DOG CRITIQUE - ROZ HOLLAND (ELMANASH)
Many thanks to the committee of the N.W.A for their kind invitation to judge their championship
show, hospitality throughout the day, and lovely gift. My appreciation also to my stewards Judy
Manley and Carol Hawker, for keeping the ring running smoothly.
My main concerns were over pronounced keels and a number of exhibits who looked very promising
until they moved away and were clearly close behind – indeed I knew that some of these individuals
would display this fault before they left the judging table due to the weakness apparent on
inspection. Overall however I found many very pleasing examples of the breed, and sincerely thank
all exhibitors present for the opportunity to assess their dogs.
VD ( 9. Ab 3)
1 st Whitehead Smith and Mixides CH. Citycroft Star Gazing over Yialousa. 7 year old well balanced red
fawn dog in lovely condition, moved well fore, aft, and in profile, head masculine but not coarse with
dark eye, good teeth, and nice ear placement, adequate length of neck into clean well laid shoulder,
well sprung ribs, and deep brisket with pleasing underline, good length of loin, broad second thigh
and correct hind angulation, low hocks, nice spring of pastern, and tight feet completed the picture.
2 nd . Russells Glantam Shooting Star Lovely quality solid fawn dog, also nice head with correct bite ,
neck swept into tidy shoulder placement, good depth of brisket, clean front, ample length of ribbing
into well defined loin, well angulated hind quarters, correct bone, tight feet, flowing profile
movement.
3 rd . Candler-Smiths CH. Maidenbower Make Believe.
MPD. (10 Ab 6)
1 st . Woods Ardencote What a Rogue. 8 month Fawn/white Parti puppy, lovely quality with classic
male head developing, nice ear set, strong underjaw, good pigment, excellent length of neck into
well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, correct bone, tight feet, deep enough for age, pleasing
topline, good length of ribbing and loin, super sweep of stifle into well set hocks, easy effortless
mover. Will be watching him closely.
2 nd . Morris and Waddells Crosscop Is This Love. 6 month solid brindle baby, very raw and more rangy
than the winner, but liked his front angulation, lay of shoulder and clean front, nice spring of pastern
and tight feet, plenty of length through the body, decent second thigh and low hocks.
3 rd . Ainscoughs Kidaruka Mother of Mercy.
PD. ( 9 Ab 1)
1 st . Winstones Lolani Moonshine Over Monelli. 9 month fawn/white parti dog, unexaggerated puppy
with nice balance, good head with strong underjaw, correct bite, nice ear set and dark eye, held
topline during his steady movement and true fore and aft. One of the better fronts in this class with
pleasing hind angulation. Low hocks and tight feet.
2 nd . McConkeys Barmoll Book of Dreams. 10 month red fawn, loved his quality, power, and curving
outline, masculine head with correct ear/eye and mouth, strong neck into clean shoulder, deep
brisket and well sprung ribs, well defined loin and broad second thigh with well let down hocks and
tight feet, correct size, pleasing profile.
3 rd . Hamblings Chaseover Marble Rolls On.
JD. ( 12 Ab 1)
1 st . Hawkers Jothryn Future Legend with Mollytop JW. 14 months. This lovely pale fawn/white parti
dog oozes quality and was a pleasure to go over, well balanced, correct size, very well put together
from his well laid front to his correctly angulated quarters, good in topline, underline and ribbing,
true fore and aft and flowing profile movement, just needs maturity to go to the top.
2 nd . Allansson Runesson and MacDonalds Jasarat Salted Caramel of Macalldon. 12 month fawn/white
parti unlucky to meet the winner, slightly stronger through but another that caught my eye
immediately he entered the ring, masculine head with excellent length of neck, clean shoulder, well
ribbed and adequate loin, powerful well constructed quarters which he used to drive along correctly,
promising youngster.
3 rd . Howgate and Hulls Palmik King of Clubs JW.
YD. ( 10. Ab 3)
1 st . Price’s Wheelspin Silver Shadow Among Silkdance JW. 20 month solid fawn. Overall
conformation, balance, and movement made this dog the clear winner here, masculine head, nice
length of neck into well laid shoulder, clean front, good ribbing and length of loin, broad second
thigh, low hocks, tight feet, handled to perfection.
2 nd . Russells Lawrence Von Anlunas to Arjuna. 18month parti with lovely head, eyes, ears, and
underjaw, nice quality dog with more to come, clean shoulders and front, adequate ribbing and loin,
deep brisket, correctly angulated hind quarters, nice spring of pastern, tight feet, moved positively.
3 rd . Kirtlands Jupiter Juno.
ND (11 Ab 4)
1 st Woods Ardencote What A Legend. Pale fawn/white parti litter brother to MPD winner, very much
the same stamp, although he is obviously very unfinished his elegance and flowing movement took
him to the top of this class and the same remarks apply.
2 nd . Winstones Lolani Moonshine Over Monelli.
3 rd . McConkey Barmoll Book of Dreams.
UGD ( 5 Ab 1)
1 st . Allansson Runesson and MacDonalds Jasarat Salted Caramel of Macalldon.
2 nd . Cuthberts Marvidara Be My Baby at Lunaire. Pale fawn/white parti , masculine head with good
ear set and underjaw, lovely length of neck into clean front with super underline, pleasing topline
which he held on the move, nice sweep of stifle, low hocks and tight feet.
3 rd . Kirtlands Celestial Comet.
SBD (9 Ab 3)
1 st . Leachs Dejare Dutch Finale for Meonrun. This fawn/white parti took my eye with his quality,
balance and correct effortless movement, classic male head set onto clean long neck, set into well
laid shoulder with good return of upper arm, deep in brisket with good underline, well ribbed with
well defined loin, broad second thigh, nice sweep of stifle, low hocks, tight feet.
