Bath Canine Society

Bath Canine Society Championship Dog Show 25th May 2024

Dalmatian Critique

Liesel Thorner (Naracoopa)

I would like to thank the officers and committee of Bath Canine Society for the honour of judging my beloved breed at my absolute favourite champ show.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day and thank the exhibitors for bringing their dogs along for me to judge and accepting my decisions so sportingly. Thank you also to Dave Browning and Marina White for managing the ring so efficiently.

I had some lovely dogs to go over and in some classes had to make some difficult decisions.

Our breed should be elegant and moderately constructed with no exaggeration. They should have substance, stamina and the correct angulation fore and aft to allow them to do a day’s work. In your quests for angulation that produces a good gait please do not lose the elegant lines that are the Dalmatian. There were a few exhibits today that were somewhat heavier in bone and substance and shorter in leg, giving an outline untypical of a Dalmatian. Please also watch heads in your breeding programs. The standard calls for muzzle and skull of equal proportions with a moderate stop. Although we do not want large course heads and short muzzles, there are some youngsters coming through with longer less powerful muzzles and lack stop. Hopefully these will correct as they mature.

Fronts need to be watched. There are some fronts where the upper arm is short or of insufficient angle. This moves the forequarters forward with one of the effects being a straighter pastern. Less spring, less shock absorption and less flexibility of movement and ultimately more wear and tear on pasterns and feet.

Temperaments on the whole were good, with just a couple that were standoffish, but with a little coaxing allowed me to go over them.

Mouths were also generally good although the were some dirty teeth. I was also disappointed to have some with quite dirty coats.

I was looking for elegant dogs with appropriate bone and substance fitting an endurance trotter that had a construction that would produce a long, economic, rhythmic stride. All my top placings possessed these attributes.

Finally

May I congratulate you all on your fitness. You have a moving breed and I make no apologies for moving them as much as I did. A Dalmatian doesn’t settle into their true stride straight away whilst being handled and we very often don’t see them at their best once round the ring.

Dogs

Veteran (2, 0)

1st – CH Goodswen's Alphadal's King Of Angels ShCM

An 8 year old I have judged before at breed open show level, where he took best dog and still in fine form now. Well made, balanced black with correct angulation fore and aft and nicely muscled all through. Masculine head with a dark eye and alert expression, held on a neck of good length which flows into a well laid shoulder. Nice fill and depth to chest without being overdone and correct spring to his ribs. He stands on good bone and tight feet which combined with the rest of his construction allows him to move with steady economic drive. Still in excellent condition and very much the showman. Was pleased to award him the RCC and BVIB.

2nd James and Vaux’s Tippledal A New Moon Rises

Nine year old liver, built on larger frame. Masculine head on neck of good length. Balanced with good angulation fore and aft. Chest deep and capacious, with adequate fill. Stands on good bone and tight feet. Gaited the ring steadily but didn’t have the reach and drive of the first placed dog.

Minor Puppy (2, 0)

1st Stocks’ Dalmark Jubilations At Nospar

Well schooled, almost nine month old with lovely liver pigmentation and a happy disposition. Masculine head still maturing, with good amber eye, well set and carried ears, all creating an alert expression. His neck is of a good length, arched and flows into a well laid shoulder, good topline and tailset which he carried correctly. His upper arm sits well with his shoulder having good length and angle, creating a forequarter that balances with his rear. He stands on straight legs with good bone and tight feet. This young man moved out nicely whilst gaiting the ring and was pretty accurate fore and aft for one so young. He is currently a nice size for a male which I hope he maintains and just matures in body. One to watch. BPIB.

2nd Wilkins’ Anima Cordis Perfect Lover for Salvadorada

Seven month old black youngster not entirely happy with the proceedings today. A raw yet promising puppy that just needs time and maturity. Has deep pigment and well distributed spots. Head still developing but has a lovely dark eye. Nice length of neck into well laid shoulder and good topline. Well balanced fore and aft with good amount of bone and tight feet. Wasn’t entirely happy on the move but he reached out nicely and was tidy fore and aft. With time to settle and mature I am sure he will come into his own.

