Midland Lhasa Apso Association
Single Breed Open Show
21/02/2010
Judge: Miss A M Cassidy (Exephials)
My thanks to the MLAA members for the opportunity to judge this open show, the venue has now proved well suited for this purpose and I was very well looked after by the committee.
Well done to the exhibitors who arrived despite the horrible driving conditions!
Just a few comments; while there are many attractive exhibits with beautiful outlines, reasonable construction, & acceptable movement; I do feel we are in danger of losing the essence of the breed standard.
There were only a handful of exhibits with truly straight forelegs, & while the front is only one aspect; I found that unsettling.
I also found that there were less exhibits with true fall-away of the skull, many didn’t cleanly fall away behind the outer eye corners and many had more bone development under the eye all of these accompany a more rounded skull, by default this means that eye shape is also affected, and some were wider spaced between the eyes than I would like to see.
Sturdiness doesn’t necessarily come from very heavy bone, a solidly packed shoulder with a highly developed rear isn’t particularly sound & sturdy also infers soundness.
I am concerned that the breed is aiming towards heaviness as an ideal, and some have the shorter leg, front type and general build I would expect to see in a shih-tzu.
On the plus side there were plenty of good shoulders and lovely arch of neck, back ends were in general well angulated & hocks were quite good although not necessarily as straight & parallel as would be ideal.
On presentation; several exhibits had leg hair trimmed very short in back which spoils the flow on the move for me.
Minor Puppy Dog 8 (4 Abs)
1st Waterhouse’s: Chtaura Bend Me Shape Me
Gold, beautiful type and size topped a class of 4 quite different pups.
This exhibitor produces appealing compact dogs, unexaggerated and sound. Attractive head of
sensible width, with good eye & mouth, from ringside looks to elbow out in front, but this is
his coat, should develop into a positive showman.
2nd Lawson’s: Rishlyn Dances With Wolves
G/W Parti with a lovely flow to his balance, pleasing soft head with dark eye, great pigment for his
colour. Beautiful arch to his neckline and admired his strong backend, determined not to show the best of
movement today, one to keep an eye on.
3rd Scholes: Rossgilde Only to Dream
Puppy Dog 4 (2 Abs)
1st Lewis’s: Deelayne Dizee Rascal
2nd McCarthy’s: Hayana Zippidy Zak
Two exhibits of a similar type both up to size in very heavy coats, 1 is a lovely shape &
colour, and of the two had the better front but the 2nd placed dog had the preferable expression for
me, both had admirable mouths – It will be interesting to see how both develop, at the moment preferred
the type & moderation of the Minor Puppy whom I awarded Best Puppy Dog.
Junior Dog 4 (2 Abs)
1st Luscott’s: Jalus Kriss Kross
Gold of very attractive outline & general type. At the moment his head could still develop
to advantage, as his stop is a little more sloped altering the head proportion slightly but I have seen this
often finish beautifully, and his skull is of pleasing width. At present is still a little unco-ordinated on the
move, superbly presented.
2nd Surtees: Katay Magical Wizard
Liked the bone, front & shoulder on this youngster, not as forward in his development as 1 at the
moment and a little erratic on the move, which improved when he reappeared in Novice, should mature
well with more condition to his coat.
Yearling Dog 3
1st Yaxley’s: Dardanelles Wild Basil
This dog bears closer inspection and is not unlike his Champion Sire in style & balance, he has the bone
type I was looking for, a good front and an appealing head with warm dark eye and super flowing
movement. True lift to his tail which is hard to find, keep an eye on him as he matures!
2nd Langford’s: Hazgaye Worth the Wait for Quaytown
This boy has some lovely breed qualities and a typical head, he is of a heavier type than 1 but not over
boned, slightly longer cast, I am sure he will often be highly placed but was a bit heavy footed today.
