Northern Counties Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

NORTHERN COUNTIES SBT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

19-09-2026

CRAIG LIGGINS (KNOCKON)

Firstly, It was a tremendous honour to be invited to judge my first Championship show appointment by the NCSBT Club, and my sincere thanks to all involved for this fabulous opportunity. The Hospitality shown was second to none, and huge thanks to my stewards, Shaun Stone, Anthony Blake and Pauline Harkin for keeping the rings running like clockwork. 

There were no breathing problems noted, but many of the decisions could easily change if a little more attention were made to fitness and general grooming. Overall I was extremely pleased with quality of dogs exhibited and thank everyone for accepting my decisions in a sporting manor. 

Minor Puppy Dog: (8, 1a)

1^st Mrs K M Jones,  KAMARISTAFFS ROYAL BRUCE, BB/white, Eight month old puppy who is already showing promise, a strong but clean head shape with a defined stop and a correct length of muzzle, dark round eyes, well placed ears and a lovely expression and correct bite. Well boned straight front, his rib and brisket are coming on well for his age. Tight feet, correct front & rear angulation, a good top line which he held on the move, once he settled. Turned out in good condition, should do well. Happy to award him Best Puppy Dog

2^nd Miss T & Mr R, Hamilton & Murphy,  SHAWRIGG DEFINITELY MAYBE, R/W, Very pleasing head shape with distinct stop and clean muzzle, well placed dark round eyes and correct bite. Good width and depth in forechest, with a good spring of rib. Correct bend of stifle with no weakness in the pasterns, level topline, good tail set, moved and handled well, maturing nicely, was a close decision with first, another with a bright future ahead. 

3^rd Ms K & Mr F Davidson & Schofield,  WAYSTAFF WILLIAM CONQUERER

Puppy Dog (2, 0a)

1^st Mr P & Mrs A Simpson, SIMPSTAFF THE PRETENDER, R/White front, Very good head shape with a good stop and nice length of muzzle. Correct bite and clean lipped, well placed rose ears. Enough width to front, with a deep brisket and well sprung rib. Good definition to rear muscles, short coat which was gleaming. Moved and handled well.

2^nd Ms K & Mr F Davidson & Schofield, WAYSTAFF WILLIAM CONQUERER Red/ White, Pleasing head shape, strong and deep throughout, lips are tight and clean, correct bite and good strength to underjaw. Muscular neck leading to well laid shoulders, straight well boned front, good rib and brisket. Well let down hocks, moved well. 

Junior Dog (5, 0a) 

1^st  Mr K, Mr C & Mr C Davis & Davis, SHAMARA FIDELIUS CHARM JW, Brindle/W, Standard dog with overall soundness. Clean in profile with a  very clean head, defined stop, and alert expression, dark round eyes, and  neat rose ears. Straight front with sufficient width and bone. Balanced body, strong neck flowing into good shoulder placement. Short coupled, well developed hind quarters, well let down hocks. Shown in good condition, moved and handled well, was considered in the challenge. 

2^nd Mr C, Mrs S & Miss K, Kerry, Houwaart & Daley, JACOBEAUS THE LEGECY B/Br, Very good head shape with pleasing expression. Dark round eyes, correct length of muzzle, correct bite and clean lipped. Well boned straight front with well padded feet. Enough rib and brisket, angulation to front and rear is correct. Pasterns show no signs of weakness. Very well presented, Topline held on the move, moved ok. 

3^rd Mr E, & Ms D, Smets & Renard,  KARWILLAGE WARPIG

Yearling Dog (6, 1a) 

1^st. Mrs J & Mr J Bassford-Lane,  JOJALANE I DRINK WINE JW, R/W, A standard balanced dog, cracking head shape, lovely clean muzzle with a black mask, deep stop, dark round eyes and well set ears give a good expression, good pigmentation. Good length of neck leading to well layed shoulders. Straight well boned front, angulations correct, well bent stifles and well developed hind quarters, put down in fit, hard condition, another that pushed hard in the challenge 

2^nd. Mr A & Mrs E Miller,  SKYLAND TILIKUM JW, B/Br, Head shape is clean and deep throughout, good muzzle length and correct bite. Well balanced body, good length of upper arm, straight front with enough bone, well ribbed and short in back, rear hindquarters developing nicely, moved and handled well. 

