Windsor Dog Show Society

Windsor Championship Dog Show 2025 Leonberger Critique

I would like to thank the Windsor Dog Show Committee for the honour of judging my

passion, the Leonberger. My gratitude also goes to my stewards, Kim and Tyra, for their

efficient ring management, and to the exhibitors for attending despite the exceptionally hot

weather. It was good to see the appropriate measures being taken to keep their dogs

comfortable with fans, cool coats, and other provisions.

Leonbergers are currently on the RKC Breed Watch Category 2 for poor rear movement. This

is a concern I had not fully shared until today’s entry. While it is important to make

allowances for a slow-maturing breed, in the older classes one should expect to see the

correct parallel movement called for in the standard. Too many exhibits displayed cow-hocks,

outward-facing feet, and a lack of muscle tone, all of which detract from the soundness and

working ability of the breed. This issue requires attention from both breeders and owners.

Exaggerated tail carriage was also evident. Although it is understood that dogs may raise

their tails when excited, the appearance of “ring tails” significantly spoiled the overall outline

and balance, resulting in the loss of placings in several otherwise promising dogs.

Dentition was generally good, with only two exhibits presenting with unacceptable mouths.

Veteran 2-1

1st -Lewis Cochise Choovio President Z Merboltic (imp Cze)

7-year-old red dog with lots to like. Dark mask and dark eye. Excellent expression. Coat

makes his neck look stuffy but is of correct length. His shoulder angulation is acceptable and

he has plenty of bone which is long and straight. His topline I feel would be held better if he

was carrying less weight. He has a well set on tail which is adequate length. His movement

would benefit from losing a pound or two. BV

Minor Puppy Dog (3-0)

1st – Reader’s Cleon Bowser

An 8-month-old puppy showing much promise. He has a red coat with a well defined black

mask. His eyes are medium brown, and his ears are well placed. Head proportions are still in

the puppy stage, but he displays an excellent front with good shoulder placement. His topline

is straight and level both standing and on the move, which helped him secure this class. Rear

limbs will tighten with maturity.

2nd – Raynor’s Cleon Thwomp

Litter brother to the first. He carries a profuse sand-coloured coat with a dark mask. His head

is developing nicely and balances with his strong neck. He has good front angulation.

Currently a little bum-high, which makes his topline and rear movement harder to assess. In

need of some show schooling, but still very young. Both pups will be watched with interest as

they mature.

Puppy Dog (1-0)

1st Simmond’s Skjaergaardens Dance Monkey Dance (imp Nor)

10 months. Stood alone but well deserved his 1st place. He displays a profuse red coat. His

head has parallel planes with equal muzzle-to-skull ratio. His well-set ears, which he uses to

advantage, and his dark eyes framed with tufty hair, give him a wild child expression. He has

correct 9/10 body ratios, excellent bone for his age, and good angulation all around with

plenty of chest room. He maintains a level topline both standing and, on the move, with

excellent tail set and carriage. His rear movement will tighten as he matures. BPD and BPIB.

He was withdrawn from the puppy group due to the heat.

Junior Dog (4-0)

1st Simmond’s Skjaergaardens Dance Monkey Dance (imp Nor)

Repeat of puppy dog.

2nd- Thorne’s Sotilas Captain Morgan (imp SWE)

15 months. He is lighter in colour than 1st. His head shows correct proportions with equal

muzzle-to-skull length. He has medium almond-shaped eyes, well-set ears, and a good length

of neck. His shoulders are well set with straight legs. His chest still needs to develop, and he

is slightly narrow behind, which should improve with muscle. His tail carriage detracts

slightly, though he corrected this when moving solo.

Yearling Dog (1-0)

Jackson’s Lunahai Like a Hurricane for Reveraki

19 months. A red dog with black tips across the shoulders. Possesses all the essential

attributes but could benefit from more overall substance. His head is pleasant though lacking

in masculinity for my taste. His eyes are dark and well set, with well-placed ears. He

maintains a level topline and moves soundly. Tail carried well in this class.

Post Graduate Dog (7-1)

1st –Probert’s Morwinas Warhammer

3 years old. He has a profuse red coat with a slight wave. Lovely head with correct muzzle-

to-skull proportions. He has well-set ears, medium eyes, and a strong neck leading to well-

laid shoulders. He shows plenty of chest room, strong bone, and tight feet, though tends to

stand ten-to-two. He holds his topline level into a well-set tail carried proudly on the move.

Moderate rear angulation. Moves well.

