Midland Counties Canine Society

In times where our entry numbers – along with countless other breeds across the whole spectrum of the dog showing world - is taking quite a bashing support-wise, I was absolutely delighted when I received my numbers for this show. Thank you all sincerely for what was a super-quality entry and top of the Working Group. To then see my principal winners go on to do so well in their respective Groups was the icing on the cake. To the Society – thank you for looking after me so well, and a word of thanks also to my two Stewards who, as this duo always do, kept things running in a lovely relaxed manner but shipshape and in total order. When I stood back and looked at both my final lineups, I did feel an immense sense of pride in them for both type and quality – the Open Dog and Open Bitch classes were in particular a beautiful sight to see. Turning to the challenges, there really is nothing more fulfilling when you hand out those green cards and today was no exception. I feel that awarding CCs is an absolute privilege, and never a given. A few things I noted …. mouths weren’t great in a lot of exhibits, and we should also pay more attention to overall conditioning – coats included – with some dogs that could and should have moved better than they did on the day being a tad disappointing due to lack of appropriate muscle tone. There was also quite a variance in type particularly in the males, but that said we have real quality - and the bitches, they had me spoiled for choice.

We had our usual fab ring size-wise, and whilst I was not always a fan of being tucked into the corner of the hall that we are allocated for this show, I do like the fact that it allows us a super ring where the exhibits can really extend and move.

MPD

(7:1)

(1) A lovely class of young males to start the day. Mairs' Lorrosa Dizzy Rascal at Glenauld. Super smart dark br/w, just seven months, beautifully compact, square and clean throughout with no exaggeration. Really caught my eye in this class. Has a lovely head of good proportion, leading to a clean neck, good shoulder with super bone down to his tight feet. Put together so well, with lovely angulation behind. Moved out really well when settled, put down in spotless order throughout and handled to get the very best out of him. Has scope and is stylish. Smashing puppy.

(2) Turner & Turner-Renshaw's Newlaithe Northern Soul at Sonshoby. Lighter br/w, eight months old, square framed, good bone and feet. Head very typical and pleasing with a lovely eye and expression, decent mouth, evident chin and wide nostrils. His neck is clean, and shoulders have good angulation leading to level topline and correct tail set. Has a super of thigh for his age and so moved out smartly with good drive from behind. Nicely handled, good type, just preferred the extra style on the day of the winner.

(3) Hawkins' Mellhawk Azizam.

PD

(2:0)

(1) Payne's Willow Eye of the Tiger. Stunning r/w youngster of 11 months, have admired him since a baby puppy. He is well off for bone and so beautifully put together. Blocky head of good proportion and type, with a kind eye and wide muzzle – he does need to hold across the brow and skull and not get any stronger – but, he just looks at you with pure soul versus boxer nobility. Beautiful over the shoulder, super neck with lovely arch and distinct nape. He is square and well coupled, with nothing exaggerated. Turned out to perfection in his short, shiny coat, with spot on conditioning for his age. Took a good few strides to settle but, once he did, moved out so well and true from all angles with reach, drive and steady flowing gait. The more he went the better he got. Must have an exciting career ahead of him. He stole a piece of me and, whilst still with plenty of scope and range and up against other cracking males, I felt his overall quality and performance on the day worthy of the RCC, BPD, BPIB & a fabulous WPG2!

(2) Cherry's Cherryforge Rebel at Heart. Darkest br/w, top end of size, rangy and colt-like. His head really is lovely with good proportions, darkest eye and boxery expression. He is compact and square with beautiful feet and bone. He is good over the shoulder, nicely coupled and has good angulation and tone behind. Sadly on the day, didn’t move out as positively as I have seen him previously but there is a good type there and there is time on his side.

JD

(2:1)

(1) Carter's Ch Farvalley Major Luke at Susancar. Tall, elegant, 16 month old g/br/w. He is all male and compact through the body with clean shoulders, a good reach of neck and, although standing alone in this class today, he is commanding in presence. His head has a good skull with plenty of rise, a dark eye and lovely muzzle proportion. He has tightest of feet, good coupling and a bang on tail set. Still with scope, range and more maturity to come, but drives off from a hammy backend and reaches out well in front. Put down in lovely order and handled well. In my final cut for the CC.

YD

(1) Brough's Limubox Scotch Gold. Deep deer r/w, 18 months, powerfully built with best of bone and substance throughout. He has the most beautiful head with a clean skull good width of muzzle and a super eye that melts you. Lovely wide nostrils in evidence and a super lip placement. Decent shoulder, a hammy backend, level topline and bang on tailset. His coat and conditioning were spot on. Really does drive around the ring with reach in front and push from behind - his handler a master at getting the very best out of him. Thoroughly deserved his place in my cut for the CC.

