Driffield Championship Dog Show

Driffield Championship Championship Show 2026 - Havanese 

I really enjoyed my day judging this lovely breed, and I would like to thank all the exhibitors for allowing my student judge to examine each dog after me, and for their support and encouragement as she progresses towards qualification to award Royal Kennel Club Challenge Certificates.

Havanese is a breed I have admired since its early days of gaining CC status. Over the years I have attended seminars, judged a Breed Club Championship Show and, more recently, had the pleasure of conducting a Group mentoring session. I therefore approached the appointment with a genuine affection for the breed, together with an appreciation of its qualities and challenges. 

As with all breeds, there are times when we see a degree of variation in type in the show ring. This does not necessarily mean that dogs are not conforming to the Breed Standard; rather, different interpretations and emphases which lead judges to place varying priorities on particular breed attributes. What one judge may consider a priority may not necessarily be given the same emphasis by the next. I was conscious of this when approaching my judging, and it did make establishing my own priorities on the day a priority.

My aim, as always, is to look for the positives in every exhibit and to recognise those qualities that best represent the Breed Standard. On this occasion, I found myself giving careful consideration to the balance of virtues across the classes, and to which exhibits, overall, most closely fulfilled my interpretation of an ideal Havanese.

There were, however, some things that were particularly consistent and pleasing throughout the day. Firstly, every dog I handled had a beautiful temperament, which was a real pleasure and reflects great credit on the breed and its breeders. I was also hugely impressed by the sporting attitude of the exhibitors. Their generous applause for the winners, and especially for the principal winners when they received their cards, created a wonderful atmosphere and was very much appreciated.

Ultimately, judging is a personal assessment made against a common Breed Standard, so inevitably, judges will differ in the qualities they prioritise. I hope that my decisions on the day were understood in that spirit. It was a privilege to spend time with this lovely breed, and I am grateful to everyone who made my appointment such an enjoyable and memorable one. I look forward to my next Havanese judging appointment at Crufts in 2029.

SBD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Matthews’s Elperrito Saint Nicholas. 8 months. Pleasing Tri colour. Well presented. Head is masculine and contains lovely eyes with super pigmentation. Well set ears. Secure topline. Confident mover but ideally would like a tad more front extension. Coat on the change. Well presented throughout. Best SB.

VD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Woolcock’s Kenquince Big Guns Alphapups VW. 8 ½. Scores in head and expression. OK dentition. Pleasing size and type, presented in excellent coat. Well bodied, occasionally lost his secure topline. Good for tail set. He was very impressive on the move which just gave him the edge over 2. BVIB

2nd: Gunn’s Ch Janabear Dance O' The Knights. 11 years. Nicely proportioned outline of good shape and pleasing for overall size. Attractive headpiece contains dark appealing eyes. Good for pigment. Sturdy body of ample depth. OK for dentition. Stylish in profile. A very close call between two lovely veterans. 

MPD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Matthews’s Elperrito Saint Nicholas. 1st in SBD

PD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Matthews’s Elperrito Saint Nicholas. 1st in SBD

JD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Brooks’s Eldorado (Imp Hun). 14 months. Well-balanced dog with a broad skull and well-proportioned, masculine head. Dark, almond-shaped eyes. Excellent scissor bite. Ears carried well. Neck of moderate length, with a secure topline. Sturdily bodied, with a slight rise over strong loins. Tail set on high and carried well. Nicely textured coat. Accurate on the move demonstrating easy reach and drive. RCC

PGD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Carter and Chadburn’s, Newtonwood Rock With You. Of ideal size. Nice masculine head with super expression. Well-made, balanced body. Lovely stylish profile, with good movement and an excellent high tail set and carriage. Beautifully presented coat in super condition. Moved very well which gave him the edge over 2. 2nd: Lee-Finglas’s Corrandulla Crazy For You At Richeath. Liked his size and shape. Correct body proportions. Well balanced head contains expressive eyes. Good dentition. A little narrow in front and therefore his forehand is a tad untidy at times. Holds a secure topline and tail set. Confident on the move. 

LD (5 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: Walker’s Big Mcintosh JW. 2 years. Scores in head qualities and finish. Good bite. Eyes are a particular feature and contained in a balanced head. Well placed ears. Liked his overall size, but ideally would prefer him a tad shorter coupled. High-set tail. He moved well, demonstrating strong rear movement. Clearly a promising youngster with a lovely temperament and when coupled with maturity, he should do very well.

2nd: Spicer’s Thistlesweet Delaware The Third (Imp). 2 years. Profuse coat, which makes him look larger than he actually is. Appealing masculine head, broad skull. Well-made and procures a balanced outline. Sound mover, but could be a tad stronger in rear movement. High-set tail, well carried. Presented in beautiful condition. Close call. 3rd:Thorne’s Bailemos Piano Man At Dyffrynsands.

OD (7 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Cheshire’s Dalton Hera From Hearmean (Imp NLD). Red Sable, in profuse coat which is in optimum condition. Large enough but everything else is stunning. Neck of correct length to balance, level topline, well sprung ribs, firm loin and profusely feathered tail set on high and carried correctly. Masculine head with good skull to muzzle proportions, dark almond-shaped eyes of good size, ears set on correctly. Impressive front assembly, having well laid shoulders, a good forechest with elbows close to the body and straight forelegs. Well angulated hindquarters. Immaculately presented coat. Impressive mover, particularly in the challenge. CC.

