Bath Canine Society

BATH CH SHOW

PUPPY GROUPS

Having been to Bath show most years since 1969 (my main memory of that one is the milkshakes!) I’ve been full of admiration for the way the society, with the foresight to acquire its own ground, has nurtured and cared for the site up to its current immaculate state, to the point that it’s now one of Britain’s classic dog shows. The team led by Bill, Lee and Adrian always have the exhibitors as their priority, and the judges are looked after pretty well too. Special thanks to Felicity for managing my ring each day.

A great opportunity to go over some wonderful puppies and I hope to see a high proportion of them in the main group rings in years to come.

WORKING

Winner here was the Newfoundland Sandbears Pole Position, who I thought scored on overall balance, masculine but without any hint of lumber or exaggeration, broad head without coarseness, clean dark eyes, strong neck set beautifully into well laid shoulders, true front, plenty of bone, chest developing well, super ribbing, powerful hindquarters with the right amount of angulation, moved true and covered the ground smoothly with just the hint of a roll, beautifully presented and quietly handled to show off his impressive outline.

2 Russian Black Terrier Larkharbour Kawasaki at Gunnerbears, so remarkably ‘together’ for a puppy of this breed, plenty of bone and substance, feminine head with parallel planes and strong jaw, powerful neck flowing into the shoulders, firm topline, plenty of bone, well set tail, handler moved her at just the right speed to show off her excellent reach and drive.

3 Leonberger Simden Born To Boogie, such a showy puppy who already makes the most of her chances, another with an eyecatching outline and super proportion, looks as if she’ll end up with plenty of substance, clean well laid shoulders, strong but feminine head and free ground-covering movement keeping her lovely shape.

4 Portuguese Water Dog Rarjo Macduff Making Waves with Megulcie, very stylish youngster, again presented and handled to great advantage, feminine head with good skull to muzzle proportions, well defined stop, the right amount of neck, deep wide chest, firm topline and well carried tail, moved smartly especially going round.

I also shortlisted the all-quality Dobermann Supetas Waiting For An Alibi from Korifey, just a baby but with that gorgeous outline must be another to enjoy an exciting future; the clean cut, feminine, compactly built Boxer Jeddhi Ring Of Fire; and the very sound, well boned and unexaggerated Neapolitan Mastiff Elodi dei Mastini della Rupe.

PASTORAL

A very even group and even with a big shortlist there were others I wished I could have rewarded.

I fell for the Samoyed Dreambig Evija who managed both to show plenty of delightful puppy exuberance but at the same time to stand more or less still to project a most impressive outline, loved her head and expression with alert almond eyes, a neck which is indeed ‘proudly arched’, well laid shoulders, firm level back, well but not excessive angulated hindquarters, well carried tail and look the part on the move with plenty of style and an appealing air of enjoying herself to the full.

2 Old English Sheepdog Kindamagic Excelente with a beautifully compact shape, already has great substance and stood four square every time I looked at him. Capacious skull, strong muzzle, well made hindquarters, moved in typical Bobtail fashion and his coat of promising texture was presented to advantage.

3 Smooth Collie Sturtmoor Arceus's Legacy, with that spectacular outline he’s an immediate eyecatcher, gorgeous neck and toplline, covers the ground with plenty of style, keeping his shape, and great to see a Collie so true coming and going. Add to that a super head and expression and he’s another who with ordinary luck should make a big mark in future rings.

4 Pembroke Corgi Brynlea Creslow Paint It Black at Cottivy, this young man just shouts ‘quality’, has the most lovely head and expression you seldom see now, masculine but with such a kind, alert expression, super front, bone in proportion, decent ribbing and absolutely true coming and going.

Also making the cut were the classy, free-moving, soundly made Polish Lowland Mybeards Starshine; the shapely, masculine Shetland Sheepdog Sherkarl Sole Diva whose neck and shoulders particularly appealed; the substantial Cardigan Twinan Shield Of Steel who scores heavily on bone, front and feet; the compact, sensible sized, typical moving Puli Magikus Sirius Black; the handsome, well boned Briard Gilcoru Malbec D’Brie; and the feminine, clean-lined Bearded Collie Wildan's Timeline for Merrymore.

