THE WELSH KENNEL CLUB

Judges Critiques

Mr Robert HITCHCOCK

Judging: Havanese, Toy Group

BEST OF BREED : 445 COOPER, Ms Catherine Anne Kateniara Only Time
Dog CC : 443 BROOKS, Mrs Sandra Thistlesweet Atreyu (imp Hun) JW
Res Dog CC : 452 WOOLCOCK, Mr Evan Howell Kenquince Big Guns Alphapups
Bitch CC : 445 COOPER, Ms Catherine Anne Kateniara Only Time
Res Bitch CC : 451 WALKER, Mrs S J Trufflemai Star Of Sonny At Newtonwood
Best Puppy : 447 FITZGERALD, Mrs Julie Adorele Put A Spell On You
Best Veteran : 452 WOOLCOCK, Mr Evan Howell Kenquince Big Guns Alphapups
Best Special Beginner : 450 RICKARD, Ms Angela Puplicity Falling Star At Altina
 

This is a breed I have owned, in the days before CC's and quality back then was excellent. I only had two, both being awarded multiple best of sex awards and best of bred at championship shows, one ending up top puppy 2007 i think.

To say I was disappointed in the entry would be an understatement, in this day and age of generally declining entries I was assured it was not unusual, Wales on a Thursday, a few days after Bournemouth etc…etc….but a first time CC appointment in a breed the judge has followed with interest from the early days and always had a fondness for, yes, i was disappointed…… by now, seasoned Havanese exhibitors will know what I like and what breed characteristics are important to me, they all are of course, but the topline must be correct, the slight rise over the loin, not a roach as this will inevitably lead to a low set tail, so so important.  A correct front and the desired gait also important. The head, with equal muzzle to skull ratio in order to achieve the correct proportions and expression and ear set. I think it's common knowledge I have a soft spot for the blacks and black and whites, but rest assured as much as I prefer these Colours, this is the last of the requirements on my tick list when assessing dogs.

Please, Please support this breed, any breed actually, with declining interest and numbers, yes we all like to win, so do I, but so much more important than that is keeping the breed alive and in a good state. I was told years ago, and it's always stuck with me, ‘try and leave it in a better state than when you found it, we are only temporary custodians of the breed', this is true for any breed or any Hobby even…..the way to do this is breed, but breed better each time, set the bar high and aim to breed better.  breed for the betterment and the preservation of this lovely breed and support the shows, get the breed recognized at group level. Remember also, you won't win at home!

I was disappointed to see certain exhibitors who have previously done well under me and have the correct type, the type I admire had stayed away for whatever reason. such a shame. To those who did enter I offer my thanks.

Class 173 VD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 452 WOOLCOCK, Mr Evan Howell Kenquince Big Guns Alphapups

Nice sized cream boy with good pigmentation, dark, almond eyes set nicely into his head to give an appealing expression, his skull to muzzle ratio was equal and his ears were set well. he makes a smart outline and has the desired slight rise over loin, a high set tail which he carries over. He is firm in rear with good muscle tone and good angles, his pads are black and his feet a good shape, small and tight.

On the move he is light active and free and happily holds himself well. I was happy to award him the reserve dog cc and best veteran in breed today.
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 174 PD NO ENTRIES

Class 175 JD (1 Entries) Abs: 1

Class 176 PGD NO ENTRIES

Class 177 LD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 443 BROOKS, Mrs Sandra Thistlesweet Atreyu (imp Hun) JW

Handsome, smart in outline and dressed in my favourite colour for this breed, black and white, his coat was of correct texture, and despite being at a slight in between stage, he had plenty of coat and was presented to advantage.  His head piece is fabulous, well shaped dark brown eyes a superb muzzle to skull ratio and excellent pigment and flat cheeks, all giving a gentle yet clearly masculine expression.

He holds his head very proudly on his firm, medium neck and this flows naturally into well laid shoulders, elbows held closely to body and equidistant from wither to elbow and elbow to ground, he is slightly longer than tall and is totally balanced all through, his legs are straight and his neat feet face forwards and have black pads.

