Scottish Kennel Club

Best Puppy in Show

It doesn’t get much better than this, being invited to judge all the puppy groups and Best puppy in Show at SKC, and my huge thanks to convener Stuart Payne and his committee for their invitation and hospitality over the weekend, a true delight to have such an honour and be surrounded by such quality puppies. As many had said, being responsible for all the Puppy Groups, meant I only had myself to “blame” for the final line up, and indeed I was spoiled for choice, such was the quality of the winners from each group. But there has to be a winner, and on the day the BPIS was the Chow Chow, Burlesk Blonde Ambition At Eivisah owned by Gemma and Stephen Pike, a true mini lion, compact and strongly built, fabulous coat and presented to perfection, and coping very well with the heat. Super broad head with flat skull and dark oval eye and those typical exquisite ears. Well matured in body. Sound as a bell, with proud head carriage and easy typical gait simply skimming the ground yet she covered the ring with ease, a delight to watch. Super temperament and in the final she just never stopped showing to take the top spot. Reserve BPIS was the Jack Russell Terrier, Locheil Girl Talk owned by Heather Turner and Audrey Macdonald, such a super show girl, with a huge personality, alert to her handler at all time, standing beautifully four square, showing off her super angulation and clean neck. Loved her expression from the dark almond eye, flat skull and good stop and those ears never stop working. Carries herself well on the move, plenty of purpose and drive.

Toy Group

PUPPY GROUP 1

LIREVA'S GLORIOUS Breed: Pomeranian (A M CAWTHERA-PURDY)

Delightful orange bitch in fabulous coat. Compact in outline with moderate angulation. Feminine foxy head, correct wedge with dark oval eye with neat ears, giving alert expression. Very true on move in all directions, and has confidence of a mature well developed puppy, a delightful character, who just moved around the huge ring with the air of who will be second!

PUPPY GROUP 2

PINICIO WRAPPED IN RED Breed: Miniature Pinscher (MR D & MRS S SANTORIELLO)

Striking red, alert and well schooled, her maturity and ring presence belies her years. Good length to head with flat skull and typical high set ears. Short in back, good chest and rib. Well developed stifle. Stands four square on tight feet. Correct Hackney action.

PUPPY GROUP 3

OVERTOP BLAME IT ON THE RAIN AT PAMPLONA Breed: Bichon Frise (MR M COAD)

Excellent presentation as ever from this kennel, super coat and lovely expression from dark pigmented round eyes and nose leather, correct proportions for head and muzzle. Arched neck, well developed loin. Moves with purpose, showing the black pads, was convinced the tape on floor were jumps and simply took them in stride, still keeping true on the move.

PUPPY GROUP 4

TAFTAZINI NEPALENSIS Breed: Pug (MRS S FARNWORTH) cobby masculine dog, who stands four square on good legs. Large round head, with good width to jaw. Dark round eye and clean wrinkling on forehead. Good reach in front on the move and typical roll of hind as covered the ground with purpose and proud carriage.

Utility Group

PUPPY GROUP 1

BURLESK BLONDE AMBITION AT EIVISAH Breed: Chow Chow (MRS G & MR S PIKE)

PUPPY GROUP 2

FULLMOON SOME LIKE IT HOT (IMP USA) Breed: Schipperke (MISSES L & J MCLACHLAN), pushed the chow hard, compact body, in excellent coat, with a harsh outer coat with super mane, gleaming with condition. Fox like in expression, dark oval eye, flat skull, good fill under eye. Moved easily in the big ring, the blue colour showing her off well and she moved with short busy stride.

PUPPY GROUP 3

KEKEMARA BRONTE AT DIZZNEESTAR (MISS G & MR R STAFFORD & FULLER) Breed; Min Schnauzer, beautifully put down, square in outline, with lovely reach of neck to clean head of good length and flat skull, typical blunt muzzle and well furnished for eye brows and whiskers. Well angulated to cat feet. Super on move with plenty of reach.

