Loughborough & District Canine Society

Loughborough and District Canine Society 18 May 2025

Thank you so much to the officers and committee for their invitation to judge Best in Show at their friendly open show and for their hospitality on the day. There seemed to be a lovely atmosphere ringside, and I was spoilt for choice judging all of the Best of Breed winners together. I was especially impressed by the puppies on the day. So very exciting for the future of their breeds. Special thanks to Gary and Kaye for stewarding and keeping the ring moving smoothly. A thoroughly enjoyable day that I will look back on fondly.

Whippet

P: (1) 1st Spearman's Gifted Bravery, 9-month-old black and white dog. Head developing nicely with a slight stop, flat skull and balanced muzzle. Lovely eye and well-set ears giving an alert expression. Long neck and deep chest with graceful arch over the loin. Well laid-back shoulder but slightly steep and short in upper arm which affected his front movement which was rather high stepping. Best Puppy and Best of Breed.

O: (1,1)

AVNSC

P: (14, 7) 1st Golby & Pinkerton's Bareve Light My Fire at Shadymoore, Australian Terrier, 6-month-old blue & tan dog enjoying his first show. Lovely head with a flat skull of moderate width, muzzle of equal length with a slight but visible stop. Super eyes with a bright expression and pointed ears relatively wide apart. Slightly arched neck and long back with a super topline. Straight forelegs and well angled front and rear with a deep chest and well sprung ribs. Good harsh coat and rich tan marking. Moved purposefully with drive and showed non-stop. BP. 2nd Svitanova's Valbrown's Not For Sale (Imp Hun), Boston Terrier, 10-month-old brindle & white dog. Skull square and free of wrinkle, well defined stop and short, deep muzzle, lips long enough to cover the teeth. Eyes round and in proportion to the head, set wide with wide set ears carried erect. Neck of good length with short, level back, short loin and good depth of chest. Well laid shoulder and good return of upper arm with good bend of stifle and short rear pasterns. Moved well in profile, just needs to tighten in elbow. 3rd Wilson's Sikama Stargazing, Lagotto Romagnolo,

J: (7,5) 1st Wilson's Sikama Starlight, Lagotto Romagnolo, 7-month-old brown & white bitch. Broad head with divergent head planes and slightly shorter muzzle. Almost round eyes with larger ears set just above the level of the eye. Square in outline with straight back and low set tail. Well angulated front and rear which allowed her to move freely with reach and drive. Covered with an abundance of thick curls of good texture. 2nd Svitanova's Valbrown's Not For Sale (Imp Hun), Boston Terrier

Y: (7,3) 1st Lee's Ivyblue Red Sunlight, Irish Terrier, 19-month-old red bitch. Lovely head, long and lean with a flat skull and well chiselled foreface with a barely perceptible stop. Lovely dark eye and neat ears set high on the head and tipped forward. Long, clean neck set well into well laid shoulders with long, straight legs and round feet with well arched toes. Chest deep with well sprung rib. Good length of back although I would have preferred a stronger topline. Good hind angulation with moderate bend of stifle. Moved freely and soundly. 2nd Golby's Bareve in Magic at Shadymoore, Australian Terrier, 21-month-old red bitch. Good head with flat skull and muzzle of equal length, lovely eye and keen expression. Super outline with good angulation front and rear, strong back and good depth of chest. Balanced on the move. 3rd Ealden & Lawrance's Little Red Princess, Poodle (Miniature)

PG: (8,2) 1st Proudlove's Cuboglach Toadflax Brocade, Spaniel (Irish Water), lots to like about this 2-year-old liver dog, balanced and well proportioned throughout. Head of good size with a domed skull of good width and strong muzzle and large liver nose. Almond eyes of good colour and long, low set ears. Long neck which was well arched flowing into well laid shoulders with good return of upper arm. Level back and deep chest with plenty of spring of rib, a strong loin and good length of second thigh and bend of stifle and low set tail. Coat of good colour and texture. Moved effortlessly with reach and drive. 2nd Lee's Ivyblue Red Moonlight, Irish Terrier, 19-month-old red dog, litter brother to the winner of the previous class. Lovely head and expression with good length of skull and muzzle and super eyes and well-set ears. Strong back and good outline, super front and good hindquarters with high set tail carried well. Moved well. 3rd Svitanova's Valbrown's Not For Sale (Imp Hun), Boston Terrier

