South Wales Kennel Association

South Wales Championship Show - October 12th 2024

Whippets

Thank you to the society for inviting me to judge their championship show 2024. It was an appointment carried over from COVID 2022. Thank you to my stewards, Gill & Alexandra for helping to keep the ring running smoothly. I was delighted with my entry considering the logistics of the venue, today’s economic climate & the decline in entries overall in our hobby. Thank you to all the exhibitors for entering, giving an entry of 150 with 25 absent on the day. It was a really cold day affecting a lot of the exhibits. Most dogs were presented in overall good condition, but I was surprised by a number of exhibits in soft muscular condition. There were certain things I was looking for, which I managed to find in most classes. So, I will apologise now if my critique is a bit repetitive. There are some promising youngsters coming along which I feel bodes well for our future.

Veteran Dog 5,0

1st Shepherd’s, Ch Citycroft Sundae with Oxana JW ShCM ShCEx VW. Fawn of quality with a typical head & expression with clean lay of shoulder & return of upper arm. Good for depth, infill & length of ribbing. He stood over the ground. Moved accurately coming & going & strode out in profile. Well presented. I liked this lad a lot & was happy to award him BVIB

2nd Trouton’s, Runnel Run for Fun. Pleasing fawn with long neck into a well laid shoulder & correct return of upper arm. Good for depth with a sweeping underline. Strong over the loin which leads to a well angulated rear. Moved steadily & accurately holding his topline. Just preferred the scope of my winner.

3rd Russell’s, Glantam Genesis at Arjuna

Minor Puppy Dog 13,4

1st Perkins, Silkridge Black Caviar. Gleaming black in excellent condition with pleasing head. Long neck into a well-made front. Depth to elbow with a sweeping underline, good for bone, correct pasterns and feet. Loved this dog for his substance, quality & breed type. Pleasing lines throughout with everything in the right place for his age. Accurate mover who held his shape in profile & was foot perfect coming & going. Smart boy, who I will watch with interest.

2nd Whitehead & Smith’s, Lancar Dream Quartz Stone of Citycroft (Imp Lva). Pale brindle with a pleasing head and expression. Long neck set perfectly onto clean shoulders, correct return of upper arm. Good for infill & had correct bone & feet. He was accurate coming & going, moved out well. Just preferred the curves of my winner.

3rd Graham’s, Ohoka Tip Top

Puppy Dog 3,0

1st Wheeler’s, First Class Soulad by Ranveli BPD. Brindle of obvious quality, built on elegant lines. He was the easy winner of this class. Handsome head, long neck flowing into correct front assembly. Good for depth of chest, infill & length of ribbing. Stands over the ground with good bone, feet & correct spring of pasterns. Accurate coming & going & just flowed around the ring keeping his topline. I was pleased to award him BPD & will watch his progress with interest.

2nd Perkins, Zeglynn Christmas Present. Fawn with defined head & expression. Long neck into well angulated front, pleasing topline with sweeping underline, standing on good feet. Movement was hard to assess as he was certainly enjoying his time in the ring. He needs to deepen in his chest & mature all through. Hopefully this will come with age.

3rd Perkins, Zeglynn Winter Pimm’s

Junior Dog 6,0

1st Morland’s, Zoraden Master Baker. Fawn boy who really appealed for breed type & so well balanced. He was lovely to go over. Very attractive head leading to a long neck with matching front & rear angles. Pleasing depth of chest, infill & length of ribbing with correct bone, feet & pasterns. He was the soundest of movers, showing effortless reach & drive, holding his topline.

2nd Arkell’s, Barnesmore Celtic King. Smart brindle who appealed for size, make & shape. Pleasing head & expression, long neck leading to well angulated front. Correct for depth & infill. Stood over the ground on good feet & moved out well on a long, low stride. I just preferred the overall balance of 1.

3rd Winkley-Balmer & Winkley’s, Edenwhip Call Me at Night

Yearling Dog 3,0

1st Yacoby-Wright’s, Ch Cobyco Catch Your Eye. This boy certainly caught my eye!! Stunning fawn who was my type to go over. Appealing head with a melting expression. Strong neck leading through to his flowing shoulders, with a correct topline which he held on the move. Excellent spring of rib & depth of chest with sweeping underline. Correct bone, feet & pasterns. Strong over the loin leading to well developed rear quarters which he used to power himself around the ring. His movement had reach & drive & was effortless. Beautifully presented. A stylish exhibit that I was happy to award the DCC & BOB.

