National Whippet Association

National Whippet Association

4th May 2026

Thank you so much to NWA for inviting me to judge, and to my very capable stewards Jo and Thea, who kept me in order all day.

The entry was mixed in terms of quality, size and type, and some classes were quite a challenge to find what I was looking for- a moderate, quality dog, masculine but with elegance and curves, who moved well. I found many, many dogs with flat toplines either standing or moving or both, which for me spoils their outline. Also, hind movement was a bit of a concern, with several moving wide or close behind. On the plus side, all dogs were clean and well presented, and I didn’t find any mouth problems on the day. I was very pleased with my main winners.

Baby Puppy dog (2)

1. Leathart’s Rathglass Rising Moon over Ringmore, 4 months and one day and what a delightful baby! So composed and together for his tender age, didn’t put a foot wrong. Pale fawn with a lovely soft fine coat, appealing head and expression, elegant neck, straight front to neat feet, well angulated hind, holding a curvy topline both standing and on the move where he went around the ring like a pro, sound movement from all angles and showing happily. Best Baby Puppy in Show

2. Phillips’ Lolani Sunshadow, 5.5 months red fawn with black mask, obviously older and more mature but not as together as 1st, a little more training needed as he was difficult to assess- he was having too much fun to stand still! Lovely fine coat, in great condition and actually moved soundly when he wasn’t bouncing. A very happy waggy boy.

Veteran dog (7-10 yrs) (6)

1. Turnbull’s Ticks the Boxes at Turnstone, 7 year old brindle dog who I have admired before. In lovely condition, handsome head and expression, elegant arched neck into correct front with good fill and flat bone, good spring and neat well arched feet. Still retaining a lovely smooth curvy outline, deep brisket and good tuck up, gentle curves, slight arch over topline, strong hindquarters. Moved well and very soundly in all directions. BVD

2. Byron’s Jasarat Gucci, 7 year old f/w parti boy and another in lovely condition, handsome head and kind expression, straight front with good bone down to neat feet, in fit and well muscled condition, balanced angulation front and rear, beautiful coat and skin, strong hindquarters. Moved very well in all directions, just flattening his topline a little on the move but was close up to 1st.

3. Wood’s Ardencote What a Rogue

Veteran Dog (10+ years) (5,1a)

What a great class of lovely old boys, all fit and in really good condition.

1. Byron’s Padstian Pip in New York, what a fantastic veteran- nearly 12 years old fawn boy and still in superb fit condition. He is up to size but certainly nothing coarse about him, handsome head, elegant neck into straight front with good fill, still retaining his curves to topline and underline. Well muscled and in lovely fine coat and skin, strong hind. Best mover in the class- he moved with drive and reach, holding his topline- could outmove some of the youngsters.

2. Wayman’s Speymalt Northern Star JW, 12.5 year old fawn parti boy I remember as a puppy- where does the time go! He’s in lovely condition, a quality boy with a handsome head and appealing expression, elegant outline, straight front, neat feet, still a good tuckup and good hind angulation. Moved soundly in profile, just not quite as supple behind as 1st but a really lovely veteran.

3. Bowsher’s Dark Wing

MPD (3)

1. Howgate & Hull’s Palmik Raincheck, 9 mths mature brindle boy of lovely quality, balance and size, beautiful fine coat and skin, masculine head with gorgeous expression, elegant neck into smooth shoulder, straight front with good fill, well developed topline, strong hind with good second thigh. Moved well in all directions, good reach and drive and very accurate footfall up and down.

2. Shepherd’s Osterfen Izumi with Oxana, just 6.5 months quality pale fawn and a real baby. Sweet head and appealing expression, straight front, neat feet, still a little narrow in front at this stage. Beautiful fine coat and skin, topline still to develop. Sound and confident on the move, especially in profile where he shows good reach and drive, just flattens a little on the move.

3. Lawson’s Ballauren’s Victory at Kipipiriking

PD (7,1a)

1. Chaytor & Halliday’s Aarminias Made in Chelsea at Ramita, 9 month brindle boy I’ve never seen before and he really took my eye, he is full of quality with a beautiful head and melting expression, elegant arched neck into straight front with good fill and depth, well sprung pasterns and neat feet. Lovely sweeping curves to top and underline, strong hind with developed second thigh, fine quality coat and skin. He moved really well, with reach and drive in profile and foot perfect up and down, holding his topline and showing himself off beautifully with confidence. BPD, I was so disappointed that he suddenly went lame in the challenge under the referee.

