Ladies Kennel Association

LKA 2024

Puppy Groups and Best Puppy in Show

This was my first time judging for this society and what a privilege it was to be asked to officiate over all the Puppy Groups and Best Puppy in Show at this highly prestigious show. My sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee for considering myself worthy of such an appointment and also for their kindness, smiles and laughs along the way. After decades held at the NEC, the society is already putting its’ stamp on their new venue and I’m sure it won’t be long before Stafford well and truly feels like the home of LKA.

Terrier Puppy Group

1. Tate & Nagrecha’s Jaeva Dont Dilly Dally with Chandlimore. 11 mth old Jack Russell Terrier bitch. This youngster is right out of the top drawer and one I certainly could have taken home. Scoring for type, she is so good in outline with a clean, strong neck, firm level back, super ribbing for age, short in the couplings and tail just right for both set and carriage. Her head and expression are just something else; flat skull of medium width, the very best of eyes and ears, strength to jaw, scissor bite and lovely furnishings. Well constructed all through which becomes apparent when gaiting and she moves out so well with excellent carriage and attitude in abundance. First class jacket and presentation. Not only is she quality through and through, she really is quite the character which just adds to the appeal. Reserve Best Puppy in Show.

2. Coley’s Kingsview Just Elizabeth. 9 mth old Scottish Terrier bitch. I thought this youngster a super prospect. Feminine, yet full of strength and power and presenting a super outline with muscular neck of medium length, firm level topline, good depth to chest, super ribbing for age, broad well-muscled loin and tail spot on for set and carriage. Well proportioned head, narrow in appearance as required, dark expressive eyes, ears good for size and set, strength to muzzle and correct dentition. Gaiting freely with such good drive from the rear. Quality jacket and presentation.

3. Satherley’s Silkcroft Perfect Symmetry (AI). 8 mth old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier dog. Quality pup who greatly impressed for balance and outline. Slightly arched neck of good length, compact body with super topline, rib developing well for age, good coupling and tail set on high. Attractive head and expression with lovely eye and ear, parallel planes, strong jaw and scissor bite. Good angles front and rear, standing nice and straight in front on compact feet and strength to hindquarters. Lovely free action and excellent self carriage.

4. Connell’s Sonorra Storm Trooper. 9 mth old Lakeland Terrier dog. Smart youngster who presented such a good outline. Clean, slightly arched neck, firm topline, ribbed well back, short in the couplings and tail good for both set and carriage. Masculine headpiece with correct flat skull, keen expressive eyes, good ears, good breadth to muzzle and plenty of strength throughout. He stands true in front on excellent feet and has muscular hindquarters with good bend of stifle. Moving true when coming and going and using himself to advantage. Harsh jacket and excellent presentation.

Also shortlisted were the Smooth Fox Terrier, Wilberg’s Kanix Stafford (AI), the Norfolk Terrier, Gee’s Watercroft Easy Tiger, and the Skye Terrier, Whincup & Nottingham’s Partisky Interception.

Hound Puppy Group

1. Perkins & Van Der Schaaf’s Creme Anglaise's Entourage with Silkridge. 8 mth old brindle with white trim Whippet bitch. This girl is no stranger to me, having already done her very well just a few weeks ago. I absolutely loved her then and today my opinion of this outstanding youngster has not altered one iota. She really is something very special and quality just oozes from every pore. Totally feminine, she presents a superb outline with each part flowing smoothly into the next. Elegantly arched neck of good length to balance, excellent layback of shoulder, good depth to chest, muscular back with desired arch over the loin, correct tuck up and tail set on low and of correct carriage. She has the most beautiful head and expression with the very best of eyes, rose-shaped ears, powerful jaw and scissor bite. Faultless construction both front and rear, gaiting true on the down and back and with a lovely, effortless length of stride on the go around. When competing in the final, she put in another outstanding performance and it was my absolute pleasure to declare her Best Puppy in Show.

2. Peiponen’s Bazinga One For All And All For Me. 7 mth old Pharaoh Hound dog. Another exciting youngster who was a pleasure to go over. Of excellent type, he presented a beautifully balanced outline and stood foot perfect at all times. Long, slightly arched neck, firm topline, good depth to brisket for age, good underline, correct croup and tail of good set and carriage. Super head and expression with good length to skull, oval-shaped eyes, ears of good size and set, slight stop and correct scissor bite. Good angles front and rear and stands on excellent feet. Greatly impressed for his profile action and carriage.

