Midland Counties Canine Society

Midland Counties CS Oct 24 2026 Leonbergers

My sincere thanks to Midland Counties CS for their generous invitation trusting me to judge their prestigious show for my first CC appointment and thanks also to my excellent stewards Avis and Preston whose efficient professionalism helped keep me firmly on track. My thanks also go to all of the exhibitors who brought their lovely dogs out on such a stormy day. On the whole I was very satisfied to see that there were plenty of good examples of Leonbergers with proper substance and type. It is vital for breeders to hold on to the importance of sexual dimorphism in this breed, which is a central tenant of breed type. It must be clear at a glance. Overall, although light eyes, issues with ear sets and frisky tail carriages are still rather frequently seen, I had a pleasing selection to go over and I felt that this was reflected in my final line ups. 

1588. Leonberger - Minor Puppy Dog

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1ST    4935 - Debbollinby Son of A Lion (Mrs D S Charwin)

 7 month old puppy of pleasing type. Excellent outline and proportions for his age. He is showing strong masculine features in skull and muzzle proportions, with correct eye shape, bite and ample underjaw. His ear placement however, is a tad too far back. A lovely length of neck flowing into a level top line, promising shoulders, strong parallel front limbs with ample bone and strong well-arched feet. Also very nice hind structure, croup and angulation completing a promising picture from this youngster. He moved well for his age with plenty of confidence and had the correct tail carriage. 

1589. Leonberger - Puppy Dog

Entries: 5    Absentees: 0

1ST    4936 - Jarno Bcoz Its My Time at Debbollinby (Mrs D & Mrs P Charwin & Davies)

 Lovely mid-sized youngster of 11 months. He has a lovely masculine head coming on with correct planes, ideal ear set, and nicely placed and shaped eyes with plenty of expression, although they could do with being a tad darker. Ample length of neck, strong withers and strong, well laid shoulders. Strong parallel front limbs with tight, well rounded feet front and back. He has a nicely sloped croup and is still settling onto a reasonably well angulated hind end. Overall he presents a clean compact outline that is still maturing. His stride is excellent and he moves with self-assured, ground covering confidence with correct tail carriage.  BPIB. 

2ND    4957 - Simberger Royal Velvet of Berglowe (Mrs J & Mr L Moulsdale)

 A 10 month old good-sized, lanky and still quite raw youngster. With correct proportions overall, although still a tad overbuilt at the back end. His head is a work in progress, somewhat oval with large, slightly low-set ears. Front is still broadening but he has good parallel front legs with decent bone placed well under himself and nice tight feet. Reasonable length of neck and strong withers, nice hind angles coming on, just needs to settle into them. Moves with all the enthusiasm of youth. 

3RD    4968 - Simberger Razzle Dazzle (Mrs L Simpson)

1590. Leonberger - Junior Dog

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1ST    4939 - Aslanbek Rita's Rudolph (Mrs A Edmonds)

 10 month old mid-sized youngster with a lion yellow coat. Ha has a nice head coming on for his age with dark mask, correct head profile and scissor bite, well-shaped eyes that could do with being a tad darker.  He has medium boned limbs front and back, correct shoulder placement and lovely gently sloping croup.  He stands on tight, well rounded feet. Although his overall proportions are correct, he is currently in that awkward stage of being a bit overbuilt at the back and still needing to strengthen in the core. He is a happy and willing boy, eager to please his young handlers but, unfortunately, a few of his bits are currently missing in action. Hopefully, they will make an appearance soon. 

1591. Leonberger - Yearling Dog

Entries: 0    Absentees: 0

1592. Leonberger - Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 7    Absentees: 1

1ST    4933 - Bavaruki Palow Kiko (Mr W M & Mrs L S Cantlay)

 3 and a half year old mature male of good size. An honest dog, not flashy but of very good type. Standing naturally four-square on good solid, well-boned limbs, his height to length proportions are spot on. His masculine head sits atop a strong neck of good length. Strong skull with excellent mask, correct stop, strong muzzle with the desired Roman nose and excellent pigment throughout. Correctly shaped, gentle eyes giving a lovely expression.  Strong bottom jaw but with a slightly wry bite. Lovely well laid shoulders with good strong legs standing on correct and true feet. Stands naturally with level top line from his strong withers to his gently sloping croup above solid, moderately angled hind quarters. His richly accented red-brown coat is of good length. He moves true if a bit unenthusiastically, with ideal tail carriage. Overall, all male; he has excellent substance without being overly heavy and cumbersome.

