Kira is
in the Open Bitch class, Odin is in the NZ Bred dog class
and Indra was in the Intermediate bitch class.
Read the
critique from the Cambridge Specialty in April 07
THE GREAT DANE CLUB INCORPORATED
(New Zealand)
Cambridge Saturday 14th.
April 2007
I send my thanks to the Club’s Committee
and its Officers for the honour of inviting me to judge the
show. To the exhibitors for their entries and the sporting
manner in which they accepted my decisions. A special
mention for my very efficient Ring Steward Mrs. Rachel
Williams who made my task much simpler than it might have
been also Show Secretary Blackie Harland for her care and
consideration.
We always have a great time with Dane
folk where ever they may be and our time in New Zealand was
no exception. They made us wonderfully welcome and looked
after us very well. A special thanks go to Club President
Les Clark and wife Carol for taking care of us at their
lovely home after the show.
For us the joy of travelling is the
delight of exploring new places, meeting people and
hopefully making new friends. We feel we accomplished all of
those things during this trip and that has made us
determined to return to the Southern Hemisphere in the not
too distant future.
I enjoy judging very much and I hope that
comes across both whilst I’m in the ring and in conversation
afterwards. The perfect Dane has not been born so what I
look for is one that incorporates the breed
characteristics, is sound in structure,
balanced in shape and clean in outline. Size
and substance are very important but as important is
the elegance of the breed. Simple to describe, as a
judge not always easy to find and as a breeder certainly not
easy to attain.
I’m delighted to say that both here and
in Australia I found the quality much improved since my last
visit in 2000 and in both locations found a number of dogs
that pleased me greatly. Tony Rewston
The show was held in the picturesque
equine town of Cambridge nr. Hamilton on the North Island.
It was held in conjunction with the Cambridge Kennel
Association All Breed Show.
Minor Puppy Dog.
-
Lowe’s Congistador Quo Biggles (AI) 6
months old fawn. Nicely proportioned youngster who was
well grown for his age. Pleasingly balanced head with
correct drop of lip and dark eye. At this stage he looks
a little over done in ear but that will become less
apparent as he grows. Straight front, sound topline and
neat tail set. Should have a bright future. In the Minor
Puppy challenge he lost out to the bitch on maturity and
movement. He moved soundly but was a little softer in
pastern than the bitch and that affected his front
action.
Junior
-
Lowe’s BISS Congistador Orion (AI) A
beautifully developed 16 months fawn that has it all.
Balance, substance, a clean outline and star quality.
Sculptured headpiece with excellent plains, dark mask
and pleasing expression enhanced by a correct ear set.
He has a straight front with strong pasterns and tight
feet. He has depth and width in body and an excellent
rear end with good width in second thigh. I liked him
very much and was delighted to award him BEST DOG. He is
very well grown for his age but in the later BIS
challenge his lack maturity showed and he had to give
best to his DAM, but his time will come. BEST OPPOSITE
SEX AND RESERVE BEST IN SHOW. I learned later that at
the 2006 show he took BIS from the Minor Puppy Class.
Congratulations to all concerned.
-
Crewther’s Dhu Ban Classic Jazz.
Well-marked harlequin that has a head of decent
proportions if a little broad in scull but didn’t have
the substance or balance of the winner. He moved with
enthusiasm but his less than perfect front assembly
seriously affected his movement and in turn his topline.
With maturity and a little more substance to fill his
ample frame his overall balance should improve.
Intermediate Dog.
-
Pollard’s Devon Michellin Man (AI) I
liked this attractive black very much and he did seem
very familiar to me despite never having seen him
before. I learned later that he is a son of the UK black
Dane CC record holder Ch. Berevale Gilpin that I do know
well and have given awards to. He has inherited many of
his Sire’s qualities not least his depth of colour,
excellent clean shape and correct angulation throughout.
He is well balanced, has a rigid topline that he
maintained at all times and he moved like an athlete,
which later won him the best movement award. Later after
some consideration, I also gave him the best head award,
as it is classic in profile if not exactly perfect in
shape. I was also delighted to make him the RESERVE DOG.
NZ Bred Dog
-
Payne’s BIS Congistador Ostentacious.
