North of England Dalmatian Club Championship Show - Critique

April 5th 2026

I would like to thank the Club members of the NEDC for electing me to judge this prestigious show although it has been a long time to occur due to the change from two judges to one. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors who entered and attended and were so sporting in the ring and to commiserate with those who could not attend due to Storm Dave. I had a good entry of 184/221 dogs.

A very appreciative thank you to my extremely efficient and competent Stewards Diane Dinsdale and Hazel Chance for their sterling work, it is not easy to steward so effectively when there is another breed club show taking place at the same time.

I am making some general comments and I hope this will be taken as constructive criticism on the overall quality of the entry on the day. I was delighted with my final winners who were today’s cream of the crop and the many other lovely exhibits in my two quality breed typical line ups who pushed hard for top honours: correct conformation and movement, excellent temperaments and in good muscular condition, very typey – carriage dogs with a correct bite. There is a variety of size and type whereas a moderate, happy, well constructed free moving dog is what I was looking for. However, some classes contained a lack of depth of quality - this is a huge change since my last judging appointment. There are many factors contributing to this but most importantly breeders must take responsibility for improving the overall quality in the breed. For many years competent judges have commented on the continuing issues of poor fronts and high tails which remain a huge issue in the breed and now we are seeing some untypical heads.

There were some incidences of the dreaded Dally Rash which we all know about but there is the ongoing solvable issue of dirty dogs being presented.

For many years I have commented on examining dirty dogs. Dalmatians benefit from a wipe down with a damp cloth and clean bedding. They do not need persistent bathing which we acknowledge can cause more skin issues. Nails were another issue, incorrectly trimmed nails lead to foot problems.

Some exhibitors may have wondered why they were moved as much as they were, but this is an endurance breed and therefore must be constructed soundly and correctly to do the job. Sometimes movement was difficult as assess as handlers did not move in a straight line or the dog lacked schooling and please remember fast movement doesn’t mean better movement.

Finally I hope all exhibitors regardless of their wins or lack of, realise the results reflect ‘the dog on the day’ and everyone took the ‘best’ dog home!


Sp Junior Veteran Dog (7,1)
1. Green & Sears Alphadal Aint Misbehaving at Judally JW
Lovely elegant sound liver dog with correct shoulders, deep chest, excellent turn of stifle and good proportions throughout. Attractive head and gentle expression, beautifully handled and moves with ease keeping a level topline. Never seems to age and has greatly matured in the past couple fo years.. A lovely sound dog oozing quality who was unlucky to meet todays final competition BVD.
2. Kembrey’s O’Malley Des Dalmats de la Pierre Sacree at Dalmark. Attractive liver spotted seven year old male. Good overall make and shape, smaller frame and shorter coupled than than one but nonetheless plenty of bone and substance. Correct in all departments and moved out well just preferred 1
3. Richardson’s Ch Mapplewell Pocket Rocket

Sp Veteran Dog (2)
1. Goodwen & Goodswen’s Ch Alphadal’s King of Angels Sh C , VW. Another good example of a veteran from the Alphadal kennel, well constructed, black spotted with deep pigmentation good overall make and shape with deep brisket and tuck up, sound rear with well let down hocks and good sound feet mean he moves with drive and moved round the ring with ease.
2 Marley & Libbey’s Bellli’s D’amore de Loin Another black black spotted attractive overall outline, a very happy dog and enjoying his day out. More compact than one but nonetheless a pleasing dog. Just preferred 1 today

Baby Puppy Dog or Bitch (3)
A pleasure to go over these happy and outgoing baby pups!
1. Short’s Winflash Jacquemus at Zakaytia. Very attractive, delightful, happy black spotted four month old puppy, just as he should be ! Still very much a baby, nicely put together, plenty of bone and beautifully decorated. Will watch his progress with interest. BBPIS
2. Christies Sophtspot Extra Spicey
Five month old liver decorated puppy with deep liver pigmentation and good dark eye, well put together with good feet. He is at that ‘leggier’ stage and very developmental but full of personality. Needs more time. Both pups very happy but 2 did not move as well as one today.
. 3. Hobbs & Whiting’s Rapanooey Portia’s Reverie

