East Anglian Whippet Club

East Anglian Whippet Club – Limited Show

8th July 2023

My sincerest apologies for the delay in the release of my critique. I totally understand the frustration of many of the exhibitors who have more than patiently waited for this critique, and I can assure you it was not my intention for this to be so prolonged. I was unfortunate to have lost my previous written copy with changing jobs shortly after the show, followed by a tough back end of 2023 which took my mind elsewhere. I hope for many of the exhibitors in the awards this finds you well and I thankyou again for your patience.

Many thanks to the committee of EAWC for their invitation to judge at their Limited show at such a lovely sunny outdoor show and to my ring stewards who both worked hard ensuring everything moved smoothly on the day. I was pleased with the quality of the entry; I had some hard decisions to make in a lot of the classes and not enough prize cards to give out.

I feel maybe the heat unfortunately affected some exhibits performance more than others which possibly on a less hot day some of the whippets could have changed places, however, really pleased with my final line up of dogs and bitches, all of which were of breed type, correct for size and had lovely movement in all directions.

Special Racing/Lure coursing Bitch (4,0)

1 Webber’s, Zoraden Fifty Shades Darker JW. (Best Racing/Lure Coursing in Show)

Black bitch shown in excellent condition and coat. Lovely for size, pleasing head and eye, with a kind expression. Good length of neck into well placed shoulders, flowing topline and matching underline. Strong hindquarters with ample muscle which she used on the move. She really excels in movement, in profile and coming/going, even in the heat she didn’t lighten up, continued to drive out which won her Best Special Racing/Lure coursing.

2 Soffe’s, Penbriar Rocket Star.

Pleasing feminine fawn brindle bitch, another shown in lovely condition. Lovely head and expression, good depth of brisket and nice curves over the loin with a matching tuck up. Good hindquarters and muscle tone, another which strides out well in profile movement, a shame to come up against 1st on the day.

3 Robinson’s, Whippiness Tornado Takeoff

Minor Puppy Bitch (2,0)

1 Whitehead & Smith’s, Crème Anglaise’s lady Bridgerton of Citycroft (Imp NLD) (BPIS)

 Super pretty, 6 month old fawn parti bitch. I wrote in my notes “wow”, what a gorgeous puppy. Lovey for size, beautiful head and melting expression. Good length of neck into well placed shoulders. Good front assembly and depth for her age. Liked her overall balance and flowing topline with gently curve over the loin. Excelled in profile movement for her age, lovely low sweeping movement and good extension in front whilst still holding her topline. I just couldn’t take my eyes off her in the puppy challenge – BPIS.

2 Nicholson’s, Crosscrop Can I get It.

 Feminine brindle bitch of 6 months old, shown in lovely condition. Good for size, pleasing head and expression. Nice length of neck into shoulders, good depth of chest for her age and pleasing curvy outline. Good hindquarters and well let down hocks. Moved out well in all directions.

Puppy Bitch (3,0)

1 Head’s, Demerlay Ebony Eyes.

 Feminine brindle bitch of 10 months old. Great condition, lovely fine coat and neat feet. Nice head and eye with a pleasing expression. Good length of neck and well-developed front assembly for her age with good depth of chest. Pleasing overall topline and nice hind quarters, strong, and well let down hocks. Great movement in all directions, particularly in profile.

2 Barne’s, Doddridge Strictly Cha Cha.

 Pretty 11 month old blue brindle bitch. Lovely head, nice eye with a kind expression and strong jaw. Good length of nice into well placed shoulders. Good depth of chest and front for her age. Flowing topline and underline, shown in strong condition with ample muscle in her hindquarters which she used in the move. Moved well in all directions, would have just preferred a little move coverage across the loin.

3 Ellam’s, Demerlay Angel Eyes,

Junior Bitch (6,1)

1 Johnston & Wilson’s, Danluke Don’t I Know It.

Feminine brindle bitch. Pretty head and kind expression, nice length of neck into well laid-back shoulders. Good front assembly, depth of brisket and spring of rib. Strong hind quarters and well let down hocks. Excels in profile movement, plenty of reach and drive in all directions which won her the class.

