Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

Darlington Championship Show 13/09/2024

Siberian Huskies.

Firstly I would like to thank David Guy and the committee at Darlington for the invitation to judge at their show and award my first set of Challenge Certificates. A fabulous venue, well run with good sized rings and a warm welcome on arrival. Then to Colin and Susan my stewards for such a great job in keeping the ring running so smoothly and efficiently, then to all the exhibitors who brought their beautiful dogs with such a huge entry I was spoilt for choice and lastly for the sportsmanship shown in accepting my decisions, I was truly honoured. Thank you.

A few points to be mindful of moving forward. I found a fair few dog were hand shy and this made assessing them difficult which did affect their placings on the day. Upright pasterns, straight fronts and tails are also of concern. Overall most were well muscled - a quality entry where there just weren't enough cards or placings to go around.

Veteran Dog (5.0)

1. Sargent's Ch Hushwing Wezztlee With Keriquel                                                                                                              Dilute black and white dog 7 years old who I have admired from ringside for some time and didn't disappoint, he has a foxy head with high ear set and beautiful dark almond shaped eyes set obliquely, tight fitting lips with good pigmentation. Good length of neck which flowed into well constructed front assembly, correct pasterns and stood on good feet. Strong supple topline with good ribbing and taut loin with slight arch over leading to an equally well constructed rear and lovely fox brush tail. He was effortless on the move covering so much ground. Shown in hard condition. Very workman like in outlook and pushed hard for top honours. I was delighted to award him BVD.

2. Allen-Davern's Ch Siberiadrift Keep The Love For Zimavolk JW Sh.cm [ATC AT03927002]                                      Red and white, another 7 year old dog with much to like, maturing well with a pleasing head and foxy expression, strong neck of good length leading to well constructed shoulders, good fore chest and straight front legs with correct pasterns and feet. Good depth to chest and strong topline, a slight arch over the loins, good rear angulation and well muscled rear quarters with strong hocks, he covered the ground with ease, slightly higher tail set than 1 but carried well, unlucky to come up against 1st on such good form.

3. Patrick's Ch Tom Bombadil Of Poliarine Arktika At Coldasice JW Sh.cm (Imp)

Minor Puppy Dog 

(3.0) 1. Houston's Inukshuk I Prefer Au Revoir                                                                                                                    6 month old dark grey and white dog, very raw at present. He has a super head with such a mischievous expression, beautiful high ear set and dark pigment, pleasing front and outline a good croup, tail set and carriage. Moved well for one so young, a little loose at present but should come together nicely, thoroughly enjoying himself in the ring. A promising puppy which I look forward to seeing as he develops. BPD                                                                            

2. Houston's Inukshuk My Way Ward Son                                                                                                                          Litter Brother to first and much of the same attributes apply, I can see them swapping places frequently as they develop. Today I just preferred the ears, tail set and carriage of 1st.

3. Spratley's Winterlumi Wolf Moon.

Puppy Dog (1.0)

1. Spratley's Siberiadrift Howlaween                                                                                                                                    Grey and white dog 11 month old and coming together nicely, masculine head of good proportions with an inquisitive expression, strong neck of moderate length with a well constructed front, good pasterns, level topline and strong loin, slight tuck up and moderate rear angulation. I really liked his size. Very much at one with his handler and moved well from all angles.

Junior Dog (3.0)

1. McArthur, McKenzie-Rees Amical Naxxar                                                                                                                    Dilute black and white dog just out of Puppy who has the sweetest of heads, foxy with a glint of mischief in his eyes which are beautifully set, with high ears and moderate stop, tight fitting lips and dark pigment with nice under jaw. Balanced throughout with ample neck and good angulation fore and aft, tight elbows, correct pasterns and feet. His topline was firm, loins are developing. He has a good croup with correct tail set and carriage. Would have liked a tad more fill over the pinbones which will come as he develops, well muscled hind quarters. He moved well in all directions holding his shape standing and on the move. A youngster with a bright future and I look forward to seeing him develop. 

