Blackpool & District Canine Society

I was very honoured to be invited by Blackpool & District Canine Society to judge Best Veteran in Show at their 2026 Championship Show.

All seven Group winners were beautiful examples of their respective breeds, making my final decision both difficult and thoroughly enjoyable. My ultimate winner was the Basenji, Ch Tokaji Moon over Miami with Mutoko JW ShCEx OSW VW. For me, she is the complete showgirl, with everything in the right place and no exaggeration. She is a beautifully balanced bitch who excels in breed type, quality, and presentation.

Reserve Best Veteran in Show went to the Standard Poodle, Onyx Demolition Through Ataraksia, a very stylish bitch who immediately demanded my attention with her elegance and presence.

Veteran Toy Group

Group 1 - Ch Rhodenash Kotten Kopy JW, Breed: Pug Mrs K A Storey, fawn bitch who took my eye when she entered the ring, of good size and correct proportions. She has a good head with well defined wrinkles, correct body proportions, short and cobby and a level topline ending with a high set tightly curled ring. She was true on the move displaying the typical rolling gait.

Group 2 - Ch Diamonchi Button Moon for Moltobello, Chihuahua (Smooth Coat), Mrs S T J Hunt, I was captivated by this little fellow and his attitude. He has a good head with an apple dome skull, correct body proportions, he entered the ring with reach and drive but for some reason he decided on the up and down that he wanted to go his way and that was it but I just couldn’t deny him this placing. 

Group 3 - Ch Limartine Mr Blue, Bichon Frise, Mrs L A Mault, elegant male who is balanced all through, he has a good head and body proportions, good pigmentation and displayed an effortless movement with reach and drive whilst holding his topline.

Group 4 - Ch Chacombe Marana Baldragon, King Charles Spaniel, Mrs C & Mrs C Bowles-Robinson & Jones, tri colour bitch who keep catching my eye as the class progressed, she has a good head and expression, balanced angulation, short in body with a level topline, she had a true and free movement, 

Veteran Utility Group

Group 1 - Onyx Demolition Through Ataraksia, Poodle (Standard), Miss R & Miss S Moores & Speakman, feminine black bitch who headed up this strong veteran group, she presented a nice shape standing, well balanced all through, good head, well chiselled, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, short back, free movement with drive, presented to perfection

Group 2 - Ch Araki Justa Boot Perfect, Tibetan Terrier, Mrs L Cooper, beautiful black male who presented a nice shape on the stack, well furnished, moderate length of neck into shoulder, balanced angulation front and rear which he used on the move.

Group 3 - Hasaki Team Nobu Meiho (Imp Srb), Japanese Akita Inu, Mr E & Mrs N Duffiel, this quality male demands attention, I loved his head and expression, he has correct body proportions and deep chest, he displays the required moderate stride.

Group 4 - Eastonite Moana JW OSW Aws, Breed: French Bulldog, Miss O Timms, I have done well for this brindle bitch when she was younger and she is certainly not showing her age other than a few grey hairs, she is feminine in head of correct proportions, bat ears wide at the base, cobby in body, balanced moderate angulation, displayed soundness of movement.

Veteran Hound Group

Group 1 - Ch Tokaji Moon over Miami with Mutoko JW ShCEx OSW VW, Basenji, Mrs P Nash, very close decision between first and second in the group, both are top quality examples of their breed. Ultimately, this beautiful black and tan bitch topped the group, today she just kept catching my eye, she has a beautiful head, well chiselled with slight stop, small pointed erect ears, long neck into well laid shoulder, forelegs straight, correct body proportions, high set tail with curve of buttock extending beyond the root of the tail, on the move she demonstrates a long swinging stride.

Group 2 - Ch Swansford Gabrieldor, Dachshund (Long-Haired), Mr D Roberts, this male is a total showman, he came alive on the move and made sure you noticed, he has correct body proportions with no exaggerations and sufficient ground clearance, long head and correct expression, long muscular neck into well laid shoulder, excellent front assembly, prominent breastbone, moderately long in body with level back, well-muscled and conditioned, he moved true with drive coming from his hindquarters. 

Group 3 - Whittimere No Matter What, Norwegian Elkhound, Mr T Croxford, bitch who presents a lovely shape on the stack, good head with dark oval eye, small ears set on high with vertical outer edge, balanced angulation front and rear, tail set on high, moved with an effortless stride

Group 4 - Ch Pramya Hot But Not Blonde at Finix (Imp Fin) JW, Afghan Hound, Mrs F & Miss A Nisbet & Forrester, feminine black and silver bitch, balanced all through with correct head and body proportions, ring tail, effortless mover. 

Veteran Terrier Group

Group 1 - Quaint Sabayon (Imp Fin), Scottish Terrier, Mrs L & Miss B Maidment, beautiful balanced black bitch who caught my eye, good head with a keen expression, good body proportions with good ribbing which extends well back, tail thick at root and tapering towards tip, moved true and well presented. 

Group 2 - Foxindean Future Legend, Fox Terrier (Smooth), Ms A Kettle, I liked the attitude on this bitch, she is alert and has that expectation characteristics, she has a lovely head with dark eye, good ears, correct body proportions and high tail set, she moved true.

Group 3 - Eblanahalls Honeytrap JW, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Mrs L N Lui, well balanced bitch with a good head and soft expression, of medium size, balanced angulation, level back, high set tail, showed freedom in movement.

Group 4 - Marsirdan Jemima Puddle, Border Terrier, Mr M Service, bitch, feminine grizzle bitch with a beautiful head, dark eye with a keen expression, neck of moderate length, balanced angulation, small feet, coat of correct harsh texture, true on the move.

Veteran Working Group

Group1 - Proud of Being Ava Gardner at Evrussky (Imp Ukr), Russian Black Terrier, Miss E J N Williams, headed up this strong veteran group, this quality bitch is handled to her best advantage by her handler, she is well balanced, good head with dark eye, ears set on high, good length of neck into well laid shoulder, balanced angulation, good forechest, deep chest, level back with short loin, high set tail, correct coat, great condition, came alive on the move with her ground coverage movement. 

Group 2 - Ch Pelenrise Chat A Lot JW ShCM VW, Siberian Husky, Mrs P & Mrs H Taylor & Taylor-Morris, a quality feminine bitch who pushed the winner hard, I loved her outline and balance, correct head proportions with a beautiful expression, good ears, medium length of neck carried correctly on the move, balanced angulation, level topline, deep chest, oval feet, light ad effortless on the move. 

Group 3 - Multi/int Ch Shalissa's Siriusly Stunin (ai) JW Alpen Sieger, Dobermann, Mrs L Webb, such a quality bitch, she displays elegance but with the required substance, she has a good head and dark eye, long neck into well laid shoulder, good body proportions and balanced angulation, firm back, well sprung ribs, compact feet, true on the move with reach and drive.

Group 4 - Goodsouls Rumour Has It It's Falkor, German Pinscher, Mr A & Mrs J M Ellis, this bitch was my veteran group winner at WELKS, which shows the depth of quality in this group, the same comments still apply to this bitch with her correct head and body proportions, she excels on the move where she is well balanced and moves with reach and drive.