North Wales GSD Club

North Wales GSD Club Ch Sh

I would firstly like to extend my sincerest thanks to the officers and committee of North Wales GSD Club for inviting me to award my first ever set of CCs, made all the more special by being for a breed that holds such a special place in my heart. Thanks must also go to my wonderful stewards who kept the ring running like clockwork and, finally, to the exhibitors who showed exceptional sportsmanship on the day and considered my opinion worthy of an entry.

If I am given the opportunity to judge a numerically large number of dogs in a breed, I do like to try and provide a preamble to include general constructive comments/observations from the day. The comments I make are merely my own personal observations and I hope they are taken in the way they are intended.

Firstly, I would like to commend all exhibits on their excellent temperaments. I was impressed with general proportions of length to height and also body depth to leg length. Particularly when short forelegs and overly deep bodies have become more prevalent in recent years. Most exhibits maintained their wither height standing and on the move. Overlines were mostly correct with croup length, angle and moulding being variable but no worse than I’ve seen previously.

Secondly, whilst I am sure most of the dogs presented on the day are very well-trained for the stand-alone breed club shows and Regional Shows with larger rings, this does not translate into being well-trained for a smaller ring. A lot of exhibits were scrabbling/digging in on the away/back which makes it challenging to assess firmness of hocks, elbows and front pasterns. This also applies to the walking phases of judging, exhibits with correct overlines and correct front/hind action were distorted by pulling too much. Exhibiting at KC All-Breed shows or partnership shows (like it or not) are an opportunity to show the wider dog showing fraternity what progress has been made. Nothing a little training can’t rectify, which should be no issue for such an intelligent and versatile breed.

I was absolutely delighted with my principle winners and the older classes in bitches were particularly excellent. My thanks again to all for making it such a memorable day!

MINOR PUPPY DOG (3/0)

Hill’s, Obi Av Rostadgarden (Imp Nor). A very glamorous black/red. Upper medium size, strong of correct proportions. Liked his head at this stage with firm ears and dark eyes. Good reach of neck, high wither, upper arm is well angled but could be longer. Stands correct in front for age with tidy feet & pasterns. Excellent length of leg, firm back and correct rear angulations. Stands naturally correct behind, croup could be longer. Very baby-ish going/coming (which is to be expected), demonstrates a very fluid action from the side at all speeds while maintaining his wither. Preferred his width through the body compared to 1. Pleased to make him BPIS, good luck and congratulations!

Clinton’s, Westerlawn Travis. Rich black & tan, medium size, medium strength, slightly stretched proportions. Correctly proportioned head with dark eyes and firm ears, needs to develop more width through his skull and muzzle. Correct forehand with normal wither. Stands a shade narrow all through currently with correct feet and pasterns. Deep enough in brisket with correct length of leg. Clean overline, croup could be a little longer. Excellent coat and condition. Steady going/coming, demonstrates an easy side gait while retaining his shape, needs a bit more confidence to show at his very best.

Kearnan & Brown’s, Swnynant Icon.

PUPPY DOG (0/0)

SPECIAL LONG COAT JUNIOR DOG (0/0)

JUNIOR DOG (3/0)

Bibby & Cox’s, Albycox von Shotaan. Glamorous black/tan, absolutely medium sized, strong of correct proportions. Excellent head of correct proportions, very expressive with dark eyes and firm ears. High wither, long upper arm with strong bones, stands correct in front but needs to firm up in front pasterns. Deep brisket, clean overline, croup slightly short but well moulded. Would not want anymore rear angulation, stands correct behind. Once settled, he was correct going/coming and maintained an excellent shape at all speeds. In excellent coat & condition. Although still very much a baby in many respects, his quality and clean shape secured him a very worthy RCC. I look forward to seeing how he develops over the next 18 months, congratulations!

Cassidy & Farley’s, Nikonis Qonos. Sable, upper medium size, strong male of correct proportions. Loved his masculine head, dark eyes and firm ears. Excellent forehand angulation but would prefer the upper arm to be a little longer. Stands correct in front. Correct overline with deep brisket and correct length of leg. Correct rear angulations, croup is long but a little steep. Once settled, he is correct going/coming and maintains his high wither from the side at all speeds. Tended to not fully reach in front due to pulling too much. Overall, a really correct and appealing young dog, I’d like to see him as the finished article.