2. Wakker's Komaksiut's Glen Devon Av Ratatuyak At Ceannabeinne                                                                        Dilute black and white dog with a handsome head, ears set slightly wider than 1st, good eye set and shape, dark pigment and tight fitting lips, has an alert friendly expression. Good length of neck into well constructed shoulders, fore chest is still developing. He has nice depth to chest for his age, a stong topline and firm loins with slight arch, moderate rear angulation with a good tuck up and well muscled throughout. Moved well in profile, not as precise out and back.

3. Emery's Navajos Moonage Daydream.

                                                                                                                                                                                        Post Graduate Dog (8.0)

1. Bryson's Inukshuk O'aningan JW                                                                                                                                  Grey and white piebald dog with a foxy head, a moderate stop, high set ears, almond eyes obliquely set and tight fitting lips, slightly longer muzzle but in proportion to skull with good pigmentation and a soft cheeky expression, well constructed and moderate throughout, tight fitting elbows, good ribbing and taut loins with a slight arch over them, well muscled and in super jacket that gleamed in the sun. Holding his shape beautifully standing and on the move, an effortless gait which covered the ground and true in all directions. He really showed well and upped his game in the challenge, I was happy to award him the RCC.

2. Houston's Inukshuk Silaluk O' The Sea                                                                                                                          Dark grey and white dog Brother to first, more compact in shape but everything is in proportion, an attractive head with a mischievous expression, good ear set and dark almond eyes set obliquely, a good length of neck into well constructed shoulders, he appeared ever so slightly finer in bone than his Brother. Firm topline and loins, I liked his overall outline and length to height ratios, carrying good body, well muscled and in lovely coat, he moved really well in profile and true on the out with a driving action from the hind quarters. Well handled.

3. Shelford's Polarquest Queens Company

Limit Dog (8.1)                                                                                                                                                                      

1. McInnes Inneska Malachite                                                                                                                                        Dark Grey and White dog of good size, masculine head without coarseness he has a good ear set with beautiful parti-eyes obliquely set, dark pigment and tight fitting lips giving a lovely expression. Correct proportions and balanced with tight fitting elbows, correct pasterns and good feet he was presented in hard condition throughout and held his shape beautifully on the move as he flowed round the ring, another who was sound in all directions. He pushed hard for top honours just occasionally seemed to stand tucked in the challenge which altered his top line.

2. Matthews Howlvalley's Kraytos                                                                                                                                    Grey and white boy with such a lovely handsome head and expression, foxy and inquisitive. Liked his outline and bone, he has well constructed shoulders with just enough fore chest, a firm topline, loins and hind quarters. He really enjoyed his time in the ring and he never stopped wagging his tail which was carried beautifully on the move in a graceful sickle. Efficient movement that covered plenty ground just not quite the action of 1st. Well handled.

3. Foard's Bifrost Addler's Theory

Open Dog (13.2) Lovely class of quality dogs.

1. Fletcher's Ch Azgard Bolivar At Whitepeak                                                                                                                        I have long admired this dog and he didn't disappoint, a grey and white piebald dog of good size and substance with a lovely head. Masculine without coarseness, moderate stop high ear set and soulful eyes giving a gentle kind expression, dark pigment and tight fitting lips, a good length of neck with slight arch which flowed into his shoulders, he had good forechest, well angulated fore and aft. One you most definitely have to get your hands on under that super jacket, he is moderate throughout with correct bone, topline, croup and tailset, a fox brush which for me was carried perfectly. A standard fitting Siberian in great condition which showed in his effortless movement as he powered round the ring, sound in all directions with precise foot fall. Was delighted to award him the DCC. 

2. Ranby, Hughes-Hughes Ch Siberiadrift Secret Untold                                                                                                    Another standard fitting Siberian in great shape, I liked his size and height to length ratio's. He has good bone and coat, lovely head and ear set with dark eyes shaped and set correctly giving a mischievous expression, Masculine in outline but refined with a strong neck and firm topline, taut loins, good tuck up, moderate balanced angulation, good croup and carried his tail well. Shown and presented beautifully. Another who covered the ground well with no wasted energy and just unlucky to meet 1st on they day.    

3. Richardson's Salazka's Thunderbird At Starlegend                                                                                                Another lovely dog who I had to mention - at 7 years he is maturing beautifully, standard fitting and has such a beautiful head with the cheekiest of expression, well angulated throughout and in super shape, good jacket and correct fox brush tail , loved his outline. He moved well in all directions with a light footed gait which covered plenty ground. Another tough decision on the day. Well handled.