2. Dillon’s Citycroft Not my First Rodeo at Runforest, pale fawn of nearly 12 months, a bigger and more strongly made boy who is very mature for his age though not coarse. He has a beautiful masculine head and expression, long strong neck , straight front with good fill and depth, plenty of bone, fit and well muscled, strong hind with well developed second thigh. He moves and shows beautifully, very sound and accurate, I’d just like more curve to his topline.

3. Bowsher’s Silkridge in Black and White

JD (9,1a)

This was a very mixed class.

1. Miluk’s Emandoria Florida Pearl with Tumblers, brindle/white trim 12 month handsome and upstanding boy who is very masculine but full of quality. Beautiful head and expression, elegant neck into straight front, brisket can still drop further as he’s still a little immature in body, good spring of pastern. Strong hind with well developed second thigh. A little unsure of the noise in the hall, but moved very well with good reach and drive and accurate footfall up and back.

2. Osborne’s Derohan Dark Angel, 12 month quality elegant black boy of a different type, finer all through than 1st, he has the most beautiful gleaming coat and is in tip top condition. Handsome head, elegant neck, lovely smooth curvy top and underline though he can still drop in brisket. Strong hind, long tail to balance. Moved soundly, just not the drive of 1st and a little close behind today.

3. Cecho’s Beetelian Quatro at Modrelabky

YD (6)

1. Sharp’s Saintharp Can’t Get Enough, Brindle/ white parti, a quality boy with a lovely head and expression, elegant neck into smooth shoulder, correct front with good fill, spring of pastern and neat feet. Lovely sweep to underline but would like more rise over the loin. Moderate hind angulation, long fine tail to balance. Moved very soundly in all directions, but without enthusiasm.

2. Mallinson’s Edenwhip Oregano, dark brindle boy who is larger and more strongly built all through than 1st, though he retains a curvy outline. Handsome head, long strong neck into straight front with good fill and neat feet although a little down on his pasterns today. Strong hind with good second thigh, moved well in all directions with good reach and drive.

3. Leverett’s Whippiness Eyes Down at Elvaria

ND (9,3a)

1. Howgate & Hull’s Palmik Raincheck

2. Rees & Jones’ Collooney Speak of the Devil, Handsome brindle boy of a lovely size, moderate and compact with a very appealing head and expression, curvy outline with a good tuck up and arch over loin. Fine quality coat and skin. Strong hind with well developed second thigh, neat feet and moved very well, holding his topline. Just preferred front of 1st.

3. Osborne’s Derohan Dark Angel

GD (9,1a)

1. Bentley’s Flowerswood Hercule by Moon, never seen this brindle boy before but he caught my eye for his curvy outline, balance and quality. Ideal for size, moderate and honest but still masculine and elegant, lovely head and melting expression, long elegant neck into correct front with good fill, spring of pastern and neat feet, deep brisket, curves to top and underline, strong unexaggerated hind with correct second thigh. Fine quality coat and skin. Moved really well with reach and drive all round, holding his topline all the way. Liked him a lot.

2. Middleton & Gilhooly’s Stormida the Brave, fawn of a different type, built on larger and more rangy lines while still being a very elegant Whippet. He has a real look of quality with a handsome head, elegant neck, beautiful fine silky coat, neat feet and lovely curvy underline. Strong well angulated hind. He moved with suppleness and drive, I’d just prefer more arch over loin on the move.

3. Williams’ Starceylon Bella Notte at Tigisle

SBD (10,2a)

1. Bentley’s Flowerswood Hercule by Moon- as GD winner

2. Graham’s Ohoka Tip Top, golden fawn in fabulous coat and condition, larger and longer than first but again an elegant boy full of quality and type. Gorgeous head and expression, long neck into good shoulder and straight front with good fill, deep brisket, correct bone and spring of pastern. Shapely underline but would like a little more arch over loin. Strong well muscled hind. A very sound mover with reach and drive but lost his topline on the move which cost him the class, pity as I liked him a lot.

3. Wells’ Selinko Stargazer

PGD (12,1a)

1. Le’vell’s Reffton Kiri, I’ve admired this bright red/white boy before and he doesn’t disappoint. Another moderate dog with quality, balance and lovely for type and size. Beautiful head and expression, elegant neck, correct front and adequate flat bone, neat well arched feet and enough spring of pastern. Curvy top and underline with a particularly good tuck up, strong hind with moderate angulation. He’s in the most fabulous coat and fit condition without any lumps or bumps. Moved very well and accurately all round, holding his topline all the way.