(2) Murfin & Hart's Farvalley Pure Delight. Nice dog of 16 months, good size and frame, unexaggerated proportions through the body lead by a typical head and expression, decent neck and shoulder, topline true and held on the move, finished by a good backend with balanced angulation and lovely muscletone. Moved out tidily coming, going and around, and as always was well handled by his owner.

GD

(2:0)

(1) Bee's Beeann Big Story. Good type, 2yr old br/w, cobby and compact frame with a clean shoulder good neck firm topline and lovely quarters - nothing exaggerated but would love him a fraction bigger throughout. He has beautiful feet, a good forearm placement, typical head with darkest of eyes giving good expression. A little unsettled on the move to start with but went really well on the go around.

(2) Robinson's Ulverbox Magic and Mayhem. A really good type, boxery and nicely made, br/w, 3yr old, just not quite as square and compact as the winner but a close decision between them. He’s well off the bone, has a lovely shoulder angulation, good neck and is clean throughout. Moves out as well with decent drive and stride, very nicely handled and good presentation.

LD

(10:3)

(1) Johnson's Sashbob Never Would I Ever from Berwynfa. 2yr old br/w. Super compact and square in body and really does project himself with showmanship and style. His head handles really well, and I loved his dark eye and evident wide nostrils. His mouth is good, neck strong and clean, leading to a good shoulder providing evident forechest. His tailset is bang on and his hammy backend provides drive at the rear. Super-smart lad overall, showing with his usual verve and enthusiasm. In the last cut for the CC but gave himself away on the move behind. Handler really does pilot him to perfection. Put down in excellent order.

(2) Louis' Boxania Over The Moon. Such a lovely dog to judge, different in type to the winner, larger frame, imposing - just not quite as sound in shoulder as the winner. That said he's a smashing type who is clean over the skull with a good width of muzzle, darkest eye and lively expression. His feet and bone are super as is his topline, leading to hammy quarters and all in all presenting a balanced boxer. Wasn't quite on his usual sparkling form today, but lovely to judge and get your hands on. He can really move out, on the go around especially where he drives off with purpose. Excellent conditioning, presentation and handled to get the best from him.

(3) Payne's Willow Stardust Jch.

OD

(6:0)

(1) Mair's Ch Macbarra Kickin Up A Storm at Glenauld JW. Beautiful g/br/w, 3 yrs old, square, balanced and compact projecting a sound outline combining strength and nobility. His head handles so well, with a good skull, lovely eye, wide nostrils and good ratios between skull and muzzle. His neck is clean and strong and shoulders are nicely angulated. His topline is level and his quarters bang on with correct musculation and tone. On the move he ate up the ground out and back and I loved his sound and powerful gait going around. A super champion, quality all through, unexaggerated and typey. As always, turned out to perfection with immaculate coat and presentation – not a spare ounce of flesh on him anywhere. Really was in top-flight form today and pulled out every stop to win a superb Open Dog class, the CC & BOS.

(2) Hare's Ch Jimbren The Irishman. Similar to 1 but a little bigger all through, didn’t move out today as well as I have seen previously, but this lad has an excellent head of beautiful proportion with lovely eyes and excellent skull to muzzle ratio. He is strong and lean in neck with a good shoulder, neat coupling, and hammy backend. Again, presents you with a super balance of strength, nobility and quality all through. Another in fine fettle without an ounce of spare flesh anywhere and handled well.

(3) Ch Sulez Scorcher at Glenauld.

VD

(2:1)

(1) Littlewood's Olleyville James Dean at Whirlobox. 8½ yrs, dark br/w. Really is looking amazing for his age. He is so well put together, has retained his square, boxery outline and his head has held its shape retaining a clean skull and good muzzle ratio. He is strong and clean in neck leading to a good shoulder, well coupled body and muscled backend. Moved out with verve and style, belying his years. Thoroughly deserved his first place despite standing alone and really is a credit to his owners.

MPB

(7:2)

(1) Welch's Newlaithe Bridget Jones with Treju. 8 months old, br/w with a beautiful clean skull, good width of muzzle, dark eye and excellent pigment. She is very compact and square, has a lovely neck, shoulder and topline leading to balanced and unexaggerated angulation behind. Moved out smartly out and back, handled well and presented in spotless order. For her age, I'd like to see a tad more strength all through, and across the thighs to give her more rear drive and push from behind, but no doubt she will go on to a bright and successful career as she develops and matures. Smart young lady.

