RICHMOND 2004

Judge's Critique

Mrs L Suggett

Thank you to Richmond Dog Show Society for the opportunity to judge Dalmatians at their spacious new venue at Loseley Park. My excellent stewards Bill and Sue Ashcroft ensured the smooth running of the ring and kept proceedings running smartly. A sincere thank you! Numerically a pleasing entry – third highest in the group. The ringside atmosphere was very positive. The weather was dry, although the continuous steady breeze undoubtedly unsettled some exhibits who clearly ‘had the wind up their tails’ and displayed untypical behaviour.

The ring was spacious offering handlers the opportunity to display the movement of their dogs. I was asked why I requested ‘twice up and down’, moving myself for the second run – the simple answer is that very few handlers can execute a good triangle! By moving my position I had a clear view of movement away, towards and in profile.

Much has been written lately about areas of concern in our breed – forehand construction is probably my biggest concern followed by high tails especially among the younger dogs. The presentation of Dalmatians in the ring leaves a lot to be desired. Exhibitors, watch and learn from some of our best handlers, Mesdames Goff-Leggett, Neath-Duggan, Peterson, Dinsdale, Ridgway, Sheldon – what you notice is the Dalmatian being very quietly but confidently presented to its very best, standing and moving. All the work has been done at home. The dog knows exactly what is expected. The handler knows exactly how to highlight their dog’s best points – and, if possible, to disguise its shortcomings! The most effective handlers use everything to their advantage – the position of the sun, the lay of the ground, the shape of the ring, the position of other dogs etc. So much can be gained to make a dog look its very best. So much is thrown away by careless handling and poor execution of movement.

Unfortunately two exhibitors suffered accidents in the Dalmatian ring, both quickly investigated by representatives from the Show Society. I do hope both are now fully recovered.

PUPPY DOG (6 entries 2 absentees) 1. CARVELL’S TIMMY WILLIE WITH LILAL Upstanding b/w showing himself very well. Just under 12 months old and full of his own importance. Coat just on the turn. Ear carriage used to enhance expression. Straight forelegs with strong bone. Good depth of chest. Good tailset. Doesn’t want to get any bigger. 2. STOKES’ ELARIDGE QUINCIE 10 months old l/w. A close decision. Slightly longer cast than 1. Still very much a puppy but maturing well. Everything in the right place. Good liver colour. Kind expression. Tail set and carried well. Not giving that ‘extra ounce’ today which cost him the class. 3. GRAHAM-WEALL’S PHIDGITY PANDA MONIUM

JUNIOR DOG (11 entries 3 absentees) 1. STOKES’ ELARIDGE QUINCIE Repeat 2. HAMMETT’S BRYEDAL MAYAN 16 months old l/w. A lot to like about him. Clean lines and sound all through. Strong bone. Not the depth of chest of 1 and not as positive on the move today. 3. RICHARDSON’S MAPPLEWELL IT TAKES TWO JW

SPECIAL YEARLING DOG (4 entries 0 absentees) 1. HAMMETT’S BRYEDAL MAYAN Repeat 2. PARLA’S WASHAKIE WITH DISTINCTION 17 months old b/w. Being shown too lean, would carry more weight to advantage. (I know how difficult weight issues can be!) Tail set and carried well. Steady mover. Needs a little more confidence in himself. Slight coat condition today. 3. SCOTT’S NABUCCO FEARLESS

POST GRADUATE DOG (6 entries 2 absentees) 1. GREEN & SEARS’ DALSPA ORATORIO B/w with keen expression enhanced by good ear carriage. Dark eye. Slightly long in loin, but utilising this to move freely. Adequate muscle tone. Enjoying his day out. 2. MORRIS’ DALMARK THE ENTERTAINER Another one who could carry just a little more weight to advantage. Good b/w with a lovely dark eye. Steady positive movement. More ringcraft would pay dividends to show him to advantage. 3. BARRETT’S KENZED HIGH FLYER

LIMIT DOG (10 entries 5 absentees) The best class in dogs. Really moved up a level. 1. PETERSEN’S BUFFREY BEAU BELL AT DAEDALUS CC & RBOB 2 and a half years old eye-catching b/w just coming to his peak. Have previously awarded a best puppy, he has held the promise that he showed. Strong but free from coarseness. Delightful demeanour. Very well schooled and quietly handled. Lovely arched neck into good shoulders. Good deep chest. Straight forelegs with strong bone. Level topline held on the move. Undoubtedly the best coat on the day – jet black on the purest white with a superb gloss. Very sound fore and aft, powerful rhythmic action with a good length of stride. Shown in hard condition. BOB was a close decision – the bitch just pulled out the final overall finish. 2. FABIAN’S TUMBRIL TEXAS TRIBUTE 2 year old b/w with many very good features. Sound construction fore and aft. Worth looking at the speed at which he is moved to ensure it is the most effective. Unfortunate to meet 1 is such peak condition today. 3. CLELAND’S DEOVOLANTE DON ALPHONSO JW

