Three Counties Agricultural Society

Three Counties Agricultural Society Championship Show - 4th June 2026

Dalmatians

This was my first CC appointment and I’m very grateful to Helen Wayman for her invitation and her work in finalising the appointment. My thanks also to my lovely efficient steward Gavin Argyle. Lastly thank you to the exhibitors who entered their dogs under me, I was truly humbled by my entry. 

When judging I am looking for a dog that would work all day behind a carriage, a discipline I am very familiar with, and I am confident that all my class winners would be able to do this with ease. In that assessment I am looking for freedom of movement and unfortunately, I saw some fabulous dogs who were lovely on the stand but were let down on the move by handlers who did not allow them to move freely. When you pull your dog up by the neck on the move it changes their front movement, throws them off kilter and therefore makes it very hard to assess and this was the reason several dogs were not placed higher. Dally rash and coat condition also factored into some placings. In many classes there were so many quality dogs that in my final decisions I had to take coat condition into consideration. Some dogs were very dirty, which is no excuse in our breed and not something I have experienced before when judging. There were a few dogs who were very close behind as well. Temperaments were excellent with some being very exuberant which was lovely to see. There were some very promising youngsters, and I was splitting hairs in these classes as well as the larger classes. There were also some lovely surprises for me in a few classes. One thing that is so important in judging; unless you are in the ring and have hands on a dog, you don’t know what the judge see’s and feels. Some dogs that I had not really noticed before were placed high in the cards. It’s easy to sit by the ring and judge the judge’s decision, but unless you’ve had hands on that dog, then you don’t know why the judge made that decision on that day. 

Minor Puppy Dog (2,0)

1st – Page, Page, Page & Howell’s Philemon vom Roten Herzfleck (Imp Deu). A very promising just over 6-month-old black dog with so much quality. He has a beautiful head, a ghost face with lovely dark eyes, well set nicely broken ears and a clean neck. He has a fabulous deep chest, tight cat feet and is well bodied already despite his young age, his topline is level, he has nice rear angles and a well-set tail which he carries well. His coat is snow white with jet black evenly placed spotting. On the move, he shows correct rhythmic action from all angles. He’s a bit loose, but he’s young so you expect that. In the challenge for BPD he only lost out on maturity, but it was a very close call. I look forward to watching his career, which I can see being very bright.  

2nd – Short’s - Winflash Jacquemus at Zakaytia. Another very nice black boy, almost 7 months old. Shorter in muzzle than 1, attractive head, dark eye, heavily marked well set ears. He has a good front; tight feet and his body is developing well. His tail is well set and carried well on the move. His coat is in excellent condition with dark, well-placed spotting. On the move he isn’t quite as together as 1 but he has time on his side and with a puppy things change from week to week. 

Puppy Dog (7,0)

1st - Carroll’s Salvadorada Morpheus of Dalpaulisa. Almost 10-month-old black boy who catches your eye as soon as he enters the ring. He has an impressive masculine head, the darkest of eyes, well set ears, a good mouth, a very strong neck, excellent deep chest, straight front and tight cat feet. He is well muscled has a lovely level topline and a well-set tail that he carried well on the stand and on the move. His coat is pure white with the jet black, evenly sized and distributed spots. His movement is powerful and rhythmic when viewed from all angles and his stride is long. Overall this dog presents a wonderful picture. Another puppy that I am sure has a very bright future. Best Puppy Dog. 

2nd - Bridge & Meyer’s Tamilanda Staropramen for Akoni. Just over 9-month-old liver dog. Another who catches your eye in a line up. He has a masculine head, kind amber eyes, well set ears and a good mouth. He has a straight front, good chest and good tight feet, His body is developing well, he has a level topline and a well-set tail which he carries a tad high on the move. His coat is in excellent condition, with lovely deep liver even placed spotting. He is an exuberant young man who made his handler work hard for his placing. On the move he is a little erratic, but I saw enough to demonstrate the rhythmic action I was looking for. 

