Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

Utility Group

Some lovely dogs in this group, they included the following dogs that I unfortunately could not offer a placement in the group: Boston Terrier Ch. Aprika Fargo At Rudino, the Dalmatian Winflash Chanel Paris, the Japanese Shiba Inu Ch. Vormund Xmas Bonus, the Lhasa Apso Corrolls Easy Rider, the Standard Poodle Ch. Atastar And Just Like That and the Miniature Poodle Ch. Volgarus Candid Clara.

1. Miniature Schauzer Ch.Glockens Let It Be JW

Instantly attractive dog of excellent type, proportions and size and very much the type I prefer. Tough, well up on legs, well balanced and smart. Head of ideal length and strength, moderately wide and with correct moderate stop and typical eyebrows. Lovely alert expression from his dark, moderately sized and well placed eyes. Strong jaws. Well set and v-shaped ears. Correct moderately long neck combining strength with elegance, well set into withers. Straight front legs with elbows close to body. Balanced angulation both ends without exaggeration. Square body proportions form with a firm topline, a short loin and a correct slight slope from withers to hips. Very well set and carried tail. Strong hindquarters. Retained his balance and outline on the move and moved efficiently, actively and soundly from all angles. A lovely representative of his breed and sex.

2. Eurasier Int.Swiss.Esp.Ch. Albionspitz Blue Moon

A lovely dog of excellent type and quality and a rarely outstanding mover. Strong and masculine, but with quality to boost. Excellent proportions, very well up on legs and somewhat rectangular, he presented a lovely silhouette. Typical masculine head and expression from his lovely dark eyes. Very well set and carried ears. Excellent rise neck with a crest and very well set. Typical front with moderate, but balanced angulation of shoulder and upper arm. Excellent topline and tailset. Balanced angulation behind. In a good enough coat which enhanced his outline rather than taking away from it. A truly exceptional mover from every angle with the best of timing, very impressive.

3. Shih Tzu Ch. Santosha Silhouette

Sensational bitch, very aptly named as her silhouette and balance is pure perfection. Typically low to ground and sturdy without in any way sacrificing mobility, her type and quality is outstanding and exactly what I am looking for in the breed. Lovely head with a very well rounded skull. Ideally placed, dark, round and very expressive eyes. Well placed nose of ideal length and with wide-open nostrils. Strong neck of ideal length, smoothly set into her firm topline. Her crowning glory is her marvellous tea-pot tail that contributed so much to that stunning silhouette where neck and tail corresponds. Excellent coat of lovely structure. Very attractive colour, which is not really important, but still enhanced her look of quality. From the moment she entered the ring, I thought she would be my group winner, but then she did not enjoy the table too much and lost some of her balance when going over her. Back on the ground she looked brilliant at all times. A lovely mover from all angles and with a highly typical flick-up. Truly a star.

4. Toy Poodle Afterglow Hijack

A very precocious young, black dog with star quality. Upstanding and elegant with excellent length of leg and still well within the correct size. I loved his typical Poodly attitude looking down his nose. Masculine head with chiselling and length. Darkest of eyes with lovely expression. Long and crested neck, contributing to his pure-bred and stallion-like overall appearance. Balanced angulation both ends. Well bodied with an excellent firm topline, short enough. Excellent tailset with a good shelf behind it. In a remarkable coat for a youngster with a great topknot, expertly groomed and presented. Above all he moved with the great carriage and style that defines his breed, light on his foot and with excellent drive. A star in the making.

Espen Engh, Norway (judge)