Fletcher-Mills’, Danisof Quartz at Zarivenna.

GRADUATE DOG (2/0)

Brown & Thomas’, Ardenburg Bix. Rich black/tan, upper medium size, strong of excellent proportions. Classic head, correct proportions, dark eyes and firm, well-sized ears. Excellent shoulder, high wither, upper arm could be a little longer. Correct length of leg, strong bones with correct pasterns & feet. Firm back, deep brisket, croup is excellent length but a little steep. Correct rear angulations, stands with firm hocks. Sound coming/going with a very fluid and easy side gait at all speeds. In excellent coat and condition. A serious contender today, his time will come.

King’s, Wolfsharn Vance. Sable L/C, absolutely medium size, medium strength of correct proportions. Masculine head with firm ears. Correct forehand, normal wither. Enough length of leg with correct feet & pasterns. Firm back and correct underline. Croup is a little steep. Firm hocks when viewed from behind. Steady going/coming with a balanced side gait, would just prefer more hindthrust. Presented in fit condition.

POST GRADUATE DOG (2/0) - 2 very different males that I liked a lot.

Hughes’, Barwoods Iago. Rich, black/tan, medium size, strong of slightly stretched proportions. Excellent head, strong, very expressive with dark eyes and firm correctly sized ears. High wither, upper arm could be a little less steep. Enough length of foreleg, firm back that flows into a long, well moulded croup. Ample rear angulations, stands wide enough behind. A shade close going, correct coming with an easy side gait at all speeds. Preferred his balance of angulations compared to 1.

Nicholson’s, Chapleforge Angus with Norwulf. Medium size, strong of more compact proportions compared to 1. Liked his masculine head. Normal wither, very good forehand assembly overall with strong bones and excellent feet. Clean overline, croup is short but well-moulded. Would prefer slightly more rear angulation to balance with his front. Correct going/coming, a very energetic mover from the side but would prefer more hindthrust.

LIMIT DOG (5/1) - A very mixed class.

Hill’s, Sonarly Derrick. Black/tan, medium size, medium strong of correct proportions. Excellent head with dark eyes and firm ears. Excellent forehand, high wither, correct length of leg. Firm back, croup is long but a shade steep. Enough rear angulations. Stands correct behind. Sound going/coming. Rhythmic, easy mover at all speeds, maintaining his shape.

Binden’s, Jasueter Knox. Black/tan, top size, strong of slightly stretched proportions. Impressive, masculine head with firm ears. Good reach of neck into well made forehand, high wither, correct length of leg, excellent bone & feet. Clean overline, croup could be longer. Correct coming towards, needs to be firmer going away. Demonstrates a long side gait, maintaining his wither at all speeds.

Mooney’s, Draycore Kenneth.

SPECIAL L/C OPEN DOG (1/0)

Cave’s, Casiann Atlas. Dark black/tan, upper medium size, strong of correct proportions. Really liked his masculine head, dark eyes, correct pigment and firm ears. Well made forehand with strongly boned limbs and good feet. Very good spring of rib with a firm back. Croup is long but a shade steep. Enough rear angulation with firm hocks. Sound going/coming and covered the ground effectively at all speeds. Presented in heavy condition today.

OPEN DOG (1/0)

Hensley’s, Ch. Desjiem Van De Herdersfarm (Imp Deu). Rich black/red, upper medium size, strong, compact proportions. Masculine head, very expressive with dark eyes. Well laid shoulder, long upper arm which I would prefer slightly better angled. Excellent length of leg, deep brisket, strong bones and excellent feet. Firm back, good spring of rib. Long croup but a shade steep. Correct rear angulations. Stands firm throughout. Correct going/coming, maintains a high wither at all speeds with a balanced side gait. Presented in fit condition with a little more coat still to come back. He performed well to take the CC, pipped to the post for BOB by a very lovely bitch whose length of stride I preferred today.

VETERAN DOG (4/1) - I would like to commend all 3 of these dogs for their fit condition for their age.

