2025 limit show critique | Midlandwhippetclub

MIDLAND WHIPPET CLUB - JUNE 2025

Judges Critique - Kim Hodge (Colkeririn)

Thank you for the committee for the honour of being asked to judge at this breed show - the hospitality, organisation and venue were all first class - to my two stewards Ky and Heather for the “extreme stewarding” for exercising their expertise and efficiency in the all-weathers thrown at us, to all the exhibitors who entered their hounds enabling me to gain further experience in this much admired breed, and to the lovely dogs who allowed me to put my hands on them. In some classes the quality was so high, confirming the competitive level of this breed at Open and Championship shows. Many congratulations to all dogs who have gained their JW, OSW, VW and Reserve CCs and good luck to all with your continued showing careers, I have no doubt the future is bright for many. Today I was looking for a quality balanced dog, undeniably male and a complementary bitch with strength and femininity and both to have excellent condition, absolute soundness and elegance in outline.

Class 1 - Minor Puppy Dog 2/1

31 Piper, Dr J A Crosscop Hounds of Love. 7 month fawn male currently in his rangey stage and developing throughout. Good shape head with flat skull, and tapered muzzle with jaw set square. Good tapered neck to well set withers, chest to his elbow and appropriate width in front with enough front fill. Muscling developing throughout, especially well over his rear. Needs to gain some confidence and settle on the move.

Class 2 - Puppy Dog 2/1

49 Wayman Miss H, Tervanty Dream of Dragons at Scarletfair. 11 month balanced blue brindle of excellent quality. Long, lean head with flat skull, good stop and tapered muzzle, appealing dark oval eye set well. Good length and strength of neck . Well placed shoulder with good length and return of upper arm. Created a most attractive shape when viewed from the front with excellent muscling over his shoulder and elbows well under him. Good straight forelegs and nice spring of pastern. Super depth and length of ribbing, nice tuck up to strong loin with slight rise over. Smooth tail set, good depth and breadth to his thighs, hocks well let down, stands on arched feet. Moved freely with a good ground covering action. Very well handled - a most promising team. BPD

Class 3 - Junior Dog 0/0

Class 4 - Maiden Dog 3/1

31 Piper, Dr J A Crosscop Hounds of Love - as Class 1

35 Royle & Fricke, Mr S & Mrs U Chiendetom Giojoso. 24 month fawn brindle with good long lean head, correct stop and powerful muzzle. Tapered neck to clean shoulder laid well, good depth of chest with ribs well sprung. Good for length in loin, good turn of stifle and hocks well let down.

Class 5 - Novice Dog 0/0

Class 6 - Graduate Dog 2/0

4 Bowsher, Mrs D Blues and Tooze 23 month blue with white trim showing strength and good shape throughout. Flat skull with good head proportions, strong tapered neck to well laid shoulder, upper arm of good length, with adequate return. Good underline to strong loin and well muscled rear. Moved true coming and going.

13 Hambling Mrs R Chaseover Tom Collins. Fawn with white trim with lovely dark oval eye, set well. Good ear set and head planes and a kind, loyal expression. Good depth of chest, ribs well sprung and of good length. Neat tuck up to strong loin. Well angled rear, movement not as clean as 1 when viewed from behind.

Class 7 - Limit Dog 5/1

38 Samria & Bridgman-Lewis Ms G & Mr K Nevedith Hi Jack. Top quality up to standard 14 month brindle of excellent shape held well at all times. Won the class on his accurate footfall and clean movement with plenty of drive from the rear. Good head with typical planes, strong jaw, set square. Strong tapered neck to excellent front assembly with excellent lay of shoulder and corresponding length and return of upper arm, good fill when viewed from the front. Excellent depth of chest giving him plenty of heart and lung room. Strong loin with good rise over, smooth tail insertion, good length and breadth of first and second thigh and well let down hocks parallel from hock joint to foot. Best Dog and RBIS and BOSS.

48 Wayman Miss H Ranveli Beach Boy at Scarletfair. 5 year old fawn brindle and white trim male with plenty to like. Lovely rose ear set well on his handsome head with lovely dark oval eye. Arched tapered neck of good length to well laid shoulder, good length of upper arm and adequate front fill. Good depth to his chest, ribs well sprung. Strength through his loin, good off the croup with smooth tail insertion. Preferred the free flowing action of 1 on the move.