His body is good and firm and has a good spring of rib, being well ribbed back and shorter in loin, with the desired slight rise over loin, his tail is therefore high set and carried correctly over his back with his profuse feathering.  In rear, he is well muscled and clearly gets plenty of excercise, evident in his well developed second thigh. his hocks are low and paralell. A happy, jaunty , light action on the move whilst he holds his shape makes a lovely picture and coming back to an accurate foot fall. liked him very much and i was more than happy to award him his first CC, he pushed very hard for best of breed and his day will undoubtedly come, i shall watch his career with interest and wish his owner the best for 2 more CC's (at least).
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 178 OD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 452 WOOLCOCK, Mr Evan Howell Kenquince Big Guns Alphapups

see veteran dog.
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 179 SBD NO ENTRIES

Class 180 VB NO ENTRIES

Class 181 PB (4 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 447 FITZGERALD, Mrs Julie Adorele Put A Spell On You

smart and flashy puppy who was presented in good clean coat to show the contrast between the white and tobacco colours,  she was pretty with a feminine head and showing typical head proportions and ear set, her expression was very appealing.

she had a good rib but as you'd expect for her age her chest needs to drop and develop more just yet, she had a good front and neat feet with black pads, her rear was well muscled and firm. a jaunty light free action and an accurate footfall pipped her to win this claas and best puppy.
2nd: 449 NIVEN-LEWIS, Mr R Maryanns Golden Roses Cathy Rostellar (imp Hun)

gold and white and slightly further on development wise, a little cobbier and squarer in outline but with lots to like, feminine and no mistake. dark eyes and good stop.

moderately angled front and rear and a slight rise over loin. quite a bit of kick back on the move.
3rd:
Res:
VHC: 

Class 182 JB (4 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 451 WALKER, Mrs S J Trufflemai Star Of Sonny At Newtonwood

cream girl, feminine and an appealing size and type, she stands well on a good front and rear, her angulation well matched front and rear giving her a good natural balance. I liked her head which was feminine and those dark eyes of correct shape along with the correct skull to muzzle ratio and flat cheeks gave a typical and attractive expression.

she has a good front with tight elbows and a good fore chest, her topline is very moderate with a very slight rise over the loin and a high set tail which was well furnished and carried over her back. coat of good texture and on the move she holds herself well keeping her natural balance, light and free with moderate rear drive.

happy to award her the reserve CC.
2nd: 447 FITZGERALD, Mrs Julie Adorele Put A Spell On You

see puppy
3rd: 450 RICKARD, Ms Angela Puplicity Falling Star At Altina

A black this time, smaller all through and so, a bit behind the other two maturity wise.

pretty and feminine with dark eyes, her front is straight but elbows could be tighter. with maturity and a little more condition and confidence I'm sure we will see her come on well.
Res:
VHC:

Class 183 PGB NO ENTRIES

Class 184 LB (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 445 COOPER, Ms Catherine Anne Kateniara Only Time

another cream girl who was to become my CC winner and Best of Breed just pipping the lovely male by the narrowest margin.

she is well bodied and firm all through with good muscle tone and firm, strong rear, she is well proportioned all through being a shade longer than tall and having the correct wither to elbow and elbow to ground ratio so was balanced. her angles were good front and rear and her elbows held firmly into her rib, which was well sprung, i liked her topline which was straight and had the slight rise over loin and lead to her high set and well furnished tail, she has a lovely head and a proud carriage, her dark, almond eyes are set well and she has a distinct stop and a good muzzle to skull ratio, her bite was correct, her front legs were straight and shoulders well laid. coat was well developed and correct in texture, presented well. On the move she is light and jaunty and holds her shape on the go around, being well balanced all through. CC and BOB, Here's to her further CC's to gain her crown.
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC:

Class 185 OB NO ENTRIES

Class 186 SBB (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 450 RICKARD, Ms Angela Puplicity Falling Star At Altina

see 3rd in junior.
2nd:
3rd:
Res:
VHC: