Driffield Championship Dog Show

My thanks go to the Officers and Committee of Driffield Championship Dog Show Society for their invitation to judge Whippets and to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me for my first CC appointment. Thanks also to my two wonderful stewards, Bill and Jane Gardner, who kept my ring running like clockwork and were a pleasure to share the ring with for the day. We were blessed with a large ring and beautiful weather on the day. Of course, as is ever the case in our breed, I found plenty of quality exhibits throughout the classes, but I was particularly impressed by the Puppy Bitch and Open Bitch classes. It is fair to say the classification was not large, therefore some classes were large and multiple quality dogs went home card-less, particularly the Puppy Bitch class. A dog moving out well in profile with balanced reach and drive, whilst holding a graceful and flowing outline was of particular importance to me and I was delighted that all of my main winners fulfilled this completely. In males, I was disappointed to find far too many poor heads; either too strong throughout or, and perhaps worse, large, clunky skulls which were out of proportion with foreface. I feel I must mention that we are so lucky to own a breed who love to run so much and yet, are so obedient off lead, a trait they do not share with the majority of other sighthounds. For this reason, I feel there is absolutely no excuse for a Whippet to lack muscle condition, there were not a lot who did on the day, but one is too many in my opinion. I do not wish to quote the breed standard endlessly, instead, I hope my critiques share the particular points which pleased me and/or decided my placements.

Veteran Dog/Bitch (4,0)

1. Bray’s Cyangrange Giocomo Delfino. 8 year old red with white trim bitch of outstanding quality. She impressed so much for overall proportions, balance and outline. Super construction throughout, a delight to go over and still in superb condition, her outline simply flows from head to tail. On the move, she is completely sound in all directions moving around the ring with such purpose whilst holding her outline completely. To me, she could be a very worthy Champion and I would have had no hesitation in awarding her a CC but on the day, she was just pipped by the finesse of some younger bitches. Truly a delight! BV.

2. Lain’s Lolani Minas Truth. 8 year old bitch, fawn/black brindle with lots of white trim. Less generous in proportions than 1, not standing over as much ground. Still however possessing a flowing, curvy and smooth outline. She scored particularly in head, neck and shoulder. Not quite as sound and true as 1 on the move. A quality bitch nonetheless.

3. Webb’s Khabaraytime Hello Crosscop JW.

Puppy Dog (9,1)

1. Bell’s Aarminias Change The Game at Drumburn. 11 month old lemon/black brindle with white trim. A really impressive, upstanding puppy dog. Loved his proportions and flowing outline. Masculine head with attractive dark eye, beautiful neck into super shoulders. Balanced in angulation fore and aft. Very true up and down and moved around the ring with such an easy stride, holding his outline. Seriously considered in the challenge, he will do very well in the future, no doubt. He was extremely unlucky to come up against my BPB. BPD.

2. Whitehead, Smith & Mixidies’ Citycroft Drumshano. 8 month old red/black brindle with white trim. Another lovely puppy dog, understandably less mature but holding his own in this 6-12 months class. Scored highly for his smooth and curvy outline, particularly pleasing tuck up for a male. Another with a super stride and holding his outline but would like him more true coming towards me.

3. Winkley-Balmer & Poole’s Edenwhip Can I Be Him.

Junior Dog (3)

1. Winter & Yeates’ Lolani Café Amore. 17 month old blue fawn with white trim. This dog was very well put together and certainly ‘all of a piece’, he has time on his side to mature into a super dog. Well proportioned, masculine head held on a strong neck. I would prefer him to be a little cleaner in outline over the withers, although his shoulders are well laid back. He has a super return of upper arm. His rise over the loin still has some developing to do but is another who scores in underline and has plenty ribbing. Well developed and muscled hindquarters with good width to thigh. Not a big mover but extremely sound on the move in all directions, which will take him a long way. In superb condition and a super coat.

