British Dalmatian Club

My thanks to the exhibitors for their entries (with a low absentee rate) and sporting acceptance of my decisions; to my fellow members for electing me; to the officials of the BDC for their warm welcome, kind hospitality and beautiful gift as a memory of the event; and to my very capable stewards, Alison Neal and Ian Tillson whose efficiency and time management ensured that judging dove-tailed neatly with that of the bitches. I really enjoyed my day.

The ring was a good size with the non-slip floor we are accustomed to at Stoneleigh. In general, temperaments were very good. For movement I used a standard ‘up and down’ twice, moving myself to watch in profile and then a ‘run round’ to join the line - less opportunity for exhibitors to interpret a triangle. Those handlers who had clearly studied their dogs presented them to their best advantage.

We continue to have a range of sizes and builds – some not typical of a powerful, elegant, moving dog. Tail set and carriage continue to be an issue and spoil the elegant lines of a Dalmatian. Some exhibits would benefit from road work on a hard surface (pavement pounding) at a pace that encourages length of stride - definitely not easy if you have a male with good reach and drive! Significant ticking was evident on some exhibits, which distracts from a ‘distinctively spotted dog’. If you are fortunate to have dogs with clearly spotted coats it is a trait to be preserved.

MPD (2–1 abs)

1 Wooton & Gardinor’s HEBEMOR ADONIS BLUE BY DAKATA NAF TAF just 6 mths old, jet black on white. Elegant and well-proportioned throughout. Steady accurate movement away and back. Very much a baby – as he should be - but showing promise. Responded very well to his handler’s calm, quiet approach.

PD (6-0)

1 Dinsdale’s DOTLUN APACHE RUNNING BEAR 9.5 mths old l/w evenly marked with lovely colour. Kind head with ideal proportions. Expression enhanced by well broken ears correctly carried. Good round bone into tight feet. Steady driving movement produced from his good angles front and rear. Correct tail set and carriage. Appropriately muscled for his age. A bright future. BPD.

2 Watts and Jackson-Peatling’s JAXSONDAL ROCKET MAN 11 mths l/w with clear spotting shown in very good condition. Pleasing head proportions and ear carriage. Correct angles fore and aft enabled reach and drive on the move. Close up to 1 who just edged ahead being slightly more settled all round today. A lovely puppy.

3 Smith’s KENSESQUI WATER WALKER

JD (6-0)

1 Wright’s MILLBELLE THUNDERFIRE A lot to like about this 12 mths old l/w showman who knows he looks good! Masculine, but elegant and well balanced. Ideal size with clear spotting. Well-proportioned head with nicely arched neck into level topline held on the move. Correct construction front and rear enabled movement with very good reach and drive. In my final four for higher honours today. Still very much a youngster - one to watch! BLD.

2 Wilkin’s SALVADORADA HEADS WILL ROLL 14 mths old attractive l/w. Up to size but well-proportioned all through with well broken ears carried correctly producing a kind expression. Clear, even spotting on a very good coat. Powerful, reachy movement. A promising prospect, but 1 was just a little more ‘together’ today.

3 Cuthbertson’s KALSIDONI BLUE GEMSTONE

YD (3-1)

1 Baker’s KELEVRA CHIVE TALKING WITH DALLEAF JW 19 mths old jet black on white. Ideal size and body proportions. Positive forehand with deep chest. Good topline held on the move. Rear angles balanced with fore enabled steady, rhythmic movement demonstrating reach and drive. Not an enthusiastic showman today, but did enough. Sired by BiS winner.

2 Kaal’s SCHUNIKKA IFOR DREAM JW 19 mths evenly marked b/w with a kind expression enhanced by correct ear carriage. Good depth of chest. Correct hind angulation enabled positive driving movement. Although the same age, lost out to 1 today on overall maturity.

ND (4-1 w/dr)

1 Watts and Jackson-Peatling’s JAXSONDAL ROCKET MAN 2nd in PD.

2 Gardinor’s DAKAIRIES FIRST CARBON COPY AT DAKATA 4 yrs old l/w, taller than some. Kind expression enhanced by dark eye. Elegant neck into good shoulders. Holds a level topline standing and moving. Good driving movement. Handled well to get the best from him. Could carry a pound or two more to advantage.

3 Quigley’s DALKISS PAPERBACK WRITER

PGD (10-2)

Outside of the winners there were several very proud tails in this class – some set too high, others carried too high.