3^rd  Miss C L Seymour,  DEKAYRO’S EYE OF THE TIGER 

Novice Dog (6, 0a) 

1^st Mrs K M Jones, KAMARISTAFFS ROYAL BRUCE, B/B see MP 1^st

2^nd Mr E, Mrs D, Smets & Renard, KARWILLAGE WARPIG, B/Br, Good head with good muzzle length, dark round eyes, neat ears. Straight front with tight well padded feet. Good depth to brisket and well sprung rib. Good bend of stifle, well developed hind quarters and correct tail set. Moved and handled well. 

3^rd. Mr J & Mr K Pigott & Murphy,  NOUCAMP THE HOOLIGAN 

Graduate Dog (8, 0a) 

1^st. Mr D & Mr N, Gutierrez Gonzalez & Hirst,  DUSKLIGHT SMALLTOWN BOY AT MASKALON JW R/W, He has a clean head and muzzle, with correct dentition, dark eyes and neat ears. Straight front with ample width, rib and brisket is good, light in loin. Correct angulation front and rear, no weakness in pasterns. Held topline on the move, shown in fit condition, moved and handled well. 

2^nd Mrs N J Buchan, HAPPYSTAFF HAKUNA MATATA, Br/W, Strong head, broad muzzle, clean lipped, correct bite with big teeth. Dark round eyes, tapered neck flowing into well placed shoulders. Clean front, close coupled body with depth of rib. Good tail set and well muscled hind quarters. Moved out well.

3^rd Mrs D L Jamieson-Bramley, TYNEVIEW ETNA NERO 

Post Graduate Dog (6, 1a)

1^st. Mr K Mrs L Wells, WELLSSTAFFS YOUNG WARRIOR JW, B/Br, Standard sized dog with a balanced head, strong and deep throughout, correct skull to muzzle ratio, defined stop with open nares, rose ears and dark eyes, the whitest of teeth. Straight front with enough bone, short coupled with a well balanced body with no exaggerations, good bend of stifle, muscular rear quarters, shown in fit hard condition, moved and handled well. 

2^nd Mr N & Mrs S Bennett, POWERPACK SINGULARITY, B/Br, Good head shape and good length of muzzle, nothing overdone, correct bite and clean lipped, good pigmentation, dark eye and ears well set. Clean muscular neck, straight well boned front. Rib and brisket are good, no weakness in pasterns, good bend of stifle, correct tail set, in fit condition, covered the ground well.

3^rd Mr I & Mr J R Martinez, BULLBROTHERS TIMELORD JW 

Limit Dog (18, 4a) 

1^st Mr A & Mrs G Duncan, RHEBELSTAFF HUNKY DORY, B/Br, One I have watched for a long time, handsome dog. Clean in outline fitting the standard. Powerful clean head with wide muzzle, well defined stop, correct skull to muzzle ratio, open nares, bite is correct with big teeth, dark eye, nicely placed ears which give him a pleasing expression. Well balanced body with no exaggerations. Good length of upper arm, straight front leading to tight feet. Correct construction to front and rear, well developed hind quarters, moved with drive, handled well, pleased to award him RCC and after referee decision went on to gain Reserve Best Of Breed. 

2^nd Mr B Taylor, WAYSTAFF STRIKES FIRST, R/W, Good head which is clean strong and deep throughout, lips are tight with correct bite. Straight front and neat feet. Good depth to brisket with a well sprung rib. Short coupled with a good tuck up, correct angulation front and rear, topline held on the move, moved ok. 