Clean looking fawn that was not overdone in any way and
was the best mover in the class. His overall balance was
a major factors in this class allied to a nicely
proportioned head and dark eye. His well-boned front is
firm and straight, with cat like feet, a sound topline,
correct tail set and decent rear-end. Nice type.
-
Mulaco’s Monteral Colour Me Blue. As
the name suggests he was a huge blue but despite his
size he also had good balance and his pigmentation was
excellent. He moved with pace and drive, as did all the
exhibits from this kennel, from a well-angulated rear.
He lost out on head to the winner but it was a tight
decision, as I liked them both.
-
Taylor’s BIS/BISS Ch. Alldanes Golden
Zabros. A quality dog and another with an attractive
shape but he didn’t have the bone or physique of the two
ahead of him. Pleasing shape in head if a little broad.
Sound topline, good tail-set and plenty of angulation
but lacked the drive and enthusiasm of 1 and 2 on the
move.
Stud Dog
-
Clarke’s Ch. Lord Adrian Of
Carrington. A powerful fawns with plenty of substance
and well-muscled rear. He is very short coupled and
moved with plenty of drive but the shortness in back
allied to his substance tends to make him look a little
heavy in shoulder and shorter in neck than he really is.
He has a well-proportioned head, dark eye and very neat
ears. I personally found his pigmentation a little
distracting but despite that he has a nice expression.
-
O’Leary’s Charlemange Above
Suspicion. Brindle that pleased me very much standing as
he has a good shape in both head and body. Lots of bone
and plenty of angulation. Sadly his lack of discipline
on the move destroyed all his cohesion, his topline and
his chances.
Veteran Dog
-
Clarke’s Ch. Lord Dante Of
Carrington. Quality 8year old fawn that stood alone but
could hold his own in any company. Balanced outline,
super topline and well turned stifles. He could also
show some of the younger dogs how to move which he did
in some style. Despite now being very white around the
face he has an excellent head, nice eye and neat ears,
which he used to advantage. His front is still straight
and he was well up on his toes. He is a lovely specimen
and in the challenge he put up a good show but had to
give way to younger dogs on the day. I was reminded
later that the last time I was in NZ in 2000 I gave this
dog the Reserve Dog award as a youngster. In addition I
was delighted to be present next day at the all breed
show when he took the breed and later Res. BIS.
Congratulations to one and all.
Open Dog
-
Lowe’s Ch. Willitoft Apache At
Congistador (Imp Aust) Top drawer fawn that looked a
picture and won this class with a bit to spare despite a
slight question mark about his action. Lovely head shape
with lots of length. Clean bodylines, depth and width in
chest and plenty of angulation and width in second
thigh. Held a steady topline with a good tail set and
moved with drive. I liked him a lot and considered him
in the challenge but he lost out on movement. He is the
Sire of the Minor Puppy Dog, Puppy Bitch & Novice Bitch
class winners
-
Taylor’s Ch. Congistador Moose Bumps.
Quality brindle that had a superb shape when standing
with a classic head, lots of neck, a flat topline and
well turned stifles. I liked a lot about him but sadly
he was a little shy to be handled which went against
him. Also his slightly soft condition and the extra
weight he was carrying showed on the move so his
movement suffered but a very nice dog. A read later that
he is a full brother to the BIS bitch. They share a lots
of similar qualities congratulations to the breeder.
-
Crewther’s Quintessa Perian (Imp Aust)
Tall harlequin that was well marked with a clean
background. He has a good head and decent bone but
looked a bit short on substance by comparison to the
first two. In addition he was very loose all around on
the move, which went against him in this kind of
competition.
BEST DOG Lowe’s BISS
Congistador Orion
(AI)
RES. DOG Pollard’s Devon Michellin Man
(AI)
Minor Puppy Bitch.
-
Withers’ Katnyne Flyin Solo At
Lapsewood A pretty 8-month-old fawn with all the
essentials for a bright future. Attractive head,
appealing expression, dark eyes and long clean neck.
Straight front with strong pasterns and up on her toes.
She is a shade long but that didn’t effect her movement
unduly and when she muscles up that will be less
noticeable.
