Northern Ireland Dalmatian Club

Northern Ireland Dalmatian Club

26 September 2026

Judge: Pauline Luxmoore-Ball

I thoroughly enjoyed my appointment judging at the Northern Ireland Dalmatian Club and would like to thank the committee for their kind invitation and hospitality, and the exhibitors for their lovely entry.

There were some lovely dogs to go over, and I was particularly pleased with the excellent sportsmanship shown throughout the day. It was a pleasure to judge in such a friendly and sporting atmosphere.

As a breed originally developed for carriage work, the Dalmatian should combine balance, strength and elegance with the construction and movement necessary for endurance. These are qualities I particularly value, and I was pleased to find some lovely examples amongst my winners.

My thanks once again to everyone who contributed to such an enjoyable day.

Baby Puppy Dog (3, 0)

1st (31) LOCKE-MCFAZEAN'S SASSAFRAS A NUTICL BUT NICE

5 months. A balanced puppy with good bone and substance for his age, whilst retaining the elegance required of the breed. Masculine in outlook, with good, compact feet. Moved with a happy, free gait and presented a pleasing overall picture. Best Baby Puppy.

2nd (3) ATKINSON'S SPOTAMOUR CASSIOPEIA DREAM

5 months. Still very much a baby, but has a pleasing degree of elegance and good reach in profile. Not quite as settled or together as the winner today, although there is plenty to like as he develops.

3rd (34) MELLING'S MELBALLACH GAIRLOCH ONYX

A little more upright in front at this stage and still finding his feet. Particularly liked his compact, well-shaped feet.

Baby Puppy Bitch (3, 1)

Two lovely babies, and I could easily see them changing places on another day.

1st (49) PRATT'S SOPHTSPOT YOUR PLACE OR MINE AT LYNDALLA

4 months. A feminine baby with a pleasing head and expression. Finer and clearer in spotting, with lovely compact feet. Still very raw, as one would expect at this age, but presents a particularly pleasing outline and profile.

2nd (55) RICHARDSON'S MAPPLEWELL TOUCH OF CLASS

4 months. Much of the same applies to this promising baby. Nicely balanced overall and moved with a pleasing outline in profile. Just a touch lighter in eye than the winner at present, which was the deciding factor between these two.

Puppy Dog (3, 0)

1st (48) PEARSON'S KELEVRA TICKLE MY TROUT

8 months. Liver spotted youngster of pleasing symmetry and overall balance. Good feet and croup, with a steady, balanced outline on the move. Still developing in maturity, but has the makings of a pleasing young dog. Best Puppy Dog.

2nd (10) CHRISTIE'S SOPHTSPOT XTRA SPICY

11 months. Lots to like about this youngster, with good feet and pleasing overall balance. Not quite as settled in his movement as the winner today, which ultimately decided the placing.

3rd (42) PAGE, PAGE, PAGE & HOWELL'S PHILEMON VOM ROTEN HERZFLECK AT WINFLASH (IMP DEU)

Junior Dog (2, 0)

1st (11) CLUNE'S BARKING MAD DOMENICA'S DALS (IMP CZE)

17 months. Liver spotted dog whose head and expression I preferred. Finer in bone but fit and well proportioned, with good, compact feet. When settled and not pulling on the lead, showed an easy, free-flowing profile gait.

2nd (32) LOCKE-MCFAZEAN'S WINFLASH FIFTH AVENUE OVER SASSAFRAS

14 months. Lovely expression and good feet. A little stronger through the front than I would prefer and not quite the elegance in head of the winner. Nevertheless, has qualities to appreciate.

Yearling Dog (1, 0)

1st (19) GAMBLE'S SOPHTSPOT WHIZ KID

18 months. Balanced in head, well muscled throughout, with a pleasing croup and acceptable feet. Still developing in head, with a little more precision desirable in rear movement.

Limit Dog (7, 2)

1st (13) CROFT & RICHARDSON'S MAPPLEWELL ROLEX WITH KOROYZA

19 months. Liver spotted dog, a little light in eye, but well put together and nicely muscled throughout. Good, compact feet and a pleasing coat with clear, well-defined spotting. Moved with an easy, free-flowing profile gait, maintaining his overall balance.

