Gravesend & Medway Towns Canine Society

Gravesend and Medway Towns Canine Society Open Show 4 May 2025

German Shepherd Dogs

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge GSDs at its Open Show and to my excellent steward for her invaluable assistance. Also, thanks to those exhibitors who entered this well run event. I was delighted to see some Junior Handlers in the ring and doing a great job standing and gaiting their dogs. Temperaments were excellent though one or two were reluctant to show dentition which more training will address. I was pleased to see the exhibits were generally sound in movement without any exaggeration.

J (4/1)

1/ Landgren’s Yakasimba Bubbles

11 month old eye catching black and gold long coat puppy. She is of correct size with an exuberant personality as befits her name. Overall appearance was pleasing with no exaggerated features. Excellent bone adding to the overall impression of a quality youngster. Head was clearly that of a young female with correctly proportioned ears. Withers well defined with a straight back leading to a correct croup. Front and rear angulation correct. Still slightly close going but side gait was excellent. I’m sure a very bright future awaits this young female. Very well handled and a well-deserved Reserve BoB. Later she placed Puppy Group 4.

2/ Pucknell & Palmer’s Nellinka Greven

Another quality, very well pigmented long coat puppy aged 10 months. Again, no exaggerated features and she is of correct size and proportions. Strong bone. She has an obviously female head with correct ear proportions and setting. Withers defined and a straight back. Croup is slightly steep. Front and rear angulation correct in stance. Close going away. On the day, the class winner displayed slightly better overall movement and presence.

O (5/1)

1/ Waite’s Jojoba Fabian

Five year old black and gold male of excellent construction and proportions. He is a mature dog with no exaggeration and of correct size. He was presented in good condition and has a superb coat. Clearly masculine head with correct ear size and setting. Withers and back are correct and remain firm on the move. Front and rear angulation are excellent and his construction enables efficient movement on the gait and he is sound both away and back. Pleased to award him BoB and that he subsequently placed third in the Pastoral group. I later learned the dog has been shown very rarely in the past two years. Hopefully, as a quality dog, more will be seen of him in future.

2/ Sharp’s Sharphouse’s Meridaleah

3.5 year old black and gold female. Very feminine characteristics. Correctly sized bitch though she is slightly elongated relative to her height. Bone sufficient for a female of her size. Withers could be better defined and lead into a good straight back. Front and rear angulation are correct in stance. She was slightly close moving away. Efficient mover when gaiting. On the day, just lacked the presence of the class winner.

Bill Blair (Flotterstone)