Windsor Dog Show Society

Windsor Championship Show – Dalmatians – 30th June 2024 – Judge: Sue Parkin-Russell (Spaclere)

Thank you to the Officers and Committee for the judging invitation, my fifth time giving CCs in the UK, although this one had been postponed for three years due to the Covid pandemic. I was very pleased with my entry of 92 with 20 absent on the day. Thank you to all the exhibitors for making the effort and coming under me today. The weather was not so kind to us and I think we had every season, except Winter but no-one would have been surprised if it had snowed, so much for flaming June! Huge thank you to my two wonderful Stewards who did their best to keep me on time, Louise and Trevor and to the Beta trade stand for keeping me supplied with coffee.

I’ll start with the good points of the breed as I see them today. Overall, sizes are much better, the taller dogs and bitches that I saw last time I judged, 6 years ago, seem to be a thing of the past, thank goodness, and please may they stay there. Coats were good on the majority of exhibits, as were bites and temperaments.

Now for the not so good, I thought tail sets were going to be my nemesis today, but to be honest, that was the least of my worries. Although a tail stuck on a Dalmatian at 12 o’clock spoils the complete, filled, picture when it is presented.

Narrow fronts, where is the heart room for the Dalmatian to be able to be able to fulfil the job, they were bred to do, either hunting out in the forest or running beside/under a carriage with horses at a constant trot?

A couple of exhibits were carrying too much weight, which cost them dearly as it spoilt their movement on the day.

Feet, the majority were good and given as they were being shown on grass, I was surprised to see a few hare/splayed feet.

There were no bad temperaments today although a couple were a little shy/nervous but given how much the weather changed throughout the day it may have unnerved them a little.

I was so pleased to see my Best Special Beginner in Breed (Carodal Jacobs Ladder) and Best Puppy in Breed (Dalmark's Jubilations at Nospar) make the short list in each of their respective groups. Interestingly, my BoB winner said she wouldn’t do well in the Utility Group ring but hoped they might fare better in the Veteran Group, she was right on both counts. Nothing in the Utility Group but Best Utility Veteran on the day and Reserve Best Veteran in Show on the final day, way to go Seb and Sally-Ann!

Veteran D/B (5/2)

1st CH BUFFREY INCOGNITO BY DALLEAF JW (MRS S A & MISS S NEATH-DUGGAN & BAKER) – He took Utility Veteran Group 1 today and Reserve Best Veteran in Show! When I first judged him nearly eight years ago, he was OK bit of a gangly lad but then he went onto mature and six years ago I awarded him the DCC and BoB at SKC and he took his first Utility Group on that day and he hasn’t stopped winning since. He has lovely black spotting on a clear white back ground. Correctly set tail put to good use all day. Full black pigment to eyes, nose and lips. He has the best movement which only improves when he’s in the big group ring. I was so pleased to be able to award him the DCC, BoB and BViB today.

2nd Mrs H L Davies - Maddidalli Embers Glow – 8-year-old black spotted bitch. Good pigmentation to eyes, nose and spotting. Long lean neck, into well placed shoulders with well-defined withers. Feet could be tighter.

3rd Mrs S thorn – Spotiray Billy Eilliot of Castletop

Minor Puppy Dog: (1/0)

1st Ms K Wilkins – Anima Cordis Perfect Lover for Salvadorada – Lovely black spotted, very raw 8-month-old puppy. Good bite. Spotting could be darker and more defined. Correct set of tail.

Puppy Dog (4/1)

1st Mrs T Stocks – Dalmark’s Jubilations at Nospar – 8-month-old correctly coloured, liver spotted. Good stature, well defined withers, took a while to settle but moved well when he got there. Very expressive face. BBD & BPIB.

2nd Miss S & Dr J R Clasen – Dalstorm Just Living – 11-month-old, black-spotted, slightly longer in frame, dark pigmentation to eyes and nose, correct tail set. Moved ok.

3nd Miss K Wilkins – Anima Cordis Perfect Lover for Salvadorada

Junior Dog (3/0)

My notes say this class was all about pasterns and tail sets! Weak pasterns mean the Dalmatian will not be able to trot very far and if it did, it would be sore and lame at the end of the journey. Tails, I have already mentioned.

1st – Miss N L & Mrs Le Moss – Sadiedel Let Ur Heart Decide – Lovely clear black spotting on a clean white background. Tail set OK. Nice, expressive face. Well defined withers, good spring of ribs, moved OK for age.

