Driffield 2021 Judged by Mrs L Suggett
DRIFFIELD CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW SOCIETY 29/08/21

BREED: DALMATIANS

JUDGE: MRS LESLEY SUGGETT


My thanks to the exhibitors for the highest entry in the Utility group (with a low absentee rate) and sporting acceptance of my decisions; to the officials of DCDSS for their warm welcome and kind hospitality; and to my very capable stewards, Harry Nelson and Chris Whitmore whose efficiency and time management ensured that judging was completed in a timely manner ready for a partnership show to follow. I really enjoyed my day.

The ring was a good size, very slightly sloping, with short grass. We were fortunate to have dry weather, but it began chilly and became much colder as the day progressed. Whilst the exhibitors and I definitely felt the cold, the majority of dogs didn’t appear to be affected.

Temperaments were all very good. Unfortunately, the dreaded ‘rash’ was in evidence and cost some exhibits higher awards. Many individual aspects of our breed are improving, but I think it is important that we keep an overview of the Dalmatian in total. In the showring we currently have a range of sizes and builds – some not typical of a powerful, elegant, moving dog.

I decided to dispense with the ‘triangle’. It’s really difficult to assess movement as handlers interpret triangle to mean anything from a circle to random moves across the ring. I reverted to a standard ‘up and down’ twice, moving myself to watch in profile on the second run and then a ‘run round’ to join the line. It proved much more successful! We have some very talented handlers in the breed with dogs being presented to their best advantage – excellent examples for novice exhibitors to follow.

VD/B (11-1)
1 Finlay’s Ch Dvojica Black Swan at Dalfin Sh.CM Almost 9 yrs old b/w who had previously topped classes under me as a Yearling and then in Open – delighted to judge her again as a mature lady. I don’t think anyone has told her she’s a veteran!! Correctly constructed, she has retained her femininity and elegance and was shown in very good condition. She covers the ground efficiently and with drive. Calmly handled and completely focussed. BV. Sadly, due to restrictions, there was no Veteran group at this show.
2 Frandsen’s Ch Skvaa Luxury Item A stallion l/w dog now 8.5 yrs old. Well-constructed all through with good depth of chest. Moved with reach and drive. Still incredibly fit, but unfortunate today to meet 1 on top form.
3 Donnelly’s Tamilanda Berry Ice Lilly

PD
(6-1) This was the fourth day of the show - the ring offered many opportunities for scent work!! The boys in this class were particularly ‘busy’. A class of quality puppies which bodes well for the future.
1 Philip & Dunnachie’s Dvojica Enrique Very attractive 10 mths old b/w. His mind was definitely elsewhere today, but he was handled quietly and patiently to advantage. Ideal for size at this age. Shorter-coupled giving a neat, compact appearance, but still with plenty of room for extended reach and drive on the move. Good topline with correctly set and carried tail which enhances the overall picture. Son of RBCC winner and litter brother to PB winner. His overall presence took him to BPD and BPIB. Sadly, due to restrictions, there was no Puppy group at this show.
2 Alexander’s Offordale Bennett 9 mths old b/w. Slightly longer in loin than 1, presenting a very attractive picture both standing and moving. Elegant neck into level topline which he held on the move. 1 took the class today on overall presence.
3 Wright’s Millbelle Crazy Horse

JD
(4-1)
1 Wright’s M Crazy Horse 10 mths old b/w, 3rd in PD. Lovely dark eye enhancing his expression. Clearly defined withers, plenty of heartroom and a level topline with a correctly set and carried tail. This boy has a really lengthy reach on the move which his handler is able to present to advantage.
2 Hobbs & Whiting’s Rapanooey Ranunculus Evenly marked 12 mths old l/w. Balanced head with ears framing his face to add to his kind expression. Steady on the move. Entering the ‘teenage’ phase - ready now to begin to develop a little more over his hindquarters. Could carry a fraction more weight to advantage. Well handled.
3 Barrett’s Dalamanti Caesars Palace

