I was very graciously invited to judge the Japanese Chin Club Open Show and looked forward to this apt for some time. Sadly, for me, the initial date of the show was changed, and it was decided that the show would be held a week earlier, and in conjunction with The East of England Championship Show. This is something that the Kennel Club are actively supporting, and encouraging, and of course it certainly helps the Breed Clubs involved, both from a financial point of view, and also from a venue point of view. Venue prices are increasing, as entries are dropping, so decisions have to be made in the interest of the club. I say sadly for me, because although the hope is that entries are potentially bigger at a combined show, because of the logistics and timescales of running such a show, you inevitably get absentees. We are at the mercy of those judging in the rings prior to the club show, and quite rightly, a judge should be allowed to take their time, and consider every dog entered, but this can be at the expense of any following breeds. Nonetheless, I was extremely pleased with my super entry of 49, and I sincerely thank all those exhibitors who entered the show and managed to stay
until the end. I sincerely apologize to those that had to leave early due the judgings late start at 3pm, but unfortunately out of my hands. I must also say a huge thank you to Mr Martin Frostick for standing in as Steward at short notice. Martin did a sterling job, maintaining high spirits within the ring, and keeping many entertained. Onto the judging.

Veteran Dog or Bitch 5 (1)
1st. Shardlow Knickerboka Glory SHCM VW. (Mrs J Paradise) Super 10 year old girl who belies her years. Lovely and compact, square with good substance. Well ribbed. Good shaped skull showing good head. Moves around the ring with style and confidence. Showed very well. 2nd. Chinart Yuunagi. (A G Schemel). 7 year old boy of slightly bigger size. Lovely head with good cushioning. Nicely put together with good solid body. Moved and showed well.

MP Dog 0 (0)

Puppy Dog 1 (0)
1st. Sansarc Ashoken Farewell. (Mrs L Benton-Taylor). Lovely puppy for type and size. Nicely square in shape. Heavily marked with coat really coming in nicely. Decent head. Would prefer a tad more body. Great temperament and showed and moved very nicely.

Junior Dog 4 (0)
1st. Cranvarl Roger At Anjuli (Leanne Lindsey). Super young red and white junior for type, quality and style. A little spooked to begin with, but pulled himself together when he realised all was well. Good head moderately broad, with the correct amount of cushioning, short and broad. Good head markings showing quality head piece. Correct construction when handled in the table. Not over coated and maturing nicely. Went around the ring with great style with particularly impressive profile. Attentive to his owner. RBD. RBIS. BRWIS. 2nd. Kirdanchi Chisana Senshi (Mrs Susan Holland-Smith). Finer type all through, but with decent structure. The prettiest of heads with an almost feminine touch. Just the right amount of cushioning enhancing the appeal. Moves nicely but tends to raise his front legs a little higher than required.

Novice Dog 4 (1)
1st. Marystyle Orion At Ouzlewell (Mr and Mrs M and S Leach). Another red/white strongly headed boy. Liked this lads head and expression. Again well put together, but a little long in the body that may improve with maturity. Moved and showed well. BPD. BRWPIS. 2nd. Sansarc Ashoken Farewell.

Post Graduate Dog 6 (3)
1st. Sharlana Imperial Comanda. (Steve Clayton). Red/White boy with a strong masculine head and impressive expression. Showing just enough white of eye and required cushioning. Super head markings with open nostrils. Impressed on the table for construction and really well made with good spring of rib. Really sound on the move. Nice boy. 2nd. Amantri Eiji. (T M Jackson). A smart boy, smaller and finer in type, but quality nonetheless. Lovely head but would prefer a little more neck to balance the overall shape. Smart on the move with nice front movement.

