DALMATIANS – BORDER UNION, 18 JUNE 2022

I must start by thanking the exhibitors for affording me the unbelievable entry of 131 Dalmatians, the second highest entry in the Show after Golden Retrievers. Of course, I recognise and acknowledge the positive influence on entries brought about by the Dalmatian Club of Scotland’s delayed 50th Anniversary celebration of two Championship Shows at the venue that weekend (and what a wonderful celebration it was!).
Unusually, a significant proportion of exhibits were somewhat erratic when moved. I have no idea why – there was a speaker blurting out loudly and frequently, and directed straight at the ring, but I did not notice any dog paying it attention let alone being affected by it. A gusty, chilling and often strong wind also blew across the ground and may have unsettled the dogs perhaps? Whatever the cause, one can only judge the dogs on the actual performance they gave in that brief time slot available for them to impress. ‘They don’t normally do that’ or ‘I know they are better than that’ are sentiments which cannot be allowed on the day, even if they are valid!
I was delighted with my major winners, and particularly to find some exciting new recipients. Dalmatian entries appear to be recovering steadily post-Covid (unlike many breeds), and I feel there are a number promising youngsters which will contribute to the future quality overall of our special Breed.

PD (6 0)
1 Alexander Offordale Grenadier 6m B/W. Appealing head of correct proportions. Excellent coat and dense pigmentation. Good lay of shoulder and return of upper arm, well off for bone. Solid in body with chest to elbow, nice length of rib and strong loin. Uses his hindquarters well to provide a fluid drive. BPD.
2 Christie Sophtspot Perfect Storm 7m B/W of balanced proportions throughout. Defined wither and level topline, complementary angulation of fore and hindquarters and straight well boned forelegs. Collected on the move, covering the ground well.
3 Howard Decoda's Crackerjack

JD (6 0)
1 Croft Koroyza Viking Voyager Attractively marked upstanding L/W. Lovely head with correct amber eye and gentle expression. Masculine and well boned and muscled body without the slightest coarseness. Presents an impressive outline both in proportion and conformation. Good reach and a rhythmic effortless movement. Pressed in the challenge.
2 Hill Dalstorm Incan Mission B/W with kind expression. Liked his forequarter angulation and return of upper arm. Good spring of rib and level topline held on the move. Strode out economically.
3 McAloone Perditas The Echo Project

YD (7 0)
1 Wright Millbelle Crazy Horse Alert and attentive well schooled compact B/W of standard size. Good body length to height ratio, allowing for freedom of movement. In firm condition with well toned musculature. One of a minority moving straight out and back with hind feet tracking the fore.
2 Tingey Dallyador Lockdown Legend Rich L/W spotting of even distribution. Masculine with abundant substance and bone. Capacious chest, well ribbed, powerful coupling. Elegant neck, level topline to correct tailset. Balanced conformation and angulation. Economic on the move. 3 Sims Koroyza Hrafna Floki for Snowpeeder

ND (3 0)
1 Smith Rapanooey Sugar Donut Densely pigmented B/W. Good head shape with correct stop and dark eye which contribute to kind expression. Nice reach of neck, straight forelegs and slight spring of pastern. Won class with his steady movement especially in profile.
2 Davies Maddidalli’s Causing A Storm Well grown for his 9m age with considerable substance. Adequate bone and nice bend of stifle. More settled than in his earlier class, and consequently moved with improved balance and coordination.
3 Quigley Dalkiss Paperback Writer

GD (0)


PGD (6 1)
1 David & Saunders Dallydyl The Loving Spirit JW Make and shape of this L/W catches the eye from the outset. Everything is proportionate and soundly put together. Well angulated quarters, level topline, excellent tail set and carriage. Light on his feet and moving positively, tracking well.
2 Gardner Wrendragge Stone The Crows B/W with very appealing head and expression. Fit and in firm condition throughout. Good depth and width of chest with nice spring of rib. Muscular loin. Moved positively.
3 Barrett Dalamanti Caesars Palace

