Southern Counties Canine Association

Critique Whippets Southern Counties 2026

Whippets are doing very well indeed in the breed’s country of origin. My compliments to the many breeders who have contributed to the current state of affairs.The best whippets have never been better than right now! 

So I was impressed with the overall quality and was spoiled for choices in many of the classes. For once, I thought that the overall quality of the males was on par with or even better than the bitches, which has never been the case in the breed before during the 36 years that I have awarded CCs in the UK.

Side movement has made significant strides forward in the best whippets in the UK today. Looking into the pedigrees of the winners, I found it interesting to note that Ch.Silkridge Just Joey, himself an outstanding mover and a dog that I have previously awarded a CC to, is a common denominator in many of the majority of the best movers.

Veteran Dog (6)

1ST Penbriar Dark Secret at Mannerpool (Miss K & Mr S Manners & Glasspool)

Attractive black dog combining substance with elegance. He has a lovely outline and is hiding his age very well. Beautiful head and expression. Excellent ears. Strong neck with a good nape, well set into shoulder. Well angulated in front, but could do with a stronger pastern. Very well balanced in his body with an excellent topline, all curvy. Well angulated behind. The most athletic dog in the class, even if he lost a little sparkle towards the end of the day. 

2ND Ch Wheelspin Silver Shadow among Silkdance JW VW (Ms C Price)

A very classical whippet, he has a lot of quality and type about him. Well shaped head, very well chiselled. Long neck, very well set. Excellent body proportions and very smooth in his outline and with a brilliant coat. Well angulated behind. He moved cleanly, easy and free, keeping his balance, but without the energy of the winner and tending to flatten out a bit in topline on the move today. 

3RD Citycroft Fred Astaire (Miss J Barkas)

Minor Puppy Dog (6)

1ST Starceylon He's Just A Rogue of Mulranny (Mrs J Beckett-Hughes)

Eight months old black and white dog, very promising and of excellent type and quality and a comfortable winner in this class. He is smooth and curvy both standing and on the move. Elegant head with the darkest of eyes. Pleasing ears. Strong neck, well set. Well angulated, balanced both ends. Very attractive body silhouette. Excellent coat and overall quality. He is light on his feet and well balanced in his side movement, free, supple and easy.

2ND Bodlon Runnin with The Devil (Miss B Williams)

At just six months old, this dog is quite mature for his age. Loverly friendly temperament, he was enjoying his day out in the ring. Ears under development. Elegant, well set neck. Moderate layback of upper arm. Smooth and curvy in his outline. Balanced angulation behind. A bit overly excited on the move and then showing that he is still just six months old, but moved quite well from the side when concentrating.

3RD Osterfen Izumi with Oxana (Miss S J Shepherd)

Puppy Dog (11)

1ST Aarminias Made in Chelsea at Ramita (Miss A & Mrs A Chaytor & Halliday), 

Stunning puppy of outstanding type, he combines substance and elegance to a very high degree and is an outstanding mover. Classical head with ideal width of skull, very expressive. Very well shaped, small rose ears. Long neck, crested and well set. Moderately angulated in his upper arm, but already has quite a good forechest. Lovely topline, curvy and smooth, if just long enough. Well angulated behind. Light brindle colour and with the best of coats. His side movement is as good as it gets, smooth, supple and well extended, at all times retaining his shape, and he is more than good enough coming and going too. Very well handled to get the best out of him. I was very impressed with this dog, and he made the final cut in the male line-up. Best Puppy 

2ND Collooney Devils Advocate (Mrs L Smith)

Very eye-catching dog who covers a lot of ground. Lovely, friendly temperament. Long and well arched neck. Still developing in his front, but OK for his age. Deep chest and lovely curvy underline. Curvy topline, if somewhat falling away. Starting out, he did not use himself as well as I would have liked to see, but the more he moved, the better he looked. 

3RD Palmik Raincheck (Mr M & Ms Y Howgate & Hull)

Junior Dog (10)

1ST Zoraden Rulebreaker (Mrs M L Anderson)

A classical whippet, all over moderate. At 1,5 years old, he was more mature than his competitors and presented a better overall impression. Typical masculine head with correct ears. Pleasing neck and front. Lovely underline, pleasing curvy topline. Moderate angulation behind. Lovely coat and fawn and white colour. He was sound coming and going and quite nice and easy from the side, if not spectacular on the move. 

