Manchester Dog Show Society

It was a pleasure to judge at this show, so well run by a hospitable and professional committee to whom I extend my sincere thanks. I was extremely well looked after by Bill and Tricia Gray who proved to be excellent stewards ensuring smooth, efficient running of my ring. In the current climate I was delighted with the number of exhibits entered. I was sorry to subsequently learn that due to traffic issues a number of exhibitors with males missed their class. Whilst of course it is a pleasure (and an honour) to have a good entry and well filled classes, it did mean some good exhibits in bitches sadly went cardless on the day. Overall I found the quality of the breed to be good. Heads, necks, shoulders and dentition were pleasing and I found significantly fewer loose eyes than I have encountered on previous occasions. Toplines, underlines and movement varied somewhat and proved the deciding factor in most classes. Length of leg and corresponding length of body is of some concern and temperament in more than one case was undesirable. I was surprised at the number of Danes presented with dirty teeth and coats. There is no excuse for poor hygienic condition on a Dane where grooming is minimal. This notwithstanding it was a great pleasure to judge the breed and I was very pleased to watch those winners representing the breed in their respective group competition acquit themselves extremely well.

PD (5 4) 1. Palmer’s Adoreadane Charlton. Strong, substantial, big-boned, well-marked harlequin boy of 9 months who, being presented in excellent condition, threw a well-developed and mature outline. His even angles fore and aft, good height to length ratio, strong topline and excellent depth of body only served to present a fairly well balanced profile. He had strength to head without being overdone and good parallel planes with just enough length of muzzle. Clean neck and front, standing on good feet with pleasing underline and topline. As one would expect he needs to tighten in movement coming and going, but in profile he held his outline with decent reach and drive. He may have stood alone, but he stood his own in the challenge where he pressed hard for the RCC, losing out only on fluidity of movement which hopefully will come with time. Best Puppy Dog.

PGD (2 1) 1. Bryars’ Taradanes Starman. Fawn boy of almost 20 months who was built on lovely clean lines. I particularly liked his head, so well-proportioned and correctly chiselled with good muzzle to skull ratio, square drop of lip, free from exaggeration and the kindest, typical expression from his tight, dark eyes. Pleasing length and strength of neck into well laid shoulders. He wasn’t the most enthusiastic of movers, but was sound with an easy stride. He was young and rangy needing to fill his large frame and drop into hind angulation which will take time. In the meantime his handler can make more of him with practice and schooling. It was a pity he was absent to challenge for Best Special Beginner.

LD (5 2) This was a varied class comprising of three very different males.  1. Henshall’s Calchas Bryan the Brave. Masculine harlequin whose overall substance, strength and good flat bone took him to the top of this class. At only 21 months he had excellent depth and width of body throughout with good musculature. His head was in proportion to body with good strength to jaw, tight eyes, square drop of lip and parallel planes in profile. Strong, crested neck leading into shoulders which were strong and well laid with elbows close to body. Being slightly longer cast then ideal he was weaker in topline than I would have liked which did detract from overall balance, but he had a well-rounded croup leading into correct turn of stifle supported by strong hocks. A tricky dog to handle he actually made the best of himself when freestanding. Powerful and purposeful mover but a little untidy all round at present.

2. Young’s Lomondane Dinnae Bother. Very elegant fawn boy of almost 4 years. Overall, I found him very well proportioned; excellent height to body ratio, with a very good length of leg and corresponding shortness of back, but I would have preferred greater bone and strength throughout. Whilst the degree of angle at shoulder and stifle could have been greater they were equal and in turn lent themselves to good balance. His head was proportionate with lovely tight dark eye and set atop a clean neck of good length. Good underline and firm topline but could have been stronger in croup. He was sound and steady on the move with particularly good action going away from me.

3. Nunn’s Roshanun Volare. 3 ½ year old harlequin boy who had good bone, substance, strength and size such that there could be no doubt as to his sex. Strong in head and lip but both were in proportion to body. I liked his well-developed quarters although I felt he could not match the overall outline of the winners ahead of him in terms of topline and coupling. His movement was sound but somewhat erratic.

OD (7 1) 1. Cranfield’s Zefather's Ralph Lauren JW. A smart and showy 2 year old fawn who, whilst not the tallest, was well constructed, substantial without exaggeration and had just enough length of leg for reasonable balance. I liked his head shape and proportions from all angles with excellent eye and expression, good dentition, strength of jaw and square drop of lip. Strong neck of adequate length led into a strong and well developed front with correct lay of shoulder and return of upper arm. Very well covered with good depth of body, spring of rib and strong topline. Well-muscled, angulated hindquarters with good width of first and second thigh. He impressed me on the move with an easy, lithe action which was clean and agile. A young dog who I felt was just coming into his own I was very pleased to award him the Dog CC. Handler must take care not to overstretch him.

