Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd

I was extremely happy with my principal winners and in particular my two CC winners who are truly great examples to get your eye in on in order to understand true type and soundness of build in this breed that needs to be able to work all day - think stamina and strength, without any hint of coarseness; with the correct characteristics in head, eye and ear that give them some of their most exquisite features.

On this occasion there were more exhibits than I’ve ever seen before in one entry with short crouplines and tailsets way too high giving uncharacteristically high flying tail carriage which completely threw the balance of the outline. There is still a prevalence of less than desirable, heading towards black, colouration in brown roans which is untypical of the monks habit shading that is most ideal. Other watchouts are small, piggy eyes so alien to the more desirable open, richly pigmented expressions, lack of bone and lack of divergence in head planes; some were virtually parallel with too little detailing to the skull and lacking the medial furrow and rooflike shaping.

On the plus side there are some super movers on sturdy well muscled limbs, excellent heads with typical heart-melting expressions from richly coloured, well pigmented eyes, super thick skin and dense, close-fitting coats of harsh texture. Many with ample substance, good angulation with the correct build through the middle, not too much tuck up and a topline of the gentle fall and rise with a break at the eleventh vertebra without any weakness or too much ‘dip’.

Class 220 MPD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 662 THOMPSON, Mrs J & BEVAN, Mr M Stowledge Callum

Lovely type Brown Roan puppy, robust with plenty of bone. Beautiful, kindly expression in his correctly shaped round eye. Balanced head with good length through the skull and muzzle. Large, spongy nose with nostrils well open. Ear of excellent set, level with the eye, of correct length. Strong neck of the correct moderate length with nice crest. Plenty length through the upper arm with good angulation in front construction. Deep chested and well ribbed back. Presenting a little bum high today, steeper in croup and straighter in stifle at the moment but not so untypical of that awkward juvenile stage which will hopefully come back together in time. Low set hocks. Good thick skin and superb dense jacket of excellent texture.

Class 221 PD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 640 LITTLEMORE, Miss C Inostricani Bell Ragazzo via Krismoor

What an exciting and most handsome youngster with lots of quality to his head; has the desirable dolichocephalic profile with divergent head planes and shaping through the back skull, occipital protruberance and zygomatic arches with a correctly set ear. Deep through the muzzle with plenty strength all through and without any degree of coarseness. Short, strong neck. Excellent breadth and depth to the forechest with plenty of fill. Chest reaches to elbow with the correct 50/50 balance of body depth to leg. Firm topline with gentle rise and fall over the croup. Well made hindquarters with ample breadth across the first and second thighs. Excellent tail set and carriage. Well off for bone. Plenty strength through the body and couplings with ribs well back. What’s particularly striking is the power and strength in his movement - pushing off from strong firm hocks with such accurate footfall front and back. Reserve CC and BPIB.

2nd: 604 BLYTHE, Mrs R Gradevole Buzzolai Of Blymara

Sturdily built Brown Roan. Nicely made in head with balanced proportions across skull and muzzle. Correct divergent head planes. Strength in the muzzle. Ears well set. Strong, short neck. Square in outline with plenty depth though the body and ample bone. Typical top and underlines with good breadth and fill across the forechest. Not as well angulated in rear as one but with hocks well let down. His dentition still needs to settle in; currently a deep scissor with the lower canines sitting just inside of the upper jawline.

Class 222 JD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

Close decision between these two.

1st: 653 ROBB, Mrs J Diggmere Biscotti

Nicely proportioned overall in body with balance between body depth and leg length. Nice eye but not quite the required divergence in head being a little shallow around the stop. Short, strong neck. Decent front with plenty length in upper arm. Thick skin with close- fitting coat of good texture and of the more ideal shade of Brown Roan. Bone just OK for size. Strongly muscled with ample width to the hindquarters and strong through the rump. Excellent topline, underline and tailset.

