Annandale Canine Society

Working Group & Breeds
Annandale Canine Society Open Show
Sunday 12th July 2026
Judge: Louise Forster (Kachemak)

My thanks go to the wonderful committee of Annandale Canine Society who put on a great show with such a fun atmosphere. Thanks also to my stewarding team, Joanne, Laura and Ian. Thank you to all the exhibitors who entered. Having several other high profile shows on the same weekend, entries were modest and on a very hot day, attendance suffered with a significant number of absentees. Nonetheless, I had some lovely exhibits to judge. The dog’s (and exhibitor’s) welfare was uppermost in my mind, and I can totally understand those exhibitors who chose to stay at home. I was mindful of not moving the dogs as much as I would usually do and not having them stand around in the sun for too long.  

Boxer
Graduate (3/2 Abs)
1st Thomson, Thomson, Thomson & Spencer’s Ashronsha Love Is In The Air At Latchkey – very appealing dark brindle youngster who presented a lovely balanced outline, square, with pleasing leg length, body ratios and stood on neat deeply padded feet. She has a pretty head of correct proportions with a well arched skull, correct stop and a typical Boxer expression. She has clean lines though her neck and shoulders into strong slightly sloping back, presented in tip top condition and impressing me with her togetherness on the move. Best Puppy, Best Of Breed, Puppy Group 1 & Group 2.

Postgraduate (1/0)
1st Thomson’s Marbelton I Dare You For Bugarivo – 2 year old red boy who is put together well and projects a workmanlike strength with his square outline, solid neck, correct angulation, deep chest and ample bone. He is well muscled throughout and is a powerful mover. I just preferred the cleaner outline and headpiece of the young bitch.

Open (2/1 Abs)
1st Thomson’s Arkeney Desperado Von Bugarivo (AI) – mature 3 year old dark brindle lad with an OK head, balanced angles at both ends and well boned straight front legs. He could do with a bit more forechest and tighter feet but he is square in profile, has a straight slightly sloping back, short loin and slightly sloping croup.  

Great Dane
Postgraduate (2/0)
1st Nayar’s Roucandane Gap Year For Kemanilo – exquisitely feminine young bitch of just 12 months with a beautiful head. She held herself with great dignity and strength and moved with an elegant and free ground covering action. She has pleasing balance in profile with a strong, clean well-muscled neck of the correct length, straight back and deep chest. She has everything there and where it needs to be at this tender age and I’m sure she has a bright future.
2nd Booth’s Roucandane The Graduate – litter brother to 1 and showing some similar qualities although he was much more substantial in bone and feet than his sister. He is less refined throughout and a little looser in the body which affected his topline and movement. Maturity and conditioning should work in his favour. 

Open (3/1 Abs)
1st Martin’s Keishant Venus – I was delighted to see this bitch again having judged her a couple of times before. Now 6 years old and reminding me why I have previously given her top honours. She is refined and feminine with a most noble head, clean well-muscled neck, strong level back and slightly sloping croup. She has a deep well-developed chest, sloping shoulders and stands well over her well boned front legs. She moves with such elegance and freedom, covering ground easily. Best Of Breed. It was a shame that she was unable to stay for the group judging.
2nd Martin’s Keishant Zeus – Litter brother to 1 and one that I have also judged before. Despite always playing second fiddle to his sister, he does possess some fine qualities and matches her in many features but he isn’t quite as elegant and today he couldn’t quite match her togetherness on the out and back movement.

Rottweiler
Graduate (1/0)
1st Deas’ Bugarivo Vhalla – strong looking 17 month old bitch of good size and proportions, clean head, dark eyes and broad, deep muzzle. She has a pleasing balance with matching angulation at both ends, good forechest, chest reaching her elbows and good bone. She is a little long in the loin which meant that her level back lost some of it’s firmness on the move. Best Of Breed

Open (1/0)
1st Deas’ Perla Legend Of Knez (IMP SRB) – well built 9 year old bitch who projected a sense of great power. She scores in the head with dark eyes and pleasing skull/muzzle proportions. She has a deep chest and is well put together in the front, however she is rather over angulated in the rear which also creates a sloping topline and affected her movement.

