Ladies Kennel Association

I would like to thank the LKA Committee for this invitation to judge the breed I have dedicated the last 25 years to. I was grateful to the exhibitors who thought me worthy of giving you my opinion on your dogs; it was a numerically impressive entry. My stewards were very efficient and good company. I found the breed to be in very good order and I was encouraged and optimistic about the future. In both dogs and bitches I could have happily awarded several CC’s; something I’ve not experienced to this degree in my previous appointments. It was really satisfying to see new exhibitors and breeders beginning to develop their won kennels/lines. I look forward to seeing, and hopefully judging, the future generations.

A very encouraging start to the day. Three nice pups at different stages of their development and training. I am sure they will change places through the forthcoming show season. MPD (4,1) 1st PARTINGTON-PALMER, Mrs C & PALMER, Mr Leslie Roy Etruria Hear The Word. A masculine and well grown lad and the most mature of the class. A real classic quality head. Typical wedge-shape with flat top to back skull. Long and narrow with enough foreface and firm chin. Correct scissor bite. Dark almond eye. Graceful neck with slight arch into well laid shoulders which was so evident on the move. Angulation back and front matched. Well bodied with nice bone for his age and good muscle tone. Lovely black shiny jacket, rich tans and correct markings. The best mover in the class today; drives from behind with extension in front. Can flatten a little on the move and can look a little longer cast but plenty of time for him to fill out in chest and drop in brisket. Very sound all way. Put down in lovely condition and superbly handled. 2nd SHEVCHENKO, Ms Maria Ettology making Mischief. Another promising puppy with lots to like. Neat head piece, erect ears and almond eyes. Ideal size and bone. Elegant whilst still masculine without coarseness. Tans and markings all in good order. Compact in body with good topline stood; gentle unexaggerated curves. Didn’t move as well as the winner today but put on a good enough performance to secure 2nd spot. Presented in excellent condition. 3rd WINES, Mr Haydonn. Etruria Sat The Word. Another lovely pup of correct size and litter brother to the class winner. Super classic wedge-shaped head and small dark almond eye. Stood he presents a super picture displaying the correct, gentle curve to his top line. Sadly unsettled on the move today and picking up in front which cost him today.

PD (3,2) 1st IMRIE, Mrs W Norris Amalric Butch Cassidy. Very eye-catching lad. Mature for his age and ticks so many boxes he is already capable of competing with the older boys; he fits the standard so well. He has a super head. Classic, long, narrow wedge with erect ears of correct size. Strong jaw with clean scissor bite more than capable of dispatching a rat. Flat back skull with good fill under his dark almond shape eyes. A beautiful head from all angles. Good arch to neck into excellent well laid shoulders. He is in immaculate condition. Well bodied and super muscle tone (he doesn’t want any more). Excellent top line displaying the characteristic gentle curves of the breed. Sound all ways and moves with real drive from muscular quarters and well let down hocks. Covers ground with ease displaying the desire extended trot. His coat is short and shiny, tans are rich and has all the markings in the right places to top it all off. Very well handled which presents this handsome dog to absolute advantage. I shall watch his career with a genuine interest. No hesitation in making him Best of Breed. DOG CC & BOB & BPIB

JD (3,0) Three different styles and sizes here. When judging I pick those that demonstrate real breed type and adhere to my interpretation of the standard. I then hope they are sound and can move correctly. 1st OAKDEN, Mr ANTHONY & CONWAY, Mr Paul Spawood Run For Cover. Screams breed type and easily recognisable by those who appreciate it. By comparison with the Dog CC winner this young lad is a ‘slow burner’ and will only improve with age and development. Won this class easily on breed type. Overla a good shape displaying gentle curves. He is elegant with fine bone but in no way weak. Neat classic head piece with erect candle flame ears held high. Balanced wedge with flat skull and good arch to his neck. Small dark almond eyes with a real terrier look that follows you in the ring. He is of very good size with rich tans. Moved ok but could be a little tidier back and forth but he could not be denied the RCC being so correct in size, bone and breed type. One that will just get better and better I’m sure. RDCC. 2nd SUMMERFIELD, Mr Jonathan KIKUCHI MAVERICK. A larger boy and still a puppy; I wouldn’t want him to grow any bigger. Has a typical head piece. Clean in cheek and good fill under his almond shaped eyes which could be a fraction darker. Erect ears, flat back skull and good wedge-shaped head from all angles. Well bodied and in super condition. Lighter tans but clear and with good contrast. Excellent black jacket. Well-handled and moved ok. 3rd Snell’s Skin Deep’s Mint Condition. Was sadly late into the ring and so all very rushed which unsettled him completely today.

