DALMATIAN
Sorry this has taken a while but I came back with a streaming cold/flu from Crufts and not functioning on full power for a week. Many thanks to all the exhibitors for giving me such a phenomenal entry, it will certainly be a day I won’t forget. A massive thank you to my 2 fantastic stewards Stef and Bill who kept things moving along swiftly, unobtrusively and always cheerful. You made my life so easy, and both deserve first prize. The huge classes meant many good dogs had to go away empty handed and on another day places could have changed. I just wish I’d had more cards as so many deserving dogs had nothing to show for their efforts. As I’ve avoided being around the Dalmatian rings for a few years the vast majority of dogs and owners were new to me. Until I looked up my results after judging I didn’t realise how many “foreign” dogs I had placed – generally their movement was much better than the U.K. dogs. Also quite a few liver spots.
Movement was my number one criteria for a carriage dog, conformation, spotting, temperament all come into the mix, but if a Dalmatian isn’t sound and can’t move it doesn’t serve much purpose. Now the downside, usual complaints regarding poor fronts, steep upper arms, upright shoulders, loose elbows resulting in ‘flappy’ front movement. Many tails set on too high thus carried high, some even curly! Temperament generally excellent. A pedicure would have improved the look of some feet, I even found a few hare feet which is completely wrong. I felt the pads to feel the texture just in case you were wondering, obviously few judges do this as both dogs and handlers seemed perplexed, they should have tough, elastic pads and it was interesting how many didn’t get much roadwork from the texture! Handlers please don’t move so fast and watch what your dog is doing, so many were pulled off balance. Too much baiting and just where has this feeding squeezy cheese come from – it looks awful. A crinkly crisp packet in a pocket is all you need to get a Dalmatians attention.
Veteran Dog (12,3)
Wow what a class, so many excellent dogs I was really spoilt for choice. Sorry there weren’t more prize cards. All the first five could have taken a red card, and those not placed were all really good representatives of the breed.
1 Ch Sophtspot Gold Dust JW (Christie). A lovely liver boy I have previously given a CC and even at 10 years old his movement put many youngsters to shame. Excellent movement tracking true fore & aft, lovely length of stride in profile. Kept a good topline on the move with correctly set on and carried tail. Totally balanced in outline with correct angulation each end, ribbing carried well back to a strong short loin. A lovely head and kind expression. I seriously considered him for the top spot and didn’t hesitate in awarding him Best Veteran in Breed.
2 Int/fr/ir Ch Domdallino Je Suis Kilndandy JW (Mccarthy). Another lovely rich liver 12 years old built along similar lines to winner. Presented in excellent coat condition, Attractive masculine head with deep amber eyes, neatly placed ears and correct dentition. Nice length of neck, into good shoulders. Moved at a sensible speed with unexaggerated stride, steadily and soundly viewed from every angle.
3 Int/multi Ch Fuchur Arminius vom Hause Fiedanu (Drechsler) Another lovely dog who moved well with drive and purpose.
Minor Puppy Dog (1)
1 Silverspot Voyage of The Sea (England) 8.5month old pup very much a baby who still needs to fill out in chest and drop in brisket. Well distributed spotting with attractive head. Moved out well and wasn’t the least bit worried by the ‘big occasion’.
Puppy Dog (10)
1 Kelevra Beam Me Up Biscotti (Pearson) Best movement by a mile in a class of not particularly good movement. Black spotted boy almost 11 months, spotting evenly spaced and well defined, good depth of pigmentation. Standing on tight cat feet with strong bone. Well developed second thigh. Moved soundly keeping a good topline. Sympathetically handled to show him at his best.
2 Shydally Star Gazer (Howard-Riddle & Corcoran) 10 month old with good clear markings, head needs to break. Good construction to body, with good angulation and good turn of stifle.. Decent length of stride in profile, kept a good topline on the move, not as positive on the move when viewed fore and aft.
3 Joubello Freedom with Rapanooey (Hobbs & Whiting)
Junior Dog (9,1)
1 Playful Spots Dancing Red Poppy (Van Den Eijnden) 10 month old who took the Best Puppy Dog award. Really good front with depth to brisket and slightly pronounced forechest, tight cat feet, correct angulation. Hind quarters well developed for his age, propelling him round the ring with nice rhythmic stride, sound viewed from all angles. Reasonable decoration though on the heavy side, with good head and kind expression.
2 Hafwenna Xenophilius (Fanton & Buil) More rangey than winner and well up to size, better decoration than 1 with pleasing expression, good head with dark eye.. Good depth and forechest, strong bone, balanced in outline and well muscled rear. Sound movement with good length of stride in profile.