2. Morland’s Zoraden Master Baker JW, pale fawn/ white with the most beautiful masculine head and soft expression, long neck into smooth shoulders and correct front with good fill, neat feet and well sprung pasterns. He has matured and fined down a little since I last judged him and he’s looking really fit and well muscled but with such a smooth outline. Finest quality coat and skin, strong hind. Moved very soundly and with perfect footfall in all directions.

3. Rees & Jones’ Kierpark Devil in Disguise

MLD (8,2a)

1. Searle & Rawlinson’s Reffton Tibalt at Whipsearle JW quality red fawn and again, another moderate, typy, correct sized dog built on elegant lines. Handsome head and expression, though would like a little more underjaw, long elegant neck into a neat front with good fill, good spring of pastern and well arched toes, deep brisket, lovely curves to top and underline, moderate well angulated hind. Beautiful fine satin coat and skin. Sound and precise in all directions on the move and held his topline all the way.

2. Wayman’s Ranveli Beach Boy at Scarletfair, Brindle/white parti built on larger and stronger lines than 1st but still retains elegance. He’s taken his time to mature and is now looking really handsome. Beautiful head and soft expression, elegant neck into straight front with good fill and deep brisket, correct flat bone down to neat feet. Curvy top and underline, strong hind. Moved very well and with good reach in profile, just not quite so tidy in front as 1st.

3. Hughes’ Penbriar Corruleam Sky

LD (16,3a) This was a very nice class.

1. Brodie & Owen’s Wolfscastle Crown Jules, a lightly brindled dog I’ve awarded in the past and he’s difficult to overlook. Larger and longer than I generally prefer but he is all quality, balanced and a very handsome Whippet. I love his head and soft expression, elegant neck, great front with depth of brisket and good fill, well sprung pasterns and neat feet. Balanced angulation front and rear, strong hindquarters, good tuck up, long fine tail. He is very sound in all directions, with lovely reach and drive in profile and very accurate up and down, just flattened his topline a little on the move.

2. Perkins & Van Der Schaaf’s Silkridge Black Caviar, black with white trim and another extremely handsome dog in peak of condition, gleaming fine black coat like glass, well muscled condition but no lumps or bumps anywhere. Handsome head, long neck into smooth shoulder, deep chest with good fill in front, flat bone, neat feet. Again larger and a little more length of body than I prefer but he retains balance and quality. Strong hind with developed second thigh. So sound on the move with perfect footfall in all directions.

3. Winkley-Balmer’s Edenwhip Call Me at Night

OD (6) What a great class- all entries either Champions or have won CCs- I was spoilt for choice with quality right through the class.

1. Winkley- Balmer & Poole’s Ch Edenwhip Can I be Him, rich golden fawn I’ve always loved- on previous occasions I’ve given him a Limit class, a RCC and now the big one! Now fully mature, he is looking the best I’ve ever seen him- fit and well muscled but so smooth and such a balanced, quality classic Whippet. Spot on for size, masculine without coarseness, lovely head and expression, super ear set which he uses to advantage, elegant neck, great front, curves and strong hind with well developed second thigh and low hocks. A neat and moderate dog exudes Whippet type and who fits the standard to a tee for me. I could watch him move all day, fluid and supple, proper daisy cutting effortless movement, perfectly sound and balanced with reach and super drive from his hocks. Always attentive to his handler and shows beautifully at all times. Love him DCC, RBIS in agreement with my co-judge in the challenge for BIS, where the bitch CC winner just held her curves a little more on the move.

2. Bridgman-Lewis’ Ch Shalfleet Making Waves, another favourite of mine and again, a neat and moderate dog of correct size, classic Whippet type, quality and proportions. Blue brindle in lovely fit condition and the most gorgeous head and expression, neat ears, elegant neck, great front with good fill and depth, correct spring of pasterns. Curvy top and underline, well muscled hind with good second thigh and low hocks. Another really good mover, balanced and covering the ground with effortless long strides and perfect footfall in all directions, holding his topline RCC

3. Perkins & Van Der Schaff’s Ch Crème Anglaise’s Just Julian with Silkridge

SpO R/C (4)

1. Graham’s Ohoka Tip Top- 2nd in Sp Beginners- soundest mover in this class.

2. Bowsher’s Lolani Ride a Wild Trail, brindle and another moderate, curvy dog of quality and balance, lovely head and expression, strong neck, really fit and well muscled, no exaggerations. Well filled front, correct flat bone and neat feet, tuck up and rise over loin, strong well muscled hind with moderate angulation. Moved well in profile, a bit erratic on the up and back with a different handler.

3. Winter & Yeates’ Zoraden Maserati

Liz Winstone (judge)