Lichfield Canine Society

LICHFIELD CANINE SOCIETY OPEN SHOW

3 & 4 JANUARY 2026

BEST IN SHOW

Many thanks to the Officers and Committee for putting on such a good show and keeping the hall so warm on the coldest day of the year. I was honoured to be asked to judge Best in Show and thought the Group judges had done an excellent job in finding me 7 excellent dogs to go over. Both awards went to juniors which bodes well for the future.

There was a tight challenge for BIS but eventually the winner was the very well put together Cardigan Corgi. Irving’s Twinan True Grit. Welsh Corgi (Cardigan). This young dog has a lot of maturing to do but nevertheless all the essentials are there. I was impressed by his overall balance and shape when he first entered the ring. On further examination he has a very typical head. He has good width of skull and which is nicely tapered. Correct length of foreface and good strength to the muzzle without being coarse. Nice dark eye complemented by good dark pigmentation of the eye rim. Ears of good size and well placed,carried correctly and set well back. This dog has a muscular neck which fits into well placed shoulders. He has a good forehand. As required is well off for bone in foreleg. Good tight round foot. Already has a well developed sternum. He needs to fill out and to rib out a little bit but has a good strong loin and is well ribbed back. Nicely angulated rear. Good tail. His tail is set and well carried. He does play his tail a little bit on the move but will settle down with age. He moved with good drive from behind. I was pleased to award him Best in Show. Reserve was the Pug. Attwood/Taylor’s Taftazini Fluffy Ruffles. Pug. This young dog is really quite lovely. Full of enthusiasm for life. On initial appearance is a square cobby young dog and indeed the term ‘multum in parvo’ is very apt and evident in this specimen. Lovely head of good size for the overall picture. Clearly defined wrinkle which is not overdone. Lovely dark eye of good size and shape which affords a very soft expression. Neat ears. Good arch to the neck which is of good strength. Nicely angulated front with enough upper arm that his legs are under him. Excellent spring of rib and well ribbed back. Not overdone in the rear as many are. Nicely set tail which is well curled. Moved very well. Lovely soft smooth coat. Should do well.

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW

A nice line of puppies to choose from.

Flockton’s Dylsonleigh Aurora. Retriever (Labrador). Yellow bitch. A new one to me, she pleased for her overall shape and balance. Typical head with enough breadth of skull. Well set ears. Correct stop and overall proportions. Pleasing eye and pigment. Correct length of neck into well placed shoulders. Nice front assembly and good bone for a bitch with neat feet. Well ribbed and strong in the loin. Correct otter tail. In good jacket with excellent undercoat. Sound on the move with lovely reach in front and typical tail action. I liked her a lot and was very pleased to award her top honours.Pushing hard was the Pomeranian, Cawthera-Purdy’s Lireva’s Wildest Elation. A raw orange bitch who clearly has potential. She presents a lovely overall shape. On inspection she has that typical foxy expression. Neat small ears which are well placed and correctly carried. Good dark eye. Well ribbed with a level top-line and correct straight high set tail which is well furnished. Nice bone and pleasing tight feet. Still very raw and needs time to fill out and gain a more profuse jacket but a very nice prospect.

BEST VETERAN IN SHOW

Seven very typical specimens of their breed. All in the hardest of conditions and in good bloom which pleased me. Winner was Philpott’s Ch. Komargo Going for Gold. Schipperke. No stranger to me, I really rate this Schipperke bitch and in fact awarded her BIS in a good line up at The Nordic a few years ago. She shows little sign of ageing and again stood out for her overall type and balance. Cobby with typical foxy expression. Her head is of the correct proportions, and she has a lovely dark expressive eye. Good ear of good size and well carried. Strong neck with desired arch into well placed shoulders. Has breadth to her chest without being too wide. Short level back and short strong loin. Good hindquarters and good rump. Good harsh jacket with well covered tail. Moved very soundly with strong rear action. I was so pleased to see her again. Reserve was Williams/Newton/Slack’s Multi Ch. Macduff’s Critical Acclaim (imp CAN). Portuguese Water Dog. A very nice Portuguese Water Dog who exhibited a very typical silhouette. Lovely head and expression. Correct length of neck into well placed shoulders. Nice and square. Correct tail of correct length and well carried. Well muscled rear. Put down in excellent condition and very well handled. Very sound on the move in all directions. Could coat which was of harsh texture and very dense, and comprising correct compact curls. Was delighted to award him Reserve Best Veteran in Show.

STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER

Many thanks for a good entry for Staffordshire Bull Terriers. I had been contracted for this appointment well in advance of today and in the interim period in between the contract and the show was passed for Challenge Certificates in this super native breed. I did try to withdraw from this appointment to allow a breed specialist / someone requiring numbers to gain more experience. Unfortunately, they were unable to find a breed specialist available which I thought was a shame. Therefore, I undertook the appointment and as always with Staffordshire, enjoyed the day.

