ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW 2019 – CRITIQUES well arched neck. Also free flowing movement. General Comments: The entry contained some lovely dogs of compact build. Ear sets were not all upright which detracted from type and expression. Dogs as a rule were all in good condition and very muscular. Shar Pei: Best of Breed: A dog with good square proportions. Topline correct, dipping slightly behind withers and rising slightly to short loin. Nice almond shaped eyes with frowning expression. Vigorous and balanced movement. Tail correct carried in a tight curl. Best Puppy: this was a lovely young dog with a good balance – slightly narrower head but vigorous and balanced movement. Poodle (Toy): Best of Breed: This lovely square dog has beautiful movement. His strong foreface is well chiselled, eyes are the correct almond shape and dark for nice expression. Good length of neck, deep chest and well sprung ribs. Would have liked tail carriage slightly higher but he is so well balanced and typey that did not deter him from being awarded. Best Puppy: This bitch was also nicely square balanced. Her well chiseled foreface and beautiful dark almond eyes were full of fire. She was smooth on the move – tail set correct and carried at slight angle. General Comments: Good entry of Poodles with different balances and head structures – mostly all good moving but not all with correct square balance. Poodle (Min): Best of Breed: This was a very elegant and square balanced dog with good reach and drive and smooth movement. His head was long and fine, foreface strong and well chiseled and good underjaw. Very profuse coat of good harsh texture. Best Puppy: Best puppy was an elegant dog that carried himself proudly. Good dark almond eye and foreface strong and chiseled. Would like to see just a bit more square balance. General Comments: Good entry – again with various balance and heads. Most were good moving but round eye shapes sometimes interfered with correct expression. Overall good coat textures. Poodle (Std): Best of Breed: The BOB was a beautifully square balanced bitch with a lovely chiseled foreface and such wonderful expression with dark almond eye full of fire. Lovely reach and drive and smooth movement as well as true coming and going. Very profuse and dense coat of harsh texture. Best Puppy: A lovely bitch with smooth movement. She has a nicely chiseled strong foreface and dark almond shaped eye. I would give her a little better balance and make her more square, but overall a lovely bitch. General Comments: The entry today was varied in balance, heads and movement. I looked for those most square in balance with level toplines, correct heads and tail set and carriage, and those with correct dense and harsh coat texture. Pekingese: Best of Breed: Well balanced dog with nice large head, wider than deep, flat between the ears. Eyes dark, round and lustrous. His body is heavy up front with distinct waist. Tail set is high and carried over back. Top coat nice and coarse, with thick soft undercoat. He had the correct rolling gait. Best Puppy: This dog also was balanced with nice large head and lustrous dark eyes. Heavily boned forelegs slightly bowed. Good rolling gait. Coton du Tulear: Best of Breed: I had one dog in the breed, it had correct cotton texture coat, good black pigment and correct slightly convex topline. Maltese: Best of Breed: The bitch was BOB – beautiful dark eye and black eye rims and nose. White silky coat. She moved effortlessly with good reach and drive and held a level topline. Neck into shoulders clean and neat with smooth transition. Very correct tail set curved over back laying to side of quarter. Just a lovely bitch. General Comments: The other entry was a very nice dog withbeautiful pigment and coat texture as well. Pretty expression. The bitch moved a little better today, but both of excellent quality and condition. Schipperke: Best of Breed: Small cobby dog, very lively and alert. Expressive dark correctly oval eyes, good deep brisket and short back. Moved with short brisk stride. Coat correctly dense and harsh, with correct mane, frill and culottes. Best Puppy: Nice puppy bitch with cobby head and correct coat, ear set could have been a little higher but nice expression and dark eye of oval shape. Full length tail carried correctly. Keeshond: Best of Breed: Short compact dog with confident carriage, fox like head with small ears. Well defined spectacles with distinct markings, good depth of brisket. Harsh coat – mixture of correct grey and black with pale cream undercoat. Clean and brisk movement. Best Puppy: Nice puppy with short compact body, well proportioned head with dark almond shaped eyes. Correct grey and black undercoat with harsh texture as well as soft cream undercoat. Bold, alert and friendly. British Bulldog: Best of Breed: Best of Breed male was nicely smooth coated and thick set with a massive head. He had the correct roach back, wide at the shoulders and narrow at loin. His chest is very wide. Tail was set on low. Movement typical for the breed with heavy and constrained gait. Best Puppy: Best puppy was a very promising male with correct head structure – eyes situated low in the skull and round with ears set on high on the head. Correct topline and nice typical movement. German Spitz (Klein): Best of Breed: Best of Breed was a dog with happy disposition. His head was wedge shaped with correct small high set triangular ear. Coat was also correct with soft undercoat and long harsh straight top coat. German Spitz (Mittel):
