East Anglian Whippet Club

The East Anglian Whippet Club championship show

Saturday, 4th July 2026

Whippet Dogs

I would like to thank the officers and committee of the East Anglian Whippet Club for the kind invitation to judge the dogs at their championship show, and for the wonderfully thoughtful gift of a stunning portrait of my Whippet boys. EAWC are a club who always ensure their exhibitors and their dogs are fully catered for and I have always enjoyed showing here – indeed, my first 'big' win – BVIS - was at this club's champ show over 20 years ago with my first Whippet boy, Reggie.

Also, a special mention to my various excellent stewards throughout the day and, of course, to all the exhibitors who brought their dogs for me to assess.

Since my last judging appointment, I understand that entries have been in decline, and I was disappointed with the numbers, but these are the times we are living in – we cannot afford to do everything. I felt the overall entry was lacking the consistency of breed type and quality I was expecting - I could only judge the dogs in front of me on the day. 

My main winners however, possessed all the attributes I was looking for. When it came to top honours, it was obvious that my co-judge, Fiona Finch, and I share a similar understanding of the breed standard. We requested the referee select BIS as we liked both our own winners, and each others.

Baby Puppy dog (3)

1st Wilton-Clark's Shalfleet Saros

5 mos brindle with the super curvy shape and outline missing in so many males (and females) at present. Beautiful head and expression, good neck into smooth shoulders. Ribs carried well back, strong over the loin with a definitive rise, sweeping into strong rear quarters. Already a competent showman, handled to advantage, very sound on the move for such a youngster. BBPIS with the agreement of my co-judge.

2nd Cutter & Lubin's Citycroft Midnight Rain over Chosovi

A lovely black with white trim, another with very nice curves in all the right places. Sweet yet masculine,. Exactly the baby he should be at this tender age, enjoying his time in the ring, I'm sure he will mature very nicely.

3rd Rogers' Wentvalley Gosh He's Posh

Minor Puppy dog (5, 2 abs)

1st Melluish's Crosscop Deja Boo at Dawnsafon

7.5 months fawn with a kind eye and sweet expression. No doubt affected by the strong breeze initially, but once relaxed, he dropped into his frame and showed a lovely outline with correct topline. Enough depth for his age, moved soundly and steadily.

2nd Leathart's Rathglass Rising Moon over Ringmore

Just 6 months and 1 day, this fawn baby has everything in the right place. Nicely put together, balanced in outline and smooth under the hand. Moved soundly and steadily.

3rd Shepherd's Osterfen Izumi with Oxana

Puppy dog (1)

1st Bowsher's Silkridge In Black And White

A day off his first birthday, this black and white lad is nicely balanced all through without any exaggeration, well angulated front and rear. Masculine head, enough neck, plenty of depth for his age. Beautiful coat and skin, good bone and feet. Presented in super-fit condition, well muscled all through with a strong back and loin. Sound up and back and displaying a typical profile gait. BPD.

Junior dog (3, 1 abs)

1st Bayley's Wolfcastle Mr Luva Luva at Hengilfach

A most handsome brindle with white trim, I loved his head and dark eye. Long neck into well placed shoulders. A touch heavier and longer all through than I would prefer, but flows nicely. Moved OK.

2nd Bingham's Silkridge Just a Jester

Rich brindle with a kind expression, of good size with a lovely underline and topline. Moved OK, just lacking in reach compared to the winner.

Yearling dog (3)

1st Dillon's Citycroft Not My First Rodeo at Runforest JW

Pale fawn, mature in outline and presented in fit and well muscled condition. Good head and neck into super shoulders. Excellent depth of chest, ribs carried well back. Loin a touch longer than I would prefer, but strong and with correct rise Well angulated rear. Won this class on his movement, very sound away and back and covering the ground with style and fluidity in profile.

2nd Candler's Richclass The Way It Was at Maidenbower

This fawn boy is very much my cup of tea. Beautiful head and expression, classic in outline, very well balanced all through with lovely curves. I liked him very much, but he lacked enthusiasm on the go round, losing out to the winner on movement.

