Weimaraner Club Of Great Britain

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge its championship show; it was an honour. Thank you also to my stewards, Anthony and Leanne who kept the ring running smoothly.

Having not been to the shows during the year, the majority of dogs were new to me, which made for an interesting appointment. I genuinely judged the dogs on the day and dogs that had previously done well under me found themselves further down the line this time.

Without being too critical, I was disappointed with some of the exhibits on the day. There were far too many overweight dogs and dogs lacking in muscletone. This is a working breed, they should be able to work all day but I doubt some of the dogs present today could. The height of some was eye watering. The Weimaraner is a medium sized dog but some were way above the top height of the breed standard. Accordingly, this made others that were within the standard look small, when in fact they were the correct size. Mouths also need to be watched as there were quite a few with level bites.

Minor Puppy Dog (4) 1 Porter-Manning & Porter’s Wallaroo Betelgeuse: 7 month old sound puppy. He has a nice head, in proportion and correct ears. Slightly arched neck, good forechest for his age. Correct length of body, stands on good bone and feet. Nicely angled rear and low hocks. Covers the ground on the move. Would prefer a better tailset. BPD. 2 Braine’s Chilternway Allium: 6 months old raw puppy who needs to drop in brisket but this should come with maturity. Good head and ears with correct fold. He has good front assembly and has a good length of body with good ribbing. Good feet. He moved well for his age. Two nice pups, a close decision. 3 Mutlow’s Madreliath Magic Man

Puppy Dog (5) 1 Charlish’s Gunalt The Morning After: Correct size. He has a masculine head with a kind eye. Strong neck, level topline although I would have preferred a better length of body to him. He has low hocks and is sound on the move. 2 Mutlow’s Madreliath Magic Man: Beautiful head and ears of correct length and fold. Good forechest for his age, good bone and stands on good feet. He is well angulated front and rear. Handler needs to watch his topline when standing. He is a good colour. Nice puppy. 3 Hawkins’ Schonhund Show At The Oscars.

Junior Dog (6) 1 Whitehead’s Gunalt Back Chat from Stridview: 17 months old, nice dog progressing well. He has a decent head with a kind eye. Clean neck into well placed shoulders, good return of upper arm. Well ribbed back with a short loin. He has a good bend of stifle, low hocks and well muscled quarters enabling him to move with drive. 2 Ellis’ Sireva Tie Break: Slightly smaller dog of the preferred silver grey colour. Nice head of correct proportions with correct length of ears. Clean neck, well laid shoulders, good forechest and depth of brisket. He has a good length of body and level topline to a slightly sloping croup. He was sound on the move on good legs and feet. I preferred his head proportions to the 3rd placed dog. 3 Gatt’s Sireva Maestro.

Yearling Dog (3) 1 Sayer & Wallwork’s Braefell Blackthorn JW: Almost 2 years old in fit hard condition. He has a decent head with a kind eye. Clean neck of moderate length. He has a good body length with good ribbing. Correct tight feet. Moved well using his low hocks. I would prefer more of him but he is all in proportion. He actually looked better set up at the table; maybe dog and handler had relaxed. 2 Walton’s Akwamar Under My Thumb: This was a difficult dog to assess as he was giving his handler a hard time. He has lovely pigment making for a nice head and expression. He has a good height to length ratio with level topline. Movement was difficult to assess but what I did see I liked. He needs a firm hand to get the best from him so I hope his handler can work through this as I thought him a nice moderate dog.

Novice Dog (1) 1 Porter-Manning & Porter’s Wallaroo Betelgeuse.

Graduate Dog (1) 1 Hawkins’ Schonhund Show At The Oscars: 3rd in PD. This is a big dog with strong bone and a deep chest. Nice head of good proportions and a kind eye. He wasn’t standing straight at the rear and moved a bit close.

