The British Dalmatian Club Open Show, Saturday, 25th September 2021

The warm and sincere welcome I received on arriving at the ring side was very humbling and my stewards immediately put me at my ease. I would like to thank everyone who entered, giving me the opportunity to go over an eclectic collection of dogs. The first thing that caught my eye was, the overall improvement of decoration, with, very little ticking and striking pigments in both livers and blacks, making background colour pristine with no foxing and only 2 exhibitors showed signs of dally rash. Sadly, the pandemic has not done our breed any favours. The older more experienced breeders have done well to maintain the standard, however, the younger up and coming breeders have obviously struggled, during the past couple of years. Movement in a number of dogs was poor, almost a quarter did not move along a straight line or were tracking properly, striding was also short in a few. Thankfully, all my firsts and seconds moved well, and some were exceptionally good. I also noticed a couple of dogs with large bullmastiff-type heads and necks leading into huge fronts. If this type is introduced into our breed, we will lose the grace and elegance that is their trademark. On a more positive note, all the dogs were outgoing, friendly and non-aggressive, temperaments have defiantly improved over the years. Despite my concerns, I enjoyed my judging immensely and had a superb afternoon, I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who was involved in the smooth running of the show, especially my 2 stewards who kept me on track. I also had the added pleasure of receiving a commemorative crystal plaque from the B.D.C., thank you again.

Minor Puppy Dog 6 (2)
1st CROFT’S KOROYZA VIKING VOYAGER A well-proportioned puppy with excellent muscle tone. Ample weight with considerable bone and growth potential for his age. A lovely dark eye and good chest with plenty of heart room. This evenly decorated puppy took first place in his class with ease.
2nd GRINGHAM’S KOROYZA NORSE EXPLORER This puppy was well proportioned but slighter in build showing less bone at the same age. Once again, he had a good chest and plenty of heart room. He had lovely liver spotting, which, was evenly distributed, his vibrant amber eye complemented his pigment perfectly.
3rd BOOTH’S BUZZBROOK KING ALFRED

Puppy Dog 7
1st WRIGHT’S MILLBELLE CRAZY HORSE An evenly marked puppy who was very mature for his 11 months, really stood out in the line-up. With the darkest of eye, muzzle, stop to occiput ratio correct, giving him an attractive head, good front angulation supporting plenty of muscle. Rear angulation was also well constructed with good turn of stifle, which, was confirmed when he moved, covering the ground with a reach and drive I have not seen in one so young. Could do no less than give him BP
2nd JOHNSON’S DALSTORM INCAN MISSION Once again and probably due to age, this puppy was slighter in build and not as well muscled as my first choice, having excellent pigment, ample bone and good feet. He moved well and was expertly handled. Overall, very promising and time will tell.
3rd ROBBINS’ & HENSMAN’S JASQUARELLA EDGE OF WINTER TAF

Junior Dog 6 (1)
1st CROFT’S SOPHTSPOT MIDAS TOUCH FOR KOROYZA This dog had a handsome masculine head with the darkest of eye, good front angulation and prominent withers leading to a level top line. His shoulders were well muscled, having plenty of bone and cat like feet. Onset of tail was a little high for my taste, however, he moved well covering the ground with ease.
2nd TINGEY’S DALLYADOR LOCKDOWN LEGEND An evenly marked well-proportioned head with a light amber eye. This dog had deep liver spotting and ample bone. Not quite as evenly marked as my first choice and slighter in front, however, also moved well which denotes good construction.
3rd HOBBS’ & WHITING’S RAPANOOEY RANUNCULUS

Yearling Dog 1 (1)

Maiden Dog 4
1st SZYMIKOWSKI’S & LOCKHART’S KENYNTEN GLADION Sporting a longer narrower head than most, this well balanced, but slighter in build than I would have preferred, dog had deep liver spotting and dark amber eyes, with an elegant head and neck down to correctly angulated shoulder. Had well rounded feet and moved well around the ring, working really well with his handler.
2nd BOOTH’S BUZZBROOK KING ALFRED Very similar to my first choice being quite slight in build, this much younger dog still has time for growth, so shows potential for the future. Striking black on white coat. Good top line and correct onset of tail, having comparable movement to my winner in this class.
3rd TYSON’S PERDIT’S ALBUS

Novice Dog 7 (1)
1st WRIGHT’S MILLBELLE CRAZY HORSE An evenly marked novice who was very mature for his 11months, really stood out in the line-up. With the darkest of eye, muzzle, stop to occiput ratio correct, giving him an attractive head, good front angulation supporting plenty of muscle, rear angulation was also well constructed with good turn of stifle, which, was confirmed when he moved, covering the ground with a reach and drive I have not seen in one so young. Could do nothing else but give him BP
2nd DAWSON’S WASHAKIE SUN WARRIOR Elegant head and neck, beautifully marked ears and dark eye. He had slightly less bone than my first choice and feet not quite as tight. This dog looked good on the move and was well handled. He did lack a little in the wither which affected his top line with a slight slope from croup to onset of tail.
3rd JOHNSON’S DALSTORM INCAN MISSION

