It was a pleasure to judge at this well run event, there is only a small committee but a lot of work had been done and the hall looked very good with National bunting enhancing the walls. It is over 2.5 years since I judged both sexes of the breed as I did males in the Spring of last year so in a physical sense the majority of exhibits were new to me. Visually, of course, I have seen many of them over and over again.
Until today I have not really appreciated the extent of the insidious occurrence of incorrect forequarters within the breed. I found it more prevalent in the males, we have these almost vertical upper arms when you feel them, with only slight return, resulting in little angle to take the elbows beneath the withers but there is actually minimal deleterious effect upon front action, except in a few cases. We have though, lost our usual evident forechest. As this is so rife we are all stuck with the problem, so it will be extremely difficult to get back to our former status.
I think this year has been a very difficult one for coats, no long hot spell to convince the chow to get rid of it’s jacket and thus we have had piecemeal coat changes, particularly in the yearling stage. It is really hard to get the “finish” on an in-between coat so it was the babies and the more mature exhibits today that were showing the really full correctly coloured all-over coats. Where exhibitors had spent the extra time on the overall finishing of the coats it was patently obvious.
MPD 2 (1 abs) 1. Archer NOKUS DE SUN VIT 7 months quite mature for his age, self red colour and super coat condition. Masculine, broad muzzle and skull to match, really thick small ears and clean eyes, best of pigmentation. Decent neck, well sprung in body and standing on well boned straight legs fore and aft and really tight feet. Moved away rather nicely but it will be interesting to see what maturity brings to his front action. BMP.
PD 3 (1 abs) 1. Richards CHARIDS CAPTAIN SCARLET Well presented heavily coated shaded red with strong but not overdone head, wide and deep muzzle, lovely clean dark eyes and thick, rounded and tilted ears. Well off for neck, nicely sprung, deep and long ribcage and short coupled. Well boned legs, nice and straight at the rear, he can move straight but he is a handful and it was only in the very final challenge that his handler managed to get a straight up and down done correctly. BP 2. Ashmore MOYWAN HAMAL It was not this boy’s day today, he was unhappy on the move with something wrong in front and his coat is in between. Darker red with masculine head, well filled muzzle, dark eyes, decent stop and width of skull. With his masculinity I hope he will develop more in ribbing. Nice and straight at the rear with low point of hock.
JD 3 1. Robinson RENDEL RIFF RAFF AT KWAITANG Nice size shaded red with the biggest and thickest jacket I think I have ever come across on an unneutered chow. Appearance is certainly deceptive with this boy as he looks heavy in the body and under all this coat he is a normal well balanced male with a normal spring and depth of ribbing which just reaches his elbows. His head is so correct, well filled muzzle excellent bite and pigmentation, darkest of eyes of decent shape, good width of skull with neat tilted ears to give the proper expression. Could perhaps have a tad more neck for perfection but he has enough and if the coat is reduced it may prove to be more evident. Short coupled, high set on and carriage of well plumed tail and straight hind legs. Moved typically in both directions covering enough ground without having to rush and carries himself beautifully. Res CC and Res BIS Soole/Carroll RAPHY X Y & Z Just a month younger than 1 but not as mature and coat needs to clear on him too. I really liked his head with a pleasing expression and darkest of eyes. Super mouth. He has a really well made front with good return of upper arm and this was proved when he moved. Could have a bit more width about him but a decent outline and high set tail. 3. M. Hamal
ND 3 1. Johnson SERIEL BLUE VELVET AT MOYWAN Upstanding blue smooth of only 10 months.
Good colour coat and his pigment tones in beautifully, it is a long time since I have seen dark blue eyes such as his. Expressive head with well shaped muzzle, wide flat skull and smallish ears. Lovely neck, well sprung short coupled body with a high set tail which wagged continuously. Well boned straight legs at both ends and moved well. Dare I predict a good future for this particular import. 2. Kavanagh KAPRIZ IMPERITORA IRAKLIY FOR DONKAV If he could be scaled up all over by 20% without increasing his strength he would be extremely impressive. As he is he is so strong in both head and bone that he appears overdone in every way. Super harsh self red coat and has a big muzzle, equally large flat skull and huge bone, though his forequarters are not for me. Good pigmentation. Well sprung in body.