2 Perkin’s, Kierpark Just a Song at Zeglynn.

Red brindle bitch shown in great condition and neat feet. Pleasing head and expression, lovely topline with a nice curve over the loin and tuck up to match. Great rear angulation and muscle tone. Moved out well, true coming and going, just didn’t have the extension in front as 1 in the profile movement.

3 Maxwell’s, Maccus Fire Will Reign.

Yearling Bitch (4,1)

1 Mason’s, Veredon Laurent Perrier for Aphrael.

Pretty pale fawn bitch of a good size. Lovely shape to her head and eye. Good length of neck into correct shoulder placement. Lovely depth of chest and overall topline with a slight rise over the loin. Good width in rear, moved out well in all directions, appreciated her true movement fore and aft.

2 Home & Fisher-Home’s, Jasarat Caramel Calypso.

Pretty feminine fawn bitch. Lovely shaped head with a kind expression and strong jaw. Admired her curvy topline and underline to match. Covered the ground well when stood, straight front with good pasterns. Good rear assembly, strong with ample muscle and well let down hocks. Moved really well in profile.

3 Perkin’s, Kierpark Just a Song at Zeglynn,

Novice Bitch (5,1)

1 Hills’s Shimmeree Calico’s Cupid.

Blue bitch with a lovely curvy outline. Nice, shaped head, pleasing on the eye and strong jaw. Lovely length of neck into well placed shoulders. Just the right amount of length in body with a nice rise over the loin and S curved underline to match. Neat feet, shown in great condition. Lovely movement in all directions.

2 Lokhart-Smith’s, Whipaway Star of Spring.

Pretty fawn bitch of a nice size with a pleasing head and fine ears. Slight spring in pasterns and neat feet. Good length in body, spring of rib, and nice angulation in rear. Shown in lovely condition and moved out well in profile.

3 Ellam’s, Demerlay Angel Eyes,

Graduate Bitch (10,0)

1 Head’s, Demerlay Ebony Eyes.

As above, winner of puppy bitch.

2 Hill’s, Shimmeree Cool Calico.

Blue bitch lovely for size with a pleasing head and expression. Nice length of neck, straight in front and slight sprint in pasterns. Liked her curvy outline, good spring of rib and definite tuck up. Shown in good muscle condition, Moved out well in all directions, true fore and aft.

3 Leathart’s, Ringmore Iona

Post Graduate Bitch (4,0)

1 Service & Poole’s, Crosscrop Proud Mary (Reserve Best Bitch).

I have admired this fawn and white parti bitch from the ringside and it was a pleasure finally to go over her. Ideal for size, height, and length of body. Feminine head, fine ears, strong jaw and sweetest of expressions. Good length of neck into correct shoulder placement. Lovely front assembly with a good depth of chest. You have to look past her markings but she is a balanced bitch when you get hands on her. Really good hindquarters with well let down hocks. Lovely movement in all directions, she has just enough reach in front without overdoing it creating that flowing movement holding her topline well. It was splitting hairs in the end but pleased to award her RBB.

2 Wilkinson’s, Silkridge Saffrom of Fletchgate.

Pretty fawn brindle and white bitch that had a lot going for her too. Pleasant head, nice eye and strong jaw. Lovely for size and overall outline. Good depth in front and strong hindquarters. Slight spring of pasterns and neat feet. Shown in great condition. Moved out well in profile, shame to come across 1 on the day.

3 Lipscombe’s Selinko Honeysuckle

Limit Bitch (8,1)

1 Maxwell’s Maccus Rosa Gallica Daphne JW.

Stunning red fawn bitch which was up there for top honours on the day, I wrote in my notes “beautiful” and she is. Balanced bitch with everything going for her. Lovely head, eye and melting expression. Graceful length of neck into well laid back shoulders. Good depth of chest, well ribbed, strong back and lovely curves. Front and rear angulations in proportion, neat feet, shown in beautiful coat condition. Excelled in movement, drove from the rear, and extended well in front. She gave a good account of herself in the bitch line up and I really was splitting hairs, a hard decision.