Graduate Dog 2
1st CHATTAWAY’S BUZZBROOK SPELLBREAKER This dog’s plainer marked face did not detract from it being well proportioned with good length of ears, which, were finely decorated. A very compact, well-muscled dog who moved with power and drive. Had an excellent front and well sprung rib giving plenty of heart room.
2nd SZYMIKOWSKI’S & LOCKHART’S KENYNTEN GLADION Sporting a longer narrower head than most, this well balanced, but, slighter in build than I would have liked. This dog had deep liver spotting and dark amber eyes, with an elegant head and neck down to correctly angulated shoulder. Had well rounded feet and moved well round the ring, working really well with his handler.

Post graduate Dog 5 (2)
1st SAMPSON’S DALSTORM GOLDEN GUINEA JW Nice head with darkest of eye, showing no throatiness. Good top line and correct onset of tail. A well-balanced dog throughout and fit for purpose. Had plenty of bone and tight lion feet. Moved well, could have done with a little more speed on the day, which, would have shown his true worth.
2nd CROFT’S KALOKAIRIE’S GREAT GATSBY AT KOROYZA This liver boy has a charming if heavily spotted face, along with an equally heavily spotted torso. Has an excellent top line, sadly onset of tail is a little high resulting in this dog holding his tail too high. He had good angulation and is well tucked up behind. He had plenty of reach when on the move.

Limit Dog 5 (1)
1st STOCKS’ SOPHTSPOT LIONHEART AT NOSPAR Predominantly masculine head with well-marked ears and dark eyes, a pleasantly arched neck leading to well-muscled shoulders. This dog had ample bone and tight feet, a strong top line leading to a good onset of tail. An immaculate white coat with evenly distributed and correctly sized black spotting, covering the ground with ease when on the move.
2nd RICHARDSON’S MAPPLEWELL POCKET ROCKET This larger but well-proportioned dog had a pleasing head and a good front, well sprung ribs giving plenty of heart room. He had a level top line and good onset of tail, all be it a little short. Front and rear angulation was good, he also covered the ground well.
3rd KEMBREY’S O’MALLY DES DALMATS DE LA PIERRE SACREE AT DALMARK

Open Dog 2 (1)
1st WHINCUP’S TAMILANDA AIR FORCE ONE Well-proportioned skull, having dark eyes and heavily marked ears. An elegant neck leading into firm shoulders with correct front angulation. Excellent bone and tight feet, a deep chest, with equally well angulated hindquarters carrying plenty of firm muscle. Couldn’t fault his top line, however, held his tail a little high on the day, which, I felt could have done with a bit more length. He put real power and drive into his stride, an excellent mover. Superb all-rounder and defiantly worthy of BoS & RBS

Junior Veteran Dog 6 (1)
1st ALEXANDER’S OFFORDALE PICASSO This 7-year-old veteran was a credit to his owner, a picture of health and obviously enjoys being in the ring. Had a broad masculine head and well-developed front, sporting plenty of bone and cat like feet. Was an excellent mover, using his strong rear with good bend of stifle to power around the ring. However, it would have been nice to have seen him run on not such a tight lead.
2nd EDENS’ DALENS HOT GOSSIP JW ShCM VW At nearly 11years old, a superb dog for his age, another credit to his owner, still had plenty of muscle and ample bone. A little slighter in build than my first choice but of the same high standard. Well-proportioned in all aspects. However, my winner in this class just had the edge on movement today.
3rd CUTHBERTSON’S CH KALSIDONI CAMEO

Senior Veteran 1
1st WHINCUP’S & SIBSON’S CH TAMILANDA VINTAGE PINK JW Another remarkable 10-and-a-half-year-old dog. Well preserved and fit, had plenty of energy and moved with vigour. A well-balanced dog with good muscle, all credit to his owners. This dog was carrying a bit of weight, which I like to see in these older dogs, as it gives them a little to draw on if illness occurs.

