Coventry (Foleshill) Canine Association

Thank you to the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge the variety classes and Best in Show awards. I enjoyed judging various breeds in the varieties and was delighted with the quality of group winners in my final line ups.

ANY VARIETY MINOR PUPPY (32)

1. Dimmock’s Whippet, Selinko Florentina. Lovely 6-month-old bitch. Showing a very good outline of elegance and grace. Long, lean head, tapering to muzzle and rose shaped, fine textured ears. Well laid-back shoulders, good elbows. Straight fore legs, not too wide apart, and strong pasterns. Deep chest, firm back, with correct graceful arch over the loin and definite tuck up. Strong, well-muscled hindquarters and stifles well bent. Well arched, knuckled feet. Well boned and muscled for one so young. Moved very gracefully with a long easy stride.

2. Saich’s Cairn Terrier, Lindcoly Here Come’s Oh Shi NAF. Another lovely 6-month-old puppy bitch, with such a lovely outgoing personality, showing so well. Mature for her age, with a super harsh, weather-proof, double coat, that is so important in this breed. Correct overall size and balance. Good head, with broad skull and defined stop. Small, pointed ears, carried erect and well set. Dark hazel eyes, slightly sunken. Straight front legs, level back, muscled hindquarters and well set, well-furnished tail. Moved freely with good reach and drive.

3. Brookes’ Chinese Crested Karamouche Kiss This at Zetamaz.

4. McLoughlin’s Poodle (Standard), Villanders Lemona Woman.

5. Benton & Abbott’s Bergamasco, Rastafellow’s OMG Che Gentle.

ANY VARIETY PUPPY (27)

1. Fisher’s Chow Chow, Shulian San Angelo Star at Poppykins. Becoming one of my favourites. What a lovely Chow puppy, full of personality and style. Super head, with flat, broad skull. Large and wide black nose. Characteristic bluish-black tongue, with roof of mouth and flues black. Dark, clean eyes and small, slightly rounded tipped ears correctly set to give the scowling expression. Well-boned and muscled. In excellent condition and presented in abundance of coat. Moved well in a true Chow fashion. Maturing nicely. I was so pleased to award him Best Puppy in Show.

2. Crosse’s Irish Wolfhound, Rainster Evie. Almost a year old and what an imposing lady! So graceful and certainly had the commanding appearance. Quite mature for a large dog at her age. Super head and expression. Muscular shoulders leading to strong, straight fore legs. Excellent bone all the way done to well arched toes. She has a very good depth of chest with good ribbing, arched loin and belly well drawn up. Muscular hindquarters with good bend of stifle. Moved easily, so elegantly and true. Correct coat coming through well.

3. Burrage’s Cesky Terrier, Komidion Sonata for Sametova.

4. Tilley’s Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Brynhir Born to Boogie at Starzak.

5. Drakeford’s Newfoundland, Mississippi-Missouri Walking My Angel.

ANY VARIETY JUNIOR (40)

1. Sheppard’s Irish Wolfhound, Gaelmarque Treasured by Goldswift. Another stunning Irish Wolfhound, I really fell in love with this one. She also had the graceful, commanding appearance. Beautiful head and expression. Long, strong, arched neck, leading down to muscular shoulders. Muscular, strong, straight fore legs running down to well arched feet. Deep chest arched loins and well-drawn up belly. Well-muscled hindquarters and good bend of stifle. So well developed for her age, with a lovely rough, harsh coat. Moved so straight and elegantly, creating a wonderful profile.

2. Beagrie’s Dachshund (Wire Haired), Ellesophia Light the Way to Feldhund. Just over a year old and another that is maturing nicely. Long, feminine head with slightly arched skull. Good brow ridges and furnishings, giving a lovely expression. Lovely well-rounded ears very well placed. Slightly arched neck into long shoulder blades. Super keel and breastbone. Well placed, strong boned fore legs. Level back, rump full and well-muscled. Moved very free and flowing. Nice harsh coat.

3. Curtis’ Skye Terrier, Brakemill Midsummer Dream.

4. Thompson’s Newfoundland, Saskinbears True Blue for Safeharbour.

5. Steer-Eldridge’s Bearded Collie, Kakos the Happiest Days of Gwalltafwyn.

ANY VARIETY NOVICE (19)

1. Beagrie’s Dachshund (Wire Haired), Ellesophia Light the Way to Feldhund. See above.

2. Tilley’s Soft Coated Wheaten, Brynhir Born to Boogie at Starzak. A really lovely 9-month-old bitch and it was a pleasure to go over her. Super, well-proportioned head, with parallel planes and defined stop. Good eyes and well-set V shaped ears. Long, slightly arched neck. Strong, straight fore legs. Compact body with level back. Well balanced outline. Strong, well-muscled hindquarters, with well bent stifles. Good tail set and coat coming through well. She was not striding out today, it may be the flooring. But it cost her a higher placing in the puppy class because she is very nice.

