Thank you to Birmingham National for inviting me to judge, and my thanks also to my steward on the day and to all those who entered under me and accepted my placements so graciously. I had a brilliant entry of 111 dogs, making 133 entries. The weather was sunny with a lovely breeze, and we had a big ring, which allowed for movement to be correctly assessed.
It has been two years since my last appointment, and very little has changed with the breed since my previous comments. Bitches still remain much stronger than the males, although Open Dog was a particularly strong class today.
I found a number of Dalmatians with high tail sets, and many were tracking too close together on the move. Among the younger puppies, a handful were nervous, making them challenging to assess and affecting their placements. Additionally, I would be keeping an eye on some liver-spotted dogs, as their spots are becoming too dark, almost black.
Overall, though, the breed is still going strong with excellent entries and a promising number of new dogs coming through.
SBD (6 Entries) Abs: 3
1st, Moss’s, Sadiedel Let Ur Heart Decide, 13 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Evenly distributed spots with a lovely head, good neck, good withers and a lovely topline. Moved well with good reach and drive. I very much liked this dog and considered him for more on the day. While still young, I’m sure he’ll gain his title with ease as he matures. Best Special Beginner
2nd: Pilgrim, Nospar's Drambuie JW, 2 year old, Liver spotted Dalmatian. Good head, good eyes, and a good reach of neck. He has good feet but tracks slightly too close together on the up and down. On the move and standing, I’d prefer a lower tail carriage.
MPD (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: Wilkins, Anima Cordis Perfect Lover For Salvadorada, 6 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Lovely size with a pleasing head. He has good front, and good stifle, slightly loses his topline on the move but might be down to maturity. This puppy loved every second of his time in the ring and, once settled, moved lovely. Just needs time to mature, but overall a promising puppy.
2nd: Stocks, Dalmark's Jubilations At Nospar, 8 month old, Liver spotted Dalmatian. Maturing well with a pleasing head, strong muzzle, and lovely eyes. Good topline, front, and stifle. Handler needs to run slightly faster; he is being held back which made his movement less settled today which lost him the class.
PD (4 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: Horscraft, Manchando's Sugar Almond, 9 month old, Liver spotted Dalmatian. Good head, correct eye, lovely broken ears, strong neck, and clean withers. Slight marking on his leg today which I am sure will tidy up over time. Still maturing and needs more time for him and his handler to become a partnership on the move.
2nd: Newton O’Brien, Cubalibre Solar Eclipse, 11 month old, Liver spotted Dalmatian. Unfortunately had dally rash on his head today and wasn’t settled on the move, even when asked to move again. That being said, he has a nice head, good pigmentation, and carries his tail well.
JD (8 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: Moss, Sadiedel Let Ur Heart Decide. Previously 1st in Special Beginners.
2nd: Wilkins, Salvadorada Heads Will Roll JW, 17 month old, Liver spotted Dalmatian. Unlucky to meet 1 today. Different make and shape to 1 and slightly bigger, that being said he has all the attributes of a quality Dalmatian. Good feet, pleasing head, with broken ears. He has a good topline with well distributed spots. Just enough bend of stifle just needs to settle on the move.
YD (8 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: Cuthbertson, Kalsidoni Blue Gemstone, 18 month, Black spotted Dalmatian. Lovely head with good pigmentation and well-distributed spotting. Good front and stifle. Topline not as straight as I would have liked, but he’s maturing well and moved with good reach and drive.
2nd: Pearson’s, Swiss Ch Kelevra Dill Or No Dill JW, 22 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Striking spotting, good head and well set ears. Carried tail too high on the stand and move which distracted from the overall picture. Personally, would prefer more of him that being said his maturing well.
ND (3 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: Burke, Hafwenna The Red Viper, 18 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. In good condition with a strong front, tight feet, and good stifle. However, he carried his tail too high both on the stand and on the move, which slightly distracted from the overall picture.
2nd: Newton O’Brien, Cubalibre Solar Eclipse. Previously 2nd in Puppy Dog.
