South West Dobermann Club

I am extremely grateful to the Officers and Committee of the South West Dobermann Club for inviting me to judge at this lovely show. Not being an owner or exhibitor of the breed, I considered the appointment a great honour and was very flattered by the number of exhibitors who afforded me the opportunity to judge their dogs, particularly as there were Challenge Certificates on offer at Blackpool on the same day.

There was a terrific garden-party atmosphere to this back-to-back show which also incorporated fund raising efforts for rescue done through another show initiative supported and promoted by the Club on the same day. I understand that this was also a tremendous success and those involved should be congratulated. I was treated to the most wonderful hospitality by the hard-working officials by way of a delicious traditional afternoon tea. The sunny weather, disposition, sporting attitude and courtesy of the exhibitors really made this appointment extremely pleasant and thoroughly enjoyable.

Veteran Dog or Bitch (4 1).

1. Gallagher’s Izralight Sugababe JW ShCM VW. Almost 10 year old black and rust bitch who I judged almost 7 years ago. I was delighted to find she had retained her good, typical outline which took her to the top of this class. Lovely, blunt wedge shaped head with slight stop and tight lips. She used her ear well which complimented her good expression. Dry length of neck which flowed cleanly into wither and well developed body with correct spring of rib. Reasonable shoulder placement, good width to front and she stood on good tight feet. Given her age I could forgive her being slightly untidy in underline as I found her to be of good height to length ratio with pleasing hind angulation. On the move she could have been more positive in front action, but was steady and held her outline. Best Veteran in Show. 2. Pittendrigh’s Amazon This Girl is on Fire with Tomar. Lovely clean outline on this 8 ½ year old black and rust girl who gave a good account of herself on the move. Not quite the head of the winner but good strength to jaw together with lovely dentition, good eye and expression. Good length of neck but I would have preferred a cleaner throat. Presented in good condition scoring on her straight front and correct feet. Pleasing width throughout and whilst I found her slightly longer cast than Sugababe she had a very good, slightly sloping topline which was firm and leading into a strong rear with good turn of stifle. 3. Jeanes’ Viemar Vienna.

Junior Dog (2). Two smashing young dogs who must have bright futures. I shall follow their careers with interest.

1. Jones & Ushakova’s Korifey Vanquish. Upstanding 16 month old black and rust dog who I thought quite handsome with his square outline; angles matching fore and aft. Very well built with solid musculature but retained elegance of outline and was without exaggeration. His head front-on really pleased me for being clean cut and well filled out under the eye which together with his with nicely set, dark eyes lent themselves to an excellent expression. In profile his head was rather strong and could have been tighter in lip, but was still in proportion to body. Clean through forechest and front which was well filled for age. Lovely topline and corresponding underline. He was a vigorous athletic mover with good rotary action, tidy and true both coming and going. I was very pleased to award him Best Dog, Best Opposite Sex and Reserve Best in Show. In the challenge for Best in Show he was as masculine as the bitch was feminine but I just preferred her head in profile. 2. Edyveane’s Jojavik Snowpiercer. Very stylish young black and rust male who at only almost 13 months old was naturally giving something away in maturity to Vanquish but held his own extremely well. He was not dissimilar to the winner for make and shape only slightly rangier, but when he develops further in body, fills out to brisket and firms up some more in topline he should be quite impressive. Good, well-proportioned head which was set on an excellent, clean neck of length and strength. Alert and keen expression emanating from very good eyes. I liked his angulation both at shoulder and stifle with pleasing croup. Very well muscled, particularly at the rear and although he was not quite as together in profile movement he moved out very well coming and going away from me. Reserve Best Dog.

Graduate Dog (4 1)

1. Jones & Ushakova’s Korifey Vanquish. 2. Edyveane’s Jojavik Snowpiercer. 3. Merrett’s Xemuti Beamish Boy.

Post Graduate Dog (2 1)

1. Evans, Bloore & Lewis’ Amazon Alcumlow Love is Life. 22 months brown dog of reasonable make and shape with fair length of body compared to leg and good depth and width to front. Head was in proportion to body with good muzzle and correct dentition. His disposition pleased me and he was shown in good condition with lovely hindquarters which were exceptionally well muscled. As a result he displayed a very easy, rhythmic and sound gait. I would have preferred greater angulation at shoulder to match that of stifle for overall balance but his outline was not unattractive.

Open Dog (2 1)

1. Snell, Jones & Mycroft’s Supeta’s Pandemonium at Korifey. Solid and substantial 5 year old black and rust boy at full maturity. Presented a pleasingly compact, square and well balanced outline when settled. A masculine headpiece being well filled out under the eye but free from exaggeration and in keeping with overall body shape. Strong neck, but this could have been somewhat cleaner at throat and into wither. Very good front for depth and width. Angulation fore and aft was correct with firm topline, clean underline and good croup. His good quarters lent themselves to purposeful and positive movement.

