Richmond Dog Show Society

Richmond Championship Dog Show

Dalmatian Critique

Liesel Thorner

I would like to thank the Richmond Dog Show Society for the invitation to judge Dalmatians at their show, my first at this level. Also my steward Viv who ably assisted me to keep things running smoothly.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day and I thank each and every one of you that brought your lovely dogs under me, they were a pleasure to judge. There were no temperament issues evident and no dogs backed away from being gone over which is fabulous to see considering the baptism of fire some youngsters have had recently due to all the shows coming at once after lockdown. All were presented in clean condition.

The required scissor bite was good across the breed and I was pleased to see lovely pearly whites on the majority of exhibits. I was also pleased that the excess weight issue that seemed to be evident at my previous club show appointment in 2019 had improved, with only one or two dogs still carrying. There were some exhibits present with a lighter eye in both blacks and livers, but not so much as to spoil expression. But do watch this in your breeding programs.

In my assessment I was looking for dogs that were constructed to produce good, economic movement, that were free from exaggeration in both construction and action and I found this in many exhibits. Fore and aft movement though I felt had deteriorated a little since my last appointment. It is important to ensure that your dog has ample opportunity to work both the front and rear construction equally in your exercise routines and activities. Even correctly constructed dogs can still display movement faults as a result of unbalanced muscular development.

Finally, handling. A judge when asking for out and back is not wanting to see a handler’s fore and aft, it is the dog they are judging. Position your dog so that the judge gets the best view of their movement and check in on your charge as you go. That way you will be able to pick up on any deviance from the required gait and position and correct it quickly.

MPD (3,3)

The first two in the class are very promising litter brothers that could change places on a different day. I will watch them both with interest.

1st Sim’s Koroyza Hrafna Floki For Snowspeeder.

Six month old happy well pigmented black enjoying his first time in the ring. A raw puppy yet, as one would expect, but nicely developed angles. Good length of upper arm and lay of shoulder and moderate bend of stifle. Head coming along nicely, masculine but not overdone. Good bone and strong hocks and pasterns on nicely arched feet. Showed great promise on the move, just needs to tighten.

2nd Croft’s Koroyza Viking Voyager.

Litter brother also at his first show. Well schooled liver youngster showing a good balanced outline on the stand. Well developed angulation front and rear and standing on well boned straight legs and arched feet. Wider in chest than one, but nicely filled. Well distributed richly pigmented spotting. Again showed promise on the move, but was a little wide fore and aft today, just needs to come together.

3rd Christie’s Sophtspot Once Upon A Time.

PD (6,4)

Splitting hairs between the first two in this class as lots to like about them both. So again could change places on a different day.

1st Croft’s Sophtspot Midas Touch for Koroyza

Up to height, balanced young man with masculine head on fairly long arched neck. Well pigmented black with nicely distributed spotting. Good lay of shoulder and adequate angle of upper arm, nice spring of rib with just a little deepening of chest to elbow required now as he matures. Rear angles match the fore. Very exuberant on the move which kept his handler on her toes. Had good reach and drive from behind. Just needs to settle and tidy up. BPD

2nd Wright’s Millbelle Crazy Horse

Pleasing make and shape on this young man. Liked his substance. Head a little stronger than first place, with a little more stop, but nicely masculine and not overdone. Moderate angulation front and rear with good bone in straight legs and tight feet. Good spring of rib and again chest needs to deepen a little with maturity. Tends to go off a bit quick on the move, which throws his legs around and he tucks his back end when he does, but when into his stride has a good gait with drive from behind and is tidy fore and aft. In time, I am sure he will settle further. One to watch.

3rd Christie’s Sophtspot Once Upon A Time

JD (1,1)

1st Cripps’ Tamilanda Supernatural.

Fourth in previous class. Eleven month old black, built on larger squarer frame. Lovely dark nicely distributed spotting on this young man that still has some maturing to do. Promising head with well set and carried ears and good dark eye, good length of neck into nice topline. Chest deep, just needs to fill. Balanced moderate angulation front and rear. Still a little loose on the move but should tighten with maturity.

