Eastbourne & District Canine Society

Eastbourne and District Canine Society

Sunday 23rd August 2026

Critique

Thank you for the invitation to judge at this show, it was a beautiful day and a lovely atmosphere. I had some lovely dogs of all the breed I judged and thank the exhibitors for their entries. Special thanks to my two stewards ‘Bulldog Sue’ and ‘Toller Sue’ who did an excellent job at keeping my ring running smoothly. 

Afghan Hound

Junior (2 entries)

1st. Parsons’ Shukriya Fade to Black. Black and silver male with super head and expression, with excellent correct triangular eye. Houndy head with strong convex muzzle and good underjaw. Good length of neck going into well laid shoulders and balanced return of upper arm with very good feet. Good depth of chest for his age with some spring of rib and strong short loin with evident hip bones. Good sweep of stifle with low set hocks and nice low set ring tail. Coat coming through nicely but still has plenty of maturing to do. Most together of these two litter mates on the move with good springy action when settled. Lots to like.

2nd. Parsons’ Shukriya the Memory Remains. Black Masked Gold Bitch with a super feminine head, nice triangular eye and balanced skull with good underjaw. Good length of neck with nice lay of shoulders and good return of upper arm. Good depth of chest and nice coat and saddle. Balanced well angulated hindquarters and overall, very nice breed type. Not as together on the move as her brother but another with plenty to like. 

Open (2 entries)

1st. Boydell’s Nightwind You Can’t Stop the Beat JW 9-year-old black male who I have done well in the past. Super head and expression with correct triangular eye shape, strong muzzle and underjaw and lovely mandarin whiskers. Strong neck going into good shoulders with balanced upper arm and super bone and feet. Well spring ribs with excellent depth and length and nice strong short loin. Strong hindquarters with good length from hip to hock, with strong low set hocks and a a super low set ring tail. Excellent coat and condition and the better mover of the two with good reach and drive. Delighted to award him best of breed, he is looking cracking for his age. 

2nd. Hills and Thornton’s Absolute Afghan’s Djibouti at Karnak JW ShCEx OSW (Imp Nor). 6-year-old Black Masked Gold and another who I have judged before. Super masculine head with strong underjaw and another nice beard, although eye is very slightly rounder than I’d like. Good length of neck going into Good enough shoulders and a touch shorter in upper arm. Super feet and well sprung rib of good depth with good ring tail. Not quite the hind angulation of the winner and lacking his drive however moved soundly and presented in super coat. Reserve Best of Breed.  

Otterhound 

Postgraduate (1 entry)

1st. Darvell’s Houndville Ingeborg with Otterbelle. 2-year-old bitch with lovely breed type, good feminine head and good nose and eye shape. Low set ears of good length with nice neck going into a decent shoulder with good return of upper arm and well sprung rib. Super coat texture and balanced hindquarters with good feet. Moved soundly. 

Open (5 entries, 2 absent)

1st. Lewis’s Ch Olphae Charman. Quality male with the most beautiful, majestic head, super nose and expression and excellent breed type. Strong neck going into an excellent front with super bone and feet. Well sprung ribs of good depth and length and strong loin going into balanced strong hindquarters with good stern and excellent coat. Lovely typical elastic movement. One I have judged a few times now and happy to award him best of breed. 

2nd. Lewis’s Ch Olphae Orlaith (AI) Another Quality hound from this kennel, this time a bitch, and one who pushed her kennel mate hard. Beautiful feminine head with super eye shape and ears, lovely strong neck going into well laid shoulders, nice deep chest with excellent hindquarters and super coat. Another super mover and a close decision but had to settle for reserve best of breed today. 

3rd. Lewis’s Olphae Governor JW

Pointer

My first time judging this breed having completed the Breed Appreciation Day last year. One of my favourite gundogs breeds and I was delighted with the quality and quantity of this entry. 