3rd – Whincup’s Tamilanda Starlight

Junior Dog (8,2)

1st – Croft & Richardson’s Mapplewell Rolex with Koroyza. 16-month-old liver dog who oozes quality. My notes say, “gorgeous masculine head”, lovely soft amber eyes, well set ears, a good mouth and the strongest neck, He has an excellent deep chest, good spring of rib, a straight front and tight cat feet. Going over his body, he is just solid muscle, in the best condition with a level topline and a well-set tail. He has an excellent turn of stifle and a well-developed second thigh that I could see when without even putting hands on. His coat is clear white, with deep liver evenly placed spots. On the move he is totally at one with his handler. He moves with purpose and drive and is a pleasure to watch. He stood out in this class today and has so many qualities to like. On checking the catalogue afterwards, I see his sire was my Best Puppy at the BDC Open Show in 2022. Very pleased to award him the Reserve Dog CC. 

2nd – Marley & Clement’s A Spottified Young Forseti for Perdita's JW (Imp Bel). Just over 13-month-old liver dog, different in type than 1 but so much to like. He has a masculine head, correct amber eyes, well set, well broken ears and a good mouth. He has a strong arched neck, a good front with a deep chest and tight feet. He has a level topline and a well-set tail which he carries well. His coat is clean white with lovely deep liver spotting. Another very exuberant young man who made his handler work extremely hard for his placing. When he settled, he showed smooth, rhythmic action. 

3rd – Brooks & De Rozario’s Jemblewood Resolute Stork

Novice Dog (6,1)

1st - Carroll’s Salvadorada Morpheus of Dalpaulisa – see 1st in puppy.

2nd - Bridge & Meyer’s Tamilanda Staropramen for Akoni – see 2nd in puppy.

3rd – Whincup’s Tamilanda Starlight

Graduate Dog (10,4)

1st – Richardson’s Portunes St Jimmy at Exayeex JW. Almost 2-year-old liver dog with a lovely masculine head and a kind expression. He has correct amber eyes, well set and broken ears and a good mouth. His neck is correctly arched and strong, with a good deep chest, nice spring of rib, straight front and cat feet. He is well bodied but not overdone in any way, with a level topline, a well set and carried tail, excellent rear angles and a well-developed second thigh. His coat is in excellent condition, pure white and clean with deep liver well placed spotting. His movement is effortless and rhythmic; this is a dog that would be at home behind a carriage. A dog I have admired from ringside since he was a puppy and he didn’t disappoint. Considered for the RCC. 

2nd – Whincup’s Tamilanda Starlight. 9-month-old liver dog with a masculine head. Correct amber eyes and well-set ears carried well. He has a correct mouth, a good neck, straight front and nice tight feet. As he is still a puppy as expected his body is still developing so he’s not as mature in body as others in the class. That said he has a correct topline, a well-set tail and an excellent coat, bright white with lovely deep liver spotting. On the move he still has that puppy roll but very much deserved his place in this class as he was attentive to his handler and moved with purpose and drive. He was placed lower down in the cards in previous classes but very much deserved his place in this class. 

3rd – Whitton’s Thearrix One Thing Only

Post Graduate Dog (8,1)

1st – Davies’ Hafwenna King John at Teghafren. 3-year-old liver dog with a masculine head, lovely amber eyes, a kind expression, well set ears that frame his face perfectly. He has a good mouth, well-muscled strong neck, an excellent deep chest, straight front, good spring of rib and good feet. His body is solid muscle, literally not an ounce of fat on him, he has a level topline, a well set on tail and good rear angulation. His coat is in good condition with smaller liver spots. On the move this boy is a joy to watch, his movement is effortless, powerful and correct from every angle. This dog is one that I’m sure people may discount from ringside, but hands on he is a lovely example of the breed. His handler seemed surprised at his placing, she shouldn’t be, it was well deserved. 

2nd – Kaal’s Schunikka Ifor Dream JW. Almost 4-year-old black dog with a masculine head and the kindest of expressions. He has dark eyes, well set ears and a correct mouth. His neck is muscled, his chest is deep and he has an excellent spring of rib. Another with a solid, muscular body, this boy has a level topline, a well set tail, and excellent rear angulation. His coat is bright white with smaller lighter dark spots. He moved with purpose and drive looking correct fore and aft. He was very unlucky to meet 1 today on top form because he really is a lovely boy. 

