Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain

NECGB 36TH Open Show 24th September 2023 Judge – Laura Stephenson (BRAWDOR) Firstly I would like to thank the committee for asking me to judge this wonderful show, the location is ideal, atmosphere was lovely across the day and the food was brilliant. My eldest elkhound is now 8 years old, I have been involved in the breed for 10 years when I looked after my ex bosses puppy who he got from Barbara Stokes. From that moment, I was hooked, researched the breed and came to shows to gain experience. This does not nor do I claim to be an expert however, it is not until I was in the ring and having everything lined up in front of me to realise how many ‘types’ of Norwegian Elkhound we have. Sizes, lengths colours I feel as a breed we have lost our way slightly. I am fully aware and know the hard work and cost that breeders go through to produce and keep our breed going to which I am grateful, but we need to start looking at what we have and using it sensibly to gain back the standard of dog I hear and read about from the past. I not only judge to the breed standard but whether the dog in front of me would do a day’s work, some I feel could not. Some coats had too much product in which made them greasy this is not something I expect to come across in our breed. I encourage all new comers to speak to all our experienced breeders people we are lucky to have, they are full of knowledge and sound advice. I enjoyed my day and I congratulate the winners and thank everyone for making the journey and entering. I hope you all enjoyed your day. Minor Puppy Dog 1/1 1 Middleton, Graythor Broadway – Promising 8 month boy who stepped into the ring full of confidence and took it all in his stride. Strong head with a nice dark muzzle, already a nice strong top line and firm, strong compact body overall. Moved out well, slightly loose in the front but at such a young age this will come with time. Nice rear movement. Clear markings and colour, I look forward to seeing this young man progress in the future. BPD and BPIS. Puppy Dog 1/0 Junior Dog 0/0 Special Yearling 2/2 1 – Gilbert, Grasilva Great Scot – No fear of missing this larger 2 year old boy but nice to see a substantial well-built young dog. Proportioned well overall and strong in front and into the neck. Nicely curved ribs, a strong front which is noticed on the move with a good length of leg. Lovely black ears and overall colouring. 2 – Friend, Bowerhinton Boromir – A lovely masculine head at 20 months with good colouring and markings across the body. Again a well-built dog with plenty of bone, nicely set tail, movement could have been tighter especially from the rear he worked hard for his handler. Post Graduate Dog 2/2 1 – Jepson, Laakso Ekso – This boy oozes showman ship and it can been seen from the movement that he is built well. Strong neck, going into a firm top line, good length of leg and short back leading to a tightly curled tail. Wonderful colouring and markings and a pleasure to go over and watch on the move as he used the space to his advantage. Well-deserved Reserve Best Dog. 2 – Cuss, Norvin Orkla – His rear is stronger than his front, but did move well. Lovely dark ears, nicely coloured and shaped eyes, not as masculine as the first in the head but still time to mature. Good coloured and textured coat, nice tight feet and enough bone. Look forward to seeing this dog in the future. Limit Dog 2/2 1 – Simms, Aftonlee Aros at Elverdal – Lovely dog with a clean and square outline, strong top line when on the move and standing. Lovely length of leg leading to tight and neat feet and well angulated in the rear. Lovely expression on this boy, dark muzzle and ears, well set tail and a lovely and strong drive on the move. Another I look forward to following in the future. 2 – Clarke, Graythor Cosmopolitan – Darker in coat than 1st and not as strong in the front. He was very enjoyable on the move, well built in the rear aiding his drive with a strong top line. Lovely set ears and tail, overall a heavier set than others but he carries and moves well. Open Dog 2/1 1 – Simms, Ch Seasara Earl Grey – Quality male that catches the eye as soon as he enters the ring, a darker male with a stunning wedge shaped head and dark eye. Strong front and good bone, effortless on the move keeping a strong top line. Lovely square outline and well kept coarse coat. Exceptional dog and no question the BD, BOS and RBIS. Veteran Dog 1/1 1 – McHugh, Kinderhorn Espen of