Scottish Boxer Club

My thanks to the Officers & Committee of the Scottish Boxer Club for inviting me to officiate at the Open Show and to the exhibitors who entered and exhibited their dogs at this show held in conjunction with the Working & Pastoral Breeds Association of Scotland. I was given a typically warm Scottish welcome by my hosts and was extremely grateful to my excellent and efficient steward who kept the ring running smoothly, not to mention the kind gift which shall serve as a lasting memento of such an enjoyable appointment.

I was delighted with the number of entries and completely charmed by this outgoing and exuberant breed with its infectious joie de vivre. I found the overall quality of exhibits to be very good, particularly in terms of heads and general condition. Length of backs did tend to vary and I noticed that where some had good, strong and well developed fronts there was often a lack of corresponding strength at the rear in terms of width of thigh, although hind angulation was overall very good. That said I was extremely pleased with my principal winners and thoroughly enjoyed the appointment.

Veteran Dog (1)

1. Jarvie’s Jasrumjarvie Rising Star. 7 ½ year old brindle and white male presented in good condition. Reasonably square in outline handler should take care not to make him appear a little too steep in topline as when free standing he is of good shape. Head was in proportion to body, being masculine with well padded lips, mounted atop a strong neck. Lovely dark eye and used his ears. Well developed forechest, standing on good feet and bone. Smoothly and well muscled over the shoulder with defined wither. Adedquate hind angulation but I would have preferred greater width across the thigh. Carried himself well on the move with good drive and elbows tucked in. A worthy winner of Best Veteran in Show.

Minor Puppy Dog (3)

Three puppies at very different stages of development but each with pleasing attributes.

1. Neilson & Connell’s Borestone Secretariat. Red & white fawn of almost 9 months who with his good ribbing, short loin and coupling presented a fairly well balanced masculine outline. Already has a good length of leg with pleasing bone and feet but now needs to develop in body to fill his frame. Head was well proportioned if a touch heavy for body at the moment, but pleasing in profile for skull to muzzle ratio with good lip and nose and darkest of eyes. Good layback of shoulder with pronounced wither but a touch straight in upper arm for perfect angulation. Lovely turn of stifle and strong hock, but I would have liked a stronger topline. Vigorous and athletic on the move. 2. Beardsell & Van-Beck’s In Terrogating Newlaithe. Attractive brindle and white male of almost 7 months. He wasn’t as strong overall as the winner being slightly lighter in bone, but his complementary angles back and forth lent themselves positively to outline. Head was pleasing, proportionate definitive of his sex with good chin and muzzle. Lovely dark eye and expression using his ears. Clean front developing well in forechest he was only marginally longer in body than the winner. Enthusiastic when going around the ring, but as one might expect for his age a little erratic behind which hopefully will tighten with maturity. Plenty of time for this lad. 3. Bell’s Surfstone Get Carta.

Puppy Dog (3)

1. Mair’s Macbarra Kickin Up A Storm at Glenauld. Well presented 9 month old brindle and white in excellent condition who pleased me for his lovely well angulated quarters of width and depth with body developing nicely. Masculine in outlook with good bone and feet, firm sloping topline from pronounced wither and correct underline with graceful sweep. Well balanced headpiece which was masculine with good jaw, moderate cheeks, pleasing lip and skull. Neck was of good length and arched, but could be cleaner in throat. Strong croup and hocks which were used to advantage on the move with easy stride although unsurprisingly he needs to tighten in front movement as brisket drops to elbow. Very promising lad I was pleased to award him Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy in Show. 2. Brough’s Limubox Helluva Fantasy. Very square brindle and white boy of almost 11 months whose angles whilst moderate were even both fore and aft thus lent themselves to a balanced outline. Another with very good, strong, sloping topline with good ribs and short loin which was firm. Strong head which was touch heavier in lip than the winner but not unattractive with deep, square muzzle, good creasing and slightly arched skull. Strong neck, of reasonable length. Standing on good bone but not quite the feet of the winner. Body was pleasing but needs to develop more in chest. He moved out positively if a touch close behind. 3. Thomson’s Even El Bosk with Burgarivo (Imp SRB).

Junior Dog (2 1).

1. Murphy’s Lynshanes Sky Walker. 10 month brindle and white puppy. Honest in outline with an attractive headpiece both front on and in profile giving, strength to jaw and muzzle which was square and clean as was skull with slight arch. Lovely chin and lips with super expression from dark well shaped eyes. Excellent length of neck flowing cleanly into topline. Good length of upper arm and shoulder but I would have preferred greater angulation. As one would expect for his age he needs to fill out throughout and develop in muscle but he was of good foundation with pleasing turn of stifle and width. Moved well going away from me but another needing to tighten in front as he matures.

Graduate Dog (4 1).

