Dalmatian Club Of Scotland

Dalmatian Club of Scotland Sunday 14th June 2026

Firstly, thank you to the Dalmatian Club of Scotland for the invitation to judge their show. What a great privilege to be able to hand out my first set of tickets at a breed club show. The outside, grass ring was huge, perfect for allowing Dalmatians to really stretch their legs. Apart from one brief shower the weather was kind. Secondly thank you to the exhibitors who brought their beloved Dalmatians on the day to be assessed and for accepting my decisions with such good grace and sportsmanship. Thirdly thank you to my stewards, Delores and Gary, without whom a show ring just can’t run. It was Gary’s first time stepping into a ring, so hats off to him managing to get everyone into the ring and ticked off under Delores’ guidance. Both of you giving up your time is greatly appreciated.

A Dalmatian is a carriage dog. They need to have the build and structure that will enable them to be on the go all day, whether that be out with the horses or mooching around the yard. I was pleased to find that there was a good depth of quality in both the dogs and bitches. My two lineups consisted of worthy winners who met the breed standard and made my job of selecting the recipients of the much-coveted green cards that much more difficult. It’s easy to make judgements from the sidelines, and quite a different responsibility to be in the middle of the ring. I had not judged the breed for three years and most of the exhibits were new to me. A Dalmatian reaches maturity at around 5 years old and can maintain their endurance abilities well into their veteran years. So I was surprised to find that most exhibits, even in the higher classes were less than 4 years old.

On the day, I asked for an out and back, then straight into a run around the ring. I was looking for movement that was correct as per the breed standard, also that Dalmatians were able to transition from the out and back around a corner without faltering. Unfortunately, when making tough decisions in the larger classes and in the final lineups, some Dalmatians lost out as their handlers were unable to complete a straight out and back. This is so important for the judge to be able to assess the fore and aft movement, especially when drawing on comparisons for final decisions. Handlers are doing a disservice to their Dalmatians if they are unable to complete the pattern asked for. I also note that a lot of Dalmatians did not show the relaxed trot I was looking instead it was a race to get around the ring, with many held back on a tight lead. Moving a Dalmatian is better done on a loose lead. If a handler holds the lead too tightly, this can affect not only the head carriage, but it also has a knock-on that the handler’s gait can impinge on the Dalmatian’s gait and footfall. A good handler allows their dog to move without affecting their movement. This takes practise to have the confidence to move a dog on a loose lead, but it allows the dog to naturally drop their head and coupled with relaxed, unhindered, fluid movement is exactly what a Dalmatian at work looks like behind a carriage. 

Baby Puppy Dog 0 Entries

Minor Puppy Dog (3-0A)

1st Christie’s Sophtspot Xtra Spicy, 8 m/o, l/s, good angulation fore and aft on this boy who presented a balanced outline when stood on super tight cat feet, an exuberant pup who was full of beans and gave glimpses of steady movement on the out and back, he is starting to come together when viewing the side gait, 

2nd Short’s Winflash Jacquemus At Zakaytia, 7 m/o, b/s, another super boy with a handsome head, a bit loose on the move which will tighten as he matures, but well schooled and a lovely stamp, one to watch for the future

3rd Todhunter Robinson & Robinson’s Louabidora Skidaw, 8 m/o

Puppy Dog (6-0A)

1st Reide-West’s Jemblewood Northern Stork of Rangalstere, 11 m/o, l/s masculine head with a correct amber eye, this boy caught my attention in this class and hands on he’s well put together, a super chest for his age, balanced front and rear, his movement was fluid, pleased to award him BPD he pushed hard for BP, and was unfortunate to meet the BPB who was in top form

2nd Whincup’s Tamilanda Starlight, 9 m/o, l/s, another lovely puppy with good bone and well portioned, lost out as not quite the maturity of 1st place, however well schooled on the move

3rd Webster’s Tamilanda Bright Star For Dalmarno, 9 m/o

Junior Dog (5-0A)

1st Clement & Marley’s A Spottified Young Forseti for Perdita’s (Imp Bel) JW, 14 m/o, l/s, used his ears well to frame his handsome head, very attentive on the stand, presented a super balanced outline when stood, his outgoing nature coming out in buckets when moved, with glimpses of an easy fluid stride, a bit loose when viewing side gait on the move but this will tighten as he matures

2nd Brooks & De Rozario’s Jemblewood Resolute Stork, 11 m/o, b/s lovely dark eye on this handsome boy, different make and shape to 1st place, good bone and tight cat feet, good reach and drive when viewing the side gait movement on this boy, super dark pigment with blackest of spots on a crisp white background, considered for BPD but being picky preferred coat of 1st in PD

