Scottish Kennel Club

Scottish Kennel Club

Best Veteran in Show

Judge: Anthony Allen (Allenie)

My thanks to SKC for the invitation to judge all the veteran groups and BVIS at the all-breeds championship show 2025. My thanks to the judges who sent through some superb examples of their respective breeds, to the exhibitors who took my decisions so sportingly, and to my group steward John who kept me in line over the four days. I had a choice of some truly fabulous dogs; none of whom thought they were veterans.

My BVIS was Ch Witchstone Minnehaha VW, Breed: English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) (Mrs H & Mr J Haffenden & Wood), she came in the big ring meaning business, she never stopped showing and just looked at me as if to say it’s mine. I could not deny her the top spot; she was on fire.

For my RBVIS I selected Sh Ch Linirgor Tomich JW, Breed: Retriever (Golden) (Miss L Dunbar), the local boy who I have previously done well for, as with Minnehaha he was ready for his turn in the big ring and really showcased his driving movement, a real credit to his owner, I was delighted to award him RBVIS.

Gundog Veteran Group

G1 Sh Ch Linirgor Tomich JW, Breed: Retriever (Golden) (Miss L Dunbar)

What a super chap, I have done him well in the breed before, he belies his age, he came into this ring with drive and vigour. He was the complete picture and for me he had to take the top spot.

G2 Sh Ch Flaxheath Top Model at Glenmaurangi, Breed: Gordon Setter (Mrs A & Ms T Phillips & Watkins)

Now rising 9 and easy to see why she has done the winning she has, as with the winner she came in and moved round the ring like a youngster with a free flowing action. Very close up but was a bit soft in topline at the end which gave Tomich the edge.

G3 Sh Ch Jesham Baronet, Breed: Spaniel (Field) (Mr D & Mrs J Bennett)

What a super boy he is, full of breed type, he has the most noble of heads and expressions. I gave him a CC some years back and just like a fine wine he has just got better. Could not be ignored, great to be able to judge him again.

G4 Sh Ch Crumpsbrook Woodrush, Breed: Large Munsterlander (Ms J E & Mr A E Powell & Murrell)

Another who I have judged previously, I gave him the CC from the veteran class only the previous week. He is totally on form at the moment and looked the picture in the line-up and moved so well, I could not deny him this place.

Pastoral Veteran Group

G1 Ch Nikara Secret Love by Norjack JW, Breed: Samoyed (Mr N & Mrs J D Collinson)

This lady took my attention early on and did not disappoint, she has a super feminine head and expression, well made throughout and presented in the most super coat. She topped this group with ease and was very close up to the top spots overall.

G2 Sinergi Shenanigans at Cordemops, Breed: Hungarian Puli (Ms L Grover)

A smart dog, full of breed type he is a free mover with a good stride, well made in body and a super coat. Pleased to award him veteran group 2.

G3 Ch Blamorder Ice Cream Dream VW, Breed: Collie (Smooth) (Miss A Lusty)

I thought this lady was lovely, she never stopped showing like the pro that she is and never put a foot wrong. So typical of the breed, she has a lovely kind head and expression, she is made well and sound on the move, I could not deny her this spot.

G4 Ch Lisjovia Adagio avec Montmusique JW OSW, Breed: Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Mr C & Mrs K Goodwin)

This lady is very much at her best, she has a beautiful outline, feminine head and expression. Well made in body, in excellent coat and condition and moving out freely.

Toy Veteran Group

G1 Ch Witchstone Minnehaha VW, Breed: English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) (Mrs H & Mr J Haffenden & Wood)

I have seen this bitch from the ringside but never had the opportunity to judge her, today she just looked fabulous, she was in top condition and on form. Smooth action on the move to take this spot in this hotly contested veteran group. Returned on the final day to win BVIS.

G2 Ch Andelalie Look at Me, Breed: Yorkshire Terrier (Ms A J Wiegand Brown)

Good example of the breed, coat was excellent, good texture over a well-made body soundly constructed, she had a lovely feminine expression enhanced by super dark eyes. One I really liked.

G3 Ch Arte Figure Next Level at Casacavallo JW (Imp Fin), Breed: Chinese Crested (Mrs D Crow)

This dog was very smart and really look the picture on the stack, he had only just come out of the breed ring and never stopped showing, a really top class chap who deserved this place.

G4 Ch Swifthocks Paws for Thought JW, Breed: Japanese Chin (Mr S & Mr J & Mrs A Rooney & Green & Green)

A very impressive bitch who completed the quartet of topflight dogs in this very competitive group.

