British Dalmatian Club

British Dalmatian Club Open Show 5th February 2022

I would like to thank the committee of the BDC for inviting me to judge their first open show of 2022. Also, I would like to thank my very helpful and able stewards Elaine Tillson and Stephen Fellows who kept things running smoothly all day.

Thank you also to everyone who entered their beloved dogs under me, I really was very humbled by my entry and I thank you all very much.

When I am judging or watching ringside at a show, I am looking for a dog that would be able to run behind a carriage all day, after all our breed standard describes its characteristics as “a carriage dog……. Capable of great endurance…”. I am happy that all of my main winners fit this description.

Overall, the quality of entries was very high. On the whole temperament was very good with some very exuberant dogs in many classes which is what I would expect. However, there were a few dogs who were a bit hesitant to be gone over and in a couple of cases it was more or less impossible for me to assess the dog. I can understand this in bitches before/after a season as they can be a bit hesitant, however in a dog I cannot overlook that. The standard says that the breed should be “outgoing and friendly, not shy or hesitant, free from nervousness and aggression”. There were some that displayed this behaviour which meant that they went unplaced or put further down the line. If these dogs are your breeding stock this is not something that we want to be passing on. The majority of dogs go to pet homes and a dog who is hesitant, shy, nervous or aggressive is not good for our breed or for the owners.

Most dogs were presented perfectly, clean and with well-manicured nails, there were a few with very dirty coats though, dogs don’t necessarily need a bath before every show. In fact, Jean Lanning once told me “Madam, these are Dalmatians, you do NOT bath a Dalmatian!”. A damp cloth or a few wipes will get rid of the dirt.

There were a few dogs carrying a tad too much weight and a few that could do with a bit more. There was also a bit of lameness in a few dogs. Its important that you learn to recognise these things in your dog.

Lastly, I have to mention basic ring training; it’s our responsibility to train our dogs so it is imperative that before we come to a show there is a basic level of training. This includes basic ring etiquette with other exhibitors and exhibits including leaving enough space between you and the next dog and not allowing your dog to disturb another dog in the ring.

Minor Puppy Dog 5(1)

1. Smith’s Rapanooey Sugar Donut Almost 9-month-old black. Attractive, masculine head but not in any way overdone, beautiful dark eye, heavily spotted ears which are correctly set on. Good mouth with correct bite. Lovely strong neck. He has a lovely deep chest with strong, well boned straight front legs and tight cat feet. He is well bodied with good muscle which defies his young age. His tail is well set and his coat is excellent condition. His spotting is very dark and spots are of a good, correct size. He brings everything together with his smooth, rhythmic and powerful movement.

2. Kembrey’s Dalmark’s Rhythm and Blues – Just -6 month-old liver. This boy at his first show was a little hesitant to be gone over. Smaller type than 1, correct eyes, heavily spotted ears well set on that frame his face well, giving him a lovely kind expression. He has a good mouth with a correct bite. He has a good chest with a straight front and tight cat feet. He was a tad bum high today but this is to be expected in a young puppy. At this age they are very raw. His coat was in good condition with correct liver colour. Spotting lighter and smaller than 1. His movement was a little erratic initially but when settled was good.

3. Bridge, Meyer & Britton’s Akoni Athos Comte De La Fere

Puppy Dog 6(1)

1. Croft’s Koroyza Viking Voyager 11-month-old liver. This lad is one I have watched from ringside many times and was keen to get my hands on. When I did, I was able to see why he had done so well in his short puppy career. He has a masculine head with correct colour eyes, his ears are well set on and carried well giving him a kind expression. He has a good mouth with correct bite. His neck is strong and leads down to an excellent front with strong well boned straight front legs and an excellent deep capacious chest. He is well bodied and in tip-top condition. He has excellent hindquarters with correct rear angulation and a well developed second thigh. He has good tight feet. His coat is in excellent, perfectly clean condition and his liver spots are a beautiful rich colour, well distributed and of correct size. On the move initially he was a bit over enthusiastic but when settled he moved just like a well-schooled carriage dog, his movement is fluid and effortless. He keeps his topline perfectly on the move, he has great reach and drive and looks fabulous on the move. His movement is correct from every angle. He is handled to perfection and you can see that he is very well schooled. Very pleased to award him Best Puppy Dog, Best Puppy and Best Liver in Show.

