National Whippet Association

The National Whippet Association championship show

Bank Holiday Monday, 6th May 2024

Whippet Bitches

A heartfelt thanks to the The National Whippet Association for the invitation to judge bitches at this year's championship show.

Congratulations to the hard-working committee for their dedication and efforts in offering exhibitors an enjoyable experience, and to the club's unwavering support for heart testing at their events. I believe 57 were tested today, with much of the cost subsidised via the fund set up in memory of the inimitable Sarah Pirie. Whilst the shows will never be quite the same without her presence, her dedication to our breed lives on thanks to this wonderful scheme; she would be very proud.

I was delighted and privileged with my entry of 115 bitches (making 142 in total), with very few absentees. There was an abundance of quality throughout the classes, with so many possessing the Whippet breed attributes I was seeking; type, beautiful curves, balance and correct movement. Lots of really nice bitches had to go home without a card. Thank you to all who entered for my opinion and to my very efficient steward Jeanie for keeping everything running so smoothly.

There were the odd few with untypical front movement, and I found some overly long, resulting in a flatter topline than desired. There was, however, a definite improvement in the exaggerated rear quarters from when I last judged the girls back in 2021.

Overall, it was a delightful show with a super atmosphere, a lovely day to remember.

Baby Puppy bitch (1)

1st Skinner's Whitesquall Mionetto

5 months brindle, with a sweet head and expression. Long neck into well angulated shoulders. Nice balance of ribbing to loin. Moved very soundly for one so young, enjoying her time in the ring. B Baby PB and B Baby PIS.

Special Veteran bitch 7-10 years (11)

1st Brown's Ardencote Star Maker

At almost 10 years of age, this beautiful, mature fawn lady headed a super class of Whippet veterans. Presents a balanced outline. Lovely head with a kind eye. Good neck and shoulders, great depth with good fill. Curvy topline and underline. Well angulated fore and aft. Presented in fine condition. Moved soundly away and back, super on the go round, covering the ground with enthusiam and style. BVB and later, BVIS in agreement with my co-judge.

2nd Hills & Hills' Shimmeree Black Satin JW

A shapely black who pushed the winner all the way. Presents a classic and typical Whippet outline, curvy, with a lovely s-shape. Elegant neck, well placed shoulders, good depth and fill. Shapely over the loin, sweeping into good rear quarters. Lovely bone and neat feet. Another really good mover.

3rd Jones & Timberlake's Railfield Rain Lookout

Res Gallie's Gwendariff Thanks a Latte

VHC Robinson's Tarward Ginetta

Special Veteran bitch 10 + years (3, 1 abs)

Two glamorous girls, a credit to their owners, and could show some of the younger ones a thing or two about good movement!

1st Lain's Lolani Minas Tirith

At almost 11 years, this brindle lady defies her age with her exceptional profile movement. Pretty, such a sweet head with a kind eye. Balanced in outline with good angles fore and aft. Good depth, correct bone, neat feet and pasterns. Super rear quarters, well defined, which she used to advantage on the move. Presented in super coat and condition.

2nd Robinson's Tarward Willow

Another cracking veteran, and another with the most impressive movement. 11.5 years fawn with white trim, elegant throughout, feminine and pretty. Balanced all through with super neck and shoulders, curvy topline and underline, well defined second thigh and low hocks.

Minor Puppy bitch (7, 1 abs)

1st Uggeri's Bohosoul Bewitched

My heart skipped a beat when I set eyes on this young lady. Just 6 months, she radiates quality. Beautiful overall shape and so smooth under the hand. Gorgeous head and expression, well angulated fore and aft. Good topline. Beautiful coat and condition. Moved well away and back and in profile. When her confidence comes and she settles, I am sure she will trouble the best.

2nd Morris, Waddell, Mycroft & Mitchell's Crosscop Tiny Dancer

Another very classy youngster, pale fawn, 7 months. Enough depth for her age, defined rise over the loin, resulting in a pleasing and shapely outline. Beautiful head, long neck, ribs carried well back. Standing on good legs and feet. Sound up and back, with a typical, easy stride in profile.

3rd Le'vell's Velandor Ballerina Baby

Res Ellis' Railfield Singin in Therain

VHC Leathart's Ringmore Jocasta

Puppy bitch (11, 2 abs)

1st Mycroft & Mycroft's Crosscop California Barbie from Supeta

This 9 months fawn is something special, and boy does she know it! On her toes the whole time, never stopped showing. Classic in outline, she is so well put together, your hands just glide over her. Lovely, feminine head with good pigment, neat ears which she uses well. Elegant neck, smooth shoulders, enough depth and fill for her age. Good length of ribbing, balanced with a well defined loin. No exaggerations behind, well angulated with low hocks. Correct bone and neat feet. Looks good standing, and on the move, she is quite breath-taking, covering the ground with an effortless stride. Well handled. BPB, and my co judge agreed she should be BPIS over her litter brother.

2nd Wignall's Starswift Seductress

Typey and classic fawn with similar attributes to the winner. Loved her head and kind expression. Good neck into well angulated front. Tremendous depth, enough length of ribbing, well defined loin sweeping into well muscled rear. Good feet and pasterns, low hocks, Moved very soundly, unlucky to meet first on such fine form.