2ND    4961 - Cleon Bowser JW (Mrs M J Reader)

 2 year old male of medium size. Lovely lion yellow / black tipped coat with rich detailing. He has a somewhat long-cast body of good substance. Lovely masculine head with correct stop and profile, rich black mask, well-set ears and proper length to breadth proportions of his muzzle with the desired slightly Roman nose. Because he has such a rich dark mask, he would benefit from a slightly darker eye as well. He has a gorgeous length of neck descending to prominent withers and shapely front structure, a good fore chest, parallel front stance with ample bone and correctly shaped and placed feet. His slightly too long coupling can lead to a dip in the top line. Croup and hind angles are both correct. He is a sound mover who glides around the ring with ease although he is quite proud of his tail. 

3RD    4962 - Amazing Lord of The Rings Ginger Heaven at Parowhite (Imp Pol) (Miss P A Roe)

1593. Leonberger - Limit Dog

Entries: 5    Absentees: 0

Very tight decision between 1 and 2 in this class.

1ST    4956 - Kalizmar The Aviator of Berglowe JW (Mrs J & Mr L Moulsdale)

Good size and impressively masculine dog of 2 and half years old just coming up to full maturity and presented in excellent coat and condition. A very strong head although somewhat round in appearance, which his slightly low ear set tends to accentuate. Lovely shape and positioning of his eyes, with deep enough colour to complement his lovely full dark mask. Has a full and richly accented red / dark tipped coat and mane complementing his excellent shoulder and chest which is deep and substantial. Very well off for bone throughout. He is a touch over long in profile but has a strong back and loin. Excellent croup and hind angulation. Sailed around the ring with long confident strides and excellent top line although I would prefer a touch more width when going away, which hopefully will come with full maturity. 

2ND    4928 - Cleon Canis Giganotos (Mrs J A Bell)

 3 and a half year old male of excellent size, substance and masculine type. On the stand, he is superb with excellent breed-typical shape, balance and proportions. He has a beautiful lion red coat with darker detailing accentuating his lovely mane. He has a strong neck leading up to an excellent head with a richly expressive mask. His head profile is very good with excellent skull, stop and strong correct muzzle although his ears are set a tad back and low which is not helped by his tendency to adopt a rather soppy expression. He has size and substance throughout, with excellent bone front and back, broad chest, strong withers flowing into an excellent compact build, top line and croup, which could be a touch longer.  He has strong, correctly built hind quarters. He was not as elegant on the move as number one, and he tended to carry his tail rather too gaily. 

3RD    4952 - Morwinas Lysander (Miss F Knight)

1594. Leonberger - Open Dog

Entries: 5    Absentees: 0

A very strong class.

1ST    4946 - Onaway Dark Trumperter at Westshaw (Mr D & Mrs C Iveson)

 5 year old mid-sized male with a full gorgeous black tipped mahogany red coat presented in lovely condition. He is unmistakably male and has excellent substance and harmonious proportions. His head is very good with strong masculine qualities. Skull to muzzle the correct 1 : 1 with a well-defined though not overdone stop, strong underjaw and Roman nose combining to give the correct profile, well set ears correctly framing his expressive face; kind, nicely shaped amber eyes that just about hold their own against his full black mask. A good length of neck into strong withers above well laid shoulders and stout legs that are correctly providing the required 50/50 proportions above and below the elbow.  When standing correctly, he presents a lovely balanced outline with good top line into well-rounded croup down to his excellent broad thighs and correctly angulated hind quarters. On the move he is a touch close going away but has a wonderful eye-catching side gait and great presence, striding out with excellent drive and calm, confidant charisma. He stood out among some tough competition and thoroughly earned his CC, which I understand was his third.   

2ND    4930 - Ch Fairy Clocks Bonus Catch The World Into Lionsridge (Imp Nor) ShCEx (Mrs B Bodle)

This fully mature six year old male is not the biggest lad, but he is of good solid type with a full richly hued mahogany red coat. He has a sturdy somewhat compact build with the correct proportions height to length and a gorgeous head. He has a correct 1:1 skull to muzzle ratio with moderate stop, strong jaw, lovely soft eyes, well set ears, dark mask and excellent pigmentation throughout, all of which combine to give him a gorgeous expression. He has a strong, somewhat compact build, with good shoulder layback and sufficient bone, although I would prefer a touch more length to the front limbs. His tail flows harmoniously from his gently sloping croup and it was carried correctly on the move. He powered around the ring with excellent reach and a nice efficient stride, earning the RCC from a strong class. 