Best of Breed: A good moving compact dog with nice wedgeshaped head and nice double coat with soft undercoat that is woolly and long harsh outer coat. Good high set ears that are small and triangular. Effortless brisk action in movement. Tibetan Terrier: Best of Breed: A sturdy medium sized dog of good balance. A nice medium length neck flowing well into shoulders. Compact body. Double correct coat with fine and woolly undercoat and profuse top coat. Feet appropriately large and round standing well down on pads. Smooth effortless gait. Japanese Spitz: Best of Breed: A well balanced dog with profuse white, stand off coat. Nice wedge-shaped head with small, erect triangular ears. Lovely dark oval shaped eyes with beautiful thick black eye rims. Gait – light and nimble and very smooth. Best Puppy: Nice young bitch with good texture white stand off coat. Good wedge shape head and really nice oval shaped dark eye and rims. Ears correctly set and small and triangular shape. Also a good mover – light and smooth. Shih Tzu: Best of Breed: This was a lovely sturdy dog with a nice broad head and large round dark eyes. Top of nose correctly placed on line with eye rim – nicely arched neck. Good double coat, long and dense outer and moderate undercoat. Arrogant, smooth flowing gait. Best Puppy: This is a beautiful puppy bitch with correct balance and sturdy body. Broad head and good nose placement – accenting the “chrysanthemum face”. Good smooth flowing gait and correct and in very nice condition coat. Lhasa Apso: Best of Breed: A well balanced solid dog with free and jaunty movement. Strong well-placed neck, compact body, well ribbed up. Good fall over dark medium sized eyes. Coat of correct texture – heavy straight and hard with dense undercoat. Best Puppy: This was a lovely bitch with absolute free and jaunty movement. Her sweet expression with dark medium sized eyes and good fall, together with her correct heavy straight and hard coat, gave her much breed type. Xoloitzcuintle (Min): Best of Breed: A nice example of the breed – a bitch of good balance, slightly longer than high. Body strongly built with level topline. Skin smooth (hairless) and dark. Moved freely with long elegant and springy step. Xoloitzcuintle (Inter): Best of Breed: Bitch of good proportion, slightly longer than tall – medium sized almond shaped eyes with intelligent expression. Dark smooth skin. Moved freely with quick flowing trot. Xoloitzcuintle (Std): Best of Breed: Nice bitch of good proportion, slightly longer than tall. Body strongly built with a short, strong back and straight and level topline, good length of neck. Good head, broad and wedge shaped - excellent expression with dark almond shaped eye. Moved freely with quick flowing trot. Chihuahua (Smooth Coat): Best of Breed: A small dainty and compact dog, with a nice Apple Dome skull and definite stop. Large beautiful round eyes, good ear set and 45-degree angle placement. Level back, held topline in movement. Good reach and drive and smooth movement. Best Puppy: A very promising puppy dog with a lovely correct Apple Dome skull and large dark eyes. Good topline, movement, with tail carried up and over back. This was a gay, spirited and intelligent puppy. Chihuahua (Long Coat): Best of Breed: A beautifully moving bitch with well rounded Apple Dome skull and lovely, large round dark eyes. Ear set very correctly adding to wonderful expression – held at 45 degree angle. Level topline held when moving. Good coat and furnishings. Best Puppy: A nice promising puppy. Good movement and alert little dog. Tail carried correctly up and over back. Tibetan Spaniel: Best of Breed: Well balanced dog, slightly larger than tall. Head slightly domed with slight stop. Dark eyes and good apelike expression. Level back and quick moving. Good double coat – silky in texture. Russian Toy Terrier (Long Hair): Best of Breed: Nice long-legged dog with fine bone. Small, wedge shaped head with clearly pronounced stop. Large round dark eye. Big thin ears set correctly – slightly upward. Good topline – level. Easy movement. Best Puppy: Puppy did not want to walk well, but had nice type with fine bone, wedge shaped head and big thin ears. Chinese Crested Dog: Best of Breed: A very lovely dog, with a smooth hairless body in good condition. Very dark eyes, almond shape for good expression. Large and erect ears, tail set correct and carried out in motion. Long flowing gait with good reach and drive. Japanese Chin: Best of Breed: a little male, elegant and aristocratic. Very compact with profuse coat of silky texture. Hare feet feathered at tips. Good head and skull with short well cushioned muzzle. Stylish movement with good reach and drive. Best Puppy: Very promising bitch puppy – very elegant with correct silky, profuse coat. Good head and moderately broad skull with well cushioned muzzle. Large dark eye with small amount of white in corners. Moved nicely with reach and drive. Dalmatian: Best of Breed: A dog with great freedom of movement. Round, nice compact feet. Ribs well sprung, strong loin and powerful level back standing and moving. Tail carried with correct upward curve. Good spots on white background, correct size and well distributed. Intelligent expression –round bright and sparkling eyes. Best Puppy: Nice puppy of good balance with freedom of movement. Ribs well sprung, good compact feet. Nicely arched neck. Spots on white background well distributed. Lovely expression with round bright eyes.
