LEEDS CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW

Judges Critiques

Colin Richardson

Judging: Great Dane, Working Group

Leeds Championship Dog Show

Sunday  July 27th 2024

Breed:       Great Danes

Judge: Colin Richardson

My sincere thanks to the exhibitors for allowing me to judge their dogs, it is always an honour and a privilege. My comments below are, as always, because of my deep affection and love of the breed. This was the 25th year for me to give CCs in the breed having started in 1999 at the EofE GDC with an entry of 196 bitches. My BoB made the final cut in the group and my BP took Group 2 in the puppy group. 

I was blessed with some stunning dogs in the higher classes, especially the open dog and bitch classes. I felt very privilege to judge these lovely representatives of the breed. My BOB was Ch. Selmelda Oh Lori (a.i.) and oh my, what a lovely example of the breed. She was extremely impressive without any hint of coarseness, with great ring presence, elegance and that look of dash and daring, which is an essential element of the Great Dane. I was pleased to see her make the final cut in the working group later; she did not let the breed down. She moved around the ring with drive and purpose, commanded your attention. Bitch CC and BOB. The DCC went to Cranfield’s Zeefather’s Ralph Lauren JW, ShCEX, OSW. A very pleasing example of the breed who didn’t stop showing and moved well.

Best Puppy and Group 2 was the 8 month old dog Anadain Life is a Lemon. A very well put together youngster who should do well as he matures. The RDCC & RBCC went respectively to Ch Semelda Jealous Guy (litter brother to BOB) and Primus Diamonds Are Forever Samdice

‘                                                                                                                                                                                

The standard is quite specific regarding head proportions, equal proportions of foreface to skull or preferably of greater length in the foreface.  There were some heads with a shorter muzzle  and this can produce incorrect jaw alignment. There were 3 present with suspect bites, one with crowded incisors resulting in 3 misplaced incisors, one slightly overshot and the other with small teeth

Eye shape has improved and there were less round eyes than when I judged them last. 

There is still a divergence of type within the breed.

Temperament on the whole was very good, no cross words although a few did shy away when being examined. As I am quite a big person, I am always sympathetic to the younger stock as I know how heart breaking it can be to have a young animal upset by inconsiderate handling/judging.

I found the majority of dogs were well presented, clean and a credit to their owners care and attention.

Dogs

Puppy (0, 2 abs) A nice class of youngsters.

1st  Maganaris & Booth’s Roucandane Tempest Hebrus.  Well-bred 8 month old brindle youngster, he has a big frame to fill, he needs time. He is a little raw at the moment but shows his quality. Correct head shape with good length of foreface, parallel planes and square drop a good of lip. He has correctly placed  scapula and lay back of shoulder. Correct  topline and tuck up. Excellent rear angulation with low set hocks. Moved out well with good front and rear extension.

2nd  McLelland’s Anadain Dead Ringer for Love Another pleasing youngster who was unfortunate to meet the winner who had today, settled to the task better. Slightly different type to the winner. I am sure on another day they may well change places. Pleasing expression and head shape, powerful neck flowing into correct forequarters. Length of loin was good . Held topline on the move. He decided to play up his handler. If he had behaved more placings might have been reversed.

3rd Lawton’s Dinahtron Candy Man at Thornbrae

Junior Dog (2, 0 abs), 

!st Palmer’s Adoreadane Charlton (a.i.) 16 month old well marked harlequin. Heavier type but still within the standard. Pleasing head, parallel planes and expression with well set ears. Strong neck going into very good forehand.  Plenty of heartroom . depth of chest. Correct bend of stifle and moved well .

2nd Pendleton-Watkins’ Goldania’s King of Drago. 17 month old of different type.  Head shape good with correct earset. Strong neck going into deep forechest . A little   long in loin for dog. Pasterns need to strengthen.

Spec. Yearling (1, 0 abs)

1st  Donnelly’s Primus Roll the Dice, 22 months dog. Pleasing head shape with parallel planes, drop of lip and bite. Lovely crested neck and good forehand. Kept topline on move. Rear angulation and tailset OK, moved with drive.