3rd Croft & Richardson’s Mapplewell Rolex with Koroyza, 16 m/o

Yearling Dog (2-0A)

1st Barrett’s Dalamanti’s Guardian Angel JW, 20 m/o, b/s, wow this boy is eyecatching, I loved his make and shape, with correct proportions he presented a balanced outline when stood, kind expression on a handsome head set on a good neck, super front and capricious chest, catlike feet hands on he was solid muscle and was a fluid mover covering the ground with ease, an obvious bond with his handler, has the softest eyes when looking up at her, considered for RCC in the final line up but I was being picky and would have preferred a slightly lower head carriage in line with his topline to complete the picture on the move, he is definitely on my watch list to see how he continues to develop and was Best Black Dog

2nd Grant & Wilkins’ Salvadorada Let’s Get Loud, 13 m/o, b/s, placed VHC in JD, a lovely boy with lots to like about him, handsome head, good angulation and proportions, super chest, unfortunately not very animated today and didn’t extend his backend on the stand, so not presenting the best outline, his handler worked hard to get his attention but he just wasn’t co-operating which was a shame, on the move he was more settled with glimpses of an easy fluid stride 

Novice Dog (5-1A)

1st Whincup’s Tamilanda Starlight, 9 m/o placed 2nd in PD, out moved the others to take this class

2nd Ersiliano’s Lyndalla Breaking Free for Spotlander, 2 y/o, l/s, kind expression and correct amber eye colour, built on a finer mould of good proportions, steady movement, good focus on his handler 

3rd Christie’s Sophtspot Xtra Spicy, 8 m/o, 1st in MPD

Graduate Dog (4-0A)

1st Richardson’s Portunes St Jimmy at Exayeex JW, 23 m/o, my notes read OMG movement, watching him stride out around the ring gave me goosebumps! The first one of the day to give me the exact outline when moving I was looking for, what a lovely stamp of a dog, he used his well broken ears to frame his handsome masculine head, set on good length of neck, on the stand he presents a beautiful balanced outline, really excelled on the move, striding out with a rhythmic action demonstrating freedom of movement and totally at one with his handler, pleased to award him the RCC

2nd Pratt’s Lyndalla Bail Me Out, 2 y/o, l/s, another super boy, smaller frame but correct and everything where it should be to give a balanced outline and smooth easy movement, handsome head, ears used to good effect to give a kind expression

3rd Ersiliano’s Lyndalla Breaking Free for Spotlander, 2 y/o, 2nd in ND

Post Graduate Dog (5-0A)

1st Barry & Goddard’s Dalberry That Boy Is Mine, 3 y/o, l/s, loved this boy’s type, an old fashioned, honest dog, balanced fore and aft, another there to do a day’s work, fluid, effortless movement shown on a loose lead his handler allows him to just do his job

2nd Watt’s Jaxsondal Rocket Man, 3 y/o, l/s another honest dog of good type and correct proportions with effortless fluid movement, I was splitting hairs and he was not quite as animated on the stand as 1st place, but on another day could easily swap places

3rd Quayle’s Cubalibre Sirius Celeste, 3 y/o

Limit Dog (9-1A)

The three who topped this class were fantastic examples of Dalmatians who have reached maturity and are finished 

1st Chance & Dodds’ Apache Dream Catching for Dotlun, 7 y/o, l/s, , I remember seeing him as a pup from the ringside so I was so pleased to finally be able to get hands on as a judge and find he has it all, a handsome head, kind, intelligent, expression, correct amber eye colour, under hand everything was where it should be and not overdone in any way, stood his outline was balanced and on the move he covered the ground with an easy flowing action, another who I considered for top honours, and being picky would just have preferred a lower head carriage on the move in the final lineup

2nd Hill’s Dalstorm Incan Mission, 5 y/o, b/s, another finished male presenting a correct balanced outline, an honest dog with fluid movement, melting expression, darkest of eye, catlike feet, this boy caught me unawares with his mannerism of tilting his head towards his handler on the stand, it reminded me so much of a stunning bitch I had judged a decade ago, when I checked later she was indeed in his pedigree

3rd Barrett’s Dalamanti Caesars Palace ShCEx, 6 y/o

Open Dog (10-2A)

