Blackpool & District Canine Society

Blackpool and District Canine Society

Sunday 22nd June 2025

First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Hall and the rest of the committee for asking me to judge at this prestigious show. I was delighted to be able to judge this lovely breed.

The ring was run by Wendy, so very well. It was obvious that there was no need for a second steward. Thank you very much.

As this was an appointment without CCs, I was hoping the standard would be high and I was not disappointed. My prerequisite is that good movement is a must, I can say that of the exhibits on show, it was very good throughout. If this standard is seen throughout the rest of the breed, then it must be in good shape. Many thanks to all those who came under me with their lovely charges.

Portuguese Water Dog

Class 1843: Junior Dog (3,0)

What a start. A lovely class to start my judging, with some great examples.

1. 5042 - Hopkins and Gottdenker’s CLAIRCREEK SEA VOYAGER (IMP CAN) –Even though there were some very fine examples on show on the day, this exhibit really blew me away. Such a complete package and very mature for age. This 11-month black male was presented to perfection in black dense, compact curled coat, with merely a hair out of place. Lovely head construction, that was more refined, and in keeping with the robustness of the rest of the dog. Well off for ratios of skull to muzzle. Super definition to medial furrow, that drove through a stop of strength and definition. Good workings under beautifully dark eye, that gave a very penetrating expression. Seamless flow of features to the skull that culminated in an occiput showing true protuberance. Ears of correct shape and length, hung tightly to head. Excellent strength to neck, that was well in proportion to rest of body. Overall balance and construction are areas where this boy came into his own. Almost square in total appearance, when viewing from point of shoulder to buttocks, to that of height at withers. Width seen at withers, and chest. Depth was also seen here, that was down at elbow. Shoulders were well laid and muscled for such a young age, that flowed into straight forequarters. Plenty of room in thoracic cavity providing that important well sprung rib. Absolutely solid over loin, that showed its strength on the move where it did not waver. Gentle tuck up. Excellent in foot construction and tissue, allowing him to carry out the job for which he was bred. The hindquarters were absolutely great to see with plenty of muscle to upper and second thigh, thus showing good curvature and definition. Tail carriage was correct on the move. Again, super action on the up and back where strong hocks stayed upright and parallel on the up and back. True footfall on the around. Lovely see a dog that had plenty of bone. Only thing to let him down was his youthful exuberance, that got the better of him at times. However, he is not a year of age, and I would been keen to keep this for a while. Really super, that can only mature into a fine example. BOB, BD, BP & BJ.

2. 5046 – Williams’s Peixinho Caput Draconis – 7.5-month male, that was unlucky to come up against 1st. Piloted very well and presented in a black coat with white bib. This hair was fairly-long in appearance that was all of lovely texture, yest still showing robustness. Not as dominant in frame as that of my winner, however, still has 4 months to catch up. Well off for head dimensions/proportions. Strong in stop and definition to occiput. Lovely width to foreface that was finished cleanly in large black nose, that was wide open. Medium eyes that were set well apart and of medium shape. Lovely colouration of dark brown that was framed with dark pigmentation. Really gave that hard, penetrating mien. Neck was of correct length and in balance with rest of physique. Excellent transition from neck to thoracic region. Forequarters were well muscled and straight, showing well laid shoulders. Sternum down to elbow and good width to chest. Ribs well carried back with strength to loin for age. Lovely curvature to moderate tuck-up. Tail certainly thick at base and tapering well. It was also of good length not exceeding hocks. Rear angulation mirroring that of fore. Lovely action on the move, that was untiring. Went with verve. Pasterns remained upright on the up and back, with good width shown, also. Another lovely exhibit that I feel will have a good career, giving time to mature. I am sure he will. RBD.

3. 5045 – Thompson’s Calladano Amadeus Andante.

Class 1844: Post Graduate Dog (0)

Class 1845: Limit Dog (0)

Class 1846: Open Dog (1,0)

1. 5041 – Hopkins and Gottdenker’s Ch/can Ch CLAIRCREEK PURE ART – 7-year-old male in full excellent black coat, that I absolutely loved and strongly considered for top honours. A dog of medium build that looked strong in the stack. Has an unequivocally beautiful male head that fitted the hand so well. Large in appearance that was longer than muzzle, once profuse, erect hair had been breached. Super well-defined stop with workings to zygomatic arch. This gave the base for lovely well set, dark brown eyes. Well defined in occipital protuberance. A pretty picture indeed. This was held on well by a strong, short neck that transitioned well into well laid shoulders, that were strong and showing plenty of bone. Chest down at elbow, with excellent spring to ribs. Strongly muscled throughout which was also evident over the loin and in the rear quarters. Angulation mirrored that of front showing balance. Proportions showed that characteristic length to height requirement. On the move had good width both in front and behind on the up and back. True footfall on the around. However, having to split hairs for RBD, on the day, he didn’t show the tireless characteristic that I was looking for, on the move. A little lethargic. Presented excellently in longer haired coat. Can easily see why this exhibit has Ch to his name. in my opinion, should have more.

Class 1847: Veteran Dog (0)

Class 1848: Junior Bitch (1,1)

Class 1849: Post Graduate Bitch (1,0)

1. 5044 – Richings’s Barqueiro Amora – 2.5-year-old female. Very feminine in appearance, both in the stack and on closer inspection. Nothing was overly done on this girl. Presented in fairly long, full black coat that gave her that robust look in the stack. Head showed very good proportions, where balance, but not parity, was seen between muzzle and skull. Not as strong in stop as her male counter parts, as you would hope, allowing for retention of her feminine features. Super width to nose showing pigmentation in keeping with fully black coat. This was emulated around eyes of medium shape. Personally, would prefer a shade darker brown, that would give the penetrating expression she showed, the next level. Median furrow very much apparent. Correct in short length to neck, showing good muscle for a bitch. Good length to shoulders, that showed on the move, showing reach. Correct in width to chest that enabled space for well-sprung ribs, for size. Well off for body proportions. Feet well fleshed. Tail length was correct - to hock, and carried very well on the move, showing typical breed characteristic. Went out well with handler and had great ring confidence. BB.

Class 1850: Limit Bitch (0)

Class 1851: Open Bitch (0)

Class 1852: Veteran Bitch (0)

BOB, BD, BP & BJ - 5042 - Hopkins and Gottdenker’s CLAIRCREEK SEA VOYAGER (IMP CAN) (from Junior Dog)

RBD - 5046 – Williams’s Peixinho Caput Draconis (from Junior Dog)

BB - 5044 – Richings’s Barqueiro Amora (from Post Graduate Bitch)

Dr. Hefin Jones

(Pencastan)