Blackpool critique, Friday 22nd June 2018. Judge: Kirsten Stewart-Knight (Tussalud)
Thank you to the exhibitors for an excellent entry, to the stewards for their efficiency and to the committee for inviting me to judge my first championship show, which I will always remember. I was delighted to find my winners, all Papillons of top quality meeting the essential criteria of sound movement, correct conformation and the icing on the cake of beautiful heads, quality breed type and lively, butterfly temperaments. One aspect of conformation that I think requires more attention is the importance of correct shoulders and elbows – it was unusual to find the well-developed and sloping shoulders, and elbows close to the chest that the standard requires. Where the shoulder and elbow is not correct, invariably neither is the front movement. The CC and RCC winners today were all exceptional examples.
During the open dog class a great gust of wind led to a Mary Poppins moment of umbrellas and objects taking flight, which spooked several dogs and led the stewards to have to run and retrieve the cards and rosettes that had blown away. Thankfully they were successful in this!
Veteran dog or bitch (5 entries, 5 present)
1st Andersons’ CH & AM CH Clearlake Clovis at Northlyte, RBCC: 8 year old compact tri bitch who oozes quality. She won this strong class on movement. Correct neck, topline, shoulder and depth of chest which gave rise to her exceptional soundness which most younger dogs in the ring today could not match. She was alert and butterfly-like and watching this bitch gives a masterclass in correct papillon conformation. I was delighted to later award her the RBCC in a very high calibre bitch challenge.
2nd Clint’s CH Papplewick Preacher Man JW ShCM: this beautiful black and white dog is a wonderful example of the breed. He is 7 years old and retains his cheeky expression and zest for life. Dark expressive eyes, silky coat, exquisite head and a cohesive bond with his talented handler. I loved him both on the table and on the move and would take him home in a heartbeat (if given half a chance!)
3rd Maskell’s Kazkell Thyme to Dream JW ShCM
Minor puppy dog (7 entries, 7 present)
1st Whitehill & Urwin’s Paparottsie Berry Licious NAF TAF: very pretty, flashy just 6 month old tri puppy. Well-presented with a showstopping temperament – he showed so well for his talented handler. Everything is in exactly the right place and I look forward to watching him mature.
2nd Andersons’ Northlyte Spirit of the Isle: I loved this 8 month old puppy. Excellent neck, topline and movement. Very attractive head and well fringed ears with rounded tips and beautiful dainty type. He needs to grow in confidence but with this, I am sure he will do well.
3rd Hobson’s Amicae Kenzo at Rosenjon
Puppy dog (11 entries, 9 present)
1st Stanbury’s Inixia Ever Ready Eddie, BP: Striking red and white dog with large mobile ears. He has the correct silky coat and shape. His elegant neck and level topline showed as he powered around the ring. Excellent temperament – I loved seeing him jump up to his handler in his lively, butterfly manner and the connection between him and his handler was clear to see. I was delighted that he later won puppy group 3.
2nd Langdon’s Van Helsing Pretty tri puppy with correct dark eye, hare feet and level topline. He oozes quality and is very appealing. He could do with some more confidence but with maturity will go far, I am sure. I will watch his development with interest.
3rd Morton’s Ablazzor King of Spades
Junior dog (3 entries, 3 present)
1st Lanson’s Cantoverde Captain Casper, RDCC: What a treat I was in for with this class! This young tri dog is of top quality. He has an exceptional head and ear set, darkest of pigment, correct silky coat, tail set and fine dainty bone. He has great depth of chest, spring of rib, level topline, neck, shoulder and muscle which give him the winning combination of substance, beauty and elegance. He moved well, carrying himself as though he knows how beautiful he is – just as a papillon should! He showed brilliantly throughout for his handler who presented him to perfection. I will watch his future with great interest as he matures and expect him to be a future champion. Today I awarded him the RCC which I later heard was his first.
2nd Whitehill and Urwin’s Paparottsie Talk the Talk: Beautiful tri dog with classic head and incredible fringes that frame his dainty, correct features. Dark expressive eyes, level topline and the rare treasure of good reach of neck. Another one to watch in the future.
3rd Stanbury’s Inixia Fully Charged
Yearling dog (2 entries, 2 present)
1st Ramsey & Mowatt’s Iotastar’s Brave New World: Pretty dainty tri with a beautiful head and melting expression. Correct hare feet, reach of neck and topline. He showed well and won this class on movement.
2nd Waller & Maskell’s Lilnrose Ears Looking at You Kazkell: Attractive red and white phalene. He is glamourous and showed his love for his handler throughout the class. I preferred the movement of the 1st today.
Post Graduate dog (6 entries, 6 present)
1st Patrick’s Volpecula Tammienorrie Suniren: Beautiful dainty tri dog. Small but mighty! Everything in the right place and he showed with adoration for his handler. I loved his dainty bone and compact correct conformation. I was delighted to find on the table that despite his small size, this dog had great substance.
2nd Boughton and Stanbury’s Inixia Follower of Fashion JW: honest black and white dog who moved soundly and has dark eyes and silky coat. There is a lot to like about him, particularly his good reach of neck and topline. I preferred the style and finish of the 1st in this class today.
3rd Obrien’s Jorgealin Mandolay for Nachi
Limit dog (11 entries, 10 present)
1st Whitehill & Urwin’s Paparottsie Heart Beats at Amicae: Well-made tri dog with the darkest of eyes and beautiful, gentle expression. Good fringes, hare feet and large mobile ears. He has a good reach of neck, depth of chest and topline held on the stand and move. He was full of beans and showed himself off to the very best making him absolutely captivating!
