Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd

National Dog Show Whippet Dogs 12th May 2024

I wanted to start by thanking Birmingham National for the invitation to judge at this prestigious show and to my wonderful efficient steward who kept the ring moving all day. I was looking for an elegant hound with flowing curves, movement to be easy and free. Overall I found the quality of the males to be high especially in puppy and open classes. Saying that I was disappointed to see a number of very long nails, this should be a bare minimum when preparing for a show. Also I had a couple of dogs with rather thick course ears which isnt something we want creeping into our breed. I very much enjoyed my day with some wonderful dogs to judge.

Class 2896 SBD (6 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 7973 ARKELL, Mrs Yvonne Marie Chikara Iz Doma Proninykh. This dog appealed to me as soon as he entered the ring. I really liked his shape and how he covered the ground. Attractive head, good front construction, long flowing neck, nice tuck up and strong rear, he moved well coming and going which won him the class. Would prefer him to drive a little more in profile. Pleased to award him best special beginner in breed with the agreement of my co judge. 2nd: 8028 HIGGINBOTTOM, Miss Ellen Natalie Ranveli Royal Duke Of Dawnsafon JW. I loved this dogs type and his super curves, handsome headpiece and an alert expression. Well constructed front and rear, shown in super condition, super fine coat. He had a tendency to crab on the up and down which lost him the class. 3rd: 7993 BROOKS, Mrs S Rushden Hello Look At Me

 Class 2897 MPD (8 Entries) Abs: 3 1st: 8026 GRISOLI, Ms L Loroli Devil's Stone. My notes for this dog just say WOW, I loved him ! I believe it was his very first show, He had an elegant head with strong under jaw, nice neat ears. Long neck leading into super front construction, well sprung pasterns. Plenty depth of chest for his age, good length of rib and correct tuck up, gentle curves leading into a strong rear which he used to power around the ring. He was true from all angles with a lovely long low daisy cutting action. He was the one today I wish was my own. I will watch his future with interest. I seriously considered him for the RCC. Pleased to award him best puppy in breed with the agreement of my co-judge. 2nd: 8141 WILTON-CLARK, Ms J Shalfleet Oliver Twist. Attractive fawn and white brindle boy. Completely different type to the winner, smaller in frame and shorter. He had an appealing head. I would prefer a little more upper arm to give him a cleaner front, shapely throughout. Moved well and shown to his best advantage. 3rd: 8093 RODGERS, Mr Gary Wentvalley Pied Piper Class 2898

 PD (16 Entries) Abs: 3 1st: 7994 BROOKS, Mrs S & BROOKS, Mr M GB / Collooney For Your Eyes Only. This was one of the best classes of the day and I was spoilt for choice. Young brindle dog who is still very raw, but nonetheless has all the qualities I was looking for. Pleasing expression on his handsome head, long elegant neck and well laid shoulders. Still needs to drop in chest but he’s still very young. He has a beautiful flowing outline. Strong rear and well let down hocks. He moved so well once he settled into the class, with heaps of reach and drive. Another exciting puppy with maturity I’m sure has a bright future. 2nd: 8040 JONES, Mrs Kathryn J & JONES, Mr John D Jothryn Johnny Be Good. Another quality puppy, shorter in body than my winner. Handsome head and lovely thin neat ears. Graceful arched neck, Good front and rear construction which he used to his advantage when moving, he was so true coming and going. Curvy boy with a lot to like. Unlucky to meet 1st today. 3rd: 7991 BRODIE, Miss Zoe Louise Sarah & OWEN, Miss Ebony Wolfscastle Crown Jules

