Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

Kooikerhondje Darlington 2025

Once again I much enjoyed judging this lovely breed and engaging with their very dedicated owners. Yes, this is a breed that retains the quality into an old age, but it may seem worrying that all the main winners, with the exception of the reserve best male, are already veterans while there were no entries in the puppy classes.

Veteran Dog or Bitch (5)

 A very good class, still the first two, both bitches, stood out.

1. Sensation Vom Tespelkooi of Valleyrise Vw

Delightful bitch with excellent proportions and balance. Beautiful, feminine head contributing to her exquisite breed type, excellent ears and expression. Pleasing rise of neck. Balanced angulation both ends. Reasonable croup. Keeping her topline even better on the move than when standing. Very light on her feet and effortless, retaining her balance. Lovely coat and colour. In the challenge, she looked somewhat bum high and thus lost to the bitch who turned out to be her daughter. Reserve Best Bitch

2. Daniella Vom Thorowberg To Gladsheim

At thirteen years old, this bitch is in remarkable condition, and not only for her age. Another with a classical, feminine head and pleasing ears which she is still using to her advantage. Strong neck, well set. Excellent depth and width of body. Well angulated both ends. A beautiful mover, well synchronized and sound, but now starting to lose some of her topline on the move.

3. Cirtap’s Prinses Bynton Ida Rose Mk

Junior Dog (3)

1. Gladsheim Opening Gambit

A well balanced, masculine dog with excellent type and proportions, just a little longer than tall. Typical masculine head without coarseness. Excellent ears with dark fringes and dark eyes. Strong neck. Well angulated in front. Firm topline. Pleasing tailset. Excellent coat and colour. A normal, sound mover. He has the future ahead of him as is best is yet to come. Reserve Best Male

2. Middanwinter War Horse At Kerlkoor

Another attractive dog. Not quite the head of the winner with rather deep stop, and I would not want a longer muzzle. Excellent length of neck. Excellent, firm topline. Needs to gain some more body, and some more weight on him would be an improvement. Well set and carried tail. Well angulated behind. I would not want any more white in his coat than this. He excelled in movement from the side, very well balanced and effective.

3. Middanwinter Trojan Horse

Post Graduate Dog (1)

1. Gladsheim Opening Gambit

Open Dog (5,1)

1. Cairnbraid Onwaba Lukimbi of Gladsheim

A very well made dog, within the standard size, he is masculine without lumber. Very typical head, ears and expression. Moderate neck. Excellent layback of upper arm. Strong, level and short topline. Well angulated behind. Beautiful coat. A normal sound, typical mover. Best Male and BOS.

2. Crunchcroft Razzle-Dazzle At Taighmuilne

A significantly larger dog, for me this is too much. Strong head that fits the rest of him, but again too much. He is very well constructed and an outstanding mover from all angles. Very good coat and colour.

3. Benitin Trojan Of Geduld

Junior Bitch (2)

1. Gladsheim Phoenix Rising

A beautiful bitch, very well balanced and of excellent type. She has a feminine head with some more stop than ideal. Bite not her fortune. Beautiful outline, neck, topline and tailset. Very well balanced behind. She moved well from all angles, retaining her balance and shape.

2. Gladsheim Storm Chaser of Valleyrise

Feminine bitch with very pleasing proportions, but rather fine, particularly in bone. Typical head and expression. Not the neck of the winner. Firm topline. Pleasing tailset. Needs to settle and stabilize in movement at this time. Excellent colour, if not in a full coat.

Post Graduate Bitch (3)

1. Valkira Secret Love At Taighmuilne

A small feminine bitch, well balanced. A very feminine head, could do with some more length to it. Strong neck, well set. Balanced angulation both ends. Firm and straight topline. Very good coat and colour. A very mover from all angles, standing out in this class.

2. Valkira Whispering Hope

Feminine bitch, just off-square. Very good skull, excellent eyes, but needs more fill under her eyes. Pleasing neck. Moderate angulation both ends. Firm topline, but falls away too much over the croup. An acceptable mover, but not nearly as impressive as the winner.

3. Twybrook Rotkappchen Of Geduld

Open Bitch (2)

1. Ch. Valleyrise Illustration

Very instantly attractive bitch, feminine, well constructed and well balanced, but I would not want her any leggier. Well made, expressive, feminine head, excellent ears. Strong neck, well set into shoulder. Pleasing front. Excellent topline and tailset. She stood particularly well over her legs and feet. Excellent coat and colour. An exceptional mover, well synchronised and sound, at times a little proud of her tail. Overall the star of the day. Best Veteran, Best Bitch and BOB.

2. Gladsheim Willow At Valkira

Another feminine bitch, nicely proportioned. Typical head and ears. Mediuim neck. Very good topline and a pleasing body. Could do with more angulation behind and more drive from her rear. Not in optimal coat condition on the day.

Espen Engh (Norway), judge