City Of Birmingham Canine Association

Critique: City of Birmingham Championship Show September 2026

PUPPY GROUPS

It was a privilege to be given the opportunity to judge all of the puppy groups at the City of Birmingham, one of the very best shows on the circuit. My thanks to the hardworking committee for giving me this opportunity. Over the four days, I was presented with a wealth of top class, most promising puppies with big futures ahead of them, many of whom I am sure will make names for themselves in their breeds and beyond. I shall follow their futures with great interest.

On the final day, when all 7 puppy groups winners came into the big ring, they all impressed. They were all winners! All of them gave 100% and showed beautifully for their owners, none of them putting a foot wrong which made the decision even harder. Ultimately, for BPIS it was the superb outline both standing and moving of the Boxer that clinched it, her square outline never faltered, she never stood wrong and moved so freely on a good stride, portraying a look of true nobility. RBPIS went to the Shih Tzu whose lovely head, super movement with rear action showing full pads and jaunty extrovert personality had to be rewarded.

Working Group – Puppy 

This was a particularly strong group of puppies and I really admired the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Bullmastiff and Portugese Water Dog that were also shortlisted.  

1st : 134 PYNEGAR, Mrs F Berwynfa Toot De Suite - BOXER – Bitch, this gorgeous, totally balanced brindle beauty has just about everything, as soon as I turned round and looked at the puppies, this one stood out for her style, class and charisma which she has in spades, on closer examination I admired the detail of her head, super mouth, most lovely legs and feet, very well made in front which shows on the move, short back, super topline and super hindquarters, true out and back and looks superb in side profile where she maintained her static outline and covered the ground with effortless ease, a joy to judge;

2nd : 273 CULLEN, Mr & Mrs Kevin & Sandie Philoma Colcannon - GIANT SCHNAUZER – Dog, what a picture this lovely puppy looked, nearly 7 months old but already looking a picture, he is so well made all through with particularly good hindquarters that he just cannot stand wrong , pleasing coat, super legs and feet, well ribbed body, sound and true on the move, has a look of real quality and pushed hard;

3rd : 235 SEWARD, Miss Danielle Elizabeth & MYCROFT, Mrs Sue Supeta's Witch Upon A Star With Elleonia - DOBERMANN – Bitch, a real baby just over 6 months but what a beauty, such balance with lovely head and eye, very well made front with super feet, excellent body properties and super hind angulation, shown in lovely condition, moved soundly in all directions;

4th : 500 FORSTER, Miss Kirstie & SPENCER-GRAY, Mr Christoph Chandlimore Rock Robin - ST. BERNARD – Dog, what a super outline this puppy has, for a giant breed with such strong limbs to be as sound as this puppy was is a joy to behold, full of breed type, lovely head, particularly strong hindquarters, sound as a bell;

Pastoral Group - Puppy

As well as the placed puppies, here I also shortlisted the Briard, Samoyed, Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis.  

1st : 689 WALDRON, Ms Justine & GRAY, Ms Alice Snowmead Secret Service - BEARDED COLLIE – Dog, this youngster was so good to go over, my hands just glided over him, so well made in front, well ribbed, excellent topline and very well angulated hindquarters, possesses the right sort of coat which was well presented and he was handled to perfection, he clinched the group on his movement which was so typical of the breed, covering the ground with ease and totally sound out and back, a pleasure to judge;

2nd : 984 RHODES, Miss Amy Matyofoldi-kisbojtar Olivia - HUNGARIAN PULI – Bitch, what a poppet she is, sturdy but with fine bone, very good to go over and already has the desired coat with good cords, she was such a good and typical mover in all directions and showed so well;

3rd : 593 BEARD, Mr J Kellitcreed Hickory Dickory Dock - AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD – Dog, the overall outline of this chap, combined with his natural showmanship, takes the eye immediately, particularly liked his head and eye, so typical of the breed, super legs and feet, spirit level topline held on the move, excels on the move where he is not only sound in both directions but also so good in side profile, should have a future;

4th : 762 SPENCER, Mrs A R Tobermoray In To The Wild - BORDER COLLIE – Dog, shown in the most lovely condition, this super chap has so many qualities and stands up to closer scrutiny, liked how he combined substance with quality, pleasing head and eye, very good legs and feet, well made in front and hindquarters, impressed on the move with typical head carriage and smooth movement;

Toy Group – Puppy

Amongst the shortlisted puppies were the Pug, Maltese and Papillon whose qualities and showman I admired too.