Smith’s, Portnall Elrick Zu Sarocal ShCM VW. Rich sable, upper medium size, strong of slightly stretched proportions. Excellent proportions of skull & muzzle, dark eyes and firm ears. High wither, excellent forehand, long upper arm. Strong bones with neat feet and pasterns. Correct length of foreleg, firm back. Strong through the loin. Croup is a shade steep. Correct rear angulations. Stands correct in front but could be a shade firmer behind. Correct coming towards, slightly close away. Ground covering side gait, maintaining his high wither at all times. He too was a contender for the green cards today. BVIS, congratulations!

Whitley & Eastwood’s, Antilli Odin. Black/tan, medium size, medium strong of correct proportions. Excellent masculine head, dark eyes and firm ears. High wither, very good forehand, upper arm could be a shade longer. Strong bones and excellent feet. Correct length of foreleg. Firm back, short loin, croup could be longer. Correct rear angulations, stands correct in front and behind. Correct going/coming. Holds his wither at all speeds, just preferred the hindthrust of 1.

Skinner’s, Iolanda Luciano.

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (1,0)

Brown & Thomas’, Swnynant Isadora. Pale black/gold, medium size, medium strength. Very raw at this stage and still has lots of time to develop further. Pretty head and expression with firm ears but eyes need to darken. Normal wither, balanced angulation both fore/aft. Correct body depth to leg length proportions but would prefer her a shade longer in body for overall balance. Excellent bone, feet and pasterns. Decent width throughout. Very correct and sound on the move from all angles. RBPIS today as I preferred the overall proportions of the dog, congratulations!

PUPPY BITCH (0)

SPECIAL L/C JUNIOR BITCH (2,1)

Cullen-Graves’, Bridgeview Jara. Dark black/gold. Upper medium size, medium strong of correct proportions overall. Would prefer a touch more strength in head overall, possesses excellent dark eyes and firm ears. High wither, correctly angled upper but needs to be longer. Firm overline with long croup and correct rear angulations. Stands correctly throughout. In very good coat and condition. Sound going/coming and holds her shape well from the side.

JUNIOR BITCH (5/2)

Platt’s, Charbonnel Pammy. Medium size, strong of very good proportions overall. Very typy and glamorous black/tan. Loved her head, high wither, long upper arm. Stands on strongly boned limbs with good feet and pasterns. Firm, clean overline, deep brisket. Stands with correct width throughout. Liked her moulding of croup but could be a little longer. Excellent rear angulations with short rear pasterns. Correct going/coming, impressive mover from the side maintaining her wither. Would have been a contender if she had been present in the challenge. An exciting prospect!

Ingham’s, Paluka Bali. Dark black/tan. Another impressive youngster, medium sized, medium strength, correct proportions. Prettiest of heads with dark eyes. High wither, correct forehand angulation but upper arm could be a touch longer. Excellent body development and width throughout. Excellent bone and feet. Firm back, croup is of good length but a touch flat. Correct rear angulations. Sound from all angles on the move, another promising youngster I would like to see as the finished article.

Cullen-Graves’, Bridgeview Jara.

GRADUATE BITCH (2,0) - Both L/C littermates.

Brett’s, Chica Guapa of Blanik. Dark black/tan. Medium sized, strong of slightly stretched proportions. Feminine head with correct proportions and darkest of eyes. Correct shoulder, upper arm is long but a touch steep, OK feet. Excellent width throughout. Firm, clean overline, croup is a little short but well moulded. Excellent rear angulations with short rear pasterns. Correct coming/going with an easy side gait.

Usherwood’s, Return Shamrock of Blanik (Ba1). Black/red. Medium sized, strong of slightly more compact proportions compared to 1. Liked her overall balance of angulation, firm backline, correct width in front and proportions of body depth to leg length. Needs to firm up going away, correct coming towards with a very easy side gait holding her shape well.

POST GRADUATE BITCH (6/0) - A really nice class to judge overall for consistent type.

Hardy & Hardy’s, Barwoods Ivy with Cafotaliena. Absolutely medium sized, medium strong, glamorous black/red L/C. Correct proportioned head, dark eyes and firm ears. Clean flow from neck into correctly made forehand, high wither with long upper arm. Excellent body depth to leg length proportions. Stands correctly throughout. Deep brisket, ultra-clean overline with well moulded but slightly short croup. Excellent rear angulation with firm hocks. Sound going/coming with a scopy side gait maintaining her wither height. Needs to come back into coat to look at her best. Showed great commitment throughout all phases of the class, will be a contender for top honours in the future I’m sure. BSL/CIS, congratulations!

