Dog Classes and Special Bitch Classes: Ian Pullin

Firstly, my thanks to the Alaskan Malamute Club of the UK for the honour of judging the male classes at this Open Show. My sincere appreciation also goes to my steward, Reagan Graham, whose efficient handling of the ring helped the day run seamlessly. Above all, I would like to thank the exhibitors for their support and for presenting their dogs in such good spirit. I was particularly grateful to those exhibitors with bitches who, despite a long day, remained to compete in the Stakes classes, allowing me the opportunity to assess their exhibits.

Baby Puppy Dog (0)

Minor Puppy Dog (1)
1 Page’s D’alkontres Don’t Stop Believin’ Cedarcreek (IMP ITA). 7 month old youngster with much tolike and one that immediately appealed for his overall balance and breed type. Correct in size and proportions for his age, giving a pleasing, masculine outline without appearing overdone. Carries a quality coat with good texture and sufficient undercoat, presented in excellent condition. Particularly impressed with his rear construction, showing well-developed second thigh and good angulation, which should serve him well as he matures. Still very much a puppy and with development to come, but he already possesses a great deal of promise. Best Puppy Dog and Reserve Best Puppy In Specialty Show.

Puppy Dog (1)
1 Dobson’s Meliodas Of Moon and Stars NAF TAF. 10 month old youngster entering that stage of development where maturity can often appear somewhat uneven. Presents a strong, masculine head with a particularly good muzzle and pleasing expression. In summer coat today, but carrying the correct texture and enough jacket to appreciate his outline. Well constructed in front, with good reach on the move. At present he needs to tighten through body and develop greater firmness throughout, but this is entirely expected as he moves into his junior phase.

Junior Dog (0)

Post Graduate Dog (2)
1 Raby’s Kaskae La Voila at Icemoon. 2 year old male who stood out for his overall balance, breed type and finish. Masculine without coarseness, with a strong head, well-set ears that were carried correctly and contributed to a keen, typical expression. Excellent feet. A tail set that flowed naturally from the topline, carried correctly and completing the picture when standing. Well-proportioned throughout with good substance and bone, yet retaining the athleticism essential to the breed. On the move he covered the ground with ease, maintaining a firm topline and showing the effortless, economical action expected of a working dog. A thoroughly deserving class winner and one I was pleased to award Reserve Best Dog.
2 Anderson’s Kaskae Seine Sational at Bluekaneq. Litter brother to the class winner and sharing many of the same breed virtues. A larger-framed male, carrying plenty of substance and bone. Good pigment throughout, which enhanced his strong, masculine expression. Well set tail, correctly placed off the croup and carried in the characteristic plume over the back. Handled sympathetically to show his best qualities.

Limit Dog (5,1)
1 Burgess’s Cedarcreek The Only Way Is Up. A dog of correct size and proportions, combining substance and strength with the balanced, athletic outline essential to the breed. Strong head without any hint of coarseness, complemented by good strength and depth of muzzle. Excellent tailset and carriage, carried in true Malamute fashion and enhancing his overall outline. Good feet, tight and well knuckled. Presented and handled to advantage. Presented and handled to advantage. On the move he showed good reach and drive, covering the ground efficiently whilst maintaining a balanced and typical outline. I was pleased to award Best Dog, Best Special Working Certified and Reserve Best in Show.
2 Jelfs’ Chayo Fire It Up For Lapema. A larger-framed male than the class winner, with plenty of substance and bone throughout. Strong, masculine head with good breadth of skull and strength of muzzle. Well-coated and carrying a jacket of good texture, presented in hard condition. While possessing many quality attributes, he was not as effective on the move as the winner. Nevertheless. a worthy exhibit with much to commend.
3 Perfitt’s Samjoe Shadowhunter. A male of pleasing overall size, presenting a balanced outline. Well-coated and carrying a jacket of good texture. His front construction was one of his stronger- features, showing good return and forechest. On the move he covered the ground well. Preferred the head qualities of those placed above him, lacking some of the strength and breed expression I was looking for.

