Welsh Kennel Club

Welsh Kennel Club 

15th August 2024 

Affenpinscher 

Judge: Miss L Tarabad (Khatibi) 

I was delighted by such a big entry for a weekday show in Wales and I thoroughly enjoyed judging the breed. Temperaments, as always, were a joy. Size was fairly uniform throughout the entry, presentation was correct and heads on the whole were good. My main observation was the lack of “lively strutting movement” alongside minimal lift and in turn many not carrying themselves as I would expect in profile. That being said I did have plenty of choice for the top awards, the bitch entry was particularly nice with 2 bitches gaining their crown on the day, Mother and Daughter, I can’t imagine that happens very often! 

 VD (1) 

1st: CURRIE, Mrs F Ch Orlock Evernight For Faehat Sh.CM VW. Lovely start to the entry with this 12 year old gentleman who can still show the youngsters a thing or two! Lovely size and shape, still carrying a firm topline with correct tail set and carriage. Such a sweet face with sparkling dark eyes, short blunt muzzle with good turnup and neat high set ears. In super condition and coat, moving happily around the ring. BV 

 MPD (1 ) 

1st: MERRETT, Mr & Mrs Derek & Jacky Venustus Robin Banks. Almost 9 months old and really didn’t want to cooperate on the move! Soundly constructed with straight front, correct front and rear angulation, good ribbing for age and good substance. Moved enough to show he was sound and did return to the challenge in a much more cooperative mood! 

 PD (1) 

1st: CLIFTON-PLAICE, Mrs M Coutureabull Versace. Small, compact 10month old son of the DCC winner who was handled and presented to an advantage. Such a cheeky expression with dark eyes, short muzzle and good chin. Short neck into good front assembly, firm topline, correct croup and tail carriage. Such a happy attitude moving with a typical strutting action holding his outline firm, good moving away and displaying good lift. In a good harsh jacket and nice and sturdy for his size. When he returned to challenge for BP he really upped his game and moved round the ring like he owned it. BP, I look forward to seeing how he matures. 

JD (1) 

1st: TOOHEY, Mr K & Mrs J Dinahtron The Rock. Larger than I’d prefer but with such a delightful temperament. Masculine head with dark eyes, open nostrils, not much chin or turnup. Soundly constructed with legs well under body, good topline, croup and tailset. Correctly presented rough black coat. 

PGD (5,1) 

1st: GRUNINGER, Miss J Darkle Vyvan Bear Starred. Sturdily built, well balanced 18month old. Short, straight neck, straight front, short back, well sprung ribs, correct rear assembly and high set tail. Correctly shaped head with lovely expression, dark round eyes, short muzzle with decent chin. Moved with impressive accuracy out and back, in profile displays good lift and carried himself with the self importance typical of the breed. A nice type. 

2nd: CONWAY, Mrs J Affentude Loony Tunes For Stormjac. I notice now this 2yr old shares the same sire as 1. A touch smaller than 1 and not quite the substance but presented a balanced outline which he held on the move. A little narrow in front and behind but has a nice action in profile. Nice head qualities and appealing expression. 

3rd: MCGUINNESS, Mrs Maria & NELSON, Mrs Sarah Dinahtron The Notorious One 

LD (6) 

1st: MCEVOY, Mrs J & PIRRIE, Mrs Suzanne Afterglow Bat In The Belfry For Guereza. Mature 13month old who couldn’t fail to immediately catch my eye. Outstanding attitude and confidence, such an eager showman and a proper showoff! Gorgeous face with monkey like expression, dark sparkling eyes, marked stop and good turnup. Short level back, good spring of rib, correctly set and carried tail and well balanced outline. Moved with probably the best “strut” of the day, great lift and holding himself so proudly. In super coat and condition, handled expertly. 

2nd: CARY, Mrs L F Carycares Birthday Boy. Another nice one, again with an appealing head and expression. Sturdy and balanced with good construction throughout, moving with a typical action. A little close going away and I felt 1 held his outline better moving in profile but there wasn’t much between them. 

