Driffield Championship Dog Show

 

 

Driffield

Sunday 24^th August 2025

Whippets

Judge: Alayna Morland

 

Many thanks to the Officers & Committee of Driffield Championship Dog Show Society for their kind invitation to judge at their 2025 show. A big thank you also to stewards Peter Armstrong and Gemma Maxwell for running the ring so efficiently and keeping everything on track, and to the lovely group stewards who checked in regularly to make sure we had everything we needed.

 

The weather was just about ideal for most of the judging – the sun did make an appearance a couple of times and it felt a little warm. Overall, it was perfect judging conditions, with a large ring that allowed the exhibits to really show themselves off.

 

I was delighted with an entry of 135 at this busy time of year, with very few absentees. I felt especially honoured to receive such a strong entry – particularly as none of my own team or close associates exhibited under me. As with any regular exhibitor judging their own breed, it is rare to come across a dog you don’t know or haven’t seen before. Many of the dogs have had a busy show season, and all you can do is call it as you see it on the day and in that moment. Some dogs went further down the line than I might have expected, and others surprised me on the day.

 

As ever, I was looking for a balanced, curvy and elegant Whippet that moves soundly up and down with daisy-cutting action – front and rear stride perfectly equal if you were to freeze-frame that moment of full extension.

Correctly angulated fronts are the key to balance, curves, and correct action in movement. Generally, when the front is right, everything else falls into place and gives the correct breed type. Unfortunately, I didn’t come across as many correct fronts as I would like.  The RDCC and BCC winner in particular are exceptional for front construction.

 

An issue we are still seeing in the breed is double – and even triple – teeth in the bite.

As a judge, I accept irregular teeth, missing teeth, or an incorrect number of incisors if I can clearly see that the bite is correct.

But as breeders, I feel we need to be cautious – this is not something we saw in the breed before, and it is easy to breed out.

 

I found many good movers that were sound and balanced both up and down and in profile. A few were my type when stood, but not as tidy on the up and back as I would have liked, and therefore went down the line.

Quite a number of dogs that appeared unbalanced when stood were also unbalanced in profile – with rear pasterns not coming out from underneath the body to match the front stride.

 

My biggest concern was the number of unsound dogs.

I think some were simply unsound on the day – and perhaps the owners hadn’t realised. Others showed a strange rotation of the hip and a rear hitch every few strides – a fault that has not previously been present in the breed.

 

That said, many dogs fitted what I was looking for, and I was particularly pleased to see my five shortlisted bitches stood together in the challenge – all of ideal size, type and balance, with sound movement.

 

SBD (1 Entry)

1^st: BLENKARN, Mrs A M – Penwincoed Major North Of Hareghyll

Brindle dog who is very masculine. Correctly shaped eyes giving nice expression. Would prefer smaller ears. Strong neck of correct length that flows into his shoulders. Slightly sprung pasterns. Good length with curvy top and underline. Not quite balanced with front and rear angulation which shows in his profile movement. Sound moving up and back.

 

VD (3 Entries)

1^st: PRICE, Ms C A – Ch Wheelspin Silver Shadow Among Silkdance JW VW

I awarded this lovely fawn his first CC back in 2018, and I was pleased to judge him again today. At 8 years old, I could still happily give him another CC and I shortlisted him in the challenge.

Handsome head giving correct eye shape, good expression, and neat rose-shaped ears. His flow of long, strong neck into shoulders is perfect. His front construction is absolutely textbook – well laid-back shoulders with correctly returned upper arm, clean and smooth with flat muscle. Lovely spring in his pasterns. He has a flowing outline and a curvy rear that is balanced with his front. He stands over his ground so well, with his front underneath him and standing foursquare.

I felt he was slightly off on a back leg on the up and back in the challenge, though he was sound in the class. I would prefer him to hold his topline a little better on the move, but he has the balanced profile movement I desire.

 

2^nd: MCDONALD, Mrs K R & GLASSPOOL, Mr S – Penbriar Dark Secret At Mannerpool

This handsome black boy was the RCC winner to the dog above in 2018, and it was a pleasure to judge him again.

