Lichfield Canine Society

Leonberger

Judge: Angela Johns (Alepenkye)

My sincere thanks to the committee of Lichfield Canine Society for inviting me to judge. I would also like to thank all the exhibitors for their sporting acceptance of my decisions and for their entries. Many exhibits displayed the strength, elegance and friendly temperament so characteristic of the breed.

Junior Entries: 2; Absentees: 0

1st — Mrs C E Lear-Schofield & Mrs J Jones - Expressive Bizu Grande Leonis (Imp Pol) A very promising young male of pleasing size, substance and breed type. Strong but not heavy head, elongated rather than stocky, with the muzzle and skull in pleasing proportion, a moderate stop and a good black mask. Kind, dark oval eyes and correctly set pendant ears gave an attractive, characteristic expression. Strong neck flowed into a well-constructed body with good depth for his age, firm topline and balanced angulation. Well boned without appearing cumbersome and presented in a correct, well-prepared double coat. Moved with an even, ground-covering stride, maintaining his balance and topline. Still developing, but possessing many of the breed essentials. Best Puppy. 2nd — Ms S Springel - Lionscourt Orenda A feminine young bitch of pleasing balance and elegance, with sufficient substance for her age. Attractive head, strong yet feminine, with a moderately tapered muzzle, black nose and mask, kind oval eyes and well-carried ears lying close to the cheeks. Good length of neck, firm back and well-shaped body, with a broad loin and moderately angulated hindquarters. Tight, rounded feet and a well-furnished tail completed the outline. Moved soundly and steadily, although she could not quite match the winner’s overall maturity and reach of stride today.

Post Graduate Entries: 5; Absentees: 1

1st — Mr D & Mrs C Iveson - Sulandi Fall for You at Westshaw A quality masculine male combining strength and substance with the required elegance. His head was strong but remained in balance with his body, with good skull-to-muzzle proportions, moderately developed cheeks, a black nose and a pleasing mask. Oval, dark eyes gave the desired kind expression, complemented by high-set, well-feathered ears. Strong, moderately long neck flowed smoothly into well-laid shoulders. Deep, oval chest reaching well towards the elbows, firm straight back, broad muscular loin and a gently sloping croup. Well boned throughout, standing on tight, rounded feet. Moved with good forward extension and strong rear drive, retaining a level topline and demonstrating the sound, ground-covering action required by the standard. 2nd — Ms S Springel - Lionscourt Orenda Repeat of Junior, she pressed the winner closely, but I preferred the greater maturity, substance and power of the first-placed male.

Open Entries: 3; Absentees: 0

1st — Mrs J & Mr L Moulsdale - Kalizmar The Aviator of Berglowe JW An impressive young male of excellent size, substance and overall balance, presenting the required combination of strength, muscularity and elegance. Masculine head, strong but not excessively heavy, with pleasingly equal skull and muzzle proportions, a medium stop, moderately developed cheeks and a slightly arched nasal bridge. Excellent black pigmentation and mask, with dark oval eyes giving a calm, kind expression. High-set, well-feathered ears hung correctly close to the head. Strong, moderately long neck flowed smoothly into the withers and well-laid shoulders. Deep, broad but correctly oval chest, firm straight back, broad muscular loin and a gently sloping croup. Excellent bone and substance, with tight rounded feet and balanced angulation throughout. Presented in a plentiful, well-textured double coat with an impressive mane. He excelled on the move, covering the ground with reach and powerful drive while maintaining a level topline. His overall breed type, balance, soundness and commanding presence secured him Best of Breed. 2nd — Mr D & Mrs C Iveson - Onaway Dark Trumperter at Westshaw A mature, powerful and masculine male of excellent quality, with much to admire. Strong, well-proportioned head with a good black mask, dark oval eyes and the desired kind, composed expression. Well-set pendant ears, strong neck and a well-developed forechest. Deep body with well-sprung oval ribs, firm topline, broad loin and strong, muscular hindquarters. Well boned, standing on tight feet, and presented in excellent coat and condition. Moved with considerable power and a long, ground-covering stride, showing good drive from behind. A close decision between two quality males; I marginally preferred the winner’s overall balance, elegance and slightly more collected action on the day. Reserve Best of Breed.

