Welsh Kennel Club

Welsh Kennel Club – Portuguese Water Dog 19/8/2022

Its been over 5 years since I judged this breed last and I was looking forward to judging them again. Disappointing entry numerically but so pleased with the quality.

OD 3:1

Just the 2 dogs which automatically meant they were my CC & RCC. Both different with lots to like on each of them.

1st Smith’s Gemson Alfamar Of Oldeely. Loved the outline of this 3yr old. Well proportioned head with good breadth of skull and muzzle. Dark round eyes and correct bite. Clean through his muscular neck into super forequarters with well laid shoulders and good forechest. Straight front with good bone and feet. Deep well sprung ribs back to a short loin under a level topline and correct tail set and carriage. Excellent rear angles, well muscled with good width of ham. Super true mover with drive. Pleased to award DCC, his 5th, and later BOB.

2nd Williams, Reddin & Newton’s Uk Am Ch Can Gr Ch Macduff's Critical Acclaim (Can Imp). Another 3 yr old, looking very different to my winner due to the different trim but underneath still very much a PWD. Lovely head, well proportioned with good breadth to skull and muzzle and nice dark, round eyes. Well made forequarters with a well boned straight front, correct spring and depth of rib. Level topline and correct tail set and carriage. Different in rear angulation with not the same width of ham as my winner. Another good mover, clean going away and driving in profile. RCC

PB 2 0

1st Williams, Reddin & Newton’s Kalafudra's B'fine For Fiapinhosmacduff (Imp) Naf. What an honour to be the first to judge this baby that I believe to be the first white PWD residing in the UK. Just 6mths, such a sweetie and so confident. She is so well made and I hope to see her in the future as she matures. Feminine throughout with a lovely head and dark eyes that draw you in, correct bite. Straight front and well made forequarters with forechest developing. Correct depth and spring of rib at this age. Level topline through to lovely rear angles with width of ham. On the move she commands attention, true fore and aft with lovely drive and correct tail carriage. It won’t be long before she is up there collecting top honours.

2nd Pike & Carter Breezelyn Top Hat N' Tails. Another typey B, 10 months, just not as together on the move as my winner and not the forechest. Very good through head, dark eyes and correct bite. Clean through neck to well laid shoulders over well sprung ribs of good depth. Nice bone and a straight front. Correct topline. Good rear angles, moved true fore and aft, not as coordinated in profile.

JB (1:0)

1st Williams, Reddin & Newton’s Rarjo Calm The Storm Macduff. A 13mth old of lovely size and shape. Pleasing head of good shape and proportions with dark eyes and correct bite. Deep chest and well sprung ribs, good bone and feet. Loved her rear angles, good witch and muscle developing which she pulls together on the move to drive round the ring with ease. Not as clean when coming towards today as my top winners.

LB (1:0)

1st Dring’s Yelsek Love And Pride. Well what can I say. She came into the ring and my first thought was, “that’s nice”. From then on she did not disappoint. 22months and full of potential. Lovely breed type with correct outline, still some maturing to do but has all the ingredients for a champion. Correct through head, feminine but good breadth and proportions with correct bite and lovely dark eyes. Well made forequarters with well laid and well muscled shoulders. One of those dogs that ‘feels right’ when going over her. Well sprung ribs back to a well made and well muscled rear. On the move she has a lovely easy driving gait. Pleased to award her the BCC that turned out to be her 2nd. I’m sure it won’t be long before she gains her title.

OB (2:0)

1st Williams & Carter Ch Rarjo Red Hot Mama. Another quality exhibit from these owners. Super outline of correct proportions. Correct head proportions with dark eyes. Well laid shoulders over deep, well spring ribs, straight front with good bone. Super rear angles, well muscled with good width of ham. Lovely to watch on the move, true fore and aft with drive in profile. Very close decision in the challenge. RCC.

2nd Smith’s Auldhelm Clementina. A 6yr old brown girl of correct size and shape. Good head with correct proportions, well laid shoulders over well sprung ribs of good depth, enough forechest. A little straighter behind than the winner. Moved out with drive, not as clean coming towards today.

Judge – Ray McDonald