Midland Counties Ch Show
29th October 2022
Boxers

Thank you to the exhibitors for what was, in the current climate, a good entry, also for their co-operation in allowing the student judge to go over dogs, a great way to learn at the coal face.

I wish I could be more upbeat about the current state of the breed but losing so many exhibitors through the covid lockdown followed by the financial crisis has taken its toll on entries in both quantity and quality. Five years since my previous appointment there was a noticeable difference. Faults with a hold on the breed and seemingly accepted, as some are too regularly seen in challenges, are cathedral or wishbone fronts. I was conscious where I could not to reward those with such a lack of shoulder and upper arm angulation that it results in a hideous hollow where there should be a protrusion of chest. Mouths also leave a lot to be desired. I’m no dentist but the younger bitch classes were positively scary (not all individual exhibits but overall) where has the width gone? Some unfortunately looked like they had yawned, and someone threw some small teeth in a heap. We really need to address such faults rather than ignore them, both as breeder / exhibitors and judges! I was pleased overall with only 4 compromise classes and was impressed by the majority of my winners.

MPD 5-0abs
1st In Terrogating Newlaithe (Mrs C & Mrs V Beardsell & Van-Beck) Very smart b/w baby oozes promise, super front with excellent shoulder & upper arm angles, square in profile good topline, hammy quarters used well on the move, good head with lean skull & full muzzle, lovely dark eye & soft expression. 2nd Brynhafod Patrick Swayze at Mylicam (Mrs C & Mrs C Chippendale & Carpenter-Crooks) close up this r/w is also square in profile, arched neck, short coupled with correct topline, good front heavy boned limbs, rear angulation spot on with good width of thigh, lovely rise of skull, good width & depth of muzzle, sweeping underjaw, just preferred the less wrinkle of skull on winner, 2 promising puppies. 3rd Ulverbox Magic and Mayhem (Miss A J Robinson)

PD 2-0abs
1st Boxania Romanoff to Jeddhi (D & S Mccarthy & Gething) lovely, chiselled head with flat cheeks good rise of skull & stop, full muzzle appealing eye & expression. Well laid shoulder super sloping topline & bang on tailset correct angulation in rear with good width of thigh. Moved on a free stride holding his shape well. He still needs to strengthen up through his rear but I’m confident this is a stage of development, rather than a fault, so based on his natural talent shortlisted him to the final 4 for the CC. Best Puppy in Breed. 2nd Boxania over The Moon (Mrs K Louis) litter brother to one, but nowhere near as ready, as he is still at that raw stage of development. Nicely balanced head with good well shaped dark eye, neck of good length, sloping topline, straight in front limbs, nicely angulated in rear.

JD 4-3abs
1st Lanfrese Cartello (Mr M Griffiths) this heavily boned d b/w stood alone, he has a well-balanced head with correct muzzle to skull ratio, well arched neck of ample length, clearly defined withers, good topline well angulated fore & aft, would like a tad more foreleg height to balance out. Unfortunately, he was unsure of himself today which made his movement erratic.

YD 4-0abs
1st Duxsara Double Diamond (Mr P & Mr D Keenan & Griffin) this very impressive stylish b/w has a good, chiselled head with flat cheeks & blocky muzzle, lovely expression from correctly shaped dark eye, crested neck flows into a sloping topline, correct in shoulder & upper arm, straight forelimbs, sweeping underline correctly angulated in rear, moved round on an unrestricted stride holding his shape well. He is easily distracted with a short attention span which must give his handler a hard task at times, shortlisted to the final 4 for the CC when he caught sight of something in the adjoining ring and became unsettled. 2nd Sulez Victorious at Maranseen (Mr G & Mrs M Seeney) Stylish b/w balanced head good rise of skull, dark well shaped eye, good stop, broad nose, wide nostrils, good width of muzzle, deep flews, arched neck, defined withers, good bone & tight feet, elegant underline, level topline lacking slope, well ribbed shade long thru the loin, sweeping quarters good turn of stifle, short in hock, eye catching shade exaggerated outline. 3rd Lorrosa Roy Pretty Boy Shaw (Mrs L A Fay-Smith)