He has a quality head with good underjaw and ears he uses well. Another well-constructed front, with his neck flowing into his shoulders and his front sitting nicely and comfortably underneath him. A curvy and flowing outline. His pasterns and rear angulation don’t quite have the strength they once had, but he is super up and down and moves well in profile.

 

3^rd: HOPE, Mrs Susan – Demerlay Charming Charlie

 

MPD (3 Entries)

1^st: REES, Mr Kevin James & JONES, Mrs Karen – Kierpark Devil In Disguise

A striking brindle boy who has an appealing look and a real quality about him. Balanced in front and rear angulation, with topline developing nicely – gentle rise over the loin and a pleasing underline. Smooth to go over with a flowing outline.

He is much more mature in body at this stage, which won him his place here. Just needs to settle on the move.

 

2^nd: WINKLEY-BALMER, Mr James – Edenwhip If I Can Dream

A promising fawn boy, ideal for type and size. Nicely balanced with a good curvy outline already developing. Stands foursquare, with nicely sprung pasterns, good bone and feet. Very sound up and back. Not quite the body of the winner, so lacks the same flow in outline, but I think he is really promising.

 

3^rd: POWELL, Mrs Gemma & POWELL, Miss Sophie – Cavebrown Puck

 

PD (4 Entries)

1^st: MALLINSON, Mrs Ellen & MALLINSON, Miss Lucy – Edenwhip Oregano

Brindle dog with a nice expression. His front is well angulated, and he has a lovely curvy outline and underline. Needs to strengthen in his pasterns and has a little too much second thigh. His overall maturity, with a well-developed body and super sound movement up and back, earned him BPD.

 

2^nd: SCHOFIELD, Miss Eve – Bowdonia No Way Jose At Runforest

A smart brindle dog who is lovely for size and in excellent muscular condition. Nice head and expression. Good bone and neat feet. He was tense on the table and on the move today, which was a shame. Needs to drop into his frame, and I would prefer a stronger second thigh.

 

3^rd: PRICE, Ms C A – Kierpark It’s Now Or Never Among Silkdance

 

JD (6 Entries)

1^st: LUTHER, Miss Charlotte & BUCKLAND, Mr Nathan – Tervanty Dragon Master At Bonnarfyfe JW

A well-made brindle dog of lovely quality and very handsome, with a correctly proportioned head giving a nice expression and excellent underjaw. I would prefer more rose shape to his ears. He is nicely balanced, though probably not quite my type, as there is a little more of him all over. He is well developed through the body, correctly ribbed back, which gives a good top and underline. He moves quite well in profile but needs to settle a bit more – I saw enough and was pleased to see that he holds his outline.

 

2^nd: LLOYD, Ms J – Penwincoed Mr Magoo

A correctly sized brindle male with an extremely attractive head and neat rose ears. Balanced in front and rear angulation, with some nice curves to his topline and underline. Not as smooth to go over as 1. Flattens in topline and drops his frame on the move in profile but has a good stride and is sound out and back.

 

3^rd: HOWGATE, Mr M & HULL, Ms Y – Palmik Never Too Late JW

 

YD (4 Entries)

1^st: WOOD, Mrs J P – Ardencote Keep Dreaming

Extremely typey young fawn dog who is perfect for size. He is completely balanced, with a moderately angulated front and rear, a curvy topline and underline, and is beautifully proportioned all through. I feel he could be easily missed, as he doesn’t have the massive profile movement that can sometimes be desired – but he moves so soundly up and down, with correct daisy-cutting action in profile whilst holding his outline. I shortlisted him for the CC, and he only lost out to two beautifully mature Champion males.

 

2^nd: WHEELER, Mr Rob – Ch First Class Soulad By Ranveli (Cze Imp)

A very eye-catching brindle boy who is of obvious quality. Presented in excellent condition, with a good coat and muscle tone. I would prefer more front angulation to create better balance with his nice curvy rear, which would also help give more spring in his pasterns. Nice underline and well-developed first and second thigh. Sound up and back. In profile, loses some fluidity through his rear at times, has a good stride otherwise.

