Coventry Ladies Kennel Society

I would firstly like to thank the society for the invitation to judge and also exhibitors for their entries and for making my role hard. I had some lovely dogs and handlers to judge, and apologies again to the dogs for trying to look at their teeth with my freezing hands! I didn’t penalise any who shyed away because I would have too! The slippery floor did affect some placings, with some dogs not able to move on it as well as they usually can. The floor markings also were a great form of entertainment! They showed no matter what the breed, licking a yellow dot which is painted on the floor is essential. Lastly, thank you to my stewards Maria and Cat who kept the ring moving nicely and for the hot drinks supplied in possibly the coldest corner in Coventry that day! It was nice to have two friendly faces to keep me on the straight and narrow. DALMATIAN A smaller entry than is usual at this show, but that didn’t attract from the quality. The ring wasn’t the best for a large moving breed, it was on the smaller side and the surface was slippy when moving at the correct pace for a Dalmatian. Some dogs I have seen move better elsewhere because they weren’t slipping. Temperaments were excellent, I had a few cuddles and kisses, and on the whole I had happy dogs with wagging tails. PUPPY (4, 1b) What a lovely start to the day! Three litter brothers of just six months old were present in this class and they are all a credit to their owners and breeders. 1st Brooks & De Rozario’s Jemblewood Resolute Stork b/w spotted with excellent pigmentation. So attentive to his handler, nice masculine head, chest developing well, correct feet, nice bend of stifle. Strong nice, well muscled for age with a nicely spotted waggy tail to complete the picture. He has such a delightful character. Like his litter brother who took 2nd, he reminded me a lot of his sire who I really admire. Lots to like. BPIB 2nd Reide-West’s Jemblewood Northern Stork l/w with the loveliest expression. While heavier spotted than 1st he has lovely even distinct spotting. Lovely head, nicely balanced and good overall make and shape. Was just pipped to the post for 1st place in the final run around where he got a bit carried away on the move. A really nice puppy who I could have happily snuck home with! 3rd Young & Crawford’s Jemblewood Sovereign Stork JUNIOR (4, 2ab) 1st Cox & Cartwright’s Strayaroo Lightning Ridge b/w bitch, longer in body than some today but still very balanced. Very strong neck into good lay of shoulders and nice deep chest. Firm topline, correct tail set and well muscled rear. Very pretty with a feminine head and correct cat feet. Moved with purpose but was just a tad close behind in the challenge. To make her look even better, she could use a bit more weight on her to make her look a bit more together. 2nd Catttermole & Richards’ Anima Cordis Man In The Mirror For Kalvadene For Hafwenna IMP POL l/w just out of puppy. Unfortunately suffering from a bit of dally rash and didn’t move as well as 1st. Delightful temperament, chest still developing and is muscling up well. He was one of many today who slipped on the floor which made him wary to then move at his best. POST GRADUATE (4, 1ab) 1st Sampson’s Dalstorm Just So Salsa JW l/w evenly spotted bitch who moved so freely. I judged her as a youngster and she has matured beautifully. Strong neck into good chest, firm topline which she keeps on the move. Very nicely muscled with good bend of stifle and tight cat feet. She is a really nice make and shape, very attentive to handler. She was just pipped to the post for BOB but I was happy to award her RBOB. 2nd Graham-Weall’s Akoni Cherry Gala To Phidgity b/w who didn’t have as clear spotting as 1st but that doesn’t detract from her quality. Great personality, and obviously adores her handler - her tail doesn’t stop wagging. Smaller than 1st, but nicely balanced. Lovely feminine head with correct skull to muzzle ratios. So well trained and focuses on her handler well. She was just pipped to 1st on the final run around. 3rd Cox & Cartwright’s Strayaroo Thredbo When this boy moves he moves with real purpose! He was a bit distracted at times but he’s really lovely. Be firmer with him and he really could come into his own. LIMIT (2) 1st Graham-Weall’s Steyndal Moon Stone To Phidgity b/w 5 year old male who I’ve judged before and is maturing so nicely, but he really needs to learn how to show off and present himself better in the challenge! Nice masculine head, with correct skull to muzzle ratios. Strong neck, deep chest, so well muscled with good bend of stifle and tight cat feet. Moves with purpose with good reach and drive, with a great personality to finish the picture. 