LD (18 6)
1 Croft Sophtspot Midas Touch for Koroyza Powerfully built attractively spotted B/W put down in pristine condition and at peak fitness. Sound construction and well angulated fore and aft. Well muscled rear with defined second thigh. Displayed good reach and corresponding drive to produce a relaxed economic gait.
2 Philip & Dunnachie Dvojica Enrique B/W of quality and in firm condition throughout. Nice muscle tone, sound construction, well laid back shoulder and good length of upper arm. Strong thigh and well bent stifle.
3 Bliss & Pearson Kelevra What A Guy

OD (6 0)
1 Christie Ch Sophtspot Gold Dust JW Difficult to believe this L/W is actually a veteran, as to me he is at his peak. Super in outline, arched neck, level topline excellent tail set. Deep chest and nice length of well sprung rib. Liked his forequarter angulation, strong round bone of foreleg, tight feet. Well angulated rear with particularly defined bend of stifle and well let down hocks. With such attributes, no surprise that his long stride arising from positive extension from forelegs and drive from the rear allowed him to move effortlessly and true. Worthy DCC.
2 Hopkin Ch Rapanooey Red Rose JW First reaction is of an honest Dalmatian with many attributes and free of any exaggeration. B/W, sound in conformation with appropriate degree of substance and bone and displaying the toned and fit condition to perform his function. Correct forequarter angles, straight strong forelegs, nice spring of pastern. Rear quarter angulation was equally good, with excellent bend of stifle and defined second thigh. As a consequence, his movement was economic and fluid. RDCC.
3 Richardson Ch Mapplewell Pocket Rocket

VD (2 1)
1 McCarthy Int Ch/Fr/Ir Ch Domdallino Je Suis Kilndandy JWStood alone but this L/W impressed and thoroughly deserved his award. Richly coloured spotting on pure white ground. Lovely head and expression. Well put together, nice degree of substance and well bodied. Excellent outline from head through topline to tip of tail and correct underline. Sound quarters and balanced on the move. BVD.

PB (13 1)
A lovely class of many worthy puppies, but simply not enough places!
1 Alexander Offordale Kalinda Exuberant 6m B/W of quality. Striking profile in terms of balanced proportions and angulation. Mature in body for tender age and of appropriate degree of substance. Quality on the move, reaches out directly and uses her hindquarters to drive with purpose. Surely has the brightest of prospects. BPB & BPIB.
2 Brooks & De Rosario Jemblewood Jelly Baby Feminine 9m B/W. Lovely head and expression, nicely arched neck, defined wither and correct topline, tail carried well. Made effective use of her quarters to produce a relaxed flowing movement which won her the place.
3 Christie Sophtspot Peek A Boo

JB (10 1)
1 Saunders & David Dallydyl Honey Trap Feminine L/W with tight coat and evenly distributed spotting. Built on a sound, firm body with well toned muscle. Chest to elbow, well ribbed and powerful loin. Won the class with her rhythmic controlled gait, good reach and drive and hind feet tracking the fore.
2 Chance & Dodds Dotlun Apache Inch Perfect Much to like about this quality L/W of pleasing balanced proportions. Well bodied, good length of rib. Correct angulation and well developed second thigh. Sadly, missed out on the day as she was somewhat erratic moving out and back.
3 Foster Perdita's Tomorrowland

YB (5 0)
1 Finlay Dvojica Excuse My French at Dalfin JW Compact B/W of standard size. Kindest of expressions, excellent coat and markings. Well put together and balanced throughout. Good shoulder placement, clean wither, excellent topline. Strong round bone of foreleg. At one with handler and moved with purpose, generating a powerful long stride.
2 England & Edens Dalens Queen of The Seas at Silverspot B/W of good size substance and conformation, who presents an attractive profile with sound angulation. Pleasing length of rib and smooth underline. Covers the ground efficiently, holding a steady topline.
3 Hughes Carodal Coast to Coast

