East Anglian Whippet Club

It was truly an honour to be invited to judge bitches at this prestigious club show, one which I have always enjoyed as an exhibitor. My sincere thanks to the committee for the opportunity. I’d also like to thank my fabulously efficient steward, Janet Kay, who kept everything moving at pace. But I’m most grateful to all the exhibitors who allowed me the privilege of going over their dogs. The weather was set fair at the beautiful Rutland Showground although a strong wind blew through the ring for much of the day and this appeared to unsettle some exhibits. I was blessed with a lovely quality entry of 110 only a few absentees. I was looking for a balanced, moderate bitch combining breed type, soundness and overall quality. The quality of exhibit across the board was pleasing although, one or two who otherwise impressed dropped down the placings due to untidy movement. I was however delighted to find exemplars of the breed standard in my main winners.

BPB (2, 0) 1 Whitehead & Smith’s Citycroft Snow on the Beach. 5½ months old, this super little black and white baby is so well put together and behaved impeccably for one so young. Nicely proportioned throughout with a lovely topline which she held on the move. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her. Later, by agreement with my co-judge, RBBPIS. 2 Wilton-Clark’s Shalfleet Gabrielle. Another lovely, well-constructed pup. Pretty head with a cheeky glint in her dark eye. Moved well around and out and back. Not quite as balanced as 1 at this stage. MPB (6, 2) 1 Cooper’s Ballauren’s Diamond. 8-month-old red fawn parti. Gleaming coat, good amount of bone and shown in fit, muscular condition. Being picky however, I would’ve preferred to have seen her carrying a little more weight at this stage of her development. Good front angulation, balanced with the rear. Pleasing topline. Moved out well around the ring at one with her handler. 2 Kemp’s Salizada Early Morning Dreams for Saraquele (Imp Ita). Pretty 6-month-old pale fawn brindle and at her first show so a little unsettled but nevertheless, gave a good account of herself on the move. Elegant neck and nicely filled front for one so young. At an earlier stage of development from 1 and not as together, but balanced angulation front and rear. PB (7, 2) 1 Johnston & Wilson’s Danluke Legs Eleven. Splitting hairs to choose between first and second in this class. Different types but both lovely quality puppies. At just short of 12 months of age, this pale fawn w/wh trim is so well constructed. Dark eye, strong underjaw, long elegant neck leading into the best of fronts. Bladed bone, ribbed well back and a broad, well-muscled back holding a beautiful topline. Strong, broad thigh and second thigh well-developed for age. Hocks well let down. I liked her a lot. Later by agreement with my co-judge, BPIS. 2 Mycroft, Spademan, Morris & Waddell’s Supetas Too Glam to Give a Damn with Crosscop. 10-month-old blue fawn w/wh trim. Pretty head and expression. Fine ears and long neck. Liked her overall shape and substance – more compact than 1 - but front construction not quite as good. Otherwise many of the same comments apply. Unlucky to meet 1 today. JB (5, 0) Whitehead & Smith’s Citycroft Lone Star. Nice for size and maturing beautifully, this young lady is of obvious quality and was presented in excellent condition with just the right amount of body and muscle tone. Lovely head and expression, fine ears, long neck, shoulders well laid back with a good return of upper arm. Ribs well sprung and a graceful rise over a strong loin. Moved with ease around the ring. True coming and going. Strongly considered for the RCC. 2 Short’s Collooney Senorita Sisi. At 12 months of age, this young pale fawn brindle w/wh trim girl still has a bit of maturing to do but is really starting to come into her own. I have to say she impressed me today. Standing, she presents a lovely feminine outline with a long elegant neck, a delicate rise over the loin and balanced angulation fore and aft. Moved well all ways. A very close second in this class. Will watch her with interest. YB (7, 2) 1 Akerboom & Van Der Schaaf’s Creme Anglaise’s Poetic Masterpiece. 21-month-old heavily brindled fawn w/wh trim. Attractive bitch with beautiful flowing profile movement which won her the class. Deep brisket and well filled in front. Ribbed well back but would’ve preferred more length of loin. Strong, broad thigh with hocks well let down. True coming and going. 2 Thomas’ Bowdonia Elphaba. 20-month-old pale fawn brindle w wh/trim built on a larger frame than 1. Long elegant neck, smooth shoulder, pleasing top and underlines. Well-proportioned throughout. Strong pasterns and nicely developed hind quarters allowed her to cover the ground effortlessly. A lot to like. NB (9, 2) 1 Cooper’s Ballauren’s Diamond. See MPB above. 2 James’ Perfect Encounter with Plushcourt. Rising 5-year-old blue brindle parti. Feminine head with fine ear. Smooth shoulder and strong, broad back. Moderate throughout. Moved steadily around the ring. True coming and going. GB (8, 3) 1 Kemp’s Saraquele Smooth N Sassy. Approaching 12 months of age, this pretty pale fawn puppy with the sweetest of expressions is beautifully packaged. I liked her very much. Moved well all ways. A bright future awaits. 2 Winkley-Balmer & Burton’s Edenwhip Moonstruck. 