GD: 6-1abs
1st Boxania Roamin Around at Rameleon (Mrs E & Ms S Woolliss & Flintoft) I've noticed this cracking b/w since summer when he changed handler, and there have been days since when I would have given him a ticket in a heartbeat. He has exceptional balance of substance with the required degree of elegance, very good clean-cut head with super rise of skull flat cheeks & powerfully developed underjaw, dark eyes of correct shape, strong neck of good length, decent forehand with good angle of upper arm & layback of shoulder, well off for bone, tight well knuckled feet short back & good quarters with correct angulation and hammy thighs. Shortlisted to the last 4 for CC, I had him in mental consideration for more, but he easily loses focus, his patient handler does well to get the best from him, which appears to not always be the easiest task. For a dog of his calibre however I’m sure his days will come. 2nd Xandene Blue Bayou (Mr & Mrs P Hill) Lighter framed g b/w with bags of style, nicely balanced head, super neck and topline, has just enough in front tapering tuck up, slightly over angulated in quarters, very 'busy' on the move, well-schooled & handled. 3rd Sultash Prince of Hearts (Mrs F Godwin)

PGD 3-0abs
Disappointing class. 1st Farvalley Heart and Soul (Ms C & Ms J Murfin & Cobbledick) substantial b/w with a strong head, decent rise of skull tad cheeky, keen expression dark eye, good width of muzzle well padded, deep flews, would prefer better lip placement, strong neck well boned limbs broad flat back plenty of heart room, carrying a bit too much condition, had a tendency to pace on the move today. 2nd Marinbox Murder in Three Acts (Mrs J Marina) cobby r/w with a substantial frame true front & well boned limbs, tight feet, level topline but lacked slope, decent tail set, hammy quarters, with good width of thigh. More foreleg height would better balance him out, he lacks refinement, his head is balanced but the white markings do detract somewhat. 3rd Amikumiel Conquistador for Broxborough (Mrs J Herring)

LD 3-0abs
1st Sultash Cunco (Mrs F Godwin) good headed b/w enough rise of skull powerfully developed muzzle with sweeping underjaw, strong neck of ample length good angulation fore & aft, well boned straight forelimbs, short coupled, well-developed quarters with good width of thigh & correct musculation, moved out well holding his shape, he scored on his more positive movement. 2nd Ross Poldark at Mylicam (Mrs C & Mrs C Chippendale & Carpenter-Crooks) this d b/w presents a clean-cut balanced outline, arched neck, good forehand with 'proper' angles for shoulder blade & upper arm, good spring of rib, heavy bone, tight feet, lean skull in balance with correct width & depth of muzzle, well-shaped eye, good mouth, he holds his shape well on the move but is untidy away & back, could benefit from harder condition, he does all that is asked of him but lacks enthusiasm. 3rd Olleyville James Dean at Whirlobox (Miss M A Littlewood)

OD 5-0abs
1st Ch Lanfrese Argento (Mr M Griffiths) this exceptional b/w needs no introduction & headed a quality open dog class. A showing fool who loves the game & commands attention. He is not faultless by any means, but his many virtues certainly outweigh his faults & his performance is 2nd to none. Chiselled headpiece correct width & depth of muzzle lovely expressive dark eye, wide nostrils, good mouth. A crested neck flows to a sloping topline via defined withers, correct shoulder & upper arm angulation, well boned, strong through the torso, well developed quarters with pronounced 2nd thigh. He ups his game in the big ring & his movement in profile is effortless with the ability to lengthen his stride. Coming off a long rest he was as fresh as, on top form. There is an indefinable quality my Mum always described as 'it' which separates the great from the good, this lad has it in spades! Prior to judging I had 3 dogs in mind who may challenge him, on the day nothing could, CC & BOB. 2nd Norwatch Sunhawk Good Time with Chribanna (Mr C Humphries) Although I’ve often admired this son of my CC winner, he didn’t figure on my mental short list, but was so good to get hands on. Clean constructed head excellent muzzle to skull ratio with good rise width & depth, dark well shaped eye giving intelligent outlook, crested neck of ample length very good forehand, which is becoming so rare, deep brisket plenty of heartroom, strong well boned limbs & neat feet. Short & square with bags of style. Moved freely holding shape & tidy away & back RCC in good company. 3rd Ch Berwynfa Billionaire (Mrs F Pynegar)

