Finnish Lapphund Club Of Great Britain

FINNISH LAPPHUND CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN

Twentieth Breed Open Show

SATURDAY 11TH July 2026

Judge: Dolores Montgomery

Super excited to be invited to judge the FLS club show. The lappies are an amazing breed! I’ve watched them often in Finland, in the show ring plus visited them in their homes in middle Finland and of course, northern Finland, where very few unfortunately are still used to work herding reindeer. I have seen a couple mushing and a few pulling a kick sled. I believe they have been used for trailing as well but this is not something I have witnessed. My entry was lovely and I had some nice examples of the breed to go over, and I am grateful that exhibitors took my decisions so gracefully. When judging a dog, the term ‘gestalt’ is one that always springs to mind. This term defines the fact that any object, in our case, a dog, is the sum of its parts. There were some points that I didn’t like so much, such as, shape of eye, ears too large, narrow skull and narrow back to mention a few points, and much that I did like. For me, it is important that the way a dog is constructed means it is fit for function, i.e. can they do the job it was initially bred for? Some points are not always very relevant in the show ring, such as coat texture, but that too should be considered. A soft coat would make life very uncomfortable for a Lapphund in -40’C. Construction, soundness and does the dog look like a Lapphund were at the top of my priority. Eg. Bold in eye is not good for bright snow or windy weather plus a bold eye is often coupled with too much stop, which allows for snow accumulation where skull meets the muzzle. The breed standard asks for a ‘straight and broad’ back. Reindeers are generally very amenable, but they are large, fast animals. If this herding breed is to fulfill its task, it must be strong and equally fast, additionally they must be able to change direction very quickly. Mechanically, dogs that are slightly longer than tall are often better movers, so being square may look lovely from the ringside or to a judge, but this shape can affect the strength, reach and drive of the dog. I did find a few cases with short upper arms, and this too impairs reach; depth of chest was not always present. Those who were a little too long in back were long in loin, perhaps weakening the overall strength of the back and making the ‘quick’ change of direction not so successful. Another issue I found on the day was high set hocks. With many freighting breeds this can cause the dislocation of the hock and although Lapphunds have not primarily been used for freighting, if they were, low set hocks are required. High set hocks are often coupled with over angulation at the rear, giving poor rear action and strength. I am not one who criticizes dogs in a critique, as I feel all dogs have both many good and a few ‘bad’ points so please take the above as a report of my ‘not so good’ findings of a few dogs. Finally remember that most of what I have written is my interpretation of the breed standard and most importantly, you will always take the best dog home.