Post Graduate Dog (3) 1 Hickman’s Theondale First Impression: A dog I have admired previously who has an imposing stature. I liked his head and correct ears. He has a strong clean neck, good length of body with good ribbing and level topline. On the move he covers his ground on an effortless stride. He has strong hocks, legs and feet. Very well handled. 2 Hillen’s Britmans Auriol: Smaller dog who is a better colour but not as balanced as 1. He has a masculine head with a kind eye, good bone and tight feet. Brisket to elbow and good forechest. Would prefer more length of body to complete the picture. Moved soundly and well handled.

Limit Dog (6) 1 Thwaites & Woodward-Thwaites’ Sireva Rambler (AI): This dog has improved so much and has filled his frame well. His head is a little strong for me but it is in proportion. He has a moderate neck, good forechest and brisket to elbow. Good length of body with a strong level topline and slightly sloping croup. He has strong legs and tight feet. He moved effortlessly from well muscled quarters. In fabulous coat and condition, a credit to his owners. He thoroughly deserved the RCC. 2 Carpenter’s Aschfahl Kepanye JW: On my first look round, I thought this dog would be my winner but, on the stack, he kept dropping his topline. A moderate dog with a kind head and expression with good ears. His length to height proportions are good. A well muscled dog who was sound on the move and covered his ground. 3 Spavins & Chevalier’s Ashstern Delphinius: 5 year old who was coating a bit. Masculine head with an amber eye. Moved soundly on an even stride. Well handled. 

Open Dog (5) 1 Charlish’s Sh Ch Gunalt The Hangover JW: This dog showed his socks off today and was in super condition. He has an aristocratic head and expression, strong neck and well placed shoulders. He has a super length of body with a strong level topline and good ribbing. He has excellent bone and feet. Profile movement is a joy to watch when he gets into his stride. He powered round the ring from well muscled hindquarters and strong low hocks. I was pleased to award him the CC & BIS. A lovely dog and I wish him continued success. 2 Simpson’s Ch Sireva Emeyefive JW SGWC: I’ve not seen this dog for a long time and thought he looked very well. Mature dog who has a kind eye and correct length of ears. Strong neck, plenty of forechest and brisket to elbow. His body proportions are correct with a level topline and slightly sloping croup. Profile movement was effortless but I preferred the head and rear movement of 1. 3 Porter-Manning & Porter’s Wallaroo Kynki Bootz JW: still has some maturing to do. Kind head although would prefer longer ears. Good length of body with short loin. Sound on the move

Special Breeders Dog (3) 1 Brown & Filby’s Desjiem Billy Dont Be A Hero JW: An old fashioned dog who has a good head with the correct proportions and length of ear with the correct fold. He is a sound dog but would prefer more length of body to complete the picture.

Veteran Dog (5) 1 Mutlow’s Braefell Goshawk JW: 8 years old. He is an old fashioned type with a lovely masculine head with correct ears. He doesn’t do himself any favours on the stack but sorts himself out moving. On the move, he covers his ground soundly. He stands on well knuckled feet and is a lovely colour. Pleased to award him BVIS. 2 Snaith’s Skilaki Move On Up to Bifonda JW: I have judged this dog before and I preferred his shape to 1. Correct length of body with ribs extending well back, slightly sloping croup and good tail carriage. He wasn’t as positive on the move but still a good veteran. 3 Hawkins’ Smilek Massachusettes.

Special Veteran Dog (Over 10 Years) (1) 1 Hays’ Sh Ch Sharnphilly Avolon JW ShCM AW(S): Almost 13 years old and a credit to his owner. A sound dog who is well muscled for his age. Masculine head with a kind eye. Correct ears with the desired fold. Clean neck, good forechest and brisket to elbow. He has a good length of body and short loin.