1. Lafferty’s Geenawell Lorenzo. 2 year old brindle and white male who whilst masculine displayed a clean outline totally free from exaggeration; he appealed to me for his overall honesty. I liked his head which had good length of muzzle as compared to skull in profile and strength of jaw if perhaps a touch broad in skull. Lovely length of neck leading into a very well developed front of good width and depth. Excellent wither and topline into a strong rear although he may benefit from a touch more hind angulation as he finishes. Wonderful musculature and condition particularly over the shoulder, but in no way overdone. A nice lad and very sound, but I would have liked him to have shown a little more purpose on the move. 2. Taylor’s Newlaithe Absolute Bug. Brindle and white male of 18 months who was heavier all through than the winner and another presented in lovely condition. Well developed in body for age with good width, depth and strength to his quarters, but I would have liked great angulation at shoulder. Strong topline and pleasingly short coupled he was reasonably well balanced and of good size but I would have liked a slightly longer neck, although this was strong with defined nape. Masculine head which was in proportion to body with typical Boxer expression and not too broad in skull when compared to muzzle. He was more positive and tidy on the move, but overall I preferred the slightly cleaner outline of the winner. 3. Bee’s Beeann Cover Story.

Limit Dog (4)

1. Bell’s Surfstone Master Spy.Although only young at just under 2 years this well marked brindle and white male had a clear hallmark of quality about him. Strong, yet clean in outline with good musculature and well developed quarters with corresponding angulation fore and aft, he was standing on good length of leg with good height to length of body ratio. Headpiece was all male, well proportioned with good lip and eye and mounted on a strong arched neck of good length. Scored in front which was of correct depth and width for age, pleasing spring of rib and short, firm loin. Good croup and strong hock. Very sound on the move, tracking true both coming and going. He pressed hard in the challenge, but I felt he was slightly outmoved by the winner, however with so much to like about this young lad I was more than pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog and Reserve Best in Show. 2. Mair’s Glenauld Arthur Shelby. Very square golden brindle and white boy of almost 2 ½ years who was close up to the winner with his masculine outlook and excellent condition. Very pleasing in head for shape and size with dark, expressive eye which was very well carried. He was very strong in neck but it was of adequate length leading into a front of good width and layback of shoulder but I would have preferred greater return of upper arm. Lovely spring of rib and well angulated at the rear which was complimented by a correct width of thigh which was lacking in a number of exhibits on the day. Very good mover when going away, using his powerful rear, but a little untidy coming towards me. 3. Beardsell & Van-Beck’s Newlaithe Super Natural JW.

Open Dog (2)

1. Pynegar’s Maranseen Linesman at Berwynfa. Very handsome, 4 year old brindle and white male, clearly in his prime; he stood away for me on the day. His outline flowed and given his correct musculature it was both clean and without jarring, hard angles; he was all of apiece. I liked his head which was masculine, clean, well proportioned from all angles, with enough length to muzzle when compared to skull and in-keeping with his sex. Strong neck of length with clearly defined nape into a first rate front with forehand angulation matching that at rear. With his short, strong slightly sloping topline he was so well balanced. Excellent width and depth to body throughout with clean curve of underline into a strong rear with excellent width of thigh and strong hock. Powerful and purposeful on the move with great reach and drive there was simply no denying him top honours today. A great pleasure to make him Best Dog and Best in Show. 2. Littlewood & Bowler’s Olleyville Stanley Man at Whirlobox. Stately 6 ½ year old brindle and white male who gave a great account of himself on the move, using his well conditioned quarters to advantage. A strong, masculine lad but not quite the outline of winner being slightly longer cast and not as good in feet. Head was pleasing, all-male and in proportion to overall body shape. He had well set ears which he used expressively with the darkest of eyes. Strong topline with moderate slope, strong loin, good depth of body and good spring of rib. An honest and mature gentleman.

Minor Puppy Bitch (7 3).

1. Bell’s Surftsone Masquerade. Very dark brindle of almost 9 months and whilst I would have preferred a more defined brindle coat I could not deny her placing being of such balanced outline with clean flowing lines, angulated quarters matching back and forth. She had a pleasing depth of body and good height to length ratio. Scored in topline, spring of rib, loin and underline, standing on good bone. Her head was feminine and attractive whilst having good proportion between muzzle and skull, which I liked from all angles and still of good strength; she was a pretty girl. Clean neck, round and of good length. On the move she demonstrated a positive action. Carrying herself well, just needing to tidy a little behind as she develops further. Unsurprised to find she shares a dam with Reserve Best in Show, she gave a good account of herself to deserve Best Puppy Bitch. 2. Beardsell & Van-Beck’s Newlaithe CID. Smart and showy brindle and white baby of 8 months who carried herself so well using her lovely dry length of neck and aware of her surroundings. Pleasing head with good strength to muzzle but slightly deeper set eye than the winner. Good straight front, lovely topline and loin she presented a good square outline. Naturally immature I found her lacking a little body, just needing to fill out and drop into her angles as she matures on as one would expect. She is promising and I preferred her colour to that of the winner. Excellent mover; easy, ground covering, powerful and yet controlled. 3. Murphy’s Berndrews Easter Bonnet.

