Welsh Kennel Club

My thanks to WKC for this opportunity to judge one of my favourite breeds, I have a great passion for GSDs and I was very impressed with the soundness, breed type and temperaments of all the dogs. The breeders have worked so hard in difficult circumstances and the breed is in a much better place for it. Both male and female lineups were good for type and soundness with a number of dogs pushing for the RCC, there are some lovely youngsters coming through. Congratulations to all the breeders, owners, exhibitors and especially the handlers who work so very hard to showcase these dogs at their best, I applaud your energy and commitment to your breed. Thank you for your sporting acceptance of my decisions, it really was a pleasure, I enjoyed my day very much and was grateful for the many kind messages and comments afterwards.

VD (4 Entries) Abs: 0

Lovely class of veteran males

1st: SKINNER, Mr Ronald Anthony & SKINNER, Mrs Lynne Iolanda Luciano

Medium size, strong well pigmented b/g presented in good coat. A well proportioned dog with a masculine head with good ears and expression, good length of neck and clean front. Strong bone, firm feet, firm in back, good underline, moved well with good hind thrust off short strong hocks. BViB

2nd: KEARNAN & WILSON, Mrs & Miss Susan & Francesca Swiss Ir Ch NL Ch Int Ch HR Ch Lux Ch Clynalwin's Nukon

Another very good larger male, rich b/g with a super skull and muzzle, good wither, firm back, slightly stretched, shoulder well angled, stands correct front and rear, moves well not quite the power of 1 and this was what separated them today, firm in hock with good width of thigh and retained his outline

3rd: SMITH, Miss Sarah & SMITH, Mrs Ivylene Portnall Elrick Zu Sarocal Sh.CM VW

MPD (4 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: CLINTON, Mrs I & CLINTON, Miss Amy Westlawn Travis

Just 6 months b/g showing promise, well boned with a good skull developing and nice erect ears. Good neck, good size and strength, won this class on his overall balance and firmness of body and movement, just needs to tighten in front. Correct bone, strength of hocks very good for age, confident temperament.

2nd: 5088 HILL, Mrs Sarah Jane & HILL, Mr Darren Obi Av Rostadgarden (imp Nor)

Another nice youngster, well grown, lovely masculine head with dark eyes, good pigment and nice ear. Good neck of length and well carried. Roaches slightly on the move, muscle development should help, good in ribbing and has potential to move well when he gets more confidence. Scored in breed type over 3.

3rd: 5078 YATES, Mrs Angela I'm Blue Eiffel

PD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: KEARNAN, Mrs S & BROWN, Miss Heuwlen Swnynant Icon

Liked his type, b/g with masculine outlook, good size and strength. Proportionate head with good skull developing and strong foreface, good pigment. Strong well set neck, well placed wither. Needs to firm in overline. Upper arm well angled could be a little longer, well angled rear, well coated. Moved firmly for age with good gaiting action, tail of good length and well carried.

2nd: 5078 YATES, Mrs Angela I'm Blue Eiffel

Placed 3rd in MPD little unsettled, well grown, still very raw of course. Needs time to fill his frame, slightly overstretched, well muscled and moved soundly, sympathetically handled, just needs some confidence.

JD (4 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: CASSIDY, Mr Paul & FARLEY, Mrs Nikki Nikonis Qonos

Medium size, medium stength sable, considered for the RCC, alert and active, he uses his ears well. Has obvious capacity for endurance. Scored in front and head carriage, gaited really well once settled. Well proportioned height to length, good length of neck and firm in wither with good height, firm overline, still to develop in chest and brisket, impressive in outline, with good length and angle of upper arm.

2nd: FLETCHER-MILLS, Mrs Christine Danisof Quartz At Zarivena

Well boned b/g medium size, stronger than 1, heavier in underline, very nice head and masculine expression. Could carry a little more neck, balanced and well coated. Slightly stretched, with firm back and well muscled, strong broad thighs and strong straight hocks. Upper arm of good length but could be more angled, well presented and handled with tail well set and carried.

ND (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: APPS, Mr James & TUCKER, Miss Sandra Felsental Franko

Lovely type, medium size b/g, expressive and confident with a well shaped head and strong muzzle with nice big teeth, strong neck correctly set. Well boned, good development in brisket for age. Firm top line, croup well angled, short. Very good hindquarters. Sound throughout and a balanced controlled side gait.

2nd: KING, Miss Sarah Wolfsharn Vance:

Long coat lovely, nature and alert with good bone, balanced head, well shaped with dark mask, ears a little wide set. Slightly stretched proportions, slightly deep in underline, shoulder angles balanced, firm back and loin, croup short. Sound, tail well carried and super condition.