3. Howlett, Boggia & Kouler’s Ina's Fashion Imperial (Imp Deu). 8 mth old brindle Greyhound dog. Quality pup and another who pleased when hands on. Masculine throughout, with long muscular neck, good depth to chest and ribbing extending well back, good underline and slightly arched loin leading to correct set on of tail. Attractive head with good length to skull, flat skull, slight stop, expressive eyes, rose-shaped ears and scissor bite. Good angles both ends and went so well when gaiting, driving well from the rear and with correct low tail carriage. So very well handled.

4. Paterson’s Brumberhill Biscuit to Ambiesque. 9 mth old Wire-Haired Dachshund bitch. This girl pleased for type and strength of bone and presented a lovely balanced outline. Slightly arched neck of good length, firm topline, prominent sternum, ribbing carried well back and developing as it should, short loin and tail of good set and carriage. Nicely balanced headpiece with appealing expression; almond-shaped eyes of good colour, ears of correct set, slight arch to muzzle and good dentition. When gaiting, she is so good on the down and back and has a good length of stride on the go around. Harsh jacket with good undercoat.

Also shortlisted were the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Cadmore’s Soletrader Queen Lizzie, the Basset Hound, Blevins’ Bromp Ronnie Smart for Blevwil, the Beagle, Goldberg’s Molesend Impish, and the Deerhound, Peach’s Kilbourne Jagger.

Pastoral Puppy Group

1. Brandenberg & Smith’s Nikara It's Keats. 10 mth old Samoyed dog who I have already done well for previously. Quality lad excelling for type and balance and makes the most of himself at all times. Strong neck of correct length to balance, firm topline, excellent ribbing for age, muscular loin and super tail for set and carriage. There is no mistaking his sex, yet there is no hint of coarseness in his quality headpiece. He has breadth of skull, obliquely set almond-shaped eyes, ears set well apart and nice and thick as required, moderate length to muzzle, scissor bite and first class pigmentation. Well made both front and rear and certainly holds your attention when gaiting; moving freely with such super carriage. Quality coat and presentation.

2. Naismith’s Shaggybo Mineral Mist. 8 mth old Old English Sheepdog dog. Another exciting youngster who gave the winner a run for his money. This boy presented a beautifully balanced outline with the best of necks, compact body with super ribbing for age, muscular loin and tail of pleasing carriage. Quality head and expression with breadth to skull, well defined stop, eyes set well apart, strong muzzle and good dentition. Perfect front assembly and stands on excellent feet. Really impressed on the go around and so true when coming at you. Excellent texture to his well presented coat.

3. Foy & Hawkins’ Beldones Just A Hunch. 11 mth old sable Shetland Sheepdog dog. This youngster appealed for overall type and scored in outline with well arched neck of correct length to balance, firm topline, correct rib development for age, croup sloping as desired and tail just right for set and carriage. Pleasing head of correct skull to muzzle proportions, flat skull, good stop and parallel planes, obliquely set eyes of good colour, lovely ear and well developed underjaw. Pleasing angles both ends and he moved smoothly with good ground coverage when he went on his individual. Coat of good texture.

4. Fricker’s Kerman Who'l Come A Waltzing (AI). 11 mth old Cardigan Corgi bitch. This youngster pleased for overall type, carries strong bone and presented a nicely balanced outline. Muscular neck, firm topline, correct ribbing for age and tail just right for length, set and carriage. Feminine head with good width to skull between her correctly set ears, expressive eyes, moderate stop, muzzle of correct length and scissor bite. Good layback of shoulder, elbows held close to the sides and well developed forechest. Moves nice and free on the down and back and shows good reach on the go around.

Also shortlisted were the Bearded Collie, Carter’s Memorylane Emotions In Motion for Ravenswyre (Imp Fin), the Finnish Lapphund, Lloyd’s Arianrhod Havukruunu (AI), and the Pembroke Corgi, Irving’s Twinan Stars Above.

Working Puppy Group

1. Ellis-Payne’s Chayo Here Comes Trouble. 8 mth old Alaskan Malamute dog. Quality youngster who appealed for type, carries super bone and was so good hands on. All male, yet free from any suggestion of coarseness, he is so good in outline with moderately arched neck, firm topline, excellent ribbing for age, muscular loin and characteristic waving plume. I loved his head and expression; breadth to skull, expressive almond-shaped eyes of good colour, ears just right for size and set and powerful muzzle. Faultless construction, standing on super feet and quite something on the move and very well handled.

