North Eastern Counties Dobermann Society

It was an honour and privilege to be invited to judge a breed club show for this breed which I have admired and enjoyed judging for many years. I was given a warm welcome by Committee and exhibitors alike and shown wonderful hospitality at the Open show which I judged prior to the Club commencing with its Championship Show.

I can well appreciate how difficult it is to find suitable venues in the current climate, particularly for larger breeds, and whilst it was not possible to have the biggest of rings, exhibitors, handlers, spectators and all others concerned made the best of it which created a good atmosphere and all involved should be commended on a pleasant and well run show.

I was very pleased with my entry numerically and particularly for quality being fortunate to have a number of very good examples of the breed to judge and I am very grateful to have been afforded the opportunity. Thank you all for such an enjoyable appointment.

Veteran Dog (1)

1. Morgan’s Malibray Rhuvaal at Telenndu. Fairly well balanced black and rust gentleman of 7 years who was masculine without compromise to elegance. Well shaped head with flat skull mounted on a clean length of neck leading into a well developed front with good depth of brisket although could have had greater angulation at shoulder. Reasonable height to length ratio but didn’t always hold his topline. Pleasing turn of stifle and he moved out to advantage being particularly good when coming towards me with tidy elbows and action. Best Veteran in Show.

Puppy Dog (1)

1. Seward’s Teuschons The Fierce Knight with Elleonia. Stylish and smart black and rust puppy of almost 11 months. He combined strength with elegance fitting his skin so well with clean lines from head to tail. Strong, sloping topline and not being too long in back he threw a good outline. Pleasing wedge shape to head both front on and in profile with just enough drop of lip for make and shape. Keen and alert in expression. Pleasing dry length of neck leading into good front which was developing well for forechest. Clean underline into a good rear, he will hopefully develop more hind angulation as he matures, but already had excellent strength behind. Tidy and controlled on the move holding his outline throughout. Promising lad I was pleased to make him Best Puppy Dog and ultimately Best Puppy in Show.

 Junior Dog (1)

1. Henderson’s Tuwos Mr Bombastic. Upstanding black and rust boy of 13 months who was so well covered and conditioned for his young age. Good length of leg but still of a medium size with corresponding length to body and pleasing angles at both ends. Very good head for shape and strength with excellent eye although ears were a touch low set. Clean reach of neck, set well into wither. Good width and depth across the front with brisket almost to elbow already. Strong topline which was without exaggeration, good rib and firm short loin. Made the best of the ring on the move with even, sound gait in profile and coming and going. I shall look out for him as he matures on. Today he did more than enough to be worthy of Reserve Best Dog.

Yearling Dog (2)

1. Hunt & Flitcroft’s Tuwos Mr Majestic von Sallate. Brown and rust litter brother to Mr. Bombastic and although longer in body for perfect balance he demonstrated good clean lines which flowed and had a good strong topline. Overall I preferred his angles fore and aft to second, this boy’s being rather more developed and even. Head was in proportion to body with flat cheeks and tight lips mounted atop a good neck. Pleasing bone, but feet and pasterns could be better. Fairly well developed in body and pleasing condition. He was steady and sound on the move when he settled into his stride. 2. Young’s Krieger’s Hunky Dory at Malibray. 17 month old brown and rust boy who was a touch longer than the winner and couldn’t quite match his angles, but in mitigation I felt he needed some more time to mature and come into his own. I liked his head in profile which was masculine with good strength to jaw without being overdone in lip. Used his neck which was of good reach and clean, leading into a well developed front of good width with body almost reaching brisket. Lovely rib and loin he was presented in excellent muscular condition which was more than evident across his good thighs. Holding his firm topline at all times he was a very purposeful mover and I felt he needed a much bigger ring to get into his stride and reach out.

Graduate Dog (1)

1. Hunt & Flitcroft’s Tuwos Mr Majestic von Sallate.

Post Graduate Dog (1)

1. Randall’s Ares God of War. This was quite a strong black and rusk male of 2 ½ years. Masculine head which had a very good strength of jaw and length to muzzle. Excellent eyes for set and colour lending themselves to an alert and lovely expression. Lovely depth of body with brisket to elbow, standing on good tight feet. Not quite as clean in throat as I would have liked and could have had greater angulation at shoulder, but he had a good firm topline to ensure good coupling between his quarters. He was reasonably well angulated at the rear making good use of the ring covering it with good reach of stride and drive from hocks.

