A mixed lot, where I struggled to find sound, typical Dalmatians in most classes. Fronts are worse than ever with front assemblies coming too far forward to allow for a sloping shoulder, therefore most dogs couldn't move properly. Heads were disappointing, with lack of length of muzzle a real problem. On the plus side, temperaments were good & the exhibitors were very sporting.

MPD (5,1 a)

A rather disappointing class overall.
I Munro's Tanstar Sea The Stars, black, OK for size & substance, well angulated rear, well muscled, moved OK;
2 Lewis' D'Artagnan at Hunterswood,big enough black. Bit overdone & a bit bum high;
3 Thorne's Kesteven Helter Skelter at Castletop.

PD (I)

I Talbot's Winflash Wille Do It at Leaveslake, lovely type, right for size & substance, black, well enough marked, liked head, balance of skull & muzzle, dark expressive eye, arched neck, correct sloping shoulder angle, deep rib, level topline & attractive tail, can't stand wrong, just so well made, moved really soundly with plenty of reach & drive. BP.

JD (6)

I Polhill's Fincham Hurricane Jack at Kymvale,very attractive liver of good colour, well made head of good proportions, well set ears, arched neck, well off for bone, really scores in absolute soundness, correctly made, so light on feet, topline firm & tail just right, movement stylish & sound with required reach & drive. CC & BOB;
2 Ganter & Thomas' Jabbawock Jailhouse Rock, liver. Bit bigger. Balanced for size, lengthy refined skull & muzzle, arched neck, well shaped deep rib & level topline. Not quite got reach & drive of I;
3 Ingham Risdonfarm Rocky.

YD (5)

I Burrows' Daedalus Deacon Blue at Shacarlu, black, beautifully balanced outline, good size & substance, correct head shape. Forgets to use ears which detracts from head shape. Level topline & well set tail, moved soundly. Lacked a bit of reach & drive;
2 Croft's Doubtwell Show Stopper, black, bit bigger all over. Masculine head & dark eye, deep rib & level topline, moved OK;
3 I Risdonfarm Rocky.

GD (2)

I Williams' Phadante Brighton Rock, liver of correct size & balance, super well shaped amber eye & well shaped ears, well off for bone, deep well shaped rib & level topline, well muscled. Lacked reach & drive;
2 Story-Taylor's Major Tornado at Kesteven, well marked black, good size & substance. Not so good in front & topline falls away behind shoulder.

PGD (6,2)

I McCarthy's Kilndandy Old Copper, beautifully marked liver of correct colour, balanced outline, well off for bone & substance. A bit plain in head & forgets to use pretty ears. Deep rib & level topline. Didn't show much enthusiasm of movement, but was best in class;
2 Corcoran's DalmarkThe Sandwizard, rangy liver, good skull. Bit fine in muzzle. Deep rib & level topline. Not much reach or drive;
3 Beaumont & Croft's Koroyza Candy Man.

LD (9,1)

I Gates-Raw & Garton's Dalendale Quiet Riot, liver of good size & substance, really liked overall soundness, attractive head proportions & when uses ears is really most appealing, darkish eye, good shape, arched neck, correct angled front with deep well shaped rib, level topline, strong loin, super rear, well muscled, moved with fair reach & drive;
2 Jenkins' tllyria Sarons Lad, black, well marked, very sound & stylish, correct skull.Would like just a little more length of muzzle for balance. Good neck & shoulder, great feet, deep rib & level topline with strong loin, perfect tail that never stopped wagging, moved soundly. Not enough reach or drive;
3 Kay's Kaytian One Kool Kat.

OD (6,2)

I Bolt's Ch Fakenham Flash Gordon, lovely sized liver of quality, well balanced outline, good skull & muzzle proportions, dark amber eye, well shaped ears, arched neck, good shoulder & deep rib, strong loin & well carried tail, won class on movement. RCC;
2 Kembrey's Dalmark The Showstormer, black, medium sized with dense pigment, attractive head with dark expressive eye, well carried ears, good bone, deep rib & level topline, well muscled, moved soundly;
3 Lewis' Man About Town at Hunterswood.

