Midland Counties Canine Society

This is such a beautiful breed and one of my favourites to judge. This was a small entry, but, the quality was there for all to see.

Junior (1,0)

1st: Sutton’s Niavana Simply Red with Kyann. Still a real baby with lots of maturing to do. Shows a very nice typical shape overall. Parallel head plains, Ok balance of skull to muzzle. High set ears. Almond shaped, dark brown eyes with black eye rims. Moderate arch to neck. Deep chest. Balanced angles. Moderate tuck up. Firm topline, Short loins. Tail set and carriage as per standard. Sound moving – just needs to firm up all through,

Limit Dog (1,0)

1st: Craig’s Hawksflight Wrap It Up. Very nice overall shape and proportions. Typical head with good Belgian expression. Mask defined enough. Correct length of skull to muzzle with sufficient strength and good underjaw. Dark, almond set eyes. High set ears. Moderately laid shoulders. A tad narrow in front and has a tendency to stand a little 10 to 2. Good length of foreleg. Deep chest that reaches to elbows. Moderate tuck-up. Firm topline. Well-turned stifles. Tail set and carriage ok. Moves soundly but could be a tad more precise in front. Showed good qualities to win the RCC here.

Open Dog (3,0)

A Belgian should really have a typical head, make, shape and movement that immediately shouts what breed it is. To this end, I’m looking for a dog with typical proportions of head and body, and, importantly, the parallel head plains and brisk, light gait – not ploddy and heavy. I hope this goes someway to explain my judging in this class. Sorry to experience the very poor behaviour and sportsmanship of one exhibitor in this class who chose not to accept their placing.

1st: Snell’s, Smith & Lester’s Ch Domburg Say I Can. A most handsome dog with typical proportions of skull and muzzle and wonderful parallel head plains. Not weak and snipey in any way and has good strength to underjaw. Typical mask. Lovely dark, almond shaped eyes. High set, triangular ears. Very typical expression overall. Lovely length to neck with slight arch. Very well-balanced angulation fore and aft. Square in outline. Deep chest of good width. Moderate tuck-up. Excellent topline. Tail perhaps a little higher set than ideal. Excellent coat and condition throughout. Super typical mover. Very well handled. Easy CC winner.

2nd: Hodgson’s. Ch Domburg Verstapen Can for Ddalrus. Another very typical dog. Very nice for type with super head and expression. Good mask. Dark almond eyes. High set ears. Moderate angulation fore and aft. Deep chest. Firm topline. Well set and carried tail. Excellent coat and condition. Preferred the overall balance and style of 1st. His gait was rather difficult to assess, being rather ‘frantic’. I’ve seen him go so much better on other days. Unlucky today.

Post Graduate Bitch (1,0)

1st: Webbs’ Domburg All That Glitters. Very pretty 17month girl. Developing along good lines and scores for type. Head needs to develop with just slightly more definition between skull and muzzle as muzzle looks a shade too long overall. Dark, almond shaped eyes. High set ears. Good neck. Very well angulated in body. Just off square in outline. Chest reaches to elbows. Slightly more width required. Tail set and carriage ok. In good coat. Nice for bone. Lots of positives here and she was very sound in movement. RCC

Open Bitch (1,0)

1st: Mackie, Lester & Smiths’ Ch Domburg Made By Hawksflight. An outstanding bitch in every way and one I eulogised about only recently having awarded her the pastoral group at Richmond Ch Show. I cannot really add to my comments there. She has a gorgeous head and expression and wonderful construction. So typical in outline for a bitch. I think she just gets better and better and her performance here was truly special. She really is one of those that takes your breath away. Superfluous condition. One of the great dogs of the British showring. CC & BOB. Was pleased to learn after that this gave her the breed record, Very pleased to see her go on to win Group 2.