• Show Date: 23/06/2023
  • Show Type: Championship Show
  • Judged by: Derfel Owen Contact Judge
  • Published Date: 28/07/2023

Blackpool & District Canine Society

Breed: Toy Group

Blackpool Championship Show - Toy Group

What a great privilege to be invited to judge my first toy group at Blackpool, one of the friendliest and most popular shows of the year. Especially touching for me, as my very first dog show, where I caught the bug, was here 30 years ago and so it felt doubly special. My thanks to the society and committee for inviting me.

I could not have asked for a better line up, this group was full of quality and I really was spoiled for choice. My shortlist was from the top drawer and I would quite happily have found a place for each of them. My shortlist included the Cavalier, Chapman & Ireland’s Ch Ellemich American Express, graceful and masculine with a lovely gentle expression; the English Toy Terrier, Haffenden & Wood’s Ch Witchstone Minniehaha at 6 years old is still powering around the ring with elegance, soundness and a typical ETT extended trot; Japanese Chin, Lindsay’s Ch Cranvarl Roger at Anjuli JW, delighted me with beautiful head, and typical expression, he moved with aristocratic flair and confidence; and the Pug, Pike’s Rhodenash Stella Dreams of Eivisah JW, her movement is textbook, typical gentle roll to the hindquarters as she moves away and effortless and purposeful in profile. 

It was time to split hairs and make the top placings:

Group 1 - Chinese Crested, Dunlop’s Ch Habiba Hold My Purse. Watching her move is a delight, she fills the ring, gracefully covering the ground with ease, reaching out with confidence built on a balanced and well constructed body. She has an immaculate head, cleanly chiselled and correctly proportioned with dark eyes looking expectantly at her latest admirer! Thrilled to award her the top honours in very tough competition.

Group 2 - Miniature Pincher, Watkins & Budgen’s aptly named Hawksflight Hot Pursuit. He’s a great example of the breed, so sound and well constructed and shows with great flair, confidence and spirit. He has a great head, elongated and clean with dark eyes, a strong and gracefully arched neck flowing into his shoulders and strong straight and slightly sloping back. He moves with drive and a good lift in front.

Group 3 - Bichon Frise, Mault’s Ch Limartine Mr Blue. Enjoyed getting my hands on this man, and feeling the substance and construction that make him such a sound and effortless mover. Typical and correctly proportioned head with dark and expressive eyes. 


Group 4 - Papillon, Robb’s Ch Gleniren Daddy's Starmaker. Dainty, elegant, sound and moving with great confidence. She scores in her head, proportionate with well set and large ears that she carries at the correct angle, giving the distinctive image of this breed. 

Derfel Owen