Taunton & District Canine Association

I would like to express my thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge Dalmatian's at their lovely friendly show. I found it very well run, with ample sized rings, which as a large breed in a predominantly small breed group, we often struggle with. Thank you also to my two very organised stewards for organising things for me. Lastly thank you to all of the exhibitors who entered under me as Dalmatian's had the biggest entry in the utility group.  

It was nice to see some new puppies out and also to see a few dogs that were totally new to me. This gave me quite a conundrum when coming to placings, especially in the first class where some dogs went either unplaced or down the line. I had to really split hairs with a lot of my placings and there were certainly dogs that could change places on another day.  I was thrilled to see my BOB get awarded Group 2 and my BP to win the Puppy Group under breed specialist Janet Saunders (Dallydyl). 

G (8,8) 

1. Bridge, Meyer & Britton’s Keiradal Moulin Rouge – 2 year old black bitch. I have judged this bitch before, she caught my eye then and she didn’t fail to disappoint again. She has the darkest of eyes which give her the most gorgeous of expressions. She has heavily marked ears framing her feminine head. She has a good length of neck, a correct top-line and a well set on tail of correct length. She is well muscled but not in any way overdone. On the move she flowed around the ring at the correct pace to show her movement at its best, moving with drive and extension.   

2. Wallington’s Dallyador Secret Passion for Rovonjdal – 7 ½ month old black bitch. This baby was having such a fun day and really gave her handler a run for her money. But that’s what I like to see in a puppy! She has a pretty, feminine head, well broken ears, a good chest, correct top-line and rear angulation. She is slightly heavy in spotting but her pigment is good and her coat is crisp and white.  After initially being a bit uneasy on the move, which was down to exuberance, she settled and moved with drive, keeping her top-line.  For a young puppy she was very well balanced.  I look forward to watching her show career.  BP & Puppy Group 1. 

3. Hipkiss’ Dalkiss Fancy That 

L (5,5) 

1. Davies’ Maddidalli Embers Glow – 2 ½ black bitch. This bitch is really very eye catching, she has a gorgeous head & her well broken ears give her a really alert expression. She has a beautiful long neck leading down to an ample chest. She has excellent cat feet, a correct top-line which isn’t lost on the move and excellent rear angulation. Her dark spotting is well defined and her coat was sparkling white. She is a mischievous girl who really works her handler hard, but this adds to her charm. Everything comes together on the move giving you the complete package, she moved with purpose and drive from every angle and looks like she could run all day behind a carriage. BOB and G2. 

2. Howard-Riddle’s Shydally Wish Upon A Star – 16 month old black bitch. I judged this bitch when she was a puppy and she has matured nicely. She has a nice feminine head framed by her well spotted ears, lovely dark eyes, good top-line and excellent tight cat feet. She was a bit unsettled today but this disappeared when she moved. She has lovely even movement and real drive from behind. 

3. Cole’s Keiradal Mel’s Destiny 

O (3,3) 

1. Wallington’s Rovinjdal Dare To Dream ShCM – 5 year old liver dog. Sometimes you see a dog that catches your eye in an older class and you wonder why you haven’t noticed them before. This was the case with this dog. He caught my eye when he came into the ring and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He has a correct amber eye which gives him the softest expression, a lovely masculine head, good chest, good cat feet. His excellent top-line flows onto his correctly set on tail which he carried well on the move. He had excellent rear angulation and was well muscled. His spotting is very even and his coat was immaculate. He was extremely attentive to his owner and they moved around the ring in synch. He moved with power & drive and had that “head down & go” movement that a carriage dog should have. RBOB.  

2. Hipkiss’ Dalkiss La Vie En Rose – 3 year old black bitch. This bitch has a lovely dark eye, beautifully marked ears which frame her pretty feminine face. She has a good neck, excellent cat feet, correct length tail and good rear angulation. She moved with drive from behind without losing her femininity.  

3. Thorner’s Tolutim Evensong at Naracoopa ShCM 

Sarah-Jane Finch (Dalticino)