Keeshond Club

What a fabulous honour to be asked to judge at this show albeit as a replacement for Gerladine Clark. I do hope she is feeling better now.

This was a fantastic entry and thank you to all who came. There were hardly any absentees. This is a fantastic breed with a unique set of requirements that I feel can often be forgotten by many judges but are so important to making up a typical Kees. I was blessed with some fantastic dogs here and sone difficult decisions! Fronts do need to be watched. I also felt there were a few dogs that I would consider to be overcoated. Yes, this is a breed that should have a good thick coat with dense ruff, well feathered forelegs and profuse trousers, but it shouldn’t really obscure the overall shape of the dog or be almost dragging on the floor. Some top coats were also too soft. 

Thank you to everyone for a truly wonderful day and to the Committee for looking after me so well. Thanks too to my amazing stewards! A wonderful appointment that I shall remember for many a year.

Minor Puppy Dog (3,0)

1st: Harris & Sharp-Bales’ Neradmik Shooting Star. What a cracking baby. Super wedge-shaped head with flattish skull. Dark, almond shaped eyes that are set obliquely. Well -defined spectacles. Dark muzzle. Small ivy leaf shaped ears with correct velvety texture. Medium length of neck. Super square in outline. Super, balanced angulation fore and aft. High set tail. Round cat-like feet. In typical coat for age. Shoulder markings well-defined. Excellent mover in profile, just needs to settle out and back. A super prospect indeed. 

2nd: Johnston’s Revlis Sapphire Star. Another of nice shape. Super head with lovely dark muzzle, dark almond shaped eyes. Well defined spectacles. Small, ivy leaf shaped ears. Great expression. Moderate angulation fore and aft. Compact and square enough in outline. Moved soundly, but not as well as 1st. Preferred coat colour of 1st.

3rd: Atkinson’s Winklestar Tara Ka Prakash. Quite nice wedge-shaped head. Dark muzzle. Dark, almond shaped, oblique set eyes. Ears ok for shape and set. Neck moderate in length. Shoulder and upper arm are a tad upright. Looking quite long in leg compared to body, but a real baby and so much development to do. Coat a little tawny in colour. Sound. 

Puppy Dog (1,0)

1st: Harris’ Watermyth Gota Lota Hi Jinks. Head is masculine with decent wedge. Mask could be more defined. Flattish skull. Eyes are dark in colour and obliquely set. Ears are smallish and ivy leaf in shape. Moderate angles. Square in body. High set tail. Ok for bone. Needs to settle when being gone over. Sound enough. 

Junior Dog (1,0)

1st: Pattison’s Bergareds Silver Star at Eastkees (Imp Swe). Masculine head with good wedge and lovely dark muzzle. Dark almond shaped eyes which are set obliquely. Good spectacles. Ears a tad tall but are well set. Medium length of neck. Moderately laid shoulders. Upper arm could be slightly more angled. Chest to drop. Looking a tad longer cast. Well bent stifles and strong firm hocks. High set tail. Completely out of coat. Good colour. 

Yearling Dog (1)

1st: Matthews, Matthews & Lee’s Valindale A Touch of Royale. A quite heavy boy for his age. Broad skull. Ok wedge. Eyes are dark, almond shaped and set obliquely. Well defined spectacles. Ears are small and ivy leaf shape but are set a tad low. Neck a little shorter than ideal and a little heavy through the body. Moderate angles. Compact enough. High set tail. Correct coat texture and colour. Moved erratically.

Post Graduate Dog (3,0)

1st: Church’s Voila Mon Vadim Damour for Tykees (Imp Fra). A dog who appeared a little ‘on-edge’ when I went over him. Of quite a nice type with good wedge, flattish skull and lovely dark mask. Eyes are dark in colour, almond-shaped and set obliquely. Well defined spectacles. Ears are a tad pointed for my preference. Ok neck and well laid shoulders. Good return of upper arm. Ok bone. Deep chest. Square enough in outline. Stifles could be bent slightly more to match front. High set tail. Slight tawny tinge. Sound.

2nd: Bennett’s Zandvoort Mr Sunshine. Not the expression of 1st. Good dark eyes which are almond in shape and well set. Excellent small, ivy leaf shaped ears that are well set. Well defined spectacles. Short in neck and more upright in angles than 1st. Deep chest. Cobby through the body. High set tail. Excellent coat texture and markings. Cat-like feet. Moves very soundly.

3rd: Rose’ Amikirs Uncle Fester with Esorkees. Has lovely dark eyes which are well set. Dark mask. Spectacles are ok for definition. Ears are ok for size, shape and texture. Rather long and low in body. And a little heavier in body than ideal. Ok bone. Cat-like feet. High set tail. Rather overcoated for me and lacks clear markings. Erratic on the move.