Puppy (2, 0)

1st Claesen’s Dalstorm Just Giving

Well balanced black built on larger frame. Masculine head with dark pigmentation to eye rims and nose leather and a lovely dark eye. Head still has some maturing to do with a little more stop needed and some more strength to his muzzle. He has a nice length to his neck which is set into a well laid shoulder and has good length to his upper arm. His chest is deep and with correct spring of rib carried well back. His legs are well boned and stands on tight feet with arched toes. Moved well on the go round, just needs to tighten.

2nd Wootton and Gardinor’s Hebemor Adonis Blue By Dakata

Smaller, finer framed black of 9 months. Well schooled young man that is really attentive to his handler. Head coming along, flat skull with good ear set which he used well. Correct depth to muzzle. Nice dark eye tops off the alert expression. Long neck into moderate forequarters. Chest needs to deepen a little but this will come with maturity. Bone befitting his frame. Nicely angulated behind. Wasn’t moving well today as he was crabbing quite badly.

Junior (4, 1)

1st Dinsdale’s Dotlun Apache Running Bear

Was really taken with this this young man and one of four dogs I gave consideration to for the top spots today. Very well put together liver boy of 13 months and balanced all through. A lovely head of correct proportions, flat skull, correct length and depth to his muzzle, well placed and carried ears and good amber eye. Alert and attentive to his handler.

Nicely angulated forequarters without being overdone and matching rear. Good fill and depth to chest. Correct tuck up. Good topline which he held on the move. Tailset a fraction lower than ideal if I’m being picky but he carried it well. This boy is topped off with nice bone in straight legs and tight feet. He moved well on the go round and was pretty accurate fore and aft. Would loved to have seen him move out a little more as I am sure he has more drive in the engine and will still move with rhythmic and economic strides. Gave away a lot in maturity today, but he will trouble the best in a few months I’m sure.

2nd Wilkins’ Salvadorada Heads Will Roll

Another well made liver, a little shorter cast and slightly heavier frame.

Masculine head, ears set slightly lower than ideal, but carried well, alert expression. Strong neck into nicely constructed forequarters with matching rear angulation. Another maturing nicely in width and depth of chest and well sprung ribs. He has lovely pigment to his spots which are nicely distributed. He stands on well boned legs and tight feet, which carry him round the ring with drive.

3rd Moss’ Sadiedel Let Ur Heart Decide

Yearling (4, 0)

Two dogs in this class made from completely different moulds.

1st Pearson’s Kelevra Dill Or No Dill JW

Rising two year old well pigmented black built on smaller frame. Correctly proportioned head with flat skull, strong muzzle, well set and carried ears and dark expressive eye. Good length to neck into defined wither and good topline. Moderately constructed forequarters balances with the hind angulation. This young man has adequate bone in keeping with his frame, straight legs and lovely tight feet. Moved well although does carry his tail a little high on the move.

2nd Kaal’s Schunikka Ifor Dream JW

Another black of almost two years old that I have judged before at open show level. Built on a larger frame but balanced throughout, with bone befitting his mould. Masculine head, although now a little stronger than when I judged him previously. Lovely dark eye and alert expression. Nice neck into well laid shoulder and good topline. He has well sprung ribs and a deep chest with plenty of heart and lung room. Well angulated fore matching his rear with a good bend of stifle.

He moves out well around the ring with reach and drive. Carrying some extra weight today which is not ideal on his frame.

3rd Richards’ Hafwenna King Of The North

Novice (5, 1)

1st Dinsdale’s Dotlun Apache Running Bear

As per 1st in Junior

2nd Claesen’s Dalstorm Just Giving

As per 1st in Puppy.

3rd Wooton and Gardinor’s Hebemor Adonis Blue By Dakata.

Post Graduate (6, 1)

1st Wiliamson’s Shydally Ultimate Edition JW

Two year old, well pigmented black and another I have judged previously.

Masculine head with dark eye and keen expression. Good length to his neck leading into defined wither. Balanced angulation fore and aft, deep chest and correct spring to his ribs. Well rounded rear with good bend of stifle, decent bone and substance and stands on tight feet. Moved out well on the go round and tidy out and back but does carry his tail a little waywardly.

2nd Wootton Tolkain Caliban

Three year old taller, shorter cast black with lovely deep pigment on a pure white coat. Masculine head with well placed ears and dark eye. Strong neck leads to defined wither and forequarters set a little forward than ideal. He has a nice spring to his rib and a strong loin that leads to well muscled hindquarters with a good turn of stifle. His stands on straight legs with bone befitting his frame. Moved ok.