Conrick – Wonderful 9 year old with a lovely expression, good quality coat and colour. Good tail set and kept high and proud when on the move, movement is slightly loose but I will forgive the veterans anything. Pleasure to have in the ring. BVD. Special Veteran 0/0 Special Beginner Dog 0/0 Special Newcomers 0/0 Minor Puppy Bitch 0/0 Puppy Bitch 0/0 Junior Bitch 1/1 1 – Young, Bowerhinton Baroness – Very pretty and feminine young girl, overall a good compact dog, front and top line need to strengthen but this will come with age. Good tail, coat and colouring, movement was adequate but a proper little show girl and attentive to handler. Special Yearling 2/2 1 – Mortimer, Laakso Helli – Compact little bitch and darker in colour, pretty girl with a lovely smiley expression. Good length in loin and well angulated overall. Moved out with confidence and was attentive to handler covering the ground well. 2 – Simmonds and Mott, Kamgarrd Kome Fly With Me – Slightly larger bitch than 1st, well presented, for me the movement in the front was stronger than the rear but overall she cleared the ground well. Lovely set tail and good clear markings and colour. One I look forward to seeing more of. Post Graduate 0/0 Limit Bitch 3/2 1 – Mortimer, Laakso Gunni – A good looking bitch that I feel could do a days work, good strong front aiding her drive and movement and firm top line. Ear set and size are good, compact and square, well sprung ribs, good lay of shoulder and good tail set. Good coat, darker than others but in good condition. Attentive to handler and enjoyed being in the ring. 2 – Saint, Barbelka Call Me Cryptic for Ravenheim – Loose in the front and on the top line, good tail set, colouring and markings. Pretty face with a pleasing wedge shaped head, movement was adequate but was attentive to handler. Open Bitch 6/6 1 – Simmonds and Mott, Am Ch Kamgaard Klementina (IMP USA) – A super looking girl, entering the ring like she owned it and showing everyone who the show girl is! Substantial, strong and beautifully presented, good depth of chest leading to strong legs of good length and the tightest feet I have seen today. Pretty and feminine in all aspects, lovely set ears of good size, good colouring, strong top line and exceptional movement. She ticks all the boxes, very pleased to award BB and BIS to this girl, I hope she continues to shine, well deserved. 2- Mortimer, Ch Laakso Dana – Not my first time judging this girl and again she doesn’t disappoint a true show girl and I think she could almost take herself around the ring. Compact, square, strong top line and good quality coat. It was a hard decision between the 1st and 2nd but she is slightly smaller than the 1st and just missed out today but will always be a strong contender. 3 – Brown, Ch Laakso Cara Res – Middleton, Ch Graythor Gates of the Artic VHC – McHugh, Laakson Dina of Conrick Veteran Bitch 7-10 2/2 1 – Jepson, Bowerhinton Bombette – Very pretty bitch and in excellent condition, compact, square, good coat and very good movement. Strong in the front and well angulated in the rear another that could do a days work. I look forward to seeing more of this girl in the ring as I feel she has plenty left to give and no hesitation in awarding her RBB and BVIS. 2 – Simmonds and Mott, Am Ch Kamgaard Kintyre – 9 years old but to my joy still acting like a puppy!! Lovely coat and markings, good set and well held tail, neat feet and a personality to die for. In my eyes she can do no wrong. A joy to have in the ring, thank you. Veteran Bitch 10 + 3/2 1 – Middleton, Ch Graythor Norwegian Lights ShCm – Not the first time of having the pleasure to judge this exceptional girl. Still moves like a dream, still good bone and has that powerful body that covers the floor effortlessly. Lovely head and alert expression, excellent condition for her age i hope to see her again. 2 – Brown, Grasilva Premier Rose – 11.5 years old lovely dark colouring, super set tail and up on movement, alert, happy and enjoying her day out. Would love to of seen this girl in her early days, she still has the enthusiasm of a younger dog but today she was the oldest veteran. Special Beginners Bitch 2/2 1 – Young, Bowehinton Baroness 2 – Saint, Ravenheims Tor Vildenvaer – Smaller dog in body than 1st and lighter colour. Good on the move once settled, strong rear movement and good set tail. Ears on the larger side but well placed, good set tail and attentive to handler. Special Newcomers 1/1 1 – Young, Bowerhinton Baroness Brace 1/0