2-year-old red fawn parti. Curvy girl with feminine head and expression fine ears, and good reach of neck. Pleasing complimentary top and underlines. Good tail set. Flat muscle with moderate bend of stifle. Would like to have seen just a little more second thigh. PGB (11, 2) 1 Lain’s Lolani Tennessee Princess. 22-month-old classic fawn w/wh trim. Well-constructed throughout with deep brisket, a definite tuck up and good angulation fore and aft. Curvy bitch shown in good fit condition, she moved out nicely in all directions. True coming and going. 2 Salkeld & Graham’s Daleraffen Follow A Dream JW. Rising 3-year-old moderate red fawn w/wh trim. Feminine and nice for size and overall shape. Another well put together. Just didn’t move with the same enthusiasm and purpose as 1. MLB (7, 3) 1 Longhurst’s Abbeyhurst Dancing Queen JW. 4-year-old shaded blue fawn bitch I have judged before. Up to size but still elegant and perfectly proportioned. Excellent muscle tone, coat and skin condition, my hands just flowed over her. If I was being picky I’d have liked a bit more length of upper arm. Moved around the ring with ease. Handled to advantage. 2 Wood’s Edenwhip Harvest Moon. 2-year-old red fawn w/wh trim. Another lovely moderate, classic fawn with nice head and expression. Ribbed well back with a deep brisket, a delicate rise over the loin and definite tuck-up. Shown in gleaming condition, she moved with purpose around the ring. LB (12, 1) 1 Wignall’s Starswift Seductress. 3-year-old quality pale fawn w/wh trim. Another I have admired from ringside. Of good proportions and with just the right amount of muscle, I liked her shape and substance. Although she could not be denied the class, and she moved out well in profile, her movement out and back today was just a bit too untidy to go further. 2 Holland’s Elmanash Glenlossie. 4-year-old red fawn. Such an attractive “whippety” girl. Dark eye, fine ears, elegant neck and well laid shoulder. Good fill in front and a pleasing topline. Strong pasterns and hindquarters. Hocks well let down. Moved gracefully around the ring. OB (8, 2) 1 Samson’s Romaclove the Power of Love. 6-year-old blue bitch w/wh trim. I have been a huge admirer of this little lady for a long time but, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look better than she did today. Her close blue coat gleamed in the sunshine, defining her shape and contours. For me, she is the epitome of a Whippet bitch. Correct size, feminine, moderate throughout, balanced and elegant with clean, flowing lines – and those curves! Away from the show ring, I have no doubt that she is very capable of doing the job she was bred for. Moves with the classic Whippet daisy cutting action and is sound as a pound. It was a privilege to award her her crowning CC and to find out later that she is the breed’s first blue bitch champion. Also later RBIS on the referee’s decision and BOS in agreement with my co-judge. 2 Green & Ratcliffe’s Ch Crosscop Bumble Bee by Arrodare. Compact 4-year-old red fawn w/wh trim. Classic fawn and another I have oft admired. Shown in tip top condition, she is feminine, graceful and so together on the move. Curvy, with just the right amount of rear angulation, strong pasterns and tight feet. Moved well in all directions. SVB 7-9 yrs (11, 2) 1 Short’s Ch Collooney Bit on the Side. This pale fawn brindle bitch w/wh trim is in excellent body condition as she approaches 8 years of age. Balanced construction and without exaggeration. Covered the ground with reach and drive. Gave the youngsters a run for their money in the challenge and was considered for the RCC. BVIS by agreement with my co-judge. 2 Johnston & Wilson’s Ch Cyangrange My Cuppa Tea of Danluke JW. Another lovely quality veteran. 8-year-old red fawn brindle w/wh trim who most certainly doesn’t look her age. Dark eye and fine ears. Well laid shoulders and good depth of brisket. Pleasing topline and nicely muscled quarters. Nothing overdone. Moved out well around the ring. Pushed hard for the class. SVB 10+ yrs (4, 1) 1 Williams’ Tigsisle Fan the Flames. 11-year-old blue fawn parti who looked as if she was enjoying her day out. In good muscular condition for her age. Nicely handled. 2. Leathart’s Ringmore Day Lily. At almost 12 years of age, this red fawn w/wh trim was showing her age more than 1 but still put in a very respectable performance. SRLCB (6, 1) 1 Arbuthnot’s Lolani Crystal Moon. A 2-year-old dilute fawn brindle bitch I could not recall seeing before but she certainly caught my eye today. I just loved everything about her. Up to size, but without any suggestion of courseness, it was difficult to fault her in any way. With the best of fronts and beautifully constructed throughout - without a hint of exaggeration, she covered the ground well in profile and was absolutely true coming and going. I could not deny her the class or indeed the RCC. I predict exciting times ahead for this young lady. 2 Bowsher’s Zoraden Fifty Shades Darker JW. Shapely, fully mature, 7-year-old black girl w/wh trim. Nothing whatsoever to dislike about her but with less tidy movement, she was giving away too much to her younger rival today. SBB (7, 1) 1 Arbuthnot’s Lolani Crystal Moon. See SRLCB above. 2 Reece’s Velandor Illuminada over Saleehah. 10-month-old red fawn parti with a striking black mask. Has some filling out to do but ribbed well back with good length of loin, strong pasterns and rear quarters. Balanced angulation front and rear. Flowing profile movement.