Malamute - history in the making

WHEN ROBIN Searle shook hands with Sue Ellis he created a first for the Alaskan Malamute, for Ch Chayo Dom Perignon became the first of the breed to win a best in show at a general championship show in the United Kingdom. A huge cheer went up from an appreciative audience at the end of a long day and the cheering continued as he called into reserve Andrew Goodsell’s Wire Fox Terrier, Ch Blackdale Carousel, following up her Leeds success.
Robin must have been pleased to make the award at this show as it was in 1964 that he first judged Borzois at Paignton.
It must have seemed a long show for secretary Aileen Hodsoll and the committee as they ironed out the hitches which can only be expected from a new venue. Paignton’s contract with its former venue, Crealy Park, ended and as the new contract offered ‘didn’t suit’ according to Jim Nixon, the hands-on chairman, they decided to look further afield. They first used Westpoint 17 years ago when the ground was in its infancy.
The owners of Westpoint used to rent ground at Whipton, as did Paignton, and when this land was compulsorily purchased, both had to move. Westpoint was a farm and the owners have gradually built it up and added the hard standings and buildings; further development is planned.
Paignton decided to go with Westpoint and they have a five-year contract. But they had only four months to work out a site plan for the ground. With tentage costs being so prohibitive, they tried to utilise the large building to the full and put up in/out tentage and benching so were able to save money. When you look at costs of £65,000/£70,000 for tentage you can understand why measures needed to be taken.
Danco was chosen to work with Paignton to get the costs down and on all three days the Danco boys could be seen working hand in hand with the committee to iron out tenting and benching problems.
The committee finally got on the ground on Tuesday of the previous week, and what a week it was! Rain didn’t stop play is all I can say but the weather did take its toll and it was impossible to find dry ground on which to put up tentage, so this created its own problems. But Westpoint staff were on hand daily with chippings to soak up the moisture.
The first day gave us good weather but the rain overnight and on part of Tuesday affected the BIS ring which, although on the flat, suffered a rundown from a bank which made it too wet to use. So a decision was taken to move the main ring into the permanent building, a good decision and one I know the committee will stay with for next year, making it look special with carpeting etc.
In general it’s a useful site with plenty of space plus good toilet and shower facilities in the main building. Twelve rings were set up in the permanent building with car parking outside for disabled and officials. A food section outside this hall gave some catering facilities.
Hard standing led to most of the trade stands, with just four on the grass on the way up to the original BIS ring.
A large flat area held over 20 rings which were in use on days one and three. The rain meant that all on day two had to go inside into adequate inside rings. There was also an ‘in and out’ tent and I am told that next year the plan is to have more of this type of ring. Incidentally, I heard that Crealy Park was under water − so a good decision to move I would have thought.
As with any new layout there must be teething problems, but there is nothing that isn’t solvable and I know this small, hardworking committee will look again at the difficulties.
Just one other thing to add to the equation – no Bournemouth committee. By tradition, Bournemouth helps Paignton and Paignton helps Bournemouth, but with the change of date, Bournemouth committee were busy setting up their own show which started on the following Saturday. So the caravans were hitched up and off most went ‘down the road’ to Bournemouth.
The Westpoint staff are not yet used to dog shows and the dog showing fraternity and as they were in charge of security, they insisted on checking the passes of all dogs coming into the venue, which in turned caused problems and delays, so judging was delayed on the final day, but again a minor problem. Meetings have been set up with Westpoint to iron out the hiccups.
Paignton arranged that parking should be as near to exhibitors’ benches as possible and when this caused problems on day one, this was quickly rectified by day two.
The campsite also will be looked at; after complaints from campers the toilets were opened overnight and a drain opened too, but I would be interested to know where you can get a campsite and electricity hook-up for a week for £65? Answers please on a postcard!
On saying the above, I don’t think we exhibitors help ourselves. By 11am on the first morning, calls were going out about dogs in cars and pleas to pick up your dog mess as there had been complaints from the ground owners. I know it is obviously a minority but it doesn’t help our cause for good venues when we spoil it by not picking up. I have never seen so many bins marked for dog mess only, scattered throughout the site; you could not miss them and didn’t have to walk far to find one.
It is a long time since I wrote about Paignton but I do remember the plea last time for more CCs. Let’s look at it economically: Paignton was given a few more CCs for minority breeds but those for Rough Collies, a numerically larger breed, were taken away. If they could have 100 sets, and the same applies to August SKC and possibly Border Union, the economics would mean that this far flung championship show can keep going.
Just look at the logistics: this is the furthest south west show and now that sponsorship is disappearing and fuel costs are shooting up through the roof, Paignton, like most shows, is relying on a decent allocation to get the exhibitors past the M4.
Come on Kennel Club, you want to help, and this is a way not only of helping the exhibitors, judges and societies but it would not cost you money and another of our smaller, friendly championship shows would not have the worry of how the income would be generated to give us another delightful Devon show with its own unique charm.
PAM BLAY