(2) Jones, Jones & James' Winuwuk Kiss Me Quick at Charlons (AI). Her ch show debut today at just 6 months and so giving a lot away to the winner. Really pretty head of good proportion, dark eye and lovely expression. Pigmentation is excellent and her clean neck leads to a decent shoulder placement. She is a tad soft across the topline, but everything fits together as it should, and her back end is balanced and unexaggerated. She has bags time, range and scope being just 6 month old, yet she moved out with confidence for one so young in what was quite a noisy hall and atmosphere. Beautiful coat and conditioning, and another who I am sure will have a good future ahead of her as she matures and develops.

(3) Fay-Smith's Lorrosa Keeping Faith.

PB

(6:1)

(1) Brown & Hutchings Winuwuk Firecracker and a cracker she certainly is. Beautifully headed, classy and full of style. Darkest br/w jacket, gorgeous expression, clean skull and ample neck. She flows through the shoulder with correct angles leading into her level topline and toned quarters. On the move, she really was in top-flight form today, eating up the ground out, back and around and was a pleasure to watch with her forward reach and drive from behind. A special young lady who, whilst far from finished still being a puppy, filled my eye on the day with her overall type and indeed reflecting the qualities of her beautiful dam. Projected herself so well when stacked and didn’t put a foot wrong throughout. Her last puppy class today - delighted to award her BPB and the RCC in what was an absolutely stunning bitch line-up.

(2) Van-Beck's Newlaithe Come on Y'all. Another quality young lady I've watched from the ringside and is such a good bitch to get your hands on. Style, scope and just a fraction finer in her frame throughout than the winner, but she has a beautiful clean head, excellent expression, lovely bone and feet and correct sweep of shoulder leading to a firm topline. In profile, she is well coupled and square, setting up a treat when stacked. She has a hammy backend and super tailset, and moves out so well from all angles. She is very much at one with her handler, who moves her at a steady speed perfectly suited to her. Put down super condition throughout.

(3) Kelly's Casemates Witch Time.

JB

(3:1)

(1) McDonald's Yeteb Little Miss Splendid. Aptly named, a 15 month old dark br/w with a beautiful headpiece, darkest eye, good muzzle width and super pigmentation. She has a lovely strong, round neck and the shoulders are well placed leading to excellent feet, bone and pasterns. Her topline she holds on the move and she is square and balanced combining elegance and substance. She reaches out in front and drives from behind from hammy quarters. Another super bitch – typey as we see from this kennel - covering the ground well and in fine form today. Spot on presentation, and a quality lady. My last cut for the CC.

(2) Kelly's Casemates Ravenclaw. Lighter g/br, not giving her best today and a handful for her owner. Has a typical head, dark eye and is of good shape. Nice shoulder placement, and would just like a fraction more of her all over. She has a hammy backend and good tailset. Have seen her move more steadily.

YB

(2:0)

(1) Seeney's Maranseen Serendipity. Just turned 2yrs dark br/w, beautifully put together with a super headpiece, clean over the shoulder and best of bone and feet. She is balanced, built with femininity and substance, has a hammy back end, level topline and correct tailset. Lovely to see set up in profile, handled to perfection and moves with reach and drive. Showing really well today, at one with her handler, moved at perfect speed for her and is a lovely bitch to get your hands on.

(2) Brown & Hutchings' Winuwuk Ghostly Affair. Golden br/w white, super headpiece, clean skull darkest eye and lovely muzzle of correct width. She has a good neck and clean shoulder with super bone and feet. On the move, her hammy backend provides plenty of drive from behind with complimenting reach in front and a spot on tailset. Just preferred the extra style of the winner but two nice bitches.

GB

(7:1)

(1) Parker & Martin's Olleyville Juliette. Another lovely bitch in this entry today - 17mth old compact dark br/w. Has the darkest eyes, lovely muzzle to skull ratio, a lean and clean neck and she is good over the shoulders. Everything fits together so well and she has best of bone, feet and pasterns. She has super shoulders and correct rear angulation to boot and in profile she is short and square with a bang on tailset completing the picture. She moves out well, can be a bit of a handful (!) but presents a smashing picture. Well handled as always and put down in best of order.

(2) Mair's Merribox in Cahoots with Glenauld. Close up to the winner and very similar in type to 1 but not quite the height on the foreleg. Very typey in head with a good muzzle to skull ratio, strong bone, tight feet and a clean shoulder. She is square, has a lovely hammy backend, good tailset and she moved with lovely and drive out and back. Preferred the extra style and height of the winner but another lovely bitch and a good one to get your hands on. Presented immaculately, spot on handling and moved at perfect speed.