2nd: 615 COLLETT, Mr I Stagerun Matteo

Solidly built youngster with good muscling all through. I really liked his overall build and in fact he is a little more made in the square than one. Excellent rich ochre eye colour and pleasing expression. A little heavier in head with more stop and less detailing than ideal giving him more parallel head planes. Good strength in muzzle with the desirable large, spongy nose. Strong, short neck into clean well made shoulders. Good strong forequarters with quality muscling through the upper arm and plenty breadth and fill in forechest. Really excellent topline though a little more cut up in underline than the winner. Excellent broad hindquarters with hocks well let down.

3rd: 647 MYCOCK, Mrs S Testaverde's Home By Ten

Class 223 YD (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 611 CLARK, Ms J & SHARP, MR L Affilato put a spell on you for Cacciaro

Typical build for a yearling Spinone and nicely made all through. Good head with the correct equal proportion between skull and muzzle length with good shaping to the skull. Kindly expression. Correct divided, dewlap. Nice crest from back skull though the neckline with clean well laid shoulders. Well made in front with ample forechest. Excellent topline and croupline. Enough depth right through the body and flanks giving the correct underline without too much tuck-up. He stands true front and back which was reflected in his very sound movement. Strong, slightly sloping front pasterns. Correct angulation in hindquarters with hocks well let down. Would like a touch more bone for his size.

2nd: 653 ROBB, Mrs J Diggmere Biscotti REPEAT

3rd: 628 HANDLEY, Mr P W & HANDLEY, Mrs N GELLINI SHEPHERD'S MOON Res: 600 BALDWIN, Mrs J Diggmere Taralli

Class 224 ND (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 618 CULLING, Mr P Lucoru Fairy Tale Of New York

Good eye colour and expression. Divergent head planes with ample length through the skull and muzzle. Large nose with nostrils well open. Built in the square with relative proportions of body depth to leg length. Clean through the shoulders with good angulation in fore and hindquarters. Plenty breadth across chest. Could do with more fill in forechest. Excellent topline and underline. Coat needs some work to be at its best and keeping the beard growth a little shorter would add more balance to the head. Well made hindquarters with ample width in thigh and good angulation.

2nd: 661 THOMPSON, Mr J R V & THOMPSON, Mrs Testaverde Pyramid Song at Paradeco

Plenty bone for size. Eye of soft expression. Good proportions comparing skull to muzzle length though lacks divergent head planes and definition through the back skull and zygomatic arches. Short, strong neck. Good topline and underline giving plenty depth through the ribs and body. Well muscled all through with plenty breadth across chest. A little short and fine coated but with thick skin. Correct 50/50 ratio body depth to leg length. Ample length in upper arm with correct angulation in front and rear. Good breadth across first and second thigh. Hocks well let down.

3rd: 638 LEA, Mrs L Piccolonoce Candy's Cosmo

Res: 659 SPENCER, Ms J & SPENCER, Mr S Gradevole Signor Pi

Class 225 GD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 614 COLLETT, Mr I Stagerun Kestrel

Expressive eye of good colour. Enough length through the head but plainer in some aspects and lacks the divergence. In stance liked this Brown Roan for his build, body shape and general proportions. Tailset a little too high set with overly short croupline which really threw off his balance on the move. Excellent assembly in forequarters with tight elbows and firm front pasterns. Plenty fill in forechest. Very well muscled in good hard condition. Coat of excellent density, length and texture. Thick skin. Strongly made hindquarters with hocks well let down.

2nd: 638 LEA, Mrs L Piccolonoce Candy's Cosmo

Excellent eye colour and expression. Ear of correct set and good length. Well pronounced occiput an nice shaping through the back skull. Short neck. Rangier in build than one and narrower across the chest. Deep chested and ribbed well back. Straighter in rear angulation with less breadth across the first and second thigh. Hocks well let down. Coat of good length and well presented.

Class 226 PGD (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 650 PALOMBA, Miss G Inostricani High Flyer

Lots to like about this boy. Super eye and expression. Divergent head planes with correct definition and shaping through the skull. Ears of correct shape and well set. Strong neck of correct length. Built on robust, powerful frame with ample bone. Excellent topline and underline. Well sprung ribs that extend well back with plenty strength through the couplings and over the loin. Plenty width in hindquarters with good muscling through the first and second thigh. Hocks low set. Looked a picture on the move with his sound stride.