VD (2,1). 1. Lee’s Kaijartuu Ihmissusi JW - Rather lovely 7.5-year-old with much to like about him; he is of a good size; he has a nice head with correctly shaped eyes; pigmentation is good. When viewed side-on, I would like a little less tuck-ups and a slightly higher set tail and his topline could be a tad stronger, although this may be a function of age. Forequarter proportions and angulation are good. Coat texture is correct for the breed. I really like this boy; he is of good breed type for me. RBD. JD (1). 1. Jarvis’s Elbereth Nuka JW - Not quite 18 months old yet and enjoying his day out. I do like to see lively youngsters and he does not disappoint. He is already quite strongly built although lacking a bit of maturity, so time will be his good friend. His head is very masculine, and it would be impossible to mistake him for a bitch. His back is already quite strong and straight with a good depth of chest. To be ultra critical, I would like the hocks to be a little lower set. He is a nice dog, and I will watch his progress with interest. YD (1). 1. Daly’s Whinfoss Kesansoturi(AI) - Nearly 2-years-old with still some maturing to do but much to like about him already. His overall construction is very good with super proportions; head is typical for the breed; mouth is good; neck has enough muscle; front angulation is good; When stacked his hindquarters are parallel but he moves a little close behind when moving away from me. Going around the ring his movement looks textbook. PGD (1). 1. Ellis’s Tabanyaruu Christie Alvi - Wearing his summer coat today, so nothing to hide under a thick coat. Viewed side-on his body proportions are quite good, and he has a lovely body length, however, I would like a tad more substance throughout. Front action is lacking a bit of reach and although moving a little close behind today, he has plenty of drive. Pasterns could be a tiny bit stronger. LD (3). 1. Daly’s Tabanyaruu Borealis Boo - Strongly built 4-years-old; in super, coat and condition; height at withers to length of body ratio is very good. He is strong in head and perhaps a tiny bit bold in eye for me, but his expression is pleasant and masculine. His mouth is correct, and his neck is of good length with enough muscle. Viewed side-on, his topline is straight and he is broad; depth of body is sufficient; his front feet look a fraction flat, but his overall movement is good. 2. Lloyd’s Arianrhod Havukruunu - 2.5-year-old who like my class winner is quite broad in skull but again masculine in expression; body shape viewed from the side is good but a bit fine when viewed from the back. Mouth is good; shoulder placement is good; forequarters are sufficiently well angulated to give him enough drive on the move. When stacked he tends to stand back on his hindquarters, giving the impression he is sickle hocked however, this is not at all apparent on the move. 3. Jarvis’s Elbereth Nuka JW. OD (4). A stunning class of sound dogs. Type was quite even in a couple of cases. There was so much to like about each and every one of them and it came down to splitting hairs. 1. Forsey’s Ch Arianrhod Black Sun Aeon At Muzoku - It would be incredibly difficult not to notice this dog; He dominates the ring as he enters it; he is masculine through and through; strongly built, perfectly groomed and presented. His body proportions are textbook being sufficiently longer than tall; nothing is overdone. Head construction is good with a broad skull and blunt wedge; eyes and ears are breed typical; neck is strongly built, shoulders well laid and angulation of shoulder to upper arm is very good; back is strong with plenty muscle; depth of chest is good. Hindquarters are well angulated and hocks set low; feet are good; Tail set and carriage are good. A joy to watch him move in all directions. He is quite difficult to fault. BD. BIS. 2. Whyman & Murray’s Ch Lappviken Keltainen Of Manu JW - Another cracking dog of not unsimilar type to my class winner, and close up in many breed positive points. Head, expression, angulation, topline, feet, tail set and carriage are all good! His movement is strong and free flowing, covering the ground well, he is beautifully sound. If I’m being extra picky, I would like his back to be a little shorter so improving his height to length ratio. 3.Alison’s Ch Oberitz Kaamoksen Ruhtinas JW. GCDSD (1).1. Ellis’s Tabanyaruu Christie Alvi. VB (4,1). Another class that illustrates how well this breed ages. 1. Lee’s Ch Kaijartuu Hopea Noita JW - Beautiful feminine head of very good proportions. She is of a good size with excellent height to length ratio; eye shape is good and the size of her ears are as expected for the breed. Her front is well constructed with good elbow placement; topline is straight and strong to the touch. She moves well in all directions but perhaps she is a little over angulated at the rear. Overall, this 9-years-old bitch is lovely. RBB. 2. Beaumont & Mowatt’s Tabanyaruu Unelma Hannele - Younger than my class winner at 7 years of age. She has a super breed typical head. Her outline is very good and angulation fore and aft is as it should be; she is well muscled on a strong frame; She has a slight tendency on occasion to toe-out on the move but this could be a function of age. A real sweetie. 3. Fowler’s Tabanyaruu Unelma Kukinta At Lapinruska. SVB (4). Amazing movers in this class. 