Southern Counties Canine Association

Southern Counties Canine Association.

Japanese Chin.

Friday 29 May 2026

I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge. My thanks also go to my stewards, Mr Steve Brown and Mr John Betts, who kept everything running smoothly throughout the day, and to the exhibitors for their support and entries. I had an entry of 58 dogs, making a total entry of 62. I was delighted to receive one of the highest entries at a General Championship Show this year.

The last time I judged the breed was in 2023, and I was pleased with the quality of my principal winners on this occasion. I was particularly satisfied with my final line-up, which included some excellent examples of the breed. Overall, I felt the quality of the bitches was noticeably stronger than that of the dogs, which is encouraging and bodes well for the future of the breed.

Dog CC: Mrs C. & Mrs S. Reeves-Sargant Diment – Alstella Eadweard

Res Dog CC: Mrs L. A. Flynn – Sharlarna Philanderer At Linjato

Bitch CC: Mr K. & Mrs S. Sharp-Dixon & Leach – Sharlarna Fantastique TAF

Res Bitch CC: Mr C. & Mr D. Van De Burgt & Strange – Ch Norvanik Candy Kisses

Best Of Breed: Mrs C. & Mrs S. Reeves-Sargant Diment – Alstella Eadweard

Best Puppy: Mr C. & Mr D. Van De Burgt & Strange – Capervidles Midnite Madness At Norvanik

Best Veteran: Mrs T. & Mrs A. Quinn – Ch Harlouville Uptown Girl JW

Class Veteran Dod (2 Entries)

1st: Farmer – Sangria De Ja Vous

Quality black and white, 8½ years old. A most attractive dog of nice size, presented in an abundant coat. He has all the essential breed attributes in head and expression, with a good, compact body and well-constructed angulation. Finely boned with a well-plumed tail. He moved soundly with a level topline, showing well throughout and was presented in excellent condition. He looked very good on the move and was awarded Best Veteran Dog.

2nd Burden – Sangria War Lord

Black and white, 10 years old. A pleasing size and quality veteran, elegant and fine-boned with a well-bodied frame. He has dark eyes, a good tail set and carriage, and showed and moved to advantage. Presented in excellent condition throughout. Two lovely veterans who will no doubt change places many times.

Class PD (8 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: Farmer – Sangria Ninja Warrior

A quality black-and-white puppy of 9 months, shown in a lovely silky-textured coat. He presents a pleasing outline and is compact in build, with a good ribcage. He has an attractive head and expression, good body proportions, and correct tail carriage. A particularly impressive showman for his age, he moves truly and was presented in pristine condition.

2nd: Burden – Sangria Solana NAF TAF

A promising black and white youngster of 8 months. He has a pleasing head with dark, expressive eyes, a sound and well-angulated rear, and a good coat presented in excellent condition. He moved well and soundly and was shown with plenty of style.

3rd: Farmer – Sangria I Am Sirius

Class JD (4 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: Green – Jaschin Headliner

Black and white dog, 8 months old. A quality youngster of good breed type, masculine while retaining refinement. Particularly admired for his excellent head and expression. He displays ideal balance throughout, with a superb ribcage, correct front width, and a compact, well-constructed frame. In excellent condition and of ideal size for his age, he moved soundly and convincingly. Presented to perfection. Awarded Best Puppy Dog.

2nd: Crane – Cranvarl’s Back In Black

A pleasing black-and-white 17-month-old with a nice head and dark, expressive eyes. Soundly constructed with good rear angulation. Slightly up to size for my preference. Shown in a good coat and presented in excellent condition. Once settled, moved well and gave a pleasing overall impression.

Class PGD (3 Entries)

1st: Flynn – Sharlarna Philanderer At Linjato

Black and white, 20 months old. I loved his neat, balanced outline and lovely masculine head, enhanced by the darkest of eyes and a well-cushioned muzzle. He has a nice reach of neck flowing into a short, level topline, with a perfectly carried tail. Moved soundly with his topline remaining firm and level on the move. Shown in a good coat of correct texture and presented in excellent condition. The best mover in this class and the more settled exhibit on the day. He pushed hard for the CC, making it a very close decision. A worthy winner of the Reserve Dog CC.

