Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

I would like to extend my thanks to Darlington for inviting me to award my first set of CCs. I was delighted with the quality of my entry, and the sportsmanship displayed by the exhibitors. My decisions were accepted gracefully, and the ringside atmosphere was cheerful, with support and applause for every exhibitor. I would like to compliment the exhibitors for presenting their dogs in superb condition, particularly regarding coats and dentition. All the exhibits had lovely dense glossy black coats. All exhibits had scissor bites and sparkling clean teeth - aside from a couple of the older dogs starting to show some staining, which can be forgiven. Thank you to my steward Pat for her help and for keeping the ring running smoothly.

Veteran Dog (5,0)

1st Bennett and Bennett’s Ch Witchstone Place Your Bets At Capledrae JW ShCEx OSW. CC and Best Veteran in Breed, he was later Toy Veteran Group 3. I judged this 8-year-old boy several years ago and my view of him has not changed. In my opinion he is everything an English Toy Terrier should be. His head is exquisite, with just the slightest touch of frosting starting to show on his muzzle. He is well balanced throughout. His movement is exceptional and he oozes elegance as he trots around the ring. Shown in stellar condition, he is an absolute credit to his owners. I was pleased when I realised he is the sire of my BCC and grandsire of my Best Puppy in Breed.

2nd Love’s Witchstone Follow The Dream With Tettoy. A seven-year-old I have judged before, presented in tip-top condition. His head is a touch wider than 1st but correct. He has an appealing expression with a lovely dark eye and used his ears well. He has a good length of neck, flowing into well-laid-back shoulders. Good topline, with gently rounded buttocks and a low-set tail. Excellent bend of stifle. Moved superbly, demonstrating correct extended trot with powerful rear drive.

3rd Howard and Howard’s Lasagesse Starman VW.

Puppy Dog (1,0)

1st Moore’s Lasagesse One Vision. 9 months old and a very exuberant young man. He is up to size and needs to body up but a fine young lad. He has a nice narrow wedge-shaped head with flat skull and an expressive dark eye. Well-arched neck and he has a straight front. Good rear angulation and a well-set tail. Moved well when settled.

Junior Dog (2,0)

1st Dean-Armitt’s Etruria I Say. Best Puppy Dog. 10 months old, good for size and well proportioned. Typical wedge-shaped head with dark almond-shaped eye. Correct topline, curving gently to his loin and into a low-set tail he carried well. He was just a touch wide in front coming towards me but moved well otherwise.

2nd Pendlebury’s Ettology Stand And Deliver Of Pendlethrine. 11 months old, taller than 1st. Classic wedge-shaped head with a flat skull, ears placed high and used well. He has a typical straight front and is deep-chested with good spring of rib. Well-arched neck. Moved okay, nice silhouette when standing.

Post Grad Dog (1,0)

1st Dean-Armitt’s Etruria I Say. See 1st Junior Dog.

Limit Dog (4,2)

1st Howard and Howard’s Lasagesse Jumpin Jack Flash. 3 years old. He is a good size and well balanced with good proportions. He has a pleasing head. He could make better use of his ears, but they are well set and of correct candle-flame shape. Good markings with defined pencilling and thumbprints. I was particularly impressed with his muscle tone, well-developed thighs and well-angulated hindquarters giving him excellent drive as he moved around the ring.

2nd Pendlebury’s Ettology Small Gods Of Pendlethrine. 2 years old. Another of good size and well proportioned, sleek and compact. Straight front, well up on his pasterns. Good bend of stifle. Good arch of neck. Excellent markings on a deep, rich tan. Lovely head and expression. Nice deep chest and a good underline. Tight feet. Moved well.

Open Dog (5,0)

1st Dennison’s Ch Ettology Bounteous Barney JW. RCC. Absolutely deserving of his title. He is another I have judged before. Excellent size and well balanced throughout. At 5 years old his tan is just starting to fade, but this does not detract from his many beautiful qualities. He still has well defined thumbprints and markings. I enjoyed watching him stride around the ring, alert and aware of everything around him. I’m sure he would do a fine job in the rat pits! He pushed hard for the CC and is a true showman.

