Kooikerhondje Club Of Great Britain

Judge’s critique for The Kooikerhondje Club of Great Britain Open Show Sunday 9th June 2019 Thank you to the committee for inviting me and the exhibitors for entering. Congratulations to Claire Johnson and her team for such a well-run show – she even organised the weather in our favour. A very big thank you to my super-efficient steward Bill Molton. The quality of our breed has come on hugely in the last few years and it was a joy to have so many good exhibits. In several classes there were two or three contenders for the top spot and I was being very nit-picking in my final selection – which is a good sign for the future of the breed. I saw no “bad” exhibits and all were in excellent condition. Puppy Dog. 1st: Bull’s Gladsheim Cedar At Loddonside 8 months. A very attractive young male in excellent shape. Good dark colour and plenty of coat for his age. Correct ratio skull to muzzle with good stop. Muzzle slightly wedge shaped and black nose. Correct dentition. Super dark eyes of correct shape and placement. Pendant ears with black tips showing but too young for proper earrings. Good length of neck that was well muscled for his age. Good slope to shoulders and straight forelegs, good bone and feathering beginning to grow. Level topline which he held on the move. Correct depth to chest and well sprung ribs. Well-muscled hindquarters and legs parallel. Small, compact feet. Tail feathers coming. As with most of the babies, tail was happy. Good movement and excellent rear drive. Coat of medium length and slightly wavy. BPIS 2nd: Powell’s Gladsheim Poplar. Litter brother to 1st. A little taller and coat colour slightly paler. The comments about his litter brother apply, in the main, to him but when standing he was leaning a little back and so his forelegs were not quite as straight. Hearson’s Gladsheim Acer At Jumasue. Another from the same litter and very like his brothers. Again, my comments for 1st apply to him as well. With this young dog it was his rear that was not up to the same standard as 1st and 2nd. The faults highlighted for 2nd and 3rd are ones seen on the day. As they settle and mature these will not happen. I did say I was nit-picking. A super trio. I am sure we will see them swap places in the listings for some time to come. Junior Dog 1st: Horsley’s Kerfkooiker Legolas. 15 months old. Nice looking, masculine dog. Nice head with moderate curve to skull and skull to muzzle equal. Good stop. Slight wedge to muzzle. Black nose. Almond shaped deep brown eyes. Friendly expression. Good ears set well just above eye level and carried close to cheeks. Feathering growing. Good jaws and correct dentition. Moderate length to neck and well -muscled for his age. Shoulder angle correct and elbow lies close to body. Good length to body with chest reaching the elbow and well sprung ribs. Strong, level back which he held firmly on the move. Well -muscled hindquarters that had good angulations and legs were parallel. Hocks well let down. Very free flowing movement, covering the ground with ease. Small, compact feet. Good tail feathers for his age. Tending, at the moment, to lean back slightly so giving impression of not having straight forelegs. Just needs time to settle. 2nd: Gladsheim Acer At Jumasue Yearling 1st: Kerfkooiker Legolas 2nd: Guy’s Gladsheim Eleodoro. Masculine dog of good shape and size. Very good head with correct ratio skull to muzzle. Muzzle correctly wedged. Black nose. Well laid shoulders and good forelegs but tending to stand with feet at five to one. Just needs practice. Good body shape and length, chest reaching elbows and well sprung ribs. Slightly sloping croup. Strong, level back. Hind quarters well-angulated. Hind feet parallel and hocks well let down. Moved well with drive from the rear and covered the ground with ease. 3rd: Dunn’s Millhanger Hardy 23 months old. Masculine dog with good head planes. Black nose. Strong jaw and correct dentition. Shoulders well-laid and good straight forelegs. Good length to body. Chest reaching elbows. Good angulation on hindquarters. Hind legs parallel and hocks well let down. Moved well. Post Graduate A very strong class and the decision could have gone either way for first two places.1st was a little more attentive, had slightly better length of neck and a livelier expression. 