Hound Association Of Scotland

HAOS

29th September 2021

Whippets

Many thanks to HAOS for the invitation to judge Whippets and to all exhibitors for the privilege of assessing their dogs; this was my second opportunity to judge whippet bitches at this level in the UK and my first experience of awarding CCs to whippet dogs. I was thrilled with my entry which was strong in quality and quantity, with very few absentees despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic including a major fuel crisis at the time of the show. Thanks also to my dear friends, Marcia and Jordan, who volunteered to help the committee and stewarded for me.

It is often quoted by many ‘all-rounders’ that whippets are the most desired breed to judge due the depth of quality and I was not disappointed. Compared to my first CC appointment, I dare say bitches have got even better and the puppy classes were simply delightful. Historically, males have had a reputation of being inferior to bitches however I was enthused by the quality of males on the day. The diversity of current exhibits is surely an exciting challenge for all judges and perhaps contributes to the popularity of whippets? For me, it was an absolute pleasure to have dogs of international breeding to judge as well as new UK exhibits that I had not seen ringside.

I was looking for athletic whippets with that special combined elegance, grace, power and strength in outline and movement, balanced proportions, classical curves and no exaggerations. Although not a ‘head breed’, to fulfil their function the correct head proportions and attributes are important to me, specifically bite and jaw. A couple of observations if I may, more than a few had overshot bites and there is also room for improvement in movement coming and going. That said, most classes were a joy to judge, thanks again for a wonderful experience and remember we all take the best dog home.

Minor Puppy Dog (4,0)

1. Webber’s Denimblue Willdo. 6 month blue with white trim. Well balanced with moderate angulation. Lovely head with flat skull, neat ears and powerful underjaw, good reach of neck into well laid back shoulders, correct pasterns and feet, good width throughout and sweeping stifle. Scored high for his true and sound movement, holding his topline beautifully in profile and displaying an effortless free stride. Plenty of substance and up to size, hope he does not grow on and fines down into his lovely frame. BPD

2. Aicken, Canning & Sharkey’s Whisperrin Firecracker. 6 months golden fawn raw baby. Unsettled today therefore difficult to assess his movement and a bit too much angulation behind for me. Lovely head, expression and dark pigment. Long and well arched neck, straight front, good bone. Nice for size and breed type, presented in excellent condition.

3. McCabe’s Stenhound Druid Warrior

Puppy Dog (2,0)

1. Webber’s Denimblue Willdo. See MPD.

2. Duke & Gill’s Fallswater Fame N Glory at Rushden TAF. 9 months fawn with white trim. Good for size and type, lovely head, correct ears and bite, desired underline but not the top line of 1. Sloped away standing and was close moving away but nice freedom of stride in profile.

Junior Dog (5,1)

1. Winkley-Balmer & Poole’s Edenwhip Can I Be Him. Fawn and white trim promising male of a type I love. Displaying a beautiful outline standing and moving, best mover in class. Well put together, moderate proportions and angulation with good return of upper arm and shoulder placement. Attractive head with neat ears and strong jaw, correct feet and pasterns, flat bone, good spring of rib and bend of stifle. Right maturity for age, with more conditioning I believe he could go all the way and will watch his progress with interest, good luck.

2. Brew’s Crosscop The Show Must Go On. Fawn with white trim, handsome young male who I have admired ringside for his type, shape and proportions. Beautiful head, flowing outline, masculine but not course, good bone, feet and angulation and presented in excellent condition. Unfortunately, today he was rather unsettled on the table and moving but nonetheless his overall qualities could not deny him this placing and first in Special Beginners Dog.

3. Poole & Service’s Crosscop Twist and Shout

Yearling Dog (2,0) Small but super class!

1. Yeates & Winter’s Lolani Café Amore. Blue fawn with white trim, classic young male with the correct maturity for age. No flash or dash and undeniable breed qualities, he can only get better. Excelled for type, size, substance, moderate angulation, lovely tuck up and he is so sound on the move in all directions. Cannot stand wrong, super construction, straight front and flat bone, correct feet, good ribbing and bend of stifle. Just needs to further develop the desired rise over the loin which will come with maturity. Presented in excellent condition and handled well by his emotional owner; a very popular win with the audience too which was rewarding to hear. Delighted to award his first green and white card and Im sure his future is very bright. RCC

2. Akerboom & Van Der Schaff’s Crème Anglaise’s Black ‘N’ Deckers. Upstanding black with white trim male who was unlucky to meet 1. Of a different type but similar qualities, 2 was falling away slightly today. I am sure both exhibits will improve in top line with age and confidence. Excellent for size, shape, substance and bone. Stood over plenty of ground, sound confirmation throughout and was true and sound on the move. Presented in perfect muscular condition and well handled. Good luck for the future.