3 Tamilanda Vintage Gold (Whincup) Beautifully presented boy with good outline, kind head with dark eyes. Expertly handled to show off his movement.
Yearling Dog (15)
1 Dotlun Apache Running Bear JW (Dinsdale) First time I’ve seen this one in the flesh and he is certainly very eyecatching. Good coloured liver decoration evenly spaced over his correctly constructed body frame. Lovely amber coloured eyes giving a kind expression, head carried on fair length of neck. Nice depth to brisket and pronounced forechest. Well muscled quarters with good turn of stifle and well developed second thigh. Excellent movement. Another year to develop and he should be taking top honours.
2 Christi Ormond Evergreen Emerald Dt Jch (Forbes) Nicely decorated with kind head and expression. Excellent feet, good depth of brisket and pronounced forechest providing plenty of heart and lung room. Ribbing carried well back and good turn of stifle. Moved out really well.
3 Jaxsondal Crème De La Crème at Koroyza (Bickerdike) Another excellent mover with good length of stride, looked like he could go all day. Unlucky to meet 1 & 2.
Post Graduate Dog (14,1)
1 - Dalamanti Duke’s Legend JW (Barrett) Liver spotted boy with a very pleasing head with kind expression. Would prefer a bit more of him all round but perfectly balanced with tight cat feet. Positive on the move.
2 Kalsidoni Blue Gemstone JW (Cuthbertson) Black spotting with good depth of pigment. Correctly held ears, nice dark eye and kind expression. Good clean neck set on well laid shoulders. Overall balanced construction, good turn of stifle. Held a strong topline on the move.
3 Tyrodal Angel Delight (Hutchinson)
Mid Limit Dog (12,1)
1 Hafwenna King of The North (Richards) Dog 2.5 years with well defined black spotting, good head shape with kind expression and dark eye colouring. Tight feet on strong boned legs. Good depth to body but forechest needs to develop. Moved out soundly keeping a strong level topline.
2 What You See Is What You Get Passionate About You for Chizzmic JW (imp) (Newton) Another dog with good movement, well developed 2nd thigh and good turn of stifle, giving powerful rear propulsion. Correct front angulation with strong bone. Kept a good topline on the move with correctly set on and carried tail. Masculine in head, deep pigmentation although spotting could be better defined, nice type overall.
3 Shydally Ultimate Edition JW (Williamson)
Limit Dog (15)
1 Sassydals Flugel Horn (Pratt & Norgrove) So much like his sire in construction and laid back temperament. Lacks a bit of enthusiasm but a sound specimen in every aspect, with balanced outline and correct angulation each end. Sparse but evenly spotted liver with very kind expression, masculine throughout. Superb movement viewed from every angle, accurate tracking fore and aft, and lovely powerful rhythmic action in profile, keeping a strong topline and beautifully carried tail.
2 Hafwenna King John at Teghafren (Davies & Corcoran) Built along very similar lines to winner in both shape and spotting, with good depth and forechest. Lighter spotted liver with pleasing head, and lovely amber eyes. Strongly boned straight legs on good tight feet, good upper arm and lay back of shoulder and well muscled quarters. Moved out well covering plenty of ground.
3 Olilou Heavenly Hamilton by Winflash (Page & Page & Howell) Quite a different type to 1 & 2 but balanced throughout and moved soundly. I liked him when I judged in 2022 and he did not disappoint today.
Open Dog (14,1)
1 Int/nl/bel/dan/ger/bos/lux Ch Namara’s in for A Shock (Kuipers & Aben) Absolutely everything to like about this lovely coloured liver, so much like his sire who I gave BIS in Germany a few years ago. Built along the exact same lines with balanced outline, excellent front with good upper arms and sloping shoulders giving correct angulation. Strong boned legs, tight cat feet. Good depth of brisket and sufficiently pronounced forechest allowing plenty of room for heart and lungs. Ribbing carried well back to short strong loin, nice tuck-up. Correctly set on tail which he carried perfectly on the move. Even stride with hind legs tracking the fore correctly, good length of stride in profile. Moved at a sensible pace and handled quietly and unobtrusively to show off his virtues. Delighted to give him CC & BOB, one I would be very proud to own.