Minor Puppy Bitch 7 (1)
1st CHATTAWAY’S BUZZBROOK LILY OF THE VALLEY A strikingly decorated puppy, with a well-proportioned feminine head. Well covered giving, room for continued growth. Needed a little more front and expansion of rib but this will develop in time. Moved and stood beautifully, ample bone for her age and well-developed feet. One to keep an eye on for the future.
2nd GRINHAM’S KOROYZA PAGAN’S MYTH Very feminine with deep liver even spotting and light amber eye, overall, in proportion for her age. Once again, enough wight and growth plate development left to take her in to adulthood. Good muscle tone and level top line. Moved well and stood perfectly. I think this bitch has a lot of potential.
3rd DAVIS’ & SCOTT-ALLEN’S DALLYDYL CODE BREAKER

Puppy Bitch 7
1st FINLAY’S DVOJICA EXCUSE MY FRENCH AT DALFIN A slender well developed mature bitch at 11 months with an elegance that denotes the breed. Head in proportion to the rest of her body, elegant neck leading into correct shoulder angulation with well developed muscle. Perfect top line and onset of tail. Good rear angulation and well developed second thigh leading to close feet. Overall, a smashing young bitch BPB
2nd KNIGHT’S BUSSBROOK PUSSY WILLOWThis finely balanced bitch had a little catching up to do in maturity and growth compared to my first choice, shows potential with a well-proportioned head and finely marked correctly positioned ears. Angulation was correct both front and rear, however, she was light on muscle and her ribs have yet to spring, moved adequately around the ring. One to look out for in the future.
3rd SHEPHERD’S DALFIRE FLANDERS FIELD

Junior Bitch 7 (1)
1st ALCOCK’S KAYJULE AMBER LADY AT DALSPARTAN A well-proportioned bitch of the correct hight, nice head evenly marked with deep amber eyes. In my opinion if a bitch or dog moves well there can’t be much wrong with its construction and this bitch had superb moment and drive. Evenly decorated throughout with some flecking. Exhibiting plenty of bone. Tail carriage a little high, but, this did not detract from her overall quality.
2nd HOPKIN’S DVOJICA EVANGELISTA A compact bitch, good head with dark eyes, slender neck leading to a well-developed chest, well-muscled shoulder and small tight feet. Lacked a little heart room but had a good top line and muscled rear end. Showed her pace well but my first choice pipped her at the post.
3rd EDENS’ DALENS QUEEN OF THE SEA AT SILVERSPOT

Yearling Bitch 4 (2)
1st NEATH-DUGGAN’S & BAKER’S BUFFREY CARRY ON EMMANUELLE WITH DALLEAF A very feminine well decorated bitch, with a lovely head and dark eyes. Plenty of wither leading into a level top line and good onset of tail at the correct length. Front angulation a little upright and could have had a bit more bone. Coupling and rear angulation good with plenty of tuck up. Moved well around the ring.
2nd THOMAS’ BUFFERY CARRY ON LOVINGAT PHILCARTHOM Another well-developed bitch but shorter in coupling. Elegant head and slender neck leading into an adequate front. Well sprung ribs giving plenty of heart room. Also moved well but didn’t cover the ground as well as my first choice.

Maiden Bitch 2
1st CHATTAWAY’S BUZZBROOK LILY OF THE VALLY A strikingly decorated puppy, with a well-proportioned feminine head. Well covered, giving room for continued growth. Needed a little more front and expansion of rib, but, this will develop in time. Moved and stood beautifully, ample bone for her age and well-developed feet. Really liked this little bitch and can’t wait to see how she develops.
2nd ENDERBY’S DALMARK THE REDHEAD Delicate, attractively marked head, a little shorter and stocker in the neck than my first choice. Well-developed shoulder with a perfect top line leading to well angulated rear end. Had tight cat like feet and deep liver spotting throughout.

Novice Bitch 7(2)
1st KEMBREY’S DALMARK THE ASH BLONDE Being perfectly proportioned, this bitch stood at the correct hight, had good front angulation and was well muscled throughout. A good top line and correct onset and length of tail. She had ample bone, good hindquarters and her feet were lion like. Moved well around the ring but could have stood calmer.
2nd GARDNER’S WRENDRAGGE MABEL SYRUP A stocker-built bitch in contrast to my first choice but equally well put together. Had a correctly proportioned head with a flat skull and nicely decorated ears. Deep well-developed chest incorporating a good front. Top line not as level as I would have liked and carried her tail high on the day.
3rd ALCOCK’S KAYJULE AMBER LADY AT DALSPARTAN

Graduate Bitch 10 (1)
1st HAYWOOD-RIDGWAY’S LUCCOMBE STRAWBERRY FIZZ This very dainty bitch has a delicately shaped plain head with laid back but well-marked ears. A short neck into slightly upright angulation but a reasonable front. Has plenty of bone, leading down to perfectly shaped tight feet. Nice wither and level top line, good length of tail. Moved soundly, a good all-rounder.
2nd KAAL’S DALLYDYL DREAM OF MANDERLEY TO OLBERO Striking pure white background on this lesser marked bitch caught my eye. Had a feminine head and dark eyes. Well balanced, but, a little lighter on bone then 1st place. Moved strongly and stood perfectly.
3rd SAMPSON’S TYRODAL SEVEN OF NINE AT DALSTORM

