Darlington & District Canine Society

DARLINGTON & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY

PREMIER OPEN SHOW

SUNDAY 11TH JANUARY 2026

Many thanks to the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge but a special thank you to those who braved the snowy weather conditions to bring their dogs to the show; I had some lovely dogs to go over and some very close decisions. Thank you should go to the whippet exhibitors who accepted me as their stand in judge when Mr Blevins was unable to judge.

Afghan Hound

Class 256, Post Graduate (1,0,1)

1st Morrison & Mccormack’s SITANA GHOST RIDER TO TULAK Masculine dog presenting a balanced outline, good proportions. Lovely head, correct shaped eye and strong powerful jaw, muscular neck into well placed shoulder, chest well let down, level topline, strong loin. Presented in great coat and condition. Nicely angled read, muscular. Moved well, covering the ground albeit the ring was not ideal for him. (BOB)

Class 257, Open (1,0,1)

1st Morrison & Mccormack’s SITANA GHOST RIDER TO TULAK Masculine dog presenting a balanced outline, good proportions. Lovely head, correct shaped eye and strong powerful jaw, muscular neck into well placed shoulder, chest well let down, level topline, strong loin. Presented in great coat and condition. Nicely angled read, muscular. Moved well, covering the ground albeit the ring was not ideal for him. (BOB)

Beagle

Class 258, Puppy (2,2,0)

Class 259, Yearling (3,3,0)

Class 260, Post Graduate (3,2,1)

1st Jones’ CLAIRDALE GRANTCHESTER Substantial male, 2 yrs. Balanced. Masculine head; nice shaped eye with kind expression, good pigment and leathers ok. Strong muscular neck into good front assembly, plenty of bone. Ribs ok, strong muscular loin. Moderate at rear, nicely muscled and tail set on well. Moves ok when he gets going but not very settled today. (RBOB)

Class 261, Open (4,2,2)

1st Jones’ CLAIRDALE FUSILIER 4 yrs, mature, masculine male, compact and balanced. Pleasing head, dark oval eye, good leathers. Nice muscular neck into nicely constructed front, sufficient bone, good feet. Ribs extending back and a strong muscular loin giving him a nice level topline. Moderate at rear. Moved and handled well, nicely set on tail; carried well and just outmoved the others to win BOB. (BOB)

2ND Pocklington-Hall’s BAYARD BEE GOOD Heavier set hound. Masculine head; well made throughout, sufficient bone, good feet. Good angles fore and aft. Carrying a bit of weight which spoilt the appearance and made him a tad stuffy over the shoulder, not really giving his all today.

Borzoi

Class 262, Post Graduate (2,0,2)

1st Dover’s SUKESHI HOT DANCER AT KEANVER Promising youngster, feminine and has a balanced outline. Pleasing head; nice proportions, lean and good dark eye and correct ears. Well constructed throughout, sufficient bone, good feet. Still a lot of maturing to do but moved really well when settled, reaching in front and driving from the rear. (RBOB, BPIB)

2nd Conroy’s EVERWYCK CALADRIA AT ENOLAM 2yr female, really giving her owner the run around today. Feminine head, long and lean; long and strong neck into clean shoulder, chest is well let down, ribs extending back and definite tuck up. In lovely coat and condition. Move well out and back.

Class 263, Open (1,0,1)

1st Dover’s PALAMEDEES ARIAN KHRYSOS AT KEANVER JW Mature male, masculine and with substance, presenting a balanced profile. Correct head, nice dark eye giving lovely expression, good ears. Strong neck into well placed shoulder and chest is well let down, ribbed well back with a strong loin, definite tuck up. Muscular rear; well angled. Super coat and condition, moved well given the size of the ring, effortless, covering the ground well. (BOB, Hound Group 1)

Deerhound

Class 265, Post Graduate (3,03)

1st Morgan’s GREYFLAX BRACKEN 2yrs, feminine and balanced on the stack. Nice head, feminine, good eye, correct ears. Good construction front and back, nice arched neck into well placed shoulder, straight forelegs and ok feed. Chest is well let down, she has a good topline and underline, strong in loin. Muscular rear, driving her forward on the move. (RBOB)

2nd Pounder’s KYNROAN LINDISFEORNA A lot to like about this bitch, feminine head with good eye, strong arched neck into well laid shoulder, ribs ok, topline is ok and good angulation at the rear. A little erratic on the move.

