North Staffs Canine Society

North Staffs CS 20.03.22 – Alaskan Malamute

My thanks to the show society for inviting me to judge at their long awaited, inaugural Open Show. Although several absentees on the day, I was pleased with the five dogs I had present, all breed typical and with impeccable temperaments. The ring size did make moving a large, working breed such as this to full advantage a challenge and I have no doubt this will have affected some of the dogs, so I give my extra thanks to my exhibitors for their well mannered acceptance of my placings based on what I could see on the day and for helping make the appointment all the more enjoyable.

Puppy (3 Ent, 1 Abs)

This class was an enjoyable kind of challenge, presenting me with two happy, wiggly young males, hard to split in the final challenge as both have plenty of promise along with much maturing to do. In the end a decision had to be made and I nitpicked but the old cliché of “could swap places on another day” is no doubt applicable, particularly a day with a bigger ring where they could have had more space to settle in motion.

1st. Copley-Holland’s Katabatics This Is The Way

7 month old agouti male who although clearly a pup is already showing signs of a strong, masculine adult to come. Good width of skull for age with well set ears, lovely dark pigment and as much stop as I would like, with good strength to muzzle. Pleasing length of neck leading to a topline just starting to develop the signature Malamute slope. From the front he stood on nice straight legs, with knuckle left to grow into, and lovely tight feet. Moderately angulated in front with nice spring of rib and broad thigh leading to a good turn of stifle and strong, compact hocks. Lovely harsh coat, tail a touch shorter than my ideal plume but well set and carried. On the move – bearing in mind the small ring - I felt he showed signs of good rear drive and in the final run round I felt held this topline was held a bit better than his classmate, pushing him to first place. Best Puppy & I was delighted to hear Working Puppy Group 2.

2nd. Druce & Druce’s Kaskae Hell Of A View (AI)

6 month old seal & white male enjoying his first show and an absolute sweetheart to assess. More babyfaced than my first place with his skull still needing to broaden but nothing I would complain about at this age. Good muzzle proportions with beautiful dark pigment and a nicely shaped eye giving an appealing expression. Well set ears, although still showing a bit of puppy bounce on the move and a nice length of neck. Chest still developing and a touch more narrow than his classmate at this stage but overall proportions still balanced with pleasing bone, strong pasterns front and rear and nicely shaped snowshoe feet. Adult coat still coming through, so a touch softer in texture than first but beautiful tail carriage, taking the waving part of his waving plume very seriously. He moved with enthusiasm, which possibly in conjunction with the flooring cost him a little in footfall coming and going but will look forward to seeing how he continues to mature.

Junior (1 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st. Druce & Druce’s Kaskae Hell Of A View (AI)

Critique as per second in Puppy, although I felt he settled better in this class and moved out with a more fluid gait in side profile, only serving to further my anticipation of seeing him with more maturity under his belt.

Post Graduate (2 Ent, 1 Abs)

1st. Whyman’s Tailfly Heart Of Gold

Two year old grey & white male who made sure to announce himself as he entered the ring, clearly enjoying being the centre of attention. Masculine head but without any coarseness, with pleasing bulky muzzle, super dark almond eye and well set, nicely shaped ears giving a cheeky expression. Well muscled all through – probably the best condition of the day – with a thick strong neck, leading into a fantastic sloping topline and a well furred tail carried to good effect creating a breed typical outline. Nice width and depth to chest with well boned legs, straight & strong viewed from the front. Could be a touch more angulated in shoulder but well sprung ribs and a broad thigh leading strong hocks which he used to good effect in motion. Good stand off coat of correct texture and tight feet. On the move he showed purpose and as much drive as he probably could without space to really extend but I felt my Open class winner edged him in front action and so it was Reserve Best of Breed today.

Open (4 Ent, 2 Abs)

Another challenging class with two lovely Veteran ladies who both demonstrated the longevity gifted by the slow maturing nature of this breed and the virtues of maturity.

1st. Druce & Druce’s CH Koromandel On Strange Tides (AI)

Ten year old grey and white female who immediately caught my eye with her balanced outline and overall impression of substance. Breed typical expression, feminine without lacking strength, possessing a good depth of muzzle, kind, dark almond eyes and well used ears, small in proportion to skull and of good shape. Elegant arch to neck and another with a strong, sloping topline leading into a correctly set tail. Pleasing front construction with a nicely laid back shoulder and good depth of chest with enough length of leg to keep her proportions as I’d like. Well sprung ribs and balanced in rear angulation with good turn of stifle and well let down, strong compact hocks. Nice size of feet and good density to coat. She was carrying a touch more weight than is my preference, although didn’t lack muscle underneath, which showed a little in her movement however I still could not deny her overall balance and footfall, even in this small space, which along with her silhouette on the stack ultimately gave her Best of Breed.

2nd. Whyman’s Arcticwolf Limited Edition At Tailfly

Eleven year old seal & white bitch who like my classmate also offered a compact, feminine outline. Such a pretty headpiece, could be a touch stronger in muzzle but this did not detract from her lovely dark eye and good broad skull with well set ears. Was carrying plenty of coat, correctly textured, so had to get my hands on to really feel but had good length of neck leading to a slightly sloping topline and a fantastically carried, well plumed tail. Good width and depth of chest – so much so that with her aforementioned coat I did question her leg length at first glance - but overall well proportioned with moderate & balanced angulation, front and rear, and plenty of bone for her size. Despite being one of the dogs affected by the flooring today, slipping on her first run round, she still moved out with a brisk and efficient sidegait that belied her years, however I felt my class winner was that bit stronger in pasterns which was my ultimate deciding factor in today’s placement.

Judge: Alanna J Blaney (Fenrirkin)