2. Precious' Dalkiss The Thieving Magpie Avec Lupiac – 8 month old black. I like this boy very much, he has such a lovely kind, soft expression. He has a good masculine head, not at all overdone with dark eyes. His ears are well set and broken which give him his lovely expression. He has a good mouth and correct bite. He has a strong neck and a good front assembly; he is well off for bone and has a good chest. He is well bodied and has a good topline. He has good cat feet and correct rear angulation. He has a beautiful crisp white coat with deep pigmented black, correctly sized spots which are well distributed. He brings this all together on the move. Despite initially playing his handler up, he then settled well. He is what I am looking for; a carriage dog, strong fluid movement with good reach and drive. He keeps his topline on the move. He was very unlucky to meet 1 today as I saw many of the same attributes in both dogs. I look forward to seeing his career.

3. Wilkins Gloriandus Petersburg at Salvadorada NAF (Imp Rus)

Junior Dog 8(1)

1. Wright’s Millbelle Crazy Horse – 15-month-old black. This is a boy who I initially saw at what I think was his first show last year and he really caught my eye. I have been watching his career and was very pleased to see him entered today. I must say when I got my hands on him I was not disappointed. He has a masculine head with beautiful dark eyes, his ears are well set on and broken, all of these give him a soft, kind expression. He has a good mouth with correct bite. His neck is strong and his front assembly is excellent with strong straight legs and great bone. He has good cat feet. He has an excellent deep chest. He is well bodied with just the right amount of coverage and he has a great topline. He has excellent rear angles. His coat is pure white with dense black spotting of correct size and distribution. His tail is well set on and held well on the move and on the stand. I struggle to find fault with his movement, he has that “head down and go” movement that is what you want a dog to do behind a carriage. He moves without any effort showing power and drive. Very pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog.

2. Robbins & Hensman's Jasquarella Edge Of Winter – 15 month old black. This boy has a good head with dark eyes and correctly set on well broken ears. He has a good mouth with correct bite. He has a good neck, with a correct front and is well off for bone. He has a deep chest and is well muscled. He has a well-defined second thigh and good cat feet. His coat is bright white with correctly sized and distributed spots. His tail is a tad high and when his handler stands too close to him, he holds his head too high and with the tail carried high too this distorts his topline. On the move his topline is good and it is also good on the stand if his handler stands further away. His movement is good and he has a steady action looking correct fore and aft.

3. Wilkins Gloriandus Petersburg at Salvadorada NAF (Imp Rus)

Yearling Dog 2(1)

1. Robbins & Hensman's Jasquarella Edge Of Winter – 15 month old black. As Junior dog (2)

Maiden Dog 2(0)

1. Arnold's Dalfellin Amore – 15-month-old black. This dog has a good head, with very dark eyes, his ears are very densely spotted and well set on. He has a good mouth with correct bite. His neck is strong and he has a good straight front, I would prefer more bone on him though. He has good cat feet and has a well developed second thigh. His tail is well set on. His coat is clean white, his spotting is quite small but well distributed. On the move he shows good reach.

2. Burke's Hafwenna Painted Black – 2.5-year-old black. He has a nice head and his dark eyes are framed by spots which give him a mischievous expression. His mouth is good with a correct bite. I would prefer a bit more bone on him. His coat is clean white and his pigment is very good, he definitely takes after his name! His movement wasn’t as good as 1.

Novice Dog 3(0)

1. Hutchinson's Tyrodal Angel Delight – 2.5-year-old liver. This dog really caught my eye when he came into the ring. He is a real stallion of a dog, lovely strong, masculine head, not at all over done, with a beautiful soft expression. His eyes are of correct colour, his ears are well broken and he uses them to his advantage to frame his face. He has a good mouth and a correct bite. His neck is strong, his forequarters excellent with straight legs and plenty of bone with excellent cat feet. He is in tip top condition, well-muscled with a well-defined second though. He has good rear angulation. His coat is immaculately white with smaller liver spots than on some others. His tail is carried a tad high. His movement matched what I saw on going over him, its powerful and correct fore and aft.

