Leeds Championship Show 2021

I thank the exhibitors for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions as a replacement Judge.  I was pleased with the entry and my principal winners especially, pleased me greatly.  I was delighted to see my Best Puppy win the Hound Puppy Group; my BOB win Group 2 and my Best Veteran win the Veteran Group.  Congratulations to you all!

Puppy Dog – 5 (3a)

1^st        Roberts’ Swansford Gregorydor.  Well, what a start!  This super-glamourous boy is one of the best I’ve ever had my hands on!  Beautiful head with dark, almond eye and so clean through his back skull.  Terrific reach of neck, running into well laid back shoulders; text-book front and super length and spring of rib.  Short, strong loin and well-angulated hammy hindquarters.  His movement was correct, powerful and impressive – uneven ground or long grass won’t trouble this chap.  His topline was excellent and maintained at all times – put down to the minute in gleaming condition, I was delighted to award him the Dog CC; Best Puppy in Breed – and to later see him win the Hound Puppy Group. 

2^nd       Cook’s Abydachs Free Spirit for Bournder.  Really smart puppy of lovely make and shape, with a glorious head.  Just a raw baby who needs time to mature.  That said, he moved and showed really well.  Just unlucky to meet 1 on such sparkling form.

Junior dog - 1

1^st        Clarke’s Tekalhaus the Excelsior.  A really glamorous and well-presented young dog of nice type and size.  Not a big one, but no doubting he’s a male.  Has a huge puppy coat which obscures his outline a little and makes him look a bit stuffy – which he isn’t at all when you get your hands on him.  Outgoing nature, super on the move.  Clearly does everything with great enthusiasm.

Post Graduate Dog – 2

1^st        Wedge’s Dolan Dock of the Bay.  Another nice dog who’s of the correct size.  Not overdone in any way.  Smart head with a tidy front, neck and shoulders.  Moved soundly with a good topline.

2^nd       Chapman’s Africandawns Just N Time for Melminds.  Similar type to 1, just a bit more of him.  Well made all through and moved well – preferred head of 1.

Limit Dog – 2

1^st and Reserve CC.  Cross’ Loggetta Trouble in Texas.  Smart, shaded-red dog who was well presented and shown in lovely condition.  Typey head, of good proportions with a correct front and layback of shoulder.  Well-ribbed with a decent loin and well-angulated rear, which he used to advantage on the move – driving strongly with his hocks well under him.  A really sound and honest dog, liked him very much and pleased to award him the Reserve CC.

2^nd       Garlick’s Ranglewood Harvest Song.  Black and Tan dog carrying a huge coat, which completely obscures his outline.  Also carrying too much weight, which does him no favours.  Beneath that coat he’s actually quite well made.

Open Dog – 4 (2a)

1^st        Dare’s Ch. Darsoms Zocratees.  Super smart, red dog of lovely type and shown in fab condition – with not a hair out of place.  Super head with good reach of neck and well-laid shoulders.  Good length and spring of rib and well-angulated rear.  Moved soundly with a strong topline, just lacked animation here – despite his handler’s best efforts!

2^nd       Garlick’s Ranglewood Arashi.  Dark, shaded-red dog of different type, being smaller and finer of bone than 1.  So neat and tidy all through, he has much to like about him.  Moved soundly with a firm topline.

Veteran – 2 (1a)

1^st        Chapman’s Melminds ZSylvester.  Dark shaded-red dog carrying his years lightly.  Put down in super condition and in good coat, moved soundly with correct topline.

Special Beginners Dog or Bitch – 1

1^st        Wedge’s Dolan Johny Be Good.  Clear, red dog of nice size and type, Sound mover but needs to firm in topline.

Puppy Bitch – 2

1^st        Garlick’s Ranglewood Islay.  Shaded-red bitch who was oh, so raw, but oh so lovely.  Very sassy and full of confidence for such a baby.  My notes say “long, low and level”.  Moved with great drive and style without a trace of stage fright.  Think she has terrific promise and absolutely loved her.

2^nd       Foley’s Loggeta Wynn by Myles.  Dark shaded-red bitch, lower to ground and heavier in type than 1.  Erratic on the move and losing her topline, needs more schooling.

Junior Bitch – 4 (2a)

1^st        Roberts’ Swansford Glendadora.  Another really lovely one from this consistent kennel –and I see is litter sister to dog CC winner.  So very similar in make and shape, just not as finished yet.  Moved really well with drive and extension, showing a clean pair of heels.  Will no-doubt trouble the best soon.  Lovely bitch.

2^nd       Chapman’s Melminds Maybelline.  Smart, red bitch.  Taller and longer than 1 and well-made all through.  Gave her handler a bit of a hard time but moved soundly when she felt like it – not the drive from rear of 1.

Post Graduate Bitch – 1

1^st        Dolan Private Dancer.  Clear red bitch of decent make and shape and was good to go over.  Did not want to cooperate on the move and played up royally!

Limit Bitch – 3

1^st        Fossett’s Brysdax Mamma Mia.  Glamourous and nicely presented black and tan bitch in super coat and condition.  Elegant head with good reach of neck, correct shoulders and a tidy front.  Well-angulated rear and a positive and sound mover which won her this class with ease.

2^nd       Garlick’s Ranglewood Trick or Treat.  Smart, black and tan bitch of lovely type again from this kennel.  Well-constructed and a sound mover with a firm topline, just not the drive of 1 on the move.

3^rd       Callow’s Garthorne Graduation Girl

Open Bitch – 4

1^st        CC and BOB.  Dare’s Darsoms Zymystique.  Shaded-red bitch of absolute class.  This kennel has produced some amazing stock over the years and this bitch is no exception.  Classic head and eye, super reach of neck, correct front with sternum well back.  Well-off for ribbing, strong loin and powerful hind assembly.  Effortless mover, covers the ground with a smooth, even stride – powered by her well-angulated hindquarters.  The more I moved her, the better she got.  Put down to the minute in clean, hard, condition and so well handled.  Pleased to award her the CC, BOB and to see her go Group 2 in a strong Hound group.

2^nd       Geeson’s Abydachs Fire in Her Soul.  Aptly named, this one has plenty about her!  Exquisite head with a super eye shape, neck of correct length and running into well-laid shoulder with good length of upper arm.  Super length and spring of rib and well-angulated hind assembly, which enables her to move with super drive and extension.  Beautifully presented and handled to get the best out of her, a truly lovely bitch.  Unlucky to meet 1 on today’s form, should gain her crown with ease I imagine. 

3^rd       Callow’s Garthorne Charlotte

Veteran Bitch – 1

1^st        & Reserve CC.  Geeson’s Ch. & Bel. Lux. Int. Ch. Abydachs Giving Off Sparks.  Absolutely cracking, red bitch who looks nothing like a veteran.  Loved her type, make and shape.  Her European influence can be seen as soon as she starts to move, having the correct length of upper-arm and the length of second thigh to match.  It’s not often one sees a Long handler actually having to hold one back, but this one was raring to go.  Absolutely loved her, and she ran the CC winner very close here.  Nonetheless, delighted to award her the Reserve CC and to see her win the Hound Veteran Group later in the day.