North Staffs Canine Society

Thank you to Rob Jones and his committee for inviting me to judge at this show again. This time it was the Working group. A group that is not well supported at a lot of Open shows these days. I did not have the quantity, but there was certainly very good quality. Special thanks must go to my very hard-working steward who worked the whole day in that ring, receiving additional help later. These large dogs need room to move, especially when challenging for top awards.

ALASKAN MALAMUTE

PUPPY (1)

1. Hooley’s Bartkennels Ljosalfar. A very immature, apprehensive 6-month-old bitch puppy at her first show. She could have quite a bit of protentional if she grows on well. She appeared to go better for her young handler, who was skilled at making her show her best. I hope they will have fun growing up together and improve as time goes on. I thought the puppy was well boned and bodied for a bitch so young. She had a pleasing head and straight back. Correct set of tail and carriage. Well arched, compact feet. Moved well when in unison with her handler. BEST PUPPY & BEST OF BREED.

JUNIOR (1)

1. Hooley’s Black Stripe at Dokkalfar. A well-grown young dog, who was not looking his best on the day. He was losing his coat badly, resulting in him not being in the best of conditions. Pleasing head with small ears. Moved OK. RESERVE BEST OF BREED.

NEWFOUNDLAND

PUPPY (1)

1. Hietschold’s Davistell Babee Love at Chrishelkate (AI). A strongly built 10-month-old bitch puppy. Very well grown, with wonderful bone and construction. Nicely balanced, giving the impression of growing into a good big dog. Correctly proportioned head, of good shape. Lovely dark eyes giving a good expression. Neat ears framed her face. Good lay of shoulder and well ribbed body, with chest developing. Large feet and good hindquarter angulation. Moved well with a slightly rolling gait with the acceptable slight toeing in at the front. Lost her topline on occasions but will improve with age. She should have a bright future. BEST PUPPY & RESERVE BEST OF BREED.

JUNIOR (1)

1. McDonald’s Shadowrise Fire and Ice. A very well grown 10-month-old puppy dog, with strong bone. Broad, relatively large head with occipital bone well developed. Good eyes and mouth. Nice reach of neck. Excellent bone and large tight feet. Presented in lovely condition and coat. Good hindquarters and tail. Moved OK, with a slight roll and not keeping his topline so well. A lot to like about this lovely chap.

POST GRADUATE (1)

1. Popple’s Mileoak Loch Noir. A nice example of a mature bitch. Excellent type and size. Feminine head with correct expression, good eyes and mouth. Ears lying close to the head. Neck strong, nicely set on to shoulders. Well-muscled, straight forelegs, with good lay of shoulders. Would prefer a stronger topline at times. Nicely ribbed, with strong muscular loins. Strong hindquarters, with well let down hocks. Moved well for a big dog in a little ring. Presented in excellent coat and condition. BEST OF BREED.

ROTTWEILER

OPEN (1)

1. Egerton & Sutcliffe’s Bereyda the Real Defender. 17-month-old dog and still maturing. He certainly gave the impression of being strong, imposing and agile. Correctly proportioned, balanced body, presenting a strong, sturdy correct outline. Excellent muscle and bone. Correctly proportioned head, broad skull and forehead moderately arched. Good dark eyes and well-set, close-fitting ears. Excellent mouth, with dark pigment, clean strong teeth and complete dentition. Strong, round, muscular neck. Forechest developing. Good lay of shoulders, straight forelegs and good pasterns. Firm and level back. Strongly muscled hindquarters with well bent stifles and strong hocks. Excellent round, compact feet with well arched toes. It was difficult for him to get into a good stride in such a small ring. When he did it was lovely to watch. BEST OF BREED.

DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

OPEN (1)

1. McEnaney & Oldman’s Bravadogue Mad Hatter. I had recently attended a BAD, so it was good to use the knowledge I had learnt. I considered this 2-year-old bitch, who may not be fully mature, an excellent example of the breed. She may have gone higher in the group, had she moved with a bit more drive behind. Again, it is difficult for such a large dog to move in this ring. She was strong bodied with impressive bone and substance. Still feminine with nicely placed forequarters. She had an excellent head with correct ratios, clean eyes and good bite. Skull is broad with the top of the head looking flat. A distinct median groove and pronounced stop. Short, powerful muzzle with topline slightly turned up. Powerful, broad jaws and correct lower jaws, curving upwards, ending with a well-defined chin. Correctly placed ears. Powerful front with well laid shoulders and well sprung ribcage. Nicely balanced throughout and firm rear quarters with strong hocks. Moved correctly and handled well. BEST OF BREED.

BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

PUPPY (1)

1. Love’s Gorsebern Atomic. A 10-month bitch with a lot of maturing to do. She needs to develop more into a strong, sturdy working dog with good bone. Head OK, but I would have preferred a more well-defined stop to give a better shape. Eyes, ears and mouth OK. Body needs to develop and back straighten. Good tail. Nice colour and correct markings. Needs to concentrate more when moving. BEST PUPPY & RESERVE BEST OF BREED.

POST GRADUATE (1)

1. Love’s Gorsebern Question Mark. Although 19 months old, she also still needs to mature and body up. Her head still needs to develop and I would prefer a more defined stop. She has good eyes and expression, with correct ears. Presented in good condition, but I would prefer more bone throughout. She was moderately angulated front and rear, with a compact body. Not moving her best on the day. Correct colouring. BEST OF BREED.

SIBERIAN HUSKY

POST GRADUATE (1)

1. Goodall’s Cwnhapus Master of Whispers JW. A striking dog showing the correct attributes of the breed. Quick and light on his feet. Graceful in action, but having power, speed and endurance. Well-proportioned head with finely chiselled fox-like appearance and rounded skull. He had a pink-streaked ‘snow nose’ which is acceptable. Good strong jaws and scissor bite. Correct almond shaped eyes, with medium sized thick ears set high, relatively close together. Nicely arched neck and deep chest. Well laid shoulders and straight forelegs. Good spring of ribs, topline level and tail well furred, fox brush shaped, set correctly and carried over his back. Good overall outline and proportions. Well-toned all through and carrying no excess weight. Moved smoothly and effortlessly, maintaining his topline. Presented in good double coat of attractive colouring. BEST OF BREED.

ANY VARIETY NOT SEPARATELY CLASSIFIED

PUPPY (1)

1. Smith’s Portuguese Water Dog, Belleville Snooze you Lose. What a super, smart, mature puppy, who I considered for the adult group placings. Very mature for 10 months old and a lovely example of the breed. Beautiful well balanced rectangular outline. Well-proportioned head, with shorter muzzle than skull and correct heart shaped thin ears, well set. Short, strong neck. Chest and body developing well for age. Well laid shoulders and upright pasterns. Excellent topline and underline. Very strongly muscled well angulated hindquarters, used to advantage. Well set tail carried in a ring. Good bone and substance. She has a wonderful coat and presented in lovely condition. Moved with enthusiasm and purpose. There must be a bright future ahead of her. BEST A.V.N.S.C. WORKING & BEST A.V.N.S.C. WORKING PUPPY.

POST GRADUATE (1)

1. Lowe’s German Pinscher, Danixaris Daydreamer. Mature red dog of good size and shape. Pleasing head, with correct eyes and ears. Presented in lovely condition and nicely muscled. Unfortunately, he did not move at all well, insisting on going one sided, not concentrating on his job, which spoilt him for me. RESERVE A.V.N.S.C. WORKING.

BEST WORKING: Egerton & Sutcliffe’s Rottweiler, Bereyda the Real Defender.

RESERVE BEST WORKING: Goodall’s Siberian Husky, Cwnhapus Master of Whispers JW.

GROUP THREE: Popple’s Newfoundland, Mileoak Loch Noir.

GROUP FOUR: McEnaney & Oldman’s Dogue de Bordeaux, Bravadogue Mad Hatter.

BEST WORKING PUPPY: Smith’s Portuguese Water Dog, Belleville Snooze you Lose.

RESERVE BEST WORKING PUPPY: Hietschold’s Newfoundland, Davistell Babee Love at Chrishelkate (AI).

PUPPY GROUP THREE: Hooley’s Alaskan Malamute, Bartkennels Ljosalfar.

PUPPY GROUP FOUR: Love’s Bernese Mountain Dog, Gorsebern Atomic.

Felicity A. Snook

JUDGE