YD (1, 0)

ND (3,2)

1st Wright’s Millbelle Crazy Horse – as per second in PD.

2nd Christie’s Sophtspot Once Upon A Time

Black spotted six month old boy. Still very raw. Built on larger frame. Balanced angulation, good bone and tight feet. Nice depth and width to chest with required spring of rib. Good topline and tailset. Nicely distributed and well pigmented spotting and a lovely dark eye. This boy still needs to come together in development and this will benefit his movement as everything tightens up as he is quite loose on the move. A very friendly puppy who was really enjoying his first day out in the ring and was sympathetically handled.

PGD (8, 7)

1st Green and Sears’ Alphadal Aint Misbehaving At Judally JW

Three year old liver I have judged twice before, has improved each time and put in his best performance today that I have seen so far. This young man is so nicely made. Totally moderate all through, with no exaggeration, but with the tools to do his job. Nicely proportioned masculine head with well set ears that he used well and lovely dark amber eye. Nice length of neck into well laid shoulder and on through a level topline with tail coming straight off his back, carried well in the stand and on the move. Decent length to his upper arm which allowed him reach on the move. Enough width and depth to chest without being over done. His rear angulation gives him the drive that when matched with his reach gives him an economical forward movement which would carry him round all day. He has good bone, strong hocks and pasterns and nicely arched feet. Topping this boy off is his lovely coat that is in perfect condition with nicely distributed well pigmented spotting. I could not deny him the DCC today and pushed the bitch hard in the BOB challenge. Well handled.

2nd Sampson’s Dalstorm Golden Guinea JW ShCM

Nicely balanced honest dog, with moderate angulation all round. Masculine head, set on a neck of good length and leading into level topline and correct tailset. His chest is good in depth and width and not overdone and is nicely ribbed up. His bone is in keeping with his size and he stands on straight legs and tight feet. He moves with a good stride keeping his topline and is tidy fore and aft.

3rd Moate’s Sundowndal Trijonkuro

LD (5, 4)

1st Richardson’s Mapplewell Pocket Rocket

Two year old black built on larger frame all through. Balanced moderate angulation front and rear with deep chest and good spring of rib. Level topline with tail set just a little lower than ideal. Well off for bone and stands on straight legs and good feet. Moved out well with purpose and whilst maintaining his topline.

2nd Baker’s Lancelot des Landes D’iroise At Oneowun Taf

Six year old black who I have judged previously. Lovely masculine head on this boy with dark eye and well set ears. Nicely balanced with moderate angles front and rear. Good chest and spring of rib. Enough bone for masculinity and good feet. Hocks nicely let down. An all round honest dog that didn’t seem to be on the same form as when I have judged him before and although he moved ok, he was out moved by one today.

3rd Williams’ Tolkain Storm King From Phadante JW

OD (9, 7)

1st Christie’s Ch Sophspot Gold Dust JW

A six year old liver boy that I have had admired from the ringside before and pleased to be able to judge him today. A masculine head with well set ears and a good amber eye give this boy and alert intelligent expression. Decent neck into level topline with correct tail set. Nicely muscled all through without being over done. Well laid shoulder and good angle of upper arm allowed him reach on the move and his rear angulation propelled him forward without exaggeration. He has good width and depth to his chest and nicely sprung ribs. Along with his good bone in straight legs and tight feet he has the tools to do mileage behind a carriage. Finishing off his attributes with a nicely decorated well pigmented jacket I was pleased to award him the RDCC after pushing the DCC hard in the challenge.

2nd Hopkin’s CH Rapanooey Red Rose JW

Well pigmented black five year old, another I have judged before and still retains all that I liked in him then. Lovely head, well set ears and dark eye. Nicely filled chest with plenty of heart and lung room. Well sprung ribs. Another who’s balanced moderate angulation lends itself to a flowing economic gait and he moves true fore and aft. A lovely coat with deep pigment finishes this one off. Unlucky to come up against first place on top form today.

Bitches

Two lovely classes of puppies. I wished I had more red cards and all could change places on a different day. All showed much promise with lovely attributes for each and at different stages of development. The higher class placings just having more of what I was looking for on the day. I will watch them all with interest.