3rd Graham-Weall’s Stendal Moon Stone Among Phidgity

Limit (10, 1)

1st Robbins and Hensman’s Jasquarella Edge Of Winter At Palouse

Three and a half year old, black that I have watched ringside with interest for some time now and pleased to be able to go over him.

This young man has no flash and dash about him, but has a very sound, steady rhythmic stride. His reach and drive is unexaggerated and would carry him round all day.

On going over him he handles well. He has a lovely head of correct proportions, masculine with a dark eye, well placed and carried ears and an alert expression. A good strong neck leads to a defined wither and a well laid shoulder and decent length and angulation of upper arm. His rear angulation balances the fore well. He stands on straight strong bone and tight feet and is nicely muscled all through.

Throughout his class and the challenges he put in an excellent performance and his movement never faltered. I could not deny him the top awards today. CC and BOB.

2nd Hill’s Pandamax Mariner

Six year old liver with a pleasing make and shape. Masculine head of good proportions, flat skull, strong muzzle, correct eye in shape and colour. Alert and attentive to his handler.

Balanced moderate angulation fore and aft, nice depth to his chest and a good spring to his ribs giving plenty of heart and lung room.

Liked his bone and substance. Moved out well around the ring and one of the tidier dogs fore and aft today.

Handler needs to be careful not to let him lean forward and up on the stand when baiting as this spoils his outline.

Open (6, 2)

1st Page’s Ch Bleize De Mont Juic At Winflash (Imp USA)

Another I have admired from the ringside and pleased to be able to judge him today.

Five year old black of a good sort. Masculine all through yet retains elegance. Well proportioned head with strong muzzle and correct stop. Ears well placed and carried and has lovely dark eye. Good length of neck into well laid shoulder, with length and angle to his upper arm. Ribs well sprung and depth to his chest. A strong loin connects his balanced rear angulation that has good depth to thigh and well let down hocks.

This boy produced a good economic gait with an unexaggerated reach and drive.

Another I gave consideration to for top honours today.

2nd Philip and Dunnachie’s Ch Dvojica Enrique

Three year old black built on slightly smaller frame than one. Darkest of pigment on a pure white coat in great condition. Masculine head, of correct proportions, with flat skull, strong muzzle and a lovely dark eye. Would prefer a more typical ear.

Neck of good length into a well laid shoulder and level topline. Carries his tail well.

He has moderate angulation fore and aft and bone in keeping with his frame. He stands on well arched tight feet.

He gaited the ring well and was tidy out and back. Handled to advantage to get the best out of him.

Special Beginner (9,0)

A mixed sex class.

1st Hurst’s Dvojica Firefly For Finnidal.

13 month old black bitch who appealed for her overall balance and femininity. Has a lovely head of correct proportions, well placed and carried ears and expressive eyes. her arched neck flows into a well laid shoulder and correct topline. She has a good length to her upper arm which together afforded her a lovely reach on the move. She has correct fill and depth to her chest and spring to her rib providing heart and lung room. Balanced rear angulation with well let down hocks drove her round the ring. She is topped off with a clear white coat and deep pigment to her well distributed spotting.

A nicely made young lady that was the clear winner of this class and when settled she moves well, but she has a tendency to rush off on the move beyond her handler which can concertina her outline until her enthusiasm is contained, this unfortunately caused her to be pipped to the post by her litter sister in the Junior class. She is one that impressed me and I will watch her with interest.

2nd Moss’ Sadiedel Let Ur Heart Decide

14 month old dog sporting well distributed black spotting on a pure white coat. Masculine head of good proportions, dark eye and well set and carried ears. Neck of length, into moderate front angulation. Deep chest with correct spring to his ribs. Short coupled with slight rise over his loin to nicely muscled rear quarters. Stands on tight feet. Gaited the ring well.

3rd Pattington and Blomfield’s Hafwenna Honey Pie

Bitches

Veteran (3, 1)

1st Davies’ Maddidalli Embers Glow

Rising 8 year old balanced black built on a slightly larger frame. Feminine head of correct ratios, dark eye and well set and carried ears. Nice length of neck into defined wither, and correct topline. Tail set a little low but carried correctly. Moderate angulation fore and aft with good fill and depth to her chest. Hocks are well let down and stands on tight feet. She is topped off with a dark pigment to her well distributed spotting.