 Class 2899 JD (6 Entries) Abs: 1 1st: 8021 GLITHERO, Mr P R & GLITHERO, Mrs S & PHILO, Ms S R Palmik Against All Odds For Coppershell. Pale brindle boy who was all male, handsome strong head but not course, long neck, front was good, deep chest with super spring of rib and plenty of heart room. Gentle arch over the loin, strong broad rear which was well muscled, he was a super fit hound. He had a lovely fine coat and was so smooth to go over. Moved well. I would prefer him a shade smaller all through. 2nd: 8098 RUSSELL, Miss H V Longmire The Lark Ascending To Arjuna.Dark brindle dog who had a lot to like, nice long, lean head with alert expression and strong under jaw, he was well constructed throughout. He had gentle curves and a good tuck up, moved well. I just preferred the type of the winner. 3rd: 8065 MULLIGAN, Mr S S & Mrs T L Kierpark Love Me Tender At Ashkyem

Class 2900 YD (7 Entries) Abs: 1 1st: 8145 YACOBY WRIGHT, Mrs Lynn Ch Cobyco Catch Your Eye. Beautiful pale fawn dog who is straight out of the top drawer and one i seriously considered for top honours. Elegant handsome headpiece with an alert expression. Gently arched long neck leading into a textbook front construction, deep chest which is well filled giving him plenty of heart room. He covered the ground with a lovely top line, strong rear with well bent stifle, well muscled. He was true in all directions but excelled in profile movement giving the most effortless easy stride. He is well worthy of his title at such a young age. 2nd: 7974 ARKELL, Mrs Yvonne Marie Hijacked Of Suriya Smart brindle dog of a lovely type, handsome head, long neck leading to a nice front construction. He covered the ground and had a gentle arch over the loin. Moved well but just didn’t have the drive from the rear as the winner. 3rd: 8097 RUSSELL, Miss H V Longmire Atlantic Starman With Arjuna

 Class 2901 MD (8 Entries) Abs: 1 1st: 7994 BROOKS, Mrs S & BROOKS, Mr M GB / Collooney For Your Eyes Only. See 1st in puppy. 2nd: 8021 GLITHERO, Mr P R & GLITHERO, Mrs S & PHILO, Ms S R Palmik Against All Odds For Coppershell. See 1st in Junior. 3rd: 7974 ARKELL, Mrs Yvonne Marie Hijacked Of Suriya

Class 2902 ND (8 Entries) Abs: 0 1st: 8093 RODGERS, Mr Gary Wentvalley Pied Piper. Striking Young parti colour dog, of a lovely size. He had a nice head and alert expression, balanced thorough out with lovely curves, moved well. Would have preferred him to have covered a little more ground to complete the picture. 2nd: 8073 PERKINS, Miss G Zetor Silkridge Rapture With Zeglynn. A different type to 1st but still had some lovely qualities. He has a handsome head and neat fine ears, good depth of chest. Nice tuck up and curvy topline. Moved ok but had a tendency to carry his tail high. 3rd: 8057 LOCKLEY, Dr Esther & LOCKLEY, Miss Freya Crosscop Show Me

Class 2903 GD (7 Entries) Abs: 1 1st: 8040 JONES, Mrs Kathryn J & JONES, Mr John D Jothryn Johnny Be Good. See 2nd in puppy dog. 2nd: 7973 ARKELL, Mrs Yvonne Marie Chikara Iz Doma Proninykh. See 1st in special begginers. 3rd: 8115 TRISTRAM, Miss Catherine Supeta's Just Do It

Class 2904 PGD (9 Entries) Abs: 3 1st: 8139 WILTON-CLARK, Ms J Shalfleet Chasing The Wind JW .This dog topped this class as he had a super outline and outmoved all the others in the class. A smaller framed dog but still masculine. Handsome head, well constructed in front but would have preferred a little less angulation behind. 2nd: 7981 BLACKBURN, Mrs Andrea & BLACKBURN, Miss Zoe Silkridge Ceylon. Soft fawn brindle boy who was super in profile movement. He didn’t quite have the topline I was looking for. Handsome head and dark eye. In lovely condition. 3rd: 8119 WAYMAN, Miss H Ranveli Beach Boy At Scarletfair