Puppy (1 entry)

1st. Welch’s Quinnery Betsy Trotwood at Hookwood. 7-month-old very feminine black and white with a beautiful head, well defined stop, well set ears and lovely kind expression. Super length of neck going into well laid shoulders, an excellent return of upper arm and super feet and bone. Well sprung rib for age with nice short coupling and gentle arch over the loins. Well balanced hindquarters with low set hocks and a super tail. Lovely mover for one so young and considered her for best of breed however in this quality entry was delighted to award her best puppy. 

Yearling (5 entries, 1 absent)

1st. Welch and Hazeltine’s Corotine Noir Blossom with Hookwood JW. Kennel mate to the puppy and of similar breed type and quality. Lovely feminine head with super concave muzzle, excellent nose and well-defined stop. Lovely dark eye with super expression and well-set ears. Excellent length of neck with super lay of shoulders, balanced return of upper arm and excellent feet and pasterns, with good bone throughout. Well sprung rib with good strong loin, short but giving gentle rise and strong, balanced hindquarters with well set hocks and a super tail. Beautiful smooth movement and presented in lovely condition, with her outline showing lovely, graceful curves. I thought in today’s entry this bitch had the best combination of quality, breed type and movement and I was delighted to award her best of breed. 

2nd. Kennedy’s Droveborough Black Magic JW. Another very typical bitch with excellent head and expression, super neck and well laid shoulders. Very slightly shorter in upper arm but excellent feet, well sprung ribs and nice strong short loin. Balanced hindquarters with good tail, not quite as together on the up and back as the winner however lovely mover in profile. 

3rd. Smith, Smith and Welch’s Quinnery Swinderby by Lypal

Postgraduate (5 entries)

1st. Kennedy’s Droveborough’s Hells Bells JW. Liver bitch who was more workmanlike in type however I felt had the most balance and soundness to win this class. Super head and expression with good length of neck and the best front in this class with balanced return of upper arm and very good feet. Well sprung rib with strong loin and very good hindquarters. Lovely sound movement being easy and free in profile. An honest bitch with lots to like. 

2nd. Cardiff’s Freebreeze Pixar at Prosperity. Beautiful, elegant head with super eye shape, concave muzzle and good stop. Excellent length of neck, but not quite as good in front as the winner. Lovely top and underlines with elegant curves and strong sound hindquarters. Overall, a very good mover but the winner had the edge on her profile movement. 

3rd. Perren’s Evaluna For Your Eyes Only at Mistin JW

Open (6 entries, 1 absent)

1st. Norbury, Ganney and Upton’s Heartbury Belacqua. Quality liver and white who won this class on her effortless movement. Elegant feminine head with good stop, super expression and well-set ears going into a strong neck with well laid shoulders, balanced return of upper arm and super feet. Well sprung ribs of good depth and strong loin with well angulated hindquarters and super tail. Lovely free flowing movement with super reach and drive. A touch rangier than the winner of yearling who I felt had a curvier outline, however another quality bitch who pushed hard in today’s entry. Reserve Best of Breed. 

2nd. Welch, Drake and Hazeltine’s Clamerkin Jubilee Surprise at Hookwood JW. Black and White bitch of lovely type, super head with good stop and lovely expression. Excellent lay of shoulder with balanced return of upper arm and super feet. Well sprung ribs with nice strong loin and well-balanced hindquarters. Another nice mover, just not quite as positive in front as the winner. 

3rd. Perren’s Evaluna Chasing Rainbows with Hookwood JW

AVNSC Pastoral

Junior (3 entries)

1st. Ellis and Crosby’s Lounatuuli Aurora Lyyra (Finnish Lapphund). Cream bitch with lovely head and expression, nice dark eye and super ears. Strong neck going into well laid shoulders with good feet. Well sprung ribs with nice short loin and good coat and tail. Balanced moderate hindquarters and most together of the three on the move in this class. Best AVNSC, Best AVNSC puppy and Puppy Group 3. 

