Bert Simmonds's Bitch Critique

First of all I wish to thank the Committee of the East Anglian Whippet Club for their invitation to judge Bitches at their Championship Show.  As usual their hospitality and friendliness was without equal as were the efforts and efficiency of my stewards.  This allowed for a great sense of being able to get on with the job whilst they dealt with ring procedures.  Sportsmanship amongst competitors was exemplified by the winners of the two puppy classes declining to challenge for BBP until it was ensure that a bitch from another class who had not been beaten by a puppy was in fact over 12 months old.  In my opinion the standard of bitches who were exhibited is of the highest and I have no fears as to the future of the breed.  Only a couple of bad mouths were found and in every case teeth were shining bright.  I did see some strange movement on a couple of occasions, where there appears to be some sort of problem at the hock.  Although the rest of the exhibit seemed in order.  A great day spent judging good dogs but unfortunately some had to be cardless on this occasion. 

WHIPPET: MPB (14).  1 Thomas@ Faracre Feather Boa.  Fawn b, just able to come to the show.  Pretty head, eye and expression, correct size with balanced depth of brisket, reach of neck and good angulation front and rear.  Viewed from side the hind leg angulation and well let down hocks are immediately impressive handled with care and moved in an excellent manner.  Not disgraced in BP challenge and one of the b’s which inspires my earlier comments; 2 Randall’s Whirlygig Lavender Blue.  Nearly 8 months with correct head, dark eye and stood over plenty of ground.  Well angulated front and rear, well balanced and in v good condition as one would expect from this exhibitor.  Strong over loin and moved with some drive, an unexaggerated b of some promise I believe; 3 Cox’s Rearsbylea Silver Sequin.

PB (15).  1 Howgate’s Palmik Midnight Mischief.  Approaching 10 months, pale fawn b of frankly striking appearance, a great head, eye and expression, good neck, correctly meeting well laid shoulders.  Strong loin with adequate muscle throughout.  Deep brisket and although not a small b, does not appear overdone in any way.  Moved v well and I was pleased to award her BBP and later with my Co-Judge, Mrs Maureen Blanks, who dealt with the d entry, this p was BPIS beating her litter brother who had been awarded BDP.  Another one to watch; 2 Illingsworth and Andersonn-Illingswirth’s Birkonbrae Oh Pretty One.  11 month b of correct size and balance.  V attractive fawn brindle with white markings.  Well balanced and covering a considerable amount of ground although not over sized.  Good head, correct neck and well laid shoulders, proportionate brisket with good tuck up.  V good condition and moved well, good angulation, front and rear with well let down hocks, another v good p I feel; 3 Gray’s Lanakeshena Golden Promise. 

JB (18).  1 Minn’s Peperone Perfect blend.  A fawn b with a dark muzzle and white trimmings of the correct size, shape and balance.  Good head, eye and expression of course and neck in proportion to the rest of the b with a deep brisket and well laid shoulders, plenty of bone and no exaggerations at all.  Good and correct angulation, front and rear.  A nice elegant b who despite the use of another exhibitor to move her, did that part extremely well with drive and correct action.  Not disgraced in the challenge for a ticket either; 2 Mason’s Aphrael Damhan-Allaidh.  A white b with greyish head markings which moved well and was v carefully handled, v well balanced with sufficient bone and muscle in the right places.  Her markings made had attractive and her elegant neck leads to well laid shoulders and good topline and rear angulation to well let down hocks, b with plenty to like about and I later gave her the novice class; 3 Quirk’s Star Performer. 

YB (12).  1 Randall’s Spinneyhill Cinnamon At Hammonds.  About 20 months bridle b in first class condition.  V shapely and balanced all through.  Plenty of bone and substance without it being overdone.  Good head and neck properly attached to well defined shoulder placement.  Good angulation, front and rear and well let down hocks, deep brisket and good tuck up.  Well handled and moved with drive and precision.  V strong over loin but still possessing the elegance required in the b’s, especially of this breed.  Reserve Challenge Certificate; 2 Neale’s Stormalong Nightime Blues, V elegant b of about 19 months which looked better as she settle in the class.  Correct size and balanced in brisket and length of loin, leading to good rear angulation and correct hocks.  Good head and neck set on to good shoulders.  Another exhibit which could move and of course was handled as you can expect with patience and expertise; 3 White’s Baldrey Kiss N Tel. 

MB (15) 1 Howgate’s P M Mischeif; 2 Hill’s Shimmeree Blue Indienne.  10 months old b of considerable talent in elegance and condition.  Correct in head, eye and expression, good neck and shoulders, proportionate in brisket and overall conformation.  Good topline and angulation, moved well; 3 Illingworth and Anderson-Illinworth’s Birkonbrae Line of Beauty. 

NB (11).  1 Mason’s A D-Allaidh; 2 Reardon’s Rarely Rich Risque.  Elegant fawn b shown in good hard condition and handled with care and attention.  Nicely balanced throughout with good length of loin and sufficient angulation front and rear.  Moved well, good shoulder and brisket; 3 Reed and Spooner’s Dejare Ma Petite Amie. 

