The last time I judged the breed was in 2014 so I was delighted to be offered this appointment, which unfortunately was in the same geographical area as my last one. Although the entry was not a large one and not all the dogs were up to size, I felt the quality overall was very good and temperament was excellent in all classes. Some dogs were not wearing their best ‘jackets’ on the day but lack of seasonal coat is not something that I have issue with, especially at this time of year. Coat was generally of the correct coarse texture and length. Unlike when I judged previously, I was pleased that none of the dogs had the long, soft, fluffy coat, which is so wrong and totally impractical for the breed. Only one dog did not have the perfect scissor bite required by the standard. Outline was generally good. The standard calls for a straight but not level topline, unfortunately I found that a few dogs did not have the straight back required. The straight back is necessary for the Alaskan Malamute as little deviation from this requirement (and Kennel Club standard) weakens the back that needs to be strong for this working breed. We must never forget the work that the Alaskan Malamute is bred to undertake. Movement was mixed and the class with the strongest movement of the day was Veteran Bitch and the winner of that class was a truly excellent mover. I found some quarters, especially of younger exhibits could have been a little stronger and were lacking in muscle and could be improved with the right type of exercise. Heads showed some variation in type and a few were not as broad as I would have liked. Generally eyes were of a good colour and shape and ears well placed on the skull.

JD (1)
1 Ellis’ Ice Gangsta’s Ball Of Fire For Chayo (Imp) – A typical young male but looking quite mature for his 16 months. Correct head, well placed eyes; good ear placement and pleasant expression. Coat of good texture; good front action but I felt that hindquarters need to strengthen and I feel sure that this will happen with time and correct exercise.

PGD (5,2)
1 Ellis’ Ice Gangsta’s Ball Of Fire For Chayo (Imp)
2 Howatson’s Cristakell April Folly At Auraquartz JW Sh.CM. Broad head, dark eyes, good ear set, correct shoulder placement, well boned throughout. Rear angulation was good and he moved around the ring with drive.
3 Botterill,’s Cinneli Polar Winter

LD (4)
1 Page & Jarvis’ Cedarcreek Frozen Asset. Lovely looking 2 year old; very good outline with a straight back; well placed shoulders, deep chest; strong quarters. I would like a slightly broader skull. Moved well in the ring
2 Horsman-Phoenix, & Horsman’s Nordicwinds Action Hero. A pleasing head and expression; a well constructed dog with a muscular neck; very good outline; good feet. Like my class winner, this dog moved freely around the ring.
3 Butler’s Kaytoo Antarctic Kuma.

OD (5) I thought both my class winner and 2nd in the class were exceptional dogs although not the same type in head.
1 Page & Sheehan’s Cedarcreek Frozen River. A stunning dog; excellent outline; strong neck; excellent shoulder placement; plenty of bone throughout; deep chest and excellent spring of rib, straight back; plenty of muscle in hindquarters; good tail set and carriage. A joy to watch moving around the ring. So well handled. CC and BOB
2 Ellis, Nevinson’s Chayo Golden Touch Sh.CM. Close up to my class winner. Lovely head and expression; excellent bone throughout with enough muscle; excellent reach of neck; strong shoulders; good length of loin with correct muscle; good turn of stifle. Excellent rear action. I preferred this dog’s head to my class winner but his front action was not a free. Res CC.
3 Ellis’ Chayo Formula One.

Vet B (2)
1 Mort, Arcticbreeze Midnite Hero, 7year old in excellent condition; pleasing head with typical expression, good ear placement; nice type; good conformation, good top line. Moved well.
2 Jarvis & Packham, & Brown’s Icetrax Red Diesel – Did not move as freely as my class winner but there is much to like about this dog; broad skull, nice expression, nicely made body, good tail set.

PB (2,1)
1 Ellis’ Chayo One Moment In Time – Very pretty 10 month old bitch; so feminine. Beautiful head, delightful expression; well balanced for her age but will need time to mature. Her rear movement needs to strengthen.

PGB (4) This was a difficult class to judge as type was so varied. However, I was pleased with my class placings.
1 Barstow & Cinneli’s Polar Maple At Ayakulik. A 19-month old with a good head and pleasing expression; correct bite, correctly placed shoulders. A pleasure to go over. Moved well around the ring.
2 Page’s Cedarcreek Frozen In Time – As my class winner, this 2 year old was well put together. Feminine head and expression; good front, nice body proportions. Moved well.
3 Gourlay, Ms K & Rogerson Chayo Liquid Gold

LB (8,2)
1 Horsman-Phoenix & Horsman’s Nordicwinds American Dream JW Sh CM. Good head with correct amount of stop; correct ear placement, nice length of neck, shoulders well laid. Well balanced with a beautiful outline. Moved so very well.
2 Butler’s Kaytoo Antarctic Anko, As my class winner, this bitch had a lovely outline, strong front and hindquarters and moved true. I thought that the coat was a little soft.
3 Barstow’s Cinneli Polar Maple At Ayakulik.

OB (2)
1 Ellis Ms S Chayo Blue Diamond (ai) – I just loved this girl’s head; correct proportions, beautiful feminine eyes of correct almond shape; strong well arched neck, correct shoulder placement, straight back. Good coat texture. CC
2 Page’s Cedarcreek Exquisite – Another good bitch and like my class winner, she moved well around the ring. Good head with a pleasant expression; good angulation throughout; nice outline when standing and on the move. Res CC

Vet B (5,1)
1 Butler’s Arcticdawns Free And Easy At Kaytoo – A beautiful bitch of good type. Her movement was exceptional (best of the day) and it was difficult to believe that she is 10 years old! Delightful head with a gentle expression; deep chest, straight back, good bone, correct coat texture. Well handled
2 Wrightson Mrs S Snobruk Rising Star Of Kisnicova – As my class winner I thought this ‘not so young’ lady moved so well around the ring. Good neck, and layback of shoulders. Feet not as well arched as I would like but much to like about her.
3 Mort’s Ch Arcticbreeze Midnite Echo

Mrs D Montgomery