South Wales Kennel Association

I sincerely thank the South Wales Kennel Association for inviting me to judge Rottweilers at its Championship Show and for the warm hospitality. I am also grateful to my stewards whose efficiency and good humour ensured everything ran smoothly, allowing me to focus on judging. Thanks to the exhibitors for entering their dogs and accepting my decisions with good sportsmanship. The ring size was generous and greatly aided in assessing movement.

 The quality of the exhibits was very mixed and the wide variation in type should not be a surprise with all the international bloodlines that have been introduced into the UK in recent years. I am, without question, an advocate of these introductions and we have seen the importation of some excellent Rottweilers into the UK and the use of some of the best overseas stud dogs on females that are based here. That said, we should take care not to be influenced by the marketing skills of certain overseas breeders using impressive photos and videos on social media of dogs that are not as outstanding as they may appear. Dog showing is not just about strong heads, dark eyes, dark mouth pigment, and impressive bone as seen from a front view. It is also not about pulling excessively into a collar and lead both when standing and moving thereby hiding the natural gait and conformation of an exhibit. Frequently, but not invariably, such dogs present a totally different picture of themselves when asked to stand naturally and to move freely thereby revealing some serious functional faults.

On a positive note, we do have several exceptional Rottweilers in the UK show ring and I was very pleased with the quality of my main winners.

Veteran Dog (1) 

 1st Lefebvre-King’s Buttonlove My Dashing Lad JW – 10 year old male in excellent condition for his age. Good size and substance, very clean broad head, moderately sloping forehead, medium to dark eye, broad muzzle of good length, dark mouth pigment and clearly defined markings. Straight front legs and good lay of shoulder, would prefer tighter feet. Good topline and underline while standing, correctly angulated hindquarters, strong movement maintaining a good shape in motion.

Minor Puppy Dog (2) 

 1st Bateson & Hoole’s Upmont Magnus Ver Magnusson – 8 month old male, correct size for his age with good bone and substance, compact body, broad skull with moderate wrinkle on his forehead, dark eye of almond shape but slightly on the small side, ears of medium size carried close to the cheeks, well defined stop, good length of muzzle. Rich mahogany markings, very good bone on forelegs, straight front and tight feet. Would prefer to see more return of the upper arm, very good topline and underline, compact in body, very good hindquarter angulation. Moved extremely well with good rear drive and holding his shape and firm topline. 

 2nd Hucker’s Bevanray Disruption – 8 month old male, very dry & broad head, medium brown eyes, ears of medium size, well defined stop, short muzzle, clean neck, straight front, correct feet, needs more return of upper arm. Slightly longer in body than 1, correct angulation on hindquarters, carried his tail well, lost his topline slightly on the move. Still very immature.

Puppy Dog (3)

 1st Bradley’s Taneven Danjo – 11 month old male, he is very clean and of a good size with correct bone, very dry head, dark brown slightly round eyes, medium size ears carried close to his head, correct moderately sloping forehead, well defined stop with correct length of muzzle. Stands straight on his front legs, compact feet, very clear rich tan markings. Another exhibit that needs a better return of upper arm, very good top and underlines, still needs to mature but has sufficient body for his age. Very good hindquarter angulation, well carried tail and moved soundly.

 2nd Moss’ Chantavory Wonder Boy – 11 month old male of medium size with very good substance and strong bone. He had a heavier build than is typical for his age with considerable depth of body. As a result, his overall outline appeared somewhat short in leg, which unfortunately detracted from some otherwise excellent breed characteristics. Good width of skull with very clean forehead, ears of correct size and carried close to the head, dark eye of correct shape, very broad muzzle with well-defined stop and well-developed cheeks. Well laid shoulders, deep mahogany markings, excellent forechest, short-coupled and well angulated rear quarters. He has a very good stride but loses his topline in motion. 

 3rd John’s Kenbloom Titan Flame

Junior Dog (1, 1a)

Yearling Dog (3, 1a) 

 1st Steel’s Upend Fletcher – 18 month old male of medium size, compact in body with a very good topline. Cleanest of heads with good width of skull, correctly ears carried close to the cheek, well-defined stop, broad muzzle, dark brown eyes giving a good expression, correct large nostrils, dark mouth pigment. Clearly defined mahogany markings, very clean neck, stands straight on his front legs, again I would like to see a better return of upper arm. Compact body with short strong loins, well-muscled hindquarters with correct angulations. He carries his tail well and excels in his forward driving movement and firm topline. 