GD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BROWN, Miss H A & THOMAS, Mr S L Ardenburg Bix

 Medium size b/g, medium strength of good type, clearly male. Well pigmented with dark eye and mask, well shaped head, ears broad at base and well used. Good proportions. Alert character, strong neck, correct in chest, firm back and loin. Well angled and balanced front and rear. Good gaiting action holding his outline with good head carriage, really good forward reach and strong hind drive, in the running for RCC, a lovely prospect.

PGD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

Both super dogs and a close decision

1st: HUGHES, Miss Jackie Barwoods Iago

Very nice medium size b/g male with a masculine head, well boned, not exaggerated in any way. Really liked his outline and balance, slightly stretched, normal wither, firm back and moulded croup of correct angle. Excellent scope to side gait.

2nd: NICHOLSON, Miss Sylvia Chapleforge Angus With Norwulf

Another very nice b/g dog with a balanced head and uses his ears well. Well boned, balanced in proportions and firm on the move, good angulation fore and aft, holding his topline, firm straight back and well angled-croup. Plenty of drive not quite the scope of 1 today.

LD (4 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: MOONEY, Miss R Draycore Kenneth

Scored in front and chest over 2, mature, powerful b/t dog with good over and underlines, liked his skull and muzzle, strong and in proportion. Strong well-set neck, well laid shoulders with good forechest, tight elbows. Slightly stretched, medium size. Holds himself well on the move, has potential for more reach, sound behind, very controlled and calm character. RCC

2nd: SWTAN, Mrs Bethan & HUGHES, Mr Darryl Blanik Lancelot

Upper medium size and strength b/g classic head with good balance of proportions. Correct neck, high wither. Strong in body and bone with firm lines, well-muscled rear. Sound enough out and back, just needs to tighten a bit. Has a reasonable length of stride.

3rd: HILL, Mrs Sarah Jane & HILL, Mr Darren Sonarly Derrick

OD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: HENSLEY, Mrs D Ch Desjiem Van De Herdersfarm (imp Deu)

Quality all through with no exaggeration, I recently gave him Gp1 at Bournemouth and I am a great admirer of this male, he is full of breed type. Medium size with good length of leg, medium strength and substance. Well pigmented b/g with an expressive all male head without coarseness. Muscular neck, well set on. Firm pasterns and feet, correct in elbow giving freedom of forward reach, well developed chest. Excellent topline. Moulded croup correctly angled and excellent rear. Moves with fluidity with active reach and strong hind thrust, in the challenge for BOB he was a little unsettled and was edged out by the smoother action of the female.

2nd: CAVE, Mrs Anne Casiann Atlas

Long coat, a much heavier medium size b/g dog, in super coat, very good pigmentation. Good overall type and balanced. High wither, firm back, well- boned, good front, slightly deep chest and brisket, good hind angulation with width to thighs true out and back, with good reach, beautiful calm nature.

VB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: CONNIFORD, Mrs Sarah Astradine Kind Of Magic

Pretty, very honest pale well-balanced girl, not overdone, sufficient angles to enable her to move holding a firm outline. Sound in all directions. Pleasing head, dark kind eye, good ear set and carriage. Correct length of neck, firm overline, good tail length and set. In lovely condition.

MPB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: BROWN, Miss H A & THOMAS, Mr S L Swnynant Isadora

Well grown b/g with good development of skull and body for her age, well shaped head with nice firm ears, broad at the base, alert carriage. Good length and set of neck with firm wither, back and croup, correctly angled front and rear and gave good action. True out and back with plenty of scope gaiting. Very promising and had the edge on her kennel mate for BP today.

2nd: CROOK, Mrs Susan Purple People Eater

Well grown b/g needs plenty of time to fill her frame, rather rangy at present, feminine and correctly proportioned head and typical for age, steady moving with good movement in rear, well conditioned and presented, very controlled.

PB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: CROOK, Mrs Susan Purple People Eater repeat 2nd MPB.

JB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: CULLEN-GRAVES, Mrs Nicola Bridgeview Jara

Very attractive long coat feminine but with strength, very pretty head with dark eye and good ears. Well proportioned and angled, firm in back and loin, well developed in chest. Broad thighs and strong hocks, good length of tail, in good coat, moved very soundly holding her shape.

NB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: PLATT, Mrs S Charbonnel Pammy

Loved this one and she would have pushed very hard for the RCC if she was not withdrawn from the challenge, top class b/g youngster, well grown with good leg length but feminine, very well balanced. Lovely head and expression, well shaped erect ears, expressive. Well proportioned, slightly stretched, chest to broaden, ribs well sprung, firm overline and correct underline with well moulded croup, powered around the ring, one to watch.

