Swedish Vallhund Society

The Swedish Vallhund Society Championship Show – 5.4.2026

Many thanks for my invitation to judge the Society’s Championship Show. It was a lovely day, with a pleasant atmosphere. Thanks to my steward, Kirsty, for all her hard work and to the committee for putting on an excellent show. Both myself and Brian were pleased to catch up with old friends.

Overall, I think the breed is not in too bad a place considering the limited gene pool and so few breeders. Whilst we don’t want to see Valllhunds too short on the leg, I felt when judging previously that some, for me, were far too long in the leg and, therefore, not balanced. This was not the case today. Also the long, weak hocks seem to have more or less disappeared as well. Toplines have improved too as has bone and substance. Temperaments were steady, and mouths OK. There were a few lighter eyes than I have seen previously, and some a little round. Mask and shoulder markings were readily visible.

Class 1 Baby Puppy Dog Or Bitch (2)

Two baby puppies to start with, just learning what it was all about. Both coped well with the surroundings.

1st King’s - Danga's Tindra Gimlidotter At Forvana (Imp Swe) – pretty girl of 19 weeks, showing like a professional. Developing well for her age, good topline and steady on the move.

2nd Drinkwater’s - Artig I Have A Dream In Galerita – another promising puppy for age at 5 months old. Not so confident on the table but that will come with practice, steady on the move.

Class 2 Veteran Dog (2)

1st Jones - Ch Tanellis Bloomin William – one I have judged before and now at 8 years old is looking the finished article. Alert, confident, well presented male. Strong and robust, looking like he could do a day’s work. Good head and expression, dark eye and expression. Strong neck into good shoulders, level topline. Excellent depth of chest and strong hindquarters which were well muscled. Moved well around the ring from all angles, very well handled. CC, BVIS, BOS. Well done.

2nd Ch Starvon Cryptic Spyda – another boy who I have done well for in the past. Attractive colouring and good mask markings. Lovely head of a good wedge shaped and dark eyes. Strong neck, well laid shoulders, fair front and good well muscled hindquarters. Not so firm in topline as 1, good angulation, moved well around the ring. Two lovely examples of the breed.

Class 5 Junior Dog (2)

1st Peacock-Jackson’s - Danga's Sune Jamesson At Kirkholme (Imp Swe) – 17 month old. Found him to be of good size and well proportioned. Masculine head, with dark eye and well set ears. Strong neck and good shoulders and level topline. Well boned and a good front, decent depth of chest for his age and well muscled hindquarters. Excellent movement which showed as he moved around the ring. Definitely one for the future, shall watch his progress with interest. Maturity now to complete the picture.

2nd Cameron’s - Bowkol Kynligr Odyssee – 16 month old promising young male. Good size and bone. Pleasing head, with correct mask markings and expression with a dark eye and well set ears. Good length of neck and well placed shoulders. Good depth of chest and well muscled hindquarters. Topline could be stronger but as maturity comes, this should settle down. Moved well around the ring with purpose and drive.

Class 6 Graduate Dog (3)

1st Day, Lampen & Wilson - Vallhollow Born In The Usa St For Rosco (Imp USA) – was a bit like stepping back in time when I saw this young man, as many were this dark colouring in the 1980s. Not the biggest of males but has that look at me attitude. Masculine head, lovely expression and whilst not clearly visible those mask markings are there. Lovely dark, expressive eye and neat ears. Well balanced when viewed from the side. Good bone and substance, excellent topline. Moved true and freely around the ring. Again needs to mature – another I will watch out for.

2nd Chaplain’s Aescwine Cor Blimey – Another youngster who appeals for type. Lovely head and expression with a dark eye and great mask markings. Well boned and in excellent condition. At nearly 18 months still has plenty of maturing to do to fill his frame out. Good topline and steady on the move.

3rd Horton’s - Valltineya The Outlaw

Class 7 Post Graduate Dog (4)

1st Day, Lampen & Wilson’s Vallhollow Born In The Usa St For Rosco (Imp Usa)

2nd Jones - Valltineya Red Redemption – lively boy who was enjoying his day out. Good size with bone and substance to match. Masculine head but would prefer a darker eye, excellent mask markings. Good length of neck into a firm topline. Slightly upright in shoulder so not as free moving as one on the move as 1.

3rd Chaplain’s Ruserns Riff Raff

Class 8 Limit Dog (2)

1st McArdle’s - Starvon Get The Drinks In For Monascreebe - 2 year excellent sized male of a lovely breed type and no mistaking his masculinity on first look. Lovely wedge shaped head, dark eye and well placed ears. Excellent shoulders into well laid shoulders. Level topline and good depth of chest and spring of ribs. Well muscled hindquarters which he used effectively around the ring. For me doesn’t need to carry any more weight as he looked a bit wide in front coming towards me and this was a deciding factor for top honours.

