Lichfield Canine Society

Lichfield Canine Society Premier Open Show.

Ann-Marie Finlay (Dalfin)

4th January 2025

My thanks to the society for their invitation to judge my beloved breed at this well run show. I must mention my Stewards Tara and Philomena for the super job they did organising the dogs and exhibitors for me. Stewards like these 2 ladies are worth their weight in gold.

As ever I am grateful to all of the exhibitors for bringing their dogs for me to assess, particularly as we are approaching a severe weather warning and it was bitterly cold outside.

Dalmatians

I was extremely pleased with my entry which was representative of the breed as a whole. For the most part all dogs were presented in clean order with correct scissor bite although I did see a few dirty teeth. Temperaments overall were good although there were a couple that were a bit hesitant and only 1 that just wouldn’t play ball today when being gone over. Coats for the most part were good although a few exhibits did have the dreaded “dally rash” which is not uncommon in the wetter seasons. Some dogs were very erratic on the move and could not easily be assessed and this cost them placings . This could have been different had we had more room for movement. I tried to use the ring in such a way that allowed for enough movement for all of the exhibits to have a fair chance.

Thank you all for accepting my decisions gracefully.

Puppy (7/3)

1. Wilkins Ms K. Salvadorada Kinky Boots.​  

10 month old Liver bitch with excellent decoration on a clear background. Good eye colour giving her a lovely expression. She has a good amount of bone with straight forelegs down onto tight cat feet with manicured nails. Well muscled rear without being overdone. Well held topline both standing and on the move. Correct tailset and carriage. Won this class on her correct gait and steady movement even at this young age she clearly has reach, drive and endurance. BPIB

2. Wright Miss J M Millbelle Helena.

Beautiful headpiece on this 7 month old liver girl. Another with good bone and super tight feet.

Well ribbed and with plenty of heart room and a well held topline. Side on she could have had this class, however on the move she was a little loose coming toward me and gave away in maturity to 1st.

Junior (5/2)

1. Wilkins Ms K. Salvadorada King of Hearts.

Black Spotted male of 10 months with good deep pigment and clear even marking on a pure white coat. Dark eyes on this attractive head. Well up for size but is balanced and muscular with plenty of bone. Strong straight forelegs and excellent feet. Good firm topline and tail is well set and carried correctly. Gave way to the bitch for best puppy in breed as I considered her to have the edge in movement and maturity.

2. Sampson Dr E and Mr W Dalstorm Just So Salsa.

16 month liver bitch on a smaller frame. Clearly feminine. Evenly marked with smaller spotting on a good ground colour. Correct eye colour and well broken ears which she uses to advantage to give her that typical expression. Decent amount of bone. I feel I have seen her move better than she did today and felt she was a little loose and moved close behind, I’m certain she could have benefited from a larger ring.

Post Graduate (8/1)

1. Cliffe Miss B Shydally Stage Star.

I loved this young lady! One that I have not seen before. Rising 2 years old with a beautiful head and lovely dark eyes. Broken ears set high carried well. Her neck is strong and nicely arched into good withers. Good Ribbing and plenty of heart room

Built on an elegant frame her angulation and balance are clearly evident. Right amount of bone. Straight forelegs with elbows set close, decent length of upper arm and shoulder,good feet. she has super pigment right down to her spotted tail. Well muscled hindquarters with well developed 2nd thigh. On the move she came into her own and displayed correct reach and drive required for an endurance dog all the while retaining the elegance of the breed and maintaining a good strong topline.

She came again in the limit class and could not be denied that class either

Delighted to award her BOB

2. Townson & Pardoe Mr G D & Miss S E Sophtspot Phantasia for Daymadals.

Super dark and profuse pigment on this 2 year old black bitch. She is another with a beautiful head and that expression so typical of the breed that just draws you in. Shorter coupled than 1 and slightly finer in build. Ears not as broken as 1st. Enough forechest and elbows close, Strong level topline with well muscled hindquarters. She was a little erratic on the move to start with but when recalled for the challenge she was much more settled and was RBOB

Limit (6/1)

1. Cliffe Miss B Shydally Stage Star.

Repeat Post graduate.

2. Pace Miss N Sadiedel’s Arab Girl JW.

One I have judged before as a youngster and I pleased to see she still has that naughty twinkle in her eye at almost 2 years old. Black spotted lighter in decoration with a lovely pretty head.

Slightly finer in bone than first but still with enough. Straight forelegs. To be picky I would prefer tighter feet. Obviously well exercised maintaining good muscle all through. Another lovely mover that clearly fits the profile of “carriage dog”.

Open (4/1)

1. Burke Miss F A Hafwenna The Red Viper at Dintradot.

2 year old Black spotted male that I have judged previously and liked. On this occasion he was much more settled. Shorter Coupled than 2nd and more compact in build. Is well muscled and won this class on movement. However he does carry his tail high which does detract from the overall picture and he was not in his best jacket with dally rash evident particularly on his lightly marked head.

2. Wilkins Ms K. Salvadorada Hopes N’ Dreams.

This pretty 2 year old Black bitch is an absolute picture on the stand and excelled in movement. Another with good bone and overall balance and angulation from this breeder. Good muscle all over with really good 2nd thigh giving her plenty of drive without losing the elegance of the breed

Good straight forelegs and tight elbows and super tight cat feet. Firm topline held well at all times. I just wish she made a bit more of herself as she just doesn’t seem to enjoy herself.