South Wales Championship Dog Show 13th October 2023

Dalmatians

Thanks to the officers and committee of South Wales Kennel Association for inviting me to judge at their show. I would also like to say thank you to my stewards who did a great job and we had a bit of laugh too which always makes the day better. But as always, thanks to all the exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me and for the wonderful entry.

I found there more quality in the bitches than the dogs and in some of the bitch classes I could have definitely given more firsts resulting in a few classes where some unfortunately had to go without being placed that I would on another day have liked to have placed.

One major observation being that I found was that it is difficult to judge to breed type as there doesn’t seem to be any consistency within the breed.

On the whole temperaments were good and I had a good number of kisses while going over the dogs, which is always nice. There are quite a number that were narrow with no width to their bodies lacking substance - almost two dimensional - and yet a few were the very opposite and had lost any elegance that is required with the breed standard.

Regarding movement I found most exhibits moved fine in profile but coming toward there was a lot of dishing, paddling and crossing. This was one of my main factors that decided some of my placings and I was happy with my main winners.

Veteran Dog - 0 entries

Minor Puppy dog - 5 entries (1 Absent)
1 Newton’s - What You See Is What You Get Passionate About You For ChizzmicAn eight months old with dense black pigment on a pure white coat. Would have preferred a more refined head, has a good dark eye. Good length of neck, nice front and well off for bone into tight feet, good deep chest and well sprung rib, well bodied and muscled for one so young, good topline and tail set, best movement in the class coming toward today, steady and well balanced in profile .
2. Watts and Jackson-Peatling’s - Jaxsondal Rocket ManSeven months old with lovely liver spotting. Good head with a kind expression and excellent length of neck. Another which is well off for bone into good tight feet. Slightly rangier in type with good top line and tail set which was kept on the move. Good bend of stifle and has a lovely length of stride in profile but not quite as “up together“ going and coming today as the class winner but still very much a baby and I am sure will come as he matures.
3. Moss’s - Sadiedel Let Ur Heart Decide

Puppy Dog - 9 entries (1 Absent)
1. Cuthbertson’s - Kalsidoni Blue GemAn eleven month old black spotted who has a lovely head and expression with a good dark eye. Strong but elegant neck, good front and well off for bone with nice tight feet, excellent deep chest with good spring of rib. He has a good tail set which was held well on the move, good bend of stifle. Moved steady and balanced with a nice free flowing stride. Presented in firm condition
2. Newton’s - What You See Is What You Get Passionate About You For ChizzmicSee MPD critique
3. Wilkin’s - Salvadorada Heads Will Roll

Junior Dog - 5 entries (1 Absent)
1. Bakers’s - Kelevra Chive Talking With Dalleaf JWFifteen months old with dense black pigment on pure white coat. He has a nice head with dark eye into elegant neck. Nice tight feet, good rear angulation with a good top line which he held well on the move. Today had a tendency to carry his tail slightly high on the move but moved well covering the ground.
2. Kaal’s - Schunikka Ifor Dream JWSixteen month old black spotted dog. Another with a nice head and again with a dark eye leading into strong neck. A dog who has well developed front and deep chest, good top line and tail set with good bend of stifle. Moved better in profile than coming towards with his front movement needing to tighten which should come with age.
3. Richards and Davies’s - Hafwenna King Of The North

Post Graduate Dog - 5 entries
1. Williamson’s - Shydally Ultimate Edition JWBlack spotted dog who has a masculine head but in no way coarse. Having a dark eye, good length of neck laid into well defined whither. A dog that is well off for bone with good top line and deep chest. He held this top line on the move showing good rear angulation and well muscled. Held his tail well on the stand but carried it high on the move. However, best mover in the class today especially coming towards.
2. Smith’s - Rapanooey Sugar Donut at Spotamour JWBlack spotted dog who was slightly stronger in the head but having a strong neck leading to a good front and another who was well off for bone. Elbows held tight to body also having good width of thigh and bend of stifle. Another who was well muscled in great condition. One slight criticism being he tended to look up at his handler making his neck angle too vertical which in turn spoilt his outline on the stand. Moved well.
3. Pearson’s - Kelevra Dill Or No Dill JW

Limit Dog - 13 entries (4 Absent)
1. Norgrove’s - Sassydals Flugel Horn This liver was lighter in spotting, has a lovely head which has a soft expression and a lovely amber eye. He has a strong neck into excellent top line and tail set. A dog that is slightly longer in the loin with a good front and depth of chest with plenty of bone and nice tight feet. He has good rear angulation, true movement away and back with lovely free flowing movement in profile. This is a good honest dog without being flashy. Strongly considered him for the RCC but unfortunately he lost out as in the challenge as he didn’t seem happy in the hall today.
2. Alexander’s - Offordale VivaldiBlack spotted with lovely head and dark eye. A dog with good length of neck flowing into well defined wither, good top line and correct tail set. He has a deep chest with good length of loin and well sprung rib. Overall a nice make and shape and one who moved well in profile. Just seemed like he needed to tighten his front action coming toward today.
3. Sampson’s - Dalstorm Golden Guinea JW