3RD    4964 - Ch Skjaergaardens Dance Monkey Dance JW (Mr A P & Mrs P A Simmonds)

1595. Leonberger - Veteran Dog

Entries: 0    Absentees: 0

1596. Leonberger - Special Beginners

Entries: 5    Absentees: 1

1ST    4926 - Cassiusleos’s Ember Flame (Miss E & Mr Z Adby & Nield)

 A very promising 13 month old youngster who, although not the biggest, presents a naturally well-balanced and harmonious figure when stood and who already moves with impressive fluidity and elegance. Her lion yellow coat is still transitioning from wavy adolescence but shows a promising fullness to come. Her head has very good type and femininity with correct skull to muzzle, a lovely strong bottom jaw, super ear-set and kind, expressive eyes. Her front still needs to broaden out somewhat, but her proportions and top line are already on the mark and her hind end is very good for her age. On the move, once she gets going she has a strong and confidant eye-catching stride that shows a fluid elegance, with perfect footfall and a lovely flowing tail. Best Special Beginner. 

2ND    4971 - Lunahai Dancing in The Dark at Fieldshouse (Mrs J & Mr D Wescomb)

 2 year old mid-sized bitch of lovely copper red colour.  She has very good height to length proportions but tends to be a little overbuilt at the back end. Her feminine head has good balance and proportions giving her a lovely profile, with a strong black mask and pigment, eyes of good shape and colour producing an excellent expression. Her shoulders and chest are well developed and she has good bone, strong pasterns and a good parallel stance. She would benefit from slightly better angulation at the back. On the move she covered the ground with efficiency and perfect tail carriage although not with the same confidant elegance as number one. 

3RD    4941 - Cassiusleos's Rogues Riot (Miss Z C & Mr J Godfrey & Smithurst)

1597. Leonberger - Minor Puppy Bitch

Entries: 1    Absentees: 1

1598. Leonberger - Puppy Bitch

Entries: 1    Absentees: 1

1599. Leonberger - Junior Bitch

Entries: 3    Absentees: 0

1ST    4926 - Cassiusleos’s Ember Flame (Miss E & Mr Z Adby & Nield)

 As first in SB

2ND    4941 - Cassiusleos's Rogues Riot (Miss Z C & Mr J Godfrey & Smithurst)

 13 month old litter sister to 1st, she is a slightly larger and sandier coloured girl, again showing lovely balance and overall proportions. She has a very good typy head with excellent mask, strong jaw and black pigment. Her ears are well placed and expressive, as are her eyes but they could be a touch darker. She has a wonderful elegant length of neck, a very good broad front standing on strong parallel legs. Her chest is moderately developed for her age, and when stood, her top line and croup present a lovely and correctly flowing outline. Her hind angles are at present rather straight and hopefully these will improve somewhat as she matures and settles into herself. Once she got steady, her movement was strong and confidant but still rather youthful, and her tail was also rather proud and playful. 

3RD    4965 - Debbollinby Crafty Ideas for Simberger JW (Mrs L Simpson)

1600. Leonberger - Yearling Bitch

Entries: 1    Absentees: 1

1601. Leonberger - Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 6    Absentees: 3

1ST    4949 - Lunahai Cry Me A River (Ms M A Jephcott)

 2 year old, mid-sized bitch with lovely richly red coloured coat that is in a rather in-between stage. Her height to length proportions are very good, but she has a rising top line and is somewhat overbuilt at the back end. She has a lovely feminine head with correct proportions, strong muzzle and jaw with tight black lips, solid mask, well set ears and kind expressive eyes of reasonable colour. A good length of neck and well-constructed front end with good bones and strong parallel front legs standing in tight round feet. Her croup and tail set are both good, as are her moderate rear angles and well let down hocks. She moves with a steady if not flashy efficiency and carries her tail correctly. 

2ND    4950 - Bavaruki Beate’s Ziel (Mrs J A Jones)

2 year old girl of good size and solid construction. She has a rich red coat with good highlighting. She is compactly built, with balance fore and aft although she is of rather square proportions. She has a strong, somewhat masculine head of excellent breadth with a well-defined stop, and good strength of muzzle and jaw, although her lips are rather too loose. He ears are well set and her eyes are also well placed and shaped but would benefit from being a touch darker. She has a good strong elegant neck and very nice shoulder construction with very strong bone front and back. Feet are good although a touch east / west. Her hind angles are moderate and her top line is very good, holding well on the move, and she carries her tail correctly. A little more length in body would perhaps benefit her stride. 

