Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

Darlington Championship Show 2025

Whippets

What an honour to judge this wonderful breed which I have admired for so long. With such quality, decisions were difficult at times and many classes had lots of competition for the top places. Unfortunately, the weather was unkind to us and some exhibits did not cope well with the wind and rain. This did affect the performance of some and reflected in my decisions. In spite of this, there were very few absentees on the day. It was really pleasing to see my best of Breed go on to win the Hound Group and the veteran and puppy winners do so well in their respective groups.

VD (4) What a great start to the day, four super exhibits looking well and testament to their owners and breeders.

1st: MYERS & PILKINGTON’s Supeta's Show And Tell Astrazone

Not really looking like a veteran! At 7 years is in super muscular condition and gleaming short coat. Long lean head with arched neck of good length leading to well laid shoulders. Good depth to his chest. He is firm over the loins and has well-turned stifles. He moved well particularly from behind.

2nd:RUSSELL’s Glantam Genesis At Arjuna

Almost nine years and also looking so fit and well. Refined head with alert expression, long neck and straight front leading down to nicely sloping pasterns. Good depth to his chest. He has width to his quarters and hocks are well let down. Another good one.

3rd: PRICE’s Ch Wheelspin Silver Shadow Among Silkdance

MPD (4)

1st: WINKLEY-BALMER’s Edenwhip If I Can Dream

Just six months but already showing plenty of quality. Balanced head with good length of jaw and correct bite. Straight in front, he has enough bone for his age. Lovely top line and rear angulation. He was so good to go over. Moved steadily and truly. Just needs time to fill out and complete the picture.

2nd: MARSTON-POLLOCK’s Gingerbread Soulad At Falconcrag

Another promising fawn boy with plenty to like. Good head with alert expression and well placed ears. Clean in neck with good length of rib. He has a good turn of stifle and was in super muscular condition for his age. Moving well away from me, he wasn’t quite as fluid as the winner in profile today. Should do well when settled.

3rd: ELLAMS’ Buddy Big Boy

PD (4)

1st: EVE’s Bowdonia No Way Jose At Runforest

At 11 months presents a super head and outline. Lovely sized youngster who is so well balanced and well proportioned. So true in front, he has good width to his chest. Firm over the loins and well angulated quarters. His hocks are well let down. Well muscled throughout. Just lacking a little confidence on the table but moved so well, especially in profile.

2nd: PRICE’s Kierpark It's Now Or Never Among Silkdance

I have recently seen this one from the ring side and was not disappointed on closer examination. He has a good head with the desired slight stop and alert eyes. His neck is of good length and leads smoothly into sloping shoulders. Good depth to his chest and strong over his quarters. He moved straight and true from all angles. Just preferred the stronger loins of the winner.

3rd: SMITH’s Collooney Mr Jameson At Lorbri

JD (4)

1st: MALLINSON’s Edenwhip Oregano

Won this class on his sound true movement. At just 12 months is coming along well. Lovely head with good ear placement. Long neck and well laid shoulders. He has a correct topline and good tail carriage. Strong over his well-angulated quarters. He was shown in good body.

2nd: Kierpark It's Now Or Never Among Silkdance

3rd: POOLE, WINKLEY-BALMER & WINK’s Shalune Frills N' Spills For Edenwhip

YD (5, 3 Abs)

1st: SAMRIA & BRIDGMAN –LEWIS’ Nevedith Hi Jack

Just out of junior. Well proportioned head with slight stop and good length of jaw. Strong neck of good length leads to a correctly constructed front and well laid shoulders. Firm in top line, he has good rear angulation and hocks are well let down. He moved out straight and true showing reach in profile.

2nd: ROBSON’s Silvergarth Hyperion

Also just out of Junior. Has a lovely head with alert expression and neat ears. Arched neck of good length. Not as forward as the winner here and needs to fill out in chest. At 18 months, he has time on his side.

PGD (7, 1)

1st: PERKINS & VAN DER SCHAAF’s Silkridge Black Caviar

This 2 year old b/w is so striking in outline. On closer inspection, he is also really well put together. Lovely head with bright eyes and good length of muzzle. He has a keen expression. Long, strong neck. He is well ribbed with depth to his brisket and length to his chest whilst still having a defined tuck up. Firm arched loins give a correct top line. He has strong quarters and used them well to cover the ring with easy movement. Close to top honours.

2nd: RUSSELL’s Longmire The Lark Ascending To Arjuna

Long lean head with alert expression. He has a clean neck of good length. Well bodied with firm well muscled loins. Good width to his quarters and plenty of rear angulation. He is balanced in body and moved well in profile.

3rd: RODGERS’ Wentvalley Pied Piper

LD (8) Good class but a few here lacked the desired arch over the loins and appeared very level in top line.