Puppy Bitch (4 2).

1. Harrington’s Surfstone Miss Dior. Litter sister to Masquerade and shared the same pleasing clean outline and attributes. Again, a very dark brindle who could have been more clearly marked. Reasonable length to body but I would have preferred a slightly stronger croup as compared to her sister. Well developed in body and quarters for one so young with pleasing topline and underline. Scored in hindquarters for turn of stifle and good width of thigh. Attractive headpiece both in profile and front-on and sitting atop a good neck for length and strength. Free and easy when gaiting holding her outline. 2. Thomson’s Ashronsha Dream Away at Latchkey. Very well marked brindle with the most appealing head and expression and at almost 12 months she now needs to grow into this as she fills her good frame. Excellent eye and ear. Lovely square outline which promises to be even better when she develops greater depth of body and forechest as she has super feet and length of leg. Good topline with excellent corresponding underline and lovely loin which is strong. Good turn of stifle and positive, outgoing action when moving in profile but needing to tighten a little coming and going which one hopes will come with time. Lovely puppy.

Junior Bitch (3 1).

1. Macdonald-Cross’ Trelgandorf Starlight. Solid brindle girl of almost 13 months and very nicely marked. Perhaps not the showiest but she presented an honest and clean outline. Her head was of good shape, free from exaggeration and in proportion to body, being clean with lovely dark eyes which had tight rims. In profile her head pleased for length of muzzle when compared to skull. Good neck of adequate length and she is developing well in front standing on good feet and bone. Lovely curve to underline but could have been a touch stronger in topline. Reasonably well balanced for age she demonstrated easy, sound movement, true coming and going. 2. Anderson’s Bessbox Bombay at Wilflo. Strong and substantial brindle and white girl of 17 months. Her natural exuberance made assessment both standing and on the move somewhat difficult but with time, patience and training she could overcome this to adequately demonstrate her virtues. Strong head and bone in keeping with her overall make and shape. Excellent muscle and condition she was a powerful girl but I would have preferred a little more finesse to enhance overall balance. Well developed angles both back and forth and pleasingly short in back with sloping yet firm topline. Very erratic and lacked control on the move.

Graduate Bitch (5 2).

1. Littlewood & Bowler’s Olleyville My Sweet Georgia at Whirlobox. Lovely substantial girl, who whilst perhaps a touch long for perfect balance had wonderful well angulated quarters fore and aft which were beautifully developed and of good depth and width throughout. At 3 years old she was fairly strong in outline but not overdone, her clean lines flowing both smoothly and curvaceously so there could be no denying she was of the fairer sex. Excellent condition and musculature she was very well presented to advantage. Her head was attractive from all angles with good eye and expression and sat well on a clean length of neck. She moved effortlessly around the ring holding her outline throughout with a typical Boxer carriage. I was quite charmed by her and found her worthy of Best Bitch and Best Opposite Sex in Show. 2. Law’s Shellark Rule the World. Smart brindle and white 2 year old girl. Not the body and developed quarters of the winner lacking a little forechest and overall maturity on the day, but shorter coupled and therefore of a more square outline. Pretty and feminine in head, but with good drop of lip which were well padded. Dark eyes with no haw showing and lent themselves to a pleasing expression. Neck was round and of good length but could have been a touch cleaner. Reasonable angulation at shoulder and stifle she was nicely coupled with strength through topline and loin. Impressed on the move for reach and drive. There is time for this girl to come into her prime. 3. McDonald’s Yeteb Little Miss Sunshine.

Limit Bitch (6 2).

1. Mair’s Carkennar Shooting Star over Glenauld. Lovely and quite upstanding brindle and white girl who at only 20 months was quite forward for her age. Presented a clean, and fairly square outline and was in excellent condition. Strong quarters but good length of leg meant she retained femininity and touch of elegance. Just enough depth of body to brisket with clean graceful underline into well turned stifle of good width, although I would have preferred greater return of upper arm to complement the rear angle. Head pleased me from all angles with good lips and chin, creasing and clean skull with good length to muzzle. Strong neck but I would have preferred a cleaner flow into the wither. Excellent topline, rib and loin and standing on great feet. Lovely reach and drive when gaiting around the ring I was pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch. 2. Bee’s Beeann Upside Down. Well conditioned brindle and white girl who was slightly longer in body than the winner. Strength to head, but it was of fairly good shape and in proportion to overall size and substance. Arched neck with good nape, length and set nicely into wither. Lovely well developed front of good depth and width. Despite being longer in back this was firm and she held her topline both standing and on the move where she gave a positive and sound account of herself. Adequate width of thigh providing the necessary strength. Not quite the underline of the winner, but an honest and quality bitch. 3. Beardsell & Van-Beck’s Nashville at Newlaithe.

Special Solid Coloured Bitch (2 1).

1. Macdonald-Cross’ Trelgandorf Starlight.