2nd. Wilson’s Hartswelin Eye of the Tiger at Jandade (Briard). Fawn male of good breed type with strong masculine head, square muzzle and good stop. Well laid shoulder and good feet. Ribs well sprung for age with balanced hindquarters and double dew claws evident. Nice coat texture coming through. Not quite as together on the move as the Lapphund but overall, a promising puppy. Reserve Best AVNSC. 

3rd. Ellis’s Lounatuuli Aurora Lumonova

Postgraduate (4 entries, 2 absent)

1st. Ellis and Crosby’s Lounatuuli Aurora Lyyra (Finnish Lapphund). Winner of Junior.

2nd. Ellis’s Lounatuuli Aurora Lumonova. Litter sister to the winner and very similar in type. Another lovely head and expression, good front and super feet. Nice overall outline just not as together on the move as her sister. 

AV Pastoral Veteran (12 entries, 7 absent)

5 lovely veterans. 

1st. Hellewell’s Ch Franmar the Thriller ShCEx (Australian Shepherd). Blue Merle Male presented in super condition, lovely masculine head with super expression. Excellent front with very good feet and bone. Well sprung ribs of good length with strong short loin and balanced moderate hindquarters. Excellent coat and condition and lovely colour. Super easy mover in all direction and an easy winner of this class. 

2nd. Pullen’s Meadowbears Master of Music (Old English Sheepdog). Lovely square male with strong square skull, with good stop and nice eye shape. Very good front with well laid shoulders and excellent bone and feet. Well sprung rib with strong short loin and balanced hindquarters. Lovely crisp coat and good colour. Moved with typical roll for the breed, sound up and back.

3rd. Mettan-Ure’s Valdosta Dare to Dream of Savendie VW (Shetland Sheepdog)

Old English Sheepdog

Junior (2 entries)

1st. Porter’s Ladamis Prince of Darkness with Mellowdee. 13 month old male with lovely square skull, very good stop and strong underjaw. Good neck going into well laid shoulders with plenty of forechest and very good feet. Well sprung rib with short strong loin and nice strong hindquarters. Lovely coat texture coming through and a very good mover. Super square outline and considered for best of breed. The open winner had the maturity however, a dog with lots to like. Reserve Best of Breed. 

2nd. Pullen’s Meadowbears Master of Magic. 8-month-old puppy who shows plenty of promise. Love his head with nice square skull, strong muzzle and good underjaw. Very good front with super forechest and good depth of chest for his age. Super colour and in good puppy coat. Lovely hindquarters and a good mover when he settles. Being a handful in the class and lost out to the maturity of the winner. Happy to award Best Puppy and Puppy group 2. 

Open (1 entry)

1st. Leggett’s Mellowdee Sapphire Moon avec Meldale JW. 3-year-old bitch with feminine proportions. Lovely square head with strong muzzle, good stop and nice eye shape. Good strong neck going into well laid shoulders with balanced return of upper arm and super bone and feet. Well sprung ribs and nice short loin with good depth of chest and nice forechest. Well angulated hindquarters with lovely crisp coat of excellent colour and texture. Lovely mover, especially in profile. Delighted to award her Best of Breed and Pastoral Group 4. 

Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Open (1 entry)

1st. Chia Apaltasunez avec Kricarno (Imp Cze). Feminine bitch of good type with super wedge-shaped skull, lovely eye shape, excellent pigment and good underjaw. Nice strong neck going into a good shoulder although perhaps very slightly short in upper arm. Lovely length of leg with good bone and feet. Well sprung ribs with nice deep chest for age, as still a young bitch with some maturing to do. Strong hindquarters with evident double dew claws and excellent coat and condition. A lovely mover and one with excellent type and size. Best of breed. 

Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)

Postgraduate (3 entries, 1 absent)

1st. Young’s Gowerston Genesis. 2-year-old blue merle of super breed type with lovely foxy head and expression and well-set ears of good size. Good enough front with very good feet and well sprung ribs of good length. Excellent top line and nice hindquarters with good brush tail. Moved soundly and held her topline well. Best of breed. 

Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

Open (1 entry)

1st. Thacker’s Peritye Amber Belle. Typical Pembroke with a good foxy head and lovely eye shape and expression. Good ear set and size. Strong front with well laid shoulders and good feet. Nice well sprung ribs with strong loin and super topline. Strong well angulated hindquarters with well set bob tail and lovely coat texture and tail. Sound mover and one with lots to like. 

AV Veteran Stakes

A quality class with several old favourites of mine going cardless. 

1st. Williams and Toublic’s Cobhay Fancy Phlox (English Springer Spaniel). Quality English Springer with wonderful kind expression and super ears. Excellent length of neck going into a super front with well laid shoulders and balanced return of upper arm. Excellent feet and forechest with well sprung ribs and strong loin and excellent topline. Lovely strong hindquarters with super sound movement with excellent drive. Presented in hard muscled condition, would work all day. 

2nd. Whitton and Edge’s Jalhar The Wonder of You at Haggatty (Beagle) Tri coloured beagle with lovely head, good stop and gentle expression. Strong neck going into an excellent front with super bone and feet. Well sprung ribs of good depth with lovely topline and well-set stern. Strong hindquarters and presented in super condition. Sound mover in all directions and another lovely veteran. 

3rd. Allchorne’s Nelgus Thyme Flies ShCEx (Basset Hound)

Pastoral Group

Group 1 Angier and Stacey’s Icon de Bruine Buck at Birkcross (Imp NLD) ShCEx (Belgian Shepherd Dog Groenendael). Quality Belgian who had the most exquisite head, with balanced muzzle to skull proportions, parallel head planes and excellent dark almond eye. Lovely arched neck going into flat moderate shoulders with balanced return of upper arm and excellent bone and feet. Nice square body with deep chest, moderate spring of rib and strong short loin. Balanced moderate hindquarters with super muscle tone and excellent coat texture and colour. Beautiful brisk, unexaggerated movement which really was shown to it’s best in the large ring we had for the group. A quality example of this beautiful breed and was delighted to award him the group.  

Group 2 Rizzo Hills’ Gravelous Buszke Bocskor (Hungarian Pumi). Lovely square male with super head and skull, dark oval eye and good neck. Well laid shoulders with balanced return of upper arm and nice straight forelegs. Good depth of chest with nice tuck up and strong short loin. Balanced moderate and well-muscled hindquarters with good high set tail and nice crisp coat with good curl. Light moderate movement without exaggeration being sound up and back.

Group 3 Webb’s Foveaux Magic Dance (Lancashire Heeler). Quality Heeler of excellent breed type with lovely head piece, super balanced skull with parallel planes and lovely dark almond eye. Well laid shoulders with tight elbows and very good feet. Well sprung rib with super top line and well-set tail. Strong hindquarters and lovely sound mover. Presented in excellent condition. 

Group 4 Leggett’s Mellowdee Sapphire Moon avec Meldale JW

Pastoral Puppy Group

Group 1 Mettan-Ure’s Savendie Highland Lullaby (Shetland Sheepdog). Pretty sable Sheltie with elegant head, balanced skull and parallel planes. Lovely eye shape and expression and good ears set on well. Nice neck going into a good front, still needs to mature in chest and spring her ribs but of good length and nice strong loin with good hindquarters. Lovely puppy coat with adult coat coming through and sound graceful movement. The most together of the three puppies today and delighted to award her the puppy group. 

Group 2 Pullen’s Meadowbears Master of Magic (Old English Sheepdog)

Group 3 Ellis and Crosby’s Lounatuuli Aurora Lyyra (Finnish Lapphund)

David Knights (Lelaps)