2nd – Mr I & Miss E Goddard & Barry – Dalberry that Bouys is Mine – Slightly longer in frame and taller in stature than preferred. Moved around the ring all OK.

3rd – Mr I Bickerdike – Jaxsondal Crème De La Crème at Koroyza.

Yearling Dog (3/1)

1st Ms K Wilkins – Salvadorada Heads Will Roll – Liver spotted dog, Dark pigmentation to eyes, nose and the spotting was good too. Well defined withers. A very nice-looking dog that filled the frame well. Moved OK.

2nd – Mrs H & Miss A Davies & Corcoran – Hafwenna King John at Teghafren - liver spotted dog with smaller spotting and ticking. Lovely expressive face. Well develop fore chest for age. Moved out OK.

Novice Dog (2/1)

1st Mr M & Mrs L French – Tamilanda Instant Envy – Black spotted dog. Lovely expressive face, Lean neck into well placed shoulders. Moved well round the ring.

2nd Miss S & Dr J R Clasen – Dalstorm Just Living – Repeat from Puppy Dog.

Post Graduate Dog (5/1)

Ear and tails sets decided this class along with movement.

1st Miss S Baker – Kelevra Chive Talking with Dalleaf – Black, large spotting. Well defined withers, good spring of pastern, lovely spotted tail and the best mover in this class today.

2nd Mr M & Mrs L French – Tamilanda Instant Envy – 1st in Novice Dog.

3rd Mrs M & Mr G Pilgrim – Nospar Drambruie.

Limit Dog (13/2)

Timidness and shyness can be forgiven in the younger age classes but not once a dog is in limit. Tail sets need to be watched and movement that is too close behind means the Dalmatian will not be able to run very far without getting either very tired or lame.

1st Mrs H & Mrs R Tingey – Dallydor Lockdown Legend – lovely, correctly coloured liver boy with full pigmentation. Correct length and set of tail. Good, strong pasterns with good depth of chest. Moved round the ring well today.

2nd Mr K & Ms C Williams & Tanswell – Tolkain Storm King from Phadante – Good black spotting on a clear white background. Correctly set ears. Good length of tail and moved with purpose round the ring.

3rd Mrs J S & Mrs J A Green & Sears – Alphadal Aint Misbehaving at Judally

Open Dog (7/3)

1st Mrs L & Mr M Philip & Dunnachie – Ch Dvojica Enrique – Lovely, dark pigmentation on this black spotted dog that filled the frame well. Very clean and clear white background. His tail never stopped. Correct lay of shoulders with a good depth of chest, level topline – stood and on the move. RDCC.

2nd Mr I & Mrs K & Miss C-L Page – Ch Bleize De Montjuic at WInflash (Imp USA) – Deep, black spotted boy with long, clean neck into good lay of shoulders. Level topline which continued into correct length of tail. Good turn of stifle. Nice, tight cat feet. Another dog that filled the frame well. This was one of the closest decisions of the day, between 1st and 2nd.

3rd Mr G D & Miss S E Townson & Pardoe – Kaytoni Oh What a Night at Daymadals

Special Beginners D/B (11.2)

1st - Carodal Jacobs Ladder (Mrs J & Mr W Tysterman) – Lovely, young liver bitch, really sweet, pretty face with full brown pigmentation. Long, lean neck into well placed shoulders. Good definition to withers, nice, cat feet. Moved with purpose around the ring. BSP.

2nd - Salvadorada Happy Go Lucky (Miss N Barnett) – Black spotted with a nice expression to the face. Ears correctly set. Nicely, defined withers and lovely cat feet. Moved OK.

3rd - Capearlla Diamond (Miss L Pedlar)

Minor Puppy Bitch (1/1)

Puppy Bitch (3/0)

1st - Dalstorm Just Waltzing (Dr E & Mr W Sampson. Correct brown pigmentation on this lovely liver girl. Her head has time to mature. Lovely, long, lean neck into well place shoulders. Moved very well for one so young. BPB

2nd - Hebemor Careless Whisper from Dakata (Mr C & Mrs A E & Miss L & Miss T Healey & Healey & Wheaton & Gardinor) – Another nice liver girl with full pigmentation, would prefer the eyes to be a little darker in colour. Correctly set ears. Level topline stood and on the move. Correct length of tail. Moved well.