2 Arnold's Dalfellin Amore – 15-month-old black. As Maiden dog (1)

3. Wilkins Jasquarella Fire ‘N’ Ice at Salvadorada

Graduate Dog 6(1)

1. Gardner's Wrendragge Stone The Crows– 2 year-old black. This boy was a lovely surprise to me, a dog I have not seen before but really quite striking. When looking at the line-up in this class he really stands out. His head is beautiful and masculine and not at all over done. He has the darkest eye, his ears are well set, well broken and he uses them to his advantage. His mouth is good and his bite correct. He has a strong and elegant neck leading down to a straight front with good round bone and excellent capacious chest. He has good rear angles and a well developed second thigh. His tail is well set on and he carries it very well on the stand and on the move. His coat is excellent, beautifully white with dense dark spots of correct size. He brings all of this together with typical carriage dog movement which won him this class. Very well handled. He was strongly considered in the challenge.

2. Tingey’s Dallyador Lockdown Legend – 18-month-old liver. This boy really is lovely, so unlucky to meet 1 today who was really on his toes. Longer cast than 2 but still very much in proportion. He has a beautiful masculine head with a lovely spotty face. His kind eyes are of correct colour, he has dark ears which he uses well. He has a good mouth with correct bite, a strong neck, he has a straight front with ample round bone and good cat feet. He is well bodied with an excellent topline, lovely rear angles and a well defined second thigh. His tail is well set on and carried well on the stand and on the move. His coat is in excellent condition and his ample and correctly sized spots are a beautiful rich liver. He moves with good reach and drive and keeps his topline well on the move which was lacking in a lot of exhibits today. Excellently handled.

3. Dawson’s Washakie Sun Warrior

Post Graduate Dog 2(0)

1. Gardner's Wrendragge Stone The Crows– 2 year-old black. As Graduate dog (1) I couldn’t deny this boy this class as well, he performed even better than in the class before. I look forward to seeing his progress.

2 Handyside & Sampson's Dalstorm Future Formula – 4.5-year-old black. Another new dog to me but with a familiar expression. On looking in the catalogue afterwards I discovered I know his sire well; he looks like a black version of him! He has an excellent, masculine head, well-proportioned and with a beautiful expression. His eyes are very dark, his ears well broken and correctly set on. He has a good mouth with correct bite. He has a strong, powerful neck, a good straight front, he is well off for bone and has good cat feet. He has an excellent deep chest, a good topline, correct rear angles and a well-defined second thigh. His tail is set on well and is carried well on the stand and on the move. His movement is steady and powerful, looking correct from every angle. He was very unlucky to meet 1 on top form today.

Limit Dog 6(0)

This was a difficult class full of some really lovely dogs, some that I have judged before and given top honours to. On another day things could have been different.

1. Townson & Pardoe's Kaytoni Oh What A Night At Daymadals – 3 year-old black. This is a boy who I have watched since he was a puppy and have always been keen to get my hands on. He certainly didn’t disappoint. He has a lovely head, masculine but with such a soft, kind expression. He has a lovely dark eye, dark, well set on ears. He has a good mouth with correct bite. He has a powerful neck, an excellent straight front with plenty of bone and excellent cat feet. He has an excellent deep chest, a fabulous topline and correct rear angulation with a very well defined second thigh. His tail is set on well and carried well on the stand and on the move. His coat is in immaculate condition, his pigment is the darkest of dark. He excels on the move bringing everything together. He has excellent reach and drive and looks like he could run behind a carriage all day. Very attentive to his handler. Another who pushed hard in the challenge.

2. Norgrove's Sassydals Flugel Horn – 3-year-old liver. This boy really is a stallion of a dog with a masculine head but not overdone, his eyes are of correct colour and his ears are well broken and he uses them to his advantage. He has a good mouth with correct bite. He has a strong neck, a straight front and is well off for bone. His chest is deep and capacious. He is well bodied with a great topline that he keeps on the move. His tail is correctly set on and he carries it well both standing and on the move. He has well defined muscles. His coat is clean white with dark liver spotting which is of correct size and evenly distributed. On the move he has excellent reach and drive. I was literally splitting hairs between him and 1.

