Blackpool & District Canine Society

My sincere thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge and for making me so welcome, and to my excellent stewards for keeping everything running smoothly throughout the day. Most importantly, thank you to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me and for the sporting way in which my decisions were received.

Judging any breed is a privilege, but judging Petits is particularly special to me. They were my first breed and, although I am not currently showing one, my interest and commitment to them remain as strong as ever. I continue to be passionate about the breed and, in particular, the importance of maintaining correct breed type. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to assess the dogs before me and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

Puppy Dog 2/2 1st Rangali Franknfurter (Miss M & Mrs H Allenby) A promising, well-presented tricolour youngster of good size and pleasing proportions, presenting a balanced outline. Attractive head with a strong, well-developed underjaw and good strength throughout. He has a firm, level topline which he maintained both standing and on the move, together with a well-set tail completing the overall picture. Moved steadily and purposefully around the ring, holding his shape well. I would like to see him with a little more bend of stifle, but he is a quality young hound with much to admire and an exciting future ahead of him. Delighted to award him 1st Puppy Dog, Reserve Best Dog, Best Puppy and Best Junior, and pleased to see him go on to achieve Junior Group 4. He was unfortunately unable to compete in the Puppy Group due to a conflict of interest. 2nd Erylan Astraeus (Mr T & Mrs D Bartley) A promising youngster who is still very much a baby at just seven months old. Shorter on leg than the winner, with a good head and coat. High-set tail which was carried rather upright on the move. 

Junior Dog – 1st Rangali Franknfurter (Miss M & Mrs H Allenby)

Post Graduate Dog 0/0

Open Dog 3/3 1st Ch Erylan Poseidon De La Mer JW ShCEx OSW (Mr T & Mrs D Bartley) A quality 3½-year-old tricolour who immediately appealed for his overall breed type, balance and profile. He has the happy, outgoing character of the breed and presented with the lively bearing one expects from a Petit. Attractive head with a lovely dark eye and well-set ears. Good neck flowing into well-placed shoulders, with a strong, level topline and a well-balanced outline. Well made behind and used his strong rear quarters to advantage on the move, showing good drive whilst maintaining his shape. A very pleasing, breed-typical hound who won the class on his overall type, balance and profile. A worthy Best Dog and Best of Breed. 2nd Vysaris Baccus Dieu Du Vin JW CPW 25 (Mr C, Mrs L & Miss S Brown) A pleasing, well-proportioned hound, smaller than the winner but with plenty of strength and substance. He has a well-defined chest and is well ribbed, presenting a sound and balanced overall picture. Moved happily and purposefully around the ring with the pleasing attitude and outgoing character expected of the breed. His tail is well set and of good length, although he did not always make the best use of it today. A sound, honest and appealing exhibit. 3rd Ir Ch Erylan Chaud Comme Hades An Ch 23 CW 24 25 26 (Mr C, Mrs L & Miss S Brown)

Veteran Dog 1st Erylan Zeus Roi Des Dieux ShCEx VW (Mr T & Mrs D Bartley) An attractive 8½-year-old tricolour male whom I have admired on previous occasions and who continues to present a strong, balanced picture. Strongly made throughout, with a good return of upper arm, well-arched neck and firm, level topline. His tail is well set, although a touch longer than my ideal. He moved soundly and purposefully, maintaining a pleasing outline as he went. I would prefer a little more bend of stifle and his coat was softer in texture than ideal on the day. These points did little to detract from the overall quality of this very pleasing veteran, who retains much of the strength, soundness and breed character to be admired. 

Puppy Bitch 1st Erylan Queen Maeve (Mr R, Mrs G & Miss E Foote & Mcaulay) A very attractive tricolour puppy of lovely type and size whose happy, outgoing attitude and lively bearing immediately caught my eye. She presents a pleasing, balanced outline with a level topline, well-placed shoulders, good withers and a firm back. Nicely constructed behind with a good bend of stifle, which she used to advantage on the move. Her tail is well set, although at this youthful stage she can carry it a little high at times. I would prefer her ears a touch shorter and expect to see further strength develop through her head as she matures. She is, however, in a very good place for a youngster of her age and has much of the breed type I was looking for. A very promising puppy with an exciting future. Pleased to award her RBB 2nd Rangali Columbia (Miss M & Mrs H Allenby) Slightly larger and narrower in build than the winner at this stage of her development, but she carried herself confidently and showed particularly pleasing profile movement, with good extension and length of stride. She moved a little close behind today and I would prefer a little more length of upper arm to complete her front assembly. Nevertheless, she has many pleasing qualities and, with time and maturity on her side, should continue to develop well. A promising youngster.

Junior Bitch 1st Rangali Columbia (Miss M & Mrs H Allenby)

Post Graduate Bitch 1st Glanbeuno Toute Seule (Miss S E Whiting) A nicely shaped bitch with an attractive, balanced outline and much to like. Pleasing head and skull with good pigment and a lovely dark eye giving a friendly expression. Her ears could be set a little lower, but she has a firm, level topline and carries herself well. Good shoulder placement, together with a well-set tail of good length. Her coat was of pleasing texture and presented in good condition. I would prefer a slightly tighter foot and a touch more angulation behind, which would further enhance her rear movement and she moved a little close today. A pleasing, breed-typical exhibit. A light trim to the end of her tail would simply complete the overall presentation

Open Bitch 1st Ch Soletrader Fun Times for Rangali JW (Miss M & Mrs H Allenby) A quality tricolour champion who immediately appealed for her overall balance and breed type. She has good pigment, a lovely dark eye and a pleasing, intelligent expression. Her level topline and well-set tail combine to give a very attractive outline. Good shoulder placement and a well-constructed, strong rear with a good bend of stifle enabled her to move purposefully around the ring with drive while maintaining her shape. A very pleasing example of the breed whose quality and balance were apparent both standing and on the move. A worthy champion who fully deserved the class BB 2nd Erylan Fantastique Freya (Mr R, Mrs G & Miss E Foote & Mcaulay) A lovely bitch for type with many pleasing breed qualities. She presents a balanced, attractive outline, with well-set ears and a pleasing shoulder assembly. She is a little stronger through the rib than the winner, but remains well proportioned overall. I would prefer a little more length of upper arm to complete the front assembly. Good tail and presented in excellent condition. She moved well and showed herself to advantage, displaying a happy, active attitude throughout. A quality bitch who earned a very well-deserved second place.