2nd Cattermole’s Jasquarella Ice Queen Of Kalvadene This b/w girl is so pretty and feminine. Close up to 1st but sadly the floor wasn’t to her liking and didn’t want to perform today. Lovely head into strong neck, nice deep chest and she just melts you with her soft expression. So much to like though, she’s an absolute sweetheart. OPEN (3, 1ab) 1st Green & Sears’ Alphadal Aint Misbehaving At Judally JW 7yr old l/w at the top of his game. Stood alone but a worthy winner and then pulled out all the stops in the challenge to be awarded BOB. All male with a masculine head, even spotting of a good liver colour, strong neck into a firm topline leading to a wagging tail. Good bend of stifle and well let down hocks which allowed him to move with good reach and drive. KOOIKERHONDJE I just love this breed so much, all 3 present today were just delightful. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so much in a challenge. There was so much character and personality on show with them PUPPY No entries POST GRADUATE (2) 1st Guy’s Middanwinter War Horse At Kerelkoor JW 18 month of gorgeous male and there is so much to like about him. Nice ears, good coat and feathering. He has lovely markings. Nice head proportions with correct skull to muzzle ratios and a lovely inquisitive expression. Well muscled neck into a firm topline which he keeps on the move. Easy mover. Just made me smile 2nd Williams’ Gladsheim Phoenix Rising 20 month old very pretty feminine girl with so much to like. Unlucky to meet 1st who was on the top of his game today. Rich colouring with correct texture and feathering, nice firm topline and nicely muscled. She moves with purpose while showing her character. OPEN (2, 1ab) 1st Guy’s Gladsheim Eleodoro At Kerelkoor 8 yr old delightful male who is everything a Kooikerhondje should be. Gorgeous deep shade of red with a super personality. Correct skull to muzzle proportions, lovely dark eye with an endearing expression. Nice shoulder placement, well muscled neck and good spring of rib. Moved with precision and confidence while keeping a level topline. Delighted to hear that he also went BVIS. TIBETAN SPANIEL What a lovely entry this was. PUPPY No entries POST GRADUATE (5) 1st Ford’s Castafiore Isabella I haven’t come across this girl before and I just couldn’t look past her. Just approaching 2yr old gold sable who is such a lovely mover with a real “look at me” attitude both on the stand and on the move. Lovely head with a nice muzzle and correct ear carriage. She has a good bone under a glossy coat, strong shoulder placement and correct body proportions. She is such a pretty and feminine young lady. RBOB 2nd Rice’s Ricox I I’ll Love You As You Are JW Built on a smaller frame to 1st. Very pretty gold sable 19 month old bitch, just not as free on movement today due to the fore mentioned flooring. Lovely coat and feathering and she was handled to perfection. Well laid shoulders, good bone and nice spring of rib. She just wasn’t playing ball today. 3rd Jordan’s Malia Anada RES Rice’s Ricox I Deserve Your Love JW VHC Rice’s Parloueve Back To Black JW OPEN (3) 1st Keepence & Keyte’s Oldcharm Peaky Love For Alandobel JW Gold sable 3yr old all male who I’ve watched ringside and you need to get your hands on him to really appreciate his virtues. What a showman! He just demands to be looked at. Well up to size with a lovely masculine head, he free stands so attentively and his handler really gets the best from him. He has a great temperament, lovely coat and feathering with nice mane. Good bone and shoulder placement, correct body proportions, with strong hind quarters which means he is able to be such an easy mover with a nice gait. I just couldn’t look past him for BOB. 2nd Rice’s Ricox I Love My Mini Me JW Gold sable 3yr old bitch who close up to 1st but she was just a bit distracted today. Very feminine, with a lovely coat and feathering. Correct body proportions with well laid shoulders, firm topline and correct tailset. She is muscled in the correct places, strong rear and well let down hocks. A really nice balanced bitch who was unlucky to meet 1st who was at the top of his game today. 