My thanks to Bath Committee for the invitation to judge four of my very favourite breeds on one day. Thanks to my hard-working steward and to all the lovely exhibitors and dogs. This was my third time awarding CC’s and although no longer an active exhibitor in the breed myself, it was nice to find after twenty years involvement, that the type of functional, powerful, beautiful animals I fell in love with, can still be found, if not perhaps in the numbers there were back then. Please watch feet, cat feet, as pretty as they are, should stay on cats (and those breeds whose standards ask for them).

PD (3,1) Two litter brothers, both of lovely type, to start things off.
1 Aitchison & Hurst, Kaskae Eiffel For You, strong made fellow with super temperament. Good overall shape, although I would prefer a slightly looser tail. Nicely balanced angles, plenty of bone, ribs well sprung, abundant coat of good texture, strong masculine head, eye of good colour, could be a tad tighter. Ears thick and well furred. Moving he has all the power and some of the co-ordination, a shade more than his brother which gave him the edge. Plenty more to come as he tightens up I think.
2 Kaskae Show Me The Monet Avec Keighanya. Many of the same qualities as his brother, a shade stronger in back skull, better in his tail carriage, a bit longer in frame and again needs to learn to handle his power but I’m sure plenty of fun times are ahead for both.

YD (1)
1 Facer’s Chayo Unlock The Power. A nice honest dog. Well proportioned, with a kind expression, correct muzzle to skull ratio, eyes of good colour, ears set well, enough forechest, moderate angles, good bone and correctly shaped snow shoe feet. Tail well set and carried. Good coat of correct texture. Could be a fraction tidier on the out and back but moved with sufficient reach and power to warrant the RCC & BSB. Well done.

LD (3,1)
1 Loades Snowolf Blackpowder Charge. Not the most eye-catching dog but stands up so well to closer examination. The loveliest of heads, masculine without being overdone, dark eye and small, thick, well-set ears. Broad skull, medium neck into good front, strong chest, super bone and feet. Ribs carried well back to short, strong loin, moderate hind quarters, well-muscled. His movement is accurate and totally fluent, not an ounce of wasted effort. All clothed in a lovely thick black and white jacket. Happy to award him the DCC and not surprised to learn I have done the same for his sire in the past.
2 Druce & Druce, Kaskae Hell Of A View At Druxie (ai), 3yrs b/w such a happy fellow, of a decent make and shape, a lighter frame than one, and lighter in the eye, good overall shape, crowned with a super tail, well-muscled and moved with purpose, clearly enjoying himself.

OD (4,2) Two very different types in this class.
1 Loades, Whitewalker’s Winter Snowolf. A very honest dog who scored on correct breed fundamentals. His head is laid out correctly, I would like a darker eye, his coat is shorter but dense, his bone is correct for his frame, his feet of the correct shape and tail set and carried correctly. He moved out cleanly and efficiently.
2 Smith, Ch Cash The Check Shamanrock At Snowshoes JW (Imp Cze) A really eye-catching boy with a fantastic temperament, another clearly enjoying himself. Presentation immaculate. Handsome headpiece, good eye colour but would like slightly neater shape. Ears well set, thick and well furred. Good substance and overall shape. Would like correctly shaped feet and a better carried tail but a lovely fellow nonetheless. Moved out with bags of enthusiasm, slightly wastes action at the rear.

SBD (2)
1 Chayo Unlock The Power, see previous.
2 Kaskae Show Me The Monet At Keighanya, see previous.

VB (2)
1 Johns, Cristakell April Showers At Chardicea. Delightful 10yr bitch, I think I have may have met her last as a Junior, have definitely met some of her siblings previously. Makes a super shape, pretty head, compact frame, substantial girl, great angles, strong bone, correct feet, pasterns giving slightly now but forgivable at this age, good tail for set and carriage, moved out really well. Happy to award her the RCC. BV and third in the Group, well done.
2 Brown, Ch Skidooshooz Bohemian SoulOf Cupun (ai). 8yr of very different type but still a lovely quality girl. Very noble in her head and expression, neck of medium length, balanced, moderate angulation, a shade longer in body than ideal, tail well set, moved with power and grace.

MPB (1)
1 Smith, Snowshoes Sweet Symphony. 6mths, what a little poppet. The sweetest head and expression, beautiful eyes for shape, colour and set, neat ears, perfectly presented, very together on the out and back, just a touch unbalanced front to rear at this stage so over reaching a tad on the go around. Plenty of time for this to correct itself. Lovely temperament.

PB (1)
1 Druce, Druce & Aitchison, Kaskae Ooh La La Avec Druxie. Just wow. This young lady is the absolute picture of what a Malamute should be. Her outline is so beautiful, with a lovely, crested neck, gently sloping topline, just the right amount of angulation. Yes, for absolute perfection I would like her to carry her tail better, but the set is good and it is certainly a plume. She has a beautiful headpiece, strength with femininity, superb bone. Correct feet. Correct length to height ratio, and when she moves, power, precision, no wasted effort. She is perfectly conditioned and it shows. Never did I imagine in Malamutes I would be giving the BCC, let alone BOB to an 11mth old bitch, but when you find the best, it has to be rewarded. Her quality is breath taking. With average luck, I do not think she will wait long for her crown.

JB (1)
1 Kaskae Ooh La La Avec Druxie, see previous.

LB (3,1) Two nice ladies, very different in style.
1 Loades, Snowolf Blackpowder Sizzle, b/w 2.5yrs, well proportioned, pretty head, moderate angles, lovely tail for set and carriage, good feet, tidy out and back and efficient on the go around.
2 Smith, Snowshoes Fancy Ferrari. More substantial lady, attractive head, joyful temperament, bags of enthusiasm, good coat, feet rather round, not quite as tidy on the move.

OB (2)
1 Aitchison & Hurst, Kaskae’s Fire Opal (ai). B/w 3.5yrs, has a very serious expression, perhaps due to her lighter eye, but head is correct in ratios and layout. Very on her toes, could be a touch better in her front angulation to better balance her rear. Correct bone and feet. Good topline, coat of good texture, moves cleanly and with power.
2 Innes, Icycool Ottawa, a tough decision between these two ladies. Another who moves with the required power, just a shade untidy coming at me today which cost her. She has a strong but feminine head, good eye and ear set, good topline, well ribbed, tail well set and carried. Pushed one all the way.

Jenny Shorer-Wheeler