Veteran Bitch (12.3) 

1. Bowering-Evans Penkhala's Kaska                                                                                                                              Grey and white 7 years old with an elegant head, high set ears & almond eyes set correctly giving a foxy, sweet expression, she is feminine throughout but without weakness, lovely length and arch to neck, with well constructed shoulders and front, tight fitting elbows and firm body with a slight rise over the loins, an equally well made rear and hard muscle gave her a lovely outline in profile, she looked like a youngster. Her movement was elegant and fluid without exaggeration and she covered the ground freely and precisely. Loved her a strong contender for top honours and I was delighted to award her BVIB. She looked fabulous in that big group ring, Congratulations. 

 2. Shelford's Ch Joy Av Vargevass At Polarquest (Imp Nor)                                                                                                 I have always liked this young lady too, 9 years old another standard fitting Siberian who is full of quality, lovely head and expression, feminine but athletic in outlook with everything where it should be, balanced throughout and in super condition. Effortless on the move with no wasted energy, a close decision I just preferred the head and frame of 1st. 

 3. Kennedy's Amical Switched On At Laskakova

                                                                                                                                                                                      Minor Puppy Bitch (4.0)                                                                                                                                                      

1. Bryson's Inukshuk Ride The Storm                                                                                                                                  Grey piebald 6 months old and full of sass and promise, loved her proportions, head and lengthy neck, she has a good length and angle to her upper arm and nice lay back of shoulder, balanced rear angulation, bum high on the stand at times, lovely tail carriage, a little excitable but thoroughly enjoying her day, moved freely around the ring, a little loose at present but such a sweet pup. 

2. Bryson's Inukshuk Hello Darkness                                                                                                                            Black and white striking looking baby, with a nice head and cheeky mischievous expression, high set ears, another who really enjoyed her time in the ring, a little unsure on assessment, she moved well in profile once settled, I liked her rear angulation, her tail carriage was lovely. Nit picking at present she appeared slightly longer in profile and I preferred the front assembly of 1st. Some lovely pups from this kennel and I look forward to watching them develop. 

 3. Spratley's Winterlumi Night Fury

Puppy Bitch (7.0) 

 1. Freeman's Siberiadrift Hocus Pocus                                                                                                                              11 month old agouti who has a striking head and an alert expression, an elegant neck with slight arch, she has a strong topline and good angulation fore and aft which showed in her smooth efficient movement covering the ground with ease, very tidy and precise on the out and back, correct croup and tail finish her lovely outline, balanced throughout and at one with her handler, presented in super coat. One to watch in future and I was delighted to award her BPB and ultimately BPIB. 

2. Allen-Davern's Siberiadrift Trick Or Treat For Zimavolk                                                                                            Dilute black and white feminine bitch smaller in frame but nicely put together, foxy head with correct ear shape and set with dark almond oblique eyes and a sweet cheeky expression, lengthy neck and good length to height ratio's with a firm topline, taut loins and slight rise developing, balanced angulation, a very tidy little pup, who moved well in all directions, litter Sister to 1st and nit picking I preferred the croup development of the winner at present. 

 3. Bryson's Inukshuk Ride The Storm

Junior Bitch (1.0)

1. Rees Amical Valletta                                                                                                                                                            A black and white bitch just out of puppy with a well proportioned, pretty foxy head and lovely ear set, dark almond eyes set obliquely and dark pigment with tight fitting lips giving an alert inquisitive expression, moderate and balanced in profile, fore chest still developing and tight fitting elbows, correct pasterns and feet, she moved well around the ring and tidy on the out and back, muscle developing well in rear quarters, lovely coat and her tail was carried in a gentle sickle, presented beautifully. Another pup with a bright future.

Post Graduate Bitch (17.3) A huge class of lovely bitches. 

