Northern Italian Spinoni Association

Northern Italian Spinone Association (06/09/26)

Many thanks to the NISA committee for the kind invitation to judge at your open show. I do feel these partnership shows are the way forward for ensuring that new judges are well supported. Special thanks to my stewards, Chris and Paul for their good humour and efficiency throughout the day.

Having judged the breed for the first time over 11 years ago, I have taken a keen interest in the breed for sometime now. Along with the Bracco Italiano and Lagotto Romagnolo, I really enjoyed watching a good portion of the breed judging for Spinoni at the World Dog Show in Milan several years ago, having always been fascinated by their unique construction and how this links directly to the terrain they were expected to work on.

I was delighted with my numerically strong entry of 51 with only 9 absentees on the day. Overall, temperaments and general proportions were excellent across the majority - remaining squarely built which helps to maintain the characteristic topline. The thickness of skin and coat texture was also excellent on the whole but I did have to clean my hands a couple of times during judging! In terms of points to consider going forward, I would like to mention feet, pasterns and hocks as areas I felt could be better. The importance of a correct pastern, foot and hock should never be underestimated. The foot is the first part of the body to hit the ground with the pastern absorbing the initial impact. This is particularly important for a dog bred to work over variable and undulating terrain as well as in the water. The hindquarters are the driving force of any dog, firm hock joints help to stabilise the entire rear assembly and absorb impact at all speeds. As a working gundog, these are fundamentals which will assist in creating a sustainable hunting companion.

VETERAN DOG (4,2)

Sh Ch. Bessalone Peaky Blinders. One I’ve done well previously and still like him very much. Scores heavily for overall balance and shape. His head is long, deep with desired leanness and divergence. His neck blends seamlessly into a well made forehand with decent width of chest, would prefer better feet. Excellent maturity through the body with such a breed-typical topline. Symmetrical rear angulation with breadth over the pelvis. On the move he demonstrates that characteristic free-moving action while holding his shape. Excellent coat texture and thick skin. Still presented in top notch condition, RBD & RBVIS.

Piccolonoce Monty Bojangles. An honest male, a little more compact in body compared to 1. His head is built on shorter planes but liked his expression very much with a big spongy nose. Balanced angulation fore/aft with maturity through his body and the desired over and underlines. Thick skinned and very sound on the move. Preferred the angulation of 1.

PUPPY DOG (4,0)

Stowledge Sergio of Blymara. This brown roan took my eye from the moment he entered the ring for his breed-typical shape and excellent bone. Most definitely squarely built body proportions. His head already shows good depth, length with correct divergence. His expression is so gentle with a big spongy nose. Correct angulation both fore/aft with good body development for age, excellent length of leg and round feet. Topline and underline are both breed-typical with wide quarters and firm hocks. Moves with a very rhythmic action and is sound going and coming. Excellent thickness of skin, very good coat texture for age with an excellent shade of brown! Continued to impress, particularly on the move, in the challenge to take BD, RBIS & BPIS. Will watch his career with interest!

Stowledge Stephano. Another very typical orange/white who is litter brother to 1. Many of the same comments apply in terms of body properties and type but just felt he was not as forward in head as his brother and his coat texture was not quite harsh enough. Impressed on the move being very collected and carried himself with a bit of style.

Afterglow Bullseye.

JUNIOR DOG (3,1)

Lucoru Fire And Ice for Dewdhala. Another brown roan of very nice type and overall balance, I feel he still has more to come. Masculine head with excellent depth and desired leanness through the skull, captivating expression with a big nose. Correct length of neck into a well-made forehand. At the moment, I’d just prefer him to have a bit more fill in front. His limbs are strongly boned with decent feet and pasterns. Good length of leg and squarely built body proportions. Displays good maturity through his body for a teenager and well-developed underline. Shows width over his correctly shaped croup with symmetrical rear angulation. Liked his coat texture and thickness of skin very much, would not want his shade of brown to be any darker. Covered the ground well from all angles in a very breed-typical fashion. 