2ND Starceylon Polifemo (Ms T Lahood)

Brindle dog, looking younger than the winner. He covers good ground and has excellent body proportions. Masculine head, good rise of neck. Quite pleasing front. He used his legs very well from the side, but tended to raise his tail which somewhat disturbed the picture on the move. 

3RD Derohan Dark Angel (Mrs C Osborne)

Yearling Dog (9,1)

1ST Tervanty Dragon Master at Bonnarfyfe JW (Miss C & Mr N Luther & Buckland)

An outstandingly beautiful brindle with a little white trim, he is all whippet with excellent type and quality and a fabulous mover. He is of excellent size, proportions and shape and combines masculine substance with elegance to perfection. He has plenty of quality and class about him and is very much my type of whippet. Beautiful head and expression. Well set, long and crested neck. Perfect forechest. Smooth and curvy in his silhouette, at all times retaining his shape on the move. Balanced angulation without exaggeration, standing I thought I would prefer a little more angulation behind. But he proved me wrong when moving as he is truly beautiful on the move with perfect timing, balance and soundness from all angles. He ended up with the CC, I was very pleased to hear that this made him a very well deserved champion.

2ND Edenwhip Oregano JW (Mrs E K & Miss L Mallinson)

Another outstanding dog, very eye-catching and of excellent type and with an aura quality about him. He combines being strong and masculine with a high degree of raciness. Lovely neck into shoulder. Super forechest. Stood very well over his legs and feet. Smooth and curvy in his top- and underline. Well angulated both ends. Another very pleasing mover, if not as exceptional on the move as the winner. But he is another dog who would deserve to become a champion. 

3RD Kierpark It’s Now or Never among Silkdance JW (Ms C Price)

Post Graduate Dog (18,2)

1ST Mazargo Whole Lotta Trouble (Mrs A E & Miss L J Blackburn)

Solid brindle dog with very attractive proportions, he is racy and smart. Excellent width of skull, but he could do with some more strength of muzzle. Long neck, well set. Moderate and balanced angulation both ends. Smooth and curvy in his silhouette, lovely coat and colour. He moved very well indeed from all angles, especially when his handler found the right speed. 

2ND Citycroft Not My First Rodeo at Runforest JW (Miss M Dillon)

Very eye-catching dog, covering excellent ground. Lovely head with great eyes and expression. Ears not his fortune. Long and strong neck. Well angulated both ends. Deep chest. He has yet to smoothen out full in his outline and therefore looks a little raw, but has a strong and firm topline. Lovely coat. Well balanced and sound mover, well handled. 

3RD Starceylon Bella Notte at Tigsisle (Mrs K H Williams)

Limit Dog (17,2)

1ST Silkridge Black Caviar (Mrs C & Mr K Perkins & Van Der Schaaf)

Black and white dog of excellent type and quality. He is delightfully curvy and racy and still has the required substance and masculinity. Daarkest of yes. Small, fin eears, well shaped. Long and well set neck into shoulder. Stood very well over his legs and feet. Deep chest and ideal body volume. I would not want any more angulation behind than this. He moved very well, especially as seen from the front and from the side. Strongly considered for the top awards and would be a worthy champion. 

2ND Whitesquall Superiore (Lord J & Mrs S L Titt)

Masculine brindle and white dog, instantly attractive. Lovely whippet head and bright and alert expression. Long and strong neck, his neck is really quite exceptional. Very good angulation both ends. Not quite as racy in his outline as the winner, but he still has attractive curves to his topline and underline. Strong movement with excellent drive. A very good dog indeed with a lot to offer and should be made up. 

3RD Penbriar Corruleam Sky (Miss J A & Mr J Hughes & Jackson)

Open Dog (6,1)

1ST Ch Loroli Devil’s Stone JW (Ms L Grisoli) 

A brindle dog that spoke both to my brain and my heart. His overall type and quality is truly outstanding and his proportions and racy outline is just what I am looking for. Consequently I found it hard to take my eyes off him, Masculine, still very elegant. Lovely head and typical bright and alert expression. Long and elegant neck, very well set. Exquisite body curves to his topline and underline. Very good front with excellent forechest. Excellent legs and feet. Lovely coat quality. He moved well, especially as seen from the front and from the side. A dog with a lot to offer the breed, especially as he is typewise so very advanced. resCC

2ND Ch Cobyco Catch Your Eye (Mrs L Yacoby-Wright)

Very classical fawn dog of excellent type and quality. Very typical head with excellent width of skull and a keen expression. Beautiful neck, very well set. Very well constructed front and rear. Smooth and curvy in his silhouette if not quite as racy as the winner. Another very well balanced and sound mover, at all times retaining his balance, shape and curves.  