 1. Fletcher's Siberiadrift Blue Lagoon At Whitepeak                                                                                                     Young agouti with a feminine head and high set ears, blue eyes of correct set and shape, and a well chiselled fore face with moderate stop and lovely pigmentation giving her such a foxy expression, her neck is slightly arched and of moderate length, into well laid shoulders with a good length and return of upper arm, good width to chest and legs are parallel with correct pasterns and feet, firm topline and muscular loins with slight tuck up, she has a good bend of stifle well muscled hind quarters and low set strong hocks, her tail set and carriage are good and she moved fluidly around the ring covering plenty of ground and true out and back, totally in tune with her handler, at the smaller end of the scale height wise and if I'm being picky I would prefer a tad more leg but she never stopped showing and I was happy to award her the RBCC.

2. Platt's Keriquel Heart And Soul Of Wightflight                                                                                                                  2 year old grey and white who has a very pretty feminine head with a lovely keen, alert yet soft expression, a good length of neck, well angulated and balanced throughout, firm topline and loins, good depth of chest and leg length, correct pasterns and feet, she has a slight tuck up, good croup, tail set and carriage, another who moved fluidly round the ring covering plenty of ground driving from her hind quarters and true out and back, a close decision, on the day I preferred the forechest development of 1st. 

 3. Caudy's Arctictreks Goldilocks At Snodragon JW                                                                                                Striking looking red and white who I had to mention with lots to like, another standard fitting Siberian who moved really well and I'm sure her day will come. Beautifully handled and presented.

Limit Bitch (11.0) Quality Class.

1. Hart's Penkhalas My Evaline From Zawkkast                                                                                                              Loved this girl she screamed moderate to me. Feminine and athletic but not coarse in any way, she is elegant and balanced. A pretty head with high ears, lovely eye shape and set, chiselled fore face giving a foxy mischievous expression, moderate length and slight arch to neck, a good front with well laid shoulder and good length and return of upper arm, tight fitting elbows, with correct pasterns and feet, correct depth of chest and a firm supple topline with good ribbing and lovely length to loins with slight arch over, loved her croup length and angle, tail set and the way she carried her tail was super. Good rear angulation and hard condition through out with strong hocks. On the move she excelled with an effortless gait covering the ground with ease and without ever losing form, she was a joy to watch and I was thrilled to award her BCC and BOB, I found out afterwards this was her second big green card and I hope that all important 3rd isn't too far away. She represented our breed beautifully in the group, many congratulations.

2. Bryson's Inukshuk Iqniq O'the Night JW                                                                                                              Another super girl with a pretty feminine head and a super expression, lovely earset and dark almond eyes set correctly, good length of neck, into well constructed front assembly, tight fitting elbows with correct pasterns and feet, a firm topline, slightly longer cast than first but everything is in proportion, firm loins, good rear angulation and well muscled hind quarters, good croup and fox brush carried gracefully in a sickle, she held her shape on the move covering lots of ground and was tidy and precise out and back, very well presented and in beautiful coat. She pushed hard to take this class, I preferred the movement of 1st on the day.

3. John's Azgard Kastella for Alepenkye

                                                                                                                                                                                        Open Bitch (11.2) Another class full of quality.

1. Hughes Ch Siberiadrift Secret To Keep                                                                                                                              I liked this girl the first time I saw her and like her more so now as she is developing, Grey and white with a pleasing head of equal proportions with high ear set, parti-eyed set obliquely, dark pigment and a glint of mischief in her eyes giving a foxy expression, ideal bone and proportions for me, she has well balanced angulation fore and aft, good pasterns and feet, a good length of ribbing to loin. A firm topline and with a slight arch over her loins, slight tuck up, good croup, tail set and carriage, well muscled hind quarters. She moves true in all directions covering a lot of ground with minimum effort and I look forward to seeing her develop further, beautifully presented and handled, a strong contender in the challenge.

2. Jones-Coia Ch Icynights Devils Desire                                                                                                                    Dilute black and white with a foxy head, and expression, well furred and set ears, dark eyes set obliquely with good pigment, correct front and rear angulation with correct pasterns and feet, firm topline in good coat and body condition, well muscled and balanced through out, she has a nice slope to her croup and carries her tail well, effortless movement and true coming and going covering lots of ground, another standard fitting Siberian who was shown and presented beautifully. 3. Caudy's Penkhalas Amka

Judge Kim Porritt (Blizzardrun)