Limit Dog 6 (1)
1st. Sharlarna Trouble Maker (Pamela Martin).
Really impressed with this lovely dog. Overall full of quality, and definitely from top drawer . Needs to be handled to appreciate his superb construction, and makeup. Everything as it should be, with nothing lacking or over exaggerated. Great head with ideal markings and just enough cushioning. Exhibited in superb condition, and presentation was a credit to his owner.
Moved around the ring with the style of a winner, and that he was. Best Dog. Best in Show. 2nd. Sharlarna Tyson (Sarah Westwick and Mr A Davidson). Another top quality dog who impressed on closer inspection. Slightly finer again in type than the winner, but retains his quality nonetheless. Good head and expression, with especially impressive ear fringing finishing the picture. Admirable overall shape with balanced structure creating an admirable profile. Nice boy.

Open Dog 2 (1)
1st. Evansly Emoji ( Miss M J D Evans). Smart 4 yr old boy of nice quality with a pleasing head and and construction. In good coat condition with appealing markings. Presented nicely and moved well.

Special Open Dog or Bitch (Red + White) 2(1)
1st. Stood alone but worthy of its place. Decent quality, showed and presented well.

MP Bitch. 3 (2)
1st. Threadgold Starstruck. (Sue Steele)
Super quality pup that ticked many of the boxes required which is something to be proud of. Although still a baby, you wouldnt know it with her sassy style and ring confidence, which enabled her to show off her appeal. Everything you’d want in a youngster, with such potential to go far. Very soundly constructed and hands on, just right. Correct tail pluming feathering nicely over the back. Good head with correctly positioned eyes, nice and dark. Sufficient white of eye and cushioning. Went around the ring like she owned it. Very impressive baby who for me earned her Best Bitch in Breed award and Best Puppy in Show. 2nd. Sharlarna Eye Candy. (Mr T A and A M Quinn). Another top quality girl full of breed type and oozing appeal. Super head and markings, which I think maybe her forte, but the quality doesn’t stop there as she’s well put together in all areas. On the day carried her tail a little high but still maturing. Very close call on the day between to very nice girls.

Puppy Bitch 1 (0)
1st. Spiritisle Angel Delight. (Janice Cushing)
Another one standing alone, but still earned her place, as a sweet feminine lemon and white I found attractive. Very little lemon and mainly white in colour, with impressive dark pigment, rarely seen on the paler sables. Performed well.

Junior Bitch 6 (2) 1 Withdrawn
1st. Sharlarna Bish Bash Bosh. (Pamela Martin). A definite female, as lovely and feminine in type, with a lovely head and expression. Impressive and eye catching square shape. Nicely compact and bodied. Gave well of herself to win this class. 2nd. Spiritisle Fairy Magic. ( Janice Cushing) Red and white slightly longer in build than the winner. Decent enough head, but would prefer slightly wider muzzle with clearer markings. Showed and moved ok.

Novice Bitch 2 (0)
1st. Sleepyhollow Cover Girl. ( Mrs Susan Holland -Smith). 2 yr old bitch that I found to be as pretty as a picture. Ultra feminine with the loveliest of heads. Fine boned, but not without substance, and enough for her not to appear shelly. Balanced in size and shape, and did her bit to win this class, and also went onto be awarded Reserve Best Bitch. 2nd. Aki Kaori At Spiritisle. (Janice Cushing). Bigger type than the winner, and slightly courser in head, but very well constructed with impressive spring of rib.

Post Graduate Bitch. 4 (2)
1st. Sharlana Temptress. (Steve Clayton). Another feminine in type, with impressive construction when handled, with good substance and ribs. Would prefer a tidier front but moved and performed well to win this class. 2nd. Tismechi Yumi (Angie Clarke). Nice enough girl with a good head, and I would say is her best feature. On closer examination I found her lacking in body. Movement was a bit untidy, and needs to settle where she could further impress. Nice to see the slender hare feet with desired feathering.

Limit Bitch 4 (3)
1st. Anjuli Agatha of Choya ( Leanne Lindsey)
Lovely quality bitch with a really impressive head, good clear markings and good cushioning. Another one that handles well on the table, and is nicely covered and well structured. Antique that moves well.

Open Bitch 2 (2)

Thank you again to the Committee for their invite, and to all the exhibitors on the day.