GROUP SUMMARY
FIRST DAY
First group to be called was pastoral to be judged by David Cavill. The dogs he placed were featured pictorially last week and jointing them in the short list were a further eight.
The Australian Shepherd, Carol and David Turner’s Ch/Jer/Am Ch Harmonyhillsatinfunnycideman at Chakona, who came over from the US 18 months ago and has since accumulated three CCs, 15 BOBs and two G3s; Marilyn Scrutton’s Briard, Ch Gemeau Greta Garbo, who had taken her fourth CC to follow her third from Windsor. She also took G2 at WELKS; Camille Pentland and Marcia Dovey’s Estrela, Karabas Likande Lamenna Letta at Sturtmoor, who has taken seven BOBs this year and was G4 at Bath ‘07. This import was also a runner-up at the Contest of Champions; Andrie de Vries’ Finnish Lapphund, Elbereth Norppa, was handled in the group by breeder Toni Jackson and this was his third BOB this year including Crufts. Toni also bred the BOS and BP too.
Sandra Whybrow and Tracy St Clair Pearce’s Lancashire Heeler, Ch Traqdean Vidaloca Florence, is halfway top dog this year and now has ten CCs; Nicky Houston and Di Stirling’s Norwegian Buhund, Ch Arnscroft Di-Hard, handled by Nicky and bred by Di, took the group at South Wales to add to his G3 and 4 and 17 CCs; Tom and Angela Gwynne’s Samoyed, Ch Zamoyski Lucky Orlando, on his fourth CC to add to his third which was won at Southern Counties; completing this long list was the Pembroke Corgi, Joy Whitehead’s Ch Corgold Harry Potter, no CCs today but he has three.
No sooner had the boards been called for by Jeff Luscott, who acted as commentator for the three days, awards given, photos taken and we were on to the second group of the day – working, again judged by David Cavill.
Only six were shortlisted this time, the four placed dogs plus the Boxer, Laura Clark’s Ch Clarkenwells Rogue Trader, who has five CCs; and Glynn Mulhall’s Rottweiler, Ch Magglynn Just Kenny, with four CCs.

SECOND DAY
Three groups scheduled for Tuesday and the group ring moved indoors due to heavy rain running off a bank and leaving the BIS ring unsuitable for showing on. It was soon time for Jeff to announce the hound group.
Robin Searle shortlisted nine, among them Sue Burke and Rosie Manston’s Longhaired Dachshund, Bonavoir Solomons Seal, no CCs, today, who is still a puppy; Jason and Susan Hunt’s Smooth Dachshund, Ch Carpaccio Precious Pearl, who has won five CCs almost on the trot and was top puppy last year with PG2 at South Wales and Bournemouth. His sire took RBD and they also won BOB in Min Smooths; Nicky and Ian Warwick’s Irish Wolfhound, Cairnstorm Florence May, won the RCC at Windsor recently. Robert Greaves and Nicola Croxford’s Norwegian Elkhound, Ir Ch Ennafort Clas Act at Swillyvalley, who has one CC and two reserves and Ian and Barbara Halbert’s Whippet, Nevedith Mfa Markwis at Marimay, became a champion on the day after winning his second CC at East of England.
Betty Flavell judged the toys – her shortlist was ten and included the Bichon, Michael Coad, Paul Flores and Tray Pittman’s imported Ch/Am Ch Parays Power Play, who has ten CCs and won the group at Birmingham; Josephine Requena’s Smooth Chihuahua, Ch Gibelfarik Happy Go Lucky, from Gibraltar, handled by Laurence Llanas. She took the group at Crufts and now has five CC; Grace Godwin’s Pekingese, Delwin’s Top Totty, with one CC and one reserve. Grace is now feeling better after her recent trip to hospital at East of England.
Also there were Ann Samuels, John Powell, Gary Medcraft's Pomeranian, Ch Veltuds Conspiricy, with six CCs; Joan Fox’s Pug, Ch Passionelle Texas Ranger at Dimrost, with 13 CCs, a G1, 2 and 4 and shortlisted at Crufts; and Rita Harbury-Carlisle’s Yorkshire Terrier, Ch Antaras Newsflash, with nine CCs.
Final group of the day was the terriers, and Gerrard Morris kept in eight. Among them were the Parson Russell, Pedro Llinas’ Ch/Gib/Port/Sp Ch Muhlross Melrosian, with breeder Gladys Philp handling. He has five CCs, three of them at the last three shows; the Scottish Terrier, Stuart Plane's Stuane Loch Ranger, who has two CCs, Stuart also won RBB with a puppy at her first show; Paula Fulton’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Ch Never Forgoton, handled by Brett Lay, has five CCs and was BP at Crufts ‘06; and the West Highland White, Havasu Pai, owned by Ros Dunne, Ken and Pamela Crockett, winning his second CC.