2. Pocock’s UK, Swiss, Lux Ch Tamzdane Empower Mint JW. Having often admired this 2 year old mantle boy I was pleased to have an opportunity to assess him. A quality dog shown in excellent condition he did not disappoint. Very well developed in body without being coarse he had a smooth outline with no hard angles. Masculine in head with square drop of lip and good skull to muzzle ratio. Crested neck which flowed well into an excellent front of pleasing width and depth. Strong, flat bone, he stood on very good feet. Strong topline, firm loin, rounded croup into powerful hindquarters with good turn of stifle. Another, easy ground covering mover with excellent reach and drive he pressed the winner hard. I would have liked greater length of leg for perfect balance which on the day cost him against the winner. A worthy champion and very deserving of the Res CC.

3. Ferguson’s Elitedaimos Magick Mago At Chateaudain. Interesting blue male who was quite different to first and second, being longer in leg and more elegant in build and outline. Whilst he could not match the bone and substance of those ahead of him, I found him to be quite honest with no hard angles, a well-shaped head and clean length of neck. He was a touch long for perfect balance, but particularly when settled and free-standing he presented a fairly good outline which he maintained on the move.

SBD (2) 1. Bryars’ Taradanes Starman.

PB (8 1) 1. Teese & Walton’s Primus Belle Starr (AI). Charming fawn puppy of 6 months. She looked a picture standing being very well balanced with pleasing angulation at shoulder and stifle, and nicely short coupled with correct length of back. A classic headpiece from all angles with lovely eye and the most typical expression she couldn’t fail to catch my eye. Lovely crested length of neck flowing cleanly into wither and topline. Front on she stood true with pleasing width, good legs and feet She had a good spring of rib and short loin with pleasing croup and tail-set. As one would expect movement needs to tighten throughout and topline to firm as she matures on, but there is plenty of time for this. Very well presented I was delighted to award her Best Puppy in Breed.

2. Page & Concannon’s Novavida Livin the Dream. Strong black girl of 9 ½ months who appealed for her well-developed quarters of excellent depth and width. I found her to be a very honest sort and felt her handler could have made more of her. Her head was in proportion to body with good strength of jaw although I would have liked a little more length of foreface. Strong neck which was of adequate length and set well into a very good front. Correct length of leg with depth of body to brisket and good underline. Slightly longer cast than the winner, but she held her topline well for a growing girl. Strong, well rounded croup and enough angulation. Sound and satisfactory on the move for her age.

3. Tempest’s Adoreadane May West (A.I.). Tall, elegant harlequin girl with a lovely clean, square outline. She had a super length of leg to complement her correct length of back. Feminine headpiece with good planes supported by a long, strong neck. Whilst her quarters were not yet quite as developed or well-shaped as the winners, her angles fore and aft back were relatively equal and I felt she would benefit from more time to mature.

JB (3 1) 1. Simpson’s Renescent Mafioso. This pretty 6 month old black baby was quite unsettled in the puppy class and went unplaced. However, a change of handler gave her greater confidence such that she was able to be assessed and demonstrated her sound movement which was typical of such a young puppy. Like her blue litter sister who was VHC in Puppy she had all the essentials to finish with a good make and shape. Attractive and feminine in head with lovely eye and dentition. Her angles were even front and back and although she was slightly long in body her topline was fairly firm. Standing on good legs with body developing nicely.

PGB (10 2) 1. Owen’s Tyak Golden Jubilee. Extremely well balanced fawn bitch who although only 19 months could not fail to stand foursquare with excellent height to length ratio complemented with correct depth and width of body throughout. Her lines flowed easily from head through good length of neck into a clean front, firm topline and good sweep of underline. These attributes taken together with her even, correctly angulated quarters threw an outline which was difficult to beat. Her head was feminine although of good strength with correct parallel planes in profile, but a little plain; I would have liked slightly more length to muzzle and more chiselling of the face. She carried herself extremely well on the move demonstrating an easy action and holding her good outline.

2. Ingram’s Gracia vom Dwergter Sand of Dainmajik Imp Deu. Stately harlequin bitch who appealed for her lovely length of leg, neck and noble carriage. Bigger all through than the winner and given she is not quite 3 years old, I naturally felt she would benefit from a little more time and maturity to overcome the outline of the winner. Strong, but proportionate headpiece so well chiselled with pleasing ratio of skull to muzzle from all angles and I liked her expression. Excellent bone and feet she had the desired substance. Strong topline which was not too long, I would like to see her develop a touch more hind angulation as she finishes. Excellent length of stride on the move with easy reach and drive which could not be ignored in this class.

3. Draysey’s Jaemluk Roselle of Clunton. A nicely marked harlequin, she had a pleasing outline complemented by a well-balanced headpiece of good shape and strength which was mounted on a good length of neck. Given her large, strong frame I felt she needed to develop greater depth of chest to enhance her virtues. I liked her topline and the fact that she did not stand over too much ground. Very well angulated at stifle and whilst she was sound and steady on the move, I would have preferred more strength behind.