Puppy Bitch
-
Lowe’s Congistador Quality Genes (AI)
Lovely type. I noted that she appeared less mature than
the previous class winner and when checking later
realised she was in fact younger and is the litter
sister to the Minor Puppy Dog winner with whom she
shares many attributes. She is full of quality with an
excellent head, dark points and eyes, plenty of
substance, good front, tight feet and a clean balanced
look. She was just a little timid but moved with lots of
drive. Another with a very bright future.
Novice Bitch
-
Dunn’s Congistador Q Behind Me (AI)
Litter sister to the above and very similar in many
ways. What an excellent litter? Like her sister she is a
little long and was not as settled on the move, which
tended to make her bunch up a little but her action was
good.
Junior Bitch
-
Hubrich’s Alquist Goldie Hawn (AI) I
liked the quality of this bitch very much and expect her
to do some serious winning in the future but in the
challenge she looked immature by comparison to the
eventual winners. She has an outstanding head which,
although not related, reminded me very much of some of
my favourite English bloodlines. She has a lovely
expression, long crested neck and neat expressive ears.
Has a great body shape and enough substance but needs to
let down as she looks a little leggy and that showed in
her movement, which was sound enough but lacked a bit of
drive. Shall watch her progress with interest.
-
Payne’s Congistador Original Sin (AI)
I liked this brindles shape and she too has a pleasing
head. At the moment has better angulation than the
winner but has less substance and was softer in
condition as a result tended to loose her topline on the
move and paddle in front. Another offspring from the BIS
bitch.
-
Hapi’s Crestwell Sweet Sensation.
Mantle that probably moved the best of the three and has
plenty of substance. Unfortunately was still showing the
affects of a recent phantom pregnancy, which spoilt her
outline on the day but a very nice type.
Intermediate Bitch.
-
Conn’s Faondein Notre Precieuse (AI)
This fawn had the edge in size, and substance over the
second and I also preferred her head. Whilst she was a
little down on her pasterns she has a straight front,
more rear angulation and when moving maintained a more
stable topline.
-
Mucalo’s Monteral Designed in Blue.
Small but nicely proportioned blue. Is an excellent
colour, stands four square, has a sound front and a good
action but is narrow in loin and was not sound in
topline. A fact that became even more evident on the
move.
NZ Bred
-
Lowe’s Ch. Congistador Once Only.
Litter sister to the Best Dog with a similar list of
outstanding qualities in head, shape and substance.
Loved her make and type and she has beautiful dark
highlights and eyes. Like her grand Dam the outstanding
Aust’ & NZ Ch. Congistador Jelly Bean that I judged back
in 2000, she is a little long cast but that didn’t
affect her topline in anyway as she moved very freely
and with excellent drive. She is not the biggest bitch
in the World and in the challenge she too looked a
little immature along side her Dam the BIS bitch and the
Open Class winner. However her qualities will ensure
that her turn in the spotlight is not far away.
-
Hubrich’s Alquist Rita Hayward Of Von
Riesenhof (AI) Initially I thought this fawn might win
this class as I liked her style and she is so full of
quality. Whilst she is a big strapping bitch she is
correctly proportioned with a clean outline. She has an
outstanding head, pleasing expression and correct ear
carriage. In addition her topline is solid and she is
well angulated throughout. Sadly the combination of
advancing years and a little extra girth compromised her
movement and she lacked the sparkle and enthusiasm I was
looking for, which was a pity.
-
Hapi & Craig’s Ch. Crestwell Poetry
In Motion. I liked the make and shape of this harlequin.
She is short coupled, has a sound front, a good bend of
stifle, a decent tail set and is well marked. She went
very well in deed but tended to loose her topline on the
move and also looked a little lightweight by comparison
with 1 and 2 but a nice type.
Brood Bitch
-
Lowe’s Ch. Congistador Minnie Moose.
This bitch had everything that I look for in a Great
Dane. That beautiful balance of shape, substance and
elegance. Yes Danes are a head-breed but without those
other qualities the picture is far from complete.