SYD
(5-1)
1 Gardner’s Wrendragge Stone the Crows B/w of good colour who was really on his toes today! Intelligent expression enhanced by well broken ears framing his face. Clean, elegant neck into well laid shoulders. Neat elbows fitting against a deep chest. Strong topline held on the move. Tail correctly set and carried. Not overdone in any respect. His real strength today was his long striding, rhythmic movement. Sired by DCC winner. Very focussed on his handler who showed him to advantage. Liked him a lot.
2 Stocks’ Sophtspot Lionheart at Nospar Less heavily marked than 1, attractive black on a clear white coat. Shown in very good condition. Currently at the ‘teenage’ stage but coming together well. Lost out to 1 today on overall maturity.
3 Tyson’s Perdita’s Albus

PGD
(10-1) A very competitive class - all of those placed were in excellent condition.
1 Moate’s Sundowndal Trijonkuro 19 mths old jet black on tight white coat. Ideal size. Lovely dark eyes creating gentle expression. Elegant neck into correct shoulders. Compact but with sufficient length of loin to enable good drive from the rear, matched by good reach in front. Muscles developed appropriately for age. Has presence which completes the picture. Considered for RCC.
2 Sampson’s Dalstorm Golden Guinea JW Sh.CM Quality b/w well made all through. Powerful driving movement. Well muscled. Today he was carrying just a fraction more weight which very slightly affected his outline – I was splitting hairs. Full brother to BCC.
3 Norgrove’s Sassydals Flugel Horn

LD
(11-2) This class presented several exhibits with coat conditions – but not among the winners.
1 Richardson’s Mapplewell Pocket Rocket Quality youngster. Jet black on white, maturing well. Presented in very good condition. Strong bone into good feet. Balanced throughout with lovely rounded hindquarters. Very sound on the move with a long free stride. Handled quietly but effectively. Pleased to award him the RCC. Must have a bright future.
2 Emmett & Simon’s Ch Ellemstra Against All Odds JW B/w with a more compact outline. Well-constructed with balanced angles fore and aft. Very positive on the move. Presented in top condition. Just preferred 1 on the day.
3 Pearson & Bliss’ Kelevra What a Guy JW

OD
(8-0)
1 Whincup’s Ch Tamilanda Midnight Lilly JW I previously awarded this eye-catching b/w boy a RCC as a Yearling in 2017. He has matured into a lovely example of the breed losing none of his early appeal. Masculinity with elegance. Clean shoulders and rounded hindquarters with balanced angles fore and aft ensuring lengthy reach and drive on the move. Completely in tune with his handler throughout enhancing his keen expression. Delighted to award him the DCC and BOS
2 Neath-Duggan and Baker’s Ch Buffrey Incognito by Dalleaf JW
A top quality b/w with real depth of pigmentation. Soundly constructed and balanced all through enabling efficient, long striding movement. Handled to advantage. On the day 1 had just an extra ounce of presence.
3 Christie’s Ch Sophtspot Gold Dust JW

GCD
(1-0)
1 Sampson’s D Golden Guinea JW 2nd in PGD

PB (11-2)
1 Finlay’s Dvojica Excuse My French at Dalfin 10 mths old jet back on white. Beautifully rounded with everything in balance. Correctly constructed head with lovely dark eye. Good depth of chest. Moved steadily with positive reach and drive. Handled quietly but effectively to advantage. Out of RBCC winner BPB beaten by her brother for BPIB. One to watch.
2 Page’s Salsusa Belle of the Ball B/w, just 6 mths old, at her first show. Very focussed on handler whose reassuring approach brought out the best in her. Such a pity there was no MP class, she was giving away so much in maturity. Everything as you would want it on a puppy of this age. Darkest of eyes and well carried ears enhanced her expression. Body well proportioned. Moved purposefully for one so young. Must have a bright future.
3 Hopkin’s Dvojica Evangelista

JB
(8-2)
1 Whincup’s Tamilanda Continental Gold 16 mths old top quality l/w. Rich liver colour – clearly a liver from a distance. Tight coat with even spotting on a clear white ground. Warm amber eyes enhancing an intelligent expression. Face framed by well broken ears. Clean lines with correct angles fore and aft. Excellent width of thigh. Tail set and carried well. Sound on the move. Shown in excellent condition. Considered for the RCC but today she just lacked that extra ounce of sparkle – possibly feeling the cold? Handled very well to present her best features. Surely will go all the way.
2 Neath-Duggan and Baker’s Buffrey Carry on Emmanuelle with Dalleaf Just on 18 mths jet black on a clear white coat. Balanced throughout, not overdone in any way. Moved positively away and back. Another of quality shown in tip top condition and handled to advantage. Today 1 just tipped the balance for me, but it was close.
3 Davies’ Tamilanda Continental Boom