1st: Bull’s Cirtaps Hertog Kipling V Tira-C At Loddonside. Three years and six months and so much to like. Very good head in shape and size. Well-balanced with correct amount of stop. Black nose. Strong jaw and correct dentition. Beautiful eyes of correct shape and colour. Pendant ears carried close to cheek with good earrings and feathering. Good length of neck and well-muscled. Head carried high. Well-laid shoulders and good angulation to upper arm. Elbow lies close to body. Correct depth of chest and well-sprung ribs. Firm, level topline. Straight forelegs of sufficient bone. Strong, well-muscled hindquarters with parallel legs and hocks well let down. Compact feet of correct shape. Good tail set and well feathered. Carried correctly. Excellent movement with drive from the rear. Free flowing with good extension. 2nd: Suiter’s Genetika Rumplestiltskin 2 years old. A dog I have always liked. Excellent head with correct skull to muzzle ratio. Nice wedge shape muzzle ending with black nose. Strong jaw and correct dentition. Lovely dark eyes. Pendant ears of correct size and placement and very good feathering. Good angulations in limbs both front and rear. Straight forelegs and hind legs parallel with hocks well let down. Good length of body, correct depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Slight slope to croup and tail carriage good. Excellent feathering. Moved freely and with ease. Good rear drive. 3rd: Frankcom’s Genetika Tiny Tom Thumb litter brother to 2nd. Quality dog making up a lovely line up. Again, very good head planes and correct depth to muzzle. Correct dentition. Dark eye and friendly expression. Pendant ears carried close to cheek with good feathering. Well laid back shoulder and good straight forelegs. Body of good length and depth and firm topline which he held on the move. Slight slope to croup and good tail carriage. Angulation of hind quarters correct and hind legs parallel. Hocks well let down. Moved very well around the ring. Limit Dog 1st: Whitehead’s Gladsheim Helios. Almost two years old and a dog I fell in love with when I first saw him. He is a charming boy. Everything to like about this one: super head and correct ratio skull to muzzle. Good stop. Beautiful eyes and alert and friendly expression. Ears held close to cheeks and of the correct size. Lovely ear featherings. Strong jaw with perfect scissor bite. Well- muscled neck of good length with good coat around it. Well laid shoulder and well angulated upper arm. Elbow close to body. Straight forelegs of sufficient bone with good featherings. Well balanced body, good depth of chest, well sprung ribs and slight slope to croup. Level and firm back held steady whilst on the move. Hindquarters correct and legs are parallel with well let down hocks. Well- muscled thighs. Beautiful feet. Tail carriage and feathering very good. Flowing, easy movement with good extension and plenty of drive from rear. Covered the ground with no effort. Excellent coat. Best Dog and BIS. 2nd: Kerfoot’s Papikoi’s Funsize Twix three years old. Good head planes nice wedge- shaped muzzle. Strong jaws and correct scissor bite. Good reach of neck. Shoulder well laid and upper arm angulated correctly. Straight forelegs. Very good body shape and level back. A littler steeper in the angulation of the hindquarters but legs were parallel when viewed from behind. Moved well, covering the ground with ease. Correct tail carriage. Coat in very good condition. 3rd: Brook’s Papikoi Time Out litter brother to 2nd and very alike in shape, size and quality. Tendency to lean back a little so not showing a straight foreleg. Good movement. Very good coat. Open Dog 1st and 2nd are both fabulous dogs and I really was nit-picking here. The 1st took it on tail carriage which was correct whereas 2nd was carrying his higher today. It really was that close. 