Fortunately this correctly marked brindle also has a
stunning head with a lovely gentle expression, dark eyes
and a wonderful length in neck. Her body is powerful
with plenty of width, depth and substance throughout,
excellent front with plenty of bone, width in second
thigh, strong hocks and excellent angulation all round.
In addition she moved very soundly whilst maintaining an
air of serene calm dignity throughout the whole
proceedings. In short I loved everything about her.
Delighted to award her BEST BITCH and later BEST IN SHOW
over her son.
I learned later of her links to the other
winners here today. She is the Dam of the Best Dog also NZ
Bred Dog & Bitch class winners, which only served to
increase my admiration for her. Congratulations to her
owner/breeders I also noted she is a daughter of Aust’ & NZ
Ch. Congistador Jelly Bean.
Veteran Bitch Absent
Open Bitch
-
Mucalo’s Ch. Monteral Blueberry Tart.
Another quality exhibit from this kennel specializing in
blues. They have achieved an excellent body type and
this was the best yet as in addition to excellent
balance she had size, and substance. She was nicely
proportioned with clean lines, long neck straight front,
tight feet and billiard table topline that she retained
well on the move despite a very powerful action from a
well turned rear. Her head has length and is balanced
but like so many blues is a little broad in back scull,
in her case because of her overall size that didn’t
detract too much but I would have liked a tighter eye.
She won this class on her excellent movement and in the
challenge demonstrated that same high calibre to take
RES. BITCH. Well done.
-
Lowe’s BIS/BISS Congistador Lilly
Bean. I shall forgo making any comment about this top of
the tree bitch as her qualities and titles speak for
themselves. As a seven year old, on the day she
exercised her right to show a complete lack of interest
in moving and had to pay the price.
She is the Dam of the Minor Puppy Dog,
Puppy Bitch & Novice class winners
BEST BITCH
Lowe’s Ch. Congistador Minnie Moose
RES. BITCH
Mucalo’s Ch. Monteral Blueberry Tart
BEST IN SHOW
Lowe’s Ch. Congistador Minnie Moose
RESERVE BEST IN SHOW & BEST OPPOSITE SEX
Lowe’s BISS Congistador Orion (AI )
STAKES CLASSES
Speyed Bitch
-
Lady Arden Of Carrington. Very sorry
no notes available.
Progeny
-
Ch. Congistador Minnie Moose
-
BIS/BISS Congistador Lilly Bean
BEST OF CLASSES
MINOR PUPPY
Withers’ Katnyne Flyin Solo At Lapsewood
PUPPY
Lowe’s Congistador Quality Genes (AI)
Novice
Dunn’s Congistador Q Behind Me (AI
JUNIOR
BISS Congistador Orion (AI)
INTERMEDIATE
Pollard’s Devon Michellin Man (AI)
NZ. BRED
Payne’s BIS Congistador Ostentacious
Stud Dog
Clarke’s Ch. Lord Adrian Of Carrington
Brood
Bitch
Lowe’s Ch. Congistador Minnie Moose
Best
Veteran
Clarke’s Ch. Lord Dante Of Carrington
OPEN
Mucalo’s Ch. Monteral Blueberry Tart
Colour Classes judged on colour only
BEST FAWN COLOUR - O’Leary’s Charlemange
Big Spender
BEST BLACK COLOUR - Pollard’s Devon
Michellin Man (AI)
BEST BLUE COLOUR - Mucalo’s Ch. Monteral
Blueberry Tart
BEST BRINDLE COLOUR - Taylor’s Ch.
Congistador Moose Bumps
BEST HARLEQUIN COLOUR - Hapi & Craig’s
Ch. Crestwell Poetry In Motion
BEST MANTLE COLOUR - Hapi’s Crestwell
Sweet Sensation
BEST DOG’S HEAD - Pollard’s Devon
Michellin Man (AI)
BEST BITCH’S HEAD - Hubrich’s Alquist
Goldie Hawn (AI)
BEST MOVER - Pollard’s Devon Michellin
Man (AI)
BEST LADY HANDLER - Paula Pollard
Best
Gentleman handler - Les Clark
BEST IMPORTED - Lowe’s Ch. Willitoft
Apache At Congistador (Australia)