Limit Dog (7 3)

1. Verrall’s Grafmax Oberon at Camperdown JW. I was impressed with this handsome 2 year old black and rust boy who stood foursquare with his excellent angulation both at shoulder and stifle. I found him quite strong his quarters being so well developed with depth of body, however this was balanced out with him having just enough length of leg and clean flowing lines with belly fairly well drawn up to demonstrate an elegance of outline. His head was proportionately strong and perhaps could have been more refined in skull, but with good length of muzzle and not being overdone in lip it retained a reasonable wedge shape. Strong, dry length of neck into great forechest. Lovely width of thigh. Carried himself well on the move with positive action from all angles. It was a pleasure to make him my Best Dog and Best Opposite Sex in Show. 2. Mclaren & Kershaw’s Aritaur Invincible at Teuschon. This 18 month old black and rust lad didn’t let the winner have it all his own way. Maturing well he scored highly in outline which again was clean, strong and flowing. Particularly good forehand from his well proportioned head through clean neck, excellent front of width and depth with super shoulders and wonderful tight feet. Fairly compact in body which was well developed with strong sloping topline into pleasing croup. Well muscled behind, but I would have liked a little more width of thigh and further development may bring a touch more hind angulation for him to finish well. His good condition was used to advantage on the move where he strode out with purpose. 3. Randall’s Ares God of War.

Open Dog (3)

1. Woodhouse’s Jojavik Master Cutler. A strong and substantial black and rust boy of 2 years. Pleasing in head for good clean, flat skull and length of muzzle. Masculine and in proportion to overall body shape, but a little over developed in flews. Strength and length to neck with clean throat. Very well developed in forechest and correctly angulated at shoulder. Pleasing topline, ribs and loin with adequate turn of stifle. He was in very good muscular condition throughout. All male, I found him lacking a little elegance when compared to others in the challenge, not quite having the underline of others, but an honest dog nonetheless. He moved out well particularly on the out and back and held his outline. 2. Robinson’s Korifey Ivan. Nicely short-coupled and showy black and rust dog of 3 ½ years. Appealed in head for shape and proportion which was masculine without being done and a typical expression from well set eyes. Whilst he had somewhat moderate angles fore and aft, his good shortness of back and correct coupling meant that he presented a smart outline. Body was well developed for width and depth as one would expect of a mature male and he was free from exaggeration. Not quite the feet or croup of the winner, but in great coat and condition. Another who made the best of the ring, with sound even stride. 3. Taylor’s Krieger’s Foul Play.

Minor Puppy Bitch (2 1)

1. Brown & Arundell’s Skelfide Cersei. Attractive and feminine black and rust puppy of 7 months who was reasonably well balanced for her age. Lovely head for skull to muzzle ratio with good strength of jaw and attractive expression using her ears. I liked her length of neck which was strong yet clean and flowed well into wither. Body and quarters developing nicely although I would have liked great angulation at shoulder. Generally level in topline which was slightly sloping and held fairly well. Pleasing width of thigh. Overall I thought this young lady was coming along nicely with sound steady movement.

Puppy Bitch (6 3)

A lovely trio of puppies in this class.

1. Taylor & Stracey’s Kreiger’s In Style. Aptly named 9 month old black and rust girl who I found to be very stylish with a short coupled, clean, well balanced outlined supported by pleasing angles back and forth. Good round bone and lovely length of leg, I felt she just needs to develop a little more for brisket to reach elbow, which I am sure will come with maturity. I liked her well shaped head which appealed from all angles with flat cheeks and strength, yet retaining femininity it was mounted on a good reach of neck. Scored in topline and excellent croup. She was handled to distinct advantage here and particularly impressed me on the move with her excellent rotary action behind to take this class of quality puppies and Best Puppy Bitch. 2. Marflow’s Teuschons Mirror Force. Litter sister to Best Puppy in Show and another quality puppy, this girl having slightly more body at 11 months and a touch stronger all through than In style. Lovely headpiece with flat skull and corresponding parallel upper line of muzzle with lovely strength of jaw and tight lips. Neck was set well and of good length into a pleasing front for width and depth with good shoulder, bone and excellent feet. Good underline, croup and correct turn of stifle complementing her good front to throw a pleasing outline. She also moved out exceptionally well for one so young and pressed the winner hard. I just felt that she occasionally lost her topline, but again she has plenty of time on her side. 3. Brown & Arundell’s Skelfide Cersei.

Junior Bitch (2 1)

1. Bisland’s Ch. Krieger’s Highland Fling JW. Very classy brown and rust girl, sharing a sire with Best Puppy Bitch, who at 16 months was of excellent quality. She was very showy maintaining a good outline throughout, presented well and in super condition. Wonderful headpiece which was so well shaped and typical being in proportion to body with lovely expression. Pleasing neck and front with well developed chest and good brisket standing on lovely feet. Excellent topline for length and strength, good ribbing and firm loin. Very good turn of stifle and strong hock. Like her half sister she demonstrated a lovely stride with positive action. A top contender in a very strong challenge, I felt she could perhaps have a little more curve to underline as compared to others, but so much to like about this worthy champion. 2. Robinson’s Vivat de Vinko Vendetta for Korifey. Elegant black and rust girl of 17 months with pleasing length of leg and shortness of back. I found her to be slightly straighter in upper arm and lacking a little maturity as compared to the winner, but again she has time on her side to develop in body and fill her generally pleasing frame. Scored in head for shape and proportions with pleasing lip and bite. She looked right at me with keen eye and expression using her well-set ears. Good topline and croup standing on lovely feet and bone. She was also put down in good condition and very well handled. On the move she held her outline well with good carriage from length of neck and particularly true when coming towards me.