3rd – Foster’s Perdita's Albus 

Limit Dog (16,2)

Limit, open and veteran dog had some real quality dogs in them and there were definitely dogs who went without cards, who on another day would have done well. Some difficult decisions were made in these classes. 

1st - Page, Page, Page & Howell’s Winflash Tom Ford. Almost 2-year-old black dog with a lovely masculine head, the darkest of eye and well set, dark ears and a good mouth. His neck is strong and nicely arched, with a deep capacious chest, excellent spring of rib, straight front and tight cat feet. He is well muscled with a good topline, a well set and carried tail and a well-developed second thigh. His coat is crisp white with the most fabulous dark pigmented spotting. On the move he has that rhythmic carriage dog movement that I am looking for. He really is such a nice dog, so much to like about him. Considered for the RCC. 

2nd – Corcoran & Howard-Riddle’s Shydally Star Gazer. Just over 2-year-old black dog. This boy has a delightful head, very masculine, a dark eye, well set ears, carried well and a correct mouth. He has a good neck, an excellent chest, straight front and good feet. He has a strong body, a level topline, excellent rear angulation and a well-set tail. His spotting is well distributed, and his coat is in excellent condition. His movement is correct fore and aft, and he covers the ground with ease. I can see these two dogs changing places regularly as they both have similar attributes, on the day I just preferred 1. 

3rd – Bickerdike’s Jaxsondal Crème De La Crème at Koroyza

Open Dog (14,2)

1st - Kuipers & Aben’s Int/Nl/Bel/Dan/Ger/Bos/Lux Ch. Namara's in for A Shock. 4 ½ year old liver dog with a beautiful yet masculine head, correct amber eyes, lovely well broken and well-set ears that frame his face perfectly giving him a kind expression. His mouth is correct, he has a strong moderately arched neck, a deep chest, excellent spring of rib, straight front and lovely tight cat feet. His body is perfectly proportioned and is well muscled with a fabulous topline and well-set tail that he carries beautifully on the move. His rear angulation is excellent with well-defined hocks and a well-developed second thigh, visible on the stand. On the move this dog is the ultimate carriage dog, his head is carried as if behind the carriage, level with his body painting a perfect picture, I could watch him all day, and no doubt he could follow a carriage all day. There is nothing overdone about this dog and nothing I could find to dislike about him. Very well-deserved Dog CC and Best of Breed. 

2nd – Howard’s Decoda's Crackerjack JW. 4 ½ year old liver dog with a masculine head, correct amber eye, well set on evenly broken ears. He has a strong neck, a very deep chest, good spring of rib, a good straight front and tight feet. His body is very well muscled, with a level topline, a well set and carried tail and excellent rear angulation and a well-developed second thigh. All of this is brought together on the move. He covers the ground with ease, correct from all angles and another that would look at home behind a carriage. This is a dog that you need to get hands on to appreciate his attributes. 

3rd – Townson & Pardoe’s Ch Kaytoni Oh What A Night at Daymadals

Veteran Dog (6,1)

1st – Page, Page, Page & Howell’s Ch Bleize De Montjuic at Winflash (Imp. USA).7-year-old black dog who could give a lot of the younger dogs a run for their money. This is a dog I have admired since he was a puppy but have never had hands on and he didn’t disappoint. He has the most masculine of heads with a handsome ghost face, a dark, kind eye, well-set ears and a correct mouth. His neck is strong and moderately arched. He has an excellent deep chest with good spring of rib, straight front, with the tightest of feet. He has a well-muscled body, level topline, lovely tail set that is carried well on the move. He has correct rear angulation and a well-developed second thigh. His coat is snow white with dark even spotting. His movement is correct fore and aft, and he covers the ground with ease. Best Veteran Dog. 

2nd Neath-Coyne & Baker’s Ch./Ir. Ch. Buffrey Incognito by Dalleaf JW VW Swiss Vch. Almost 10-year-old black dog that defies his age. He has a lovely head, dark eyes and well-set ears that he carries forward, framing his face giving him an attentive expression, he never takes his eyes off his handler. He has a correct mouth, a strong, muscular moderately arched neck, an excellent chest, good spring of rib, straight front and good feet. He is well muscled with a level topline, a well-set tail that he carries well, he has excellent hindquarters with a well-developed second thigh. He moves with purpose and covers the ground well looking correct from every angle. This dog is a real credit to his owner. 