 

3^rd: HUTCHINSON, Ms Mandy – Zenobia Just An Illusion With Sweetaurora JW

 

ND (6 Entries)

1^st: MCDONALD, Mrs K R & MCDONALD, Mr A – All Eyes On Me Reverhof At Solentwaves (Imp Lva)

A lovely young black dog who is spot on for size and type. He really appealed to me for being totally balanced, with no exaggerations, and standing comfortably over his ground with his front set nicely underneath him. Well developed through his body, creating a series of gentle curves and a flowing outline. Good for bone, with the perfect amount of spring in his pasterns. A super sound mover up and back, with balanced profile movement.

 

2^nd: LLOYD, Ms J – Penwincoed Mr Magoo

3^rd: BLENKARN, Mrs A M – Crosscop Happy Valley Of Hareghyll

 

GD (6 Entries)

1^st: MCDONALD, Mrs K R & MCDONALD, Mr A – All Eyes On Me Reverhof At Solentwaves (Imp Lva)

2^nd: MIDDLETON, Mr Stuart John & GILHOOLY, Mr Liam – Stormida The Brave

A smart fawn dog with a lovely flowing outline and nice curves. A little longer on the leg than ideal, but still really balanced, with moderate angulation front and rear. The balance really showed on the move, as he was effortless – covering the ground whilst holding his outline, and very sound on the up and back.

 

3^rd: RODGERS, Mr Gary – Wentvalley Pied Piper JW

 

PGD (10 Entries, 2 Abs)

1^st: PERKINS, Mrs C & VAN DER SCHAAF, Mr K – Silkridge Black Caviar

A masculine black and white dog who is very handsome, with good expression and a strong underjaw. He is lovely to go over – so smooth, and turned out in perfect muscular condition. Well-angulated front and good depth, which leads to a curvy topline, underline and rear. Good bone, perfect spring to pasterns, and good feet and tail set. A sound and balanced mover who holds his outline well. I shortlisted him for the CC and he is certainly worthy – he just had to give way to two dogs who are slightly more my type.

 

2^nd: SALKELD, Ms Liz & GRAHAM, Mrs Jane – Dalerafenn River Of Dreams

An elegant fawn dog who scored for breed type and a lovely curvy outline. He isn’t as mature in body and still needs to drop into his front. Another that is lovely to go over and in great condition. He is sound on the move and has balanced profile movement whilst holding his outline.

 

3^rd: BROOKS, Mrs S & BROOKS, Mr M – Collooney For Your Eyes Only JW

 

LD (11 Entries)

1^st: PARKES, Mrs Karen & MCKAY, Mrs Elsa – Jubrancy Spring Vacation

A moderate fawn boy who is spot on for size. Another I think could easily be missed, as he isn’t flashy. He has an attractive head, good neck into shoulder, a gentle rise over the loin, excellent underline, and a curvy rear. I would prefer a little more return of upper arm to complete the picture. His sound and steady movement secured him the class.

 

2^nd: HIGGINBOTTOM, Miss Ellen – Ranveli Royal Duke Of Dawnsafon JW

Attractive fawn dog who I have often admired. Masculine head with good underjaw. A quality dog to go over – in excellent condition with beautiful muscle tone. Curvy topline and underline, and very balanced. He moved soundly and freely in profile whilst holding his outline. Unfortunately, he gave his handler a hard time on the stack today by leaning back.

 

3^rd: POOLE, Mr George & MORRIS, Mrs Leigh & WADDELL, Mr – Falconcrag Match Maker At Crosscop

 

OD (11 Entries, 3 Abs)

It was a pleasure to judge this class, I liked all the dogs very much including those who left the ring.

1^st: WINKLEY-BALMER, Mr James & POOLE, Mr G – Ch Edenwhip Can I Be Him

A well-known fawn Champion dog who was on top form today. He is perfect for size and breed type. Handsome head with a lovely expression and good underjaw. He is so well balanced in front and rear angulation, with a series of gentle curves. He particularly scores in movement – very sound up and back, and moves with reach and drive in profile whilst holding his outline. I was very pleased to award him the CC.

