WELKS (Ch - 24/04/2015)

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Critique

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.

German Spitz Mittel

PD (3) 1 Hall’s Sobriety’s Grizzly Bear for Pufnstuf, very masculine brown, unfortunately swings the measure. Good head patter. Very well boned with neat feet. Good front. Coat coming in well; 2 Taylor’s Zephon King Of The Rock, nice head with lovely dark pigment. Level topline but slightly long in the loin. Unfortunately would not settle on the move so back movement very slack & uncoordinated; 3 Saich’s Londcoly Fozzie Bear. JD (4) 1 O’Loughlin’s Caoilta Drexl, glamorous young dog in correct harsh coat. True “spitzy” head with lovely dark pigment. Balanced in outline with good bone. Movement OK when settled as much too interested in the grass; 2 S Grizzly Bear for P; 3 Saich’s Lindcoly It’s Cheeko Time. PGD (6) 1 Hearson’s Nixtev Uraxys at Jumasue, white in full coat. Balanced in outline with excellent pigment. Masculine head with well-placed ears. Well-constructed. Not always settled on the move but a very nice example of the breed; 2 Godridge’s Flamuna Mani, cream, young dog still maturing. Good head with correct filling under the eye. Neat ears. Good upper arm & lay of shoulder. Well-muscled; 3 Day’s Sobriety’s Born To Be Wild. LD (3,1) 1 Williams’ Grizwold Lohengrin at Druitz, cream, balanced throughout with no exaggeration. Lovely head & expression. Straight front with near feet. Good bone. Well presented. Excellent mover; 2 Saich’s Zephon Akio at Lindcoly, wolf/s, smaller than the winner. Ears right on top of head, good well placed eye. Head correct proportions. Correct harsh coat. Could do with more weight to complete the picture. OD (5) 1 Smith’s Wyndlee Ghostly Magic, beautifully balanced 7 years cream that I now understand has not been seen in any ring for many years, which is a great shame for the breed. Very nice head pattern fitting the Standard. Correct front & hind angulation with good bone & body, well set tail correctly carried. In good harsh coat. Very fit, in excellent hard condition. Best mover in the Mittels here today. CC & BOB; 2 Chambers’ Ch Musique Worth The Wait, lovely head & expression with good ear carriage. Lovely brown in excellent coat & condition. Good bone, well ribbed up with good feet. Would persist in letting his tail slip in the challenge. RCC; 3 Hewett’s Spellcast Shout About It.

PB (5) 1 Alfred’s Nixtev Vitesse at Teamor, pale cream, feminine in outlook. Good coat & condition. Correct head proportions with good pigment. Straight front, neat feet. Well laid shoulders. Nice body for age, moved well. BP; 2 Orr’s Sobriety’s Caviars Whispa, black, very balanced. Good bone, well-constructed. Coat coming through well. Would prefer slightly smaller ears. When settled moved well; 3 Saich’s Wishing On A Star. JB (1) 1 Chambers’ Musique Charismatic, brown not in full coat but showed off her nice outline. Good head & expression. Good bone. Would like to see her in full coat. Maturing well. PGB (4) 1 Saich’s Zephon The Thunderstorm at Lindcoly, black in lovely condition. Well presented. Good head & expression with well-placed ears. Correct bone for size, with good body & moderate tuck-up at loin. Tends to stand a little long over the ground but is actually quite square in body when handled. Not a large bitch but very sound throughout. Moved easily. CC; 2 Thomas’ Daraydala Cecilia, finer boned black than the winner. Would prefer a darker eye & more positive front movement. Nice in outline with balanced head showing the correct proportions; 3 Bennett’s Musique Mariella at Melitabe. LB (1) 1 Pooley’s Spellcast Talking Secrets with Azkaban, feminine black presented in sparkling condition. Well put together with no exaggeration. Lovely head & eye. Good bone, moving very well. OB (2) 1 Moir’s Ch Jansanleis Mayham, very feminine cream not quite in full coat today but well presented. Good head & expression with dark pigment. Good front & body. Moved well with drive from the rear. RCC; 2 Williams’ Hocombewood Party Popper at Druitz, another quality bitch. Well put together with correct head & well placed dark eye & neat ears. Good body with well laid tail. Presented in good coat & condition. Did not move quite as freely as the winner.

VAL DYER