2nd – Baldwin’s Morwinas Othello of Brynarian

2 years old. He has a slightly darker red coat with scattered black tips. Another pleasing head,

only spoiled by a slightly low ear set. He has correct proportions, dark eye, and strong neck.

Well-set shoulders, good bone, and tight feet. One of the few to stand correctly without

stacking. His topline is level and strong on the move, with a good tail set. Plenty of rear

angulation and moves with reach and drive. Just lost out to 1st on ear placement – splitting

hairs between them.

Limit Dog (6-0)

1st –Crooks Alfross Tulabo Aberyscir

3 years old. Dark-tipped red dog, maturing well. He has correct head ratios with the darkest

of eyes set in a dark mask, giving a classic Leonberger expression. His strong neck is of equal

length to his head. He has well-laid shoulders, straight front, and cat-like feet. He shows

correct 9/10 body ratio. His topline is held firm both moving and standing. He has excellent

rear angulation. He is well muscled throughout, which showed as he powered around the

ring. Reserve CC.

2nd – Loring’s La Dolce Luna’s Arctic Blizzard (imp Swe)

19 months. Lighter red coat. He is still maturing. He has correct equal head ratios with a good

mask and medium eyes. I would prefer better ear placement. His neck is strong, well-

angulated shoulders, straight front, and firm topline. Rear angulation mirrors the front,

making him a balanced dog. Squarer than others in type, he moves well around the ring. Very

close decision between him and 3rd place– the hardest of the day.

Open Dog (6-2)

1st – Thomas Amathus Karmer

3 ½ years When this Dog entered the ring my chin hit the floor. I have not seen such ring

presence in a long time. His coat is red with black tips. His dark mask, and medium-to-dark

eyes, all contribute to the classic Leonberger expression. Head balanced with a strong yet

elegant neck. His shoulders well placed, and matched with moderate rear angulation. Strong

bone without loss of elegance, cat-like feet, and a firm topline leading into a correctly set tail

over a rounded croup. Light-footed yet powerful in movement – effortless and eye-catching,

I’m sure that he could glide around the ring all day. CC and Best of Breed. Later learned he

was made up today and went on to take 3rd in the Group – congratulations!

2nd – Davies’ Simden Bank the Hitman from Jarno JW

Not quite 2 years old A lighter red of a different stamp than the winner and not as mature, but

still a quality exhibit. He has correct head ratios with well-set ears. His mask and correct eye

shape lean to the typical Leo expression. He has a strong, long neck, well-placed shoulders,

and sufficient bone. His body proportions are correct with good rear angulation. Once fully

mature, I’m sure he will be formidable. Unfortunately, the heat affected his movement,

preventing him from flowing around the ring. He was called in for the RCC challenge but did

not return, which is understandable, as he had fallen victim to the heat.

Special Beginners (1-0)

1st-Jackson’s Lunahai Like a hurricane for Reveraki

Repeat of Yearling Dog – Best Special Beginner.

Minor Puppy Bitch (3-0)

3 attractive puppies from the same litter. Im sure they’ll swap places in the future.

1st Jephcott’s Lunahai Cry Me a River

8 months old. Lion gold girl with black mask. Head just starting to develop. Sweet

expression. Well set ears. Good angulation for and aft. Very slightly bum high at the moment.

Pasterns will strengthen given time. Won class on the more positive movement today.

2nd Watson’s Lunahai Little Girl Blue

8 months old. Much the same remarks as her sister. Slightly darker coat. Head starting to

develop. Good angulations. Hard to assess on the move as she insisted on following the

attractive smells on the grass.

Puppy Bitch (3-1)

1st Bailey’s Skjaergaardens Dance With Me Tonight (Imp Nor)

10 months. What an attractive girl. On standing she is nearly picture perfect. I would not

want her any longer though. Lion gold coloured profuse coat and well defined mask. She has

a well developed head with correct ratios. Her ears are well placed. She has a wild child look.

Her neck is developing nicely. She has strong angles for and aft. Her topline is firm, held on

the move and stacked. Her pasterns could be firmer though, and this showed in her

movement. Pleased to award her BPB but lost to her brother on her not so positive

movement.

2nd Beaumont & Hesketh’s Lionscourt Olwen

!0 months. Very promising young lady unlucky to come up against the more experienced

class winner. Red with black tips coming through. Developing a feminine head. Dark mask

and strong neck. Would prefer a better ear set. Good angles and straight bone. One of the few

who stands correctly on her free stand. Slightly bum high at the moment. Enjoyed herself

going around the ring.

