DOG CRITIQUE - VANNA LEATHART (RINGMORE)
Firstly I’d like to thank the NWA for inviting me to judge, and Dave Ford for being such a calm and efficient steward. I’d especially like to thank the exhibitors for allowing me to judge their beautiful dogs. Since the last time I judged dogs, the depth of quality has greatly improved. In my top classes, and in Junior, any one of those shortlisted could easily have left with the red card. When it came to the challenge, I was in the lovely position of wanting three CCs to award! One thing I did notice is that many exhibitors were stretching their dogs out to their fullest extent. This does not make the dog any longer, but it does flatten his back and spoil his outline. It isn’t necessary, and in some cases the dogs were clearly uncomfortable.
Veteran Dog (13:2abs)
1st Russell’s Ch Willingwisp Star Trooper. 10 ½ year old particolour. What can I say about this dog that hasn’t already been said? He is a masculine dog with a lovely head and expression, good bone, and a long neck flowing into a well laid shoulder, good length of loin, and correctly made hind quarters. Nice low hocks and neat feet. Easily the best mover in the class. Best Veteran in Show.
2nd Short’s Ch Collooney Going Dutch. Fawn dog of a lighter build. Typey head ona n elegant long neck. Well placed shoulder, lovely outline, good topline and tuck-up, Well made hind end with good second thigh. Moved with power and drive.
3rd Home & Fisher-Home’s Becscott Lessons Dreamer of Jasarat
Minor Puppy Dog (11:3)
1st Lawley’s Bethwill Time for A Change (taf). Sweet fawn baby of 6 months, with heaps of potential. Nice head and expression, good length of neck and well laid shoulder, plenty of length and depth. Moved well all round. Best Puppy Dog.
2nd Cahill & Timberlake’s Enolacans Antonio Benderas at Chipperlake. Cream baby with a lot to like about him. Nice head with lovely eye, well laid shoulder, and good spring of rib. Nice overall shape and well sprung pastern. Not as settled on the move as No1.
3rd Harris’ Zoraden Surprise
Puppy Dog (7:3)
1st Howgate & Hull’s Palmik Whisper Again. Brindle and white boy with an elegant outline, good reach of neck and correct shoulder placemtnt. Good length of loin, and strong quarters. Moved with reach and drive.
2nd James’ Drakesoak Rum Punch. Red brindle dog of a heavier cast. Well made front with good infill, correct shoulder and good length. Kept his topline on the move, well constructed quarters. Moved well.
3rd Morris, Waddell & Donaldson’s Burnt Sienna Wind Chimes (imp Swe)
Junior Dog (12:2)
1st Owen & Brodie’s Oakbark Making Dreams at Wolfcastle. Shapely pale brindle dog, with good bone and correct feet. Good depth and length of body. Moved beautifully.
2nd Ellis’ Railfield Lone Rainger. Typey gold fawn dog with heaps of potential. Presenting a lovely outline with good length, well set shoulder and good hind angulation. Lovely low front action and plenty of drive. Not as mature as 1.
3rd Shepherd’s Citycroft Sundae with Oxana JW
Yearling Dog (14:3)
1st Russell’s Palmik Depeche Mode. Correct sized brindle, with a typey outline, enough bone, well laid shoulder and good length of loin, Well bent stifle and nice low hocks. Won this class on his effortless movement.
2nd Young & Witham’s Demerlay Out of the Mist at Armabay. Red and white boy of liovely type, unexaggerated throughout, good bone, nice length and strong quarters. Not as settled on the move as 1.
3rd Cuthbert’s Whipplei Body of Proof at Lunaire
Novice Dog (10:4)
1st Enolacans Antonio Benderas at Chipperlake.
2nd Hawker’s Mollytop Dream Maker. Well presented fawn/white trim. Typey outline, with well laid shoulder, good length of back and loin and correctly constructed quarters, good bone and lovely spring of pastern. Lovely low movement with plenty of drive.
3rd Palmik Whisper Again
Undergraduate Dog (8:2)
1st Bellamy’s Kandalama Royale. Young brindle dog with the best movement in this class. Shapely outline, good length of loin and well angulated quarters. Good depth of chest and nice underline.
