• Show Date: 13/09/2024
  • Show Type: Championship Show
  • Judged by: David Craig Contact Judge
  • Published Date: 24/09/2024

Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

Breed: Eukanuba Champion Stakes

Darlington Championship Dog Show

13th, 14th and 15th September 2024

I was a replacement for Mrs Marion Waddell, to whom my best wishes go and we all hope to see her in the centre of the ring again as soon as possible. It was a real pleasure and an honour to judge these prestigious classes where so many top-class exhibits competed. Due to the incredible depth of quality, it was necessary to be highly critical and judge ‘on the day’, taking into account performance, showmanship and condition.

Eukanuba Champion Stakes

Day One:

Class 931 AVChD/B T/W/P (33 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 1597 WHELAN, Miss Nicola & YOUNG, Ms Jacqui Ch Corimist Destiny By Design, Bearded Collie bitch of lovely quality, presents a super outline on first glance and is very good to go over, with super shoulders and front construction, correct through body and rib, super topline held on the move and very well made hindquarters, her movement was a joy to watch with her head held correctly and her covering the ground effortlessly with reach in front and drive behind, presented to the minute and shown in super muscular condition,

2nd: 2028 BOWKER & GIBSON, Mr & Mrs C & S Ch Ir Ch Febus Anapeou JW OSW ShCEx, what a beautiful Pyrenean bitch this is, brimful of type and quality, takes the eye immediately with her superb outline, has a look of majesty about her with super head and eye, well made front, super legs and feet, really good hindquarters, correct coat presented so well, comes into her own on the move where she is so sound a light of foot, a class act;

3rd: 1473 BOTHWELL, Miss S Ch Norcis Slippery Jack JW, Australian Shepherd Dog.

Day Two:

Class 1671 AVChD/B G/To (54 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 4406 RYAN, Mrs K F & ROOSENS, Miss K & GOESSENS, Mr J Multi Ch / Ch Uppercut Daydream Believers With Feorlig, this Papillon bitch gave me goosebumps, her outline looks so ultra typical of the breed and what a great showgirl she is, loved her head, correct ears and really does look like a butterfly, so dainty but has good body, well made all through which is apparent the moment she sets off to move, so sound fore and aft, combinging a lightness of foot, looks superb in profile where her static outline is maintained to perfection, she never stood wrong and it is obvious that she has a wonderful personality, she clearly loves her handler and that the feeling is mutual, a joy to watch, overall winner, good luck in the Finals;

2nd: 2655 ELLRICH, Miss Rebecca Sh Ch Ir Sh Ch Gwendariff Absolutely Marwe'llus, Irish Setter male who was shown in the most superb coat, condition, musculature and handled to perfection creating an impressive overall picture, he totally gleamed with condition and well-being, super head and eye with the true wistful expression, well made front, super legs and feet, well angulated hindquarters, correct body, rib and topline, lovely overall outline which combines quality, refinement with strength and is such a sound true mover with a look of style, he impressed me, pushed hard;

3rd: 4118 SELBY, Mr Mark & WHITEHEAD, Miss Fiona & ALLEN, Mi Ch Zilcan Action Man, Griffon Bruxellois

Day Three:

Class 2363 AVChD/B H/U (45 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 6139 DUNHILL-HALL, Miss M Ch Vormund Xmas Bonus, Japanese Shiba Inu who presents a stunning outline on the stack and never loses it on the move, has the most beautiful head accentuated by a correct eye and small triangular ears, his balance is superb and has super body properties, really good coat, tail set on high, comes into his own on the move where in profile he is just outstanding and brings the Standard alive, maintaining his static outline and has such poise, added to his numerous virtues he was shown in superb musculature, presented to perfection and handled to get the very best from him, a pleasure to judge;

2nd: 5475 RHODES, Mrs Kerry Ch Priorpark You Coda Be Mine Of Metalrock JW, Rhodesian Ridgeback who impresses me each time I have judged him, looked his absolute best today having such a super outline, so sound on the move, true fore and aft and covering the ground so well in profile, like his head, correct bone and super feet, well made fore and aft and so well muscled, a great showman who never put a foot wrong, deserved his place in this extremely strong class;

3rd: 4863 HAVARD, Miss & Mrs L A & P J Ch Annavah Princess Tiana, Beagle