Plymouth & District Canine Society

Bernese Mountain Dog: O (3) 1. Oakaby’s Tickbern Teasle at Iscabern. Rising 5 year old bitch who presented a mature outline of width and depth throughout. Fairly well balanced with pleasing angulation fore and aft complimented by good height to length ratio. Well proportioned head with good eye, mounted on strong yet moderate neck. Standing on good bone and feet, level topline and well covered. Easy and positive gait, she held her outline whilst travelling around the ring. Best of Breed. 2. Oakaby’s Iscabern Daffadowndilly. Attractive bitch of 2 years old who, naturally, was giving something away in maturity as compared to 1. Sunny disposition, kind eye, feminine headpiece and lovely dentition. Straight front of good width with correct bone and feet. Firm back of good length leading to strong hindquarters although she will benefit from more hind angulation as she continues to mature. Sound and steady on the move, although a touch wide in front coming towards me. Reserve Best of Breed. 3. Wood’s Tamarbern Dusky Maiden.

Rottweiler: O (1) 1. Vick’s Ava Von Der Alten Festung at Vickangels (Imp) Smart, workmanlike bitch of 22 months. Very attractive headpiece for shape and proportions with lovely expression, well set ear and dark eye of good shape and set. Overall shape is fairly good with a decent length of leg so nothing short or coarse about her. Needs to develop a little more in depth of chest as she matures on but lovely straight front and great feet. Moderate angles back and forth and firm back, although topline tends to slope slightly. Excellent musculature and condition, particularly over hindquarters which she used to great advantage on the move. Lovely profile action which was unencumbered, easy and free. Best of Breed.

Dobermann: O (6 4) Although both of these bitches were quite different in overall make and shape, it was a very close decision between them. On another day, in a bigger ring and in different condition their positions could easily change. 1. Clarkson’s Ackley Park Hermione at Glamadring. 3 ½ year old black and rust bitch who appealed to me for being almost square with lovely flowing lines and shapely quarters absent of hard angles. She was very well covered, in good condition and correct musculature. Her head was in proportion to body, but would benefit from greater fill under the eyes. Ears were somewhat heavy and low set. Clean neck flowed smoothly into firm, slightly sloping topline with correct angulation fore and aft. Lovely depth of chest and elegant sweep of underline. She was rather restricted in front movement, but sound and steady. Handler must take care to be sympathetic towards his charge. Dogs are not statues and the show-ring, one must bear in mind, is an artificial environment. Best of Breed and Working Group 4. 2. Massey & McGeoch’s Jojavik Krissy Suzuki. Smart bitch who has done well under me before. Lovely headpiece, correct wedge shape from all angles with lovely eye and expression which I preferred to the winner. Today she was lacking body and was somewhat soft in topline which made her appear long in body affecting overall balance. That said, she has a clean length of neck, good legs and feet. Loin was lovely and firm with good coat. Overall more reach and drive than the winner on the move but tended to toe-in coming towards me. Reserve Best of Breed.

Alaskan Malamute: PG (1) 1. Smith’s Snowshoes Telmarine King. Masculine and powerful male of 2 years who presented a fairly well balanced outline. Moderate angulation at shoulder and stifle with good firm coupling and correct sloping topline he pleased my eye. Stands on a good length of leg and lovely feet, there is nothing coarse about him. Still only young and built on strong bone he needs a bit longer to fill his frame. Expressive head with strength to muzzle and good bite. Impressed in profile movement which was easy, free and ground covering. Excellent use of hocks when going away from me. Best of Breed. He pressed hard in a good group. Time should be kind to him.

