South West Dobermann Club

Special Awards

Thank you very much to the Officers and Committee of the South West Dobermann Club for inviting me to judge the Special Awards Classes and Puppy Walk. I was made to feel so very welcome and treated to excellent hospitality not to mention a wonderful memento of the day.

I was very pleased with the quality of exhibits, particularly in the Special Champion Stakes.

Sophie Sheldon Memorial Special Champion Stakes (6 2).

All four dogs were put down in excellent condition and of considerable merit.

1. Mycroft's Ch. Supeta's Spells Trouble. Showy, stylish black and rust bitch of 22 months. Very smart and compact. She presents a well balanced, elegant outline with clean length of neck and good angulation fore and aft. Well proportioned head which is well filled in below the eye with strength to muzzle without being overdone. Tight dark eye. She is young and still needs to finish but has enough depth of chest with brisket reaching elbow. Stands on tight feet. Firm, slightly sloping topline and good underline with belly drawn up. On the move, she was very true coming towards me and purposeful going round. 2. Pieters' Ch. Supeta's Grace Kelly of Ostertag. Eyecatching 5 1/2 year old black and rust bitch who pressed the winner hard. Good, shapely quarters of depth and strength which lent themselves to very true movement; an easy action with reach, drive and vigour. Head appealed for shape,expression, dark eye and good bite. Slightly longer in body than the winner and occasionally overstretched herself, but still held a firm topline. Clean front, super chest and tight feet. Good underline and croup. 3. Walton's Ch. Remesca's Perfect Timing at Dabells JW.

Barking Mad Special Limit Stakes (14 6). 1. Godfrey & Thorn's Grafmax Ninette De Valois. Classy almost three year old black and rust bitch, just coming into her own. The more I looked, the more I liked and she did not stop showing. Feminine, elegant, yet nothing weedy about her. Clean and flowing outline with lovely length of neck and short coupling Scores in head planes with good depth of muzzle and strength of jaw. Well laid shoulders, depth of chest and tight feet. Liked her spring of rib, croup and good turn of stifle. Gave a good account of herself on the move. 2. Bell's Martifers Pot Noodle JW. Black and rust dog of almost 19 months. Although has to mature I found him to be very honest in make and shape which earned his place towards the top of the line. Masculine and overall quite strong without being coarse. Head is good and in proportion to body with well set and used ear. Straight front and good depth of body. Slightly sloping, firm topline and adequate turn of stifle. Not quite as square as the winner and not as clean in throat but very pleasing outline when looking at overall quarters and proportions. Made use of the ring on the move where his gait was free and vigorous. 3. Gallagher's Izralight Sugababe.

Ric Beall