3. Sampson’s Dalstorm Golden Guinea

Open Dog 3(0)

1. Richardson's Mapplewell Pocket Rocket – Almost 3-year-old black. I first saw this boy as a young puppy and I could see that he was a star of the future. He catches your eye as he enters the ring and its very hard to take your eyes off of him. He has a beautifully masculine head with a soft, kind expression. His eyes are dark and his ears perfectly set on, well broken and frame his face so well. He has an excellent mouth with a correct bite. He has a strong powerful yet graceful neck, a perfectly straight front with ample bone and excellent cat feet. His chest is deep and his ribs are well sprung. He has excellent rear angulation and a very well defined second thigh. His tail is well set on and carried well which accentuates his good topline. His coat is in excellent condition, bright white with beautiful correctly sized, well pigmented spots evenly distributed which complete the picture The icing on the cake is his movement. He is the ultimate carriage dog, moving with power and ease, looking like he could go all day behind the carriage which is exactly what I was looking for today. His movement is correct fore and aft and the more I saw him move the better he looked. His handler certainly gets the best out of him and he is eager to please her, they make the ultimate team. I was very happy to award him Best Dog. Best Black Dog. Best Black in Show and the ultimate honour, Best in Show. I am sure that he will be a champion very soon. He really is a stunning example of the breed.

2. Whincup's Tamilanda Air Force One– Almost 3-year-old black. Another from the top drawer. He has a masculine head with a kind expression, his well set on ears give him a curious expression. He has a good mouth with correct bite. He has a good strong neck, a straight front, excellent cat feet and ample bone. He has a good chest, an excellent topline and a well set on tail. He carries it well on the stand if slightly high on the move, as is often the case in mature males. He is well bodied, in excellent condition, with good rear angles and a well-developed second thigh. His coat is in excellent condition pure white with good black pigment. On the move he has drive and moves with ease, he is powerful and has excellent extension. Another who has an excellent relationship with his handler who gets the best out of him. There is a lot to like about this boy. Unlucky to meet 1 on tiptop form.

3. Bolt’s Gemmont Secretariat By Fakenham

Special Junior Veteran Dog 4(2)

I have a soft spot for the veterans, and I firmly believe that our breed gets better with age! These two classes had some excellent examples of our breed and were hard classes to judge.

1. McCarthy's Int Ch/Fr Ch/Ir Ch Domdallino Je Suis Kilndandy JW– 8-year-old liver. This boy has a masculine head yet still manages to have the sweetest of expressions. His eyes are kind and of the correct colour. His mouth is good and his bite correct. His ears are correctly set on and well broken, he uses them to his advantage - they frame his face perfectly. He has a strong powerful neck, a straight front with plenty of bone and good cat feet. He is in excellent condition, well-muscled with an excellent chest, good topline, a well defined second thigh and a well set on tail that is carried well on the stand if a tad high on the move. His coat is pure white with rich liver spots which are well distributed and of correct size. He brings all of these things together when he moves. My notes say “wow” but I must elaborate – his movement looks effortless, he is powerful, has such reach and drive and looks correct from all angles. Another I would love to see behind a carriage. I was very pleased to be able to award him Best Veteran Dog and then Best Veteran in Show.

2. Hurst's Philcarthom Xcaliber At Finnidal – Almost 10-year-old black. This boy is so attentive to his handler, he has a lovely head, masculine but not at all over done. The spotting around his eyes gives him the kindest of expressions.

 He has dark eyes, his ears are well set on and heavily spotted. He has a good mouth with correct bite. He has a good strong neck, a straight front, ample bone and excellent cat feet. He is well muscled, his tail is well set on, he carries it well on the stand. His coat is clean with correctly sized, well distributed spotting. His movement is good, he has good reach but I would like to see more drive from behind.

Special Senior Veteran Dog 3(0)

1. Edens Dalens Hot Gossip JW ShCM VW – 10-year-old black. Another dog that I have watched from ringside plenty of times and have always admired him. He has a lovely masculine head, a ghost face which gives him a beautiful kind expression. His eyes are very dark, his ears well broken and perfectly set on. He has a good mouth with correct bite. He has a strong neck, a straight front with plenty of bone and excellent cat feet. I wrote on my notes “really on his toes”. He has an excellent deep chest, an excellent topline and correct rear angle with a well defined second thigh. He is well muscled but not overdone in any way. His tail is well set on and carried well. His coat is in excellent condition with correctly sized black spots evenly distributed. More heavily spotted than some but this is not at all a disadvantage to him. He is fabulous on the move; he has great reach and drive and is another who could run all day behind a carriage. It was a very close call between him and the Special Junior Veteran for Best Veteran Dog.