2 Whitehead & Smith’s Citycroft Seattle.

Pretty pale fawn bitch, good for size and overall balance. Lovely head, fine ears and kind expression. Good length of neck into correct shoulder placement. Had a lot of similar qualities to one, lovely topline and shown in great condition. Moved out really well in profile but just lost out to 1 with fore and aft movement wasn’t as clean.

3 Thomas’s Bowdonia Colours of the Wind

Open Bitch (7,2)

1 Johnston & Wilson’s Danluke Drag on a Dime JW

Feminine brindle bitch, of correct size and presents herself well in outline and pleasing expression. Nice length of neck and good front. Shown in good condition, neat feet and coat. Strong in rear hindquarters with ample muscle which she used on the move. Good extension in front and sound mover which won her the class.

2 Wilkinson’s Citycroft Starfall JW.

Pretty fawn bitch, stood taller than 1 but still presents a lovely balanced outline. Pleasing head, nice eye and expression. Nice length of neck into well filled front, classic topline shown in good condition. Moved well in all directions, very sound, a real shame to come up against 1 on the day.

3 Saxby’s Runaround Amazin Grace with Sandspring

Veteran Bitch (5,3)

1 Brown’s Ardencote Star Maker (BEST VETERAN BITCH/BVIS)

9-year-old feminine fawn bitch, shown in great condition not showing her age. Lovely for size, balanced in outline and just my type. Lovely head, eye and expression. Strong neck into correct shoulders, well filled in front and good depth of chest. Pleasing topline and matching underline. She moved out well in all directions, pleased to award her BVIS!

2 Leathart’s Ringmore Day Lily

Pretty fawn bitch, soon to be 9 years old and similar to one does not show her age. Lovely head, correct eye and expression, presents herself well in outline and has a classic whippet S shape. Shown in great condition, moved out well in all directions, just a shame to come up against 1 on the day.

Special Beginners Bitch (7,2)

1 Trouton’s Citycroft Grace Kelly of Runnel JW (Best Bitch, Best Special Beginners and BIS).

This fawn and white bitch is the reason you travel to the other end of the country to judge whippets, she my eye as soon as she walked into the ring. Ideal for size, lovely feminine head and kind expression. Her white markings on her neck can be deceiving, it does make her neck look longer but its just the right length when you get hands on. Lovely front, good depth of chest, well sprung ribs, lovely flowing topline and underline. Good construction front and rear giving her the balance, plenty of muscle which she used on the move. Excelled in movement in all directions, honestly what a find in sp. Beginners. I felt like she could’ve kept going and going, even in the heat. She just tipped is against the best dog to take BIS, something about her I couldn’t take my eye off of her. I wish her all the best in her show career will look out for her at the next show and maybe see her again in the future.

2 Longhurst’s Abbeyhurst Dancing Queen JW.

Lovely Blue fawn bitch of a different in type to 1 but has similar qualities to appreciate. Good for size, presented in lovely condition, neat feet and coat. Nice head, rose shaped ears and strong neck into well laid back shoulders. Good depth of chest, pleasing topline and underline with well sprung ribs. Moved out well in profile but just lost out to 1 coming and going.

3 Owen’s Mollytop Fancy Lady

Special Racing/Lure Coursing Dog (3,0)

1 Yeats & Winter’s, Zoraden Bright Star

Red fawn parti dog, good for size and shown in good hard condition. Pleasing masculine head and expression, strong neck which flows into his well laid back shoulders. Good depth of chest, flowing topline and underline to match. Ample of muscle, powerful rear which he used on the move. Moved well in all directions.

2 Webber’s, Denimblue Willdo JW

Blue dog, another shown in lovely condition with similar qualities to like as 1. Stood slightly taller than 1 but still presented a balanced in outline. Lovely head, nice eye and expression. Strong neck into well laid back shoulders. Well filled in front and good spring of rib. Nice gentle curve over the loin without exaggeration and strong rear. Moved out well in all directions, a tough decision between 1 & 2.