PGD (1,0) 1st: 562 SNELL, Mrs C Moretonia Royal Navy. No mistaking he is a Dog; masculine with a strong wedge-shaped head. I wouldn’t want him any bigger. Flat back skull with width to balance the length of his head. Dark almond eye and alert expression. Excellent bite; the real look of a rat killer and definitely fit for function. A little hesitant on the table. Initially a little rushed but once settled really comes into his own on the move displaying a super side gait. He drives from well let down hocks and muscled quarters. Here is your extended trot and got better the more he moved. Very reminiscent off the Jayzztoys ETT’s of a few years ago. Will look forward to seeing him in the summer in a large outdoor ring with the sun on his back.

LD (5,1) 1st FORSYTHE, Mr R & PEVY, Mr Ryan Kikuchi Hollywood. A 9th month old puppy and brother to 2nd in Junior. UP to size for his age and would not want him to grow any more. Lovely head piece with long narrow wedge. Neat ear right on top with flat back skull. Small almond shape eyes which could be a little darker. Scissor bite and firm chin. Well filled under the eye. Elegant arched neck into clean shoulders. Longer cast in body which was well covered and in good condition. At the leggy puppy stage at the moment. Well trained and moves out well. Sound away and back. At one with his handler making a complete picture that cannot be ignored. 2nd ALLSOP, Miss Lucinda Pelugias Naughty Dreams. This lad is a better shape and size than the winner but could not match him for muscle tone, condition and showmanship. Neat wedge-shaped head with flat back skull, strong jaw and correct scissor bite. Eyes of almond shape but could be slightly darker. Compact in body displaying the correct gentle curves. Moved well in profile but was wide in front coming towards. Tans and markings all in good order.

OD (3 0) A really close decision between the first two and I changed my mind several times. Different styles and ages with the younger dog getting the nod with an ‘on his toes’ performance; animated and keen. 1st DENNISON, Mr Kirk Ch Ettology Bounteous Barney JW. A very worthy Champion; congratulations to the owner and breeder. A very sound dog from all angles. He is handled well and put down in super condition. His muscles are toned but not over-done and his black coat just shines but perhaps benefit from a little less coat dressing. Tans and marking are all in good order. He is elegant but still masculine and in a good size range for a male. His head is balanced with a flat back skull and just enough foreface. His eyes are a larger and a bit paler than some which spoils his expression for me; he has more of a kind expression. He moved out well and never put a foot wrong. He was attentive to his handler at all times. Moved with real enthusiasm which won him the class. 2nd HOWARD, Mrs Cecilia Margaret & HOWARD, Mr Donald LASAGESSE STARMAN. Much more mature than the winner now rising 6 years of age. I found to be a better overall shape than the winner; very typical in outline. Displaying better gentle curves and a better angle to his croup giving him a perfect tail set. Lovely arch to his neck into well laid shoulders. Excellent depth to his chest and spring of rib with good tuck up. Well bodied and muscular but in no way overdone. Nice and short coupled. A masculine head with a long narrow wedge, flat back skull and high set ears. Small almond eyes (which were darker than the winners). Moved well but lacking the drive of the winner but those angulated forequarters allow real reach in front. Paler tans without the depth or contrast of the winner. Light thumbprints and now a little greying on muzzle. Thick black jacket in good order. Unlucky to meet the youngster on such top form.

GCD (1,0) 1st CROWLEY, Ms J Ir Ch Adargwn Brunel Bel Jun An Ch 22 Cen W Jt Cen. A masculine chap who I wouldn’t want any bigger. Although a larger dog overall he presents a balanced picture and is of good breed type. Clean wedge-shaped head with flat skull which I found a little wider than ideal; ears set right on top. Almond shape eye and enough foreface to balance. In good condition with obvious muscle tone. A little longer cast than some. Moved parallel away and back but lacked drive and therefore pace.

