Manchester Dog Show Society

Manchester Championship show January 2020

Groenendael

Thank you to the Manchester committee for the invitation and their kind hospitality it was first class. thank you also to my stewards who worked tirelessly to get things completed in time from such a late start, sadly I don’t think despite my best efforts and a bit of a rush at the end, we managed to get my Malinois BOB in time for the Group for which I apologise. Thank you to the exhibitors firstly for their entry and secondly for the patience with the late start and finish. Unfortunately the timings meant a lot of hanging around and some dogs were a little jaded by the end of the day which was a huge shame.

It been a while since I last judged these two varieties on home turf in the UK so I was interesting to see how they had progressed from a close-up hands-on view point rather than just ringside. I was absolutely delighted with the quality and type of my overall winners, however the type throughout the entry was very varied. In addition to some work to be done on breed type I felt that fronts and movement in general needs attention lest we lose that quick light easy action that is so typical of our breed. That said, the surface was not ideal to be able to asses movement and caused several of the dogs scrabbled over the ground. On the whole despite the lots of noise and echoes in the halls, the dogs were generally settled, unfortunately there were a couple who were unsettled by the environment which was a great shame. Another thing to watch is weight with a few shown over weight, Belgians are athletes and carrying excess weight spoils both topline and more particularly underline, they lose their breed distinctive silhouette, and causes a roll on the move, equally they do need to carry sufficient weight to complete the picture, which I understand only too well sometimes is not easy with Belgians. It was Great to see some new puppies performing so well and equally great to see a junior handler sympathetically handlings dogs who were not at all settled, all of which bodes well for the future for our breed, which like many, is struggling with declining numbers.

Post Grad dog.

1st Bird, Lester, Smiths Hawksflight Paparazzi at Domburg. Stood alone, 18 month old male with nice character and good ring presance, good body shape, and silhouette, good accentuation at the wither, nice short firm topline, good pick up, good underline and tuck up, nice neck with proud head carriage, with a very typical attitude. A little steep in front angulation good rear. He needs to develop in fore chest, but has plenty of time. Head is medium, lacking a little refinement, scull a little broad deep through and lacking parallels, scull to muzzle ratio not quite correct would prefer more emphasis on length to the muzzle, pronounced zygomatic arches, eyes are dark but slightly round, wide set would prefer a more oblique set, not quite giving the expression I am looking for. Ears are well formed neat triangles, well used. Coat good texture and with good standoff properties but a little wavy. Movement in profile good, holds his topline well on the move a little close coming and not extending in front.

Limit Dog

1st Smalley & Stanbridge Xanova Storm Sky Raven at Swalehall Good sized, excellent breed type, masculine with excellent bone and substance, he perfectly combines strength and elegance, very nice, very typical silhouette, excellent height at the withers good pick up, nice short firm topline, slightly slopping croup, excellent underline and tuck up, super arch to his neck and proud high head carriage. Great pick up and ring presence. Balanced angulation front and rear. Once settled movement in profile is good, with good topline on the move, he moved with great enthusiasm and a quick light action covering the ground with ease, correct extension front and rear. Head is excellent,

masculine without a trace of coarseness, scull to muzzle ratio just right, excellent chiselling under the eye, good parallels, nice flat cheeks, head is dry with well split mouth, excellent pigmentation, eyes are excellent dark obliquely set of good shape and giving an excellent enquiring expression. Ears taller triangular shape well formed well set and well used. Very typical in attitude displaying the animation and joy d vivre that I look for and which is so typical of our breed. Excellent coat of good texture, nice mane which frames his head beautifully and shown in excellent condition with a super character. Delighted to award him the Dog CC which I now understand gives him a well-deserved championship title.

2nd Wiffen, Mackie & Lester Kyros de Bruine Buck Another very nice young male again very masculine, excellent body shape with great bone and substance good height at the wither, good pick up, very short coupled with firm topline, good croup, excellent underline and tuck up, good depth of chest, front and rear angulations balanced, nice arch to his neck, although would prefer slightly more neck. Excellent coat of correct texture and stand off properties, good mane coming in. His head is medium, I find it a little strong for his age, and I would prefer a better skull to muzzle ratio with more emphasis on length to the muzzle, a little deep through, good volume through the muzzle, good parallels, nice chiselling coming in, eyes are excellent dark of good shape obliquely set and giving a pleasing expression, ears are small triangles a little wide at base, well positioned and well used. Character is excellent. Angulation balanced front and rear, moved with great ease, excellent movement in profile, held his topline well on the move. I just would prefer a little more animation.