3rd Rice’s Ricox All About Love JW ShCEx OSW HANDLING These were possibly the hardest handling classes I’ve ever judged. In some instances there was very little to separate the classes. The calibre was so high and I did really have to split hairs to come to my placings. Just a reminder to listen to the judge and keep an eye on what they are doing. Don’t be afraid to ask for more clarification if you need it. Remember to have your patterns precise, I had quite a few wonky T shapes! Don’t stand between yourself and the judge and no matter what keep smiling, it really does make a difference. Also, being polite to the judge and also fellow exhibitors is also a consideration when it comes to placings when there is little to separate placings. ADULT HANDLING 17-30yrs (4, 3ab) 1st Melissa Graham-Weall Meliss is such a lovely calm handler. She has a lovely rapport with her dog, who enjoys the work they do together. She produces nice tight corners with precise movement. Stood alone but a worthy winner. 31-45yrs (10, 1ab) 1st Ewelina Jaskolska Ewelina was handling a mini w/h dachshund and wow, she was just amazing. Her T was perfect proportions, didn’t cross me at all and kept her eye on her dog and me at all times. It was almost as if she knew how I was going to react next. A fantastic partnership. 2nd Nicholas Jackson Nicholas told me afterward that he had only been showing for a few months and he could show some of us a thing or two. Handled a beddlington terrier puppy and I just loved how he spoke to his dog at all times. Such a friendly and polite handler. Keep up the good work. 3rd Andrea Keepence-Keyte 46-59yrs (5, 2ab) 1st Tom Mason Tom was handling a w/h dachshund, and what a lovely kind handler who didn’t put a foot wrong. Nice tight corners. Handled sympathetically and kept an eye on judge at all times. Another who was able to anticipate what I was going to do next. Close contender for Best Adult Handler 2nd Justin Graham-Weall Justin was handling a Dalmatian and was so kind to his dog who was a tad distracted and didn’t like the floor. Nice footwork and not the easiest ring to work in with patterns and a large dog so very well done. 3rd Karen Close 60 yrs + 1st Janet Rice Janet handling a Tibetan Spaniel, who had been spooked by a dog but this handler wasn’t phased. Very polite, the dog didn’t like the floor but Janet got the best from her and talked and encouraged her dog at all times. She is a very natural handler, nothing is forced and you can tell that her dogs have the best time in the ring with her, which is so important. Best Adult Handler 2nd Caroline Gammon Caroline was handling a Vizsla and anticipated what I was going to do and was ready. Good lines and corners, such a good rapport with her dog. Kept an eye on the judge at all times. Close placing to 1st. 3rd Mary Ruffles YKC Handling Classes – firstly, all of these youngsters are amazing. In some classes no one put a foot wrong and it was hard to penalise anyone. My final three in the Best Junior Handler challenge were honestly the best I’ve seen in a handling challenge. Any of them could handle one of my dogs any time. I wish I’d had a “Reserve Best” award as all were just brilliant. You put me to shame! 6-11yrs (10, 1ab) 1st Ellie McGill What a polite young lady. 9 years old handling a cavalier, who she had a lovely rapport with. Listened well and did exactly what I asked with precision and at the correct speed for her dog. Very well done 2nd Isabella Gardner 10 years old, handling a poodle, another smart young lady who handled her dog so well but sadly crossed me which cost her first place. Very polite and kept her eye on me at all times. They really did look the picture together. 3rd Connor Morris – age 9 RES Leo Jackson – age 8 VHC Charlotte Dungar-Bullock – age 9 12-17yrs (8) 1st Melissa Graham-Weall As 1st in adult handling 17-30yrs, but she really stepped up a gear here and was superb. 17 years old, she makes it all look so easy. Superb shadowing work. Keep smiling and just enjoy it! Best Junior Handler 2nd Eliza Mason 16 year old handling a w/h dachshund and was close up to 1st. Such a polite and friendly young lady with excellent foot work and precision and so gentle with her dog. 3rd George Gardner – age 12 RES Grace Rutherford – age 16 VHC Leighton-Jem Cooper – age 13 18-24yrs (4, 2bab) There was little to separate these two, they were both fantastic. If they show the future of handling then the hobby is in a very good place 1st Jessica Smith 19 year old handling a parson russell terrier and my notes say wow. Such precision. Amazing smart young lady with such a rapport with her dog. So polite and listened well. She just seemed to know what I was going to do next and mirrored my movements. She kept one eye on me and one on her dog at all times. 2nd Phoebe Toublic 19 Year old who handled an English Springer Spaniel, I judged Phoebe a couple of years ago and she’s gone from strength to strength. Anticipated what I was going to do and was so polite. Had such a lovely relationship with her dog, she’s so calm and caring. Very close up to 1st.