2017 Champ Show Judge's Critique

2017 Championship Show - Judges Critique

Judge: Mr Geoff Love
(Wyldchase Kennels - South Australia)

Whippet Club of Queensland Championship Show
12th August, 2017

... Overview ...

I thank the Queensland Whippet Club for the opportunity to judge their August Specialty.  I enjoyed the assignment and was pleased to find so much quality through the classes.

Personal preference of course influenced my decisions.  My emphasis on a well laid shoulder and good length over the croup was the main factor in many of my decisions.  These are structural elements that I feel need to be addressed in every breeding/selection program.

Some exciting lines and strong bitches in the breed will ensure exciting ventures in the future.


Geoff Love (Wyldchase Kennels, South Australia)


... My Class Critiques ...

Minor Puppy Dog Class (2 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – BUNDOON SUMMER ROMANCE – Type good, moves around ring with balance, still immature and loses his shape slightly on the move, shoulders could be better laid. My Opposite Minor Puppy In Show

2nd Place – GRAU BO JEST – Once again good type, slightly straighter in angulation to 1st dog I would like more length over croup and a tighter elbow.

Puppy Dog Class (2 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – SHAWTHING IM A LUIGI (AI) – A youngster with great scope, as he drops into himself his whole outline will change, balanced in fore and aft angulations.  My Opposite Puppy In Show

2nd Place – BONNYMEAD BAILEYS ON ICE (AI) – Great size, in excellent condition. A little straighter in shoulder and shorter in croup compared to 1st place dog.

Junior Dog Class (6 entered/1 absent)

1st Place – PIAFFE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (AI) – Quality, Excellent type and I loved his overall length especially over the croup.  Clean and flowing lines, at times he tended to throw himself too far forward but when more relaxed he was fine.  Only a youngster that has the frame and structure that will allow him to develop into a great adult male.  Held his shape on the move with the correct top line.  My Dog Challenge and Runner Up Best In Show and Junior In Show

2nd Place – BONNYMEAD FROZEN IN TIME (AI) – Excellent in type, good depth and shoulder well angled.  Lost out to 1st place on his shape on the move, tending to flatten out.

3rd Place – ALLTALK STRIKE ME LUCKY – Shown in excellent condition, good size and moved well.  Shorter in stance and croup than my 1st and 2nd placings.

Intermediate Dog Class (4 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – RIDGESETTER RHYTHM OF THE RAIN – Type good, clean mover straighter in fore and aft angulation than I like, in top condition. My Opposite Intermediate In Show

2nd Place – CH LYSNAGAH JAMESON –  A nice sized dog but a bit heavier through than I would like, would prefer more length in croup and elegance.

3rd Place – ALARVES WHAM BAM THANK U MAAM – In lovely condition, moved well would prefer more angulation in front and a finer cleaner shoulder.

Australian Bred Dog Class (6 entered/1 absent)

1st Place – CH ASLAN SWEDE PATIENCE REWARDED (AI) – Clean correct Whippet type, flows well with smooth flowing lines, holds his shape well on the stack and on the move.  Great size -  My Reserve Dog Challenge and Opposite Australian Bred In Show

2nd Place – CH PIAFFE TREE OF MAN – Well constructed front with a nice flow through his underline, slightly shorter in croup to 1st place Dog.

3rd Place – CALAHORRA ONCE IN A BLUE MOON – A clean outline, a slightly shorter stance and straighter shoulder than 1st and 2nd placings.

Open Dog Class (6 Entered/0 absent)

1st Place – CH TWYBORN INNOCENSE (IMP SWE) – Excellent type and size holds his shape well on the move, pressed hard for Dog Challenge.  My Opposite Open In Show

2nd Place – CH ELMARO HARD ACT TO FOLLOW – Nice flowing lines, good length and moved around the ring with purpose.  Would prefer a better laid shoulder

3rd Place – SUP CH SHENACE WYLD ABOUT YA (IMP NZ) – Nice size, moved around the ring with purpose but preferred the side gait of 1st and 2nd placed dogs.

Veteran Dog Class (2 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – CH TWYBORN FLAM BEAU (IMP SWE) – Excellent type, good flowing lines but would prefer more front fill.  My Best Veteran In Show

2nd Place – SUP CH SHENACE ALL IN AT HOWARTH (IMP NZ) – Good size, moved around well, would prefer a better laid shoulder.

Baby Puppy Bitch Class (3 entered/1 absent)

1st Place – MCHUMBA PEPPERMINT PATTY – Shapely baby, nice flow through the body, a little hard to assess as she was very unsettled on the move.  Good overall balance and type. My Baby Puppy In Show

2nd Place – PRESSAGE NANCY – Nice flow, her height/length ratio not as good as 1st placegetter, also not so good coming at you on the move.

