Cheshire Agricultural Society

Cheshire Show Critique…

I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to making this such an enjoyable appointment. Firstly, I would like to thank the Committee of this prestigious show for inviting me to judge. It was a tremendous honour and privilege to assess such a large entry, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity.

My thanks also go to all the exhibitors who entered under me and entrusted me with their dogs. I was delighted by both the quality and depth of competition throughout the classes. The standard of exhibits presented was exceptionally high, with many beautiful dogs possessing excellent breed type, soundness, and presentation, making for some very difficult decisions on the day. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the hardworking show staff, stewards, and volunteers whose efforts behind the scenes ensured the smooth and efficient running of the show. 

Minor Puppy 

1st - Flerrow Love Like A Bomb (Mrs L Fleming) 

A pretty brindle bitch who stood out for her elegance and femininity. She presents a good outline. Her long, muscular, elegantly arched neck flows smoothly into well laid-back shoulders. Forelegs are straight with moderate bladed bone, complemented by strong pasterns. For one so young, she already possesses a well-filled front, with further maturity still to come. She has good length of body with a graceful arch over the loin, giving a balanced and flowing profile. She produced the best profile movement in the class, moving with a long, easy stride whilst maintaining her topline throughout. A promising young bitch who, given time to mature, should have a very bright future ahead of her.

2nd - Jennie Wren at Penwincoed (Ms J M Lloyd) 

A fawn bitch with many quality attributes. A feminine bitch with no exaggeration, possessing a long, elegantly arched neck flowing into well laid-back shoulders and a good return of upper arm. Slightly shorter coupled than the class winner, but balanced throughout with nothing overdone. Moved well in profile, although I would have preferred a little more reach and freedom of movement to fully complement her construction. Nevertheless, she remained true coming and going, demonstrating soundness and balance on the move 

3rd - Ballauren's Diamond (Miss L & Miss L J Cooper) 

Puppy

1st - Afterglow Don’t Dilly Daly (Mrs A Nixon) 

This red brindle bitch immediately caught my eye on the first circuit, standing out for her overall balance and quality. She moved around the ring with great ease, style and elegance, displaying a long, flowing stride and maintaining her shape throughout. On examination, she presented a long, lean head with a flat skull and clean finish, complemented by a beautiful, long, elegantly arched neck. For one so young, she already possesses good forechest development and depth, with a lovely sweeping underline. A balanced youngster throughout, with good length of loin and well-ribbed body still developing as maturity comes. She really stole the class for me today, combining elegance with correct construction, and I believe she has a very promising future ahead of her. 

2nd - Saraquele Smooth N Sassy (Mrs S A Kemp) 

Another quality fawn bitch, very balanced throughout and presented in excellent condition. She appealed for her overall moderation and breed type, standing over plenty of ground. On the move, she displayed good freedom of action and an easy, effortless stride. She possesses well laid-back shoulders, sufficient return of upper arm. Well-ribbed and balanced throughout, she gave a pleasing overall picture. She moved soundly both coming and going, although at times she lost a little of her outline in profile movement. A very honest and promising young bitch, and one I look forward to watching as she continues to mature and develop. 

3rd - Collooney Take On The Devil (Mrs V & Mrs N Coulter & Craig) 

Junior 

1st - Silkridge Mistletoe Smooch (Mrs C & Mr K Perkins & Van Der Schaaf) 

A quality red fawn bitch who appealed greatly for her elegance, balance and overall breed type. She presents a very pleasing picture standing, with quality flowing from head to tail and. On the move, she made full use of her strong, well-muscled hindquarters, with broad thighs and well let-down hocks enabling her to stride out freely and effortlessly, producing an impressive profile gait with excellent reach and flow. For one so young, she has excellent forechest development and chest infill, complemented by a beautiful sweeping underline with the desired ‘S’ curve and graceful tuck-up. Good length of loin with strength and flexibility, together with well-sprung ribs, completed a balanced and athletic outline.