3^rd Mr L & Mrs E Moult, ROYAL LEGEND AT MOULTSSTAFF JW

Open Dog (10, 1a)

1^st Mr D Ubogi, FOREVER BULL ICON OF STYLE B/B, This dog commanded my attention the moment he entered the ring and he did not disappoint. Oozing with breed type, cracking head piece without any exaggerations, clean with a defined stop. Dark round eyes which draw you in. Neat well placed rose ears enhance his expression, which he uses to his advantage. Correct length of muzzle, open nares, clean lips, good underjaw and correct dentition. Strong neck leading to well layed shoulders, Straight front with enough bone, well padded neat feet, no weakness in pasterns, well balanced body, deep brisket and well sprung rib, light in loin with a good tuck up, well muscled rear hindquarters, correct tail set, level top line held on the move, excellent front and rear angulation, moved with drive and purpose. Put down in fit hard condition, handled to perfection. He stood out in a very strong class, it was a pleasure to award him the CC and Best of Breed of referees decision 

2^nd Miss L Sheldon, CH KAMARISTAFFS ROYAL RANSOME AT BOATMAN JW, B/Br, Another quality dog of breed type, bang on standard, Clean and balanced head with a keen expression, correct bite and good strength to underjaw. Straight well boned front, deep brisket and well sprung rib. Short coupled with well developed hind quarters, front and rear angulation correct, showing no weakness in the pasterns, moved and handled expertly. 

3^rd Miss P, Miss D & Miss K, Raynsford, Raynsford & Steven’s, RAYNSTAFF OLD FASHIONED 

Veteran Dog (7, 6a)

1^st Mr D & Miss C A, Manito & Arntzen, CH CATSTAFF’S USED TO, B/B, what can you say about this veteran apart from “class” Cracking head shape of good proportions, defined stop, correct ratio of muzzle to skull, neat rose ears and dark round eye, correct bite. Strong neck leading into good shoulder placement. lovely straight front with good depth of brisket, good tuck up and well angulated hindquarters, moved with drive, shown in fit condition, a credit to his owner, pleased to award him Best Veteran Dog 

Northern Counties Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club

Championship Show 19^th September 2026

Bitches

I would firstly like to thank the committee of the Northern Counties Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club for giving me the opportunity to judge at their Championship Show, I consider it a great honour to be asked. A massive thank you to all the exhibitors, spectators and anyone who supported the club as well as myself. Thank you to my stewards on the day, Jenny Smith and Frank Reader, for keeping the ring ticking over. I was very pleased with the entry and the overall quality of the bitches on the day, especially heads. You all take home the best Stafford, whether you were placed or not. It was a pleasure to go over all of them. I found movement to be difficult to assess due to the ground, so I had to go on a short, settled stride in a lot of cases.  I have not mentioned mouths in my critique as most were good, but I found a few mouth faults including very tight canines, some lower going into the gum and misaligned incisors. I also had a small number with restricted nostrils.  Condition could have been better throughout and that could be worked on. It was great to judge alongside Craig Liggins on the day. 

MPB (10) (3 abs)

1^st Raynsford & Stevens’ Raynstaff Kiss My Cosmo

B/Br showing a clean outline and pleasing overall balance.  Lovely, clean head type coupled with a balanced foreface with tight lips. Both were of good width and length. Neck tapers into a front that is straight with sufficient width. Good front angulation.  Tidy enough ears and liked her expression.  Ribs carried back sufficiently and well bent stifle.  Would have preferred her hocks a little closer in to give better support. Pleased with her length of stride when moving.

2^nd Constant’s Battlestaff Pickle

B/Br/White chest who was a little stronger than 1 all over.  Lovely head shape of good width and depth.  Good eye placement and neat enough ears, decent stop and length to the foreface all aid to a pleasing expression.  Good underjaw but not as clean in lip as 1.  She has a straight, well boned front of ample width.  Decent front and rear angulations.  Movement was ok.

3rd Bassford-Lane’s Waystaff Lets Play Conquers With Jojalane

PB (9) (1abs)

1^st Hudson’s Legacy Staffords Angel From Heaven At Canisstaff (Fra Imp)

Dark brindle with white chest, very pleased with her head shape and balanced muzzle, both have good width and depth with no excess flesh.  Liked her expression aided by well-placed tidy ears.  Clean enough in lip with good strength to the underjaw.  Pleasing width to the front with ample substance to the legs.  Front angulation was good and her hocks were well placed giving good columns of support.  Slight slope to the croup and tail set that was carried well on the move.  Free flowing movement when she got into her stride holding a level topline. Liked her overall structure.  Pleased to award her BPB