SYB
(6-2)
1 Sampson’s Tyrodal Seven of Nine at Dalstorm Evenly marked l/w. Elegant all through. Correct head into clean neck. Well laid back shoulders into strong topline. Good width of thigh and correct rear angulation assisting her lovely rhythmic action on the move. Shown in very good condition.
2 Horscraft’s Perdita’s Anastasia at Manchando Jet black on white. Ears framing her head to enhance her expression. Soundly constructed body with level topline which she holds on the move. Long, free striding movement. Another case where overall presence had the edge for 1.
3 Valentine’s Wrendragge Rainbow Dream

PGB
(17-2) This was a very competitive class, shortlisted to 7.
1 Haywood-Ridgway’s Luccombe Strawberry Fizz Strong black pigmentation on a clear white coat. Good head proportions. Well spotted ears adding to her intelligent expression. Elegant neck into correct shoulders. Strong topline held on the move. Compact body shape, but with sufficient length and well angulated rear quarters to enable lengthy reach and drive. Moved very positively away and back. Handled quietly but very effectively. Appeared to be beginning to tire in the final challenge, or was maybe feeling the cold?.
2 Barry’s Kalokairie Guilty Pleasure Lots to like about this l/w youngster. Gentle head with ears framing her face well. Warm amber eyes enhance her expression. Balanced angles fore and aft enabled free striding movement. Today 1 took the class on overall maturity and finish. Her time will come.
3 Burrow’s Ellemstra Tough Cookie at Shacarlu

LB
(10-3)
1 Dunnachie & Philip’s Dvojica Daisy Diamond Elegant b/w. Dark eyes enhancing her intelligent expression. Strong level topline maintained at all times. Powerful reach and drive on the move achieved from correct angles fore and aft. Definitely looked as though she could go all day. Handled to advantage. Dam of PD and PB winners. RCC
2 Richardson’s Mapplewell Limited Edition
A quality girl with a jet black on white coat. Lovely head into an elegant neck. Correct construction all through. Tail well set and carried. Handled very well to enhance her features. She pushed hard, but 1 just edged past the post first.
3 Stocks’ Pandamax Lady Martini to Nospar JW

OB
(10-2)
1 Frandsen’s Dalstorm Future Faith Stylish l/w who was at the top of her game today. I judged her previously at DoTY 2018 where she took PoTY. She has matured very well indeed and has definitely fulfilled her early promise. Stylish and built correctly to meet the standard, who really settles on the move into a long, rhythmic stride. Having watched this partnership in her breed class, the challenges and then in the group, I realised that the calm ‘swan-like’ presentation belies the fact that she is a real challenge to her handler who uses a variety of techniques to keep her on track. BCC & BOB. Delighted to learn afterwards that this was her crowning CC and followed the award of her Int Ch title the previous week. Showed well in the Group.
2 Gardner’s Ch Dvojica Chilli Chutney for Wrendragge JW Top quality, very attractive l/w with much to like. Well broken ears framing a correctly proportioned head. Soundly constructed throughout and balanced on the move, but not enthusiastic today. Unfortunate to meet 1 who was in tip top form. Completed her day with 2nd in the Eukanuba Champion Stakes (Utility & Toy).
3 Neath-Duggan & Baker’s Ch Buffrey Hanky Panky by Dalleaf JW

GCB
(2-0)
1 Pickup’s Roadcoach Ray of Sunshine Attractive l/w with a kind expression enhanced by good ear carriage. Elegant neck into well laid shoulders. Level topline, held on the move. Balanced angulation, not overdone in any way. Moved positively and accurately, although not over enthusiastically. Presented in very good condition. I understand she was working with a new handler for the first time - a positive partnership – she responded well to all that was asked of her.
2 Pace’s Dalcatori Morganite Rosa Del Brondelvcede Evenly marked, pretty l/w. Attractive lines with nothing overdone. Moved out and back well but not with as much reach and drive as 1. Handler worked hard to present her at her best.

Lesley Suggett
Judge