Welsh Kennel Club

Welsh Kennel Club 2025 It was a real pleasure to judge the Veterans at this well run, prestigious show. The show management team and the stewards ensured that everything ran very smoothly – thank you all. There were some really high quality dogs across all four of my groups many of whom, I had judged and rewarded in the past and some lovely, classy exhibits were sadly unplaced. Terrier Veteran Group 1st Sanderson’s Skye Terrier, Esgia Highland Laddie. A handsome, masculine dog with a strong head and jaw and well placed ears. Perfect topline with good length of rib. Well muscled both fore and aft and free moving. 2nd Wynter’s Fox Terrier (Wire), Ch Robelroy Many Dreams at Furlongfox Sh.CEx. As smart as paint and his very capable handler really does make the most of him. Grand head with a keen, intelligent eye. Strong, short back and well angulated hind quarters. Sound and free moving. 3rd Desmond’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Ch. Elitebulls Challenger JW. A well-schooled, very good moving dog. Good breadth of skull; strong, fairly short muzzle. Good forehand and very shapely when you stand over him. Shown in good muscular condition. 4th Maidment’s Scottish Terrier, Bethany Quaint Sabayon (Fin. Imp.). Has an air of quality. Neat, well placed ears and good eye with a keen expression. Decent forehand with good bone and well slung body. Held her topline well on the move and presented in good form. Gundog Veteran Group 1st Hillier’s Spaniel (Cocker), Sh Ch Coedcernyw Calendar Girl JW. This lovely bitch was my reserve CC winner today against some really hot competition. She is so typical with her lovely soft expression, good neck and shoulders and really well ribbed, compact body. On the move she has plenty of drive and her merry temperament is evident for all to see. I was pleased to see she won Reserve BVIS under David Shields. 2nd Sanderson’s Bracco Italiano, Sh Ch Owlspoint Trouble Again. My BOB winner at SKC earlier this year and he is a handsome, beautifully balanced, workmanlike dog. Grand head with divergent planes, clean eyes, good body with typical topline. Very impressive and typical on the move. 3rd Walker’s SpanishWater Dog, Sh Ch Valentisimo’s Tizi. I think she was the oldest veteran I had today but her demeanour and powerful movement was that of a two-year-old! Well balanced head, strong neck and excellent forehand. Good depth of brisket and decent ribbing. 4th McMahon’s Ir Sh Ch Silverkelvin Jupiter Over Magdala VW CW22. Masculine with good length of head, kind expression and clean neck and shoulders. Decent forechest and ribs extend well back. Sound and free moving. Toy Veteran Group 1st Francis & Blatchford’s E.T.T. Ch Witchstone Not Apache On Me for Peopleton VW. At the top end of the size scale but he is elegant and very well balanced. Long, clean head, small dark eyes and well-set ears. Nicely crested neck and very good forehand. His tail set and carriage are exemplary. Moved very well with obvious drive from the rear. 2nd Clarke’s Coton de Tulear, Int Ch. Bel Ch. NL Ch. Cotonkiss Heaven Help Us NLW. Shown in perfect coat and condition. Lovely head with great pigmentation. Good bone, legs and feet. Very typical body and topline. Moved soundly. 3rd Parker’s Miniature Pinscher, Ch Vardenais Lumos VW. Ultra smart and a real little stallion of a dog. Good length of head, clean neck and shoulders. Compactly made with good depth of brisket and perfect topline. Typical and sound on the move. 4th Orchard and Holyland’s Russian Toy, Multi Ch. Fiesta Show Russian Pride (Imp. BLR). A well-proportioned, elegant dog. Lovely eyes and well set, good sized fringed ears. Fine boned. Moderate hind angulation. Moved well and shows to best advantage. Utility Veteran Group 1st Harrison’s Boston Terrier, Ch Eairycor Celtic Manxspirit. A great showman but he is very pleasing to handle on the table with his lovely masculine, clean head, good breadth of jaw and pleasing eyes. Good breadth and depth of chest, ribs extend well back and he has a slight cut-up. His movement here was most impressive. I thought he was lovely. 2nd Hickson’s Keeshond, Ch Kichigai’s Only The Lonely VW. Compactly made with a well balanced head and good eyes. Well marked with a good quality coat. Well boned with tight, well padded feet. Moved well with a brisk, fluid action. 3rd Brown’s Poodle (Standard), Ch Somanic Spectre for Jaspalie. No one has told this boy he’s a Veteran! He looked so smart in his sporting trim and it really emphasised his good make and shape. Long fine head with great pigmentation and lovely eyes. Strong neck and good depth of chest. Well ribbed with slightly hollowed topline. Moved well with a light, easy action and some drive. 4th Hopkin’s Dalmatian, Ch Rapanooey Red Rose JW. A beautiful bitch and like the Poodle it’s hard to believe that she is a Veteran. Well-marked and beautifully balanced she is sound and free moving with a powerful, easy gait. Judge: Tom Mather