RICHMOND CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW

Judges Critiques

Mr Tom MATHER

Judging:

Richmond Dog Show 2024

Working Group

My thanks go to the Officers and Committee of Richmond for the opportunity to judge the Working Group.

In addition to the four principal winners, I also shortlisted the Boxer, Bullmastiff, Siberian Husky and Bouvier Des Flandres.

BEST : 1487 DUNHILL-HALL, Miss M - Ch Fantasa Lucky Seven - ROTTWEILER – Bitch. I admired her size, overall balance and she conveys an impression of power and strength. Grand head and calm, easy-going expression. Deep, broad chest, strong well muscled loins. Well muscled first and second thighs. Moved well with plenty of drive and a very easy, fluid action. 
RESERVE : 1442 BLAKE, Ms S - Ch Sandbears Masterpiece - NEWFOUNDLAND – Dog. A beautifully presented, handsome dog. Good sized skull, clean eyes, good muzzle and dentition. Good depth and breadth of chest. Firm topline with some breadth over the loins. Strong, well made hindquarters. Moved well with a powerful, easy action. Dense, double coat. 
3rd : 1330 BISLAND, Mrs Joan - Ch Krieger's Highland Fling Jw - DOBERMANN – Bitch. My BOB winner at this show last year and I haven’t changed my opinion of her. She combines strength, elegance and power. Flat, clean skull, neat ears and strong jaw. Well balanced with decent forechest and good depth and spring of rib. Moved out well with a powerful, free action. 
4th : 1373 CHAPPELL, Ms & Mr Lesley & Adam - Ch Selmalda Jealous Guy(ai) - GREAT DANE – Dog. A handsome, beautifully balanced dog, masculine head and expression, clean nicely arched neck and well laid shoulders. Good bone, legs and feet. Really strong, well ribbed body and he is in good muscular condition. Free moving and sound with some drive from the rear.

Working Group Special Beginners

1st : 1452 GORVIN, Miss Sarah Ellen Louise & COLE, Mr Edmund Davistell B'mian Rapsody (ai) - NEWFOUNDLAND – Dog. Strong and well balanced with good bone and decent feet. Good skull and neat ears. Good breadth and depth of chest. Good thick coat. Free moving and typical.
2nd : 1273 PEARN, Mrs Jacqueline A Bonmac Little Bo Peep - BOXER – Bitch. Clean skull, nicely padded muzzle, well pigmented. Clean neck and shoulders. Good hind angulation. Free moving with some drive evident.
3rd : 1500 SMITH, Mrs Victoria Jaegerot Mr Marvellous. - ROTTWEILER – Dog. A handsome, typical youngster. Pleasing head proportions with some depth of muzzle. Strong, well ribbed body with firm topline. Moved out well in the big ring.
4th : 1349 HIXSON, Mr & Mrs Amanda Kentwone Peach Posy Avec Chardanmar - DOGUE DE BORDEAUX – Bitch. Nicely balanced with good breadth of skull, open nostrils and decent dentition. Well boned. Deep, broad chest and well angulated. Presents a very typical outline with correct head carriage on the move.

RICHMOND CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW 2024

Gundog Group

In addition to the four main winners, I also shortlisted the Pointer, Retriever (Chesapeake Bay), Retriever (Curly Coated) and the Spanish Water Dog. There were some nice youngsters in this group who should do very well in the future.

BEST : 2513 JACOBS, Mrs Gemma & JACOBS, Mr Mark & KNIGHT, Mrs - Gemswin Erase And Rewind - RETRIEVER (FLAT COATED) – Dog. He so impressed me on the move with his easy, powerful action which was absolutely true both out and back. Masculine and I thought he had both power and raciness. Pleasing head with strong jaws and a kind, intelligent expression. Well balanced and short coupled with moderate angulation. His temperament is so typical of the breed.
RESERVE : 2862 HILLIER, Mr I & HILLIER, Mrs S - Sh Ch Coedcernyw Calendar Girl JW - SPANIEL (COCKER) – Bitch. This is a bitch I have admired from the ringside in the past but today was the first opportunity I have had to handle her. She certainly doesn’t disappoint. Feminine, well proportioned head, dark, expressive eyes with good rims. Excellent forehand with good bone and compact, well padded feet. Compact with good ribbing. So typical on the move with her bustling, driving action and merry tail.
3rd : 2800 LYNN, Mr Jason B - Sh Ch Afterglow Impose - SPANIEL (AMERICAN COCKER) – Bitch. A very classy bitch with the most beautiful head and kindest expression. Like the Cocker she too is compact and sturdy, very well ribbed and the ribs extend well back. Moved well with a driving action and kept her typical outline at all times.
4th : 2188 LEGG, Miss K M & SCOTT, Mr Alex - Sh Ch Oakswarren Pure Magic Cw24 (ai) ShCEx - HUNGARIAN VIZSLA – Bitch. A really pleasing bitch to handle as she is so moderate and has a real stamp of quality. Attractive head and expression with large, open nostrils. Nicely arched neck and well laid shoulders. Good spring of rib and pleasing muscle tone. Moved out well with a very easy, flowing action.