2nd Chappell’s, Blueflight Brewin Up A Storm. Blue in super condition. There was a lot to like about him once he settled. Long neck into pleasing front construction. Has depth to elbow & correct length of ribbing. Curvy top & underline. He moved correctly, driving off his hocks, with reach in front.

3rd Kenyon, Doddridge It Wasn't Me.

Novice Dog 4,0

1st Graham’s, Ohoka Tip Top. 3rd in MPD. Classic fawn of ideal size. Elegant neck flowed into his shoulder well laid shoulder. Curvy top & underline. Strong over the loin leading to a correct rear assembly. Accurate movement viewed from all angles. He just need to fill out to complete the picture.

2nd Smith’s, Collooney Fred Astaire (AI). Black who was wider all through than my winner with correct depth to elbow with sweeping underline. A little unsettled but held his topline on the move. I preferred the forward reach of my winner.

3rd Kenyon’s, Doddridge It Wasn't Me

Graduate Dog 6,0

1st Allansson & Macdonald’s, Zoraden Simply The Zest of Macalldon JW. Stylish fawn of correct breed type. Pleasing head with long, elegant arched neck leading to the best of fronts. Good for depth, infill & length of ribbing. Strong loin leading to a correctly angulated rear. Stands over the ground on neat feet. Accurate coming & going with effortless movement in profile maintaining his shape. In the challenge he absolutely showed his socks off, each time I looked his way he was showing himself. Beautifully handled & I was pleased to award him the RDCC

2nd Gibbins, Deroonpark Rafferty at Stonefox. Brindle/w trim. Appealing head with a melting expression. Neck flows into clean shoulders. Pleasing front fill & depth of chest. Matching, curvy top & underline with well angulated rear & correct second thigh. Moved with ease around the ring.

3rd Russell’s, Longmire Atlantic Starman with Arjuna

Post Graduate Dog 8,1

1st Mould’s, Crosscop Waterloo Sunset. Brindle of super make & shape. Masculine head, strong neck into well constructed front. Matching top & underline with strong loin. Moved out well keeping his topline.

2nd Tristram’s, Supeta’s Just Do It. Fawn/white. Another super boy. Clean neck & shoulders well muscled loin, with correct tuck up. He scored in movement, has an easy pace covering the ground effortlessly. Close decision.

3rd Barkas, Citycroft Line of Duty

Class 1537. Limit Dog

Entries: 12 Absentees: 2

1st Turnbull’s, Ticks The Boxes at Turnstone. Brindle of classic make & shape, he was so smooth underhand & unexaggerated. Masculine head leading to strong neck onto a correct front assembly. Good for depth, infill & length of ribbing. He stood on good feet with correct bone & slight spring of pastern. Sweeping underline & matching topline. Strong in loin leading to correct rear angulation. Moved smoothly & accurately.

2nd Lewis, Luckhurst Rainbow Warrior. Another classic brindle who appealed for breed type. Similar remarks apply. Lovely head, masculine neck leading to correct layback of shoulder, correct depth with sweeping top & underline. Stood over the ground on good feet, bone & pasterns. Just preferred the movement of my winner.

3rd Richards & Richards, Richclass from Here On Out

Open Dog 5,0

1st Wheeler’s, Ch Ranveli Diki Diki. Brindle whom I judged as a puppy & has certainly met my expectations. Handsome head with a melting expression. Long elegant neck leading to excellent shoulder construction, return of upper arm & front infill. Well constructed deep body with spring & length of ribbing. Strong in loin & rear quarters with broad thighs. Moved with good extension driving off his hocks. He pulled out all the stops to win this tough class, unfortunately he was unsettled in the challenge.

2nd Perkins & Van Der Schaaf, Ch Crème Anglaise’s Just Julian with Silkridge. Dark brindle with lots to like. He has an air about him which draws you back. One I have judged before & has also gone on to gain his title. Very attractive head leading to a long neck into a well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm. Pleasing for depth & length of ribbing leading to a strong loin. Correct rear angulation which he used to drive around the ring. He was absolutely foot perfect holding a topline. Close decision.

