Walsall & District Kennel Association

Dalmatian Firstly I would like to thank the society for inviting me to judge and for all of the hospitality provided and secondly I would like to thank my two very able stewards for making everything run so smoothly. Last but not least I would like to thank the exhibitors for giving me such a high quality of dogs to go over. With so many shows on over the bank holiday weekend, I’m honoured that you came under me. Tail sets are such a concern in the breed at the moment but my main winners all had correct tails. This is something breeders should be looking at because it really does spoil their elegant outline. PUPPY (6) This was the hardest class of the day. Six very nice puppies all at different stages of development - they ranged from seven months 1 week old to almost 10.5 months. They could all easily swap places on another day, and all of them deserved a placing. The ones lower in placings I have seen move much better at previous shows, so whether the ring was too small for them or they didn’t like the acoustics I’m not sure. But please don’t be disheartened as they really are all super pups, and placings were very close. 1st Stevenson’s Dallyador White Snowflake At Macula 8 month old very feminine black and white bitch who has a real “look at me” expression. Pretty face with correct ear set. Very attentive to her handler. Chest developing well, elegant neck and head and she is muscling up nicely in all the right places. Lovely bend of stifle, tight cat feet, she has near perfect even spotting, including on her ears, and is finished off with a correct tailset. Won this class on her movement, she strode out well for one so young while keeping her topline, on the final go around she didn’t put a foot wrong which won her the class. I will watch her progress with interest. BPIB 2nd Cuthbertson’s Kalsidoni Blue Gemstone 10 month old black spotted masculine boy with lovely deep pigment. Very close placing, but sadly he was just a bit out of coat and was playful on the move at times. Moves so nicely on a loose lead which gives him lovely reach and drive, with a powerful stride for one so young. He is just so well schooled. Very nice make and shape, well off for bone and he was having a lovely day out - even on the move he wags his tail. Nice firm topline with correct tailset and he is muscling up nicely on the rear. Nice bend of stifle, well let down hocks and tight cat feet. Another who I’m sure has a promising career ahead of him. 3rd Wright’s Millbelle Thunderfire JUNIOR (1) 1st Jenkins’ Luccombe Strawberry Ripple 16 months old with a gorgeous rich liver colouring, stood alone but a very worthy winner. She is attentive to her handler and has a real cheeky expression which just demands you to look at her. Shown on a loose lead which gave her the scope to fly around the ring elegantly with reach and drive. Lovely feminine head, elegant neck and firm topline which she keeps on the move. She was shown in tip-top condition, well muscled rear, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks and tight feet. She is so well balanced, there really is a lot to like about this bitch. Pushed hard in the challenge and I was delighted to award her RBOB. POST GRADUATE (6, 1ab) 1st Jenkins’ Luccombe Strawberry Ripple Repeat of Junior, she moved like she owned the ring in this class. I couldn’t fault her at all. 2nd Newton & Newton-O’Brien’s Cotterspot Nidderdale Lady Of Chizzmic This black spotted girl gave her handler a hard time today, she was fighting against her lead at times which made her movement a bit erratic. She has fantastic reach and drive and really powered around the ring, I think she needed a bigger ring to fully show off herself. Deepest black pigment and dark eye, very happy show girl whos tail doesn’t stop wagging. Good bend of stifle, tight cat feet, great muscle tone and correct tailset. Unfortunately a little out of coat today. Unlucky to meet 1st who was just on top form today. 3rd Cartwright & Cox’s Strayamay Tasmanian Devil This black spotted girl was one I hadn’t seen before and I hope to see her at more shows because her movement is just effortless. A really pretty bitch. OPEN (4, 1ab) This class consisted of three veterans who are all a credit to their owners and super examples of the breed. Two had their 8th birthday just after the show (within a day of each other) and the 3rd spent her 9th birthday at the show. 1st Goodwen’s Alphadal’s King Of Angels ShCM A black spotted male I have admired from the ringside and one who I was delighted to go over. He did not disappoint. He isn’t showing any signs of being a Veteran and just flows around the ring with power and drive, he has such a powerful stride. He has a lovely masculine head, correct ear set and even spotting with dark pigment. Lovely bend of stifle, well let down hocks and tight cat feet. Firm topline he keeps on the move, well muscled and at one with his handler. The small ring didn’t phase him and he got on with the job in hand. He couldn’t be denied BOB, and I was delighted to hear he was shortlisted to the final 6 out of 20 in the group. He also took UVG4. 2nd Jenkins’ Luccombe Strawberry Kisses This black spotted girl is Miss Personality, she just demands attention from her handler which makes her so endearing. Very steady movement, powered around the ring with drive and determination. Such a happy showgirl, her tail doesn’t stop wagging. Inquisitive expression with lovely ear set. Nice firm topline, that she keeps on the move, leading into correct tail set. Well muscled, good bend of stifle and tight cat feet. Very nice balanced bitch. Dam to RBOB winner, this handler really knows how to get the best from her dogs and could teach some of us a thing or two! So unlucky to come up against 1st. 3rd Graham’s Dotlun Sorellas Phancy At Ravold Carla Chappell (Waltzaway)