PD

Lewis’ Durhamstaff Shoot to Thrill. 6 month old brindle dog. This was a nice start to the day. Very pleasing head and expression on this young male. Typical headpiece which is short and deep through. Good breadth of skull and correct overall head proportions. Nice dark eye. Already has good cheek development. Good width in front and already there is good depth to his brisket. Well sprung rib. Nicely angulated hindquarters which are not overdone. Nice bone. Good feet. Just needs to drop a little into his frame. A little happy with his tail on the move. This will settle with maturity. His tail nevertheless is of correct length. Shall watch his progress.

PGD

Gutierrez Gonzalez/Hirst’s Dusklight Small Town Boy at Maskalon. Pleasing red and white. Pleasing overall head proportions although I would like a little more cheek development at this stage in development Good neck and shoulder. Well ribbed. Another with a short strong loin. Nicely angulated rear. Moved well.

OD

Trio of males, all quite different.

Lloyd’s Kalostaff Es Lo Que Es JW. Impressed me with his overall make and shape. This black is of good size. He is moderate through and not overdone in any way. Very nice head with good overall head proportions, nice eye and neat ear. Good front of decent width and with good bone and feet which are correctly placed. Well ribbed. Nice top-line. Good tail which is carried well and of correct length. Won here on his overall compactness and his slightly better length of upper arm BOB. 2. Smith’s Tillcarr Forged in Fire. Of nice overall type presented a nice overall picture and was impressed by his balance. Pleasing head and expression. Correct head proportions with good strong muzzle. Well developed cheek. Good neck and shoulder. Well ribbed up. Good strong loin. Moved well. Well handled. 3. Robinson/Robinson-Cox/Cox’s Hamason Sweet Little Mystry JW.

PB

O’Malley’s Duffmann Acromantula Atlomstaffs. Red and white bitch who is very raw and needs a lot of time to mature. Nevertheless, she is a pleasing specimen and of good breed type. Good head and expression but just needs to mature and break in the head but the essentials are there and the proportions are correct. Nice eye. Lovely overall pigment. Good front, just needs to drop and fill into herself. Correct top-line which she holds on the move. She is good on the move with good rear drive and she has enough front extension on side gait. I did like her, she just needs, as aforementioned, time.

PGB

O’Malley’s Thebilecious Te Amo Atlomstaffs. Very nice type, lots to like. Good head and expression. Has breadth to the skull. Correct stop and good muzzle. Strength of muzzle and underjaw without losing any femininity. Good depth of chest and pleasing forehand. Correct top-line. Well angulated and muscled rear. In good jacket and hard condition RBOB.2. Roberts’ Cocostaff Bumbu at Ruardean. Not quite as solid in top-line as the 1st placed bitch but otherwise a nice overall shape. Good head of ideal proportions. Well off for bone for a bitch. Nice feet. Well ribbed. Moves well with good rear drive. 3. Willetts’ Hamason Heart’s On Fire.

SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIER

O

Tilley’s Brynhir Born to Boogie at Starzak JW. Despite being alone this was a very nice wheaten bitch. Good overall type. She exhibits a very nice overall silhouette. Pleasing head with correct overall head proportions, of sufficient width and not overdone in back skull. Good eye. Neat ear folded correctly at the skull. Nice through the front. Correct topline. Lovely coat of excellent colour and texture, she has what I deem a proper Irish coat. This was to her advantage. Moved very well, BOB.

GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER

P

Gimbert’s Kazanpaul Parmaviolet. Very young 9 month old liver and white. Easy winner of this class. Very pleasing head which is well proportioned. Powerful foreface with well developed underjaw with well developed but not over excessive lip. Nice soft medium size eye. Good breadth of leathers set correctly. Excellent length of neck into well placed shoulders. Good depth of chest which is of correct width. Short backed. Well angulated rear. Has lovely hind angulation and hind musculature. An easy mover today, I liked her very much.2 Beresford’s Tuptonsett Ice Gem. Another nice one just slightly longer cast and not quite the overall finish of 1. Pleasing head and good neck and shoulder. Good bone and feet. Correct top-line. Has a lovely well angulated rear and moved well.

J

Iliffe/Lawrie’s Pentabibrook Peregrine. Nice type, pleasing overall shape. Balanced. Has a very typical head with good eye and well-placed, good-sized ears. Lovely neck into well placed shoulders. Good upper arm. Good depth through the chest. Correct strong top-line. Well muscled in the loin. Nicely angulated rear. He moves away well. With good strength of his hindquarters giving him the desired drive. He picks up a little in front which detracts overall. I later found out it is the owner’s first show dog and I encouraged them to continue to show a nice specimen.

PG

Iliffe/Lawrie’s Pentabibrook Peregrine. Repeat.