 2nd Kichenside’s Deltarott Din Djarin JW – 22 month old male with good substance, broad skull with dry forehead, small ears carried close to the head, medium brown eye colour, very well filled cheeks, short muzzle with a well-defined stop, some mottling on mouth pigment. Can stand at times with front feet facing outwards, slightly steep in upper arm, a tad longer cast in body than 1, very good top and under lines, correct hindquarter angulation, moved very soundly. Well-defined rich tan markings.

Post Graduate Dog (3, 1a) 

 1st Clapp’s Rockstarotts Battle Born – 2 year old male of good size and substance. Very dry broad skull with moderately sloping forehead, small/medium size ears carried close to the cheek, good length of muzzle, medium/dark eyes of correct shape. Straight front with strong bone, well-laid shoulders with good return of upper arm and elbows correctly placed close to the body. Very good top and under lines, slightly heavy but very clean over the withers with clearly defined rich markings. Correct angulation on his hindquarters with good width of upper and lower thighs and strong hocks. His movement was effortless with strong drive and maintaining his shape. 

 2nd Sweet’s Saintlythans Sweet Brian at Bossrott – 6 year old male of medium size with very good substance. Broad & clean head, well-placed and carried ears of small/medium size, well-filled cheeks, dark eye of correct shape, well-defined stop, slightly short muzzle. Correct bone for his size, feet OK, clean neck, some rolls of skin over the withers, well-defined markings. Very deep in brisket making him appear short on his front legs, slightly sloping croup. Carries his tail very high when moving and I would like to see more strength and depth of lower thigh.

Limit Dog (3) 

 1st Franklin & Hucker’s Bevanray Carlos JW – 19 month old male of medium size with a very compact body and good top and under lines. Very broad head, clean with very moderate wrinkle on forehead, small ears that are carried close to the head, medium brown eye of good shape, well-filled muzzle but a tad short. Straight front, compact feet, again I would like to see a better return of upper arm, short strong loin, excellent angulation on hindquarters, well-developed upper and lower thighs, strong hocks, carries his tail high when moving, maintains a firm topline and has very good forward propulsion in motion. 

 2nd Moss’ Chantavory’s One And Only - 3 year old male with very good bone and substance. Strong, attractive clean head, dark brown eye of correct almond shape, well-filled cheeks, broad muzzle, dark mouth pigment. Strong bone on front legs, feet should be more compact, needs more return of upper arm, slightly more stretched in loin than 1and moderately sloping croup. Very good angulation on hindquarters, his movement is strong with good extension, carries his tail well but just loses his topline.

 3rd Goodban’s Seittor Magic Spell With Keljaygo JW

Open Dog (5) 

 1st Bateson & Hoole’s Ch Upmont Al Capone – I judged this dog as a yearling and I was impressed with him then. He has gone on to mature into an outstanding male and has fulfilled all his potential and more. Now 5 years old, he is of medium size and compact in body. He has a broad dry head, small to medium size ears carried close to his head, dark brown eyes of correct shape, well-defined stop, broad short muzzle and rich markings. Strong neck, well-developed forechest, stands straight in front, correct bone for his size, would like a tad more return of upper arm, good pasterns and feet. Very good topline and underline, well-sprung ribs, short strong loins, correctly sloping croup, very good hindquarter angulation with good width of thighs and strong hocks. He excelled in his strong, forward driving movement while holding his shape and the firmest of toplines. I had no hesitation in awarding him the CC & BOB.

 2nd Austen’s Ausrie’s Jabba The Hut – 2 year old male of large size with good substance. Very good top and under lines. Good width of skull with some wrinkle on moderately sloping forehead, small to medium size ears carried slightly off the cheeks at the tips, medium to dark brown eyes of correct almond shape, well-defined stop, broad muzzle of good length, very clearly defined markings. Straight front with strong bone, correct pasterns, compact feet, would like to see more return of upper arm, excellent top and under lines, correct croup, not as compact in body as 1. Good angulation on hindquarters with well-developed upper and lower thighs and strong hocks. Moved soundly and with purpose and maintaining a firm topline. Presented in excellent condition and pleased to award him RCC. 

