City Of Birmingham Canine Association

Good news was needed after reports of the Royal Kennel Club being in disarray and then the weather wreaking havoc and destruction at Driffield. So, it was an honour to be asked to judge the English Toy Terriers (Black & Tan) at the City of Birmingham Championship Dog Show.

I haven’t been to a dog show at Stoneleigh Park for many years and was very impressed with the layout. I believe this year, in particular, everyone should be congratulated the committee members, volunteers, stewards, caravan wardens and even the car parking attendants as they all contributed to a very enjoyable, successful and well-run event.

I drew a very respectable entry of 39/47 and would like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors for allowing me to give my opinion on their dogs and for accepting my choices graciously. My sincere thanks must also go to my two stewards Luke and Penny who ran the ring efficiently all day!

The hall, although spacious, was rather dark and drainage grids were running through the ring which did cause a few problems unsettling both dogs and handlers.

The overall size of the dogs I felt was more uniform, a few had dirty teeth and several had very feint thumbprints which posed a problem as I really couldn’t confirm their existence due to the lighting so I had to give them the benefit of the doubt. I would also respectfully suggest that some exhibitors would benefit from further ringcraft training. You only have a short period in the ring and during that time you need to show off your dog to your best ability.

Class 1305 Special Beginners Dog – No entries

Class 1306 Veteran Dog – No entries

Class 1307 Puppy Dog - 1 entry

1st - 2951 – Dixon Mrs Lisa Jane & Mr. Graeme - Lasagesse Dazed N’confussed A 6 month old puppy already showing a lot of potential. Confident on the table presenting a very nice cleanly built outline. Masculine head not overdone, ears set right on top, beautiful almond shaped dark eyes. Strong white teeth set into a strong jaw. Long elegant neck into well laid back shoulders. Stood he held a slightly curving topline into gently rounded buttocks. Good bend of stifle. Glossy black jacket with rich chestnut tan. On the move he did flatten out and was rather exuberant which was not something that I wouldn’t have expected from such a young dog starting out on his showing career, but he still demonstrated the required reach and drive. I would have liked a slightly lower tail set but I am sure that as he develops, everything will pull together nicely. BPD & Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate

Class 1308 Junior Dog – 3 entries

1st 2963 – Keylock Ms Allison & Collins Mr. Julian - Lasagesse Paint It Black – 13 months old. Most settled of the class. A lot to like about this boy, he is good for size but more body condition would certainly improve the overall picture. Nice headpiece, correct ear set, almond shaped dark eyes, correct scissor bite and strong white teeth. I would have preferred a slightly longer neck as he looked a little bit stuffy at times. Compact body moved well coming and going. Best Junior Dog

2nd 2967 – Partington-Palmer Mrs C & Palmer Mr Leslie Roy - Etruria Hear The Word – Slightly bigger and a tad longer in body than the winner. I liked his head, good ear set, almond shaped dark eye. Glossy black jacket with corresponding rich chestnut tan. He was a little unsettled on the move.

3rd 2974 – Thorne Mr R & Mrs L - Ettology Kiplings Apple Pie At Winklefred

Class 1309 – Post Graduate Dog - 2 entries 1 absent

1st 2961 – Inch Mrs C & Miss R – Edalene Upside Down JW – A very well muscled dog as I would expect from this kennel. Almost 2 years old. Masculine head with dark almond eye. I would have preferred his ear set higher upon the back of his skull and proportionately closer together. Correct scissor bite with strong white teeth set square to the jaw. Long slightly arched neck into well laid back shoulders. He had a typical slightly curved top line into gently rounded buttocks. His chest was narrow and deep and he has a good bend of stifle. I didn’t think that he gave the best account of himself as he seemed to be rushing and running into the lead.

Class 1310 – Limit Dog – 4 entries

1st 2979 – Wines Mr. H – Etruria Say The Word – just over 14 months old and litter brother to “Etruria Hear The Word” in a class above. Good for size with a compact body. Head long and narrow ears set high on the back of the skull. Carrying a thick black jacket with rich chestnut tan. I would have liked a little more body weight to enhance the overall picture as the lack of flesh made him look a little bit out at the elbow. Stood from a side angle he held a classic topline which gave a pleasing outline. His rear movement wasn’t as precise and true as I would have expected to see.

2nd 2942 – Bennett Mr Robert & Bennett Mrs Moira – Edalene In A Silent Way to Capledrae JW – A bit bigger than my class winner. Another very well-muscled boy. Masculine head, dark almond shaped eyes, good ear set. Long slightly arched neck into well laid back shoulders. Deep well sprung ribs. On the move I felt he was going a little bit short behind demonstrating more reach than drive and was lacking a bit of enthusiasm.