Novice Dog (1,0

1.Brew’s Nevedith De Montfort. Lemon brindle and white trim who was enjoying his day. Lovely expression and pigment, flat skull and strong jaw. Good bone, fore chest and broad thighs. Rather wide moving coming and going and carrying a little too much weight.

Graduate Dog (6,0)

1.Sheherds’s Kidaruka Its Showtime at Oxana. Black masked, red fawn and white trim. Lots to like about this young typey boy including his affectionate disposition. Won the class on his movement and overall sound confirmation. Enough size and substance, well balanced, presented in excellent muscular condition and handled to perfection. Super feet, coat and skin, straight front and good angulation front and back. Perhaps a bit heavy in skull for me but admired his correct ears, eyes and muzzle.

2. Metcalfe’s Aarminias Dance Like a Dafty. Golden fawn and white trim. Close up to 1 and of very nice type, make and shape, lost out on performance which effected his movement. Beautiful head proportions, good ears, eyes and bite. Lovely reach of neck, lay back of shoulder and moderate angulation. Good condition.

3.Corsar’s Northwhip Rhythm N’Blues

Post Graduate Dog (4,1)

1.Rishworth’s Collooney The Big Tease. Brindle with white trim quality dog who has such a beautiful head with lovely definition, good underjaw, kind eye, neat ears and flat skull. Strong and elegantly arched neck into smooth shoulders, excellent return of upper arm, good bone, pasterns and substance. Tall enough but beautifully shaped and balanced, covers a lot of ground standing and moving. Could be tidier moving away but has a super forward reach and uses his hindquarters well to display great drive and freedom of movement in profile.

2. Hambling’s Mossbawnhill Bit Of A Dandy With Chaseover. Pale fawn male. Was really unsettled on the table and not performing for his handler today. Good breed type and substance, excellent coat, skin and muscular condition. Correct bone, feet, pasterns, ribbing, strong loin and good bend of stifle. Moved well in profile once settled.

3. Lipton’s Shiny Sensations Two Kinds Of

Mid Limit Dog (7,0)

1.Price’s Railfield Rainomen For Silkdance. Red fawn with white trim. Lovely example of the breed, classical type and sound confirmation throughout. Typical head and proportions with a gentle expression to match his disposition. Smoothest of shoulders, moderate angulation, no exaggerations. Not the biggest show off but best mover in the class, displays pleasing free action and is true coming and going.

2.Tysons’s Starceylon Summer Bran. Black with white trim typey male. Really made me smile, at one with his sympathetic handler and really enjoying showing off. Excellent for size, bone and moderate angulation. Beautiful head and expression with good ear and jaw. Presented in gleaming fit condition. Just not as accurate on the move as 1 but showed lovely freedom and kept his shape at all times.

3.Sharkey & Aicken’s Whipsperrin Peaky Blinder

Limit Dog (12,2)

1. Fryer’s Collooney Eye Love To Tease at Stonefox. Red/black brindle with white trim. This outstanding young dog shouts combined muscular strength with elegance of grace and outline. His curvy shape and balanced proportions are so impressive and then he moves, displaying propelling action from all angles. His reach and drive added to the way he holds his outline on the move with accurate light footfall is a joy to watch. One is also drawn in by his beautiful correct head and gentle expression. Excellent return of upper arm, perfectly shaped feet, moderate flat bone, super infill, ribbing, tuck up, bend of stifle with powerful first and second thighs and let down hocks. In my opinion, he is one of the breeds elite and it was an honour to award him the DCC. Congratulations to both breeders and owners.

2. Perkins’ Snowleana Errol Flynn of Silkridge JW. Blue fawn honest dog who pleasantly surprised me on the day and considered for the RCC. Athletic, nice type and size and scored very high in movement; true fore and aft and a lovely free stride in profile. Like 1, he is also a picture of combined elegance and power. Many strong points including correct head proportions, pasterns, return of upper arm, topline, tuck up, broad thighs, stifle and presented in immaculate muscular condition. Just preferred the shape of the DCC and moderation of the RCC.

