WELKS
Judge: Adam Rose
Thank you to everyone for giving me such a fantastic entry for my first time awarding CC’s in the breed, the highest I can remember at a general championship show for quite some time. It was lovely to see so many quality dogs together. A great atmosphere around the ring made the day an immensely enjoyable occasion, helped further by the weather staying kind enabling all my judging to take place outside. Temperament was generally good, with just a small handful of unhappy dogs.
I found the dogs were stronger overall today, although there were some cracking bitches too. I was very pleased overall, and didn’t find many common issues, other then an observation on tail carriage; there were a large number who carried them rather high, so something to keep an eye on. A few of the exhibits were carrying a tad extra weight, which affected their shape and movement and ultimately reflected in the placings.
I was absolutely delighted with my main winners, and found them to be exceptional examples of the breed. I was delighted that my Best of Breed represented us so well in the group.
Veteran Dog. 4 entries. 0 absent.
1st: Adams’ Sh Ch Barleyarch Alvar JW ShCM. 8 years old, and looking the best he ever has. Elegant, yet totally masculine with a firm level topline. Shown in great condition, with harsh coat. Not showing his age at all. Well muscled shoulders, balanced angulation and good bend of stifle. Have long admired him, and pleased to award him the RCC in good company.
2nd: Mould and Bird’s Sh Ch Koolwaters Accolade ShCM. Smart outline and a nice size, with a well proportioned handsome head. Liked his overall balance, and type. Starting to show his age a little now, and couldn’t match the winner on the move, but still full of quality.
3rd: Stedman’s Indijazz Grand designer ShCM
Minor Puppy Dog. 1 entry. 0 abs.
1st: Smith and Reardon’s Winterwell Fowl Play. Just 7 months old, this youngster was a real character. Showing lots of promise, he had ring presence and showed well. Good length of muzzle. Well angulated rear. His lower set tail, affected his overall outline a little, and his back movement wasn’t as positive as the puppy dog winner. Should mature into a nice dog.
Puppy Dog. 4 entries, 1 absent.
1st: Mann’s Valger Quorum. 10 month old. Promising baby, who oozes breed type. Beautiful head, with the kindest of expressions. Lovely overall outline. Would like a bit more substance, but this should come with maturity. Flowing neck into strong well laid shoulders. Good muscle tone for age. Super profile movement, covering the ground well; just needs to tighten up in front.
2nd: Brown and Burns’ Magregor Three’s a Crowd at Pothouse. This dog has a stunning outline when stacked, and initially thought he would be my winner. Loved his size and type. Tends to crab on the move, hindering his movement, which lost him first place.
3rd: Flint’s Allezweck El Capitan
Junior Dog. 10 entries. 1 absent.
This was a lovely junior class.
1st:Mervyn’s Tomanipoint Celtic Knight CW15 CJW15. Smart solid liver boy, with a lot to like. Such a strong body on this boy, and well matured for age. Deep chest, and great rear angulations. Best mover in this class, powering around the ring. So very balanced throughout, and should have a bright future ahead of him.
2nd: Hamlin’s Know No Bounds at Nuash. A flashy, well muscled l/w male. Little longer then my winner, but well proportioned everywhere else. Good head, neck and shoulders, and firm level topline. His effortless and powerful movement earned him this good second place in this strong class.
3rd: Cooke and Hammond’s Seasham Super Trouper JW.
Novice Dog. 4 entries. 1 absent.
1st: Hamlin’s Know No Bounds at Nuash.
2nd: Wilkinson’s Zarozinia Beinn An Oir. Solid liver, strong male. Traditional head. Well matured youngster, with good bone and substance. Moved ok when settled, but not with as much precision or drive as 1.
3rd: Tudor’s Indijazz Xperience at Brocador
Post Graduate Dog: 11 entries. 2 absent.
1st: Hawksby’s Benboee Beguiling at Delahawk. 19 months old. This dog is just so sound throughout. Didn’t initially catch my eye, but when you go over him there’s no denying his quality. Good angles fore and aft. Superb reach, and well carried tail. Strong head, well proportioned and totally male.
2nd: Mould and Bird’s Koolwaters Cream Cracker. Such a happy young man. Longer cast, but of nice size, with plenty of substance. Lovely clean outline, with flowing lines giving a nice overall picture. Preferred the length of muzzle on my winner.
