SHOW REPORT
28th/29th March '09 - Judge Mrs. Liz Cartledge (U.K)
It was indeed a pleasure to be invited to judge the Maltese Ladies Kennel Association’s 10th Anniversary All breeds championship show. Deborah Hayman, my main contact, had every minute detail at her fingertips and I was impressed with both the travel and the accommodation arrangements. My ‘minder,’ chauffer, ring steward and general announcer was the delightful Leeandra Mizzi – so efficient with model good looks and a charming personality. It is many years since I judged in Malta and from memory, I seem to recall that Boxers were the best breed and that the gundogs were well represented. Whippets too were god in quality. My BIS winner then was a Rottweiler male, but that is as far as my recollections go.
Just briefly commenting on some of the breeds that pleased me. Obviously the BOB Alaskan Malamute Am. Can. Multi CH. Snowquests King of Landwood as he went on to win the working group. Such a handsome dog, amazing presentation and conditioning, lovely coat and body, great bone and feet, quality head, calm intelligent expression, handled to perfection, purposeful mover, composed showman. King was not the only quality Malamute, as I had several more of good type. Boxers were plentiful and I liked my BOB and BOS and there were 2 super baby puppies, a –r/w dog and a b/w bitch. GSDs were a bit mixed but the BOB winning dog, Dent Weisse Agram improved as the show went on and was a worthy winner in the working group. The precious boxer puppy, Woodstock Rio Sid Rock, only 4.5 months. This r/w dog took it all in his stride, moving and showing with lots of style. He had to top the puppy group followed by the much older Great Dane bitch Justinian April Rose, who has a lot of potential but understandably found the catwalk a bit of an ordeal.
The toy group has improved beyond all recognition. The Chihuahua all had fantastic temperaments – the BOB smooth although 8 years old, made a good account for himself in the group. The outstanding class of the whole show was Junior dog in Pekingese with five first class dogs. It was a close call between 1st and 2nd – Livanda Giovanni and Ch. Palacegarden Marcell Livanda. Giovanni in perfect coat with every hair in place, masculine outlook, the ultimate dignifying showman who moved with the typical roll of he Pekingese and at his own speed. Lovely head, large expressive eyes, good bone, heavy to pick up. He was very comfortable on the catwalk, looking relaxed yet with that superior attitude. The Toy group was his, and later on, in strong competition – he became my Best in Show winner. Generally, coats and presentation in Pekingese were top class and I shall remember the JD class for a very long time. I have always been partial to a good Pug and again I was spoilt for choice in this breed with some very close decisions. Ultimately, I fell for Tabone Dean, a young dog with quality head, lustrous eyes, compact body, superb coat, excellent topline, just needs to carry a bit more weight and maturity to hit the spot. Dean was my runner up in the Toy Group.
The Gundog group was much smaller than I remember from an earlier visit. A decent GSP, Sh. Ch. Odelot El Primero, and same owner’s Sh. CH. Pipeway Monty, scored 1st and 2nd here. GSP started off slightly shakily, not quite trusting the catwalk, but recovered himself and moved better in front then his kennel mate. The two cockers were fine for quality but the red bitch did not have any animation while the BOB winning black dog moved ok but his coat was not at its best bloom. A 9 month old Irish Setter, Ardbraccan Ovation, stood alone in the puppy group but I think he will grow into a smart and good looking dog.
I loved the Wire Haired Fox Terrier, Travella Sharp Action, who was an easy terrier group winner. Long lean head, neat ears, short back, well muscled quarters, well handled and presented. The BOB Bull Terrier, was absent on Sunday evening, leaving the field open for the Westie bitch, Bonnie Fenella String of Pearls, into 2nd place. Some of the Utility breeds were pleasant surprise. The Bostons were of excellent type and quality, as were the French Bulldogs. The group went to a Frenchie bitch, Der Mickleover Salacia, although a little on the plump side, she conducted herself well throughout. A very stylish and eye-catching Boston Terrier puppy Deniro American Breaking Ice was 2nd in this group and then went on to win the puppy group. I totally fell for a 4 month old French Bulldog baby, Debra Del Mecey Loco, who was a very worthy runner up. Absolutely gorgeous, beautifully balanced with a big personality. Both these should have a bright future.
That leaves the Hound group. A striking tri-colour Beagle dog caught my eye from the moment it entered the ring and continued to do so as I could find nothing to beat him in the group or the puppy group. His name is Beagle Di Fonte Posca, 10 months old and up to size, but I am sure he has finished growing. Excellent bone, masculine head with a kind gentle expression. Good topline, body and quarters, beautifully clean and well presented, easy mover. Ch. Switherland Royal Ruler at Danadri, a tri basset commanded the runner up spot. A solid hound with good ring presence, well muscled with a typical head, handled perfectly by his owner, none other than Adrian Hili, Malta’s own heart throb and international junior handling champion at Crufts 2000. I liked the Whippets too and Ch. Nevedith Geefa Geepee ran the Basset quite close. So a very good line up for Best in Show.
Were both easy spot as they stood away from the rest, and again amongst the young juniors on Sunday, there was a young boy with a GSD who knew what handling was all about and made an easy winner. But, there was not really any depth of quality amongst the rest of the juniors. Please don’t lose interest – the world of dogs must have a “next” generation to carry on our hobby
Liz Cartledge