North Eastern Chow Chow Club

North Eastern Counties Chow Chow Club Championship Show. 03.05.26

Grateful thanks to the committee for their kind invitation to judge at such a well-run and friendly show, and for the lovely gift, I look at it every day. Thanks also to my steward for the day for all his hard work. 

I am not usually given to preamble in critiques, but I feel that some observations noted on the day should be mentioned here. Please take my comments in the spirit in which they are intended. 

Good points. Temperament was excellent in most cases, with only one or two dogs being slightly overawed by the occasion. There was no excess nervousness or any hint of aggression in any exhibits, all settled eventually without any drama. All exhibits were fundamentally sound, in so much as that there was nothing impeding their movement that would suggest lameness. 

Some exhibits had slight dampness to the eyes, but there were no health issues or physical abnormality noted here, like us some just have watery eyes. Presentation across the board was good. Some dogs were out of coat. This doesn’t bother me provided what they have is correct as far as the standard, it ain’t ideal but they all change coat and it is what it is, quality shines through. Pigmentation did not present as a major concern although truly intense pigment was not evidenced as much as would be ideal.

Unfortunately not all is rosy in the garden of Chow. The Chow Chow is an ancient breed, and there are some significant aspects of it, and one aspect in particular, that lend a degree of separation from other breeds. The main aspects that are essentials of breed type are rear angulation and action, expression, pigmentation, and squareness of shape. 

Today a very small proportion of the dogs moved correctly in rear. This is not to say that they were unsound, but it is to say that to varying degrees they were untypical in that area. A pendulum action is an essential of breed type,in my opinion the most important aspect, because this is what differentiates a Chow from everything else. NO OTHER BREED MOVES WITH THAT REAR ACTION. There really should be no misunderstanding of this feature of the breed. If anyone is confused about how a pendulum works, then may I suggest they take the time to look at a grandfather clock that operates on a pendulum and look at it until you grasp it. Anything other than pendulum action is incorrect and It is a vital component of breed type. There needs to be a concerted effort amongst breeders, judges, exhibitors, and owners to ensure that we do not lose this. The buck stops with us, and looking at the ratio of correct rear action to incorrect rear action presently if it is not sorted soon it will be soon be gone. 

Correct expression was also very much lacking today. True ‘scowl’ is also an essential aspect of breed type and where has it gone? Eyes that are too large, round in shape, incorrect in colour and incorrectly placed cannot possibly be typical. The exhibit with the best expression today was a minor puppy dog. This too needs careful consideration going forward if we hope to keep it, or else that will be another thing that disappears. 

The next issue I found, again fairly prevalent throughout the entry, is the issue of size and substance, along with squareness of body. Our breed standard is quite explicit with regard to size and proportion. There is a height range, and there is a reason for this. The Chow Chow is described as being a medium-sized breed. When we are looking at overall balance for any breed, the first thing we should consider is original function and purpose. A Chow should be a robust, sturdily-made dog that is capable of a day’s work doing what it was bred for. We have almost lost size, especially among the males. We are seriously lacking width and depth of chest and this is reflected in fronts and rears both static and in action. A Chow should never be looked upon and thought of as being small, or indeed overly big, but it is the former that is the issue presently, certainly not the latter. ‘Long and low’ does not facilitate an impression of ‘upstanding’, it does the opposite because it robs a dog of stature and balance.

We have a lot of work to do folks.

BABY PUPPY. 1 and BBPIS. NAMROHT BEAST FROM THE EAST. 

Cream. Charming baby settling well to the task in hand. Head coming on well. Compact in body, top line good, tail set good, rear angulation good. Nice bone and substance, nice tidy feet, good width and depth to his chest. Bite, dentition good, very good for pigment. Eye expression ok. Good length of neck. Moved as a baby should.

MINOR PUPPY DOG. 1. NEWFANGLED ROLY POLY AT AERINFAL. Six months old and thought him a promising prospect. Basic proportion is good, has enough leg and his body is short coupled. Topline good both static and in motion and his quarters are soundly made. Head has the makings of a good one and is typical all through. Eye and expression very good, best of the day. He has plenty of neck and he goes well, comes ok and is pretty on the go around. Very good puppy coat presented immaculately and he has the most endearing temperament. Will keep an eye on him. 

PUPPY DOG. 1, BPIS and RDCC. NEWFANGLED BUCKEE BURR. Two totally different types, both with quality. Winner on the day better balanced and much more settled on the move. Presents as square as a box and hands on his structure is very good all through. Short backed with a dead level topline, he is good in croup and ideal in tailset and tail carriage. Ribbing correct being neither barrelled nor slabbed, and his loin is short and strong. Underline correct. Front of him is developing well and he has enough shoulder layback and upper arm to facilitate good front action. Neck a bit short. Forelegs nicely boned and his pasterns and feet are lovely. He has just enough length of leg. Quarters ideally angulated and he had the best rear action of the day. Sound and happy he is dedicated to his craft and he was handled superbly. Liked him a lot, hope he grows on. 

