MPD (2) 1 Snowshoes Mountain Ranger. Very nice 6 month with everything in the right place at the moment. Pleasing head with dark eye and well placed ears. Sensible angulation, firm topline and enough length of leg to body ratio. Just so together and neat although has growing and developing to do. Look forward to seeing how he develops. BPIB 2 Pluton Northern Sunrise. 8 month and already beginning to show those teenage type changes. Strong build with correct amount of chest to balanced leg length. Correct moderate angulation and a fair balance overall. Could be a little neater in front movement. Dentition a fraction untidy but not anything that would impede him in the breed’s original purpose. Very good strength of thigh giving a workmanlike appearance from behind.

PD (4) Difficult class with all at different stages of normal development – good movers who were not as beefy as I would like, good type who needed some ring training, etc so I would expect some swapping over of places as they all grow up. 1 Freezefactot Tis the Season at Breconfrost. 10 month who tried his best to throw this away by pacing at first. Once his handler got him going at a correct pace, he was impressive with good power from the rear, natural head carriage and no wasted energy or overdone angulation. Pleasing head and eye, ideal strength of neck and body proportions working to his advantage. Possibly could do with slightly better tail carriage as it can be a little ‘tight’ at times. 2 Sutarka Fire Storm. Despite his obvious nakedness, this chap had very little that needed hiding, being well put together and at a stage where body is changing from puppy to adult. Sensible angulation and moved very well while keeping a good topline. Tail carriage ok. Look forward to seeing this one in full coat. 3rd Nyrakym’s All That Remains Samaljankan to Cristakell (imp USA).

JD (2) 1 Ice Gangsta’s Ball of Fire for Chayo (imp Deu) 17 month impressively developed with classy outline, being well proportioned in terms of length to height to depth. Excellent front with strong bone and correct ‘snow shoe’foot although room for a tiny improvement in tightness and depth of foot for such a powerful build. Well muscled loin with plenty of flexibility on the move. One to watch. 2 Marahootay Linx Under Tatkresiwok. Such a lovely character taking the ‘friendly, loyal and playful’ part of the Standard to heart. Attractive head with good eye shape and set. Strong teeth though possibly not as neat in dentition as 1. Balanced for size, depth and length though not quite the maturity of his rival. Moved well and with good flexibility of loin. Still needs to develop his ‘grown up’ muscle which will tighten his front action to a degree.

YD (4) 1 Wintablizard’s Investment (AI) 18 month and another powerful boy who will almost certainly hit the higher spots when mature. Settled enough to show off his easy movement with latent power from the hindquarters. Powerful head being strong enough match the rest of his body but not coarse in any way. Moved so well with good topline and tail carriage. Still has more developing to do at this tender age and which showed up in the challenge but a promising future I would think. 2 Muzoku Take Me Wuth U To Siskara. Also had the powerful build needed for his job. Broad head with good ear set, acceptable dentition. Great strength of neck and forehand. Tail set so well and carried in the correct fashion. Possibly could do with a tad more length of leg to balance. 3 Ice Gangsta’s B of F for Chayo (imp Deu)

PGD (4,1) 1 Monikoona Ice Chief Brody. Impressive 2yr who really looks the part with his excellent balance of leg length to height/depth. Beautiful head of correct width and strength of skull, and muzzle. Strong in neck and equally robust forehand. Plenty of muscle on hindquarters and super construction of hock – being broad and strong. Good loin of acceptable ratio to rib. Moved as well as I would have expected from his construction. 2 Lapema Garoto Rude JW. While I preferred the length of loin of this one, his overall construction is slightly less developed than 1at this stage. Attractive head with broad skull and well set ears. Possibly a tad more angulation would have given him slightly more rhythm on the move. Despite this, he was sound and balanced in his stride. 3 Viking Fenrir Kin of Kiyara’s Wolf Pak (imp De)

LD (7,1) 1 Snowshoes King’s Legacy ShCM. At first glance, this smart chap can look slightly smaller than ideal, however, the general trend of ‘big’ dogs beyond the ‘preferred’ Standard of 25ins is the culprit rather than the perfectly acceptable height of this one. So much to like about him – from his broad and well balanced head, good ears, acceptable eye colour through to an excellent neck and beautifully made forehand, strong bone and strength of pastern. A flexible well muscled loin really gave his the advantage on the move as he powered along from efficient hindquarters. At only 2, he still has more beefing up to do but the signs are encouraging at this stage. 2 Cristakell April Shadows JW. Such a lovely head of great type that sums up the breed for me. Powerful forehand which is so important to a hauling breed, excellent topline with that all important flexibility of loin of ideal length. Slightly younger than 1st and both at an age where more is to come. Very good leg length to depth ratio and overall a picture of good balance. Impressively muscled and capable of his job. Very close between these two although I would have preferred a tad less slope of pastern on this one. 3 Dark Diamond Snowflake of Engel at Muzoku JW ShCM.

OD (14,3) 1 Ch Jaydonspire’s True Grit. Wow, what a class. I felt very privileged to have so many top quality dogs. It seemed particularly hard to place down dogs who were obviously contenders but were victims of the UK system of judging/placing. This 6yr old is a great example of what maturity looks like in this powerful breed. Beautiful and powerful head type with proportionately small ears, carried correctly. Neck and forehand at their best without being overdone. Great strength of body but with good ratio of leg length to depth. Well developed hindquarters which became even more obvious on the move. Showed his heart out whether standing or moving in his businesslike gait. Gave a little extra in this super class where winning was not going to be easy. CC and BOB. 2nd Chayo Klass Act JW. Another impressive boy with great type and construction although being slightly short of coat tended to distract very slightly. However, hair will grow while construction such as this boy has are a constant. Strong bone, good depth of chest but with correct leg length to balance, well muscled and flexible loin and tail set just right, being neither too tight nor too low. Hindquarters were an example of how a hauling dog should be built. In forehand he has enough angulation and freedom of movement to carry on the drive form the rear. To nit pick, I just preferred the slightly broader skull and overall maturity of 1. RCC. 3 Mlt Ivram Bradliey You’re the One at Snowshoes (Imp Mlt).