2 nd . Allansson, Runesson and MacDonalds Jasarat Salted Caramel of Macalldon.
3 rd . Gowers Courtbirch Storm Warning.
PGD. ( 20 Ab 3)
1 st . Ellam and Robinsons Taward Jaguar Avec Clionys JW. Took this large class on his maturity and
consistent correct movement, true fore and aft, masculine head with dark eye, strong underjaw and
good earset, long neck into excellent front assembly, pleasing underline, well sprung ribs and nice
length of loin, broad second thigh, good hind angulation into well let down hocks, nice spring of
pastern.
2 nd . Leachs Dejare Dutch Finale for Meonrun.
3 rd . Andersons Gazenorth Secret Service.
MLD (12 ab 3)
1 st . Liptons Jothryn Shimmering Gold. Solid red brindle dog whose soundness and balance earned his
place, strong in head with dark eye, good ear carriage and powerful underjaw, decent length of neck
into well laid shoulder, clean front, good depth of brisket and length of ribbing and loin, well
angulated hind quarters with low hocks and tight feet, well sprung pastern.
2 nd . Topes Bryarose Theseus at Dewerstone. Quality mature solid brindle with flowing lines and no
exaggerations, looks capable of a days work yet refined enough to compete in the ring, doggy head
with tidy ears , neck falls smoothly into neat shoulders, clean front, deep brisket, well sprung ribs,
adequate loin and powerful hind quarters, smooth easy movement.
3 rd . Barkas Jimanica Just Dreaming.
LD (16 Ab 2)
1 st . Russells Glantam Genesis at Arjuna. Elegant correct sized shaded cream dog with dark
pigmentation, attractive head, neck flows into neat front with good layback of shoulder, brisket
deep, pleasing topline which he held on the move, nicely defined loin, broad second thigh and well
let down hocks, nice spring of pastern, tight feet. Moved well.
2 nd . Ellis Railfield Lone Rainger JW. Another good dog, solid red fawn, masculine head with good
underjaw, neck runs into very pleasing front assembly with clean shoulders, good depth of brisket,
well ribbed up and nice length of loin, pleasing sweep of stifle, not overdone, low hocks and tight
feet. True mover.
3 rd . Shepherds Citycroft Sundae with Oxana JW ShCM.
OD (9 Ab 2)
1 st . Topes CH Falconcrag Class Act for Dewerstone JW ShCM. Cream fawn who has come through the
ranks from a promising puppy to a mature male, collecting accolades along the way. He typifies my
ideal of masculinity with refinement, elegance with substance, and correctness with charisma.
Attractive head with dark eye, good underjaw and nice ear set, neck fits smoothly into good layback
of shoulder, front clean, brisket deep, underline and topline pleasing, good length of ribbing and
loin, broad second thigh and correct hind angulation, low hocks, nice spring of pastern and tight
feet. He sweeps effortlessly around the ring with cadence and control, driving powerfully from
behind. DCC.
2 nd . Woods Ardencote Star Gazer. Beautiful balanced fawn dog with so many attributes, truly unlucky
to meet the winner today. Masculine head with good underjaw/bite and correct eye/ear placement.
Good length of neck into clean shoulders, brisket deep, well sprung ribs and defined loin, broad
second thigh, correct sweep of stifle, low hocks and tight feet, jacket like silk, movement positive
and accurate, fore, aft and in profile. RDCC.
3 rd . Rishworths Collooney Taylor Made.
R/LC D (5 ab 2)
1 st . Webbers Zoraden Paint it Black. Solid brindle boy with black mask, powerful nice size dog with
doggy head, strong jaw, neck set onto balanced frame, deep in brisket with good underline, well
sprung ribs, broad in second thigh with well let down hocks and tight feet, nice spring of pastern.
2 nd . Kenyons Bryntreia First Steps. Brindle/white particolour on slightly larger frame, attractive head
and neck, pleasing topline, deep in brisket, broad second thigh and low hocks.
3 rd . Seviours Evaluna Black Orchid.
Many thanks to the committee of the N.W.A for their kind invitation to judge their championship
show, hospitality throughout the day, and lovely gift. My appreciation also to my stewards Judy
Manley and Carol Hawker, for keeping the ring running smoothly.
My main concerns were over pronounced keels and a number of exhibits who looked very promising
until they moved away and were clearly close behind – indeed I knew that some of these individuals
would display this fault before they left the judging table due to the weakness apparent on
inspection. Overall however I found many very pleasing examples of the breed, and sincerely thank
all exhibitors present for the opportunity to assess their dogs.
VD ( 9. Ab 3)
1 st Whitehead Smith and Mixides CH. Citycroft Star Gazing over Yialousa. 7 year old well balanced red
fawn dog in lovely condition, moved well fore, aft, and in profile, head masculine but not coarse with
dark eye, good teeth, and nice ear placement, adequate length of neck into clean well laid shoulder,
well sprung ribs, and deep brisket with pleasing underline, good length of loin, broad second thigh
and correct hind angulation, low hocks, nice spring of pastern, and tight feet completed the picture.
2 nd . Russells Glantam Shooting Star Lovely quality solid fawn dog, also nice head with correct bite ,
neck swept into tidy shoulder placement, good depth of brisket, clean front, ample length of ribbing
into well defined loin, well angulated hind quarters, correct bone, tight feet, flowing profile
movement.
3 rd . Candler-Smiths CH. Maidenbower Make Believe.
MPD. (10 Ab 6)
1 st . Woods Ardencote What a Rogue. 8 month Fawn/white Parti puppy, lovely quality with classic
male head developing, nice ear set, strong underjaw, good pigment, excellent length of neck into
well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, correct bone, tight feet, deep enough for age, pleasing
topline, good length of ribbing and loin, super sweep of stifle into well set hocks, easy effortless
mover. Will be watching him closely.