2nd: McFarlane – Benisu avenue Of Roses (IMP POL)

Red and white, 20 months old. A pleasing exhibit with a nice head and good cushioning to the muzzle, complemented by lovely dark eyes and a characteristic expression. Shown in a well-textured coat and presented in lovely condition. He has a level topline and a well-carried tail, and moved out soundly around the ring. Worked very well with his handler, giving a polished and harmonious overall performance.

3rd: Van De Burght, Strange & Hampton – Sangria Take A Bow Of Norvanik

Class LD (8 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: Kannangara – Sangria Ps I Love You

Black and white, 3 years old. I loved his size and overall quality. Shown in a full coat of correct texture, he presented a lovely outline. He has an appealing large head, large dark eyes and just the right amount of cushioning to the muzzle, giving a pleasing expression. A nice reach of neck flows into a balanced body with a high-set tail. Fine in bone with good hare feet. He covered the ground well, looking impressive on the move, and was presented in excellent condition throughout.

2nd: Tong – Cranvarl The Red King Of Jakconas

Red and white, 2.5 years old. A good breed type, standing foursquare on nice legs and feet. He has a true expression, with a well-shaped muzzle and a nice finish of mouth. Moved well in both directions. He shares the correct coat texture of the winner and was presented in lovely condition throughout.

3rd: Benton-Taylor – Sansarc Ashoken Farewell

Class OD (7 Entries)

1st: Reeves-Sargant & Diment – Alstella Eadweard

My star male of the day. Initially impressed with his stylish and free movement, this black and white 3½-year-old truly stood out in an excellent class. He presents a beautiful outline and immediately caught my eye on entering the ring. A dainty yet masculine head with the darkest of eyes and just the right amount of cushioning gives a pleasing expression. Good reach of neck flows into a level topline, with a high-set tail completing the outline. Fine in bone with hare feet, he carries himself with great assurance around the ring. Kennel presentation was of an excellent standard. He moved soundly and was shown in immaculate condition. I was delighted to award him the CC and Best of Breed. I later learned this was his third CC—congratulations.

2nd: Quinn – Ch Sharlarna Swindler JW

Black and white, 3½ years old. Of excellent breed type with a generous head and typical expression. On the move, he did not always hold himself together, at times spoiling his outline and showing a reluctance to cooperate with his handler. A pity, as he is otherwise a quality exhibit and was presented to perfection, as were all from this exhibitor.

3rd: Van De Burgt, Strange & Hampton – Ch Norvanik Kandi Crush

Class Veteran Bitch (1 Entries)

1st: Quinn – Ch Harlouville Uptown Girl JW

Excellent quality black and white 7½-year-old veteran bitch, presented in a long, correct coat of silky texture. She has a good ribcage and a nicely cushioned muzzle, complemented by dark, large eyes and a correct expression. An ultra-feminine head and skull, with a compact body construction. She moved soundly with a level topline, showing spirit and enthusiasm around the ring. Presented and handled to perfection in immaculate condition, she looked very good on the move. A worthy Best Veteran Bitch and Best Veteran in Breed.

Class PB (9 Entries) 1 Abs:

1st: Van De Burgt & Strange – Capevidles Midnite Madness At Norvanik

Black and white, 8 months old. An exquisite puppy who has everything I look for at this age. She has a correctly shaped, feminine and pretty head with dark eyes and lovely cushioning, giving a soft, gentle, and typical expression. She moved out with a good stride, and her confident, outgoing nature really shone through, capturing my attention. A delightful temperament, well balanced with a lovely textured coat, and shown in excellent condition. A thoroughly promising youngster, awarded Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Breed.