GB (19) 1 Crosse’s Jayglo Just The One.  Just over 2 yrs, a b with elegance and ring prescence.  A no nonsense fawn with white trim of the correct size and balance, moved with some drive and accuracy, front and rear.  Correct head with well set neck, good topline and length of loin.  Correct angulation and shoulder placement, in good hard condition without exaggerations; 2 Manley and Ergis’ Siouxline Jessica Fletcher.  Pale fawn with white trim of correct size, balance and type.  Well constructed with depth of brisket and good angulation, front and rear.  Stood over plenty of ground, retaining her elegance and balance; 3 Bird’s Blandings Inamorata. 

PGB (15).  1 Thitaker-Crosby’s Mulcair Maykin Me Happi JW.  27 months old b, a brindle with white time, pleasing head and eye and expression.  V good in shoulder placement with elegant proportionate neck.  V deep brisket muscular loin with correct angulation all round.  I hard fit condition and moved well; 2 Wilton-Clark’s Shalfleet Showtime.  41/2 yrs old.  Brindle with white chest and legs in v good condition.  Correct head, good should placement, balanced appearance and correct angulation, all round moved well and pushed winner in this class; 3 Minn’s Juneric Little Diamond. 

LB (28).  1 Newton’s Nevedith MFA Madam.  Typing this critique I find that I gave her sire BP at Windsor 2 yrs ago.  About 18 months old b, a dark brindle with white trim.  Shown in excellent condition, good type and size correct.  Balanced and with a deep brisket and good angulation, front and rear, absolutely elegant and yet typical of the breed with no exaggerate areas.  Well sprung ribs and muscular without excesses.  A powerful lady without losing all that is good in this breed and moving well, was one of my favourites on the day; 2 Van Raalte’s Rearsbylea Summer Sunrise.  A v attractive with white trim of 2 yrs.  Another of correct size and type with a good head and eye, proportionate neck and good shoulders.  Correct angulation and great length of loin without losing her balance of elegance.  Moved v well and pressed the winner of this class which contained a number of exhibits well worthy of their place at the top; 3 Sykes’ Veredon Va Va Voom. 

OB (22).  1 Newton’s Champion Nevedith LFA N Lady Love.    Yet another superb example from this famous family kennel.  2/12 yrs old and in prime condition.  Beautiful and correct head, eye and expression.  Correct ear  shape and texture and position.  Long but proportionate neck, set exactly right on shoulders of correct construction and muscle.  Shapely topline, leading to strong loins and a beautifully angulated rear end with well let down hocks seen from the sie she has a deep brisket and well constructed front end.  Excellent spring of rib and standing over plenty of ground, she gave the impression of a graceful and elegant but powerful b. her movement was precise with drive and ease.  I was pleased to award her the Bitch Challenge Certificate and later with the Dog Judge, Mrs Maureen Blancs, BIS; 2 Howgate’s Palmik Princess.  I note from the catalogue that this brindle, almost 5 yrs old, is the mother of the p and maiden class winning b. Correct in all departments, I would say. Stood over considerable ground but did not lose her elegance.  Good head with balanced neck leading to v good should placement.  Deep brisket and well tucked up. Well angulated front and rear, in perfect condition with muscle in the right places without any excess.  A v nice b who moved with drive and looked the part in this class;  3 Whitaker-Crosby’s Mulcair Mon Amie. 

VB (11).  1 Whitaker-Crosby’s Mulcair Miss Millee.  101/2 yrs old and mother of my third choice in the Open class.  Moved well and from the side has retained her shape, balance and elegance.  Shoulders well set and angulation still good on this lady, well worthy of this class and the special sausage awarded to all veteran b’s here.  In the challenge for BVIS came up against a d whom I awarded the d challenge Certifcate at Windsor 2 yr ago and on this day was in tip-top form and condition; 2 Thomas’ Faracre Flower Song.  71/2 yrs old and well worth her sausage, still correct in shape, size and proportion throughout with good depth of brisket and angulation, front and rear.  Moved well and handled with care; 3 Neales’ Stormalong Black Iris JW. 

RACING OR COURSING B(4).  1 Noel-Smith’s Peaches N Dreams.  7 yrs old and out of the cards in the last class.  However, she won this on her general condition and her ability to move well.  Still balance and shape are essential and both were present in this b.  In muscle without excess and as to be expected in this breed, strong over loin.  Unlucky to meet the best racing or coursing d for best of this class in show.  He was showing his socks off in the challenge and took that price;  2 Nelson’s Hamiltonian Phyllida.  6 yrs old and unplaced in the Graduate class.  Well muscled and fit appearance, not the shape and balance of the winner but moved well enough.  Strong over loins without excess muscle..

Photo's courtesy of Louise Tope, Dewerstone Photography www.dewerstonephotography.co.uk