Crufts

What an honour it was to judge Canadian Eskimo Dogs at Crufts. They are so characterful and always a joy to be around. This is truly a special breed – a king amongst sled dogs – and it was heartening to see some real quality in the ring. Well done to the dedicated breeders who continue to promote and preserve this great breed.

There was quite a variation in type here today and, unfortunately, movement did let some down, with quite a few slipping on the carpet. I would also have expected dogs to be in nice, hard muscular condition; this was not really the case in the many, which did let them down. All dogs were presented in lovely clean condition.

I was very pleased indeed with my winners, and what a super performance the BOB produced in the Group Ring. Thank you to everyone who entered and helped make this a truly special day.

Good Citizen Dog (1,0)

1st: Allen’s Qimugta Malfy. Very nice start to my day with this typically masculine dog who has a head that is in proportion to his body and presents a typical wedge shape. His eyes are dark and set obliquely. Ears are short and reasonably thick with slightly rounded tips. Muscular neck leading to well laid shoulders. Good return of upper arm and correct bone for size. Deep chest which has good breadth. Slight tuck up. Firm topline. Well-proportioned throughout. Well-turned stifles and firm, straight hocks. Tail is set moderately high. Powerful mover. Could be tidier out and back. RBD.

Post Graduate Dog (1,0)

1st: Pyper’s Snoqualmie Short Stirling. Wow! What a most striking and impressive Canadian! A new one to me. Masculine head which is in perfect proportion to his body. Broad in skull and lovely wedge. Wonderful expression. His eyes are dark in colour and set obliquely. His ears are lovely and thick, short, triangular in shape and covered with dense short hair. Muscular neck leading to well laid shoulders. Upper arm returns just enough. Fantastic bone – again – all in proportion for his size and his young age. Deep chest with good width. Slight tuck up. Could be just a touch longer in back for perfection. Muscular loins. Well-turned stifles. Can sometimes stand with a slight slope to his topline, but this is not evident when he moves. One of few who was in super coat and muscular condition. Excellent tail set and carriage and very typical feet. When he settled, he displayed a fantastic gait, really reaching and driving and very powerful. A wonderful dog and, at his young age, the best must still be to come with full maturity. I absolutely loved him. What a cracker! BD and BOB today.

Open Dog (5,0)

1st: Atkins & Douglas’ Ir/Lux Ch Qimugta S’holmes Ir Jch. Dog with a large head that is well proportioned and masculine. Muzzle is of medium length and tapers slightly to end. Eyes are dark and set obliquely. Ears are ok for size and reasonably well furred. Good expression overall. Shortish, muscular neck. Well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Bone could perhaps be slightly stronger for his size. Deep, broad chest. Topline was sloping off a little. Slight tuck up. Muscular loins. Well-turned stifles and straight hocks. Well-set and carried tail. He has an impressive side gait. Tidy enough out and back. Out of coat on the day and I feel he needs to muscle up, particularly in hind quarters to reach his full potential. Well handled.

2nd: Byrne’s Multi Ch Aavuuta Qimmiq Akiak ShCEx (Imp Can) Bel/Ir Jch. One I awarded an open show group to last year and I love his type. Smaller than 1st and a very standard fitting dog indeed. Excellent head which is well-proportioned. He has great eyes and short, thick, well-furred ears. Neck is muscular. Great forehand with well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Deep, broad chest. Well proportioned body. Slight tuck up. Stifles could be slightly more angulated and I’d like more definition at the hocks. Well-set and carried tail. In supreme coat. He seemed a little on edge in the class and was unfortunately not performing as I know he can. Moved very soundly but not with the scope or drive of 1st on the day. Handled to perfection as ever.

3rd: Hooley’s Akna Palmatum. A smaller dog overall. Head is in proportion to size. Eyes are dark and set obliquely. Ears are ok for size. Overall, a very nice expression indeed. Neck is overly short for my preference. Not as well angulated in front as 1st or 2nd. Deep chest. Bone ok for size. Topline slopes away and he was standing rather under himself behind – I would say that the carpet was certainly not helping here! Tail set and carriage ok. Moves very soundly indeed, which is where he scores over others. Well-handled.

