North Of England Dobermann Club

Thank you so much to the committee for inviting me to judge, it was a huge honour. Thank you to each and every exhibitor who entered their dogs under me, I was spoilt for choice with the quality meaning some very difficult decisions. Final thanks to my excellent stewards Tina and Bing who kept everything moving along. All dogs were in excellent condition with full dentition and all males had two testicles. Feet were a little tricky to assess in the grass however all top placing exhibits appeared to have cat like feet.

Class 1. Baby Puppy Bitch (1 entry)

1st - Mianna’s Calamity Jane at Mytanamy – A lovely black and red rust bitch of nearly 6 months old. I loved her balance and flow. A good head with decent underjaw, dark eye and high set ears. Lovely reachy neck into a correctly angulated front and balanced rear. Stood square and with strength to her topline. On the move she would have benefited from a different handler, however I saw enough to be happy with her movement for her age. If I was being picky I would prefer her markings to be darker and to have less of the tan colour. She pushed hard to win BBP against her litter brother who carries many of the same qualities.

Class 2. Baby Puppy Dog (1 entry)

1st - Mianna’s Mississippi Stud – A handsome nearly 6 month old black and red rust dog, littermate to 1st in the previous class. He has many of the same qualities as his sister. On another day these two could easily swap places. Today he just lost out on maturity, needing to strengthen in his topline and presenting a bum high to my eye at this stage. Good head planes for a youngster with a lovely dark eye and good underjaw. Reachy neck into a shapely body. Standing on strong straight legs with good bone. His angulation is balanced and he has straight hocks. A lovely puppy who I look forward to seeing mature.

Class 3. Minor Puppy Bitch (1 entry)

1st - Shalissa’s Vera Wang – An 8 month old black and red rust bitch. She is a balanced, square bitch with good angulation front and back and plenty of forechest. She has a strong topline and a good tail set. I would prefer more length to her neck. She has a lovely dark eye and enough underjaw. Good head planes for her age. She moved well in all directions. 

Class 4. Puppy Bitch (6 entries, 2 absent)

What a lovely class of youngsters

1st – Aritaur Roulette Red – She caught my eye as soon as she came in the ring and deserved this 1st in a tough class. A dark brown standard sized bitch of 11 months old with defined red rust markings. A head of good length and level planes. She has a strong underjaw and dark eyes for her colouring. A long reachy neck leading to well laid shoulders and strong straight front legs with ample bone. A lovely sweep to her underline and a strong topline leading to a correctly set tail and rear angles to match her front. A very balanced young girl who moved extremely well in every direction. RBPIS

2nd – Shalissa’s Chanel – A black and red rust bitch of 9 months. A beautiful girl with lots to like. She has a feminine head with deep set dark eyes and high set ears. Good underjaw and length to her head. A long swan like neck with strength. Well off for forechest, strong straight front legs with decent angulation but I would prefer a slightly better lay of shoulder. Strong topline into a correct tail set. Lovely sweep to her underline and good tuck. Good width to 2nd thigh and good turn of stifle. Strong straight hocks. Moved very well.

Class 5. Junior Bitch (1 entry)

1st – Mianna Full Circle with Martifers – A black and red rust bitch of 13 months old. Elegant all through with a lovely shapely sweep to her underline and a strong topline. Her angles are balanced front to back. She has a good length of neck and a feminine head with the darkest of eye and good length. Head planes are almost level and she has just enough underjaw. Lovely movement in side profile.

Class 6. Yearling Bitch (1 entry)

1st – Shalissa’s Into The Shallow – A lovely black and red rust bitch who I have appreciated before. At 23 months old she is really shaping up nicely and pushed hard in the challenge. She is a balanced and square girl who is a lovely mover. She has a strong but feminine head with almond shaped dark eyes, good underjaw, high set ears (Being picky I would prefer them smaller) and good planes. A strong, long swan like neck leading to a well angulated front. Strong straight front legs with plenty of bone and substance. A strong topline and sweeping underline. This girl is elegant but not too fine. Nice width to 2nd thigh and good turn of stifle leading to straight hocks.