THIRD DAY
The first group on the final day was the gundogs, judged by Peter Woolf. With just a couple missing, it was soon shortlisted down to eight.
Sue Pingree’s Flat-coated Retriever, Sh Ch Elmstock Everlasting Flame at Heatheridge, winning his tenth CC. He was G2 at Blackpool ‘02 and last week went best veteran in show at National Gundog; Lori and Toni Smith’s Italian Spinone, Kevardhu Caswyn, won his first CC at only 19 months, while his breeder Janet Neil won the other CC; Jane Dennis and Joy Field’s English Setter, Sh Ch Mariglen Francesca Fenston, won her fourth CC, she is the breed’s youngest titleholder and took her third CC at Blackpool and G4 at Bath; Barbara and Sharon Pinkerton’s black and white German Wirehaired Pointer, Bareve Banghazi, had won his second CC, his first was at National Gundog and he also has two reserves and is still in junior.
Final group of the show was the utility judged by Margaret Wildman, who again kept in eight.
Setting off on Thursday of the previous week from Sweden was Int/Norw/Dan/Sw Ch Bell-a-Mirs Elegant Envoy, the Dalmatian owned by Helle Hoie, Solveig Ivarsson and Soren Jacobson, winning his third CC today. His first had come at Crufts ‘07 and his second at the North of England Club show ‘08; Annie Jenkins and Angela McInnes’ French Bulldog, Ch Feniton Fergus at Morvern, has 11 CCs, two G2 and three G4; Liz Holmes-Leak’s Miniature Poodle, Ch Navarre To The Extreme, who has ten CCs and was G3 at South Wales; Susan and Katie Wilkes’ Keeshond, Pommary Ashu Loadale for Dakaraikees, with no CCs today, who is only a puppy.
Some of the new champions I noted during the show were Waters' Pyrenean, Sketrick Gardian; Trefan's Bullmastiff from Hungary, Pi-et-ra Carmen from Horseshoe; Rose's Siberian Husky, Marallan Chevelle at Rosguard; Bettany and Daly's Afghan, Wilbus Morpheus at Cubanba; Barney and Sexton's Miniature Wire Dachshund, Molloney And Verrami; Onslow and Johnston's Ridgeback, Rumuruti Rather B Rabbiting; Wyatt's Bichon, Bobander What A Fiasco; Briggs and Elliott's Min Pin, Bellpins Bubbalicous; and Munn's Papillon, Feorlig Picture Perfect at Ringlands.

