Durham County Canine Association

Durham County Canine Association Premier Open Show

Emma Williamson (Magickaray)

12th July 2025

I would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Dalmatians and Poodles at their well organised and friendly show. Extra thanks to my steward Peter for his support and for keeping everything running smoothly. As the weather was very hot, I commend the society on keeping the dogs’ welfare at the very forefront of the show and a huge thank you to all the exhibitors who braved the heat and took the time to bring their dogs under me.

DALMATIANS

JUNIOR (4,1)

1 Richardson’s Portunes St Jimmy at Exayeex- 12MO Liver Dog - Just out of puppy with a lot to like. Nice head, moderate stop, broad flat skull. Elegant arched neck leading well defined withers. Deep chest, plenty of heart and lung room. Well muscled with good second thigh, moderate angulation. Balanced with nothing overdone, moved well covering the ground with reach and drive. Wasn’t making the best of his tail standing (possibly the heat of the day) but uses well on the move where he makes the most of himself. Full of character and made work for his handler in the challenge, but clearly enjoys the ring.

2 Pearson’s Kelevra Beam Me Up Biscotti- 14MO Black Dog - a very well-schooled youngster, presents an overall stockier picture but well balanced and in proportion. Super dark pigmentation with pleasing dark eye. Correct front with a deep and capacious chest. Plenty of bone and tight cat feet. Very well muscled second thigh, moderate angulation. Moved well in all directions, holding topline on the move and covering the ground with reach and drive. A close decision but overall just preferred the slightly more refined head of 1.

3 Vocking’s Portunes Whatsername

POST GRADUATE (5,2)

1 Pearson’s Kelevra Beam Me Up Biscotti- 2nd In Junior- Strongest movement and in the hardest condition in this class

2 Ward’s Louabidora Show Stopper at Frankish-2YO Black Btch- beautifully decorated and eye-catching girl with a feminine head and lovely dark eye. Elegant neck leading into correct shoulders, good front with enough bone. Nice tight cat feet. Moderate angulation and well balanced all over. Well set tail and carried well. Fluid on the move and kept her topline, but felt she didn’t quite have the muscletone and drive of 1.

3 Vocking’s Bellehound Tipple at Portunes JW

OPEN (5,2)

1 Pearson’s Swiss Ch Kelevra Dill or No Dill JW – 3YO Black Dog- Lovely correct head, super dark eye with intelligent expression, framed with well set ears. Nicely arched elegant neck leading well laid shoulders. Good depth of chest with plenty of heart and lung room. Ribs well sprung and carried well back. Well muscled with well-defined second thigh. Balanced with nothing exaggerated and in a fit hard condition all over. Excels on the move, straight and true on the out and back and stormed around the ring, showing an effortless power with excellent reach and drive. A real showman. Best of Breed.

2. Marley and Libbey’s Bellili’s D’Amore De Loin ShCM ShCEx VW- 9 YO Black Dog- A lovely veteran boy almost 10. Lovely head, super dark eye, broad flat skull. Elegant neck into well defined withers, with an excellent front and chest. Tight cat feet. Well muscled, correctly angulated, well defined second thigh. On the move, he took a moment to get into his stride but once settled into action, shows a free and easy gait showing excellent reach and drive, keeping his topline and carrying his tail correctly; the best tail of today. Excellent friendly temperament. Slightly larger in profile all over than 1 and just unlucky to come up against the younger dog in such hard condition.

3. Winter’s Pandora’s Surprise

MINATURE POODLE

POST GRADUATE (1)

1. Wightman’s Highsummer Delta at Ellenici- 22MO Black Btch- Handsome girl, shown well. Presented with abundant harsh correct coat. Well chiselled face, lovely dark almond eye, nice chin and correct ear set. Deep chest, ribs well sprung. Well muscled, good turn of stifle. Correct tail well set and carried. Very smart on the move; keeping straight and true in all directions, maintaining her topline with a light, free and easy movement. Best of Breed.

STANDARD POODLE

POST GRADUATE (2,1)

1. McGouran’s Little Thom- 2YO White Btch- with a novice handler. Shown in an abundance of coat however the texture is soft and could be harsher. Could do with more tailoring in the right places. Correct pigment, dark almond shaped eye and good ear set. Would like to see some more hard muscle on her and it would be nice to see her moved faster and further around the ring as she showed promise of good movement. Keep going with her. Best of Breed.

TOY POODLE (1)

POST GRADUATE

1. Draper’s Afterglow Alfonse- 16 MO Black Dog – this boy had the most dark, mischievous and sparkling eyes, a well chiselled foreface and enough chin, well framed with correct ears. Ribs well sprung. Nice deep chest. Well muscled thighs, nice straight tail. Shown in a profuse harsh black coat in a neat and well executed trim. Positive and free moving. Best of Breed.

Emma Williamson

Magickaray