Class 7. Novice Bitch (2 entries)

1st – Manzart Harliequinn – A 3 year old black and red rust bitch. At first glance I would prefer more angulation front and back however she is a balanced dog. She has a good head with correct length and good planes. A lovely dark eye and small neat high set ears. Her strong medium length neck leads to a strong topline. She has strong straight legs and straight hocks with enough bone and substance throughout. She moved well when she settled.

2nd – Supeta’s Jazzylicious – This 10 month old black and red rust bitch is square and cobby with good bone throughout. She has a strong topline and is compact all through. Lovely dark res rust markings. A strong head which would benefit from a touch more length. Her neck could use more length to it as it is a little thick for her frame and it just catches my eye. Moved okay in all directions.

Class 8. Graduate Bitch (2 entries)

1st – Mianna Full Circle with Martifers – See 1st in Junior

2nd – Manzart Harliequinn – See 1st in Novice

Class 9. Post Graduate Bitch (3 entries) – What a beautiful class to judge! 

1st – Supeta’s Debison’s Allure – This standard size 2 year old brown bitch is strong but still elegant and feminine. Shown in excellent firm condition and absolutely powering round the ring making it her own. I could not take my eyes off her. She’s square and extremely well balanced. I loved everything about her. Her head was of correct length with level planes and a strong underjaw. Her dark, almond eyes dared me to take her on. She has high set neat ears. The correct length and strength to her neck goes with her frame. She is well boned standing on strong straight legs. Good forechest and well angulated front to back. The strongest slightly sloping topline leading to a correct croup and tail set. Lovely width to her 2nd thigh and strong straight well let down hocks. This girl is beauty and strength, and I have no doubt she could do her job all day long. Pleased to award her Reserve Best in Show

2nd – Knecht Mirelle JW – Another beautiful standard sized brown girl. At nearly three years old you can see she is a finished article. She also shared many of the strengths of 1st which made this class very tough. She moved extremely well in all directions and was handled to perfection. A strong head of good length. Dark eye with good underjaw. Small high set ears. I would prefer a flatter top skull if I were to be picky. Good length to her neck leading to well laid shoulder and good front and rear angulation. Strong straight legs all round. Strong topline and good sweep to the underline. Tail set seemed a touch low to my eye but could not take away from her overall balance and excellent movement. Pleased to call her back and award her Reserve Best Bitch.

Class 10. Limit Bitch (7 entries, 3 Absent) 

1st - Aritaur Cirilla With Philmont JW – I have appreciated this 3 year old black and red rust bitch before and today she still didn’t disappoint. She is a touch larger than standard, but everything is in proportion. She has a lovely head of good length and parallel planes. A dark eye and good underjaw. Neat high set ears complete the picture. Her neck is of decent length and leads to a well angulated and laid back shoulder. Good forechest. Strong straight front legs with a well balanced rear. Strong slightly sloping topline with a well set tail. She moved well but I would have loved to have seen her with some faster legs to really see her open it up.

2nd – Aritaur Dyptique at Jagelka – This nearly 3 year old brown bitch pushed first place hard today. She has a lovely balance to her. Standard sized and feminine it really came down to nit picking between her and first and I just preferred the length of neck on 1st. This bitch has a good length to her head, dark almond shaped eyes and just enough underjaw. Small high set ears complete the picture. Her neck is of medium length and strong, leading to good front angulation with enough lay. She has good bone and substance and has straight front legs. Strong topline with a good underline sweep and tuck gives her the elegance I look for. Good tail set, nice width to the 2nd thigh and excellent turn of stifle leading to straight hocks. She moved well in all directions.

