“Arnie” was born along with his four brothers on the 24th of July 1991. At the age of six weeks they were all very even. Two highly acclaimed Staffordshire Bull Terrier Championship Show judges came to look at the litter. They were both of the same opinion, there was nothing to choose between them. Consequently, “Arnie” was sold at the age of six and a half weeks.

 Sarah Whittaker brought him back to show us when he was twelve weeks old. Julie and I looked at each other in disbelief. At this age, his headshape had completely altered, he looked exactly like his father Ch. Rogue Saga. We had sold the wrong puppy. We knew from that day “Arnie” was a potential Champion.

During 1992 Sarah showed him a few times but never with the seriousness of belief the dog demanded. At the N.C.S.B.T.C. Championship show 1992 a well known Staffordshire Bull Terrier enthusiast spoke to Sarah’s father Jim stating the potential of the dog and the need for him to be campaigned properly. Jim agreed and this is where I came into the equation, not only being the breeder of the dog but now to take charge of handling him.

Over the coming months we got to know Sarah’s parents Jim and Maureen very well. We hit it off from the word go. We got on like a house on fire. They both quickly became our friends.

We came to an agreement whereby Jim paid for all the entries for the shows and I paid for the petrol. When it came to “Arnie’s” studwork a 50/50 split was agreed. If a show was at the weekend, I’d nip down to Jim’s say on the Wednesday, pick “Arnie” up then he’d stay at our place so I could exercise him, bath him and generally get him in what I considered to be a good show “Nick”. After the shows “Arnie” was returned back to the Whittaker household, where we indulged in many a glass of fine malt whisky, more often than not, far too many, for Jim was somewhat of a connoisseur of the stuff.

Ch. Domino Flashy Lad (1991 - 2007)

A few days before the E.A.S.B.T.C. open show February 1994 I picked the dog up as usual. He went on to B.T.S. under judge Jim Holmes. With this show being so close to Crufts and Jim due in hospital for a hip replacement operation, it was decided that “Arnie” would stay with us until after Crufts, in fact until Jim had his operation and was fit enough again to cope with a young boisterous Stafford.

In fact, that day tragically never came. On the day before Crufts, Sarah phoned up. The news was devastating. Having had his hip operation four days previous, Jim suffered a massive heart attack whilst still in hospital recuperating. That was that. No warning. No second chance. Jim had died.

To say that we were devastated is an understatement. We cried all day. I did not want then, to take the dog to Crufts. I was so upset. Jim’s wife Maureen, told us we must go, Jim wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. We went and “Arnie” won his class.

The day after the show, Maureen phoned up asking us to go down, she had got something to tell us. Immediately, I thought I would not be able to show the dog any more. How wrong I was. When we got there, the house was full with other members of the family. Everybody was understandably devastated. The shock of everything was unbearable. Maureen asked us if we would have “Arnie” back for good as now she would not possibly be able to cope with him. She assured us that it would be what Jim would have wanted. So we had him back albeit in terrible and very sad circumstances.

The saddest part of all was that Jim never saw his dog become a Champion, a dream we had all shared since “Arnie” was a puppy. How proud he would have been. We still go down to Maureen’s on a regular basis but writing this, almost a year after Jim’s death, it is still very difficult to come to terms with what happened.

On that day in March 1994 we lost a very dear friend, a man with a huge heart who would have done anything for us. I just hope that somewhere up there Jim is watching and knows what a stir “Arnie” is causing.

All "Arnie’s" wins and achievements are dedicated to the memory of Jim Whittaker, “our friend”.

As the 1994/95 show season approached, we wondered if "Arnie" could carry on winning C.C.'s or if, that' as they say was 'that. We did not have to wait long to find out. At Manchester, the G Mex centre, under Jack Miller, 1st Championship show of the year and "Arnie's" 15th CC with B.O.B. and almost taking the Group again finishing 3rd. Another high point at this show for us was the Best Puppy - Arnie's daughter. One of his first offspring, Alan and Pauline Raymond's Rockstaff Gypsy Queen.

Winning the C.C. and B.O.B. at Crufts and representing our breed in the big ring surely, we thought could not be topped but a fortnight later it was. C.C. number 17 with B.O.B. and then later "Best in Show' at The National Terrier. That day will stay with me for the rest of my life. The first Stafford ever to achieve this accolade at this venue. We were so proud for everyone in Stafford’s.  What a great day for us all.

More C.C.'s then followed at Birmingham National, Bath, and Blackpool where he equalled Ch. Constones Yer Man's record and then the Notts & Derby Championship show where he finally broke it under Sarah Hemstock.

This proved a little too much to handle for Julie and myself. We both broke down and cried unashamedly. All I could think about was the dog and that he had done it, all on his own, well perhaps with a little help from me. The support from both our families has been second to none, especially when the back-stabbing and everything that goes with having a top winning dog almost got the better of us. Believe me, at one stage, Julie was getting so upset that people were changing towards us, I nearly threw the towel in. 

The first person to congratulate us on breaking the C.C record was, contrary to popular belief Clare Lee  who was I know genuinely 'chuffed for us and what we had achieved. Lets face it, 4 years earlier 1 did not even know how to stand a dog never mind be the breed record holder.

I suppose in some respects, I am different in that I do not care if the dog wins or loses. If he wins, brilliant. If he loses, who cares?

Arnie went on to win a total of 28 Challenge Certificates and 12 Reserve CC's. He has done his bit for him, he has done his bit for us but more over, he has done his bit for Stafford's.

Yours Sincerely
Steve and Julie Bradder
(affix Brajulste)

Arnie's wins

The text above was written by Steve and Julie Bradder and published in several magazines over the years. It was later included in the book Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier by Steve Bradder (2004). Published with approval.