Limit Dog (3,0)

1st: Pattison’s Eastkees Wild Sage. Masculine head. Well-proportioned skull to muzzle and good wedge. Dark mask. Well defined spectacles. Dark, almond shaped eyes which are set obliquely. Well defined spectacles. Ears ok for shape and set. Moderate length to neck. Shoulders could be laid back slightly more and upper arm could be angled back to set fore legs under the body. Chest reaches to elbows. Square in outline. Ok for bone. Moderate turn of stifles. Strong hocks. High set tail. Out of coat, but what was there was ok for texture and well-defined shoulder markings. Moves soundly around the ring. 

2nd: Jonston & Atkinson’s Winklestar Namid. Smaller than 1st. Quite liked the shape of this lad. Masculine head with good wedge and dark mask. Eyes are dark, but just a little full for my preference with rather detracted from the overall expression. Well defined spectacles. Ears are small and ivy leaf shaped with correct velvety texture. Moderate angles fore and aft. Deep chest. High set tail. Moderate turn of stifles and good definition at hocks. Sound on the move with brisk stride.

3rd: Tew’s Torrikees Purple Rain. Not that happy when I went over him. Quite heavy for my preference. Not such good wedge or expression as 1st or 2nd. Dark eyes. Spectacles evident. Moderate angles. Correct ivy leaf shaped ears which are well set. Stands a little 10 to 2 in front. Deep chest. Just off square in outline. High set tail. Great coat texture, colour and markings. Sound, but a little erratic today.

Open Dog (4,1) – A super class

1st: Miles, dean, Cullen & Cullen’s Ch Skyline’s Outlander at Lekkerbek. A dog I last met as a puppy where he did very well under me and I was very pleased he has matured into a stunning adult. Super wedge-shaped head. Well balanced skull to muzzle. Super dark almond shaped eyes which are set perfectly. Well -defined spectacles. Small, ivy leaf shaped ears which are well set and have the correct velvety texture. Dark mask. Wonderful expression. Moderate length of neck. Moderately laid shoulders and upper arm angles back just enough. Super bone for size. Super square in outline. Deep chest that reaches to elbows. Strong loins. Moderate turn of stifles. Firm hocks. High set tail with a black tip! A little out of coat, but overall excellent texture, colour and correct definition of shoulder markings. Super sound, brisk stride when he concentrates. Really fills your eye with breed type. Loved him. DCC & BIS.

2nd: Saunders Liefkees Amore. A lovely masculine boy with good wedge-shaped head. Dark muzzle – defined just enough. Dark, almond shaped eyes which are set slightly obliquely. Flattish skull. Small, ivy leaf shaped ears. Well defined spectacles. Moderate length of neck. Well angulated shoulders. Upper arm could return slightly more. Deep chest. Square enough in outline. Good bone and cat-like feet. Well-turned stifles. Strong hocks. High set tail. Excellent coat for texture and colour. Moved with a lovely brisk stride. RDCC.

3rd: Brunt’s Ch Divnyi Drug Dar (imp Rus). A well-presented dog in good condition. Wedge shaped with moderately flat skull. Eyes are dark and almond shaped but are rather level set which detracted from the overall expression to me. Spectacles are well defined. Ears are small and ivy leaf shaped. Good neck and well-built all through. A little heavier all through than I prefer. Deep chest, strong bone. Firm loins. High set tail. Good coat texture, colour and markings, but verging on too much for my personal preference. Coat makes him appear longer in body than he is. Not such a light and brisk action as 1st or 2nd. Super presentation. 

Veteran Dog (6,3) – An honour to judge these handsome veterans. All a huge credit to the breed

1st: Hickson’s Ch Kichigai’s Only The Lonely VW ShCEx. An upstanding boy who certainly does not look his age. Super handsome with masculine head. Good wedge and lovely dark muzzle. Super almond shaped eyes which are beautifully set. Well-defined spectacles. Lovely small, ivy leaf shaped ears. Really fab to go over with well-balanced angulation and one of few who had good return of upper arm. Super square in body and has enough daylight under him. Cobby and strong throughout. High set tail. In super coat which is of good texture and excellent colour. Really moved out well. Very close to the top awards. Just slightly preferred the overall type of the CC & RCC. BVIS

2nd: Rose’s Ch Rossvale Endeavour to Esorkees. A dog I last judged back in 2022 and pleased to see he went on to gain his title. He’s a lovely shapely dog of very nice type. Very nice wedge shaped head with super expression. Lovely dark muzzle. Dark, almond shaped eyes. Well defined spectacles. Small, ivy leaf shaped ears with the correct velvety texture. Very nice to go over with well-balanced angulation. Deep chest. Muscular loins. High set tail. Great bone. Superb coat for texture and colour. Well defined markings. Super sound but would persist on pacing at times. 