2. Brew’s Crosscop The Show Must Go On. 12 month old fawn with white trim. More shapely than the winner at the moment and a lot to like. Undoubtedly masculine in head, it is well balanced and proportioned. Pleased in eye and expression. Beautiful top and underline. Another lovely dog but beaten today on front movement.

3. Hope’s Demerlay On A Promise.

Special Yearling Dog (4,1)

1. Martin’s Bowdonia Go The Distance for Stalwart. Fawn/black brindle with white trim. A very shapely and well matured dog of ideal body proportions. Masculine throughout, even if he is a little too strong in head for me. Correct topline. He could do with more return of upper arm but defies this when he moves as he is true and sound in all directions, displaying good forward reach, holding his shape.

2. Hope’s Demerlay On A Promise. Fawn with white trim. On the larger side with more generous proportions than 1. Lovely to go over, very shapely and smooth in outline. Could do with less rear angulation, though he good width to thigh and strong, well let down hocks. He would benefit with being more settled on the move.

3. Hambling’s Mossbawnhill A Bit Of A Dandy at Chaseover.

Post Graduate Dog (19,4)

1. Smith & Coulter’s Stonefox Mean Mr Mustard. Red/black brindle with white trim. Really impressive, masculine dog of good overall proportions. Beautiful head with flat skull and dark eye, held on a strong elegant neck. He excelled in front construction throughout with superb shoulders, excellent return of upper arm and lovely spring of pastern. I felt he could have had more tuck up on the day. Would not want any more rear angulation but he does use it well on the move, with plenty width going away and drive in profile. He excelled in profile action with a beautifully balanced stride and holding his outline well.

2. Ainscough’s Kidaruka Mother Of Mercy. Fawn with white trim. A very strong dog throughout, that being said, he is moderate in proportions and very balanced. Excellent construction throughout, he is lovely to go over. Not the topline of 1 but better underline. Very sound in all directions on the move but not the stride of 1. A good honest dog.

3. Price’s Railfield Rainomen for Silkdance JW.

Limit Dog (15,2)

1. Fryer’s Collooney Eye Love To Tease at Stonefox. Red/black brindle with white trim. Upstanding male of ideal balance and proportions, I just loved his outline and presence. He is of maximum substance and whilst I might like to take a shade off him everywhere, he is not coarse in any way and carries his substance well with graceful curves retaining so much elegance. He was a delight to go over on the table, well-constructed throughout and just so smooth. He moved with an excellent free stride and with such purpose, displaying ideal reach and drive. I could have watched him go around all day long as he maintained a beautiful balance of stride and outline, and perfect footfall at all times. A top quality, stallion of a dog. It was my pleasure to award him my very first CC. DCC.

2. Perkins’ Silkridge Just Joey. Fawn/black brindle with white trim. Another outstanding dog who pushed 1 all the way. Again, he is upstanding and so impressive in proportions. Super head, neck and front. He excels in hindquarters, which he uses so well on the move. I preferred the substance of 2 but in the end, 1 won the class on his absolute flow of outline. Like 1 and once fully settled into his stride, this dog is hard to touch moving around the ring. It was an absolute pleasure to see these dogs go round after winning the DCC and RDCC in the challenge. Congratulations to all concerned! RDCC.

3. Wheeler’s Ranveli Sunshine Man.

Open Dog (6,1)

1. Morris, Waddell & Mycroft’s Crosscop I Want You TAF. Red/blue brindle with lots of white trim. More moderate in many ways than 2, a very honest and correct dog. Masculine head of beautiful balance and proportions, long neck with enough layback of shoulder and return of upper arm. He won the class on his movement, which was true and sound in all directions going around the ring with an easy stride holding his outline.

2. Poole & Winkley-Balmer’s Ch Edenwhip Quantum Of Solace. Red/blue brindle with white trim. A dog I have admired many times previously. He pleased me immensely on the stack with ideal balance and proportions, totally curvy in outline and a real upstanding presence about him. I thought he would be my easy winner but unfortunately, on the day, he could have been tidier coming and going and lost his outline in profile, which lost him the class. He has had and will go on to have much better days.