3rd: CURRIE, Mrs F Faehat Trilby 

OD (6 ,1) 

1st: CLIFTON-PLAICE, Mrs M & WILDIG, Miss S Ch Coutureabull Mr Muison. One I had judged previously, shortly after lockdown, and at the time certainly wasn’t in this condition or with this showy attitude so whatever has happened since then has certainly worked! Loved his size and substance, small and sturdy with short neck, correct front and rear angulation, well sprung ribs, firm topline and well set and carried tail. Masculine, correctly shaped head with dark round eyes, neat ears, short muzzle with good chin and turnup. Moved accurately in all directions looking particularly good in profile as he circled the ring with confidence displaying good lift, holding his outline firm at all times. His rough black coat was presented correctly enhancing his monkey like qualities and he was handled expertly to show off his super type perfectly. I had no hesitation awarding him the CC, his 10th I heard later. DCC, BOS. 

2nd: GRUNINGER, Miss J & SWEIGART, Ms Beth & KING, Mr G Ch High Wire Walker Of Darkle. Didn’t immediately catch my eye but the more I saw the more I liked! Similar in size and shape to 1, equally as sturdy and soundly made with correctly balanced length to height, short neck and high set tail. His head is correctly shaped with cheeky expression, short muzzle and good turnup. It was his movement that really impressed, totally accurate out and back, lifting feet high and holding himself proudly. Over the years I have often been impressed by the type from this kennel and this 5 yr old was no exception. It was a close decision but I just slightly preferred the expression of 1 and felt he held himself better on the move, however he was called back to challenge for the RCC and I was happy to award it to him.  

3rd: SHEPHERD, Mrs Delia Ch Avantgarde Zonked Out Zappa 

SBD (1) 

1st: LLOYD-WARRINGTON, Mrs Allyson Valkeith Neville. 19months old who was a lovely size, shape and type. Still needs time to develop fully in body but has a correctly balanced length of body, level topline and short neck. Gorgeous face with dark sparkling eyes, good chin and short blunt muzzle. Such a shame that he was a little unsure and just wouldn’t make enough of himself or use his tail on the move. I hope he can gain some confidence as he deserves to do better. Best Special beginner. 

MPB (4) 

1st: PIRRIE, Mrs Suzanne & MCEVOY, Mrs J Guereza Queen Of The Fairies. Nice start to the bitch entry finding this gorgeous, very attentive 6 month old baby. Such a pretty face with a cheeky glint in her eyes, good chin and turnup, marked stop and well set and used ears. Neat shape with straight front, correct front and rear angulation, good topline and tail set. Moved so smartly for one so young and obviously has a great attitude. BPB. 

2nd: MERRETT, Mr & Mrs Derek & Jacky Venustus Honour Winner. Another baby with impressive profile movement, firm topline and well set and carried tail. Nice size and shape with body developing as expected at this age. Lovely head and expression, in well presented rough coat and handled sympathetically. A nice type, just not quite as settled as 1. 

3rd: CURRIE, Mrs F Faehat Halo 

PB (2,1) 

1st: MERRETT, Mr & Mrs Derek & Jacky Venustus Emma Dale. Very happy little girl with good spring of rib and substance for her age. Nice head and expression with good turnup, short blunt muzzle and dark eyes. Carried herself confidently on the move, good coming towards, topline could be better in profile.  

JB (6,1) 

1st: PIRRIE, Mrs Suzanne & MCEVOY, Mrs J Guereza Goody Goody Gumdrop. When this 12 month old youngster entered the ring I knew she was going to take some beating, and as it turned out only her mother came close! Small, sturdy, typical balance and outline with firm topline, well sprung ribs, correct front and rear assembly and high set tail. Delightful head and expression, dark sparkling eyes, marked stop, short muzzle with good turnup and chin and neat high set ears. Her movement is exactly what I was looking for, accurate with good lift, firm topline, super out and back and carrying herself with self confidence and a lively attitude. Her rough black coat was presented correctly and she was handled perfectly. Just days out of puppy but fairly mature for her age and didn’t put a foot wrong every time she was in the ring. I thought she was breathtaking and was delighted to award her the CC and BOB. I heard afterwards that this was her crowning CC after several before the age of 12months. Congratulations. 