Puppy Bitch (2). Two exciting puppies who must be strong prospects for the future. Evenly matched I liked them both very much.

1. Merrett’s Grafmax Titania. 11 month old black and rust girl. I loved her elegance of outline which was so clean and correctly developed for age, being square with adequate angles fore and aft. Wonderful headpiece which was blunt and wedge shaped with true headplanes, lovely expression and good teeth. Excellent length of clean neck leading into a good front and she stood on pleasing round bone. Scored in topline, underline, croup and tailset. Obviously had a slight advantage over 2nd due to age and maturity, carrying herself with confidence and style on the move whilst maintaining her outline throughout. She pressed very hard against the Best in Show winner in the Junior Bitch class and only lost out being slightly leggy at this stage and not quite as developed in stifle. I was quite taken with her and very pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch and Best Puppy in Show. 2. Hutchison & Mycroft’s Supetas Diamonds Rforever with Debison. Charming 9 months black and rust baby who was not far behind the winner only losing out on topline and feet which only need to improve a little with maturity. She too had elegance, strength and a well-shaped expressive head which was in proportion to body. Developing very well in forechest, she had a strong, clean neck and a height to length ratio which was lovely. Shoulders were well laid and stifles of good turn. Very positive action going around which was athletic, sound and easy.

Junior Bitch (4 1)

1. Parker’s Tuwos Lyra (IKC). The star of the day was this black and rust girl of 17 months who appealed enormously to me from the moment she entered the ring. I found her so well balanced in outline with a lovely combination of strength and elegance; there being nothing weedy about her and yet she was free from exaggeration. Lovely headpiece for shape and proportions from all angles with pleasing eye and expression. Strong length of neck into a well filled front supported by well laid shoulders. Strong, sloping topline leading into an excellent turn of stifle. Lovely strong, straight hocks when viewed from behind which she used on the move. Carried herself well with muscled quarters and athleticism but handler could have got more out of her on the move. A genuine pleasure to award her Best Bitch and Best in Show. 2. Merrett’s Grafmax Titania. 3. Gallagher’s Izralight Jitterbug.

Graduate Bitch (3 2)

1. Bevans & Snell’s Viemar Jacblak with Khaneve. Overall body proportions were good on this 2 year old bitch. She had very good, well developed quarters with corresponding angulation fore and aft. Lovely head front-on with good bite, standing on good round bone and nice feet, although I would have preferred a touch more length of leg to improve overall balance. Good ribbing and lovely short loin leading into a well-muscled rear with correct turn of stifle and strong hocks. Although she was carrying a little a little excess weight she managed to move out exceptionally well with clean easy gait, holding her outline throughout.

Post Graduate Bitch (3 2)

1. Jeanes’ Viemar Catwalk Kaos. Black and rust bitch of 3 ½ years who although not flashy was extremely honest with good underlying construction and so square. Her constituent parts flowed from one into the next. Lovely feminine headpiece, correct bite, good eye and expression complimented by well-set ear. A clean neck flowed nicely into the wither. Brisket not quite to elbow but angulation was good fore and aft with lovely straight front, super tight feet and lovely underline. Maintained good carriage on the move although I would have liked to see more animation.

Limit Bitch (1)

1. Jeanes’ Viemar Very Special. Pleasing and attractive brown bitch of 4 ½ with excellent temperament and disposition who I thought was nicely put together. Elegant in outline yet displays some strength. Well-proportioned head mounted on a clean neck into strong front with nicely developed chest. Good depth of brisket to elbow. Not quite as well angled in front as I would like and feet could have been tighter, but that said she had good angulation at the rear and was correctly coupled with lovely sloping topline and good croup. Very good width of body throughout. On the move she was steady in profile but a little erratic behind.

Open Bitch (2)

1. Gallagher’s Izralight Firedancer. This mature 6 year old black and rust girl had the clean flowing outline that I look for. She had depth to her well-developed and well angulated quarters, standing over ground with lovely underline and tuck up, although I would have preferred her to be slightly shorter in back. Her head was of good shape and in proportion to body with lovely length and strength of muzzle. Strong, straight front which was particularly well filled. Sound and steady on the move with particularly good side gait. 2. Caldicott’s Aritaur On a Mission to Philmont. Almost 5 year old black and rust lady who was slightly shorter coupled than the winner. I was particularly impressed by her fabulous hind-muscling and well-developed thighs of good width which demonstrated good rotary action and strong drive from the hocks when moving. Attractive headpiece with lovely headplanes and good dentition. Pleasing, well filled front for width and depth and nicely angulated at shoulder and stifle. With a little less weight she could have pushed harder here as unfortunately she did not appear as elegant as the winner and could not match her underline which made a difference when comparing overall outlines. Nonetheless a quality girl.