Judge’s Critique:
I was thrilled to receive this invitation to judge and delighted to be in a good sized ring which really helped our large, athletic breed to show their best movement today. It was very pleasing to have the privilege of seeing a good entry of quality dogs presented in excellent condition and being able to go over some absolutely exceptional examples of the breed. Coats in particular were in excellent order and all dogs shown were obviously kept fit with many showing real enjoyment of the large ring, moving with brio and drive. Particular thanks to my stewards who kept everything moving very efficiently today.

Class 210 Puppy Dog 0/0

Class 211 Junior Dog 0/0

Class 212 Post-Graduate Dog 2/0
1st Niebylejaki Z Basisfory (Imp Pol) – lots to like about this two year old black dog. Wedge shaped, masculine head with a good, dark eye. Good forechest and plenty of bone. Neat, tight feet. Good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Good angulation front and back but hindquarters still need to build strength. Coat in good order. He will benefit from each experience in the ring as he moved very well the more he relaxed.
2nd Tessmene Red Rum By Kagemusha – a really super liver dog 19m who holds a lot of promise for the future. Lovely masculine head and dark amber eye. Lots of bone without any heaviness, super angulation fore and aft giving a balanced picture. Great forechest and rib with deep, powerful loin. Excellent feet. Shown in super condition and coat of tight curls in a rich liver. Held a great top line on the move and showed real reach and drive. Sadly a little unsettled today which cost him a first place.

Class 213 Open Dog 3/1
1st Kahawei Star Catcher – outstanding three year old liver dog. Presenting a very pleasing, balanced picture. Masculine head with kind expression and dark amber eye. Plenty of substance but retaining the overall picture of an elegant, athletic dog. Super front and straight foreleg into neat feet. Good spring of rib with powerful loin and hindquarters. Shown in fabulous tightly curled coat. Covered the ground with ease and held a lovely top line. BOB
2nd Sh Ch Tessmene Talk Of The Town – six and a half year old liver dog. Another beautifully balanced dog who is slightly shorter in the leg than first. Great wedge shaped head and dark amber eye. Another really well presented coat. Deep chest and well muscled throughout. Moved well but didn’t have the reach and drive of first.

Class 214 Veteran Dog 2/0
1st Sh Ch Infallibles Black Crusader At Kelsmere (Imp Nor) – black seven year old, a really eye-catching, elegant stamp of a dog. Fabulous head and expression with the darkest eye. Strongly build and balanced throughout without any coarseness. Shown in superb coat and moved with elegance and drive. RBOS and Best Veteran.
2nd Karnawalowy Drink Z Basisfory (Imp Pol) – eight and a half year old liver dog with a great masculine head and very kind expression. Plenty of substance without heaviness. Super balance and angulation. He didn’t have the reach and drive of first on the move but nevertheless shows himself to be a lovely veteran dog.

Class 215 Sp Beginner Dog/Bitch 1/0
1st Niebylejaki Z Basisfory (Imp Pol) – See above. Best Special Beginner

Class 216 Puppy Bitch 0/0

Class 217 Junior Bitch 0/0

Class 218 Post-Graduate Bitch 3/1
1st Ravenho Toulouse Latresco At Beddgelert – four year old black bitch who presented a very pleasing, balanced, feminine outline. Super wedge shaped head on elegant neck with good forechest and balanced angulation in front and behind. Deep chest and well sprung ribs. Good feet. Well muscled and moved well, holding her topline beautifully. Super coat.
2nd Tessmene Chantilly Lace – 19m black bitch who has a lot of promise. Overall she is very well put together but lacked the development, muscle and maturity of first. Pretty feminine head. Very neat feet and good depth of thigh. Today her coat lacked the density of first in places and she needs to be more settled on the move to show herself to her full potential.

Class 219 Open Bitch 3/0
1st Ravenho Midnight Miracle At Saxonholme – an elegant four year old black bitch. Lovely head and expression. Very feminine yet showing good muscular condition, good forechest. Front and rear angulation good and super coat of tight curls. A little close behind on the move but nevertheless covered the ground well. Best Bitch.
2nd Overbore Raise The Stakes – five and a half year old black bitch. Another very nice bitch with a feminine wedge shaped head, neat ears and a lovely dark eye. Good forechest, spring of rib and angulation. Another great coat. Very close for 1st but preferred tighter feet of first and this bitch was turning her head towards her handler on the move which spoiled straightness at the front.
3rd Ravenho Mochara Cadeaux

Class 220 Veteran Bitch 1/0
1st Brightmeadow Moondance – a really lovely seven year old liver bitch shown in superb, fit condition. She has a very correct wedge shaped head, elegant neck without any throatiness, well laid back shoulder and neat, tight feet. Dense, tightly curled coat. Good forechest, not the deepest chest but a good spring of rib with moderate tuck and strong loin. Good depth of thigh. She moved very well and carried herself like a much younger dog. RBOS

Ellen Sutton