Alaskan Malamute Club of the United Kingdom

AMCUK Open Show – May 4th 2019 – Dogs & Selected Stakes.

I’ll start with thanks to the committee for the invitation to judge at what is one of my favourite annual shows as an exhibitor, for their hospitality on the day and of course for enlisting my efficient stewards, Les & Julia, who were superb in keeping things running smoothly even when the elements turned against us.

Not the biggest of entries, but of good enough quality throughout to still give some tough decisions. All dogs were of sound temperament and none were carrying any excess of weight, which is always a good sign in a working breed. Dentition remains a watch out though, with a few level bites sneaking in. The generous rings on offer here give plentiful room for assessing movement, however today I found that a combination of the high winds and slightly uneven surface seemed to unsettle some exhibits on the move, which affected some of the final placings.

In agreement with my co-judge, Best In Show went to the Dog (see Open Dog for critique), with Reserve Best in Show & Best Opposite Sex going to the Bitch (see Working Certified Bitch for critique). Best Junior and Best Puppy in Show both went to the bitch winners, and it was interesting to see that Reserve Best Puppy In Show was taken by the winner’s littermate (see Minor Puppy Dog / Puppy Dog critiques).

DOGS 

Minor Puppy Dog (3 Ent, 0 Abs)

A promising start to the day.

1st. Page’s Snow Legend Believe In You (IMP RUS) NAF

8 month old grey/white, with such a sweet, appealing expression and an abundance of character. Dark, oblique, almond eyes with nicely set ears. Skull & muzzle proportions good for age. Good length of neck, beginning to show the characteristic slight arch, leading into a slightly sloping topline. Chest coming on well, with legs nice and straight viewed front on. Strong pasterns. Balanced in front and rear angulation, with a good layback of shoulder and nice, short, strong hocks. Good, tight, well shaped snowshoe feet, plenty of bone and a very happy waving plume tail. Quality coat with adult texture now coming through and standing off correctly. Was super enthusiastic on the move, but when settled showed balance for his age with good ground cover and drive. Best Puppy Dog and pushed very hard for BPIS, but his enthusiasm perhaps got the better of him on the move and today it was a well deserved RBPIS.

2nd. Barstow’s Ayakulik Sorcerer’s Trick

6 month old grey/white baby of different type to first, and of course less maturity, but a lot of good qualities already evident. Nice dark eye with correct almond shape, and a kind expression. Ears set well and although skull still developing showing correct proportions for age. Nice length of neck, a little narrow in chest at this age but enough bone for size, with a bit of knuckle left to grow into, and nice tight feet. Slightly longer in loin but shows overall balance in angulation with well let down hocks and strong pasterns. Adult coat still coming through but texture correct. Good tail set and carriage. A little looser on the move than my class winner, but footfall was nice in side profile when settled.

3rd. Barstow’s Ayakulik Black Magic

6 month black/white, littermate to second place and with a lot of the same qualities. A touch stronger in skull and muzzle than his brother at this stage, with good proportions and the same lovely dark eye. Ears slightly larger but well set on skull. Enough width to his front for his age with strong pasterns and correct feet. Moderately angulated front and rear with enough bone for size. Topline coming on nicely and coat of correct texture. Chose to show characteristic malamute stubbornness for his individual movement assessment, but on the final group run round showed promise, with correct tail carriage and overall balance – just needs a bit more time.

Puppy Dog (4 Ent, 1 Abs)

1st. Page’s Snow Legend Believe In You (IMP RUS) NAF.

As per 1st in Puppy Dog.

2nd. Barstow’s Ayakulik Sorcerer’s Trick

As per 2nd in Puppy Dog.

3rd. Barstow’s Ayakulik Black Magic

As per 3rd in Puppy Dog.

Junior Dog (Nil Ent)

Post Graduate Dog (Nil Ent)

Limit Dog (4 Ent, 1 Abs)

A difficult class to decide on, in that they presented three very different type of dogs, all possessing differing virtues.

1st. Anderson’s Cherubini Atene Cinquale

4 yrs old black/white, and although the smallest in size in this class was the most mature in overall shape and structure. A very typey headpiece, with a good eye shape, lovely small ears and nice muzzle proportions. Carries a profuse coat of fantastic texture, which can hide what is a good length of neck and a super, sloping topline. Good depth & width of chest, with plenty of spring of rib and a strong loin. Well muscled rear with short compact hocks. Correct tail set. Well angulated in front and rear which gave him great extension on the move. Good footfall coming back and forth and showed a typical, workmanlike side gait, holding his topline well and cinching him the top spot.