1st : 2650 MARQUISS, Mrs A Quissmar Lightning Rider - BICHON FRISÉ – 9 months male whose outline immediately took the eye, beautiful head and pigmentation, arched neck, super forequarters, bone and feet, well sprung ribs, very good hind angulation and turn of stifle, fine, silky coat presented to the minute, it was on the move where he impressed most – totally effortlessly he covered the ground, maintaining a super outline with carriage and poise, loved him;

2nd : 3328 BLACK & BLACK, Mrs & Miss B & A Zaandam's Serious Storm – POMERANIAN, 7 months baby who is already such a showman, really cocky and interested in all around him, his head and dark eye appealed, well ribbed body, super feet and correct coat, such a sound, brisk mover;

3rd : 2813 MAGRI, Mr J A Bramerita Im A Faithful Rozamie - CHIHUAHUA (LONG COAT) – this lovely puppy really appealed, 10 months, has a most lovely head, large dark eyes and super ears, well made all through with good shoulders, hindquarters and body, super feet, moved soundly with aplomb;

4th : 3312 MORLEY, Miss E & HITCHCOCK, Mr R Lizlanmor Bruno Fernandes – Pekingese of 8 months, real quality puppy whose head features are very correct, correct body shape with distinct waist, well-muscled hindquarters, correct feet, correct coat that was very well presented and correct movement, a lovely puppy;

Hound Group - Puppy

As well as those placed, I also shortlisted the PBGV, the Miniature WH Dachshund, Rhodesian Ridgeback and Whippet.

1st : 2157 CALLOW, Ms N Whittimere Spexy Beast - NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND – handsome, powerful 8 months dog with a typical square outline and proud carriage, head really appealed with lovely eye and expression, excellent body properties with short, strong back, very good hindquarters, excellent feet and super coat, is already such a showman and really impresses on the move – here he is so sound, covering the ground with effortless strides, holding his excellent topline at all times;

2nd : 1484 COULTAS, Mr & Mrs N & C Deucecoupe Four On The Floor - BASSET HOUND 11 months tri full of breed type, clearly a male but without any hint of exaggeration, handsome head, good ground clearance, good ribbing, superb hindquarters with well bent stifles and well let down hocks, well carried stern, excelled on the move where he went with freedom, holding his outline and really driving from behind, shown in superb condition;

3rd : 1613 GOLDBERG, Mr & Mrs M W & J S Molesend Nightingale - BEAGLE bitch of 7 months, has a look of quality with a beautiful head and eye, good legs and feet, well ribbed body and well set on stern, very true in front and holds her outline well in profile, very promising;

4th : 2016 PHILLIPS, Mrs Valerie Tendrow Amazing Grace - DACHSHUND (WIRE-HAIRED), a real baby of 7 months but a very promising one indeed, good head, overall outline, very well ribbed body, well made in fore and hindquarters, sound true mover who held her outline well in profile; 

Utility Group - Puppy

Amongst the shortlist for this puppy group were the Akita, French Bulldog, Shar Pei and Tibetan Terrier.

1st : 4404 HOWARD, Miss H L Tameron Mr Amouage - SHIH TZU – what a great extrovert this young man is, comes into the ring with an air of arrogance, just loved his head with most beautiful dark eyes, is so well made through his forequarters and hindquarters, perfectly balanced and has a typical sturdiness about him, correct coat that was presented to perfection, it is on the move that he impresses so much – spot on out and back and has such carriage and poise in profile, demonstrating his outgoing and arrogant outlook on life, super!