1. Jackson’s Ch Tilkkuturkin Hallantuoma To Elbereth JW ShCM - At nearly 12-years-old, she is considered an ‘old fashioned’ type, but this is not a disparaging remark, just an observation as I think she is rather lovely. Her ears are a little close together and her head is not as broad as it could be, which would account for the set of ears. Her neck, shoulders and back are still quite strong and correct for the breed standard, but her rear movement is lacking a little drive. Super ‘not so young’ lady. I wish I had seen her in her prime. 2. Beaumont & Mowatt’s Tabanyaruu Pilvi Tildakoi - 10- years-old with a super breed typical head; she has just enough stop and her expression is feminine; Stacked, her outline is good and defies her age; her back is straight and still quite firm to the touch. Viewed from the front, she tends to toe out a little, but this does not affect her front action; overall movement is good, she is very agile for her age. 3. Proctor’s IR Ch Bridus Ihana With Cathbri ShCM. PB (2). 1. Ellis & Crosby’s Lounatuuli Aurora Lyyra - 11-months-old and showing very well for her young age; she is of sufficient size with a good outline; head is broad enough and quite feminine; pigmentation is good; ears set a d carried well; forequarters have sufficient bone; back is straight and her frame is already quite strong but muscle still needs to be laid down. Forequarters have plenty of bone; her body proportions are quite good, and her movement is appropriate for her age. BPIS. 2. Ellis’s Lounatuuli Aurora Lumonova – Litter sister to my class winner and in many ways not unsimilar. She is squarer in build than my 1st place and her movement, especially rear action is not as strong and on occasion her back feet overtake the front feet pawprints; front angulation is good. Like her litter sister she is feminine and pretty but just a tad too square for me. JB (3). 1. Ellis & Crosby’s Lounatuuli Aurora Lyyra. 2. Ellis’s lounatuuli Aurora Lumonova. 3. Birks’s Samite Taiga Of Sotka(Imp Est). YB (1). 1. Fowler’s Whinfoss Kesanlehvisto At Lapinruska JW(AI) – 23-months-old but I don’t think she is fully mature yet; she is lightly built and could do with having a little more substance. Although her head is feminine and she could not be mistaken for a male under any circumstances, she is a tad bold in eye for me, and this tends to spoil her expression. Her neck is of a good length and shape; back is straight but not as broad as I like. Movement is good around the ring and coming towards me; drive could be a bit stronger. PGB (3,1). Only 2 in this class but quite different types. 1. Isherwood’s Starlapps Jarvi JW – Quite a lot to like about this young bitch; she is very pretty with a gentle expression; her topline is textbook being straight viewed side-on, I would however like it to be a little broader and stronger built; outline is quite good, perhaps a little long in loin but her movement is lovely. Her hocks are quite low set, giving her plenty of drive around the ring. She has enough rear angulation and I wouldn’t want it any more angulated. A good, honest bitch with many favourable breed points. 2. Forsey’s Muzoku Devil’s Daughter – I like the type of this bitch but today, her topline is not as strong as my class winner. I do like the breed to be broad across the back plus have plenty of muscle for work but felt that going over her she was a little overweight and this may be spoiling her topline; front is good and there is plenty of slope and spring in her pasterns on the move. Feet are of good shape; tail set could be a tad higher set. LB (8,2). 1. Pelling’s Tabanyaruu Aurora Ahkera – Strongly built bitch of very good proportions; head is good with sufficient stop; eyes oval, ears well placed; scissor bite, good strong neck; She has good bone throughout, especially her hindquarters, and her movement is brisk in all directions; hocks set low, which is always good. 2. Proctor’s Alkantara Talvi Hamara With Cathbri – Not wearing her best jacket today and dressed for the weather. An attractive bitch of good size with nothing overdone. Head, mouth and neck are all appropriate for this breed; her topline is good. Perhaps she has a little too much tuck up for me but her generally conformation is good. Angulation fore and aft are good and she moves effortlessly I all directions. 3. Ellis & Crosby’s Tabanyaruu Borealis Bliz. OB (4,1). Lovely class of quality bitches. Almost spoilt for choice. 1. Anderson & Nardone Ch Limishka Kareitar JW – 5-year-old quality bitch. She is solidly built and looks as though she could do a full day’s work. She is of a good height and length; her head is broad with her forehead being just rounded enough to keep her feminine expression; eye shape is good and ear set and carriage are lovely. Forequarters have shoulder and upper arm lengths nearly equal, which make for a strong, functional front, where her movement is straight coming towards me. Topline is straight, broad and strong when I place my hands over her. Her hindquarters balance her forequarters both in strength and design. It is difficult not to like this bitch. Brilliant mover. BB. RBIS. 2. Allison’s Ch Oberitz Tumma Ruhtinatar – I can’t help but see a few similarities between this bitch and my class winner. She is a strongly built girl with super proportions and a strong, broad back. Like my first place, she is pretty. The main difference I find is that she has more rear angulation than my winner and her rear movement is not as free flowing today. Her front movement however is strong with plenty of reach. 3. Moore’s Ch Samerajerna’s Zaluda Of Morval(Imp Swe)JW. GCDSB (4). 1. Proctor’s Alkantara Talvi Hamara With Cathbri. 2. Ellis & Crosby’s Tabanyaruu Borealis Bliz. 3. Beaumont & Mowatt’s Tabanyaruu Pilvi Tildakoi.