3rd: Miles, Cullen & Browns. Ch Rossvale’s Legacy for Lekkerbek. A super 13 year old who was quite wonderful to go over. Masculine head with super wedge. Lovely eyes and ears. Well defined spectacles. Beautiful construction. Square in shape. High set tail. Lovely bone. Totally out of coat and not moving quite his best today. 

Minor Puppy Bitch (5,2)

1st: Axford & Sherwood’s Watermyth Gota Lota Sass. Indeed she has! Upstanding young lady who really caught my eye. Such a pretty, wedge-shaped head with lovely dark almond, oblique set eyes and wonderful expression. Well defined spectacles. Well placed ears which are of the correct ivy leaf shape and the texture was also correct. Good dark mask. Really nice overall shape and proportions and very well put together. High set tail and in great coat which was of typical texture for age. Excellent colour and markings. Really brisk sound mover. Loved her. BPIS

2nd: Johnston’s Revlis Ruby Star. Much more immature than winner and certainly lots to like. Head is coming along nicely with pretty good wedge. Correct eyes and ears for shape and set. Very nice to go over with good moderate angulation fore and aft. Firm in body and looking square in outline. High set tail. Bit of a yellowish tinge in the coat at present. Moved soundly when settled.

3rd: Atkinson’s Winklestar Sitara. Another promising pup in many respects. Smaller in stature but well put together. Good wedge-shaped head with dark, almond shaped oblique set eyes. Good spectacles evident. Small ivy leaf shaped ears. Lovely dark mask. Well balanced in angles. High set tail. Well defined shoulder markings. A little tawny in colour at present – hope it clears. Sound on the move.

Junior Bitch (2,1)

1st Rogers’ Keez Fait Accompli Par Sterlingkees (Imp Can). Super typey bitch with wonderful head. Displays a typical wedge and well-proportioned muzzle to skull. Super dark eyes which are almond in shape and set slightly oblique. Very well-defined spectacles. Lovely ears which are of the correct shape and have the velvety texture required in the standard. Tends to look up at handler which makes her neck look shorter than it is. Super square in outline. Shoulders are moderately laid. Upper arm could return more. Stands a little 10 to 2 in front. Chest is reasonably deep. Moderate turn to stifles. Firm hocks. High set tail. Well defined shoulder markings. Very nice mover. Very promising.

Novice Bitch (1,0)

1st: Atkinson’s Winklestar Sidra. Quite nice head with ok wedge. Dark, almond shaped eyes that could be slightly more obliquely set. Small well set ears of the correct shape for the breed. Well defined spectacles. Just off square in proportions. Well laid shoulders and enough return to upper arm. Deep chest reaching to elbows. Firm in body. Moderate turn of stifles. Hocks could be more defined. High set tail. Great coat for texture and colour with well-defined shoulder markings. Sound on the move.

Post Graduate Bitch (5,0) – Lots of different makes and shapes here. 

1st: Bell’s Alforus Miracle of Love. This bitch looked fantastic in this class. Filled my eye for overall type and shape. Perhaps a little stronger in head, but perfectly acceptable with a super wedge, definite stop and equal length of muzzle to skull. Eyes are lovely and dark – could perhaps be a shade more almond in shape and set could be just a tad more oblique which is where she gave some ground to the main winners. Spectacles are very well defined. Super small ears with the correct ivy leaf shape & velvety texture. Excellent construction with ideal angulation fore and aft for the breed. Deep chest reaching to elbows. Super strong body. High set tail. Lovely bone quality. Profuse coat without being overdone. Great colour and defined shoulder markings. Superb mover from all angles. A sure fire champion I’m sure!

2nd: Dearman & Henson’s Zandvoort Eternal Flame for Pyrekees. Feminine head with excellent wedge and equal proportions of muzzle to skull. Lovely dark, almond shaped eyes. Defined spectacles. Mask is dark enough. Ears are a tad too wide set but are small and of the correct shape. Moderate length of neck. Balanced moderate angulation fore and aft. Square in outline. Nice bone calibre for size. Well ribbed. High set tail. Sound on the move. For me, she is verging on being slightly overcoated, but she has good colour and defined shoulder markings.

3rd: Gregory’s Amikirs Karrie. A nice type. Perhaps a little long. Head is slightly elongated and could benefit from a tad more stop. Eyes are dark and almond in shape. Ears are ok for shape. Well defined spectacles. Medium length of neck. Moderate angles. High set tail. Excellent coat for texture and colour. Well defined markings at the shoulders. Moves with a lovely brisk action. 