2nd: Cox – Sangria Starstruck

Black and white, 10½ months old. Another with a typical feminine expression, beautifully made and well balanced, and presented in a good coat. She moves confidently and is handled well on the table. A nice body with a straight front and fine-boned legs, complemented by good hind angulation. She moved soundly and was presented in pristine condition.

3rd: Leach – Ashaka Between The Sheets At Ouzlewll (IKC)

Class JB (4 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: Pearce & Hann – Rakuchin Helen Bach

Black and white, 17 months old. A lovely young bitch with a very feminine, pretty head and a well-cushioned muzzle, complemented by dark eyes. She has a good reach of neck and presents herself in a very showy manner, standing foursquare and giving a pleasing outline. Correct body shape and overall condition, although she could benefit from a little more maturity and body at this stage. She moves well in both directions, maintaining a level topline with good tail carriage. Shows with real style and promise.

2nd: McFarlane – Call Me Dione Avenue Of Roses (IMP POL)

Black and white, 15 months old. A dainty and feminine youngster with pretty facial features, large nostrils and dark eyes. She has an ample neck and a straight front, and moved well. A fine-boned little lady with a lovely silky coat, presented in good condition throughout.

PGB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: Farmer – Sangria Dolly Mixture

Black and white, 2 years old. A lovely bitch with plenty to like, presenting a wonderful shape and looking very attractive on the move around the ring. She has a great temperament and a lovely coat of correct texture, which was beautifully presented.

2nd: Cushings – Alstella Alexi Of Spiritisle

Black and white, 2 years old. A great quality, beautifully marked bitch with a lovely shape and overall balance. She has a feminine head and a very balanced outline. Coat of correct texture and presented in pristine condition. She just needs to make a little more of herself, but remains a lovely breed type and was in good form. She moved well, maintaining a level topline throughout.

Class LB (6 Entries)

1st: Leach – Sharlarna Nipantuck

Black and white, 2 years old. She maintained her fabulous compact outline on the move, with a gorgeous head and a delightful, melting expression. Well bodied and in good form, she showed a great attitude and moved with confidence, taking everything in her stride. Very well put together and typical of the breed. Although not in full coat, she has nothing to hide, with a nice coat texture and was presented in super condition. She moved very soundly and with plenty of style.

2nd: Benton-Taylor – Sansarc Buffalo Gal

Black and white, 4 years old. A lovely head with dark eyes, and another good quality exhibit who looked very impressive on the day. Well-constructed, compact body with a good temperament and positive movement. Presented in lovely condition throughout.

3rd: Cushing – Spiritisle Queen Of Hearts

Class OB (7 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: Sharp-Dixon & Leach – Sharlarna Fantastique TAF

Black and white, 20 months old. A quality bitch who is a superb mover, showing real style and freedom of movement around the ring. She excelled in head type, being sweet and ultra-feminine, with large dark eyes, dark pigmentation and a lovely, feminine, cheeky expression. Good reach of neck and an excellent ribcage, all contributing to a well-constructed outline. She is in a lovely coat of correct texture, with a high-set tail carriage, and was presented in beautiful condition. She took a superb class of quality bitches, and in the challenge remained steadfast, attentive and alert. She truly excelled on the move, carrying herself with style and presence. I was delighted to award her the CC and Best Opposite Sex.

2nd: Van De Burgt & Strange – Ch Norvanik Candy Kisses

Black and white, 2¾ years old. Full of quality with a lovely feminine head and attractive outlook. She presents a compact, well-balanced body with a correct front and sound rear, which is reflected in her positive and sound movement. I was very impressed with this smart and compact bitch. Unfortunately, she was carrying a little too much weight on the day, which slightly spoilt her outline. Otherwise, she was presented in sparkling condition and gave a beautiful overall picture. A deserving winner of the Reserve Bitch CC.

3rd: Quinn – Ch Sharlarna Eye Candy JW

Stephen Randle Goodwin (Lanola)