Kent County Canine Association

Judge – Lucy Barnes (Izlou)

KENT COUNTY CANINE ASSOCIATION OPEN SHOW

Sunday 16th August

It was a truly special and deeply humbling honour to judge Best in Show at Kent County Canine Association Open Show on Sunday 16th August. Kent County holds a very special place in my heart, as it was the very first show I attended some 23 years ago, when I began my showing journey with my own homebred Tibetan Terrier. Little did I know back then how much this wonderful hobby would become such an important part of my life, bringing so many treasured memories, friendships and experiences along the way. To return all these years later as Best in Show judge, at a local venue that means so much to me, was a moment I will genuinely treasure.

Having been involved in showing for 23 years and judging for around 15 years, I have put so much time, dedication and love into developing my knowledge and experience. To be entrusted with such a special appointment was incredibly humbling, and I was truly overwhelmed by the quality of the dogs presented under me throughout the day. Every line-up was a pleasure to judge, and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to assess such outstanding exhibits.

My heartfelt thanks go to the committee for their kindness and for giving me this wonderful opportunity. I am sincerely grateful for the invitation and the warm welcome I received. Finally, a very special thank you to my stewards, who were absolutely fantastic throughout the day. Their support, hard work and encouragement helped make the whole experience such a memorable one.

Kent County will always hold a special place in my heart, and this is an appointment I will look back on with immense pride, gratitude and affection.

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A.V.N.S.C. UTILITY

Class 111 – Limit

1st – 205 Charids Queen of Hearts JW — Chow Chow

A lovely Chow bitch of great appeal, very sweet in temperament and feminine in outlook. She has a beautiful front, good eyes and ears, and was presented in fabulous coat and condition. Moved with typical Chow gait, maintaining her appeal on the move. A bitch I absolutely loved.

2nd – 206 Black Matrix di Poggio Petroio to SealAndair (Imp Ita) — Shiba Inu

A beautiful black dog, slightly distracted on the day. He is well put together, with good bone and a head I particularly admired. Unfortunately, he was not quite himself today, which made it difficult for him to show himself to his full potential. Nevertheless, a dog with much to admire.

Class 112 – Open

1st – 202 Jodak’s Party All Night with Barnlou — Lhasa Apso

What can I say about this beautiful, stunning bitch? A real showgirl who absolutely oozes quality. Her expression is simply melting, and she is beautifully trained, gliding around the ring with effortless movement. She was presented in superb condition, with fabulous muscle tone, holding her topline perfectly on the move. She has a beautiful front, powerful hindquarters and a correctly carried tail. There was nothing I disliked about her; she was an absolute pleasure to judge and my clear choice for Best in Show.

2nd – 207 Toshiro Mifune Subarashii to SealAndair (Imp Pol) — Shiba Inu

Another quality Shiba Inu, well made and nicely constructed, with much to admire. I would have liked to see him a little more animated, as he appeared somewhat lacklustre on the day. Nevertheless, he is a well-put-together dog, and I am sure that on another day, he could show himself in a very different light.

Best A.V.N.S.C. Utility: 202 Jodak’s Party All Night with Barnlou

Reserve Best A.V.N.S.C. Utility: 205 Charids Queen of Hearts JW

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TIBETAN TERRIER

Class 142 – Puppy

1st – 250 Thembekile Lucky in Love

This gorgeous six-month-old black and white baby was very much my type. So sweet, with so much to like. She has good feet, a lovely chin and beautiful dark eyes, with a correct bite. Her coat is developing nicely for her age, and she carries herself with real presence. I loved everything about her and was delighted to award her first place.

2nd – 243 Fidelethchan Black Betty for Devashuni

Another quality baby, nine months old, with a lovely, sweet temperament. She is a little more mature in outline than the winner, but still has plenty of promise. I would like to see her develop a little more hindquarter angulation and gain confidence in the ring as she matures. She has many lovely qualities and I look forward to seeing her progress.

Class 143 – Junior

1st – 246 Waterley Sweet Inspiration

A quality young bitch whom I have judged previously and who is maturing very well. She is a particularly attractive girl, with a pleasing outline and excellent breed type. I was especially pleased to see an improvement in her movement since I last judged her, showing greater composure and stability on the move. She has excellent pigmentation, good feet and is well balanced in size and proportions. Her coat is developing very well. A bitch very much to my preference, with considerable promise for the future.

2nd – 249 Thembekile Dreamlover

A six-month-old black and white dog, beautifully constructed with much to admire. He was somewhat overwhelmed by the atmosphere today, which made it difficult to fully assess his qualities in the ring. Nevertheless, he is a lovely puppy with considerable promise, and I look forward to watching his development as he matures.

Class 144 – Limit

1st – 244 Waterley Easy on the Eye JW

A beautiful black and white bitch, superbly presented, with a very pretty head and expression. She has a good quality coat, a pleasing square outline, nicely set, low hocks and a well-carried tail. Although a little more substantial than my personal preference, she is nevertheless a stunning bitch with much to admire.

Class 145 – Open

1st – 247 Waterley Match Maker for Incalux

Stunning, stunning, stunning! This bitch ticks so many boxes for me. She is beautifully constructed and comes alive on the move, displaying the type and quality I so admire in the breed. She has an excellent shoulder, correct angulation and moves with purpose and drive. Presented in immaculate coat and condition, she was a pleasure to judge and a very worthy winner of the class.

Best of Breed: 247 Waterley Match Maker for Incalux

Reserve Best of Breed: 246 Waterley Sweet Inspiration

Best Puppy: 250 Thembekile Lucky in Love

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A.V. UTILITY VETERAN

Class 146 – Veteran

1st – 201 Ch Schipdale A Kind of Magic ShCEx

A very worthy champion, combining elegance and power in a small, compact, cobby body. He is a lovely type, moving soundly and effortlessly, with a beautiful, keen expression and good feet. A fabulous lad who has clearly earned his title, and a pleasure to judge.

