South Wales Kennel Association

South Wales Kennel Association 

8th October 2026

Judge: Miss L Tarabad (Khatibi)

Toy Group 

Many thanks to the committee of SWKA for their kind invitation to judge the Toy Group at their friendly and well organised show. From a nice quality group I shortlisted 8 for further consideration including the sleek, elegant ETT who looked a picture moving in profile, the smart young Griffon who has the most delightful head and cheeky expression, the dainty and ever glamorous Papillon with beautifully balanced outline and the immaculately presented Pekingese with the most beautiful eyes and expression.  

Group 1 was the Maltese Ch Benatone Glint of Gold (Miss S & Mrs R Jackson). He took 3rd place last time I judged the group and almost 18 months on he’s looking better than ever and couldn’t be denied the top spot here. His outline is so well balanced with beautiful neck, topline and tail carriage, short body, good angles, straight front and parallel rear. His head is just beautiful with the sweetest expression, the darkest of eyes surrounded by dark haloes, defined stop, dense pigment and correct length of muzzle. Unsurprisingly from this exhibitor his silky white coat was in outstanding condition with no hair out of place, enhancing his shapely outline further. On the move he continued to impress, flowing round the ring effortlessly with head carried proudly, topline firm, totally accurate out and back and looking quite breathtaking in profile. He demanded attention from the moment he entered the ring and never put a foot wrong to clinch the top spot. 

Group 2 was the famous Cavalier Ch Ellemich American Express (Mrs M & Miss T Chapman & Ireland). I first judged this handsome dog 3 years ago when I awarded him one of his many CC’s, now at 5 years old he really is looking fabulous and never seems to tire of being in the ring, standing four square with his tail ever wagging and his beautiful eyes fixed lovingly on his handler. He has such a clean, graceful outline with arched neck into well laid shoulders, perfect topline and tailset, well balanced length of leg, good chest and ribbing, moderate bone and good feet. He moves with freedom and accuracy with plenty of reach and drive, outline firm and tail carried perfectly behind him. All of that is already impressive but it is his beautiful head that is his crowning glory, totally unexaggerated, masculine but still so pretty with glorious eyes, correctly tapered muzzle, high set ears framing his face and enhancing his mouthwatering expression. A real ambassador for the breed and rightly so. 

Group 3 went to the very cheeky Pug Ch Eivisah Sonnentanz JW (Mrs G & Mr S & Mrs A & Mrs L Pike & Pike & Hill & Mallinson) This one rather surprised me, I had judged him just a year previously when he didn’t quite excite me enough to feature in the top awards but in those 12 months he’s matured into the most beautiful dog and his handler is really getting the best out of him. Square and cobby with super bone and substance, short level back, correct length of leg, well angulated fore and aft, broad chest and well sprung ribs. His large round head has plenty of work, large lustrous eyes, neat ears and short square muzzle with good width of jaw. He moves with purpose displaying the typical roll, accurate out and back all the while maintaining his outline and showing off his delightfully happy, lively attitude. Expertly handled and in super condition, he couldn’t be denied a place in this lineup. 

Group 4 was the Australian Silky Terrier Limartine Red Inferno (Mrs L A Mault) A breed that rarely features in group results these days but this dog was really on his toes and couldn’t be overlooked. I had already met him a couple of times awarding him BOB as a youngster and shortlisting him in the group last time but much like the Pug he has blossomed in the last year and is now looking smarter than ever. Compact and refined with gracefully crested neck, perfect topline, well balanced length of body, well sprung ribs, strong loin, good angulation fore and aft with straight front and parallel rear, His head is strong and well proportioned with small, dark eyes, neat, high set ears, strong jaw and such a keen, intelligent expression. He excels on the move, driving strongly from his well muscled rear, true out and back, maintaining his spirit level topline at all times with tail carried correctly. Presented in richly coloured glossy coat with enough daylight beneath, in beautiful condition and groomed expertly.