Graham’s Samoyed Nordicharm Royal Wizard Runner up in group: Mrs A Spencer’s Doberman Walamara Step-Aside (AI) (Imp NZ

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.

Griffon Bruxellois:

Best of Breed: Beautiful, small and square, fabulous type, beautiful head, big dark sparkling eyes, well spaced. Beautiful nose placement and turn up, good ears, moderate neck, super topline, tailset and tail carriage, in excellent coat. Moved very well from side, could be a little better coming and going. Best Puppy: Very smart dog with excellent neck, topline and tail set. At this time, still a little leggy – needs to body up with maturity, good bone. Excellent coat quality, very smart mover at all times, keeping his balance. General Comments: The Griffons are in a good state. I was absolutely impressed especially with the four males. Two from the Open Class, and two from Aust. Bred. Very proper, square, short coupled Griffons that are still mobile and well constructed. I think the males overall were the highlight. There were some absolutely useful bitches as well, but when you have males like these to breed to, the promise is very well for the future of the breed. I think the world needs to look to Australia for Griffons and I am quite sure we couldn’t muster 4 males of that quality anywhere else in the world at this moment. So hooray for you, Congratulations.

Basenji:

Best of Breed: The winner is stylish, gazelle like dog with good length of leg. When settled, he went well around the ring, he has a lot of Basenji qualities including a shelf behind his tail, which I found lacking in majority. He has a reasonable head, good neck set, strong topline, beautiful tail and he balances well on the move. General Comments: They were a mixed lot in general. I was not impressed.

Finnish Spitz:

Best of Breed: The male scored in head expression and tail, whereas the bitch is shorter coupled which is a virtue. They are both proper Finnish Spitz that could be shown in Scandinavia and do well. General Comments: I had two typical representatives of the breed.

Beagle:

Best of Breed: Quality dog of medium size and substance. Very well balanced and has an all round quality about him, and for a senior citizen, is in very good condition. Pleasing head with correct stop. Sweet Beagle expression. Well balanced correct neck, firm topline, well set brush. Active dynamic mover. Best Puppy: well balanced bitch – another very attractive mover. Good head, stop. Skull needs to fill – with time will do so. Good neck, tends to slope a little in topline when standing but levels out on the move. Beautiful brush, excellent coat and colour. General Comments: A very inconsistent outing of Beagles of all sorts and proportions and quality. I particularly struggled with the head type of the majority.

German Shorthaired Pointer:

Best of Breed: A very well constructed bitch. Very typical head, crested neck, excellent forechest, just enough length of leg. Firm topline, well set and carried tail. Ample angulation behind. Very athletic on the move. She scores in reach and drive and is sound coming and going. Best Puppy: Sharp, well developed bitch puppy. Again with a typical head both in planes and length. Well set and carried ears, strong bone, well proportioned, slightly longer than high, well set and carried tail. Positive mover. General Comments: Inconsistent in type - too many too leggy dogs. Tailsets and tail carriage needs to be focused on. Some lovely dogs at the top end of the scale.

German Wirehaired Pointer:

Best of Breed: A strong bitch, still feminine. Overly enthusiastic, but when she calmed down she makes very good sense. Strong head with correct proportions and planes. Crested neck, well angulated both ends, firm topline, would like a little longer in body, excellent coat quality, excellent legs and feet. Loved the baby puppy. General Comments: Inconsistent in breed type. Impossible to generalize.

Harrier:

Best of Breed: Beautiful dog, excellent breed type, well proportioned and balanced. Typical head, medium dark eyes, well set and carried ears, excellent topline standing still, slightly high behind on the move. An athletic and energetic mover. General Comments: Two very typical Harriers, with excellent proportions. Correct length of leg. Typical heads and typical front construction for the breed.

Whippet:

Best of Breed: A tall bitch, still very feminine. Very sexy and curvy throughout. She had a typical whippet head with good width of skull, bright and alert expression and thin rose ears. Smooth and curvy outline accentuated by her beautiful underline. Front movement low to ground and free and supple. Best Puppy: Very promising smooth and curvy solid formed dog of high quality. Elegant, long neck, balanced angulation both ends and a balanced topline. Supple and well balanced mover, sound coming and going. General Comments: There were a number of high quality Whippets and the Australian Bred bitch class was very, very strong, so it was a matter of sorting out priorities which will always be the case. The ideal combination of substance, with elegant curvy outlines, free and daisy cutting movement. That movement was the least impressive part of the day with quite a few lifting and breaking.

Cocker Spaniel (American):

Best of Breed: Very attractive black dog, very striking outline. A long neck and correctly sloping topline, well set undocked tail, well ribbed, shapely body, excellent coat quality, a very dynamic mover, at all times carrying himself well and keeping his outline. Best Puppy: A look alike to the BOB, the same comments apply to him. My RUBOB the pair of them looked the part, when moving around the ring.

