Durham County Canine Association

I was delighted to judge at this lovely two-day show and would like to extend my sincere thanks to the hardworking committee for their hospitality and excellent organisation. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere across both days.

My thanks must also go to my stewards on each day, who kept the ring running efficiently and were wonderful company throughout.

Finally, thank you to all exhibitors for accepting my decisions in such a sporting manner; it made the appointment a thoroughly enjoyable one.

DAY 1 - UTILITY

Akita (Day 1)

BOB 87 – Rominjay King of My Heart (C Simpson)

RBOB 86 – Ruthdale Madness (Imp Rom) (Mrs A Bulmer)

Post Graduate

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1^ST 86 – Ruthdale Madness (Imp Rom) (Mrs A Bulmer)

Well-put-together bitch who took a bit of settling, but showed well once she found her rhythm. Typical headpiece with correct scissor bite. Thick neck into strong shoulders. Feminine through and through, yet maintaining strength. Would prefer a touch more substance throughout, but she is balanced and proportioned with good muscling. Showed herself off nicely on the move once settled. Awarded RBOB.

Open

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1^ST 87 – Rominjay King of My Heart (C Simpson)

Powerful dog with undeniable ring presence. Large head, in balance with body, broad forehead and defined stop. Typical blunt triangle when viewed from above. Good pigmentation on lips, nose and eye rims. Small, thick ears carried well and correct bite. Good size, well off for bone. Wide, deep chest complemented by a well-developed forechest. Strongly developed throughout a masculine frame. Movement was a dream; fluent and full of power, taking the ring with ease despite the hill. Loved his temperament. Happy to award BOB, and it was a pleasure to see his qualities appreciated when taking UG1 later that day.

Dalmatian (Day 1)

BOB     107 – Portunes St Jimmy at Exayeex JW (Mrs C & Mr A Richardson)

RBOB 103 – Swiss Ch Kelevra Dill or No Dill JW (Ms C A & Mr S A Pearson)

BP 104 – Kelevra Tickle My Trout (Ms C A & Mr S A Pearson)

Puppy

Entries: 2    Absentees: 0

1^ST 104 – Kelevra Tickle My Trout (Ms C A & Mr S A Pearson)

Just a baby, but plenty of promise. Head coming on well with neat ears. Good reach of neck into clean shoulders. Straight front and good feet. Still has a way to go in body development, as expected for his age, but set in good stead to mature well. Fore and hind angulation coming on nicely. Still very loose on the move, but completely expected at this stage of development. Looked like he was really enjoying his time in the ring today. BP, and lovely to see him take UPG3.

Junior

Entries: 4    Absentees: 0

1^ST 92 – Salvadorada Lady of The Glen for Bevahalli (Miss N Grant)

Had the pleasure of judging this young bitch earlier in the year; I liked her then, and she continues to impress as she matures. Really clean, well-put-together and balanced headpiece with correct scissor bite. Nicely arched neck into well-laid-back shoulders. Well-defined withers, strong level back, and plenty of muscling throughout, while never losing her femininity. Excellent mover, reaching out well - a showdog through and through. Really pushed hard in the final challenge against maturer dogs. Would be keen to see her once fully matured.

2^ND 94 – Ruebedu Jammie Dodger (Mrs D Hildreth-Ramm)

Another good quality, feminine bitch; didn’t have the ring presence or movement of 1 today. Clean head of fair length with good strength in muzzle. Clean lips and correct scissor bite. Strong shoulders and good chest development. Great topline, held well both standing and on the move. Moved with purpose, utilising her well-muscled hind legs. Unlucky to meet my winner here.

Post Graduate

Entries: 8    Absentees: 3

1^ST 107 – Portunes St Jimmy at Exayeex JW (Mrs C & Mr A Richardson)

It is so important that a dog is fit for function and looks capable of doing a day’s work; this boy absolutely ticks those boxes. Proved today that you don’t have to be the largest dog to be properly constructed. Well-balanced head, correct bite and good strength of muzzle. Nicely arched, clean neck into well-laid-back shoulders, level back, and strong loin. Straight front, good feet, and well-angled in fore- and hindquarters. His movement was unmatched today; even the incline of the hill didn’t faze him. A really solid example with a fantastic temperament and spotting that’s pleasing to the eye. Very happy to award him BOB.