2nd - Southpoint Yesterday at Pennybeck (Mr G S & Mrs J C Jones) 

This bitch was unfortunate to come up against the winner today. She immediately caught my attention on the first circuit. On examination, she certainly did not disappoint, being another quality bitch of excellent breed type that appealed greatly. Elegant and flowing throughout, with no exaggeration, she presented a beautifully balanced outline. I particularly admired her overall symmetry and proportion. She possessed a deep brisket, well laid-back shoulders and good length of loin with a gentle, graceful arch, all combining to create a very pleasing profile. On the move she displayed good reach and drive. By the final stack, the heat was beginning to take its toll on her a little, which was understandable, but she never stopped trying. Another promising youngster of great merit, and one whose future development I will follow with keen interest.

3rd - Penwincoed Pumpkin Pie (Ms J M Lloyd) 

Yearling 

1st - Edenwhip A Moment in Thyme (Mrs E K & Miss L Mallinson) 

An elegant feminine bitch of pleasing breed type, presenting a balanced and graceful outline. She possesses a pretty, long and lean head, flat skull, tapering cleanly to the muzzle, with a bright, oval eye completing an appealing expression. Forelegs are straight with moderate bladed bone, and she has a deep brisket, giving plenty of heart room. Standing naturally, she covered plenty of ground without exaggeration, displaying the balance and athleticism so characteristic of the breed. On the move, she strode out well in profile, with her hind legs reaching well beneath her body to provide strong propulsion and effortless forward movement. She maintained her outline well and moved with purpose and style. Presented and handled to advantage, allowing her many qualities to be fully appreciated.

2nd - Penwincoed Mr Magoo JW (Ms J M Lloyd) 

A dog of moderate and balanced type.. He has a good length of loin with a gentle, flowing arch, and his hindquarters are well constructed, with a nicely shaped stifle, sufficient second thigh and well let-down hocks. On the move, he held his topline well and remained balanced throughout. Whilst sound in action, I would have preferred to see him move with a little more purpose and drive to fully capitalise on his construction. Nevertheless, he is a pleasing dog of moderate type with many admirable qualities.

Graduate

1st - Udalie Du Menuel Galopin (Imp Fra) (Miss R Kerr) 

A very elegant and curvaceous bitch who immediately caught the eye. She made a striking first impression and was one I was particularly keen to examine from her initial stack. Standing naturally over plenty of ground, she displayed a beautifully balanced outline with flowing, unexaggerated curves throughout. She possesses a pleasing feminine head carried on a long, elegantly arched neck, flowing smoothly into well laid-back shoulders and an excellent return of upper arm. A deep brisket and a beautiful sweeping underline displaying the desired ‘S’ curve and graceful tuck-up. Her flowing lines continue through a strong loin of good length into a moderate, well-muscled hindquarter, with strong thighs and well let-down hocks. On the move, she was extremely pleasing in profile, covering the ground with ease and maintaining her outline throughout. Presented and handled well, allowing all her virtues to be seen to best advantage. 

2nd - Saraquele Smooth Criminal (Mrs S A Kemp) 

This handsome young male immediately caught my eye on the move, displaying the long, easy, ground-covering stride so characteristic of the breed while maintaining his topline throughout. Up to size, he remains harmonious in all respects and never loses the elegance essential to the Whippet. He possesses a long, muscular, elegantly arched neck flowing cleanly into well-laid shoulders, with good return of upper arm and a strong, lengthy loin showing the correct gentle arch. I was particularly impressed by his hindquarter construction: broad, well-muscled thighs, well-bent stifles without exaggeration and strong second thighs, all of which he uses to full advantage on the move. He is still very much a youngster and I am confident there is more to come as he continues to mature. He has all the attributes to enjoy a successful future in the ring. I was delighted to award him Best Puppy in Breed and even more pleased to see him go on to take Puppy Group 1.

3rd - Afterglow Don’t Dilly Daly (Mrs A Nixon) 

Post Graduate

1st - Shardbeck Kick Up A Storm (Mrs P Clewes) 

A well-proportioned bitch, with a pleasing head and strong underjaw with good expression. Well laid-back shoulders and good length of body are complemented by a deep brisket. Her hindquarters are correctly constructed, with moderate stifle angulation. On the move, while her movement was fluent and efficient, I would have preferred to see a little more reach in front and greater drive from behind to complete the picture.

2nd - Alysando's Sweet Audrina (Ms A H Handley) 

A finer throughout bitch, she has a pretty, well-balanced head with a pleasing eye and expression. Her long, elegantly arched neck flows cleanly into her front assembly, where she shows sufficient forechest and front fill, complemented by a sufficient brisket reaching well down with a graceful tuck-up. Her hindquarters are completed by well let-down hocks. Moved out well. 