2^nd Raynsford & Stevens’ Raynstaff Kiss My Cosmo

(See MPB)

3^rd Constant’s Battlestaff Pickle

JB (5) 

1^st Mitchell’s Vimaval I’m The Only One

Dark brindle with white flash on her chest, pleased with her overall balance and clean lines when viewed from all angles.  Liked her head shape with proportionate foreface, both showing enough strength.  Straight, wide front but would have preferred slightly more strength of bone to the legs.  Good feet.  Deep brisket and light in the loin.  Hocks short and set to give good columns of support to the rear, correct tail set. Fluid movement once she settled into her stride.

2^nd Quinn’s Bowferry Love Is The Drug

B/Br who is slightly stronger throughout than 1 but she is well-balanced.  She has good depth and width to the skull with a proportionate muzzle with good strength to the underjaw.  Neat ears and a dark eye enhance a pleasing expression.  Decent, straight front of good width.  Tidy feet and nice weight of bone.  Brisket level with the elbow.  Pleasing rear angulation with well positioned hocks.  Moved quite well holding a level topline.

3rd Crawford’s Crowstaff Lakeland Girl

YB (7)

1^st Canavan’s Boldstock Infinite Flame

Br with white on chest and front feet who caught my eye straight away.  For me she has lovely balance throughout when viewed from all angles and shows athleticism with enough strength and clean lines.  Beautiful head type with enough depth, width and length, in my opinion.  Proportionate muzzle strength and length, clean enough in lip and a good underjaw. Dark in eye, tidy ears, size and carriage enhance a lovely expression.  Straight front of good width.  Pleasing front angulations, good length of upper arm with the brisket level with the elbow.  Well-proportioned rear quarters provide good support.  Decent tuck up and tail set.  She moved well enough when settled with a good reach and length of stride.  Liked her a lot.  Pleased to award her BCC today.

2^nd Petts’ Arkenstaff She’s The One At Brydonstaff

B/Br that is slightly longer cast that 1, clean enough in skull but shorter than 1, distinct stop, good width and length to the muzzle.  Dark round eyes and well-carried ears.  Enough strength to the underjaw and pleasing expression.  Ample weight of bone and width to the front with decent angulation.  Tidy feet.  Rear angulation ok.  Moved well enough both front and rear.

3^rd Sandford’s Lornicstaff’s Camelot Queen

NB (5) (1abs)

1^st Dean’s Airestaff Stevie Nicks

R/W with a clean head of decent shape and size, very neat ears that are carried well, pleasing expression.  Good width to her front. Front and rear quarters are balanced with decent angulations, short coupled with good tail set. Moved well enough. Pleasing overall balance.

2^nd Walker’s Teshleystaf Everglow

Red with white front and feet, similar in make up to 1.  Proportionate head and muzzle, distinct stop, not as clean in the foreface as 1. Neat ears that are both positioned and carried well.  Clean enough in neck and front.  Ample bone and good rear quarter support. Movement was ok.

3^rd Parry & Gill’s Saxstaff La Diosa

GB (9)

1^st Hagan’s Kahamaia Auckland

B/br showing good overall picture, liked her skull and muzzle proportions, strong enough underjaw. Tidy ears and dark eye.  Clean, tapered neck leading into well-angulated front that was also clean and straight of sufficient width. Good rib shape. Rear quarters are angulated to provide a good column of support. Moved effortlessly with good stride.  Would like to have seen her in slightly better condition.

2^nd Thomas’s Biggleswick Mind Your Back

Red, showing a clean outline overall, with balanced front and rear angulations and bone length which showed in her fluid movement, pleasing picture when viewed from all angles.  Clean head and muzzle with no excess flesh although slightly shorter in length than 1. Very tidy ears, dark in eye, clean in lip, distinct stop and pleasing expression. Straight front and tidy feet.  Nice overall picture.

3^rd Funnell’s Powerpack Euphoria

PGB (11)

1^st Gutierrez Gonzalez & Hirst’s Dringshaw Sugar Moon At Maskalon

Predominantly White with Fawn patches that shows good overall balance, combining clean lines and strength.  Nice straight front with ample width and tidy feet.  Both front and rear angulations were good helping to provide a fluid movement when she got into her stride. Pleasing waistline and good tail set. Clean head and foreface that have enough strength, distinct stop, tidy well-placed ears, dark eye and clean in lip all go to provide a pleasing expression.