2nd: 624 GILES, Miss K Gradevole Signor Banda

Robustly made boy with kindly expression. Built in the square with a firm correctly made topline. Strong, short neck. Deep chested with enough fill in forechest and ribbed well back. Not the definition in head and less well angulated in rear than the class winner. Good proportions of body depth to leg length. Good skin and coat. Decent bone for size.

3rd: 656 SAYNOR, Ms J Testaverde Rugero Raimondi Res: 617 CULLING, Mr P Lucoru Here Comes Summer

Class 227 LD (9 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 626 GRIFFIN, Mrs S & GRIFFIN, Mr S & GRIFFIN, Miss R Wolf del Subasio at Sanjika (Imp It.)

What an exciting prospect! I really liked this boy and he stood in strong contention for Best of Breed. So typical in many aspects. Superb head of excellent balance comparing skull to muzzle, ample length in profile with plenty width between the eyes. Handsome, melting expression in an eye of the corresponding colour to compliment his correct Brown Roan jacket. Short, strong neck. Stands so true front and back with the correct build in angulation and proportions through his hindquarters. His movement is exemplary; an effortless, pounding trot. Excellent topline and tailset. Super coat and skin. So full of quality; it was a joy to watch him stride around the ring and justly reward him with the CC.

2nd: 616 COOK, Mrs R Connomar Butirro of Roughmoor

Beautiful head and expression. Well proportioned comparing skull to muzzle with the typical shaping all through. Ample depth through the muzzle with large, spongy nose. Well set ear. Stands true front and back with ample depth in chest. Short strong neck with lovely crest shaping from his well defined back skull. Excellent length in upper arm with clean well laid shoulders. Firm topline which he held on the move. Would like a touch more bone for his size but he is so sound and surefooted with good muscling which with his lovely head and eye scored him extra points.

3rd: 630 HOLT, Mrs K & HOLT, Mr R Stinton Valentino

Res: 660 THOMPSON, Mr J R V & THOMPSON, Mrs Testaverde Back For Good at Paradeco

VHC: 603 BLYTHE, Mrs R Larlila Morello

Class 228 OD (5 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 655 SANDY, Mr M Sh Ch Milisimo Mulinello

Beautiful eye and expression. Well balanced head with good divergence, plenty strength in muzzle and excellent definition to the skull through the zygomatic arches with well defined occiput. Ear well set and of correct shape. Square in outline. Nicely proportioned in overall height to length and body depth to leg length. Very well constructed in front; strong, short neck with clean shoulder placement. Good length and angulation through the upper arm. Plenty fill in the forechest and deep chested to the elbow. A little more give in the topline with a steeper rise and fall through to the croupline which can sometimes present as being bum high. Ample bone for size. Excellent skin and coat.

2nd: 610 CLARK, Ms J Afterglow Game Player

The most sweet of expressions from his correctly shaped and richly coloured eye. Divergent head planes with excellent depth and strength to the muzzle. Well set ear of correct length and shape. Square in outline. Strong bone. Excellent topline, underline and tailset. Ribs well sprung. Looking a little portly in weight which threw off his balance and not carrying as good a jacket and leg furnishings as the winner today. Moves so true and soundly.

3rd: 605 BOVIO, Mrs K Inostricani Masai at Ilsolo

Res: 621 FORDHAM, Miss C Lucoru La Cassa At Cloudnine

Class 229 VD (1 Entries) Abs: 1

Class 231 MPB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 625 GRIFFIN, Mrs S & GRIFFIN, Mr S & GRIFFIN, Miss R Sanjika Jakira

Another super exhibit from this kennel. Superb head of divergent planes, strength in muzzle yet so beautifully feminine, large spongy nose, correct shaping through the skull sides and backskull. The most lovely expression. Built in the square with an excellent topline and tailset. Well made forequarters with excellent return of upper arm. Clean through the shoulder with ribs well back and short coupled. Excellent skin and coat. Very much the baby in the puppy challenge today but utterly sound all through. Will watch her progress with great interest.

Class 232 PB (1 Entries) Abs: 1

Class 233 JB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

Two lovely youngsters.