3rd – Sampson’s Ch Dalstorm Golden Guinea JW

Minor Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1st – Hobbs & Whiting’s Rapanooey Portia’s Reverie. Almost 8-month-old black bitch with fabulous pigment. She has a nice head, still a work in progress, dark eyes, well set dark ears, a good mouth, a lovely long neck, a deep chest, straight front and tight cat feet. Her body is still very loose, as you would expect from a puppy but there are some excellent foundations; a level topline, well set tail that never stopped wagging and good rear angles. Her coat is in excellent condition. Her movement for a youngster is a pleasure to watch, she moved with purpose and drive, keeping her topline on the move (my notes say “excellent topline on the move”) and she was having the best time. What more could you ask for from a puppy? Such an exciting prospect for her owners/breeders. I do hope that future judges do not let her heavy spotting detract from her qualities. It was a pleasure to award her Best Puppy Bitch and overall Best Puppy in Breed. 

Puppy Bitch (4,1)

1st – Green’s Jilloc’s National Treasure (Imp Swe). Almost one year old black bitch. She has a feminine head, dark eyes, a good mouth and well set, broken ears. She has a deep chest, straight front and nice tight feet. Her body is developing well, and she is well muscled with a level topline, correctly set tail and correct rear angulation. Her coat is in excellent condition with well-placed correctly sized spotting. Initially on the move she was a bit unsettled, but when she did settle, she exhibited excellent reach and drive that this famous kennel is known for. I would like to thank her owners for entering her, to have a Jilloc’s bred dog at my first CC appointment was an honour. 

2nd – Page, Page, Page & Howell’s Winflash Coco by Chanel. 11-month-old black bitch with many of the same attributes as 1. Feminine head, dark eye, well set ears and a correct mouth. She has a deep chest, straight front and tight feet. She has a nicely developing body with a level topline and a well-set tail. She has correct rear angulation, and her coat is in excellent condition, with lovely dark pigmented spotting. She moved steadily, with ease but was just not as together as 1. On another day these two could easily change places. 

3rd - Richards’ - Hafwenna Defying Gravity

Junior Bitch (5,2)

1st - Haywood-Ridgway & Jenkins’ Sophtspot with Style at Luccombe. Almost 15-month-old black bitch who has been on my radar since I first saw her. She has a beautiful feminine head, gorgeous dark eyes accentuated by the spotting around them, well set ears and a good mouth. She has a feminine, yet strong neck, deep capacious chest with excellent spring of rib, a straight front and tight cat feet. Her body is so well muscled, with a level topline and a well-set tail carried correctly on the move and on the stand. She has a well developed second thigh and superb rear angulation. Her coat is in perfect condition, with dark evenly placed spotting. On the move this picture that you have formed all comes together effortlessly. She covers the ground with ease, rhythmic and powerful and I have no doubt she could follow a carriage all day. I think this bitch has previously been overshadowed because she isn’t flashy, but then flashy isn’t what we should be looking for. She is a good, honest bitch with so many qualities to admire. I was very happy to award her the RCC much to the owner’s surprise. 

2nd – Richardson’s Mapplewell Queen Bee. 16-month-old black bitch with a very pretty, feminine head, dark eyes, well set ears and a good mouth. She has a good chest, straight front and tight feet. Her body is muscled with a level topline and a well set and well carried tail. She has good rear angulation and a well developed second thigh. Her coat is in excellent condition, with nicely sized and well distributed spotting. On the move she displays correct movement fore and aft. She really is a very nice bitch who was unlucky to meet 1 on excellent form today. 

3rd – Harris’s Diocletian Sea Nymph

Novice Bitch (6,3)

1st - Hardy’s Mountsorrel Moonstruck. Just over 13-month-old liver bitch with a pretty head, amber eyes, well set nicely broken ears and a good mouth. She has a lovely feminine yet strong neck, an excellent deep chest, straight front and lovely tight cat feet. Her body is well muscled, her tail is well set, and she has good rear angulation and a well developed second thigh. Her coat is in excellent condition, with beautifully rich liver spotting which is well distributed on her body. On the move she was a tad wide moving away but when she settles her movement is rhythmic and correct and she has such a connection with her handler. This is a really nice bitch, with a lot to like. Another where the handler was surprised at her placing, she shouldn’t have been, it was well deserved. 