2 Puntinato Ballante Tic Tac Terror (Van Den Elsen) Another excellent representative of the breed, unlucky to meet the winner. Attractive, well spotted dog showing himself off to perfection. Correctly constructed throughout with excellent bone, good feet, correct angles front and rear. Well muscled quarters with nice turn of stifle and well developed 2nd thigh. Moved with enthusiasm, sound coming and going away, with good profile movement. Reserve CC
3 Ch Bleize De Montjuic at Winflash (Imp Usa) (Page & Page & Howell) Slightly smaller dog oozes quality throughout. Well constructed and good on the move. Have previously awarded him a Res CC and he didn’t disappoint today in what was a class of really good males.
Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (7)
1 Tyrodal Angel Delight (Hutchinson) 3rd in Post grad, lightly spotted liver with masculine head nicely broken ears. Well constructed with good angulation each end. Tight feet, good boned legs. Sound on the move.
2 What You See Is What You Get Passionate About You for Chizzmic JW (imp (Newton) 2nd Mid Limit, not moving quite as well as winner.
3 Hafwenna We Will Rock You (Richards)
Veteran Bitch (25,9)
1 Keiradal Mel’s Destiny (Cole) A couple of months past her 11th birthday and not showing her age one bit. Good coloured liver evenly decorated with lovely feminine head, dark amber eyes and melting expression. Good make and shape, decent bone, straight front and tight cat feet. Moved out well putting plenty of energy into her even action. Headed a class of lovely old ladies.
2 Ch/dk/fin/s Ch Dalstorm Future Faith (Frandsen) Another happy liver girl almost 8 years. Very feminine with delightful expression, kind face, lovely broken ears. Evenly distributed body spotting of good rich colour. Pleasing balanced outline with sufficient depth and forechest, correct angulation to front assembly and well muscled quarters with good turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Sound on the move, keeping a level topline with correctly carried tail. A lot to like about her.
3 Ch Ellemstra Little Mix with Kalsidoni (Cuthbertson)
Minor Puppy Bitch (3,1)
1 Arthica You’ll Be in My Heart at Hafwenna (Richards) Charming liver spotted baby, nicely put together but obviously has a lot of maturing to do. Movement needs to tighten up but kept a good topline when viewed from the side.
2 Olilou Dancing Queen at Daymadals (Townson & Pardoe) Densely spotted black giving away a month in age to the winner and not quite as ‘together’. Seemed to be enjoying herself and stood well not phased by the surroundings. Movement a shade erratic but basically sound. Needs time to come together.
Puppy Bitch (8)
1 Rapanooey Rosebank von Schunikka (Kaal) 11month old with dense black spotting on pure white coat. Pretty head with lovely dark eye, correctly held ears. Straight front with good bone. Deep chest, good ribbing and strong loin. Very sound on the move.
2 Rapanooey Ribbons and Bows (Hobbs & Whiting) Litter sister to winner and similar build, nicely marked. Well constructed body and while she moved out well, her sister just had the edge on movement.
3 Shydally Stars Aligned (Howard Riddle)
Junior Bitch (11)
1 Playful Spots Dancing Pink Magnolia (Van Den Eijnden) Pretty liver spotted girl, litter sister to Junior dog winner, with feminine head, dark amber eyes and well broken ears, full dentition. Head carried on decent length of neck into good shoulders. She has depth to brisket and forechest for heartroom, ribbing carried well back with slight tuck-up. Strong short loin, well muscled rear with good turn of stifle and well developed 2nd thigh. Moved well from all angles to take Best Puppy in Breed.
2 Tamilanda Golden Leaf (Donnelly) Lightly spotted liver girl just over a year in age, a little plain in head but good coloured amber eyes and broken ears. Good bone and tight cat feet. Balanced in outline, front matching rear for angulation but still needs to fill out which will come as she matures. Moved out soundly driving well from the rear.
3 Salvadorada Kinky Boots (Wilkins)
Yearling Bitch (28,2)
1 Puntinato Ballante Wanda Wonder Woman (Van Den Eijnden) Headed a huge class where I pulled out a dozen for a closer look. This young lady eventually won on her superior movement and breed type. Rather heavily marked black spotting which detracts from the overall picture which I forgave as she is so absolutely sound on the move. Tracked true front and rear, good length of stride in profile keeping a strong level topline and nicely carried tail.
2 Louabidora Show Stopper at Frankish (Ward) Much more lightly spotted of dense black on pure white background. Feminine head carried on clean neck, correct front assembly with nice bone and tight feet. Lovely flowing movement and presents a pleasing balanced outline when standing but lacks a little enthusiasm.
3 Puntinato Ballante Weihai Wej’s Wanderlust (Van Den Elsen) Liver spotted litter sister to winner and very full of herself. Much more “my type”, loved her overall balanced and spotting but tended to ‘throw’ a front leg coming towards through sheer exhuberance as she is basically very sound, which cost her a higher place.