1 Crookes’ DALBERRY THE STARBURST At just turned 3yrs an attractive l/w. Lovely amber eye created a kind expression. Clean neck into level topline. Compact body proportions with good hindquarters used to advantage on the move. Currently at the ‘teenage’ stage but coming together well. Very well handled.

2 Wooton’s TOLKAIN CALIBAN 2 yrs 5 mths b/w who is maturing very well. Gentle head with lovely broken ears. Reachy neck into good lay of shoulder. Moved purposefully maintaining his topline. Presented an attractive picture both standing and moving. Pushed hard, but 1 just edged past the post first.

3 Smith’s RAPANOOEY SUGAR DONUT AT SPOTAMOUR JW

LD (13-2)

1 Kembrey’s O’MALLEY DES DALMATS DE LA PIERRE SACREE AT DALMARK 5 yr old with a good liver colour. Well-balanced with no exaggeration. Neat elbows fitting against a deep chest completed a very good forehand. Hocks well let down. Slightly longer cast than some, but this enabled reachy, purposeful strides. In my final four for higher honours today but didn’t project his qualities as well as some in the challenge.

2 Green & Sears’ ALPHADAL AINT MISBEHAVING AT JUDALLY JW At just turned 5 yrs this l/w has a more compact construction than 1. Elegant but clearly a male. Stylish and built correctly to meet the standard. Covered the ground efficiently with good reach and drive. Another of quality shown in the best condition and handled to advantage. On the day 1 just had the edge on outward movement.

3 Sims’ KOROYZA HRAFNA FLOKI FOR SNOWSPEEDER

OD (8-1)

1 Richardson’s CH MAPPLEWELL POCKET ROCKET Just turned 5 yrs old. Upstanding, muscular, jet black on white who has matured and achieved well since I last judged him. Presented in tip top condition, scoring well in all departments. Very sound on the move with a long free stride. Handled extremely well to present his features. I awarded him the RCC when we last met – unfortunately he met his sire on top form in the challenge today! RCC

2 Whincup’s TAMILANDA AIR FORCE ONE At almost 5 yrs old this b/w was in very good condition and provided a real challenge to the winner. Correctly constructed all through with a lovely head and expression. Moved purposefully holding a level topline. Today 1 just tipped the balance, but it was close.

3 Philip & Dunnachie’s CH DVOJICA ENRIQUE

Spec JVD (4-1)

I don’t think anyone’s told these boys that they’re Veterans!

1 Neath-Duggan & Baker’s CH BUFFREY INCOGNITO BY DALLEAF JW VW SWISS VCH almost 9 yrs old jet black on white presented in excellent condition. A real showman - in my opinion looking even better than he did as a youngster. Substance with elegance. Level topline and correct tail set and carriage. Correct and balanced angles front and rear enabled reachy, rhythmic movement. Absolutely on his toes. Quietly handled to advantage allowing his overall presence to dominate the ring. My partner judge Ms S Dandy agreed with me in the final challenges for BVIS and BIS. CC BBD BVD BVIS BIS

2 Whincup’s CH TAMILANDA MIDNIGHT LILLY JW CW23 8 yrs old b/w. An excellent example of the breed. Have previously awarded this boy a RCC and a CC and he remains a favourite of mine. Correct construction with balanced angles fore and aft ensured he looked good standing and moving. Expertly handled. Full of quality but didn’t bring his sparkle with him today.

3 Marley & Libbey’s BELLILI’S D’AMORE DE LOIN ShCM ShCEx VW

Spec SVD (3-0)

1 McCarthy’s INT/FR/IR/CH DOMDALLINO JE SUIS KILNDANDY JW At just turned 10 yrs old an attractively marked l/w of ideal size. Good head proportions with correctly carried ears providing a kind, keen expression. Compact, balanced construction with powerful movement. Lovely tight coat - one of the best on the day. All round quality.

2 De Rozario’s DALLEAF D’ACCORD AVEC JEMBLEWOOD Well spotted l/w - he may be nearly 14 years old but he can still do it!! Longer cast than 1 but in correct proportions. Clearly enjoyed moving where he showed a good length of stride.

3 Gardinor’s JAMELSLEY PYRACANTHA AT DAKATA JW

My partner judge Ms S Dandy and I were able to reach agreement on all of the final challenges.

Lesley Suggett

Judge