VD/B (4,1) Two lovely elder ladies ensured it was a close decision with the winners youth just giving her the edge and pipping Nancy to the post. Both in good order and a credit to their owners and moving very well for their respective ages. 1st FIERS, Mrs J & Mr P Thalcyon Springtime Star. Just in her Veteran years. Looking well and clearly enjoying her day out. Excellent long narrow wedge with flat back skull and width and length of muzzle to balance. Erect candle flame shaped ears set right on top. Almond shape eyes of good colour will full under. Correct scissor bite. Moving out really well today with drive and extension covering plenty of ground. A little longer cast and can flatten slightly on the move but very shapely overall stood. With a lovely low set tail which she carries well stood and on the move. BVIB. 2nd DICKER, Mrs D A Ch Neerodan Naughty Nancy VW. A worthy champion in good condition. Very typical in head. Good for size, fine and elegant. Displaying all the gentle curves that we require. Deep chest with good tuck up and nice and short-coupled. Like us all there are some ‘greying’ signs of age as there are for us all. Just lost her top line on the move tending to dip towards her withers but moved away and back well enough.

MPB (3,0) 1st PETERS, Mrs Lesley & PETERS, Mr Derek Ettology Cherry Bakewell At Troyse. Was the steadiest of the three babies here and showing herself to her best advantage. An ideal size and very typical in outline; elegant and feminine. Lovely neat balanced head piece with erect candle flame shape ears. Good teeth with scissor bite. Presents a really shapely picture and was handled to get the very best out of her. Coped very well for one so young given the occasion and the noisy hall. 2nd PENDLEBURY, Mrs Catherine Gillings Dark Angel. Not so confident as the winner today both on the table and when moving on the floor. Correct long narrow wedge-shaped head with ears set high up on her skull. Longer in the body than Cherry Bakewell and tended to flatten at times both stood and on the move. Had good drive and extension in side gait but not as tidy as the winner coming towards and going away. Rich tans and jet black jacket with markings a in all the right places. Just needs time.

PB (4,1) 1st SERMAN, Mrs CHRISTINE & EVISON, MR L KIKUCHI MULBERRY. A natural show girl who stands well and has a very good rapport with her owner/handler. Neat wedge-shaped head with candle flamed shape ears set high and almond eyes. Enough back skull with length of muzzle to balance. Arched neck and well laid shoulders. Top line needs to strengthen and can break slightly on the move but just a baby still. A very confident mover driving from behind with good extension in front; parallel away and back. Black jacket shining beautifully with really dark tans; sadly thumbprints have started to run already. Very deserving of her Best Puppy Bitch award. 2Nd PENDLEBURY, Mrs Catherine Gillings Dark Angel.

JB(3,0) Two very promising youngsters. They both just need a little more training, time and control on the move as both are capable of winning top honours. 1st HARMAN, Mr T & Mrs J & WOOD, Mr J Nasabe It's On The Cards For Boimans. She makes an absolutely textbook silhouette stood displaying all the gentle, unexaggerated curves of the breed. Super top line, correctly angled croup and low set tail. A beautiful feminine head with long narrow wedge with flat back skull. Dark almond shape eyes and ears set high. Correct scissor bite. Very elegant neck with slight arch. Perfect top line. On the move the handler struggled to get the better of his live wire charge although she did enough to win the class. Once given the chance to move again she started to settle and put her mind to it she proved, as her construction suggests, she can move with drive and a really good extended trot. 2nd DIXON, Mrs Lisa Jane & DIXON, Mr Graeme Lasagesse Black Magic Woman. When stood she makes the perfect breed outline. She is an ideal size, elegant and has real breed type; a combination that is definitely not easy to breed. Good wedge-shaped head but preferred the expression of the winner. Strong white teeth and scissor bite. Slight arch to neck and compact in body. In immaculate fit condition with jet black, shiny jacket and rich tans with good markings. Like the winner, she too needs to time to finish maturing and settle on the move.