GD (4 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: Pilgrim, Nospar's Drambuie JW. Previously 2nd in Special Beginner dog.
2nd: Growcott-Jones, Rodengrove Rudolph, 2 year old, Liver spotted Dalmatian. Pleasing head, with ok front and ok stifle. Felt topline wasn’t as straight as I would have liked and moved slightly too close together today on the up and down. Needs time to come together with handler on the move to get the best out of him.
PGD (3 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: Hill, Dalstorm Incan Mission, 3 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Good pigmentation and well-marked ears. Good size with a correct tail, though the topline wasn’t as straight as I would have liked. Once settled, moved well.
2nd: Davies, Maddidalli's Causing A Storm, 2 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Nice head and expression with good neck and withers. However today, he was up on his front, causing him to crouch when standing. Wasn’t settled on the move today.
LD (7 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: Robbins & Hensman, Jasquarella Edge Of Winter At Palouse, 3 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Balanced all over, with a pleasing head, good pigmentation, and broken ears. Lovely dark eye, correct front, and topline with a good bend of stifle. Out-moved the class to take first. I wish I had more CCs to offer, as he is very worthy of gaining his title.
2nd: Johnson, Dvojica Evergreen, 3 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Another who is worth of gaining their title. Beautifully decorated, pleasing head with good pigmentation. Lovely front and good stifle. Felt he wasn’t as settled as 1 today, I have no doubt he will swap places with 1 on other occasions.
OD (7 Entries) Abs: 1 The best class of the day, I could have easily of given the CC to any of these dogs all worthy Champions in their own right.
1st: Townson & Pardoe, Kaytoni Oh What A Night With Daymadals, 5 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. A dog I believe has been overlooked on many occasions and should have had his title long ago. He demands attention with his bold markings and doesn’t disappoint on the move. Lovely topline, correct tail set—there’s nothing I would change everything is in the right place. Handled well and I’m pleased to award him his 3rd and crowning title today. His a credit to his owners and breeders, hopefully more to come. CC
2nd: Locke-Mcfazdean, Ch Caprillis Panache Over Sassafras (Imp USA) , 6 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. I awarded him the RCC last time I judged and still believe he deserves every award he gains. Nothing is overdone on this dog; he's balanced all over and could easily do a day's work. A credit to his owners and breeders, only improving with age. Unfortunate to meet 1 today. RCC
VD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: Neath-Duggan & Baker, Ch Buffrey Incognito By Dalleaf JW VW, 9 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. I awarded this dog the CC when I last judged, and he’s still looking great for his age—hard to believe he’s a veteran. I considered him for the top places again but felt he wasn’t as steady on the final run round compared to the Open winners. Pleased to award him Best Veteran, and he later went Utility Veteran Group 1
SBB (11 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: Pace, Sadiedel's Arab Girl, 13 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Well-schooled with evenly distributed spots, a pleasing head, and good front and stifle. Moved well, though I would prefer a straighter topline and bit more of her.
2nd: Hurst’s, Dvojica Firefly For Finnidal, 13 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Similar to 1 in many ways, with very striking spotting, a lovely head, and good topline. However, she wasn’t as together on the move today as 1 and needs time to mature.
MPB (4 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: Hill, Dalstorm Just A Samba, 8 month old, Liver spotted Dalmatian. Nice head, good neck, and clean withers, with a good stifle. Moved okay for a puppy but needs time to mature and come together.
2nd: Mckay, Sophtspot Twit Twoo, 6 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Hard to fully assess this puppy as she was very nervous, which affected her movement, causing her to move into her handler. She has a nice outline, good pigment, and a good eye. Needs to grow in confidence.
PB (8 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: Robbins & Hensman, Salvadorada Jalapeno Girl At Palouse, 9 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Lovely puppy coming together nicely with a good topline and good movement for one so young. She has pleasing spotting, and a good tail set. Needs time to mature but was happy to award her Best Puppy today.
2nd: Stocks, Sophtspot Sparkler At Nospar, 11-month-old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Striking spotting, with a good topline and tail set. Lovely dark pigmentation and eye. Preferred the stifle of 1.
