Northern Boxer Club

The Northern Boxer Club Show

October 4th, 2026

Judge: Duncan Busuttil (Berseydale) – Malta

I would like to thank the committee for their kind invitation to judge at The Northern Boxer Club Show and for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me throughout the show. My thanks also go to Wayne Patterson, my steward, for his assistance in keeping the judging running smoothly, and to all exhibitors for presenting their dogs for my consideration.

I was pleased to find some very good quality exhibits throughout the classes, with several displaying the essential characteristics of the Boxer: correct breed type, clean and well-proportioned heads, good bone, strong muscular development and balanced construction.

In making my decisions, I placed particular emphasis on overall balance, correct head proportions, sound construction and movement, together with the strength and elegance that should characterise the breed. In some exhibits, I would have preferred greater muscular development through the hindquarters, while a few could have benefited from improvement in topline or head balance.

My principal winners particularly impressed me with their quality and overall harmony. My Best in Show bitch caught my attention immediately with her breed type, femininity, balance and movement, while my Reserve Best in Show dog displayed the strength, substance and sound construction I value highly.

It was a pleasure to judge the exhibits presented to me, and I thank everyone for their sporting acceptance of my decisions.

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Baby Puppy Dog (2,2) - Both absent.

Baby Puppy Bitch (1,1) - Absent.

Minor Puppy Dog (2,0)

1st  Mrs. M Law 

A very promising young male of pleasing overall quality. Attractive, clean-cut head with good expression and correct bite. Good length of neck flowing into a well-constructed front, with pleasing angulation both fore and aft. Well-developed musculature throughout for his age, presenting a balanced and sound outline. Moved well both coming and going, showing pleasing overall soundness. A quality youngster with much to like.

2nd Mrs. D Payne

Another quality youngster possessing many of the virtues of the winner. Pleasing head and expression, correct bite and good length of neck. Well constructed in front and rear, with good angulation and overall balance. Would prefer a little more muscular development through the thighs, which I feel will come with maturity. Nevertheless, a very promising young male. Two quality puppies who made this an enjoyable class to judge

Puppy Dog (1,0)

1st Mrs. F Pynegar 

A very promising young male of lovely overall quality, displaying good breed type. Pleasing head and expression with correct bite. Well angulated front and rear, with a particularly pleasing forehand and strong hindquarters. Good bone and substance for his age, complemented by well-developed musculature throughout. A nicely balanced youngster with plenty of promise for the future.

Junior Dog (1,1) - Absent.

Yearling Dog (1,1) - Absent.

Novice Dog (2,2) - Both absent.

Post Graduate Dog (2,1)

1st Mrs. F Pynegar - Best Puppy Dog & Reserve Best Dog  

A lovely quality male of good size and substance who immediately appealed. Attractive head with pleasing expression and correct bite. Strong bone and excellent muscular development throughout, with particularly good hindquarter angulation and well-muscled thighs. Presents a balanced and powerful outline, displaying the strength expected of the breed without losing elegance. Moved extremely well, demonstrating soundness and good overall construction. A most impressive male who thoroughly deserved his awards.

Limit Dog (2,0)

1st Miss. S Chell - Best Dog & Reserve Best in Show

A very appealing male of excellent overall quality, displaying correct size, good bone and muscular development throughout. Pleasing, clean-cut head with correct bite and good expression. Strong, well-arched neck flowing smoothly into a firm, correct topline. Well angulated both front and rear, presenting a harmonious and balanced outline. Moved soundly and with confidence, maintaining his shape on the move. A quality Boxer with the balance, strength and breed type I was looking for. A worthy Best Dog and Reserve Best in Show winner.

2nd Mrs. K Louis

Another very good quality male who pushed the winner closely. Good size and substance, with correct bite and pleasing muscular development throughout. Soundly constructed and moved well around the ring. His head was slightly heavier than that of the winner, and I would have preferred a little more muscular development through the second thighs. Nevertheless, a very pleasing male with much to admire, and a worthy runner-up.

Open Dog (2,1)

1st Miss. L Kavanagh

A good, medium-sized male with pleasing bone and muscular development throughout. Well constructed in front, with good overall substance and strength. I felt his head appeared slightly small in proportion to his body, and I would have preferred a little more bend of stifle to complete the hindquarter angulation. Nevertheless, a quality male possessing several pleasing breed attributes.

Veteran Dog / Bitch (2,1)

1st Miss & Mrs. M & S Littlewood & Bowler

A lovely veteran who continues to carry himself with great dignity and presence despite his age. Well constructed both front and rear, with pleasing angulation, good bone and muscular development. Correct tail set, complementing his overall outline. Particularly pleasing to see him move so well around the ring, retaining his soundness and showing himself to advantage. A credit to his age and a deserving Best Veteran in Show winner.

Minor Puppy Bitch (3,1)

1st Mrs. A Huxley

A lovely, very promising young bitch of excellent overall construction. Beautifully proportioned, clean-cut head with pleasing expression and correct bite. Well angulated both front and rear, with good bone and muscular development for her age. Presents a very pleasing and balanced outline, showing sound construction throughout. Moved correctly both coming and going. A very well-made youngster with an exciting future ahead of her.