2nd (45) PEARSON'S KELEVRA MEAM ME UP BICOTTI

2½ years. Masculine dog, although a touch longer in body than I would ideally like. An easy mover in profile, but did not quite match the reach of the winner today.

3rd (35) MOSS & MOSS' SADIEDEL LET UR HEART DECIDE JW

A finer-made dog with a more refined overall appearance. Would prefer a little more masculinity and substance.

Open Dog (6, 0)

1st (25) HOBBS & WHITING'S RAPANOOEY RANUNCLUS

6 years. Although not in his best coat on the day, this dog appealed for his overall construction and lack of exaggeration. Well muscled, with good feet, balanced angulation and a pleasing bend of stifle. Moved with a free, purposeful action, displaying the soundness and balance I was looking for. His overall quality and functional construction won him the class and ultimately the dog award. Best Dog.

2nd (39) NEWTON'S WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET PASSIONATEAMOUT YOU FOR XHIZZMIC (IMP BEL)

3½ years. A pleasing dog for overall make and shape, with good muscular condition throughout. Plainer in head than the winner, but presented a balanced outline and moved satisfactorily. Reserve Best Dog.

3rd (5) BICKERDIKE'S JAXONDAL CRÈME DE LA CRÈME

Veteran Dog (2, 0)

1st (40) PAGE, PAGE, PAGE & HOWELL'S CH BLEIZE DE MONT JUIC AT WINFLASH (IMP USA)

7½ years. A little plain in head, but with sufficient forechest, adequate bone and pleasing muscular condition. Moved easily in profile, presenting a balanced and functional picture. Best Veteran Dog.

2nd (53) RICHARDSON'S CH MAPPLEWELL POCKET ROCKET

7½ years. A pleasing veteran with good overall condition and an easy profile gait. A little upright in shoulder and not quite the overall balance of the winner. Would prefer a more typical eye and expression.

Special Beginners Dog (4, 0)

1st (11) CLUNE'S BARKING MAD DOMENICA'S DALS (IMP CZE)

Previously critiqued in Junior Dog.

2nd (28) LEAK'S TAMILANDA CONTINENTAL ICON

6 years. Nicely balanced and well muscled, with a more refined overall appearance. A little reluctant to show himself to full advantage on the day.

3rd (7) BURKE'S HAFWENNA THE RED VIPER AT DINTRADOT

Puppy Bitch (3, 0)

1st (21) GOODSWEN'S TAMILANDA GOLD MAGIC BY ALPHADAL

6 months. Liver spotted baby with a feminine head and expression, good bone and lovely compact feet. Clear, well-defined spotting adds to her appeal. Carrying a little puppy weight at present, but nevertheless showed a pleasing action in profile. A promising youngster with plenty of time to develop. Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Show.

2nd (24) HOBBS & WHITING'S RAPANOOEY PORTIA'S REVERIE

11 months. A lovely mover with good bone and feet, sufficient forechest and a pleasing loin. A little longer in muzzle than I would prefer, with heavier markings on the ears. Nevertheless, she has much to appreciate, particularly in her construction and movement.

3rd (22) GRIFFITHS' HAFWENNA PEPPER IMP

Junior Bitch (5, 0)

1st (38) NEWTON'S SALVADORADA LIGHT IT UP FOR XHIZZMIC

17 months. Liver spotted bitch whose bone and substance I preferred. Sufficient forechest and a pleasing croup, with easy, free-flowing profile movement. Also cleaner coming and going at this stage, which secured her the placing.

2nd (57) SMITH'S DALAMOUR'S IRISH ROSE FOR SPOTAMOUR

15 months. A feminine youngster with a pleasing head and expression. Finer throughout at present, with her chest still developing. Showed an easy, flowing profile gait, but is still very much a baby and has plenty of time to mature.

3rd (64) WILKINS' SALVADORADA LOOK AT ME JW

Yearling Bitch (1, 0)

1st (50) QUAYLE & BEAUMONT'S CUBALIBRE TRIPLE HAZY

14 months. Pleasing muscular condition, tidy compact feet and acceptable spotting. A little round in eye for my preference and would benefit from more length in upper arm. Has a pleasing croup, although somewhat wide coming towards me. Still young, with time for further development and maturity.

