Keeshond Club

Keeshond Club Great Britan – Special Award Class 2025 January 25

I would like to thank the committee and exhibitors for this appointment and for the entries. I had a great turnout on the day and was fortunate to judge high-quality exhibits throughout the SAC classes. The Special Open class, in particular, showcased an excellent variety of dogs. Overall, type was strong. Ear carriage and the spectacle markings around the eyes—hallmark features of the breed—were present in most exhibits. Bite was correct and in good condition. I was especially impressed by the dogs’ structure and sturdiness.

I thoroughly enjoyed judging the Special Award class and extend my congratulations to all the exhibits and their handlers. Unfortunately, this show was marked by sadness, as we lost David Matthew and Beryl Henman—both highly respected and beloved figures in the breed—before the event. They would have been proud of the committee for organizing such a well-run show and for maintaining the breed in a strong state. Keep up the excellent work, and I hope to see you again.

Special Yearlings (3 entries) Abs: 1

1st – Miles, Dean, Cullen & Cullen’s Skyline’s Outlander at Lekkerbek (Imp USA) (No. 31)

A standout junior male with a compact body, good size, and balanced proportions. His well-proportioned head featured small, correctly set triangular ears and obliquely set almond-shaped eyes. His muzzle was of good length and well-balanced with the skull, contributing to an alert and intelligent expression. Tight lips and strong jaws complemented his correct bite. His moderate neck, covered with a mane, was well set onto his shoulders. He had a short, straight back with a slight downward slope toward the hindquarters, a deep, strong chest with well-rounded ribs, and a moderate tuck-up. His legs were of good bone, cream-colored, and well-feathered. His front legs were straight, while his back legs had a slight bend at the hocks. Front feet were well-rounded and cat-like, while the back feet were slightly flatter. His high-set, grey, plumed tail curled tightly and lay flat against his body. Moved well.

2nd – Brunt’s Zandvoort Grace’s Secret (No.6)

A promising 9-month-old female with good bone, though slightly long in body. She had a feminine and very pretty profile, with a wedge-shaped head, well-set triangular ears, and eyes set at an adequate width apart. Spectacle markings were well-defined, and she had a pleasing expression. Correct muzzle, black tight lips, and strong jaws. Her moderate neck led into well-laid shoulders. She had a deep chest with good ribbing, a slightly long loin, and a moderate tuck-up. Her high-set plumed tail curled closely onto her back. She moved in sync with her handler, demonstrating sound movement.

Special Limit Dog/Bitch (4 entries) Abs:1

1st – Johnston & Atkinson’s Winkelstar Namid (No. 23)

A well-proportioned 17-month-old juvenile male still maturing. He had a wedge-shaped head with a defined stop, well-set ears covered in thick, velvety hair, and a good-length muzzle proportionate to his skull. Tight black lips, strong jaws, and a correct bite. His foxy head, alert expression, and dark eyes were particularly appealing. A profuse mane covered his moderate neck, which was well-set onto correctly laid shoulders. His chest was of adequate width, with good ribbing and a moderately tucked belly. His short back had a nicely sloped croup leading into well-angulated hindquarters. His compact, well-rounded feet were cream-colored and neatly groomed. His high-set tail curled tightly onto his back. I liked his overall proportion, compact body, and silhouette from head to tail. Kept up well with his handler on the move. Time is on his side.

2nd – Down’s Liefkees Assisi JW (No. 12)

A 2.5-year-old masculine male with an attractive head, well-proportioned to his body. His triangular ears were set high but not too far apart. His dark brown, obliquely set eyes enhanced his expression. He had a well-shaped muzzle, developed jaws, tight black lips, and a correct bite. His strong, moderate neck was complemented by a profuse mane covering his shoulders and chest, adding to his masculine profile. He had a straight, slightly long topline, a deep, well-ribbed chest, and a moderate tuck-up. His well-boned legs were moderately angulated front and rear. His compact, round feet were cream-colored. His high-set, feathered tail curled tightly and lay flat against his back. On the move, his brisk gait was slightly close at the rear. He was more mature and masculine than the class winner, but I preferred the winner’s ears, more foxy head, and overall proportions.

3rd – Marshall’s Devonia Black Pearl (No. 25)

A well-developed, feminine female approaching five years old. She had a pleasing wedge-shaped head with a well-defined stop and small pricked ears. Her eyes were well-set and expressive. Her moderate muzzle was proportionate, with a black nose, tight lips, and a good bite. Her strong neck was well-set onto her shoulders and led into a strong back. Thick hair covered her neck, shoulders, and chest. Her back was level and short-coupled. Her thick tail was slightly low-set after the croup, which sloped downward toward the hindquarters. She had well-developed ribs, a deep chest, and a moderate tuck-up. Her legs were moderately angulated, well-trimmed, and cream-colored. Her compact, cat-like feet had nicely arched toes. She was well-handled and moved smoothly.

Open Dog/Bitch – (5 Entries) Abs: 0

A class full of high-quality exhibits.

1st – Marshall’s Arabesque At Devoia (Imp RUS) (No. 24)

A 6.5-year-old male of good size and proportion. He has a very attractive head with small, triangular ears that are high-set and erect. His defined stop and dark, expressive almond-shaped eyes, complemented by dark pencilling, enhance his keen expression. His dark muzzle is well-shaped and in proportion to his head, with tight black lips and a correct bite. His moderately long neck is well-shaped and covered in a profuse mane extending from under the jaw, across the fore chest, and over the shoulders. He has a compact body with a short, straight back that slopes slightly downward toward his hindquarters. His chest is deep and strong, with well-rounded barrel ribs. Underneath his coat, his tuck is moderate. His forelegs are straight and well-feathered, while his hindlegs are covered in profuse feathering down to the hocks. His compact, cat-like feet are cream-colored. His high-set tail is well-feathered and tightly curled over his back, complementing the silhouette of this masculine male. He moved with balance and soundness.

2nd – Redler’s Ch Keitakees To Love Somebody at Byque (No. 36)

A 3.5-year-old proportionate female of a different style than the winner but with a beautiful profile. Her high-set, small, triangular ears and dark almond-shaped eyes, which are obliquely set, create an alert and vivid expression. Her well-defined spectacles, defined stop, and correct muzzle further enhance her foxy head and excellent expression. She has tight black lips and a good bite. Her moderately long neck is covered in a profuse mane, well-set on the shoulders, and leads into a strong back. Her deep and strong chest is barrel-rounded, with a moderate tuck. She has well-feathered legs in both the front and rear, with good angulation throughout. Her moderately long tail is set correctly, well-feathered, and tightly curled over her back. She has well-rounded, cat-like feet in a cream colour. On the move, she did not disappoint. She is of a similar type to the third-place winner, who I later learned is her sire.

3rd – Miles & Dean’s Ch Neradmik Family Affair with Lekkerbek (No.30)

An almost 12-year-old masculine male of excellent proportion. I love his well-balanced head and muzzle. His ears are well-shaped and well-carried, covered in short, thick, velvety hair. He has a definite stop, and his well-defined spectacles outline his correctly set dark eyes. His near-round muzzle is of medium length and in proportion to his skull. His moderately long neck is well-set on his shoulders and leads into a nice, straight back. His chest is deep and strong, with a moderate tuck. His forelegs are straight and well-feathered, while his developed thighs are covered in profuse hair down to the hocks. I appreciate his rear angulation. His plume tail is correctly set and carried over his back. He moved well.

-    Tina Johnson 05/03/2025