2nd – 241 Ch Middletune Flame of Gold

Unlucky to meet the winner today, but a beautiful champion in his own right. He has a delightful, sweet expression and really comes alive on the move, displaying an impressive combination of soundness and presence. Presented in excellent condition, he belies his age and retains all the qualities of a distinguished champion. A lovely veteran who was a pleasure to judge.

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STAKES CLASSES

Class 194 – A.V. Minor Puppy Dog Stakes

1st – 157 Arcticskies Woo Woo — Siberian Husky

A fabulous seven-month-old Siberian Husky dog, with good feet and a beautiful head. He moved out with purpose and drive, displaying the strength and stamina one would expect of a dog capable of working all day. He has nicely set, low hocks and a correctly carried tail. A very promising young male with much to admire.

2nd – 261 Jackspaws Look of Love — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A delightful nine-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog, a sweet lad with a happy temperament and a lovely personality. He was a pleasure to meet and brought a real sense of joy to the ring. A charming young dog with much to enjoy.

Class 195 – A.V. Minor Puppy Bitch Stakes

1st – 242 Middletune Ribbons of Fire — Shih Tzu

A very sweet Shih Tzu puppy, beautifully constructed and so pretty. She moved with real style and elegance, showing herself to great advantage. She has a lovely presence and is a very promising youngster. Certainly one to watch as she matures.

2nd – 58 Sharnphilly She's a Cracker with Roydack — Weimaraner

A lovely young Weimaraner bitch, still very much a youngster but moving well for her age. She has a fabulous topline and excellent feet. A promising young bitch who should continue to develop well with maturity.

Class 196 – A.V. Puppy Dog Stakes

1st – 42 Osterfen Izumi with Oxana — Whippet

A very nice young Whippet, presenting a balanced outline typical of the breed. He was in superb condition, with excellent bone for his age. A promising youngster with much to admire.

2nd – 233 Ethelsmead Friendly Ghost - Shih Tzu

A sweet boy, full of personality and just a little cheeky! He has an abundance of character and, once he settled, moved out well. A charming youngster who certainly made his presence felt in the ring.

Class 197 – A.V. Puppy Bitch Stakes

1st – 143 Zefather’s Pretty Woman to Jasnettdanes — Great Dane

A very impressive and regal Great Dane, absolutely stunning in appearance. She has a beautiful mask and good feet, and moved exceptionally well, covering the ground with ease. A striking exhibit with real presence and quality.

2nd – 226 Aftershine Penny Drops at Einara — Shetland Sheepdog

A lovely Shetland Sheepdog bitch, well constructed with a beautiful, melting expression. She has much to admire and presents a very pleasing overall picture, with the qualities I look for in the breed. A delightful young bitch with real appeal.

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BEST IN SHOW AND SPECIAL AWARDS

Best in Show

202 Jodak’s Party All Night with Barnlou — Lhasa Apso

What can I say about this beautiful, stunning bitch? A real showgirl who absolutely oozes quality. Her expression is simply melting, and she is beautifully trained, gliding around the ring with effortless movement. She was presented in superb condition, with fabulous muscle tone, holding her topline perfectly on the move. She has a beautiful front, powerful hindquarters and a correctly carried tail. There was nothing I disliked about her; she was an absolute pleasure to judge and my clear choice for Best in Show.

Reserve Best in Show

140 Bonmac Little Star JW — Boxer

A superb and stunning Boxer bitch, presented to absolute perfection. Her muscle tone is phenomenal, and she moved out with tremendous power and drive, displaying strength and athleticism without any exaggeration. A beautifully balanced exhibit who impressed me greatly and was a very worthy Reserve Best in Show.

Best Puppy in Show

158 Seaqualina Pina Colada — Siberian Husky

Wow! What a puppy. An absolutely beautiful young bitch, presented in fabulous condition. I was fortunate to have such phenomenal dogs in all my line-ups, but she truly stood out. She has the sweetest temperament and the most beautiful, feminine, melting expression. She moved with effortless ease, gliding around the ring with grace and freedom. A very special puppy who thoroughly deserved her title of Best Puppy in Show.

Reserve Best Puppy in Show

250 Thembekile Lucky in Love — Tibetan Terrier

Please refer to her Tibetan Terrier Puppy class critique below.

Best Veteran in Show

201 Ch Schipdale A Kind of Magic ShCEx

A very worthy champion, combining elegance and power in a small, compact, cobby body. He is a lovely type, moving soundly and effortlessly, with a beautiful, keen expression and good feet. A fabulous lad who has clearly earned his title, and a pleasure to judge.

Reserve Best Veteran in Show

267 Michadaine Crazy for You ShCM VW ShCEx — Chinese Crested Powderpuff

He defies his age! A beautiful Chinese Crested Powderpuff, presented in the most wonderful condition. He moved out exceptionally well, displaying soundness and freedom of movement. Full of confidence, he absolutely oozes ring presence and showmanship. His bond with his owner was a joy to witness; he clearly adores them, and the connection between them was unmistakable. A truly special veteran who demonstrates that age is no barrier to quality, condition or charisma. A very worthy Reserve Best Veteran in Show.

Reserve Best of Breed in Show

246 Waterley Sweet Inspiration — Tibetan Terrier

Reserve Best of Breed in Show (Res RBOBIS)

282 Divinity’s Angel Kiss at Altina — Pomeranian

What a beautiful, beautiful bitch. A perfect little ball of Pomeranian, with the sweetest expression. She moved out really well, displaying a typical Pomeranian outline. So much to love about this lovely girl. A very worthy Reserve Best of Breed in Show.