3rd Thomas & Prynne's Swistir Talk Of The Town

Novice dog (3, 1 abs)

1st Lahood's Starceylon Polifemo

Mature dark brindle, superb rich pigment giving a beautiful expression. Presented a balanced overall outline with nice underline and rise over the loin. Good angles fore and aft which he used well on the move.

2nd Leathart's Rathglass Rising Moon over Ringmore (as 2nd MPD)

Graduate dog (5 abs)

1st Middleton & Gilhooly's Stormida Neon Tiger

Won this class on his overall make and shape, no exaggerations. Blue brindle with white trim, kind eye, good neck and shoulder. Well filled in front, ribs carried well back and balanced in length of loin. Well angulated behind, moved steadily from all angles.

2nd Kemp's Saraquele Smooth Criminal

Striking dark brindle youngster who excelled in profile movement. Needs to fill in front, but has great depth of chest. Slightly longer through the loin and rear quarters than I would prefer, tends to flatten and fall away in topline.

3rd Williams' Starceylon Bella Notte at Tigsisle

Res De Graffham's Cleeton We Go Together at Firesprite

VHC Bowsher's Blues And Tooze

Post Graduate dog (10, 1 abs)

1st Wayman's Tervanty Dream Of Dragons at Scarletfair

Shapely brindle, appeals immediately for his overall balance and quality. Lovely head with kind expression, your hands flow down his neck into well placed shoulders. Good depth and fill, nicely proportioned length of rib to loin with defined tuck up and arch over the loin. Well angulated rear, low hocks. Positive on the move, sound up and back and covering the ground well in profile. Handled and presented in first class order. Very pleased to award him the RCC.

2nd Salkeld & Graham's Dalerafenn River Of Dreams

A very honest Whippet type with the typical, unexaggerated outline I was looking for. Loved his kind expression. Plenty of depth, ribs carried well back, nicely balanced to his well defined loin with correct rise. Super rear quarters with strong second thigh and low hocks. Moved well.

3rd Middleton & Gilhooly's Stormida The Brave

Res Binghams' Velandor Rebel Rebel 

VHC Wood's Ardencote Keep Dreaming

Mid Limit dog (10, 2 abs)

1st Hughes & Jackson's Penbriar Corruleam Sky

I immediately fell for this blue lad's shapely outline, a lovely series of curves. So smooth to go over, he flows beautifully under the hand. Kind expression, enough neck into well placed shoulders. Super underline and tuck up, good rise over the loin flowing into firm hindquarters. Moved well from all angles.

2nd Holland's Elmanash Grecian King

Brindle of great quality, unexaggerated all through. Super size, well placed shoulders with good depth and fill. Well proportioned length of ribbing to loin and strong rear quarters with defined second thigh. Moved very soundly, just not the topline or underline of the winner.

3rd Allanson & Macdonald's Zoraden Simply The Zest at Macalldon JW

Res Searle & Rawlinson's Refton Tibalt at Whipsearle JW CW25 (Imp Esp)

VHC Bowsher's Lolani Ride A Wild Trail JW

Limit dog (8, 3 abs)

1st Winkley-Balmer & Winkley's Edenwhip Call Me At Night

A fawn I judged as a minor puppy, he has matured into a very elegant yet masculine Whippet. Handsome head. Lovely smooth shoulders, good depth and fill, enough length of ribbing. Strong over the loin, well developed rear quarters and second thigh, low hocks. Super free-flowing movement with plenty of drive.

2nd Mallinson's Edenwhip Oregano JW

Mature brindle, all male, super head and expression. Enough neck, smooth over the shoulders, longer all through than the winner. Strong rear quarters with low hocks, he too moved out well.

3rd Richards' Richclass From Here On Out

Res Middleton & Gilhooly's Stormida Neon Tiger

VHC Mould's Crosscop Waterloo Sunset

Open dog (11, 5 abs)

1st Soffe's Zoraden Macchiato JW

Rich fawn with super pigment, masculine head and a lovely dark eye. Unexaggerated in outline, your hands flow over him. Good angles for and aft, ribs carried well back, strong back, well defined loin and muscular rear quarters. Sound and steady on the move, true away and back and covering the ground in typical style.

2nd Wilton-Clark's Ch Shalfleet Oliver Twist JW

Pale brindle with white trim, handsome and masculine head. Nicely balanced in outline, no exaggerations. Well muscled all through showing strength through his back, loin and into his rear quarters, another one who moved well.