1st Whincup’s Tamilanda Vintage Gold JW, 2 y/o, l/s, my surprise of the day, what a showman, this boy out moved every other dog in the class and in the lineup, he had the outline on the move I was looking for, he stood paw perfect to present a balanced outline, this boy has a masculine head and made good use of his ears to frame a ghost face, a good depth of chest, well off for bone and well muscled, shown in tip top condition, his movement appears effortless and true, hats off to his handler who allows him the freedom to just do his job which is to glide effortlessly in a relaxed trot, covering the ground with reach and drive, this boy deserves the title of champion, which I’m sure will soon be his CC, BLD, RBiS

2nd Dinsdale’s Ch Dotlun Apache Running Bear JW, 3 y/o, l/s, what a privilege to finally get hands on this young champion who I have admired from ringside and to fully appreciate his quality, a handsome head on good length of neck, super proportions and outline both stood and on the move, his effortless movement really caught my eye as he strode around the ring, a super stamp of a dog, I was being picky in this class and preferred the width of thigh & fore and aft movement of 1st place

3rd Hobbs & Whiting’s Rapanooey Ranunculus, 5 y/o

Veteran Dog (7-2A)

1st Norgrove & Pratt’s Ch Sassydals Flugel Horn, 7 y/o, l/s, a pleasure to finally get hands on this boy, and no one has told him he’s a veteran, kind expression, masculine head, super cat feet, excellent body proportions height to length, not overdone with good bone and steady movement he covers the ground with ease

2nd Croft’s Ch Kalokairie’s Bullet Proof, 10 y/o, l/s, judged him before and a previous favourite as I gave him bis that day and he’s still got the eye-catching attributes, larger make and shape than first place, handsome head with less colour around the muzzle than I remember but not showing any signs of age as he strode out around the ring with ease

3rd Whincup’s Tamilanda Air Force One, 7 y/o

Baby Puppy Bitch No Entries

Minor Puppy Bitch (1-0A)

1st Hobbs & Whiting’s Rapanooey Portia’s Reverie, 8 m/o, b/s, uses ear to good effect to frame a pretty feminine head, full of beans, an outgoing puppy who draws the eye with her look at me attitude, this youngster was a pleasure to go over, good proportions and angulation front and rear, and at one with her handler on the move, lost out on maturity in the challenge for BPB

Puppy Bitch (3-0A)

1st Quayle & Beaumont’s Cubalibre Triple Hazy, 10 m/o, b/s, great to finally get hands on this girl I’ve admired from the ringside, she presented a mature outline both stood and on the move, she has an even covering of spots, plenty of bone and a good chest with spring of rib, an obvious rapport with her handler, and she maintained the floating effortless movement throughout the day, it was a pleasure to award her BPB & BPiS

2nd Noble’s Ruebedu I Don’t Give A Jam, 11 m/o, b/s, pretty feminine girl, smaller make and shape than 1st place who was unfortunately a little unsettled on the day, however glimpses of steady movement with reach in between the bounce

3rd Hildreth-Ramm’s Ruebedu Jammie Dodger, 11 m/o

Junior Bitch (3-0A)

1st Haywood-Ridgway & Jenkins’ Sophtspot With Style at Luccombe, 15 m/o, b/s, eye catching girl, pretty head with the darkest of eye, compact, well-proportioned body, she already has a nice depth of chest, tight cat feet, presented a balanced outline both stood and on the move, another who just glided around the ring effortlessly

2nd Grant’s Salvadorada Lady Of The Glen for Bevahalli, 13 m/o, b/s, another pretty feminine girl with a ghost face, good bone, tight cat feet, super dark pigment on crisp white background, steady om the move

3rd Christie’s Wild Child, 15 m/o

Yearling Bitch No Entries

Novice Bitch (5-0A)

1st Norgrove & Pratt’s Perdita’s Bonnie Bean with Sassydals, 2 y/o, b/s, lightly spotted, well defined head on elegant neck, deep chest and everything felt correct underhand, she strode around the ring with ease holding her topline

2nd Quayle & Beaumont’s Cubalibre Triple Hazy, 10 m/o, 1st in PB 

3rd Ersiliano’s Mondo Dalmata Harley Quinn for Spotlander (Imp It), 3 y/o

Graduate Bitch (4-0A)

1st Hill’s Dalstorm Just A Samba, 2 y/o, l/s, correct amber eye colour, pretty feminine head, good length of neck, super make and shape with good chest, fluid movement

2nd D’Allen’s Kingshaka Brown Sugar Into Plutoverse, 2 y/o, b/s, pretty head with kind expression, darkest of eyes, good use of ears, slightly smaller overall make and shape than first place, but elegant outline stood and on the move, well schooled and glided effortlessly around the ring

