German Spitz Club of Great Britain

German Spitz Club of GB – Championship Show Mittels - 5 th November 2017

It was a great honour to receive the invitation to judge Mittels at the breed club show, and one which I was very much looking forward to. I last judged the size over 3-years ago and so was interested to see how the breed had moved on since then. A decent entry numerically, the quality was rather mixed with various different types emerging, light eyes, incorrect mouths and poor movement. My sincere thanks to all the exhibitors for such a lovely day; it was a really enjoyable appointment. Many thanks also to the officers and committee for their hospitality and my lovely stewards, Geoff, Melanie and Becky who kept the ring running efficiently. This was a really special judging engagement for me and tt was a real highlight to judge the main awards alongside the much respected Klein judge Ruth Kimber.

DCC Andrew’s Ch Claran Narada & BVIS

RDCC Hewett’s Ch Spellcast Secret and Lies.

BCC Barnes & King’s Ch Spellcast Talk To Da Tail & BOB & BIS

RBCC Williams and Williams’ Dulais Moonlight Over Paris at Trebettyn & RBOB

Veteran Dog (2,0) Well what a class to begin with. Both top quality males shown in tip–top condition and showing the youngsters how it should be done.

1 st Andrew’s Ch Claran Narada. 8.5 year old black male. Really on top form today, this lad exhibits typical spitz outline, square and compact. He is good for size with quality bone. Super masculine head of correct proportions, excellent muzzle to skull proportions. To be hyper critical his eye could be slightly darker and more almond shaped. Lovely neat ears of excellent shape and set, though he could have used them better. Appropriate layback of shoulder and straight front into neat tight feet. Adequate neck into well developed body with good spring of rib and deep brisket. Good angles on rear with adequate turn of stifle and strong pasterns. Tight tail which was well set and carried throughout. On the move he really showed himself off to advantage excellent away and back and covering the ground with a flowing sidegait. Presented in firm condition, with excellent coat of good texture. Fully deserved the DCC, BVIB and with the agreement my co-judge BVIS.

2 nd Hewett’s Ch Spellcast Secret and Lies. 10 year old cream. This boy has done very well under me in the past and I really do love his breed type. He is a strong masculine dog, with good bone, who presents the most pleasing balanced outline on the stand. He has the most exquisite head, of excellent proportions with sweet expression. Dark expressive eye and well set ears which could be a fraction smaller. Good neck into well developed body, and appropriate angles to front and rear quarters. On the move he was a bit ploddy so had to give way to 1, but glad to see he pulled himself together in the challenge to take the RDCC.

Minor Puppy Dog (3,2)

1 st Saich’s Lindcoly The One An Only. 6month old s/w. This cheeky chap was really enjoying his day out which was so lovely to see. He presents a typical outline on the stand and is good for size and bone. He has a pleasing head with wicked expression which is so endearing. Correct dark eyes and well set ears, which could be a fraction smaller. Body development is what I would expect for his age, and he has a tight well set tail which he held throughout. Still needs to firm on the move, but this will come, was excellent away and on sidegait, just a little close toward. BPIB and RBPIS.

Puppy Dog (2,0)

1 st Saich’s Lindcoly The One An Only. Repeat of MPD.

2 nd O’Leary’s Cadasaro Tamino. 8month old sable. Up to size, well coated youngster who presents a pleasing outline on the stand. He has a lovely head type with beautiful dark, well set eyes, and pleasing expression, ears a little wide set. Good for overall balance with bone proportionate to size. Well developed in body, but carrying a bit of extra weight, excellent tail. Has good angles front and rear, but really needs to get his act together on the move. He was crabbing on the sidegait, and skipping on front movement.

Junior Dog (6,2)

1 st Rogerson, Rogerson & Mullholland’s Fisherbloom Black Shaman With Nosregor. 12 month old sable. This young lad has excellent ring presence and is good for size, shape and bone. Excellent head proportions with neat well set ears, eye could be darker. Good layback of shoulder and straight front into neat feet. Adequate neck, good spring of rib and depth of brisket. Well set tail which he carried throughout. Well presented and in good coat. Moved soundly from all angles.

2 nd Barnes & King’s Spellcast Talk with Me. Different type to class winner, but still very correct. 13 month old cream. Overall head proportions are good, though would prefer smaller higher set ears and a smaller more obliquely set eye. He is good for bone and size, and has a neat straight front. Sprung in rib, but needs some depth in brisket. Looks a little long on the stand, but hands on he is compact. Moved out with purpose but could be truer away and back.

3 rd Chamber’s Musique Azlan

4 th Hill’s Flamuna Tarvos Of Kilima

Post Graduate Dog (4,2)

1 st Saich’s Lindcoly Fozzie Bear. 3 years old sable. At the bottom end of the height scale. Balanced male with proportionate bone. Good shape to head, but eyes are a bit round, wide set and could be darker. Ear shape okay, but would prefer smaller. He has a good neck, into well developed body, good tail well set and carried. Moved out okay.

2 nd Dyer and Vines’ Sobriety Something Wicked. 18 month old, well boned black, who was very unsettled today. Scores for breed type with correct wedge shaped head and good eye, though ears could be neater. Has good angles front and rear but did not show himself to advantage on the move.