Best in Show winner's background
SUE ELLIS had not been involved in the dog show world before she obtained her first Alaskan Malamute in 1996 but since then has enjoyed tremendous success at breed and group level both before and after the breed gained CC status in 2006.
Indeed in the two and a half years since then just three Malamutes have gained their UK title and all three are bred and owned by Sue. Now she has achieved the breed’s first general championship show BIS win.
Her first Malamute was Hawkam’s Action Annie at Chayo, bred by Walt and Kath Howarth, whose many wins included the group and RBIS at W/P Breeds of Wales; she remains the only bitch to win a championship show group in the UK.
Next she obtained a male from Bill O’Loughlin, best known for his famous Basset Hounds in the UK and on the Continent. By an Italian import ex a bitch of Canadian lines, Bassbarr Kool Kustomer at Chayo again won a championship show group.
Sue’s third Malamute came from Maureen Anderson in Canada when she imported Keikewabic’s Chayo Chyna whose sire was brother to the great American winner Ch Nanuke’s Take No Prisoners. She played a valuable part in the kennel’s development as, mated to Kool Kustomer, she produced Chayo Blue Thunder, giving Sue a blend of three top American and Canadian lines, Storm Kloud, Keikewabics and Nanukes. His career has been spectacular with 36 BOBs, three championship show groups and 20 other placements and four times top Malamute. Eventually CC status arrived and he became the first UK champion with CCs at the third, fourth and fifth shows with them on offer. Shown across the Channel, he gained an international title too.
Sue says: “At this point I was greatly influenced by the line-breedings that the famous Redwitch Akita kennel had done and made a decision to try to begin to emulate their success and start to tie in these three lines in the future.”
Her next step was when her good friend Ann Allen loaned her the Spanish imported bitch, Ruta Norte Lady-Rum at Shepherdsway. She was a granddaughter of a dog from the American Storm Kloud kennel, some of whose breeding can also be found behind Blue Thunder.
She produced one litter of ten puppies for Sue, sired by Blue Thunder, from which two stood out and remained at Chayo. One was Dom Perignon who was joint top puppy of 2005. His first RCC came behind his sire under Terry Thorn at SKC ‘06, and his first CC came at the club show that year under American specialist Sharon Weston. Last year he gained his title with CCs at Paignton (Chris John) and the club show (another American specialist, Nancy Russell). He now has eight CCs, the breed record, and 14 championship show BOBs.
His first group came at SKC last year on Margaret Everton’s final appointment, and this year he has won at SKC (Zena Thorn-Andrews) and Three Counties (Jeff Luscott). He has five G2 and two G3.
He enjoyed a brief visit to Sweden where he went through to BIS at a national show under judges from Finland, Norway and the US, handled by Pernilla Sandstrom, and won the champion class, RCACIB and reserve World Winner at the World Show.
His litter sister, Chayo Moet Chandon, won the first ever bitch CC at Crufts 2006, and subsequently became the first and only UK champion bitch.
Little used so far, Dom Perignon was top sire ‘07 and is father of Sue’s well known youngster, Chayo Better Than Chocolate, a junior stakes qualifier, who is a double granddaughter of Blue Thunder. A sister has won a junior title in Poland.