Class 11. Open Bitch (4 entries, 2 Absent) 

1st – Izralight Jitterbug – 6 year old and looking great for her age. A brown bitch in good coat who is strong all through. Strong head of good length, enough underjaw and dark relatively deep set eyes. Level planes with small high set ears. Neck of decent length for her frame. A good lay of shoulder and balanced in her angulation front to back. Straight strong legs and hocks. Slight dip to her topline but this could just need conditioning to firm. A good mover in all directions.

2nd – Multi CH Shalissa’s Perfect Blend - A four year old black and red rust bitch. A flashy and shapely frame with much to like about her. Her head is of excellent length with dark eyes and level planes. Enough underjaw. Ears could be a touch higher set and smaller. Lovely length to neck with the correct arch. Well off for forechest and decent front angulation however I would prefer a touch more lay. Strong bone all through and straight legs and hocks. Topline is strong and slightly sloping with a well set tail. Lovely sweep to her underline. Moved well.

Class 12. Veteran Bitch (2 entries, 1 Absent) 

1st – Bih/Int CH Shalissa’s Siriusly Stunin JW (AI) Bel Jnr CH – 9.5 years of age and looking great. She really isn’t showing those years and moved with vigor despite the heat. Lovely length to her head and level planes, dark almond shaped eyes. I would prefer more underjaw and less ear to complete the look. Moderate length neck leading to moderate but balanced angulation. Still has strength to her topline but I would prefer a little less length to her loin. 

Class 13. Minor Puppy Dog (1 entry) 

1st – Shalissa’s Mulberry – 9 months old black and red rust. Already a big boy, with plenty of bone. Masculine head with good length and almost level planes which should come with time. Dark eyes and good underjaw. Medium sized ears. Decent length to neck with the correct swan like arch. Balanced angulation front to back. Lots of forechest already evident. Straight legs and hocks powered him round the ring, moving well for a youngster. Nit picking, I would prefer less tan.

Class 14. Puppy Dog (3 entries, 1 Absent) 

1st Grafmax Arthur of Camelot – 10 month old black and red rust male with much to like. On first impressions I love his balance, everything just flows. He has the darkest of red rust all through just adding to the picture. He has a lovely masculine head of good length with almost parallel planes. The darkest of eyes. Strong underjaw and neat high set ears. He is standard sized and carries strength and elegance throughout the lines of his curves. He has a good length and strength to his swan like neck. Enough forechest for his age. Straight, well boned front legs and straight well let down hocks. Strong slightly sloping topline and a good sweep to his underline. Correct tail set. Took it away on the move and fought hard against the bitch to be awarded Best Puppy in Show.

2nd Shalissa’s Louis Vuitton avec Aquepins – Larger in frame than 1st this 9 month old male lost out on overall balance and angulation to 1st. Extremely masculine with a maturity beyond his years. His head is of good length with the darkest eyes and good underjaw. Small well set ears. A strong neck of good length into moderate angulation. Strong straight legs and adequate forechest. Strong topline with sweeping underline. Tail could be a little lower in its set. I would prefer to see a touch more rear angulation. Moved okay in all directions.

Class 15. Junior Dog (4 entries, 1 Absent) – This class is headed up by two litter brothers so many of the same qualities exist in each dog.

1st – Shalissa’s Perfect Touch – A balanced black and red rust male of 9 months. Already so mature for his age and shown in hard condition. There is a lot to like about this young male. His angles are balanced and his frame is square. He has a masculine head with the darkest eyes and good underjaw. He has a strong, slightly sloping topline and lovely sweep to his underline giving him an appearance of elegance. He is well off for bone throughout and stands on strong straight well boned legs. Straight hocks on the rear help him power round the ring moving with reach and drive. 