MPB (6, 6)

1st Tyson’s Perdita’s Tomorrowland.

Friendly and outgoing seven month old baby maturing nicely. Handles well throughout. Feminine all through. Pretty head, well set and carried ears providing alert intelligent expression. Clean neck of length into nicely laid shoulder, level topline and good tailset. Width and depth to chest developing well. Rear angulation balances the fore including a moderate bend of stifle. Enough bone for femininity in good straight legs and tight feet. Movement was well positioned for one so young, with drive and an economic gait evident and tidy fore and aft. Nicely handled.

2nd Bolt’s Fakenham Fontenella

Similar attributes to first place on this seven month old black. Built on a slightly larger frame than one, but still totally feminine throughout with good substance. Good head, ear set and carriage, lovely clean neck into well laid shoulder. Level topline and well set tail. Balanced angles front and rear and chest filling in nicely. Stands on legs with good round bone and nicely arched feet. Well distributed spotting with a lovely dark pigment. Moved well again for one so young.

3rd Saunders’ and David’s Dallydyl Honey Trap.

PB (7, 6)

1st Hopkin’s Dvojica Evangelista

Lovely black eleven month old puppy heading up this class. Much more mature than her classmates and consequently up on her toes and showing like a pro. Another bitch that handles well throughout. Lovely feminine head displaying an alert expression. Good clean neck into well laid shoulder with upper arm of good length and angulation. Topline level through to croup with tail coming straight of her back and carried well. Good width and depth to chest and nice spring of rib. Good bone and well arched toes. Balanced rear angulation, with strong well let down hocks. This bitch has a lovely free flowing gait with good reach and drive and a level topline on the move. She has an excellent foot placement when viewing her fore and aft. A lovely youngster. BPB, BPIB and also did the breed proud by going on to take RBPIS. Congratulations again.

2nd Tyson’s Perditas Tomorrowland – as per first in MPB.

3rd Bolt’s Fakenham Fontenella – as per second in MPB

JB (2, 2)

1st England and Eden’s Dalens Queen Of The Seas At Silverspot.

Well balanced fourteen month old black carrying a little extra weight today. Feminine head with good eye. Enough length of neck leading to moderate front. Deep chest and nice spring of rib. Rear angulation matches the fore and she has a nicely rounded rear and moderate bend of stifle. With good bone and tidy feet she carries herself around the ring with purpose and using her construction to advantage.

2nd Howard’s Decoda’s Naughty Nutmeg

Sixteen month old attractively spotted liver built on a much finer frame than one. Feminine head with lovely amber eye. Good clean neck into lay of shoulder. Adequate bone for frame and nice tight feet with well arched toes. Moved ok.

YB (4, 4)

1st White’s Sophtspot La De Da At Belsmard

Nineteen month old, mature well schooled black heading this class. Feminine head with dark eye and well set and carried ears. Good clean neck into well angulated front with well filled deep chest. Level topline that she holds on the move, flowing through to a tail set that comes straight off her back. Matching hind angulation with her fore. Nice amount of round bone in straight legs, good pasterns and well arched tight feet. Dark pigmentation on a pure white coat. Her angulation allows her good reach and drive and one of the better movers fore and aft.

2nd Neath-Duggan and Baker’s Buffrey Carry On Emmanuelle With Dalleaf

Eighteen month old black built on finer frame. Feminine head with lovely dark eye. Balanced front and rear with moderate angulation. Ribs well sprung and ribbed back. Enough bone to keep femininity. Moved out well and another one with good movement going away and coming toward.

3rd Sampson’s Tyrodal Seven Of Nine At Dalstorm

NB (3,2)

1st Dalens Queen Of The Seas At Silverspot – as per first in JB

2nd Blissett’s Kystuno Rosemary Russett

Rising three year old with well distributed liver spotting. Feminine head, well set and carried ears which she uses well. Good amber eye. Long neck into well laid shoulder and level topline. Nicely balanced in front and rear with bone in keeping with her frame. Moved ok.

