• Show Date: 24/10/2025
  • Show Type: Championship Show
  • Judged by: Leila Tarabad Contact Judge
  • Published Date: 26/10/2025

Midland Counties Canine Society

Breed: Portuguese Water Dog

Midland Counties Canine Society 

24th October 2025 

Judge: Miss L Tarabad (Khatibi) 

Portuguese Water Dog 

I was really looking forward to judging this lovely breed and was pleased with the entry for a show without CC’s on a Friday, without exception temperaments were a delight (dogs and handlers!). 

Puppy Dog (2) 

1. Oldeely Swiss Etziken Rubin (Mr N & Mrs W J Smith) Just 6 months old with super chest and ribbing for his age, good angulation in front, short loin, well angulated rear with tail set and carried well. Handsome head of good proportions with dark round eyes, defined stop and strong jaw. Well presented wavy coat with good bone and substance. Moved freely, just a little close behind at present but plenty of time to firm up all through as he matures. BPD 

2. Peixinho Caput Draconis (Mrs S Williams) 11months old again with good chest and well sprung ribs, a touch longer in loin than 1 but still presents a typically outline with balanced front and rear angulation and good substance for his size. Large, masculine head with strong jaw, well spaced dark eyes and lovely expression. Moved well, a little close going away, holding a good outline in profile. Not the quality coat of 1.  

Open Dog (3,1) 

1. Ch Rarjo Captain Curl Macduff JW (Mr B C & Ms L G Williams & Newton) Just wow! Seeing this 2 year old black curly stood in front of me, fully mature, presented in 1st class order both in body condition and coat almost took my breath away. He has the most tremendous ‘hard, penetrating expression’ unmatched by any of the other dogs in the entry, I could have looked at that face all day! Strong, broad and masculine with good stop and furrow, well spaced dark eyes, well balanced length of muzzle with strong jaw and good mouth, open nostrils and well set and carried ears. Correctly balanced in outline with short neck, strong well laid shoulders with fabulous chest and ribbing, strong loin, very strong and well angulated rear with good buttocks and well set and carried tail. He is robust, balanced, well muscled and it was a joy to watch him circling the ring with a light, energetic gait holding his outline firm leaving me in no doubt that he is certainly fit for function. A coat of dense, compact curls in glorious condition finish a beautiful picture and made him impossible to beat. BD, BOB. 

2. Ch Belleville Salva Vidas (Mrs C & Mr E Thompson-Morgan & Morgan) This 3 year old dog presents a typical outline, nice for size but not quite the balance of 1 appearing just a touch shorter in body. Short neck, firm topline with well set and carried tail, decent chest, well ribbed back to short loin and strong rear with tail set and carried correctly. Lovely head and expression, broad skull with defined stop, dark eyes, open nostrils and strong jaw. Lovely on the move covering the ground with ease, good out and back and holding his outline well in profile. Just not in his best coat on the day but had no hesitation in awarding him RBD. 

Puppy Bitch (2) 

1. Portomel Santa Isabel at Belleville (Mrs C & Mr E Thompson-Morgan & Morgan) 6 month old baby with the most delightful outlook. Lovely size and balance to her outline with good front and rear angulation, straight front, firm topline, short loin and correctly carried tail. Feminine head that obviously needs time to develop but has a good muzzle, defined stop, dark round eyes and alert expression. Moved happily, accurate out and back, maintaining her outline in profile, needs to strengthen behind but has great energy and such an appealing attitude. Just felt she was a little more together than the dog in the challenge and wasn’t showing any signs of tiring! BP.  

2. Adventurer’s All The Nights Like This of Belezaflor (Imp Fin) (Mrs L & Mr J Kirk). Another nice puppy, older and more mature than 1 with good chest and ribbing for age, could have a little more angulation but she is balanced both ends with good tail set and carriage and well muscled rear. Large head with muzzle of the correct length, strong jaw, good mouth and well spaced dark eyes. Moved soundly, not quite as good as 1 out and back but goes nicely in profile. In well presented coat and handled well. 

Open Bitch (2) 

1. - Ch Rarjo Macduff Making Waves with Megulcie JW (Miss Md & Miss Lg & Mr Bc Slack & Newton & Williams) Litter sister to the BD and equally as impressive both in balance and condition. Really appealing in profile with her immaculate wavy coat accentuating her outline even further, short strong neck, good front assembly, deep broad chest, well ribbed back to short loin, plenty of substance, good bone and feet and strong, well angulated rear. Super head, large and strong yet remains feminine with good furrow between well spaced eyes, slightly tapered muzzle, strong jaw and wide nostrils. Came alive on the move circling the ring with a light, easy action, outline firm and carrying tail well, just a touch close behind. Like her brother she stood out in the entry and I did think I would find it hard to split them for BOB however she came back in the challenge and decided she’d done enough for one day displaying the self-willed trait of the breed quite well while her brother was displaying the tireless and energetic trait! Only 2 years old and I’m sure the best is yet to come. BB, BOS. 

2. Ch Belleville Crazy in Love of Belezaflor JW (Mrs L & Mr J Kirk). Sturdily built 3yr old in well presented coat and handled to an advantage. Strong neck into good shoulders, well sprung ribs, good depth of chest, strong loin and well set and carried tail, just a little longer in body than 1. Feminine head of good proportions with nice eyes, strong jaw, wide nostrils and good muzzle. Moved well out and back, covered the ground well enough in profile but not quite the light, easy action of 1. A worthy champion and easy choice for RBB.