NB (8 0)
1 Newton & Newton-O’Brien Cotterspot Nidderdale Lady of Chizzmic B/W placed 4th in JD, where she was very uncooperative towards her handler but appeared a totally different bitch here! Dark eye, lovely expression. Soundly put together, with pleasing forequarter angles and strong foreleg. Firm body, toned hindquarter muscles. Moved in a steady controlled manner tracking well.
2 Quigley Malbreow Twinkling Star First impression of this B/W is one of generally sound shape and construction. Economic smooth and collected stride as required for a carriage dog, and at one with handler.
3 Porter Dame Tulip of Cotterspot

GB (9 0)
1 Collier Kallierbelle Ceithir Surprised to discover this B/W was just 12m old. Caught the eye in the initial line up in the ring, she exudes such a maturity is profile for her tender age. Flowing and feminine lines from nose to tip of tail and so well proportioned. Quality substance and musculature without being overdone. Well laid back shoulder placement and good length of upper arm. Complimentary hindquarter angulation. With such attributes, no surprise that she produced an effortless rhythmic movement with super reach. Pleased to award her RBCC
. 2 Quayle Cubalibre On One L/W, lovely head and expression with well carried and broken ears. In firm condition throughout, good depth of brisket and spring of rib. Slight spring of pastern and tight cat feet. Hindquarters used well to drive out powerfully.
3 Neath-Duggan & Baker Buffrey Carry On Emmanuelle with Dalleaf

PGB (6 4)
1 Hopkin Dvojica Evangelista JW Quality B/W with nice head, dark high and typical expression. Elegant reach of neck, nicely arched. Sound make and shape and well balanced. Deep chest, well ribbed and muscular loin. Correct front angulation and well bent stifle and defined hocks. Good length of stride and covered the ground with some ease.
2 Wills Dalmark The Jewel of The East for Dallyvista Richly coloured L/W spotting on tight coat. Well schooled and attentive with feminine head and appealing expression. Toned muscle. Straight foreleg and cat feet. Good bend of stifle with well defined hocks. Moved steadily.

LB (16 4)
1 Valentine Wrendragge Rainbow Dream Have watched this B/W mature so well over the12m since I first saw her. Combines that blend of femininity substance and overall sound conformation to produce a quality carriage dog fit for purpose. So balanced from any angle. Correct front assembly and correspondingly angulated powerful hindquarters. Moves at an effortless rhythmic economy of pace without unnecessary urgency yet with power and flowing reach and drive. Worthy BCC (her first I believe) & BOB.
2 White Sophtspot La De Da at Belsmard B/W with appealing head proportions and elegant arched neck. Even distribution of markings on immaculate ground. Well laid back shoulders and good return of upper arm. Straight strong forelegs. Unexaggerated hindquarter assembly with good second thigh. Sound on the move, both and down and from the side.
3 Tingey Dallyador Secret Addiction.

OB (12 2)
1 Richardson Ch Mapplewell Limited Edition B/W with bold evenly distributed dense markings. In pristine coat and toned condition. Classy construction and conformation. Flowing topline and nice underline. So well schooled, she gives her all on the move, powering round the ring with a controlled gait.
2 Lamb Ch Dalpetro Diamond JW Compact B/W who conforms to the standard in term of size and conformation. Very good shoulder placement and return of upper arm. Capacious chest with nice length and spring of rib. Sound and positive on the move.
3 Pratt Sophtspot in A Heartbeat of Lyndalla ShCM ShCEx

VB (5 2)
1 Gardner Ch Dvojica Black Again at Wrendragge JW ShCM B/W who scores in profile standing, with quality construction and conformation throughout. Gently arched neck to defined wither and level topline. Balanced and well angulated quarters fore and aft. Light on her feet with a smooth long stride, and topline held on the move. BVB & BVIB.
2 Finlay Ch Dvojica Black Swan at Dalfin ShCM Quality B/W who is very rewarding to go over as she is so soundly put together. Pleasing length to height ratio and angulation, allowing for free movement and a long stride without with feet tracking as they should without interference..
3 Barrett Dalamanti Ice Ruby JW ShCM
Dr John Stevenson