Gundog Group – Special Beginners

1st : 2435 CORCORAN, Miss Angela & JONES, Mr Simon Oakmarsh Kingsley Adsila - RETRIEVER (CHESAPEAKE BAY) – Bitch. Decent breadth of skull, strong jaw and good sized nostrils. Strong, moderate neck and well laid shoulders. Good depth and breadth of chest and quite short coupled. Typical topline and strong hindquarters gave her some power on the move. Coat developing well. Shows to advantage. 
2nd : 2628 WEBB, Mrs Sonia Jane & SMITH, Mr Colin Waterbabies A Sea Of Faces To Hectson (imp Ita) - RETRIEVER (GOLDEN) – Dog. I admired the proportions of this handsome dog. Good length of leg. Grand head with a kind and biddable expression. Deep chest and short coupled body. Moved out well.
3rd : 2053 DOYLE, Mr Thomas & DOYLE, Mrs Fay Bracciano Never Too Late - BRACCO ITALIANO – Dog. Very typical. Pleasing head with clean eyes, good ears and divergent planes. Good oval bone. Decent depth and breadth of chest. Nicely angulated and moved in a typical manner.
4th : 2881 PRICE, Miss Tina The Hazzard Family Shake It Up (imp Ita) - SPANIEL (COCKER) – Dog. Shown in good coat and first class condition . Attractive, masculine head, well set ears. Clean moderately long neck and good shoulders. Well rounded rump and pleased on the move with some drive from his hindquarters.

Toy Group

I thought this was a lovely group with a number of top class Toys not making the shortlist.

BEST : 3660 ROBB, Mrs I & ROBB, Mr Glenn - Ch Gleniren All Eyes On Me - POMERANIAN – Bitch. I’ve admired her from the ringside and she really does impress upon handling her. Lovely foxy expression, neatest of ears, good mouth. Fine boned with compact feet. Lovely barrelled rib and she carries a good body on her. Effervescent, sound and dainty and presented in great form, she is the complete picture.
RESERVE : 3176 SMITH, Mr R & COAD, Mr M - Ch Pamplona Rumour Has It - BICHON FRISÉ - Dog. This must be one of the best Bichons from the Pamplona kennel. His movement was textbook with some reach and drive from his perfectly parallel hindquarters. Lovely head with great pigmentation and a happy, intelligent expression. Good neck, decent forechest and he is beautifully balanced. Needless to say, his pure white, dense, soft coat was presented to perfection.
3rd : 3580 WATKINS, Ms Tereza & BUGDEN, Miss Jess - Ch Hawksflight Hot Pursuit JW - MINIATURE PINSCHER – Dog. A favourite of mine and I see that his win today gives him the breed record – congratulations. Alert, keen expression, neat ears. Nicely crested neck and excellent forehand. Good forechest, compact with typical topline and strong, well muscled and nicely angulated hindquarters. Moved well on the rather uneven surface of the big ring. 
4th : 3673 DAWSON-PAYNE, Ms Judith & MOUSLEY, Mr Daniel - Ch Judamie Eltons Sun JW - PUG – Dog. Very appealing masculine, well pigmented head. Small, velvety ears. Good finish to muzzle and decent nostrils. Cobby and compact with high set twist. Moved well with a slight, typical roll. Particularly good coat.

Additionally, I also shortlisted the Affenpinscher, C.K.C.S., Chihuahua (Smooth Coat), Italian Greyhound and the Japanese Chin.

Toy Group – Special Beginners

1st : 3292 WILLIS, Mrs T & Mr G Dinitro's Rock Steady Eddie - CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL – Dog. A masculine, well broken Blenheim. Very attractive head and expression with large, dark eyes and good pigmentation. Quite short coupled with good spring of rib and perfect topline and well carried tail. Moved out with some drivbe and his typical temperament was evident for all to see. 
2nd : 3690 O'LEARY, Mr Daniel & O'LEARY, Mrs Natasha Haselorhill First Edition From Mopszawawa - PUG – Dog. A nicely made, compact and study Pug. Good skull and eyes. Good breadth of chest. High set, well carried twist. Lovely coat.
3rd : 3503 WALLACE HORNE, Miss Kelly Skylar's Chico - ITALIAN GREYHOUND – Dog. Typical and very elegant with a head of good length, well placed ears, clean long neck. Very typical outline with slight arch over the loin. Absolutely typical profile action with some lift in front.
4th : 3570 MCLOUGHLIN, Mrs N Ann Krieger's Kilted Dragon - MINIATURE PINSCHER – Dog. Sturdy and compact with a masculine head, keen, alert expression. Lovely square outline and good tailset and carriage. Glossy hard coat. Moved well.

Judge: Tom Mather