Open Dog (6,1)
1 Smith’s Ch Cash The Check Shamanrock at Snowshoes (IMP CZE) JW. In a class of five quality males, this dog impressed for his combination of substance, balance and sound construction. A powerful, well-made male with plenty of bone and substance while retaining the athleticism required of the breed. Excellent feet. What ultimately secured him the class, however, was his movement. He moved with purpose and efficiency, showing excellent reach in front and strong drive from the rear, covering the ground effortlessly while maintaining a firm topline and balanced outline. His movement was both powerful and economical, exactly as expected of a working Malamute, and set him apart in a strong and competitive class. A worthy winner.
2 Pheonix’s Ch Nordicwinds Grtest Showman JW ShCEx OSW. A quality male who appealed for his overall size, shape and balance. Correctly proportioned throughout, presenting a strong and typical outline with no exaggeration. Masculine head with pleasing expression and good strength of muzzle. Well-coated and carrying a jacket of correct texture, enhancing his overall presentation. A well-set tail carried in true breed fashion, completing a very attractive picture. He pushed the winner hard on the stack and in overall breed type, but on the day was just out moved by the class winner. A very worthy second in a strong class.
3 Prescott’s Dreamwolves Time Of My Life. A super dog with much to admire and one who possessed many of the qualities found in the two dogs placed above him. Strongly made with excellent bone and substance, giving the impression of power without being overdone. Good feet and a quality coat of correct texture, presented in excellent condition. Well set tail, carried correctly and contributing to a typical breed outline. Unfortunately, he was not making life easy for his handler on the day and did not allow himself to be shown to best advantage. Had he settled and given a more consistent performance, he would have pushed the first two placings very hard indeed. A quality male who deserved his place in a strong Open class.

Special Veteran (7-9 years) Dog (2)
1 Woodhead’s Noraisy Take My Breath Away. Without question the closest decision of the day, between two wonderful representatives of the breed who were presented and maintained in excellent condition. In truth, I was splitting hairs between them. A male of correct size and proportions, combining substance and strength with a powerful yet athletic outline. Particularly admired his front construction, with well-laid shoulders and good return of upper arm, allowing him to stand naturally and efficiently. Presented in outstanding condition, a credit to his owner. On the move he covered the ground with ease, showing excellent reach and drive, but what ultimately separated the two dogs was the overall outline he maintained in motion. A quality veteran. Best Veteran Dog and Reserve Best Veteran In Show.
2 Page’s Ch Snow Legend Believe In You Cedarcreek JW (IMP RUS). Another outstanding veteran and one who made this class exceptionally difficult to judge. A male of excellent size and shape, presenting a balanced, powerful and typically masculine outline. Like the winner, he was presented in first-class condition and possessed many of the same virtues, including sound construction, quality and overall breed type. On the day he appeared slightly unsettled at times, which may well have been influenced by the last-minute change of handler, but he still showed himself admirably. In truth, I was nit-picking between two excellent dogs. The deciding factor was the outline maintained on the move. A quality exhibit and a very worthy winner on another day.

Special Veteran (10 Yrs & Over) Dog (1,1)

Special Open Import Bitch (2,1)
1 Sheehan’s Powderhound’s Sparks Will Fly At Amaqqut (IMP USA). Female who immediately appealed for her femininity and breed type. Lovely feminine head with a soft yet typical expression, balanced by a strong and well-constructed front assembly. Correct in overall size and shape, presenting a balanced and athletic outline. Shown in excellent condition and handled sympathetically throughout. On the move she was sound and purposeful, showing good reach and drive while maintaining her shape and balance. Best Special Import.

Special Working Certified Bitch (2)
1 – See Special Open Import Bitch
2 Burgess’ Tolketna Top Of The World To MountainGlen. Female with much to admire. Particularly liked her eye shape and placement, which combined to give the soft yet alert expression so typical of the breed. Carrying a good coat and presented in excellent condition. Excellent tail set and carriage, completing a balanced outline. On the move she maintained her shape well, showing a pleasing balance with no exaggeration.

