Hitchin & District Canine Society

Hitchin and district Canine Society 

19th April 2025

I’d like to thank the committee for the most joyful welcome with lots of smiley faces around the venue. There were quite a few absentees that said I was happy with my principle winners. As having a vulnerable breed myself it was nice to judge the British and Irish Vulnerable Breed stakes. 

AVNSC Toy 

Open (1,0)

1st - HOLMAN, MRS C D - CURIOSITY BESIDE THE VICTORY AT ALTINA (IMP FIN). Australian silky terrier with a masculine headpiece correct proportions throughout the head with enough stop to balance. Ears set on well but could use a little better to really finish the expression. Good length and depth to muzzle with tight lips and good pigment throughout. A super front assembly with a well laid shoulder a good return of upper arm and a super straight front. Neck is of good length leading into a level top line with a high set tail which is carried ok. Rear is angled well with a good turn of stifle, muscular thighs and well let down hocks. On the move is where this boy comes alive, he is parallel with a good rear drive and a lovely reach in front. Coat is a correct colour and texture just needs to develop a little more. BAVNSC TG3

AV Puppy(4,3)

1st - BARTLETT, MS L - EXOTIC SPIRIT VVILDEERS DRAGON AVEC MICHADAINE. What a lovely little Chinese crested powderpuff male. Has a pleasing outline standing and on the move. Head developing well with a good muzzle to skull ratio, and good width and depth to skull. Ears are set on well with plenty of fringing for age. Lovely eyes set with a cheeky expression. Good length to neck leading down into a lovely shoulder placement with enough return of upper arm finished with a straight parallel front. Elbows are tight to a deep well filled chest and well ribbed back. Top line held on move with good length of loon finished with a hightail set. Rear is angled well with super muscle tone throughout. Although stood alone in this class he moved with Grace, drive from the rear, reach in front all whilst maintaining top line and balance. I was also pleased to award him the toy puppy group.

AV Junior(3,2)

1st - HOLMAN, MRS C D - ALTINA'S ARIZONA. I’m not surprised to see quality in this Pomeranian as I have judged many dogs from this kennel and this one is no exception. She is feminine from head to toe, lovely and compact and moves like an absolute dream. Good muzzle to skull ratio with desired small ears erected on top of skull. Short neck leading into the cleanest of fronts with straight limbs and compact feet. Short back level top line finished with a high set tail carried over back. Good rear angulation with strong hocks. On the move, she is parallel, brisk all whilst maintaining a level top line and covering the ground.

AV toy open (3,1)

1st- HOLMAN, MRS C D - CH ALTINA ALABAMA TRUE ROMANCE JW. A masculine boy that I have judged a few times now and his movement just gets better. Masculine headpiece with a super earset that are small and he uses them at all times. Eyes are slightly rounder than preferred but good underfill. Good length to muzzle. This boy has to be commended on his front assembly where he has a good lay back of shoulder a good return of upper arm and straight parallel front with tight feet. Good weight when picked up. Short back with strong loin. Super depth to chest. High tail which is well covered and carried over back. Rear construction matches the front. Which is evident on the move where he has great drive reach in front all whilst staying buoyant.

2nd - BROCKWELL & EMANS, MR S & MRS Y - BAILLION BLACK PEARL. Papillion who presented pleasing outline being longer than high. Feminine headpiece with super ear set which are carried at all times with enough fringing. Eyes are set well in head and of good shape and colour. Good length to muzzle with tight lips. Neck is a good length leading into well laid shoulders and elbows tight to a deep chest. A little heavier in bone than preferred, that said limbs are straight with a good length to foot. Lovely level top line finished with a high set tail and a good plume. Rear has a good turn of stifle and well let down hooks. On the move top line stays level there is a good rear drive and a reach in front.

AV Veteran (2,0) 

1st - BARTLETT, MS L - MICHADAINE CRAZY FOR YOU ShCM VW ShCEx. Another exhibit I have judged from when he was a puppy and deserved this win today. Chinese crested powderpuff who there is no denying he is male. Broad headpiece with a good ear set with plenty of fringing. Eyes are a good shape and colour and place well in head. Muzzle has good length and depth with tight lips and enough stop. Front assembly is good with enough lay in shoulder and return of upper arm and elbows close to a deep well filled chest. Super top line with a firm loin all finished with a high set tail which he carries well on the stand and the move. Angles and rear are good and well muscled for his age. Coat is presented in super condition. On the move, he maintains a good top line and has enough rear drive and reach in front.

2nd - SAFFER, MRS G - CH RAGEMMA UPSY DAISY JW OSW. A fawn bitch pug, who has the most fabulous feminine headpiece. Ears are set well and of the correct shape. Eyes are a lovely size shape and colour. Enough length to muzzle with wide open nostrils and enough wrinkle without being overdone. Strong underjaw. Good strength to neck with a well laid shoulder. Good for bone throughout. Parallel straight front. Would prefer slightly tight feet. Super width and depth to chest with a strong loin and a high set, tight tail. Rear is muscled well with well letdown hocks. Today I feel I didn’t see the best movement out of this bitch but that said. She showed the typical rolling pug gate whilst covering the ground.