PGB (10, 6)

1st Littler’s Dalmark The Kir Royale

Rising five year old nicely spotted liver. Feminine all through. Shapely head with good proportions and clean neck. Nice length and angle to her upper arm which aided her reach on the move. Good depth to her chest and nicely ribbed up. Tail set and carriage a little high. Moved out well.

2nd Pace’s Dalcatori Morganite Rosa Del Brondelvcede

Another feminine bitch built on a smaller finer frame with lovely distribution of well pigmented liver spots. Good head and neck leading into nicely laid shoulder. Level topline, tailset a little low but held well on the stand. Balanced moderate angulation front and rear, good depth to her chest and well sprung ribs. Used her construction to advantage on the move.

3rd Moate’s Sundowndal Trijonbelle

LB (6, 6)

A class of nice bitches that could change places on another day.

1st Christie’s Checkmate Iz Terltskoy Dubravy By Sophtspot (Imp Rus)

Well made black showy three year old with good substance but maintaining her femininity. Well proportioned head, well set ears which she uses well. Clean neck into well laid shoulder and level topline. Correct tailset and carriage. Good length and angle to upper arm, width and depth to chest and nice spring of rib. Balanced angulation in her hindquarters and a good depth to her thigh. Nice round bone to her legs and tight feet. This young lady moved around the ring with reach and drive holding her topline.

2nd Edens’ Dalens A Spot Of Trouble JW ShCM ShEX.

This five year old bitch is slightly taller than first but has similar attributes. Wasn’t quite on the same form as her classmate today though. She has a good feminine head with correct ear set. Good neck, nicely laid shoulder and good length and angulation in her upper arm to allow her reach on the move. Level topline. Tail set is little lower than ideal but still carried well. Her chest has good depth and width, is filled nicely and she has correct spring of rib. Good angles behind balance her front which together allow her an economic gaiting action and she is good fore and aft.

3rd Kaal’s Dallydyl Dream Of Manderley To Olbero

OB (7, 7)

Some lovely bitches in this class and a joy to judge.

1st McManus’s Boschendal Ashes of Roses.

This B/S bitch is a real favourite of mine. I judged her as a puppy and a 4 year old at breed open show level where she took BIS and now as a 6 year old I was pleased to get the opportunity to judge her at my first appointment at this level. She has maintained her quality throughout improving on it with age. She is an honest well made bitch that has the required construction to allow her to do the breed’s historic job. A pretty feminine head with good proportions, correctly set ears that she uses well. A dark eye finishes the head piece allowing her the alert, intelligent expression. A good length of neck leads into a well constructed front. Well filled chest with good width and depth. A good length and angle to her upper arm for the lovely reach she displays on the move. A level topline onto to a correctly set and carried tail, a well rounded rear and a good bend of stifle. She carries enough round bone to keep her femininity and has nicely sprung pasterns and tight feet. Her movement has an effortless gait that when handler and bitch are in unison is a joy to watch. She is also one of the few with true fore and aft. I could not deny this girl the BCC and BOB today, her second ticket and I hope that her third is not far away.

2nd Gardner’s CH Dvojica Chilli Chutney for Wrendragge JW

Another lovely bitch that I have judged before at another club open, again awarded BIS and pleased to judge her at CC level. As with my ticket winner she is put together so well. A first glance shows her nicely distributed liver spotting with good pigment. She has feminine head with correctly set ears that she uses to advantage and a lovely amber eye provides the required expression. A moderate length of neck flows into a good layback of shoulder, level topline and correct tailset and carriage. Her well made front has enough width and depth to her chest give her plenty of heart and lung room but is not overdone and she has a correct length and angle of upper arm and good straight legs with round bone. Nicely sprung pasterns and tight feet complete the front end. With her matching rear including a moderate bend of stifle, good depth to her thigh and well let down hocks, she has a balance that fills the eye. On the move she has an unexaggerated effortless gait. She is another with good fore and aft movement. Nicely handled. Two beautiful bitches in my first and second placings in this class and I was only too pleased to award this girl the RCC.

3rd Neath-Duggan and Baker’s Ch Buffrey Hanky Panky By Dalleaf JW