UTILITY

Another group with plenty of choice but quite dominated by the Schipperke Franhowil Its All Or Nothing, this is a Schip as I remember them from days gone by, remarkably composed and mature for his age, loved his head, ears and expression, already a super cobby, compact well proportioned body with plenty of substance, stood absolutely four square and moved smartly and quite true both ways, consummate showman, beautifully presented and handled.

2 Miniature Schnauzer Gryselda Step In Time, another who looked fully capable of competing with the adults of his breed, beautifully made with a very typical head and expression, neck in proportion and a well developed compact body, moved soundly with style and never stopped showing.

3 Chow Falacea Gogo Yubari Burlesk, few breeds are as appealing as pups as the Chow, at least when they are a good one and this girl is certainly that. Quality unexaggerated head with clean eyes and small ears, just enough neck to give that characteristic carriage, super bone and topline, decent length of leg and moved as a Chow should.

4 the Akita Sensha’s One of A Kind, just 6 months but remarkably mature and together for such a baby, great bone and substance, good pigment and ear carriage, well balanced back and front and well schooled to move out with some style.

Also shortlisted were the most impressive beautifully balanced and well presented Keeshond Bargeway Boomerang who pressed the winners hard; the Tibetan Terrier Unohoo Magical Maddie whose square outline and firm front appealed a lot; the stylish, scopy Japanese Spitz Snowshoes Joyful Sunstone; the very well made Lhasa Apso Marbledale Parti Time; the good headed free moving Standard Poodle Montego Am I Kenough for Crystalar; and the well balanced soundly made Shih Tzu Pinyinz Sugar Hiccups.

HOUNDS

No denying the top spot to the beautiful Whippet Collooney Celeste, so deliciously feminine, it may not be a ‘head breed’ but hers is exquisite, lovely size and shape and I particularly appreciated the topline with the distinct but unexaggerated arch over the loin which used to be such a feature of the British Whippet, perfect footfall and kept her shape going round.

Of course the Afghan in second place, Rhajikhan Achernar’s River, had nowhere near the maturity and finish of the Whippet but I thought he was a very exciting prospect with tremendous scope coming from a lovely reach of neck, beautifully angulated forehand and great sweep of stifle. And on top of that he already has that look of eagles and a real spring in his step. One for the future I very much hope.

3 the excellent Longhaired Dachshund Darsoms Zyrhona, a beautiful type and sensible size, so very feminine, balanced angles, well ribbed back, true mover covering the ground with an easy long stride.

4 the Elkhound Barbelka Dauntless Spirit, this one grew on me as the group went on and when it came to decision time she was looking a picture with her feminine head and expression, the right amount of neck, unexaggerated angulation, compact body and well carried tail.

I make no apologies for shortlisting three further Dachshunds, the solidly made Min Long Hanishan Ice Fox who kept his lovely shape going round; the charming dapple Min Smooth baby Melriding Silver Spangle, already with eyecatching reach and drive; and the well boned masculine Wire Boloria Goodnight Mr Tom.

Others in contention were the scopy free moving Ridgeback Priorpark Proof In Pudding; and masculine well boned Beagle Bellvalley Epsom Gold.

TERRIERS

The rains came today at just the wrong moment which wasn’t ideal but we coped!

The winning Border Terrier Forest Zpod Chlumskych Haju Glebeheath came, saw and conquered here, he filled my eye with his superb outline, copybook conformation and air of overall class and quality, loved the head type, masculine without coarseness, strong muzzle, clean neck and shoulders, immaculate correct textured jacket, ideal legs and feet and moved how his conformation would suggest.

2 Lakeland Renevis Rambo at Jodean, another beautifully made and balanced terrier, super head with correct ear carriage, strongly boned, short backed, well coated and moved true with some style. Very impressive!

3 the Australian Terrier Bareve Top Hat N’Tails, eyecatching outline but without being overdone and looks like being a sensible size, just the right angles, harsh coat, ideal topline, steady showman, correct footfall and smart going round.

4 Smooth Fox Terrier Foxindean Press Rewind, handsome headed dog, well carried ears, clean neckline into a level back with correct tail set, good depth of body, well boned with straight front, never stopped showing.

Also shortlisted were the sound, well boned and balanced Irish Montelle Flash Light; the well boned, clean outlined Welsh Perrisblu Queen Of Dreams who just made the group in time but settled enough to be in contention; the smart well coated Jack Russell Kulawand White Diamonds with super shape and balance; the very typical, quality Parson Deglacobs Rebecca Riot; the charming, oh so pretty WHWT Hopecharm Bright Angel; the feminine, neatly made Kerry Blue Kebulak Velvet Rose at Kefoxini; and the strongly made, impressive headed Stafford Hasburystaff Top Gun.