2. RENDEL SID VICIOUS KWAITANG. Another strongly made puppy with lots to like. He too presents as a square and his bone and substance is great. Head is strong and his balance of muzzle to skull is good. Bite and dentition good and his pigmentation is typical. Would prefer a slightly larger eye. Ears set and carried well. Neck of fair enough length. Shoulder set up is good. Would prefer a more level topline. Rear strongly made and his tailset is good. Could not match the gait of the winner today. Excellent biddable temperament.

JUNIOR DOG. Two blacks, very different in type. 1. BOJINGHAI ACE OF SPADES WITH KYLEASH. Very clean through the head, very good healthy eye. Excellent ear set and carriage, Muzzle to skull ratio good. Bite, dentition, pigmentation good. Shoulder and upper arm good. Bone commensurate with size. Good pasterns, nice tidy feet. Top line level, tail set correct. Well-ribbed, short in loin. Rear angulation matches the front. Moves fluidly, but has a tendency to slightly pin in a bit. Rear action ok. Tidy dog maturing well. 

2. JAYSQUARES BETE NOIR AT FEATHERSTONE. Masculine in outlook. Excellent bone and substance, very well-made all through. Good ribbing, good loin. Tail set correct. Rear angulation matches the front. Head is masculine, has strength, not overdone. Moving untidily today . Eye and expression is good, tail set good. Ears are well set and carried correctly and very good for thickness of leather. His coat is just coming back, but what’s there is good for texture. Obliging temperament.

NOVICE DOG. 1. BOJINGHAIE ACE OF SPADES AT KYLEASH see previous.

GRADUATE DOG. 1. TANLAP TAKKO AT WENGEORDY. He is compact, fairly well balanced and short-coupled. Head is masculine without coarseness. Muzzle is full and is proportionate to skull. Ear set correct, uses them very well. Dentition good, pigmentation good. Eyes are clean and healthy. Chest has adequate width and depth. Bone commensurate for size. Shoulder and upper arm, good. Leg length ok. Top line is level, tail set is correct. Rear angulation matches the front. Moved ok. Would like a bit more of him. 

2. LECHAN SANDMAN. Fairly immature as yet, got a while to go before he’s ready. Bone and substance ok for size. Very good for leg length. Pasterns are good. Would prefer slightly more cat-like feet. Head, eye, and expression is very healthy, although at this stage I would prefer more work in it. Dentition is good. Pigmentation typical for colour. Eyes commensurate with coat colour and ok for size and shape and they are clean. Ears carried correctly. Top line level. Tail set good. Rear angulation matches the front. Wee bit higgledy-piggledy on the move, but he just needs time to settle. He is sound. Very well handled and presented. 

POST GRADUATE AOC DOG. 1. BOJINGHAI IN IT TO WIN IT. Black dog that was the most balanced in the class. Compact in body and square in outline. Top line good, tail set correct. Head is masculine without coarseness. Bone ok for size. Good in pasterns, good in feet. Eye is clean. Muzzle and skull good. Ear set correct and nice for size and carriage. Coat changing but in good condition. Tail set where it should be. Rear angulation matches the front. Very good for rib and short in loin. Freest mover in class. Nice dog with a lot to like. 

2. BEACONPRIDE CARBON COPY AT CHEUNTO. Very well presented dog that need time to mature everywhere, He carries a good head with everything nicely balanced and placed. Very good length of leg, neat feet and pasterns ok. Topline is level and his croup and tailset are good. Presently he is fairly narrow all through but I think he is the type to just take his time getting where he is going. His angulation is good. Pigmentation good. He moved soundly. Excellent temperament and in lovely nick.

POST GRADUATE DOG. 

1.NOWITA COLOUR HAPPY AT AERINFAL. 22 months old red dog. Very good for size, good for leg length. Body proportions are good. Head is masculine. Would prefer a wee bit more muzzle. Ear set, okay. Very good for neck. Coat is good texture. Tail set is correct. Rear angulation is good. Hocks are nice and short. He moves soundly. Presented in very good condition. Excellent temperament.

LIMIT DOG. 