 Class 2905 MdLD (7 Entries) Abs: 1 1st: 8006 DILLON, Miss M & BAILEY, Miss L Dreamjet Float My Boat At Runforest JW. A striking fawn and white parti colour whom I have always admired. He still had a lot of maturing to do and needs to drop in chest and fill out in front to finish him off. Nonetheless he has so many great qualities. Long lean handsome head. Neat fine ears. Good length of neck. Well constructed front and correct spring of pastern. Good tuck up and strong rear with super muscle tone. He excels in his movement and has a beautiful free daisy cutting action. Would like to judge I’m again in a couple of years. 2nd: 8091 RICHARDS, Mr N J & D N Richclass From Here On Out. I liked this fawn dog a lot just lost out to the winner in profile movement. He’s well balanced and has curves in all the right places. Good depth of chest with plenty of heart room. Moved well coming and going. 3rd: 8120 WAYMAN, Miss H Collooney Charlie Brown At Scarletfair JW

Class 2906 LD (5 Entries) Abs: 1 1st: 7990 BRIDGMAN-LEWIS, Mr Kyle Cy & WILTON-CLARK, Miss Ja Shalfleet Making Waves. Not my usual type but couldn’t deny him the class as he is a quality male. He was nice for size but retaining his masculinity. Lovely shoulder placement and correct spring of pastern, good depth of chest. Nice tuck up, strong rear which he uses to his advantage in profile, he’s a very sound dog. 2nd: 8095 RUSSELL, Miss H V Arjuna Winter Star. Slightly longer in body than the winner, clean neck and shoulder, good spring of rib and lovely smooth curves throughout. Moved ok just didn’t have the long low stride of the winner. 3rd: 7987 BREW, Miss Anna Boxing Helena's Victor Ena (Imp Bel)

Class 2907 OD (9 Entries) Abs: 1 1st: 8077 PERKINS, Mrs C & VAN DER SCHAAF, Mr K Ch Creme Anglaise's Just Julian With Silkridge. I could watch this boy move all day long. He is so true from every angle and I could not take my eyes off him as he floated round the ring. He holds his super curvy topline at all times and covers the ground perfectly. Handsome head with alert expression. Long muscular neck leading into super front construction. Deep chest with plenty of heart room and correct spring of pastern. Lovely tuck up and a super topline. He has a strong rear with well let down hocks which he used to his advantage. He is in tip top condition and could not be denied the top spot in this super class and ultimately the CC. Pleased to award him Best of Breed with the agreement of my co judge and later to watch him top the Hound group. 2nd: 8126 WHEELER, Mr Rob Ch Ranveli Diki Diki. Another top drawer male who is a favourite of mine, he has the most beautiful outline. Soft fawn brindle who is perfect for size and has the most beautiful head. Correct front construction and good depth of chest. My hands glided over his soft curves. Well muscled strong rear. He’s a lovely mover just tended to loose his topline a little in profile. A worthy champion. 3rd: 8015 FRYER, Mr Mark & FRYER, Mrs Kathryn Ch Collooney Eye Love To Tease At Stonefox

Class 2908 VD (9 Entries) Abs: 3 1st: 8014 FRYER, Mr Mark & FRYER, Mrs Kathryn Ch Collooney Eye Love You At Stonefox. One of my old favourites, super fawn male who just screams a classic whippet. Not showing his age. He is very much the type I was looking for. My hands just flowed over his elegant curves. The most handsome head with good under jaw, small neat ears . Clean neck and super shoulder placement. Deep chest and curvy underline. Lovely hind angulation and well muscled. He moved true from all angles and really drove around the ring. He really enjoyed his time in the ring. I was pleased to award him the RCC and best veteran in breed with the agreement of my co judge. 2nd: 8121 WAYMAN, Miss H & WAYMAN, Miss Hannah Creme Anglaise's One More Knight At Scarletfair. A smart male of a super quality. Lovely for size, covered the ground and has a super outline. Handsome head and well constructed throughout. He wasn’t as clean on the move in front as the winner today. 3rd: 8096 RUSSELL, Miss H V Glantam Genesis At Arjuna

Ashley Halliday