2nd – Shalissa’s Louis Vuitton avec Aquepins – 2nd in Puppy Dog

Class 16. Yearling Dog (0 entries)

Class 17. Novice Dog (1 entry)

1st – Shalissa’s Mulberry – 1st in Minor Puppy Dog

Class 18. Graduate Dog (4 entries, 1 withdrawn)

1st – Shalissa’s Perfect Touch – 1st in Junior Dog

2nd - Sacaria’s Blues – 2 year old brown dog who I have appreciated before. He’s matured on since I last saw him but obviously many of his attributes visible as a puppy still exist. He is square and standard in size. He doesn’t lack in bone or substance. No mistaking him for a male from any angle, his masculine head is balanced with good planes, dark almond shaped eyes and a good underjaw. His neck is strong with enough length. Moderately angled throughout with a firm topline and decent sweep to his underline. Straight legs and hocks. Moved very well in all directions

Class 19. Post Graduate Dog (0 entries)

Class 20. Limit Dog (3 entries)

1st – Grafmax Aladdin Sane - This black and red rust dog is one who I have appreciated and placed highly before. Now at nearly 3 he is becoming the mature finished article and it’s lovely to see that he is really matching up to the potential I saw previously. Still spirited he is not the easiest dog to handle and requires a runner who can keep up with him. I am pleased to say that the runner did an excellent job of moving him in the challenge and it gave him the edge to take Best in Show. The first thing I always notice about this dog is his sharp and balanced outline and standard size. He is strong and elegant, and I have no doubt he has the power to take a man down. His head is still of good length with almost parallel planes; he has dark expressive almond shaped eyes and high set neat ears. Good underjaw completes the picture. His firm arched neck is of good length and flows smoothly into his well angulated front which is balanced by his strong rear with a good turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Not the flashiest of dogs but honest and hits the standard in so many ways. Best in Show

2nd – Grafmax Oberon at Camperdown JW – A nearly 6 year old male who is built on a much larger frame to 1st. Well off for bone all through and absolutely masculine this boy pushed 1st hard. A has a decent head of good length but I would prefer a flatter top skull. He has an alert expression, the darkest of eyes, good underjaw and the neatest of high set ears. Decent length and excellent strength to his neck leading to a well angulated front. Good forechest and well off for bone all through. Strong slightly sloping topline leading to a well set tail and well angulated rear with straight hocks. Moved steadily in all directions showing reach and drive.

Class 21. Open Dog (2 entries)

1st – CH Knecht Little Richard JW ShCEx OSW – Boy does this dog demand your attention, an out and out showman. Almost 4 years of age, black and red rust and looking every bit the mature dog he should. Strong all through with plenty of substance and bone. Lovely dark red rust throughout. His head is heavy but that is in keeping with his frame. Excellent underjaw, the darkest of eyes and enough length to his head. His nose is slightly roman but it doesn’t distract from the powerful first impression. Lovely neat high set ears. A broad strong neck with enough length leading to a nicely angulated front assembly and thick muscular front legs. Square in body with a strong sloping topline to a good tail set. Strong rear legs with an excellent turn of stifle power him round the ring. Well off for rear angulation. He pushed hard in the challenge but I just preferred the overall balance and elegance of the Limit winner – Reserve Best Dog

2nd – Bih CH Protocol’s The Midas Touch (Imp USA) – This docked 3 year old black and red rust male is a very different type to first. He is well off for bone and substance but still carried elegance and lovely sweeping lines. He had a good head of nice length and good planes, dark almond shaped eyes and high set ears. He’s square with a strong topline and enough angulation all through. Flashy on the move but couldn’t match the power of 1st 

Class 22. Veteran Dog (1 entry)

1st – Manzart War Emblem – 7 year old black and red rust male who is presented in excellent condition. Strong, ultra masculine with plenty of bone. A good head with dark eyes and good planes. He has enough length to his broad neck. Moderately angulated front but carrying a touch more angulation on his rear. Stacks slightly long but his topline is strong and holds on the move. Moved well in every direction. I have no doubt this boy could still put in a full shift. Pleased to award him Best Veteran in Show