(3) Van-Beck & O'Neill's Erbo Xcellence with Newlaithe.

PG

(5:0)

(1) A good class headed by Harvey's Harvlin Mystification JW and (2) Payne's Birleyvale Burning Heart. 1st and 2nd are two really good bitches both br/w and very similarly aged bar a month or two. Both have typical heads of good proportion and ratio and look at you from dark eyes with good pigmentation. They are both blessed with good feet and bone, and their shoulders are set well leading to a level toplines and hammy quarters. On the day, 1 just had the nod with a fraction more finish in her muzzle, and that extra oomph and showmanship in her movement. A close decision however and on another day they may well be the other way around in placings.

(3) Adam's Carkennar Brainstorm.

LB

(6:2)

(1) Another cracking class. Fay-Smith's Lorrosa Missy Elliott. 2yrs old br/w, put together so well with a good neck, shoulder and topline leading to bang on tailset and hammy quarters - everything just flows from nose to tail-tip and her head is clean with good rise of skull and excellent muzzle proportions. She looks at you from a dark and kind eyes, her pigmentation is excellent and she has lovely wide nostrils. Her feet, bone and pasterns were spot on and she moves with a good stride out and back, pushing hard for a green card in the challenge. A lovely bitch to judge, full of quality, loved her profile and style. Last cut for the CC.

(2) Johnson's Ini Mini Myni Mo at Berwynfa. Another 2yr old darker br/w bitch. Again, really well put together with a pretty head and eye. Not the score in ratio of muzzle to skull as the winner and I'd life a more open eye, but she is certainly super-stylish and typey. Her front is clean with shoulders well set and she has best of bone, feet and pasterns. She is well coupled, short, square and projects a super-crisp outline – not an ounce of spare flesh anywhere on her. Her handler gets the utmost from her and she moved well out, back and around.

(3) Greening's Charlons Viva La Rita at Rylou.

OB

(8:0)

Wow. What an open bitch class – every one of them an absolute credit to each of you. (1) Drinkwater's Sulez Teaser. I have watched this bitch form show to show and have so admired her for sheer type and correctness and having judged her last as a very young MPB. Her head is just classic, balanced in every way with an expression and eyes that almost look 'at' you and then 'through' you – full of spirit, soul and character. Her muzzle is in perfect proportion with her skull, lip placement is bang on and she has evident chin. Her neck is clean and strong but is elegant leading down to correct shoulders and the best of feet, bone and pasterns. She is square in body, holds a level topline and finishes with a spot on tailset and hammy quarters. She was another on absolute top-flight, beautiful form today, moving out with excellent front extension and rear drive. She was piloted to perfection, moved at the exact right speed for her and I fell hook, line and sinker for her. She really is top-quality and, on the day, commanded my attention from start to finish. Delighted to award her her first CC & BOB following numerous reserves. In the Group she looked stunning, ate the ground in spades on the move in the big ring and deservedly rewarded with Working Group 2. Many congratulations.

(2) Brown & Hutchings' Ch Winuwuk Silent Witness. Another stunning bitch I last judged as a puppy. She has matured into such a quality champion and it's easy to see why now she has fully matured. Her head handles beautifully with no exaggeration, she has excellent skull and muzzle proportions and the darkest of eye that again looks at you with boxer spirit and soul. Her construction is so correct and balanced with a beautiful clean neck, lovely lay of shoulder, excellent coupling and a hammy backend. She fills your eye with her quality, style and type - and on the move, she really can reach out in front with extension and correct gait. Needed more oomph and projection today but nonetheless a highest-quality bitch and I was delighted to be able to judge her again as a fully fledged adult.

(3) Carter's Ch Susancar Celia Deal.

SB

(1:0)

(1) Littlewood's Airwaves over Newlaithe. Dark br/w 16mths. Really nicely put together with a lovely front, clean neck and shoulder and a good type of head with correct muzzle to skull ratio. She has a dark eye, big nostrils, lovely pigmentation throughout and she is well off for bone. Her feet are tight and she is nicely coupled through the body. Her topline she holds on the move, and her quarters are hammy and well-toned enabling her to move off with drive from behind and good reach in front. Whilst she decided to slip her lead and run circuits of the paddock during the photoshoot after judging(!!) her handler really is at one with her, moving her at a perfect speed and getting the most out of her. To complete a great day's judging, it was an absolute delight to see her take Group 3 in Special Beginners Working. A huge well done.

Judge – Debbi Huggins

Daervlish