3rd Wilson’s LOYALTY’S ENDLESS LOVE

Class 265, Open (3,1,2)

1st Morgan’s RUSHMILL PIKEUR Mature 4 yrs bitch, feminine head, correct shape. Good reach of neck into a well placed shoulder, ribs well let down. Good rear angulation, muscular and with correct topline. Moves well out and back and in profile covers the ground well. (BOB)

2nd Wilson’s LOYALTY’S ENDLESS LOVE Young male, testing his handler out today he is definitely strong willed ! Pleasing head, nice dark eye, good ears. He lacks in body condition and could do with more muscle which really shows on the move.

Irish Wolfhound

Class 266, Post Graduate (1,1,0)

Class 267 Open (4,3,1)

1st Mcnulty’s WYLDWENSLEY KES JW Masculine dog, covers the ground and balanced in profile. Nice head of good proportions, lovely dark oval eye and correct ears. Strong muscular neck, good front assembly, good legs, sufficient bone; chest is well let down, ribs extending back, good rear angulation. Moves well out and back but he is just a little unsettled. (BOB)

Saluki

Class 268, Post Graduate (1,1,0)

Class269 Open (1,1,0)

AV Imported Breed Register Hound

Class 270, Post Graduate (4,0,4)

1st Wyer, Marshall Wyer, Shannon’s AMILEE DES COUCARLIS E BORDENEUVE (IMP FRA) Griffon Fauve de Bretagne. Just a baby but a lot to like about this youngster. Super feminine and balanced in profile; pleasing head of good proportions, correct eye, strong muzzle and good leathers of correct texture. Strong muscular neck into a well laid shoulder; good forelegs and feet. Nicely angled rear and good tail; she has correct coat. Still to mature in body when she applies herself to move she is parallel out and back and scores in profile. (BOB & BPIB)

2nd Stevenson Bramley’s ATLAS DU RALLYE GASCOGNE NORMAND (IMP FRA) Basset Bleu de Gascogne. Another youngster, this one also showing promise. Pleasing head, good leathers. Sufficient forechest and good front construction. He still needs to develop in the body, rear angulation ok and moves well in all directions carrying his tail well.

3RD Randall’s PENNER LODGE MELISSA OFFICINALIS AT CELESTIARES (IMP ITA)

Class 271, Open (3,1,2)

1st Stevenson Bramley’s CAELESTIBLEU HOW YOU DOIN JA Basset Bleu de Gascogne Masculine dog with pleasing wedge shaped head, nice dark eye and ears set on well of correct texture. Well made throughout, moved and handled well. (RBOB)

2nd Clifford’s VALABAUDE VIOLETTE Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Feminine youngster with a lot of maturing to do; pleasing head, absolutely fabulous harsh coat. Strong neck into well placed shoulder; ribs ok, would benefit from more body condition. Moderate angulation at the rear, she moves ok but could do with better second thigh.

Any Variety Not Separately Classified Hound

Class 272, Post Graduate (No Entries)

Class 273, Open (4,2,2)

1st Knowles’ SARAWANA DRAGON’S CONQUEST JW red/white. One I have judged before, maturing into a lovely bitch. Nice head proportions, wrinkle on forehead, dark eye. Good ears of nice size, pointed. Strong neck into well laid shoulder; let down to elbows, good forelegs of fine bone. In good condition, ribs extending back and firm loin. Muscular at rear with well let down hock and muscular second thigh. Curled tail, set correctly and buttock extending beyond root of tail. Moved well. (BOB)

2nd Morrin & Barbi’s DONARD DREAM FOR ARLATDAX (IKC) Another one I have judged before; he has matured into a nice male. Balanced in profile, masculine. Good headpiece of correct proportions, lovely dark eye with alert expression. Powerful neck into good forequarters, sufficient bone, ribbed well back and with rise over loin, muscular rear and good tailset. Moves well but this ring was a bit small for him to get going. (RBOB)

Whippet

Class 227, Puppy (10,5,5)

1st Short’s COLLOONEY SENORITA SISI Super youngster just turned 6 months; feminine head; lovely eye and expression; correct rose ears. Nice length of neck into well laid shoulder; good forelegs; ribs extending back, good topline and nicely angled hindquarters. Really covered the ground well, out and back and in profile which won her the class; am sure she will have a promising future. (BOB, BPIB)

2nd Smith & Goddard Smith’s STARCEYLON TOSCA FOR NEVIWESH Another quality youngster, feminine with lovely curves. Pleasing head, dark eye and good ears. Good length of neck into good shoulders; straight front and good feet. Ribs extending back, strong loin. Nicely angulated at rear, moves well.