Good Citizen Bitch (1,0)

1st: Graham’s Akna Voorhees. One I have judged and liked before. Has really matured on. Feminine bitch with well-proportioned head with good wedge. Eyes are set obliquely and dark in colour. Ears are thick, well furred and correct for size. Neck is muscular. Balanced angles fore and aft. Deep, broad chest. Slight tuck up. Firm, strong topline and lovely muscular loins. Well bent stifles and straight hocks. Feet look a tad flat. Ok for bone. Sound on the move. Presented very well.

Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1st: Hooley’s Akna Zira. A sweet baby with a most wonderful temperament. Feminine head with typical wedge. Enough breadth of skull for age. Gorgeous dark, oblique set eyes. Ears are short, thick and well-furred. Moderate angulation fore and aft. Lots of maturing to do. Tail set and carriage good. Hard to assess on the move, but what I did see was sound and typical for the breed. Very promising. BP

Post Graduate Bitch (2,0)

1st: Atkins & Needham’s Qimugta Junipero. A super attractive bitch with good strength all through. Very attractive head which is well proportioned, broad and shows a typical wedge. Eyes are dark and oblique enough. Ears are lovely and thick and well-furred. Strong, muscular neck of correct length. Well laid shoulders and really good return of upper arm. Good bone for size. Bit longer in the loin than some. Deep chest with correct width. Strong topline. Slight tuck up. Well-turned stifles and strong hocks. Tail set and carriage are good. Really great mover – super sound in all directions. Needs more maturity and finish but a good prospect.

2nd: Hooley’s Snoqualmie Fairy Firefly. An excellent type for me. Super feminine but still with strength. Broadish skull and good wedge. Head is in perfect proportion with body. Neck is muscular. Moderately laid shoulders. Upper arm could be longer and angle back slightly more. Looks quite square in body & outline at present– needs a bit more length for ideal balance. Chest is deep enough with decent width. Firm topline. Slight tuck-up. Moderate turn of stifles. Tail set and carriage is good. Movement let her down here as she was slipping on the carpet. Lots of maturing to do and will be very interested to see how she develops on. A promising young lady.

Open Bitch (3,0)

1st: Allen’s Ir Ch Qimugta Neptunia Ir Jch. What wonderful condition. A nice feminine bitch but with the desired strength. Well-proportioned head with good wedge. Oblique set eyes. Ears are short, thick and well-furred. Neck is muscular and leads to well laid shoulders. Upper arm could angle back slightly more. Good bone. Deep chest of correct width. Strong topline. Muscular body. Slight tuck up. Well-turned stifles and strong, straight hocks. Well set and carried tail. In superfluous condition. Looked an absolute picture here. Excellent mover from all angles. Didn’t put a foot wrong. Top quality bitch who thoroughly deserved the BB award here.

2nd: Atkins’ Ir/Lux Ch Qimugta Miss Marple Ir Jch. A larger bitch of excellent type, Typical head with good wedge. Enough strength to muzzle. Dark, oblique set eyes. Well-set ears – could be slightly thicker for perfection. Excellent neck and well laid shoulders. Good return of upper arm. Ample bone for size. Deep, broad chest. Strong topline. Slight tuck up. Well- turned stifles. Tail set ok. Sound mover but could go with more ‘umph’. Well-presented. Pulled out all the stops when called back in to take RBB.

3rd: Needham’s Asiaq Queen Fabiola. My BOB last time I judged but was not looking her best here today unfortunately. Looking heavier in the head and body than previously. Muscular neck. Lovely angulation fore and aft. Good bone and excellent proportions. Firm topline. Totally out of coat. Super mover and very well handled.

Veteran Bitch (2,0)

1st: Byrne’s Int/Ir/Nld Ch Harpan Charlotte Bay Ir/B JCh. This one is always such a character! Such a lovely type and very well made all through. Super typical expression. Muscular neck. Firm topline. Looking a shade heavy in body today which rather spoilt the overall impression and her profile movement on the day. Tail set and carriage is good. Super sound in all directions. A credit to the breed and one I greatly admire. Very well handled as usual. Best Veteran.

2nd: Ir Ch Qimugta Harpist. Another longstanding favourite of mine who is of a type I admire. Super feminine and well-proportioned head with good wedge. Dark, oblique set eyes. Ears are thick and well-furred. Excellent angulation fore and aft. Deep chest. Ok for bone. Firm topline. Slight tuck up. Strong, straight hocks. Totally out of coat today and really couldn’t get going on the move like I know she usually can. Quality bitch.