2nd -Davies’ Maddidalli Auroras Heart. Almost 2-year-old black bitch. She has a feminine head, dark eyes with well set ears that she carries well and a good mouth. She has a good chest, straight front and good feet. She has a nice well-muscled body and good rear angulation. She has an excellent coat with dark dense, spotting. As with 1 she has a lovely connection with her handler. She moved well. 

3rd – Harris’s Diocletian Sea Nymph

Graduate Bitch (7,1)

1st - Wareham & Wylde’s Tamilanda Gold Standard at Dotsadaisy. 2-year-old liver bitch with a delightful feminine head, kind amber eyes, well set broken ears that come together to give her the most beautiful expression. She has a correct mouth, and a strong yet feminine neck, a lovely deep chest, ample spring of rib, a straight front and good feet. She is well muscled without it detracting from her femininity, a level topline, well set tail, excellent rear angulation and a well developed second thigh. Her coat is in tiptop condition, with gorgeous rich liver spotting. On the move, she exhibits correct carriage dog movement, my notes say, “foot perfect”. She really is such a lovely example of our breed. One to watch, seriously considered for the RCC.

2nd – Kaal & Jones’ Rapanooey Rosebank von Schunikka JW. 2-year-old black bitch, built on a different frame than 1 but still so much to like. She has a feminine head, a dark eye, well set ears and a correct mouth. She has a lovely feminine, strong neck, a deep chest, with good spring of rib, a straight front and excellent cat feet. She has a well-muscled body, a fabulous level topline and a well-set tail. Her rear angulation is good, and her coat is in excellent condition, with lovely dark spotting. On the move she is correct fore and aft and, exhibiting steady rhythmic movement. I think that this bitch could be overlooked by judges who spot judge due to her heavier spotting, which would be a shame as there is so much to like about her. 

3rd – Davies’ Maddidalli True Loves Kiss JW

Post Graduate Bitch (11,2)

1st - Jenkins & Ridgway’s Luccombe Strawberry Ripple. 4-year-old liver bitch with a pretty head, amber eyes and well set, well broken ears and a good mouth. She has a feminine neck, a deep chest with good spring of rib, a straight front and excellent catlike feet. Her body is in well-muscled condition with a level topline and a well-set tail, good rear angulation and a well developed second thigh. Her coat is in good condition with deep liver well-spaced spotting. Her movement is steady and fluid, she makes it look effortless, a real carriage dog. 

2nd – Richards’ Arthica You'll Be in My Heart at Hafwenna JW. Almost 2-year-old liver bitch with a feminine head, well set ears and correct amber eyes with a good mouth. She has a good front, adequate chest with good spring of rib and tight feet. She has a level topline and a well set and carried tail with correct rear angulation and a well developed second thigh. She moved well fore and aft with drive. On the day I just preferred the overall package of 1. 

3rd – Howard-Riddle’s Shydally Stars Aligned JW

Limit Bitch (15,1)

As with limit dog, this class was full of quality bitches, and I was literally splitting hairs when it came to my placings. I’m sure that on another day this class may have given different results. 

1st – Foster’s Perdita's Tomorrowland JW ShCEx OSW. 5-year-old black bitch that I have admired from ringside many times but never had hands on before and she didn’t disappoint. She has a lovely feminine head, dark eyes, well set and broken ears with a correct mouth. Her neck is strong yet feminine, she has a deep chest with ample spring of rib, a straight front and lovely catlike feet. She has a well-muscled body, a level topline and a well-set tail with good rear angulation and a well developed second thigh. Her coat is in excellent condition, and her spotting is well distributed. She won this class on her movement, which looks effortless. Considered for the RCC. 