1.POPPYKINS SOLID GOLD FOR DOOLISH. 22 months. Nicely balanced dog, compact and square. Head, eye, and expression is good. Masculine in outlook. Eyes are healthy. Ears are well set and carried correctly. Chest is good. Shoulder and upper arm, good. Nice quality bone and substance. Beautiful tidy feet. Ribbing is good. Loin is short. Tail set is good, tail carried correctly. Rear angulation matches the front. Best action in the class. 2.HILLTOPPRIDE KING KOBA. Tidy black dog. Well-balanced. Head, eye, and expression is good. Ear set correct, tail set correct. Top line is good. Angulation matches the front. The bone and substance is good. Pasterns and feet are good. Excellent temperament. Not moving as fluidly as the winner today.. 

SPECIAL OPEN AOC DOG. 1. LECHAN LEWIS. Have judged him in the past and thought then he needed time and time has served him well. Very good for basic body proportion. Ideal leg length. Body is nicely compact and his topline is level. Rear is angled correctly but could use a bit more width. Front assembly is good and has enough width. Eye and expression good. Muzzle-to-skull ratio, correct. Ear, correct. Moved ok. 

2. IR CH. KUANYIN FANTOM MENACE. Black smooth, and most of the remarks for the first dog apply to him also. Very good for leg length. Topline good. Rear is well made and strong. Well ribbed. Front angle is good. Has bone to suit his size and he moves freely and easily. Very good temperament, just preferred head type of the class winner.

OPEN DOG. 1. DCC and RBIS. XINGBAO GOLD ALCHEMY. Dog of good size and substance. Very good for leg length, his front assembly is sound. Nice quality bone, good pasterns and neat feet. Lovely width and depth to his chest. Neck of nice length and he carries his head proudly. Head wise he is nicely moderate. Muzzle in harmony with his skull and his bite and dentition is good. Nice enough expression. Ears set and carried well and are of correct size. Topline is dead level and his tail set and carriage are good. His rear is very soundly made and he was one of few that stood and moved retaining correct width behind. He is accurate out and back and in profile his action is typical. Excellent temperament and he was is grand nick, happy to award him the CC. 

2. SULIAN SAN ANGELO STAR AT POPPYKINS. Another dog good for size and basic shape. Clean in head, eye and expression good. Muzzle to skull ratio is good. Ears good. Skull nice and flat. Stop, correct. Bite and dentition, good. Pigmentation, good. Neck, good for length. Shoulder and upper arm, good. Top line is level and back is short. Tail set is correct. Rear angulation is good. Bone and substance, good for size. Pasterns and feet, good. He’s a free and easy mover. Excellent temperament. Presented n very good coat and condition, preferred the width in front of the winner. 

SMOOTH DOG BITCH. 1. IR CH KUANYIN ROGUE WARRIER. Cleanest, freest, and easiest mover in the class. Particularly good front action. Head and expression is good. Muzzle to skull ratio is good. Ears are very good. Bite and dentition, good. Pigmentation, good. Neck is good for length. Withers are clean. Shoulder, upper arm, decent. Top line is good. Tail set is correct. Rear angulation matches the front. Very good for length of leg to body ratio. Moves fluidly and cleanly in all directions. An honest example. 

2.WENGEORDY PADDINGTON BEAR. A different type to the first. Lots to like. Head is masculine. Eye and expression is good. Bite and dentition is excellent. Particularly good for ear set and carriage with very good leather. Lovely bone and substance. Excellent pasterns and feet. Top line is correct. Tail set is correct. Rear angulation is strong. Ribbing is good. Loin is good. Didn’t move as cleanly in front as the winner.

VETERAN DOG BITCH. 1 and BVIS. BENOLEO SHIRAZ. Seven-and-a-half-year-old bitch. Compact in shape. Top line good, tail set correct. Rear angulation, good. Excellent bone and substance. Good quality feet. Eye and expression is good. Muzzle to skull ratio is good. Ears are well set and carried correctly. Shoulder and upper arm is very good. Good width to her front all through. Good depth of chest. Coat is in good condition. Excellent temperament. Accomplished show girl and very sound. 

2. PETER PARKER NAMROHT. Lots to like. Behind the neck, he’s compact and balanced. Excellent bone and substance. Good width and depth to his chest. Head-wise, I would like a wee bit more length of muzzle. His eyes are clean and healthy. Ears are carried well and set ok. Tail set is good. Rear angulation is good. His coat is presented in good condition. Excellent for texture. He moves soundly.  

MINOR PUPPY BITCH. 1. NEWFANGLED DILLY DALLY AT VINSTERE Six months and two days old. Excellent temperament. Basic construction is very good. Smaller in size. Head is feminine. Already has strength enough to be typical. Clean in eye. Ear set, very good. Muzzle to skull ratio is good. Bite and dentition in excellent. Very good pigment for her age. Bone and substance commensurate with size. Lovely tidy feet. Top line is good. Tail set is good. Her rear angle matches her front. Moves soundly. She’s a nice package. Will look forward to seeing how she comes on. 