Post Gradfuate Dog (1, 0 abs)

1st, Best puppy in breed & Puppy Group 2 McLelland’s Anadain Life is a Lemon. What a cracking young man and a fantastic name to boot. 8 month old powerful fawn youngster, without coarseness and I am sure he will make up. Won the puppy challenge with something to spare. He then went into the puppy group ring and took Gp2 Fawn dog with head of good proportions, parallel planes and with flat skull. Long neck going into good forequarters. Good depth of brisket with nice tuck up. Clean puppy outline with correct tail set and rear angulation. There were 2 exceptional males in the dog challenge and he pressed them hard. I hope you have continued success with him and eventually make him up. He was totally focussed on his showing, well done.

Limit Dog (6, 0 abs)

1st Bailey’s Primus Party Like Gatsby. Fawn dog with head of good proportions. Good eye shape and alert expression. Parallel planes with flat skull. Long neck going into good forequarters. Good depth of brisket with nice tuck up. Clean body outline with correct tail set. Moved well and with drive from good rear angulation and low hocks.

2nd Lipman & Booth Rimor Aurelius Male of quality. Pleasing head shape.with v shaped ears and carried well.  Powerful neck going into good shoulder placement. Excellent body shape with plenty of heart room.  Good rear angulation. Moved with drive.

Open (5, 0 abs) My first 3 were all out of the top drawer and it was a very difficult decisions to place these lovely dogs. Thank you for letting me judge them. All have their  strong points and many words have been already written about them,

1st & DCC Ch Zefather’s Ralph Lauren JW ShCEx Osw. I have watched this young dog slowly mature and he now looks at his prime.The temperature was very hot and he coped with it the best out of the first 3. He moved with drive and precision. Cracking dog all that a dane should be, strength with elegance, no hint of coarseness. Came into the ring and commanded your attention. Beautiful outline of classic shape. Head of correct proportion with parallel planes. Correct eye colour and shape which enhanced his expression. Good strength of jaw and correct bite. Lovely clean neck flowing into good forehand. Had depth of chest with plenty of heart room. Correct body shape with tuck up. Good rear angulation and tail set. Covered the ground with ease. A real pleasure to judge, thank you for bringing him.

2nd  & RDCC Ch Semelda Jealous Guy (AI)  what can one add to what has already been written about this 4 year old male. An outstanding example of the breed and so typical of these clever breeders’ stock. Today he gave way to youth , who with the energy of youth coped with the heat slightly better. It came down to splitting hairs. Correct head shape with well chiselled cheeks & broad muzzle. Parallel planes and good ear set. Alert expression with good eye shape. Clean powerful neck flowing into well laid back & correctly placed shoulders. Good depth of brisket with plenty of heartroom. Good tuck up and correct outline. Muscular hindquarters with length of second thigh and low set hocks.

3rd Searle’s Murrayvhayle My Main Man This 2 year old male held his own in stiff competition and there was no ‘disgrace’ in coming 3rd to such  exhibits. Powerful young male who displayed his attributes to advantage. Head of correct proportions with parallel planes. Good length of neck, strong and clean. Forequarters well angulated, good depth of chest. Rear angulation good, with low set hocks

Special Beginners Dog or Bitch (1, 0 abs)

1st BSB Wright’s Novavida Sweet Iris at Irieusdane Blue bitch of smaller stature who moved quite well. Good front but steep in croup. 

Bitches

Puppy 

1st Prazak-Dickson’s UK Kaalliana Jawska Seraphina Kc Kc  Lovely feminine 9 month old bitch puppy of quality. Good head shape with parallel planes. Strong neck going into good forehand with lay back of shoulder. Correct depth of chest with good spring of rib. Correct length of second thigh and short hocks Moved positively and with purpose. Will follow her progress with interest. 

2nd Thomson’s Roucandane Cyclone  8 month old young lady with typical body shape. Pleasing head shape, neck of correct proportions. Very good front and rear angulation. Moved well once she settled to the job in hand.