2nd – Howard’s Decoda’s Treasure Chest. 22-month-old black bitch. On a bigger frame to 1 but so much to like. She has a pretty head with dark mischievous eyes and well set ears. She has a nicely arched, strong, feminine neck, a lovely deep chest with ample spring of rib, a straight front and tight feet. She is well muscled with a level topline and a well-set tail, which she carried a little high on the move. She has correct rear angulation and a very well developed second thigh. Her coat is in excellent condition with smaller spotting than 1, but these are well distributed. She is a strong powerful mover. So unlucky to meet 1 today. Her owner told me afterwards that this placing would gain her stud book number, which is well deserved from what I saw today. 

3rd – Pace’s Sadiedel's Arab Girl JW

Open Bitch (15,5)

Another class packed with lovely bitches, many of who finished the day without a card. This was my hardest class of the day and the first and second could have easily swapped places on another occasion. 

1st - Scott-Allen & Davis’s Ch Dallydyl Code Breaker JW. 5-year-old liver bitch who I previously awarded Best Puppy Bitch when I judged the BDC Open Show in 2022. She has such a beautiful feminine head, amber eyes and well set and carried ears all giving her a kind, soft expression. She has a good mouth, a strong but feminine neck, a deep chest with excellent spring of rib, a lovely straight front and good feet. She has a well-muscled body, level topline and a well-set tail that is carried correctly on the move and on the stand. She has excellent real angulation and a well-developed second thigh. Her coat is immaculate with deep liver spotting which is evenly distributed. Her movement is effortless, she is powerful and moves like a true carriage dog, with her head down level with her body. I could watch her move all day. There is nothing flashy about her, what you see is what you get, a good, honest bitch. I was very pleased to be present when she received her crowning CC and after today, I can see that her champion title is very well deserved. Happy to award her the bitch CC in very good company. 

2nd – Hopkin’s Ch Dvojica Evangelista at Joubello JW. 5 ½ year old black bitch with an attractive feminine head, lovely dark eye and sell set ears that frame her head well. She has a correct mouth, a lovely strong yet feminine neck, a deep chest, good spring of rib and a straight front with tight feet. Her body is well muscled with a level topline and a well-set tail, excellent real angulation and a well-developed second thigh. Her coat is in excellent condition, with well distributed spotting. As 1, she exhibited the carriage dog movement that I am looking for when I’m judging. It was a really hard decision to choose between the top two and 1 just painted a slightly better picture for me today. 

3rd – Pickup’s Ch Dotlun English Rose at Roadcoach 

Veteran Bitch (7,3)

The veterans in our breed seem to defy the aging process and get better with age. As with the dogs, any of these bitches would fair well among some of the younger bitches. 

1st - Neath-Coyne & Baker’s Ch Buffrey Hanky Panky by Dalleaf JW. This almost 10-year-old bitch is well known for her comedic antics in the ring, but don’t let that fool you. She has the most feminine of heads, a lovely dark eye. Well set and well broken ears that give her a lovely expression. She has a good mouth, a strong, feminine neck, a good chest with ample spring of rib and good feet. She is well muscled with an excellent topline, a well set and carried tail, excellent rear angulation with a well developed second thigh. Her coat is in excellent condition with well distributed spotting. She excels on the move, moving with drive and purpose, defying her age. I’ve watched her ringside since she was a youngster and it was a nice to get hands on and get the full picture. It was a pleasure to award her Best Veteran Bitch, Overall Best Veteran. To watch her get Utility Veteran Group 1 and then watch the live stream on Sunday to see her win Best Veteran in Show will stay with me forever. 

2nd – Burrows Ch Ellemstra Tough Cookie at Shacarlu. 8-year-old black bitch who I previously awarded Best Bitch when I judged at the BDC in 2022. She still has so many of the qualities that I mentioned back then. She has a beautiful feminine head, well set and carried ears, a correct mouth and a lovely feminine, nicely arched neck. She has an excellent chest with ample spring of rib, straight front and tight catlike feet. She has a well-muscled body, with a level topline and well set tail and good rear angulation with a well-developed second thigh. Her coat is in good condition, with dark spotting well distributed. Her movement is excellent; she moves with purpose and drive and looks like she could run all day behind a carriage. Close decision between 1 and 2. 

3rd – Gardner’s Ch Dvojica Chilli Chutney for Wrendragge JW 

Sarah-Jane Finch (Dalticino)