3rd Winkley-Balmer & Poole’s, Ch Edenwhip Can I Be Him, finishing a trio of super examples of the breed.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog 5,0

1st Higginbottom’s, Ranveli Royal Duke of Dawnsafon JW. Fawn of quality. Handsome head, long neck leading to a correctly angulated front. Pleasing depth to elbow with sweeping underline & matching topline. Strong loin leading to well muscled rear quarters. Moved steadily & accurately.

2nd Webber’s, Denimblue Willdo JW Eye catching blue which I have often admired for his correct conformation & accurate movement. He just flowed underhand & there is so much to like about him. I would just prefer him a size smaller.

3rd Byron’s, Jasarat Gucci

Veteran Bitch 5,2

1st Wilkinson’s, Citycroft Starfall JW. Classy fawn of excellent size & type. Good length of neck set into well laid shoulders. Good for depth, infill & correct return of upper arm. Matching top & underline. Moved out with purpose, displaying a free and flowing action. BVB

2nd Williams, Layways Now and Forever Bodlon. Appealing brindle of pleasing make & shape. Pretty head with the sweetest expression. Long elegant neck flowing into a correctly angled front assembly. Good for length with a slight rise over the loin, standing over the ground on good tight feet. Moved out really well, especially in profile.

3rd Williams, Tigsisle Fan The Flames

Minor Puppy Bitch 14,3

1st Perkins & Van Der Schaaf’s, Crème Anglaise’s Entourage with Silkridge. This young lady really caught my attention. Beautiful brindle of ideal size, who presented a mature shape for one so young. Well covered with sweeping outline and matching front & rear assembly. Movement was so accurate with reach & drive, she did not miss a beat maintaining her topline. RCC & BPIB. She went on to gain PG2, I was delighted for her owners & will watch her progress with interest.

2nd Barnes, Leathern Thumbs Up for Doddridge. Pretty puppy with a sweet expression. Long neck flowed into a well laid shoulder, sweeping underline. She stood over the ground & moved out purposefully. I just preferred the curves of my winner.

3rd Fryer’s, Stonefox Prim and Proper

Puppy Bitch 7,0

1st Uggeri’s, Bohosoul Bewitched. A Fawn who appealed for quality & breed type. Typical head with a melting expression. Long neck leading to a correct front assembly. Depth to elbow & length of ribbing with matching top & underline. A little unsettled & gave her handler a hard time but moved out with drive & accuracy to win this class.

2nd Green & Ratcliffe, Crosscop Take On Me Arrodare. Well presented, classic fawn with pleasing expression. Neat front, curvy top & underline, well angulated rear. Moved out steadily & accurately. I just preferred the profile movement of my winner.

3rd Ellis, Railfield Singin in Therain

Junior Bitch 10,1

1st Short & Short’s, Collooney Celeste. Brindle. A stylish youngster who just oozes breed type & quality. Appealing head with the sweetest expression. Long neck leading to a well laid shoulder & correct return of upper arm. Well constructed deep body with spring & length of ribbing. Has a series of sweeping curves, standing over the ground with good bone, feet & spring of pasterns. Scored in movement which was absolutely accurate coming & going, moving out in profile showing freedom of stride. She really did appeal to me today & I was delighted to award her the BCC.

2nd Morland’s, Zoraden Gossip Girl. Brindle of quality. Pleasing head with a melting expression. Neatest of fronts with depth to chest & a curvy underline. Appealing outline with no exaggerations. Her foot fall was perfect & she moved out on a long stride. This young lady had lots of appeal & unlucky to meet the winner today.

3rd Reed & Pace’s, Dejare Dreaming On and On

Yearling Bitch 5,1

1st Whitehead & Smith’s, Crème Anglaise’s Lady Bridgerton of Citycroft (Imp Nld). Appealing fawn with a well defined head, long neck which flowed seamlessly into a well laid back shoulder & correct return of upper arm. Sweeping curves to her top & underline. Strong in loin leading to a well angulated rear. Accurate movement coming & going with reach & drive in profile.

2nd Wheeler & Rutter & Higginbottom’s, Ranveli Royal Touch. Fawn built on a lighter frame with a lot to like when she settled. Pretty head with a melting expression, elegantly arched neck set on a well angulated front. Had enough depth, with flowing top & underline. Moved out with reach & drive. I just preferred the overall shape of my winner.

