THE MALTESE NATIONAL CANINE FEDERATION DECEMBER 2009 CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
JUDGE'S REPORT
The Maltese National Canine Federation held their 10 th Anniversary, Annual Championship Dog Show on Saturday and Sunday the 12 th . and 13 th . December 2009. at the Cottonera Sports Complex, where I had the honour of being the judge.
The show is broken up into three sections, one on the Saturday and two on the Sunday, covering the six groups, which they still maintain, with an overall entry of over 200 dogs, and was sponsored by Almo Nature Petnutrition, with the Best in Show Trophy having been presented by Mr. Ronnie Irving on behalf of the U.K. Kennel Club in 2009 at the International Symposium of the Dog.
The venue is large, spacious, and with plenty of light, but sadly due to other events now to take place on the available dates of the Championship Show, this will be the last time that they are able to use it.
Judging started at 3pm. on the Saturday for the Gundog and Toy groups, with many of the classes well filled, in both groups, with the first group being the Gundog.
The winner of the group I gave to a well put together red Cocker Spaniel bitch Sh.Ch. FRAMOD DREAMWEAVER owned by Mrs. Moddy Borg, the mother of which I apparently made Reserve B.I.S. on my last visit here in 1998, with the reserve going to a very classy Pointer dog Sh.Ch. PIPEWAY MONTY owned by Dr. Vera Galea. In the puppies the winner was a 5 month old black Cocker Spaniel dog MARTFOR HANDSOME FELLOW owned by Mr. Jonathan Cross, a good type and quite mature for his age, and the reserve going to an 8 months old Pointer bitch ISORIA HALEY owned by Mr. Lino Micallef. She has a lovely outline, but just lacked a little in maturity to the cocker.
The winner of the Toy group was a 2 years old Pekingese dog Ch. LIVANDA GIOVANNI owned by Ms. Diane Sant Fournier, a well proportioned dog in full coat, good action, and put down to perfection. The reserve spot going to a 13 months old Pomeranian dog WILD BLUE CHERRY STAR, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Fenech. A dog of sound construction, good coat and the most beautiful head and expression. In the puppies the winner was a quite out standing 5 month old Pug DEL SUR ANDALUSI INDIANA SCOUT owned by Mr. and Mrs. Hayman from an entry of 34. A Spanish Import, this bitch oozes quality in all departments, and on the move didn't put a foot wrong, and on the second day I made her Best Puppy in Show where I learned that it was her 2 nd . such win in two outings, with the reserve going to the 6months old Pekingese bitch PALACEGARDEN TARA owned by Darren Mifsud and Bernard Gauci, sound with a lovely head and great action.
Day 2 started at 9am. with the Hounds and Utility and again a good turn out .The winner of the first group the Hounds was an 18 moth old Whippet dog CHEBEC FLAWLESS DIAMOND owned by Stephen Mercieca. He was a pleasure to go over, correct in size and proportions, and a lovely outline, well muscled, with a true Whippet action, and I had the pleasure of making him Reserve Best in Show. Reserve in the group was the 5 years old Irish Wolfhound bitch Ch. CINDERS OF NUTSTOWN, owned by Ms. Saoirse Casha, so sound in construction, with well angled quarters, and easy fluid action. In the puppies, the winner was a 9 month old Basset dog SWEDE SUN'S XVEN owned by Adrian Hili, this dog a Swedish imp. Is so strong and powerful with a super outline. He covers the ground well, and just needs to firm in quarters to finish the picture, with the reserve going to the 9 month old Whippet bitch BARKUN KIRA owned by Walter Chetcuti. Very feminine, with good body and quarters and much to like in action.
In the Utility Group the winner was a 7 month old French Bulldog bitch ZHISELLE LE PERLE FOR DERMICKLEOVER owned by H and M Vella. This young bitch is another star in the making, and an excellent example of the breed, with quality through. A pleasure to go over, and to watch on the move, and I had the pleasure of making her Reserve Best Puppy in Show. Reserve in the group was the 18 month old Boston dog DENIRO AMERICAN BREAKING ICE owned by Mr. and Mrs. Sciberras. A square head , nice arch to neck, and good body, with a graceful true action. In the puppies it was of course the group winning French Bulldog, with the reserve going to the 9 month old Bulldog dog SOUL GUARDIAN COLD AS ICE owned by Mr. and Mrs Fenech. A powerful youngster with good head and well set in shoulders, good rib cage and a correct front action with good width.
The final session started at 3pm on the Sunday afternoon with the Terrier and Working groups. The Terriers were the first group, which was a little thin on the ground, with the winner being the 13 month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog DAZMARNIC MALTESE FALCON owned by Mr. Alex Mallia. This black dog is of good type, a broad skull, well coupled with level top line, and free agile action. Reserve in the group went to the 3 years old Glen of Imaal dog BLUE ROMAINVILLE owned by Mr. Lino Farrugia, and pleasing in construction with correct outline, and free agile action. There were no puppies.
In the Working group which is still the combined Working and Pastoral the winner was the UK bred German Shepherd Dog KORZWIN SCHULTZ owned by Alan Grixti. This 4 year old dog really epitomises the breed, with his excellent head, eye and set of ear, well set in neck to correct angles in quarters. He has a good rib graceful top line and powerful well angled hind quarters, true in hock. He is a picture in action with his free effortless extending action and powerful drive from his hind quarters. My eventual Best in Show. Reserve in the group was the 9 month old Alaskan Malamute dog EQUINOX WOODVRAM POLARNI USVIT a Czech imp. This young dog is something to watch for in the future, as he is so well constructed with good proportions, correct in back with well muscled loins and a powerful rhythmic action. In the puppies the winner was of course the Alaskan Malamute, with the reserve going to the 8 month old German Shepherd bitch RICO SHIELA owned by Anthony Sare'. Though still quite young, she is of excellent construction, and very feminine and of good size and balance. Sound in quarters she covers the ground well, but just needs to tighten a little to complete the picture.
In the Junior Handling competition, quality was to a high standard, but my eventual winner was Christabelle Chetcuti with the Whippet, who will represent Malta in the Finals at Crufts 2010.
Best Veteran in Show was the 7 year old Rottweiler bitch Ch. ORSINS PRINCESS LEIA owned by Edwin Micallef, and the Best Local Bred dog was the Whippet BARKUN CHANEL owned by Mr. Constantino Borg.
Best in Show :- KORZWIN SCHULTZ German Shepherd Dog
Res. Best in Show :- CHEBEC FLAWLESS DIAMOND Whippet
Best Puppy :- DEL SUR ANDALUSI INDIANA SCOUT Pug
Res. Best Puppy :- ZHISELLE LE PERLE FOR DERMICKLEOVER French Bulldog
My thanks to my two Stewards Adrian and Demis for an excellent job, and to the committee of the Maltese National Canine Federation for their excellent hospitality to us. The Maltese dog scene appears to be in good hands, and wish them all the luck in the future.
Judge :- Bob Gregory |
