BullishMagazine February 2016

Admininstration Editor: Theo Koekemoer Based in South Africa Theo’s involvement with Bulldogs date back to eary 1970’s He is a specialist Bulldog judge. https://www.facebook.com/groups/800162470077609/ email: allegiancecapital100@gmail.com To advertise contact Theo Koekemoer on Facebook or send an email to allegiancecapital100@gmail.com or theo@bullishmagazine.com Rates: Cover: $0 Double or Single Page: $0 Bullish Magazine: Feb 2016 Page: 2

Cover dog Index 2 Administration 5 Our Cover dog 7 Crufts 2016 9 From the editor 11 Hug-O-Bulls 13 The Kings 29 Beautiful Bitches 53 Beautiful Dogs 83 Litter Announcements 107 Stud Dogs 127 New Champion 129 Melanie Stainforth 147 What is there to say about Bulldogs 153 Design Ads

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About our cover dog Name: Sire: Dam: Owners: Breeder: Country:

Ch. Meljane King Edward Ch, Jr Ch Ocobo Candy King Meljane Bulldogs Miracle Sophie Alberto Gonzales (Spain) & Francesca Di Leo (Italy) Melanie Stainforth (Spain) & Vicente Moles (Spain) Spain & Italy

Titles: Champion in Spain, Iberia, Portugal , italy, Gibraltar, International Top Bulldog Spain 2014 Best Opposite Sex Bulldog of the Year in Spain 2015 European Brno winner 10 X Group First 4 X Group Second 5 X Group Third 2 X 3rd Best in Show- All Breeds 2 X 2nd Best in Show - All Breeds 3 X Best in Show - All Breeds Crufts Best Of Breed 2016 Design: Maja Sucevic

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Best of Breed - Crufts 2016

History was made when Edward won Best of Breed at Crufts a few days ago. This is what people had to say about his win: Natalia Vinokurova (Russia) “In Spain, the Bulldogs are very beautiful, but I could not believe the victory! The judge Graham Godfrey made the impossible - he gave you the victory! This gives hope that all beautiful and healthy Bulldogs have a chance to win in a very serious show. Big congratulations !!!!! and many many victories !!!!!”

Gilberto Pires Medeiros Filho (Brazil) “Alberto - You, Edward, Melanie and Vicente are big worthy of this honor, congratulations Alberto Gonzalez!!! Congratulations Meljane Bulldogs King Edward and their breeders Melanie Stainforth and Vicente!!!”

Elizabeth Hugo Milam (USA) “A moment you will never forget!

A historic and important win. So happy and proud for you and the entire “Team Edward”!!!!!!”

Melanie Stainforth (Breeder of Edward - Spain) “Well a speech worthy of the Oscars and even more of Crufts, 125th anniversary. None of this would be possible without all that you have mentioned. Thank you for being strong with Edward and show them that you love them because this is just a day and another and another. At Home it is very important and it shows that this complicity between you goes much further than the shows. Congratulations” Francesca Di Leo (Edward lived with her in Italy for a year) “I think this....I am honored that this wonderful dog was part of my show team for a year. I always thought it was special and thanks to him a wonderful working partnership was born and a special friendship with special and great breeder Alberto Gonzalez”

Note: Picture on left is used uner license terms and may not be used or copied by anyone!

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Theo K: Editor

A few month’s ago I looked at pictures of Edward and I just couldnt stop looking at the beautiful head of this dog. I approached Alberto Gomzales who agreed that we could put Edward on the cover of this month’s BullishMagazine. Little did I know that Edward & Alberto would make history by becoming the first bulldog not bred in the UK to ever win Best of Breed at Crufts! That is what I call perfect timing!

Dreams do come true - a King lives in a castle - where else? A big thank you to Maja Sucevic for the design of the cover and the super ad of Edward and his brothers, William and George (see next page).

The story doesn’t end there! There is another super brother, Charles.

I didn’t know about the existense of Charles.

When Maja asked me what about Charles, I thought she was joking.

However, Melanie will tell you more about the dreams, the castle and breeding of this litter of Kings and Queens - read all about it an interview with her in this issue. All of them magnificent dogs in their own right!

Trust that you will enjoy this issue of BullishMagazine.

Theo

Note: Picture on left is used uner license terms and may not be used or copied by anyone!

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New Champion

““Thank you to the breeder judge Shalisa Neely for awarding our girl wit such a good distinction that finished her championship we are so honored.!”” Alberto Toledo (USA) Ch D’Toledo’s Gala.