2 nd . Morris and Waddells Crosscop Is This Love. 6 month solid brindle baby, very raw and more rangy
than the winner, but liked his front angulation, lay of shoulder and clean front, nice spring of pastern
and tight feet, plenty of length through the body, decent second thigh and low hocks.
3 rd . Ainscoughs Kidaruka Mother of Mercy.
PD. ( 9 Ab 1)
1 st . Winstones Lolani Moonshine Over Monelli. 9 month fawn/white parti dog, unexaggerated puppy
with nice balance, good head with strong underjaw, correct bite, nice ear set and dark eye, held
topline during his steady movement and true fore and aft. One of the better fronts in this class with
pleasing hind angulation. Low hocks and tight feet.
2 nd . McConkeys Barmoll Book of Dreams. 10 month red fawn, loved his quality, power, and curving
outline, masculine head with correct ear/eye and mouth, strong neck into clean shoulder, deep
brisket and well sprung ribs, well defined loin and broad second thigh with well let down hocks and
tight feet, correct size, pleasing profile.
3 rd . Hamblings Chaseover Marble Rolls On.
JD. ( 12 Ab 1)
1 st . Hawkers Jothryn Future Legend with Mollytop JW. 14 months. This lovely pale fawn/white parti
dog oozes quality and was a pleasure to go over, well balanced, correct size, very well put together
from his well laid front to his correctly angulated quarters, good in topline, underline and ribbing,
true fore and aft and flowing profile movement, just needs maturity to go to the top.
2 nd . Allansson Runesson and MacDonalds Jasarat Salted Caramel of Macalldon. 12 month fawn/white
parti unlucky to meet the winner, slightly stronger through but another that caught my eye
immediately he entered the ring, masculine head with excellent length of neck, clean shoulder, well
ribbed and adequate loin, powerful well constructed quarters which he used to drive along correctly,
promising youngster.
3 rd . Howgate and Hulls Palmik King of Clubs JW.
YD. ( 10. Ab 3)
1 st . Price’s Wheelspin Silver Shadow Among Silkdance JW. 20 month solid fawn. Overall
conformation, balance, and movement made this dog the clear winner here, masculine head, nice
length of neck into well laid shoulder, clean front, good ribbing and length of loin, broad second
thigh, low hocks, tight feet, handled to perfection.
2 nd . Russells Lawrence Von Anlunas to Arjuna. 18month parti with lovely head, eyes, ears, and
underjaw, nice quality dog with more to come, clean shoulders and front, adequate ribbing and loin,
deep brisket, correctly angulated hind quarters, nice spring of pastern, tight feet, moved positively.
3 rd . Kirtlands Jupiter Juno.
ND (11 Ab 4)
1 st Woods Ardencote What A Legend. Pale fawn/white parti litter brother to MPD winner, very much
the same stamp, although he is obviously very unfinished his elegance and flowing movement took
him to the top of this class and the same remarks apply.
2 nd . Winstones Lolani Moonshine Over Monelli.
3 rd . McConkey Barmoll Book of Dreams.
UGD ( 5 Ab 1)
1 st . Allansson Runesson and MacDonalds Jasarat Salted Caramel of Macalldon.
2 nd . Cuthberts Marvidara Be My Baby at Lunaire. Pale fawn/white parti , masculine head with good
ear set and underjaw, lovely length of neck into clean front with super underline, pleasing topline
which he held on the move, nice sweep of stifle, low hocks and tight feet.
3 rd . Kirtlands Celestial Comet.
SBD (9 Ab 3)
1 st . Leachs Dejare Dutch Finale for Meonrun. This fawn/white parti took my eye with his quality,
balance and correct effortless movement, classic male head set onto clean long neck, set into well
laid shoulder with good return of upper arm, deep in brisket with good underline, well ribbed with
well defined loin, broad second thigh, nice sweep of stifle, low hocks, tight feet.
2 nd . Allansson, Runesson and MacDonalds Jasarat Salted Caramel of Macalldon.
3 rd . Gowers Courtbirch Storm Warning.
PGD. ( 20 Ab 3)
1 st . Ellam and Robinsons Taward Jaguar Avec Clionys JW. Took this large class on his maturity and
consistent correct movement, true fore and aft, masculine head with dark eye, strong underjaw and
good earset, long neck into excellent front assembly, pleasing underline, well sprung ribs and nice
length of loin, broad second thigh, good hind angulation into well let down hocks, nice spring of
pastern.
2 nd . Leachs Dejare Dutch Finale for Meonrun.
3 rd . Andersons Gazenorth Secret Service.
MLD (12 ab 3)
1 st . Liptons Jothryn Shimmering Gold. Solid red brindle dog whose soundness and balance earned his
place, strong in head with dark eye, good ear carriage and powerful underjaw, decent length of neck
into well laid shoulder, clean front, good depth of brisket and length of ribbing and loin, well
angulated hind quarters with low hocks and tight feet, well sprung pastern.
2 nd . Topes Bryarose Theseus at Dewerstone. Quality mature solid brindle with flowing lines and no
exaggerations, looks capable of a days work yet refined enough to compete in the ring, doggy head
with tidy ears , neck falls smoothly into neat shoulders, clean front, deep brisket, well sprung ribs,
adequate loin and powerful hind quarters, smooth easy movement.
3 rd . Barkas Jimanica Just Dreaming.
LD (16 Ab 2)
1 st . Russells Glantam Genesis at Arjuna. Elegant correct sized shaded cream dog with dark
pigmentation, attractive head, neck flows into neat front with good layback of shoulder, brisket
deep, pleasing topline which he held on the move, nicely defined loin, broad second thigh and well
let down hocks, nice spring of pastern, tight feet. Moved well.