2. Lowes’ Callowdale Tibet Takiri. 11 mth old black/tan Tibetan Mastiff bitch. This young lady greatly impressed. I thought her a super type and she is beautifully balanced. Slightly arched, muscular neck, firm topline, excellent ribbing for age, broad loins and well feathered tail which is of correct set and carriage. Feminine head and expression with good breadth to skull, good proportions, super eyes and blunt square muzzle. Well constructed front and rear and certainly didn’t disappoint when gaiting. She should easily go on to gain her crown in time.

3. Studholme’s Kalizmar Guided By The Moon. 8 mth old Leonberger bitch. Another youngster who very much appealed. Totally feminine, yet carrying lovely bone and with strength all through. Slightly arched neck of correct length to provide balance, firm topline, super ribbing for age, broad loins and tail good for length, set and carriage. Quality headpiece of correct proportions, moderate stop, expressive oval-shaped eyes, ears set on high and excellent dentition. Super angles front and rear, standing true in front on lovely feet and opens up well on the go around.

4. Warren’s Copperfield Jonas Mudge. 11 mth old Bullmastiff dog. Powerfully built youngster who appealed for overall type and outline. Muscular neck which is well arched, short back with firm topline, super ribbing, broad well-muscled loins and tail good for set and carriage. Masculine head with broad skull, expressive eyes set well apart, ears correct for size and placement, short muzzle of good breadth and width to underjaw. Carrying good bone, he stands true in front with good breadth to chest. Purposeful action with good drive from the rear and true both fore and aft.

Also shortlisted were the Bouvier des Flandres, Lambert & Eastham’s Quiche’s Xplorer Treks to Bouvpilot (Imp Can), the Newfoundland, Moir’s Newgraden To The Moon An Back, and the Siberian Husky, Simms’ Seaqualina Echo of Light.

Gundog Puppy Group

1. Wilkinson’s Ferndel Sapphire Mist over Stocksfell. 8 mth old black/white Pointer bitch. This youngster very much appealed, pleasing for overall type, full of femininity and presenting such a lovely balanced outline. Slightly arched neck of good length, firm topline, rib developing well, short in the couplings and tail just right for set and carriage. Most attractive head and expression; moderate breadth to skull, well defined stop, lovely dark eye, ears set on fairly high, characteristic muzzle and good dentition. Super angles front and rear and each part flowing smoothly into the next. Gaiting freely with excellent carriage and covering the ground as required.

2. Whitehead’s Gunalt Back Chat from Stridview. 9 mth old Weimaraner dog who was very close up to the winner and I really could have gone either way such was the quality of these two pups. This lad presented a first class outline with a lovely clean neck which flowed into well laid shoulders, level topline, super ribbing for age, nice short loin, slight slope to croup and tail good for set and carriage. Well proportioned head with expressive round eyes, ears set on high and powerful jaw. Free, ground covering action and so very well handled.

3. Barrass’ Bebecova Uniqueness. This 9 mth old Clumber Spaniel bitch was another with so much to like. Feminine throughout, carrying lovely bone and as fit as anything. Powerful neck of correct length to give balance, firm topline, good depth to chest and excellent rib for age, well-muscled loin and tail of good carriage. Most attractive head with good breadth to skull, expressive eyes, deep stop and square muzzle. She greatly impressed for soundness and moved accurately on the down and back with seemingly little effort. Shown in super coat and condition and handled to advantage.

4. Thompson’s Cooishka Girl From Mars. 10 mth old Spanish Water Dog bitch. Another youngster of quality. I thought her an excellent type and she is so good in outline with muscular neck, firm level back, good depth to brisket and ribcage extending well back. Correctly proportioned head with the most delightful expression; oval-shaped eyes of good colour and placed well apart, ears set on just right, parallel planes and scissor bite. Impressive front assembly, standing on nice tight feet and well-muscled all through. When gaiting, she went so well on the go around and used herself as she goes.

Also shortlisted were the German Shorthaired Pointer, Sielski’s Orchidstar Tick Tok, the Gordon Setter, Warren’s Benbuie Comanchie, the Hungarian Vizsla, Layton’s Layways Dua Lipa, and the Curly Coated Retriever, Clack’s Krisbos Leonidas with Molokain (IKC).

Toy Puppy Group

1. Hornby’s Bramerita Little Red Head. 9 mth old Long Coat Chihuahua bitch. I thought this youngster a particularly exciting prospect. She presented a beautifully balanced outline with slight arch to her moderate length of neck, she is firm in topline, well ribbed back and sickle tail correct for both set and carriage. First class head and expression with the desired ‘smile’, super eye and ear, lean through the cheeks and the best of mouths. Soundly constructed all through and stands nice and straight in front on correct feet. When gaiting she moved out freely with excellent carriage. I’m sure she’ll have many great days to come in the show ring.