VD 1-0abs
1st Rameleon Nights in Harlem (Mrs K Louis) Oh this b/w lad really seemed to enjoy his day, another who is very good to get your hands on, very good head, crested neck flowing into a good topline & tail set true front with well boned limbs and tight feet, powerful through his frame & well-developed quarters, moved out really well. His performance belied his years & his attitude showmanship and musculation put many younger dogs to shame, a fit lad, certainly not one of the mug of Horlicks pensioners! BV

Spec BD 1-0abs
1st Olleyville Stanley Man at Whirlobox (Miss M A Littlewood) this b/w has a balanced head good rise & stop, bit cheeky, good width & depth of muzzle, decent front well angulated with straight forelimbs, short couple, developed rear with wide hammy thighs, he retained is profile going round and had good propulsion in rear, handled well.

MPB 5-0abs
1st Kajobox Boom Boom Pow at Berwynfa (Mrs F Pynegar) eye catching b/w pretty baby with a sharp elegant outline, clean skull & expressive eye, crested neck, good topline, knuckled feet, good quarters, free moving & well-schooled, the aesthetics are all there, but would prefer more muzzle. 2nd Newlaithe Cid (Mrs C & Mrs V Beardsell & Van-Beck) Arched neck of good length flowing into sloping topline & bang on tailset, hammy thighs, lean skull good rise & stop, dark eye, good depth of muzzle but would like more width. 3rd Lorrosa I Kissed A Girl (Mrs L A Fay-Smith)

PB 8-2abs
1st Farvalley Milyon Dolla Baby (Ms C & Ms J Murfin & Cobbledick) Another surprise, it’s good to come across one that keeps steadily improving & I’ve noticed this bitch doing that since she came out. Balanced head with room still for further development, balanced skull to muzzle ratio, arched neck of ample length which she used to advantage, defined withers, sloping topline, she has improved particularly in her forehand, true front, well up on pasterns, smooth underline correctly angulated rear with good width of thigh, moved out well with reach, BPB. 2nd Ashronsha Dream Away at Latchkey (Mrs C & Miss C Thomson) tall well grown elegant b/w with plenty of scope, lovely headpiece lean skull with correct rise, correctly shaped dark eye giving mischievous expression, good width & depth of muzzle upsweep of underjaw & evident chin, rangy and as yet unfurnished but the raw material is there, she will hopefully body up with maturity. 3rd Sultash Charisma (Mrs F Godwin)

JB 5-0abs
1st Lanfrese Cashel (Mr M Griffiths) scopey b/w with an attractive head good rise & distinct stop well-padded muzzle, ample neck well used, sloping topline held on the move, muscled quarters with correct angulation moved out well with purpose, would just prefer better forehand angles, and could carry a touch more weight to advantage. 2nd Winuwuk Private Affair (Miss J & Mr T Brown & Hutchings) b/w with balanced head good eye & expression, correct width & depth of muzzle, stands on well boned limbs, cat feet, holds her topline well, tapering tuck up & well angulated muscular rear. She is steep in upper arm & particularly shoulder lay back resulting in a stuffy neck. 3rd Sleipnir North Star (Mrs Nm Slattery)

YB abs1
1st Willow Sparks Will Fly (Mrs A Payne) Teeming with quality this b/w is not a glamour puss all flash & flamboyance, just sound correct construction & beautiful balance. Great to 'go over' she has a strongly sculptured head [piece not overdone fleshy or course in any way, formed on bone structure with super rise of skull & flat cheeks, blocky muzzle, her well-shaped dark eyes provide a captivating quizzical, good mouth. She exudes the perfect combination of the substance required for a Boxer with a degree of feminine elegance & moved with a purposeful easy ground covering stride. My only gripe with this bitch is that she isn’t on my sofa! delighted to award her the CC, her 3rd. 2nd Yeteb Little Miss Sunshine (Mrs E M & Miss K L McDonald) classy b/w of good type, attractive head with dry skull & full muzzle, arched neck of ample length defined withers & sloping topline, elegant underline, well-muscled quarters with decent width of thigh, tad long in hock, unlucky to come up against 1 on such top form. 3rd Boxatiel Raven Black (Mrs S M Swansborough)