2nd. Raby’s Yuayua At Icemoon (IMP SWE)

2.5 years grey/white and still with a youthful demeanour and expression, but a nice masculine outline. Loved his super dark, almond eye with classic oblique set. Broad skull, ears thick and well furred but ear set could be stronger. Enough length of neck leading to a slightly sloping topline. Well developed chest with broad front and lovely big snowshoe feet. Moderately angulated with plenty of bone all through and a lovely, harsh, stand off coat. Well muscled on the move, with good overall balance in side profile, but not quite the drive of my class winner today.

3rd. Fiege’s Chivas Regal Malamute Sanctuary

At not quite 2 years this sable boy was youngest of the class, but arguably the most substantial with plenty of bone all through. Strong masculine skull, perhaps a touch heavier in stop than I prefer giving a slightly less oblique set to eye, but good shape and very dark. Lovely bulky muzzle & good ear set. Nice arch of neck leading to a slightly sloping topline. Lovely tail set and carriage. In side profile shows good balance in proportions, with moderate angulations front and rear. Good stand off coat and nice big feet. At this stage still a touch narrow in chest viewed front on, which did show in his movement and cost him a higher placing, but one I would love to see again in a few years time.

Open Dog (5 Ent, 1 Abs)

Another lovely class of mixed type, but plenty of quality.

1st. Loades’ CH Snowolf Black Ice Buddy

4.5 year black/white really coming into his prime and pulling out all the stops today. Has such a kind expression, with super dark pigment and a correct size & shape of eye. Lovely small ears, thick and well furred, with a bulky muzzle and good overall skull proportions. Strong, well arched of neck leading into a correct sloping topline. More than enough bone for his size, with well sprung ribs and a good depth of chest. Strong front with short, slightly sloping pasterns. Shoulder well laid back, giving good angulation that was in balance with his rear. Broad thigh, with well let down hocks. Harsh, stand off coat and well muscled all through. Tendency to drop his tail on the stand but well set and showed the correct waving plume on the move. In motion he really excelled, so balanced, not overdone in any way but holding his shape superbly and driving round the ring with an efficient, fluid motion that caught my eye every time. Clean coming and going, I was delighted to award him Best Dog and even moreso when in agreement with my co-judge he went onto BIS.

2nd. Thompson’s Libertia In The Red Again At Shomont

6 year red/white, with a naughtiness to his expression. Lovely shape of skull, with good breadth and super small ears. Very good pigment with a nice almond eye. Good length of neck and a strong, sloping topline leading to a perfect waving plume. Good depth & breadth of chest, stood on strong pasterns in front and nice tight feet. Good angulation all through, with strong hocks, good bone and a nice harsh coat. On the move he showed power and determination, with good extension and obvious drive, however the efficiency of first place beat him today in the final challenge.

3rd. Horsman & Horsman-Phoenix’s Nordicwinds American Idol JW ShCM.

5 year grey/white with a typical malamute expression. Beautiful dark, obliquely set almond eyes and a good set of ear, although I would prefer a touch smaller. Good broad skull and nice length of neck leading to a slightly sloping topline. Broad chest and well sprung ribs, with strong bone throughout and lovely shaped, snowshoe feet. Good length of leg and nice overall proportions in side profile, moderately angulated front and rear. Lovely waving plume and although not in full coat still dense with a nice texture. Well muscled and holding his shape well on the move, his footfall was pleasing but he seemed to lose his focus in the final run round which cost him in the final placings.

Special Veteran Dog, 7-9 Years (8 Ent, 2 Abs)

A really lovely class of males not showing their age and who could probably swap places on another day – splitting hairs with the final decisions.

1st. Thompson’s CH Shomont Raising Cain ShCM

8.5 year grey/white male, and masculine in every way the standard asks for. Strong skull without being overdone, with fantastic, small, well furred ears, a good almond eye and a bulky muzzle. Lovely arch of neck leading to a typical sloping topline and a beautiful waving plume tail. Well constructed front with strong, well boned legs, no sign of weakness in pastern and large, tight feet. Nice spring of rib and depth of chest. Slightly longer in back, and has a tendency to over-stretch himself on the stack, but this can be forgiven when he moves and comes into his own. He showed a strong, powerful and driving action from all angles, moreso than many of the younger exhibits, holding his shape well and covering the ground with determination. Although not in his best coat, he didn’t let himself down in the challenge, claiming Best Veteran Dog & Reserve Best Dog. Strongly considered for BVIS, but up against a bitch of almost 4 years his senior still holding herself so well, in agreement with my co-judge had to today concede.

2nd. Robb’s CH/INT/BEL/LUX/GER/NL CH Under Icewolf’s Star Inditarod JW ShCM EJW’10 (IMP CZE).