2nd Cartwright’s Hawk Moth at Rearsbylea. Masculine brindle boy, with good neck and shoulder, nice depth of chest with plenty of heartroom and well bent stifles. Moved with drive.
3rd Abiss’ Kanati God of Olympus (imp)
Special Beginners Dog (10:1)
1st Tope’s Falconcrag Class Act for Dewerstone JW. Young pale fawn dog who still has a bit of maturing to do. Nice head and expression, good length of neck, and correct shoulder, good length throughout, and strong quarters. Won this class on his movement.
2nd Zevenbergen’s Gold Finch. Lovely gold dog, who is just my type. Ideal size with well laid shoulder, good neck flowing into a typical backline, good depth of chest and underline. Lovely coat and skin. True coming and going, but not as positive in profile movement. Unlucky to meet 1.
3rd Allansson & Runnesson’s Nattah Echo In the Mist over Macallon
Post Graduate Dog (25:5)
1st Bowrey’s Cobyco Cause to Celebrate. Brindle dog. Up to size, but still elegant and typey. Nice head and expression, good depth of chest, spring of rib, and length of loin. Nice bladed bone. Good hind angulation. True coming and going and moved with drive and purpose.
2nd Buckley’s Elmanash More than Gold at Louquin. Fawn of correct size presented in lovely hard condition. Lovely overall shape with good length of brisket and loin and well filled front. Nicely angulated rear quarters with no exaggeration. Nice low and powerful action.
3rd Robertson’s Moonlake My Way
Mid-Limit Dog (12:3)
1st Scholes’ Craigavad Once In A Lifetime. Lovely pale brindle dog of correct size. Lovely unexaggerated, masculine yet elegant outline with flowing lines from the tip of his nose to his tail. Geed reach of neck and correctly placed shoulder, nicely arched topline and good tuck-up, good length of loin and strong hind quarters with nicely turned stifle. Moved with drive and purpose. Just a little distracted in the challenge. RCC.
2nd Jones’ Jothryn Fly Away Boy. Shapely fawn dog, with flowing lines, well laid shoulder, good length and depth and strong quarters. Parallel movement and powerful profile action. Lost out on maturity today.
3rd Andrew’s Railfield Rainkey for Sharmus JW
Limit Dog (26:2)
What a beautiful Class! I could have awarded at least seven red cards here.
1st Griffiths’ Pelyma Dashing Duke JW. Shapely, macsuline fawn/white particolour, with a typey outline and no exaggerations. Lovely head, well laid shoulder, correct topline, which he held well on the move. Strong bladed bone and well made hind quarters. Well muscled and produced in gleaming condition. True coming and going and effortless side movement. The only dog who continued to move as well as the first time each and every time he was asked. CC and BOB on referee’s decision.
2nd James’ Drakesoak Halloween Twist. Elegant brindle dog of lovely size. Masculine head, and lovely oval eye. Good depth and well filled chest with plenty of heart room. Nicely sprung ribbing and good length of loin. Correctly made quarters with good bend of stifle. True fore and aft and lovely drive in profile.
3rd Allen’s Zoraden Gingerbread Latte JW
Open Dog (13)
Another tough class, where any shortlisted could reach top honours.
1st Harding-Waite & Waite’s Marleben Myracle Magician from Caderleth. Mature Brindle/White boy of lovely type. Lovely head and soft expression, unexaggerated outline, with good length of neck and loin, correct front construction with good fill. Good bladed bone and nice spring of pastern. Deep chest with good spring of rib. Well let down hocks. True coming and going and lovely low front action in profile. Pushed hard in the challenge but didn’t quite have the same enthusiasm as the top 2 winners.
2nd Ellis’ Railfield Rainicon in Yialousa JW. A dog I have loved since a puppy. Elegant pale fawn presenting a typical outline, good length of neck, correct topline and tuck-up, nice depth and spring of rib, well bent stifle with well developed second thigh. Moved beautifully. Just preferred the shoulder of 1.
3rd Whitehead’s Ch Citycroft High Society JW
Special Open Racing/Lure Coursing Dog (4:1)
1st Webber’s Dark Wing. Unexaggerated black of nice size in gleaming condition. Good bone and well sprung pasterns, lovely head and expression, typey overall shape, with corre3dct topline, which he kept on the move, strong quarters. Best mover in the class.