2nd Spry’s - Westorps Wild Thing To Pepperthyme (Imp Swe) – lovely head and dark eye with good ear set. Good reach of neck and level topline with good rear angulation. Balanced when viewed from the side. In excellent condition and moved well from all angles.

Class 9 Open Dog (3)

1st Perry & Etches’ Ch Starvon Easy On The I Edison – has much to like and I see his half brother to the winner of Limit. Another with an excellent head of good proportions, dark eye and very alert expression, with good ear set. Good coat colour and texture, well ribbed and good depth of chest. Well muscled hindquarters which he used to effect on the move. Was pleased to award him the RCC.

2nd Drinkwater’s Ch Danga's Norton Junkerson In Galerita (Imp Swe) – another good example of the breed. Masculine, wedge shaped head with a dark eye and well set ears. Strong neck into good front and feet. Well proportioned body with a level topline. Moved well but lacked enthusiasm today.

3rd Strong & Clinton’s Ch Ohanaway Having A Blast At Mackjama

Class 10 Veteran Bitch (4)

1st Diamond’s - Ch Eriksfjord Aurora Charm ShCM – hard to believe this girl is just over 10 years old now, she certainly doesn’t act like it. Attractive bitch, not the biggest but in standard, lovely clean head, with good stop, and dark eyes. Well set mobile ears. Has long neck into good should and super front and rear assembly to match. Level topline, well sprung ribs and well muscled quarters, moved well around the ring and up and down. RBVIS

2nd Day’s - Ch Starvon Binit Sinit Dunit With Kirkholme – one I have judged before and I really do love her, she so reminds me of my first Vallhund. Lovely head of correct proportions with good mask markings and when she used them well set ears. Excellent body proportions, well muscled hindquarters, good bone and feet. Moved well but today she just didn’t want to be here.

3rd Zbilut & Jacomen’s Ch Starvon Deja Vu

Class 13 Junior Bitch (1)

1st Linney & Atkinson’s Aescwine C'est La Vie – 17 month old. Feminine but has substance. Lovely head and expression with a dark eye and correct mask markings. Good bone for size and a firm front. Well proportioned body in good condition. Moved well out and back and around the ring. Just needs time to mature.

Class 14 Graduate Bitch (3) 1 Absent

1st Linney & Atkinson’s - Aescwine Cuz Everyone Talks – litter sister to winner of Junior bitch and much the same remarks apply. Slightly more mature at this stage and very confident. Feminine wedge head with dark expressive eyes and alert expression. Good length of neck into excellent shoulders and front. Firm topline and moved very well around the ring.

2nd Dodds’ - Tanellis Dare To Love – good type and well balanced proportions. Good head with mask markings and dark eye. Firm front and topline, good bone and substances. Well muscled and good coat texture. Moved well but could be firmer in rear movement when moving away.

Class 15 Post Graduate Bitch (2)

1st Conway & Oakden’s - Starvon Hello There – happy girl, clearly enjoying her day. Smaller but balanced, pleasing head and expression, with a dark eye. Strong neck into good shoulders and a level topline. Moved well around the ring, would prefer a tighter front.

2nd Cox’s - Ruanticx Final Fantasy – larger than 1 but well balanced and in proportion. Lovely head and expression with good markings. Harsh coat of good colour. Level topline and good depth of chest moved well around the ring.

Class 16 Limit Bitch (5) 2 Absent

1st Amon’s Pepperthyme Wild Fire – Absolutely loved this girl from the moment she walked in the ring. Quietly handled to get the best out of her. Loved her overall shape and outline, sturdy and robust she is all Swedish Vallhund. Lovely head and expression with well set ears, dark eye and alert expression. Strong neck to well laid shoulders and good front and feet. Level topline which she held on the move, well muscled hindquarters and moved very well around the ring. BCC, BIS. Hope she gets her title.

2nd Longi & Francescato’s Valaller Paparazzi – 3 year old with a feminine wedged shaped head. Good expression, dark eye and well set ears. Good depth of chest but could be slightly longer in body to balance her. Well muscled hindquarters. Moved well but could be tighter in front.

3rd Fernandez & Hobbs - Valaller Copyright

Class 17 Open Bitch (4) 2 Absent

1st Linney & Atkinson’s - Ch Aescwine Ampelography – lot to like about this young lady. Very much how a Vallhund bitch should look. Excellent coat and colour, head appeals for its correct proportions. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders, firm topline and good spring of rib and depth of chest. Strong well muscled hindquarters. Was a close call for the CC but on the day, for me, felt she was carrying a little bit of extra weight, and this was the deciding factor.

2nd Ch Ohanaway Shes A Rebel – one I have done well for before and I still like. Not the biggest of girls but all balanced.. Lovely head and expression with well set ears and dark eye. Good front with enough width and feet. Well laid shoulders, level topline and strong hindquarters. Powerful mover. As always well handled.

Melanie Harris