2nd Oakden and Conway’s Spawood Hey Mickey. Another of good size, excellent wedge-shaped head. Nice reach of neck, well arched and elegant. Well-placed ears of correct candle-flame shape. Good topline. Moved well with good front action and his well-muscled hindquarters gave him super rear drive. Good tan and markings with well-defined thumbprints. Turned out in excellent condition.

3rd Dixon and Dixon’s Ch Lasagesse Dazed N’Confused JW.

Veteran Bitch (0,0)

Puppy Bitch (4,1)

1st Phillips’ Ettology Worth The Wait. Best Puppy in Breed. 11 months old, lovely size, another from this kennel with excellent thumbprints and markings. She has a pretty head, although I’d prefer a slightly flatter skull. She has a good expression, nice dark almond-shaped eye. Moved well with good reach and drive. Good tail set. Well balanced.

2nd Williams and Williams’ Sharex Dragons Black Opium. Also 11 months old, she is a touch bigger than 1st and a little longer in loin. She has a lovely head, very feminine and elegant. She just needs to settle on the move, but she presented enough to show off her lovely front and rear movement. Excellent markings. I am sure these two will swap places many times over their careers.

3rd Reeve’s Gillings Whinsome Winnie.

Junior Bitch (3,0)

1st Phillips’ Ettology Worth The Wait. See 1st Puppy Bitch.

2nd Pendlebury’s Lasagesse A Kind Of Magic Of Pendlethrine. 9 months old. Lovely size. She has a very feminine head with a pretty expression. Moved well, like her litter brother from puppy dog she just needs to mature but both are very promising.

3rd Reeve’s Gillings Whinsome Winnie.

Post Grad Bitch (4,2)

1st Pendlebury’s Lasagesse A Kind Of Magic Of Pendlethrine. See 2nd Junior Bitch.

2nd Reeve’s Gillings Chiffon Black. Unfortunately, this 2-year-old was just a bit unsettled today. She is well proportioned with a straight front, well sprung ribs and okay rear angulation. A pretty, dark eye. Moved okay, a touch wide behind when going away.

Limit Bitch (2,0)

1st Hall and Oakden’s Spawood Proud Mary With Ghilgrange JW. 2 years old. On the taller side, but she has many excellent qualities. Very pretty head with nice expression. She has a lovely arch to her neck, and she used this well on the move with excellent head carriage. Standing she presents an excellent silhouette, very feminine with good tuck-up. Straight front. Good topline. She moved out well with a beautiful extended trot, carrying her tail low. Good bend of stifle. I considered her for the RCC but just preferred the size and overall proportions of 2nd Open.

2nd Reeve’s Gillings Chiffon Black. See 2nd Post Grad Bitch.

Open Bitch (6,0)

1st Love’s Lasagesse Whole Lotta Love With Tettoy JW. CC and BOB. 2 years old. I absolutely loved her. Another I judged previously as a puppy. I adored her then and she has matured into a beautiful example of the breed. She is so well balanced, of excellent size. She strongly favours her sire in the head, just the feminine version. She is pleasing throughout, from her straight front and well-laid-back shoulders to her gentle curving topline into a low-set tail which she always carried well. Excellent rear angulation. She moved out well with drive and showing an excellent extended trot. I had no hesitation in awarding her the CC and was touched by the emotion of handler displayed, as this was her 3rd and crowning.

2nd Dixon and Dixon’s Ch Lasagesse Black Magic Woman JW. RCC. 4 years old. I was quite taken with this girl. Another of good size, sleek, compact and of good proportions. She has a very pretty head with sparkling dark eyes, flat skull, and good length of muzzle. Nice candle-flame-shaped ears set high on the back of her skull. Excellent markings with a lovely rich chestnut tan. She moved out well in all directions with good reach and drive.

3rd Dixon and Dixon’s Ch Lasagesse Kashmir JW.

Rachel Inch (Edalene)