Junior Bitch (2-1)

1st Bailey’s Skjaergaardens Dance With Me Tonight (Imp Nor)

Repeat of puppy bitch

Yearling Bitch (2-0)

1st Ahokas Cleon Miss Tarantallegra

Red girl with a defined black mask. She has a feminine head. Medium eyes and well placed

ears. I would prefer a more developed underjaw. Her head-to-neck ratios are correct. She has

a strong neck and well angulated front with plenty of chest room. Strong bone and cat like

feet. Another of the few who stands 4 square. She has a strong topline and well set on tail. I

wouldn’t want her any longer. She shows positive movement around the ring.

2nd Thomas’ Jandikas Magic

17 months. Lion gold girl with a defined black mask. Lovely dark eyes. Pretty head which is

just starting to develop. Strong neck and well angulated front. She needs to develop more

bone and body. She still has ample time for development. She has a well set on tail. Good

turn of stifle. She moves around the ring with reach and drive. Will watch with interest.

PG bitch (4-0)

1st Amesbury’s Morwenas Ophelia

2 years old. Red girl with a defined mask and dark eyes. I would prefer better ear set. She has

good head ratios. Her strong neck flows into well angled shoulders. She has a straight front

with plenty of bone. She holds her strong topline level at rest and on the move. She has a

moderate bend of stifle. Her tail is well set on and held correctly. She flows around the ring.

2nd Page’s Pagency Megsul Tessa

2 years. I feel this girl can go much further if she is put on a strict diet. She has all the

essentials but she obviously feels her size today. Lion gold girl with an excellent coat.

Defined mask and well set ears. She has the typical leo expression. Correct head to neck

ratios. Well angled shoulders and straight front. Plenty of chest room. Neat cat like feet.

Level topline and well set on tail. Good rear angulation. Her weight coupled with the heat lost

her the class today.

Limit Bitch (6-6)

1st Amesbury’s Morwenas Lady Skadi

3 years old. Red dog with lots of black tips. She has a defined mask with black tips on her

head which causes the illusion of a black head. Her muzzle to skull are correct proportions as

are her head to neck. Her ears are well set on and used to her advantage. She has correct

angles both for and aft. Her legs are strong with ample bone and her feet are catlike. She

holds her topline firm on the move and stacked where she stands 4 square with ease. Her

croup has a moderate slope and her tail is well set on. Although she looks square compared to

the others in her class she actually is one of the few bitches with correct 9/10 proportions.

Unfortunately the heat got to her today and her movement let her down.

2nd Heginbotham’s Sulandi Fallen Angel (IKC) JW

2 years old. A red dog developing black tips across her shoulders. She has a excellently

defined mask which unfortunately makes her eyes look quite light. Her head ratios are correct

and she has well set on ears. To be picky I would like a more developed underjaw. She has a

long neck and well set shoulders. Her front assembly is strong and she has attractive cat like

feet. Her topline is strong and leads into a moderately sloping croup. Her rear angles mirror

her front. At last one who carries her tail correctly. She has strong reach and drive but again

the heat seemed to get to her.

Open bitch (5-3)

2 excellently constructed bitches.

1 st Charwin’s Debbollinby Thunder Kiss

2 years old. Lion gold bitch with a slightly broken but defined mask. She has medium eyes

and well set ears which when used totally change her expression for the better. Her head

ratios are correct. Her strong neck flows into well set shoulders. She has ample heart room.

Her legs are straight and have the most excellent cat like feet on the end of them. Her top line

is level on the move and when standing. Her tail is well set on and carried to perfection. She

flows around the ring as if she can go for ever. My only criticism is that I would like more of

her. Pleased to award her BCC. She loses to the dog for BOB today as the dog has the edge

on movement.

2 nd Heginbotham’s Hera Nasza Duma (Imp Pol)

5 years old. Red bitch. She is a totally different stamp to the 1st but still a lot to like. Taller

bitch than 1st but all in proportion. Dark well defined mask and medium eyes. Her ears are

well set on and used to her advantage. She has correct head ratios and a strong flowing neck.

Her angles are strong both for and aft. Her front is parallel with ample bone and cat like feet.

She has a strong topline when standing but lost it slightly on the move. She has a well set on

tail which she carried again to perfection. It’s a shame that the heat got to her today. No

hesitation to award her the RCC, well done.

Judge: Barbara Rose (Bedeburn)