3. Perkins’ Snowleana Errol Flynn of Silkridge JW.

Good Citizens Dog (3)

1. Price’s Railfield Rainomen for Silkdance JW. Red fawn dog with white trim. A shapely dog full of quality. He seemed to be flagging in the heat in the PG class where he was 3rd but actually, went much better in this class. Super dog to go over, scored in construction and body and is so smooth in outline. Admired his hindquarters which were of ideal angulation with super width to first and second thigh. Not a big mover but so sound in all directions, holding his outline at all times, which he particularly displayed in this class.

2. Winter & Yeates’ Zoraden Bright Star. Red fawn with lots of white trim. More square in proportions than the winner and not quite giving the balanced appearance of 1. Very shapely, though he tends to fall away over the croup a little. Scored in head, neck and front construction, standing over himself well. Excellent underline for a male. Moved soundly with good carriage.

3. Webb’s Crosscop Shadow Dancing.

Puppy Bitch (19,4) Probably the class of the day, I was spoilt for choice and some that I loved lost out on maturity, in both body and performance.

1. Perkins’ Citycroft Americano with Silkridge. 7 month old black with white trim. Even in such a strong class, this bitch was a standout. I just loved her grace of outline and ideal body proportions. She simply flows from head to tail. Well-constructed throughout and in excellent condition with a coat like glass. She comes alive on the move and has the most free, effortless and ground covering side-gait, holding her outline at all times. She was the one to beat right through the bitch classes and on the day, the more finished Open Bitch winner who was also on top form just clinched it, but her charm and movement sealed her the RCC. I am sure she will do great things, congratulations to her breeders and owners on this absolute gem! RBCC and BP.

2. Kruger & Howlett’s Burqa Di Gucci at White Squall (Imp). 6 month old fawn/black brindle with white trim. Putting on a very good performance for her age and unlucky to meet 1 on the day. Beautiful head and eye. Stood naturally, this bitch has a beautiful neck and front construction, she would benefit from more subtle baiting to enhance this at all times. Developing well through the body for age with lovely curves. Maximum hind angulation but has good strength; great width to thighs. So composed on the move for one so young moving with lovely football and presenting a lovely balanced stride and outline in profile. Another who will have a bright future, without doubt.

3. Perkins’s Silkridge Jasmine. No disgrace to be stood 3rd in this class, a bright future ahead for this kennel with young bitches like this coming through.

Junior Bitch (9,1)

1. Service & Poole’s Crosscop Proud Mary. Fawn parti bitch. On my initial glance, this bitch was not necessarily a standout winner but on closer inspection, there is so much to like and I was quite taken with her. Beautiful head with such a soft expression, super neck into shoulder and starting to mature into a lovely outline. Balanced in angulation fore and aft which she uses on the move, she is so sound in all directions. She won the class on her scope in both stride and outline. I’m sure she will mature into a very lovely bitch.

2. Wheeler’s Ranveli Instant Crush. Fawn/blue brindle with white trim. Many of the same comments apply as 1st, I just felt this bitch could have a touch more length. Mature for her age and very well put together with a smooth, curvy outline. Well-developed body with plenty infill of forechest and depth to brisket. Very sound and true on the move but could just settle into her outline more. In tip-top condition with the most beautiful coat and skin.

3. Allen’s Lolani Mocha Martini at Zoraden. Another lovely bitch in superb condition.

Special Yearling Bitch (8,4)

1. Thomas’ Bowdonia Colors Of The Wind. Fawn/black brindle with lots of white trim bitch. A little too much in size and substance for me but despite this, she is still very much all in proportion and scores for construction throughout, balance and outline. Stands over a lot of ground. Excellent front with well laid back shoulders and elbows set neatly under her body. She is very sound on the move really striding out in profile holding her outline. With age I hope she will fine down into her frame.