3. Thompson’s Newfoundland, Saskinbears True Blue for Safeharbour.

4. Steel’s Shih Tzu, Debeaux Wings of Love for Juhua.

5. Stewart & Straaijer’s Kooikerhondje, Qunack’s Favor Light for Twybrook (imp NLD).

JOAN WINTERS MEMORIAL MEMBERS’ OPEN STAKES DOG (9)

1. Brothwell’s Spaniel (Coker), Wilanorah Ticket to the Moon at Wissant. A very nice merry Coker. Balanced head with well-developed skull, distinct stop and square muzzle. Dark eyes and lobular low set ears. Good neck into well placed shoulders. Well boned and straight fore legs with strong, compact body. Level top line gently sloping downwards to his tail. Well bodied and balanced. Muscular hindquarters and good bend of stifle. Moved straight and sound, with drive, covering the ground with ease.

2. Steel’s Bracco Italiano, Sazmallin Beijing Boy to Juhua. Nice long head. Looked nice on the stack. But movement was all over the place.

JOAN WINTERS MEMORIAL MEMBERS’ OPEN STAKES BITCH (12)

1. West’s Spaniel (Coker), Sheigra Super Special JW. Well named. A really quality black bitch, from the ‘top drawer.’ Very smart when stood, giving a compact and sturdy outline. Good size and substance, but still feminine. Well-proportioned head, with nicely squared muzzle and beautiful dark eyes. Lobular ears, set low. Good length of neck flowing into sloping shoulders. Nice front with well-developed chest. Compact body with good depth and spring of rib. Well rounded, muscular hindquarters with good bend of stifle. Well set tail. Moved out well with good drive covering the ground. Presented in excellent coat and hard condition.

2. Brothwell’s Spaniel (Coker), Wissant Uptown Girl. Quite nice, but a different shape to above, appearing taller and shorter in body. Good, balanced head. Correct neck and shoulders. Strong, compact body with level topline loping down to tail. Good hindquarters. Moved very well. Very attractive colouring.

3. Steel’s Shih Tzu, Debeaux Wings of Love for Juhua.

BEST IN SHOW - Spurr’s Griffon Bruxellois, Zilcan Gin Ricky. Only just over a year old and what a stunner! Such a showman and smart little chap. His cheeky ‘monkey’ like expression captivated me. Correct, well-proportioned rounded head, nice wide ear set and defined stop between muzzle and skull. Very dark, round eyes. Nostrils wide open, nose of correct colour, neat lips with good tuck up. Wide muzzle, prominent chin with nice beard. Slightly arched neck into well laid shoulders. Chest wide and deep, well sprung ribs, excellent straight fore legs. Short, level back and well-muscled hindquarter. Well-muscled thighs and small cat-like feet. High set tail. In excellent coat of correct texture. Moved freely with good drive from the rear. So well balanced.

RESERVE BEST IN SHOW - Stevenson’s Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Mymmsbrook Matador with Blythway JW. A very striking and balanced young dog. Beautifully presented and handled. Correct, well-proportioned head with slightly domed skull, clearly defined stop and muzzle of medium length. Long, muscular neck neatly set into sloping shoulders. Forelegs straight and well boned. Round, neat feet. Deep chested, muscular body with deep brisket and well sprung ribs. Muscled hindquarters, with hocks well let down. Smooth, powerful and sound movement. In good coat of a lovely colour to finish the picture.

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW - Fisher’s Chow Chow, Shulian San Angelo Star at Poppykins. What a lovely Chow puppy, full of personality and style. Super head, with flat, broad skull. Large and wide black nose. Characteristic bluish-black tongue, with roof of mouth and flues black. Dark, clean eyes and small, slightly rounded tipped ears correctly set to give the scowling expression. Well-boned and muscled. In excellent condition and presented in abundance of coat. Moved well in a true Chow fashion. Maturing nicely.

RESERVE BEST PUPPY IN SHOW - Ryan, Roosens & Goessens’ Papillon, Uppercut Daydream Believers with Feorlig (Imp BEL). Another outstanding puppy. So feminine and dainty with alert, intelligent expression. This one is a true star and appears to love being in the ‘big ring.’ She has such confidence and style. Super head with slightly rounded skull, well defined stop and finely pointed muzzle. Lovely very large mobile ears, heavily fringed and dark expressive eyes. Good reach of neck into well developed, sloping shoulders. level topline and well sprung ribs. Hindquarters developing with well-turned stifles. Long, well fringed, high set tail that she carries perfectly. Excellent positive, light, free flowing movement. Abundance of long, fine silky coat. Presented and handled to perfection.

BEST VETERAN IN SHOW - England & Burrage’s Cesky Terrier, Ch. Ashleyheath’s Black Thunder ShCM ShCEx. Another of my favourites. What a showman and show off! Absolutely wonderful and matches the breed standard exactly. Super head and ear set. Straight, strong-boned forelegs. Lovely body, well sprung ribs, with rise over the loin, producing a well-muscled, rectangular outline. Presented in top condition. Moved like a dream, briskly and vigorously, with plenty of propulsion. He seems to love moving around the large rings.

Felicity A. Snook

JUDGE