2 nd . Ellis Railfield Lone Rainger JW. Another good dog, solid red fawn, masculine head with good
underjaw, neck runs into very pleasing front assembly with clean shoulders, good depth of brisket,
well ribbed up and nice length of loin, pleasing sweep of stifle, not overdone, low hocks and tight
feet. True mover.
3 rd . Shepherds Citycroft Sundae with Oxana JW ShCM.
OD (9 Ab 2)
1 st . Topes CH Falconcrag Class Act for Dewerstone JW ShCM. Cream fawn who has come through the
ranks from a promising puppy to a mature male, collecting accolades along the way. He typifies my
ideal of masculinity with refinement, elegance with substance, and correctness with charisma.
Attractive head with dark eye, good underjaw and nice ear set, neck fits smoothly into good layback
of shoulder, front clean, brisket deep, underline and topline pleasing, good length of ribbing and
loin, broad second thigh and correct hind angulation, low hocks, nice spring of pastern and tight
feet. He sweeps effortlessly around the ring with cadence and control, driving powerfully from
behind. DCC.
2 nd . Woods Ardencote Star Gazer. Beautiful balanced fawn dog with so many attributes, truly unlucky
to meet the winner today. Masculine head with good underjaw/bite and correct eye/ear placement.
Good length of neck into clean shoulders, brisket deep, well sprung ribs and defined loin, broad
second thigh, correct sweep of stifle, low hocks and tight feet, jacket like silk, movement positive
and accurate, fore, aft and in profile. RDCC.
3 rd . Rishworths Collooney Taylor Made.
R/LC D (5 ab 2)
1 st . Webbers Zoraden Paint it Black. Solid brindle boy with black mask, powerful nice size dog with
doggy head, strong jaw, neck set onto balanced frame, deep in brisket with good underline, well
sprung ribs, broad in second thigh with well let down hocks and tight feet, nice spring of pastern.
2 nd . Kenyons Bryntreia First Steps. Brindle/white particolour on slightly larger frame, attractive head
and neck, pleasing topline, deep in brisket, broad second thigh and low hocks.
3 rd . Seviours Evaluna Black Orchid.
BITCH CRITIQUE - JILL SCOTT-BISSET (SQUIRRELWOOD)
I was delighted to have such a wonderful number of entries. My thanks go to the Committee and my two efficient stewards Jeanie and Paige for a very well run show.
Sadly I was not delighted at all with a very large number of those bitches entered. It was eight years since I last judged in England and I found numerous faults that didn’t even exist before.
There was a wonderful and Worldwide respected British Whippet Specialist/All rounder judge called Bobby James (Samarkands) who was very hot on good movement, but he would say ‘Firstly it must be a Whippet’. In some cases I had to sacrifice my passion for good movement and nice size to find a Whippet the shape it should be. Long flat toplines have been discussed on FaceBook for some time, but I never realised just how prevalent they had become, chop the neck off and many exhibits would fit in a long rectangular box.
Classes of youngsters should be full of promise, faults when young with the exception of slightly narrow fronts and slab sides, only get worse, never better – these are the future of the breed and a lack of correct young Whippets was very worrying. Thankfully in Post Grad and Limit there were still some exceptionally good exhibits and Open and Veteran were good classes.
Starting at the top, firstly teeth! In over 40 years of judging I could count the bad mouths I’ve found on my fingers, the count doubled at this show. In the puppy classes I found several exhibits where the upper and lower teeth were not vertical and overlapping but really inclined forwards, they were still touching, but could not form a true ‘scissor bite’. Lots of suspect ears, roman noses, insufficient underjaws and Yorkshire Pudding skulls. A Whippet does not run on its head, but on the table it is the thing the judge first looks at when going over the dog and it is the head, eyes and expression that communicate and engage with the judge. Necks were good throughout, but then we had the shoulders. Wide and heavy fronts used to be the exception in bitches, here they were a good 70%, the legs were straight, no toeing in or elbows out, but the effect of this width on the lay of shoulders was evident with very few having two fingers or less between the blades and often with the blades laid too far back. When this happens you have two possible outcomes, either the angle is too acute and the elbow sits under the withers exposing too much sternum in front which is not attractive in a dog and downright ugly in a bitch; this then makes the front legs appear so far under the body they resemble a duck. If the angle stays correct then the whole assembly rotates and you have an upright upper arm and its knock on effect ruins profile movement. My own theory is that where the shoulders are correct at the blades, the spine has to curve underneath them and then curve back up and then back down, this forms the correct topline, with the blades wider apart the spine has filled the gap and doesn’t need to curve as before, thereby resulting in the flat toplines we are seeing; would love a portable X Ray machine to prove this.
There were no exhibits lacking bone and very few that were heavy in bone, but there were a lot where the bone appeared ‘round’ and not ‘blade’. We all know that there are two main bones in the long foreleg, the bigger Radius at the front and the smaller Ulna behind. When we put our finger and thumb around the leg half way up, if they form an elongated egg then we have ‘bladed’ bone and if they form a circle we have ‘round’ bone, but it cannot be round because it is two bones, so has the Ulna become smaller and weaker in these exhibits?. Pasterns were one of the surprising faults, there were a lot that were much too upright and a lot that were much too sloping and weak and they didn’t all follow the normal rules of upright pasterns, upright shoulder construction etc.