3. McKenzie’s Aberlark Burning Love

Open Dog (7,0) A super class, thank you for the privilege of judging some beautiful champions.

1. Perkins’ Ch Silkridge Just Joey. Lemon brindle with white trim. What a showman and worthy champion, also a proven stud; I can see his qualities and virtues in my RCC bitch winner. Very attractive male, lovely head proportions, good ear, eye and muzzle with a keen alert expression. Excellent size and substance, good neck into shoulder and infill, flat bone, correct well knuckled feet, lovely spring of pastern and return of upper arm. Curvy topline and underline, good spring of rib, strong loin and thighs, correct bend of stifle. He uses his impressive hindquarters well to power around the ring and no doubt he could work all day. I seriously considered him for the RCC but after a comprehensive look I just felt his enthusiasm on the day unbalanced him.

2. Shepherd’s Ch Citycroft Sundae with Oxana JW ShCM. Red fawn and white trim. This champion captures the essence of a whippet, super breed type and attributes. Excels in size, substance and balanced proportions. Superb condition, skin and coat and handled to perfection. Curves in all the right places. Correct head, beautiful dark pigment and gentle expression. Free moving but preferred the width and drive in rear movement of 1.

3. Poole’s Ch Crosscop No Matter What. Fawn and white trim male of a type I love. No disgrace to be third in this very strong class.

Veteran Dog (3,0)

1.Dufty & Morland’s Ch Triken Never Stop Dreaming. Worthy pale brindle champion dog who denied his 9 years and put in a winning performance. Lovely type, shape and balanced proportions. Particularly liked his fore and hind quarters, nothing exaggerated. Smooth to go over and so sound moving. Presented in excellent condition and expertly handled.

2.Webber’s Dark Wing. 8 years black male enjoying his day out. Built on racing lines, displaying elegance and curves in all the right places. Moderate angulation, typical head with correct proportions, nice bone and substance. Lost out on rear movement to 1 but very pleasing in profile.

3.Searle’s Quick Silver He’s The One For Whipsearle

Special Beginners Dog (4,0)

1.Brew’s Crosscop The show Must Go On. See JD.

2.Taylor’s Crosscop Dom Perignon On Ice. Fawn brindle built on elegant flowing lines. Good for size and substance; admired his typical head and soft expression. Too long in second thigh and short in upper arm for me however was pleasing moving in profile.

3. Brooke’s Rushden Hello Look At Me

Minor Puppy Bitch (15,5) What a chocolate box! Many lovely babies sadly went cardless and some were not performing on the day.

1.Maxwell’s Maccus Rosa Gallica Daphne. Red fawn and white trim delightful puppy girl. Right up my street for type and oozing with quality. Despite her tender age she is ‘all of a piece’; so well constructed and balanced which is reflected in her free and true movement. Smooth and curvy lines, lovely shoulder placement and return of upper arm, excellent size, substance, feet and bone. Classic head, perfect dark make-up enhancing her beautiful expression, correct ears, strong foreface and jaw. She showed her socks off to win this wonderful class and really was unlucky to meet the PB winner who was on top form today and she could not quite match her propelling movement. How exciting to see youngsters like this coming through in the breed and hope they achieve their crowns.

2.Fryer’s Osterfen Lakota at Stonefox. Pale fawn ultra feminine baby girl who pushed 1 all the way but lost out on maturity. I would love to judge her again as an adult when Im sure her curves will have developed further. Loved her for type, size and substance and she is so sound on the move. Correct feet and bone, good infill, straight forearms, good return of upper arm and layback of shoulder. Nice length and spring of rib with good depth of brisket for age, moderately angulated hindquarters. Her head is exquisite, she is so pretty and would be perfect on my sofa!

3.Perkins’ Silkridge Jasmine. Another super puppy with a bright future.

Puppy Bitch (3,0)

1.Perkins’ Citycroft Americano with Silkridge. Black with white trim. What more can I say about this young beauty who I was excited to judge having admired her from the ring side. She screams Whippet, her presence makes me smile and gives her that extra edge. Displays elegance, grace and power both standing and moving. Excellent construction and balanced proportions which is evident in her effortless and accurate movement, She is built for speed and work, could watch her in profile all day, her free propelling movement is exceptional. Super shoulder placement and return of upper arm, strong in loin and moderate hind angulation. Correct ears, eyes and bite, loved her alert expression, would prefer more fill and definition to foreface but she is still a baby. Presented in gleaming condition. Without doubt she will bring her lucky owners and proud breeders lots more success. A bit of a cliché but she was very, very unfortunate to meet my CC winner today who as one would expect is more mature and together. BP, BJ and RCC.