Limit Dog (8,4)

1 st Hearson’s Nixtev Uraxys at Jumasue. 4.5 year old mature white. Presents a pleasing spitzy outline on the stand, short and compact, with balance in bone and size. Masculine wedge shaped head with good balance between skull and muzzle, correct eye, ears could be better set. Straight front with good layback, well developed body, could do with a touch more angulation in the rear, tight tail which was well set and carried. Showed himself off to advantage and moved briskly around the ring with a flowing sidegait.

2 nd Roberts’ Longsdales Turning Tables at Cwrtafon. Showy 22 month old cream. Not quite the outline of one as a tad stretched in body proportions. Good overall for size and bone. Good wedge to head, but would prefer a little more width to muzzle to give better balance. Dark well shaped eyes, though a little wide set. Straight front with good layback, nicely bodied with good spring of rib and depth to brisket. Moved positively from all angles.

3 rd Hewett’s Spellcast Talk Tidee

4 th Wilson’s Nickila Silver Sovereign

Open Dog (9,2)

1 st Mulholland’s Ch Zephon The Last Samurai. 5 year old black. A quality male who presents a balanced spitz outline. He has good bone and proportion throughout. Correct wedge shaped head with good balance between skull and muzzle. Neat well set ears, and dark eyes which are a little wide set and round. Adequate neck, excellent in body with good ribbing and depth to brisket, and firm condition. Moved with purpose and was positive from all angles.

2 nd Hall’s Sobriety’s Grizzly Bear For Pufnstuf. 3 years old brown. Bigger made dog than one with good overall shape and balance. He is well off for size and bone, but completely in proportion. Masculine wedge shaped head, with good muzzle to skull balance expressive eye and correct shaped ears though a fraction wide set. Strong straight front with adequate layback, good neck, and well developed body. Well set tail held throughout. Presented in excellent coat and condition and moved soundly from all directions.

3 rd Smith’s Ch Spellcast Jivetalking.

4 th Hewett’s Ch Spellcast Shout About It

5 th O’Leary’s Ir/UK/Int Ch Amoyalois Rufus For Cadasaro Jun Ch

Veteran Bitch (2,1)

1 st Purves’ Ch Rossfort Griselda. 9 year old cream belying her years. Presented in spotless condition this lady presents a pleasing balanced outline. She has a correct wedge shaped feminine head with a kind expression, lovely neat ears and dark eyes though a little wide set. Straight front with good layback, firm body and excellent hindquarters. She is good for size and bone. Correct well set tail which she carried throughout. This girl showed herself to advantage and moved very well with a flowing sidegait.

Minor Puppy Bitch (3,1)

1 st Pearce & Francis’ Longsdale’s Love is War. 8 month old cream. Quite raw and not yet presenting a square outline. Good for size and bone. Correct wedge shaped head though would prefer smaller eyes and ears. Needs to develop in body. Well schooled and presented, she moved out steadily to win this class.

2 nd Roberts’ Bullbo Star Attraction at Cwrtafon. 8 month old white. Well up on leg and not presenting the best outline at this stage. Pretty feminine head but would prefer more width to muzzle to give better balance. Dark eye, ears a little on the tall side. Well developed in body for age, but a bit bum-high. Just didn’t pull it together on the move, crabbing slightly so had to give way to first.

Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1 st Drechsler’s Longsdale’s New Addition. 8 month old cream, litter sister to MPB winner. Presenting a pleasing outline, this young lady has a feminine wedge shaped head, with good balance skull to muzzle, expressive dark eye and pigment, all combining to give a sweet expression. Correct neat well set ears. Well developed in body with good bone, excellent tail and presented in good coat and condition. At times she was a little high stepping in front, otherwise she moved out positively.

Junior Bitch (5,1)

1 st Williams and Williams’ Dulais Moonlight Over Paris at Trebettyn. 12 month old cream sable. This is the one I’d take home in a heartbeat, for me she was the Wow factor. On the stand she is very eye catching and presents the most pleasing square, balanced outline. She has a beautiful wedge shaped feminine head with expressive dark eyes and neat well set ears. She is good for bone and size, has adequate neck and is well developed in body with good ribbing and depth of brisket. Good angles front and rear and the neatest of feet, and well set tail. Presented in excellent condition, she was handled to advantage and moved steadily throughout. Pushed hard for the CC, but had to settle for the RBCC.

2 nd Pearce and Francis’ Kelham Love and Romance with Longsdale. 14 month old cream bitch. Not the outline of 1, being a little stretched in body proportions. She is good for size and bone, has a pretty head, though I would prefer a shorter muzzle for better balance. Eyes okay, ears a little tall and wide set. She has good bone, and is well developed in body and has an excellent tail. Very well schooled and showy she moved out well but is a little close away and front could be tighter.

3 rd Taylor’s Clamers Mischief Managed Under Tispitza.

