Not the biggest of entries, but I have to say the quality was generally excellent. Since last judging the breed just over two years ago back in 2017 I have noticed a bit of a trend towards trimming and excessive grooming (though not, I must emphasise, particularly in evidence today) which is unnecessary and makes it difficult to assess coat quality. The Malamute is a primitive working breed and should be shown as it is worked: Au Naturale. Rather more disturbing is the belief in some quarters that narrow or wedge-shaped heads are correct (again, thankfully, not particularly in evidence today). They are not. The standard is quite specific in this: “Head broad, powerful, not coarse, in proportion to size of dog” “Skull broad between ears” and “Muzzle large in proportion to size of skull, scarcely diminishing in width or depth from stop”.
Sadly, both puppies entered were absent, so nothing to go through to the puppy group, which is a shame. I love to see the young dogs in the ring strutting their stuff and learning the ropes, and then watching them mature over the years. And I know there are puppies out there, but, as they say, you have to be in it to win it!

Junior Dog (2 entries, 1 absent)
1st. Page’s Snow Legend Believe In You Cedarcreek JW (RUS IMP). 13 months old and of good proportions, adequate bone, well muscled and a good, harsh coat. Nice head with good ears and eyes and a nice deep muzzle. Correct depth of chest, good topline leading to a splendid wavy plume. Stood square and moved well.

Limit Dog (2 entries, 0 absent)
1st. Woodhead’s Noraisy Take My Breath Away JW. A handsome 2 year old with good substance and bone. Nice head with pleasing ears, sound topline with a good set to tail which waved nicely. Good deep chest, correct angulation and in nice coat. Stood square and moved soundly with purpose..
2nd. Cameron’s Sutarka Fire Storm. Another 2 year old, and one that I judged as a puppy. Nice to see him maturing, though he has more to do, but there’s plenty of time. A really nice head and expression with lovely dark, correctly shaped eyes. Great tail. A little lighter in structure than 1st, but well muscled and moved well when settled.

Open Dog (2 entries, 0 absent)
1st. Edwards & Molloy’s Wintablizard’s Investment (AI). I judged this 3 year old a couple of years ago and indicated my expectations then with the reserve CC, and I am delighted that he has lived up to them. Great substance with plenty of bone and a head to die for, this boy is exactly what a Malamute should be. Correct topline, leading to a well set and carried plume. Good angulation. Stood square and moved powerfully, sparkling just at the right moment to take a well deserved DCC, his third, and BoB.
2nd. Cameron’s Icewolf I’ll Be Back. 6 year old. Another dog that I have admired for some time and he certainly gave both my winners a run for their money today. Nice head with a good set to ears and eyes. In good coat which was nice and harsh. Great bone with good proportions. He moved well, covering the ground with ease and purpose.

Veteran Dog (1 entry, 0 absent)
1st. Wolfe’s Ch Hawkeye Polarni Usvit (IMP CZE). A very handsome 8 year old with a great head, good ears and lovely dark eyes. Excellent bone and proportions. Correct topline and tail, lovely harsh coat. Very well muscled, he moved effortlessly with great power. RDCC and a very strong contender for the top spot.

Junior Bitch (4 entries, 0 absent)
1st. Mogg’s Skidooshooz Time To Shine (AI). Pretty 15 month old with good ears and lovely dark eyes. Well proportioned with enough bone for her size. Nice coat and lovely wavy plume. Moved well.
2nd. Dobson & Wolfe’s Dreamwolves Ma Lil’Cushla. A very happy 15 month old with a striking head and lovely alert expression. Nice harsh coat and adequate bone. Stood square and moved well.
3rd. Horsman & Horsman-Phoenix’s Snow Legend Be My Lucky Nordicwinds JW (IMP RUS).

Post Graduate Bitch (1 entry, 0 absent)
1st. Perfitt’s Samjoe’s The One And Only. Pretty 23 month old girl with lovely dark eyes and still some maturing to do. Good topline leading to a nice well set and carried tail. Stood nicely square on the free stand and moved well.

Limit Bitch (5 entries, 1 absent)
1st. Wolfe’s Dreamwolves C’est La Vie. Lovely solid yet feminine 5 year old with dark eyes and nicely set ears. Great front and excellent all round proportions with plenty of bone and abundant muscle. Good topline and tail. Stood solid and moved beautifully. RBCC.
2nd. Perfitt’s Samjoe The Dream Lives On (AI). A well put together 2 year old and another that I judged as a puppy. Nice to see her maturing well. Pretty head with good dark eyes and nice ears. Deep chest, good topline and tail and enough bone for her size. Her sound structure was emphasised by her square stance on the free stand. Moved OK.

Open Bitch (9 entries, 3 absent)
1st. Edwards & Molloy’s Multi Ch Koolrunnings Plymouth Gin JW (IMP AUS). So many Malamutes that I’ve judged before coming back to see me again, and I was delighted to see this lovely 6 year old once more. I was even more delighted that, on this occasion, she showed her true self and performed as I know she can. A good solid, well put together girl, with a lovely feminine head and expression. Correct proportions and angulation, mirrored by her good square stance. Plenty of bone and plenty of muscle and a nice harsh coat. Moved with drive and purpose. BCC.
2nd. Wheeler’s Northspirit A Star Is Born. Another lovely 6 year old with great proportions and plenty of bone. Pretty head with nice feminine expression, good front, well-held correct topline and nice natural square stance. Moved effortlessly with purpose and power.

Good Citizen Bitch (1 entry, 0 absent)
1st. Perfitt’s Samjoe’s The One And Only (as Post Graduate Bitch).

Judge: Mike John.