Post Graduate Bitch (7, 1)

1st (26) HOBBS & WHITING'S RAPANOOEY RIBBONS AND BOWS

2½ years. A balanced bitch with a feminine head and expression. Nicely muscled throughout, with sufficient forechest and a pleasing croup. A little wary of the hall on the day, but once moving showed a lovely, free-flowing profile gait.

2nd (54) RICHARDSON'S MAPPLEWELL QUEENBEE

19 months. A very feminine bitch in head and expression, with pleasing overall balance. Not quite the forechest of the winner at present, although this may well improve with maturity. Moved easily in profile and presented a pleasing outline.

3rd (2) ATKINSON'S KENLEAP ASITY

Limit Bitch (6, 0)

1st (56) SCOTT'S SOPHTSPOT WHIRLWIND JW

18 months. Expertly handled and presented to advantage. A beautifully feminine bitch in head and expression, with pleasing overall balance, good bone and compact feet. Sufficient forechest and well-defined spotting. Her lovely, free-flowing profile movement completed a very pleasing picture. Reserve Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show.

2nd (59) STOCKS' SOPHTSPOT SPARKLER AT NOSPAR

3 years. Finer in bone than the winner, but a feminine bitch with a pleasing expression. Good, compact feet and an easy, free-flowing profile gait. Just preferred the overall substance and balance of the winner.

3rd (33) MELLING'S JEMBLE WOOD CANDY FLOSS AT MELBALLACH

Open Bitch (11, 0)

1st (4) BARNETT'S SALVADORADA HAPPY GO LUCKY

3½ years. A lovely feminine bitch with a pleasing head and expression. Well constructed, with good shoulders, a firm topline, pleasing croup and sufficient forechest. Well-defined spotting completes a very attractive overall picture. Her movement was a particular pleasure, showing a correct, long, smooth and powerful stride with an easy, rhythmic action in profile. She had a tendency to stand slightly ten-to-two in front, but her overall quality, balance and movement won through. Delighted to award her Best Bitch and Best in Show.

2nd (1) ALEXANDER & COLLIER'S OFFERDALE JAZZ JW

2½ years. Another quality bitch who occasionally stood a little ten-to-two in front. Good, compact feet and a pleasing croup. Particularly liked her reach and free-flowing profile movement, showing the long, purposeful stride required of the breed. A worthy runner-up in a strong class.

3rd (51) QUAYLE'S CUBALIBRE STAR ATTRACTION JW

Veteran Bitch (4, 0)

1st (47) PEARSON'S KELEVRA MIND YOUR NEBULA

7½ years. Presented in lovely condition, showing clean movement coming and going, together with a free-flowing profile action. Although I preferred the head of the second, her overall condition and movement secured the placing. A pleasure to see a veteran retaining such pleasing movement and muscular condition. Best Veteran Bitch and Best Veteran in Show.

2nd (12) COLLIER'S KALLIERBELLE PINK SAPPHIRE

8 years. A pleasing veteran whose head and expression I particularly liked. Just a little less tidy moving away than the winner today, which decided the placing.

3rd (52) RICHARDSON'S CH MAPPLEWELL LIMITED EDITION

Special Beginners Bitch (4, 0)

1st (61) STUBBINS' PERDITA'S BEAN A STORMY RIDE JW

2½ years. A nicely balanced bitch with a feminine head and expression. Good, tight, compact feet and clean, well-defined spotting. Moved with an easy profile gait and was tidy both coming and going. Her overall balance and sound movement secured her the award. Best Special Beginner in Show.

2nd (8) CARTWRIGHT & COX'S STRAYAMAYT TASMANIAN DEVIL WITH STRAYAROO

6 years. A pleasing bitch for overall make and shape, with a good croup. A little stronger in head than the winner and somewhat close behind, but showed a nice, easy and free-flowing profile gait.

3rd (66) WILLISON'S COTTERSPOT COTTERDALE LADY

Pauline Luxmoore-Ball

Judge