3RD    4971 - Lunahai Dancing in The Dark at Fieldshouse (Mrs J & Mr D Wescomb)

1602. Leonberger - Limit Bitch

Entries: 3    Absentees: 1

1ST    4960 - Navaeh Mishka Chosen Cc at Taffnia (Imp Est) (Mrs J D & Miss L R Peachey)

 A three year old bitch of good size and substance. She wore a full coat of lovely red with beautiful shaded details and a proper mane. She has a strong typy head with nicely balanced proportions, clearly defined stop, excellent solid black but moderate mask, well-shaped eyes of sufficient colour all set atop an elegant neck of good length. She could do with a bit more breadth in the fore chest, and perhaps slightly more upper arm length, but her shoulders are nicely laid back. Height to length and depth proportions are all very correct and her hind structure is also reasonably good. Once she settled into her movement she had excellent reach and drive with a good flowing tail carriage. 

2ND    4969 - Lunahai Little Girl Blue (Mrs S L Watson)

 A 2 year old mid-sized still maturing bitch with lovely coat of moderate length and a rich red colour. She has excellent harmonious proportions in both height and length. Her head is very feminine with correct ratios although her skull is a touch oval and her ears set slightly back. Her pigment and mask are ideal which, combined with her well-shaped mid brown eyes give her a very sweet expression. She has a good length of neck leading to well laid shoulders and clearly defined withers. Moderate bone in her strong parallel legs, with nicely rounded feet front and back. Her croup is well rounded and hind angles are just about adequate. Nice and steady if a bit playful on the move and clearly enjoying herself although her tail did behave. 

3RD    4932 - Dragongardens Lady Madonna at Dragonsfield (Imp Swe) (Mrs M Butterfield)

1603. Leonberger - Open Bitch

Entries: 6    Absentees: 2

1ST    4970 - Ch Simden Maida Girl Like You (Mr Ma & Mrs Sk Weaver)

 A very lovely, good sized 3 year old bitch, now coming into her full maturity. She has a lovely, moderately long lion yellow coat that was not quite at its full glory on the day, with excellent structural substance and proportions throughout, presenting an overall impression of well-balanced breed type. She has a strong though still feminine head, with well-defined stop and correct proportions, and with a solid though moderate black mask, strong under jaw and tight black lips. Her ears are placed well up and centre on her skull, framing her face correctly, and her cleanly shaped sufficiently hued eyes all combine to give her bundles of expressive type. She has a strong neck and clear withers leading to a decent top line with idea height to depth ratios, clear balance between fore and hind quarters, a compact build, sufficiently broad chest, excellent bone and strong tight feet at all corners.  She moves with strength, confidence and elegance. CC and BOB.   

2ND    4945 - Sulandi Fallen Angel (IKC) JW (Mrs H M Heginbotham)

 A lovely mature good sized bitch with a gorgeous red/ yellow coat of good length. She presents a balanced outline when stood, with acceptable height to length proportions. With a feminine head of correct ratios, and a lovely black mask that extends over her clearly defined stop and well above the eyes, which are a tad light against such a dark face and perhaps touch narrow set. Her dark lips are fairly tight and her well set ears give plenty of expression. She has a really nice, elegant length of neck and clear withers. Her shoulders and upper arms are good and she stands true at the front on good strong feet. A little longer in body than 1, her top line could do with a bit more firmness over the loin. Her croup, tail set and hind angulation are all very pleasing as is her strong, elegant stride. Pleased to give her a well-earned RCC. 

3RD    4967 - Simberger Perfect Blend JW (Mrs L Simpson)

1604. Leonberger - Veteran Bitch

Entries: 4    Absentees: 1

1ST    4974 - Bavaruki Veba Vanilla (Mrs L Wood)

 Eight and a half year old lady of good size and substance, still holding on to her fitness. She has a fawn coat with extensive black tipping giving her a rather dark overall impression, with a  lovely shape, good proportions and good bone throughout. Her head has correct ratios but her skull is a bit narrow and oval, which combined with her slightly low and back set ears gives a bit of a weak impression. Her muzzle and under jaw are correct as is her full dark mask, although it is greying now. She has a lovely strong and parallel front stance with good bone, correct proportions and although her top line is starting to sag a bit, her croup is nicely curved and her hind angles still shine through when she gets moving and hits an elegant easy stride.  Best Veteran

2ND    4948 - Fieldshouse Sunflower (Ms M A Jephcott)

 A mid-sized 7 year old lady with rich yellowish orange coat. Her proportions height to length are correct, but she is carrying rather more weight than she should for her build, being a moderately boned girl. And this does tend to give her a slight roll when she moves. She has a pleasant head of correct skull to muzzle proportions, with a mask up to and blending over the eyes, which are a touch round and could be a bit darker in hue. Her ears are correct and her expression is friendly and eager to please. She has sufficient length of neck, good breadth in front and decent bend of stifle behind, carrying her happy tail correctly as she moves. 

3RD    4954 - Waterscape Chopine (Mrs L Leicester)