GB 7-1abs
1st Sunhawk Norwatch Talulah (Mrs H & Mr E A Banks) stylish b/w who has come on in leaps & bounds, elegant crested neck of good length, good depth of chest, super topline bang on tailset, tapering tuck up, well-muscled quarters with good sweep of stifle, moved with positivity holding her shape well, clean feminine head flat cheeks good rise & depth dark eye intelligent outlook, last 4 CC. 2nd Shellark Rule The World (Mrs Law) smart neat db/w who was on her best behaviour today square in outline, arched neck good front, well angulated rear, well balanced head with dark well shaped eye & keen expression, moved with purpose holding her shape in profile. 3rd Yeteb Little Miss Nonsense (Mrs E M & Miss K L McDonald)

PGB 6-3abs
1st Love to Investigate at Winuwuk (Miss J & Mr T Brown & Hutchings) this b/w has a pretty balanced head she scores in expression, definite stop big nose wide nostrils, crested neck defined withers, short coupled producing a square outline, true front neat feet, elegant underline, well-muscled rear with developed 2nd thigh, not quite the forehand angles, moved freely retaining her shape. 2nd Nashville at Newlaithe (Mrs C & Mrs V Beardsell & Van-Beck) set up this b/w fills the eye, she is well proportioned with a super forehand, crested neck, broad flat back, well boned limbs, good spring of rib & muscular quarters, her head is well balanced, with rise of skull & full muzzle, dark eye of correct shape giving a keen expression, she holds her shape well going round but is untidy away & back & that cost her the class. 3rd Ulverbox Nymeriaayra (Miss A O’Neill)

LB 3-0abs
1st Maranseen Bespoke (Mr G & Mrs M Seeney) elegant b/w with attractive head good skull distinct stop & balanced muzzle, dark well shaped eye giving an alert quizzical expression, crested neck of ample length, balance of forehand angles, true front, correct sloping topline & good tuck up, tad long through loin, well developed in rear, moved on an unrestricted stride retaining her shape, last 4 CC. 2nd Manic Picture This for Daervlish (Mr A J & Mrs D A Huggins) well-constructed b/w presenting a smooth outline, arched neck, decent forehand angles, straight front good depth of chest, tapering tuck up, well ribbed, well developed in rear, her head has good balance of muzzle to skull & upsweep of underjaw, decent lip placement, just preferred the expression of 1. 3rd Sunhawk Norwatch Lovelace at Jeddhi (Mr, Mr, Mr & Mrs Mccarthy, Gething & Banks)

OB 7-0abs
1st Ch Susancar Celia Deal (Misses S & S Carter) One I’ve admired from the start, b/w of high station, she oozes quality, beautifully balanced with a stylish clean cut outline, super head with correctly shaped dark eye & soft expression, good mouth, elegant neck well used flowing into a sloping topline & good tailset, short coupled giving square profile, super forehand well boned straight limbed & cat feet, well developed rear, positive & true on the move holding her shape well, unlucky to meet CC winner on such top form, RCC. 2nd Ch Sunhawk Norwatch Lets Dance at Lanfrese (Mr M Griffiths) crested neck, defined withers, short coupled producing a square outline, broad flat back, correct depth of chest pronounced forechest, wide hammy thighs, good rise of skull distinct stop blocky muzzle, dark eye giving soft inquisitive expression, moved with positivity & drive. 3rd Ch Finity Time to Shine with Sherbin (Mrs J A & Miss H Sherry & Marsden)

Spec BB 1-0abs
1st Miofrey Shooting Star (Mr P & Mrs A F C Kay) I’ve admired the construction on this b/w white from MP. Crested neck of good length, super forehand with correct shoulder angles good topline held well on the move, good tailset, elegant in tuck up, decent quarters, she has a lean skull dark eye & soft expression, lacks a bit of filling under the eye, would prefer a tad more strength in muzzle. Moved on a free stride, delighted to watch her put in a good performance under Ann Ingram in the group & be rewarded with G3.

Claire Kay (judge)