3rd Luscott’s: Jalus Krystiano
Maiden Dog 1 (Abs)
Novice Dog 1
1st Surtees: Katay Magical Wizard
Post Graduate Dog 7 (3 Abs)
1st Hall’s: Shenedene R U Looking at Me JW
A tricky class to judge, this attractive gold is a nice size and has a good outlook with lovely skull to
muzzle ratio and soft dark eye, ideally although he is big enough, wish part of him consisted of a little
more length of leg, but works well with his handler & his balance is representative of the breed.
All through this class were pleasing shoulders and good arch of neck
2nd Hart’s: Zentarr Elgar of Khazedel
Attractive cream - beautiful outline, good front. A bit narrower all through than I was looking for,
just found 1 had the better build.
3rd Scott’s: Shardlow Ruby Walsh with Wolferlow JW
Limit Dog 6 (2 Abs)
1st Hart’s: Zentarr Warwick of Khazedel ShCM
Glorious type and size, trying his best to throw the class by not moving with the verve I’m sure he
could of. Delightful forehand construction, greatly pleasing head, strongly considered for further
honours, just not quite ready yet.
2nd Cain’s: Kutani Secret Agent
A different type to 1 but with plenty of pleasing attributes,
He has a beautiful head, with very good pigment for his colour and lovely eye shape & shade, carried
himself well, just preferred forehand of 1
3rd Waterhouse’s: Chtaura It Could Be Magic
Open Dog 3 (1 Abs)
A real pleasure to have a further opportunity to go over these two lovely dogs.
1st Lewis’s: Ch Deelayne Zaar too Busy
This boy is just so upstanding, the straightness of limb, and substance I like, masculine head
without coarseness, strong jaw & good bite, lovely outline & super lift to his tail, in superb body
condition & muscletone, Best in Show winner today.
2nd Holland’s: Ch Vaderlands Feel the Force
Also a credit to the breed and a worthy champion, holds himself so proudly.
As with the limit winner felt possibly a little over trimmed at the back, but it didn’t affect his
placing. Called back to challenge for Reserve Best Dog, but his heart wasn’t quite in it today. Sure
he’ll be back on form soon.
Veteran Dog 2 (1 Abs)
1st Scott’s: Wolferlow Merlot
This dog bears out the longevity of the breed, as a youngster viewed ringside he tended to look heavy in
shoulder. When last he came under me, I appreciated his type/construction & head but did find him
too heavy. As a veteran it was pleasantly surprising to see him looking so well balanced and
although didn’t move smoothly at all times, had verve & charisma & his expression is beautifully apso.
Reserve Best Dog/Best Veteran
Minor Puppy Bitch 10 (4 Abs)
As is often the case there were many lovely puppy bitches today.
1st Old’s: Luekiki Elara
Lovely clear cut outline on this youngster, super gold coat, admired her sound construction, the
best overall present, particularly in forehand, excellent mouth, would like a little
more lift to her tail which would just give her that extra edge, but lovely movement, should have a lot of
fun in the ring.
2nd Waterhouse’s: Chtaura Honey Come Back
Another quality girl, a little unsettled compared to 1, when her tail settles will have the lift I was looking
for from the class winner, slightly preferred the eye shape & colour of the first placed girl, but two
lovely exhibits.
3rd Davidson-Jones: Black Satin Lady for Peakajay
Puppy Bitch 4
1st Langford’s: Jamikasoka Hear Say at Quaytown
Very beautiful gold bitch, so nice in type, correct head, eye & mouth – sound body.
Lovely size, nicely matched angles front & rear, well made front giving her typical movement, flagged
a bit towards the end & pushed hard by the MPB but her more complete outline won through, should
have an exciting career. Best Puppy in Show
2nd Young’s: Avonbourne Willow the Wisp
Also a lovely feminine exhibit, beautiful balance. Admired her head, good strong lip & chin. She is sure
to do well, just slightly preferred the forehand construction of 1st. Pipped the lovely 3rd placed girl who
was a bit out of her depth, in maturity against these two.