 

2^nd: BRIDGMAN-LEWIS, Mr Kyle Cy & WILTON-CLARK, Miss Jane – Ch Shalfleet Making Waves

A super brindle boy who is very much my type. He is so correct all through – size, breed type, curvy and perfectly balanced. His front is textbook, with a well laid-back shoulder and equal length and return of upper arm, and everything else then just falls into place. He looks so comfortable standing over his ground. He is very sound and has a beautiful daisy-cutting action. I was splitting hairs between 1 & 2, and I just felt the winner had a little more oomph on the day. RCC.

 

3^rd: YACOBY WRIGHT, Mrs Lynn – Ch Cobyco Catch Your Eye

 

SBB (9 Entries, 2 Abs)

1^st: KERR, Miss Rebecca Elizabeth – Udalie Du Menuel Galopin (Imp Fra)

A lovely brindle girl to start the bitches off. Pretty head and expression, with good underjaw. I would prefer more rose shape to her ears. Very mature through the body, with good infill and depth – could benefit from a little more return of upper arm. She has a lovely curvy outline which flows beautifully. In lovely condition and very well muscled. Moves soundly with good daisy-cutting action. BSBIB.

 

2^nd: LLOYD, Ms J – Penwincoed Amazing Grace

An attractive brindle girl who is very well constructed. Beautifully angulated front and rear, with a lovely curvy outline. I would just prefer her slightly smaller all through. A very sound mover in all directions.

 

3^rd: ARBUTHNOT, Mrs Verity – Lolani Crystal Moon

 

VB (6 Entries, 1 Abs)

A lovely class of veterans with much to admire in all of them.

1^st: SPADEMAN, Mrs Fiona & MYCROFT, Mrs Susan & MORRIS – Ch Crosscop Let It Shine For Supeta JW OSW

A very well-known fawn girl who has really flown as a veteran – the breed should be long-lasting, and this lady is certainly proving that. I love her for breed type and size; she is completely unexaggerated, with a flowing outline and a textbook rear. Super sound on the up and back, and such a showgirl around the ring. I shortlisted her for the CC and was pleased to admire her representing the breed so well in the Veteran Group ring once again.

 

2^nd: LEATHART, Mrs Vanna – Ringmore Hecate

A very typey cream girl, as you would expect from this kennel.

Won her place here for her beautiful curvy outline, femininity, and correct size. Moved really well around the ring whilst holding her lovely outline.

 

3^rd: VAUGHAN-WALL, Mrs A – Shirotae Solo Surprise VW

 

MPB (4 Entries, 1 Abs)

Three lovely girls at different stages of development.

1^st: PERKINS, Mrs C & VAN DER SCHAAF, Mr K – Silkridge Mistletoe Smooch

This young red fawn girl is such an exciting one to have in the breed – perfect for type and size. For me, she epitomises the elegance and grace required in the standard: so feminine, yet retaining the strength needed for the job she was bred for.

Lovely head and expression with good underjaw. She has beautifully balanced front and rear angulation, with a series of lovely curves throughout. She is at exactly the right stage of development for her age in body – but in her mind, she is a seasoned show dog, with an amazing show-off temperament that blew me away.

At just 8 months old, to go from one handler to another in the challenge, glide around the ring with accurate movement, and then put on a fantastic performance in the group ring to take a strong Puppy Group – it was a joy to watch.

I shortlisted her for the CC, and I think with a couple more months of maturity, she would have taken it. BPIB & PG1.

 

2^nd: GREEN, Mr R K & RATCLIFFE, Miss J – Crosscop Here You Come Again Arrodare

Another typey fawn girl of lovely type and correct for size. She was really unlucky to meet the winner today, as she is another exciting prospect for the future – everything is in the right place for her age, very balanced with a flowing outline.

A very sound mover and excellent in profile.