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Interview with Melanie Stainforth

„I always say that every bulldog is special..!“ Melanie Stainforth (Meljane Bulldogs) Melanie Stainforth (Meljane Bulldogs) is very friendly, empathic and respected breeder of English bulldogs,coming from Spain. Her kennel with the superior quality and admired bulldogs is very renowned all around the world. For some of us,this breeder became an icon, for others even a legend and many non just beginners in breeding are admiring her kennel. I dare to say that I doubt there might be a breeder to whom is her name not known. Let’s have a closer look at Meljane kennel and their best bulldogs.

1. Tell me, how did you come to your first bulldog and what was his name and how this breed charmed you after all? When this actually happened?

I always say that every bulldog is special it self but for me ¨Hoover¨ was definetly the most special companion that really touched my heart and thanks to him I fell for this wonderful breed.

Since Vicente and I got to live together sharing a very very small apartment in Valencia (Spain) we wanted a dog. I always had many animals at my parents house when I was small and I missed that kind of animal company and so did Vicente.

One Christmas in 1997 I received from him the most wonderful present ever- a bulldog, his name was ¨Hoover¨and you can imaginme why I named him this. He was such a handsome red and white little man just over 3 months old and he walked in the room with a big red bow around him and I felt the luckiest woman in the world. I would take him to work with me every morning, he had his blanket under my desk and just loved to be with me all day despite that my boss wasn´t too happy about it. We would take him with us every where and he was the sort of bulldog that never needed a leash to walk in the busy city of Valencia and we tought him many tricks just for fun.

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Interview with Melanie Stainforth

When he was a puppy we took him to our first dog show held in our city so we didn´t go too far. He was 2nd in Junior class which I thought the world of it. I asked the judge what he thought of him- a very renowned spanish allrounder which at the time I hadn´t a clue who he was; He came up to me and spoke very well about my very much loved doggie and how innocent and enthusiastic I was about being at this show and he said something I will never forget: ¨This is what dog shows need, innocent, happy but enthusiastic people to show their dogs. If you have enjoyed your day well carry on showing and don´t let anyone stop you from enjoying another day like this and you have a good enough dog to do so“.

From this day, we ocassionally went to shows, we won a CAC sometimes, we got an excellent qualification at the Madrid show (main ticket for Spanish champion tittle) and at the age of 4 he won BOB under Mr. Norman Pitts at the Spanish National Club show (at the time he was President of the Bulldog Club Inc, Uk) honouring us with our first Champion Tittle.

This dog was called Lucky Dog ze Sfory Zloczinców, import from Poland and bought in a pet shop near by our home in Valencia.

He was Lucky dog indeed but we were the luckiest people in the world to have him.

2. What was that impulse, when you decided to take the whole thing professional way and began with the kennel and breeding?

Actually it was never my intention to become a breeder and to dedicate my entire life to bulldogs but I remember saying to our friends at the time Mrs Sue Garside and her husband Ray that we would like to have a little girl to start breeding but our idea of breeding is not what we have achieved now.

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Interview with Melanie Stainforth

It was a simple idea of having a litter of our own. It took us a long 2 years before we bought one and although we were quite close to pat Dellar „Meriveen“ we followed our heart and we got one from Iceglint.

This little girl was „Ursula“ Iceglint I´m Melanie a daughter of Ch. Iceglint I´m Alfred and Iceglint Indian Summer. I chose her at 5 weeks old and was flying her home with me a week later.

It was not untill we had our first litter with Ursula and Iceglint I´m Spike that we realized that this would be definetly our pasion and that I would be giving up my job to take care of this „new“ job.

In this litter was born Meljane Geraldine and Meljane My Boy, the first one became Spain Champion and European Champion 2004 and winning many shows abroad like jugenbundessieger in Germany together with her brother „Copper“ My Boy and becoming the first bred spanish bulldog to be shwn at the Incorporated club show in the Uk and going on to crufts the same year.

I think this was a great boost for us to go professionally into breeding.