Minor Puppy Dog (4)
1. Locke-McFadzean’s Winflash Fifth Avenue over Sassafras. Eight month old black with with clear coat and deep pigmentation. Lovely overall outline with good rear angles and good feet. Attractive head and dark eyes. Moved out well and showed to his full potential for one so young.
2 Websters’s Tamilanda Bright Star for Dalmarno
Another happy black spotted puppy with deep pigmentation, nice outline with good feet again. Leggier than one as he is still at a very developmental stage. Needs more time and did not move out as well as 1.
3.Richards Hafwenna Big Tea Party

Puppy Dog (6,1)
Two exceptionally promising litter puppy brothers.
1. Reide-West’s Jemblewood Northern Stork. Nine month old Liver spotted puppy, but mature for his age. He is beautifully decorated and has a beautiful head with a kind expression. Overall confirmation for one so young is outstanding with correct front, deep capacious chest and good turn of stifle with correct tail set and correct feet. On the move he keeps a level topline and has a steady purposeful movement. Handled beautifully and at the correct speed, I could not deny this promising youngster RCC, BP and BSBIS. I wish him well for the future and will follow his progress with great interest.
2. Brooks & DeRozario’s Jemblewood Resolute Stork. Black spotted litter brother to 1. Another promising puppy sharing some of the deep qualities of his brother. Decorated with deep pigmentation, lovely outline, moves out well, very much more developmental and in need of time to develop to his full potential - another one to watch.
3. Noble’s Silence of the Jams

Junior Dog (6,2)
Some lovely youngsters
1. Clement & Marley’s A Spottified Young Forseti for Perditas’s.(Imp B)
Very attractive typey just a year old – nicely decorated liver youngster of correct size with correct outline and attractive head. Correct front, level topline, well let down hocks and good tailset. Lovely coat, markings and condition. Moved beautifully with his handler and kept a firm topline exhibiting good reach and drive.
2 Cattermole & Richards Anima Cordis Man in the Mirror for Kalvadene for Hafwenna. (imp Pol)
Another liver male, more mature than 1. Good make and shape and slightly longer in the loin than one but nonetheless balanced throughout with good depth of brisket. Front and rear angulation are sound. Attractively marked, pleasing head and dark eye. Attentive to his handler and moved well with good reach and drive but just preferred 1’s overall picture today.
3. Crofts Mapplewell Rolex with Koroyza

Yearling Dog (8)
1 Corcoran & Howard Riddle’s Shydally Star Gazer Extremely attractive upstanding densely black decorated dog with good overall balance and a level top line both standing and on the move. His profile illustrates his deep brisket with good tuck up and good turn of stifle and correct tail set. Correct dark eye and attractive head. Not over done in any way he moved moved effortlessly around the ring. Must do well.
2 Cattermole & Richards Anima Cordis Man in the Mirror for Kalvadene for Hafwenna (imp Pol)
3. Alexanders Offordale Belvedere

Novice Dog (8,2)
1. Brooks & DeRozario’s Jemblewood Resolute Stork
2. Noble’s Silence of the Jams. Eleven month old back puppy with dark pigment and plain face but nonetheless attractive head. Very developmental but appears to have a good overall outline with level topline. He was very playful today and extremely difficult to assess until I finally glimpsed a little of his movement.