Then one of the most serious problems of the day – feet. There were no thin, splayed or hare feet, the problem was the opposite – there were Whippets that didn’t have feet – they had knobs on the end of their legs, you couldn’t see nails or knuckles or splits between the toes, you couldn’t even define they had toes. This is a serious fault in a running dog, on sand these knobs would penetrate the surface as deep as they could go and in coursing they would have no ability to spread their toes and use them as leverage when turning, although thickly padded, the shock on the whole anatomy of the leg would be damaging - these knobs have no place on a Whippet!
Correct underlines were very hard to find, where when you see the base line of the brisket jostling with the elbow, it should then travel parallel for 10-15cm before turning upwards, this used to be the place the heart was situated, so when the underline sweeps upwards from the elbows as we see more and more, has the heart moved into the wider front. As Whippets and Greyhounds have hearts larger than other breed of dogs, is this lack of ‘heart room’ affecting heart health?
Toplines are generally too long and too flat and this has affected the quarters. In the search for more angulation, the Tibia and Fibula have lengthened in their proportion to the Femur. The hindquarters only support half the weight of the body in comparison to the front legs, but they must still support it; if I had moved the hind feet of several exhibits into the next county, they would still not have had the point of hock over the foot (ie hock perpendicular to the floor) because the joint had formed to redress this lack of support, by bringing the foot further forward. You will not see a successful racing or coursing Whippet that is very overangulated, because this renders them ‘NOT Fit For Function’.
The Breed Standard has not changed significantly in the last 30 years, but the breed has changed drastically in the past 10. Perhaps we need to dot the ‘i’s and cross the ‘t’s in the Standard, but one thing clearly stated is, ‘All forms of exaggeration are to be avoided’. The exaggerations noted above aren’t yet at the level of squashing the noses of Pugs or shortening the legs of Bassets; but to see so many exhibits sharing these faults means they are consolidating in the breed and stepping back will already not be easy, but to safeguard the integrity of the breed - step back you must!
In the past breeders needed to rely on knowledge gained from other breeders and their own intuition, you still have this; but with the Internet you have a wealth of knowledge available on health issues and so much more at your fingertips – don’t be negligent – use it. Be leaders of fashion – don’t follow it!
MINOR PUPPY (15 entries)
1st – Mrs A Ainscough KIDARUKA MOTHER OF MINE
Lovely head and expression, good flat skull. Classic shaped foxy fawn with a lovely front, nice size and good movement. At 8 months she will be able to mature nicely without becoming too heavy. Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Show.
2nd – Mr M Howgate & Miss Y Hull PALMIK CAROUSEL
Another one of nice size, nice head, good bone, depth of brisket and lovely depth across the thighs. Moved well and beautifully presented.
3rd – Mrs L Bleakley RUNAROUND MUSIC MAKER
PUPPY (12 entries)
1st – Mrs V Learthart RINGMORE HECATE
Firstly a real Whippet shape, beautifully balanced both standing and moving lovely cream with nice head and expression, long neck into clean shoulders, good bone and feet.
2nd – Mr D & Mrs Y Short COLLOONEY BIT ON THE SIDE
Elegant pale brindle, a real showgirl with lovely depth , good bone and feet and well angulated. Super soft rhythmic profile movement. Well handled.
3rd – Miss L Smeath DEJARE ONLY DREAMING AT WILLINGWISP
JUNIOR (22 entries)
1st – Mrs A & Miss R Snelgrove KAMASAL STARLIGHT RASCAL AT HUNTINGHILL
Fawn part-colour with good bone and feet, well angulated with good depth. Easy true mover that kept her topline on the move. Well handled.
2nd – Mr M Howgate & Miss Y Hull PALMIK QUEEN OF DIAMONDS – JW
Brindle parti-colour with lovely head and long neck, good bone and feet, well angulated. Expertly handled to show off her super profile movement.
3rd – Miss G Robertson MOONLAKE MEDIUM BLONDE
YEARLING (14 entries)
1st – Mrs A Moncrief RUNAROUND HARMONY
Fawn bitch very much to my liking, lovely head with long neck into clean shoulders, perfectly angulated in front and behind and lovely depth across the thighs. Sound ground covering profile movement.
2nd – Mrs S Wignall CROSSCROP THE WONDER OF YOU AT STARSWIFT
Another with a lovely shape, nice shoulder lay, deep in brisket and good movement.
3rd – Ms M Thomas AARMINIAS PRINCESS OF CHINA AT BOWDONIA
NOVICE (9 entries)
1st – Mrs V Learthart RINGMORE HECATE – 1st in Puppy
2nd – Miss G Robertson MOONLAKE MEDIUM BLONDE - 3rd in Junior
Lovely quality fawn bitch who was determined not to show the best of herself. Lovely head, excellent depth of brisket and spring of rib, good bone and feet, nice quarters.
3rd – Mrs J Cox ELMANASH THURSDAY’S CHILD
UNDERGRADUATE (7 entries)
1st – Mrs S Hoskins SOCHMA GOLDEN DIVA AT SHELSUE
Fawn and white parti-colour with good bone and feet, deep brisket and depth across the thighs. Sound and easy ground covering movement.
2nd – Mrs E Walker JIMANICA JADE STAR OF SHOALINGHAM
Tiger fawn of extreme quality with lovely head and expression, long neck into well laid shoulders, very nice underline.
3rd – Mrs V Learthart RINGMORE DAY LILY
SPECIAL BEGINNERS (7 entries)
1st – Ms L & Mrs S Muir CITYCROFT FIRENZE FOR LOUALBA
Lovely quality fawn with white trim. Flowing outline and everything correct, excelled in neck, clean shoulders, pastern and feet.