2. Dixon’s Lasagesse Kashmir. 10 mth old English Toy Terrier bitch. Another quality pup who showed herself off to advantage at all times. Elegant as required, she is so well balanced with a super neck, correct topline of the breed, deep brisket and good underline and tail set on just right and of pleasing carriage. Most attractive head, long and narrow with dark, almond-shaped eyes, characteristic ears and good dentition. She too is so well made and move true both fore and aft. Good quality coat with lovely rich tan.

3. Lister’s Florita Turbolento. 6 mth old Italian Greyhound dog. Most promising youngster who was a delight to go over. Elegant throughout and so good in outline with long, gracefully arched neck, pleasing chest and ribbing for age, correct topline, good underline and tail just right for length, set and carriage. Quality headpiece with desired length, flat skull, dark expressive eyes, perfectly ‘roofed’ ears and good dentition. One the move, he gaited true when coming and going and impressed on the go around with lift in the front.

4. Pirrie & McEvoy’s Guereza Queen of the Fairies. 11 mth old Affenpinscher bitch. Another super pup and although the last of the quartet to place, she too greatly appealed and should have a very good show career ahead. Sturdily built with correct length of neck to balance, excellent ribbing for age, short in the couplings and tail good for both set and carriage. Delightful head and expression with the best of eyes, wide open nostrils, good turn up to underjaw and excellent dentition. Moving freely with such attitude that she simply cannot go unnoticed.

Also shortlisted were the Bichon Frise, Stafford’s Louisianna Can’t Tame Her, the Bolognese, Morgan-Stanley’s Banacek Diamante Bianco, the Miniature Pinscher, Coull’s Vardenais Hot As Hell, and the Pomeranian, Pike & Carter’s Altina’s Georgia On My Mind at Breezelyn.

Utility Puppy Group

1. Isherwood & Lynn’s Bygorrie Guggenheim with Afterglow (imp). 9 mth old white Standard Poodle dog pup. I did this youngster very well at his first show and today he continued to impress. So correct for overall type, all male yet with no suggestion of coarseness and presenting just the outline I was looking for. Super neck, short firm back, good depth to brisket, broad muscular loin and tail set on well. Most attractive head with dark expressive eyes, long leathers set on low, chiselling developing nicely and scissor bite. Good angles front and rear and standing on the best of feet. He is quite something on the go around and covers the ground with such impressive carriage. Excellent presentation.

2. Eaton’s Ricatori Liberata. 8 mth old Bulldog bitch. This exciting young lady pushed the winner all the way. Quality headpiece, full of femininity, yet with strength; good breadth to skull, super eye and ear, wide open nostrils, short muzzle and good breadth to underjaw with good turn up. Strong muscular neck of moderate length, correct roach to topline, super ribbing for age, good underline and tail set on low. When construction was being dished out, she was certainly first in the line; standing with excellent breadth in front and when gaiting she moves her width and has faultless rear action.

3. Jones’ Llwyni's Magic Touch. 12 mth old Japanese Spitz bitch. This young pup was a delight, pleasing for type, so well made and feminine all through. She has such a good outline with the correct proportions of the breed, nicely arched neck, firm in the topline, ribcage of good length which is developing well and plumed tail set on high and of good carriage. Quality wedge-shaped head with moderate breath to skull, super eye and ear and first class pigmentation. Soundly constructed and gaiting freely and light on her feet as required.

4. Davies’ Waterley Dream Dedication. 7 mth old black/white Tibetan Terrier bitch. This young pup completed a very nice final four and she too should have a very bright future. She presented a lovely outline with neck of correct length to give balance, firm topline, super ribbing for age, short in the couplings and tail good for set and carriage. Most attractive headpiece of correct proportions, full of femininity with dark expressive eyes, good underjaw and excellent dentition. Correct angles front and rear and certainly didn’t disappoint when gaiting, moving out freely and with confident carriage.

Also shortlisted were the Miniature Schnauzer, Woods & Price’s Penbro Pizzazz, the Miniature Poodle, Wells’ Volgarus People Pleaser, the Schipperke, Niemann’s Beadale Innocent As Sin, and the Shar Pei, Morris’ Witchgait Breaking Bad with Ashowai.

Judge: Tim Ball