25 Middleton & Gilhooly Mr S J & Mr L O Stormida Neon Tiger. 2.5 y/o blue brindle with white trim. Particularly liked his lay of shoulder, and length and return of upper arm. Super depth of chest, ribs well sprung, a neat tuck up to strong loin, a little flatter in topline than my ideal. Good length and breadth of 1st and 2nd thigh, hocks well let down and stands on excellent padded, arched feet.

Class 8 - Open Dog 2/0

5 Bowsher Mrs D Denimblue Willdo JW Blue with white trim male. Masculine head of good proportions, flat skull with strong, tapered muzzle. Bright, oval amber eye in harmony with his coat. Strongly made neck to well placed withers. Good depth of chest with elbows neatly under him and straight forelegs, pasterns sloping with good spring, tight arched feet. Excellent length of ribbing forming clean underline to loin. Good width to first and second thigh, good turn of stifle and hocks well let down. Moved freely and purposefully with clean footfall. Well handled.

47 Wayman Miss H Collooney Charlie Brown Scarletfair JW. 3 year old dog with good head, good rose ear, set well and excellent dark eye in contrast to his fawn and white coat. Strong tapered neck of good length to well laid shoulder, with good return of upper arm, with plenty of forechest and fill. Elbows well under him and good straight forelegs, spring of pastern and stands on nicely knuckled arched feet. Deep brisket and ribs well sprung. Nice underline to compact and well conditioned loin with rise over. Excellent muscling over his rear assembly, good turn of stifle and hocks well let down. Preferred the rear movement of 1.

Class 9 - Special Beginners Dog 3/0

2 Blackburn Mrs A E & Miss L J Marzargo Whole Lotta Trouble. I liked this 12 month old brindle with white trim boy as he entered the ring. Lovely flowing curves, neat and masculine with an undeniable quality about him. Flat skull, good stop and tapered muzzle of good depth, powerful jaw set square. Dark oval eye with well set ears gave him an appealing expression. Super front assembly, with excellent length and return of upper arm, good breadth across his back, nicely developing muscling throughout. Rear assembly balanced with fore, moved with clean front action, plenty of drive from behind and with excellent footfall. RBD.

27 Middleton & Gilhooly Mr S J & Mr L O Stormida The Brave. 4 year old shaded fawn male with good head planes divided by a deeper stop, dark oval eye and good rose ear. Tapered neck to nicely placed withers. Good lay of shoulder set well back. Deep brisket, well sprung ribs, clean underline to loin with rise over. Moved true with good footfall, was a little unsettled with the weather today.

Class 10 - Special Racing/Lure Coursing Dog 2/0

6 Bowsher Mrs D Lolani Ride a Wild Trail JW. 3 year old blue brindle with white trim of good size with excellent muscling throughout. Long, lean head with flat skull, strong muzzle, small rose ear and a lighter eye harmonising with his coat. Plenty of front fill, straight forelegs, good pasterns and well knuckled arched feet with tidy nails. Good depth of chest to elbows, good length of ribbing to compact strong loin with rise over. Good off the croup, excellent length and width to his first and second thigh, plenty of turn in stifle and hocks well let down. Held his shape well on the move,

32 Piper Dr J AJ Rathglass Captain Midnight. Well named 8 year old black male with the first touch of frosting on his muzzle. Lovely head of good planes, correct stop, well set oval eye giving a lovely, kind expression. Good breadth across his back, good off the croup and a smooth tail insertion. Rear assembly in good order with plenty of muscling and a good plumb line through his rear when viewed from the side.

Class 11 - Veteran D/B 10/1. A super class of 9 wonderful veterans.

46 Vaughan-Wall Mrs A Shirotae Solo Surprise VW. 9 year old fawn/white grand dam with a calm, loyal disposition, but still holding a mischievous sparkle in her super dark oval eye giving her a lovely kind expression. Flowing lines throughout with nothing exaggerated. Lovely deep chest, ribs well sprung and set well back and plenty of breadth across her back. Balanced angles fore and aft, giving her equally balanced reach and drive. She held her shape well at all times, and had a good clean footfall. Well handled. BVIS

53 Wilkinson J Citycroft Starfall JW VW OSW. Another super fawn with white trim lady with plenty of quality throughout and for me the ideal size. Super head with flat skull, correct stop and strong, tapered muzzle with jaws set square. Good eye and ear set and a kind and gentle expression. Long, clean neck to well placed withers, excellent lay of shoulder and corresponding length and return of upper arm. Elbows well under her when viewed from the front. Neat tuck up to compact loin with rise over. Good off the croup and a smooth tail insertion. Super drive and ground covering action from rear. Very close between 1 and 2 but overall preferred the front foot placement of 1 today.