Great Dane: Best of Breed: Very muscular and elegantly built bitch with head and neck carried high. Great length of head and strength of jaw with lips hanging squarely in front. Long well arched neck. Deep brisket and cat like feet. Movement springy and free. Best Puppy: Very nice dog puppy – muscular and elegant. Also with great length of head with lips hanging squarely in front, forming right angle with foreface. Deep brisket great tight feet – movement springy and free. Short sleek coat. Chow Chow: Best of Breed: A lovely coated, compact, short coupled dog. Proud of bearing and very nice unique stilted gait. Abundant, dense stand off coat with coarse outer and woolly undercoat. Dark almond shaped eyes and small erect ears. Scissor bite and tongue correctly bluish black. Peruvian Hairless Dog (Medium): Best of Breed: Very nice example of the breed. Great expression with dark almond eye, feet correct – hare-like. Topline level and held when moving. Tail set on correctly – low tapering towards the tip. Peruvian Hairless (Large) Best of Breed: Elegant and slim dog – hairless. Alert and intelligent expression with slightly almond shaped eyes. Prick ears and level topline. Tail carried in round curve. Moved with slightly shorter steps but fast. Italian Greyhound: Best of Breed: Elegant, graceful and quick moving bitch. Nicely placed rose shaped ears, with a long gracefully arched neck. Good straight forequarters with sloping shoulders, and strong pasterns. Narrow and deep chest, very nice and very correct high stepping and free action. Correct topline with back slightly arched over loin. Best Puppy: Promising puppy bitch with correct arch over loin and high stepping and free action. Long flat and narrow skull and rose shaped ears. Affenpinscher: Best of Breed: Rough coated sturdy dog with a nicely domed forehead and round dark sparkling eyes. Ears are small and set high, mouth slightly undershot. Back is short and straight. Tail set nicely high and curves gently over back when moving. A lively strutting movement, a correct monkey like expression. Miniature Pinscher: Best of Breed: Well balanced, sturdy and compact little dog, with precise hackney gait. Ears set on nicely and high, gracefully arched neck. Well developed forechest and backline straight and sloping. Cat like feet, smooth hard and short coat. Papillon: Best of Breed: A beautifully sound bitch moving light and free. Ears large and mobile with rounded tips, heavily fringed and carried like the wings of a butterfly. She had a level topline standing and moving, of extreme importance, she also had a silky coat with no undercoat. Best Puppy: Very nice puppy dog with light and free movement, round dark eye, and large mobile ears carried erect. Coat was silky and abundant, very typey puppy. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Best of Breed: Short coupled bitch with good spring of rib and level back. Very gentle expression with large round dark eyes, ears set high with length and plenty of leather. Very free moving and elegant in action. Pretty ruby – whole coloured rich red. Best Puppy: Promising Blenheim puppy with gentle expression, very free moving with tail carried correctly - not much above level of back. Mr Espen Engh (Norway) Australian Cattle Dog: Best of Breed: Strong muscular dog, excellent proportions, very shapely masculine head, good width of skull, well placed ears, medium stop, excellent length of foreface, strong neck, well laid upper arm. Body ideal length and depth. Balanced rear angulation, very good coat, strong purposeful mover. Best Puppy: 10 month old puppy, strong masculine dog, good proportions and outline, masculine head, excellent ears, eyes could be darker, strong neck, well angled front and rear. Strong topline, excellent coat and sound mover. General Comments: Mixed types and head types. Best dogs were top drawer. Australian Kelpie: Best of Breed: Attractive outline kept on the move, masculine head, alert expression, excellent ears. Balanced front and rear, excellent coat and condition. Exciting movement – free and supple. Best Puppy: Precocious puppy – 7 months. Excellent head and ears, very good front, strong topline, could do with more rear angulation. Norwegian Elkhound: Best of Breed: Strong bitch but still feminine, good width of skull, excellent eyes, good stop. Uses ears, well angulated both ends. Well proportioned, could be leaner in body, quite good coat, reasonable colour, well set tail, dynamic mover. Best Puppy: Feminine bitch pleasing proportions front and hind, needs more stop, topline could be stronger, well set and carried tail, dynamic mover. Foxhound: Best of Breed: Impressive dog with very smart outline at all times – both standing and moving. Very mature in body and legs for a 10 month old, still a puppy in head. Typical Foxhound in front, excellent topline and tail set, proud and stylish movement. Top draw. Afghan Hound: Best of Breed: Stylish combining elegance and substance, very well proportioned, up on leg and square masculine head, arrogant expression. Long neck, strong topline, prominent hip bones, well set tail with ring, well angulated behind, dynamic movement with carriage and spring. Not quite as strong topline moving as standing, beautiful coat. Best Puppy: Well proportioned puppy dog, well up on leg, pleasing head, dark eyes, long neck, excellent topline, good pin bones, well angulated behind, excellent coat, rather straight in hindquarter, good carriage and style.