MPB (5) 1st Skidooshooz Bohemian Soul of Cupun (AI). 6 months and quite a big girl for her age – hopefully only going through a growth spurt just now. Well balanced and all of a piece with good topline, excellent tail set and carriage, strong in bone, well shaped feet of good depth and effective angulation. Well made in skull and muzzle with particularly good ear set. Moved well and looked the part. 2Icycool Oriana. Super chunky bone on this 6 month old. Lovely feet of good depth and surprisingly good pasterns at this age. Well balanced head showing the normal developmental changes. Nice steady mover with pleasing tail carriage. At the slightly rump high stage as growing makes its appearance. Nothing wrong here that maturity won’t put right. 3 Muzoku Voodoo Dolly.

PB (5) 1 Tailfly Jitterbug. From the previous class and suddenly decided she would cooperate by moving this time – and doing it well! Nicely put together and had an attractive head with dark correctly set eyes. Correct topline and tailset. Adequate bone and shape of foot with impressively strong pasterns. Once she gets her showing head on, I’m sure she has a successful future. 2 Freezefactor Angel Wings. Another ‘if only’ who had a great time in the ring with plenty of confidence and wanting to play – even though it was not ‘by invitation’ . Super balance with the very best of leg length/depth of chest ratio. Well made hindquarters, good strength of topline with perfectly balanced loin. Liked her head type with good width of skull without being masculine. Tail set could be a fraction improved but in her playful frame of mind there may have been many points that were not easy to identify! Just needs to settle as she looks to be worth the effort. 3 Sutarka La Dolle Vita.

JB (3,1) 1 Chayo One Moment In Time. 13 months and had that extra maturity needed to win this class. An excellent mover with balanced strides, keeping a good topline and tail carriage. Good head with correct skull/muzzle proportions, strong in neck and well made forehand. Ears were a mystery until she eventually came out of her OTT affectionate mode and wore them where they totally enhanced her skull. Still needs her ‘grown-up’ coat but a lot of promise here. 2 Icycool Oriana. – repeat.

YB (4) 1 Lapema Tavola Ouija ShCM JW. 23 months and overall a pleasing outline with strong but feminine head. Powerful movement but done in such an effortless way with her effective angulation working to advantage. Good topline and tail set. Loin of ideal length and well muscled for best effect during movement. Ears possibly a tad low set but is partly due to her friendly attitude and constantly folding them back and slightly down. 2 Wintablizard’s Gin Lover. A lot of type here and was the deciding factor in her placing. Slightly shorter coupled than 1st. Pleasing head and another who hid her ear set as much as possible! Lovely arch of neck and good strength of back and well muscled loin. Could do with a little more length of leg which would give her a more positive action on the move. 3 Arctictreks Black Sheep.

PGB (2) 1 A Black Sheep. 18 month and out of coat at the moment which, although not a fault, does detract when compared to fully coated dogs of equal merit. Excelled in length of leg ratio to depth and moved positively. Well constructed forehand and therefore a useful length of neck(which showed an attractive slight arch). Strong in topline though could use a fraction more rise from pelvis to wither. Head was balanced with beautiful dark eye and pleasing length of muzzle to skull ratio. 2 Monikoona Mystique for Icycool. Very typy head with correct ear set and carriage, strong bone and good quality coat. Could benefit from a tad more length of leg as this makes her look a shade longer than ideal. However, much of this is optical illusion as she is carrying too much body – an issue that affected her attitude to moving – although she did display the gently waving plume of her lovely tail. I imagine she would be a different dog without the excess weight.

LB (9,3) What a super class. 1 Diamond Diosa Snowflake of Engel at Muzoku. Headed this quality class with her overall type, strength, movement and muscle condition. Despite her obvious power, she is still feminine and is beautifully put together. Stood to advantage, projecting so many positive breed points. Difficult to fault and featured prominently in the challenge. Her day will come I think. 2 Just Got To Love Me Polarni Usvit. Another super mover who was slightly out of coat but who has excellent construction overall. Pleasing head with good ears and eye, well off for bone and ideal shape of pastern. Tail set ok. Firm topline with correct length of flexible loin. Could be a touch longer in leg but this is really nit picking. 3 Snowshoes Touch of Class.

OB (14,2) 1 Skidooshooz Spot Lites On Me JW. My notes start with ‘What a stunner’ and it is no lie! Just put together the way I picture the ideal Malamute bitch in my mind. Head is feminine but has correct width with well set ear and expressive eye. Strong, slightly arched neck flows into firm but slightly sloping topline. Tail set just right. The right amount of angulation gave her the edge on the move and producing such an easy gait with no exaggerations. Bang on for length of leg to depth of chest ratio and equally balanced length to height. Not an easy choice against the showy male and no shame in CC and BOS today. 2nd Ch Chayo Blue Diamond (AI). Hot on the heels of 1 but being slightly out of coat was her downfall today. Good head with particularly good ears, strong, arched neck and well muscled loin. Looked even better on the move than when stood. Just a touch more depth of thigh would enhance her. RCC. 3Ch Kaskae Butterfly Lily.

Hedd Richards