JOAN LANGSTAFF (SPROTBORO) 1922 - 2006

I had known my dear friend and mentor, Joan, for over thirty years.  I bought my first show bitch from her and she turned out to be a wonderful brood and foundation bitch for my kennels.

Joan started her life in dogs as soon as she was born;  her father was the well-known Charles Middleton whose prefix was SPROTBORO which Joan continued to use.  She showed her first dog, a wire bitch, when she was 12 years old and won under Dr. Rosslyn Buce.  In 1942 she married Ralph and whilst he was not involved with dogs before they married, he soon became involved afterwards!  Dogs, especially fox terriers, had always been a great part of Joan’s life. 

She then branched out into smooth fox terriers, having retired from showing for a short period to produce her son, Barry, but then returned to the showring with great success.  She bred 7 smooth champions.  Her special one, Ch. Sprotboro Rebel, went on to produce many champions.  She also bred 3 wire champions and had great success with Dandies, breeding 5 champions.  Joan sold many dogs abroad which were also made up into champions.

Joan’s judging career was tremendous;  she gave CC’s in most terrier breeds and judged the terrier group many times.  She was very proud to have judged at all the fox terrier clubs and she considered it a great honour to have been President of both the Smooth and Wire Fox Terrier Associations.  Joan served on many fox terrier club committees and that of Leeds Championship Show where you would see her selling catalogues.

Many people have a reason to be grateful to Joan – breeders who have acquired Sprotboro stock and gone on to do great things were greatly encouraged by her as were people in different breeds.

Joan will always be remembered for wearing her white smock when she was showing her dogs;  she wore it the last time she went into the showring.  Unfortunately, Joan didn’t get to shows over the last few years due to her failing health but she knew what was going on and who was winning – her interest never waned.

I will miss my dear friend, Joan, very much as I am sure we all will.  Our thoughts and condolences go to her son, Barry, his wife, Carol, and to her three grandchildren.   Sleep well dear friend, you are now with your Ralph.

Sue Nixon