Scottish Kennel Club

Dalmatian Report

SKC (October) May16th 2024

Firstly, I would like to thank the SKC for inviting me to judge. They looked after me very well and we had a lovely week in Edinburgh. Secondly, thank you to all exhibitors for the smashing entry and for being sporting and gracious about my decisions. It turned out to be a liver spot day – I never know how my judging will turn out. It has always been, and always will be, the dogs in front of me on the day and how they perform and catch my eye. However, I was disappointed in some aspects. Many exhibits had terrible dally rash, some had long nails that were clicking on the hard floor surface and some were clearly dirty. Not acceptable for breed showing. Tails , particularly in the male dogs, are getting out of hand. If you are going to breed, please read and understand the breed standard. “Tail – slight upward curve, never curled”. The problem is that novice exhibitors are now seeing curly tails so much that they think it is acceptable. It is not. It will change the outline of our breed and be very difficult to breed out if we are not careful. The same critique has been made now by several different judges. Breeders, please address this. There were some show leads that can only be described as cheese wires, far too thin for a large dog and very uncomfortable for them. I was concerned for those exhibits.

All that being said, I was very pleased with my winners. There are some lovely young dogs coming through and so hope for the future.

Class 377 MPD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: STOCKS, Mrs T Dalmark's Jubilations at Nospar. 8 months. Excellent liver colour and pigmentation as usual from this breeder. Lovely happy boy. Good round strong bone. Well -muscled with good width of thigh producing steady driving movement round the ring. Quite mature for a MP, hope he doesn’t grow on too much more. My notes say, “exceptional quality” and he really is. The MP bitch just stole my heart for the BP award today. BPD

2nd: WILKINS, Ms Kelli Anima Cordis Perfect Lover for Salvadorada. 7 months. A little wary today. Some ticking in the coat and spots needing to clear. Longer cast than 1. Level topline and correct tailset and carriage. Strong bone, tight cat feet and well- muscled. Worked hard for his young handler but movement needs to tighten. Some steady roadwork would help with this as he matures.

3rd: MCKAY, Mrs Mari Sophtspot Touch of Gold

Class 378 PD NO ENTRIES

Class 379 JD (10 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: DINSDALE, Mrs D E Dotlun Apache Running Bear. Another of outstanding quality who will surely reach top honours. Only just out of puppy. Tight coat, excellent liver colour. Masculine head but not coarse in anyway. Such clean withers and topline. So good to see a young male carrying his tail correctly. Good round bone, correct proportions, well- muscled. Movement true and purposeful, at one with handler. RDCC

2nd: WILKINS, Ms Kelli Salvadorada Heads Will Roll JW. Another high -quality liver. Stronger head than 1 and generally heavier build all over. Correct shoulder and hind angulations. Shame handler over stretched him today which spoilt his outline on the stack. Well -muscled and fit young stallion dog. Moved with drive.

3rd: BARRY, Miss E and GODDARD, Mr Ian Dalberry That Boy is Mine

Class 380 PGD (12 Entries) Abs: 3 Tails that did not meet the breed standard were commonplace in this class, but I was happy with the dogs that were placed.

1st: CUTHBERTSON, Mrs Margaret & CUTHBERTSON, Mr Alan Kalsidoni Blue Gemstone. Sound young male not overdone in anyway. Not long out of jnr. Bold clear black spotting. Masculine but not coarse. Well-muscled with tight feet. Moved out with purpose and drive.

2nd: SMITH, Mrs A Rapanooey Sugar Donut at Spotamour JW. Another upstanding b/s boy. Clear spotting and coat. More masculine all over than 1. Excellent wither, topline and tailset/carriage. Moved out well. Just preferred overall make and shape of 1.

3rd: CHRISTIE, Mrs J Sophtspot Perfect Storm

Class 381 LD (9 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: TINGEY, Mrs Helen & TINGEY, Mr Roy Dallyador Lockdown Legend. I last judged this boy when he was just into Jnr. He has really come on since then. Larger type but balanced and much more collected on the move now. Stallion dog, well- muscled thighs and second thighs. Masculine head, but still elegant. Long neck. Longer cast means he can really use his length of stride around the ring, purposeful and driving.

2nd: ROBBINS, Miss Victoria & HENSMAN, Mr Matthew Jasquarella Edge of Winter at Palouse. Clear spotting. Dark pigmentation. Lovely broken ears framing correctly proportioned head. Good straight front and well-muscled thighs, round bone. Shorter in loin than 1but powered around the ring working well with his handler.