Yearling Bitch (1)

1. McLaren & Kershaw’s Teuschon’s Temptress. Brown and rust bitch of almost 2 years who demonstrated a well balanced and very honest outline. Quarters were well developed and of good angles held together by good coupling across topline and loin. Pleasing head; feminine yet not weak with good strength to jaw and length to muzzle corresponding well to skull. Strength to neck, but I found her a touch pleated across the wither. Pleasing depth of body although I felt a touch more tuck up would improve underline. Lovely condition and quite upstanding she gave a very good account of herself both standing and on the move where she put her quarters to good use.

Graduate Bitch (2)

1. Robinson’s Vivat de Vinko Vendetta for Korifey. 2. Morgan’s Satinea Fevronia at Telenndu. Clean and shapely black and rust girl of 18 months. Elegant, feminine and being in good condition she held her outline although I would prefer her to be more short coupled for perfect balance. Topline, however was not weak and held well both standing and on the move. Head was in proportion to body with good length of muzzle and lovely flat skull with trajectory matching that of upper line of muzzle. Pleasing shoulder which was well angulated and corresponded well to turn of stifle. Not quite as together on the move as the winner, but this young lady has time to come into her own.

Post Graduate Bitch (3)

1. Gulliver & Cochrane’s Tuwos Ms Behavin’. At only 13 months this lovely black and rust bitch demonstrated such a well balanced, clean, flowing outline with no hard angles and everything of a piece. The more I looked, the more I liked with both exhibit and handler putting in a stronger performance as the show progressed. Litter sister to Reserve Best Dog and half sister to Best in Show she shared in their desirable attributes. Lovely quarters which were so well developed for one so young with correct angulation back and forth. Excellent rib and coupling she was square, using her lovely neck to enhance outline. Lovely head for strength and shape without being overdone at all with typical expression. Chest was not overdone and she had a clean underline with desired curve to tuck up. Sound and easy mover, but I would like to see her develop a little more muscle as she matures to complete the picture. She showed out so well in the challenge to take Reserve Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show. 2. Cairns’ Lamarg The Russian Princess. 2 year old black and rust girl who was taller than the winner, but certainly not out of proportion or overly big, although I would have preferred her to be shorter coupled for perfect balance. Free from exaggeration she was feminine but nothing weedy about her. Her head was in proportion to body, but I preferred the headplanes of the winner. Strength through neck and topline with pleasing underline. Lovely turn of stifle. Sound and steady on the move, but nails needed attention as they affected both movement and feet.

Limit Bitch (5 1)

1. Cairns’ Lamarg The Russian Redhead. Brown and rust litter sister to Russian Princess, this girl scored highly in angulation at shoulder and stifle where her angles were so even and well matched. She also held her firm and strong topline. Lovely head with good length of muzzle and correct shape from all angles with clean cheeks and tight lips, altogether enhanced by typical expression. Scored particularly highly in front which was strong clean and well filled with good width throughout body. Feet could have been better and whilst she was very sound on the move, I should have liked more strength behind to give a stronger and tidier rear action. 2. Hunt’s Jojavik Express Yourself at Virsco. Smart black and rust bitch of 2 years who was somewhat rangier all through than Redhead and couldn’t match her angles. That said, in mitigation her angles were evenly matched which allowed her to appear quite upstanding. She still has time on her side to come into her own. Her head was appealing and quite typical being free from exaggeration; complementing her overall body shape. Very good feet and reasonable length of back but occasionally lost her topline. Lovely feet and bone she moved out steadily and with some purpose. 3. Bradbury & Sanderson’s Jodaseen Bootylicious.

Open Bitch (4 2)

1. Parker’s Ch. Tuwos Lyra (IKC). I last judged this lovely black and rust girl as a junior where she took top honours and I was delighted to find her at 2 and ½ years having matured so well into such a good example of the breed now wearing a well deserved crown. I found her correct for size, substance and overall ratios never failing to stand foursquare. She combined good size, elegance and strength and was in lovely condition. Classic headpiece with terrific expression from dark eye. Clean neck flowing so well into both front and wither with correct width and depth to chest. First rate shoulders, excellent topline, underline, rib and loin her shape was completed with good turn of stifle. She still looks as though she has little more to give for full maturity which is exciting. A tidy and true mover with excellent carriage I was delighted to award her Best Bitch and Best in Show. 2. Cairn’s Alice Avecci du USSR at Lamarg. Superbly short coupled black and rust bitch of 4 years and fully mature she presented a wonderfully square outline. I liked her head very much which was so well shaped and without exaggeration. Lovely depth and width to front as one would expect from her age she was well developed in quarters with satisfactory angles fore and aft. I would have liked a cleaner wither, but topline was strong, short and firm, supported by lovely loin. Held her outline in profile on the move, but tended to sidewind when coming and coming.

Ric Beall (Eppwood)