Post Graduate Bitch (20,3)
1 Pandora’s Surprise (Winter) Liver spotted girl balanced in outline with correct angles each end, good depth to brisket and sufficiently pronounced forechest to provide heart & lung room. Well ribbed up, strong short loin and nice tuck-up. Good muscle definition to hind quarters, with nice turn of stifle and well developed second thigh. Pleasing movement throughout driving from the rear and keeping a good topline.
2 Steyndal Diamond White at Dalens JW (Edens) Lighter spotted black with pleasing head and dark eye colour, nicely carried ears framing the head. Good outline to body with strong bone, deep chest, ribbing carried well back to short strong loin. Moved out with purpose driving from well muscled quarters, keeping a good topline and correctly carried tail.
3 Luccombe Strawberry Ripple (Jenkins & Ridgway)
Mid Limit Bitch (20,4)
1 Salvadorada Honolulu Honey at Palouse JW (Robbins & Hensman) Evenly spotted liver with a pleasing head and expression. Excellent overall construction with strongly boned legs, good turn of stifle and well muscled hind quarters. Keeps a good topline on the move and covers plenty of ground. Sound when viewed from the front and behind. Profile movement shows a good length of stride using little effort. Much to like about her.
2 Fakenham Fontanella (Bolt) Take a lesson in handling from this exhibitor, this lovely girl was shown on a loose lead throughout so her excellent movement wasn’t impeded in any way. Sound viewed front, rear and in profile, really looked like she could go all day. Pleasing decoration and feminine all through, ribbing carried well back and strong short loin. Powerful, well muscled quarters and totally effortless movement.
3 Carodal Jacobs Ladder (Tysterman)
Limit Bitch (17,3)
1 Dvojica Filthy Gorgeous (Philip & Dunnachie) Beautiful young lady with great ring presence, good make and shape. Dense black spotting on pure white background, presented in immaculate condition and handled perfectly throughout to show her best attributes. Pretty feminine head with dark eyes and well broken ears, good length of neck leading to sloping shoulder placement. Good front with sufficient depth and forechest, strong bone and tight cat feet. Moved correctly driving from well muscled quarters.
2 Decoda’s Toffee Apple ShCEx (Williamson & Howard) Lovely coloured liver girl, attractively marked with pretty feminine head carried on nice length of neck. Balanced in outline, although I’d prefer a bit more forechest. Ribbing carried well back to strong loin. Holds her topline on the move carrying tail correctly. Moved out well, covering plenty of ground with long effortless stride.
3 Nospar’s Gin and Tonic JW (Stocks)
Open Bitch (25,5)
1 Int Ch Sexy and I Know It Passionate About You (Hindrikx) Once the handler had slowed down a bit, this bitch showed she had the most fabulous movement. Tracked absolutely true fore & aft, and lovely powerful rhythmic stride in profile. Not a small girl but still very feminine with attractive markings and kind head and expression. Balanced in outline with good angles to front and rear. Defined muscles to quarters, well developed 2nd thigh and well let down hocks. Well deserved CC out of a quality line-up.
2 Ch/Ir Ch Sophtspot La De Da at Belsmard ShCEx (White) A quality girl who is a joy to watch on the move. Totally effortless movement, sound watching from all angles, hindlegs tracking the fore perfectly, long powerful stride when watched in profile. Handler is so in tune with this girl she appears almost invisible. She has a well constructed outline, balanced in all aspects and while a few more spots would complete the picture, what she has are well distributed. Very feminine pleasing headpiece with soft expression. Well deserved res CC.
3 Puntinato Ballante Shining Star Stippa (Van Den Elsen) Another lovely liver lady nicely spotted. Good for overall type, balanced both ends, everything to like about her.. Moved out well keeping a good topline with decent length of stride. Just unlucky to meet the 2 in front.
Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (10)
1 Frankish Tete A Tete (Ward) Very feminine girl with dense black spotting on pure white coat. Correct construction with good layback of shoulder, good depth to brisket but a bit more forechest would not go amiss, soundly constructed rear having nice turn of stifle and well let down hocks .Lovely even stride on the move and covered the ground with very little effort. Looked like she could go all day.
2 Dalcatori Morganite Rosa del Brondelvcede (Pace) Pretty liver spotted girl, beautifully marked with lovely head, kind expression and nicely broken ears. Good overall conformation with balanced front and rear. Moved well in all directions.
3 Ch Dotlun English Rose at Roadcoach (Pickup)
Ilex E Whiting
