Lanchester Agricultural Society

Lanchester Agricultural Canine Society – 06.07.14

Alaskan Malamutes.

Thank you to the show society for inviting me to judge this breed, and for their hospitality. I was delighted by the quality in my exhibits with good dentition and temperaments throughout.

G (7, 3 Abs)

1st. Page & Horsman-Phoenix's Shakira Northwest Arctic. At 21 months this grey & white bitch was the oldest in the class and the most “together”. Possesses a sweet but cheeky expression, almond shaped eyes and nice small ears with correct set when she chose to use them. Good width of skull and length of neck leading into a correct sloping topline and lovely tail set and carriage. Tight, snowshoe feet, and balanced angulation front and rear. Well muscled throughout, she was substantial but retained a look of femininity and athleticism. Her enthusiasm was particularly clear on the move with fantastic reach and drive. Well presented she was in consideration for BOB, just didn’t have the finish of the more mature Open class winner.

2nd. Robotham’s Packice Orsa. 13 month seal & white bitch with the most lovely dark pigment and fantastic harsh texture of coat. Good width of skull and depth of muzzle for her age, nice length of neck and layback of shoulder, she stood on strong pasterns front & rear and impressed me with her strength of bone throughout. Still a bit of puppy roll on the move but her footfall was clean coming and going, moving out with a steady, balanced sidegait.

3rd. Vasarhelyi’s Okinastar Firecracker. BP & WPG3. A substantial 7 month old grey & white boy with a lovely typey expression, plenty of coat and good overall proportions. Needs to carry a bit less weight to move at his best but a nice puppy who put on a good performance in the group.

L (4, 0 Abs)

1st. Elliot & Campbell’s Mountain Homes Lead Dog At Packice (IMP USA). 4 year old seal & white boy. Good pigment and nice small ears in relation to his skull. More compact in shape than others in this class but still masculine in profile, he possesses an abundant, stand off coat with the best of textures. Well developed front with muscular shoulders, a strong topline and good spring of rib. Moderate bone, balanced angulation front & rear with well let down, compact hocks. He moved with an efficient gait, covering the ground and holding his shape at all times, just a shame he seemed to lose his enthusiasm in the BOB challenge.

2nd. Redhead’s Candrakanta Moon River. 2 year old grey & white male. Another with great pigment and oblique, almond eyes, giving him an endearing expression. Strong skull with a nice stop and well furred ears. Wearing a nice harsh jacket he gives an impression of substance, with good depth of chest and plenty of bone throughout. Moved out well demonstrating good rear drive. While nitpicking I though he had better snowshoe feet than 1, however preferred the front action of my class winner and so had to settle for 2nd place today.

3rd. Redhead’s Cedarcreek Elegance.

O (4, 2 Abs)

1. Woodall’s Arcticbreeze Midnite Wispa. BOB & WG2. At 4 years this grey & white girl is just hitting her prime. Presented in good condition, she catches the eye with a very pretty headpiece, strong compact muzzle with oblique eyes & small, correctly set ears giving an alert but kind expression. Stood on nice tight feet and strong bone all through, she had a lot of substance without losing her feminine charm. Good straight front and well laid back shoulder; nice spring of rib and depth of chest, without appearing short on leg. Harsh stand off coat and correct tailset but would prefer it to be carried looser. Her movement was easy and free flowing in all directions with no wasted action, she gave the impression of being able to go all day and it was this along with her elegant arch of neck and eye catching topline in side profile that edged her the top honour.

 2. Chamber’s Arctictrek Gold Glistens ShCM. Couldn’t believe this red & white male was approaching 13 years old! Of larger type all through he had a strong masculine head, correct shape of eye and good length of muzzle without lacking depth. Slightly sloping topline and nice depth of chest; balanced profile with moderate front & rear angulation. Correct tail set. His front pasterns looked to have weakened, but his movement certainly didn’t give away his age with a steady, clean gait coming and going. Couldn’t quite match the younger female in drive, but a truly delightful Veteran.

Alanna J Blaney (Fenrirkin)