Welcome to The internet home of Cornerstone Staffords
 
The Cornerstone Story
 
We have owned dogs for almost 40 years, and been showing dogs for about 25 years. But in 2001 we became the proud owners of a lovely South African imported puppy bitch named Thorax Precious Thyme (“Meg”).  Imported from the Pretorius family of Thorax Staffords. We had studied for a couple of years the “type” of Stafford we wanted, but most of all we wanted to deal with an ethical breeder with a proven record of producing outstanding dogs and that would take on the task of mentoring us in this breed. We got all of that & more with the friendship forged with the Pretorius & Cronje families of Thorax. Their kindnesses to us can never be repaid. Meg went on to not only complete her championship but also to achieve the outstanding honor of winning Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite Sex over 10 bitch specials at the largest SBTCA national specialty (2003) in US history under acclaimed UK breeder judge, Mr. Paul Wilkinson. She became the cornerstone of our breeding program and our foundation bitch. She is the dam of 3 champions including our own Ch Cornerstone RubyRed Knucklehead and has other “kids” starting their show careers now. The Pretorius family suggested that we contact Lorian Page of Enchantrix Staffords for another bitch, and Lorian was kind enough to send us Enchantrix Hot & Spicy. Spicy began her show career with a bang and completed her championship at the 2004 National specialty weekend under noted US all-breed judge Mr. Vince Grosso going Winners Bitch for a 5 point major after also going Best in Sweepstakes earlier in the day. Ch Enchantrix Hot & Spicy “Spicy” Photo at 7 months of age “Spicy” is the dam of our wonderful bitch Ch Cornerstone Jambalaya. Spicy died an unfortunate & untimely death at just over 2 years of age when our neighbor’s horse kicked her in the head & she subsequently died from a blood clot recovering from surgery that was required after this incident. We bred her one time to Ch Belnore Dream Keeper and her daughter “Jamba” carries on her great pedigree & outstanding breed type. In addition to our foundation bitches “Meg” and “Spicy”, we also imported Ch Thorax Solo Thyme (see at OUR BOYS page), Ch Zealots Alchodas Rhythm and at one time co-owned the multi-BIS/WKC BOB Winner: Ch Belnore Dream Keeper—now owned by Benny Cheek, Michelle Aguillard & Kenny Gonzales. This foundation of outstanding bitches bred to sound well-balanced linebred dogs has provided us with a strong base of excellent Staffords to go forward in our own breeding program as well as providing sound breeding stock to others in their programs, headlined by the MAGNIFICENT:  CH CORNERSTONE SOLILOQUY Owned by Larry & Maryanne Goethals Best in Show Stafford Bitch—only the 2nd in history of the breed in the United States Best of Breed-Westminster KC (2009) under internationally respected Breeder-Judge Mr. Zane Smith (Bullseye Staffords) who stated in his critique of “Piper”: “I had never judged this bitch before, but found 
her easily my Best of Breed. She was very well handled, in great  
condition, ideal size, beautiful type and great side gait and great  
fore and rear movement. Very alert and terrific balance of bull and  
terrier and nothing out of balance in any way. (It was) a pleasure to award her Best of Breed.” ****************************************************** In the beginning of our Stafford journey our mentors assisted us in planning a solid breeding program. To have produced a bitch of “Piper’s” quality is the culmination of our dreams and a decade of hard work & study of the Staffordshire bull terrier. We thank the Pretorius, Cronje & Page families for their belief in us & their invaluable tutelage. Thorax Precious Thyme “Meg”