2nd Robertson’s Moonlake Morgan. Cream dog with a classic outline. Nicely constructed front, flowing lines and good length of neck and loin. Nice daisy-cutting action and plenty of drive.
3rd Clilverd’s Monelli Mississippi
Vanna Leathart
Judge
Veteran Dog (13:2abs)
1st Russell’s Ch Willingwisp Star Trooper. 10 ½ year old particolour. What can I say about this dog that hasn’t already been said? He is a masculine dog with a lovely head and expression, good bone, and a long neck flowing into a well laid shoulder, good length of loin, and correctly made hind quarters. Nice low hocks and neat feet. Easily the best mover in the class. Best Veteran in Show.
2nd Short’s Ch Collooney Going Dutch. Fawn dog of a lighter build. Typey head ona n elegant long neck. Well placed shoulder, lovely outline, good topline and tuck-up, Well made hind end with good second thigh. Moved with power and drive.
3rd Home & Fisher-Home’s Becscott Lessons Dreamer of Jasarat
Minor Puppy Dog (11:3)
1st Lawley’s Bethwill Time for A Change (taf). Sweet fawn baby of 6 months, with heaps of potential. Nice head and expression, good length of neck and well laid shoulder, plenty of length and depth. Moved well all round. Best Puppy Dog.
2nd Cahill & Timberlake’s Enolacans Antonio Benderas at Chipperlake. Cream baby with a lot to like about him. Nice head with lovely eye, well laid shoulder, and good spring of rib. Nice overall shape and well sprung pastern. Not as settled on the move as No1.
3rd Harris’ Zoraden Surprise
Puppy Dog (7:3)
1st Howgate & Hull’s Palmik Whisper Again. Brindle and white boy with an elegant outline, good reach of neck and correct shoulder placemtnt. Good length of loin, and strong quarters. Moved with reach and drive.
2nd James’ Drakesoak Rum Punch. Red brindle dog of a heavier cast. Well made front with good infill, correct shoulder and good length. Kept his topline on the move, well constructed quarters. Moved well.
3rd Morris, Waddell & Donaldson’s Burnt Sienna Wind Chimes (imp Swe)
Junior Dog (12:2)
1st Owen & Brodie’s Oakbark Making Dreams at Wolfcastle. Shapely pale brindle dog, with good bone and correct feet. Good depth and length of body. Moved beautifully.
2nd Ellis’ Railfield Lone Rainger. Typey gold fawn dog with heaps of potential. Presenting a lovely outline with good length, well set shoulder and good hind angulation. Lovely low front action and plenty of drive. Not as mature as 1.
3rd Shepherd’s Citycroft Sundae with Oxana JW
Yearling Dog (14:3)
1st Russell’s Palmik Depeche Mode. Correct sized brindle, with a typey outline, enough bone, well laid shoulder and good length of loin, Well bent stifle and nice low hocks. Won this class on his effortless movement.
2nd Young & Witham’s Demerlay Out of the Mist at Armabay. Red and white boy of liovely type, unexaggerated throughout, good bone, nice length and strong quarters. Not as settled on the move as 1.
3rd Cuthbert’s Whipplei Body of Proof at Lunaire
Novice Dog (10:4)
1st Enolacans Antonio Benderas at Chipperlake.
2nd Hawker’s Mollytop Dream Maker. Well presented fawn/white trim. Typey outline, with well laid shoulder, good length of back and loin and correctly constructed quarters, good bone and lovely spring of pastern. Lovely low movement with plenty of drive.
3rd Palmik Whisper Again
Undergraduate Dog (8:2)
1st Bellamy’s Kandalama Royale. Young brindle dog with the best movement in this class. Shapely outline, good length of loin and well angulated quarters. Good depth of chest and nice underline.
2nd Cartwright’s Hawk Moth at Rearsbylea. Masculine brindle boy, with good neck and shoulder, nice depth of chest with plenty of heartroom and well bent stifles. Moved with drive.
3rd Abiss’ Kanati God of Olympus (imp)
Special Beginners Dog (10:1)
1st Tope’s Falconcrag Class Act for Dewerstone JW. Young pale fawn dog who still has a bit of maturing to do. Nice head and expression, good length of neck, and correct shoulder, good length throughout, and strong quarters. Won this class on his movement.