3rd Middleton & Gilhooly's Stormida The Brave

Res De Graffham's Cleeton We Go Together at Firesprite

VHC Gauron & Viner's Kensesqui Basil

Special Veteran dog 7-9 years (6)

1st Holland's Ch Elmanash Glenfidditch

This handsome lad caught my eye immediately and was as good to get my hands on as I hoped. My notes simply read 'superb classic fawn, beautiful for type and size.' I judged him as a puppy and recollect my critique stating 'will be slow to mature, but will be worth the wait.' - and my prediction was right. Now just shy of 9 years old, he has blossomed into a very fine Whippet indeed. Built without exaggeration, he flows from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. The kindest eye, neat ears, elegant neck into well placed shoulders. Super depth and fill in front. Pronounced tuck up, good length of ribbing with perfect balance to his well defined loin, resulting in the curvaceous underline and topline I was looking for. Muscled all through, sweeping rear quarters with well developed second thigh. Neat feet, correct bone. As to be expected, this super construction presented in typical and desirable movement, true up and back, and perfect footfall in profile, covering the ground with a steady, flowing, easy action. He is a celebration of super type and the longevity of our wonderful breed. It was a pleasure to award him the CC, with him subsequently taking BIS on the referee's decision and BVIS.

2nd Allanson & Macdonald's Jasarat Salted Caramel of Macalldon JW

Another super veteran who scores for his overall type and balance. Beautiful head with the kindest expression. Excellent neck into very well placed shoulders, plenty of depth of chest and enough fill. Nicely balanced length of rib to loin. Super rear quarters, strong with defined second thigh. Moved with accuracy and drive, retaining his topline.

3rd Winstone's Lolani Moonshine Over Monelli JW

Res Samson's Zoraden Surprise Edition at Romaclove

VHC Wood's Ardencote What A Rogue

Special Veteran dog 10+ years (5, 2 abs)

1st Trouton's Runnel Run For Fun VW

An old favourite of mine, now 10 years of age and still ticking all the right boxes. Handsome and wise in expression, he presents a super outline of balance and type, flowing from nose to tail. Shapely curves all through and free from exaggeration. Moving very soundly and with correct profile action. A fabulous veteran wearing his years lightly, a credit to his owner and to the breed.

2nd Johnston's Ch Danluke Lord Of The Dance JW

A dog who really needs no introduction from me, still the ultimate showman despite his 12+ years. His super free-flowing movement has always been his forte, and he's still got it! His topline and underline are, as to be expected, giving away his true age, but he is a fabulous ambassador for our breed and credit to his owner - thank you for bringing him.

3rd Barkas' Jimanica Just Dreaming

Special Racing/Lure Coursing dog (5)

1st Leverett's Whippiness Eyes Down at Elvaria

I was immediately taken with this shapely blue boy, very much the outline a was looking for with lovely balance and a smooth flow from nose to tail. Lovely underline with a good tuck up, strong and defined loin with super rear quarters and strong second thigh. Neat feet and correct bone, in fine coat and condition. Moved soundly, just lacking enthusiasm on the go-round.

2nd Mould's Warden William 

Another who appealed for his balanced, overall shape and construction. Attractive brindle presented in fit condition, good angles fore and aft, well muscled with a good underline and topline. Free moving and sound in all directions.

3rd Yeates, Winter & Morland's Zoraden Maserati JW

Res Bowsher's Denimblue Willdo JW

VHC Jenkinson & Elliott's Coppermow Harfang avec Elstoto

Special Beginners dog (8, 1 abs)

1st Leverett's Whippiness Eyes Down at Elvaria

As 1st Special Racing/Lure Coursing dog

2nd Strong's Crosscop Kiss Me Here for Mackjama

Fawn with white trim, classic looking Whippet presenting a balanced outline with good angles front and rear. Good depth of chest and neat tuck up, correct topline which he held on the move. Calmly and sensitively handled to great advantage. 

3rd De Graffham's Cleeton We Go Together at Firesprite

Res Lahood's Starceylon Polifemo

VHC Bayley's Wolfcastle Mr Luva Luva at Hengilfach

Louise Tope (judge)