One of the best toplines of the day. Big round dark eyes and nice angulation. Moved well and handled well.

Novice Bitch (4, 2abs)

1^st Sheracruz Homely Girl

Brindle Bitch that I did not find “Homely” at all. Lovely front with nice drop of chest. Good bone. Feet ok. Nice tight coat and good spring of rib. She was in great condition. Moved well with a level topline.

2^nd Jayneze All Or Nothing At Modlife

Black Brindle standard sized bitch with nothing overdone. Good bone with tidy feet. Clean and expressive. Would have preferred tidier ears to suit her expression, which was lovely. Moved well and held a level topline on the move.

Post Graduate Bitch (7, 1 abs)

This was a very competitive class that had me thinking and taking second and third looks.

1^st – Jayneze Miss Attitude

Brindle bitch with good bone and up on leg. Very balanced with one of the loveliest of expressions I saw on the day. Nice rose ears, clean head with a good bite. Nice front with a good drop of chest. Really nice tight and well padded feet. Good tuck up and in nice condition. Level Top line, which she held on the move. Handled well. Reserve Best Bitch

2^nd Kamaristaffs Royal Legacy

Black Brindle Bitch with a very clean face and Keen expression. Good bone and nice front. Rose ears, good bite and tight lips. Nice tuck up and top line that held on the move. Good spring of rib and tight coat. Moved well and proper. Stronger than 1^st place, but still feminine.

3rd Tyneview Alfissimo

4th Sheracruz Homely Girl (1st in Novice)

5th Thebilecious Te Amo Atlomstaffs

Limit Bitch (7, 1 abs)

1^st Tillcarr Fire Phoenix at Troystaff

This is a lovely Black Brindle Bitch that pushed hard for my reserve female. Very true to the standard in size, conformation and movement. Good bone with a nice front and good feet. Turned up in good condition and moved with purpose and drive. Nice strong rear end. I have no doubt this girl has a bright future. Handled well.

2^nd Jayneze Ramona

Another lovely bitch with a keen expression. Big round dark eyes and very clean. Good bone and beautiful tidy feet. Nice front. Topline ok. Moved well and Handled well.

3rd Janjoma Heart’s Desire

4th Dusklight Who’s That Girl

Open Bitch (3, 1 Abs)

1^st Kamaristaff Royal Duchess JW –

Very nice black brindle bitch. Clean head and when she gave me ears and was up on her toes, she was hard to ignore. Beautiful front with correct scissor bite. Well padded feet. Moved well with a level topline that held on the move. One of the nicest tail sets of the day. Nice power in the rear that moved out parallel. Would have liked a little more expression.

2^nd Dusklight Del A Soul

Such a lovely white bitch that just was not having it today. She showed up in excellent condition with a lovely front and tidy feet. Very standard sized girl with great angulation and a very nice tuck up. However, today she was not in the mood to give me ears or expression and did not want to be in the ring. What a shame because she really had some lovely attributes, and I would have liked to have seen her on her game.

Veteran Bitch (2)

1^st Waystaff What’s The Crack

White and red Bitch that I could tell was a standout in her prime. Still had a lovely expression and moved for her handler very well. Nice parallel movement with plenty of drive for a Veteran. The ‘Ole girl’s still got it. It was a pleasure to see her enjoying being in the ring. Best Veteran In Show

2^nd Attitude Jingle Jangle At Jayneze (IMP RUS)

Another lovely Veteran that seemed to enjoy herself in the ring. Nice bone with a lovely front, that I could tell was amazing in her day. Moved well, just preferred the topline on my 1^st place.

Bitch Challenge