Open Dog - 6 entries (1 Absent)
1. Goodswen’s - Alphadal’s King Of Angels ShCMThis black spotted dog has a masculine head without being coarse, good strong neck into well defined whither. A dog with good front and an excellent depth of chest, good spring of rib, well off for bone, nice tight feet. He has a good top line with a nice tail set which was carried well on the move. Good width of thigh, nice bend of stifle and well muscled. A strong upstanding male who has plenty of substance but not overdone in any way. He is a good honest dog that moved true coming and going having a balanced easy flowing movement in profile which enabled him to cover the ground with ease. I liked this boy when he was a puppy where he won his class under me and I can’t believe he is now 8 years old. This dog has matured well and was so pleased to give him the DCC and for it to be the all important 3rd his well earned crown to his title.
2. Quayle’s - CH Millbelle Kicking Horse At Cubalibre JWLightly spotted liver dog of smaller type who has a lovely head, good length of neck into a well laid shoulder. He has a good spring of rib, firm top line leading to a good tail set which he carried well on the move. A dog with good width of thigh and correct bend of stifle. Presented in well muscled and fit condition helped him move with style in a steady and balanced way with good length of stride enabling him to cover the ground well. Overall, a balanced dog who was at one with his handler, pleased to award him the RCC.
3. Christie’s - CH Sophtspot Gold Dust JW

Good Citizen Dog - 3 entries (1 Absent)
1. Newton’s - What You See Is What You Get Passionate About You For ChizzmicSame as 1st in MPD
2. Graham-Weall’s - Steyndal Moon Stone Among PhidgityA lighter black spotted dog with a pleasing head and good length of neck into good top line and tail set. A dog with good rear angulation who is slighter in build and one that I would have liked a little more width in front. Not as settled on the move as the class winner.

Veteran Bitch - 10 entries (1 Absent)
1. Neath-Duggan’s - CH Buffrey Hanky Panky By Dalleaf JWLighter spotted seven year old girl who has a pleasing feminine head and dark eye. She has a good reach of neck, deep chest with elbows close to body. She has the correct tail set and a good bend of stifle and a well balanced movement with good front reach and drive.
2. Jenkins and Ridgeway’s - Luccombe Strawberry KissesAn eight year old girl sporting dense black spotting. A bitch with a good dark eye and feminine head leading to a good reach of neck flowing into a level top line with correct tail set. She has a good bend of stifle with good quarters that moved around the ring with purpose and balance.
3. Finch and Bonner’s - Sophtspot Hocus Pocus At Dalticino

Minor Puppy Bitch - 8 entries (2 Absent)
1. Hurst’s - Dvojica Firefly For FinnidalThis 6 month old black spotted girl caught my eye straight away. She has a lovely head and expression with a good length of neck, level top line and correct tail set. One that is well off for bone having good rear angulation and nice tight feet. Overall a nice make and shape who is of correct size. She moved well for her age but felt she would benefit from being moved at a different pace so she can stretch out a little more but I think this was her first show so I’m sure this will come with time and correct schooling. I think this bitch has a bright future in the ring and will look forward to see how she progresses as she matures.
2. Watts and Jackson-Peatling’s - Jaxsondal Blushing AkitoA heavier spotted bitch with dense black pigment on the whitest of coats. A seven months old who has a lovely head and the darkest of eye. She has a good reach of neck and well off for bone. One that is slightly longer in the loin and carries a good top line held well on the move. A bitch with good bend of stifle who moved well coming , going and in profile.
3. Pace’s - Sadiedel’s Arab Girl

Puppy Bitch - 11 entries (3 Absent)
1. Burrows’s - Shacarlu Bee HappyThis eleven months old black spotted girl stood out in this class. She has quality, elegance and is well balance. Presented in muscular fit condition and yet still maintaining femininity. She has a lovely head and expression, a good length of neck laid into well defined whither with a good top line and correct tail set which was carried well on the move. Another with good tight feet and good bend of stifle. This young girl never stopped showing and one who was very attentive to her handler. She moved true coming, going with a lovely long flowing stride in profile that enabled her to cover the ground with ease. Pleased to award her BP in breed and delighted that she won Puppy Group 2 in an extremely strong group. I’m sure this young girl will do well in the future.
2. Stevenson’s - Dallyador White Snowflake At MaculaA lighter spotted black bitch with a feminine head having good reach of neck into well laid shoulder and nice level top line that flowed into a good tail set which is held well on the move. She is a nice bitch of correct size. Not a bitch that stands out at first as she didn’t project herself particularly well today on the stand but this can be forgiven as on the move she moved true fore and aft, with a good long stride enabling her to cover the ground well.
3. Robbins and Hensman’s - Salvadorada Honolulu Honey At Palouse

