Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

Critique Large Münsterländers, Darlington 2026

I was impressed with the quality of this entry, indeed in my opinion this breed had the best overall quality of any the nine breeds I judged over the week-end. Not a bad one among them and the best were truly excellent, in all very enjoyable. Keep up the good work.

Veteran Dog (2)

1st: Sh Ch Crumpsbrook Woodrush 

A beautiful dog of excellent type and quality. Very well proportioned as he is very close to square. Upstanding and majestic, he truly filled my eye. Typical head with good length. Dark eyes and lovely expression. Medium set ears, could be a bit higher. Very pleasing neck into shoulder. Very good forechest and layback of upper arm. Strong and firm topline with a short and strong loin. Moderate, balanced angulation behind. Excellent coat and colour. He is a very sound and functional mover from every angle, very athletic at nine years old and defying his age. CC.

2nd: Sh Ch Ekkolander Snowstorm

Another dog defying his age, looking very young for his ten years old. Attractive, elegant head with good length to it. Not the dark eyes of the winner. Another with medium set ears. Pleasing rise of neck. Balanced angulation both ends, he stood very well over his legs and feet. Longer cast in his body. Lovely coat and colour. Another sound and functional mover from all angles.

Puppy Dog (1)

1st: Reinstwasser Gustav Vom Eichenhirsch 

Typey dog, typically square in his proportions. Head under development, but excellent earset, very typical. Strong neck, well set into a good shoulder. Firm short topline. Moderately angulated behind. Strong legs and excellent feet. Pleasing coat quality, still under development. He moved very well indeed from the side and from the front, but needs to stabilize going away. Very well handled. Best Puppy.

Post Graduate Dog (2)

1st: Albadhu Force Be With You 

At 18 months old, this dog fills the eye standing and has an attractive mature balance and silhouette. Typical, masculine head, quite good earset. Medium dark eyes. Strong neck, well set, excellent forechest. Excellent topline, square in his body proportions. Moderate angulation behind. In an excellent coat as for both structure and quality. He moved well enough to fight off the opposition from the second dog who moved even better.

2nd: Albadhu Playing With Fire At Baycross JW

20 months old and less mature. He looks somewhat angular in his outline at this time. Correctly rounded skull, well set ears. Dark eyes. Strong neck. Not the front or the body shape of the winner, he needs to mature and smoothen out in his shape. Moderately angulated both ends, but balanced. Excellent temperament. He moved very well indeed and with this has very good potential for the future.

Limit Dog (1)

1st: Raycris Flame Of Glory

At three years old, this is strong, masculine dog, at this time bit setter-like in his outline. Head with pleasing length and strength. I would prefer less lips. Quite well set ears. Good neck into shoulder. Strong and firm topline, well set and carried tail. Tends to toe out in front both standing and moving. Plenty of angulation behind. A happy mover., very good from behind. Quite good coat structure if not very plentiful on the day. 

Open Dog (4)

1st: Sh Ch Graf Iii Vom Busshof At Albadhu Shcex

A very well balanced dog of excellent type, well proportioned, he made a very favourable impression on the stack. Typical masculine head with excellent expression. Well set ears. Strong neck with a nape. OK front angulation. Excellent topline, balanced angulation behind. Moderate amount of bone. He moved quite soundly coming and going, medium well from the side. Lovely coat and colour. ResCC.

2nd: Sh Ch Albadhu Counting Stars 

Instantly eye-catching dog with a beautiful outline. Excellent proportions, typically square. He combined masculine strength with quality. Typical head and ears. Long and crested neck. Well angulated in both ends. Strong topline. Excellent coat. Unfortunately not nearly as pleasing on the move as he could be sounder both ends, and especially behind. Moved well however from the side, if rather proud of his tail. 

3rd: Bosko Vom Ahler Esch With Settskaye 

Veteran Bitch (3)

1st: Sh Ch Albadhu Pawsitive Vibes JW VW 

A real beauty, she has it all, the type, the proportions, the combination of substance with quality and elegance, the shape and the attitude. Lovely head with a regal attitude. Well set ears. Very well shaped neck, well set. Excellent front. Firm and strong topline, a short loin. Well angulated behind. Moved very well indeed from the side and more than reasonable coming and going as well. Excellent colour and good coat structure if not more of it than she needs. An outstanding representative of her breed and sex. Best Veteran, CC & BOB.

2nd: Sh Ch Quilesta Simply Exquisite

Another bitch who scored in breed type, although a little low on her legs. Typical head, excellent earset. Strong neck, well set into an excellent front. Deep and capacious body, would profit from a little less weight on the day. Very moderately angulated behind, indeed I would prefer some more. Still moved soundly coming and going, but could do with some more drive behind. Brilliant coat and colour. 

3rd: Sh Ch Braccpoint Song Of The Wind For Gemlorien

Post Graduate Bitch (2,1)

1st: Albadhu I'm Addicted To You JW

Standing this bitch truly fills the eye. Just a fraction longer than tall, she is well balanced. Attractive, feminine head with quality. Eyes could be darker. Long and strong neck. Moderate, balanced angulation both ends. Firm topline, smooth in her body shape. Very good coat quality. Not quite as impressive on the move as she tended to side-track and was a little bum high on the move. 

Limit Bitch (2,1)

1st: Albadhu I'm Mad About You JW 

Very well proportioned, feminine bitch of excellent type and quality. Very light roan with black markings added to her look of being delicious. Typical and well shaped feminine head. Eyes could be darker. Strong neck with attractive nape. Balanced angulation both ends. Excellent bone and feet. Deep and capacious body without loosing length of leg. She moved very well from the side and from behind, reasonable in front. 

Open Bitch (6,2)

1st: Almonrigg Sweet Honey Baby At Jendella's

Two year old bitch of excellent type and proportions. Excellent head with lovely expression and very well set ear, adding to her typey look. Strong neck, medium long. Quite pleasing front. Firm topline, balanced angulation behind. Lovely coat and colour. Deep and capacious in her chest. She has a lovely attitude with her expression. Moved well enough from all angles, if not brilliantly. ResCC

2nd: Tureagh Crystal Cider 

Another well proportioned bitch, a bit finer in her bone. Pleasing head, still not like the winner. Neck could be longer. Moderate, balanced angulation both ends. Deep and capacious chest. Very good coat quality. She scored in movement as she moved light on her feet and quite sound both from behind and in front. 

3rd: Dual Ch Raycris The Temptress

Espen Engh (Norway), judge