Russian Black Terrier
Postgraduate (1/0)
1st O’Donnell’s Kalaslane Irish Eyes At Neukiebear (IKC) – very appealing young bitch, with a most attractive head, just a few days shy of her 1st birthday. She is square in outline with a good neck, correct withers and a strong level back. She has very good depth of chest and ribbing, good bone and ample forechest. She is very together on the move, using her excellent rear angulation and strong hocks to drive her forwards with little wasted effort. She was shown in lovely condition. Best Puppy & Puppy Group 2

Open (1/0)
1st O’Donnell’s Ir Ch Kalaslane Revenge For Neukiebear (IKC) SHCEX VW – presenting a beautifully balanced and clean outline, this 8 year old bitch is quality through and through. She has a strong yet feminine head, powerful neck, correct withers and a firm level back which is solid on the move. She has a lovely front assembly with good shoulder lay back and straight well boned legs when viewed from the front. She has a deep chest, correct underline, short strong loin and tail set high on the croup. She presented a picture of power on the move with a ground covering action and on the down and back she was clean and accurate with her foot placement. Best Of Breed, Group 1 & I was delighted to see that she was awarded a well-deserved Reserve Best In Show & Reserve Best Veteran In Show.

St Bernard
Postgraduate (3/2 Abs)
1st Leitch’s Saranbeck Spirit Of Cheyene (AI) – 19 month old smooth coated lad who is maturing well and already has a lot going for him. He could do with bodying up a little but I’m sure this will develop with maturity. He is strong in the head which has a broad skull, a short, deep, square muzzle, and a kindly expression. He has a well developed neck, good shoulder placement, and well boned, straight legs of good length. He moved soundly, with a steady rhythm, holding his topline strong and level. Best Of Breed & Group 3

Open (2/1 Abs)
1st Leitch’s Dawstenbears Style Icon – handsome rough coated 3 year old lad who has a lovely head, strong neck and excellent front assembly with fabulous bone and feet. He was presented in beautiful coat and moved well but I preferred the rear angulation and therefore the balance on the younger dog.

Tibetan Mastiff
Postgraduate (3/0)
1st Nicoll’s Princess Kate Fortunately Tibet NAF - very close between 1st & 2nd but this girl just pipped it on movement today. It could go the other way on another day. She has a sweet expression, correct stop and good strength to her muzzle. She has a good length of neck, good shoulders and well boned straight legs, standing on feet of good size, shape and depth. She has a good depth of chest and a firm level back. I would have preferred a touch more turn of stifle, but she was handled well and today she deserved to be Best Puppy, Best Of Breed, Puppy Group 3
2nd Kennedy’s Bongo Spod Ruzsutca (IMP SVK) – this young lad has a lot to like, with excellent bone and decent feet, good front assembly, strong level back and good rear angulation and turn of stifle. He had a tendency to stand a little 10 to 2 at the front which he may well grow out of as his chest fills out. I’ll be interested to see how he matures.
3rd Drinkwater’s On Nanuk Radocynka

Open (3/1 Abs)
1st Nicoll’s Bobby Digital – 3 year old male of good substance. He has a square muzzle, broad skull with defined stop and occiput. He has a good front assembly with well laid shoulders, pleasing return of upper arm and well boned straight legs with strong pasterns. His back is straight and firm which remained so on the move. 
2nd Bailey’s Callowdale Dixie Rockin It At Sagrael – very feminine bitch, also 3 years old and beautifully turned out. She has a good front with well laid shoulders and plenty of forechest. She has a deep brisket and is well ribbed. She has well boned legs although is a little down in the pasterns. She made a very pleasing and balanced outline when stood.  

Working Group
1st Russian Black Terrier
2nd Boxer
3rd St Bernard
4th Alaskan Malamute – Bogle & Horsfield’s Whitewalker Kings Landing At Valknut – impressive 8 year old who I have judged before. Not especially enjoying the heat but still giving a good account of himself.  

Working Puppy Group
1st Boxer
2nd Russian Black Terrier
3rd Tibetan Mastiff

AV Working Veteran (3/2 Abs)
1st O’Donnell’s Ir Ch Kalaslane Revenge For Neukiebear (IKC) SHCEX VW – as above.