Stowledge Stephano.

YEARLING DOG (1,0)

Piacente Uomo Saggio. A very honest dog in his overall make and shape with lots of admirable breed-typical qualities. His head is built on shorter planes but shows some divergence and leanness. Good flow of neck into forehand, liked his length of leg. Ok for bone but would prefer better feet and pasterns. Correct topline and underline, good ribbing with short loin. Moderate rear assembly with some width over the quarters. Goes with pace in an economical fashion on the move. Lovely thick skin, coat texture is OK. Handler gets the best from him. 

POST GRADUATE DOG (1,0)

Stowledge Soul Of Blymara. Another typy brown roan with lots to like. Really admired his robustness and squarely built frame. His head is masculine which shows length and divergence but would prefer more stop and a slightly deeper muzzle. Pleasing eye shape and colour. Liked his forehand construction with strongly boned limbs and decent feet. Well sprung ribs, correct topline and underline with well constructed rear assembly. Excellent coat and thick skin. Moves with purpose and retains his shape at all times. 

LIMIT DOG (3,1)

Testaverde Pilfer ‘N’ Purloin. This orange roan was a shade longer cast than ideal but appreciated his overall balance of angulation. Excellent substance and bone. Head is built on shorter planes but displays a typical expression, big spongy nose and some divergence. Moderate length of neck that flows into a well-made forehand. Well sprung ribs with plenty of leg, correct topline and underline. Wide over his quarters with correct tail set, symmetrical rear angulations and firm hocks. Moves soundly with fluidity and pace. Excellent coat and skin thickness. 

Diggmere Marys Chi Bloom. This white & orange is quite the contrast in style to 1 but with lots of appeal. Most definitely squarely built with excellent bone. Loved the length and leanness of his head while retaining depth and strength. Well angulated forehand with straight limbs, very good feet & pasterns. Liked his overall shapeliness of his top and under lines. Excellent spring of rib. Would prefer a longer croup and for him to be less proud with his tail. A sound mover from all angles. In excellent coat with thick skin and hard, muscular conditioning. 

OPEN DOG (2,0)

Sh Ch. Fiducia Cho Oyu at Miavita. White & orange, very much squarely built with excellent bone. For me, he has one of the best heads of the male entry today. I loved his expression with a deep skull, leanness throughout, a big spongy nose and excellent divergence. Correct length of neck that flows into well laid shoulders and corresponding upper arm, very typical feet. Excellent topline and unexaggerated rear assembly. He maintains his shape in profile on the move but would prefer him to be firmer behind. Excellent coat and skin. 

Stagerun Matteo. A very honest male in make & shape. Slightly longer cast than 1. His head is most definitely masculine with a kind expression and equal proportions of skull to muzzle, would prefer more divergence. Strong neck, balanced angulation fore/aft with good length of leg. In excellent coat and condition. Moves well in all directions and maintains his shape. 

SPECIAL WORKING DOG (2,1)

Sh Ch. Gradevole Strufolli. Presented in ultra-hard condition! I liked the overall proportions of this brown roan. Super head shape and expression. Moderate angulation both fore/aft. Decent topline with well-developed underline. Good bone and feet. A very sound mover from all angles, excellent coat texture. 

VETERAN BITCH (5,0) - A cracking class!

Sh Ch. Prottino Del Vera By Dewdhala. One I’ve done well previously who I think looks better than ever and now pleased to see she has her title. For me, she is ultra-typy and displays such impressive breed-typical balance. She has strong bone for her size and is presented in excellent coat with thick skin. Ultra-feminine head with the desired leanness in her skull, excellent divergence and a big spongy nose. Best balance of angulation in fore and hindquarters. Mature body with well sprung ribs. Correct length of leg, topline and still retains a decent underline for her age. On the move she demonstrates a typical pounding trot at a steady, unassuming pace while retaining her shape and using her tail in true ‘tick tock’ fashion. My pleasure to award her BB, BIS & BVIS today, congratulations!