Russian Black Terrier

Puppy Entries: 1; Absentees: 0

1st — Mr R & Mrs D Hammond - Dromnagus Miss Scarlet von Koschei (IKC) A very promising puppy bitch with a sturdy, well-proportioned and almost square outline. Feminine while possessing the bone and substance required for the breed. Pleasing head developing well, with a moderately broad, flat skull, rounded cheekbones and a medium stop. The top lines of skull and muzzle were parallel, with the solid muzzle slightly shorter than the skull and given the characteristic squared appearance by her developing beard and whiskers. Dark, oval eyes were set obliquely and wide apart, giving an alert and confident expression. High-set triangular ears lay correctly against the cheekbones. Powerful, clean neck flowed smoothly into clearly defined withers and a firm, level back. Good depth of chest for her age, broad loin and well-developed hindquarters. Large, rounded feet with thick pads. Presented in a well-prepared black coat of pleasing texture, with developing eyebrows, beard and leg furnishings. She moved soundly and confidently, showing an elastic, ground-covering stride with good reach and drive. Naturally still immature, but balanced and full of promise. Delighted to award her Best Puppy and Reserve Best of Breed.

Junior Entries: 1; Absentees: 0

1st — Mrs S A Povey - Viva Gardian of Oliferne A substantial young bitch presenting a strong, robust and well-balanced outline. Feminine in head while retaining the required strength, with a moderately broad, flat skull, rounded cheekbones and a medium, clearly defined stop. Solid muzzle of good width, slightly shorter than the skull and tapering only slightly towards the large black nose. Thick, close-fitting black lips and developing beard gave the muzzle the desired squared-off appearance. Dark, oval eyes were correctly placed, with high-set triangular ears lying close to the cheeks. Strong, muscular neck flowed into prominent withers, a firm level back and a short, broad loin. Deep chest with well-sprung ribs, straight forelegs and good width and muscular development through the hindquarters. Well presented in a dense, weatherproof coat with correct furnishings. Moved with good reach and driving power, remaining balanced and purposeful throughout.

Post Graduate Entries: 3; Absentees: 2

1st — Mrs S A Povey - Viva Gardian of Oliferne — Repeat winner of Junior. 

Open Entries: 6; Absentees: 4

1st — Mr J Clelford - Kenig Forein Blek Berkut (Imp Rus) A large, imposing and strongly constructed mature male of excellent breed type. Masculine throughout, with heavy bone, well-developed muscle and a sturdy, almost square outline, yet remaining balanced and athletic. Impressive, well-proportioned head with a moderately broad, flat skull, rounded cheekbones and slightly pronounced eyebrows. Medium stop and correct parallel skull and muzzle planes. His solid, broad-based muzzle was slightly shorter than the skull, with thick, tight black lips, a large black nose and profuse beard and whiskers creating the desired squared-off appearance. Dark, oval eyes were set obliquely and wide apart, giving an alert, self-confident expression. High-set triangular ears were of correct size and lay tightly against the cheekbones. Powerful, muscular and clean-cut neck flowed correctly into prominent withers. Well-laid shoulders, straight and parallel forelegs and elbows held close to the body. Deep chest reaching to the elbows, well-sprung ribs, level muscular back and a short, broad loin. Strong, well-developed thighs, well-bent stifles and low-set hocks. Large, rounded feet with thick pads supported his substantial frame. High-set, thick tail was in proportion to the body. Presented in a dense, weatherproof black coat of correct medium texture, slightly waved and with well-developed eyebrows, beard and leg furnishings. Moved with power and purpose, displaying good reach in front, strong rear drive and the required elastic, ground-covering action. His overall type, masculinity, soundness and commanding presence secured him Best of Breed.

2nd — Mrs S A Povey - Viva Gardian of Oliferne Repeat winner of Junior and Post Graduate.