1st: Williams’ Cairnbraid Onwaba Lukimbi Of Gladsheim a day short of his 4th birthday. Superb outline with high head carriage. A friendly, alert dog. Beautiful head, well-balanced and in correct proportions. Slightly wedge -shaped muzzle well filled under the eye. Deep brown eyes of the correct shape with good black rims. Medium ears carried well with good feathering and earrings. Strong jaw with correct dentition. Well -muscled neck of good length with good coat around it. Well laid shoulder and correct angulation to upper arm. Elbow close to body. Forelegs straight and of sufficient bone. Strong, slightly sloping pasterns. Good length of body with chest reaching elbow and well sprung ribs. Slightly sloping croup. Strong hindquarters correctly angulated and with hind legs parallel when viewed from rear. Hocks well let down. Excellent muscle tone. Beautiful, small, oval feet. Lovely tail carried correctly and well feathered. Excellent movement; free flowing and springy with good drive from rear. Excellent coat in good condition. Sire of BIS he was awarded Reserve Best Dog and Res BIS 2nd: Suiter’s Chriskoois Octavius At Genetika three and a half years. Another dog I have always liked. Lovely head; skull to muzzle proportions correct; moderate stop; very good eyes and super expression. Nice body shape with good angulations front and rear and moderate neck. Well- muscled throughout, good depth of chest and good spring of rib. Excellent movement. Excellent coat and lovely earrings. Pushed very hard for 1st place here but was carrying tail a little too high today. 3rd: Marsden’s Gladsheim Apollo. Good head with correct proportions. Lovely dark eyes and nice expression. Ear set good. Correct dentition. Angulations all round were good and he covered the ground well with a nice flowing movement. Good depth of chest. Veteran Dog 1st: Williams’ Maximillian Alfie of Gladsheim. A lovely dog and at 12 years old moved exceptionally well and in excellent condition. Correct head shape and well balanced with strong appearance and good expression. Looked masculine. Eyes were dark brown and ears were carried well with good earrings. Well -muscled neck and well laid shoulder giving good front angulation. Good body shape with firm back and good depth of chest. Rear angulation was good and hind legs were parallel with hocks well let down. 2nd: Groome’s Unosta Trivial Pursuit very nearly 9 years old and another in excellent condition. Good head planes and correct proportions. Nice wedge shape to muzzle. Eyes of good colour and friendly expression. Ears carried correctly and good feathering. Neck of moderate length with good muscle tone. Shoulders well laid and good straight forelegs. Body shape very good with chest reaching elbow and well sprung ribs. Firm back. Hind quarters were good but the angulation not as good as 1st dog. Parallel legs and well let down hocks. Excellent movement. Good Citizen Dog 1st: Cirtap’s Hertog Kipling V Tira-C at Loddonside 2nd: Genetika Rumplestiltskin 3rd: Papikoi’s Funsize Twix. Puppy Bitch 1st:Johnson’s Valleyrise Illustration 10 months old and very promising. Beautifully presented. A calm young lady. Beautiful, well balanced head. Lovely expression. Dark eyes of correct shape. Ear placement good with black feathering beginning to show. Good shoulder placement and nice straight forelegs with elbow close to body. Moderate neck with good muscle. Good length of body with chest reaching elbow. Well sprung ribs. Correct slope to croup. Hindquarters moderately angulated and hind legs parallel from rear. Hocks well let down. Nice, compact feet. Good coat, a little dark overlay but that is an age- related issue which will soon right itself. Tail carriage good. Moved freely with drive from the rear. Best Puppy Bitch. 2nd: Jones’ Valleyrise Inspiration litter sister to 1st and very hard to separate. Both have quality and promise. Very good head and expression. Skull to muzzle correctly proportioned. Again, good dark eyes. Correct ear placement and carried well. Neck well- muscled. Well laid shoulder and straight forelegs. Good length of body with correct depth of chest. Hindquarters very good and rear legs parallel. Very nice coat. Good movement. A little taller than her sister. 