2nd – Mrs S Wignall CROSSCROP THE WONDER OF YOU AT STARSWIFT - 2nd in YEARLING
3rd – Mrs B Trouton CITYCROFT GRACE KELLY OF RUNNEL
POST GRADUATE (18 entries)
1st – Mrs T & Mr P Lawley CROSSCROP ITS MAGIC FOR LAWLEYMOON
This quality deep fawn bitch topped a lovely class. Loved her beautifully balanced outline, nice head, good neck and well placed shoulders, good depth, nice bone and feet. Really good sound movement and covered the ground with elegance. In tip top condition with lovely coat and skin. Feel sure she will get her title which she so richly deserves. RCC
2nd – Mrs A Moncrief RUNAROUND SYMPHONY
Sadly absent from Undergraduate. Lovely head, neck and shoulders into a good body with plenty of depth, lovely long tail. Effortless long profile movement.
3rd – Mr P Glaholm GAZENORTH SECRET IDENTITY
MID LIMIT (10 entries)
1st – Ms L & Mrs S Muir APACHESUN KELPIES DREAM ABOUT CAOINEAG ShCM
Quality red fawn bitch with white trim. Nice head and neck into clean shoulders. Good size, lovely body with good bone and feet.
2nd – Mrs B Barnes DODDRIDGE MOE’T (Imp Fra)
Blue brindle with nice head, good body, excellent spring of rib and well angulated hindquarters. Well handled to show her excellent profile movement.
3rd – Mr T Ellis RAILFIELD RAINNYYMPH - JW
LIMIT (26 entries)
1st – Mr G Candler & MRS R Candler-Smith THESPERIA CHALIS AT MAIDENBOWER
Lovely quality fawn bitch with white trim topped this exceptional class. No exaggerations, lovely head and expression, all round correct with excellent topline, nice bone and feet and excellent movement. Pushed hard for the RCC.
2nd – Mrs R Hambling MOSSBAWNHILL YOU GOT THE LOOK
Lovely brindle and white part-colour. Just an excellent correct Whippet with no exaggerations. Lovely head and expression, good depth, topline, bone and feet and a very good spring of rib. Moved very well.
3rd – Mrs A Vaughn SHIROTAE SOLO SURPRISE
OPEN (11 entries)
1st – Mrs J Home & Mrs C Fisher-Home CH. CITYCROFT CRÈME CARAMEL OF JASARAT –JW
When I first looked at this quality fawn bitch, I thought I had found my winner, this was reiterated on the table when my hands just glided over her clean curves and was confirmed when I watched the cadence of her sound effortless movement. Gorgeous head and expression, lovely ear set, long neck, clean shoulder, lovely topline and good depth. Lovely-lovely-lovely, I was delighted to give her the CC and proud to see her win Best In Show.
2nd – Ms C Brown ARDENCOTE STAR MAKER
Quality fawn with white trim, attractive head and expression, super size, good depth, bone and feet. Moved freely and soundly.
3rd – Mrs L Yacoby-Wright COBYCO CANDY CREME
SPEC OPEN RACING/LURE COURSING (6 entries)
1st – Miss G Robertson MOONLAKE MAZDA
This very nice pale fawn with light blue brindling topped this class of 4 totally different but all nice bitches that each would have preferred a day in the sporting field. Nice head and expression, correct neck and shoulders, sufficient bone and good feet.
2nd – Miss D Webber ZORADEN DARKEST WINGS – JW
Nice Black bitch put down in excellent condition, good bone and feet. Good mover that covered the ground well.
3rd – Miss A Bayley COLLOONEY CANDY CRUSH
VETERAN (12 entries)
1st – Mrs L Jones WELSTAR HEAVEN SENT
It can only be size that has denied this bitch top honours, because in every other way she is close to perfection. Beautifully constructed head, with lovely darks eyes and correct ear set, long arched neck into closely placed shoulders that are almost impossible to find nowadays. Wonderful topline, well ribbed back brisket with excellent depth. Lovely bladed bone, correct feet and well angulated quarters. All these assets provided the structure for the lovely cadence in her profile movement which was effortless and sound movement coming and going.
2nd – Mrs A Vaughn SHIROTAE GIN-SING
Sandy fawn and white with lovely depth, good spring of rib, excellent bone and feet and a good true mover.
3rd – Mrs B McConkey BARMOLL BARONESS
I was delighted to have such a wonderful number of entries. My thanks go to the Committee and my two efficient stewards Jeanie and Paige for a very well run show.
Sadly I was not delighted at all with a very large number of those bitches entered. It was eight years since I last judged in England and I found numerous faults that didn’t even exist before.
There was a wonderful and Worldwide respected British Whippet Specialist/All rounder judge called Bobby James (Samarkands) who was very hot on good movement, but he would say ‘Firstly it must be a Whippet’. In some cases I had to sacrifice my passion for good movement and nice size to find a Whippet the shape it should be. Long flat toplines have been discussed on FaceBook for some time, but I never realised just how prevalent they had become, chop the neck off and many exhibits would fit in a long rectangular box.
Classes of youngsters should be full of promise, faults when young with the exception of slightly narrow fronts and slab sides, only get worse, never better – these are the future of the breed and a lack of correct young Whippets was very worrying. Thankfully in Post Grad and Limit there were still some exceptionally good exhibits and Open and Veteran were good classes.