3rd Nooks Bonvivant Liquorice Liquer

Open Dog

1st Blights Ir Ch Revloch di Cano. Very typical Excellent male with a wonderful silhouette, good bone and substance, very masculine without any coarseness, good length of leg, excellent underline and tuck up, good depth of chest. Excellent height and accentuation of the whither, good pick up, nice short firm topline, good croup. Balanced angulation front and rear. Coat is excellent texture good standoff properties, unfortunately not quite in his best full coat today, and would prefer a fraction more weight and condition. Character is excellent, calm attentive but with a certain sparkle in his eyes. Excellent neck, supple and well arched, excellent proud head carriage. His head is excellent, proportions skull to muzzle proportions are just right, excellent parallels, good volume through the muzzle, well split mouth, excellent chiselling under the eye, nice flat cheeks. The eyes are excellent, dark, correct shape, obliquely set, giving a wonderful soft yet enquiring expression, just what I am looking for. Ears are excellent neat triangles, well positioned and well used. He moved well around the ring in profile, with a quick light action correct extension front and rear, excellent topline on the move. A super specimen who pushed hard on the day and I was delighted to award him the RCC.

2nd Mr & Mrs Hughes & Morgenstern Ch A Touch of Magic for Revloch Karen Shmesh (Imp) Tall elegant male with lots to like about him, good breed type, nice body shape and silhouette, good height at the withers and good pick up, would prefer more depth of chest, excellent tuck up, nice firm topline with good croup. Angulation front is steep in upper arm and rear sufficient, shoulder bone open . Excellent character. Beautifully Presented in excellent coat and condition, Coat is excellent profuse, neat well fitting and with good standoff properties. Head is balanced, excellent scull to muzzle proportions, good chiselling, slightly pronounced zygomatic arches. Eyes are dark of good shape would prefer closer and more obliquely set, however giving a nice expression. Ears are well formed but I felt could be higher set. Good topline on the move but lacking front extension and wide going.

3rd Wilsons Jupiters dream des Gardiens de Cocagne to Chimay

Puppy Bitch

1st Maclellans Debruix Atomic Kitten. Sweet little six month old bitch with very nice breed type and an excellent character. Performed so well for what I understand was her first show. Medium sized with excellent bone and substance, very feminine, good coat for age. Needs to come up on her leg to provide a balanced silhouette, but she has plenty of time. Nice head with good parallels, good length of muzzle which I expect to develop and refine over time, nice flat checks. Lovely dark eyes good shape and obliquely set, nice expression, ears are well formed, slightly taller than her sisters below, good triangles and well used. Moved beautifully covering the ground with great ease like a professional coming and going and showed good extension for her age.

2nd Maclellan & Hodds Debruix Anastasia Just six months and Litter sister to the above and many of the same comments apply, a little professional who just lost out and who I am sure will swop places with her sister in the future. She is slightly smaller very compact with excellent bone and substance, very shapely, very nice coat for age of good texture, again she needs to come up on her leg to provide the balance but this will happen she has plenty of time. Her head is medium, she lost out on the day to her sister on length of muzzle, which again will develop given time, good volume through the muzzle. Neat triangular ears which she used constantly, nice eye shape, dark and expressive. She too moved around with great ease and covered the ground well. Two promising puppies for the future.

3rd Rolffes Jetaime Wyoming

Junior Bitch

1st Phillips Kehala Touched by a Star at Tanje ** Nice elegant female with good bone and substance very nice body shape with good length of leg, very nice silhouette for her age, good underline and tuckup, good accentuation at the wither and pick up, just needs to develop a faction more depth of chest, nice neck and proud head carriage, nice short firm topline, slightly sloping croup, unfortunately she is just at that junior stage with her coat and development. The coat is of correct texture but lacking undercoat at the moment to finish it off. Head is well balanced feminine, with good parallels, well split mouth, flat cheeks, super eye, dark excellent shape, nice expression, good length of muzzle, good chiselling under the eye. Moved well in profile with a good topline on the move.

2nd Maclelland Debruix Atomic Kitten

3rd Maclellan & Hood Debruix Anastasia

Post Grad bitch

1st Wilsons Chimay Vienna*** Tall elegant female with lots to like about her, good bone and substance, excellent length of leg. Nice short body with good withers, nicely rounded croup, good arch to her neck and proud head carriage. She presents a very balanced picture with good depth of chest, a good silhouette, however I would prefer slightly more definition in underline and a more pronounced tuck up. Head is super excellent skull to muzzle ratio, very feminine, lovely flat cheeks, good volume through the muzzle, good chiselling, dark eyes of good shape, excellent expression. Ears a little on the tall side and could be higher set but well used, a super character. Balanced angulation front and rear, she moved well with good topline on the move good extension front and rear but I felt she needs to be moved a little faster to show her movement to best advantage.

2nd Snell & Prentices Hawksflight Picture This ** Medium sized female with a nice silhouette, good body shape, nice height at the withers, good firm topline, nicely rounded croup, good neck with proud head carriage, needs to develop a little more in chest, balanced angulation front and rear,nice character and a typical attitude. Head is feminine, but for me lacking a little refinement, would prefer more emphasis on length of muzzle and volume through, zygomatic arches too pronounced, good chiselling, eyes are dark, a little large, wide set and would prefer more obliquely set, as a result the expression is not quite what I am looking for. Neat ears good triangles which could be higher set. She moved well in profile, good topline on the move. Nice character who showed and was presented beautifully.