3rd Turnbull's Gwenny Dream Diva at Turnstone

Res Morland's Zoraden Gossip Girl

VHC Walker's Runaround Rosetta of Shoalingham

Junior bitch (8, 1 abs)

1st Howgate & Hull's Palmik Take Me Home JW

This pretty fawn is mature in outline. Presented in fine fettle, and handled to advantage. Most beautiful head and expression. Long, strong neck into clean shoulders, well angulated in front and behind. Good depth and fill, ribs carried a long way back giving her a longer outline, correct arch over well defined loin. Beautiful coat and condition. A great mover, sound and easy with good drive from behind.

2nd Whitehead & Smith's Creme Anglaise's Lady Bridgerton of Citycroft (imp NLD)

Another lovely bitch with lots to like. Pleasing overall outline, smooth under the hand. Pretty, with delightful pigment. Elegant neck, good shoulders and good depth and fill in front. Plenty of rib, strong over the loin. Super rear quarters with defined second thigh. Sound as a pound, true away and back and covering the ground well in profile.

3rd McKenzie & McKenzie's Courtborne Joy at Aberlark (imp Nor)

Res Lewis' Cotherstone Chrysantha to Luckhurst

VHC Johnson & Johnson's Cyangrange Tango Mango

Yearling bitch (8)

1st Le'vell's Lolani Gamourous in Satin at Velandor

Ultra feminine brindle with a lovely curvy outline. Sweet head and expression,. Long neck. Excellent depth, ribs carried well back, Defined loin with correct curve resulting in a desirable underline and topline. Impressive profile gait, covering the ground with ease. In super coat and condition.

2nd Lowe's Nevedith Gold Peach

This rich fawn appealed for her overall type and balance. Not the glamour of the winner, but a very honest and well put together bitch, Good neck and shoulders, enough fill in front. Well balanced length of ribbing to loin. Good rear quarters, correct bone and neat feet. Held her topline on the move, well handled.

3rd Higginbottom's Ranveli Royal Touch

Res Richards' Richclass Miss Atomic Bomb

VHC Ryan's Sylleka Firebird at Riocife

Novice bitch (19)

 1st Turnbull's Gwenny Dream Diva at Turnstone

This sweet fawn with white trim presents a classic outline without any exaggeration. She has a feminine head with a kind expression. Well angulated front and rear, good depth. Balanced length of rib to loin, desired topline and underline. Sound up and down and showing a correct profile movement.

2nd Foxon's Dejare Might Be a Secret

Another bitch I liked very much, again, well balanced, unexaggerated, and looking fit for function. Attractive lightly brindled fawn, mature, and presented in super condition. Strong neck, smooth shoulders, excellent depth and fill. Correct arch over the loin, she held her topline well on the move. Close up to the winner.

3rd Hills & Hills' Shimmeree Calico's Cupid

Res Ellis' Railfield Raining Secrets

VHC Carlton & Olney's Chiendetom Fanfare

Graduate bitch (13, 2 abs)

1st Thomas' Bowdonia Sky Full of Stars

Appealing immediately for overall balance, I found her very smooth under the hand. Rich brindle with white trim, beautiful head and expression, neat ears which she used well. Neck fitting neatly into her well angulated shoulders, strong over the loin, flowing into a good rear end. Beautiful coat and skin. Moved out well, covering the ground with an effortless stride.

2nd Maxwell's Maccus Fire Will Reign

Rich fawn girl with a classic and curvy outline. Another with the most beautiful head and expression. Good depth and fill in front, ribs carried well back. Well defined loin, desired topline with underline to match. Free flowing and very sound on the move.

3rd Falconer's Kuriwao Serrafina Star

Res Foxon's Dejare Might Be a Secret

VHC Prowse's Crosscop One Step Closer to Freehamlet

Special Beginners bitch (13, 3 abs)

1st Wignall's Starswift Seductress

As 2nd in Puppy bitch, her classic outline gave her the edge in this lovely class.

2nd Wood's Elmanash Mist O'the Moon

Well balanced and unexaggerated blue bitch. So feminine and full of quality, in such beautiful coat and condition. Good angles fore and aft, correct bone and neat feet. Moved soundly away and back, covering the ground efficiently in profile.

3rd Johnson's Cyangrange Our Tiger Lily

Res Ryan's Sylleka Sashay Away Riocife

VHC Saxby's Sandspring Sea Coral

Post Graduate bitch (8, 2 abs)

1st (Allanson handing for) Longhurst's Abbyhurst Dancing Queen JW

This smokey fawn caught my eye immediately, and I kept getting drawn back to her. Another who is beautifully balanced all through, presenting a classic outline with feminine curves in all the right places. Sweetest of expressions, with such a kind eye. Elegant neck into beautifully placed, smooth shoulders, super depth and fill, Good length of rib balanced with a well defined loin. Super rear quarters and low hocks. Foot perfect on the move, covering the ground well and holding her topline. Very well handled. Very pleased to award her the RCC in this impressive line up of quality Whippets.