3rd Waterhouse’s: Chtaura Then I Kissed Her
Junior Bitch 8 (5 Abs)
1st Surtees: Katay Mystique
This gold girl won here on her compact shape, scoring well in depth of chest, front & movement.
She is a shade stronger in head & muzzle but still suitably feminine and typical.
2nd Torrance’s: Sinyul Give Me Love
Pretty girl of the ultra feminine type, preferred the balance & neck of 1, but this girl has nice quality
& pleasing shoulder placement, a shade narrow in front and ultimately preferred the hind action
of the winner.
3rd Yaxley’s: Showa Roxana at Dardanelles
Yearling Bitch 2 (1 Abs)
1st Scarll’s: Timazinti Hope and Dreams
Another having an off day, she wasn’t too happy on the floor or table! Attractive heavier made
girl, being of bigger/longer balance, I liked her soft appealing expression.
Moves with some flashiness when she chooses - just not the strength in topline I would hope for.
Maiden Bitch 3 (1 Abs)
1st Yaxley’s: Showa Roxana at Dardanelles
Unusually coloured girl who has much breed type, liked her head, but could have a little more underjaw.
Preferred her size and composure to the 2nd placed girl. Sympathetically handled and beautifully
presented.
2nd Moorby’s Deelayne Forever Love for Swandown
Much like her litter brother, but for me just too much of her and is hard to assess well as she is so
unruly. Has the straightness of bone I like but then she is a taller exhibit, another one that’s a bit of a
wait & see how it develops maybe?
Novice Bitch 4
1st Surtees: Katay Mystique
2nd Iredale’s: Rienach Lexi at Lianderville
Very nice size ultra feminine g/w parti, warm dark eye, strong chin and thick black lip.
Liked her balance just preferring the front of 1 in this class, similar type to 3, just preferred the skull on
this girl. Should do well when in full bloom.
3rd Torrance’s: Sinyul Give Me Love
Post Graduate Bitch 13 (4 Abs)
Class of the day, spanned the full spectrum of type!
1st Lewis’s: Deelayne Illustrious
Silver sable that has the most exquisite expression; intelligent dark eye, best of pigment.
a little out of coat, but it is of good texture, will do well as she has an abundance of true breed type.
Preferred her skull & expression to 2nd – in the challenge no other came
close to her for Reserve Best Bitch
2nd Shoemark’s: Rossgilde Dream Lady at Luekiki
Lovely gold girl, in super coat, really maturing now. Admire her bone & front, beautifully
presented & handled. She couldn’t quite match the super pigment of 1but moved well, carrying her
outline to advantage today.
3rd Shand-Clarke & Shand-Robinson’s: Zentarr Megan at Shanclar
Limit Bitch 9 (3 Abs)
1st Plumstead’s: Simark Lucy Lockette of Showa
My notes say, “gosh this has improved!” Have judged her before & always liked her type and balance,
but then she was a bit raw in body. Today has filled out in all the right places. Really love
her head and has a super bite, a generally honest & soundly constructed girl – really showing today.
Surprised & delighted to award her Best Bitch & Reserve Best in Show
2nd McCarthy’s: Hayana Miss Georgia
Another quality girl, of taller frame, excellent quality of bone, preferred the skull proportions of 1 who
was also a shade neater in elbow, but she is lovely nonetheless and won this placing with ease – moved
out well.
3rd Hall’s: Dimara Filthy Gorgeous at Shenedene
Open Bitch 7 (5 Abs)
1st Cain & Lock’s: Chic Choix Kutani Charisma
Deservedly has done well as her movement is a delight. Strong sturdy construction.
A bit of an enigma in that on the table her head could be more feminine & a tighter
bite would be advantageous, but once on the floor she comes into her own and taken as a whole piece
she is very feminine! – presented in lovely coat & condition.
2nd Surtees: Rossgilde Thyme to Dream at Katay
Also of quality, looked beautiful stacked and has an attractive head – today just could not match the style
& ring presence of 1.