O 4

Whitehouse’s Kazanpaul Prawn Cracker. Liver and white. Pleasing quality bitch, who pleased for her overall symmetry and balance. Typical head and expression. Nicely made through the front. Good depth of chest. Nicely angulated rear and moved well. 2. Iliffe/Lawrie’s Pentabibrook Peregrine. Repeat. 3. Peebles’ Seasham Too Much Heaven JW.

VULNERABLE NATIVE BREEDS STAKES – DAY TWO

J 1 Stone’s Sonnetend Brothers In Arms. Very smart Field Spaniel. Pleased me with his overall breed type and overall balance. Noble head which is clean in back skull and with good length of muzzle. Kind eye of correct colour. This black has a good length of neck into well laid back shoulders. Good depth of chest and well ribbed back. Good bone and feet. Moved very well.

Bradley’s Nyllaup Oregon Sunstone. Spaniel (Irish Water). Young quality male. Pleased with his overall station and balance. Typical head of good length. Strong neck into good shoulders. Good topline and good breadth through the loin. Typical jacket which is of good desired colour for the Irish. Moved well

Williams’ Goldbirch Northern Disco at Skippit. English Setter.

PG

Well filled class. Welburn’s Oshowa Love To Dream. English Setter. Blue Belton who is lovely for type and stood out in this class. Pleasing head and expression. Good reach of neck into well placed shoulders and correct length of upper arm. Good bone and feet. Correct top-line. In good condition. Lovely lashing tail on the move. Moved very well going away and coming towards.2 Welburn’s Oshowa Just A Dream JW. English Setter3 Wilkinson-Sargeant’s Walshaw Can’t Stop Dancing. English Setter.

O 27(18)

Sh Ch. Fynder Reacher ShCEx. Spaniel (Irish Water). A beautiful Irish Water Spaniel who immediately appealed for his overall type. So very typically Irish. Excellent head which is of correct length and width. Good well developed nose. Nice strong arched neck. Lovely forehand. In excellent body condition. The very best of coats with a good dense tight jacket with no signs of woolliness. Nicely oiled and of a good colour. Moved very well on a loose lead with sound action and typical Irish roll. I thought him quite an excellent specimen and was delighted to award him this class. 2 Offer’s Woolytop The Phezantplukka JW. Bedlington Terrier. 18 month old Bedlington who I liked very much. Lovely overall shape, good head of good depth and with very little stop. Correct dark eye. Well covered top knot of correct colour and texture. Typical front. Not overdone in the top-line. Well set tail which is well carried on the move. Moved well with typical gait 3 Welburn’s Oshowa Dream Come True. English Setter.

VAL FREER MEMORIAL STAKES – DAY TWO

J

Hudson’s Sitana Miss Marvel. Afghan Hound. Gold Afghan bitch. Nice overall outline. Typical head of good length and strength. Dark eye which is of correct shape and correctly set in the skull. Good neck into shoulder. Overall the body shape is correct and she is essentially square dog. Good bone and good large foot. Nice pin bones. Correct croup and tail set. Not overdone in the rear. Moved with typical Afghan action when she settled into her action. Just needs time

PG

Baron’s Landebec Ventura JW. Retriever (Labrador). Yellow male Labrador who I have judged before and I think is a very good specimen of the breed. He has a beautiful soft expression. I haven’t seen him for some time and I thought he had matured quite well. He has broken a little in head and is now all male Excellent pigmentation. Good neck and shoulder. Good barrel rib. Level top-line. Good otter tail. Moved very well. 2 Partridge’s Pettigans Viva La Vida by Riveroyal JW. Dachshund (Long-Haired). Very nice make and shape. Typical head shape. Neat correctly placed dark eye. Well developed sternum. Correct Dachshund front assembly. Good length of neck. Well ribbed. Good ground clearance. Moved very well.3 Ashby’s Rayol Pumpkin Pie at Jaxinorydax. Dachshund (Smooth-Haired).

O

Bridgman-Lewis/Wilton-Clark’s Ch.Shalfleet Making Waves. Brindle and white Whippet. I really liked this Whippet male who is moderate through and is not overdone in any way. Nice size for a male. Typical head. Excellent through the neck and shoulder. Top-line is ideal and is not overdone in any way. Nice hindquarters that are not over angulated as one sees in many Whippets. I liked this moderate dog, he moved very well and I was delighted to award him the class. 2. Ashby’s Rayol Dallas Cowboys at Jaxinorydax JW. Dachshund (Smooth-Haired). Could not be denied the place here in this large class as this is a very nice typy dog. Lovely head of correct shape. Eye is of correct shape and set, good leathers which all give him a very typical expression. Lovely well developed brisket. Well boned with nice tight foot. Has enough of ground clearance. Good level top-line. Well angulated in the rear and well-muscled. Pleased to see him today. 3 Dawson/Parsons’ Priorpark Problem Solved. Rhodesian Ridgeback.

IAN GABRIEL