He moved out reasonably well but he is just a bit choppy at the rear 3. M. Hamal
GD 2 1. Hay SANTICANA RUFUS RED BEAR Decent sized, good coloured, masculine outlook without any exaggerations, clean eyes, nicely tilted, rounded ears and good pigmentation. A bit more neck would enhance him enormously. Well sprung in body with short couplings and has plenty of strong bone down to tight round feet. Moved out in true fashion but is a bit lacklustre and when standing drops one leg behind for some strange reason, probably just a bad habit. 2. Dalton/Ishaque HARVEYS WORLD BLAZE Light shaded red with a good outline. Expressive in head without being over in any respect, dark clean eyes and good pigmentation. Would not let me see his bite as his tongue was too busy but no sign of excessive chin.
Nicely boned but tighter feet would have been pleasing. Carries a good coat which makes him look wide but unfortunately he narrows to the rear which was evident on the move.
PGD 3 (1 abs) Godber SNOWLEGEND JAMIE FOR LECHAN This bright red shaded boy is his own worst enemy as he is just not happy being handled though there is no anger, just does not appreciate the good intentions of judges. Moved out nicely before going on the ramp and stood to suffer whilst his dad reassured him throughout. Attractive in head though his eyes were telling me off, excellent mouth and pigmentation. Good width in front, well sprung in body with enough length to rib. High set on tail and stands on decent legs and feet. 2. Osborn RENDEL SUMMER IN THE CITY Somewhat shy boy with a slightly old fashioned look to his head, quite plain in outlook and his ears were lacking thickness of fur today which did not help. Nice pigment and eyes. Well off for neck and decent ribbing. Good topline and nice tailset. Moved out happily.
LD 1 Mackenzie-Haverson & Mackenzie BROWNY’S BODHI BEAR AT CHEUNTAO 4 year old in very good jacket of super cream colour. Perfect bite with decent mouth pigmentation and dark eyes. If I call him sweet in head it is not derogatory but he is not overly masculine, everything balances and he has a pleasing expression. Nicely ribbed up and decent tailset. Not quite as straight in the rear as the ideal but moved well without any deviations.
OAOCD 1. Godber KWAITANG COLE PORTER AT LECHAN Extremely well balanced, good coloured black which is on the small side for a male. Nicely proportioned muzzle with good bite and pigmentation. Small thick ears and adequate neck, correct lay of shoulder but legs slightly forward at the front though with good width which is carried through to his rear too. Pleasing rib length and depth and high set on tail. Beginning to do what most blacks do, in front, on the move and I am always forgiving. BAOCD.
OD 3 1. Cummins/Rogers DRAGONSWAY TOM THUMB I judged him last summer and was very impressed, even more so now he has matured in body and coat. He is so balanced in outline with good reach and arch to his neck, a front that shows some forechest, depth of body that equals his length of leg and a high set tail on his straight rear. I just love his head with its padded muzzle, decent stop, enough work over his flat skull and neat small tilted ears with thick rounded shape. Perfect bite and pigmentation and dark clean eyes. His forequarters are almost perfect and that is so hard to find. Nicely boned down to tight rounded toes. Good spring, length and depth of ribcage and short coupled. Width at his pelvis and strength and good muscle tone in his rear. He not only moved true in both directions but he has style, his head is up and he glides along without picking up his feet too much. How I wish he belonged to me! CC & BIS 2. Robinson CH RENDEL RUFF N’ TUFF AT KWAITANG Certainly not disgraced to be 2nd to the above, and oozes quality. Lovely head with darkest of eyes. Lovely small ears, well off for neck and solid in body with excellent thick coat. Good level topline and well set tail. Strong straight hindlegs and moved with nice hind action and little deviation at the front. When it came to the Res CC decision I felt his younger brother scores over him in skull and overall length and therefore saw no necessity to call him back in. 3. King CH. MAIXING MOON WALKER AT KWEICHOW
OSMD 1. S.V. Blue Velvet at M.