 3rd Egerton & Sutcliffe’s Bereyda The Real Defender JW

GCDS Dog (0)

Veteran Bitch (1) 

 1st Jones & Monk’s Ch Olearia Western Girl From Westfalen – 7 year old female, small/medium in size. Very dry broad head, medium size ears correctly carried close to her cheeks, dark brown eye of good shape, correctly sloping forehead with a well-defined stop and good length of muzzle giving a very balanced head. Straight in front, well-developed forechest, very good shoulder angulation, good topline and correctly sloping croup, slightly over-angulates on her hindquarters when standing. Well-defined markings, strong movement and holding a firm topline with correct tail set and carriage. Best Veteran.

Minor Puppy Bitch (1) 

 1st Deas’ Bugarivo Vhalla – 8 month old female, correct size and substance for her age. Very attractive broad and clean head, ears of medium size carried correctly, dark eyes of good shape giving a nice expression, correctly sloping forehead, good stop and short muzzle, well-filled cheeks and dark mouth pigment. Straight front, tight feet, good development of forehand and ribcage for her age, slightly longer cast in body and topline is soft, correct croup, clearly defined rich markings. Good angulation on her hindquarters, strong movement but loses her topline, very good tail set and carriage.

Puppy Bitch (2) 

 1st Jackson & Rogerson’s Taneven Delta – 11 month old female of medium size and compact in body. Very attractive dry head, good width of skull, medium size ears well carried close to the cheek, dark brown eyes of correct shape, well-filled cheeks and muzzle, correct forehead, well-defined stop, Straight front, correct bone for her size, needs more return of upper arm, slightly raised underline but this should improve with maturity, correct croup. Moderate turn of stifle and well-angulated hocks. Moved very soundly holding her shape and carried her tail well.

 2nd McGough’s Taneven Dee Dee – litter sister to 1 with very good substance for her age. Very good width of head with moderate wrinkle on correctly sloping forehead, ears of medium size and correctly carried, dark brown eyes, correct stop, and well-defined markings. Very good width of chest, straight front legs, slightly longer in body than 1 and has a steeper croup. She has very good rear angulations that she uses well on the move but she had a low body carriage which spoiled her topline in motion.

Junior Bitch (5, 1a) 

 1st Jackson & Rogerson’s Taneven Dixie – 11 month old female with good size and substance for her age. Dry head with moderately sloping forehead, almond shaped dark eyes, ears of medium size that are well set but carried slightly off the cheeks at the tips, correct stop, broad muzzle of good length in proportion with top skull. Very clear rich markings, very good forechest for her age, straight front with strong bone, compact feet, very good top and under lines, correct slightly sloping croup, well-developed upper and lower thighs. Her movement is very impressive, strong and effortless maintaining a very firm topline with excellent tail carriage. Deserved to be awarded Best Puppy. 

 2nd Austen’s Ausrie’s Beautiful Crazy – 13 month old female, very compact, slightly smaller in size than 1. Correct broad skull with very moderate wrinkle on forehead, ears set well and carried close to the cheek, medium to dark eyes of correct shape, good stop, correct length of muzzle, firm flews, dark mouth pigment, very clear markings. Pasterns a tad soft and at times she stands with front feet turning out, would like more return of upper arm. Strong neck, clean over the withers, good topline, short strong loins, croups off slightly. Correct angulation on hindquarters, good width of thighs, tail well set and carried. Sound movement but I would like her to drive out more from the rear. 

 3rd Sweet’s Doris Vom Cherniy Kumir At Bossrott

Yearling Bitch (4, 2a) 

 1st Steel’s Upend Fizzical – 18 month old female of good size and compact. Very nice type with a broad, clean head, correctly sloping forehead with slight wrinkle, ears of medium size carried a tad off the ears at the tips, very dark eye of good shape, well-defined stop, broad muzzle of good length and well-filled cheeks. Stands straight on her front with good width between her legs, well-placed elbows, strong bone and tight feet. Strong neck running into clean withers and an excellent topline and moderately sloping croup. Very good angulation on her hindquarters, well-developed upper and lower thighs, strong hocks, correct tail set and carriage. Clearly defined rich markings. Her movement is strong and positive and she retains a firm topline. Pleased to award her RCC. 