2nd : 4174 PARKER, Miss L V & MCDONALD, Mr J & URYU, Mr M Risepark Shining Star - MINIATURE SCHNAUZER – this beautiful bitch pushed all the way, really impressed me on the table with very good head, well made front, super legs and feet, very good coat texture, body of the right proportions for her length of leg, held her topline at all times and moved with reach and drive in profile, maintaining her static outline at all times, such a showgirl who never put a foot wrong and handled so well;

3rd : 4102 HALL, Miss M D Shenedene Hasta La Vista - LHASA APSO – another lovely exhibit from this kennel, no mistaking her gender, so feminine but this is combined with still being solid in build, well made front, well ribbed, super topline and muscled hindquarters, has a super topline and carries herself with aplomb and confidence on a true jaunty gait, presented to perfection;

4th : 3955 DUNHILL-HALL, Miss M Vormund Ezo No Shogun - JAPANESE SHIBA INU, this black/tan combines masculinity with quality, liked his overall balance and eye shape giving correct expression, correct feet, good body properties with short loin and firm topline, well set on tail, super coat, comes into his own on the move where he goes on a sound, quick stride;

Terrier Group - Puppy

I also shortlisted the Cairn, Lakeland, Skye Terrier and Bedlington who were all very promising.

1st : 5474 BURNS, Miss M Bellevue Deal Breaker For Burneze - WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER – 11 months dog full of breed type and a look of real quality, just never stands wrong, typical head with dark eyes, super neck into correct shoulders, level back, has good bone and feet, proper ribs and super topline and set on, muscular hindquarters, really good coat texture, carries himself so well on the move where he is good fore and aft, going with strength from the hindquarters, presented and handled to perfection;

2nd : 5087 WITMOND, Miss A E Tiltser Chartreuse - JACK RUSSELL TERRIER – this lovely bitch really did push hard, loved her as soon as she came in for her balance and stance, beautiful head and almond eye, so well made in front, level back with short loin, well angulated behind with well let down hocks, possesses a really good coat, spot on out and back on the move and shows freedom in profile where her outline is maintained, loved her!

3rd : 5125 GEE, Mrs R Watercroft Rumour Has It - NORFOLK TERRIER – this young dog is fearless and extrovert, great attitude and bearing about him, broad skull, well made in front, good bone and round feet, good ribs, topline and strong hindquarters, hard coat that was well presented, goes true in front and drives from behind, 

4th : 5311 SATHERLEY, Mrs C, SATHERLEY, Mr C W & BYE, Mrs H B Silkcroft Play On Repeat - SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIER – this young dog looked well and was good to go over, his typical outline immediately takes the eye, upstanding but well balanced, liked his head and eye, well-made front, compact body with short loin, correct bone, typical coat and strong topline, lovely stride in profile and sound both ways;

Gundog Group - Puppy

Included in the shortlist were the Irish Setter, Weimaraner, Bracco Italiano, and the English and Irish Setters.

1st : 6980 WALKER, Mrs W M & WALKER, Mr SP & BELLAMY, Miss A Moontorn Dare To Dream With Dexbenella - SPANIEL (ENGLISH SPRINGER) 10 months liver/white of lovely type and correct balance, pleasing head shape, good forequarters, super bone and feet, correct body properties with deep chest and well sprung ribs, correct hind angulation, shown and presented in lovely condition, outgoing temperament and totally sound on the move, presented a lovely picture overall;

2nd : 6876 NORIE-MILLER, Mrs Cornelia & NORIE-MILLER, Mr Math Ryallcourt Rocket Man With Tanrini - SPANIEL (COCKER) – this young b/w dog really appealed and really did push hard, pleasing head shape and eye, lovely neck into well placed shoulders, correct bone, big ribs and well angulated hindquarters, has the correct balance, sound as a bell fore and aft and covers the ground well in profile displaying his merry attitude at all times;

3rd : 6123 BOND, Dr K Pharises Doja Cat - POINTER – most promising b/w bitch, so balanced for her age and certainly a series of graceful curves, pleasing head, well made front, correct oval feet, short coupled body leading to well turned stifles, sound out and back and carried herself well in profile;

4th : 5659 HARRIS, Mrs S De Lombardie Spirit Of Barleyarch Naf Taf (Can Imp - GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER – pushing 9 months of age, this handsome chap has masculinity without coarseness, very good legs and feet, short back, good turn of stifle and correct coat, shows lots of promise for the future, moved soundly; 

David R Craig (Judge)