3RD Ch Edenwhip Can I Be Him (Mr J & Mr G Winkley-Balmer & Poole)

Special Beginners (11,3)

1ST Whitesquall Superiore (Lord J & Mrs S L Titt), Best Special Beginner

2ND Ohoka Top Tuppence (Mrs Ec Partridge)

A very classical, curvy and sexy bitch, very feminine. She really attracts the eye for her overall quality and her pride of race. Lovely head and expression, if not the strongest underjaw. Long neck, well set. Moderate angulation both ends, but balanced. Kept her shape on the move and moved relatively well from the side. 

3RD Boland Baloo for Nattah (Ms Severn)

Veteran Bitch (6,1)

1ST Tigsisle Its About Time (Mrs K H Williams)

Seven year old bitch still in her prime. She was the one who kept the typical whippet outline on the move. Lovely head and expression. Pleasing neck. Smooth and curvy silhouette, even if I would prefer her a bit longer in body. Stood well over he legs and feet. Lovely coat, white and fawn colour. A pleasing mover from all angles, keeping her shape. Best Veteran 

2ND Citycroft Starfall JW VW ShCEx OSW (Miss J Wilkinson)

Eye-catching bitch, well up on her legs and generally of high quality. Lovely head. Long neck. Well set. Excellent underline. Balanced angulation both ends. Just enough topline standing, but could do with more curves on the move. But moved with pride and style.  

3RD Alysando's Rainbow Skies (Ms A H Handley)

Minor Puppy Bitch (8,1)

1ST Crosscop Peek A Boo Mackjama (Mr M, Mrs J & Miss A Strong & Clinton)

Stylish, feminine, curvy red fawn bitch. At such a young age, she is bit leggy at this stage and youthful in her front, but is showing excellent promise. Long neck. Excelling in covering ground. Well angulated behind. Very light on her feet on the move, at all times keeping her smart and curvy outline.

2ND Osterfen Itazura with Chelynnah (Mrs W & Dr N & Mrs G Jones & Jones & Perry)

other very elegant, feminine bitch, also a bit leggy at this time and will need to settle into her angulation. Attractive head with typical width of skull. Not the neckset of the winner. Very good legs and feet. Nice and easy on the move, retaining her shape. 

3RD Bodlon You Really Got Me (Miss B Williams)

Puppy Bitch (14,4)

Indeed an impressive class, hardly a bad one among them.

1ST Collooney Senorita Sisi (Mr D G & Mrs Y L Short)

Brindle and white bitch of very high overall quality. A most lovely, whippety head and an expression to die for. Good rise of neck. Still needs to develop in front and forechest. Balanced angulation both ends. Curvy in her outline, even more so on the move. She moved very well indeed from the side, so well extended, open and supple. Very sound movement in front as well. One to watch when she matures. Best Bitch Puppy

2ND Supetas Too Glam to Giva Damn with Crosscop (Mrs S M & Mrs F S & Mrs L D & Mr G Mycroft & Spademan & Morris & Waddell)

Classical fawn bitch of excellent type and quality. Long and strong neck. She stood so very well over her legs and feet and covered very good ground with her outstandingly curvy body. Not the expression of the winner. Lovely coat. Another sound and functional mover. 

3RD Danluke Legs Eleven (Mrs H & Mr J Johnston & Wilson)

Junior Bitch (9,2)

1ST Silkridge Mistletoe Smooch (Mrs C & Mr K Perkins & Van Der Schaaf)

Feminine red fawn and white bitch, scoring in elegance. Enough substance. Very attractive head and expression. Needs to gain some more strength to her neck. Covers ideal ground standing with her smooth and flowing outline. Well angulated both ends. She is a free and easy mover, sound both coming and going.  

2ND Crosscop Here You Come Again Arrodare (Mr R K & Miss J Green & Ratcliffe)

Very instantly attractive, elegant and feminine fawn bitch, covering excellent ground standing. Classical head. Very long neck with an attractive nape, adding a lot to her attraction. Pleasing front. Lovely body curves standing. Plenty of angulation behind. Excellent legs and feet. Not as curvy on the move.

