West Of England Ladies Kennel Society

I had some exceptional dogs and very difficult choices to make across the four days and was very honoured to be allowed by their owners to judge such quality. My final four were all exceptional examples of their breed that made it such a hard decision to pick just one but my overall winner went to the Pointer Sh Ch Wilchrimane Frankly Darlin. I know that she will put on a fantastic performance at the finals next year.

Eukanuba Champion Stakes Utility/Terrier (29, 13 abs)

1. Ch Xaramae Image (Imp Fin), Mr A & Mr L Moran & Prouve, Tibetan Spaniel, this male came into the ring and decided that he was going to own it, he has a masculine head, skull slightly domed, slight stop, chin showing width and depth, dark oval eye, black rims, medium sized pendent ears, moderate length of neck covered with a shawl of longer hair, well laid shoulders, correct body proportions, level back, moderate turn of stifle, tail set on high carried over the back on the move, correct coat texture, what caught my eye was when this male moved with his free quick movement.

2. Ch Kebulak Killer Queen, Ms C & Mr A Davani & Potts, Kerry Blue Terrier, beautiful upstanding bitch displaying that alert determination attitude, presented a lovely shape on both the stack and the move, well balanced head with slight stop, small dark eyes, scissor bite, black nose, v-shaped ears, strong neck, front straight, balanced angulation, short coupled body, deep chest and well sprung ribs, stifle well bent, small round feet, tail set on high, this bitch displayed the required breed movement, free and powerful.

3. Ch Kutani Hamilton JW, Mrs V A & Mrs W A Clutterbuck & Cain, Lhasa Apso

Eukanuba Champion Stakes Gundog (28, 18abs)

1. Sh Ch Wilchrimane Frankly Darlin, Miss, Mrs & Mrs Siddle, Siddle & Medeiros, Pointer, such a quality bitch, she has a beautiful balanced head, stop well defined, pronounced occipital bone, wide nostrils, scissor bite, ears of medium length, set fairly high, long muscular neck, slightly arched into well laid shoulders, balanced angulation front and rear, good forechest, forelegs straight with oval bone, pasterns slightly sloping, well sprung ribs, short coupled, good expanse of first and second thigh, oval feet well arched, tail carried level with the back, on the move is where she really demands attention, so light on the move displaying good reach and drive.

2. Sh Ch Vanitonia Secret Episode, Mr B A & Miss A & Mr S & Mrs S Crocker & Frost & Cahill & Cahill, Spaniel (Clumber), beautifully made bitch with ideal balance, large square head, dark eye, scissor bite, large, vine leaf-shaped ears, neck of good length into well laid shoulder, good balanced angulation front and rear, legs short and well boned, long body, deep chest, ribs carried well back, well bent stifles, low hocks, large round feet, moved true with effortless drive.

3. Multi/int Ch Rusmairas Fisher, Mrs S.v Tokman, Retriever (Labrador)

Eukanuba Champion Stakes Working/Pastoral (30, 17abs)

1. Ch Edglonian Golden Graham, Miss D Pearson, Shetland Sheepdog, what a dog, my notes state just beautiful, I just couldn’t keep my eyes off him in this quality class, balanced all through, he has a refined head with no exaggerations, dark almond shaped eye, correct position and carriage of ears, scissor bite, muscular neck of sufficient length of neck into well laid shoulder, good balanced angulation front and rear which he uses to his advantage on the move, good body proportions, deep chest, well sprung ribs, hocks well let down, fantastic coat and condition, he is just so graceful on the move with drive from behind.

2. Sh Ch Thwaitlake Buzzman, Mr, Mrs & Miss Akester & Wiltshire, Border Collie, a dog who I have admired for a while and done well for before, he is well proportioned male, skull fairly broad, very distinct stop, muzzle tapering to his nose, oval shaped eye with a kind and intelligent expression, scissor bite, ears medium size set well apart, neck of good length slightly arched into well laid shoulders, balanced angulation front and rear, front legs parallel and pasterns slightly sloping, elbows close to the body, deep chest, well sprung ribs, Body slightly longer than height, tail set on low of moderate length, love this boy when he moves with a smooth and free stride and minimum lift of feet.

3. Ch Afterglow Sky Miles to Bordercot, Mrs R & Mr J Brady & Lynn, Shetland Sheepdog

Eukanuba Champion Stakes Hound/Toy (32, 16 abs)

1. Ch Gleniren Miracle Starmaker, Mrs I & Mr G Robb, Papillon, this bitch knew her job today and she turned it on, the final go round on the shortlist she decided that she ensured I watched her and the class was hers. She presents a beautiful shape both on the stack and on the move, her head is correctly proportioned, dark round eyes with dark rims, correct ears very large, mobile with rounded tips and heavily fringed, scissor bite, neck of medium length into well laid shoulder, forelegs straight, deep chest, well sprung ribs, strong loin, level topline, legs parallel from behind, hare like feet, long, well fringed high set tail, moved with light free flowing movement. She is still so young and there is so much more to come from her.

2. Ch Tokaji Moon over Miami with Mutoko JW ShCEx OSW, Mrs P Nash, this beautiful black and tan Basenji bitch is a firm favourite of mine, beautiful head, well chiselled with slight stop, correct amount of wrinkles to her head, dark almond eye, scissor bite, small pointed erect ears, long neck into well laid shoulder, elbows tucked in against brisket, forelegs straight, correct body proportions, short level back, hocks well let down, small and compact feet, high set tail with curve of buttock extending beyond the root of the tail, legs carried forward on the move demonstrating a long swinging stride.

3. Ch Hawksflight Hot Pursuit JW, Breed: Miniature Pinscher, Ms T & Miss J Watkins & Bugden