I must mention the Bedlington and Dandie who both looked fabulous on the table but just didn’t appreciate the rain, better luck next time.

TOYS

I felt for the toy pups in the conditions of the day, especially the real babies, and those who took it all in their stride had a big advantage.

Nothing seemed to faze the eventual winning Italian Greyhound, Artmeis Aces High of Regallust, he just strode out with tremendous style, soundly and with the breed’s distinctive profile action, intensely masculine but graceful and finely built, head carried proudly on a crested neck, super front and feet, correct and not overdone topline and hindquarters and plenty of scope. Hope time is kind to him.

2 the delightful Affenpinscher Guereza Goody Goody Gumdrop, beautiful style and such a showgirl, loved that cheeky expression, super topline, lovely size and moved so smartly with just the right amount of lift and high tail carriage.

3 Pomeranian Lireva’s When Stars Collide, a real baby but already has remarkable confidence and just made me look at her, such a pretty feminine head, beautifully compact, fine bone and the dampness wasn’t going to stop her making the most of the ring regardless.

4 Russian Toy Vivaprima Turmalin Royal, what a stunning outline this young man has and never stopped showing it off, super neck into a strong topline and well carried tail, lovely size, looked the part going round keeping his shape and made his presence felt when it mattered. Should make many friends for the breed.

Several of the others shortlisted could well have progressed further in different conditions. I selected the most impressive Pug Nicobri’s Lord Of The Rings who with his gorgeous head and compact body came very close to a place; Cavalier Wandris Speak Of The Devil, whose expression just melted me and who came into his own going round; Smooth Chihuahua Anadeia Aldaron, another who excelled in head, was a lovely size and again made a super picture going round; the ultra feminine Japanese Chin Sharlarna All Eyes On Me, with a beautiful expression and cobby body; English Toy Terrier Etruria Say The Word, stylish outline, bone in proportion and a very typical topline; the nicely balanced, very masculine Lowchen Jameneli Back To Black, and the beautiful headed and well balanced Bichon Wolimorb Top Gun.

GUNDOGS

A very even group where I could happily have chosen any of the shortlist, the pointing/HPR breeds particularly strong.

1 Pointer Sharnphilly Canasta for Riowood, gorgeous pup of the most beautiful quality, loved her well moulded head with kind eye and expression, flowing neckline into ideal topline, croup and tail set, immaculate front and feet, enough bone, shapely hindquarters and moved smoothly with some style.

2 Weimaraner Sharnphilly Annie Mac, the last to arrive but quickly settled to put up a strong performance, plenty of bone and substance but still feminine, again has that clean neck and shoulder which imparts a touch of class, accurate mover and looked the part going round. Congratulations to this team on two lovely pups, plenty of fun to come in the ring I’m sure.

Third was a bit of a surprise as I can’t ever recall seeing a solid black German Shorthaired Pointer in the show ring before. The colour only emphasized the beautiful silhouette of Lagopusmoor Black Mandala, super clean lines from head to tail, shapely body and I appreciated her absolutely accurate footfall and smooth ‘together’ side gait.

4 Vizsla Kincsem Break Every Rule, full of class, loved his head and expression, clean outline, in super condition and as so often with this breed came into his own on the move with plenty of reach and drive.

A very close contender was the beautiful Curlycoat Epsilon Adhara at Molokain with a classical outline, super jacket and side gait. Others selected were the most impressive solidly built GWP Glenquin The Colonel at Elegram; the all-quality feminine Labrador Farnfield Partridge; Gordon Setter Hernwood Rocket Man, a real baby but the framework is there for a great future; Irish Red and White Setter Roanjora Cremant D’Alsace, remarkably mature youngster of super overall balance; and English Setter Wansleydale Busy As A Bee at Caprow, looked a picture standing with all the quality you could wish for.

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW

All seven were in serious contention once they lined up in the main ring, and were a credit to their respective handlers in both presentation and performance. I guess that in puppy competition the smaller, faster maturing breeds do have a slight natural advantage and the beautifully made immaculate Border Terrier took the top spot by the narrowest margin over the exquisite Whippet with the handsome Schipperke following on closely.

SIMON PARSONS