 2nd Sweet’s Zaza Vom Cherniy Kumir At Bossrott – 2 year old female of medium size. Very good width of skull, dry head, medium size ears correctly carried close to the cheeks, medium/dark brown eye of good shape, needs more fill of cheek, pronounced stop, short muzzle, flews should be tighter, markings a tad sooty on her muzzle and chest. Straight front, feet should be tighter, well-developed ribcage with good depth of brisket, some wrinkle over her shoulders, correct croup, well-angulated hindquarters. She has an excellent stride when moving but her body carriage was low at times.

Post Graduate Bitch (5, 2a)

 1st Borne’s Starrosa Dance With Me At Trevearl – 3 year old female of medium size and compact. Dry, broad head, ears of medium size carried slightly off the cheeks at the tips, dark almond-shaped eye, moderate stop, very good length of muzzle, needs more fill of cheek. Clearly defined markings, straight front with good width between her legs, correct pasterns and tight feet. Deep brisket, very good topline, slightly sloping croup, correct hindquarter angulation with good width of upper and lower thighs. Moved very well with a good length of stride and holding a firm topline. 

 2nd Clark’s Dortmund Maggie May – 2 year old female, medium in size and compact in body. She has a very attractive head, well-balanced, very clean, correctly sloping forehead, dark eyes of good shape and muzzle of good length. Well-defined markings, straight front, needs more return of upper arm, very good topline when standing, correct underline and good angulation on hindquarters. At times she appeared unsettled and was losing her topline and overall shape on the move. 

 3rd Lefebvre-King’s Buttonlove Shes Ice Ice Baby

Limit Bitch (7, 2a) 

 1st Rowarth’s Darkarmar Winx – 2.5 year old female, medium size and compact displaying very good breed type. Attractive head, very dry, moderately sloping forehead, small to medium size ears carried very well, dark brown eyes of correct shape, dark mouth pigment, correct stop and good length of muzzle. Clear mahogany markings, straight front, correct forechest, good topline and underline, correct croup, well-angulated hindquarters. Moved with purpose and carried her tail well. 

 2nd Willis-Impey’s Abacab’s Duchess – 3 years old, small to medium in size, a strong and compact female. Driest of heads, good width of skull, ears of correct size well set and held close to the cheeks, well-filled cheeks, correct stop and broad muzzle. Clearly defined rich tan markings, correct bone for her size, compact body with short & deep loins, very good topline and underline, correct croup, good angulation on both forequarter & hindquarters and well-muscled upper and lower thighs. Presented in excellent condition, her movement was strong with a good tail carriage. 

 3rd Williams, Jones & Monk’s Westfalen Olearia Best Team With Kiarataz JW

Open Bitch (7, 3a) 

 1st Bateson & Hoole’s Ch Upmont Gypsy Roma – 4 year old female of medium size and compact in body. Very clean broad head, moderately sloping forehead, ears of medium size well-placed close to her cheeks, dark brown eyes of correct shape, well-defined stop, muzzle in balance with head, tight lip line and flews. Clear mahogany markings, correct bone for her size, straight front legs, very good shoulder angulation, clean withers, straight topline, correctly sloping croup. Very good angulation on hindquarters with broad thighs and strong hocks. Strong and positive movement with a good stride holding her shape and topline. A female of quality and fully deserved the CC. 

 2nd Austen’s Ausrie’s Mojito – 4 year old female, medium in size, compact in body with very good topline and underline. Very dry head with good width between the ears, medium sized ears well set and carried, medium to dark eye of correct shape, well-defined stop, broad muzzle and well-filled cheeks, clearly defined markings. Straight front, tight feet, good angulation on forequarters, sufficient forechest, short loins, correct croup, well-developed upper and lower thighs. Moved with purpose holding her shape and good tail carriage. 

 3rd Sweet’s Europe Teren At Bossrott

GCDS Bitch (0)

Chris Window (Judge)