Post Graduate Bitch 12 (6)
1st PATRICK’S COHAVRICK SYMPHONY An elegantly put together bitch with a fine head and very pretty ear markings, slender neck leading into a well-defined wither, straight top line and correct onset of tail, with the tail being of good length. Was coupled well with good rear angulation. Cover the ground with ease.
2nd THORNER’S ALPHADAL’S SWEET DREAMER OF NARACOOPA Had a lovely plain broad skull and dark eyes. Well-defined even body markings. Similar to my 1st placing in top line and correct onset of tail. Excellent lion feet supported by plenty of bone, correct angulation front and rear, tucked up well behind. However, hight-wise, she may have been over the standard.
3rd HAYWOOD-RIDGWAY’S LUCCOMBE STRAWBERRY ROYALE

Limit Bitch 8 (1)
1st RICHARDSON’S MAPPLEWELL LIMITED EDITION This bitch was symmetrical in outline, with an elegant head of correct proportions, and exceptionally dark eyes. A light tapering neck having no throatiness, leading onto well laid-back muscular shoulders, a deep chest and well sprung rib cage. Her hindquarters comprised clean well-rounded muscle and a well-developed second thigh with a good turn of stifle and her hocks were well defined. She had great freedom of movement with her rear feet tracking the fore. I couldn’t fault this bitch, easily my BB and ultimately Best in Show
2nd STOCKS’ PANDAMAX LADY MARTINI TO NOSPAR JW Similar to my winner in this class, with a very feminine head, clean, slender well arched neck into good withers and level top line, slightly higher onset of tail compared to my first choice but not detrimental. Front angulation good, having a deep chest, tight elbows, leading to straight forelegs and tight feet. Excellent rear angulation with a good bend of stifle, although, hocks not so well defined. This bitch moved freely and with power. RBS
3rd TINGEY’S DALLYADOR SECRET ADDICTION

Open Bitch 7 (2)
1st ALEXANDER’S OFFORDALE VIKTORIANA Another fine example of the breed, slender head with dark eyes and attractively decorated ears. Nicely muscled shoulders straight foreleg with ample bone and cat like feet. Plenty of heart and lung room. Withers not so well defined but had a level top-line and correct onset of tail. Couldn’t fault this bitch’s movement, she covered the ground with ease, proving her angulation both front and rear was correct, however, it would have been nice to have seen her run on a loose lead.
2nd HOBBS’ & WHITING’S SOPHTSPOT KNOCKOUT AT RAPANOOEY A smart looking compact bitch with a fabulous front, muzzle, stop and occiput ratio to standard. Correct positioning of ear. Lighter in bone than my first choice but a well-deserved placing. Moved with a smooth freedom.
3rd CUTHBERTSON’S ELLEMSTRA LITTLE MIX WITH KALSIDONI

Junior Veteran 7 (3)
1st FINLAY’S CH DVOJICA BLACK SWAN AT DALFIN ShCM A slender-headed bitch with dark eyes. Beautifully balanced with even markings and no foxing. Good angulation both front and rear, an excellent front and rib cage with plenty of heart room. This bitch ran superbly, stretching out, with a good turn of speed. BV
2nd PATRICK’S SPIRAL DESDEMONA ShCM A very delicate, much smaller bitch, again with a slender head and dark eyes. Her angulation was good both front and rear but had little substance, her chest was narrow but overall well balanced, nothing looked out of place. Very prettily marked with no foxing. She moved well with grace and style.
3rd WAREHAM’S TAMILANDA BLUE WATER LILLY AT DOTSADAISY ShCM

Senior Veteran 1
1st THORNER’S TOLUTIM EVENSONG AT NARACOOPA ShCM This elegant little bitch, at over 10 years, really showed the younger generation how this showing lark is done. She had a lovely slender neck into muscled shoulders and close elbows, a straight leg leading down to perfect feet. Was well tucked up and stood beautifully and was extremely agile when on the move. Her coat was in superb condition with no foxing. A credit to her owner.

Brace 4 (2)
1st MISS N. PACE These evenly matched well balanced liver pair ran beautifully, stride for stride the whole way around the ring. Couldn’t fault these two, gallant winners. Well done to dogs and handler.
2nd MR S. , MRS C., MISS T. & MSTR C. CROOKES These two were evenly matched in size, spotting and build, however, although they were stride for stride, just lost momentum in the top right-hand corner of the ring, which, sadly, put them in second place. Well done you have a lovely team.

Linda Croft (Doubtwell)