CC winners

ENGLISH SETTERS (C Davies) – D: Collier’s Ravensett My Kinda Guy at Roszarke. B: Dennis & Field’s *Mariglen Francesca Fenston.
GSP (Dr R W James) – D: Thurm’s Sh Ch Bryburn The Toff. B: Harris’ *Sh Ch Barleyarch Persia.
GWP (Mrs S M Marshall) – D: Pinkerton & Pinkerton’s *Bareve Banghazi. B: McCullough’s Sh Ch Pauline II v Bockenhagen at Kimmax.
HUNGARIAN VIZSLAS (Mrs S M Marshall) – D: Layton & Howard’s Gladwill Golden Star Gazor at Layways. B: Whyte’s *Bitcon Merely Magic.
IRISH SETTERS (T Eisgard, dogs; R Blomme, bitches) – D: Lake’s *Caskeys Checkmate. B: Mugford’s Sh Ch Lynwood Sealed With A Kiss.
ITALIAN SPINONI (Mrs S Sutton) – D: Smith’s *Kevardhu Caswyn. B: Neil’s Sh Ch Kevardhu Mala.
LARGE MUNSTERLANDERS (C MacKay) – D: Saunders’ *Sh Ch Tanzenbach Chevalier. B: Lacy’s Sh Ch Daleander Love Me Do.
POINTERS (G Holley) – D: Wilberg’s *Jilony Freedom with Kanix. B: Coggins & Coggins’ Medogold Bewitched to Gemrose.
RETRIEVERS, C/C (C MacKay) – D: Phillips & Mann’s *Gladrags A Diamond Gent. B: Ellinor’s Sh Ch Lenellie Dressed In Black.
RETRIEVERS, F/C (C Atkinson) – D: Pingree’s *Sh Ch Elmstock Everlasting Flame at Heatheridge. B: Cooke’s Angico Black Baroness.
RETRIEVERS, GOLDEN (E Webster, dogs; A Fall, bitches) – D: Kipps’ Wheatcroft White Frost. B: Ennis-Whelan’s *Ramchaine Essential.
RETRIEVERS, LABRADOR (D Nightingale, dogs; G Haran, bitches) – D: Allen & Allen’s Allenies Maverick. B: Williams & Craig’s *Foulby Buttons And Bows.
SPANIELS, AMERICAN COCKER (Mrs S Head) – D: Price’s Jaclee Montanna. B: Lynn’s *Sh Ch/Jap Ch Nereid JP Mele Kalikimaka.
SPANIELS, COCKER (Mrs P Blay) – D: Gillespie & Wilding’s Sh Ch Lochranza For Your Eyes Only. B: Kettle & Kettle’s *Lujesa Touch The Sky.
SPANIELS, WELSH SPRINGER (T Pascoe) – D: Worth’s *Shandwick Kristoffer at Sarabande. B: Duncan & Duncan’s Ir Sh Ch Redfrith Foreign Affair.
WEIMARANERS (Mrs I B Dawes) – D: Bennett’s Liandev Silver Spur. B: Hollings’ *Sh Ch Gunalt Affinity.
AKITAS (F Wildman) – D: Bostock, Armstrong & McLean’s *Ch Ruthdales Ready To Rule. B: Wright & Burke’s Satrebor Krazy.
BULLDOGS (Mrs B Banbury) – D: Garside’s *Ch Iceglint I’m Harry. B: Norris’ Jumano Jinfizz.
CHOWS (Mrs J King) – D: Cannon’s Mactyke’s Manhattan at Miketilla. B: Ridding’s *Ch Mactyke’s American Beauty at Komatsu.
DALMATIANS (Mrs S Parkin-Russell) – D: Hoie, Ivarsson & Jacobsen’s *Int/Norw/Dan/Sw Ch Bell-A-Mirs Elegant Envoy. B: Neath-Duggan’s Ch Buffrey Sprig O Mint.
FRENCH BULLDOGS (P Harding) – D: Jenkins & McInnes’ *Ch Feniton Fergus at Morvern. B: Jones & Kendrick’s Acirema Lady Charmaine.
LHASA APSOS (Mrs M Jennings) – D: Allsop’s *Chamando Diamond Geezer. B: Crummey’s Deelayne Madness Divine at Nickanda.
MIN SCHNAUZERS (K Nathan) – D: Shaw’s *Ch Ashencruz Allegiance to Denbrough. B: Newman & Frost’s Risepark Special Encounter.
POODLES, MIN (M Freeman) – D: Holmes-Leak’s *Ch Navarre To The Extreme. B: Kitchener’s Ch Michandy Revelation.
POODLES, TOY (M Freeman) – D: Cox & Isherwood’s *Ch/Jap Ch Smash JP Rainbow Rider at Vanitonia. B: Ingram, Ryan & Bryant’s Ch/Int/ Ir Ch Tirkane Angel Eyes.
SHIBA INU (Mrs C Coxall) – D: Dunhill-Hall’s Ch Vormund Russian Roulette. B: Dunhill’s *Vormund I’m Shiraz.
SHIH TZUS (Ms L Young) – D: Hitt’s Easy Rider at Huxlor. B: Symonds’ *Symaraju Little Mz Petite.
TIBETAN SPANIELS (K Nathan) – D: Rose’s Caselden Mr Bojangles. B: Breeze & Styles’ *Ch Baskwood Kol-Pa with Hilsar.
TIBETAN TERRIERS (A Green) – D: Stickley’s *Ch Schanti’s Sonny Lamleh at Walkamile. B: Gilbert’s Gandaki Jin Tsin.