O: (7,2) 1st Wilson's Emmroche Dancer of Sikama, Lagotto Romagnolo, 5-year-old brown & white bitch, who was mum to the pups in the previous classes. Lots to like with excellent head properties, a broad skull of good width and length, slight stop and slightly shorter but strong muzzle. Large eyes set apart of good shape and ears of good size set just above the eye level. Short neck and compact body with good length of rib and short in loin giving a square outline. Chest deep and well sprung. Shoulders well laid back with super return of upper arm and well angulated rear with good length of second thigh and good bend of stifle. Compact feet with well arched toes. Covered with tight curls of good texture. So good on the move with reach and drive, covering the ground easily. BOB and shortlisted for BIS. 2nd Wiblin's Kenzduo Atina, Hungarian Vizsla, 2-year-old russet bitch. Good head with skull slightly longer than muzzle and of good width. Lovely oval eye of good size and colour, and ears moderately low set. Super neck of good length and arched with well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Straight legs and pasterns with good bone and feet. Back strong and level with deep chest and moderate tuck up. Well angulated hind quarters and covering the ground well on the move. 3rd Bicknell Marren's Charles Noblesa Aura (Imp Cze), Lowchen

German Shepherd Dog

P: (3,1) 1st Fryer's Kymrigkita Jaegerin, 8-month-old black & gold bitch, lovely clean head of correct proportions, a super almond eye, and well-set ears. Lovely outline with neck of good length carried correctly, straight back and good depth of chest. Well angulated front and rear with strong rear pasterns and good bend of stifle without exaggeration. Once she got into her stride, was balanced on the move, with good reach and drive, sound coming and going. BP. 2nd Walden's Vonloi Ford, 7-month-old sable dog at a different stage of his development. Finer throughout with a nice head and expression, super eye and alert expression. A bit shorter in back than the winner and a touch straighter in upper arm. Steady and balanced on the move, but not quite the reach of the winner.

J: (2) 1st Brown & Kearnan's Swnynant Icon, 15-month-old black & gold dog. Good head in proportion to his body. Skull of good size and width with muzzle of equal length forming a clean wedge, with eyes of medium size and almond shaped. Ear set high and carried erect. Enough neck, carried well, with strong, straight back with good angulation front and rear. Short coat of hard texture. Moved with reach and drive. 2nd Dulkiene's Nico Hierarchija, 14-month-old black & tan dog. Head of good size with good width of skull, I’d prefer more fill of foreface. Lovely eye and well-set ears. Back level behind the withers but slopes away a bit too sharply to the rear. Good bone and angulation front and rear, but not as positive on the move as the winner.

PG: (1) 1st Brown & Kearnan's Swnynant Icon, as before,

O: (2) 1st Stevens' Ch Windgunn's Chaos to Ashvens, impressive 3-year-old black & tan male. Lovely head of good size and width without being coarse. Skull flat between the ears and slightly domed forehead, slight stop and strong muzzle of almost equal length. Almond eye of good shape and high set erect ears caried high. Strong neck of good length and lovely straight back sloping gradually to a gently sloping croup. Super bone and excellent angulation front and rear with strong rear pasterns. On the move in his class was wanting to be with his brother, but I saw enough of his stride to award him the class. Was more settled in the challenge to show his powerful movement to win BOB and later on, a shortlist for BIS. 2nd Windgunn's Blaze to Ashvens, litter brother to 1st and similar comments apply. Of the 2, in the class he was more settled, but I preferred the overall proportions of his brother. 2 very nice boys.