Her handler got the best out of her today as she moved with long, rhythmic strides gaiting the ring holding her topline. BVB

2nd Jenkins and Ridgeway’s Luccombe Strawberry Kisses

Another nicely made black at 9 years young. Built on a smaller finer frame. Feminine head with beautiful dark eye and well set and carried ears. Alert expression and very attentive to her handler. Nice length to her neck, flowing into define wither, with good layback of shoulder, level topline and well set and carried tail. Moderate all through, with bone befitting her frame. Moved enthusiastically around the ring. Preferred the longer gait and substance of 1st place today.

Minor Puppy (0, 0)

Puppy (5, 0)

1st Sampson’s Dalstorm Just Waltzing

Nicely put together 8 month old, raw but promising liver. Feminine head with well set and carried ears, stop currently a little shallow, but head still has some maturing to so. Alert and attentive to her handler.

Long neck into a nicely angulated front, with deep chest and correct spring of rib. Lovely topline and tailset. Her rear quarters balance the fore and she has appropriate bone for her frame and just the right amount of substance. She gaited the ring well holding her topline. Moved a little close behind in the BPB challenge as maybe a little tired and was pipped by her litter sister, so just needs time to tighten up. Another one to watch.

2nd Stocks’ Sophtspot Sparkler At Nospar

Almost one year old black with a lovely dark pigment to her spotting. Build on a taller finer frame than 1st place. Feminine head with nice dark eye. Flying her ears a little today though. Her long neck leads into a correct topline with slight rise over the loin. Moderate angulation fore and aft and correct spring to ribs. Moved well.

3rd Popkingsway Lady Of Dreams

Junior (11, 0)

A lovely class of youngsters, with tough decisions needing to be made.

1st Philip and Dunnachie’s Dvojica Filthy Gorgeous

One year old well put together black that just pipped the 2nd place to the top spot in this class with her more settled movement but these two litter sisters will change places on different days, I am sure.

Feminine head, with well set and carried ears and a lovely dark eye. Her strong neck leads into a defined wither and nicely angulated front with width and depth to her chest and good spring to her ribs. Her rear construction balances the fore and her hocks are well let down. She stands on bone that is befitting her frame and tight feet. She is topped of with a jacket sporting well pigmented and distributed spotting on a pure white coat. She settled quickly into a nice steady gait around the ring with good reach and drive from behind and was tidy out and back.

2nd Hurst’s Dvojica Firefly For Finnidal.

As per 1st in Special Beginner

3rd Stevenson’s Dallyador White Snowflake At Macula

Yearling (7, 1)

1st Burrows’ Shacarlu Bee Happy

Feminine black of 18 months with head of correct ratios, well placed ears and a dark eye. Moderately angulated for and aft, good topline, strong loin and tail carriage. Nice spring of rib. Enough bone for her frame and tight feet. Moved well gaiting the ring and tracked up well on the out and back.

2nd Stevenson’s Dallyador White Snowflake At Macula

Like the overall construction on this 17 month old youngster, but she doesn’t always concentrate on the job in hand.

Lovely feminine head, with correct ear set and carriage, correct stop and a dark eye. Long neck into well laid shoulder and good length and angle of upper arm. Correct spring to rib and deep chest. Balanced in rear angulation. Her tail is set a tad lower than ideal, but she carries it well. She has good bone in straight legs, spring to her pastern and tight feet. She moves steadily around the ring and is tidy fore and aft, handler just needs to find what motivates her as she needs a little more animation and enthusiasm on the move.

3rd Tingey’s Dallyador White Magnolia

Novice (6, 1)

Two promising youngsters I will watch with interest.

1st Goodswen’s Alphadal’s Royal Rainbow

The more mature of these two at 13 months and as a result is a little more toned in body and held her topline better on the stand and on the go round. Really liked her feminine head of correct proportions with moderate stop, well set and carried ears and amber eye. Her neck flows into a defined wither and nicely laid shoulder. She has good length and angle to her upper arm, correct fill and depth to chest and well sprung ribs. Her rear quarters balance her fore. She stands on good straight bone and tight feet with correct spring to her pasterns. Topped off with well distributed liver spotting. She was a little excited on the move to start but got her head together enough to see her use her construction to advantage.