2nd: CULLEN-GRAVES, Mrs Nicola Bridgeview Jara repeat J

GB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: INGHAM, Ms P Paluka Bali

Very pleasing medium size, medium strength b/g, well balanced all through preferred her proportions to 2. Good strength of foreface with dark mask and eyes, well pigmented, firm neck, well angulated forehand, chest to broaden, high wither. Stands true on firm strong hocks, excellent hindquarters, very sound all through, strong but feminine.

2nd: BRETT, Mrs Rowena Chica Guapa Of Blanik

Strong, medium size l/c, not quite the balance of 1 but liked her well-shaped head and dark eye. Good front and chest with a straight firm backline, well boned and stands on good feet, heavy in underline. Effective side gait with adequate reach and drive.

3rd: USHERWOOD, Miss Benita Return Shamrock Of Blanik (ba1)

Class PGB (6 Entries) Abs: 0

Quality class, splitting hairs here between the first 3

1st: HARDY, Miss Courtney L & HARDY, Miss Natalie Barwoods Ivy With Cafotaliena

Medium sized, b/t long coat, slightly stretched proportions. Had the most scope in action, with a proportionate strong head and muzzle, feminine outlook, dark mask. Liked her overline, forehand could be more angled, firm wither, well ribbed back, firm straight back, sound on the walk and gait, carries herself well, effective gaiting action with tail well carried

2nd: NICHOLSON, Miss Sylvia & KACZMARCYK, Mr Josef Norwulf It Must Be Love

Another very good b/g female in hard condition and very strong in rear, pleasing for outline and type. Expressive head, very alert. Good height to length proportions and reach of neck. Very good chest development and good brisket, firm straight back. Moves correctly coming and going. Scored in side gait over 3 who was another strong quality b.

3rd: BENJAMIN, Mrs B Barwoods Ida

LB (6 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: BINDEN, Mrs Sue & BINDEN, Mr Peter & BINDEN, Miss Jasueter Kelsi

Impressed for overall balance without exaggeration. Clearly feminine b/g with dark eyes and good size erect ears. Not the maturity of body as the CC winner as still a youngster but no denying her quality and soundness, very flowing bitch from nose to tail. Good over and underlines, excellent forehand with moderate oval bone, medium size and strength, most fluid mover in the class.

2nd: CASSIDY, Mr Paul & FARLEY, Mrs Nikki Magic Vom Herbramer-wald (Imp) Deu

Another quality b/g who pushed hard, close up to 1 and another I liked very much for overall balance, soundness and breed type. Good skull and muzzle balanced with dark eye and alert expression, feminine, strong, well made front and good bone. Firm back and moulded croup, strong angled rear with good width of thigh and strong hocks, good length of tail, firm all through, good roomy gait.

3rd: BROWN, Miss H A Swnynant Hera

OB (5 Entries) Abs: 0

Top quality class and I would have happily handed out multiple CCs.

1st: 5099 PLATT, Mrs S Ch Charbonnel Tanzi

Has star quality! Fabulous b in full bloom, she has so much ring presence and moves as one piece commanding attention, everything smoothly connected and totally harmonious. Correct size b/g, medium substance and proportions, excellent breed type. Flowing over and underlines, excellent pigment and balance of skull to muzzle, alert expression, well angled, front assembly with length of upper arm and correct depth of brisket. Strong bone, tight feet, strong hindquarters and short hocks, she moves with such freedom and power, took it up a notch in BOB and gaited with composure. I was disappointed she didn’t make the group as that large ring could have really showcased her action but I understand the reasons. It was a pleasure to award her CC & BOB.

2nd: 5065 BROWN, Miss H A Swnynant Guiliana

This b/g female had to go some to place ahead of a longstanding favourite of mine, strong of good breed type, in excellent condition. Has many of the attributes of 1 but with a good head and expression, reach of neck and a very good front assembly. Firm behind, well muscled with a good turn of stifle and strong hocks. Sound coming and going, beat a top quality b into 3rd on her gaiting performance, well handled, pushed hard for RCC.

3rd: 5106 SWIFT, Ms A & HENSLEY, D D Ch Monksley Faye Savannah

SBB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: BRETT, Mrs Rowena Chica Guapa Of Blanik repeat 2 graduate

2nd: SKINNER, Mr Ronald Anthony & SKINNER, Mrs Lynne Iolanda Hetty

Lovely calm and well natured b in super coat, liked her overall shape and proportions, very nice head and well boned, well constructed front, firm back and good rear, moved true and held her shape.