3RD Angele Des Dalmats De La Pierre Sacree Cave Brown (Mrs A Eliasch)

Yearling Bitch (7,2)

1ST Ch Crosscop Temptation to Supeta (Mrs L & Mr G & Mrs F & Mrs S Morris & Waddell & Spademan & Mycroft)

A lovely bitch of generally the highest quality. Her excellent length of leg with a corresponding ideal length of body, and with her elegance and shape makes her a standout. Lovely head with a keen and alert expression from her dark, well shaped eyes. Moderate front angulation, I would prefer some more spring of pasterns. Beautiful body curves standing still, and she retained most of them on the move. Well angulated behind. Sound mover coming and going, elegant from the side.

2ND Riocife to The Moon and Back (Mrs L Ryan)

Very attractive, sound bitch, another who scored in combining substance with elegance, if not quite as elegant as the winner. She has a very attractive head and expression. She scored in front angulation, depth of chest and a lovely curvy underline. Excellent coat quality. A very pleasing mover from all angles. Very well handled. 

 3RD Edenwhip A Moment in Thyme (Mrs E K & Miss L Mallinson)

Post Graduate Bitch (20,5)

1ST Chiendetom Melody (Ms C A & Mr T Carlton & Olney)

Brindle bitch, giving a very functional overall appearance and with a particularly outstanding side gait. Her head is a bit stronger than my ideal, but her body is very curvy and sexy which saves her femininity. Excellent neck with an attractive nape. Ideal forechest. Beautiful underline and an arch over the loin which she retained on the move. I would not want her any wider coming or going, but she is a powerhouse in side movement, perfectly coordinated and with excellent extension both ends.

2ND Dalerafenn Follow A Dream JW (Ms E & Mrs J Salkeld & Graham)

Feminine bitch with beautiful breed type. Very well proportioned and quite delicious. Feminine, well shaped head. Long neck. Moderate, balanced angulation both ends. Smooth and curvy in her silhouette. Excellent sound mover coming and going, if not nearly as impressive as the winner from the side.  

3RD Ardencote Dance A Dream at Chipperlake JW (Messrs M & A J Cahill & Timberlake)

Limit Bitch (19,1)

1ST Bohosoul Bewitched (Miss L Uggeri)

Fawn bitch with white trim of excellent size, type and quality. Typical head with correct width of skull. Moderate neck. Very balanced angulation both ends. Smart and curvy in topline and underline, retaining her shape on the move. Excellent coat quality. The soundest and most functional mover in this class, all angles being taken into account..  

2ND Crosscop Take On Me Arrodare (Mr R K & Miss J Green & Ratcliffe)

Most eye-catching, very curvy bitch of excellent breed type, very advanced. Keen expression. Very long neck which she used to her advantage, if a little sharply set. Absolutely optimally curvy in her outline, making all others look ordinary, but I would prefer a somewhat longer brisket. Moved OK from all angles, but not as well as the winner. 

3RD Crème Anglaise’s Too Hot to Handle for Mazargo JW (Imp Nld) (Miss E J Blake)

Open Bitch (10,2)

1ST Ch Crème Anglaise’s Entourage with Silkridge JW (Mrs C & Mr K Perkins & Van Der Schaaf)

Simply stunning and what a great mover she is! White and brindle particolour with a beautiful coat. She is of excellent size and proportions and combines substance and elegance to an optimal degree. Lovely, overall thoroughbred quality. Typical head with correct width of skull. Long and strong neck, well set into shoulders. Excellent forechest. Beautiful, shapely underline and a curvy, typey topline, if at times falling away slightly more than ideal towards the croup when standing. But then she starts moving, and you forget any doubts you might have had. Immaculately co-ordinated, extraordinarily smooth, well extended both ends and very supple from the side as well as sound coming and going. I rate this bitch among the best I have ever seen in my more than 40 years of judging the breed and believe that she could win anywhere in the world. What more could you possibly ask for? CC & BOB 

2ND Ch Gilnockie Kinda Cool (Mr D & Mrs A Turner)

Another extraordinarily beautiful whippet bitch and another great mover, not dissimilar to and most unlucky to meet the winner. Another white and brindle particolour. She is very beautiful in her make and shape and construction, her size and proportions and in her ideal combination of feminine elegance with substance. She has a very beautiful head, the darkest of eyes and alert expression. Very well set neck into shoulder. Beautiful topline and underline with lovely curves without exaggerations. Well angulated both ends. Her movement is perfection from any angle, very well balanced, smooth, supple and sound. But she was not totally comfortable in the ring today and tended to look over her shoulder and lost to the winner on this. Still a remarkably beautiful whippet bitch from the top drawer. I wished I had two CCs to award, but I did not. resCC

3RD Leathern Thumbs Up for Doddridge (Mrs B Barnes)

Espen Engh (Norway), judge