PGB (7,1) And so the quality continues with two super bitches battling out for the top two places and several others capable of winning top honours. Just minor small preferences separating the first two. It really does bode well for the breed with so many quality bitches throughout the classes. 1st DOWSON, Mrs Roseanne & DOWSON, Mr Wayne LASAGESSE GO YOUR OWN WAY WITH BINKOTA. This young lady kept drawing my eye. She is elegant, a very good size, short-coupled and shapely; full of gentle curves. A neat package who really drives from her let down hocks and well angulated quarters. Her well laid shoulders and balanced angles allow her to really extend. She was handled perfectly to show of these virtues on the move. Her head is a balanced wedge with dark eye. She just tends to bonnet her ears slightly which is a distraction and interrupts the clean lines of her head. On size, shape and movement she won the class today. The more she moved the more I liked her and is more than capable of winning a CC. 2nd JOHNSON, Ms H Moretonia Royal Wren. Unlucky to meet the winner on such cracking form. A different style of bitch but one that is still more than CC worthy. She has a beautiful head; so feminine. A balanced long narrow wedge. Dark almond eye and super expression, flat back skull and high set candle flame shaped ears. Longer all through than the winner. Not quite as compact and can flatten slightly in top line on the move; she is young and still has time to drop in chest and fill out. In superb condition with defined muscle tone. Black shiny jacket and rich tans with well-defined markings. Moved with drive. Sound away and back and showed good extension in front. A really nice bitch handled well to show off her virtues.

LB (3,0) 1st HAFFENDEN, Mrs Hazel & WOOD, Mr Jack Nasabe Play The Game JW. A worthy class winner and one that is also more than capable of winning CC’s. A beautiful quality feminine bitch; so elegant. A stunning head with a long narrow wedge; just the right width, a good length and firm chin. High set candle flame shaped ears. Small dark almond eyes. Perfect scissor bite. Loved her expression and so alert. Such a classic ETT head piece. Elegant neck with slight arch. Jet black gleaming coat and so well-conditioned. Rich tans and markings all in good order. Moved with drive and good extension. Parallel away and back. Still a young bitch and she still has to mature and drop in chest so she looks a little longer cast than my two more compact principle winners. That’s said she is so elegant throughout with that stunning head and I one that appealed greatly. 2nd DICKER, Mrs D A Neerodan Thyme Bomb. A more mature bitch of correct size and shapely enough stood. Wedged shaped head but not the eyes or expression of the winner. Nice and short coupled but lost her top line on the move and tended to dip to her withers which detracted.

OB (8,0) A strongly contended class of quality class of bitches with lots to like about many of them which bodes well for future generations. 1st EVISON, Mr Liam Winter Star At Kikuchi JW. A fully mature bitch looking so well for her nearly 6 years of age. She is of a size and shape to create the perfect ETT silhouette. She was fit and conditioned with good muscle tone. She has such a super shapely short-coupled body displaying all the gentle curves of the breed with a textbook top line, well angled croup and the very best low set tail. No flatness of lines or straight angles here. Long narrow wedge-shaped head with high set candle flame shaped ears. Dark eyes which could be a little more almond in shape. Elegant neck with slight arch into well laid shoulders. Black jacket with good tans and sufficient contrast given her age; thumbprints have run slightly. Just comes alive on the move and her handler took advantage and really got the best out of her. So sound away and back in in profile drives and reaches for the perfect extended trot. BCC. Congratulations on a well-deserved Champion title. 2nd DIXON, Mrs Lisa Jane & DIXON, Mr Graeme Ch Lasagesse Californication JW. Another small shapely bitch and worthy of her Champion title. Very elegant and correctly proportioned. Nice and short coupled giving her that classic ETT outline. Wedge shaped head but not quite as long and refined as I would like. Good eye shape and colour. Scissor bite and strength to her jaw. Moved with a collected trot holding her tail low and well-handled to show off her virtues. Super coat, so short and dense and body in fit condition. Tans rich and markings all correct. Won the RCC against tough younger competition on her maturity combined with her compact body, typical silhouette and overall performance. RBCC.

GCB (1,0) 1st CROWLEY, Ms J Ir Ch Bel Ned Adargwn Vienna Bel Jun Cen.W Cen.JW. A good-sized bitch; nice and shapely with gentle unexaggerated curves so characteristic of the breed. Neat wedge-shaped head with enough width to balance length. High set ears of good shape and size. Scissor bite with firm chin. Correct almond eyes which are nice and dark. Black shiny jacket with paler tans and lacking thumbprints. Didn’t seem happy today and lacked a little confidence on the table. Much happier on the floor where she moved out well and showed good drive and extension in side gait.

JUDGE – ANDREW LEONARD (WITCHSTONE)