4 th Hall’s Spellcast Lets Ava Talk at Pufnstuf

Post Graduate Bitch (8,2)

1 st Taylor’s Clarmers Mischief Managed Under Tispitza. 14 month old black. Presents a nice outline though stands a little long at times. A bit finer in bone than I would like, but scored on breed type. Balanced wedge shaped head with good eyes and ears. Good neck into straight front with good angles front and rear. Tail well set and carried. Moved briskly to win this class.

2 nd Barnes & King’s Spellcast Speaks For Itself. 2 years old brown. On the stand this young lady did not show herself off to advantage. She has a wedge shaped head, but is a bit blunt in muzzle, detracting from overall balance, has correct eyes and ears. Could be straighter in front, has adequate neck and firm body. Moved out okay but a bit close toward.

3 rd Saich’s Zephon Dreams Made with Love at Lindcoly

4 th Wells’ Bulabs Lady Penelope at Wolfcreek

5 th Purves’ Bulabs Blonde Lady

Limit Bitch (5,2)

1 st Andrew’s Claran Pepperpots. 4 year old sable. Not quite the desired outline as a bit stretched in body proportions. Correct wedge shaped feminine head with good eye and neat ears. Adequate neck, good bone for size, she has good spring of rib and depth to brisket. Not in best coat, but what she had is of correct texture. Showed well and moved positively.

2 nd Purves’ Bulabs Leading Lady. 5.5 year old cream. Different type to 1, being a lot heavier in head. Well off for bone, she has a well developed body but another which is slightly stretched in length. Correct tail which was well set. Moved out okay.

3 rd Saichs’ Bulabs Staring Stephenie For Lindcoly

Open Bitch (7,2)

1 st Barnes & King’s Ch Spellcast Talk To Da Tail. 5 year old cream. Exquisite showgirl presented in immaculate coat and condition. This balanced young lady was absolutely glowing. Presented the most pleasing outline on the stand and didn’t disappoint when hands-on or on the move. Stunning feminine head with good eyes and ears, she has adequate neck, good ribbing and depth of brisket. Quality bone and good for size, she has an tight well set tail. Excellent angles front and rear, she moved out soundly, covering the ground with excellent sidegait. BCC, BOB and delighted that by decision of the referee she was BIS.

2 nd Duncan’s Ir/UK Ch Spellcast Talk of the Town. 5 years old, black, litter sister to 1st. A quality girl presented in excellent coat. Feminine balanced head with good eyes, ears could be a tad smaller. Adequate neck into well laid shoulder, straight front and neat feet. Good for bone and size, she is well ribbed, and just a tad longer cast than the winner. Excellent tail and strong balanced hindquarters, she showed herself off and moved positively from all angles.

3 rd Pooley’s Ch Spellcast Talking Secrets with Azkaban

4 th O’Leary’s Ir Ch Utopia Aus Dem Norden At Cadasaro

5 th Saich’s Lindcoly Pixie Princess

Judge: Miss Lisa J Moir

Handling Classes

6-11yrs (4,1)

1 st Izzy King handling a Klein. This young lady handled with consideration for her dog at all times. Her table work was excellent and she ensured her dog was stood correctly at all times and presented teeth sympathetically. Her pattern work was neat and accurate; she had her dog moving at the correct gait and offered gentle verbal encouragement throughout. She was courteous to the other handlers in the ring making sure she left enough space between them on the stand and move.

2 nd Mia Rogerson handling a Klein. A promising young handler Mia carried out neat, accurate pattern work. She is still so young and with the talented handlers in her family on hand to train her she will be rivalling the best in no time.

3 rd Iris Saich handling a Mittel. Iris did a lovely job of handling her Mittel puppy with kindness and empathy. She answered my questions on the table confidently and carried out neat pattern work. She shows a lot of promise, and will do well with some more guidance.

12-16yrs (1,0)

1 st Bobbi Shepherd handling a Klein. One of my all-time favourite handlers, Bobbi did not disappoint. She handled her dog sympathetically with confidence. She had her dog stood to perfection at all times and they moved out together with poise and perfect footfall. Pattern work, was neat and accurate, yet flowing. An excellent performance.

17-50yrs (4,0)

1 st Bethan Williams handling a Klein. Bethan headed up this strong class with her confident unexaggerated handling style. She delivered foot perfect pattern work, and had her dog flowing on the move. On the table she sympathetically showed teeth, using her voice to calmly reassure.

2 nd Karoline Andrew handling a Mittel. Karoline pushed Bethan hard in this class, and there was not much to separate them on the technical elements. She has her dog stood and moving correctly at all times. In the line-up Bethan’s confidence just gave her the edge.

3 rd Dan Mann handling a Mittel.

4 th Sarah Wells handling a Mittel

51yrs+ (3,1)

1 st Patricia Rogerson handling a Mittel. Patricia delivered a self-assured performance, ensuring her dog was stood correctly and moved at the right pace. Pattern work was neat and accurate and her presentation of teeth faultless.

2 nd Fiona Minshall handling a Klein. During her individual assessment Fiona put in a confident performance and completed all that was asked to an exceptionally high standard. I had to split hairs between 1 & 2 and I just felt that in the go-around together Patricia had an added poise which gave her the edge.

Judge: Miss Lisa J Moir