1st: WINKLEY-BALMER & WINKLEY’s Edenwhip Call Me At Night

This 2 year old was well put together and sympathetically handled to get the best out of him. Refined head with good length of muzzle and strong jaw. Long, well muscled neck leads to correct front showing some width and possessing good bone and sloping pasterns. Deep enough in brisket and well ribbed back. He has firm couplings and strong quarters showing good width to his thighs. He was moved at the correct speed to show a strong driving action when going away in particular. Considered for top honours.

2nd: BREW’s Crosscop Wanna Go For A Ride With Supeta

Lovely type and outline when standing and did not disappoint on the move. Well proportioned head with alert expression and small ears of good shape. Correct in front with good depth to his chest. Good rear angulation with hocks well let down. Just felt the winner was a little stronger behind today. Nevertheless, a quality exhibit.

3rd: BECKETT-HUGHES’ Dreamjet The Fisher King Of Mulranny

OD (12) What a class. A privilege to judge, teeming with quality. It was remarked to me later that this was as good as any OD class this year. I’m not surprised! It seemed fitting that the first two went on to be awarded the CC and RCC, the winner going on to top a strong Hound Group.

1st: WHEELER’s Ch Ranveli Diki Diki

I have seen this one from the ringside on several occasions. So pleased to be able to go over him. Fits the standard so well. Has both power and strength whilst remaining elegant and graceful. Long lean head with keen eyes. He has a long arched neck which leads to well laid shoulders. Straight, well boned front legs. He has plenty of depth to his brisket and width to his ribs without any excess. Firm top line with slight rise over the loins. He has strong quarters with good width of thigh and well turned stifles. Moving so well and coping better with the conditions than some others. CC and Best of Breed. Interesting to find out afterwards that he has sired my RDCC and BCC and other winners. Obviously passing on his qualities.

2nd: SHORT & FLETCHER’s Ch Ir Ch Collooney We've Got This

Son of the winner and possessing so many of his attributes. Refined head with neat ears and well-shaped eyes. Strong in neck with good layback of shoulder, elbows are nicely tucked in. He has good width and depth to his chest giving plenty of heart room whilst still appearing elegant. Firm, well-muscled loins and well developed quarters complete the balanced outline. Moving well enough but not coping with the conditions quite as well as the winner. His qualities could not be denied. RCC.

3rd: DARGUE & HALLIDAY’s Ch Bowdonia Feet Of Flames At Jalwhipp

VB (3)

1st: SPADEMAN, MYCROFT & MORRIS’ Ch Crosscop Let It Shine For Supeta

Super quality, hard to believe she is 8 years old. Feminine through but still has strength and power, especially on the move. She has a well shaped head with good length of neck and plenty of lay back of shoulder. Correct in front with elbows tucked in neatly. Good depth of chest and firm top line. She has good rear angulation with plenty of muscle development. Best Veteran.

2nd: WILKINSON’s Citycroft Starfall

One I have judged previously, admired her then and still do! So well put together. Delightful head. Balanced and correct in body without any exaggeration. She was presented in good body and firm condition. Moved well but not quite the reach in profile of the winner.

3rd: WOOD’s Elmanash Mist O'the Moon

MPB (5)

1st: PERKINS & VAN DER SCHAAF’s Silkridge Mistletoe Smooch

Pretty 8 months with plenty to like. Feminine head with good length of muzzle. Long neck with sloping shoulders and straight front legs which lead to sloping pasterns and neat feet. She is firm over the loins and has well developed quarters. She moved so well for one so young and coped well with the conditions. Pleased to award her Best Puppy.

2nd: MARSTON-POLLOCK’s Starshine Soulad At Falconcrag (Imp)

Another good one. A little bit larger so will take a little longer to come together. Lovely head with oval eyes and alert expression and neat tidy ears. Good depth to her body. Plenty of rear angulation. Showed good reach and extension on the move. Just needs to firm up a little but should go on to do well.

3rd: ROTH-BROWN’s Edenwhip Daydream Believer

PB (3)

1st: MARSTON-POLLOCK’s Falconcrag On It

Very promising 11 months br. Well proportioned head with good neck and well laid shoulders. She is correct in front with straight legs, slightly sloping pasterns and good feet. Good depth of body for her age. She has well proportioned quarters with good bend of stifle and hocks are well let down. She moved easily showing drive from behind.

2nd: LOWE & WILCOX’s Barnesmore Lamour Dune Mere Of Jevobhn

Another 11 month old showing plenty of promise. Pleasing head with bright alert eyes and keen expression. Strong neck. Correct in front with enough width. She is well ribbed for her age. Good width to her quarters. She was presented in firm condition and in good coat.