Graduate Dog (7,1)
1. Cattermole & Richards Anima Cordis Man in the Mirror for Kalvadene
2.Richardson & Richardson’s Portunes St Jimmy at Exayeex JW
Attractively spotted liver male of correct size and correct overall make and shape. Keeps his profile standing and moving. Much to like about him but he needs more time to mature.
3.Dewcrofts Joubello Heaven Sent

Post Graduate Dog (8,1)
1. Hobbs & Whiting Jubello Freedom with Rapanooey. Heavier decorated black spotted with dark eye, well balanced and moved well. Very happy disposition moved with drive and covered the ring easily
2. Barry & Goddard ‘s Dalberry That Boy is Mine. Shorter coupled, liver spotted with an attractive head and good eye colour. Good make and shape and moved out well, preferred 1 overall.
3.Watts Jaxondal Rocket Man

Mid Limit Dog (6,2)
1 Warren’s Hafwenna Gulping Pixies
Black spotted lightly decorated male with pleasing outline, with a level topline and length of loin, good rear angulation, and drove round the ring well.
2. Quayles Cubalibre Sirius Celeste
Another black another pleasing dog with attractive outline, appropriate depth of chest and length of tail, showed really well and moved fine just preferred number one on movement today

Limit Dog (16, 3)
1 Crookes and Crookes, Dalberry the Starburst
Mature dog with liver decoration and a pleasing head and kind eye. Good overall outline and rear anglulation Happy disposition, beautifully handled and moved round the ring with good drive. Can do the job
2 Moss’s Sadiedel Let Your Heart Decide JW
Elegant and attractive black spotted in peak condition, lighter frame than 1 but nonetheless well put together. Moved well. Nothing over done just preferred 1. BBD
3. Whincup’s Tamilanda Vintage Gold JW

Open Dog (8,4)
1 Hobbs & Whiting Rapanooey Ranuculus
Well, this was a surprise! This moderate mature sound liver spotted dog has quality throughout with good pigmentation and attractive decoration but really needs to be gone over to appreciate the depth of his qualities. His overall make and shape fits the standard and is in no way exaggerated. He moves with reach and drive and covers the ground effortlessly and purposefully. He has a very attractive head and kind dark eyes. Correct front assembly with good depth of chest and appropriate tuck up leading to correct tail set. Good turn of stifle and correct cat feet.
Somehow he does not project his full potential however his handler got the very best out of him today and I was delighted to award him the Dog CC BOS BLD
2. Van Den Eijndens Playful Spots Dancing Poppy
Young black heavily decorated dog with deep pigment and a spotty tail of just less than two years. Attractive head and dark eye and of good size. Well put together with deep chest and good rear angles but somewhat overloaded on the shoulder. Moved well and never stopped showing but preferred 1.
3. Crofts Sophtspot Midas Touch for Koroyza

Champ Dog (2,2)

Spec Beg Dog (8)
A very difficult class to judge with varying types, quality and age but 1 stood out exuding type and quality above the rest.
1. Reide-West’s Jemblewood Northern Stork
2. Warren Hafwenna Gulping Pixies
3.Talbot’s Indysdream Summersknight

Sp Junior Veteran Bitch (12, 1)
Some lovely veterans in both classes
1.Gardner’s Ch. Dvojica Chilli Chutney for Wrendragge JW. Now aged 9, I’m re using my critique some seven years later from Crufts 2019. She has maintained all her qualities throughout her star studded show career.
‘Lovely liver spotted stylish with good sound construction, good bone and feet and overall angulation, nice head and kind expression. Good overall profile with a good topline, standing and on the move. In tip top condition…one I have always loved’. BVB BVIS
2. Dvojica Countess VW – litter sister to 1 and so very alike and so much to like. Another charming top quality liver spotted bitch, lovely head and kind demeanour. Soundly constructed and with appropriate angles throughout, just not quite the same power on the move as her sister

Sp Veteran Bitch (6, 1)
1. Jenkins & Ridgway’s Luccombe Strawberry Kisses VW
Ten year old black spotted feminine bitch in excellent muscular condition which belies her age. Lovely topline and angles, correct cat feet, attractive head and dark eye with kind expression. Happy disposition and moved soundly around the ring.
2 Cuthberton’s Ch Ellemstra Little Mix with Kalsidoni
Another black densely pigmented ten year old, again in excellent condition shorter coupled than 1 but a lovely profile and good angles. Moved with drive, just preferred 1 today
3. Hartley’s Creaganbrec Glory Be at Miragua