2.Coulter & Rankine’s Collooney Lagertha. Red brindle. A quality puppy who was of a different type to 1 and making her expert handler work hard today. Lovely size, scope and substance with glimpses of good movement when she settled. Liked her head proportions, strength of foreface and underjaw.

3.Salkeld’s Crosscop A Dream Come True

Junior Bitch (6,1)

1. Service & Poole’s Crosscop Proud Mary. An unassuming pretty young fawn and white bitch who ticks much of the breed standard and was a pleasure to judge. Good for size, type and balanced construction. A typical head with a kind expression, good neck into shoulder, nice flowing lines with no exaggerations. Moved very well, true fore and aft and held her outline in profile. In good show condition and handled well. Liked her a lot and hope she goes all the way.

2. Leslie’s Windwalker Afissa. Pale fawn. Loved her type, shape and curves. Good head proportions, flat skull, strong jaw and correct bite. Correct bone, pasterns, feet, broad thighs and well let down hocks. Not as accurate on the move as 1 but moved with freedom and drive.

3.Sharkey & Aicken’s Whisperrin Glitzy Mitzy

Yearling Bitch (3,0)

1. Akerboom & Van Der Schaaf’s Crème Anglaise’s Irish Cream. What an honour! This stunning silver brindle bitch who I had not seen before caught my eye the moment she entered the ring and under closer inspection gave me goosebumps. If I had to critique her in one word it would be ‘jewel’ and I would have loved to have taken her home. Flows from nose to tail with ideal balanced and moderate proportions. Excellent size, shape and substance and she takes your breath away with her effortless long easy stride in profile and sound accurate movement coming and going, holding her topline at all times. Pretty head, skull long and lean, powerful muzzle, neat ears and melting expression. Super well knuckled feet, desired spring to pasterns, straight forearms and bladed bone. Deep chested, good infill and ribbing, strong and long in loin, well developed hindquarters, broad thighs and correct bend of stifle. Excelled for her curves and tuck up. Stood naturally over a lot of ground. When you receive amazing feedback from stalwarts of the hobby about your judgement you know you have found something very special and that she is. I later learned of her breeding and her pedigree is rather special too. Delighted and so proud to award her first CC and BOB on her first visit to the UK and to see her go BIS was the icing on the cake. Or shall I say the cream always rises to the top! Congratulations to all concerned.

2. Allen’s Lolani Mocha Martini at Zoraden. Red fawn and white trim. At the risk of repeating myself this beautiful young girl really was unlucky to meet my CC winner in this class. She was a joy to go over. More compact than 1 but similar breed qualities apply. Loved her type, head and expression, excellent for size, substance and balanced proportions. Her movement is so fluid and very accurate coming and going. Looks like she could work all day but still has that desired finesse of a female whippet. Will watch her career with interest and another who I hope gets her title.

3.Handley’s Alysando’s Sweet Aurrina

Novice Bitch (9,3)

1. Newton’s Nevedith Elite. Black brindle with white trim. Lots to like about this promising puppy and you really do need to put your hands on her to fully appreciate her fine qualities. Perhaps of a slightly different type to some of my placings but exudes breed type and is all whippet. Very elegant and graceful, flowing lines, good bone, size, substance and balanced proportions. Long and lean skull, correct eyes, ears and bite. Sound moving, true fore and aft.

2. Thompson’s Lorbri Snowy Owl By Berwicklaw. 5 years white parti enjoying her day out. Admired her size, substance and smooth curves. Lovely head proportions, dark kind eye and gentle expression, correct ear and bite. Excellent width throughout and moderate angulation. Moved soundly. Presented in excellent fit condition and handled well.

3. Wilkinson’s Silkridge Saffron

Graduate Bitch (6,0)

1. Morris, Waddell, Mycroft & Mitchell’s Crosscop You Are My Destiny at Ardencote. Instantly attractive fawn with white trim of excellent type and quality. Loved her head, shape, curves, size and substance and she was so accurate moving. A very nice whippet confirming the depth of quality in the current bitch entry.