2nd Zevenbergen’s Gold Finch. Lovely gold dog, who is just my type. Ideal size with well laid shoulder, good neck flowing into a typical backline, good depth of chest and underline. Lovely coat and skin. True coming and going, but not as positive in profile movement. Unlucky to meet 1.
3rd Allansson & Runnesson’s Nattah Echo In the Mist over Macallon
Post Graduate Dog (25:5)
1st Bowrey’s Cobyco Cause to Celebrate. Brindle dog. Up to size, but still elegant and typey. Nice head and expression, good depth of chest, spring of rib, and length of loin. Nice bladed bone. Good hind angulation. True coming and going and moved with drive and purpose.
2nd Buckley’s Elmanash More than Gold at Louquin. Fawn of correct size presented in lovely hard condition. Lovely overall shape with good length of brisket and loin and well filled front. Nicely angulated rear quarters with no exaggeration. Nice low and powerful action.
3rd Robertson’s Moonlake My Way
Mid-Limit Dog (12:3)
1st Scholes’ Craigavad Once In A Lifetime. Lovely pale brindle dog of correct size. Lovely unexaggerated, masculine yet elegant outline with flowing lines from the tip of his nose to his tail. Geed reach of neck and correctly placed shoulder, nicely arched topline and good tuck-up, good length of loin and strong hind quarters with nicely turned stifle. Moved with drive and purpose. Just a little distracted in the challenge. RCC.
2nd Jones’ Jothryn Fly Away Boy. Shapely fawn dog, with flowing lines, well laid shoulder, good length and depth and strong quarters. Parallel movement and powerful profile action. Lost out on maturity today.
3rd Andrew’s Railfield Rainkey for Sharmus JW
Limit Dog (26:2)
What a beautiful Class! I could have awarded at least seven red cards here.
1st Griffiths’ Pelyma Dashing Duke JW. Shapely, macsuline fawn/white particolour, with a typey outline and no exaggerations. Lovely head, well laid shoulder, correct topline, which he held well on the move. Strong bladed bone and well made hind quarters. Well muscled and produced in gleaming condition. True coming and going and effortless side movement. The only dog who continued to move as well as the first time each and every time he was asked. CC and BOB on referee’s decision.
2nd James’ Drakesoak Halloween Twist. Elegant brindle dog of lovely size. Masculine head, and lovely oval eye. Good depth and well filled chest with plenty of heart room. Nicely sprung ribbing and good length of loin. Correctly made quarters with good bend of stifle. True fore and aft and lovely drive in profile.
3rd Allen’s Zoraden Gingerbread Latte JW
Open Dog (13)
Another tough class, where any shortlisted could reach top honours.
1st Harding-Waite & Waite’s Marleben Myracle Magician from Caderleth. Mature Brindle/White boy of lovely type. Lovely head and soft expression, unexaggerated outline, with good length of neck and loin, correct front construction with good fill. Good bladed bone and nice spring of pastern. Deep chest with good spring of rib. Well let down hocks. True coming and going and lovely low front action in profile. Pushed hard in the challenge but didn’t quite have the same enthusiasm as the top 2 winners.
2nd Ellis’ Railfield Rainicon in Yialousa JW. A dog I have loved since a puppy. Elegant pale fawn presenting a typical outline, good length of neck, correct topline and tuck-up, nice depth and spring of rib, well bent stifle with well developed second thigh. Moved beautifully. Just preferred the shoulder of 1.
3rd Whitehead’s Ch Citycroft High Society JW
Special Open Racing/Lure Coursing Dog (4:1)
1st Webber’s Dark Wing. Unexaggerated black of nice size in gleaming condition. Good bone and well sprung pasterns, lovely head and expression, typey overall shape, with corre3dct topline, which he kept on the move, strong quarters. Best mover in the class.
2nd Robertson’s Moonlake Morgan. Cream dog with a classic outline. Nicely constructed front, flowing lines and good length of neck and loin. Nice daisy-cutting action and plenty of drive.
3rd Clilverd’s Monelli Mississippi
Vanna Leathart
Judge