Special Health Junior Stakes Bitch (1)
1 Pheonix’s D’alkontres Spice Up Your Life Nordicwinds (IMP ITA). A promising youngster who caught my eye for her femininity and overall balance. Lovely feminine head with an appealing expression, enhanced by excellent pigment. Presented in superb condition. She held a pleasing outline for one so young and carried her tail correctly. On the move she was balanced and coordinated, covering the ground with confidence and demonstrating maturity beyond her age.

Special Health Open Stakes Bitch (6,2)
1 Smith’s Snowshoes Sweet Symphony. A super female who combined femininity with substance and strength. Attractive head with a typical expression. Well-bodied throughout with plenty of substance without losing balance or elegance. Good coat of correct texture and presented in excellent order. Excellent feet, tight and well knuckled, and a well-set tail carried correctly, completing a pleasing overall outline. On the move she showed the effortless, balanced action I was looking for, covering the ground with good reach and drive whilst maintaining her shape throughout. A very honest bitch with many virtues and a worthy winner of the class.
2 Hughes’ Arctictribes Strange Magic To Ukluk. A different type to the class winner but one that I admired for her honesty and soundness throughout. A well-balanced female with no exaggerations and many virtues to recommend her. Particularly impressed with her rear construction, which was strong and well-angulated, and complemented by an excellent tail set and carriage. What really caught my attention was her side gait, where she moved with balance, efficiency and purpose, covering the ground with ease while maintaining a pleasing outline. A very honest bitch that made a strong case for herself and one that I was pleased to place highly in this quality class. Reserve Best Special Rescue Stakes.
3 Perfitt’s Samjoe Seelie Queen. A feminine bitch of correct overall size and proportions, presenting a balanced and athletic outline. Unfortunately out of coat on the day, which affected her overall finish. Nevertheless, she possesses many quality attributes, particularly in her rear construction, where she showed good angulation and strength. Moved soundly and with purpose, maintaining her outline well and covering the ground efficiently. A very honest exhibit who was deserving of her placing in this competitive class.

Ian Pullin (Whitewalker)

Bitch classes and Special Dog classes: Geoff Duffield

It was my very great pleasure to be invited to judge the bitches for The Alaskan Malamute Club of the UK so my very grateful thanks to the committee. My co-judge was Ian Pullin (dogs) where this club show was held in conjunction with the Boston & District championship show. My very grateful thanks to Raegen Graham for his stewarding expertise.

MP (2)
1 Jelfs’ Lapema Nevr Trust The Living, homebred nine months mature girl, impressive shape, pleasing head, lovely eye and expression, good stop and ears, good dentition, good neck and depth of chest, strong straight forelegs, good feet, good rear angulation, well developed thigh muscles, sound movement, good side extension, lovely temperament;
2 Phoenix’s d’Alkontres Spice Up Your Life Nordicwinds (imp ITA), another with beautiful shape, clean head, good eye, sweet expression, good dentition, good neck, good forelegs, depth of chest, good rear, moved well, good footfall, sound mover, good temperament.

P (4)
1 Keeling’s Kishdigra Criminal’s Reign Raf, homebred from champion parents, lovely outline, well built girl with a heart to match, proportionate head, good stop, delightful dark eye and expression, good well used ears, good muzzle and dentition, good neck, strong forelegs, good front and depth of chest, strong in loin, good turn of stifle and hocks, thighs well muscled, presented in good coat and condition, well handled, good drive from rear, lovely temperament. BPB & BP.
2 Jelfs’ Lapema Never Trust The Living;
3 Dobson’s Elizabeth Of Moon And Stars NAF TAF, longer cast and busy mover, pleasing head, good dark eye, inquiring expression, good stop, good depth of chest, not as mature as 1 & 2, lovely presentation, good temperament.

J (1)
1 Smith’s Snowshoes Time For Jenga, homebred 13 months appealing girl, clean head, good dark eye, lively expression, good dentition, good front, strong straight forelegs, good depth of chest, strong in loin, good rear construction, moved with drive, lovely temperament. BJIS.