VD 3 1. Cannon CH MIKETILLA THE MESSENGER 7 years old good sized upstanding dark red with correct double jacket. Darkest of eyes, good pigment and excellent bite. Well constructed forequarters and good depth to ribcage. Nice tailset. Stands on well boned legs with tight feet and moved reasonably well. 2. Macdonald’s COWDENCHOW WILLIAM WALLACE AT CARISTONA Much heavier style of dog than one with big strong head, dark eyes, heavy really well sprung body and beautifully groomed shaded red coat. Happy wagging tail and moved out easily but just a tad lame at the rear, fine in front. Felt he was more typical on the move than the 3rd which was sound. Almost 8 years old as was 3. Lovell’s JAMARHYS FLOAT LIKE A KIMAMA AT PAMLOR
PB 8 (2 abs) Biggest class of the day and every variation, little and large, strong and plain. 1. Blight ROSECHOW FIREFLY Decent sized girl with so much to like about her, well constructed throughout and balanced in outline. Good in head properties with perfect width of bite and good pigmentation. Her eyes could have been cleaner but there did not appear to be a problem. She only fleetingly let me see her earset but it is very nice when she can be bothered. Certainly needs a bit more concentration and it was a shame she flagged towards the end of the day as she could move properly in both directions. 2. Ellis BOJINGHAI BLACK VELVET Very typy black but Oh I do wish she was bigger. Lovely head with well filled muzzle, broad flat skull and the tiniest of ears which are thick and rounded. Clean eyes and good mouth, both bite and pigment. Very compact and short in couplings. Well sprung in ribbing and has level topline and tight tail. Well boned and rounded tight feet though her front construction is not quite the best. Moved really nicely going away. 3. Hollies/Carr JANQBU THIRD DEGREE SUNDRAY
JB 5 (2 abs) 1. R. FIREFLY 2. Finlay FINCHOW FREYA Light shaded red who does not have a big coat though it is a good colour and well groomed. I particularly liked the front end of this girl, pleasing in head with good eyes, mouth, pigment, skull and foreface. Well constructed from withers to feet and decent bone. Well ribbed back and short coupled with good tailset. Thought her hock joint a bit high and she is better moving in front than the rear. 3. Mackenzie-Haverson/Mackenzie BOJINGHAI CRACKLING ROSE FROM CHEUNTAO
NB 4 (3 abs) 1. Smith MONANIKA VERY VERONA BY HELYENHU Impressive lady who needs to get her coat out of the way and the new one through. Attractive in head with enough strength to muzzle and skull without being overdone. Clean dark eyes, good mouth and nice pigment. Very good bone with a decent return of upper arm and lay of shoulder to reveal a good neck, level topline and good tailset. Hind legs are straight with low set hock. Big capacious body with short couplings. Pleasing on the move, I hope some exercise will improve her pasterns.
GB 3(1 abs)1. M.VERY VERONA BY H. 2 Watmough MOSSPARK BLUE CASCADE AT TEDMISTY
Beautifully coloured blue in fantastic coat and condition. Loved her head with padded muzzle, broad flat skull and well tilted thick ears to give the right expression with clear eyes. Good neck and ribbing, short coupled and high set on tail. If one could give a CC to one just standing still this would have been my choice today but moving her front was not her fortune though she is good at the rear. Also, sadly, her tongue pigment is changing.
PGB 5 (2 abs) 1. ROJA LEONA AT RAMANNIKE Another serious contender spoiled by front action. Light shaded red in lovely well groomed coat, was impressive in every respect. Lovely expressive head, very feminine in outlook. Decent width in front, nicely boned and has tight feet. Well sprung ribbing, good level topline and well held tail. Straight at the rear with low set hocks. Moved away nicely. 2.