Junior Bitch - 5 entries (1 Absent)
1. Alexander’s - Offordale SanttiniWell what can I say about this young girl, she is stunning. She immediately took my eye and did not disappoint. A bitch of good size with a clean outline. Shown in superb condition having dense black pigment on a pure white coat. Lovely feminine head with dark eye, good reach of neck and lay of shoulder offering a lovely front also being well off for bone with good tight feet. Top line and tail set held well standing and on the move. She has a deep chest with elbows close to body and a good bend of stifle. Great movement away and back, she powered around the ring with a free easy long stride in profile being so balanced. Such a quality girl that has substance that is lacking in so many bitches these days maintaining her elegance and femininity and yet in hard condition. So pleased to award her first BCC and BOB. I am sure there will be more top honours for this lovely girl.
2. Jenkins and Ridgeway’s - Luccombe Strawberry RippleLiver spotted girl who has nice head with a lovely amber eye. She has a good length of neck following into good top line and tail set which were carried well standing and on the move. She has good front and rear angulations and is another that had the required substance but keeping her elegance. Very attentive to her handler who moved well in all directions covering the ground with ease.
3. Neath-Duggan and Coyne’s - Kelevra Pickle My Fennel With Buffrey JW

Post Graduate Bitch - 18 entries (6 Absent)
1. Townson and Pardoe’s - Sophtspot Phantasia For DaymadalsThis one stood out in the class for me. I liked her size and overall make and shape. A heavier spotted bitch with dense black pigment. She has a good head and expression with a dark eye, good reach of neck, good top line and tail set. She has a lovely clean outline held both standing and on the move. Presented in fit condition and well muscled. This bitch has true movement in all directions, moved at a good pace covering the ground well and was at one with her handler, overall a balanced bitch that is well put together.
2. Scott-Allen and Davis’s - Dallydyl Code Breaker JWCompletely different type to the class winner being longer in body but still of good balance. A quality girl who has substance. She is a liver spotted bitch that has a lovely head and expression with a nice length of neck into good lay of shoulder, good top line and tail set carried well on the move, good depth of brisket and bend of stifle. Has a balanced free flowing movement.
3. Vockings’s - Bellehound Tipple At Portunes JW

Limit Bitch -- 19 entries (4 Absent)
1. Burrows’s - Ellemstra Tough Cookie At ShacarluI have always liked this girl, she won a junior class under me previously and she has matured well. She was unfortunate to have come up against the CC winner here today. There is a lot to like about this black spotted girl who has quality, plenty of personality and who is of correct size. She has a lovely head, good reach of neck into well defined whither and well sprung rib. A bitch with a good top line on the stand which was also held on the move, along with correct tail set. She has a good bend of stifle, is well muscled and in good fit condition without losing any elegance. She is so attentive to her handler and never stopped showing. Moved well coming and going and in profile she moved around the ring well with reach and drive covering the ground with ease. Pleased to award her RBCC
2. Nicholson’s - Steyndal Simply The Best At DibynnAnother nice black spotted girl of a nice size with a good feminine head of correct proportion and the darkest of eye. She has a good length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders with a good deep chest with elbows held tight to body. Another with well sprung rib, good length of loin and good bend of stifle whilst displaying a well muscled body in fit condition . Covered the ground well with good reach and drive.
3. Collier’s - Kallierbelle Ceithir JW

Open Bitch - 7 entries (1 Absent)
1. Chance and Dodds’s - CH/SWISS CH Dotlun Apache Inch Perfect JWThis is a lovely liver girl who is very feminine. She is compact and of correct balance. She has a lovely spotty face with great expression and shape held well by a neck of correct reach leading into a well defined whither and good level top line with correct tail set which were both held well standing and on the move. She has good front and rear angulations and was presented in firm condition. One that was very balanced on the move being true coming and going with a nice free flowing movement and at one with her handler.
2. Howard Riddle’s - Shydally Star AttractionA black spotted girl who has a lovely head and expression with an elegant neck into a well defined whither with deep chest and good spring of rib. She is a slightly longer type in body having a good tail set which is carried well on the move. Another having good firm condition displaying strong hindquarters and good bend of stifle. Handled well with good movement in all directions and covered the ground with ease.
3. White’s - CH Sophtspot La De Da At Belsmard ShCEx

Good Citizen Bitch - 9 entries (1 Absent)
1. Collier’s - Kallierbelle BluebelleThis black spotted girl has a lovely head with a good strong neck into a well developed placed front. She has a good depth of chest and well sprung rib, displays good front and rear angulations and is in good fit and firm condition with good substance. Very well handled being balanced on the move with a free flowing movement.
2. Foster’s - Perdita’s Tomorrowland JWLighter spotted girl with good head and neck leading into well defined whither and good level top line and flowing tail set. She has a good bend of stifle is lighter in build than the class winner. One that was very exuberant and so nice to see her enjoying her day out although she was giving her handler a hard time but when she settled she moved nicely.
3. Pratt’s - Gatfulls Honey Bee of Lyndalla (IMP SWE)

Judge – Lisa Bolt