14 Hambling Mrs R Mossbawnhill You Got Th Look from Chaseover. This 9 year old brindle with white trim lady was presented in fabulous condition with exceptional muscling throughout. Super shape when viewed from the side with prominent pro sternum and plenty of front fill. Shoulders well laid back with smooth muscling over. Elbows well under her. Steeper tuck up to 1 and 2, compact strong loin, well made rear assembly, strong hocks well let down. She held her shape very well on the move.

Class 12 - Minor Puppy Bitch 0/0

Class 13 - Puppy Bitch 3/0

40 Spademan, Mycroft & Higginbottom Mrs F, Mrs S & Miss E Crosscop Seduction. This striking 10 month fawn with white trim bitch was my ideal for size and shape. Super pigmentation, lovely dark oval eye set well. Feminine head with good proportions and strong jaw. Super depth of chest, with excellent front fill. Lovely curving arch over her loin with smooth tail insertion. Muscling developing well throughout. Super low hocks which she drove off well. Clean footfall when viewed from all angles, well handled.

3. Blake Miss E J Creme Anglaise’s Too Hot To Handle for Mazargo (Imp Nld), Another quality 11 month brindle and white youngster. Super for size and clean lines throughout. Lovely long arched neck to well placed withers, shoulder laid well back with muscling developing. Good depth and length of ribbing forming a clean underline. A little flatter on the back than 1 when stacked. On the move she displayed excellent footfall when viewed from the side.

Class 14 - Junior Bitch 4/0

30 Newton Miss E W Nevedith Hi Jinks. 14 month brindle with white trim quality bitch with excellent bone and substance, and flowing lines throughout. Long, lean head with good eye and ear set. Excellent depth and length or ribbing, well sprung. Excellent breadth to her back, neat underline to compact strong loin with rise over. Good length of croup, smooth tail insertion. Front and rear assemblies in complete balance, stands on good arched feet. Super clean footfall on the move, demonstrating plenty of reach and drive.

42 Trouton Mrs B E C Citycroft Aphrodite of Runnel. Brindle with white trim of super size and stamp. Unlucky to be up against 1 in the class today. She held her shape beautifully at all times, was true coming and going and had a lovely footfall throughout. Well handled and moved at the correct speed.

Class 15 - Maiden Bitch 1/0

21 Lawley Mrs T L & Mr P D Crosscop Enticing Lawleymoon. Super quality 11 month fawn brindle with white trim bitch. Loving, gentle expression, good rose ear, super long, lean head, strong jaw. Clean arched muscled neck flowing to super front assembly with excellent depth of brisket and good muscling over her shoulder. Lovely rise and fall over her back, smooth tail insertion, excellent muscling over her rear quarters. Stands confidential on tight arched feet. Moved with purpose placing her rear legs well under her and showing exceptional footfall throughout. Expertly handled. RBB & BPIS

Class 16 - Novice Bitch 3/1

42 Trouton Mrs B E C Citycroft Aphrodite of Runnel - as Class 14

17 Handley Ms A H Alysando’s Sweet Audrina. 5 year old fawn brindle with white trim forms a neat shape with feminine head, long arched neck to good lay of shoulder set well back, lovely deep chest and shapely tuck up to strong muscled loin. Compactly balanced fore and aft. Lacked a little confidence on the move today with windy weather conditions.

Class 17 - Graduate Bitch 6/0. The wind effected the performance of most exhibits in this class.

39 Skinner Mrs K Whitesquall Mionetto. 19 month fawn brindle with white trim also bothered by the weather but excellently handled to get the best of her in the conditions. Super front assembly with sloping lay of shoulder and corresponding length and return of upper arm, bladed forelegs, spring to pasterns and arched padded feet. Deep brisket with ribs well sprung. Good rise and fall over her back with smooth tail insertion. Shapely underline with lovely length to first and second thigh, turn of stifle and hocks well let down. Moved out with clean footfall despite the distractions from the persistent wind.