Limit Bitch (6,1)

1st: Ring’s Neradmik Tinseltown at Baleissa. Super quality bitch dripping in type. A most gorgeous head and expression with perfect balance of length of muzzle to skull and superb wedge. Defined stop. Gorgeous dark, almond shaped, oblique set eyes that were super expressive! Well defined spectacles. Lovely ivy leaf shaped ears which had the correct velvety texture. Moderate length of neck. Square in outline. Correct moderate angulation. Excellent bone. Deep brisket. Well ribbed. Firm topline. High set tail. Lovely cat-like feet. Outstanding on the move – free, clean, brisk and right up on her toes. Super shoulder markings. Great coat colour. Just felt her topcoat felt a tad soft. Outstanding bitch that I could easily have taken home. Just pipped for the CC on maturity. BRCC

2nd: Marfleet’s Flatmeer Fleur’s Krystal. Another bitch with good qualities. Good wedge-shaped head and correct eyes for colour. Eyes could be slightly more obliquely set. Just not the expression of 1st. Ears are small and ivy leaf shaped. Well defined spectacles and stop. Lovely neck and correct angles throughout. Deep brisket. Ok for bone for size. Looks a little long in body and low on the leg. Lovely cat-like feet. High set tail. Lovely coat texture and colour. Good shoulder markings. Very well presented and moved very well indeed. 

3rd: Pattison’s Eastkees Amber Moon. Another nice bitch with a very good head. Excellent eyes for shape, set and colour. Her ears are small and ivy leaf shaped. Well defined spectacles. Typical expression. She is well proportioned with good moderate angles fore and aft. Strong in body and well ribbed. High set tail Good bone. Moves very soundly indeed – just lacks the concentration on the job!

Open Bitch (6,0) - A very interesting class. Some were very out of coat which unfortunately did them no favours at all. Aside from that, there were lots of different types.

1st: Tew’s Ch Bargeway Crystal Clear. A new bitch to me. Super feminine head with wonderful wedge. Dark, expressive, almond shaped eyes which had that all important slight oblique set – it really does make the difference! Super expression. Moderate stop and perfect equal proportions of muzzle to skull. Small ivy leaf shaped ears that are well set. Dark mask. Well defined spectacles. Super for size and is lovely and square. Perfect angulation for the breed. Deep brisket with correct width of chest. Great topline. Round, cat-like feet. High tail set with good curl. Well defined shoulder markings. Excellent coat colour and texture. Fantastic side gait. I absolutely loved her. Stunning girl. BCC & RBIS

2nd: Brunt’s Zandvoort Moonlight. Heavier type than 1st and verging on a little too much for me, but she is so well put together and has many other qualities. Lovely dark eyes of a nice almond shape. Well defined spectacles. Dark mask. Small, ivy leaf shaped ears with the correct velvety texture. Moderate length to neck. Great front. Deep brisket. Rear angulation balances with the front very well. Ok for body proportions. High set tail. She is a cracking mover in every direction. Lots to like. A shade too much coat for my preference.

3rd: Gate’s Ch Winklestar Alsephina via Lacetrom JW. Another very standard fitting bitch. A little longer cast but nicely put together. Head is not quite a feminine as I like. Wedge is ok. Dark, almond shaped eyes. Ears are good for shape, size and set. Defined stop and spectacles. Good bone. Shoulders are moderately laid. Upper arm could return slightly more. Deep brisket. Moderate turn of stifles. High set tail. In lovely condition. Sound mover.

Veteran Bitch (3,0)

1st: Saunders’ Liefkees Adina. I was surprised to see she is not a Champion. She creates a very pleasing picture indeed. Very typey with excellent wedge-shaped head of just the correct strength. Dark, almond shaped eyes which are set slightly obliquely. Well defined spectacles. Ears are correct for size, shape and set. Excellent neck and forehand. Deep brisket with enough width to the chest. Moderate turn to stifles. Hocks could be slightly more defined. High set tail. Super coat texture, colour and well-defined shoulder markings. Moves very soundly indeed.

2nd: Gregory’s Ch Amikirs Bubbleicious. Another fine lady. Not quite so nice in head as 1st. Wedge could be slightly better, but well-proportioned muzzle to skull. Defined stop. Well defined spectacles. Small, ivy leaf shaped ears. Well balanced in angles and a very nice body under a very profuse coat (a little too much for my preference) which tends to obscure her outline. High set tail. Sound mover. 

3rd: Passmore’s Ch Torrikees Victoria’s Secret. A grand lady who belied her age. Feminine head and really bright expression. Correct wedge, eye shape and set, and her ears are well placed. Balanced in angles. Topline tends to slope away. High set tail. Great bone and lovely round, cat-like feet. Great coat texture but a little tawny in colour now. Super sound and really showed herself off so well.