Midland Counties Canine Society

Midland Counties Canine Society

Championship Show – 23rd October 2026

Norwegian Elkhounds – Judge: Katherine Tress (Treskha)

Thank you for the opportunity to award my first set of Challenge Certificates at your well-run show. Once I got over my initial nerves, I thoroughly enjoyed my day and had some lovely dogs entered. Thank you to my steward who coped exceptionally well on his own.

Puppy Dog – 1(0)

1. Traylor’s Lochlannach an Seagair – 7-month-old puppy who is maturing consistently from head to tail – head is masculine with correctly set ears and gentle dark eye. Shown is great condition with clear markings and well-muscled around loin and rear. Currently a little high in the rear but moved well and covered the ground cleanly. RDCC & BPIB

Junior Dog – 1(0)

1. Huynh’s Laakso Moerketid – 10-month-old puppy of good size and clear masculinity, just needs his head to mature a little more which will help his ears become more proportionate. Excellent markings and strong, short loin. I would like a little more muscle in the rear to give more drive. Enviable connection with his owner/handler.

Post Graduate Dog – 1(0)

1. Cuss’ Norvin Krackjen – cobby masculine dog shown in typical harsh condition. Dark mask and clear harness markings with tight tail. Good depth of chest but slightly short in the leg which gives a slightly unbalanced outline. Excellent muscle in the rear

Limit Dog – 2(0)

1. Cuss’ Norvin Orkla – hardy masculine dog with dark ears that are correctly set and tight tail. Well-muscled throughout if a little on the heavy side. Neat feet and moved out well for his handler using his muscle to show powerful drive.

2. Benner’s Barbelka Devilishly Divine (AI) – close call to first but I preferred the angulation and resulting movement of the winner. Masculine head with typical expression. Good depth of chest and muscled short loin. Would like to see more fluid movement

Open Dog – 4(0)

1. McMahon’s Ir Ch Seasara High Flyer – this boy is a little larger than I would like, but he moved effortlessly and is proportionate throughout. Straight front with good bone. Clear harness markings and profuse hardy coat. Gentle eye and giving the typical elkhound confidence. He stood out in a tough class thanks to powerful, correct movement and undeniable masculinity. DCC & BOS

2. Stephenson’s Ch Kamgaard Kyffin for Brawdor – lacking some maturity as only 2 years old but a very well-made masculine boy. Straight front and rear, not moving his best today but showed powerful rear drive. Well-muscled throughout shown in excellent condition. Would prefer a higher ear set. Tight, central tail and clear harness markings.

Veteran Dog – 2(1)

1. Stephenson’s Norvin Marvel of Brawdor – at almost 8 years old this boy is still very much enjoying his show career and danced his way through the class. As is expected in the oldies, he is losing some of his mask pigmentation, but he still has a wonderfully masculine head with great ear set and gentle eyes. He is a little loose in the front when on the move. Good square outline

Special Beginners – 1(0)

1. Huynh’s Laakso Moerketid – BSpB

Puppy Bitch – 1(0)

1. Mortimer’s Laakso Reinstorm – 10-month puppy bitch with pretty feminine head and well-set ears. Good amount of bone throughout. Very dark mask but would prefer clearer markings on the rest of her body. Straight front and easy mover who covers the ground well

Junior Bitch – 2(0) 

1. Mortimer’s Laakso Lumi – 17-month-old. Very feminine looking bitch, slightly longer than tall. Would prefer slightly stronger definition in her markings. Straight front and easy mover with excellent muscle tone and tight tail set. Movement guaranteed her the win in this close class

2. McMahon’s Seasara Kerfuffle – 13-month-old. Taller than 1st giving square outline, but slightly long in the loin. Giving her handler a tough time today which hindered her movement around the ring. Ears quite large but doesn’t detract from her feminine head as they are well-set.

Post Graduate Bitch – 0

Limit Bitch – 4(1)

1. Williams’ Laakso Kaunis at Akritiko – Wow! This bitch caught my eye from the moment she entered the ring; she had the whole package. Beautifully feminine head, great markings and exuded character and an attitude that owned the ring. Shown in hardy condition with good muscle throughout and covered the ground with ease around the whole ring. If I could ask for one thing it would be more of everything: she is perfectly proportioned but a touch petite. Her front and rear are straight, short loin with central tail and very square outline. BCC & BOB

2. Threadgold’s Laakso Katja JW – Litter sister to 1st and shares many of her positive attributes. More of a delicate bitch but still able to do the job required. Would prefer more muscle particularly in the rear to give more drive on the move. Lovely square outline and shown in great condition. Markings clear and ears set well to give the required expression

Open Bitch – 2(0)

1. Barganska’s Barbelka Dauntless Spirit – Solid feminine bitch with gentle expression. Square outline with short and muscled loin. Good depth of chest and clear markings, shown in hardy condition. Moved with drive and covered the ground easily. RBCC

2. Barganska’s Cealdstan Ancestral Voices of Barbelka (AI) – Pleasant bitch with feminine head and well-set dark ears. Front slightly turned out. Moved well but was giving her handler a challenge. Gentle expression. Clear harness markings and hardy condition

Veteran Bitch – 1(0)

1. Mortimer’s Ch Laakso Dana – 7-year-old. Square outline with short loin and hardy condition. Slightly spooked before entering the ring but settled once on the move. Straight front and rear, moved with ease and fluidity. Solid bitch who could still work all day yet feminine with a gentle expression. Ears and mask remain dark, hiding her age. BV