PUPPY GROUP 4

REMRAH HIGH FLYER AT CULVERSAPSO Breed: Lhasa Apso (MISS D & MR D CULVERHOUSE & ROBERTS), in high quality group, could not deny this well matured and well coated pup, exhibited in super condition. Firm in topline at all times, with good angles to give the correct lively action on the move, so smooth with proud head carriage from well arched neck.

Pastoral Group

PUPPY GROUP 1

RANNERDALE SHOWMASTER Breed: Shetland Sheepdog (MRS A A STAFFORD)

One I have admired from the ringside, beautifully balanced in excellent fitting coat, smooth outline. Super head with typical sweet expression, from correctly placed eye and ear. Good length of neck to well laid back shoulder, broad rump and low set tail. Smooth and graceful on the move, covering ground so effortlessly, sadly not so settled in the final.

PUPPY GROUP 2

NIKARA FOLLOW THAT DREAM Breed: Samoyed (MRS V FREER)

Well grown and in excellent double coat. Wedge head with flat skull, classical smiling expression, excellent pigment. Super temperament, alert and attentive to handler, and standing four square showing off lovely angles. When moving was sound in all directions, with super drive.

PUPPY GROUP 3

FAYKEN FINAL DESTINATION (MR N & MR R SMITH & GREEN)

Athletic bitch with good reach of neck and flow of topline, through to slope of croup to tip of tail. Well angulated and has correct effortless gait with good extension. Head is feminine with broad skull and strong muzzle without being excessive, semi tipped ears are well placed and used well.

PUPPY GROUP 4

DALEABBEYS ANYTHING GOES KELTYBRAE Breed: Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) (MRS K D HOGG), strongly built, with good bone and strong topline. Good length of neck, and defined waist. Foxy head with broad skull and well set rounded ear. Bright expression. Balanced and sound movement.

Working Group

PUPPY GROUP 1

CARKENNAR SHINE A LIGHT AT LONGSDALE Breed: Boxer (MR G & MR D PEARCE & FRANCIS)

In super condition, with plenty of muscle. Square in outline, clean long neck well angulated front and rear, with broad thighs. Super clean head, broad and deep muzzle, well padded lips, good stop and dark eyes. Stands on strong arched feet. A true power house on the move driving from rear to cover ground well.

PUPPY GROUP 2

ANGEL'S PHOENIX DYLAN DOG OF COPPERFIELD Breed: Bullmastiff (MR W & MRS A WARREN)

Super square head, with good depth and short muzzle, broad under jaw, dark eye set apart. Good width and depth to chest, stands well on straight front legs which are well boned. From topline to broad loin, and strong hind legs. Super sound parallel movement covering ground with ease.

PUPPY GROUP 3

CWNHAPUS INNOKO Breed: Siberian Husky (MR H & MRS B A MORRIS)

Very typical fox like head, clean with rounded muzzle and lovely almond eye. Moderate throughout, good angles, and moves well with good extension of neck and shows good reach and drive.

PUPPY GROUP 4

FIRST LADY WITH TOLKETNA (IMP KG) Breed: Alaskan Malamute (MRS J WARWICK)

Well boned bitch in super thick double coat. Head developing well with good width and strong muzzle. Natural sloping topline, with broad hind quarters. Easy effortless movement.

Gundog

PUPPY GROUP 1 JONEVA BORN TO THRILL Breed: Pointer (MR S J LAYTON)

The true aristocrat of the group, clean head with good stop and slight dishing to foreface. Long muscular neck to well laid back shoulders and stands on clean legs with super pasterns. Firm muscled quarters which show on the move as he drives around the ring, eating up the ground with each stride.

PUPPY GROUP 2 ANNILANN MISTER ALLSORTS Breed: Spaniel (Cocker) (MISS S J WHITING)

One of my childhood favourites, and I still have a soft spot for a well-made blue roan. He has a super character with happy tail and gentle expression. Lovely head with well defined square muzzle, dark eye and well feather ears. Strongly build in body with firm topline. Excellent bend of stifle. Lovely driving movement.

