Manchester Dog Show Society

Manchester Dog Show Society

17th January 2025

Utility Group

It was a pleasure to judge the Utility Group for Manchester, and I would like to thank Paul Harding and his ever-efficient team for the invitation, hospitality and for a show very well run.

As ever the Utility Group is an interesting one to judge with the mixture of breeds presented. Thank you to the breed judges for sending through some excellent breed examples. I could have shortlisted a couple more, but I’m sure their day will come.

The shortlist consisted of the Akita, French Bulldog, Keeshond, Miniature Schnauzer, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle, Shih Tzu and the Tibetan Terrier.

After a final out and back and then once round the ring my placings were as follows:

Group 1 and the star of Manchester 2025 went to the utterly, utterly divine Shi Tzu bitch Ch Santosha Silhouette owned by Mr & Mrs Crossley. A brand new one to me having never seeing her before today. What a beautiful example of the breed she, presented and handled to perfection. She, for me, epitomises the breed standard. Her head and expression are a delight, broad and round with width in muzzle, yet there is no denying her sex. And if anybody wants to know what a 'chrysanthemum-like' face looks like, then have a look at hers. She has a good length to neck enabling her to carry herself with pride. Perfect topline leading to, joys of joys, a teapot tail. She is totally balanced in angulation and is slightly longer than she is high. Top this with the most beautifully presented coat which was in no way overdone. Stacked she presents an outline that will immediately draw the eye. Then she moves and she impresses even more. She brings to life the old adage of a ship in full sail. Head and tail high, with an arrogance about her that you simply cannot ignore. Fabulous drive behind showing full pad. Her handler’s reaction when I pointed to her made my day but believe me, this is not the last we have heard or seen of this beautiful Shih Tzu. To top it off, seeing her win BIS under Stuart Payne really was the icing on the cake.

Group 2 was the gorgeous Tibetan Terrier Ch Waterley Heart Breaker owned by Mr G Davies. Another superb example of his breed and he too was presented masterfully. All male but with no exaggeration. His head is a delight with that oh so typical resolute expression and he is beautifully constructed. Moderate length to his neck allowing him that proud carriage, Super front assembly, strong topline with well set and carried tail. Another that when he moves you cannot ignore him, and he pushed the winner all the way today.

Group 3 was the Akita Ch Stecal's All Guns Blazing owned by the Bevis, Corr and Venezia partnership. Having already awarded him his first Puppy Group, an Adult Group and a CC & BOB, he was no stranger to me and my opinion of this wonderful dog has not changed. He still commands attention, has the most wonderful head, neck and topline. Wonderful bone and substance and presented as ever in superb coat. In profile action he has power and keeps his outline. Just a small faulter going away from me on the final out and back made my decision a tiny bit easier. A beautiful Akita.

Group 4 was another new one for me in the Keeshond Ch Divnyi Drug Dar (imp Rus) owned by Mrs Brunt. Short, compact and in full coat showing the desired shades of grey. He had wonderful carriage on the move and used himself so well oozing confidence. Wedge shaped head with dark sparkly eyes. Another with no exaggeration at all and I felt he was more than worthy of this placing. Super dog.

Lee A S Cox (Judge)