1st: 641 LONGSTAFF, Mrs C Kevardhu Life of Rylea

Looking every inch the raw Junior but so much to like in her stature and type. Certainly, all of the essential ingredients are there for this stage of development. The most beautiful head with the correct divergent planes in profile and typical shaping through the skull and muzzle. Short, strong neck. Good bone. Excellent topline, croupline and tailset. A very exciting youngster.

2nd: 646 MORTIMER, Mrs L Scodinzolare Philomen

Another really promising youngster. Lovely head and expression. Balanced proportions skull to muzzle length. Robustly made yet decidedly feminine. Really well constructed with the correct angulation in fore and hindquarters. Nicely muscled for age. An excellent topline and gentle rise and fall over the croup. Excellent tailset. Correct flat lying coat of good texture. Well set tail. Hocks low set. Moved particularly well in profile.

Class 234 YB (5 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 602 BERRY, Mrs S Affilato The Other Woman

Absolutely loved her! I found this young female so exciting with her many virtues and seriously considered her for the ticket today amongst very strong competition. She’s feminine but sturdy in her build. The most lovely of balanced heads with true heart melting expression - good depth and strength to the muzzle. Correct ears. Strong neck.  Excellent coat and furnishings. Balanced in front and rear assembly with the best of fronts; ample length in upper arm with well placed shoulders lending to strength and fill through the forechest. Correctly balanced body depth to leg length. Moved so soundly coming and going. With maturity and experience on her side I think she’ll be hard to beat.

2nd: 663 THOMPSON, Mrs J & BEVAN, Mr M Stowledge Pansy Potter

Very nice type. Lovely eye of the correct shape and well open. Robustly made and built in the square. Strong neck. Ample bone for size. Decent fill and breadth in chest. Good topline with plenty depth to the body; ribs well sprung and well back. Good width across the first thigh. Hocks well let down. Correct Brown Roan colouring with excellent skin and coat.

3rd: 634 KRUGLOW, Ms P Amberellie Rosanna

Res: 652 PUGH, Mrs G & PUGH, Mr J Gellini Indian Moon

VHC: 609 CHALLANDS, Mr & Mrs M & WHITING, Miss S Annilann Miss No Knickers

Class 235 NB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 665 WAGH, Mrs & Mr D Prottino Del Savona Pesca by Dewdhala

Super type. Robust in appearance and well off for bone. Excellent head and expression with good definition and balanced skull to muzzle proportions. Stands true front and back. Excellent topline and underline. Excellent skin and coat. Moved out well.

2nd: 629 HAYMONDS, Mrs C Ilsolo Dragon Love

Good eye colour and expression. Built in the square. Typical in topline with good croupline. Cuts up in underline. Strong over the loin and rump into well muscled upper thigh but loses strength and breadth coming down into the second thigh and hock joint. A little more upright in angulation front and back so consequently not as together in movement as the class winner. Good proportions height to depth and built in the square.

Class 236 GB (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 669 WOODWARD, Mrs V Connomar Robiola

Excellent type Brown Roan. Beautiful in head with the ideal proportions and shaping. Correct eye with lovely expression. Well constructed all through with good angulation in fore and hindquarters. Typical in topline and underline with plenty fill in forechest and depth through the ribbing. Excellent coat and skin. Moved out really well with a typical, steady trot.

2nd: 631 JAMES, Mrs K A Inostricani Fianna

Another pretty eyed girl with lovely expression. Square in outline with plenty depth all through presenting the correct underline. Short coupled. Plenty width in thigh with strong hindquarters. Well proportioned comparing depth of body to leg length. Tail set and carriage too high. Excellent skin and coat. Beautifully presented.

3rd: 635 LEA, Mrs L Piccolonoce Vanilla Crunch

Res: 608 BOYES-WESTON, Mrs C Gradevole Signorina Gigi

Class 237 PGB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 606 BOVIO, Mrs K Ilsolo Fiorello

Excellent head; well proportioned with typical divergence, clearly defined occiput and good depth of muzzle. Lovely eye and expression. Strong neck with strong crest. Well sprung ribs reaching well back. Short coupled. Good angulation front and back with hocks well let down. Excellent skin and coat.