Baby Puppy Dog (2) 1 Pearman’s Weipowa Shaken Not Stirred to Britmans: I liked this baby puppy, 5 months old and correct development for his age. Nice well knuckled feet, good bone. Length to height ratio correct. He moved well with confidence. Preferred silver grey colour. Best Baby Puppy in Show. 2 Dobbs’ Theondale Hopeful Heart: 5 months old. Completely different type and development to 1. He has long ears with the correct fold. Another confident puppy on the move.

Baby Puppy Bitch (3) 1 Charlish’s Harelferg Happy Hour: 5 months old and correct for her age. She sets up nicely and you can see her potential. She is moderate with good head and ears. She moved confidently when moving with the others in the class. 2 Hostler’s Theondale High Hopes: 5 months old. Different type and more mature than 1. She has good feet and moved well. Preferred the colour of 1. 3 Hillen’s Weipowa License To Thrill.

Minor Puppy Bitch (7) 1 Dyer & Oddie’s Rivertone Wicked for Sharnphilly: A quality bitch who sets up well. She is the preferred silver grey colour. She has a pleasant head, good eye and correct ears. Good length of body, ribbed well back, slightly sloping croup and good tailset. She has very good profile movement. Very good condition with plenty of muscle. 2 Morgan’s Madreliath Seeker for Parhelis: just 6 months old and a real baby. She has a good head with correct ears and fold. Good forechest, well laid shoulders. She has good body proportions and a level topline. Good bone and feet. Moved well from nicely muscled quarters. 3 Kerr’s Wallaroo Phoenix.

Puppy Bitch (4) 1 Rayner & Maskell’s Enjager Elegance for Brownbank JW: A mature workmanlike bitch. She has a good head with the correct proportions, long ears and a kind eye. She has a good length of body and level topline. Moves well on a long stride. Handler tends to spoil her outline by pulling her head and neck back which then makes her forechest stick out too much spoiling her outline. A close decision between 1 & 2. BPIS. 2 Dyer & Oddie’s Rivertone Wicked for Sharnphilly. 3 Jennings’ Wallaroo Red Dwarf: She looked a nice puppy but handler needs to watch her topline.

Junior Bitch (7) 1 Simpson’s Sireva Maze: Preferred silver grey colour. She has a good aristocratic head, clean neck and well laid shoulders. Good length of body and brisket to elbow. Ribs extending well back. She didn’t always look relaxed on the stack but when she moved, she was sound up & down and really covered the ground with an effortless stride, maintaining a level topline. She was well muscled and in good condition. I liked her type and was pleased to award her the CC, RBIS & BOS. 2 Cain’s Lustamusk Star Mississippi: 13 months old and a bigger bitch than 1. She has a good upper arm, ribs extend well back, sound when moving from low hocks. Preferred the ears and colour of 1. 3 Tierney’s Gunalt Madeira at Greyfurs.

Yearling Bitch (3) 1 Hays’ Longlox Celestial Star at Falconwoodz JW: A quality LH bitch whom I have admired previously. She is maturing steadily and as with this owner’s other dog, she is in excellent coat and condition. She has a lovely head and ears, with the correct feathering and good depth of chest. Her body length is good and has a slightly sloping croup. She moves on an easy stride and stands on good legs and feet. Best LH in Show. 2 Sayer & Wallwork’s Braefell Briar JW: This bitch needs more time. She is a good silver grey colour. Decent head, clean neck, good depth of chest. She has a good body length but topline not as good as 1. She has lovely low straight hocks and moves well using her muscled hindquarters. The dogs from this owner are all very fit. 3 Anderson’s Gunalt Gift Of The Gab JW: This bitch may have done better but each time I looked at her, her handler had her stood with a dippy topline.

Novice Bitch (2) 1 Kerr’s Wallaroo Phoenix: A puppy bitch with a good head and eye. She has good body proportions although she was a bit overweight. She is a different type to her littermates. She has a good return of upper arm and good rear angulation. Moved soundly. 2 Knights’ Wallaroo Sweet Caroline: This was a nice who is bitch maturing well. She has a decent head and ears were long with the correct fold. She has a good length of body but her topline could be stronger. Moved soundly but her tailset and carriage spoilt her outline.