Bullmastiff: O (6 4) 1. Horton & Williams Gertlush Glory of the West. I liked this substantial and mature 6 year old fawn male who was very honest and shown in lovely condition. Powerful with pleasing depth and width to his strong quarters , coupled with good length of firm back, added to the desired symmetry of outline and build. Strength to head, but not overdone and of good proportions. Ear set was good and used to advatage with pleasing eye. Stands on good bone with strong croup. Can occasionally stand a little “rocking- horsey” but this did not detract too much. Sound and steady on the move although occasionally lacked some enthusiasm. Good honest lad. Best of Breed. 2. Irwin & Shepherd’s Birma Chobienia Forest.  15 month old fawn bitch who was somewhat unsettled in a show environment. This was a pity as she is not without virtue. Attractive, feminine head, but still of strength and good proportions with pleasing ear, eye and expression. Strong, moderate neck which is slightly arched. Standing on lovely feet and of good length to back. Not the topline and hind angulation of the winner which one might expect given her age; she has time for this to improve. When she got into her stride she moved out well, sound and with purpose. Ringcraft and praise should see her gain her confidence. Reserve Best of Breed.

Leonberger: Although numerically small this was an entry of significant quality. All 4 exhibits held appeal for me and it was a real pleasure to judge them. Handlers can also make all the difference when competition is stiff. PG (2 1) 1. Smith’s Dacfolke Odina. 3 year old bitch who appealed for her overall honesty of outline. Nothing at all overdone she displays strength with elegance. Lovely overall balance with good height to length ratio and well boned legs of good length. Scored in head with good length to muzzle and skull so as to give an elongated rather than blocky appearance. Pleasing dark eye and expression. Moderate neck which flowed cleanly into wither. Correct width throughout and developing nicely in front. Angles at shoulder and stifle were satisfactory and she held her topline both standing and on the move. Lovely colour but not quite in full coat; although this did not detract from overall outline. Sound when gaiting but lacked some enthusiasm, although particularly pleasing when going away from me. Reserve Best of Breed. O (3) 1. Smith’s Dacfolke Vagabond. Handsome, well grown male of 6 1/2 years who immediately caught my eye. Mature in outline with excellent balanced quarters complimented by a masculine, clean cut head and good length of neck. Lovely eye and expression and Roman nose. Clearly all male but nothing coarse about him. Excellent topline as one would expect from his correct moderate angles fore and aft. Lovely rib, loin and covered in good coat. He was lovely to go over with good fill and width throughout from strong front to broad rump. Standing on lovely feet and bone. He moved true coming towards me and maintained a sound easy gait in profile. Not always the strongest moving away from me, but I forgave this given his overall balance and construction when compared to 2 and 3. Best of Breed and Working Group 1. 2. Frances’ Clydebrae Scrumpy Jack (AI). Big, impressive, ultra masculine dog of 4 1/2 with the substance to compliment his frame. Good head shape which was in proportion to body. Fairly well balanced as his angles back and forth do match and he has good length of leg compared to depth of body. However, he is perhaps slightly too long in body. That said, topline was firm and not higher at rump than wither which gave him the edge over 3. Abundant coat he was put down in good condition being well filled throughout with pleasing spring of rib. Excellent bone, but not the feet of the winner. Profile movement was purposeful and free however he was very close in front coming towards me. 3. Folkes & Skillings’ Ch. Dacfolke Obie Odakota. Another good example of the breed. A shame he was not available for the AV Members’ Open Stakes.