OPEN DOG (7 entries 0 absentees) 1. GOFF LEGGETT’S WASHAKIE CHIEF AS GREAT AS JW RCC 2 and a half years old b/w with overall quality shown in very good condition. Strength with refinement. Good depth of colour in coat and eyes. Strong driving movement with length to stride. A worthy champion, beaten in the challenge by the winner of limit who just had everything in his favour today. 2. NEATH DUGGAN’S TUMBRIL TRUE BLUE BUFFREY JW Like this b/w a lot. Shown in top condition. Positive effortless movement with a good length of stride. Still full of himself, but handled to advantage. 1 just had the edge today. 3. GRAHAM-WEALL’S CH PHIDGITY PITCH BLACK JW

PUPPY BITCH (11 entries 4 absentees) My hopes for the future of our breed were reassured when I saw this lovely class come into the ring. Headed by two excellent puppy bitches who will have some exciting challenges with each other in the future! 1. HAYWOOD & RIDGWAY’S LUCCOMBE STRAWBERRY TART RCC & BP 10 months old elegant b/w. Bold spotting of jet black on white. Delightful demeanour. Gentle head in correct proportions framed by correctly set and carried ears. Kind expression with the darkest of eyes. Lovely arched neck into correct shoulders. Level topline held on the move. Correctly set and carried tail. Rhythmic driving movement. Good quality coat. Well schooled but allowed to be a puppy – clearly thoroughly enjoying the game! 2. GOFF-LEGGETT’S SHE’S A LEGEND OF WASHAKIE Just 6 months old. Boldly spotted b/w. I was surprised that 1 and 2 were not more closely related – they have so much in common. Good head with correct ears and dark eyes giving a gentle expression. Sound fore and aft, maintaining topline on the move. Showing strength but with elegance. Losing out today on overall maturity – those few months make all the difference! 3. STOKES’ ELARIDGE SHERRY PEPPER

JUNIOR BITCH (11 entries 4 absentees) 1. NEATH-DUGGAN’S BUFFREY MAY BEE CC & BOB 15 months old top quality, feminine, b/w bitch. Substance with elegance. Dense black spots on a pure white ground. In excellent condition. Head in correct proportions. Correctly set and carried ears and dark eyes giving a kind, intelligent expression. Lovely arched neck into good shoulders. Good deep chest. Level topline held on the move. Correct construction front and rear. Smooth rhythmic action with drive and a good length of stride. Correctly set and carried tail. Very well schooled and handled to advantage without losing the delightful mischief which is so much part of the Dalmatian’s character. Represented the breed very well in the group ring, shortlisted to the final 6. 2. SCOTT-ALLEN & DAVIES’ TOLUTIM CHARTREUSE 14 months old b/w. Slightly rangier bitch, just beginning to change her coat. Good angulation front and rear. Clean, arched neck. Good depth of chest and neat tuck up. Sound on the move, holding good topline. Unfortunate to meet 1 on top form today. 3. PAGE’S WINFLASH SPRING FURY

SPECIAL YEARLING BITCH (5 entries 1 absentee) 1. SCOTT-ALLEN & DAVIES’ TOLUTIM CHARTREUSE Repeat 2. OATRIDGE’S OFFORDALE DESTINY WITH DALEHOUSE Just under 2 years old b/w. Attractive head, neat neck. Well sprung ribs. Even spotting. Not as positive on the move today. 3. LONGWORTH’S CHALLEOR DAPHPAYS AT DALORNO

POST GRADUATE BITCH (14 entries 1 absentee) A lovely sight – a ring full of Dalmatians all wagging and doing their best. The first two were close. 1. HOWARD’S ALCHEMILLA MOLLIS FROM KAWIMBE A sound, mature b/w bitch shown in good condition. Compact construction with good depth of chest. Good hind angulation which she used to drive on the move. Not overdone in any department. 2. WILLS’ DALLYVISTA SCANDALOUS RISK B/w with good make and shape. Clean lines. Attractive head with kind expression. By the time we reached the line-up she had decided to respond to her handler’s efforts! When she lacks enthusiasm she really shows it. Very positive on the move. 3. SCOTT-ALLEN & DAVIS’ OLBERO OLYMPIC ROSE JW

LIMIT BITCH (10 entries 4 absentees) 1. SHELDON’S GEMMONT MYSTICAL MAGIC A good honest b/w bitch who quietly gets on with the job in hand. Beautifully schooled and presented to advantage. Elegant neck into sound forehand construction. Good depth of chest. Level topline, held on the move. Good hind angulation which enabled positive movement. Lost out for top honours by not having that extra ounce of oomph today. 2. DICKENS’ WASHAKIE IOWA B/w bitch I have admired from the ringside. Would carry a little extra weight to advantage. Good proportions. Shown in hard condition. Not fully co-operating with her handler today. 3. PAGE’S WINTER MAGIC JW

OPEN BITCH (6 entries 1 absentee) 1. CARVELL’S PHIDGITY PHOEBE FOR LILAL Balanced b/w. Good make and shape. Clean neck. Good depth of chest. Moved with freedom and drive. Didn’t have the sparkle of the top winners today. 2. WILLS’ PHIDGITY PENELOPE PITSTOP AT DALLYVISTA B/w standing four square. Gentle head. Doesn’t always use her ears to enhance expression. Sound on the move both coming and going. 3. RICHARDSON’S MAPPLEWELL MINSTREL

Lesley Suggett Judge