No CCs

BRACCI ITALIANI (Miss J Lanning) – D: Scandrett & Adamo’s Guntrux Francesco for Zakro. B: Parris’ *Bonario Aude Sapere.
BRITTANYS (Miss D Ritchie) – D: Nelson’s *Eastonite Veep at Byeways. B: Tully’s Sh Ch Eastonite Bracken.
GLP (Dr R W James) – D: Wilks & Moss’ Arany’s Busche. B: Wilks & Moss’ *Arany’s Baiser.
GORDON SETTERS (Mrs L Upton) – D: Sandiford & Lewis’ Hernwood Talladega Racer. B: Bastable’s *Sh Ch Locksheath Toolangi.
HUNGARIAN W/H VIZSLAS (P Upton) – D: Holman & Taylor’s *Silvanus Oh Oh Seven. B: Morgan & Schofield’s Cwsscwn Chintz.
IRISH R/W SETTERS (Miss D Ritchie) – D: Ward’s Caispern Nicolaus Silver cum Copperwhite. B: Blackmore’s *Sh Ch Courtdown Beautiful Dawn.
KOOIKERHONDJE (Mrs C Coxall) – D: Whybrow’s *Unosta Kaspar. B: Miller’s Millhanger Carrie.
RETRIEVERS, CHESAPEAKE BAY (C Davies) – D: Biss’ Cheslook Onslow. B: Biss’ *Devonshot Goes Undaunted.
RETRIEVERS, DUCK TOLLING (P Upton) – D: Harding & Whitehill’s *Trevargh The Entertainer at Brizewood. B: Hawkins’ Camusmor Caol Ila of Trevargh.
SPANIELS, CLUMBER (Mrs L Bowers-Straw) – D: Cox & Isherwood’s Vanitonia U Bet I Am. B: Shaw’s *Sh Ch Debrics Weather Girl at Greencourt.
SPANIELS, ENGLISH SPRINGER (Mrs J Peak) – D: Allen & Bott’s Trimere Talking Point of Allenie. B: Corbett’s *Trimere Tigra.
SPANIELS, FIELD (A Moss) – B: Holgate’s *Sh Ch Nadavin Julianna.
CANAANS (Mrs C Owen) – D: Hastings’ *Am/Lux Ch Lorianna Sirius Star. B: Coombes & Hastings’ Lorianna I Will Survive.
GERMAN SPITZ, KLEIN (T Nethercott) – D: Chambers’ *Ch Nosregor Hot Shot for Musique. B: Hughes & Forrester’s Candease Blithe Spirit.
GERMAN SPITZ, MITTEL (T Nethercott) –D: Chambers’ Ch Druitz Corncracker for Teamspitz. B: Chambers’ *Ch Nosregor Bewitched for Musique.
JAPANESE AKITA INU (F Wildman) – D: Hasell’s Baromar Hewas Mentobe for Gilgerie. B: Leighfield’s *Ir Ch Susume Go De Yamada at Baromar.
JAPANESE SPITZ (Mrs J Peak) – D: Bliss & Bridport’s *Ferrybelle Ice Master at Charney. B: Bliss & Bridport’s Charney Firentse of Surianne.
KEESHONDS (Miss J Lanning) – D: Wilkes & Wilkes’ *Pommary Ashu Loadale for Dakaraikees. B: Austin’s Valindale Darling Girl for Chotahkees.
POODLES, STANDARD (M Marshall) – D: Lynn’s *Ch/Am Ch Afterglow The Big Tease. B: Butcher’s Vanitonia Stage Struck.
SCHNAUZERS (Mrs S McGrann) – D: Moore’s Ch Odivane Duke Of Wellington. B: Bawden & Brown’s *Ch Khanate Million Dollar Baby.
SHAR-PEI (J Luscott) – D: Kidby’s Pompsadaisy Reddy For It At Two Kaze. B: Sutherland’s *Ch Headholme Sound Of Music at Witchgait.
NSC (P Green) – D: Bryant’s SWD, Glenturret Tauro of Darksquires. B: Grief’s SWD, *Int/Ir Sh Ch Hollutrix Zula of Goldfly.
IMPORTED REGISTER (P Green) – D: Nicholls’ Eurasier, *Mussendun Paws For Thought among Shyllar. B: Herbert’s Korthals Griffon, Diva von der Hohen Ley at Sanjons.







Best in Show
A really wonderful line-up of seven quality dogs.
I would like to thank Paignton for giving me the honour to judge the BIS & the hound group. The quality was outstanding. The show ran so smoothly & to think this was a new venue. Well done to the Association.
BIS was Ch Chayo Dom Perignon, Malamute dog in the most splendid condition with his coat gleaming of health & so beautifully presented. Correct conformation, excellent strong loin, solid bone, well padded feet, outstanding movement covering the large ring with ease.
RBIS, Ch Blackdale Carousel, WFT bitch, all quality girl of balance, showing non-stop, harsh coat, good neck, short back, correct set of tail, lovely head of good length, small ears & so well presented, moved soundly.
ROBIN SEARLE

Hound group
A quality group, which was cut down to eight dogs including L/h Dachs, Wolfhound, Elkhound, Whippet & these
G1, Bayard Garrick of Ramsayville, Beagle dog, exciting hound, balanced, excellent temperament & correct conformation which showed on the move, free & easy with good kick behind, in lovely body condition & rude health.
G2, Sonstraal Gabe’s Prospect at Sescheke, Ridgeback dog, full of power & drive, excellent pigmentation, bone with well knuckled feet. I feel sure would be able to do his original job. Sound.
G3, Ch Rothesby Sholwood Pandarus, Borzoi dog, good size, outline & having silky coat with good feathering, male head, good length & strong teeth & underjaw, sound flowing action.
G4, Brequest Bailee Basler, Fauve dog, nice size, bone, type & having a happy temperament, moved well & easily. Balanced overall.ROBIN SEARLE

I was delighted to be asked to officiate for the working & pastoral groups at Paignton which is always such a welcoming show. No one would have realised it was a new venue & as someone who has been responsible for changing the venues of a championship show three times I am very much aware of the amount of work involved – & the stress too. I greatly sympathised with Paignton in their forced move, albeit just a mile or two along the road. However there was no evidence of stress as the day moved smoothly on with all the breeds being completed in plenty of time for the groups.

