Eastbourne & District Canine Society

Eastbourne & District Premier Open Show 23rd August 2026 My thanks goes to the committee for inviting me to judge at their show. Thank you to my efficient ring stewards and to the exhibitors for their entries. All the dogs had excellent temperaments today and the exhibitors were very sporting in their behaviour too. Bernese Mountain Dog Class 297 Open (1/2) 1st 391 Long’s Prinss vom Durrbachler Wald for Glamrock (IMP NLD) This 3 year old male stood alone but a nice, solid, masculine boy. Strong head with the darkest of eyes and typical expression for this breed. Well off for bone, elbows sat close to ribs which had good spring, good depth of chest. Body is well proportioned, strong topline and moderately angled rear. Moved with good rhythm around the ring. BOB. Dobermann Class 310 Open (2/2) 1st 402 Gallagher’s Manzart Excalibur at Izralight JW. Very nice male of 3 years. Strong, masculine head with excellent pigmentation all through, good ear placement and dark, almond shaped eyes. Excellent reach of neck into good shoulders. Nice amount of forechest with good depth to chest and good ribbing. Well boned, excellent feet. Good underline and level topline. Well muscled rear with good bend of stifle and strong hocks. Moved with purpose and drive. BOB. 2nd 403 Revell & Hunt’s Virsco Va Va Voom. Beautiful girl who is also three years old. Feminine all through without lacking substance. Dark eye, good pigmentation and strong jaw. Good reach of neck, nice depth of chest with good bone and feet. Well tucked up underline and good topline. Well angulated at the rear with solid muscling. Moved with good drive just not quite the reach in front of the first. RBOB. Dogue de Bordeaux Class 311 Junior (1/3) 1st 407 Clarke’s Shimano Yabba Dabba Drool. Such a sweet girl of just 7 months old. Lovely and confident, with just the most typical breed expression. Head is developing well with excellent breadth to the skull, median groove is well defined with a good amount of wrinkle. Good amount of stop and length of muzzle with thick flews. Eyes are correct shape and colour. Strong neck, well laid shoulders, chest is developing well. Good bone and strong, tight feet. Nice spring of rib and good length of loin, with a solid topline. Well angled rear with muscling coming on well for her age. Moved with purpose. Stood alone but definitely one to watch. BOB, BPIB. Siberian Husky Class 338 Junior (2/3) 1st 440 Simms’ Arcticskies Woo Woo. 7 month old male with the most handsome head, strong skull with excellent muzzle. Good eye shape, correctly set ears giving him an alert expression. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Nicely boned fores, down to tight feet. Chest of good depth with nice spring of rib already. Well proportioned body, level topline and nice tuck up. Nice width of thigh, well muscled already. Moved fluidly around the ring with good drive. BPIB. 2nd 444 Wells’ Arcticskies Tia Maria. 7 month old female, with many of the same qualities as the first. Another excellent head, clearly female but not snipey in any way. Good eye shape and ear placement. Nicely arched neck, good forehand and bone. Ribs developing well, strong through the topline and nicely tucked up underline. Good angulation at the back, just slightly unsettled on the move which meant she didn’t have the same drive as the first. Class 339 Postgraduate (1/1) 1st 437 Pointer & Cruttenden’s Nativespirit’s Angel Dust. 2 year old female with a beautiful feminine head, correct eye shape, excellent pigmentation and good muzzle to skull ratio. Moderately boned, excellent depth of chest and good elbows. Nicely sprung ribs, good topline, well angulated rear. Excellent reach in front on the move but was not quite a strong in her rear movement today. Class 340 Open (2/4) 1st 441 Simms’ Seaqualina Echo of Light at Arcticskies JW. 2 year old male who is very pleased with himself, great presence and such an outgoing temperament. Strong, masculine head whilst retaining the elegance necessary for the breed. Balanced muzzle with excellent pigmentation. Correct eye shape, with high set, alert ears. Nicely arched neck, good shoulder placement, well boned fores and excellent feet. Good spring of rib, body proportions are good with nice length of loin. Good width of thigh, well bent stifles and strong hocks. Moved with accuracy, excellent reach and drive. BOB and pleased to see he went on to be awarded RBIS. Congratulations! 2nd 439 Simms’ CH Arcticskies Baileys On Ice. 6 year old female who is the dam to the BOB winner and gave him a run for his money. Pretty head, typical expression, well balanced all through. Correct front angulation, nicely boned fores, tight feet. Well proportioned body, good width and depth of chest, strong through the loin and topline. Well angulated rear, good hocks. She also moved well but just couldn’t match the drive of her son today. RBOB. Class 534 AV Bred by Exhibitor (8/18) 1st 188 Allchorne’s Nelgus Thyme Flies ShCEx. 7 year old male Basset Hound who just stole the ring today. Such a typical endearing expression for this breed with his dark brown eyes and low set, long ears. Masculine, domed head, good amount of wrinkle and flews, well pigmented. Strong neck, well laid shoulders, well off for bone, good round feet, well up on his toes. Excellent forechest, good ribs, strong topline which he held on the move. Nicely rounded thighs, excellent muscle tone. Moved effortlessly around the ring. 2nd 471 Credland & Sutherland’s Bel CH Carnlochan Thriller (AI). 2 year old male Hungarian Vizsla who also grabbed my attention today. Elegant yet masculine head, good width of skull and strength of muzzle. Eyes of correct colour and shape. Well arched neck into cleanly muscled shoulders. Closely fitting elbows, well boned, tight cat feet. Well proportioned body, good width and depth of chest. Well angulated rear, good bend of stifle and strong hocks. Moved with purpose and drive. 3rd 223 Coote’s Kelsomaid Black Dragon. Dachshund (Mini Smooth). Lauran Wheaton (Acinonyx)