3rd Stubbins’ Perdita’s Aurelia, 6 y/o

Post Graduate Bitch (4-1A)

1st Jenkins & Ridgway’s Luccombe Strawberry Ripple, 4 y/o, l/s, this girl caught my eye from the moment she entered the ring, she presented a mature outline of correct proportions and balanced angulation fore and aft, correct amber eye and good use of ears to frame a pretty feminine head on good length of neck, good bone but not overdone, tight cat feet, on the move she really made an impression with long strides and smooth reachy action 

2nd Ward’s Louabidora Show Stopper at Frankish, 3 y/o, b/s, another pretty feminine girl who presented a lovely outline on the stand, on the move I would have preferred to see more reach and drive

3rd Winter’s Pandora’s Surprise

Limit Bitch (16-2A)

This class was by far the most challenging of the day, I was really splitting hairs when placing the final five from the 7 excellent exhibits I shortlisted, a true case of good examples having to go cardless

1st Hughes’ Carodal Coast To Coast, 5 y/o, l/s, my find of the day and ticked all my boxes, such a pleasure and privilege to finally get hands on this finished girl who I have oft admired from the ringside, she was elegance personified on the move, she just made it look effortless, perfect amber eye colour, the sweetest expression, this girl has it all from correct proportions, good angulation front and back, not over done in anyway, good bone, capricious chest, topline held on the move, shown on a loose lead she was allowed to reach out and drive as she floated effortlessly around the ring, totally at one with her handler she just did the job that was asked of her without fuss, I couldn’t take my eyes off her both stood and on the move, this girl has what it takes to carry out hours of work behind a carriage, she quite rightly cleaned up on the awards today! CC, Best Liver B, and Best In Show

2nd Wareham & Wylde’s Tamilanda Gold Standard at Dotsadaisy, 2 y/o, l/s, another who just ticked all my boxes, so delighted to finally get hands on this girl who just exudes quality, a feminine head with the softest inquisitive expression, correct front angulation, deep chest, good tuck, well rounded rear with a good bend of stifle, standing she presented a beautiful balanced outline and really excelled on the move, striding out with the relaxed freedom of movement I was looking for, a pleasure to award her the RCC, unfortunately she did not perform as well in the challenge for RBiS, she was unsettled on both the stand and the move, so lost out to the perfect showmanship of the DCC winner

3rd Tysterman’s Carodal Jacobs Ladder, 5 y/o

Open Bitch (11-2A)

1st Quayle’s Ch Cubalibre Wishing Star JW, 3 y/o, l/s shown in super condition, this girl has it all, pretty feminine head with a kind expression, framed with well broken ears, well-proportioned, deep chest and good spring of ribs, with correct angulation fore and aft, she just exudes a look at me attitude and hands on everything is where it should be, she really strode out around the ring with purpose and drive, one I considered for top honours, but in the challenge I was being picky, she was a little overstretched on the stand which spoilt her outline and on the move carried her head higher than I was looking for.

2nd Finlay’s Ch Dvojica Excuse My French at Dalfin JW, 5 y/o, b/s, one of the few I had judged before it was a pleasure to meet again to appreciate how much she has matured and finished, feminine head, a super make and shape she presents an elegant outline, another who just gets on and does the job she is asked to do, she strode out around with ring with purpose and drive, pleasure to award her Best Black B

3rd Pickup’s Ch Dotlun English Rose at Roadcoach, 3 y/o

Veteran Bitch (6-0A)

This class was the last of the day but brought me my biggest smile to have such a lovely collection of finished Dalmatians, who still enjoy their day at a show and it was a super to watch them all stride out around the ring with purpose and drive.

1st Cuthbertson’s Ch Ellemstra Little Mix with Kalsidoni, 10 y/o, b/s, judged before as a youngster before she gained title, loved her overall balanced make and shape then and now, good bone, a deep chest, correct angulation and she’s still got that look at me attitude, still as wiggly as ever and enjoying her day out, she covered the ground with effortless ease, a pleasure to award her BViS

2nd Gardner’s Ch Dvojica Chilli Chutney for Wrendragge JW, 10 y/o, l/s another I have judged before as a youngster, before she gained her title, another super example of the breed, who presents an elegant outline both stood and on the move

3rd Jenkins & Ridgway’s Luccombe Strawberry Kisses VW, 10 y/o

Judge Josiane Kaal