Clumber Spaniel:

Best of Breed: Strong masculine well proportioned young dog of excellent type and quality, very good skull, still needs to develop some more strength of muscle with maturity. Excellent expression, strong crested neck, well set, deep and capacious body covering plenty of ground, well balanced mover, with a typical movement of the breed.

Lagotto Romagnolo:

Best of Breed: A proper Lagotto with pleasing proportions, not overdone in any way, proper head type, not too long in muzzle, well set neck, short enough in body, moderate balanced angulation both ends, good coat quality, unexaggerated. General Comments: Lagottos should be medium size breed and not with a lot of bulk. Most inconsistent entry – extreme variation.

Irish Water Spaniel:

Best of Breed: Very typical feminine bitch 9 months old – needs to compact up a bit, excellent head, typical expression, well set neck, firm topline, correct oily coat structure, would prefer less angulation behind, moves out well, is athletic and animated. Sussex Spaniel: Best of Breed: Big strong and masculine dog, still typically close to ground, strong head, typical Sussex expression and good front, solid body and firm topline. Excellent coat quality, falls away in croup more than preferred but still strides out well.

Welsh Springer Spaniel:

Best of Breed: Masculine dog, ideal size and proportions, very suitable head and expression, well set wine leaf shaped ears, strong neck, topline, typical arch over loin, well set tail, excellent bone an active mover, beautiful coat quality, but would not want any more coat. General Comments: Very mixed bag indeed! But there were 3 really good representatives of the breed.

Field Spaniel:

Best of Breed: Best balanced and best proportioned of today’s Field spaniels. Reasonable head, pleasing expression, very good neck into shoulder, correct topline and tail set, right amount of substance. Kept her balance on the move at 10 years old. Only her coat gave her age away. General Comments: Mixed entry, very different types, different dogs scoring in different traits.

Basset Hound:

Best of Breed: Young 2 year old, has everything to look for in the breed, beautiful head, well set long ears, beautiful expression, long and strong neck, deep and capacious, well angulated both ends. Good apple bottom and sacks. She moves with excellent carriage, very synchronized and sound. General Comments: Small entry of Bassets, but overall quality. Top 2 being truly outstanding representatives of their breed.

Dachshund (Long Haired):

Best of Breed: An attractive young dog who scored in overall quality and balance, pleasing head, good length of neck, well set into a firm topline. He covered good ground both standing and moving, lovely coat and colour. Best Puppy: Attractive puppy with overall pleasing quality, typical head with punishing jaw. Neck needs to grow out, a deep and capacious chest, good topline, very pleasing overall. General Comments: A very mixed bag. Generally disappointing, shoulders, neck above. All neck sets need to be watched.

Dachshund (Min Long Haired):

Best of Breed: Instantly attractive stylish dog – masculine head, good ear set, quite good neck, he needs more weight to cover his hip bones. He moves well from all angles. Very well presented. Best Puppy: Well constructed and well made bitch. Excellent type and proportions. Expressive – she moved well. General Comments: Again, very mixed bag. Overall unimpressive with some exceptions – shoulders neck and neck sets need to be watched.

Dachshund (Smooth Haired):

Best of Breed: Young bitch with some legs. Pleasing head, medium neck, good angulation both ends, and a firm topline. Not the most spectacular in entry, but made good sense. Best Puppy: Brindle bitch, excellent outline, balance, angulation. Beautiful expression, kept outline on the move, would like some more bone, but good length of leg. General Comments: Difficult entry, some dogs of obvious quality and indeed, good movers, but very short on leg. Still quite a pleasing entry as opposed to the long hairs, they had excellent necks.

Dachshund (Min Smooth Haired):

Best of Breed: A lovely dog of generally very high quality, he is well constructed, firm and athletic. Typical proportions – long, low and level – but without exaggerated low legs. Lovely head and expression. When moved at the right speed, he looked indeed lovely. Best Puppy: A lovely bitch puppy, very well made and of high quality. Strong punishing jaws, lovely expression, long and strong neck, she covered good ground both standing and moving. General Comments: Easily the best variety so far, and not so many compromises to be made. Here there were a number of quality dogs that also had the correct proportions.

Dachshund (Wire Haired):

Best of Breed: A strong masculine dog of pleasing quality. Strong head, eyes could be darker. Well set neck and firm topline, he has good length of leg. A good harsh coat, tends to carry his tail higher than idea. But is an active sound mover.

Dachshund (Min Wire Haired):

Best of Breed: A bitch with an excellent attitude, proud and honest. Well shaped head, good neck, harsh body coat, She is a little high behind and her tailset is not her fortune. Animated mover. Best Puppy: Still obviously a puppy, this dog has a lovely head and expression. Good neck. Moderately angulated in front. Needs to body up and another whose tailset is not his fortune. General Comments: Not a great lot, but reasonable.

