CANAKEY STAFFORDS

I purchased my first Stafford, a pied bitch, in September 1999 from a breeder in Alton, Hants.  She was from a pet home and was from a litter of seven and was the only white one in the litter. Although she was only from a pet home, her pedigree had some very well recognised Stafford names in that I had heard of from some books that I had read,  the names included -  Ch Boldbull Black Jack, Ch Ensburys Little Lad at Shirestaff, Wyrefare Billy Ruffian, Ch Boldmore Black Sabbath, Ch Scarthwaite Diplomat and Janastaff The Untouchable. I was so proud of her, she was my first dog and I loved her to bits. 

Bodger was my first pet dog and she came everywhere with me. Her name came from when she was a puppy she used to walk around with a stuffed cuddly toy badger so hence 'Bodger & Badger'. We travelled regularly to Cornwall and she loved the sea, although she often tried to drink it all and was usually sick. Bodger went to puppy socialisation classes and became quite well known for all her antics, although she never liked showing so we didn't pursue that side of things. 

When Bodger was around 18 months old I knew I had to have another of these wonderful dogs as a companion for Bodg. So I decided to breed from her. So we joined a local Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club called Downlands and went along to ask for some help and advise.  The first person I spoke to was very helpful, a man who went by the name of Alan Hedges (Ramblix) at the time I didn't know who he was but he was very helpful. I showed him the pedigree and he gave me some named of people who to contact. I also spoke to Jamie Mace (Janastaff) as his dogs were in Bodgers pedigree and again he too was very helpful. 

I was directed that day to some more very well known people Jim & Barbara Beaufoy (Wyrefare) I showed them Bodgers pedigree and they agree to let me use one of their dogs on my Bodger. The dog was Ch & Ir Ch Wyrefare Prince Naseem.  So when Bodger next came into season off we drove to Worcester and she met Nas.

Bodger gave birth to six  puppies on 12th May 2001, five bitches and one dog. Unfortunately in the litter we had two hare lips and cleft palates, we tried really hard to hand rear them with bottle but alas when they were five days old we took some advise from an established breeder and we had the puppies put to sleep at the vets. It broke my heart - I cried and cried, but nature is amazing and Bodger actually seemed more settled now that the two poorly pups had gone and she settle down nicely into motherhood.

The four puppies left were beautiful,  a mixture of black, brindle and white. Lily was in this litter and it was her that I decided to keep she became Diamond Tiger Lily. At this point I hadn't decided on my kennel name of Canakey so that came long later.   

Canakey Diamond Tiger Lily is the perfect partner in crime for Bodger, they love each other and played ball endlessly.  Lily was starting to grow into a very pretty pup. In the December of 2001 I took both Bodger & Lily to Downlands Christmas Handling Match.  The judge that day was Pete Hopgood and to my surprise, at the age of 7 months Lily got reserve in show.  That was the start of Lily's showing career.

Lily was extremely successful during her show career gaining many BPIB, BOB, BB at open shows as well as best puppy in show at the National Terrier Show under Gillian Skelly in 2002. She was also campaigned to gain her Junior Warrant and achieved many KC stud book entries.

Bodger was then mated to Ch Tornadostorm the Legacy (buddy) owned by P Caetano & A Muir. Bodger had an amazing 11 puppies in this litter, unfortunately 3 of them died during the first week leaving Bodg with a much more manageable  litter of 8.  There were 6 girls and 2 boys. This litter produced some superb pups and 2 of them when on to become show dogs. Canakey Dream Maker JW 1RCC (Poppy who belongs to Chris & Steve Hopkins) and Canakey Mac the Truck (Mac who I still own in partnership with my sister) who has qualified for entry at Crufts. 

In 2005 Bodger had her 3rd and final litter.  She was mated to Chantel Pipe's Blazin Bad Boy JW 1CC.  This litter produced 7 beautiful pups 6 pied and 1 tiger brindle. There were 6 girls and 1 boy. I decided to keep a red & white pied bitch called Rosie, Canakey Silver Rose.  Rosie has been shown lightly getting Crufts qualified in 2006 and winning Best Bitch in Show at Potteries 2006 under Steve Bradder (Brajulste).

Canakey Diamond Tiger Lily had a litter in 2005 also.  She was mated to Niatona on a Mission (Edward). She had 3 beautiful pups who all found fantastic homes.  Unfortunately that was her one & only litter.

Rosie had her first litter in 2007. We decided to use Jackie Smarts Arnhem Ready to Rumble JW 1CC (Oscar). On the 5th August 2007 Rosie gave birth to 6 health red pups. I decided to keep 2 of the girls Canakey Maid in the Shade (Holly) and Canakey Roll Gypsy Roll (Poppy). Both girls qualified for Crufts in 2009 at their very first show National Terrier under Steve Bradder (Brajulste). The same judge who gave their mum, Rosie, Best Bitch in show at Potteries.

Canakey Roll Gypsy Roll (Poppy) has gone to live with some friends of mine in as they recently lost their own old dog aged 13 and couldn't live life without a dog. She is still in my name and will continue to be shown. 

In July 2007 I purchased my first British Bulldog called Madeline - Hismadeline Miss M at Canakey. Madeline is such great company she gets on well with all the Stafford's, she snores louder than the staffords but its bearable. Maddie has been shown lightly at championship shows and open shows with some success.  Maddie has become part of the Canakey way of life and is a real gem.

As well as showing my dogs I am a member of a number of SBT clubs and I am on the committee of Nott's & Derby District SBTC. I run the NDDSBTC website and I am the News Letter Editor.  I have also become recently a delegate for the SBT Breed Club Council for GB & NI.   

I have also been lucky enough to be selected to judge this wonderful breed at Open show level. In May 2008 I was asked to judge minor puppies, puppies and veterans in Norway for the Norwegian Terrier Club.  I accepted this appointment, and it was a privilege to do so.

I love the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed and will continue to do my best by the breed for as long as I can.

Kirsty &Mike

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