I must firstly thank the exhibitors for a marvellous entry of 124 Dalmatians, making 131 entries.
There was quite a variation in quality amongst the exhibits, something which appears now to be the norm. In the Limit and Open classes, quality was plentiful, and it was much more rewarding task to have to decide amongst quality dogs. The puppy classes were particularly well filled, though the unsurprising variation in make, shape and maturity made decisions somewhat more difficult. No doubt, as these puppies mature, many of them will be changing places on a regular basis.
Not surprisingly, I was pleased with my main winners, each of which displayed the characteristics and construction which befitted them for their role as endurance trotting dogs, i.e. carriage dogs. The current phrase-of-the-day ‘Fit-for-Function’ is not new when it comes to judging Dalmatians! Rather, it is an ideal principle to apply to the task because the function of a Dalmatian dictates its requirements in terms of conformation and movement.

MPD (10 Entries, 3 absent)

1. Alcock’s CREAGANBREC FACE OF BEAU AT DALSPARTAN L/w presented in excellent condition. Struck me immediately with his pleasing outline of well balanced proportions. Good bone, deep chest to elbow, excellent spring and length of rib with correct tuck-up. Moved positively and effortlessly. Shall watch his development with interest. BPD.
2. Johnson’s TYNEVALE THE TEASE Slightly shorter coupled, attractively marked l/w. Close up to 1 and displaying many of the same attributes. At one with his handler especially on the move, combining good reach with drive from the rear.
3. Borras & Clement’s CALDECACRE CROWN IMPERIAL

PD (3,0)

1. Scott’s DALENDALE SINALOA B/w of correct size, free of exaggeration. Dark eye and pleasing expression. Lightly arched neck leading to clean wither. Level topline, strong loin and correct tailset. Well angulated fore and hindquarters proving a smooth striding action.
2. Brindley’s DALAMANTI PRECIOUS OPAL Happy and extrovert puppy, clearly enjoying his day out. Well presented in clean condition. Excellent pigmentation and spotting. Pleasing outline. A little unsettled on the move, but this will improve as he matures.
3. Barrett’s KIRKAM APOLLO

JD (2,0) 1. Cliff & Hipkiss’ BOUTONNEUX APOLLO Upstanding b/w in tip-top condition. Outgoing with wonderful temperament. Balanced proportions throughout. Well laid shoulders with good return of upper arm. Capacious chest with developed forechest. Nicely angulated hindquarters with developed musculature including second thigh. Positive balanced movement.
2. Lamb’s KALSIDONI DEXTER BY DALPETRO B/w of good size. Dark eye providing appealing expression. Elegant arched neck, well boned, good depth of brisket and cat feet. Well schooled and at one with his handler.

YD (6,1)

1 Talbot’s WINFLASH WILLIE DO IT AT LEAVESLAKE Impressed by this b/w which came out on top in a strong class. In proportion and balanced throughout without any exaggeration. Has a length of upper arm which is so lacking in the breed as a whole. Combined with the angulation of his quarters, no surprise that his movement is so flowing and elegant. Pushed hard for further honours which surely will come his way.
2. Whiting’s CIBRITH CAPTAIN KIRK Pristinely presented b/w with bold spotting and great depth of pigment. Dark eye and lovely expression. Well boned and muscled and a solid carriage dog. Excellent depth of brisket. Balanced angulation leading to relaxed flowing stride.
3. Dodds & Pearson’s KELEVRA HUDSON HAWK

PGD (9,3)

1. Croft’s DOUBTWELL SHOW STOPPER JW Impressive standing and commands attention. Immaculate coat with dense b/w spotting on pure white ground. Lovely eye, head and expression. Correct body length to height ratio. Deep chest to elbow combined with long rib provide abundant heart and lung room. Muscular but not overdone. Nicely angulated quarters. At one with handler who gets best out of him. Balanced striding action. RCC.
2. Rose’s CANDIDALS RUN FOREST RUN Lots to like about this l/w. Attractive decoration, head, eye and expression. Well laid back shoulder providing basis for sound forequarter angulation. Strong round boned forelegs to slight spring of pastern. Hindquarter angulation mirroring forequarters. Positive on the move and pushed hard.
3. Gibbs’ PHADANTE SUPATROUPA

LD (9,4)

1. Adderley’s LEIAHART CHICAGO BEAR Last judged him as a puppy. Laid back b/w who simply enters the ring, stands alert at one with handler and simply gets on with the job! For me, he typifies the construction required for an endurance trotting dog. Sound in all respects but importantly not in anyway overdone. Good width and depth of chest, length of rib and tuck-up. Strong loin of correct length. Correct angulation of quarters which he uses so well. On his day, he can simply glide rhythmically and effortlessly around the ring with a long reaching stride, befitting a true carriage dog should. This was his day. CC & BOB
2. Gates-Raw & Garton’s DALENDALE QUIET RIOT Solidly built l/w of substance. Dark eye and elegant neck. Sound in angulation. Good length and spring of rib. Well muscled and of good tone. Fluid movement, really driving from the rear and combined with good reach.
3. Burrows’ DAEDALUS DEACON BLUE AT SHARCALU