2nd: MCGUINNESS, Mrs Maria & NELSON, Mrs Sarah Dinahtron Honey Ryder. Another nice one who was certainly not disgraced standing 2nd here. Small and sturdy with sound construction and correct balance, short neck, good topline and tail carriage, well sprung ribs and correct rear assembly. Feminine head, well proportioned with cheeky expression from her dark eyes. Again in correctly presented harsh coat and moving well in all directions.  

3rd: WALLER, Miss M Scapafield Schwarz Swallow At Lilnrose 

PGB (9,2)    

1st: HUGHES, Miss Melanie Pipes Of Peace At Nantmelan. Not the obvious winner at first glance as wasn’t always stood to an advantage but she settled as the class progressed and on closer inspection I found a very nicely balanced and well made exhibit with good substance, correct front and rear assembly, short level back and correctly set tail. Gorgeous little face with beautiful dark eyes and good turnup. Moved well and was better out and back than 2 but unfortunately was spooked in the challenge and just wasn’t moving happily.  

2nd: CARY, Mrs L F Carycares Aureli. A touch longer than 1 but still presents a pleasing outline with good topline, tailset and carriage. Feminine head with dark eyes and good turnup. Free moving and in lovely coat and condition. 

3rd: PURSE & MARSH, Mr & Mr T A & N R Carycares Dee Dee At Tidemill 

 LB (6,1) 

1st: OAKDEN, Mr Anthony Carmichan Black Orchid Jw. This was my BP last time I judged and it was nice to see how well she’s matured and thought she was the easy winner here. Very smart outline both standing and maintained on the move, short neck, level topline, well sprung ribs and correctly angulated rear. Small, feminine head with lovely eyes, short muzzle with good width of jaw and turnup. Moved with accuracy out and back and displaying some lift in profile, just wish she’d had a little more attitude to really make the most of herself which would have given her the chance at higher honours.  

2nd: WILDIG, Miss Sophie Ann & WILDIG, Miss Janette Affentude One In A Minion. A touch smaller than 1 but had the attitude I love to see which really enhanced her strutting action on the move, looking a picture in profile. Compact and balanced in outline with good topline and tail carriage. Sweet face with cheeky expression, short muzzle and good chin. Could carry a little more weight. 

3rd: TEASDALE, Mrs A Tonsarne Teatime 

OB (8,1) Lovely class. 

1st: PIRRIE, Mrs Suzanne & MCEVOY, Mrs J Afterglow Cheddar Gorgeous Guereza. Another super exhibit from these owners who couldn’t fail to impress. Small and sturdy with nothing overdone and plenty of substance for size. Short neck, correct front and rear assembly, firm topline and well set and carried tail with such a well balanced and typical outline that she obviously loves to show off. Beautiful head qualities with a cheeky glint in her dark eyes, neat ears, good turnup, chin and short blunt muzzle. Moved with a confident and typical action, good lift, accurate out and back and holding a firm outline and she circled the ring. Perfectly presented rough coat enhances her outline and expression. I was really torn in the challenge between her and her younger kennel mate and had no clue I was deciding between mother and daughter! It really came down to the ‘look at me’ attitude on the last circuit of the ring that gave the daughter the edge however I was delighted to hear afterwards that this bitch also gained her crown winning the RCC to add to her 2CC’s and multiple RCC’s, what an achievement! RCC. 

2nd: SHEPHERD, Mrs Delia Ch Avantgarde Les Fleurs Du Mal. Lovely attitude and showmanship here always standing to attention and moving with great confidence. I felt she was moved a little faster than necessary to show off her strutting action at it’s best and wasn’t quite as good coming towards as 1. However, she is of obvious quality, sturdily built and compact with firm topline, well sprung ribs and well set and carried tail. Lovely head and expression with dark round eyes, high set ears, good width of jaw, turnup and chin. In harsh black coat and lovely condition. 

3rd: GRUNINGER, Miss J & SWEIGART, Ms Beth & KING, Mr G Sendin The Clowns