 

3^rd: ROTH-BROWN, Mrs Dee – Edenwhip Daydream Believer

 

PB (2 Entries)

1^st: MALLINSON, Mrs Ellen & MALLINSON, Miss Lucy – Edenwhip A Moment In Thyme

A very sweet brindle girl who really scored for her femininity and super curvy outline. She has a pretty head and expression, with neat rose-shaped ears, a nicely angulated front, good pasterns, and stands foursquare. She has a touch more rear than ideal and needs to grow in confidence.

 

2^nd: SMITH, Mr & Mrs Brian & Lorraine – Collooney Tullamore Dew Over Lorbri

A quality brindle girl who is very nice to go over. She needs to drop into her front a little more but has lovely curves to her topline and underline. I would prefer a more moderate rear, and she is another who needs to grow in confidence.

 

JB (6 Entries, 1 Abs)

1^st: PERKINS, Mrs C & VAN DER SCHAAF, Mr K – Ch Creme Anglaise’s Entourage With Silkridge JW

A very striking brindle girl who really catches your eye. She reminds me so much of her dad, to whom I have previously awarded a CC, and I could almost write the same critique – she’s the feminine version of him. However, I want to emphasise what really appeals to me about her: those curves. She has the most beautiful, flowing, curvy outline, which comes from being so well balanced in front and rear angulation. She is also a super mover – accurate on the up and back and holding those curves in profile.

And once again, I find myself repeating something I’ve said about two dogs from this kennel before – the MPB is just that touch more moderate, which makes her more my type. She is a very worthy Champion who I will continue to admire.

 

2^nd: MORRIS, Mrs L D & WADDELL, Mr George & SPADEMAN – Crosscop Temptation To Supeta

This young brindle girl has such a quality look about her – she is just so pretty and has a real show-off temperament. Beautiful head and expression with neat rose-shaped ears. She has a flowing outline with some curves and is lovely and smooth to go over. I would prefer a little more front angulation and infill to complete the picture. Slightly off on one back leg moving away today, but moved very well around the ring.

 

3^rd: WOOD, Mrs N – Edenwhip Harvest Moon

 

YB (8 Entries)

1^st: LE’VELL, Mrs Antonia – Velandor Ballerina Baby

A classic fawn girl who I’ve enjoyed watching come into her own over the last few months. She is of high quality and correct size, with lovely breed type – and totally my type. She is perfectly balanced, with a nicely angulated front and curvy rear. I love her gentle curves and the grace of her outline. She is in great condition, with a lovely coat and beautiful muscle tone.

On the move, she is so sound on the up and back, with a beautifully balanced stride in profile. I was again splitting hairs in the challenge, and on the day, I felt she had a bit of a hormonal underline, which made the decision. RCC.

 

2^nd: UGGERI, Miss L – Bohosoul Bewitched

Another quality fawn girl who is lovely for size and type. Nice head and expression with good underjaw. She has a very pleasing curvy outline, though she was not stood to her advantage for most of the class, and I felt 1 was slightly smoother all through. She could be shown off more on the move, but she looked good in profile, holding her outline.

 

3^rd: LEATHART, Mrs Vanna – Ringmore Jocasta

 

NB (6 Entries, 2 Abs)

1^st: SWAN, Mrs Shiela M – Cygnetsnest Moonlight

Really sweet red fawn girl who is lovely for size and type. Pretty head and expression with good underjaw. A quality girl who is balanced and has lovely proportions, which shows on the move as she is very sound. Still needs to mature, but already quite curvy. Needs to be shown off more.

 

2^nd: BLENKARN, Mrs A M – Penwincoed Kim Possible

A well-developed fawn girl with a curvy outline. Good amount of front angulation, balanced with her rear. Very sound on the move. Shown in great condition, with good muscle tone and well handled. I just preferred the proportions of 1.

 

3^rd: MARSH, Mrs J – Penwincoed Amazing Wish

 

GB (7 Entries)

This was such a nice class of lovely bitches, it was hard to split them and I liked them all.

1^st: BLAKE, Miss Emily – Creme Anglaise’s Too Hot To Handle For Mazargo (Imp)

A really eye-catching brindle and white girl who is shown to her advantage to get the very best out of her. She is slightly different to my usual type, but I was so impressed by her soundness all through. She is completely unexaggerated, with a moderate front and correctly angulated rear. So lovely to go over – very smooth and turned out in super condition. Her movement is completely balanced from every angle, whilst holding her outline.