Pastoral group
The breeds appearing in the pastoral group were of a very high quality & my first cut bought out 12 dogs, all of which deserved further consideration: the Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Groenendael, Border Collie, Briard, Estrela, Finnish Lapphund, Lancashire Heeler, Norwegian Buhund, Old English Sheepdog, Samoyed & the Pembroke Corgi. I would particularly mention the Estrela – the best example of the breed I have ever seen & which did not just look good but moved remarkably well too.
After taking a further look I selected four outstanding dogs.
First up was the Bearded Collie, Moonhill Power Of Dreamz, a young dog, just 2, but an exceptional example of the breed, he is beautifully balanced, not just in his overall shape but also in every aspect of his construction & with a coat which is truly glamorous without being too long & with that necessary crispness throughout the length of the top coat.
Next was the Groenendael, Ch Lebeau Look No Further, this dog caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring, it is not in the Standard but the movement of this breed has been described as ‘trotting on ice’ & that is exactly what we had, his shape is precisely what is required & he has a lovely head – strong & dry with an excellent ‘split’.
Next was the Border Collie bitch, Sh Ch Moshanta Movin’ On Up, after seeing so many ‘show’ Border Collies in the group ring it was a real pleasure to see her move around the ring with precisely the proper movement, with the long stride & close to ground. You felt, as you should, that she could halt in mid stride & drop immediately to the ground on the whistle. She was, too, very feminine but hard & muscular underneath the coat.
Finally came the Old English Sheepdog, Beauvallon Alexander at Longdorham, underneath a really excellent, quality coat which, giving its correct outline, is a very well shaped dog with copybook angulation, good muscle & a lovely head, he moved precisely & smoothly – a credit to the breed. They were close up but choices have to be made.
I pulled out the Beardie first, followed by the Border Collie, then the Groenendael & finally the OES. My congratulations to both the breeders & the exhibitors – & to Cyril and Sylvia Croot who were the breed judges of my G1 & G2!DAVID CAVILL

Working group
Although the best dogs in the working group were superb, the overall quality was not what I had seen in the pastoral group. Most were of excellent type but movement left a great deal to be desired.
I was particularly concerned that at this level so many were side-winding. That said, those in my first cut were very good indeed. They were: Alaskan Malamute, Bouvier, Dobermann, Boxer, Giant Schnauzer & the Rottweiler.
The winner of the goup was the Alaskan Malamute, Ch Chayo Dom Perignon who, I am delighted to say, went on to win BIS. In my view Dom Perignon is better than his illustrious sire. He has the length of body, shoulder placement, correct length & set of neck combined with the muscle & strength demanded by the work the breed is designed to do. Watching him move so smoothly & confidently around the ring was a pleasure in itself & he has a superb head too.
G2 was the Dobermann, Ch Amazon Talk Of The Devil, another dog excelling in muscle & bone & showing a lean strength in every sinew, he is up to size, to be sure but has a lovely head & the overall balance & style is evident although he is still a young dog. He has excellent conformation & were you a tax inspector, you would be pleased to have him by your side.
G3 Bouvier, Ch/Dutch Ch Alsadie Freya at Kanix, continuing her winning ways, she is a lovely bitch, as sound as a bell with a smooth, even movement & a sweet feminine head well set into her shoulders, but she has an underlying strength as well with strong but not over heavy bone, she will continue to do very well.
G4, Giant Schnauzer bitch, Ch/Gib Ch Jafrak Le Fantasie, she is a delight & another who is likely to do exceptionally well in the future, she has an excellent feminine head with a lively eye, very good conformation & angulation & a perfect coat. DAVID CAVILL

Terrier group
Although not the full complement in numbers due to the classification I thought the group was very strong.
My shortlist was made up of the Bedlington, WFT, Norfolk, Norwich, PRT, Scottie, Stafford & Westie.
G1 the WFT, Ch Blackdale Carousel, I have been involved in this breed all my life & she is without doubt one of the best I’ve had my hands on. Great head, excellent planes, ear set & carriage, good clean neck & shoulders, good body covered with harsh wire jacket, good tailset, big strong quarters & good angulation, low hocks, moved out with sound positive action both ways & held profile when viewed from the side. In great form & as one with her very talented owner & handler.
G2 the Norwich, Ch Ragus Rings True, great favourite of mine having placed him in the group as a puppy. To go over him is like the Standard unfolding before you. In great form, coat & condition, pushed winner all the way, & may I compliment this sporting owner in her manner & the compliments she paid the winner.
G3 the Bedlington, Mollora Fancy Pants, long tapering foreface, well filled up beneath eyes, large strong teeth, correct bite, long neck, clean in throat, typical in body, flexible, flat ribbed, natural arch & tuck up, good quarters, typical action for this breed, coat thick & linty, well presented & handled.
G4 the Norfolk, Ch Jaeva Fallen Angel, excellent head, good expression, tight lipped, strong jaw, very well balanced throughout, showed & moved well, ideal size, well turned out & handled.
GERRARD MORRIS