2nd Sampsons’ Dalstorm Just So Salsa

Another nicely put together young liver bitch, still a puppy so gave away a little maturity to first place. Feminine all through. Head coming along nicely and carrying well placed ears and an alert amber eye. Needs a little more stop to finish. She has a nice length to her neck which leads into a well laid shoulder and length and angle of upper arm. Her chest has plenty of heart and lung room having good depth and spring to ribs. She is balanced with her rear matching her fore and stands on good bone and straight legs. Another with well distributed spotting on a pure white coat. She gaited the ring well but just needs to strengthen in topline which she will do with maturity. She was also tidy fore and aft which won her the BPB place over her litter sister from the puppy class.

3rd Jenkins and Ridgeway’s Luccombe Strawberry Ripple

Post Grad (9, 1)

1st Bolt’s Fakenham Fontenella

Three year old black I judged previously as a puppy and she has matured well. An honest, nicely put together bitch, feminine all through. Head of good proportions with strong muzzle, well placed and carried ears and a dark eye. Her neck leads to good forequarters having a well laid shoulder and angulation to her upper arm. Her chest is deep and capacious with nice spring to her ribs. Her topline is strong and level and held on the move, rear angulation balances with her fore and she stands on good straight bone and tight feet. She is nicely muscled without being over done which combined with the rest of construction allows her a free flowing unexaggerated gait.

2nd Collier’s Kallierbelle Bluebelle

Showy black youngster rising four years, alert and attentive to her handler. Feminine in head, with well set and carried ears, stop a little deeper than typical. Arched neck into defined whither and moderate front assembly. She has a deep chest, well sprung ribs and strong loin. Her rear assembly balances with the fore and she has well let down hocks. She has bone to match her frame and stands on straight legs and tight feet. She moved well gaiting the ring and was very tidy out and back.

Limit (12, 2)

1st Collier’s Kallierbelle Ciethir JW

This young lady really comes into her own on the move where her well put together frame allows her a free flowing rhythmic gait with unexaggerated reach and drive and she tracks up well too. A three year old lighter spotted black with a feminine head of correct ratios, flat skull, correct stop and nicely carried ears that frame her face. Alert and attentive to her handler. She is balanced with good angulation in her front and rear quarters. Her chest is deep and well sprung giving heart and lung room and she has a lovely topline which she holds well on the move. She stands on good straight bone with spring to her pasterns and tight, well arched toes. She moved around the ring with an unfaltering gait and could not be denied the CC. I hope her others are not too far away.

2nd Stocks’ Nospar’s Gin and Tonic JW

Another well made balanced young bitch of two years, with nice bone and substance. Attractive feminine head of correct proportions with lovely amber eye. Length of neck into defined wither and level topline. Well angulated forequarters match the rear. Nice fill to chest without being over done with plenty of heart and lung room. She stands on straight legs and tight feet and is topped off with lovely pigmented well distributed spotting. She moved around the ring well when she settled into her stride.

Open (6, 1)

1st Finlay’s Dvojica Excuse My French At Dalfin JW

Lovely feminine head on this smaller framed youngster of three years. Alert and attentive to her handler using her well placed ears to frame her face. She has a good eye and correct stop. Her well arched neck leads into a well laid shoulder and correct upper arm. Her chest is deep and capacious, with well sprung ribs leading to a strong loin and balanced rear quarters and she stands on good bone, straight legs and tight feet. She gaited the ring with long rhythmic strides holding her topline. Shown in beautiful coat with deep pigment to her well distributed black spotting. Handled well to the RCC.

2nd Burrows’ Ellemstra Tough Cookie At Shacarlu

Feminine black sporting well distributed spotting with deep pigment. Quite the show girl, alert and attentive to handler. Head of good proportions, correct in ear placement and carriage and stop. Would prefer a darker eye. Long arched neck set in to moderate forequarters, defined wither and good topline with slight arch over the loin. Nice depth to chest and well sprung ribs. Her hindquarters are nicely rounded with a correct bend of stifle. She stands on enough bone to keep femininity and tight feet. Nicely muscled all through without being overdone. Gaited the ring efficiently and tidy out and back.

3rd Morgan’s Malbreow Wish Upon A Star.