Midland Counties Canine Society

Judge’s Critique from Margaret K Mott

Midland Counties Canine Society

Thursday, 23 October 2025

Norwegian Elkhound

My thanks go to the Midland Counties Canine Society for this appointment as well as my two wonderful stewards, John Purcell and Ann Donaldson who kept me on the straight and narrow—I couldn’t have asked for better. Having been to a number of shows this year and watched most of the dogs exhibited to me, I always find it is quite a different thing to be assessing them and going over them in fine detail and “hands on” can either confirm what your eyes have previously witnessed… or not. Overall, temperaments, coats, tails and size were good and within the standard. Bites were also acceptable although quite a few could do with a good cleaning. Contrary to a statement I made after my last appointment saying that I felt dogs were overall uniform in type, I have to say I did not get the same impression this time. I feel that currently the breed here is showing a great deal of diversity in type due in great part to the many outcross matings being done. While we now have very few older kennels and established lines consistently producing distinct types, it shows and not necessarily in a good way. Hoping to find dogs of good type coupled with soundness and efficient movement took some doing in some classes and fronts continue to be the biggest fault needing fixing. Breeders should always concentrate on basic ”Elkhound Essentials” -- those qualities which are demanded for this hardy hunting breed; correct structure both fore and aft creating that all important word “balance”, proper shaped feet with sufficient padding to travel over icy wooded terrain, short and well-muscled backs and loins which allow individuals to literally bounce like a ball and dodge the charge of the moose as well as coats which will withstand the harshest of Nordic winters. Whilst finishing points such as beautiful colouring, dark eyes and small ears are things which we all hope for, they are to my mind secondary to the points mentioned above and have no bearing on helping the Elkhound to get his job done in the forest.

PGD (1) 1. Cuss’s Norvin Krackjen - A smaller dog than many, but still within the standard, he often gives this impression as he is rather deep in body and proportionally short on leg. He stands foresquare with a good topline, relatively short in loin and his movement displayed adequate extension. He has appropriate bone and good pigment. He was not wanting to show off his expression and ears and was seemingly distracted by something outside the ring.

 LD (3/0) 1. Jolley’s Seasara Iceman - An alert and active dog of good size and colour, he had overall good balance although I would have liked him to be bit more collected in his front movement. Very good bone, good leg to body proportions, a good wedge head with dark eyes and overall made a nice square package, showing all the time. Considered strongly for the Reserve Dog CC. 2. Middleton’s Graythor Broadway - A slightly smaller package than the winner of the class but a very nice body package being short coupled with good bone and lovely small dark ears. I would have preferred more leg under him to balance his body depth and he was moving somewhat irratically and not showing as well as I have seen him do in the past being somewhat distracted like several others today.

OD (5/0) 1. Simms’s Ch Aftonlee Aros at Elverdal - My star of the day. I admit to having admired this dog from afar and as he has aged, he has only gotten better with time and at four years of age he is approaching his prime. To my mind he is absolute correct type and there is very little I would change about him. His size and proportions are excellent, dark eyes in a lovely wedge head, leg to body ratio spot on, good bone, a hard toned and well muscled body, short coupling, a high set tail and he came at me with the cleanest front of the day. As we know, no dog is perfect and If I were to change anything about him, I would prefer a bit more angulation both fore and aft, but that said he is in total balance with the proportions he does have which makes for an easy efficient movement. Dog CC and Best of Breed 2. Hennessey’s Laakso Esko at Elskerdeg - A dog of proper size with an overall good body package, very alert and showing himself off continually. I would not like to see him any heavier in body as he just scores in the leg to body ratio department and his handler needs to slow him down to get the best movement possible from him. His ears could be smaller, nice dark eyes and overall a worthy dog. Reserve Dog CC 3. Maun’s Ch Bowerhinton Bassanio - Another worthy dog of good type and proportions he has a wonderful head and kindly eye, good shoulders and bone. Having watched him many times move well and show his heart out, today was certainly not his day and he would do neither for his handler or his owner. Dogs, like people have off days unfortunately.

VD (2/0) 1. Tress’s Ch Grasilva Little Rock avec Gilkaro JW - A very active ten year old who presents a square package, a lush silver coat, compact body and a relatively short loin. He was unfortunately a bit overweight which affected his movement somewhat yet he still displayed good balanced reach and drive and a clean front. He certainly was enjoying his time in the ring. 2. Simms’s Ch Seasara Earl Grey - Another very good oldster yet somewhat different in type to the winner of the class. Taller and longer cast, particularly in loin. He was an adequate mover yet tended to toe out both in movement and in standing. Coat was darker but a proper texture. In very good condition for his eight years and still showing very well.