Junior (2, 1 abs)

1st Ferguson’s Renescent too Hot to Handle for Chateaudain Needs to be a little more animated to show herself off more. Feminine head shape and good earset. Good reach of neck and lay of shoulder. Pleasing body outline, angulation front and rear good. A little unsettled on the move

Special Yearling (1,0 abs) 

1st Dyson’s Primus Diamonds Are Forever Samdice. 22 month old bitch Feminine head good length of muzzle in correct proportions to skull. Lovely crested neck flowing into excellent forequarters with good depth of chest, good front and rear extension. Rear angulation correct with lovely bend of stifle. Well muscled, moved with drive and purpose

Post graduate (5, 2abs)

1st  Henshall’s Calchas Addition (a.i.) 33 month old Harliquin  with feminine head of correct proportions. Deep fore chest with heart room. Well bodied with correct shoulder placement. Good body outline with tuck up Presented in hard condition. Moved well.

2nd McGill’s Tayhamblue From This Moment at Karnduke  Femine head with parallel planes  Good front assembly as was rear  with good angulation. Felt the croup was a little steep and hence lower tail set.

3rd Novavida Sweet Iris at Irieusdane

Limit Bitch (10, 2 abs) Good class, some of the dogs were affected by the heat managed to shade them as far as possible.Three good bitches although type varied a ittle

1st Harrison’s Roico My One and Only to Jasnettdanes JW B ; Fawn bitch of excellent make and shape. Very typical feminine head with correct foreface to occiput ratio, level top skull. Parallel planes Good bite with large teeth. Deep forechest and heartroom. Lovely topline and croup with good tailset. Rear angulation good with correct bend of stiflle’

Moved well 

2nd Cranfield’s Zeefather’s Kind of Magic JW Another lovely bitch of 2 years  who is a slightly differing type to 1st. Prefrerred head of 1st.. similar remarks apply. Deep forechest and tuck up.  Very good topline and rear angulation with lovely bend of stifle. Good tailset . Moved well 

3rd Morgan Evans’ Vanmore Spill the Beans                                                           e

Open Bitch (6, 1abs) A lovely class of top quality bitches.

1st BCC BOB Chappell’s Ch. Semelda Oh Lori (a.i) so pleased to see her make the cut in the working group, very well done.  Exceptional example of the breed who made my day,  so typical of this kennel’s quality stock. Well handled as one would expect. Beautiful head with parallel planes, flat skull and good length of foreface. Strong jaw and size of teeth. Excellent bite with no misplaced teeth. Excellent length of neck going into beautiful forequarters which allowed plenty of heartroom. Correct length of loin. Good tuck up and has an excellent rear angulation and croup. Moved with ground covering stride. Looked as if she owned the ring and wasn’t bothered about the heat. Demanded my attention.

2nd Clark’s CH Garsak Summer Days at Mintex. Another top quality bitch, as one would expect from this kennel. Preferred head of 1st with squarer fall of lips  Parallel planes, flat skull and correct length of foreface. Strong neck flowing into well angulated shoulders and filled front. Correct body outline, rear angulation and croup. Was a little unsettled on the move. Another excellent example of the breed, she was a joy to go over. 

3rd Searle’s Murrayvhayle Mystical

Judge Colin Richardson

BEST OF BREED : 4569 CHAPPELL, Ms & Mr Lesley & Adam Ch Selmalda Oh Lori (ai)
Dog CC : 4572 CRANFIELD, Miss J Ch Zefather's Ralph Lauren JW ShCEx OSW
Res Dog CC : 4568 CHAPPELL, Ms & Mr Lesley & Adam Ch Selmalda Jealous Guy(ai)
Bitch CC : 4569 CHAPPELL, Ms & Mr Lesley & Adam Ch Selmalda Oh Lori (ai)
Res Bitch CC : 4577 DYSON, Mr & Mrs & Miss John Primus Diamonds Are Forever Samdice
Best Puppy : 4596 MCLELLAN, Mrs A Anadain Life Is A Lemon
Best Veteran :
Best Special Beginner : 4609 WRIGHT, Mrs Rebecca Ann Novavida Sweet Iris At Irieusdane

Class 1710 PD (4 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 4591 MAGANARIS, Dr Emmanuel & BOOTH, Mrs Sheena Roucandane Tempest Hebrus
2nd: 4597 MCLELLAN, Mrs A Anadain Dead Ringer For Love
3rd: 4589 LAWTON, Mr Ronnie Dinahtron Candy Man At Thornbrae
Res: 4599 MORGAN EVANS, Mr Laurence Vanmore Happy Days
VHC:

Class 1711 JD (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 4607 PALMER, Ms Michelle Adoreadane Charlton (a.i)
2nd: 4601 PENDLETON-WATKINS, Ms Nia Goldania's King Of Drago
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 1712 YD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 4575 DONNELLY, Mr & Mrs James & Lynne Primus Roll The Dice
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 1713 PGD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 4596 MCLELLAN, Mrs A Anadain Life Is A Lemon
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 1714 LD (6 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 4566 BAILEY, Mrs T Primus Party Like Gatsby
2nd: 4590 LIPMAN, Mrs Sandra & BOOTH, Mrs Sheena Rimor Aurelius
3rd: 4586 LAWSON, Miss Carol Creek Danes Out Of The Darkness At Droolakiss(imp
Res: 4603 GILBERT, Mrs Catherine Lomondane Chuffed Tae Bits
VHC: 4584 HENSHALL, Miss Paula Calchas Bryan The Brave

Class 1715 OD (5 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 4572 CRANFIELD, Miss J Ch Zefather's Ralph Lauren JW ShCEx OSW
2nd: 4568 CHAPPELL, Ms & Mr Lesley & Adam Ch Selmalda Jealous Guy(ai)
3rd: 4606 SEARLE, Mrs S Murrayvhayle My Main Man
Res: 4592 MARTIN, Mr & Mrs J Keishant Zeus
VHC: 4578 FERGUSON, Miss Hazel Elitedaimos Magick Mago At Chateaudain

Class 1716 VD NO ENTRIES

Class 1717 SBD/B (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 4609 WRIGHT, Mrs Rebecca Ann Novavida Sweet Iris At Irieusdane
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 1718 PB (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 4602 PRAZAK DICKSON, Mrs Z D & PRAZAK DICKSON, Mr Paul UK Kaallana Jawska Seraphina Kc KC
2nd: 4608 THOMSON, Mrs Linda Roucandane Cyclone
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 1719 JB (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 4579 FERGUSON, Miss Hazel Renescent Too Hot To Handle For Chateaudain
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 1720 YB (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 4577 DYSON, Mr & Mrs & Miss John Primus Diamonds Are Forever Samdice
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 1721 PGB (5 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 4583 HENSHALL, Miss Paula Calchas Addition (ai)
2nd: 4595 MCGILL, Miss A Tayhamblue From This Moment At Karnduke
3rd: 4609 WRIGHT, Mrs Rebecca Ann Novavida Sweet Iris At Irieusdane
Res:
VHC:

Class 1722 LB (10 Entries) Abs: 4
1st: 4582 HARRISON, Mrs Annette Rioco My One And Only To Jasnettdanes JW
2nd: 4573 CRANFIELD, Miss J Zefather's Kind Of Magic JW
3rd: 4598 MORGAN EVANS, Mr Laurence Vanmore Spill The Beans
Res: 4587 LAWSON, Miss Carol Murrayvhayle Missbehave At Droolakiss
VHC: 4594 MARTIN, Mr & Mrs J Keishant Athena

Class 1723 OB (6 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 4569 CHAPPELL, Ms & Mr Lesley & Adam Ch Selmalda Oh Lori (ai)
2nd: 4570 CLARK, Mr Eric & CLARK, Mrs Dorothy Ch Garsak Summer Days At Mintrex
3rd: 4605 SEARLE, Mrs S Murrayvhayle Mystical
Res: 4580 FLETCHER, Ms Sophia Nuala Ch Justinian Bea My Sweetheart
VHC: 4593 MARTIN, Mr & Mrs J Keishant Venus

Class 1724 VB NO ENTRIES