OD (5,0)

1. Smith’s CH DALLEAF MULBERRY Well handled l/w with attractive spotting of good colour and even distribution. Gentle expression, elegant arched neck to good wither and shoulders. Strong round bone. Good width of thigh and defined second thigh. Impresses standing and moves correctly, hind feet tracking the fore, maintaining his topline.
2. Bolt’s CH FAKENHAM FLASH GORDON Really solid, masculine l/w of substance who pulls out the stops every time. Strong bone throughout with well toned musculature. Soundly angulated front and rear, used to advantage to provide reach and drive.
3. Tingey’s HOLDERNESSS HILLBILLY BY DALLYADOR JW

MPB (16,4)

1. Dunnachie’s DVOJICA VOTE FOR ME Outgoing b/w, schooled to advantage to show off her qualities both standing and on the move. Well put together with pleasing proportions in outline. Soundly constructed quarters, and moved with a balanced maturity which made her stand out in the class. BPB & BP
2. Peers’ DALLIVIRO LIMITED EDITION Heavier spotted b/w, but look beneath the spots and you find a bitch of some substance and surprising maturity for her tender age. Exhibits a sound construction in balanced proportion throughout, reflected in her movement.
3. Addy’s CREAGANBREC EVIE ROSE

PB (12,3)

1. DALLIVIRO LIMITED EDITION
2. Longworth’s DALENDALE DAKOTA AT DALORNO Well proportioned and unexaggerated l/w with attractive outline. Pleasing expression with lovely spotty face. Correct weight and musculature for her age. Sound underlying construction and moved with confidence.
3. Petersen’s DALIMESE WHOS THAT GIRL AT DAEDALUS

JB (8,4)

1. Quayle’s CUBALIBRE SPOT ON Though just 15 months, this b/w of substance is so striking in her profile and maturity. Immaculate condition, with dense bold spots on tight pure white coat. Dark eye complementing kind expression. Sound proportions throughout, clean over the wither, level topline, deep chest to elbow, correct angulation fore and aft, well boned, tight feet. Moved with ease, and a powerful stride. CC
2. Wright’s BOUTONNEUX ARTEMIS AT MILLBELLE L/w, another quality exhibit. Very attentive to handler. Good bone, nice length of rib, correct shoulder placement providing foundation for sound forequarter angulation which is balanced at the rear. Moves with effortless drive whilst retaining elegance.
3. McManus’ BOSCHENDAL LADY IN RED

YB (8,1)

1. Gibbs’ PHADANTE DIXIE LILY JW This well pigmented b/w put her all into it today. Standing attentively, looked quite the picture of elegance and proportion in outline and has matured well. Good length/height ratio, well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Deep chest, good bend of stifle, moved with a great degree of balance which won her the class.
2. Hobbs & Whiting’s WINFLASH LOOBY LOO This b/w is a pleasure to go over as she is so well put together. It is not surprising that when she moves, she does so very positively and with a tremendous drive from her well developed hindquarters.
3. Sheldon’s BOUTONNEUX GALATHEA AT GEMMONT

PGB (12,4)

1. Thorner’s TOLUTIM DRAMBUIE B/w sound throughout in construction. Excellent pigmentation, dark eye and kind expression. Elegant arched neck with good reach, clean wither, deep chest, good spring of rib. Well angulated and drives out well in a fluid and balanced movement.
2. Whincup’s TAMILANDA LILLY THE PINK JW ShCM Well pigmented b/w in firm condition and presenting clean lines. Level topline, good shoulder placement. Well muscled hindquarters used to advantage on the move to provide a balanced economical action.
3. W. LOOBY LOO

LB (20,3)

1. Neath-Duggan’s BUFFREY GIFT WRAPPED JW ShCM Animated and outgoing b/w with super pigmentation and evenly distributed markings. Capacious chest, good rib and level topline which is held on the move. Puts her well constructed quarters to best use with a smooth effortless gait, covering the ground with ease.
2. Dore’s DALDIOR ACE OF DIAMONDS JW Compact b/w, fitting the size standard perfectly. Struck by her substance and soundness when going over her. No exaggeration whatsoever, just quality construction. No surprise that she moved so soundly and with ease.
3. Whincup’s TAMILANDA HOT PINK

OB (11,1)

1. Neath-Duggan’s CH BUFFREY SPRIG O’ MINT B/w who combines femininity and elegance with substance and power, resulting in the ideal construction for a carriage dog. Need I say more? Lovely head, eye and expression with first class pigmentation. Strong bone, toned musculature, soundly angulated and reaches and drives out on the move. Expertly handled to advantage. RCC
2. Dunnachie’s CH DVOJICA VOULEZ VOUS B/w with very appealing head dark eye and expression, and presented in firm condition. Balanced overall with well put together quarters. Moves with purpose on tight cat feet, drawing the ground towards her.
3. Cuthberetson’s CH KALSIDONI GARNET JW ShCM

Dr John Stevenson (Judge)