Scottish Kennel Club

Scottish Kennel Club

All-Breed General Championship Show 2025

Working Group

I would like to extend my thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Scottish Kennel Club for their kind invitation to judge the Working Group at this year’s all-breed show. What an absolutely exhausting task they have on their hands organising two General Championship Shows running alongside each other and yet, they all keep smiling and nothing is too much trouble for any of them – congratulations guys and thank you, your foresight, dedication and energy is greatly appreciated and hopefully an inspiration to others!

I made a shortlist of seven dogs: the Bullmastiff, Myers’ Ch/Nld Ch Optimus Douglas ShCEx, the Dobermann, Bisland’s Ch/Lux Ch Krieger’s Highland Fling JW, the Newfoundland, Blake’s Ch Sandbears Masterpiece, the Portuguese Water Dog, Williams & Newton’s Ch Rarjo Captain Curl Macduff JW, the Rottweiler, Dunhill-Hall’s Ch Fantasa Lucky Seven, the Russian Black Terrier, Williams’ Evrussky Black Widow (AI) and the Siberian Husky, Taylor & Taylor-Morris’ Ch Pelenrise Don’t Let Me Go JW.

Group 1 went to the Newfoundland, a 5 year dog shown in first class coat and condition and superbly handled to get the very best from him. Carrying excellent bone, he presented a beautifully balanced outline with a strong, muscular neck, firm through the topline, deep brisket and excellent ribbing, strong loin and tail just right for set and carriage. Head of good proportions with breadth to skull, the best of eyes good depth to muzzle and tidy lips. Good angles front and rear and stands true on super feet. When gaiting he opens up well on the go around with excellent foot fall and carriage and there appears to be very little effort required in his action. Delighted to see he went on to take Reserve Best in Show under Di Stewart-Ritchie.

Group 2 was the 4 year old Siberian Husky bitch. Another full of quality and a pleasure to go over. Feminine all through and of moderate build, she too scored in outline with a nicely arched neck of correct length to balance, firm straight back, deep chest with correct ribbing for the breed, muscular loin and tail set on just right and of good carriage. Attractive head and expression good skull to muzzle proportions, almond-shaped eyes, well furred ears and excellent dentition. Soundly constructed, stands so well naturally and when gaiting, she moved cleanly all through and is certainly light of foot. Never stopped showing and cannot be overlooked.

For Group 3 I selected the 3 yr old Rottweiler bitch. Powerful girl who was shown to advantage by her talented handler. Carrying excellent bone and substance she was so good hands on. Strong, slightly arched neck, firm topline, excellent ribbing, strength to loin, correct croup and set on of tail. Quality headpiece with breadth to skull, defined stop, correct length of muzzle to balance, such good eyes, ears set on high and correct dentition. Correct layback of shoulder, first class forechest and standing straight in front on super feet. Soundly built in the rear too and shown with excellent muscle-tone. Moving freely on the down and back and has such good carriage.

Finally, the nod for Group 4 went to the 2 yr old Russian Black Terrier bitch. Another of top quality and put down in first class coat and condition and superbly handled. Large and powerful with heavy bone, yet there is no mistaking her gender. She presents the desired square outline with clean, muscular neck of good length, firm topline, brisket of good depth, well sprung ribs, short in the couplings and tail set on well. Balanced head with good breadth to skull, dark oval-shaped eyes, strength to muzzle and width to underjaw. On the go around, she is quite something, covering the ground with excellent carriage and she completed a very nice final four.

Judge: Tim Ball