Chepstow & District Canine Society

Chepstow and District Open Show 13 June 2026.

Utility Breeds

Judge Lydia Mellor (Lyzahro)

I would firstly like to extend a thank you to the hard working ladies on the Chepstow committee, firstly for inviting me to judge the Utility Breeds, but also for the exceptionally warm welcome, fantastic atmosphere and the smooth running of the show in such hot weather. 

Bulldog Junior

1st Burt’s Onabazz Papa John Ianbeldere

A 14 month old pied male with a broad, square skull, deep short muzzle, and dark round eyes set wide apart. A strong moderate neck running into sloping shoulders, well rounded ribs and strong, straight legs. His spine rises up to show the characteristic arch over the loin. He has a super temperament, was very affectionate and full of himself. BOB. 

Chow Chow Graduate

1st Green’s Southern Skies Shame On The Moon Among Jamarhys

12 month old red, typically aloof and with a classic leonine appearance. Flat skull, with a broad muzzle. Dark oval eyes, full of intelligence and alertness and the correct blue/black tongue in a darkly pigmented mouth. He carries himself proudly, and has a deep chest with well sprung ribs for his age. Already he has a well developed first and second thigh and he uses these to advantage on the move, taking short strides and with a freedom of movement. BOB. 

2nd Green’s Jamarhys Odette.

18 month blue bitch. She was raw compared to her more put together kennel mate, but maintained the breed specific aloofness. She is finer all through than 1st but manages to combine a broad skull with the correct ear placement and size, dark pigment and broad muzzle with femininity. She wasn't as positive on the move as her kennel mate today, but still has that distinctive short stride. 

Chow Chow Open

1st Martin’s Jamarhys Neptune at Foillan

3 year old blue bitch who oozes breed type. She is leonine without losing any femininity or grace. She has a scowling expression, enhanced by her correctly placed and shaped ears on a broad skull with a blunt muzzle. She has good strong bone throughout, straight forelegs, a deep chest and a level topline. She was supremely unlucky to come across the Graduate winner who just edged her out for BOB on overall presentation. RBOB. 

Dalmatian Graduate

1st Richard’s Hafwenna Defying Gravity.

10 month old black spotted bitch. This youngster stroller into the ring like she was born to it. Her outline was clean and balanced, she exudes breed type and elegance on the move. She shows complete freedom of movement, with a gait that could trot behind a carriage all day. She is moderate all over, well laid shoulders, straight forelegs with fantastic bone. Her chest is magnificent for one so young, and her muscling is superb. There was nothing out there to touch her today. BOB and BPIB.

2. Carrington’s Caprilli Remember Me for Ladallyvita

12m black spotted bitch, just out of puppy. Finer all through than 1, with a lovely expression. Spots not as well defined as on 1, but had good pigment with intelligent dark eyes. She carries her tail well, but didn't hold her topline on the move. Again, a moderate bitch throughout, matching angles front and back, and has a well developed second thigh.

Dalmatian Open

1st Richard’s Hafwenna Hey Jude.

4 year old liver spotted bitch. Another quality bitch from this kennel, who is elegance personified, when she's not being a happy go lucky lunatic, and she showed both sides of her personality today. Her shoulder placement and chest are to die for, and she excels on the move with a light, easy driving action. Another I have no doubt could do her job with ease. She holds her topline in profile and on the move and is beautifully muscled, while remaining feminine. 

Very close call between her and the puppy today, however the youngster simply outmoved her kennelmate. Happy to award this lovely girl RBOB.

2nd Thomas’ Millbelle Lewiston at Philcarthom

2 year old black spotted male. Up to size, but not coarse in any way. He has a moderately broad skull with a powerful muzzle. Correct pigment and correct shape, colour and placement of eyes. Lovely lay of shoulder and a good chest, level topline with correct tail set. Well set tail and moves with drive. Close call between 1 and 2, but the front of 1 sold her to me to take the class.

German Spitz Mittel

1st Moon’s Spellcast Friendship Bond with Hollirox

A very happy black and white puppy bitch. Darkly pigmented eyes and nose, Wedge shaped head with small erect ears. Moderate throughout, level topline and a high set tail. Lovely double coat. Effortless on the move and a wicked expression. BPIB, RBOB.

2nd Hewitt’s Spellcast I've Got The Look

13 month tan male who was rather more interested in the ladies than in doing his day job. Delightful temperament. He used his triangular ears to advantage. Wedge shaped head with a mischievous expression in his eye. He moves well when he wants to, holding his topline well. No lack of substance, but I preferred the profile of 1. 

German Spitz Mittel Open

1st Williams’ Christmas Dulais Moonlight Over Paris at Trebettyn JW, VW

Well this 9.5 year old bitch just owns the room. My notes literally state there's nothing to say. She exemplifies breed type, even if she did decide to come in her underwear today, leaving most of her coat at home. This was not to her detriment, as it just shows her well balanced construction. She exudes breed type, is moderate throughout and moves like a dream. She is feminine without being overly delicate and has good bone. An easy BOB. 

Kooikerhondje Open

1st. Jones’ Gladsheim Savanna at Maplecoombe.

This 5 year old bitch was in good coat with lovely feathering on her ears and tail. She had the flowing gait so typical of this breed, however she was not happy on the day, so I wasn't able to get my hands on her properly. Her movement indicates good construction however. She appeared to settle in the group which was pleasing to see. BOB.

