WELKS (Ch - 24/04/2015)

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Critique

German Spitz Klein

Thank you to the sporting exhibitors of both sizes, unfortunately as second in the ring I was unable to commence judging until 12.45pm even though there was a consistently empty ring close by. This meant that they were calling for the Group whilst I was still judging; but as I told the Group Steward all exhibitors had paid to enter & all deserved my full consideration. Fortunately my Mittel BOB did “just” make it. The Society needs to think if there are three CC breeds in a ring, or a large number of dogs allocated to a ring, that perhaps a 9.00am start (or even earlier) would be better if they wish to ensure all BOBs make their respective Groups.

I was disappointed with many of the young stock of both sizes, several lacked quality or any substance, with many totally without any muscle or any ring training. I accept this may have been their first outdoor show of the year but movement was very haphazard & in many almost impossible to accurately assess. Our breed Standard requires the Spitz to be alert & with a quick reaction; but the lack of muscle & any drive from the rear gives the impression to a judge that many spend their time in a cage or a small run with little exercise either controlled or free running.

Only one or two carried too much weight, where a few, especially Kleins, could do with more substance. Mittel bitches seem to generally be improving in overall quality; but getting smaller with several only just making size. Generally construction was better with better length of upper arms & spring of rib & not so many being long in back or weak in loin. Overall I was very pleased with my major winners & felt they were honest representatives of both sizes of the breed.

PD (5,1a) 1 Penwarne’s Oberitz Hot Pursuit to Sheldamar, very sound black, up to the measure. I would prefer a darker eye & slightly smaller ear. Good body, well ribbed up with well-set tail. Good bone. Moved OK. BP; 2 Pearce & Francis’ Oberitz Curiosity of Longsdale, another black. Good in outline. Lovely head & expression with good dark well placed eye. Well-constructed but needs to mature, light in body at present; 3 Hewitt’s Oberitz New Horizons. JD (3,1) 1 Lewis’ Indizak Hakuna Matata at Louchelle, young dog not in full coat but what he has is of a correct harsh texture. Good ear placement. Correct pigment for colour. Little fine in bone. Neat feet; 2 Quinn’s Cherokee Take It Easy, very glamorous parti in lovely coat & condition. Head a little short in muzzle & deep in stop. Lovely dark well placed eye. Good spring of rib with level topline. Moved OK when settled. PGD (3,1) 1 Bamford’s Applebanks Goldfinger at Hazdawn, glamorous 2 years dog, unfortunately swinging the measure. In full harsh coat, well presented. Good head pattern with well-placed ear & eye. Level topline. Good front & hind assembly. Moved well going away; 2 I Hakuna Matata at L. LD (3,2) 1 Pearce & Francis’ Longsdale’s Woody Win, brown, maturing well but still needs time. Good mouth & head pattern. Very well constructed with good front & hind angulation. Balanced in outline with no exaggeration. Positive drive from the rear when on the move. RCC. OD (4) 1 Wright’s Ch Minigardens Emil Lovely-Boy, this dog needs to be handled to appreciate the very sound construction as his wealth of thick harsh coat detracts from both his true outline & balance. On this occasion a little less coat would improve. Excellent head. Good bone well ribbed up & short in loin. Sound on the move, but later in the challenge with the bitch for BOB lost out as lacked animation & hind movement more restricted. CC; 2 Jackson & Minshall’s Holbain Just Like Bill, another quality dog slightly lacking the neck of the winner so giving a slightly stuffy look in outline. Good coat & condition. Good hind muscle so lacking in many exhibits today, excellent on the move; 3 Corr’s Ir/Int Ch Crystalclear Working On A Dream.

PB (4,1) 1 Allison’s Oberitz Interstellar, very sound black, I would prefer a slightly more feminine outlook & smaller ears. Good bone & body with level topline & well laid tail. Slightly curly coat at this age. Moved very well; 2 Scott’s Lusam Oh So Bonny, finer bitch, very pretty, not in full coat yet. Lacked substance but well spring rib with well laid shoulders & good outline. Good muscle; 3 Delve & Andrew’s Claran Fern Valanchi. JB (4,1) 1 Bamford’s Applebanks Skye At Midnight at Hazdawn, very feminine bitch in full coat. Good ear & eye placement. Would prefer a slightly longer muzzle. Good front & hind assembly. Good body, well ribbed up. Short in loin with moderate tuck-up. Moved with drive around the ring; 2 Williams’ Stormavon Silverangel at Megahra, immature cream. Fine in bone. Nice well placed eye. Good pigment. Good in upper arm & body. Moved OK; 3 Scott’s Jayfeather Busy Bee. PGB (5,2) 1 Wright’s Chilite Indian Shadow, mature bitch in full harsh coat. Traditional head pattern with good ear placement. Sound throughout with no exaggeration, could lose a little weight to advantage. Good on the move; 2 Goodridge’s Lusam Teasy Weasy, young bitch, nice in outline when not persisting in standing long across the ground. Not in full coat today. A promising bitch, very spitzy in outlook. Well-muscled; 3 Williams’ Foxy Nose Zahra at Megahra. LB (5,2) 1 Allison’s Oberitz Firebee, feminine black in lovely coat & condition. Balanced throughout. Good head pattern with a lovely dark well placed eye. Well-constructed fore & aft. Good body, level topline. Moved well. A quality bitch who should gain her title. Only lost in challenge to the CC winner in that I preferred her slightly shorter back & squarer outline. RCC; 2 Hamer’s Clarmers Diamond Bear, overall smaller than the winner. Muzzle could be longer to improve the head balance, neat ears. In full coat & looking well today. Sufficient bone & good body; 3 Wright’s Chilite Lunar Moon. OB (4) 1 Bradbury’s Ch Wychlea Vixen In The Dark, very feminine black in full gleaming coat of excellent condition. Lovely head & expression with neat well placed ears. Good mouth. Good front with neat feet. Well laid shoulders with correct body & moderate tuck-up. Well-muscled up. Moved very well around the ring & certainly showed her paces in the challenge for BOB. CC & BOB; 2 Pearce & Francis’ Ch Rimazet Serafino of Longsdale, 6 years brown, one I have always liked. Although in full harsh coat today the coat looked dead & lacked sparkle. She stood well & looked lovely & square in outline. Good front & body. I have seen her move not so well but today she was on form & moved very well round the ring; 3 Hamer’s Ch Clarmers Caramel Surprise.

VAL DYER