Great Dane

P: (3) 1st Wright & Cranfield's Zefather's Two Faces with Irieusdane, 6-month-old fawn dog who really impressed. Head is long and clean with a flat skull and muzzle of equal length and width. Muzzle and skull are parallel with a slight stop between and lips fold neatly without being excessive. Eyes are moderately deep-set, and ears are set high and fold forward correctly. His neck is long and well arched flowing into well laid shoulders with a good upper arm with good forechest. Bone is strong and forelegs straight with feet that are well arched and compact. Back is level with a deep chest reaching to the elbow with a slight arch over the loin. Hindquarters are strong with good length of second thigh and good turn of stifle with short rear pasterns. Moved beautifully, BOB & BP. 2nd Reed's Wildflower Patch at Minezara, 11-month-old black bitch with a lovely, square outline. Good head properties with good length of head and muzzle to skull proportions. I would have preferred more closely fitting eye rims. Good length of neck and well angulated front and rear. Good depth of chest and topline with a slight rise over the loin and gently sloping croup with low set tail. Moved well in profile but a little close behind going away. 3rd Noble's Fontanrossa Noble Mystique

J: (1) 1st Noble's Fontanrossa Noble Mystique, 8-month-old harlequin bitch. Head of good length with equal muzzle to head ratios. Well set ears of good size folded forward. I would have preferred tighter fitting eye rims and less pendulous lips. Loved her angulation front and rear, with good depth of chest and short back but she needs to firm up in topline. Moved freely with drive.

O: (1,1)

Newfoundland

P: (4) 1st Moore & James' Starnewf Mr Dark Sky, I loved this 10-month-old black dog, he’s so balanced throughout. His head is broad and large with a broad skull and broad, square muzzle slightly shorter than skull. Almonds eyes are dark, set well apart with closely fitting rims and small triangular ears are set level with the brow. Neck is strong and set well into well laid-back shoulders with upper arm of equal length set so elbows are tucked below the withers allowing for plenty of forechest. Chest is deep with good leg to height ratio, slightly longer than high with a level back and gently sloping croup. Excellent hind angulation with good bend of stifle and short rear pasterns with a low set tail reaching the hocks. In super coat and condition. On the move he really shone, moving effortlessly for a large breed with reach and powerful drive, sound and balanced keeping his topline well. It was my pleasure to award him BOB, BP and finally RBIS and BPIS. Thank you for bringing him and good luck in the future. 2nd Burton's Vodahond Arlo, 7-month-old black dog with lots of promise. Lovely outline and proportions, super head of good size with square muzzle and small dark eyes. Well angulated front and rear with good neck, deep chest and good length of back, super bone and good feet. Lovely on the move with reach and drive. 3rd Burton's Vodahond Jasmine

J: (2) 1st Burton's Vodahond Bluebell, 7-month-old black sister to 2nd in the previous class also with lots to like. Feminine head with strong muzzle of good width. A touch longer at this stage than her brother and not as strong in topline. Super angulation front and rear with a well laid-back shoulder and excellent return of upper arm. Struggled to get into her stride but when she did, showed reach and drive. 2nd Petersone's Starnewf Little Twinkle, 10-month-old black bitch, litter sister to 1st in puppy. Standing there is so much to like about her, but she really wasn’t happy being a show dog today. Hopefully it’s just a phase she’s going through as there is a lot of promise.

O: (3,2) 1st Burton's Ceedernewf in the Forest Vodahond, 4-year-old black bitch and mother to the 3 Vodahond puppies here today. In great condition following her litter. Lovely broad head with super muzzle of good proportion, small almond eye, well set ears and large nose. Good length of neck and length of back to give a super outline with good length of leg. Well angulated front and rear with short rear pasterns and good feet and bone. Move freely.

Rottweiler

J: (1) 1st Akhtar's Cornerpix in the Ghetto, 15-month-old black & tan dog. I loved his head and overall outline. Head is in proportion with a broad skull, deep muzzle of good length and well define stop between almond eyes of good size. Ears are set high and are relatively small. Neck of good length and straight back, slightly longer than high with good length of leg although his front feet tended to point out. Would have preferred a touch more angulation front and rear but he was balanced both standing and on the move. BOB.