PG (1)
1 Prescott’s Lueldar Beautiful Rosa of Bearnortham (IKC) two year old, attracts for shape, proportionate head, good eye, friendly expression, good dentition, strong boned forelegs, good depth of chest, moved okay, nice temperament.

L (5,2)
1 Sheehan’s Powderhound’s Sparks Will Fly at Amaqqut (imp USA), well built three year old who excels on the move, clean head to handle, good ears and stop, very sweet eye and expression, strong neck into good shoulder, good depth of chest and spring of rib, strong loin, well developed rear, sound on move, excellent drive, confident, lovely temperament.
2 Hughes’ Arctictribes Strange Magic to Ukluk, rising three, good overall make and shape, pleasing head, good eye, attentive expression, strong forelegs, good turn of stifle and muscled thighs enabling good drive from rear, sound, lovely temperament;
3 Perfitt’s Samjoe Seelie Queen, homebred rising four, nice for shape, clean head, pleasing eye and expression, good neck and depth of chest, would have preferred better muscling at rear, nevertheless confident mover, good temperament.

O (5,2)
1 Page’s Ch The Magician Bloody Mary Cedarcreek (imp ITA) at six and a half, fully matured lady of obvious quality, most beautiful make and shape, presented in excellent condition, not lacking in ring presence, just stood and posed for all to admire, quality head, good skull and ears, good stop and muzzle, good dentition, most beautiful eye and feminine expression, strong neck into good shoulder, good depth of chest and spring of rib, strong well muscled forelegs, very good rear construction, thighs strongly muscled, good hocks enabling impressive drive from rear, super temperament, loved her. BB & BIS. Interesting to see her son, Cedarcreek The Only Way Is Up was Awarded RBIS & BOSIS.
2 Burgess’ Tolketna Top Of The World to Mountainglen, rising five, another of high quality, well turned out in full coat, proportionate head, very good eye and expression, strong neck, good front and depth of chest, good spring of rib, strong loin, well boned forelegs, good rear angulation, thigh muscles well developed, confident and easy on move, lovely temperament.
3 Keeling’s Ch/IR Ch/Int Ch Kishdigra The Criminals Kiss, homebred from Irish champions, just turned seven, completed a trio of lovely ladies.

Special Veteran (7-9 years) (2,1)
1 Perfitt-Jones’ Samjoe’s The One And Only VW, superbly handled by nine-year-old Jacob, resilient in his black and silver outfit, not lacking for confidence, neither was his homebred bitch rising ten who matched his every stride, of good overall make and shape and well presented in full coat, well arched neck supporting proportionate head, good dark eye, friendly expression, good depth of chest and spring of rib, strong loin, good turn of stifle and let down of hocks, thighs well muscled, moved well, excellent friendly temperament.

Special Veteran (10 yrs & Over) (2)
1 Woodhead’s Koromandel Rushin Around at Noraisy, very sprightly 13-y-o showing absolutely no signs of coarseness, found her full of quality, very clean head, lovely keen eye, feminine expression, good skull and ears, correct stop, good muzzle, strong neck into good shoulder, good depth of chest and spring of rib, strong forelegs, good loin, good stifle, hock and thigh muscles, impressed on move, good drive from rear, excellent presentation and temperament. RBB & BVIS;
2 Burgess’ Cedarcreek Forever Young at Mountainglen, 11 years old, also no signs of coarseness, set herself up well, proportionate head, good ears, eye and alert expression, presented in good coat and condition covering well toned body, good depth of chest and spring of rib, good turn of stifle, hocks well let down, sound on the move with plenty of drive from rear.

Special Working Certified Dog (1)
1. Burgess, Burgess & Page’s Cedarcreek The Only Way Is Up, indeed it is. Two year old male bred by latter owner from champion parents, stood alone but no doubting his qualities, will leave dog judge Ian Pullin to bestow his virtues.

Geoff Duffield