2. De Rozario's Dalleaf D'Accord Avec Jemblewood – 11.5-year-old liver. This lovely gentle looking boy defies his age. I had to double check as I thought I had made a mistake. He has a very masculine head with correct colour eyes. His ears are well set on and he uses them well. He is so attentive to his handler. He has a good mouth with correct bite, a good strong neck, a straight front and is well off for bone. He has good cat feet. He has an excellent topline and good rear angulation. His tail is well set on and carried well. His coat is in excellent condition with fabulously rich liver spotting. On the move he is like a train, he is powerful and has reach and drives well from behind.

3. Bolt’s Fakenham Ferrera Rocher

Minor Puppy Bitch 3(1)

1. Colliers Kallierbelle Ceithir - Almost 9-month-old black. This bitch was a total surprise for me, a lovely looking girl, maturing well. She has a beautiful, femanine head, dark eyes, well set on and beautifully broken ears. She does have a tendency to fly them though. Her mouth is good and her bite correct, her neck is strong, she has an excellent deep chest, a straight front and she is well off for bone with excellent cat feet. Her rear angles and topline are good. Her tail is well set on and carried correctly. Her coat is pure white with well distributed spotting. On the move she brings all of this together with correct movement from every angle, she really has such maturity for one so young. I think this young lady has a bright future.

2. Dalmark's Banana-Rama – Just 6-month-old liver. Litter sister to (2) in puppy dog, like him this was her first show. A petite girl very different in type to 1, she has well set on, quite heavily spotted ears which she uses to her advantage giving her a curious expression. She has a good mouth with correct bite. She has a nice feminine neck, a good straight front with ample bone, an excellent deep chest and good cat feet. She is a bit bum high at the moment. Her coat is clean white with smaller spots than 1 but well distributed and of a deep liver colour. Her movement was a little sporadic however she does have good reach. She really is very raw and I am sure this will all come together with time.

Puppy Bitch 6(1)

1. Scott-Allen & Davis' Dallydyl Code Breaker - 11.5-month-old liver. This bitch really comes from the top drawer. She really does ooze quality. She has a beautifully feminine head, lovely amber eyes, darkly spotted well set ears that she uses to give her the kindest of expressions. She has a good mouth with correct bite. Her neck is strong but still feminine, she has a straight front with excellent bone, a deep capacious chest and tight cat feet. She is well muscled, has a fabulous topline, excellent rear angles with a well-developed second thigh. Her tail is well set on and carried correctly on the move and on the stand. Her coat is in perfect condition, sparkling white with gorgeous deep liver, correctly sized and well distributed spotting. On the move she excels, she is a joy to watch, she has excellent reach and drives well from behind. I will watch this girl with anticipation of an excellent show career.

2. Bolt's Fakenham Fontanella – Almost 12-month-old black. So unlucky to meet 1 today. This girl is also a very well-made bitch. She has a beautiful head and expression, lovely dark eyes, her ears are well set on and they are used to give her a very mischievous expression. Her mouth is good and her bite correct. She has a lovely slender yet strong neck, an excellent chest, straight front, ample bone and good cat feet. She has a good topline, a well set on tail, excellent rear angles and a well developed second thigh. Her coat is clean white and her spotting is of correct size, well distributed and of the darkest pigment. On the move she is focussed, she moves with ease, has excellent reach and drive.

3. Emmett & Simons Frankish It’s A Sin at Ellemstra NAF TAF

Junior Bitch 6(1)

1. Scott-Allen & Davis' Dallydyl Code Breaker - 11.5-month-old liver. As puppy bitch

2. Tavill’s Sophtspot Match Maker – 18-month-old black. A much smaller type than 1. A very feminine bitch, her head is of correct size, her eyes are dark, her ears correctly set on and well broken. She has a good mouth with correct bite. She has a slender neck, a straight front, excellent chest and cat feet. I would prefer more bone. She has a well-muscled body with a well-developed second thigh. She has a good tail set which she carries well, her coat is clean white with well distributed spots. She has excellent movement, fabulous reach and drive and is handled perfectly. A really nice bitch.