3rd: HOBBS and WHITING, Ms M and Miss C Rananooey Ranunculus

Class 382 OD (14 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: CROFT, Ms Rebecca & COBB, Miss Alex Ch Kalokairie's Bullet Proof. Hard to believe this boy is now a veteran. Such a clean outline with perfect proportions. Long neck flowing into smooth withers and level topline. Tail correctly set on and carried well, including on the move. Lovely masculine head with kind expression. Great liver colour. Expertly handled as always enabling long striding action with reach and drive. DCC BV BOB VG3

2nd: PHILIP, DUNNACHIE, Mrs, Mr L, M Ch Dvojica Enrique. Shorter cast than 1. Well off for bone and well-muscled. Tight cat feet. Such clear spotting. Lovely dark pigmentation. Another exhibit excelling in topline, tailset and carriage. Also handled with skill and at the correct pace. True movement out and back, driving action in profile. A close decision between 1 and 2.

3rd: CHRISTIE, Mrs J Ch Sophtspot Gold Dust JW

Class 383 VD (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: NEATH-DUGGAN, Mrs S & BAKER, Ms S Ch Buffrey Incognito By Dalleaf JW VW. Have awarded him a CC in his younger days, 9 years old now but not showing his age. Still has enthusiasm in the ring and working well for his handler. Excellent coat condition. Maintains muscle tone. Driving round the ring in style.

2nd: MCCARTHY, Mr & Mrs John & Cathie Fr Int Ch IR Ch Domdallino Je Suis Kilndandy JW. 10 yo. Such a lovely temperament. My notes say, “one to melt your heart”! Correct head proportions, kind expression, good liver pigmentation. Still has well-muscled quarters but out moved by 1. Also topline not held as strongly as 1.

Class 384 SBD (5 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: BARRETO, Ms Anne Dalamanti Morning Sunshine. 16 months, happy boy. Masculine head, clear spotting, deep chest, round bone. Tail set and carriage correct, including when moving. Good level topline. Rear pasterns sloping which affected movement but worthy winner of this class.

2nd: MOSS, Mrs Louise & MOSS, Miss Naomi Sadiedel Let Ur Heart Decide. 13 months. Clear white coat with even spotting. Level topline but tail carried a little high. Well balanced dog but slightly lacking in angulation on rear quarters resulting in less power and drive.

3rd: PILGRIM, Mrs M Nospar’s Drambuie JW

Class 385 GCD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: NEWTON, Miss C What You See Is What You Get Passionate About You for Chizzmic (Imp Bel). Bold black spotting. Masculine head framed by well broken ears. A little short in muzzle. Longer cast, level topline with correct tailset and carriage. Good muscle tone. Moved soundly and with drive.

2nd: MARLEY, Miss Lisa & LIBBEY, Mr Matthew Bellili's D'Amore De Loin Sh.CM ShCEx VW. 9 yo and enjoying his day out. Such a kind expression. Long neck, level topline. Straight front. Still well- muscled and fit for age. Slightly upright in shoulder which reduced his reach on the move.

3rd: GRANT, Miss Nicole Dude of the Glen

Class 386 MPB (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: SAMPSON, Dr E & SAMPSON, Mr W Dalstorm Just Waltzing. 8 months Real quality here. Happy temperament, untroubled by the venue. Clear spotting on a beautifully white coat. Feminine head, framed by broken ears carried correctly. Tight cat feet. Round bone. Correct angulation front and rear. Good topline, tailset and carriage. Moved with co-ordination and drive. BPB BP

2nd: HILL, Mrs Wendy Dalstorm Just A Samba. Litter sister to 1. Again clear spotting. Lovely head. Excellent pigmentation. Round bone, good straight front. Topline not quite as strong as 1 on the move and tail carriage not as true. Good positive mover.

3rd: CHRISTIE, Mrs J Sophtspot Truly Golden

Class 387 PB (5 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BRYDER, Mrs Julie Diocletian Aberfeldy. Kind expression. Correct head proportions. Lovely broken ears carried correctly. Clear black spotting. Long neck, level topline and correct tailset. Correct angulation front and rear enabling her to motor round the ring. Won the class on movement.

2nd: CHRISTIE, Mrs J Sophtspot Sugar Plum. Lovely happy temperament. Clear spotting. Lovely long neck with clear withers and good shoulder placement. Finer head to 1. Well-muscled hindquarters. Drove well round the ring but a little loose. Will tighten as she matures.

3rd STOCKS, Mrs T Sophtspot Sparkler at Nospar

Class 388 JB (10 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 7829 PHILIP, DUNNACHIE, Mrs L, Mr M, Dvojica Filthy Gorgeous. And she deserves her name. Worthy winner of a big class. Head of correct proportions. Lovely expression with broken ears, set on correctly. Correct shoulder angulation, clean withers, level topline. Well-muscled. Best mover in the class. I’m sure her day will come.

