Ch. Jolihem Ringmaster

Ch. Jolihem Gallant Bess

"Bess"

Ch. Jolihem Ringmaster
DOB: 4/2/68
Gained title: 1969 (9 CCs)
Sex: Bitch

Sire:
Ch. Jolihem Dreadnought

 Ch. Eastaff Danom
Jolihem Nuncargate Josie
Dam:
Hilstaffs Lucky Gem		 Dennybeck Hard Diamond
Lucky Nugget

bess1.JPG (13068 bytes)

Ch. Jolihem Gallant Bess
Interesting Facts:
  • Bess was "M" line bred on her Sire's side, through Jolihem Adonis, Ch. Wychbury Kimbo & Ch. Widneyland Kim (both these dogs were admired by Lionel F. Hemstock and were central to his breeding programmes for both is red and brindle stock). Bess was never bred from.  
  • Bess was campaigned alongside  Ch. Jolihem Ringmaster. In 1969, at the Dumfries and Galloway Canine Society General Championship Show, June Horsfall awarded Dog CC and Best Opposite Sex to Ringmaster and Bitch CC and Best of Breed to his sister - Bess. This was another first for Jolihem and for the breed - it has not been repeated since.
  • Bess won CC's under Abe Harkness (SKC, 1969), June Horsfall (Dumfries & Gallway, 1969), A. W. A. Cairns (Southern Counties CS, 1969), F. Dempster (Blackpool, 1970), H. Essam (Dumfries & Gallway, 1970), A. Ainley (Manchester, 1971), G. Heys (North West SBTC, 1971), E. J. Bywater (National Terrier, 1971), Ken Bailey (Blackpool, 1971).
  • Les Aspin (Scarthwaite) described Ch. Jolihem Gallant Bess as one of the outstanding bitches of all time. In fact, he awarded her Best Puppy over her brother Ch. Jolihem Ringmaster.
  • Abe Harkness also lists Ch. Jolihem Gallant Bess as one of his all time favourite bitches.
  • Mr. F. J. Clark (owner of Ch. Curffews White Orchid who won 11 CC's from 1966-1970. She was half sister of Ch. Jolihem Dreadnought and one of Jo and Lionel Hemstock's all time favourites) said, on seeing litter mates Maktoum Image of Jolihem and Maktoum Yacht Master at Windsor Championship Dog Show in 1999 that he could not believe how similar the pair were to littermates Ringmaster and Bess. He thought it was uncanny. Proof positive that the line is still going strong and that Dreadnought and Ringmaster are still a potent force throughout the generations.
Character:
Bess was an incredible bitch. It was a great shame that she was never bred from. 
Bess had an amazing sense of smell - something which Staffords seem to be lacking in comparison with other breeds.

Sarah Hemstock (March, 2000):
Bess enjoyed running on the beech and was always my holiday companion as a child. Bess was very patient, and although she was "fiery" with other dogs she would never misbehave when I had her on the lead, even in the show ring (but she always had her nose stuck to the ground sniffing). She would also be very patent when I dressed her up in hats and glasses - her only protest would be to shake her head when I attempted to put clothes pegs on her ears for earrings !!
Bess had pyrometer and died when she was only 9. I can remember being very upset.