Minor Puppy Bitch (5, 2)
Both developmental and with promise.
1 Quayle & Beaumont’s Cubralibre Triple Hazy
Another attractive and promising black bitch from this kennel. At nine months she has a good bone, correct top-line with good front and rear angulation and good tailset. Moved well with her handler with appropriate reach and drive – one to watch
2 Page, Page,Page & Howell’s Winflash Coco by Chanel.
Another nine month old with a very happy disposition black with dense pigmentation. As 1, she has good angles and correct top line. Handled and moved well and loving her day out- just preferred 1 today. Very promising
3. Richards Hafenna Defying Gravity

Puppy Bitch (9,4)
1. Quayle & Beaumont’s Cubralibre Triple Hazy
2. Newton’s Salvadorada Light it Up for Chizzmic
Just approaching her first birthday and more mature than 1 and shorter coupled 1.Liver spotted with good colour. Nice head and overall make and shape with good rear angles. Moves with drive but needs to keep her feet on the ground!
3. Hardy’s Mountsorrel Moonstruck

Junior Bitch (8, 2)
Two promising bitches
1 Haywood-Ridgway & Jenkins Sophtspot with Style at Luccombe
At just over a year she is quite mature and has an attractive head with dark eye and intense black spotting. Good overall profile with good bend of stifle, good balanced proportions throughout. Slightly longer cast, moves out well and keeps a level topline on the move. BPB
2 Richardson’s Mapplewell Queen Bee
Another black fourteen months old. Smaller cobbier, shorter in the loin; sound make and shape with good bone and well defined rear. Deep chest and good tuck up. Moves with a power and makes a lovely profile on the stand. Preferred 1 today but these two could easily change places.
3. Christie’s Sophtspot Wild Child

Yearling Bitch (6,1)
1 Richards Arthica You’ll be in my Heart at Haffwenna
Attractive liver 22 month old bitch with pleasing proportions, good front and rear angles, deep chest and sound front assembly. Lovely liver marking and attractive typey head. Moved beautifully and so much to like about her – bright future
2 Howard- Riddle’s Shydally Stars Alligned JW
Black 23 month old with deep pigmentation and sound construction. Nice deep chest with good spring of rib. Shorter in the loin than one. Nothing over done and moved out well. 1 stood out on movement today
3. Towsons & Pardoe’s Olilou Dancing Queen at Daymadals

Novice Bitch (9,4)
1. Newton’s Salvadorada Light it Up for Chizzmic
2 Hughes Carodal Camino De Santiago
13 month old Liver with dense spotting on a clear coat. Still maturing she was a little difficult to settle; needs time
3. Carrington Caprilli Remember Me

Graduate Bitch (7, 1)
1 Scott & Scott’ Sophtspot Whirwind
Lovely quality black decorated typey youngster with dense pigmentation and whitest of coats. Feminine and elegant with good bone and substance, but moderate throughout. Good front and rear angles, correct feet - balanced throughout and in peak condition. Moved with drive and aplomb - has a very promising future. BBB
2. Collier & Alexander’s Offordale Jazz
Another quality black. Less decoration than one but again a beautifully balanced and attractive bitch. Handled to show off her many virtues and moved correctly with excellent reach and drive keeping a level topline.. Correct feet. Another with an equally promising future, just preferred 1 today
3.Vocking’s Portunes Whatsername

Post Graduate Bitch (7, 1)
1 Tingey & Tingeys’s Dallyador White Magnolia JW
A lovely liver slightly larger frame than some but nonetheless quality, balanced and sound. Lovely head with dark eye and kind expression. Good side profile with level topline which she maintains on the move. In tip top muscular condition she moved with economically good reach and drive.
2 Kembreys Dalmark Banana-Rama
Mature liver decorated bitch, different type, cobbier than one with overall attractive profile and moved well but carrying too much weight over the shoulders today.
3 Jenkins & Ridgeway Luccombe Strawberry Ripple