O: (1) 1st Vanson's Pasko Du Temple D'Adranos Von Tiesto (Imp Fra) ShCEx, 5-year-old black & tan dog of very different style to the previous winner. Skull is broad with slightly arched forehead, and he has lovely almond eyes. I’d have preferred more length of muzzle. Good outline with level back and good length of neck, well angulated front and rear with good forechest and good depth of chest. I’d prefer more compact feet. Moved well.

A.V Imported Breed Register

P: (2,1) 1st Curtis' Caelestibleu Central Perk, Basset Bleu De Gascogne, 7-month-old blue, black & tan bitch with a lovely temperament, she loved the attention she was getting. Domed skull with pronounced occiput, long muzzle and oval eye with low set ears of good length, reaching the end of the nose. Long neck and back, well laid-back shoulder and good return of upper arm with good forechest. Chest still developing, short loin with slight arch and good hind angulation with short rear pasterns. Difficult to assess her movement as she was more interested in what was on the ground. BP Import

O: (1) 1st Williams' Shadowshack All Breeze, White Swiss Shepherd Dog, 3-year-old white bitch with a lot to like. Lovely head with a flat skull and slightly longer muzzle forming a clean wedge, broken by a slight stop. Lovely dark eye of almond shape set obliquely with high set erect ears. Super outline with long, neck, level back and gently sloping croup. Chest deep reaching the elbows with moderate tuck up. Well laid shoulder and excellent return of upper arm with equally balanced hind angulation. Low set tail and short rear pasterns allowed her top move with reach and drive. BOB Import

Varieties and Best in Show

AV Puppy Dog (18,11) 1st Walker & Roberts' Gloi Dubh Mormaer, Retriever (Flat Coated), 11-month-old black dog. Head long and balanced with flat skull and muzzle of good length, parallel to the skull with a slight stop. Dark brown, oval eye set forward giving an alert expression, ears small and held close to the head. Long, clean neck with well aid shoulder and super return of upper arm. Back level with deep chest and moderate spring of rib. Well angulated rear with well bent stifle and short rear pasterns. Well set tail which never stopped wagging. Super on the move, with an easy action keeping his topline. I hear this gave him his final point to his Junior Warrant, well done! 2nd Wilson's Sikama Stargazing, Lagotto Romagnolo, as before, 3rd Tomlinson's Fairhambrook The Tyler, Border Terrier

AV Puppy Bitch (19,12) 1st Spencer Down's Chanikos Harper Seven at Evieshu, Shih Tzu, 11-month-old black & white bitch full of attitude. Round head with large, dark round eyes set well apart. Muzzle short and square with a slightly upturned nose and good pigmentation. Long neck and length of back, chest deep and strong loin. Shoulders well laid back with short legs and good bone. In good coat which was well presented. Moved so well, with strong rear drive, showing her pads moving away and keeping her topline. 2nd Wilson's Sikama Starlight, Lagotto Romagnolo, as before, 3rd Bartram's Ambartr' Dignity and Pride, Collie (Rough)

AV Junior (13,10) 1st Harrison's Clonageera Summer Dreams at Millpoint, Irish Setter, 14-month-old red bitch. Lovely head, long and lean with a dark almond shaped eye and kind expression. Long, clean neck flowing into well laid shoulders and good upper arm with plenty of forechest. Deep chest with ribs carried well back and short loin. Back level and gently sloping to the croup with tail set slightly below the back. Long second thigh with well bent stifle and short rear pasterns. Found it difficult at times to get in her stride but when she did, moved freely. 2nd Robson's Bradgate Dasher, Pointer, 17-month-old black & white bitch who was a bit unsure of me going over her. Nice head with flat skull and defined stop, typically dished muzzle of equal length. Dark eye and high set ears of medium length. Long neck and well laid shoulder but I would have preferred more return of upper arm and bend of stifle. Balanced on the move. 3rd Fawcett's Wissant About Flippin Time, Spaniel (Cocker)

