Manchester Dog Show Society

I have waited to award my second set of CCs with bated breath since I was invited by the Committee of Manchester Championship Show in 2021. This breed truly has my heart and soul, and I was proud to stand in the ring and judge. Thank you to everyone that entered under me – I am grateful to you all for giving me an entry. 

It is difficult to find good breed type that runs throughout the breed – similar comments to what I said when I previously judged in 2021. I found a couple of incorrect mouths, something which the breed has striven to remove from the show ring. I found overall condition of dogs to be good, with the majority in hard condition. While the standard allows for a little extra length, there were several dogs too long in body which impedes movement. Movement was good – difficult to truly see in such a small ring – but some would benefit from being moved in straighter lines and being handled to their advantages. Overall, temperaments of the dogs I judged were excellent. 

For my CC and RCC winners, I was looking for a balanced, workmanlike dog that had a sprinkle of elegance and enthusiasm to match. They needed to feel substantial and strong throughout, with a ground-covering, springy gait that had reach and drive. My two main dog winners are imports with German lineage – this was the breed type I particularly liked. 

My stewards were two of the best stewards I have ever had the pleasure of working alongside. Thank you.

MPD (2,1) 1 Logie & Braidwood’s Graf III vom Busshoff at Albadhu. My big surprise of the day! I loved this boy, and easy to see by type that he is of German origins. He stood alone in his class but he was lovely to go over. Substantial throughout, he had the most beautiful expression with good earset and the best of forechests, something the breed is lacking. He is very raw on the move but covers the ground with good reach. His legs tend to be stretched too far back on the stack which unbalances him. Good angulation fore and aft. He held his own in the challenge with older, more mature dogs. Pleased to award him his first RCC. RESERVE DOG CC.

PD (1,0) 1 Logie & Braidwood’s Graf III vom Busshoff at Albadhu. Repeat of MPD.

JD (1,0) 1 Day’s Tarkanya Rita’s Reinhart at Alfriston. Attractively marked dog with the kindest of eyes. Lovely arched neck and correct shoulder placement and front angulation. Such a happy chap who enjoyed being a bit cheeky for his handler. Would prefer more hind angulation and width of thigh. Covered the ground well when he settled on the move – he is still a bouncy junior and needs to settle in his stride.

PGD (3,0) 1 Middleton & Trowsdale’s Elmer vom Blitzenbach at Amasffoy (Imp Deu). What can I say about this dog – I loved him as soon as he entered the ring. He still has so much time to develop, but even now I feel him worthy of top honours. He is so muscular and substantial throughout, masculine but retaining that showman quality you look for. He had such a powerful backend which he used to drive himself around the ring with a springy gait, holding his topline on the move. I thought he had great front assembly, with the correct shoulder placement and arched neck. He had the softest expression, with the kindest of eyes. He wasn’t sporting his finest furnishings today, but this will develop with time. In the line-up he continued to shine and I was thrilled to award him the CC – his first. DOG CC AND BEST OF BREED 2 James’ Darkensky Supremacy. Spoilt for choice – another lovely dog, darker than 1 but in much better coat. He had the best of heads, a real mum’s boy as he was focused on his handler which was lovely to see. Good arched neck, and great forechest and depth of brisket. Not as positive on the move today and was a little unsettled. Excellent muscling throughout. Would prefer some more hind angulation but lovely boy.

LD (3,1) 1 Waddington-Chick’s Albadhu Walk of Life. Smaller dog than the other competitor, but such a lovely head – the kind that makes you want to melt which had to be one of my favourites of the day. Good dark eye and arch of neck. Good spring of rib and well-ribbed back. Would prefer better hind angulation and width of thigh. On the move he had a springy gait and held his topline well. 2 Simpson’s Ekkolander Dark Madness at Leriton. Striking black and white dog turned out in tip top condition. Sadly he became unsound on the move which cost him but he is a picture of strength and substance throughout – some of the best muscling of the day. He holds his tail well on the move, and when sound he showed good reach fore and aft – he would have benefited from a bigger ring to move.