LB (11 1) A very good class. 1. Clark’s Garsak On Fire at Mintrex. I very much liked this quality fawn girl who was hard to fault. At 2 years she presented such a pleasing outline which was clean and flowing so as to demonstrate strength with elegance. Her head was of a good shape; good width of muzzle and proportionately narrow backskull, good length of foreface elegantly punctuated with correct stop. Lovely eye and gentle expression. Her depth of body was proportionate to length of leg and in turn length of back which was correct and strong. Well laid shoulders with correct return of upper arm complemented her good turn of stifle. Lovely underline and short, firm loin. In super condition she moved out very well with ease and grace. In the challenge I preferred the slightly squarer drop of lip and overall finish of her kennelmate but she could not be denied the Res CC which she more than deserved.

2. Worsley’s Primus Encore avec Malpa. Another 2 year old fawn she was full-bodied and honest in make and shape being compact and well put together. In excellent condition she was very well covered. Fairly strong in head, but certainly not exaggerated, it was in proportion to her body and of good shape. Gorgeous dark eyes, lovely expression and excellent dentition. Strong front of good width and depth with correct shoulders. Lovely spring of rib, strong croup and powerful hindquarters of adequate angulation. A little high over the rear compared to the winner, but there is still time for this to settle. Not quite the movement of the winner, but sound as a bell. A nice girl.

3. Cranfield’s Zefather's Kind Of Magic JW. Young fawn and a typical representative of this kennel I found her to be maturing nicely. Presented to advantage she displayed a fairly balanced outline from pleasing quarters and good topline. Her head was in proportion to body and of correct strength, but I preferred the heads and expressions of 1&2. Shown in good condition she moved out with purpose and good length of stride, but a little untidy when coming towards me.

OB (10 2)  1. Clark’s Ch Garsak Summer Days at Mintrex. Upstanding 2 ½ year old fawn who I thought very stylish and showy. She had great strength and substance, but being so well proportioned with correct length of neck, depth of body, length of leg and body she had the elegance of outline and grace of form that is so essential in a Dane. Excellent head which was balanced with true parallel planes, strength and length to muzzle, square drop of lip and alert expression with a look of dash and dare. Rather heavy in ear but with so many virtues this was of no concern. Clean in front with excellent shoulder. Her ribs were well sprung and she had an excellent topline and underline with belly well drawn up. Correct croup and turn of stifle. It all came together so well on the move where she strode out with great reach and drive using her well-muscled quarters to advantage from all angles. It was a pleasure to award her Bitch CC and Best of Breed and I was very pleased to see her shortlisted in an excellent group.

2. Chappell’s Ch Selmalda Oh Lori (AI). Lovely, strong fawn girl who I have admired since a youngster. Now an accomplished champion at 3 ½ years I was impressed by her strength and substance which did not compromise her femininity. I liked her head for its good proportions, strength of jaw and excellent expression emanating from lovely eyes. Good strong neck which was crested and clean, set well into front. Excellent depth of chest and body supported by good length of leg. She was slightly longer cast than the winner, but her topline was firm and true over a good spring of rib and strong loin. Well filled rump and correctly angulated hindquarters. Excellent condition and she has a natural showmanship when free standing. Unsurprisingly her good conformation and musculature enabled a sound and free gait.

3. Searle’s Murrayvhayle Mystical. Classy brindle built on good clean lines, although I would have preferred clearer markings. I liked her elegant, balanced outline with strong topline, and pleasing angles fore and aft. She stood foursquare on a good length of leg with pleasing bone and feet. Typical, well-proportioned headpiece, expression and eye, and a clean reachy neck. Naturally exuberant on the move but when she settled into her stride she moved out well

VB (1) 1. Tempest’s Ch Adoreadane Just The Ticket JW. Harlequin lady who I last judged as a yearling. Now at almost 8 and a worthy champion she still had the essential qualities she demonstrated in her youth. Very pleasing in outline, elegant and feminine yet with the requisite strength for her function. Typical in head properties and she still had the noble carriage which is so true of the breed. Clean neck and front and held her topline well. Scored in lay of shoulder and turn of stifle she was presented in lovely condition. Steady and sound on the move.

SBB (1) 1. Nunn’s Roshanun Rebel Rebel. Elegant and feminine black girl of 3 ½ years who went unplaced in good classes. Pleasing head which was well proportioned and of good shape, which she carried well on her good length of neck. Her quarters and angles fore and aft were fairly even and as such she presented a reasonable outline. Feet could have been better and I would have liked more bone and substance throughout, but she had good depth of body for her frame. She moved out soundly with head carried high. Best Special Beginner.

Ric Beall (Eppwood)