2nd: 643 MCGREGOR, Ms O C Diggmere Gignese

Preferred the head and expression of one. Ear well set and of correct shape. Short, strong neck. Balanced proportions comparing body depth to overall height. Topline and underline good. Decent angulation in the hindquarters with plenty width across the upper thigh. Hocks well let down. Good skin and coat.

Class 238 LB (7 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 654 ROSSITER, Mrs L Inostricani Eightpunts

Most beautiful eye and expression. Head balanced skull to muzzle with plenty of work in the skull; all the required shaping with well defined occiput. Well constructed in front and rear. Super bone for size. Excellent thick skin and typical in coat. Correct topline and underline. Plenty strength in hindquarters with good width in the first and second thigh. Longer cast through the middle than my CC winners which lost her points in the challenge when assessing their build in the square. Moved out well.

2nd: 667 WAIN, Miss J KELLY & Mr A Lajatico Aida

Soundly made all through with good proportions. Robust and well off for bone. Most beautiful expression. Balanced in skull to muzzle proportions with well set ear. Excellent topline and tailset. Well made hindquarters with strong tendons which is an important feature lacking in some. Hocks well let down. Excellent thick skin and harsh, dense, close fitting jacket. Stands so true front and back which showed in her solid movement.

3rd: 601 BENNETT, Mrs C Testerverde Irma Capece Del Hochopepa Res: 607 BOYES-WESTON, Mrs C Inostricani Crown Jewels

VHC: 651 PUGH, Mrs G & PUGH, Mr J Sunsanna All That Jazz at Gellini

Class 239 OB (8 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 657 SHARP, Mr L & SHARP, Mrs C Sh Ch Affilato All About Me JW

What ring presence this girl has and in tandem with her many virtues tipped her ahead for the ticket and Best of Breed. The most beautiful head and expression, so typical of the good natured grouch with a ton of femininity thrown in. Built with strength and balance all through with excellent angulation in fore and hindquarters. So correct in topline, underline and tailset. Thick skin and excellent close-fitting, dense coat of the correct harsh texture. She has the fortune of being full of breed type coupled with absolute soundness. So pleased to see her shortlisted in a group full of quality exhibits.

2nd: 627 GRIFFIN, Mrs S & GRIFFIN, Mr S & GRIFFIN, Miss R It Sanjika Mayoka

She was my reserve CC winner last time I judged and today I could still see many of the qualities I first witnessed. Lovely head and expression. Strong, well-muscled neck set into well laid shoulders. Well constructed in fore and hindquarters. Excels in topline, underline and tailset. Hocks well let down. Excellent skin and coat. Well balanced all through which is evidenced in her balanced, super sound movement.

3rd: 664 WAGH, Mrs & Mr D Prottino Del Vera by Dewdhala

Res: 668 WOODWARD, Mrs V Connomar Zambana

VHC: 599 ALLUM, Mrs R Sh Ch Inostricani Palmina Del Macarica JW Sh.CM

Class 240 VB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 633 KRUGLOW, Ms P Amberellie Adrianna

So much I liked about this girl; stands out for her true breed type and ever so well balanced proportions. Robust in build with good bone but super feminine and with the loveliest eye. Square in outline with the correct 50/50 ratio body depth to leg. Excellent front assembly, well angulated with plenty breadth and fill in forechest. Strong neck of correct length leading smoothly into a correct topline. Croupline and tailset are typical. In side profile, her hindquarters are well made with plenty width in first and second thigh; has lost some precision in her rear movement but that was not unlike the rest of this class of elder ladies.

2nd: 598 ALLUM, Mrs R Sh Ch Rokeover Fair Dinkum Del Macarica JW Sh.CM

Another with lots of quality to her attributes. Pretty eye with beautiful expression. Well made in front with good fill to the chest. Well off for bone. Well sprung rib of good length with typical underline. Short strong neck into typical topline; a little longer cast than one. Excellent thick skin and dense, close-fitting coat of harsh texture.

3rd: 612 COLDWELL, Mrs L Lucoru Italian Jasmine

Nicola Spencer (Judge)