Quebaikei Russian Blizzard. Another lovely one who was close up to 1 today in many respects but of a differing style. Liked her overall shape and balance on first impressions with excellent strength of bone. Beautiful head shape and actually preferred the length of her head to 1, showing excellent divergence, an almost human expression and desired leanness. Good flow of neck into shoulders with some width in front, her limbs are straight but would prefer better pasterns and feet. Super topline and ribbing with a clean underline. Symmetrical rear angulation with correct slope to croup. Coat texture excellent and thick skin. Covers the ground in such an economical fashion on the move, just preferred the movement of 1 going away. 

Stagerun Skylark

PUPPY BITCH (4,1)

Riccini Carmen. Such lovely overall breed type and proportions. Her head looks a little plain at the moment but she has plenty of time for this to develop further. She still possesses the correct shape in profile and an ultra-feminine expression. Strong neck into well-made forehand, strongly boned limbs and excellent round feet. Good flow through her topline with well sprung ribs for age. Croup is of good length, corresponding rear angulation and firm hocks. Good coat texture for age and skin thickness. Loved her attitude, carriage and coordination on the move for one so young. I think she has the potential to go all the way. RBPIS

Riccini Violette. Litter sister to 1 and sharing so many of her qualities. Just made from a slightly bigger mould but not compromising her femininity. Her head too is at a bit of an inbetween stage but shows leanness and a kind expression. Well-made throughout with symmetrical angles and good body development for age. Just preferred the firmness of 1 on the move. Decent coat and skin for age. 

Feriiia Neera.

JUNIOR BITCH (4,1)

Ilsolo Sniffed It Once. Immediately impresses for her excellent shape and proportions with strong bone. Such beautiful breed type! Her head is long, lean with correct shape to skull, excellent expression and depth through the muzzle. Strong neck that flows into an excellent forehand with well laid shoulders and corresponding upper arm. Straight limbs with excellent feet and some width to chest for age. Excellent spring of rib, unexaggerated top and underlines with width over her pelvis. Correct rear angulation and firm hocks. In excellent coat with a correct shade of brown and wrapped in thick skin. Goes with such a sound, breed-typical action on the move while maintaining her shape. Pushed very hard and was shortlisted in the bitch challenge for further consideration, her time will come I’m sure!

Benevelo Stella Splendente. Liked this brown for her square build. Head is correctly shaped in profile being long and showing divergence with kind eyes and a big nose. Well laid shoulders, good length of leg, excellent bone. Would prefer a touch more rear angulation. Presented in good coat with thick skin. Moves soundly and demonstrates a lovely tick-tock tail action. Just preferred the stifle of 1.

Affilato Play Cupid.

YEARLING BITCH (4,0)

Piacente Mocia at Miavita. Headed quite a mixed class today. Liked her unexaggerated make and shape, most definitely squarely built. Beautiful head, ultra-feminine with length, depth and desired leanness throughout topped with the most exquisite expression and big spongy nose. Moderate but balanced angulated fore/aft with decent top and underlines. Needs to settle on the move. In good coat and thick skin. 

Affilato Play Cupid. Expertly presented by her young charge! A bit longer than ideal but liked her balanced angulation very much. Her head is feminine and built on shorter planes than 1 but shows good divergence and a lovely expression. Needs to develop through her middle but she has plenty of time! Excellent angles fore/aft. Very sound mover with good coat and skin. 

Cartefyspin Oren Sunburst. 

POST GRADUATE BITCH (2,2)

LIMIT BITCH (8,2) - A lovely class of bitches here!