3rd Brough’s, Crosscop Call Me Maybe at Limubox

Novice Bitch 12,1

1st Reed & Pace’s, Dejare Dreaming On and On. Classic fawn showing plenty of promise, 3rd in a hot JB class. Clean, long & well shaped neck, leading to a pleasing front assembly. Depth to elbow with sweeping underline & matching topline. Moved correctly viewed from all angles.

2nd Uggeri’s, Five Star Ladies Soulad by Bohosoul. Brindle of nice type and proportions. Elegant long arched neck, correct front assembly. Pleasing top & underline with excellent depth to brisket. Balanced angles throughout & moved out well. My winner just had the edge on maturity.

3rd Ellis, Railfield Raining Secrets

Graduate Bitch 12,1

1st Turner & Turner’s, Gilnockie Kinda Cool. Elegant brindle that appealed to me today. Arched neck set onto well laid shoulders with correct return of upper arm. Well sprung, deep ribcage with sweeping underline, correct length of loin leading to strong rear which she used to propel herself around the ring. Well handled to get the best out of her.

2nd Short & Short’s, Collooney Bellissima Bloom. Black in gleaming condition. Long neck set onto well laid shoulders. Correct front & rear angulations & presented a beautiful outline. Strong in loin leading to a well angulated rear. She flowed around the ring on a long, even stride. Unlucky to meet the winner today.

3rd Hoskins, Shelsue Jingling Jennie

Post Graduate Bitch 9,3

1st Tristram’s, Pagarni's Princess Elsa. Fawn who appealed for her make & shape. Long neck into well made front with well laid back shoulder. Deep chest with well sprung ribs, strong loin leading to a well angulated rear. Her foot fall was perfect viewed from all angles, moving freely with reach & drive.

2nd Richards & Richards, Richclass Miss Atomic Bomb. Fawn. Appealing head leading to a strong neck. Pleasing return of upper arm, well filled front, depth to elbow, well sprung ribs & sweeping underline. Strong loin leading to a well angulated rear which she used to her advantage. Moved steadily & accurately. It was a close decision.

3rd Middleton & Gilhooly’s, Stormida Squirrels for Tea

Limit Bitch 17,5

1st Blake’s, Silkridge in A Moment at Mazargo ShCEx. Elegant brindle who catches your eye for breed type. Neck flows into her correct front assembly. Shapely outline, stands absolutely true on good feet. She was accurate coming & going & flowed around the ring in profile.

2nd Perkins & Van Der Schaaf’s, Crème Anglaise’s Cassablanca with Silkridge (Imp Nld). Fawn with lots to like. Prettiest of heads, long neck, brisket depth to elbow & sweeping underline. She stood over the ground on good bone & feet. Purposeful movement in profile & accurate coming & going. It was a close decision.

3rd Smeath’s, Royal Tudor Storm Minime at Willingwisp

Open Bitch 4,1

1st Green & Ratcliffe’s, Ch Crosscop Bumble Bee by Arrodare. Appealing fawn for her make & shape. Carries herself with elegance & has this impressive look at me attitude. Long neck leading to a smooth well laid back shoulder. Correct for depth and infill with sweeping curves all through. Moved effortlessly in profile on good feet.

2nd Short & Short’s, Collooney The Little Tease. Brindle/white, Beautifully arched neck leading into the best of fronts. Perfect for depth of chest, flowed from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail. She excelled in profile movement which was a joy to watch.

3rd Barnes, Doddridge Strictly Cha Cha JW

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch 4,0

1st Trouton’s, Citycroft Grace Kelly of Runnel JW. Pretty, unexaggerated fawn who was shown to perfection. Sweetest of heads with a melting expression, long neck into a correct front assembly with matching rear. Enough depth & length of ribbing, stands over the ground with good bone & feet. Movement was steady and accurate.

2nd Leathart’s, Ringmore Hecate. Classic fawn. Built on more compact lines. Elegant neck into a well laid back shoulder, correct return of upper arm with brisket depth to elbow leading to curvy underline & matching topline. Moved out well but I just preferred the foreword reach of 1.

3rd Webber’s, Zoraden Fifty Shades Darker JW

Judge -Yvonne Hull