3rd: Templar’s Gladsheim Maple. Litter sister to Best Puppy Dog. A very pretty bitch with a sweet expression. Very excited today and fidgeting for her handler. Beautiful head with lovely dark eyes and black rims. Pendant ears carried well. Moderate, well-muscled neck. Well laid shoulder. Good straight foreleg. Correct length and depth of body. Hindquarters moderately angulated, strong and well- muscled. Hind legs parallel. Small, compact feet. Carried tail a little high on the move but that will come down with maturity. Good movement with plenty of drive from the rear. Junior Bitch 1st: Valleyrise Inspiration 2nd: Dearbergh’s Gladsheim Hawthorne At Mayandine. Another from an excellent litter. This one was 4th in Puppy. Very like her litter mates. Beautiful head and sweet expression. Good skull to muzzle proportions. Lovely dark eye. Pendant ears that she carried correctly. Good neck. Shoulder well laid and forelegs straight. Body length good. Chest reaching the elbow. Moderately angled hindquarters with parallel hind legs. Another happy tail on happy puppy. Coat coming on very well. Movement was good. 3rd: Groome’s Middanwinter One Trick Pony . Pretty bitch of 15 months. Nicely balanced head. Lovely dark eye and sweet expression. Ears of correct shape and size and carried well. Shoulder to upper arm approximately equal and shoulder well laid. Straight forelegs. Body of good length and reached the elbow. Coat texture good, not as much colouring as usually seen. Movement was good. Yearling Bitch 1st: Williams’ Gladsheim Arunika very nearly 2 years old. A quality, petite bitch. Super head planes. Beautiful, expressive dark eyes. Ears of correct size, shape and placement and well feathered. Moderate neck, well- muscled. Well laid shoulder. Good proportions shoulder to upper arm. Straight forelegs. Elbows held close to body. Firm back, good depth of chest, slight tuck up, well sprung ribs. Hindquarters well angulated and good muscle tone. Excellent coat. Showed beautifully. Excellent movement. 2nd: Mills’ Bynton Anniversary Rosa 19 months old and new to the show ring. This made her a little unsure of her surroundings. However, she is a beautiful bitch and held her own. Lovely head with good proportions. Nice length of neck. Shoulders well laid and good straight forelegs. Length and depth of body were good with chest reaching the elbow. Slight tuck up. Hind quarters were moderately angulated and hind legs were parallel. Very good movement. In good coat. 3rd: Melling’s Middanwinter Magic Pony. 15 months old. A very nice bitch with sweet expression. Good head proportions. Lovely eyes. Ear placement was good and featherings coming along. Good reach of neck. Shoulders well laid and straight forelegs. Good depth of body. Slight slope to croup and tail carriage good. Hindquarters good but a little straighter in the stifle than preferred. Good coat. Moved very well. Post Graduate Bitch. 1st: Cargill’s Genetika Wake Up Aurora2 years old. A lovely bitch who showed her socks off. Beautiful head. Good proportions skull to muzzle. Dark eyes. Alert expression. Ear placement good. Good furnishings. Moderate neck which was well muscled. Shoulder and upper arm correct proportions and shoulder well laid. Elbows close to chest. Correct length and depth to body. Well sprung ribs. Sight slope to croup. Super coat texture. Moved well covering the ground with ease. 2nd: Templar’s Papikoi’s Matchmaker.3 years old and in excellent condition. A lovely head with good proportions. Beautiful dark eye. Good ear placement and featherings. Sweet expression. Good length of neck which was well muscled. Very nice outline, good length and depth to body. Hind quarters moderately angulated and thighs had excellent muscle tone. Moved very well. 3rd: Kerfoot’s Jade At Kerfkooiker. Two and a half years old. Nice bitch with good head planes. Dark eyes and good expression. Correct ear placement. Shoulder well laid and good, straight forelegs. Body of good length and depth. Hind quarters moderately angulated. Very fidgety in the ring and rather bouncy on the move. Limit Bitch. 1st: Irving’s Kerfkooiker Guinevere almost two and a half years old. A really pretty bitch with a sweet expression. Beautiful head with correct skull to muzzle ratio and good wedge-shaped muzzle. Dark eyes. Correct ear shape and placement well furnished. Neck was of moderate length and had good muscle. Shoulders well laid and forelegs straight. Good length to body. Chest reaching elbow. Slight tuck up. Slight slope to croup and tail carried well. Good featherings on tail. Hind quarters good and hind legs were parallel with well let down hocks. Handler needs to move her a little faster to show her best movement. 