Stowledge Scilla at Incantevole JW. Rather taken by the unexaggerated and typy make and shape of this bitch. Squarely built, middle-sized but still possessing strong proportionate bone. Excellent head planes with length, depth and shape. Her expression melted me with correct eye colour and ear set. Strong neck that flows into well laid shoulders, correct width to front with very good feet and plenty of leg length. Excellent ribbing with correct topline and underline. Liked her shape over the croup with correct tail set. For me, I would prefer slightly more rear angulation to be critical but she puts what she has to good use on the move. She goes with an economical action and is as sound as a bell going/coming. Good coat texture and thick skin. Continued to impress in the bitch challenge but just preferred the overall balance of angulation of the Veteran, RBB. 

Quebaikei Heather ‘N’ Honey for Oaklaw. Not too dissimilar to 1 in overall size and shape, she is very curvaceous and squarely built with nothing overdone. Fabulous head in all departments with a beautiful expression and big spongy nose. Well-made forehand with strongly boned limbs, would prefer better feet. Loved the clean flow over her topline from withers to croup and correct underline. Very good rear angulation with strong thighs and firm hocks. Very sound and easy on the move from all angles with a good tail carriage. Excellent coat texture and thickness of skin. 

Connomar Ramacca with Bardantop. 

OPEN BITCH (4,0) - Another good class!

Quebaikei Accossato for Oaklaw. Very typy, correctly proportioned and robustly built bitch. Super head shape in profile, correct width through skull & muzzle with an excellent expression. Correct length of neck into decent shoulders and enough length of upper arm. Straight limbs with ok feet. Good spring of rib with deep brisket. Breed-typical top and under lines. Correct length, angle and width to croup. Unexaggerated rear angulation but would prefer her a touch firmer in hock. Covers the ground well in profile on the move while maintaining her shape. Very good coat texture and thick skin. 

Sh Ch. Dewdhala Sempre Agnese JWW24 JW. Judged this one at her first show, pleased to see she has fulfilled her early promise and obtained her title. Excellent type and overall shape. Her head is ultra-feminine of good proportions with desired leanness and big spongy nose. Excellent angulation both fore/aft with a correct topline and thick skin. Loved her width through her quarters and strength of bone. Sound mover going/coming but did not play ball at all on the go-round today which cost her. 

Sh Ch. Amberellie Rosanna ShCEx. 

SPECIAL WORKING BITCH (2,0)

Diggmere Cortona Sofia del Riccini. Very robustly made bitch who was presented in hard condition. Liked the length and leanness of her head but would prefer a bit more divergence. Good neck into an excellent shoulders, super bone and feet. Excellent spring of rib with defined topline and clean underline. A touch steep over the croup for me with symmetrical rear angulations. Sound mover from all angles. Excellent coat & skin. 

Scondinzolare Paola del Feriiia. Longer cast than 1 but with lots to like. Preferred her overall head shape to 1 with excellent expression. Very honest in her construction all through, would just prefer a bit more width throughout when viewed from above. Goes with a typical fashion on the move and covers the ground well. Correct coat texture and thick skin with excellent muscling. 

JUNIOR HANDLING - An excellent trio of young handlers who I would encourage to keep at it, well done!

6-11 YRS (2,0)

Ruby Haslett-Evans, very good presentation overall and was able to stand their dog in a breed-specific manner. Ruby displayed a kind and encouraging attitude towards her charge to get the best out of them and moved them at the correct pace using all of the ring - great job Ruby!

Olive Haslett-Evans, another excellent performance Olive. She demonstrated such kindness and patience with her exhibit who was a little reluctant to play ball at times. Olive presented her dog in a natural, breed-typical way and maintained good control all times. On the move, you just needed to be a little quicker to show off your charge’s movement fully. Well done Olive, patience will take you far working with dogs!

12-16 YRS (1,0)

Nevaeh Dutton, such a polished performance from start to finish. Quick set-up in a breed-typical fashion. Showed the teeth well and was aware of my positioning at all times. Nevaeh moved her charge at the correct pace and made full use of the ring. A very professional yet grounded individual, well done! BJH

Judge: James Newton (Patamoke)