SCOTTISH UTILITY BREEDS CLUB - Ch

Judges Critiques

Mr Tom MATHER

Judging: Best In Show

SCOTTISH UTILITY BREEDS CLUB – CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 13/7/2024

Best in Show

It was a pleasure and an honour to be invited to judge at this, the first Championship Show organised by the Scottish Utility Breeds Club. Despite the odd shower there was a happy, friendly atmosphere and as always in Scotland, there was plenty of quality on show. For Best in Show I chose the Miniature Schnauzer, Manser’s Nujax Blue Moon. An eye-catching, sturdily built youngster with a masculine head of good length, well-shaped eyes and very neat ears. Excellent forehand with good bone compact feet. Short back and well ribbed with strong, well muscled and nicely angulated hindquarters. Moved well retaining his very good outline and needless to say, he was presented in top form.

Reserve Best in Show Schuckardt’s Lhasa Aspo, Kutani Black Opal At Frenchlands JW. I awarded her a second CC at Blackpool just a couple of weeks ago and I was delighted to learn that she gained her title today. Another who presents a most typical outline. Attractive head and expression, strong, arched neck and excellent forehand. Well ribbed with a level topline and high set tail. Typical jaunty action and her lovely, hard coat is the icing on the cake.

Group 3 was the Shar Pei, Todd’s Ch Witchgait Toasted Cheese JW. Masculine and typical but without exaggeration. Good sized skull, slight frown, lovely clean eyes. Samll, thick ears. Broad, well padded muzzle and good pigmentation. Good breadth and depth of chest. Good body with some strength over the loins. Moderate hindquarters with good muscle tone. He impressed on the move. Shows to best advantage.

And in fourth place I had Dunhill-Hall’s Japanese Shiba Inu, Ch Vormund Vivienne Westwood. I gave this lovely bitch Best in Show at the breed club show at the end of last year. Her head and expression are to die for, really good ear placement; well-placed dark eyes and lovely full cheeks. Good nekc and shoulders with good depth of chest. In good muscular condition. She moved well with an easy, light step.

Best Puppy in Show

For the top spot I chose Chow Chow, Irwing’s Beaconpride Trick Or Treat. Yet another I have judged recently as he was my BPIS at the Chinese Chow Club Championship Show a few weeks ago. I gather he won his second CC today – congratulations. He has a really attractive expression with lovely clean, dark eyes, neat thick ears and good breadth of muzzle. Well-boned with lovely tight cat-like feet. Good depth and breadth of chest. Very typical on the move, I’m sure he will prove to be a great ambassador for the breed.

Runner up to the Chow Chow was the Lhasa Apso, Hall, Ellis and Bell’s Shenedene The Gambler With Vallena. A high quality, sturdily built youngster. Good skull, well placed eyes. Nicely arched neck and good forehand. Well ribbed with a high set tail. Sound and jaunty on the move and his good coat was presented to best advantage.

In third place was the Akita, Willy’s Sensha's One Of A Kind. A really handsome, powerfully built young dog. Grand head and expression, well placed ears and nicely crested neck. Beautifully balanced with good depth and breadth of chest and well ribbed with a strong loin. Free moving and sound. A really good prospect.

Group 4 was Dunhill-Hall’s Japanese Shiba Inu, Vormund Jinx Arcane. Very much a baby but so typical in all respects. Good skull. Well placed ears which are a continuation of her neckline. Nicely padded cheeks. Dark, shapely eyes. Pleases for overall balance. Particularly good on the move with a light, fluid energetic action.

Judge: Tom Mather