Toy group
I thought the group was very strong & full of quality.
G1, Ch Donzeata Royal Tapestry from NSC, full of quality, in super condition, good outline, excellent type, pleasing sound movement, good topline, stands foursquare, a real showgirl.
G2, Ch Vanitonia Brace Yourself, Chinese Crested, glamorous dog, pleasing head, good front, nice reach of neck & good topline, moved so soundly, well presented & handled.
G3, Ch Loranka’s Enchanting, Cavalier, attractive tri dog, lovely type, pleasing head & eyes, in good coat, well balanced, moved with style.
G4, Frasermar Farenheit for Rozamie, Papillon, well coated b/w dog, good refined head, lovely fringed ears, well presented & handled, in super coat, good front, moved soundly.
BETTY FLAVELL

Gundog group
I thank the Paignton committee for their kind invitation to judge the gundog group; also for their generous hospitality.
It was a strong group with many really good dogs to judge. My final selection was as follows:
G1, Sh Ch/Jap Ch Nereid JP Mele Kalikimaka, this American Cocker bitch was in sparkling good form with lovely head & eye, good body & topline & such a sound mover, she was presented in first class condition & well deserved her win today.
G2, Sh Ch Gunalt Affinity, what a lovely Weimaraner bitch this is, good head, neck & shoulders & depth of body, she is so well balanced & presents a lovely outline & a really good mover.
G3, Ramchaine Essential, I thought this Golden was looking very nice indeed, correct head & good expression, nice bone & feet, good general outline & is very sound moving, was presented very well.
G4, Lujesa Touch The Sky, this black Cocker bitch was really looking well today, good head & eye, nice bone & feet with a good depth of body, good topline & set-on of tail, very well balanced & a happy sound mover.PETER WOOLF

Utility group
I would like to thank the officers & committee of the society for inviting me to judge my very first utility group & for their kind & considerate hospitality towards me.
The dogs sent through to me by the various judges were of a very high standard & I thoroughly enjoyed going over them.
I shortlisted eight for further consideration: the Bulldog, Dalmatian, Frenchie, Keeshond, Lhasa Apso & all three sizes of Poodle.
The star for me of course & G1 was the fabulously strong healthy Bulldog male sent through by Brenda Banbury, Ch Iceglint I’m Harry, this dog was an example of how a Bulldog should be, he was fit, healthy, typical & a powerhouse of strength, endurance & musculation & he moved like a dream, his head was to die for with a wonderful thrust & upsweep of underjaw resulting in a pleasing layback of foreface & well defined stop. I liked his tack-on of shoulder, big barrel ribs & strong heavy bone, this boy excelled in body with a well covered shapely frame & correctly roached back, he stood on good legs & feet & when he moved around the ring the roar that went up from the crowd was deafening to say the least. I have never seen a Bulldog move as swiftly & soundly as this boy; definitely no laboured breathing or distress of any kind, he should be held up as a great ambassador & wonderful healthy example of the country’s national breed.
G2, Standard Poodle, Ch/Am Ch Afterglow The Big Tease, tall upstanding white male with the best of heads & super shapely well covered frame, this boy was eyecatching, smart as paint & so together with an excellent neck & shoulder, super forehand & wonderful backend, he moved around the ring easily & freely with strides of equal length, covering the ground as he did so.
G3, Lhasa Apso, Chamando Diamond Geezer, stunning g/w young male with exquisite head & super shapely body, this boy was heavily coated & so well balanced with a beautiful high set tail, he was sturdy & all of a piece with wonderful breed type, he excelled in profile outline & free jaunty movement.
G4, Toy Poodle, Ch/Jap Ch Smash JP Rainbow Rider at Vanitonia, white male with stunning head, clean shoulder & super shapely well balanced body, this boy was elegant with a very proud carriage, he was in excellent coat & condition, he stood on good legs & feet & moved like a dream.
MARGARET WILDMAN