 

2^nd: LISTER, Ms M & SWARBRICK, Miss E & SWARBRICK, Mr T – Edenwhip Ima Bright Star

A typey fawn girl who is lovely for size. Long, strong neck with a well-angulated front, good pasterns, curvy through the body and a curvy rear. A nice mover, but I just felt 1 was slightly cleaner on the up and back – it was such a close decision.

 

3^rd: HOWGATE, Mr M & HULL, Ms Y – Tervanty Dragon Song At Palmik JW

 

PGB (14 Entries, 1 Abs)

An interesting class to assess – very much a mixture of types.

1^st: HALLIDAY, Mrs A & CROXFORD, Mr W S – Aarminias French Fancy At Whittimere JW

A smart black girl who is of lovely quality, feminine, and nice for size. She is very smooth to go over, with moderate front angulation, good pasterns, a gentle rise over the loin, and a curvy rear. She won the class on her movement – very sound and striding out well in profile. Not quite curvy enough for me to shortlist in the challenge, but there is lots to like.

 

2^nd: MIDDLETON, Mr Stuart John & GILHOOLY, Mr Liam – Stormida Squirrels For Tea

An attractive brindle and white bitch who scored for her flowing outline. Another of obvious quality and so smooth to go over. Moderately angulated front, good pasterns, nice bone, and good depth. Nice curves through her topline and underline, with a curvy rear. Very sound and flows well in profile movement. Another close decision.

 

3^rd: WIGNALL, Mrs Serena – Starswift Seductress

 

LB (10 Entries)

1^st: FINCH, Mrs F M – Starceylon Queen Of Dorne And Zenobia JW

A beautiful, typey black bitch who I have often admired. The only note I made in my judging book was – “stunning”.

For me, she has the perfect Whippet silhouette – spot on for size, feminine and elegant with amazing curves. Her front is so well constructed, with smooth shoulders and flat muscle. She has lovely depth of chest and correct width. Perfect top and underline, with a beautifully angulated rear that balances with her front. Lovely pasterns, correct for bone, and good feet. She has a gleaming coat, is in perfect condition, and well muscled.

Very sound up and back. She has a lovely daisy-cutting action in profile, is totally balanced, and holds that beautiful outline.

She definitely took it to another level today and was handled to get the very best out of her. CC and BOB.

 

2^nd: SALKELD, Ms Liz & GRAHAM, Mrs Jane – Dalerafenn Follow A Dream JW

A typey fawn girl who I have judged before and previously rewarded. Pretty head and expression with good underjaw. She has a well-angulated front and a curvy topline, underline, and rear. Not quite as smooth through the shoulders as 1. Very sound up and back; in profile, she holds her outline and moves with a nicely balanced stride, though she did lose some fluidity in her rear at times today.

 

3^rd: TURNER, Mr Desmond & TURNER, Mrs Anita – Gilnockie Kinda Cool

 

OB (9 Entries)

A super class of bitches who all had lots to like about them.

1^st: JONES, Mrs K J & JONES, Mr John D – Jothryn Manhattan Blonde JW

A pretty brindle girl who is my ideal size and type. Lovely head and expression with good underjaw. She has a nicely angulated front, deep chest, curvy topline and underline, and a correctly angulated rear. Sound up and back, and moves with a huge, balanced stride in profile whilst holding her outline. Shortlisted in the challenge, but she started to slouch into her frame, which was a shame.

 

2^nd: BARNES, Mrs Brenda – Doddridge Strictly Cha Cha

An unexaggerated brindle girl who has often caught my eye. I love her overall look and proportions. She has enough front angulation, good pasterns, a nice rise over her loin, and a strong rear. Very sound on the up and back, but she lost some fluidity in her rear in profile in the large ring today.

 

3^rd: SHORT, Mr David & SHORT, Mrs Yvette – Ch Collooney Celeste