Ted Goodship Memorial stakes for British & Irish Native Vulnerable Breeds

Puppy 

1st - MARTIN IMPEY, MS H - SILVERKINN MADAM GRAND SLAM. Seven month Bedlington terrier who presents a pleasing balanced outline. Good length to muzzle and skull with the skull being narrow. Eyes small placed well in head and of good shape and colour. Lovely low ear placement which is used at all times to frame the face. Good bite with tight lips. Super front assembly with required Bedlington trait of wider at shoulders narrower at feet. Limbs straight with good bone finished with tight feet. Curvy top line with good length of loin. Enough depth of chest for age. Tail set low and carried well throughout. Good tuck up. Rear angled well and super muscle tone for a youngster. On the move this girl is parallel with Superdrive and correct action in front.

2nd - BENTON & BEMELMANS, MISS M K & MS E - BLAMORDER DOUBLE OR QUITS OF OAKESTELLE A close call between this puppy and one. A Merle smooth collie bitch with a super headpiece of correct proportions good width of skull creating a wedge with correct ear set and held well to finish the expression on the head. Pronounced Occiput. Eyes are a good shape almond shape of a lovely colour and set well in head. Good lay of shoulder with enough return of upper arm leading into a straight parallel front with good feet. Lovely top line with a rise over firm loin. Good depth of chest and well ribbed back. Tail set and carried well and of good length. Rear is well angulated with a good turn of stifle, well letdown Hocks and ample muscle tone. On the move there was a good drive from the rear and a lovely reach in front. 

Junior 

1st - SPURLING, MR T & MRS C - JÉLABOBS PACO RABANNE FOR DANTRECAR. 13 month old, Old English sheep dog who impressed on first initial inspection. Super width and depth to skull with enough stop to balance the head. Muzzle strong. Ears set well laying close to head with plenty of furnishing. Strong neck leading into well laid shoulders and a good return of upper arm with elbows tight to a deep well filled chest . Correct top line, being compact and lower at wither than croup with a strong back and arch over muscular loin falling off to a low set tail of good length which was carried well. A lovely rounded rump with a broad muscular thigh, good angulation throughout with strong hocks. On the move, he was equally as impressive as his confirmation where he was balanced moved with lovely rear drive demonstrating typical roll and had a super front action. Coat was in immaculate condition.

2nd - MACBAIN & BREWER, MISS A & MS D - FECIMUS REPEAT THE RUMOUR. A lovely field spaniel who really put on a strong performance in this class with a lovely silhouette when stood. A headpiece that is developing well with good proportions, good planes with enough width and depth throughout. Pronounced Occiput. Ear set low with long leathers and covered well laying close to face. Eyes are set well in head and are of good almond shape and of good colour and size. Good depth to muzzle and free from lippiness. Good length to neck leading into a firm level top line with a good length of loin finished with a tail set that extends the top line. Shoulders are well laid with a good return of upper arm. Straight clean front legs and good for a bone throughout. Stood on strong pasterns and tight round feet. Chest is developing well at this stage. Rear is well angulated and balanced. On the move there is good drive and good use of hocks and a good reach in front. To really finish the whole picture I’d like the top line to be maintained throughout. I’m sure this exhibit has a bright future.

Limit 

1st- TYE, MRS H J & MISS S J - IRISBEL THE GREATEST SHOWMAN AT TYMORA JW. A masculine field spaniel who did not put a foot wrong really showcased their movement with a long stride with plenty of drive in rear and a fluent action in front. A balanced headpiece with good muzzle to skull ratio with enough stop to balance head. Enough width to skull with low set ears with long leathers that are well covered. Eyes are of a lovely almond shape and of good shape. Neck is long and leading into well laid shoulders and return of upper arm with elbows close to a deep well developed chest. Lovely level topline with firm topline leading to a well set tail. Rear is angled well with super muscle and strong hocks. 

2nd - O'KELLY & HANCOCK, MS D & MR A - CARADILIS SPARKS WILL FLY JW. Gordon setter bitch who has a feminine headpiece with super width and depth to skull with it being slightly rounded between low set ears of good length. Longer in skull than muzzle. Dark eyes placed well in head. Long arched neck leading into long well laid shoulders. Flat bone being straight and parallel finished with oval feet. Super depth to chest. Level topline with a broad muscular loin finished with a tail that extends the topline. Well muscled rear with well let down hocks. On the move this girl really used the whole ring to showcase her rear drive and reach in front all whilst covering the ground. 

Open

What a class this was to judge with so many quality dogs representing their breeds. 

1st - THOMAS, MS M - SH CH BOWDONIA TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS. A feminine girl throughout who really made her handler work. A feminine headpiece with good muzzle to skull ratio being slightly domed. Good width and depth to skull. Defines stop. Good size eyes and of good colour set well in head. Ears are of good shape and size set low on skull. Neck is long and elegant leading into sloping shoulders with a good return of upper arm with elbows laying close to a deep well developed chest. Straight front with strong patterns and round feet. Topline is firm with slight arch over loin. Tail is set on low. Rear has a good turn of stifle, broad muscular thighs with well let down hocks. On the move is where you truly appreciate this girl, she glides around the ring with super drive and reach. 

2nd - RUFFLES, MISS M - HOLBAM MIDSUMMER KNIGHT AT RUFFMAR (AI) JW ShCEx OSW. A super smart Irish terrier dog who just needs to get his head in the game on the move as he can get distracted which in turn affects his movement at times. Long head with flat skull having small ears set well on head. Lovely dark eye which is full of expression. Tight lips and good bite. Good length to neck sat on long sloping shoulders. Super straight front finished with good feet. A super strong level back with a muscular loin all finished with high set tail of good length. Rear is well muscled and angulated with well let down hocks. On the move this boy has got such presence, high head carriage whilst maintaining a good topline. 

Judge Richard Forsythe

(RICHPIN)