Graduate Bitch (2) 1 Spavins & Chevalier’s Weipowa Wild Flush for Ashstern: A nice bitch, just right for her age and the preferred silver grey colour. There is nothing overdone about her. She wasn’t totally relaxed stood but when she moved, she settled into her frame and moved really well. She moved on an easy stride with a level topline. She has a nice head and expression with correct ears giving the aristocratic look. Very well handled.

Post Graduate Bitch (3) 1 McLoughlin & Townend’s Kalimor Tailor: Have always admired this bitch and may have been considered in the Challenge if she’d have been carrying less weight. She is a typy bitch with a good head and correct long ears. She stacks up well with a level topline. Nicely angulated front and rear and stands on good bone and feet. Moved well with ease. 2 Hostler’s Theondale Margot JW: A bigger bitch who tended to lose her outline by u-necking. She is well ribbed, good tailset and moved soundly. Well muscled. 3 Burgess’ Gamepoint Zoom by Hantzburg.

Limit Bitch (7) 1 Balch’s Weipowa Severine: She has a pleasant head with the correct proportions. Nicely arched neck, good forechest but would prefer a better return of upper arm. Correct length of body, ribs extending well back and a slightly sloping croup. Strong backend with a good bend of stifle and straight hocks. Profile movement was good covering her ground with a level topline. Quietly handled. RCC. 2 Simpson’s Sireva Emseesee: A smaller bitch who is reluctant to show off her virtues. Nice head and expression, good length of neck into well laid shoulders. Good length of back, well bent stifles and moves on an easy stride. 3 West’s Gunalt Frequency by Hantu (AI) JW: This bitch is maturing well. She has a nice head and ears, good length to height ratio but would prefer her croup to be less steep.

Open Bitch (7) 1 West’s Sh Ch Gunalt Wavelength JW ShCEx OSW: A mature stylish bitch of good breed type. Good head and eye although would prefer longer ears. Clean neck into well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. She stands on good feet and has good bone. Moderately angulated at the rear with strong hocks. Moved soundly. She is fully deserving of all her wins. 2 Hostler’s Sh Ch Kalimor Daisy JW: A bitch I have admired and judged previously but for me she is on the larger side and she was dipping behind her shoulders. She has a lovely head with good pigment and long lobular ears. Body proportions are good and she is well angled. She was sound on the move. 3 Sayer & Wallwork’s Braefell Bumblebee: This is a sound reluctant showgirl of good colour. She has good ears with the correct fold. She wasn’t as clean in outline as those in front of her.

Veteran Bitch (3) 1 Anderton’s Tatze Bewitched by Thrihyrne: Quality LH bitch who is a great ambassador. Her head is correct with a kind expression and good ears. She is well angulated front and rear, has a decent length of back and moves soundly from strong hocks. She has good feet and bone. 2 Copeland’s Sh Ch Gunalt Wondrous of Stridview: I think this bitch has improved since her younger years. Her head is good with a kind expression, good shoulders, length of back proportionate to her height. She moves with reach and drive. Would prefer better feet. 3 Cain’s Schonhund Show Tallulah at Lustamusk.

Special Veteran Bitch (Over 10 years) (1) 1 Dennis’ Liddycleve Lacy of Silverweis: 10 ½ years old. She has a nice head, long lobular ears and a moderate neck. Good length of back. She is just beginning to lack muscletone so her movement wasn’t as true as it could have been. She’s a credit to her owner.

Special Longhaired Bitch (3) These were 3 nice longhair bitches. 1 Hays’ Longlox Celestial Star at Falconwoodz. 2 Anderton’s Tatze Bewitched by Thrihyrne. 3 Reakes’ Thrihyrne Love Letters: This bitch looked really well today and is maturing nicely. I felt she wasn’t moving as I have seen her do before which was a shame.