2nd Clint’s Papplewick Persian Punch JW: Another high quality dog. Shaded red sable and white dog, he is very smart with an appealing head and moved well. Well-presented and he showed with style for his excellent handler.
3rd Foynes & May’s Lafay Petite Etoile JW
Open dog (12 entries, 8 present)
1st Sharp-Dixon, Reyes & Lynn’s Afterglow Adonis for Queenslake, DCC: dainty tri dog with beautiful classic head, sweet dark eyes, silky coat and hare feet. Good shoulders, depth of chest, straight forelegs and elbows close to chest. His hindquarters are well developed and he has the correct well-turned stifle. Having admired his conformation on the table, I was pleased to see this give rise to excellent movement both coming and going. He could not be matched by any other dog today and won the dog CC. I was very pleased to later hear this was his 3rd CC.
2nd Anderson’s CH Frasermar Storm in the Snow: A very attractive, top quality tri dog. I like his shape, substance and conformation. He is a brilliant example of the breed and was alert, presented to perfection and showed well for his excellent handler throughout.
3rd Catons’ CH Coffe Ice Cream Forussi at Henrix (Imp Pol)
Minor puppy bitch (10 entries, 10 present)
1st Morton’s Ablazzor Angel Delight: attractive 8 month old tri bitch. Very classy and well made. She exemplifies the breed standard in shape, movement and conformation. I thought she grew in confidence as the class progressed and with more confidence she will go from strength to strength I am sure.
2nd George-Evans’ Jorgealin Tri Some Magic: very pretty puppy who stole my heart. At exactly 6 months she is small and compact, with soft expression and dark eyes. Everything is in the right place and with time and maturity I think she could be a top contender.
3rd Whitehill & Urwin’s Amicae Rosie Bud
Puppy bitch (7 entries, 5 present)
1st and Best Puppy Bitch Urquharts’ Blackpark Vogue: Elegant 11 month old red and white bitch with classic outline. She is very mature and glamourous. Presented to perfection and showed very well, with a clear connection with her handler. Her hare feet, topline, neck and tail set give her grace and presence.
2nd Maskell’s Kazkell Milo’s Dream: Pretty tri bitch who was attentive to her handler throughout. Good outline and tail set. She is compact and well-made and moved well.
3rd Stanbury’s Inixia Glamour Girl
Junior bitch (4 entries, 4 present)
1st Lanson’s Cantoverde Royal Chyna: Beautiful dainty tri who I later learnt is sister to my RDCC winner. She is just as a papillon should be – dainty, with soft expressive eyes and a butterfly’s zest for life and sense of fun. She showed a great affinity with her handler and moved around the ring with soundness and style.
2nd Hill’s Caraideas Rainbow’s End: red and white bitch with an attractive pencil blaze. She is compact, with a good shape and she moved out well. It was a joy to go over her.
3rd Morley’s Jorgealin Indian Magic at Lizlanmor
Yearling Bitch (3 entries, 3 present)
1st Isherwood and Scovell’s Stagedoor Barbie, BCC & BOB: For anyone passionate about papillons this young bitch is a dream. I was blown away by her beautiful head, large mobile ears, fringing and dark pigment. I did not find another papillon to match her correct shoulder. This along with her good length of neck, depth of chest, level topline, muscle and excellent angulation give her flowing and sound front and back movement. She excels in every area and has charisma in droves. I could watch her all day! I was delighted to see her shortlisted to the final 6 in the Toy Group and hope she will go on to represent papillons at the highest level as I believe she is a rare, outstanding example.
2nd Kirk’s Iotastar’s Forever Autumn at Kirkchase: Charming red and white bitch with a pretty head, good tail set and hare feet. She ticks all of the boxes and is very special – she was unlucky to meet 1 today.
3rd Meacham’s Bankshill Ruth is a Angel at Khanor
Post Graduate Bitch (6 entries, 5 present)
1st Miller and Ryan’s Feorlig Wake Up Maggie JW: Stunning red sable and white bitch who is exceptionally well made. She is full of substance and class, in her dainty compact frame. Shining silky coat, she moved soundly and with great style. I will watch her future with interest.
2nd Meacham’s Moonlight Magical Melangel: Dainty black and white who came into her own on the move showing good construction. She has a good neck and topline which gave rise to sound movement.
3rd Walsh’s Jorgealin Moonstar at Purepixie
Limit bitch (6 entries, 6 present)
1st Langdon’s Shadowknight Ebony Rose of Skyvana JW: Top class pretty black and white bitch. Mobile ears and beautiful neck, hare feet, topline and outline. She moved with style and drive and I was very taken with her. I think she is very worthy of winning top honours going forwards.
2nd Varley’s Amdre Dore Beata Bea at Coxleyview (Imp) JW: Beautiful, high calibre tri bitch. Good shape and movement. She is stylish and showed well – the connection with her handler was clear.
3rd Meacham’s Bankshill Ruth is a Angel at Khanor
Open bitch (6 entries, 6 present)
1st Lee-Slater’s CH Jorgealin Cast a Spell for Kingshaven. Classy tri bitch who has an exquisitely beautiful head and sparkling coat. She has an excellent neck and topline and she was presented and handled to perfection and showed well throughout.
2nd Whitehill’s Rozamie Madame Reva. Attractive dainty red and white bitch with correct silky coat and hare feet. Good reach of neck and outline. She moved well and was handled to perfection.
3rd George-Evans’ CH Jorgealin Moon Magic ShCM