Limit 

1st - Silkridge Black Caviar (Mrs C & Mr K Perkins & Van Der Schaaf) 

A striking black dog whom I had admired from the ringside and was keen to assess more closely. Today, he certainly did not disappoint, presenting a beautifully balanced and flowing outline, with every part blending seamlessly from head to tail. His long, elegant neck flows cleanly into well-laid shoulders with flat, quality muscle and a good return of upper arm. He excels in front construction, showing excellent front fill and a deep brisket, giving him both substance and balance. His strong, lengthy loin carries the correct gentle arch, contributing to an outline that is both graceful and powerful.He powered effortlessly around the ring, displaying true and accurate movement both coming and going, while maintaining his shape and balance throughout. Presented in gleaming black coat and immaculate condition, he was handled sympathetically to show his many virtues. I was delighted to award him Reserve Best of Breed today and will continue to watch his progress with great interest. He possesses all the qualities required for title success. 

2nd - Crème Anglaise’s Too Hot to Handle for Mazargo JW (Imp Nld) (Miss E J Blake) 

Another exhibit I have long admired from the ringside, and one who, in my opinion, continues to improve with age. This brindle bitch was presented and handled to great advantage, allowing her many virtues to be fully appreciated. Standing, she presents a lovely picture, combining elegance and athleticism in abundance. With a feminine, well-balanced head and pleasing eye. Her long, clean lines are enhanced by well-laid shoulders, flat, quality muscle and an excellent return of upper arm, all contributing to her balanced and effortless outline. What particularly appealed was her shape and curves throughout. On the move, she covered the ground well in profile, maintaining her outline at all times, while remaining true and accurate both coming and going. Today, she was unfortunate to meet my winner. Ultimately, I preferred the overall finish of the winner on the day. Nevertheless, this is a quality bitch with much to admire, and one whom I believe has a very successful future ahead of her.

3rd - Edenwhip Oregano JW (Mrs E K & Miss L Mallinson) 

Open 

1st - Ch Crème Anglaise’s Entourage with Silkridge JW (Mrs C & Mr K Perkins & Van Der Schaaf) 

I felt extremely privileged to judge this outstanding young bitch, another exhibit I have admired from the ringside for some time and one who, in my opinion, continues to improve with maturity. From the moment she entered the ring, she commanded attention, and what immediately stood out was her beautiful, feminine head. Whilst the Whippet is not a breed judged solely on head properties, it is the first feature encountered on examination, and hers is both elegant and typical, setting the tone. She possesses a wonderfully long, elegantly arched neck flowing seamlessly into a well-constructed front assembly. Her excellent return of upper arm, supported by strong, well-sprung pasterns, contributes to her balance and overall harmony. She excels in forechest and depth of brisket, and her underline is particularly appealing, displaying the classic flowing ‘S’ curve and tuck-up so characteristic of the breed. Her hindquarters are equally impressive, with strong, correctly bent stifles, well-developed second thighs and well let-down hocks, providing both power and efficiency. On the move, she simply came into her own. Sound, graceful and effortless in action, she moved with elegance and purpose, maintaining her outline at all times. She gave me those rare ‘good bumps’ that only a truly exceptional exhibit can, leaving a lasting impression both standing and on the move. I was absolutely delighted to award her Best of Breed, and even more pleased to see her go on to win Hound Group 1. A bitch of exceptional quality and breed type. 

2nd - Edenwhip Call Me at Night (Mr J & Ms R Winkley-Balmer & Winkley) 

A moderate fawn dog whose breed type I greatly admire. His long, elegantly arched neck flows cleanly into well-laid shoulders, which, together with a good return of upper arm, provide a sound and efficient front assembly. He has a pleasing length of loin with the correct gentle arch, contributing to a smooth and flowing outline. His hindquarters are strong and well-muscled, with good bend of stifle free from exaggeration, giving him both strength and athleticism. On the move, he covered the ground freely and efficiently in profile, maintaining his topline throughout and demonstrating the balance and coordination suggested by his construction. A quality dog of pleasing moderation and excellent breed type, whose virtues are evident both standing and on the move.

3rd - Crosscop Im Alwayz Yours at Ballauren JW (Miss L & Miss L J Cooper)