3rd - Salvadorada Just for Us (Ms K Wilkins)

 Junior Bitch (6/1)

1st - Dvojica Filthy Gorgeous (Mrs L & Mr M Philip & Dunnachie) – Sweet. Black spotted girl. Her ears frame and expressive face. Moved round the ring with purpose. Her long, lean neck led into well placed shoulders. Strong pasterns. Correct set and length of tail.

2nd - Cariadymor Shingehill Cove of Castletop (Mrs S Thorne) – Liver spotted girl with nice pigmentation. Another long lean neck leading into well placed shoulders. Nice, tight cat feet. Good turn of stifle with well-defined hocks. Moved well round the ring today.

3rd - Popkingsway Lady of Dreams (Miss C Saunders)

Yearling Bitch (8/0)

1st - Shacarlu Bee Happy (Mrs C Burrows) – Nicely, black spotted girl. Best mover in this class today which made her easily the class winner. Such a lovely expressive face and her tail did not stop. Well defined withers, good turn of stifle. Just loved her head! RBCC – one to watch!

2nd - Steyndal Princess of Wales (Mr S J Fellows) – Nice, black spotted bitch with an expressive face. Well-developed fore chest. Well defined hocks. Moved and covered the ground well today. She was full of bounce today!

3rd - Hafwenna Valyria at Melectabee JW (Miss C Bradley)

Novice Bitch (7/3)

1st - Sophtspot Sparkler at Nospar (Mrs T Stocks) – Lovely black spotted girl. Full of the joie de vive today! Thankfully, I like Dally cuddles!! Best mover in this class today. Good deep pigmentation on a clear and clean white coat. Level topline stood and on the move. Good turn of stifle.

2nd - Dalstorm Just So Salsa (Dr E & Mr W Sampson) – Nice, liver spotted girl. Correctly set ears that framed a very expressive face. Corectly set tail of good length. Moved well round the ring.

3rd - Hebemor Careless Whisper from Dakata (Mr C & Mrs A E & Miss L & Miss T Healey & Healey & Wheaton & Gardinor)

Post Graduate Bitch (8/0)

1st - Fakenham Fontanella (Mr S J & Mrs L J Bolt) – Lovely black spotted bitch with dark pigmentation. Lean neck into well placed shoulders, with defined withers. Good turn of stifle. Correctly set tail which she used to good advantage. She filled the frame nicely and was the best mover in this class. Close call between her and the eventual RBCC winner.

2nd - Kelevra Pickle My Fennel with Buffrey JW Swiss Jch (Mrs S A & Mr S Neath-Duggan & Coyne) – Nice liver spotted girl with a lovely head. Good pigmentation but would prefer a slightly darker eye. Moved well but 1st just had the edge on movement today.

3rd - Jemblewood Jelly Baby (Ms M & Miss C De Rozario & Brooks)

Limit Bitch (12/2)

1st - Winflash Chanel Paris (Mr I, Mrs K & Miss C-L Page) – Black spotted girl with lovely deep pigmentation on a very expressive face which was framed by correctly set ears. Well sprung pasterns that led to beautiful cat feet. Covered the ground well and effortlessly when on the move. No hesitation in awarding her the BCC today.

2nd - Dallydyl Code Breaker JW (Miss M & Mr S Scott-Allen & Davis) – Liver spotted girl who used her tail to full effect all day. Correct brown pigmentation to eyes and nose on an expressive face. Well-developed fore chest. Nicely defined withers with good lay of shoulders. Moved round the ring quite well.

3rd - Nospar's Gin and Tonic JW (Mrs T Stocks)

Open Bitch (9/3)

1st - Ch Dvojica Chilli Chutney for Wrendragge JW (Dr W J E & Mrs J M Gardner) – Well made liver bitch. Moved soundly and with purpose – she could trot all day. Deep brown pigmentation on a clean white coat. Correct tail set, my notes say one of the best today!

2nd - Ellemstra Tough Cookie at Shacarlu (Mrs C Burrows) – Got to love this black spotted girl who was full of it today! Moved very soundly round the ring. So excitable, almost impossible to write her up. Her tail never stopped!

3rd - Ch Buffrey Hanky Panky by Dalleaf JW (Mrs S-A & Miss S Neath-Duggan & Baker).