Boxer: PG (1) 1. Summers Kaotik Chequered Flag. Lively and exuberant fawn girl of 23 months with the best of temperaments. Feminine and elegant she needs to fill out all through and body up, but all the essentials are there. Scored in head from all angles with correct muzzle to skull ratios and great expression with the darkest of eyes. Lovely clean and gracefully arched neck and which flows nicely through wither into topline. I would like a little more angulation at shoulder but she stands on correct pasterns and good tight feet. Clean underline and good tuck up with good turn of stifle. Displayed great athleticism on the move putting her quarters to good use. OD (2) 1. Vearncombe & Hale’s Macwatt We’ve Got It on With Seefeld. Square, solidly built, fawn veteran boy of 8 1/2 years. In great condition with a strong, masculine head which with his greying muzzle and eyebrows he has a very distinguished look. Well laid shoulders, firm sloping topline, strong croup into good turn of stifle. Well filled throughout but not the sweep of underline that I would like, but then he is an older gentleman! Excellent tight feet and super firm loin. Didn’t disgrace himself on the move where he was sound and steady moving particularly well coming towards me. Best Dog and Reserve Best of Breed. 2. Hepworth’s Kaotik Pole Position. Fawn litter brother to PG winner and very similar in make and shape. He too needs to mature on and develop more body and substance. Slightly longer in body as compared to 1 but not unattractive. Pleasing head of good proportions and well developed stop. Good ear which enhanced expression. He has enough bone and stands on good feet. Couldn’t match the overall forehand of the winner which was unsurprising. Good topline, rib and angulated hindquarters. Certainly moved out with purpose and drive but needs to tighten all over with maturity. OB (3 1) 1. Tibbotts’ Misstricks Forone Nite Only. Eyecatching 3 1/2 year old brindle girl. Very pleasing outline; not far off square and with well developed quarters. Feminine headpiece but with good ratio of skull to muzzle which is of good depth with strength of jaw. Excellent dark eye and ear. Pleasing neck which is set well into wither. Although I would ideally prefer greater angualtion fore and aft, her angles do match and with a fairly short back she therefore can present a balanced outline. Pleasing in front for width and depth and super condition. Very pleasing gait with drive and propulsion evident in profile and true coming and going. She was head and shoulders above the others today. Best Bitch, Best of Breed and Working Group 3. 2. Davey Diceulon Indiana for Kitwe. 2 year old brindle and white girl who also needs to mature on and develop in body and quarters as she has a strong head which is of good shape and proportions, but slightly out of balance with body at present. Dry, length of neck with correct arch. Lovely well laid shoulders at the end of a good length of leg. Slightly sloping topline which is level and firm. Not quite the croup and hindquarters of the winner which showed on the move.

AVNSC Working: O (1). 1 Newton’s Shlarra Smooth Mover. 22 month old fawn male Great Dane of great size and substance. Masculine, yet clean, flowing outline, but standing over too much ground he is too long for perfect balance. Scores in head for strength and proportion of skull to muzzle which is of depth and strength. Kind eye and expression with good fill under eye. Strong crested neck into well laid shoulders and chest to elbow. Firm topline and strong croup. Good turn of stifle. He is showy and moves out with ground covering stride and with head held high although rather untidy in front movement. Very well presented and in good condition. Best AVNSC and Working Group 2.

Working Group: 1. Leonberger- Smith’s Dacfolke Vagabond. He picked up the pace here and was more positive in hind action to take the Group. 2. Great Dane - Newton’s Shlarra Smooth Mover. 3. Boxer - Tibbotts’ Misstricks Forone Nite Only. 4. Dobermann - Clarkson’s Ackley Park Hermione

AV Members’ Open Stakes: (32 25) 1. Robinson’s Lavika Black Beauty. Attractive, well presented tricolour Shetland Sheepdog bitch of 2 1/2 years. Scores highly in outline which is symmetrical and flowing with correct angulation fore and aft, lovely topline with sweep over the loin and all covered in abundant coat. Mane and frill only served to accentuate the shapeliness of her head which is carried proudly on good neck. Lovely ear with tips falling forward. Lovely profile action on the move she did not put a foot wrong. 2. Carter & Hozempa’s Ch Amahte Runnin on Jamaican Time. Agile and finely built Ibizan Hound male of 7 years. Unsurprised to find he has his title. Excellent regal bearing and carriage were of great appeal. Well moulded head of good shape with correct stop. Lovely expressive eye and good dentition. Long muscular slightly arched neck. Excellent forequarters and condition. He could have been a touch more level in topline but has correct depth of body with adequate gap between brisket and elbow. Sound and pleasing hindquarters. Effortless easy action on the move he pressed the winner very hard. 3. Wilcock’s Dynar First Love - Samoyed.

Ric Beall (Eppwood)