3rd 2973 – Snell Mrs C – Skin Deep’s Mint Condition (Imp Nor)

4th 2976 – Warren Mrs Tina & Warren Mr. JML – Pedara The World Is Mine

Class 1311 – Open Dog – 6 entries 1 absent (A super class of quality dogs)

1st 2941 - Bennett Mr. Robert & Mrs Moira – Ch Witchstone Place Your Bets At Capledraw JW ShCE – I judged this dog two years ago and on that occasion he gave an extremely disappointing lacklustre performance! He is now over 6 years old and today he came powering into the ring a dog definitely on a mission oozing confidence and driving out soundly with ease and precision! On the table he did not disappoint standing four square, well muscled with a cocky terrier attitude. He is well balanced, elegant, compact and cleanly built. Nice head, clean strong white teeth, candleflame shaped ears placed high on the back of skull, and dark almond shaped eyes. I was delighted to award him the Dog Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed.

2nd 2957 – Harman Mr T & Mrs J – Ch Witchstone Crazy Horse At Boimans A 6 years old presented in tip top condition. Slightly rangier and longer in the back than first but still a lot to like about this boy. Masculine head, good ear set, eyes and strong white teeth. Long elegant neck into well laid back shoulders. Standing demonstrated the slightly curving topline into gently rounded buttocks. Flowed around the ring but coming towards flicked his front feet out slightly.

3rd 2964 – Love Mrs V A – Witchstone Follow The Dream With Tettoy

4th 2970 – Seaton Miss Linsay – Int Ch Lux Ch Witchstone Vanguard En Gardebois JW

5th 2977 – Whitehouse Mrs & Mr N & S – Twowayshouse Tudor King For Dalmonde

Class 1312 – Good Citizen Dog – 0 entries

Class 1313 – Special Beginners Bitch – 5 entries 1 absent – Congratulations to all exhibitors.

1st 2956 – Hancocks Mr Graham & Bailey Miss Lynn – Witchstone Silent Whisper – Just over 13 months. I really liked this little bitch, very workmanlike. Sound and balance when moving around the ring. Presented an appealing outline whilst stood on the table. Nice head, Good ear set, dark almond shaped eye. Long slightly curving neck into a well laid back shoulder placement. Slightly curving topline with well rounded loin and good turn of stifle. Best Special Beginner, Best Good Citizen

2nd 2945 – Dean-Armitt Mrs Sarah Jane – Twowayshouse Touch of Class – 16 months. Elegant, compact, sleek and cleanly built. Nice head and eye. Her one soft ear gave me concern as by nine months of age the ear carriage must be erect. Elegant neck, good shoulder placement and slightly curving top line.

3rd 2966 – Marsden Mrs Clare – Galvizach Royal Amethyst Of Regalriver.

4th 2968 – Pendlebury Mrs C – Gillings Dark Angel Pendlethrine

Class 1314 – Veteran Bitch – 1 entry

1st 2959 – Inch Mrs C & Miss R – Edalene Never Let Me Go Vw just over 8 years of age. Very shapely, well muscled bitch moving around the ring with ease. I awarded her daughter the CC two years ago and I can see where she gained all her attributes. Lovely head good ear placement, dark almond shaped eye. Beautifully clean white teeth set in a strong jaw. Slightly curving topline well rounded loin leading to a good turn of stifle. Her tan has started to fade but her attitude to showing hasn’t. Best Veteran in Breed and Toy Veteran Group 4

Class 1315 – Puppy Bitch – 2 entries

1st 2965 – Love Mrs V A – Lasagesse Whole Lotta Love – The breed standard asks for “Well balanced, elegant and compact, sleek and cleanly built” and that is what was stood before me! 6 months old. Head was long, narrow with a flat skull. Eyes dark and almond shaped, candle flame shaped ears set high on the back of her skull. Scissors bite, teeth white and strong. Legs falling straight from her shoulders with her elbows close to her chest providing a fabulous straight front. I would suggest the handler doesn’t over stretch her whilst on the table as her natural stance is perfect. Such a shapely bitch, gently curving topline with a well rounded loin leading to a good turn of stifle. Moved confidently around the ring, sometimes over stretching, but still demonstrating the required reach and drive. It gave me great pleasure to award her Best Bitch Puppy, Best Puppy In Breed & the Bitch Challenge Certificate

2nd 2944 – Crowley Ms J – Adargwn Geneva – coming up to 12 months old. This little bitch was, sadly, anxious on both the table and on the floor. I could see by her demeanour that she was dreading being touched so asked the handler to move her. She didn’t settle on the move either so was therefore extremely difficult to assess.

Class 1316 - Junior Bitch – 6 entries 1 absent (Another quality entry)

1st 2969 – Peters Mrs Lesley & Peters Mr. Derek – Ettology Cherry Bakewell At Troysel – 16 months – A delightful little bitch. Offered a very nice outline stood on the table. Again, well balanced, elegant and compact. Loved her head, long and narrow but I would have preferred a slightly smaller and more almond shaped eye, ears erect and placed high on the back of her flat skull. Long slightly arched neck, shoulders well laid back. Good straight front. Slightly curving topline emanating from behind her shoulders to her loin. Good turn of stifle with hocks well let down. Moved confidently and soundly. The connection between the handler and the bitch was apparent neither took their eyes off each other nor did the handler take her eyes off me, well done. Best Junior and Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate

2nd 2950 – Dixon Mrs Lisa Jane & Dixon Mr. Graeme – Lasagesse Kashmir – 6 months old (one of the three litter siblings entered) Another nice puppy, and I would say the pigeon pair with Dazed N’confused. Lovely head and expression, slightly different to her sister Whole Lotta Love but again very appealing. Good ear set, dark oval shaped eye. The colour is one of the attributes in all three puppies’ thick black glossy jackets with rich chestnut tan. They also have wonderful temperaments. Shapely on the table but flattened a little bit on the move being over enthusiastic trying to please her handler. At 6 months of age, they all have a lot of maturing to do but I believe that their futures are looking promising.

