My interest in Staffies started when i was 11 years old. A friend of mine had a Bully Skewbald dog called Laddie who was very affectionate but so powerful and muscular for such a small dog thus the seed was planted.
I would visit our local Bookshop or Library and get as many books i could and start researching more about this strange dog i had grown to love. One book in particular had a breeder directory at the back of the book, whilst scanning through this i came across Cradbury Kennels of Stourton Castle i couldn't believe my eyes a breeder right on my doorstep.
The following Saturday i ventured along the cut towpath (River Stour) from Kinver to Stourton and arrived at the Castle. Once inside the grounds it wasn't long before i tracked down Cradbury Kennels from the almost Haunting distinct barking that was coming from what appeared a barn attached to some cottages.
As i peered through the door i could see Stafford pictures and memorabillia adorned every wall of the building, It wasn't long before a Gentleman appeared at the rear of the building and introduced himself as Fred Phillips of Cradbury Kennels.
I told my story to Fred and this love i had for the Breed. Since that day i would visit Fred frequently and sit a listen to him about his days and antics with Staffords and showing. Even if he was engraving shields for a dog society or he had buyers for puppies at the Castle, or even older members of the breed visiting he would always find time to talk to you about dogs.
My First Stafford came via a recommendation through Fred in 1989, She was purchased from Derek Bull and was called Springtime Girl. Susie was out of Marders Black Gem x Ch Springsteen Boy.
Fred begged me to show her, But it wasn't for me at the time. Next came a Belstaff Bitch.
Tragically we lost Susie in early 1997 and my world caved in. After many months we decided we wanted another Stafford and bought Relentless Boy (Toby)who was out of Bess of Woodsetton X Ch Bowtmans Red October.
We started to attend the Sedgley & Gornal Staffordshire Bull Terrier Ringcraft Club for a social evening out with like minded owners and it was then that the showing bug started to bite. We had a fair amount of placings with Toby including a Reserve CC.
After Toby came Lambretta Lady and Bowtmans The Huntress. We aquired the Affix Barbruth and started to campaign all 3 dogs. Disaster struck with divorce and an Ex Wife who was unwilling to sign our Affix over to me, It was at this point i lost all interest in anything and stopped showing.
In 2001 I re-married and then came My shooting Star (Millie), The showing bug was biting again but Millie was having non of it, So we decided that she would make a good foundation Bitch for our Kennel.
We aquired the Affix Ameretta and bred a couple of Litters.
The latest addition to our family is our home bred Boy Ameretta Blaze of Glory (Toby). Toby and his litter sister Tasha are from a mating between Millie & Duncan (Bullmitz bon jovi)