2nd: Stewart’s Duckhills Thistledown Dance Of Emmlover At Twybrook. A bitch I have always liked. Out of coat following her maternity leave. Very pretty head and expression with good dark eyes and ears set well with good earrings. Correct dentition and strong jaw. Moderate neck which was well- muscled. Good angulation all round; straight forelegs with elbows close to body. Level topline, good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Good feet. Liked her movement, flowing and good drive. In super condition so soon after having given birth. 3rd: Crunchcroft Quantum Leap Another lovely bitch. Good shape. Nice head with good proportions; dark eye and sweet expression. Good length of neck. Body shape good with chest reaching elbow and slight tuck up. Angulations good all round and nice small feet. Moderate neck and good depth to chest. Very good movement. Open Bitch A strong class with two very good quality bitches. Hard to separate. 1st: Johnson’s Sensation Vom Tespelkooi Of Valleyrise. Very pretty and feminine bitch. Medium height and good body shape. Heavy coat which does tend to make her look a little high in the rear. Very good head shape with correct proportions of skull to muzzle. Nice dark eye and excellent expression. Pendant ears of correct size and carried well. Good earrings. Correct dentition. Good reach of neck and well- muscled. Elbows close to body and good depth of chest; well sprung ribs. Hind angulation good with hind legs parallel and hocks well let down. Moved with drive from rear and flowed around the ring. 2nd: Swinburn’s Cirtap’s Prinses Bynton Ida Rose MK Lovely bitch. Compact and moderate. Well balanced. Lovely head with good proportions. Stop clearly visible and not deep; good skull to muzzle ratio. Lovely eyes and sweet expression, very feminine. Lovely earrings. Correct dentition. Moderate reach of neck, well -muscled. Angulations correct all round. Elbows close to body. Straight forelegs with sufficient bone. Level topline; good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Moved with drive and ease. Veteran Bitch What a joy this class was. To call our dogs veterans at 7 is daft because they haven’t begun to realise their age. The exhibits here were excellent quality. 1st: Suiter’s Cirtaps Hertogin Freya Van Qira-T At Genetika. Absolutely stunning bitch. Just over 7 years. I liked everything about her. Beautiful, typical outline. A high head carriage showing self-confidence and keenness. Very alert. Friendly expression. Beautiful head all well balanced and in good proportions. Dark eyes with sweet expression. Super ears, well placed and very good feathering. Strong jaws and correct dentition. Well -muscled neck of moderate length. Well laid shoulder and upper arm to shoulder equal in length. Very good forelegs, beautifully straight. Elbow close to body. Good bone. Correct length and depth of body. Strong, level topline. Well sprung ribs and chest reaching elbow. Hindquarters of moderate angulation and very good muscle tone. Hind legs parallel. Hocks well let down. Tail carriage correct. Well feathered. Small, compact, oval feet. Movement was excellent: flowing and springy covering the ground with ease and drive from the rear. Excellent coat. Best Bitch, Best Veteran Bitch, Best Opposite Sex and Best Veteran In Show. 2nd: Williams’ Daniella Vom Thyrowberg To Gladsheim. Another absolutely stunning bitch. Excellent example of the breed. All of my comments for 1st apply to this bitch. Today I was nit picking and she simply did not want to use her ears. It really was the only way of separating them. Res Best Bitch. 3rd: Johnson’s Crunchcroft Justified Of Valleyrise. 11 years old and beginning to show it. Super shape and lovely head planes. Very well balanced throughout. Good proportions in head. Angulations good all round and legs were of sufficient bone. Good muscle tone. Correct length and depth to chest. Moved very well for her age. Good Citizen Bitch 1st: Cirtap’s Hertogin Freya Van Qira-T At Genetika 2nd: Kerfkooiker Guinevere 3rd: Morgan’s Gladsheim Laurel 8 months. Congratulations on getting a Good Citizen so young. Very pretty little bitch with so much to like. Beautiful head and well balanced throughout. Super shape. Good angulations both front and rear. Hind legs parallel and forelegs straight. Hocks well let down. Moved very well. Anne Mar-Gerrison (Judge)