2^ND 93 – Salvadorada Let’s Get Loud (Ms S & Ms K Grant & Wilkins)

Was lovely to judge this young dog again after first judging him earlier in the year. Lots to like about him, and he is really coming into himself even more - though he is in a bit of a leggy stage at the minute. Pleasing head and expression, flat skull and neat ears. He’s a stallion of a dog with ample muscling throughout, and he knows how to put on a good show in the ring. Really strong mover with clean angles fore and aft; boasts a pleasing outline. Look forward to seeing him when he has finished maturing.

3^RD 109 – Portunes Whatsername JW (Mr M S, Mrs E J & Miss H Vockings)

RES 102 – Kelevra Beam Me Up Biscotti JW (Ms C A & Mr S A Pearson)

VHC 91 – Kevin Dude of The Glen at Bevahalli (Miss N Grant)

Open Dog

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1^ST 103 – Swiss Ch Kelevra Dill or No Dill JW (Ms C A & Mr S A Pearson)

Big, powerful, masculine dog. Well-proportioned head, good strength of muzzle and correct scissor bite, and boasts that intelligent glint in his eyes. Powerful and muscular all the way through with ample bone. Lovely chest and great topline. Really well constructed in the front and rear, allowing good reach and drive. Took the ring with ease through smooth, powerful movement. Lovely to go over with a delightful temperament. Pleasure to award RBOB.

Open Bitch

Entries: 3    Absentees: 2

1^ST 108 – Bellehoud Tipple at Portunes JW (Mr M S, Mrs E J & Miss H Vockings)

A lovely, feminine bitch. Took a little time to settle, but when she did she was lovely to go over. Clean head, correct scissor bite, and neat ears. Good neck onto well-laid shoulders. Feminine body, but still strong. Straight front and good angles in the rear. Strong young handler really worked well to showcase the qualities of her dog; great team to watch in the ring.

Japanese Shiba Inu (Day 1)

BOB 111 – Burwen Pink Cadillac at Echezeaux (Mrs R Adey)

RBOB 110 – Burwen Blue Corvette at Echezeaux (Mrs R Adey)

Post Graduate

Entries: 2    Absentees: 0

1^ST 110 – Burwen Blue Corvette at Echezeaux (Mrs R Adey)

Cracking dog with lots to like and presented really well. Typical headpiece showcasing the blunt triangle when viewed from above. Well-developed cheeks and a straight muzzle with gradual tapering. Correct ears and a great, alert expression. Well-muscled neck flowing into a sound front assembly. Well-developed forechest, deep chest, and good spring of rib. Correct thighs with slight bend of stifle. Light, energetic movement. Happy to award RBOB.

2^ND 112 – Burwen Bejewelled (Miss E Garland)

​Feminine bitch with a typical headpiece. Good expression, clean lips, and correct bite. Strong neck to good shoulders. Lacks the forechest of 1, but possesses a clean front, good chest, good spring of rib, and a correct tuck-up. Could carry a little more body to complete the picture. Energetic mover and a pleasure to go over due to a lovely temperament.

Open

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1^ST 111 – Burwen Pink Cadillac at Echezeaux (Mrs R Adey)

Another really strong example from this kennel. Feminine bitch, but with plenty of strength through and through. Shared many similarities with my winner of Post Grad. Possessed an alert, spirited expression. Maintained a firm outline and was presented in excellent condition. Correct rear with strong hocks. Good tail carriage maintained both standing and on the move. Preferred her movement, as it was livelier and cleaner while still maintaining a good outline overall. A pleasure to award BOB.