3. How seemed the very first beginnings in professional breeding and on which successes are you the most proud of?

Our very first beginnings were great, we are very sportif people and we had many new friends which they shared their experiences with us. Casimiro Sanchis „La Chata“ Kevin and Pat Davis „Ocobo/Mysty-

Interview with Melanie Stainforth

The first success that made us proud was when Geraldine won BOS at the bulldog of the year 2004 and the European championship in Barcelona 2004. She was a very very young bitch only just in Intermediate class and she won her class and over all bitches she got the CC and BOS. The male that won was the fabulous Uk champion Belushi Tommy Gun shown by Mrs. Paola Bonetto (Italy). Then that year, Meljane My Boy was placed 3rd in his class at the Bulldog club Incorporated show and that seemed very big for an overseas unknown newly people. The following year 2005 Geraldine was BOS at the bulldog of the year 2005.

Just after that, we bought a bitch from our friend kevin Davis, Bildaw Faith sired by top producer Ringlablock Mcdonald Mystyle and which would definetly mark our destiny to success and a couple of years later we bought a male called Bidaw leon Meljane Mystyle „Leo“ that years later was proven to be Top Stud dog 2013 in the Uk. Bildaw faith we mated to our meljane My Boy and produced Meljane Iceman and her sister Gean Grey. Iceman became a Champion of Spain and Top Bulldog 2009.

4. In the bulldog world have become the trinity of dogs from your kennel Meljane Edward, George and William the living legend,can you tell us more about these champions?

Melanie: This litter was very very special since they were born because they were sired by a special bitch called Sophie „Meljane Miracle Sophie“ she and her brother Meljane Captain Fachet were the only puppies that survived from a litter of 7. Actually Pat Dellar always said that Merriveen and Petworth lines never went together which I never understood why but maybe this explained the reason or maybe not...

Sophie was so tiny at birth that I thought she would never make it but she became a very beautiful and strong girl. Captain Fachet went to some friends in France and unfortunatly he died at 2 years old suffering from cancer so you can imagine how special these 5 little ones that we had from Sophie and Ch.Ocobo Candy King.

Interview with Melanie Stainforth

They were stunning! Healthy, charming, cheeky and a playful lot. They were awesome!

As puppies, I thought William always stood out in the litter. Maybe it was his charm because they were all very similar between themselves.

As I say, for me my special one was William, Vicente always liked George because he had a very impressive head and cosmeticaly he was the most attractive.

Edward, was always a little behind his other three brothers beacuse he was the smaleest at birth but again he had a gorgeaus head and he was a very sweet, gentle little dog. Slightly finner in bone but with that masculine look.

Charles was again very much like the other 3.

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Interview with Melanie Stainforth

5. In the bulldog world have become the trinity of dogs from your kennel Meljane Edward, George and William the living legend,can you tell us more about these champions?

Melanie: This litter was very very special since they were born because they were sired by a special bitch called Sophie „Meljane Miracle Sophie“ she and her brother Meljane Captain Fachet were the only puppies that survived from a litter of 7. Actually Pat Dellar always said that Merriveen and Petworth lines never went together which I never understood why but maybe this explained the reason or maybe not...

Sophie was so tiny at birth that I thought she would never make it but she became a very beautiful and strong girl. Captain Fachet went to some friends in France and unfortunatly he died at 2 years old suffering from cancer so you can imagine how special these 5 little ones that we had from Sophie and Ch.Ocobo Candy King.

6. Were you absolutely convinced of the parents for this match, from which have risen these champions, or how this idea came on the table,that these parents will be the best carriers of those right genes?

Melanie: We never knew that this litter was going to be so special...

At the time I had my red dog „Leo“ which he had proven to be a magnificent producer throughing great quality puppies and fantastic show dogs. Uk.Ch.Spain Ch and World Champion Del Papiol Miss Davilota is a beautiful example of what he was throwing. Although I also had Ch.Ocobo Candy King at home since he was 5 months old, he always showed a great potential in the ring and out. We won the spanish champion and Uk champion title so we definetly wanted to use him on at least a few of our bitches so that´s what we did. We used „Oscar“ Candy King on Sophie „Meljane Miracle Sophie“ coming from amazing Sire and Dam, then we used him again on Meljane True, daughter of multi champion and several years BOY in Italy Love Sonny Van Cleef and Meljane Desert Rose which were 3 amazing litters that we

Interview with Melanie Stainforth

only kept the ones we fell most for. Meljane King William, Meljane King George from Sophie´s litter and Multi champìon Meljane King of the Desert“Bruce“ Meljane Queen Anne went to a top kennel in USA, Meljane Queen Elisabeth stayed in Spain, Meljane King Charles in Spain, Multi Ch.and CRUFTS BOB WINNER 2016 Meljane King Edward also stayed in Spain and at a later age he went with our good friend Alberto Gonzalez „Gongarbulls“, Ch.Meljane King William and Ch.Meljane King George were with us until at the age of 6 months we decided to let go George to Brazil to our friend that previously had one of our puppies and made him champion very easily over there. His name Ch. Meljane Walter White.