2. Morris, Waddell & Mycroft’s Crosscop You Are My Destiny at Ardencote TAF. Fawn with plenty white trim. Totally different in type to 1. Built on a smaller and more moderate frame with a lovely series of curves in outline. I did appreciate her size and femininity over 1 but unfortunately, she was most unsettled on the move which made it difficult to assess her. I’m sure she will have better days.

3. Lipton’s Shiny Sensations Don’t Panic.

Post Graduate Bitch (15,5)

1. Glaholm’s Gazenorth Tean. Fawn with white trim. Perhaps not similar to my main winners today but this lovely bitch is so full of type and quality and coupled with her absolute soundness on the move, she is hard to ignore and deny. Tall enough but still so very feminine and shapely. Lovely to go over on the table, well-constructed throughout, lovely topline and a super coat and skin. She has such an excellent balance of stride and perfect footfall at all times on the move, which really impressed me.

2. Uggeri’s Esedra Sirenuse at Bohosoul (Imp). Fawn with white trim. Different in type to 1, a little heavier through but a lovely bitch nonetheless. Feminine head with attractive eye and expression, would prefer a neater ear. Lovely neck into a super front, maximum hind angulation but good width to first and second thigh. She scored high in profile movement in this class but lost out to the class and finesse of 1.

3. Whitaker-Crosby’s Crosscop May Be One More at Mulclair JW.

Limit Bitch (14,3)

1. Thomas’ Aarminias Princess Of China at Bowdonia. Fawn/black brindle with lots of white trim. Not the most feminine of bitches but has an athletic and scopey appearance and just the right body proportions for me. Head of beautiful proportions and particularly impressive strength to underjaw. Scored in neck which flowed lovely into her shoulder. Rather moderate in angulation fore and aft but uses every inch of it on the move, where she strides out with purpose, precision, and balance.

2. Lain’s Lolani Tennessee Honey. Red fawn with white trim. Another lovely bitch with obvious quality. Shapely and smooth in outline, though more compact than 1. Absolutely beautiful head, so well balanced and proportioned, feminine but enough underjaw and a beautiful dark eye. Well-constructed throughout with some of the best shoulders of the day. Very good mover up and down and moving out well in profile, but it was the scope and carriage, both standing and moving, of 1 that put this bitch 2nd.

3. Winkley-Balmer & Roth-Brown’s Lolani Spiced Gold.

Open Bitch (9,2)

1. Winter’s Collooney Bendy Wendy. Fawn with white trim. No stranger to me but took me by complete surprise on the day. She looked every inch an athlete combining muscular strength with elegance, and absolutely no hint of exaggeration. Beautifully clean, quality and feminine head, enhanced by a lovely dark eye and wonderful soft expression. Balanced and well-constructed all through with just enough curves. To watch her move was a delight, true coming and coming and just so sound, supple and effortless in profile covering the ground with long, low strides. If a dog was ever to have its day, this was it; she fought off tough competition to win this class, let alone the CC, but she did so with ease. I was delighted to see her win 2nd in the Hound Group. BCC & BOB.

2. Davies’ Ch Collooney Black Velvet Pasharif. Black with white trim. I considered it my privilege to put my hands on this bitch once again, after doing so as a puppy where I awarded her top honours. Absolute textbook construction throughout and easily the best shoulders of the entire entry, superb. Beautiful series of curves which she holds on the move, where she is true and sound in all directions. I could have handed her a CC in a heartbeat, but she was flagging in the heat on the day. Such a worthy Champion.

3. Bowers’ Saraquele Sound Effects. Another I could have happily awarded a CC to, a beautiful bitch unlucky to meet 1 & 2 today.

Good Citizens Bitch (5,1)

1. Bray’s Cyangrange Giocomo Delfino. 1st Veteran Dog/Bitch.

2. Whitaker-Crosby’s Crosscop May Be One More at Mulclair JW. Fawn with lots of white trim. A quality bitch built on generous proportions with lovely balance in angulation for and after. Sound and effortless on the move but would just prefer more shape to her topline.

3. Wilkinson’s Citycroft Starfall.

Luke Johnston