DAY 2 - WORKING

Alaskan Malamute (Day 2)

BOB 397 – Cedarcreek The Only Way Is Up (Mr A & Mrs L & Mrs M Burgess & Burgess & Page)

RBOB 399 – Snow Legend Zenith of Fame Nordicwinds JW ShCEx OSW (Imp Rus) (Ms J Phoenix)

BP 398 – D’alkontres Spice Up Your Life Nordicwinds (Imp Ita) (Ms J Phoenix)

Post Graduate

Entries: 2    Absentees: 1

1^ST 398 – D’alkontres Spice Up Your Life Nordicwinds (Imp Ita) (Ms J Phoenix)

A beautifully feminine young bitch with so much to like about her. Really balanced for her age. Powerful head, well in proportion with body, almond-shaped eyes, and strong jaw with correct scissor bite. Clean neck leading into a well-constructed front. Feminine body, but with plenty of bone. Chest developing really well, and a strong back. Well-muscled in hard condition. Good angles allowed for strong drive and easy movement, covering the ground well. Challenged hard among maturer dogs in the final lineup. Awarded BP, and was pleased to watch her take WPG1 later that day.

Open

Entries: 2    Absentees: 0

1^ST 397 – Cedarcreek The Only Way Is Up (Mr A & Mrs L & Mrs M Burgess & Burgess & Page)

This is a dog that combines strength, substance, and athleticism in one balanced package. Holds such authority in the ring with his presence. Powerful muzzle, correct scissor bite, and neat, small ears. Presented in hard, fit condition throughout. Fore- and hindquarters boasted good angulation. Really good, tidy feet. His movement set the bar today - good reach and strong drive, yet so easy and tireless; a true picture on the move. Was my pleasure to award him BOB, and then later see him take WG2!

2^ND 399 – Snow Legend Zenith of Fame Nordicwinds JW ShCEx OSW (Imp Rus) (Ms J Phoenix)

Larger dog than my winner, and a very impressive male! Another that oozes strength and substance, with an air of confidence in how he stands and looks. Really good, typical head, correct bite, and almond-shaped eyes. Strong neck into impressive shoulders. Good front, ample bone, and a chest that is strong and deep. Really good rear which allowed a powerful drive. The terrain wasn’t in his favour today; he made his handler work hard to show off his strong movement. Awarded RBOB, and was very happy to see him selected as Best Working RBOB later that day.

Dogue De Bordeaux (Day 2)

BOB 401 – Nesaluma Atomboy (Mrs S & Mrs E Bailey)

RBOB 403 – Socrates Bernaux De Picardi (Imp Pol) (Mrs S & Mrs E Bailey)

BP 403 – Socrates Bernaux De Picardi (Imp Pol) (Mrs S & Mrs E Bailey)

Puppy

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1^ST 403 – Socrates Bernaux De Picardi (Imp Pol) (Mrs S & Mrs E Bailey)

​Really liked this pup - so much so that he was a very strong contender for top honours today. Despite his young age, his head is developing impressively: broad, powerful, and in proportion to his body. Good undershot bite, strong jaw, and great chin. Powerful, short muzzle with a prominent stop and expressive, clean wrinkling. Strong, solid neck leading to well-laid shoulders. Straight front, good forechest, and a deep, broad chest developing well. In excellent condition for his age and supported by well-angulated hindquarters. Held his topline well on the move. Will look forward to seeing this one mature. Happy to award BP and RBOB today, and was pleased to see him take WPG3 later that day.

Post Graduate

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1^ST 401 – Nesaluma Atomboy (Mrs S & Mrs E Bailey)

A large, powerful dog, well up for size. Really typical head on this dog: short, powerful muzzle, strong chin, good open nostrils, and correct undershot bite. Musculous cheeks, prominent stop, and a broad, powerful, clean head. Great topline, held both standing and on the move. Showing strength throughout. Broad, deep chest with good spring of rib. Well-angled hindquarters allowed a powerful drive to cover the ground easily despite his size. Well up on his toes. Super temperament. A pleasure to award him BOB.

Open

Entries: 4    Absentees: 3

1^ST 402 – Pasya Bernaux De Picardi avec Nesaluma (Imp Pol) (Mrs S & Mrs E Bailey)

​A delightful bitch, just not feeling it today. Good black mask around a powerful muzzle. Heavier in head than my winners, but still feminine and showcasing powerful features throughout. Correct undershot bite and a strong jaw. Soundly made throughout with good condition and balanced angulation. Just didn’t fancy showing off today.

Judge – Declan Kenyon (Desquire)