3rd Coulter & Craig’s COLLOONEY TAKE ON THE DEVIL

Class 228, Yearling, (2,0,2)

1st Coulter’s COLLOONEY STRAWBERRY WINE Mature bitch feminine with pleasing head proportions, clean and with a good eye and correct ears. Good front and rear assembly, in lovely muscular condition and covering the ground well, wining the class on her balanced movement.

2nd Gordon’s STARCEYLON SO THIS IS LOVE Nice feminine bitch; good headpiece; good length of neck and good front and rear assembly. Ribs well let down; definite tuck up and moved well, just not quite the balance and movement of 1.

Class 229, Post Graduate (4,1,3)

1st Spicer’s JOTHRYN PARTI TIME Nice type with good flowing lines Balanced in profile; masculine head with good eye and ears. Muscular neck into clean shoulder; good forelegs, ribs let down to elbow, extending back and strong muscular rear; moved well driving from the rear.

2nd Gordon’s BATNOIR LADY VICTORIA Mature bitch, moderate in type with pleasing head, good eye and ear. Nice strong arched neck into good shoulder; front is ok, chest is well let down. Nice topline and muscular in rear with well let down hock, moved well.

3rd Nutter’s KELODANU DEVINE GODDESS

Class 230, Limit (4,2,2)

1st Tyson’s STARCEYLON REGINA DI QUADRI JW Mature female, feminine and balanced in profile. Pretty head with good length of neck into nicely placed shoulder. Good forelegs. Ribs well let down and extending back. Muscular read, nicely angled. Handled and moved well. (RBOB)

2nd Nutter’s OUT OF THIS WORLD DAYDREAMER Mature bitch, 11 years young and enjoying her day out. Feminine and balanced in profile with a pretty head, nice strong neck she is well made throughout and was reallying enjoying her turn around the ring; moved well, a credit to her owner.

Class 231, Open (6,5,1)

1st Spicer’s JOTHRYN MUCHACHO Mature masculine male; balanced in profile. Good head of correct shape, nice eye and expression, correct rose ears. Strong arched neck ino good shoulder, chest is let down to elbow and ribs extending back, definite tuck up, moderately angled rear; hocks well let down and moved nicely out and back and in profile.

Any Variety

Class 274, AV Hound Veteran (12, 6, 6)

1st Greeves’ PENHOLDA ANSWER TO MY DREAMS VW Rhodesian Ridgeback. 9 yrs old and not showing her age, Feminine head of correct proportions; nice dark eye, strong muzzle. Good strong muscular neck into clean shoulder, well made forequarters, good forelegs and feet; well ribbed and with strong loin giving correct topline, nicely angled rear and in great condition which showed on the move.

2nd Jones’ CH NEWLIN PRESTON TO CLAIRDALE JW Beagle, Nice masculine dog, good head with lovely eye and expression, nice forechest and good forelegs, compact body, well ribbed and strong short loin, moderate at the rear and moved well carrying tail correctly.

3rd Pocklington-Hall’s MERLIN DO CASAL DOS CHOUPOS (IMP PRT) ShCEx VW

Class 275, AV Hound Puppy (12, 9, 3)

1st Dover’s SUKESHI HOT DANCER AT KEANVER Borzoi. Promising youngster, feminine and has a balanced outline. Pleasing head; nice proportions, lean and good dark eye and correct ears. Well constructed throughout, sufficient bone, good feet. Still a lot of maturing to do but moved really well when settled, reaching in front and driving from the rear.

2nd Phillips’ SHAKINA COTTON CANDY Rhodesian Ridgeback. Feminine youngster showing promise, pleasing head strong neck into clean shoulder; good forelegs; ribs ok and moderate rear with nicely muscled second thigh. Moved well.

3rd Tyson’s STARCEYLON LAGIOCONDA

Class 276 AV Hound Yearling (9,6,3)

1st Morrison & Mccormack’s SITANA GHOST RIDER TO TULAK Masculine dog presenting a balanced outline, good proportions. Lovely head, correct shaped eye and strong powerful jaw, muscular neck into well placed shoulder, chest well let down, level topline, strong loin. Presented in great coat and condition. Nicely angled read, muscular. Moved well, covering the ground albeit the ring was not ideal for him.