PUPPY GROUP 3 ZARCREST HOT CHOCOLATE Breed: Spaniel (American Cocker) (MR W HARRIS)

Compact in outline with the classic sloping topline, and well furnished throughout. Lovely head with good width to jaw, head carried on long clean neck. Deep in chest. So stylish and sound on the move, deceptively covers a lot of ground.

PUPPY GROUP 4 CRIMICAR SHE'S ELECTRICK WITH TIGERROCK Breed: Spaniel (Welsh Springer) (C T CLARKE SHERLOCK), nothing exaggerated about this bitch, in hard condition with good depth to chest, and excellent turn of stifle. Lovely straight silky coat of rich red, to really catch your eye. Loved to kind expression, she could melt your heart with a single look. No slouch on the move, looks like could work all day.

Terrier Group

PUPPY GROUP 1 LOCHEIL GIRL TALK Breed: Jack Russell Terrier (MRS H & MISS A TURNER & MACDONALD)

PUPPY GROUP 2 FLANAGAN ENERGIZER AT FEORLIG (IMP SVK) Breed: Skye Terrier (MISS K F & MR E L MILLER & RYAN)

For such a strongly made low built dog, struck me how sound and true he is, with good width in front and strong rear action. Mature head with classical pricked ears, carried proudly. Firm topline and long ribcage, screams masculine throughout. Flat long outer coat presented to perfection– with colour still to clear as would expect at this age.

PUPPY GROUP 3 ROCABEC RIDING SHOTGUN Breed: Bedlington Terrier (MR & MRS P CUMMING)

This young man just oozes calmness from his lovely demeanour and expression. Head is narrow and well furnished, and is smooth in outline from tip to tip. Lovely bright dark eye. Brisket reaches to elbows, and has correct classical tuck up and arching over loin. Loved his light and easy action.

PUPPY GROUP 4 ZIPPOR SLEEPY SAPPHIRESON Breed: Sealyham Terrier (MRS C C BELL)

Friendly pup who had a lovely way about him. Strong rectangular outline and powerful neck. Front legs well placed to uphold this powerful lad and combine with powerful well muscled hindquarters to provide a powerful mover who can drive around the ring.

Hound Group

PUPPY GROUP 1 TOKAJI WALKING IN MEMPHIS Breed: Basenji (MRS D & MRS P HARDY & HALLAM)

Stunning smart tri dog with melon pips which enhance his alert expression. Such proud carriage from good neck, and the lovely hooded ear. Short strong back, and good depth to brisket giving a mature body shape. Coat in fabulous condition. Beautifully balanced throughout and moves with graceful purpose, sadly just tiring in the final.

PUPPY GROUP 2 CITYCROFT STORM IN A TEACUP Breed: Whippet (MRS J & MISS R & MRS A WHITEHEAD & SMITH & MIXIDES)

Epitomises elegance, and a true athletic build. Super angulation and pasterns necessary for fast running dog. Lovely clean long head with rose ears. Well developed in chest, and well muscled throughout especially thighs. Moved with easy daisy cutting action and pleasure to watch.

PUPPY GROUP 3 CARLINCOX SOLID GOLD Breed: Rhodesian Ridgeback (MR G & MISS O TIMMS)

Strongly built of rich red colour. Stands four square on straight well boned legs, plenty of heart room, firm back and strong loins, the power house. Well angulated with super bend of stifle. Easy mover for a dog of such substance

PUPPY GROUP 4 SCENTERBAY NYX Breed: BLACK & TAN COONHOUND (MISS E A & MR P N SAXTON & DALE)

Square in outline, strongly built with a certain elegance from a natural stance of proud head carriage. Good angles, and neck. Movement is effortless, sound in all directions and covers ground effortlessly with head carried proudly to capture the scent on the air, with tail carried high given balanced alert appearance.