Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd

Birmingham National Dog Show

10th May 2024

GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG

I have waited a long time for this day, and the dogs did not disappoint. Thank you for your entries, it was a pleasure to judge the breed I have lived with since 1978. I found nothing extreme, and was thrilled with my main winners.

SBD (1)

1. Ranshaw & Askham's Reyakosa Azon. At nine and half years this lad is a credit to his owners. Black and gold, with a masculine head, dark eyes and well used ears, well angulated and holds his topline, maybe pasterns could be a wee bit firmer now but he was sound on the out and back although on the go round he needed a bit of encouragement, which he got from his sporting handler.

PD (3, 2)

1. Cassidy & Farley's Nikonis Qonos. Ten month old sable, medium size, excellent use of ears, dark eyes, good front, would prefer a bit more bone, decent angulation and topline and moved ok once settled.

JD (1)

1. Bibby & Cox's Albycox Von Shotaan. Well grown thirteen month old black and gold with a masculine head, alert, well used ears, dark eyes, well off for bone, excellent proportions with good topline and underline, decent angulation front and rear, stands on super feet, holds his topline well, was rushed in so took a while to get into his stride but it was worth waiting for. By the challenge had really settled into his job and couldn't deny him the RCC.

PGD (8, 3)

1. Hughes' Barwoods Iago. Two year old black and gold of medium size, no exaggerations, masculine head, enough bone, super topline into a well moulded croup, good proportions throughout and moved with an excellent side gait. 2. Nicholson's Chapelforge Angus With Norwulf. Three year old black and gold I judged as a puppy, and he has fulfilled the promise shown then. Masculine head, well used ears, would prefer a darker eye, he has a good front and plenty of bone, holds his topline and has good angulation both ends, moved with purpose but just felt (1) had the edge today. Etches' Etchica Oslo.

LD (6, 1)

1. Hancox's Wakematt's Kato. Striking two year old lad, who has the most gorgeous head and expression, good reach of neck into a super topline, excellent proportions throughout and well boned, movement is a joy to watch and he just got better the more he went. A pleasure to award him the CC and BOB. 2. Hills' Sonarly Derrick. This four year old is of a bigger stamp but without coarseness, no doubting his masculinity, balanced throughout and has enough angulation, excellent bone, looks the part standing but not quite the forward reach of the winner. 3. Stanley's Blanik Kyriacos.

OD (3)

1. Lakin's Ch Blerio Bezique At Mascani. Eyecatching two and a half year old black and gold, with excellent pigmentation, masculine head with well used ears. Super outline of correct size with good wither height, good front and rear angulation, holding an excellent topline. Showed a strong side gait. 2. Hensley's Ch Desjiem Van De Herdersfarm (Imp Deu). Not quite the strength throughout of the winner, but still a very nice type, good head and expression, good topline, excellent rear angulation and well muscled. Pushed hard here just felt (1) had the stronger side gait. 3. Cave's Casiann Atlas.

VD (3)

1. Smiths' Portnall Elrick Zu Sarocal ShCM. Have watched this lad go from a gangly pup to the handsome chap he is today at eight and a half. Attractive gold sable colouring, masculine head with well used ears, excellent reach of neck into a good topline with good wither height, although proportions a little stretched, rear end has tightened up from when he was younger, and he can still move with drive. Best Veteran. 2. Skinner's Iolanda Luciano. Seven year old black and tan, balanced head and well proportioned throughout, holds his topline and moves well. 3. Reyakosa Azon.

SBB (2)

1. Allison's Starkwill Atari. Nine month old black and gold baby with a pretty head and expression. Overall proportions are good and she has enough bone for her size, decent angulation and good topline, just needs to be allowed to move out a bit more.  Best Special Beginner.   2. Ranshaw & Askham's Reyakosa Calia. Five year old bitch of a bigger stamp than (1), strong but femine head with well placed ears, overall balanced but would prefer a tad more bone for her size, good topline, decent angulation, decided to leave her coat at home today.

MPB (3, 1)

1. Johnson's Kastina Isabella. At only eight months this black and tan is well grown and a lovely type. Strong but feminine head, well placed and used ears, good bone for her size and a decent topline, holding her shape on the move and well handled. Best Puppy Bitch and overall Best Puppy. 2. Ingham's Paluka Bali. Another eight month old black and tan, attractive head and expression with a dark mask, not quite the overall shape or topline of (1), she moved quite well and has a good side gait.

PB (6, 2)

1. Starkwill Atari. First in SBB, more settled here and able to show her movement off better. 2. Elliott's Barwoods Johannah For Ellroost. Just coming up to a year this black and gold girl has good head proportions, dark eye, good reach of neck but not quite holding her shape as well as (1). Sound enough out and back but needs a bit more drive. 3. Stanley's Pinchmill Adira Of Blanik.

JB (4)

1. Rogerson's Hundark Havok At Siskiva. At just over a year this beautiful bitch has a lovely head and expression. She holds a good topline and has nice tight feet, excellent angulation both ends and shown in lovely coat. Excellent ground covering gait. 2. Etches' Etchica Pepper. Another nice one just over a year old, slightly finer built all over but has enough bone for her size, pretty head, eyes could be a shade darker, she has a nice shape which she held on the move. 3. Usherwood's Return Shamrock.

PGB (9, 1)

1. Marshall & Ingham's Suddick Brooke. This stunning two year old black and tan has the most gorgeous head and expression, good reach of neck and balanced outline, holds an excellent topline on the move, not exaggerated in any way but fills the eye, couldn't put a foot wrong and just asked for top honours today, and pleased to award her the CC. 2. McGrath & Boyd's Mascani Shandor. Two year old with a lovely head and alert at all times, good ear carriage, decent topline and enough angulation, good bone and efficient side gait. 3. Benjamin's Barwoods Ida.

LB (10)

1. Bindens' Jasueter Kelsi. This twenty-one month old is a lovely stamp of bitch, with a super head and expression, well balanced throughout without any exaggeration, good topline held on the move, in lovely coat and condition and well handled to get the best out of her. 2. Stanley's Blanik Liszka. Three year old black and tan, stronger all through than (1) but balanced and has good angulation front and rear, moving well. 3. McGrath's Mascani Denva.

OB (5, 1)

1. Elliott's Draycore Vera For Ellroost. This six year old black and tan has a super outline with a strong but feminine head, excellent front and carries a good topline, sound rear end which she used to good purpose, excellent driving gait, covering the ground with ease. Pushed hard in the challenge but had to settle for the RCC today. 2. Formans' Kintaro Grace Kelly With Suzdans. Now four years old this black and tan is a good honest bitch who holds her own in any company, she has a strong but feminine head, well used ears, good front and rear angulation and holds her topline on the move. Well handled to get the best out of her but not wearing her best outfit today. 3. Kearnan's NI Ch Bel Int Ch Rosebud Danerys Ir J Ch.

VB (1)

1. Allison's Sunny River Shannon. This black and tan is not far off her eighth birthday and has a good overall outline, nice head and decent topline, still has good feet and angulations are ok, would benefit from being moved a tad quicker to show off her movement.

Jacky Cutler

Judge