SBD (1/0) 1. Cuss’s Norvin Krackjen See comments for Post Graduate Dog above.

PB (3/1) 1. Cowper and Stokes’s Bowerhinton Bonny Beth at Rothenborg - A well named puppy for she is indeed a “bonny” puppy who was obviously enjoying her day out and showing herself off very well. She is overall very square with an attractive head and eye along with a good arch of neck. At this stage of development, she is currently high in the rear and hopefully with time her topline will improve. Her movement was appropriate for her age and hopefully it will become more tightened in the months to come. Best Puppy. 2. Gilbert’s Bowerhinton Bailey Grace for Balsemasi - Littermate to the above and she shares most of the same features in a slightly smaller frame. She doesn’t have the finish of her sister and was a bit unsettled with her surroundings and I took some extra time to try and convince her that all was well and that she could do this and little by little she decided this ring wasn’t such a bad place to be after all. A happy soul who I’m sure will improve as time goes on.

JB (3/0) 1. Clark’s Bowerhinton Bowtruckle Rollssupreme NAF - At fifteen months of age, I found this bitch well developed for her age… in a very good way. She has a plethora of attributes; an overall pleasing type, a correct return of upper arm, good topline, gorgeous crest of neck, well muscled and sound throughout. All of her parts fit in harmony without exaggeration. Her movement was balanced with excellent foot timing and so very sound coming and going. She was presented free standing well away from her handler and the more I studied her, the parts all added up for me to happily award her the Bitch CC 2. Cowper and Stokes’s Bowerhinton Bonny Beth at Rothenborg - See comments for Puppy Bitch above.

PGB (2/1) 1. Preston and Saint’s Ravenheim Villii Jasmiini - A feminine bitch of average size, I found her to be long in both loin and overall body. Her attributes were both a proper flat lying and functional coat and a nice dark eye. However she presented herself with a bit of a fiddle front and I found her to be rather high in hock which doesn’t allow for proper “push off” and flexibility when moving.

LB (3/1) 1. Tyson’s Bowerhinton Bright Flame at Starceylon - A very happy showgirl with a handler who gets the best out of her. She has a lovely head and expression and overall presents a good outline with no exaggeration although I would prefer her to be a tad shorter coupled and her topline could be a bit more level. Both her overall condition and movement is good and she is in sync with her handler. 2. Saint’s Ravenheim's Tor Vildenvaer - Unfortunately another exhibit who was not having her best day out. She looked very unhappy and therefore her overall presentation suffered. Her bone and leg to body ratio is good, medium loin, however her feet could use tightening up and I also felt she was rather high in hock and these features made for inefficient movement.

OB (5/0) 1. Mortimer’s Ch Laakso Dana - At age six and a half, this bitch has certainly not lost her zest for the show ring and was far and away the best mover in the class. She possesses very clean lines and is reasonably compact, being somewhat darker in colour than many. Balance, good coupling and foot timing helped her to win both her class and the Reserve Bitch CC. 2. Barganska’s Barbelka Dauntless Spirit (ai) - A slightly smaller framed bitch than some others, she nonetheless possesses a good balance of proportions thus giving a very square outline. Good bone and coat. Very showy however a shorter upper arm produced front movement which was not her fortune.

VB (2/0) 1. Brown’s Ch Laakso Cara - I have always admired this very feminine bitch for her beautiful type and proper body to leg ratio and now as a veteran she has retained these qualities all along. She is certainly an individual with a beautiful outline having no exaggerations which is what the standard calls for. I would wish that there would be more of her and she would carry more quantity of coat, but cannot deny her proper proportions and correct balanced movement. When you see individuals with these retained qualities as veterans they need to be rewarded and full credit to her owner for keeping her in such good condition. 2. Croxford’s Whittimere No Matter What - Another exuberant veteran who was enjoying her day and showing her heart out. She has a very good body overall, short coupled and proper bone. She is a lovely colour with proper coat texture and although she moved around the ring at a good pace, her front movement was a bit erratic creating an imbalance to her movement.

Margaret K Mott (Kamgaard)