2nd: Walker’s Newtonwood Double Dare Of Follygle. Nicely mature and of pleasing size. He has a fabulous head of super proportions, with dark, almond-shaped eyes giving a lovely expression; well-set ears. Correct scissor bite. Excellent pigment, a well-made body and a great tail set. He’s very well put together. So confident on the move, although I felt he could be a tad stronger behind. A lot to like. 

3rd: Fitzgerald’s Ch Cubadias I'm So Stunning JW.

SBB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Matthews’s Chezsdream Cocoa Belleza. 10 months. Feminine of nice size and good body proportions. Very nice head and expression, good mouth, correct moderate reach of neck. Body is well ribbed. Tail a tad flat. Although confident on the move, her forehand just needs to settle.  

VB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Fitzgerald’s Mybeards Valentina VW. 11 years old and in fabulous condition and so impressive to go over. Moderate length of neck, firm topline, well-sprung ribs and a nicely high-set tail. Feminine headpiece of good proportions, correct eye shape and dentition. On the move she was just a tad wide in front. Firm hindquarters, with a moderate turn of stifle produced strong rear drive. 

MPB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Thorne’s Elperrito Nutcracker At Dyffrynsands. 7 months. B/W Promising youngster. Correct for type and presented a super outline with neck being of moderate length; firm topline. Perhaps a tad longer in loin. Tail is set on high and of good carriage. Well-proportioned head contains dark almond-shaped eyes, ears set on just right. Good scissor bite.

2nd: Woolcock’s Howell Alphapups's Calamity Jane. 8 months. B/W presented in nice coat and condition. Dark eyes but not quite the balanced head of 1 or tail set. Well bodied and good for ribbing. Confident on the move with good use of her nicely angulated hindquarters. 

PB (5 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: George’s Rostellars Cinderella. 10 months and presented in wonderful coat and condition. This girl is decidedly feminine, balanced in size and shape with a beautiful head and expression from appealing eyes with the darkest of pigmentation. Flat cheeks. Well set ears. She is a lovely size and of good substance and screams breed type throughout. Moderate neck, excellent ribbing, firm loin and a high-set tail carried correctly. A sound, true mover with a wonderful temperament and a born show girl. Excellent coat quality for her age and presented extremely well. She is happy and confident throughout, with a lovely attitude. Presentation is first class and sympathetically handled. Already a recipient of the RCC at her previous show, I had no hesitation in going one better – CC & BOB

2nd: Thorne’s Elperrito Nutcracker At Dyffrynsands. 1st in MPB.

3rd: Matthews’s Chezsdream Cocoa Belleza.

JB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: Day’s Immeleon Royal Dress In Cubadias. 15 months. Presented in excellent coat and condition. Admired her expression from those lovely expressive eyes contained in a rather lengthy head. Well set neck. Good for pigmentation. Body is well proportioned throughout. She holds a secure topline and has a high set tail, well held tail. Lovely personality and lots of confidence. Moved very well.

PGB (4 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: Krzyszkowski’s Corrandulla A Star Is Born. Balanced and of a good size and correct coat. Well balanced head contains expressive almond shaped dark eyes. Excellent dentition. Ok for neck but would prefer more chest. Well bodied and good for ribbing Well set tail and hindquarters.

2nd: Woolcock’s Alphapups Bambino. Pleasing to examine. Decidedly feminine and in good coat and condition. Very nice for head and expression. Of super body and substance without coarseness. Nice body proportions and tail set. Overall, just lost out to 1 in forehand movement. Close call. 

3rd: Gunn’s Pinkie Pie For Harvahope.

LB (6 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: Day’s Immeleon Peppermint Latte In Cubadias JW. 2 years. Impressive expressive head which contains super dark eyes complemented by deep pigmentation. Upon examination, she is well built; correctly laid shoulders and body has well sprung ribs. Secure topline and high set tail. She moved very well and clearly has a promising future. 

2nd: Tarff’s Newpark Masquerade At Havredemer JW. Another pleasing youngster and many of the same comments apply. Liked her body proportions, top line and tail set. She did not quite match the movement of 1 but a close call.

3rd: Young’s Newpark Alice In Wonderland.

OB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: McCallum-Sealy’s Ch Pandaprint Full Of Mischief. Red/white/sable, 2 years. Beautiful feminine head containing beautiful eyes all aiding her femininity. Good dentition. Well-made body but a tad short in length. Confident and alert she moves with style making full use of her well angulated hindquarters. Adequate forehand drive she makes it look all so easy. Presented in excellent condition. Delighted to award her honours today amongst a number of quality females. I now note she is Champion and this came as no surprise. RCC

2nd: Woolcock’s Alphapups Dutches Daisy Pudding. Another quality feminine girl of a pleasing size and shape. Well balanced head but not quite the feminine expression on 1. Well placed neck. Very well bodied with good ribbing and secure top line. Tail set could be better. Steady on the move. 

3rd: Young’s Newpark's Creme De La Crème. JW.

Tony Allcock OBE (Judge)