2nd Fisher-Home & Home's Jasarat Caramel Calypso JW

Classical fawn, she is Whippety through-and-through. Appealed for the same attributes as the winner; super neck, shoulders, topline, underline and well defined rear quarters. Feminine, smooth under the hand, in super nick with a fine coat and skin. Another who moves well from every angle. I liked both these bitches very much.

3rd Chappell's Blueflight La Di Da

Res Wilkinson's Silkridge Saffron of Fletchgate

VHC Johnson's Cyangrange Our Tiger Lily

Mid Limit bitch (8, 2 abs)

1st Sampson & Sampson's Dapperdiva Milk and Honey JW

Top quality, curvy fawn, a real contender for top honours today. Beautifully feminine with a super head and expression. Expertly handled, she uses her long, strong neck and well placed ears to good effect. Smooth, clean shoulders. Plenty of depth, ribs carried well back, balancing well with a well defined loin with a good arch. Strong rear quarters, good second thigh, correct bone and neat feet. Moved freely and soundly, covering the ground well, holding her topline.

2nd Hills & Hills' Shimmeree Cool Calico

Blue bitch of super quality. Completely balanced and free of exaggeration. Pretty head and expression. Super smooth shoulders, good depth and well filled in front. Well balanced length of rib to loin. Nicely angulated front and rear. Fine coat and skin. Not quite the ring presence of the winner, and couldn't quite match her on movement, but her true and overall type won her this well deserved place.

3rd Morris, Waddell, Mycroft & Mitchell's Crosscop You Are My Destiny at Ardencote

Res Trouton's Citycroft Grace Kelly of Runnel JW

VHC Uggeri's Bohosoul Storming Thru

Limit bitch (17, 2 abs)

A super class with some truly beautiful bitches

1st Maxwells' Maccus Rosa Gallica Daphne JW

This beautiful girl was everything I was looking for today. I did her well when I judged her as a minor puppy, and now she has matured into the most elegant and classical Whippet. She is blessed with superb balance, feminine, with a curvy topline and underline. Rich golden fawn, she has the most beautiful head and expression, gorgeous dark pigment and eyeliner to die for. Good neck into well placed shoulders, plenty of depth, ribs carried well back, defined loin with correct rise. Sweeping into nicely angulated rear quarters with good second thigh. Correct bone, pasterns and neat feet. Her movement is precise and effortless, sound up and back and in profile, she just floats around the ring, covering the ground and holding her topline. Delighted to award her the CC, her second, I hope her third is not too far away, she is a bitch most deserved of her crown. BIS on the referee's decision.

2nd Lain's Lolani Golden Glamour

Another bitch of super type and quality, presenting an outline of smooth curves and true balance. Classic fawn, with a lovely head and expression. Long, strong neck flowing neatly into well placed shoulders. Great depth of chest, neat tuck up matching a well defined loin with desired arch. Super rear quarters, strong with pronounced second thigh and low hocks. Moved out soundly and with a free flowing stride.

3rd Holland's Elmanash Star Anise

Res Morland's Zoraden You Are My Universe JW

VHC Mason's Veredon Laurent Perrier for Aphrael

Open bitch (6, 1 abs)

1st Brown's Ch Ardencote Sweet Destiny for Bluestreak

Beautiful pale fawn bitch who I have awarded highly in the past, she still delights me with her exquisite femininity and beautiful, balanced outline. She is a classic Whippet, a series of gentle curves with no exaggerations. She has the kindest eye, good neck, shoulders, topline and rear quarters. On the move, she exhibits a true action, covering the ground whilst holding her correct topline. Delighted that she now has her title, a most worthy Champion.

2nd Howgate & Hull's Palmik Truth About Love JW

Very typey fawn of obvious quality. A touch stronger and longer all through than the winner, but so beautifully put together and smooth under the hand. Pretty head, long and strong neck flowing neatly into her well angulated front. Well defined loin with adequate rise, good rear end. Excels in profile movement, covering the ground with great efficiency. Beautiful coat and condition and well handled.

3rd Samson's Romaclove The Power of Love

Res Bunney's Bunnehug Blessed N Bewitched

VHC Carlton & Olney's Chiendetom Overture

Special Open Racing/Lure Coursing bitch (10)

1st Webber's Zoraden Fifty Shades Darker JW

This curvy black girl oozes an air of being fit for function. Presented in tip-top condition, she is unmistakeably Whippet in outline. Very pretty, with a strong neck, good shoulders with plenty of depth and fill in front. Strong through the back, defined arch, sweeping into super-strong rear quarters, which she uses so well on the move. Sound up and down with free and easy profile.

Both my co-judge and I agreed she should be Best R/LC in Show.

2nd (Allanson handing for) Soffe's Penbriar Rocket Star

Very typey brindle, not flashy, but oh-so well put together. Balanced all through, no exaggerations. Loved her head, she has rich pigment and a beautiful expression. Well angulated front and rear, good bone and feet. Again, in lovely fit condition, moving out soundly up and down and in profile.

3rd Leatheart's Ringmore Hecate

Res Hoddinott's Sandspring Sea Hawk

VHC Graham's Keep A Knocking of Ohoka

Louise Tope (judge)