I have bred to William in several ocassions and other breeders have used him as well which made him Top stud dog 2015 in the Uk.. He is an amazing bulldog one in a life time. Ch,Ricatori King of Meljane, Ricatori Roman King, Meljane Cconut Ice, Ch.Meljane Cherry Lips, European Champion Norway 2015, Uk Ch.Meljane Juliette Binoche, Uk Ch Sp Ch.,Pario La Choca Aregntina Meljane Girl, Ch.Valleybulls Cross Country, Ch.It Ocobo Onassis, Nordik Ch. Del Papiol World Wide are some of the fabulous dogs sired by him.

Also apart from all what „Leo“ produced that changed the breeding in Spain, he sired a very very popular litter and who Dam was Ch.Mystyle Eye Candy. The result to this matting produced Ch.Ocobo Gobstoppa, Ocobo Meljane´s Choice, Ch.Ocobo Patsy´s choice, Ch.Ocobo Emily´s choice, Ocobo Bubble Gum, Ocobo Catalina La Grande Ch,Sp, Intl Ch.and World Champion 2013 7. What is your personal criteria for the selection of puppies, which are going to stay in the kennel? Are you paying more attention to the exterior,character or your own intuition?

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Interview with Melanie Stainforth

My husband and I have a different eye for a dog and so usually we choose differently. I am the one that are most with the litters so I fall in love with them very easily although I never seem to be mistaken on my hopes.

At an early age I like temperament and of course I believe in my intuition.

On the other hand Vicente likes to decide on a puppy when he´s about 2-3 months old to judge then on conformation and movement.

So both of us make a good team 8 What is your opinion towards the health testing in bulldogs? Do you prefer certain tests, if can you be more concrete?

I think nower days it´s very important. It´s taken a long time for this breed to take a step forward so we all have to help for this to succeed.

I remember a few years ago (not that long ago too) the roaring of a bulldog in the ring, the limping of rear and front or an evident ulcer through dry eye but now it´s very rare to see in Spain this kind of illnesses which has improved the health even for bitches to self whelp her babies.

HUU, Patellar, Displasia, Ecvo eye tests, Brucellosis are for me the main health tests that I prefer. Some of these tests are not detrimetal for the health as for example HUU. Everybody was raving for a few years about this and even people wouldn´t use a dog that was not HUU clear forgetting that maybe in a bulldog lifetime he would never develope this illness or die from it. I think if a dog is Clear, or Carrier or afected you need to know but it shouldn´t be someting detrimental in your plan of breeding. On the other hand all the other tests could mean a complete disqulification to breed from depending on the illness.

Interview with Melanie Stainforth

9 Where can we see your previous litters and do you keep good relationships with their owners?

Melanie: I try to remember every one of my litters because they are all very special for me. I also try to keep a good relationship with everyone that has had a puppy from me or has used one of my dogs. After so many years it´s difficult to keep up with everyone but I´m always here for anyone that wants me at any time.

I think www.bulldogpedigree.com is a fantastic page to find many of my puppies although I think in time my dogs will appear in a lot of pedigrees time after time. That would be a nice dream come true and a pay back to all our hard work.

10. You are also very well known as a judge in the bulldog world of exhibitions. What is the most important for you while judging? In which countries people could have a chance to see you on the other side of the ring?

Well my judging career has only just started. This is another stage of my life that I’m excited about and which I have begun together with my husband. We have travelled all around Europe whilst showing and it´s an honour for me to learn to the world all what I have (we have) learnt and experienced in bulldogs after these 20 years and the same enthusiasm that I had in showing when I started I have for judging.

Until the FCI authorizes me to be an official CAC judge I can only judge club shows or shows not ruled by the FCI kennel club. I hope in 2017 this will all be solved.

In the meantime I´m on the B list judging open shows in the Uk which I love and I recommend everyone this experience in a very friendly atmosphere and which I would do any day of my life. I still have several years to go to become a CC judge in the Uk.