3. Cattermole’s Jasquarella Ice Queen of Kalvadene

Yearling Bitch 4(0)

The first two in this class were very similar in attributes that I was looking for today. I am sure that they will often change places. It was difficult to split them.

1. England & Eden's Dalens Queen Of The Seas At Silverspot- 2 year old black. She has a very pretty head, so feminine, with beautifully well broken correctly set on ears and lovely dark eyes. Her mouth is good and her bite correct. She has a lovely slender yet strong neck, she has a good straight front with ample bone and good cat feet. She has a lovely topline, is well bodied and has a well developed second thigh. She has a well set on tail that is held well on the move and on the stand. Her coat is in excellent condition with more spotting than in some today however this doesn’t detract from her quality. She moves with power and drives well from behind. I could see this girl running behind a carriage as she had perfect carriage dog movement. Expertly handed. I really liked her.

2. Neath-Duggan & Baker's Buffrey Carry On Emmanuelle With Dalleaf– Almost 2 year old black. This girl has a pretty, feminine head, lovely dark eyes a good mouth with correct bite. Her ears are correctly set on, well broken and she uses them to her advantage giving her a curious expression. She has a slender strong neck, a straight front, good feet and has ample bone. Her chest is deep, she has a good topline and a well-developed second thigh. Her tail is correctly set on and carried well. Her coat is in excellent condition, with deep pigmented spotting. On the move she is correct fore and aft, she moved with drive from behind. Her handler gets the most from her. Lost out today to 1 on movement.

3. Nicholson’s Steyndal Simply The Best at Dibynn

Maiden Bitch 2(3)

1. Derrick & Ryan's Kalokairie's Hocus Pocus - 18-month-old liver. A very pretty, feminine bitch with a good head, correct amber eyes, her ears are correctly set on and well broken. She has a good mouth with correct bite. She has a beautiful slender yet strong neck, a straight front and cat feet. I would prefer some more bone on her as she is a little fine. Her tail is well set on and held well on the move and the stand. Her coat is immaculate, her spots are of good size and of a lovely liver colour. I would prefer more even spotting. On the move she moved well however I would prefer more drive.

2. Powell's Kentwone Hold On Tight – Almost 1 year old liver. A heavier spotted bitch than 1 with a good head, pretty amber eyes framed with rich liver spotting, she has well set on ears which she uses well and a good mouth with correct bite. She has a straight front with good feet. Her coat is in good condition, clean white with beautifully rich liver spotting of a good size. She moved well but like 1, I would prefer more drive.

Novice Bitch 6(2)

1. Scott-Allen & Davis' Dallydyl Code Breaker - 11.5-month-old liver. As puppy bitch.

2. Tavill’s Sophtspot Match Maker – 18-month-old black. As junior bitch.

3. Cattermole’s Jasquarella Ice Queen of Kalvadene

Graduate Bitch 9(0)

1. Sampson's Tyrodal Seven Of Nine At Dalstorm- 2.5 year old liver. This girl has a lovely strong yet feminine head, with amber eyes, well set on ears beautifully spotted which she uses oh so well. I absolutely love her expression. She has a good mouth with correct bite, a strong yet feminine neck, she has a fabulous front: strong, straight with excellent bone and tight cat feet. Her chest is deep and capacious, she has a lovely even topline, her tail is well set on and carried well on the stand and on the move. She is in fantastic condition, well-muscled but not at all over done and she has a well-developed second thigh with excellent rear angles. Her coat is clean white with lighter spotting than some. On the move she is almost faultless. She moves with purpose; like she is behind a carriage, correct from every angle. Litter sister to 1st in novice dog and definitely cut from the same mould! Very pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch.

2. Hobbs & Whiting's Rapanooey Ragdoll – 3.5-year-old black. A very pretty bitch with a lovely feminine head, dark eyes, well set on ears that she uses well. Her mouth is good with a correct bite, she has a good neck, a straight front, ample bone and excellent cat feet. She has a deep chest, good rear angles and a well-developed second thigh. Her tail is well set on, carried well and she is so happy, her tail didn’t stop wagging. Her coat is pure white with beautifully pigmented black spots of a good size and well distributed. She is a powerful mover, has power and drive and is totally at one with her handler. Unlucky to meet 1 who brought her A game today.

