Utility Breeds Association Of Wales

Utility Breeds Association Of Wales Open Show

2nd February

Carla Tanswell (Waltzaway)

I would like to thank the Association profusely for the invitation to judge and for putting on such a lovely friendly show. Thank you also to my steward Keira for keeping the ring running smoothly.

Temperaments were absolutely impeccable, so a big congratulations to all for this. I didn’t have anyone shy away from me and received lots of kisses. Showing teeth did seem to be a problem today, but there were quite a few youngsters here which may have been the reason. Exhibitors, especially with puppies, don’t be afraid to ask if you can show teeth. It only takes one heavy handed judge to put a puppy off. I think some dogs would’ve benefited from a larger ring, but kudos to the Association for making the most of the space.

PUPPY (4)

Four lovely puppies who were all finding being in the ring so exciting, which as a judge I love to see in puppies. They were at very different stages of development, but all were all an absolute credit to their owners and breeders.

1st Wareham & Wylde’s Tamilanda Gold Standard At Dotsadaisy

Evenly spotted 11 month old L/W girl with a delightful personality. Really nice make and shape, moved with good reach and drive when settled. She’s muscling up in all the right places, has lovely tight cat feet, well let down hocks and good bend of stifle. Good neck into correct shoulder placement and chest is developing nicely. When focused she looks the perfect picture on the stand but like most Dalmatian puppies she’s easily distracted. She really made me smile, she’s got such a lovely “look at me” expression. A super friendly girl who pushed hard for BOB. Had there been a RBOB award it would have been hers. Definitely one to watch as she further matures.

2nd Richards’ Arthica You’ll Be In My Heart At Hafwenna

Very close to 1st but just lost out on maturity. Almost 8 month old pretty L/W girl, who is still very much a baby but she is so well schooled. Smaller than 1st, but everything in the right places, she was slightly out of coat, but overall developing nicely. Moved well on a loose lead which is always nice to see with puppies, and kept her topline on the move. She was finding proceedings so exciting, such a charming young lady.

3rd Kaal’s Rapanooey Rosebank Von Schunikka

Lovely B/W girl who was so unlucky to meet 1st and 2nd in such fine form. Very feminine young lady with a delightful character. One I will watch with interest.

JUNIOR (3)

I noticed afterwards that these are three litter siblings who are just out of puppy. I’m sure they will swap places at shows as they are currently at varying levels of development and maturity.

1st Warren’s Hafwenna Gulping Pixies

I’ve not seen this boy before and he really looks the picture on the stand. Handsome B/W male with deep pigment. Nice head and ear set, he has a lovely kind expression. Correct skull to muzzle ratio, strong neck, good shoulder placement, firm topline which he kept on the move, nice bend of stifle and well let down hocks leading to tight cat feet. He is muscling up in all the right places and was the best mover in the class.

2nd Richard’s Hafwenna Just As Sane As I Am

B/W feminine girl, lighter spotted than her brother. She has a tendency to get carried away on the move, but when concentrating she had good reach and drive for one so young. Another from this kennel who’s so well schooled. Still a bit round in the croup at the moment, but this will change as she further develop. Many of her brothers attributes apply to her but she just needs to further mature into her job.

3rd Mellor & Richard’s Hafwenna Magizoologist With Lyzahro

This handsome chaps mind was elsewhere today and just wanted to play. The largest of the three siblings, and the biggest character. He has really nice bone and substance, such a shame that he didn’t want to cooperate today.

POST GRADUATE (2, 1ab)

1st Graham-Weall’s Akoni Cherry Gala To Phidgity

Stood alone but a very worthy winner. 21 month old B/W feminine girl with the darkest pigment. Built on a smaller frame than some today but perfectly sized for a bitch. She is developing nicely, strong neck, correct shoulder placement with good chest. Firm topline, nice bend of stifle, correct cat feet, good muscle and is overall maturing nicely. One I’ve judged before and today she moved the best I’ve ever seen her move. All round nice honest bitch but needs to lower her tail on the move.

LIMIT (2)

This class was so close and gave me the biggest headache. These two handsome B/W boys didn’t make it easy for me and they could easily change places

1st Graham-Weall’s Steyndal Moon Stone Among Phidgity

3.5 year old all male dog who was just so easy to go over. Well decorated, nicely schooled and correct size, nothing is exaggerated with this boy and he’s a really nice honest dog. Shown on a loose lead which really allowed him to show off his flowing fluid movement, he has fantastic reach and drive. Good strong neck leading into a firm topline with correct tailset. Well developed second thigh, nicely muscled rear, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks and correct feet. Sadly didn’t make enough of himself in the challenge.

2nd Richards’ Hafwenna King Of The North

2 year old endearing B/W who had his silly hat on at times. Longer cast than 1 but still very much in proportion. Longer in muzzle than some today, nicely broken spotted ears. Nice strong neck, firm topline although carrying a little extra weight across his shoulders. He tends to carry his head a little low on the move but would possibly prefer a larger ring. Very attentive to his handler.

OPEN DOG (3, 1ab)

1st Warren’s Hafwenna Gulping Pixies

1st in junior, he moved with style to win the class.

2nd James & Vaux Tippledal A New Moon Rises

11yr old L/W all masculine boy who defies his age. He’s a real credit to his owner. Nicely muscled, good bend of stifle with well let down hocks. Keeps his topline on the move and moves with good reach and drive. Just lost out to youth on the day but could show the youngsters a thing or two

OPEN BITCH (2)

1st Richards’ Divazzi’s Desire For Romance at Hafwenna

No one has told this B/W bitch that she’s 7 years old, she has such a cheeky expression which demands that you look at her. So well schooled and obviously adores her owner. Very nice head, good muzzle and skull proportions. Her muzzle is a really nice shape, not narrow like some today. Firm topline, good tailset, well muscled throughout and good feet. Very attentive and an overall honest and balanced bitch who didn’t put a foot wrong. She moves so effortlessly showing fantastic reach and drive. Couldn’t be denied BOB and was delighted to see she also went VG2 for her age bracket.

2nd Cliffe’s Shydally Stage Star

23 month old B/W evenly spotted bitch who was finding it all exciting today. Nice make and shape, lovely feminine head, good neck into correct shoulders. Chest is developing well and she has muscle in all the right places. Good bend of stifle, well let down hocks with nice feet. She was one who could have done with a bigger ring to show off her movement. She does have a tendency to hold her tail high but this may change with age. I’m sure her time will come, she just lost out on maturity.