2^nd Bennett’s Powerpack Singularity

B/Br that was smaller and more compact than 1 but she has good overall proportions throughout, she didn’t seem as confident as 1.  Pleasing, clean head type of good width and length which I preferred than that of 1.  Muzzle was compatible in length to her head. Liked her expression. Ample width to the front, feet are well padded. Liked her rear angulation and support.  Moved well enough when she settled.

3^rd Willetts & Billingham’s Hamason Heart’s On Fire 

LB (19) (1abs) Pleased with to quality in this class

1^st Winrow & Greaves Jayneze Ramona

B/Br that shows pleasing overall balance and put down in decent condition. Good depth and width to the head, distinct stop, strong in foreface.  Well-carried ears, dark eyes, decent underjaw.  Clean neck and shoulder line.  Straight front of adequate width and weight of bone. Tidy feet.  Brisket level with the elbow, pleasing waistline, compatible front and rear angulations.  Fluid movement front and rear when she got into her stride.

2^nd Rochelle & Rochelle & Rochelle & Kirk’s Metalbull Black Pearl

Dark Br with white on chest and feet that was similar in make-up to 1 just slightly stronger. She is balanced and of good proportions.  She moved fluidly with a good length of stride holding a level topline. Strong enough clean head and foreface with a distinct stop, good underjaw, well-placed ears and pleasing expression. Straight front with good width and lift.  Liked her front and rear angulations and waistline.  Brisket level with the elbow.  Condition was quite pleasing.

3^rd Watson’s Sparkstaff Silent Mary

OB (9) 1 abs)

1^st Waltham’s Dringshaw Danse Du Feu

R/W that has lovely clean, athletic lines and balance throughout when viewed from all angles.  Showing good overall size, strength and proportions.  Moved with drive with a good length of stride and keeping a level topline. Clean head of good width and depth, dark eye, tidy ear carriage, enough stop and strength in cheek and muzzle. Liked her expression.  Straight, well-boned front of good width and lift.  Deep enough in brisket, spring of rib and good waist definition.  Well-positioned rear quarters that are defined and give good support. Pleasing overall picture.  Pleased to award her BRCC.

2^nd Johnson’s Ellchansha Put A Spell On You

B/Br that has caught my eye before at ringside at other shows.  She has good overall balance, slightly stronger in make-up than 1 but with no exaggeration. Pleasing head shape and muzzle proportions, dark eye, tidy ears, clean in lip, liked her expression.  Well-boned straight front and tidy feet. Brisket is level with the elbow and ribs are carried well back. Front and rear angulations complement each other with short hocks which was evident when she got into a free-flowing movement. Topline held on the move. Very pleased with her.

3^rd Rowe & South’s Ch Illori Constellation JW

VB (16) (9abs)

1^st Rowe & South’s Ch Illori Believe In Me JW

Br that impressed me with her overall clean lines and balance all over.  Liked her head shape and strength with compatible foreface.  Good eye placement and neat, well-carried ears aid to a pleasing expression.  Well-boned, straight front of good width.  Tidy feet.  Pleased with her front angulation and length of upper arm.  Well-ribbed back and had a decent waistline. Well-angulated rear quarters with short hocks, well-placed to give good support.  Her construction produced a free-flowing movement, and I was pleased with her condition at nearly 10 years old.  Considered her for the RCC in the final line up.

2^nd Johnson’s Ch Ellchansha Once Upon A Time JW

B/Br that is of a good size, slightly stronger in head and a shorter muzzle than 1 but is proportionate, she has a good strong underjaw that is clean.  Overall, she shows good balance and sound construction.  Tidy ear carriage and pleasing expression.  Straight front of ample width. Pleased with her front and rear quarters with compatible angulations which produced good movement when settled.  Held her topline on the move. 

3^rd Funnell’s Powerpack Alura Finvarra JW

Judge

Peter Rhodes