3rd: Powell and Tarrant’s Malmelsa Romancing Romeo at Pawnic
Limit Dog. 17 entries. 1 Absent.
This was a fantastic class, and easily my best one of the day. So many quality dogs, made for some tough decisions, and I could have placed more.
1st: Malin’s Heathermark Irish at Benrae ShCM. I really surprised myself with this boy. At 4 years old I’ve seen him before, but perhaps never really noticed his qualities. When getting your hands on him, you really appreciate his virtues. He has the most handsome of heads, and darkest eyes. Great front, with the best of feet. Balanced throughout, with a strong backend. Good length of second thigh, and turn of stifle. Correct tailset and carriage. On the move I could not fault him. Topline firm and level. So honest and true, and nothing could match him in the males today. Thrilled to award him the CC, his third, which I believe makes him the first Black and White Champion in our breed!
2nd: Potter’s Ivoravon Storm Ina Tcup. Solid Liver boy of 5 years. Another sound and honest dog, who came into his own on the move, really striding out. Such a handsome head, and so typical in type. Stood over plenty of ground. Could not match the presence and style of the winner.
3rd: Burke’s Koolwaters Storm Warning for Alcazar
Open Dog. 10 entries. 1 absent.
This was a class full of quality, albeit with a big variation of type. A couple of dogs who impressed when stacked, unfortunately weren’t settled enough to show off their movement at it best and this was reflected in the placings.
1st: Harris’ Am G Ch VJK-Myst Goes Like the Wind of Barleyarch (Imp USA). This young boy is an absolute cracker. Although eye catching from the side of the ring, you need to get your hands on him to truly appreciate his qualities. The most splendid of heads, with kind expression. Slightly arched neck, leads to strong shoulders and forequarters. Beautiful tight feet, slightly sloping pasterns. Balanced throughout. Moved with power. Considered for RCC.
2nd: Tulleth, Galloway & Anderson’s Sh Ch Alayglow Um Um Raicher ShCM. Very different in type to the winner, but full of quality. Well muscled, strong bodied male, with handsome head and dark eyes. Good depth of chest. Well angled throughout. Moved well, but just didn’t have the showmanship of my 1st place today.
3rd: Mann and Roden’s Sh Ch Valger Nearco from Keigame (AI) JW
Good Citizen Dog. 2 entries. 0 absent.
1st: Hamlin’s The Bisto kid at Nuash. Balanced male, with powerful and sound movement. Attractive head, straight front. Shown in hard condition and handled well.
2nd: Bennett’s Barleyarch Firefly. Placed 5th in Junior. Young smart dog, who was not cooperative today, which made his movement difficult to assess. Nicely angulated rear. Holds topline well. Would like a bit more depth of chest, which will hopefully come with maturity.
Veteran Bitch. 6 entries. 1 absent.
1st: Rumney’s Sh Ch Keigame Sweet Melody. 8 years old and not showing her age. Beautiful outline, which she keeps on the move. Moved effortlessly around the ring. Well laid shoulders, topline slightly sloping towards strong and well angulated rear end. Good tailset and carriage.
2nd: Brown’s Montalba Millie Chillum. Have judged her before and done her well. Sound bitch and not dissimilar to my winner, though perhaps slightly longer cast. Similar comments apply. Preferred the head of 1st.
3rd: Cotton’s Winterwell Miss Tified
Minor Puppy Bitch. No entries.
Puppy Bitch. 7 entries. 0 absent.
1st: Hayes’ Valger Quartz in Elfindrew. The prettiest of girls, who has type and style in abundance. Moved beautifully true both coming and going. Harsh coat. Lovely tight feet. Just loved her character. Pleased to award her Best puppy over her littermate based on her slightly more together movement. Should have some fun with her.
2nd: Schoneville’s Balvenie Bella. Another sweet youngster. Smaller framed then my 1st, but so balanced and sound. Comes into her own on the move, particularly in profile movement. Eye catching and has good ring presence. Well angled front. Pretty head. Preferred overall type of the winner.
3rd: Smiths Indijazz Young Love at Abbeyaire.
Junior Bitch: 13 entries. 3 absent.
A lovely class full of quality bitches.
1st: Whitehouse’s Kazanpaul Crème de la Crème. This bitch is an absolute picture stacked. Such a beautiful outline, with flowing lines. Presented in superb condition, with a lovely coarse and dark coat. Well angled at both ends. Feminine head. Movement was good, though occasionally dropped her head and tail, which affected her outline. Nevertheless I saw enough to award her 1st amid strong competition. If settles more on the move, she should be one to watch.