3 Leathart’s, Ringmore Dalrymple

Minor Puppy Dog (2,0)

1 Higginbottom’s, Ranveli Royal Duke of Dawnsafon

Pale fawn dog of 7 months old, presented in lovely condition. Good for size, masculine head and good reach of neck. Presented a lovely outline, nice topline with a slight curve over the loin when settled, gave his handler a tough time but moved out well in all directions. I am sure once he settles into himself, he will have a bright future ahead.

2 Ellis’s, Citycroft Jules Rimet from Railfield

Fawn Brindle dog of 7 months old. Good for size and shown in lovely condition. Nice head and eye, good length of neck with well placed shoulders. Presents an overall nice shape and outline, good hind angulation and well let down hocks. Moved out well in profile.

Puppy Dog (2,0)

1 Morris, Waddle & Mycroft, Springfern Wild Thing at Crosscrop (BPD)

Fawn dog of 10 months old. Pleasing head, eye and expression. Good length of neck into clean shoulders. Good length in body, gentle curve in topline and tuck up. Shown in lovely condition and coat. Still to mature in the body but moved out well in all directions. Pleased to award him BPD, unfortunate to come up against the puppy bitch in the final line up.

2 Brew’s, Nevedith Gold Blend

Fawn parti dog of 11 months old. Shown in lovely condition of a nice size. Pleasing head and eye, fine rose shaped ears. Good strong and length of neck into clean shoulders. Nice gentle topline, good width front and rear which he used in his movement, very sound in profile.

Junior Dog (5,1)

1 Webber’s Lolani Ride a Wild Trail JW

Brindle dog shown in lovely condition and coat. Pleasing head, nice eye and fine rose shaped ears. Strong muscled neck, nice front with a slight spring in pastern. Good spring of rib, length of topline with a gentle curve over the loin and tuck up. Well-muscled in rear with well let down hocks. Moved soundly in all directions, best mover in the class.

2 Yeat’s & Winter’s Zoraden Maserati

Fawn dog also shown in lovely condition. Masculine head, nice dark eye, strong jaw. Good length of neck into clean shoulders. Nice in front, good depth for age, pleasing topline and strong rear, well- muscled in rear. Held himself well in profile movement, just preferred the rear movement to 1 on the day.

3 Boxing Helena’s Victor Ena (Imp Bel)

Yearling Dog (4,2)

1 Dillon’s Dreamjet Float my Boat at Runforest JW

Fawn and whilte parti dog which presents himself well. Masculine head, kind dark eye and expression. Good length of neck into well placed shoulders. Lovely topline, and underline to match. Good rear angulation, broad thighs and well let down hocks. Best mover in the class, moved out well in all directions.

2 Bunny’s Bunehug Let it be me

Fawn dog presented in lovely condition and coat. Masculine head, nice eye and expression. Good length of neck in clean shoulders, good depth of chest and fill in front. Pleasing topline, good spring of rib and well-muscled in rear. Moved out well, just did not have the drive as 1.

Novice Dog (1,0)

1 Nicholson’s Supeta’s Have it your way

Fawn and white parti dog. Good for size and presented a nice overall outline. Pleasing head and expression. Good fill in front and depth of chest. Was a lot more settled this time round from his previous class, which allowed him to show his sound profile movement.

Graduate Dog (4,1)

1 Mould’s, Warden William (Reserve Best Dog)

Fawn brindle dog, which I wrote in my notes “Really Nice”. He is a sound balanced male. Lovely head and expression into a strong neck, nice front and good depth of chest. Good length in body, good spring of rib and curve over the loin and tuck up. Front and rear angulation complement each other well. Best mover in the class, true coming and going. Just did not have the oomph at the end against the BD which I am sure the heat played a part in.

2 Candler’s Maidenblower Maserati

Pale fawn dog shown in lovely condition, coat and neat feet. Stood taller than 1, but presented himself well. Nice head, strong jaw, and length of neck. Pleasing topline with classic S underline to match and good spring of rib. Good muscle tone which he used on the move, sound profile movement.