3. Jones Dallydyl Merry Fortune.

Post Graduate Bitch 9(0)

1. Burrows Ellemstra Tough Cookie At Shacarlu - Almost 4 year old black. This is a bitch who I have admired from ringside since she first caught my eye as a young puppy. I was thrilled to see her here today. Such a showy bitch that screams “look at me” as soon as she enters the ring. She has the most beautiful feminine head with correctly set on broken ears which she uses to her advantage, they frame her face perfectly and give her such a mischievous expression. Her mouth is good and her bite correct. She has a beautiful, slender yet powerful neck, a perfectly straight front with excellent round bone and tight cat feet. Her chest is deep and capacious and her ribs well sprung. She has a straight level topline and her tail flows perfectly off of her back, held perfectly on the stand and on the move. She is amply muscled all over, not at all over done, with a well developed second thigh. Her coat is clean white with well pigmented spots of correct size which are well distributed. She brings all of these together so well on the move. She is so well balanced, moving powerfully with a smooth rhythmic action and is correct fore and aft. My notes say “wow”. She literally couldn’t give any more and gives her handler a run for her money. Over the moon to award her Best Bitch, Best Black Bitch, Reserve Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex

2. Hartley & Griffiths Miragua Heart To Heart – Almost 4 year old black. A very pretty bitch with a feminine head, with heavily spotted well set on ears that give her a gentle expression. She has a good mouth with correct bite. She has a lovely long feminine yet strong neck, a good straight front, ample bone and good cat feet. Her chest is deep and she has a good topline with a well set on tail that is carried well on the move and the stand. She has a pure white coat with the darkest of pigment. Heavier spotted than others but this does not at all detract from her beauty. Her movement is rhythmic and steady which is what the standard looks for, they are endurance dogs after all. She keeps her topline well on the move. Handled very well.

3. Jones Dallydyl Merry Fortune

Limit Bitch 10(1)

1. Richardson's Mapplewell Limited Edition - Almost 2-year-old black. Litter sister to my Best in Show and so much like him. She has a beautiful feminine head, dark eyes and well set on darkly spotted ears. Her mouth is good and her bite correct. She has a strong, powerful neck, straight front, excellent round bone and good cat feet. She has an excellent deep chest and a lovely straight topline with a well set on tail that she carries well on the stand and on the move. She is well muscled without being overdone and has a well developed second thigh. Her coat is clean white with lovely dark spots of correct size and they are well distributed. She is so attentive to her handler. Her movement is excellent, fluid and powerful with excellent drive from behind. Another who would look great behind a carriage. A very nice bitch who pushed hard in the challenge.

2. Tingey's Dallyador Secret Addiction – 3-year-old black. Longer cast than 1. She has a very pretty feminine head, dark eyes, her ears are correctly set on and perfectly well broken. She has a good mouth with correct bite, a good strong yet still feminine neck, a straight front with ample bone and cat feet. She has a deep chest, a good topline and a well set on tail that is carried well on the stand and on the move. Her coat is clean white with dark spotting of smaller size than 1 but very evenly distributed. She is excellent on the move, fluid, moving with drive. Her handler knows how to get the best out of her.

3. Kaal’s Dallydyl Dream of Manderley to Olbero

Open Bitch 4(1)

1. Offordale Anastasia Avec Millbelle JW - 6-year-old black. This bitch was my surprise of the day, one I have not seen for a long time and she has matured beautifully. She has the most feminine of heads, which she holds slightly cocked which gives her a very mischievous expression! She has lovely dark eyes, her ears are well set and perfectly broken, they frame her face so well. Her mouth is good and her bite correct. Her neck is long, slender, powerful yet still feminine, her front is straight, she has good round bone and excellent cat feet. She has an excellent deep chest, a fabulous level topline and a perfectly well set on tail that she never stopped wagging. Her coat is clean white with correctly sized spots of even distribution. Her movement is a joy to watch, she has great reach and moves with drive from behind. Most certainly fit for purpose. I really like this bitch very much. She pushed strongly in the challenge.