2nd Pounder’s KYNROAN LINDISFEORNA A lot to like about this bitch, feminine head with good eye, strong arched neck into well laid shoulder, ribs ok, topline is ok and good angulation at the rear. A little erratic on the move.

3rd Clifford’s VALABAUDE VIOLETTE Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Feminine youngster with a lot of maturing to do; pleasing head, absolutely fabulous harsh coat. Strong neck into well placed shoulder; ribs ok, would benefit from more body condition. Moderate angulation at the rear, she moves ok but could do with better second thigh.

Class 277, AV Hound Post Graduate (7,6,1)

1st Wilson’s LOYALTY’S ENDLESS LOVE Young male, testing his handler out today he is definitely strong willed ! Pleasing head, nice dark eye, good ears. He lacks in body condition and could do with more muscle which really shows on the move.

Class 278, AV Hound Open (8,8,0)

Hound Group

Hound Group 1 Borzoi, Dover’s PALAMEDEES ARIAN KHRYSOS AT KEANVER JW Mature male, masculine and with substance, presenting a balanced profile. Correct head, nice dark eye giving lovely expression, good ears. Strong neck into well placed shoulder and chest is well let down, ribbed well back with a strong loin, definite tuck up. Muscular rear; well angled. Super coat and condition, moved well given the size of the ring, effortless, covering the ground well.

Hound Group 2 Whippet, Short’s COLLOONEY SENORITA SISI Super youngster just turned 6 months; feminine head; lovely eye and expression; correct rose ears. Nice length of neck into well laid shoulder; good forelegs; ribs extending back, good topline and nicely angled hindquarters. Really covered the ground well, out and back and in profile which won her the class; am sure she will have a promising future.

Hound Group 3 Beagle, Jones’ CLAIRDALE FUSILIER 4 yrs, mature, masculine male, compact and balanced. Pleasing head, dark oval eye, good leathers. Nice muscular neck into nicely constructed front, sufficient bone, good feet. Ribs extending back and a strong muscular loin giving him a nice level topline. Moderate at rear. Moved and handled well, nicely set on tail; carried well and just outmoved the others to win BOB.

Hound Group 4 Basenji, Knowles’ SARAWANA DRAGON’S CONQUEST JW red/white. One I have judged before, maturing into a lovely bitch. Nice head proportions, wrinkle on forehead, dark eye. Good ears of nice size, pointed. Strong neck into well laid shoulder; let down to elbows, good forelegs of fine bone. In good condition, ribs extending back and firm loin. Muscular at rear with well let down hock and muscular second thigh. Curled tail, set correctly and buttock extending beyond root of tail. Moved well.

Puppy Group 1 Whippet, Short’s COLLOONEY SENORITA SISI Super youngster just turned 6 months; feminine head; lovely eye and expression; correct rose ears. Nice length of neck into well laid shoulder; good forelegs; ribs extending back, good topline and nicely angled hindquarters. Really covered the ground well, out and back and in profile which won her the class; am sure she will have a promising future.

Puppy Group 2, Griffon Fauve De Bretagne, Wyer, Marshall Wyer, Shannon’s AMILEE DES COUCARLIS E BORDENEUVE (IMP FRA) Griffon Fauve de Bretagne. Just a baby but a lot to like about this youngster. Super feminine and balanced in profile; pleasing head of good proportions, correct eye, strong muzzle and good leathers of correct texture. Strong muscular neck into a well laid shoulder; good forelegs and feet. Nicely angled rear and good tail; she has correct coat. Still to mature in body when she applies herself to move she is parallel out and back and scores in profile.

Puppy Group 3, Dachshund Wire Haired, Sirrell’s DRAKKNA DRAGON SONG, Promising youngster, pleasing head with good eye and ear, nice dark pigment; well made fore and aft and in excellent coat and condition, really moved out well and with plenty of character on the move.

Puppy Group 4, Basset Fauve De Bretagne, Stevenson Bramley’s REVENITE MRS FOX, feminine youngster presenting a nice balanced profile; nice head of good shape, good eye and nice leathers, set correctly; in good coat and condition and moved well out and back but in profile with a correct topline and tail carriage.