Mid Limit Bitch (14, 2)
1. Quayle’s Cubralibre Star Attraction
Elegant Liver spotted, with lovely head leading into level topline. Slightly longer in the loin with good angles and deep chest with appropriate tuck up. In fine muscular condition, moved out straight and true.
2. Alcock’s Kayjule Amber Lady at Dalspartan
Lovely liver bitch, heavier type than one but nonetheless feminine and attractive. Good bone, make and shape throughout, correct topline, deep chest and sound and balanced on the move. Just preferred 1
3 Vockings Bellehoud Tipple at Portunes JW

Limit Bitch (16, 5)
Two delightful litter sisters in one of the largest bitch classes -a very strong class.
1. Hughes Carodal Coast to Coast
Lovely evenly marked rich liver decorated substantial but none the less feminine bitch with attractive head with amber eyes and correct front assembly. Lovely profile standing and balanced all through and moved with drive, could do the job of a carriage dog.
2. Tysterman & Tysterman’s Carodal Jacobs Ladder.
Litter sister to 1 but is marginally longer in the loin. All of the above quality attributes apply to this bitch and it was a close call between them both but preferred 1 on movement today
3. Goodswen’s Alphadal Royal Rainbow

Open Bitch (8, 2)
1 Van Den Eijndens & Bel, Boz & H Ch Playful Spots Dancing Pink Magnolia
What a beautiful quality bitch just rising two years. Demanded attention from the moment she set foot in the ring. Nicely decorated liver, moderate with correct size and lovely profile. Lovely head and kind attentive expression, dark eye leading to a correct front. She has excellent angles front and rear, nothing over done in any way with good depth of chest and heart room, Her level topline is lovely standing and maintained on the move with correct reach and drive. Has the effortless movement that is required of a carriage dog – such a happy girl -I could not deny her the BCC and BIS – she will gain her crown!
2 Ch Dallydyl Code Breaker JW
Have always admired this beautifully put together feminine bitch. Lovely size, correct colour and a profile that shows off her considerable assets. Extremely attractive head and lovely amber eyes with excellent front and rear angulation which leads to sound and correct reach and drive. So much to like about her and such a shame to meet 1 today.
3. Kroes & Van Kamppen’s Lictenbelt’s Summer Breeze

Champ Bitch (4,1)
A lovely class
1 Quayles’ Ch Cubalibra Wishing Star JW
Nicely balanced bitch with very attractive rich liver colour decoration with a lovely outline and overall make and shape. Attractive head and appealing expression. Lovely side profile with good front and rear angles, deep chest and excellent spring of rib with good tuck up. In tip top condition. An overall lovely and quality bitch who moves effortlessly across the ring with good reach and drive. Pushed hard for top honours RCC RBIS
2. Ch, Ir Ch Sophspot La De Da at Belsmard Sh Ch2
A black spotted bitch that I have always liked, different type to 1. Now she has matured and really gave her best, but was unlucky to meet 1. Lighter marked but deep pigmented black spotting on the whitest of coats. She has good bone and substance but is in no way over done and is feminine throughout. Attractive head with kind expression leading into a profile with level topline, good angles all round and deep chest. Moved and handled like a dream
3. Hursts’ Ch Firefly got Finnidal JW

Spec Beg Bitch (11,3)
A very difficult class to judge with varying types, quality and age.
1 Stubbins &Subbins Perdita’s Bean a Stormy Rode JW
Black spotted bitch of nice size and in good condition. Dark eyes and kind expression. Well made with good outline leading to correct feet. Nice profile and angles, nothing over done. Moved at one with her handler across the ring and enjoying her day out. Her overall qualities stood out.
2 Pedlar’s Capearlis Diamond
Black spotted bitch, good pigmentation lighter frame than 1. Moved well with her handler.
3 French’ s. Tamilanda Instant Sass

Christina C Pickup