2. Jones Dallydyl Merry Fortune – 3.5-year-old liver. This lovely girl was in 4 classes today and the more she showed, the better she got. I think this may be because her handler relaxed more as the day went on. This was her highest place today and she deserves a critique. She has a pretty feminine head, lovely amber eyes, correctly set on well broken ears. She did fly her ears a bit in this class which can detract from her expression which when carried well is so kind and soft. She has a good mouth with correct bite. She has an excellent strong yet feminine neck, a straight front, excellent round bone, good cat feet. She has a deep, capacious chest a good topline with well set on tail which she carries well on the move and on the stand. She wagged it all the way through this class. Her coat is clean white with deep, rich liver spots which are of correct size and well distributed. She has excellent movement, moving with reach and drive, the “head down” movement that you see when a dog runs correctly behind a carriage. Carrying a tad too much weight today. Half-sister to the Best Puppy Bitch and I can certainly see a similarity. Another very nice bitch.

3. De Rozario’s Jemblewood Jelly Bean (IKC)

Special Junior Veteran Bitch 10(3)

1. Gardner's Ch Dvojica Black Again At Wrendragge JW ShCM - 9 year old black. A very worthy champion with a pretty, feminine head with such a lovely expression, dark eyes, correctly set on well broken ears which she uses well. She has a good mouth and correct bite. She has a lovely slender feminine neck, a straight front with excellent round bone and tight cat feet. She has a deep chest, a good level topline, well set on tail that she carries beautifully on the move. She is well muscled without being overdone. She is extremely attentive to her handler. She has a clean bright white coat with correctly sized and well distributed spotting. On the move she has such reach and drives well from behind. Another who holds her topline very well on the move.

2. Hartley & Griffiths Creaganbrec Glory Be At Miragua – Almost 9 year old black. A pretty bitch with a soft expression and a feminine head, dark eyes, well set on ears which are more heavily spotted than some. She has a good mouth with correct bite. She has a strong neck, a straight front with good bone. She has a good chest and a well developed second thigh. Her tail is well set on and carried well on the stand, she was a very happy girl, wagging the whole time. Her movement was correct from fore and aft with drive from behind.

3. Tingey’s Dallyador The Enchanteress JW

Special Senior Veteran Bitch 3(0)

1. Wareham's Tamilanda Blue Water Lilly At Dotsadaisy ShCM - 10.5 year old black. I have judged this bitch a few times and she is a lovely girl with a real character! She has a lovely feminine head with dark eyes, correctly set on ears that are well broken. These are used perfectly and give her such a mischievous expression. She has a good mouth with correct bite. Her neck is strong yet feminine, an excellent deep chest, straight front with ample bone. She has a good topline, a well set on tail that never stops wagging and a well developed second thigh. She is well muscled without losing any of her femininity and is in excellent condition. Her coat is clean white with correctly sized and well distributed spots. Her movement is effortless, she has reach and drive and seems to have lost none of this since I last judged her a few years ago. The more she moves, the better she looks. Expertly handled. Very pleased to give her Best Veteran Bitch. She certainly gave the dog a run for his money in the challenge for Best Veteran. It was a close call.

2. Thorner's Tolutim Evensong At Naracoopa ShCM– Almost 11 year old black. Such a feminine bitch with a pretty head and lovely dark eyes, her ears are well set on and broken. She has a good mouth with correct bite. She has a good strong neck, a straight front, ample bone and excellent tight cat feet. Her topline is good and she holds it well on the move. Her tail is well set on and held well on the stand and on the move, she is in excellent condition for her age with good muscle tone. Her coat is clean white with dark pigment and correctly sized and well distributed spots. Her movement belies her age. She moves with ease, she has reach, drive and power. I honestly cannot believe she is almost 11.

3. Bolt’s Botonneux Galathea at Gemmont

Brace 6(4)

1. Chappell & Williams Brace – Black dog and liver bitch, quite different in type to each other however they were very attentive to their handler and moved very well together.

2. Kembrey’s Brace – brother and sister, both livers and just six months at their first show. Very brave handler to use puppies in a brace but they moved OK, I would be interested to see this brace when these puppies are adults.

Sarah-Jane Finch (Dalticino)