V (4,1)

I Page's Ch Winter Magic, very animated black bitch, glorious head, eye & expression, well placed ear, really good body, well ribbed back with forechest, sound in topline, great legs & feet, so sound & stylish on move. RCC;
2 McCarthy's Ch Ir Ch Tollwood Lionel at Kilndandy, attractive liver dog, good size & substance, lots to like. Was just not up for it here;
3 Wills' Dallyvista Scandalous Risk.

MPB (7,1)

I Barnsley's Tanstar Silver Chrystal, over marked black. Good dark eye, deep rib, well off for bone, well handled;
2 Clarke's Klarkeson Royal Lace, really lovely head, good eye & ear. Carrying plenty of puppy fat & front is not sound;
3 Leach's Hebemor Twice The Dice.

PB (4,1)

I Whiting's Winflash Loopy Loo, black of good size & balance, feminine well shaped head, good dark eye & expression, arched neck, deep well shaped rib & forechest, level topline, moved stylishly,
2 H Twice The Dice, black, feminine & typical, super dark eye & melting expression, good neck & topline, well muscled, reasonable angles, moved soundly. Lacked reach & drive;
3 Healey's Hebemor Spice Dice.

JB (7)

I Neath-Duggan's Buffrey Gift Wrapped, quality black, well marked & great condition, well balanced, super feet, good head proportions, arched neck, deep rib, correct topline & tail, moved stylishly. Would like better reach;
2 Page's Winflash The Final Magic, black, good for size & outline, well balanced head, super dark eye, good bone & feet, deep rib, level topline, well muscled & sound. Lacks reach & drive;
3 Gibbs' Phadante Dixie Lily.

YB (2)

I Croft's Doubtwell Amazing Grace, good size, balanced black. Rather fine in head. Good deep rib, correct topline & tail, moved OK;
2 Ingham's Philpen Dusky Maiden, liver, didn't want to be handled, see the Standard on temperament.

GB (5,1)

I Kembrey's DalmarkThe Sandwitch, liver, most beautiful balanced head, eye shape & colour is to die for, grand body, good feet, well off for bone, correct rib & topline, moved very stylishly,
2 Whincup's Tamilanda Lilly The Pink, black, very hard condition, ultra feminine head, very sound body, good angulation, moved soundly.Two lovely bitches;
3Thorner's Tolutim Drambuie.

PGB (4,2)

I Dore's Daldior Ace Of Diamonds, very feminine black, balanced head, well placed eye, well placed ears when bothers to use them, arched neck, well placed front, well angulated rear, good depth of rib;
2 Williams' Phadante One Vision, tall, but well balanced liver, feminine head & good eye, deep rib & correct tail.

LB (14,5)

I Smallwood's Mapplewell Dancing Queeen of Lascelles, very attractive liver, great condition, good width of skull, good amber eye & expression, well boned, deep rib, strong loin, correct tail. Moved soundly, but not with any real reach or drive;
2 Whincup's Tamilanda Hot Pink, liver of good colour & very stylish. Preferred head of I .Very sound & feminine, well made;
3 Tingey's Phaeland Pheonix Phorever by Dallyador.

OB (10,1)

I Cuthbertson's Ch Kalsidoni Garnet, truly feminine & typical black spotted bitch of quality, just right size & balance, grand skull & muzzle proportions, super dark eye of correct shape, uses well placed ears, just loved mischievous expression, lovely arched neck flowing into well angled shoulder, best of legs & feet, well ribbed back, strong loin & level topline, correct tail carriage, spotting is even & well defined with good depth of pigment, excels on move, so sound & free flowing, light on feet with required reach & drive, a real classic Dalmatian bitch.CC;
2 Beaumont & Croft's Little Miss Fuss Pot for Koroyza, very sound & honest. Not quite as feminine in head as I would want. Impressed with balance & quality, very hard condition, so much to like & can really move as a Dalmatian should;
3 Polhill's Kymvale Savannah.

K A NATHAN