3rd: SMITH’s Collooney Tullamore Dew Over Lorbri

JB (6, 2)

1st: MORRIS, WADDELL & SPADEMAN’s Crosscop Temptation To Supeta

What a super youngster. Full of quality with both style and personality. Nothing over done here. Refined in head with length to her jaw and oval alert eyes. Long neck with slight arch flows into well laid shoulders. Good width and depth through her body. She is firm over the loins and so well put together behind. In tip top condition and gleaming coat on a dull day. Moved so accurately here showing both extension and reach. Carried this in to the challenge where I awarded her the CC. A pleasure to judge.

2nd: NEWTON’s Nevedith Hi Jinks

A little bit edgy in the conditions today but so lovely through. Balanced head of good shape. Well developed in body with good fore chest and depth. Strong over her quarters with good rear angulation. She moved well in profile once settled.

3rd: PLACE & HALLIDAY’s Aarminias Pillow Talk

YB (5)

1st: UGGERI’s Bohosoul Bewitched

Really fell for this girl. What a lovely outline and so honest to go over. She just flows so gracefully. Good head proportions with oval eyes and alert expression. Super neck leads to well constructed front with straight legs, sloping pasterns and super layback of shoulder. Well ribbed back and strong over her quarters. She moved so well here to edge this strong class. Unfortunately, she did not go as well in the conditions in the challenge where she would have been contending for top honours.

2nd: PERKINS & VAN DER SCHAAF’s Ch Creme Anglaise's Entourage With Silkridge

One of the few here that I have previously judged and admired. Now deservedly carrying her title. I still really like everything about her. Refined in head with well-placed ears and lovely eyes. She is so well put together with long neck, and straight front legs, elbows tucked in nicely. Well ribbed with good length and correct tuck up. She has good rear angulation and was shown in good body and firm condition. Just felt that she was not too happy in the conditions and this reflected in her movement.

3rd: WOOD’s Edenwhip Harvest Moon

PGB (15, 2)

1st:BLAKE’s Creme Anglaise's Too Hot To Handle For Mazargo

What an honest and true to type girl. Nothing over done but so well made. She has an old fashioned style head, correctly balanced and bright oval eyes giving an alert expression. Well placed ears of good size. She as a strong neck of good length. Her shoulders are well angulated enabling her to reach out so well on the move. She is true in front and has good feet. Well balanced in body, she is well angulated behind which allows her to stand over plenty of ground. She moved so precisely especially in profile and continued to do so in the challenge which earned her the RCC. Her first.

2nd: BROUGH’s Crosscop Call Me Maybe At Limubox

I found this one so much improved since I last saw her. Her head has refined and developed a slight stop. Her ears are neat and carried well. She has good depth and width to her chest. She is well muscled behind and has a good turn of stifle. She moved well enough to put her in contention in this large class.

3rd: HEAD’s Nevedith Gold Glow Of Demerlay

LB (11) What a lovely class. The weather worsened here and really affected some of these girls. As a result, some did not do themselves full justice. Such a shame as it was a very competitive class. It was headed by two top quality fawns.

1st: SPADEMAN, MYCROFT & MORRIS’ Crosscop California Barbie From Supeta

My notes simply say “super all through”. Really well constructed and so well balanced. She was turned out in first class condition and showed well as were all from this ownership. Feminie head with good eyes and alert expression. Good layback of shoulder. Well ribbed back. She has good width to her quarters and was well muscled behind. She moved well in the conditions showing good rear extension.

2nd: PLACE & HALLIDAY’s Brochinbelle A Wee Floosie At Aarminias

Close up to the winner with a lot of similar attributes. Again, so well-constructed and turned out in good order. A little larger than the winner but still is so well balanced. Not quite as positive behind but looked so well in profile on the move.

3rd: TYSON’s Starceylon Regina Di Quadri

OB (10)

1st: SHORT’s Ch Collooney Celeste

Litter sister to my RDCC and sired by my BOB winner so not surprised that I rated her so highly. Worthy Champion with so much to admire. Lovely head with small ears carried well. Long neck and well aid shoulders. She is correct in front and has a deep chest of correct width. Firm over her loins and carrying her tail correctly. She has strong quarters and moved with power and grace.

2nd: GREEN & RATCLIFFE’s Ch Crosscop Bumble Bee By Arrodare

Another worthy Champion in good form. Lovely type and so well balanced. Feminine well shaped head with good neck and front assembly. She is well developed in chest having enough width and plenty of depth. Good rear angulation. She moved well and coped so well with the conditions. A matter of splitting hairs here.

3rd: HEAD’s Demerlay Ebony Eyes

David Howarth