11 Hambling Mrs R Chaseover Bellini. Liked the size of this balanced fawn and white bitch, shown in good condition throughout. Super dark oval eye set well in feminine head with good planes and correct stop. Strong long arched neck to good front assembly with lovely breadth to her back. Balanced at rear but again a little unsettled on the move with the weather.

20 Kerr Moss R Udalie Du Menuel Galopin (Imp Fra). An elegant 2.5 year old with a long, lean head, slight stop and tapered muzzle. Elegant arched neck flowing to withers. Good depth of chest to elbow well under her, good muscling over shoulder. Good length to ribbing, well sprung. Good plumb lines on her rear assembly with correct muscling. She moved with a lightness of step with accurate footfall and plenty of drive from her strong hocks.

Class 18 - Limit Bitch 7/0

26 Middleton & Gilhooly Mr S & Mr L O Stormida Squirrels For Tea. Super for size, a very smart brindle and white parti with a lovely dark oval eye, super rose ear, long, lean head with flat skull, tapered muzzle and strong jaw. She has a loyal expression with a bright mischievous twinkle! Lovely deep chest, straight forelegs with good spring to pastern and nicely padded, arched feet. Lovely proportions and curves through her body to super rear assembly, with good turn of stifle and hocks well let down. She moved true coming and going and held her shape well on the move. Very promising, pushed winners hard for a big rosette. Well handled.

54 Wilkinson J Silkridge Saffron of Fletchgate. Another quality brindle and white parti colour with super head, flat skull, slight stop, tapered muzzle and good strong jaw. Super forechest when viewed from the side, nicely placed withers and good breadth over her back. Lovely curves throughout and good bladed forelegs, elbows neatly under her, good spring of pastern and super knuckled and padded feet. Matching rear assembly particularly loved her strong hocks. Well handled.

Class 19 - Open Bitch 2/0

41 Spademan, Mycroft, Morris & Waddell Miss F Mrs S Mrs L & Mr G Crosscop California Barbie From Supeta JW. Wow! This 2 year old fawn bitch with exceptional pigmentation and dark oval eye was impressively stacked when I looked up from the table, exuding confidence and standing well over a lot of ground. Her expert handler framed her beautifully at all times getting the very best out of her throughout. From the tip of her nose to the end of her tail her lines flowed with curves and muscling in all the right places. She covered the ground with exceptional ease with a straightforward strong stride, her back legs reaching well under her body creating good propulsion with matching reach in the fore, her beautiful shape held throughout. I was very happy to award her Best Bitch and later BIS.

23 Leathart Mrs V Ringmore Hecate. 6 y/o cream bitch with liver nose of pleasing size. Flat skull with well placed rose ear, dark oval eye set well with tapered muzzle of good depth and clean lips. Strong elegant tapered neck to withers, good lay of shoulder, upper arm could return more. Lovely fore chest when viewed from the side and good depth. Straight forelegs, good spring of pastern and neat arched feet. Well muscled loin with rise over flowing nicely off croup, good breadth of first and second this, good turn of stifle and hocks well let down which she propelled off well.

Class 20 - Special Beginners Bitch 4/1

39 Skinner Mrs K Whitesquall Mionetto - See Class 17

3 Blake Miss E J Creme Anglaise’s Too Hot To Handle for Mazargo (Imp Nld) - See Class 13

Class 21 - Special Racing/Lure Coursing Bitch 2/0

7 Bowsher Mrs D Zoraden Fifty Shades Darker JW. Eye catching 6 y/o black bitch of pleasing size and stamp. Good flowing lines throughout and well presented in excellent condition. Good depth and run of ribbing forming a lovely tuck up to compact strong loin. Strong withers with good rise and fall over her back, good off the croup and smooth tail insertion. Excellent low hocks used well on the move. Good spring to her pasterns and stands on tidy knuckled feet.

24 Leathart Mrs V Ringmore Jocasta. Another nicely sized 20 month shaded fawn. Balanced fore and aft with good depth and length of first and second thigh. Scored on turn of stifle and her hocks were well let down. Well muscled throughout her frame. Not as clean in front movement as 1.

Kim Hodge

Colkeririn

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