George’s, Romainville Maddie. Black/tan. Excellent medium size, strong of slightly stretched proportions compared to 1. Loved head and expression. Would prefer a shade more height at the wither, excellent upper arm. Strongly boned limbs with excellent feet/pasterns. Firm back, deep brisket, strong loin. Croup is long and well moulded. Absolutely correct going/coming with an easy side gait. Would prefer a bit more commitment on the move to show to her full potential. Excellent coat/condition.

Nicholson & Kaczmarcyk’s, Norwulf It Must Be Love.

LIMIT BITCH (6/2) - An excellent class!

Binden, Binden & Binden’s, Jasueter Kelsi. My notes start with ‘simply excellent’! Upper medium size, strong of excellent proportions, black/tan. Loved her expressive head and dark eyes with firm ears. Excellent forehand with long upper arm, strong bone and excellent pasterns/feet. Well developed body, high wither, firm back with clean underline. On the limits of rear angulation with a slightly short but well moulded croup. She took her time to settle to show a more controlled performance in a smaller ring but she demonstrated firmness going/coming with an easy side gait, maintaining her wither height throughout. Unfortunately she decided to leave her best jacket at home on the day but her construction was there for all to see. Could not be denied the RCC, will go all the way with a bit to spare I’m sure!

Cassidy & Farley’s, Magic vom Herbramer-Wald (Imp Deu). Upper medium sized sable with a most impressive outline. Strongly made throughout of correct proportions. Loved her head and expression, strong straight limbs. High wither, long upper arm but slightly steep. Excellent length of leg, clean in overline and underline. Excellent rear angulations, croup is well moulded. Another who took time to settle but was absolutely sound from all angles while maintaining her shape. A really excellent bitch!

Brown’s, Swnynant Hera.

SPECIAL L/C OPEN BITCH (4/0)

Hardy & Hardy’s, Barwoods Ivy with Cafotaliena.

Skinner’s, Iolanda Hetty. Black/tan. Absolutely medium size, medium strong of compact proportions. Feminine head, dark eyes. Correct forehand with straight limbs, would prefer better feet. High wither, firm back but would prefer her longer in body. Pronounced rear angulations with a long croup. Correct coming, close away, shows a very fluid side gait at all speeds. In good overall coat and condition.

Brett’s, Chica Guapa of Blanik.

OPEN BITCH (6/1) - Another excellent class!

Platt’s, Ch. Charbonnel Tanzi. Took my eye from the moment she entered the ring for her overall balance, being absolutely free from exaggeration. Absolutely medium size, strong of very good proportions. Very glamorous black/red colour in full coat and excellent condition. Feminine head with dark eyes and firm ears. Excellent forehand assembly with a high wither and long, well-angled upper arm. To be critical, I would prefer more width of chest. Strongly boned limbs with correct pasterns & feet. Well sprung ribs, absolutely correct and clean in overline with a long, well moulded croup. Correct rear angulations and firm hocks. Firm all through going/coming. Demonstrated such a captivating, easy side gait while maintaining her wither height. An excellent demonstration of a level-headed performance on a loose lead at all times. Her performance never faltered, she could not be denied the CC and ultimately BIS. In my opinion, a great ambassador for your breed.

Swift’s, Ch. Monksley Faye Savannah. Black/gold. Another very worthy champion, free from exaggeration. Most pleasing for overall shape and balance of angulation. Medium size, strong of slightly stretched proportions. Typical head, correct proportions with dark eyes. High wither, excellent shoulder and upper arm with straight front limbs. I would prefer more length of leg for balance. Clean, firm overline but the croup could be a little longer. Symmetrical rear angulations with firm hocks. Correct going/coming, covers the ground well in profile while holding her shape, put in a really consistent performance throughout.

Brown’s, Swnynant Guiliana.

VETERAN BITCH (1/0)

Marsden’s, Avanti Virtue. Pale black/tan. Medium sized, medium strong of very good proportions. Ultra-feminine head with dark eyes. Very good forehand assembly overall. Correct overline but the croup could be a little longer. Excellent pasterns and feet. Rear angulations are correct, standing firm throughout. Very easy mover all round and performed well for her age. RBVIS, the male just had a little more body condition in the challenge today.

Judge: James Newton