3rd 2952 – Evison Mr. L & Serman Mrs C – Kikuchi Mulberry

4th 2945 – Dean-Armitt Mrs Sarah Jane – Twowayshouse Touch Of Class

5th 2968 – Pendlebry Mrs C – Gillings Dark Angel Pendelthrine

Class 1317 – Post Graduate Bitch – 5 entries 1 absent

1st 2956 – Hancocks Mr Graham & Bailey Miss Lynn – Witchstone Silent Whisper – as above in Special Beginners Bitch

2nd 2953 – Goodfellow Mrs Maria – Nasabe Royal Rose Airambech – 2 years 6 months – Very nice bitch elegant and compact. Head long and narrow, ears thin leather with good placement. I did notice that she had a very pale nose, not the usual black but it didn’t detract from her pleasing expression. She has a nice straight front, dainty feet but her nails were a little bit too long which spoilt the overall picture of her stood on the table. She has a gently curving top line, well cut up loin and a good turn of stifle. Moved well.

3rd 2966 – Marsden Mrs Clare – Galvizach Royal Amethyst Of Regalriver

4th 2968 – Pendlebury Mrs C – Gillings Dark Angel Pendlethrine

Class 1318 – Limit Bitch – 6 entries 1 absent

1st 2958 – Harman Mr T & Mrs J & Wood Mr J – Nasabe It’s On The Cards For Boimans Jw nearly two years old – its difficult not to keep repeating myself but she was another that filled my eye. Shapely outline, classic head, lovely expression, ear set and eye. Jaw strong, scissor bite with strong white teeth. Elegant slightly arched neck, good lay of shoulder. Body compact with head and legs proportionate. Chest narrow and deep with well sprung ribs. Moved soundly out but did turn her toes out slightly on return.

2nd 2975 – Turner Mrs Catherine & Turner Miss Hannah & Merrifield Mrs Elizabeth – Kinzie A Kept Promise – A bitch I do admire and have judged previously. 7 years old in November. Not quite as compact as 1st but absolutely in proportion to head and legs and totally balanced overall. Typical head long narrow skull, candleflame shaped ears, good under jaw. Elbows close to chest providing a straight front. Coat thick, close and glossy. I didn’t think that she moved as well as I have seen her go today.

3rd 2946 – Dicker Mrs D – Neerodan Thyme Bomb

4th 2960 – Inch Mrs C & Inch Miss R – Edalene Scoops Ahoy

5th 2978 – Whitehouse Mrs & Mr N & S – Amalric Coco Chanel With Dalmonde Jw

Class 1319 – Open Bitch – 4 entries

1st 2949 – Dixon Mrs Lisa Jane & Dixon Mr Graeme – Lasagesse Black Magic Woman Jw – almost 2 years old. Pleasing outline, feminine head long, narrow, sleek and elegant. Alert terrier expression. Classic body shape, slightly curving top line emanating from just behind the shoulder to well cut up loin. Chest deep with well sprung ribs. Dainty compact feet. Glossy black jacket and rich chestnut tan. Moved well demonstrating the required reach and drive.

2nd 2947 – Dicker Mrs. D A – Moretonia Golden Girl At Neerodan Jw – a very workman like bitch of just over 6 years old. So much to like about her. Nice head, ear set and eye. Superb clean white strong teeth. Well balanced, compact and cleanly built. Straight front, with legs falling straight from the shoulders. Well rounded loin, leading to good turn of stifle. Moved soundly and precise. She did everything that was asked of her and I liked both bitches for different reasons. It was a very close call but I thought the younger bitch was a little sharper in attitude.

3rd 2955 – Haffenden Mrs Hazel & Wood Mr Jack – Ch Nasabe Play The Game Jw

4th 2943 – Crowley Ms J – Int Ch Ir Ch NL Ch Bel Lux Royomas Tennesse Waltz To Adargwn Bel Jun Ir J Ch

Class 1320 – Good Citizen Bitch – 2 entries

1st – 2956 – Hancocks Mr Graham & Bailey Miss Lynn – Witchstone Silent Whisper as above.

2nd – 2943 – Crowley Ms J – Int Ch Ir Ch NI Ch Bel Lux Royomas Tennesse Waltz to Adargwn Bel Jun Ir J Ch. 8 years old in December. Shapley bitch who is obviously well travelled reflected by her numerous titles. Nice head, eye and ear set. Elegant sleek and cleanly built. Dainty compact feet, well cut up loin and good turn of stifle. Moved ok.

M Sian Gordon – “Rhythmtyme” (Judge)