Azawakh:

Best of Breed: Absolutely outstanding bitch with everything you look for in this breed. Beautiful head and eye, long neck. Short body with the leanness and boniness to look for. Beautiful underline, excellent temperament. Moved with suppleness and excellent carriage, coming from her very moderate but balanced angulation. Best Puppy: Sound bitch puppy, very primitive. Still rather round and awaits the drying out in her silhouette. Excellent head and ears, topline. Lovely coat and colour – brindle. I would not want any more angulation behind. Excellent mover from all angles. General Comments: Again, somewhat mixed as for type, I congratulate you on the excellent temperaments. The two bitches (BOB and Runner Up) clearly stood out, and the BOB stood out among those two as well. Rears need improvement, especially among the males.

Pharaoh Hound:

Best of Breed: 10 months old puppy of excellent type and quality. Strong, masculine, still elegant. He has a classical head, strong and crested, excellent topline, could be a fraction longer. He has excellent size. A very athletic dog with ideal carriage of head and tail. General Comments: Quite a good entry. I was impressed with BOB, RUBOB and the reserve bitch. So in all a very pleasing collection of Pharaoh Hounds.

Sloughi:

Best of Breed: A classical Sloughi with a highly typical outline, lovely proportions. She is elegant but still strong. I would not want a fine skull, but she has lovely melancholic expression. Good ears, moderate balanced angulation both ends. Lovely coat, unusual and beautiful colour, she moved very well and carried herself like a Sloughi should.

Basset Fauve de Bretagne:

Best of Breed: A very well proportioned dog with a short body, very smart. He is still a puppy and it shows, but he is very well made with an excellent topline and tailset and an excellent mover from all angles. In a correct harsh coat. General Comments: Another mixed bag, but all had pleasing temperaments. This should the shortest coupled of the Basset varieties and it is important to keep this in mind. Also the ears should be rather low set and curled inwards. I liked the open bitch very much, the she did not perform unfortunately.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen:

Best of Breed: A typical dog in all ways. He is definitely masculine, very athletic. He has enough length of neck, excellent body length to give him a very attractive silhouette. Strong bone, typical head, not too long in muzzle. Good eye colour, well set and carried ears, strong neck, well set. Balanced angulation both ends, tail proper set and of proper length. A lovely male from all angles. Best Puppy: Very smart bitch with a very typical head and expression. Excellent neck, topline and tailset. A fraction leggy at this time. Excellent coat and excellent mover from all angles. General Comments: This was a good quality entry and definitely one of the best breeds from this week. Most of the dogs are of proper breed type, with excellent to reasonable proportions. Just a couple of dogs with Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen type.

Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen:

Best of Breed: A very impressive dog who is so fit and athletic and has such a smart and eye-catching outline. He has a masculine head of moderate length, well set ears, strong neck, very well angulated both ends. Excellent tailset, excellent coat quality. He is a very, very dynamic mover who owns the ring.

Portuguese Podengo (Small):

General Comments: Only one dog – not awarded BOB for a number of reasons, among them – head, rear and coat.

Rhodesian Ridgeback:

Best of Breed: A very impressive all-stallion male. I would not want him any bigger. At 7 years old, he is still very, very athletic. Typical head and expression with well-set ears, strong, crested neck, leading into a firm topline – very pleasing flow of lines. Strong hindquarters. In brilliant condition for muscles and coat. Excellent ridge. A fine male in movement. Best Puppy: A very impressive puppy, strong, masculine, very well developed for his age. Excellent proportions and body shape. Another athletic and precise mover. A dog with a future, indeed the future is here already. General Comments: Quite a good entry, with quite a variation as is usual in this breed world wide. Some really good dogs. Australia is obviously still a strong hold for the breed.

Irish Wolfhound:

Best of Breed: A bitch of obvious type and quality – a large sighthound. She has a classical, beautiful head, long neck. Well set. She has excellent body proportions, could do with some more arch over the loin. She is a very supple and well balanced side mover, holding herself up very well at all times. General Comments: The Wolfhounds were improved since my last visit. This is and should be a large sighthound combining shape and raciness with substance and strength.

Greyhound:

Best of Breed: A sound, functional greyhound bitch of excellent type and quality. She is very well constructed and proportional with a flow to her topline with enough arch of loin. She has a classical head, long and strong neck. She moved very well from all angles – and has sound legs and feet. Due to a false pregnancy, her underline was not as good. Best Puppy: A lovely puppy of excellent type and quality, much like the BOB winner in type, proportions and overall balance. Lovely head, eye and ears. Beautiful curvy outline into a correct croup. Still puppy in movement, but with excellent potential indeed. General Comments: a very pleasing entry of greyhounds – almost all of them of excellent type and overall quality. However, there are some issues to be addressed. Some Terrier type very straight pasterns which are not at all typical for a functional dog. Some dogs toeing in – not quite as serious but still not typical. Some dogs dropping off far too much over the croup. Excellent temperaments, lovely necks, overall excellent quality.

Borzoi:

Best of Breed: Standing, this is a nice bitch, but a little