2nd Mr & Mrs. T & R Wensley

Another very correct and promising young bitch, possessing a pleasing head, good bone and sound overall construction. Still requiring a little more maturity and muscular development to complete the picture, which should come with time. Moved well both coming and going. A quality youngster with plenty of potential. 

Puppy Bitch (2,0)

1st Mrs. F Pynegar - Best Puppy in Show

A beautiful young bitch of excellent quality who greatly appealed. Lovely head and expression, displaying pleasing breed type. Good bone and well-developed musculature for her age. Particularly attractive neck flowing smoothly into a pleasing, firm topline, creating a balanced and elegant outline. Moved extremely well both coming and going, showing soundness and confidence. A most promising youngster who thoroughly deserved her Best Puppy in Show award.

2nd Mrs & Mrs. V & P Van-Beck & Taylor

Another lovely quality puppy with much to admire. Pleasing overall construction and breed type, presenting a balanced outline. Both exhibits were of a very good standard, but I felt the winner had the edge in head quality and topline, which ultimately decided the placing. Nevertheless, a very promising young bitch.

Junior Bitch (3,1)

1st Mr & Mrs. S & L Hinchliffe

A very pleasing young bitch of good overall quality, displaying an attractive head and expression with correct bite. Good length of neck, correct tail set and pleasing balance throughout. Well boned and muscled, presenting a harmonious and well-proportioned outline. Moved very well both coming and going, showing soundness and good overall construction. A quality young bitch with much to like.

2nd Mr. K Woods

Another quality bitch of pleasing type and overall balance. Soundly constructed, presenting a well-proportioned outline and moving well both coming and going. Very little separated these two exhibits, but I felt the winner had a slightly more pleasing head and expression. Nevertheless, a very sound and balanced bitch with considerable merit. 

Yearling Bitch (3,1)

1st Mrs. E Kelly - Reserve Best Bitch

A lovely quality bitch who greatly appealed for her overall balance and construction. Beautifully proportioned head, clean in skull, with pleasing expression and correct bite. Lovely length of neck flowing smoothly into well-placed shoulders, creating an elegant and harmonious outline. Strong, well-muscled loin and excellent muscular development throughout. Well angulated both front and rear, giving a pleasing impression of strength and sound construction. A very attractive bitch combining femininity with the substance and muscular development required by the breed. A worthy winner.

2nd Mr & Mrs. T & J Welch

A good-sized bitch with pleasing bone and muscular development throughout. Clean-cut head with correct bite and good angulation both front and rear. I would have preferred a little more width in front, and felt her topline showed a slightly greater slope than ideal. Nevertheless, she moved well both coming and going and possesses several very pleasing qualities. 

Post Graduate Bitch (10,4)

1st Miss. J Begnall

A lovely quality bitch of pleasing size and overall construction. Attractive, clean-cut head with lovely expression and correct bite. Good length of neck flowing into well-constructed shoulders. Correct topline and underline, contributing to a balanced and pleasing outline. Good bone and muscular development throughout. Moved very well, showing soundness and overall harmony. A very pleasing example of the breed.

2nd Mr & Mrs. D & L Mccarthy & Gething

Another very good quality bitch with much to admire. Pleasing head and expression, good bone and muscular development, and correct angulation both front and rear. Soundly constructed and possessing many of the same virtues as the winner. Both exhibits were of excellent merit, but I felt the winner was presented in slightly better body condition on the day, which ultimately influenced my decision.

3rd Miss & Mrs. M & S Littlewood & Bowler

Limit Bitch (4,3)

1st Mrs. D Payne - Best Bitch & Best in Show

A truly lovely bitch of outstanding overall quality who caught my eye the moment she entered the ring. Beautifully proportioned, clean-cut head with an excellent expression, pleasing eyes and correct bite. Lovely length of neck flowing smoothly into a firm and well-maintained topline, creating a balanced and elegant outline. Excellent bone and muscular development throughout, combined with pleasing angulation both front and rear. Moved very well, displaying soundness and maintaining her lovely outline on the move. For me, she possessed a most pleasing combination of breed type, femininity, balance and substance. A quality bitch who fully deserved to take the top honours as my Best in Show winner.

Open Bitch (4,2)

1st Mr. K Woods

A very well-constructed bitch of pleasing size and substance. Attractive, clean-cut head with lovely expression, correct bite and pleasing eyes and ears. Good bone and muscular development throughout, with a well-developed chest complementing her overall construction. Presents a pleasing and balanced outline. Moved very well both coming and going, showing soundness and good overall balance. A quality bitch with plenty to admire.

2nd Mrs. V Van-Beck

Another bitch of excellent overall quality who challenged the winner closely. Both exhibits were of a very high standard, and there was little to separate them on their individual merits. Unfortunately, this bitch showed a slight lameness when moving around the ring, which affected her performance on the day and ultimately decided the placing. A pity, as she undoubtedly possesses considerable quality.