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Interview with Melanie Stainforth

What I first look for when I´m judging is a nice mover and good temperament. Obviously when I go over a dog I like a it to be balanced, strong neck, round shoulders, neat feet, a nice rib cage and a nice top line. I haven´t seen a nice roll when on the move so I think I would love to see a nice roll too.

And obviously, as I said at the beginning, movement and temperament. Then, when it´s time to choose the dog I check again eyes, nostrils, jaw and the thickness of the ears.

11. It has to be very difficult and time consuming to have a family life and keep up with the shows,care,breeding in the kennel. How do you cope with all this? Does your family help you with care around the dogs?

It is very difficult to keep up with everything and to have everything as you want it to be. My children are 9 and 11 and they have a small life of their own with activities after school every single day. Fortunatly I have somebody that helps me at the kennel everyday. Vicente is very busy in the office but weekends he enjoys doing whatever with the dogs.

How the common single day looks like in Meljane?

As you say, very common and simple. I have 2 small children,a big house, a big garden and about 20 dogs which I keep clean and fit every single day. A kennel that you would never say that dogs live there so it´s a very long day and a very busy but simple day. Fortunatly the weather in Valencia allows them to come out in the garden to sunbathe everyday, all day until. In the morning, we take them for a walk everday and ever dog. I have different routs longer and shorter for different ages and which they just go mad whenthey see me with some leads..

Interview with Melanie Stainforth

In the evenning they have a meal (youngers twice) and some have a diffrenet diet to others depending on age, overweight etc but alsways with a fish Omega 3 basis.

12. On the conclusion of this interview, I would like to ask you my favourite question. What message would you like to leave to your fans, admirers, competitors in the ring,breeders and as well for the future owners of the beautiful bulldog breed?

Melanie: I like to think that Vince and I are in this thanks to someone that gave us a hand when we needed, we made friends because we are friendly, maybe we are admired because we admire others, we are competitors because we have worked hard, we are respected because we respect other people. What I would recommend is to just be your self and enjoy every minute.

Thank you for nice interview.

For Bullish Magazine edited Bozena Schuldesova (Ursus de Carolinas)

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Whats there to say about Bulldogs?

What’s there to say about English bulldogs? March 2016 In the last issue you could see the different “faces” of my brother. I think these faces is what makes us so typical and why people love us or hate us. Of all breeds I think we have the most expression in our face. There are dogs with “sour” faces, “cool” faces and my brother has a face that adores women. It makes that they want to cuddle him all day.

I think I have developed so much faces that I can influence human.

When I want food I set up big eyes and pull my ears up; especially the big eyes are important so my female boss can look into them and can read I am hungry. Or just need a snack in between meals like she takes a lot. When I want to play my face is more focused I draw my lines tight so you don’t see wrinkles and I bark with it. My brother always gets a toy and throws it at their feet but I don’t need that. This typical face works always for me. They understand perfectly what I mean. When I notice they are busy I’m doing this on purpose a couple of times. Once in a while you have to show who is the real boss at home.

Another face that works is my sleepy face. Then I’ll just hang my wrinkles and my eyes and I look goofy at them. The purpose of that look is that they let me sleep the whole day. That face works better with my male boss. My female boss doesn’t understand it often enough and she wants to go out for a walk again. But I am working on it. We bulldogs have to condition our bosses. ( learning by rewarding) When they interpret the faces wright they receive a reward. The reward is a cuddle and attention from us. At one time there was a scientist who did these experiments with Sheppard’s and other animals. But he had to study us instead, because we do this with humans as long as we exist. So he gets the credits but actually we deserve it.

Whats there to say about Bulldogs?

When you think of all I am capable of only by making different faces, I am a kind of magician. My face works like magic. I don’t speak the same language as humans but I don’t need it. They understand me perfectly. I am a master of influence. I think I deserve new titles; “master of influence”, “master of science”, “master of magic” or just magician Hazes. Now I have this new titles it’s time to set new goals: my new goal is to get a female bulldog into our home. Now I am only with my brother.

They let us walk with them once in a while. But that’s not the same.

We are six and seven years old now and realize what we miss. A female touch would do us good. Then I can work on other “faces”, with women you need a lot more faces to let them understand you and that they will pamper you the whole time. Females have a different look on things, they have a different kind of humor and can put you back where you belong. Oh man I already feel like I am in heaven. So you can imagine what keeps me busy in the upcoming weeks ……expanding my facial expressions. A man is never too old to learn!

Have yourself a good easter and till next time. Greetz Hazes

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