AV Post Graduate (14,7) 1st Wootton & Gardinor's Hebemor Adonis Blue by Dakata, Dalmatian, 21-month-old white with black spots dog. Super head with a flat skull of reasonable breadth, moderate stop and strong muzzle of equal length. Oval eyes set well apart with high set ears, wide at the base and folding close to the head. Long neck and level back with short loin and well-defined withers. Shoulders well laid back with good return of upper arm and good hind angulation with good muscle. Very balanced both standing and on the move. Quite heavily spotted in places, I would have preferred better definition in places, but his overall quality won him this class. 2nd Pipes & Groves Bushwacker Don Juan JW, Bracco Italiano, nearly 2-year-old orange roan dog. Long head with pronounced occiput and slight stop. Muzzle deep and well chiselled under the eyes and equal in length to the skull. Oval eyes with close fitting rims and long ears set level with the eyes. Short, powerful neck with well laid-back shoulder. Would have preferred more return of upper arm. Chest deep with well sprung ribs. Back level with short loin giving a square outline and powerful hindquarters. Moved with drive and head carried high.

AV Open (10,6) 1st Wilson's Emmroche Dancer of Sikama, Lagotto Romagnolo, as before, 2nd Wiblin's Kenzduo Atina, Hungarian Vizsla, as before, 3rd Pipes & Groves Bushwacker Demetrio JW, Bracco Italiano

AV Veteran (9,1) 1st Whitaker-Cosby's Cobyco Could Be The Last at Mulcair JW ShCM VW, Whippet, 9-year-old brindle with white bitch. Super outline on this lovely lady. Lovely clean head with a flat skull, slight stop and tapering muzzle of equal length. Oval eyes of good size and neat rose ears set high on the side of the skull. Long neck, slightly arched and well laid shoulder with upper arm of equal length setting the foreleg below the withers. Long legs with slight slope to the pasterns, no sign of weakness. Chest deep and strong back with a graceful arch over the loin and sloping croup. Strong hindquarters with long second thigh and short rear pasterns. Lovely to watch her on the move, covering the ground with ease with no trace of high stepping. Best Veteran in Show. 2nd Salkeld's Kenaiteen April Fools Day, Border Terrier, 7-year-old red grizzle bitch. Broad skull and relatively short muzzle with small high set ears and dark eyes. Medium length of neck and good angulation front and rear. Back level and well sprung rib whilst capable of being spanned correctly. Balanced and sound on the move, again, lovely to watch. 3rd Norris' Clanavon Love in a Mist, Shetland Sheepdog

Best in Show

My first All-Breed Best in Show appointment and it was a thrill to look around the ring at so many quality Best of Breed winners. Following examination, I shortlisted 6, the Retriever (Golden), German Shorthaired Pointer (also a puppy), Retriever (Flat Coated), Lagotto Romagnolo, German Shepherd and Newfoundland. After moving all 6 again, I chose for my Best in Show winner the Retriever (Golden), Linirgor Adeline at Treeveville owned by Mrs D Youngson. At 11-months-old, I found her simply lovely. She has the most gorgeous head and expression, so feminine, with a lovely dark eye, broad skull and wide muzzle of equal length. Her outline is lovely, so balanced with good length of neck and back. Shoulders are well laid back with good return of upper arm of equal length placing her legs below her withers. Super bone and round feet. Deep chest with well sprung ribs and a lovely, level topline which she kept on the move. Hindquarters are strong and well-muscled with well bent stifle and short rear pasterns. Lovely on the move with a long stride giving good reach and drive from the rear, I could have watched her all day. Reserve Best in Show was the 10-month-old Newfoundland, Starnewf Mr Dark Sky. Having judged him earlier in the day he impressed again on the move to this award. Little did I expect I’d be giving BIS and RBIS to puppies.

As Best Puppy in Show is seen as a separate competition, I assessed the remaining BP winners and I have to say, the quality of puppies present really impressed me. I chose not to shortlist simply because I was happy to stand by my previous decisions and so awarded Best Puppy in Show to the Retriever (Golden), Linirgor Adeline at Treeveville and Reserve Best Puppy in Show to the Newfoundland, Starnewf Mr Dark Sky. Special mention should be made to the German Shorthaired Pointer, Shih-Tzu, Great Dane and Retriever (Flat Coated) Best Puppy winners who impressed on the day.

Judge: Sophie Wray-Ramsden (Takhisis)