Minor Puppy Bitch Class (4 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – SHAWTHING AVE MARIA (AI) – Nice type, excellent flowing lines, well laid shoulder with a good underline.  Moved soundly.  My Minor Puppy In Show

2nd Place – TAEJAAN LOVE ACTUALLY – Another typey bitch, at the moment a little tall for her length, covered ground well.

3rd Place – BUNDOON INDIAN SUMMER – Not quite the flow of the 1st and 2nd placings, needs to drop into herself. Nice type and flow.

Puppy Bitch Class (4 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – SHAWTHING THAS THWAY I LIKE IT – Excellent flowing lines, correct length standing over plenty of ground, moved smoothly.  Could do with a little more front fill but this should come with maturity. Lovely length of croup.  My Puppy In Show

2nd Place – ARCON OUT OF THE BLUE (IMP NZ) – Another bitch with good flowing lines and moved out well.  Could do with a little more shape on the move.

3rd Place – GEMRIDGE SWEET DESIGN – Good type, size excellent.  Moved well, lacked the front angulation/front fill that I wanted.

Junior Bitch Class (3 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – PIAFFE COLLATERAL BEAUTY (AI) – Quality bitch with flowing lines, good length over the croup and nice follow through of underline.  Well angled, stood over a lot of ground.  My Opposite Junior In Show

2nd Place - JEULIZE JOYABLE – Well balanced with good length over croup, nicely angled hindquarters but a little forward set in shoulder.

3rd Place - ALARVES CHASING RAINBOWS – Long flowing lines, moved around the ring with purpose, top line not completely to my liking with rise in the centre of the back.

Intermediate Bitch Class (9 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – OZRHODE CELTIC SIMPLY WICKED – As soon as this bitch entered the ring she filled my eye.  Balanced, great size, a series of pleasing curves.  When she moved her foot fall and shape were excellent.  Sound out and back with good low side gait.  My Bitch Challenge and Best In Specialty Show Winner.

2nd Place - ALARVES ROYAL ENCOUNTER – A quality bitch, long flowing lines.  Covered the ground well, slightly straighter in front construction than the winner.  Sound out and back.

3rd Place - CH ELMARO HEY LITTLE GIRL – Nice size bitch, smooth with pleasing lines, would prefer a better laid shoulder.  Sound out and back.

Australian Bred Bitch Class (12 entered/0 absent)

1st Place - CH PIAFFE BERTANA – Great type, scopey, the length of croup that I prefer.  She flowed with balanced angulation, on the move she was effortless.  Pressed hard for Bitch Challenge and Reserve Bitch Challenge. My Australian Bred In Show

2nd Place – CH SHAWTHING THATZA SPARKLA – Well balanced bitch, nice flow through the neck and well set in the hindquarters.  Moved well, lost out to 1st placegetter on size and a little bit too much substance for me.

3rd Place – JEULIZE MARGARET SHANNON -  Quality bitch, well balanced fore and aft angulation.  Lost out to 1st and 2nd placings on a little too much length through the overall body structure.  Sound mover.

Open Bitch Class (8 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – SUP CH SHAWTHING ALL THAT JAZZ – Sound moving bitch, covered ground effortlessly.  Good length over croup and well let into hock.  Nice underline, lost out to the Challenge Bitch on upper arm construction, a little straighter than I prefer. My Reserve Bitch Challenge and Best Open In Show

2nd Place – CH RYEFORD MY IMMORTAL – Quality bitch, nice flowing lines, moved soundly up and back and around the ring.  I felt that she dropped her croup on the move, this was the deciding factor between 1st and 2nd placings.

3rd Place – CH RIDGESETTER FOLLOW THE DREAM – Another quality bitch, a willing sound mover covering ground with ease.  Her shorter steeper croup let her down moving and standing.

Veteran Bitch Class (3 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – CH SHALIQUE JEE NIE IN A BOTTLE – Balanced, sound mover, very shapely.  In excellent condition.  My Opposite Veteran In Show

2nd Place – CH ASLAN MY CHERIE AMOUR – Lovely type of bitch, at this age a little over exaggerated in top line and has lost her flexibility on the move.

3rd Place – CH CHESHUNT CREME TEQUILA – Good length standing over plenty of ground, a little straighter in shoulder than I prefer.

Neuter Bitch Class (6 entered/0 absent)

1st Place – CH ASLAND DOES IT FOR IREWA – Balanced, moved soundly.  Could have a better angled front. My Best Neuter In Show

2nd Place – CH ASLAN CLAD IN BLACK – Smaller, finer bitch.  Slightly cramped in stance compared to 1st placegetter. My Runner Up Neuter In Show

3rd Place – CH PRESSAGE DHARMA – Nice size, moved around the ring soundly.  Lost out to 1st and 2nd placings on her straighter front construction.