Judge’s Critique:

Thank you so much to the Society for inviting me to judge my beloved breed at this lovely well-run show in the most fabulous of places (Malvern). This was my first time judging at a championship show, and the next stage of my judging experience; I have now qualified to give Challenge Certificates having just past the A3 exam so thank you very much for this addition to my experience. Thank you also to the exhibitors who trusted their charges to my judgement and took my decisions in good spirits, it was a lovely day. I was very pleased to see my BOB, BP and Special Beginner do so well in the big ring.

Puppy

1. Driscoll’s Overbore Bombette for HisRiver – Smashing 11-month-old black bitch who immediately takes your eye as she enters the ring. When stacked she has a very classic outline with everything in the right place. She has the correct shaped head with an attractive face and expression, her neck is of good length and strength and leads to well-laid shoulders and correct angle and size of the upper arm. Correct shaped ribs and short loin with moderate tuck-up. She is building muscle nicely in her rear. Her movement was a sight to behold as she elegantly and effortlessly floated around the ring with her gentle handler. Delighted to award her Best Puppy and see her handle the big ring with such style.

2. Perkins’ Maycourt Miss Sweetness at Tengore – Another lovely example of the breed who I have admired from the ringside throughout the summer. There is a lot to like about this lovely girl who is coming up to 11-months; I liked her very much for size and overall outline. She has much the same physical attributes and balance of the winner and I prefer her rear angulation; however, she gave way to the steadiness and maturity of her slightly older competition today. I am sure however that when she settles, she will take on the best. One to watch for the future.

Junior 1 (0)

1. Hawtin’s Tessmene Twist and Shout – Liver boy of just 13-months who I have not seen before, he remains very raw, and I felt that both he and his handler would benefit from some ringcraft. I liked him for size, and he has a good outline when stood correctly. I just felt his handler didn’t quite get the best out of him today. However, he did enough for me to place him and I hope that as he continues to develop and mature into mind and body, we will see more of him in the showring. He is a lovely boy, please keep going with him, he will be worth the effort.

Postgraduate 1 (0)

1. Parker-Miles Overbores Ace of Hearts – A three-year-old black bitch who looks super on the stack. She is just into her prime and has developed into an eye-catching girl. Typical curly outline, no mistaking type here. She has a wedge-shaped head leading into a good length of and strong neck. Well-laid-back shoulders and super fore chest make a very nice front assembly. She has a level topline and moderate tuck-up leading to short loin, with moderately angulated, well-muscled rear. Super boned legs and tight round feet. Very pleased to award her Best Bitch.

Limit 1(0)

1. Sutton’s Hopeall and AAT’s Bud Spencer Deu Jun Ch (imp Ger) – I have judged this young boy before, and boy has he changed since I last had the pleasure. Now at 3-years he has really matured and is more at home in the showring having gained confidence and maturity. I liked him for size, body fill, stance, and his overall outline which when stood has really improved with his confidence. He has the correct shaped head from both angles and is masculine whilst still maintaining the elegance I was looking for. He is balanced fore and aft with good angles to his shoulders and upper arm, he has the correct shaped ribs and short loin. He has a thick black curly coat of good substance. Standing on well boned legs, good and straight at the front, along with excellent angulation at the back, his tight neat feet complete the picture. I will certainly watch his progress with interest as I feel the best is yet to come.

Open Dog 2 (0)

1. Sutton’s Kelsmere Kaddington – A super six-year-old black dog who I have admired from the ringside, so it was so good to finally get my hands on him. He is fully matured and to my eye is at the upper edge of weight and build however on examination he is muscular which maybe just needs a bit more definition. He is a relative late comer to the showring, however he showed with enthusiasm and not a hint of apprehension. He is very attractive boy when stood correctly, with everything in the right place and excellent angulation both fore and aft, we seem to be losing this in the breed, particularly in the rear. He has a fabulously abundant and very black coat, of the tightest curl. He has the best of heads, correct wedge shape from both angles, and good size head to body ratio. He has an imposing, powerful body with a very strong thick neck. In the field such strength would be advantages as he would no doubt be able to carry any size of game. He stands on good legs with an excellent amount of bone and beautifully tight feet and short nails. Moderate tuck up, level topline; and muscular hindquarters complete the picture. Moved powerfully in the good-sized ring striding with purpose and drive today to win his class and later the breed, Best Dog and Best of Breed.

2. Parker-Miles Tengore Mr Moonlight – Three-year old black dog of good size and maturity; just entering his prime. He is a handsome boy in profile with a good-sized masculine head of correct shape from both angles; he has a fabulous front assembly, well-laid-back shoulders with corresponding length of upper arm. He has a level top-line and good tail-set, he has strong well-boned legs and tight round feet. Although slightly straighter in the rear angulation than my winner, he remains balanced. A lot to like in this boy, he just couldn’t match the power of class winner today.

Open Bitch 1 (0)

1. Perkins Tengore Ruby Tuesday – Three-year old black bitch and sister to the second in open dog. A lovely girl in profile when stood correctly and very typical of the breed. She has a very pretty, correct shaped head. She has well-laid back shoulders and level top-line, leading to a good tail set. She has a nice amount of fore-chest and moderate tuck up, with strong short loin. She is well off for bone and nice tight round feet, moderate angulation to the rear with good musculature. She was a little unsettled today both on the stand and on the move; giving her handler a hard time, this disappointingly spoiled her overall performance otherwise I feel she could have taken top honors. Pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch.

Veteran 1(0)

1. Mistlin’s Maycourt Starman by Crookwood ShCM – A super fit nine-and-a-half-year-old dark liver boy who really looked good today, pushing hard for the top slot. He is another one that I have judged before as a younger adult and it was so good to get my hands on him again. On the stack he is a striking dog of good size and substance. His coat is made up of tight thick curls which is in great condition for his age. He is balanced fore and aft and is so beautifully proportioned that even now he wouldn’t be out of place in the open class. On the move he excels just striding round the ring as if in his prime not in a veteran class. Pleased to award him Best Veteran and Reserve Best Dog.

Special Beginners 1(0)

1. Sutton’s Hopeall and AAT’s Bud Spencer Deu Jun Ch (Imp Deu)
Repeat of Limit Class. Best Special Beginner.

Denyse Whitehead