2nd: Elrington’s Barleyarch Beetle at Tequesta. Smart girl, who has the most gorgeous sweet expression. Good front and feet. Nice harsh coat, and well muscled. Pushed hard for first place. Just preferred the type of 1.
3rd: Roden’s High High Jingle Bells at Keigame (Imp Mlt)
Novice Bitch. 7 entries. 0 absent.
1st: Roden’s High High Jingle Bells at Keigame (Imp Mlt). Placed 3rd in Junior bitch, this girl is maturing nicely, and has great breed type. Well schooled, she moved soundly and true, carrying her topline well. Lovely front. Would prefer slightly more bend of stifle.
2nd: Burford’s Pingary Point Hot Topic. This bitch immediately caught my eye. Just loved her type and overall shape. Good feet, slightly sloping pasterns, and well angled fore and aft. Shown in great condition. Close up to first place, just a shame she wasn’t as cooperative on the move.
3rd: Chandler’s Koolwaters Ritz
Post Graduate Bitch. 18 entries. 5 absent.
1st: Cox’s Cushatlaw Irresistable JW ShCM. 2nd: Drew’s Cushatlaw Illustrious JW.
These two are littermates and both full of quality. They both have the most exquisite heads, slightly arched necks and well placed shoulders. Both moved well, and had good reach and drive. Would like a little more body on the 1st place. 2nd was better conditioned overall, but I preferred the overall shape of my winner, particularly at the rear.
3rd: Desombre’s Barleyarch Springtail at Braneath
Limit Bitch. 11 entries. 2 absent.
1st: Brown’s Barleyarch Tigernut at Graygees. A sound and honest bitch who has such a classic outline and style. Won this strong class, with her effortless movement. Held her topline well on the move, and tail carriage was good. Very laid back and well tempered. Ribs well Sprung. Tight feet. Well bent stifle. Showed like a pro. Considered for the RCC, though for me carrying a tad extra weight and preferred the femininity of my Open Bitches.
2nd: Dawson and Walker’s Jolicoem Lalique. This bitch has heaps of personality. She has excellent reach and her movement is very precise. Carries her tail well. Stands over plenty of ground, with enough bone and good feet. This bitch is just my type, although I preferred the substance of my winner.
3rd: Hinchliff’s Goosepoint Beluga
Open Bitch. 15 entries. 4 absent.
1st: Thurm’s Valger Odette. My judging book says ‘Wow!’ This 3 ½ year old bitch is new to me, and is truly something special. From the moment she entered the ring I was drawn to her and could have watched her all day long. She stacks up looking an absolute picture, and was presented in A1 condition. A compact girl, of good size and proportions. She has the most delectable head, with warm friendly expression and dark eyes. Neck of good length, leading to well muscled shoulders, and well sprung ribs. Sound legs and feet. Good width of second thigh and strong rear quarters. On the move she was a dream, powering with real purpose, whilst keeping her elegance. I really fell in love with this girl, and had no hesitation in awarding her first CC and BOB. Was absolutely thrilled to see she later won Gundog Group 2. Think this may be the start of a very successful year…
2nd: Whitworth’s Freworth Firenze ShCM. The girl was unlucky today to meet such an outstanding winner, but many of the above comments also apply. She has a wonderful type, and is a joy to watch move around the ring. Totally feminine, with a pretty head. Good depth of chest and body well proportioned. With a stunning outline, this girl is totally sound, and showed like a trooper to win the RCC. Preferred the topline and overall presence of my winner.
3rd: Trow’s Sh Ch Winterwell Tootsie Roll JW ShCM
Good Citizen Bitch. 5 entries. 1 absent.
1st: Gardiner’s Malmelsa Flirty Fleuri. I love the sweet expression and cheeky character of this girl, which unfortunately is also her downfall, giving her owner a hard time. When stacked correctly she is well balanced and a lovely bitch. She has the very best of fronts, with the tightest of feet and nice straight legs. Would like a little more bend of stifle at the rear. When settled moves well.
2nd: Coe and Pitman’s Int Sh Ch/Lux/NL Ch Pitwit Leeona. A much improved bitch who shows and moves well. She powers soundly around the ring, and has a gentle expression. Would like more rear angles and coat was softer then my winner.
3rd: Attwood’s Patterscourt Twill