3 Kelsmonk kind of magic

Post Graduate dog (4,1)

1 Soffe’s, Zoraden Macchiato JW (Best Dog/RBIS)

Red fawn/black mask dog which I also made note “Very nice”. I have watched this dog from the ringside and admired him, so I was very glad to get hands on him. He presents himself well in stack and whilst on the move, his handler knows how to get the best out of him. Good for size, masculine head, dark eye and kind expression. Strong neck into a lovely front assembly one of the best of the day, good depth of chest, pleasing curvy topline. Front and rear angulation complement each other and with well let down hocks, no exaggerations. Good muscle tone which he uses on the move. His movement is effortless in profile and true coming and going. It really was splitting hairs between him and the bitch for BIS, he pushed hard. I wish him all the best in his show career in the future– well done!

2 Mould’s, Crosscrop Waterloo Sunset

Fawn brindle dog with some similar qualities to like as 1. Lovely masculine head, strong jaw and kind expression. Good length of neck into clean shoulders. Nice front, good depth of chest and presented a lovely outline. Good muscle tone in rear and moved out well. Would have preferred just a little bit more coverage over the ribs and reach in front.

3 Nunneley’s, Kelsmonk Kind of Magic

Limit Dog (4,2)

1 Brew’s Palmik Sir Percival

Brindle and white parti dog. Pleasing masculine head, dark eye and kind expression. Good length of neck into a well filled front and good depth of chest. Nice topline and underline to match. Tail well set and of a good length, shown in lovely coat condition and neat feet. Moved out best in class, true coming and going.

2 Bunny’s Bunehug Believe it or Not

Fawn brindle dog of a nice size and shape. Masculine head, nice eye and fine rose shaped ears. Good length in body and spring of rib with a pleasing topline. Shown in lovely condition, and moved out well in profile.

Open Dog (2,0)

1 Shepherd’s, Kidaruka its showtime at oxana JW

Lovely Red fawn dog of a nice size shown in great condition. Masculine head, strong jaw and fine rose shaped ears. Well-constructed front and rear no exaggerations. Good depth of chest and pleasing topline. Moved out well in all directions, true coming and going. Was highly considered for top honours on the day but just lost some oomph in the end probably due to the heat.

2 Winstone’s, Lolani Moonshine over Monelli JW

Fawn and white dog, again of a nice size shown in great condition. A lot of nice qualities similar to one, masculine head and nice eye, flowing clean lines throughout, stood over plenty of ground and moved out well in profile. Just preferred the underjaw of 1.

Veteran Dog (5,1)

1 Webber’s, Dark Wing

Black dog nearly 10 years old and not showing his age. Shown in lovely condition, pleasant head and eye, strong neck into clean shoulders, well filled in front and deep chest. Nice shapely topline into good angulated rear. Moved around the ring with ease even in the heat. BVD

2 Leathart’s Ringmore Dalrymple

Fawn dog nearly 9 years old again not showing his age. Masculine head and kind expression. Classic in shape and of a good size, shown in lovely condition and coat. Lovely topline and gentle rise over the loin with good amount of muscle in the rear. I feel he was feeling the heat, especially in movement, not as much drive as 1 but still gave a good account of himself.

3 Wilkinson’s, Rowangarth wind of change by flethgate

Special Beginners Dog (4,1)

1 Searle & Rawlinson, Reffton tibalt at Whipsearle JW (IMP ESP)

Red fawn dog good for size and shapely. Masculine head,m dark eye and fine rose shaped ears. Good length of neck into clean shoulders and front assembly with slight sprint of pasterns. Good depth of chest and spring of rib. Liked his overall topline and moved out well in all directions.

2 Trouton’s Runnel Run for Fun

Fawn dog of 7 years old but not showing his age. A lovely classic whippet boy in outline and presents himself well when stacked, balanced front and rear. Lovely head and kind expression. He possesses a lot of qualities to look for and made a great account of himself on the move. Moved out well with drive whilst holding his topline. Surprised he was not in the veteran class as well, a shame he came up against a youngster in this class.

3 Nicholson’s Supeta’s Have it your way

Heather Mckenzie (Aberlark)