9.5 year grey/white male, more compact in type to first but full of quality. A typical Malamute headpiece with a sweetness to his expression. Lovely, dark, almond eye, obliquely set, and super small ears. Nicely arched neck leading to a slightly sloping topline. Good proportions with a well laid back shoulder, legs straight and true viewed front on with strong pasterns. Nice short hocks in the rear and good bone all through with nice tight feet. Good, harsh, stand off coat. Perfect waving plume carried proudly on the move. Moved cleanly coming and going, and covered the ground well, just not quite the workmanlike attitude of my class winner in motion.

3rd. Wolfe’s CH Hawkeye Polarni Usvit (IMP CZE)

8yr grey/white male and another with a striking, masculine outline. Pleasing headpiece, with dark, almond eyes and small ears, broad in skull and good overall proportions. Strong neck leading to a slightly sloping topline. Moderately angulated front and rear with good overall balance in side profile. Strong front and good shape of feet. Good bone all through, with a nice spring of rib and well muscled loin. Another with a lovely tail set and carriage, taking the waving part particularly seriously, and a quality, stand off coat. On the move he was full of enthusiasm, and certainly not lacking in reach and drive, however, perhaps due to the less even ground, he wasn’t quite as consistent as first and second today.

Special Veteran Dog, 10 Years & Over (1 Ent, 1 Abs)

STAKES CLASSES

Brood Bitch (1 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st. Page’s Cedarcreek Exquisite.

A delightful class to judge, with a veteran and her two daughters showing such impeccable type and consistency. All shared the same darkest of almond, oblique eyes, typical wedge shaped heads, good quality coats and overall substance and balance. The trio moved well together, sharing good drive and balance. Best Brood Bitch.

Brace (Nil Ent)

Special Open Red (2 Ent, 1 Abs)

1st. Clarke’s Indian Dreamcatcher Illa Kuvianartok At Whiteout (IMP POL)

Not long turned 7 year red/white female with a cheekiness to her expression that made me smile. Strong, broad skull with nicely sized ears and good bulky muzzle. Well muscled neck leading to a slightly sloping topline and a beautifully carried tail. Chest deep with well sprung ribs. Good length of leg and plenty of bone throughout. Stood on strong pasterns and tight feet. Well angulated rear with strong hocks and finished with a harshly textured coat. She moved with determination, power and drive, holding her shape well. Best Special Red.

Special Working Certified Bitch (9 Ent, 2 Abs)

A really lovely class to judge, mixed in type and maturity but with so many lovely ladies in great condition; a credit to their owners.

1st. Page’s Cedarcreek Frozen In Time

4 year grey/white female just reaching maturity. Such a pretty, feminine headpiece with the darkest of oblique, almond eyes and lovely, thick, small ears, set well on skull. Good overall proportions, and a slightly arched neck leading to a strong, sloping topline. Well laid back shoulder and strong pasterns. Good spring of rib and a pleasing front. Balanced in rear angles with strong, short hocks. Plenty of bone, and good length of leg leading to a well balanced outline in side profile. Well furred, plume of a tail, set well. Fantastic coat with great texture and nicely shaped feet. Loved her in motion, very clean footfall coming and going and had an efficient, effortless sidegait. Best Working Certified today, and also had the pleasure of awarding her RBIS in conjunction with my co-judge.

2nd. Wolfe’s Just Got To Love Me Polarni Usvit

5 year grey/white bitch, with a sweet expression. Lovely dark, almond eyes and a nice bulky muzzle without losing femininity. Nicely shaped, well set ears and good breadth of skull. Good arch of neck leading to a slightly sloping topline and a lovely tail set & carriage. Good breadth & depth of chest, with a well laid shoulder. Strong pasterns and tight feet. Well muscled rear which she used to advantage. Not in full coat but what was there had good texture. She moved out well, with good reach and drive, but wasn’t quite as fluid as the class winner.

3rd. Butler’s Arcticdawn Free and Easy at Kaytoo

Almost 12 yr old bitch who certainly held her own against the younger girls in attitude and condition. Typical wedge shape of skull, with nice dark pigment and almond shaped eye. Ear could be smaller, but set well back on skull, leading to a good length of neck and slightly sloping topline. Good breadth to front with no weakness in pasterns and tight feet. Nice spring of rib. Moderate in angulation, with good length of leg and a correctly set tail. Not the biggest of coats but well textured. Bone adequate for size. Very well developed in muscle and this showed on the move, holding her shape well and giving an efficient motion from all angles without lacking drive. It was a delight to judge her in the Best Veteran In Show challenge where, in agreement with my co-judge, she pushed hard enough to take BVIS over the younger male.

Alanna J Blaney (Fenrikin)