Midland Counties Canine Society

Midland Counties Canine Society

30th October 2022

Toy Group

It was a pleasure to judge the Toy Group at this prestigious show and I thank the Society for their hospitality throughout. I stood in for Joy Jolley who unfortunately could not judge, and I sincerely hope that she is soon feeling better. The Society was blessed with an amazing entry for this day and age, congratulations. The group today was mixed but all BOB’s present put on a decent show. Some that I have admired in the past were sadly either tired or slightly erratic.

I shortlisted the Bichon Frise, CKCS, Japanese Chin, Pekingese, Pug, Chinese Crested, KCS and Maltese, all excellent examples of their respective breeds.

Group 1 was the Chinese Crested Ch Habiba Hold My Purse. No stranger to the group ring and she has had a phenomenal career. I have admired her from the ringside, but this was the first time that I have had hands on. As a specialist, I know extremely well how hard it is to breed such quality. I must be honest, when I had her on the table, she is even better than I thought she was. Her head and expression are a delight with gorgeous, strong, flaring ears. She flows from neck into topline and the perfect tail set, with that slightly rounded rump. Her angulation in front is spot on, fine, elegant boning, correct feet and balanced in angulation behind. Her skin is flawless, and she has enough furnishing to complete the static picture. On the move she simply cannot be ignored, she holds her head and tail high, tabletop topline and floats around the ring. Her profile action gives you goosebumps. On the out and back she is precise and puts her feet in exactly the right place. Having had the pleasure of owning and breeding the only other Chinese Crested to date to win multiple BIS’s, I can assure you this bitch is just as great, and her place in the history books is assured. An absolutely wonderful example of the breed.

Group 2 was the Japanese Chin Ch Jaschin First Edition, I had her in the breed as a youngster and predicted a bright future. She has not disappointed. Dainty, fine and compact carrying just enough coat but not excessively so. She has the expression so peculiar to the breed with a perfectly placed nose and super nostrils. Well bodied with perfect topline and well carried tail. She moves out well with elevation and reach in front and joy of joys, sound behind. A real treat and deserved her placing.

Group 3 the Bichon Frise Ch Limartine Mr Blue beautifully presented and a superb coat texture. His head and expression are a delight with fabulous pigment throughout. He is well made throughout and is totally balanced in angulation. He holds an imposing outline in profile, carries his head and tail high and really uses himself. Sound on the out and back, he could not be ignored.

Group 4 and completing a fabulous foursome was the Pug Ch Rhodenash Wildest Dream at Readstone, a new one to me and very impressive he is too. Gorgeous head and expression. Square and cobby, he is most definitely “multum in parvo”. His action on the move will always take the eye and he has the most endearing temperament. A very decent dog indeed.

Lee A S Cox (Judge)