2nd: 7805 LOCKE-MCFADZEAN, Mrs A & LOPES, Mrs Jules Fortuna Phoenixx Rising Over Sassafras (Imp USA) Excellent dark pigmentation. Attractive head and face adornment. Clear spotting. Round bone, straight front, level topline. Moved well but today out moved by 1.

3rd: VALENTINE, Mrs S Dvojica Fizzy Pop

Class 389 PGB (18 Entries) Abs: 0 A big class and my winners really had to work hard to prove their worth.

1st: HERD, Mr Richard Dotlun Dancing Queen At Ricoh. Presented in good hard condition, well-muscled with no extra pounds. Feminine all over. Excellent liver pigmentation. Clean wither, deep chest and strong loin. Moved out true and with drive.

2nd: ROBBINS, Miss Victoria & HENSMAN, Mr Matthew Salvadorada Honolulu Honey At Palouse. Great temperament. Smaller old- fashioned liver spotting. Lovely expression. Rounded skull with correctly set ears. Another in very fit condition. Strong loin. Tight feet. Powerful driving movement.

3rd: BARNETT, Miss N Salvadorada Happy Go Lucky

Class 390 LB (14 Entries) Abs: 0 Another big class. I had no idea 1 and 2 were litter sisters. A lovely find on the day. Both in fit condition and like peas in a pod!

1st: HUGHES, Miss Caroline Carodal Coast to Coast. Excellent liver pigmentation, clear spotting. Tight cat feet. Long elegant neck, level topline with correct tail carriage. Slightly shorter coupled than 2 and more definite in movement. So eye catching. BCC

2nd: TYSTERMAN, Mrs Julie & TYSTERMAN, Mr W Carodal Jacobs Ladder. Longer in loin than 1 but has all the same excellent attributes. As her handler gains more confidence in moving her, I feel sure her time will come. Lovely elegant bitch. RBCC BSB

3rd: TINGEY, Mrs Helen and Mr Roy Dallyador Secret Addiction

Class 391 OB (11 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: RICHARDSON, Mrs L Ch Mapplewell Limited Edition. Clear coat, darkest of eyes. Correct head shape and proportions. Long elegant neck, level topline, correct tail set and carriage. Round bone, well -muscled. More compact type. Won the class on positive, driving movement.

2nd: CHANCE DODDS, Misses H G & P C UK Ir Ch & Swiss Ch Dotlun Apache Inch Perfect JW. Attractive spotty face with excellent eye colour and pigmentation. Clean withers, strong topline. Well- muscled and in fit condition. Motored round the ring with style. Lost out to 1 due to some dally rash.

3rd: FINLAY, Mrs A M and Mr M Dvojica Excuse My French at Dalfin JW

Class 392 VB (5 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: MCCARTHY, Mr & Mrs John & Cathie Tolkain Goldstar for Kilndandy. 8yo. This girl was having such a great day out – her tail never stopped wagging. Such a kind face with lovely broken ears. In excellent condition, with good muscle tone. Driving movement won her the class.

2nd: LAMB, Mrs R Ch Dalpetro Diamond JW. Another 8 yo, happy to be in the ring. Such dark eyes. Even spotting. Tight cat feet. Long elegant neck. Good overall construction. Moved well but a little down on her hocks.

3rd: SHEPHERD, Miss Sonja Dalfire Ama Gonna Get It

Class 393 SBB (8 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 7860 TYSTERMAN, Mrs Julie & TYSTERMAN, Mr W Carodal Jacobs Ladder. 2nd in limit.

2nd: 7759 BARNETT, Miss N Salvadorada Happy Go Lucky. Finer type but elegant and feminine. Clear spotting, excellent pigmentation. Correct lay of shoulder, clean withers. Tail set and carriage correct. Good feet and nails. Moved out well but just outdone by 1 today.

3rd: Melling, Mrs Janet Jemblewood Candy Floss

Class 394 GCB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: PACE, Miss Nina Sadiedel's Arab Girl. Nicely decorated, broken ears, pretty face. Shame there was some dally rash. Also nails need attention. Long neck, clean withers. Well- muscled with some substance. Good reach and drive on the move.

2nd: WILLISON, Miss Zoe Cotterspot Cotterdale Lady Such a sweetie, trying hard for her handler. Finer type. Some roaching over the loin which affects extent of movement. Very lean but good muscle tone. Correct liver colour.

Penny Wills (Dallyvista)

Judge