Starting at the top, firstly teeth! In over 40 years of judging I could count the bad mouths I’ve found on my fingers, the count doubled at this show. In the puppy classes I found several exhibits where the upper and lower teeth were not vertical and overlapping but really inclined forwards, they were still touching, but could not form a true ‘scissor bite’. Lots of suspect ears, roman noses, insufficient underjaws and Yorkshire Pudding skulls. A Whippet does not run on its head, but on the table it is the thing the judge first looks at when going over the dog and it is the head, eyes and expression that communicate and engage with the judge. Necks were good throughout, but then we had the shoulders. Wide and heavy fronts used to be the exception in bitches, here they were a good 70%, the legs were straight, no toeing in or elbows out, but the effect of this width on the lay of shoulders was evident with very few having two fingers or less between the blades and often with the blades laid too far back. When this happens you have two possible outcomes, either the angle is too acute and the elbow sits under the withers exposing too much sternum in front which is not attractive in a dog and downright ugly in a bitch; this then makes the front legs appear so far under the body they resemble a duck. If the angle stays correct then the whole assembly rotates and you have an upright upper arm and its knock on effect ruins profile movement. My own theory is that where the shoulders are correct at the blades, the spine has to curve underneath them and then curve back up and then back down, this forms the correct topline, with the blades wider apart the spine has filled the gap and doesn’t need to curve as before, thereby resulting in the flat toplines we are seeing; would love a portable X Ray machine to prove this.
There were no exhibits lacking bone and very few that were heavy in bone, but there were a lot where the bone appeared ‘round’ and not ‘blade’. We all know that there are two main bones in the long foreleg, the bigger Radius at the front and the smaller Ulna behind. When we put our finger and thumb around the leg half way up, if they form an elongated egg then we have ‘bladed’ bone and if they form a circle we have ‘round’ bone, but it cannot be round because it is two bones, so has the Ulna become smaller and weaker in these exhibits?. Pasterns were one of the surprising faults, there were a lot that were much too upright and a lot that were much too sloping and weak and they didn’t all follow the normal rules of upright pasterns, upright shoulder construction etc.
Then one of the most serious problems of the day – feet. There were no thin, splayed or hare feet, the problem was the opposite – there were Whippets that didn’t have feet – they had knobs on the end of their legs, you couldn’t see nails or knuckles or splits between the toes, you couldn’t even define they had toes. This is a serious fault in a running dog, on sand these knobs would penetrate the surface as deep as they could go and in coursing they would have no ability to spread their toes and use them as leverage when turning, although thickly padded, the shock on the whole anatomy of the leg would be damaging - these knobs have no place on a Whippet!
Correct underlines were very hard to find, where when you see the base line of the brisket jostling with the elbow, it should then travel parallel for 10-15cm before turning upwards, this used to be the place the heart was situated, so when the underline sweeps upwards from the elbows as we see more and more, has the heart moved into the wider front. As Whippets and Greyhounds have hearts larger than other breed of dogs, is this lack of ‘heart room’ affecting heart health?
Toplines are generally too long and too flat and this has affected the quarters. In the search for more angulation, the Tibia and Fibula have lengthened in their proportion to the Femur. The hindquarters only support half the weight of the body in comparison to the front legs, but they must still support it; if I had moved the hind feet of several exhibits into the next county, they would still not have had the point of hock over the foot (ie hock perpendicular to the floor) because the joint had formed to redress this lack of support, by bringing the foot further forward. You will not see a successful racing or coursing Whippet that is very overangulated, because this renders them ‘NOT Fit For Function’.
The Breed Standard has not changed significantly in the last 30 years, but the breed has changed drastically in the past 10. Perhaps we need to dot the ‘i’s and cross the ‘t’s in the Standard, but one thing clearly stated is, ‘All forms of exaggeration are to be avoided’. The exaggerations noted above aren’t yet at the level of squashing the noses of Pugs or shortening the legs of Bassets; but to see so many exhibits sharing these faults means they are consolidating in the breed and stepping back will already not be easy, but to safeguard the integrity of the breed - step back you must!
In the past breeders needed to rely on knowledge gained from other breeders and their own intuition, you still have this; but with the Internet you have a wealth of knowledge available on health issues and so much more at your fingertips – don’t be negligent – use it. Be leaders of fashion – don’t follow it!
MINOR PUPPY (15 entries)
1st – Mrs A Ainscough KIDARUKA MOTHER OF MINE
Lovely head and expression, good flat skull. Classic shaped foxy fawn with a lovely front, nice size and good movement. At 8 months she will be able to mature nicely without becoming too heavy. Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Show.
2nd – Mr M Howgate & Miss Y Hull PALMIK CAROUSEL
Another one of nice size, nice head, good bone, depth of brisket and lovely depth across the thighs. Moved well and beautifully presented.
3rd – Mrs L Bleakley RUNAROUND MUSIC MAKER
PUPPY (12 entries)
1st – Mrs V Learthart RINGMORE HECATE
Firstly a real Whippet shape, beautifully balanced both standing and moving lovely cream with nice head and expression, long neck into clean shoulders, good bone and feet.
2nd – Mr D & Mrs Y Short COLLOONEY BIT ON THE SIDE
Elegant pale brindle, a real showgirl with lovely depth , good bone and feet and well angulated. Super soft rhythmic profile movement. Well handled.
3rd – Miss L Smeath DEJARE ONLY DREAMING AT WILLINGWISP
JUNIOR (22 entries)
1st – Mrs A & Miss R Snelgrove KAMASAL STARLIGHT RASCAL AT HUNTINGHILL
Fawn part-colour with good bone and feet, well angulated with good depth. Easy true mover that kept her topline on the move. Well handled.
2nd – Mr M Howgate & Miss Y Hull PALMIK QUEEN OF DIAMONDS – JW
Brindle parti-colour with lovely head and long neck, good bone and feet, well angulated. Expertly handled to show off her super profile movement.
3rd – Miss G Robertson MOONLAKE MEDIUM BLONDE
YEARLING (14 entries)
1st – Mrs A Moncrief RUNAROUND HARMONY
Fawn bitch very much to my liking, lovely head with long neck into clean shoulders, perfectly angulated in front and behind and lovely depth across the thighs. Sound ground covering profile movement.
2nd – Mrs S Wignall CROSSCROP THE WONDER OF YOU AT STARSWIFT
Another with a lovely shape, nice shoulder lay, deep in brisket and good movement.