OD (5,0) 1 Powell & Murrell’s Sh Ch Crumpsbrook Woodrush. I can quite see how he has done all his winning. Turned out the best of all exhibitors today, you can tell this handler has real pride in her dog’s appearance. Considered for top honours. He was the most positive on the move today, showing good reach and drive, with a springy gait which held his topline. Good arch of neck leading into good shoulders. Nice broad hips and correct croup. Just remember to make sure the hocks are straight when standing. 2 Horton’s Crumpsbrook Jay. Lovely boy, again shown in lovely condition with coat and feathering in the right places. Not too overdone. He unfortunately does fly his tail which would’ve completed the picture. Good arch of neck and lay of shoulder, leading into a good depth of brisket and the nicest of forechests. He is well muscled which allows for driving movement around the ring when he settles. A nice boy.

JB (2,0) 1 McLellan’s Raycris Fields of Glory for Saranden. Two nice bitches in this class. White girl with attractive ticking throughout and a nice black head. She has lovely head proportions and the correct earset. She has a strong, well arched neck. Ribs well-sprung and ribbed back and correct croup. I thought she moved well showing a nice free-striding gait, although needs to tidy up in front movement. She has a lovely ring presence and was handled very well to her advantage. 2 Robins’ Tarkanya Rita’s Ruby with Destanli. On the stand she looks lovely, but unfortunately she didn’t want to be here today. Handler struggled to get the best out of her on the move and felt she didn’t put in her best performance. She has good head proportions and a lovely expression. Good arched neck with correct angulation in front. Would prefer more in forechest.

PGB (3,1) 1 Powell & Murrell’s Tureagh Crystal Cider. Nicely marked girl who had a kind-hearted expression. Good head proportions, shoulder and return of upper arm. Springy pasterns. Feminine throughout. Coat not in the best of conditions today but moved well and held her topline in profile. 2 Huggins-Davis’ Tralale Cuddle Monkey. Difficult to assess this girl today as she was quite erratic on the move and fidgety when stood – it’s as if she is about to burst with excitement. Carrying a little too much weight. She has the sweetest of natures.

LB (2,0) 1 Simspon’s Ekkolander Persephone Red at Leriton. Handled well and shown off to her absolute best, always focused on her handler. In profile she floats and her movement is free-striding and springy, with good reach and drive from behind. Strong arched neck leading into well placed shoulders. Good hind angulation with broad hips. She has a lovely head with kind, dark eye. Very attractively marked. 2 Evans’ Tarkanya Sophie’s Sunflower. Another nice type who is well made throughout. Lovely shoulder placement with correct angulation and return of upper arm. Good depth of brisket and amount of forechest. Well ribbed back. Good turn of stifle. I felt today she didn’t have the substance of the first place winner, but I am sure they could swap places in the future.

OB (3,0) 1 Ward’s Sh Ch Braccpoint Song of the Wind for Gemlorien. I gave this bitch a little more time as when you go over her she is really lovely. She scores in angulation correct in shoulder and well-turned stifles, with excellent croup. She is freestood, which means when she focuses on her owner her topline looks as if it is dipping. However on the move she holds it well. Pulled to get to her mum a little. Good depth of chest and brisket, hocks well let down. Handled on the move very well. RESERVE BITCH CC 2 Miller’s Sh Ch Ekkolander Dark Russion von Rockfest. Another lovely girl and I can see why she has her title. She is my kind of Munsterlander – a lovely type throughout. Today I felt she wasn’t as forward on the move. She is balanced throughout with the best of heads, good eye and strong arched neck. She has lovely springy pasterns and is well-ribbed back, with excellent muscling behind. Another one that scores in croup.

VB (2,0) 1 Trowsdale’s Quilesta So Special at Cazooska. Wow this girl was on form today! On the first go around she glided around the ring with a “Look at me!” attitude and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She has such wonderful reach and drive from behind, so balanced throughout and in such tip-top condition for a veteran. She has the correct angulation fore and aft, with a strong back, well ribbed-back with good width of thigh and well let down hocks. Lovely tight feet. I can hardly believe she is not a show champion and that this was her first CC. BITCH CC 2 Ogle’s Ursel vom Ahler Esch at Raycris. Not comfortable in the ring today so didn’t put on her best performance. Substantial bitch with good angles. Good forechest and depth of brisket. Strong in rear with excellent muscling. She didn’t drive around the rind today and looked distracted, but a lovely bitch nonetheless.

VICTORIA WILKINS