PUPPY BITCH. 1. NEWFANGLED JELLY BEAN. Ten months old. Very well balanced, short and compact all through. Chest has adequate width and depth. Head is feminine and very immature. Muzzle to skull ratio, good. Ears set correctly. Top line is nice and level. Tail set is high. Rear angulation matches the front. She moves fluidly when she gets into her stride. Has good leg length and has enough bone, would like more of her overall.

JUNIOR BITCH. 1 CHARIDS QUEEN OF HEARTS. Neat bitch of smaller size. Very pretty in head with good balance of skull to muzzle. Very good ears for size shape and set and she uses them well. Compact in outline. Tail set good. Top line, good. Bone and substance, lovely. Very nice pasterns. Coat is presented in excellent condition. Moves freely and easily and holds her shape very well. She has a very good temperament, shows out her skin. Lots to like about her. Nice youngster.

2. NOTORIOUS STAR ASIA OF MARBOLEE. Head has strength, but she’s still feminine. Eye and expression is good. Ears are particularly good. Muzzle and skull ratio, good. Bite and dentition, good. Pigmentation, good. Top line could be more level. Tail set is correct. Bone and substance good. Pasterns are good. In good coat . Wasn’t moving so well in the rear. 

NOVICE BITCH. 1. NEWFANGLED BABY SPICE AT BOJINGHAI . Notes say a handful and she was. Animated and happy she was almost impossible to assess, but what can you do when they decide to suit themselves. From what I could see she was compact, well-balanced, good in rib and short in loin. Top line, correct. Tail set, good. Head is feminine. Colour is lovely. When she has her four feet on the ground, she moves soundly.

POST GRADUATE AOC BITCH. 1. NOTORIOUS STAR ASIA. See previous.

POST GRADUATE BITCH. 

1. POPPYKINS GOLDEN TICKET. Well-balanced bitch of a nice type. Lovely width and depth of chest, good bone and substance. Head is feminine but with strength. Top line is good, tail set is good. She’s very well-ribbed, her loin is short. Rear angulation matches the front. Pasterns are very good. Feet are tidy. She moves ok both ends, and is good in profile. Very good temperament. 

2. CHARIDS SPRING BLOSSOM. Giving her handler a wee bit of a hard time today. Eyes are clean. Ears could be slightly higher set. Bite and dentition is good. Pigmentation is very good. Top line is level. Tail set is good. Ribbing is good. Loin is good. Not very settled today and lost out to the winner of the class on movement.

SPECIAL OPEN AOC BITCH.

Bit of an interesting class this. 

1. BENOLEO BLACK JEWEL. Black. Ultra-compact and strongly made all through. Small to medium in size. Lovely quality bone. Head is strong but not masculine. Eyes are clean and tidy. Good expression. Ears set correctly and used well. Skull is broad and flat. Muzzle to skull ratio is good. Bite and dentition is good. Pigmentation is good. Nice healthy nostrils. Has just enough leg length. Nice pasterns, good tidy feet. Ribbing is good. Loin is short. Tail set is correct, and rear angulation matches the front. Moved ok.  

2. IR. INT CH. KUANYIN SHES A RUM N. Feminine in head and compact in outline. Muzzle to skull, good. Ears excellent. Chest has width and depth. Ribbing is good. Loin is nice and short. She has good bone and was in great condition. Rear angulation’s spot on . Leg length good and she moved freely. 

OPEN BITCH. Two nice bitches. 1, BCC and BIS. POPPYKINS GOLDEN NUGGET. Good class. Preferred the overall type of this bitch. Has strength to her head without being overdone. Eye and expression good. Ears are good. Top skull good. Muzzle to skull ratio is good. Bite and dentition, good. Pigmentation, good. Very nice bone and substance to her and she is honestly made. Lovely tidy feet. Level top line. Tail set correct. Rear angulation matches the front. Ribbing is good. Loin is nice and short. She’s in good body condition, and her full coat looked great. She moved very well from all angles and in had the best rear action of the bitches today. Very good steady temperament, thought her on the day to be the best one there 2. and RBCC. CH. JABREVIA DOTTY DORIS. Another nice one. Not quite as strong in the head, but she’s not left lacking in any respect. Eye clean and tidy. Bite and dentition, excellent. Pigmentation, good. Stop, correct. Muzzle to skull in balance. Cheeks nice and flat. Has width and depth to her chest. Good bone and substance for size. Leg length is ideal. Top line is good. Tail set is good. Rear angulation is correct. She’s a smidgen longer in loin than the winner, but it doesn’t detract unduly. She moves really well fore and aft and keeps her outline in profile. Sound and happy and presented beautifully 

Gerry McCallum