3rd – Ms M Thomas AARMINIAS PRINCESS OF CHINA AT BOWDONIA
NOVICE (9 entries)
1st – Mrs V Learthart RINGMORE HECATE – 1st in Puppy
2nd – Miss G Robertson MOONLAKE MEDIUM BLONDE - 3rd in Junior
Lovely quality fawn bitch who was determined not to show the best of herself. Lovely head, excellent depth of brisket and spring of rib, good bone and feet, nice quarters.
3rd – Mrs J Cox ELMANASH THURSDAY’S CHILD
UNDERGRADUATE (7 entries)
1st – Mrs S Hoskins SOCHMA GOLDEN DIVA AT SHELSUE
Fawn and white parti-colour with good bone and feet, deep brisket and depth across the thighs. Sound and easy ground covering movement.
2nd – Mrs E Walker JIMANICA JADE STAR OF SHOALINGHAM
Tiger fawn of extreme quality with lovely head and expression, long neck into well laid shoulders, very nice underline.
3rd – Mrs V Learthart RINGMORE DAY LILY
SPECIAL BEGINNERS (7 entries)
1st – Ms L & Mrs S Muir CITYCROFT FIRENZE FOR LOUALBA
Lovely quality fawn with white trim. Flowing outline and everything correct, excelled in neck, clean shoulders, pastern and feet.
2nd – Mrs S Wignall CROSSCROP THE WONDER OF YOU AT STARSWIFT - 2nd in YEARLING
3rd – Mrs B Trouton CITYCROFT GRACE KELLY OF RUNNEL
POST GRADUATE (18 entries)
1st – Mrs T & Mr P Lawley CROSSCROP ITS MAGIC FOR LAWLEYMOON
This quality deep fawn bitch topped a lovely class. Loved her beautifully balanced outline, nice head, good neck and well placed shoulders, good depth, nice bone and feet. Really good sound movement and covered the ground with elegance. In tip top condition with lovely coat and skin. Feel sure she will get her title which she so richly deserves. RCC
2nd – Mrs A Moncrief RUNAROUND SYMPHONY
Sadly absent from Undergraduate. Lovely head, neck and shoulders into a good body with plenty of depth, lovely long tail. Effortless long profile movement.
3rd – Mr P Glaholm GAZENORTH SECRET IDENTITY
MID LIMIT (10 entries)
1st – Ms L & Mrs S Muir APACHESUN KELPIES DREAM ABOUT CAOINEAG ShCM
Quality red fawn bitch with white trim. Nice head and neck into clean shoulders. Good size, lovely body with good bone and feet.
2nd – Mrs B Barnes DODDRIDGE MOE’T (Imp Fra)
Blue brindle with nice head, good body, excellent spring of rib and well angulated hindquarters. Well handled to show her excellent profile movement.
3rd – Mr T Ellis RAILFIELD RAINNYYMPH - JW
LIMIT (26 entries)
1st – Mr G Candler & MRS R Candler-Smith THESPERIA CHALIS AT MAIDENBOWER
Lovely quality fawn bitch with white trim topped this exceptional class. No exaggerations, lovely head and expression, all round correct with excellent topline, nice bone and feet and excellent movement. Pushed hard for the RCC.
2nd – Mrs R Hambling MOSSBAWNHILL YOU GOT THE LOOK
Lovely brindle and white part-colour. Just an excellent correct Whippet with no exaggerations. Lovely head and expression, good depth, topline, bone and feet and a very good spring of rib. Moved very well.
3rd – Mrs A Vaughn SHIROTAE SOLO SURPRISE
OPEN (11 entries)
1st – Mrs J Home & Mrs C Fisher-Home CH. CITYCROFT CRÈME CARAMEL OF JASARAT –JW
When I first looked at this quality fawn bitch, I thought I had found my winner, this was reiterated on the table when my hands just glided over her clean curves and was confirmed when I watched the cadence of her sound effortless movement. Gorgeous head and expression, lovely ear set, long neck, clean shoulder, lovely topline and good depth. Lovely-lovely-lovely, I was delighted to give her the CC and proud to see her win Best In Show.
2nd – Ms C Brown ARDENCOTE STAR MAKER
Quality fawn with white trim, attractive head and expression, super size, good depth, bone and feet. Moved freely and soundly.
3rd – Mrs L Yacoby-Wright COBYCO CANDY CREME
SPEC OPEN RACING/LURE COURSING (6 entries)
1st – Miss G Robertson MOONLAKE MAZDA
This very nice pale fawn with light blue brindling topped this class of 4 totally different but all nice bitches that each would have preferred a day in the sporting field. Nice head and expression, correct neck and shoulders, sufficient bone and good feet.
2nd – Miss D Webber ZORADEN DARKEST WINGS – JW
Nice Black bitch put down in excellent condition, good bone and feet. Good mover that covered the ground well.
3rd – Miss A Bayley COLLOONEY CANDY CRUSH
VETERAN (12 entries)
1st – Mrs L Jones WELSTAR HEAVEN SENT
It can only be size that has denied this bitch top honours, because in every other way she is close to perfection. Beautifully constructed head, with lovely darks eyes and correct ear set, long arched neck into closely placed shoulders that are almost impossible to find nowadays. Wonderful topline, well ribbed back brisket with excellent depth. Lovely bladed bone, correct feet and well angulated quarters. All these assets provided the structure for the lovely cadence in her profile movement which was effortless and sound movement coming and going.
2nd – Mrs A Vaughn SHIROTAE GIN-SING
Sandy fawn and white with lovely depth, good spring of rib, excellent bone and feet and a good true mover.
3rd – Mrs B McConkey BARMOLL BARONESS