Jenkins JANQBU SALLY SALSA Another light shaded red who seemed to be somewhat stressed as she was breathing heavily and had one very wet eye. Not as level in topline as one and also standing poorly at the front. Attractive in head qualities. 3. Watmough DAWNANDA DE ARNE DUSC FROM SUMSAI.
LB 4 A nice class to judge with one of each colour bar blue. 1. Hollies/Carr JANQBU KIYO OUR SWEET DRAGON This exhibitor has turned grooming into an art from and this lovely coloured fawn just stood out here as she is in perfect coat condition. Good for size, well up on her toes and has an arch to her neck which means she carries herself nicely. Not overdone in the head but very attractive with good muzzle and skull width. Good mouth and correct pigment. Nicely sprung ribcage with good length and depth, well set on tail and straight at the rear. Moved out sound and true in both directions scoring in this respect over so many of her sex. Res CC. 2. Clucas HISWIN STAR DREAMS A regular winner who was not disgraced here. Smaller than one and very compact in outline, pleasing head and expression with clean eyes and good mouth, both bite and pigmentation. Holds herself nicely with arched neck and good topline and with excellent tailset. Straight at the rear with good muscletone. I would just like a bit more of her in skull and frame. Moved out nicely in both directions. 3. Mackenzie-Haverson/Mackenzie FULLFORGE FANTASTICA FOR CHEUNTAO
OB 6 (1 abs) Cannon CH. MIKETILLA MARINSKY Deep red in good quality jacket, could just have been a bit tidied around her feet. Correct size and shape and has well carried head without exaggeration.
Darkest of pigmentation, good bite, nicely shaped eyes and ears. Well made both in front and at the rear. She has a strong and long ribcage with short couplings as did the two below her. Moved typically in both directions but what a shame she drops her head and spoils her line. 2. McCallum SHASADEE’S BABY SHAM This balanced black proved to be the enigma for me today. Could I go over her and find a couple of things I had been penalising all day and forgive them with her because she has that stance and style that appeals? It proved not to be, having wrestled with the decision. Loved her balanced head with strength and fullness to muzzle and strong skull. Neat in ear but maybe a bit bold in eye for me. Strong arched neck, good topline and tailset. Well sprung in body and supported on well boned legs which she moved in true and typical fashion. When she gets her undercoat she will be even more impressive. 3. Eades CH. MAIXING KISSED BY FIRE
SMB 1 Absalom IGRIVAYA SHALUNJA OT RUSSKOGO COUTURIER AT WENGEORDY I have admired this girl previously and she did not disappoint on handling, I know it is said you see what you get with a smooth but this is not always the case. With her I was delighted with her fore and hind construction and she is short coupled with well sprung lengthy ribbing. She stands proudly with a good neck, some forechest and perfectly straight well boned legs down to super tight feet. Headwise she is strong without loose skin and her muzzle skull relationship is correct, almond eyes and neat ears. I would suggest if a set square were placed at her withers and it touched the ground, you moved it forward to her point of shoulder and checked, it would reach her hip bone – good enough for me. Plus she demonstrates good and typical movement in both directions. I was pleased to award her 3rd CC & B Opp Sex.
Sheila L. Jakeman. |
Nokus de Sun Vit
Charids Captain Scarlet
Rendel Riff Raff at Kwaitang
Seriel Veon Blue Velvet at Moywan
Santicana Rufus Red Bear
Snowlegend Jaimie for Lechan
Browny's Bodhi Bear at Cheuntao
Kwaitang Kole Porter at Lechan
Dragonsway Tom Thumb
Ch Miketilla the Messenger JW
Roja Leona at Rammanike
Ch Miketilla Mariinsky
Igrivaya Shalunja ot Russkogo Couturier at Wengeordy