2. Glaholm’s Gazenorth Tean. Golden fawn pretty bitch. A close decision and similar attributes apply but preferred the height and curves of 1. Excelled in type and flowing outline, moved efficiently and soundly, very well presented.

3. Smith’s Northwhip Never Say Never At Coynachie

Post Graduate Bitch (7,3)

1. Uggeri’s Esedra Sirenuse At Bohosoul (Imp ITA). Lovely quality golden curvy bitch of excellent type, size and substance with moderate angulation. Most appealing expression, dark pigment, good head proportions, neat ears. Moderate angulation both ends, good infill, ribbing and deep brisket. Stands over plenty of ground on strong feet and pasterns, is fluid in profile movement but unfortunately moves close going away.

2. Leslie’s Agrith Ailis White Heart. Pleasing fawn who I liked for size, balanced proportions, substance and moderation. Pretty correct head, good bone and pasterns. Moved well. Close decision but preferred the type and shapely curves of 1.

3. 3. MacBeth’s Liapau Gost Warrior of Stenhound

Mid Limit Bitch (8,1)

1. Wilkinson’s Citycroft Starfall JW. Fawn with white trim of the highest quality who I have judged before and same comments apply. Perhaps a bit tall but well-proportioned and difficult to fault otherwise. Perfect fit condition, gorgeous coat and skin, super mover and a lovely disposition too. I feel in many other breed competitions she would have had her crown by now and just shows the strength and depth of quality in whippet bitches.

2. Turner’s Gilnockie Have Faith. Classical feminine curvy black bitch who has to be admired for her many qualities and who is also worthy of a crown. Have faith! Very pleasing outline standing and moving with balanced proportions. Typical head, excellent size and substance, gleaming coat and was presented in perfect muscular condition. So typey and has great presence, free moving in profile but lost out to 1 on moving away.

3. Allistone’s Hergehill With Bells On

Limit Bitch (14,6)

1.Roth-Brown & Winkley-Balmer’s Lolani Spiced Gold. Red fawn of very pleasing type, make and shape. Moderate angulation, good size and substance. Balanced head proportions, pretty expression, lovely dark make up, correct bite and good underjaw. Won this tough class of beautiful whippets on her accurate, positive movement holding her topline in profile. Lacked lustre today for top honours but she is definitely an exciting prospect for owner and handler.

2. Brown’s Ardencote Sweet Destiny for Bluestreak. Classy fawn and white trim. Spot on for type, size, balanced proportions and sound confirmation. Very feminine but fit for function and presented immaculately. Typical head with neat ears, correct eyes and bite. Sound and free mover. Preferred shape of 1 on the move.

3. Glahom’s Gazenorth Secret Destiny. Another quality lady.

Open Bitch (8,2) Never has the phrase ‘splitting hairs’ been more relevant! A fabulous class.

1. Smith’s Lorbri’s Mistletoe Magic. So much to love about this quality brindle and she fought hard to top this class. Well balanced outline, sound confirmation and no exaggerations. She flows under hand and has that special combination of elegance and power. Excels in size, type, condition and substance. Good head proportions, strong and well chiselled foreface with correct eyes, ears and alert expression. The more I moved her the better she became, stunning in profile holding her shape beautifully. Seriously considered for the RCC and my biggest frustration of the day was not having another green and white card for this well deserving whippet.

2. Akerboom & Van Der Schaaf’s Crème Anglaise’s Lafayette. Red fawn with gorgeous dark pigment and sweet expression. Ideal balanced proportions, size, curves and substance. The right combination of grace and power. True and easy mover, I just preferred the shape of 1 in profile movement. Presented in perfect muscular condition and well handled.

3. Winter’s Collooney Bendy Wendy. A superb bitch who unfortunately was in an erratic mood today.

Veteran Bitch (2,1)

1.Handley’s Lawleymoon First Love. 8 years blue brindle. Nice type and outline in profile but rather wide standing and moving. Typical head with balanced proportions and soft expression. Presented in good condition and enjoying her day out.

Special Beginners Bitch (5,1)

1. Salkeld’s Crosscop a Dream Come True. Fawn and white placed 3rd in puppy bitch. Lovely type and shape, good angulation front and rear. Very feminine, good head proportions and attributes with a kind expression. Moved freely.

2. Handley’s Lawleymoon First Love. See VB.

3. Jones Silvergarth Andromeda

Helen Johnston