3rd Hodkinsons Xanova Lady Stark at Terrygroen

Limit Bitch

1st Smith, Bugden & Lester Hawksflight Pure Envy with Domburg ** Super young girl who gives me everything I am looking for in a Belgian Shepherd. Super feminine, elegant and totally harmonious in outline and silhouette, excellent body shape, good length of leg, good bone and substance, wonderful height at the withers, excellent supple arched neck with proud head carriage, a good underline and excellent tuck up, she needs to develop a little more in chest but that will come for sure, very typical pick up and attitude. Angulation front and rear are good, and well balanced. Presented in excellent coat and condition. She excelled in head, completely dry with excellent skull to muzzle ratio, excellent parallels, good chiselling, good volume through the muzzle, well split mouth, lovely flat cheeks, her eye and expression for me are perfect, darkest eye, almond shaped, obliquely set and giving the most wonderful and completely typical melting expression which is alert enquiring. Moved with great drive good topline on the move and correct extension front and rear, she floated over the ground with great ease, rarely one finds something that pleases you on so many levels and in so many ways I really couldn’t resist her CC & BOB.

2nd Mcnamara,Gardiner & Lesbirel Kehala Eternal Another beautiful young female who has so much to commend her. Smaller frame but perfectly balanced and in proportion good bone and substance for her size. Super body shape very short coupled, excellent height at the withers, short firm topline excellent underline and tuckup wonderful pick up and very typical attitude. She just needs to develop a little more in chest. Balanced angulation front and rear. Coat of good texture just coming in. Nice neck and very proud head carriage. Head is excellent, very feminine, skull to muzzle ratio excellent, excellent parallels, good volume of muzzle, excellent chiselling, the eyes are dark expressive and give an alert enquiring expression. Ears are well formed neat triangles used constantly. Well split mouth with good pull back. She has a tendency t scrabble a little on the floor which spoils her movement somewhat, but good top line on the move.

3rd Rolfe Jetaime All for Love **

Open Bitch

1st Phillips Ch Revloch Hot Like Java at Tanje (IKC) Really nice medium sized bitch with excellent bone. Very balanced and feminine. She is short coupled with an excellent body shape, good silhouette, nice accentuation at the wither, lovely firm topline, excellent croup, good depth of chest, would prefer more definition in underline. Good supple arched neck. Good angulation front and rear. Head is excellent with good length of muzzle, good parallels, nice chiselling under the eye, good volume through the muzzle, well split mouth, eyes are dark, good shape and she has a super expression, ears good shape but could be higher set. Movement good, sound coming and going and

topline held on the move, i just wanted to see her put a bit more enthusiasm and drive into her movement, I just felt on the day she lacked a little sparkle overall.

2nd Hood & Maclellan Int & Ir Ch Revloch Karma of Woofhouse Medium sized bitch with excellent bone. She has a good body shape, shown a little on the heavy side which spoilt her overall silhouette and particularly her underline, but I understand she has just come back from puppies so something to work on until she gets back to full fitness. I would prefer a little more length of leg. Good topline, nice withers, nice croup, nice arch to her neck, excellent character, good coat texture. Nicely balanced head, feminine with good parallels, excellent chiselling under the eye, good length of muzzle, good volume through the muzzle, well split mouth with good pigmentation, eyes are excellent good shape, well set giving a super enquiring expression. Ears good shape and well used would prefer a little higher set. Movement good in profile just again lacking a little drive and enthusiasm on the day.

3rd O’Neill Nadjarahs Lush

Veteran Bitch. A really difficult class to judge with two super bitches either of which were worthy winners both of whom are such excellent representatives of the breed and who belie their age, both are real credits to their owner breeders.

1st Robinson & Goode Ch Xanova Mist Maden Beautiful medium sized female with wonderful breed type. Excellent bone and substance. Very short coupled with a super body shape and lovely silhouette. Good angulation front and rear, Good accentuation of the wither, nice arched neck with beautiful head carriage looking straight down her nose, short firm topline, excellent well rounded croup excellent definition in underline, good depth of chest and good tuck up. I just wish for a little more length of leg. Beautiful head of correct skull to muzzle proportions, the head is dry with good volume through the muzzle, excellent chiselling under the eye, the eye and expression are perfect for me, the eye is dark, almond shaped and obliquely set giving a melting soft expression yet with an enquiring alertness. Ears are well formed and correctly positioned. She moved beautifully in profile quick light action covering the ground with ease and a great topline on the move. I was delighted to award her a well-deserved RCC

2nd McNamara Kehala Iced Tea (AI) Taller elegant female of excellent breed type, again with good bone. A very typical silhouette, with a short back and high withers, good underline and tuck up which at her age is incredible. Short and firm topline, excellent proud head carriage, and a supple arch neck. She is well angulated front and rear, Her head is excellent with correct skull to muzzle proportions, lovely flat cheeks, good chiselling under the eye, the whole head is dry and sparing with good pull back and split, nice dark eyes of good shape and well positioned giving a super expression. Ears well formed and used. She moved around the ring with great purpose really belying her age a real pleasure to judge her.