Terrier Veteran Group

G1 Ch Janski Bugurovski, Breed: Cesky Terrier (Mrs W Tobijanski)

I loved this chap, came in the ring with super attitude about him, never stopped showing and kept taking my eye, I could not deny him the top spot. It was such a shame that he was unable to return for the final on the Sunday.

G2 Ch Robelroy Many Dreams at Furlongfox ShCEx, Breed: Fox Terrier (Wire) (Miss P C Wynter)

Another showman who really stood out, has presence and type about him. He strode around the ring with his young handler and kept his shape and outline throughout, he made sure I could not ignore him.

G3 Ch Frisco Kiaora at Jeraro (Imp Cze) VW, Breed: Skye Terrier (Mrs J E Kendrick)

Another super dog who oozes type, not surprised to see he carries a title, I thought him smart. In superb condition and beautifully presented. Good head, moved well and kept his topline throughout.

G4 Chadbrook Elka VW, Breed: Parson Russell Terrier (Mr P & Miss J Mccluskey & Young)

Completing the Terrier Group line up was this very smart Parson, presented to perfection and moving out very wel.l I could not deny him this spot.

Utility Veteran Group

G1 Am Ch/Ch/Sp Ch Fullmoon Makin Mischief (Imp Usa), Breed: Schipperke (Miss L & Mrs K & Miss J Mclachlan & Morrison & Mclachlan)

This lady looked amazing and didn’t put a foot out of place, full of attitude, she commanded attention. Coat in superb condition. It just gleamed. I couldn’t deny her the top spot.

G2 Ch Eastonite Maui JW ShCM OSW, Breed: French Bulldog (Miss O Timms)

Another showman who was on form, very sound and athletic, presented in wonderful condition.

G3 Timazinti's Peppermint at Frenchlands JW ShCM ShCEx VW, Breed: Lhasa Apso (Mr E J, Mrs E J & Miss L Schuckardt)

This chap was so well presented. Beautifully prepared golden & white in excellent coat & condition. Lovely head of correct proportions. Well made in body. Sound & stylish on the move

G4 Ch Amikirs Bubblelicious JW, Breed: Keeshond (Ms D C Gregory)

What a grand lady she is, 12 years old and she thought she was a youngster as she was really enjoying her day out. Square in outline in good condition. Feminine head well-made body. Moved well with a brisk action.

Hound Veteran Group

G1 Ch Crosscop Let It Shine for Supeta JW OSW, Breed: Whippet (Miss F & Mrs L & Mr G Spademan & Morris & Waddell)

This lady came into this group just at the end but totally captured my attention, I loved her shape and outline; very classic. She just drove round the ring and said look at me, I could not ignore her. She was very close up in the top spots in the BVIS line up.

G2 Ch Vidana Amira S Berega Turi ShCM ShCEx VW (Imp Rus), Breed: Saluki (Miss L Phillips)

She a beautiful lady on the stack and elegant on the move, she has the most lovely head and expression, close up for the top spot, just didn’t have the drive of the winner. today

G3 Ch Tarmachan Black Ice Ww18, Breed: Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand) (Mrs F, Mr M & Miss A Buchanan, Maclaren & O’day)

A super lady, full of breed type who excelled on the move, I thought she was really top drawer, so very close to the winner and runner up.

G4 Ch/Ir/Int Ch Erylan Hebe La Fille Jeune, Breed: Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit) (Miss M & Miss E Anderson & Mcaulay)

Completing the quartet was this super lady, full of type and elegance she had a lovely action on the move.

Veteran Working Group

G1 Ch King of Helluland Love Actually at Darebear (imp) JW ShCM ShCEx VW, Breed: Newfoundland (Mrs A & Mr S Adair)

Loved this lady and thought she stood out in the group. She was shown in fabulous coat and condition. Super overall balance and proportion. She excelled on the move both in profile and up and down. Well handled to maximum advantage. Pleased to award her the top spot in this group.

G2 Ch Siberiadrift Keep the Love for Zimavolk JW ShCM VW, Breed: Siberian Husky (Mrs J & Miss P Allen-Davern & Hughes)

Another class act, he is a picture on the stack, well-made head and a super eye. Shown in good coat and condition. Moving with excellent ground covering strides.

G3 Int/Ir/Nld Ch Harpan Charlotte Bay Ir/b Jch, Breed: Canadian Eskimo Dog (Mrs P A Byrne)

Another smart lady, feminine but showing that strong look required. Well made in body. Balanced and steady mover around the ring

G4 Goodsouls Rumour Has It It's Falkor, Breed: German Pinscher (Mr A & Mrs J M Ellis)

I could not ignore this lady, rising eight and looking so well. She is well made throughout, super headpiece on her and well made in body, presented in top class condition, she moved around the ring as if she owned it.