Miniature Schnauzer Graduate

1st Dean’s Amorevita Diamonds In Sky

A delightful 10 month old black bitch with lots of promise. She has a sweet expression, dark oval eyes, and remains feminine. She could have used her ears more today to enhance that schnauzer expression. She was square and short in body, carried herself well. Slightly sloping topline, correct tail set and carriage. Moderate angles and lovely on the move. BPIB

2nd Weeks’ Eronel Coffee Bean

Such a happy boy and a partnership I love to watch in the ring as they clearly adore each other. He is a touch larger, but is beautifully in proportion. He has moderate angles front and rear, and moves well, as he is well muscled at the rear. He is short in loin, almost square in presentation and has a good tailset. He is so well presented, his jacket is harsh and smart. Dark almond eyes with a very alert expression. 

Miniature Schnauzer Open

1st Butler’s Penbro Replica for Devorasjoy JW. 

A bitch I've judged before and she just gets better and better. She screams breed type and is exactly what you would expect from the kennel that produced her. She is cobby, smart and so well put together. She has a moderately broad skull leading to a blunt muzzle. Dark, oval eyes and neat V shaped ears. She has well laid shoulders, with elbows tucked close to the brisket. She's well ribbed with a good forechest. She is well muscled and in gorgeous condition, with an excellent jacket and furnishings. She outshone the rest for BOB and I was delighted to see her take the top spot in the Utility group later on.

2nd Moorcroft’s Amorevita Uranus

Another I've had the pleasure of having hands on before and he remains one of the nicest black males I've seen. He is completely in proportion, a lovely, strong, masculine head with a blunt muzzle. Good chest, flat shoulders and is short in loin. He holds his sloped topline well in profile and on the move. As always, immaculately presented and in a crisp harsh jacket.

Poodle (Toy)

1st Grindey and Dyer's Malricey Mr Meana

This little black puppy was a dream to watch. He oozed type and quality, and was immaculately presented. He was all in proportion, with a strong chiselled face, gorgeous, intelligent almond eyes, full of that poodle spirit. For his age, his chest was deep enough, with a short back. He has well bent stifled and let down Hicks. He moves with drive and is so light on his feet. BPIB and BOB.

2nd Moegan’s Jusbars Never Too Much

18 month male, who can only be described as a loon on legs. His movement was light and happy, when he kept all four feet on the floor. Another nicely built male, short backed, well muscled but bigger all over than 1st. His chest is deep enough and he has well laid shoulders. He was the only poodle on the day who didn't give me side eye and judge my life choices. 

Poodle (Standard) Junior.

1st Mcloughlin’s Zantescwtch Pinball Wizard.

Black 7 months male who is full of promise. He was elegant, yet masculine, with a strong chiselled foreface, with a fine, long skull. He has almond eyes, dark and intelligent. Low set ears hanging close to his face. He has a strong neck, leading to well laid shoulders and straight legs. He moved with purpose but lightly, with tremendous drive from the rear. A well deserved BPIB, and I was delighted to see him go UPG1 and RBPIS on Day 1.

2nd Jenkins’ Chirae’s Edviy Winter Storm

10m old red male. Bigger than 1, but still in proportion and moved well enough around the ring. He had good bone, masculine features and was moderate throughout. He was not as well developed in the thigh as 1, and was straighter at the shoulder, which showed in his movement. He is in good coat, and has attitude in spades.

Poodle (Standard) Open

1st Mcloughlin's Graydorchard Chilli Bean with Zantescwtch

This rising 2 year old commanded attention with one condescending look in my direction, and did not disappoint when gone over. Another who balances poodle elegance with masculinity, good muscling and a classic, chiselled face. He has strong, straight legs, a deep chest with well laid shoulders and a short back. He exudes power and grace, and moves like he means it. BOB.

2nd Spry’s Polaris Shining Bright De I’etiole magique Celmareva.

This 7 year old white bitch pushed hard in this class. Another that demanded a second look with her grace and elegance. Her looks and movement belie her age, she floats on the move. She is so well put together, with well laid shoulders, a strong neck and a proud, elegant head. She is feminine throughout, but retains good bone. Well let down hocks and well developed thighs. She is an absolute credit to her owner, she was in glorious condition. This was an extremely tough call, but 1 just couldn't be overlooked.

Shih Tzu Graduate 

1st Gee’s J’adoremy Lion of Juda

The breed standard calls for a friendly temperament, and this 11 month male had it in buckets. He has a broad, wide head, with a wide, square muzzle, giving that breed typical chrysanthemum effect. He had large ears set slightly below the crown of his head 

He was not thrilled about staying still to be gone over, preferring cuddles to standing still, but redeemed himself on the move, where he was smooth flowing. He had an expression to die for, and was so happy go lucky that I almost gave him BOB just to see him enjoy himself some more!

Shih Tzu Open

1st Gee’s J’adoremy Spirit Lead Me.

11m bitch, littermate to the Graduate winner and shares many of the same qualities of her brother. One important difference, she appears to have connected the family braincell.

Breed typical crysthanthmum type head, tip tilted nose with dark, round eyes. Slightly undershot as is desirable, well laid shoulders, with the promise of a broad chest to come. Longer than tall, with short legs. She moved well, showing her rear pads with good drive. BOB over her brother because she got the memo about standing still. It was a close call, they are a lovely pair. BP.