JB (11 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: Locke-Mcfadzean & Lopes, Fortuna Phoenixx Rising Over Sassafras (Imp USA) , 15 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. I love this bitch from the first time I saw her; for one so young, I have no doubt this is only the start for her. She has clean outlines, striking spotting, and the most beautiful head. She demands your attention when she is in the ring it is hard not to look at her, was unfortunate to meet the Bitch CC winner today. RCC
2nd: Philip & Dunnachie, Dvojica Filthy Gorgeous, 13 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Another I really like and have admired ringside by this kennel; I have no doubt she will swap places with 1 on other days. Lovely front, good topline, and correct stifle. Just felt 1 had matured more and was more settled on the move.
YB (5 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: Burrows, Shacarlu Bee Happy, 18 month old, Black Spotted. Striking spotting, she demands attention in the ring. Really lovely front, good feet, and clean withers. Correct topline with correct tail set. I really like her happy attitude and have no doubt she will go all the way.
2nd: Neath-Duggan & Coyne, Kelevra Pickle My Fennel With Buffrey JW, 22 month old, Liver spotted Dalmatian. Beautiful head with a lovely eye and good pigment, good front, and good stifle. Felt 1 moved better today and was more settled.
NB (10 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: Hurst’s, Dvojica Firefly For Finnidal . Previously 2nd in Special Beginners.
2nd: Christie, Sophtspot Sugar Plum, 11 month old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Needs more time to mature; on the move, wasn't as together as 1. Would prefer a straighter topline, felt she dipped on the stand and move. Good eye and pigment, nicely decorated, good stifle, and handled well.
GB (6 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: Pace, Sadiedel's Arab Girl. Previously 1st in Special Beginners.
2nd: Melling, Jemblewood Candy Floss, 2 year old, Liver Spotted Dalmatian. Nice head with broken ears and clean withers. Felt she wasn’t as settled on the move as 1, tracking close together.
PGB (7 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: Townson & Pardoe, Sophtspot Phantasia For Daymadals, 2 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Striking spotting, with a very nice head and good pigmentation. Clean outlines with a good tail set. Nothing is overdone on this bitch, moved well with purpose.
2nd: Collier’s, Kallierbelle Bluebelle, 3 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Another nice bitch, but didn’t have the topline of 1. Very well handled. Movement was slightly too close together today. Good head and dark eyes and clean withers.
LB (8 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: Collier’s, Kallierbelle Ceithir JW, 2 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Easily walked this class. Although would prefer clearer spotting, she has a good front, good stifle, and moves well. Topline is good, and she is well handled.
2nd: Cartwright & Cox, Strayamayt Tasmanian Devil, 3 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Preferred the spotting on this one to 1, but felt she didn’t have the topline of 1 so had to have 2nd today. Good dark eye with good pigmentation, nice clean withers, and good stifle. Moved okay.
OB (5 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: Finlay’s, Dvojica Excuse My French at Dalfin JW, 3 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. A bitch I have admired for a while from a kennel who consistently breeds top quality Dalmatians; nothing is overdone on her. I believe she has been overlooked for some time and today I couldn’t deny her the CC. She has beautiful outlines, a lovely head, and moves with purpose. Pleased to hear she later gained her crowning CC at a later show —a very worthy champion and a credit to her owners and breeders. CC and BOB
2nd: Lamb’s, Ch Dalpetro Dotty JW, 2 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. I loved this bitch; I judged her at her first show and awarded her Best Puppy, and I am pleased that she has grown up to be just as spectacular. She has lovely outlines and a beautiful head. However, today she was not as settled as 1 on the move and could benefit from being run slightly faster.
VB (4 Entries) Abs: 3
1st: Lamb, Ch Dalpetro Diamond JW, 7 year old, Black spotted Dalmatian. Another I have judged before; she is a beautiful example of the breed. Slightly enthusiastic today, which caused her to crouch down at times on the stand. That being said, I still like her very much—just needs to be moved slightly faster to allow for smoother movement. It was unfortunate she met the dog for Best Veteran today.
Miss C-L Page
