I would like to thank the members of the club for asking me to officiate at this event. I had a wonderful day and really enjoyed some wonderful dogs. Both of my line ups were of lovely type and quality as were the placings in many classes. To my steward Wayne Burton, many thanks for keeping my ring in such good order. The weather was for the most part perfect, aside from the downpour through Intermediate to Open bitch, which probably affected the movement on a few, having to go indoors to be judged on hard concrete.

I had some very difficult decisions to make, which on the whole went to dogs with slightly more leg length and more detail to their topline, coupled with a nice easy springy gait. I felt that on the whole the males had the slight edge over the females for depth of quality and the outline I was looking for. I wanted good moving dogs with balance and lift, good moving dogs don’t need to race to be noticed, nothing extreme one end or the other and nothing with big side gait going to ground with no lift. I also found some dogs to be bouncy rather than with spring. That said, I was thrilled overall with the quality and thank the exhibitors for preparing their dogs for me in such a professional manner. I also found sportsmanship on the whole very good.

Excerpts from a letter from the 79^th Specialty Judge, Mark Cocozza:

Firstly, thank you for such a wonderful day. I had to leave quite quickly after the show. Kay was feeling quite poorly and in actual fact ended up in hospital the day after. Thankfully all seems to be well now. But I would love to have stayed around afterwards and please give my apologies to anyone who may have thought me rude but I did not want to make Kay feel any worse and know she would have stayed out of politeness even though she was feeling so bad.

My critique is virtually finished. I will e-mail it to you straight away. Hope the people are used to both complimentary and critical aspects to critiquing otherwise I may be in trouble ( won’t be the first time!).

I really did have a wonderful day and really enjoyed the dogs. It is very rewarding as a judge to be able to reward the virtues that are important to you without major compromises and I was so pleased at the inter-relationship of most of my winners. The professionalism and sportsmanship were also very encouraging. There are always going to be disappointed people but for the most they conducted themselves well and I think were at least able to appreciate what I was looking for.

I also had a wonderful few days and will definitely visit again even as a dreaded tourist.

Baby Puppy Dog

1. Kalurara Pure Adrenalin - Such a little trooper at just 3 months. Blue puppy with excellent outline, lovely head and eye, good leg length, excellent neck, topline and tail, good rear. Showed good balanced movement. Will go far. Best Baby Puppy In Show.
2. Kalutara Rush N Roulette - Similar comments apply; just found 1st a shade houndier in outline but still has the same good head neck and topline.
3. Kjavu Teddy Bears Picnic - Lovely head, good depth for age. Has nice light springy gait, just needs to settle into himself.
4. Aboukir High Fidelity - Leggy square dog with lovely head and expression. Good depth and big feet. Not quite developed the same scope in movement as others yet.
5. Kjavu How Sweet It Is - Another attractive puppy but not quite the shoulder place or leg length of his 3rd placed littermate.

Minor Puppy Dog

1. Calahorra Ticolmy Fancy - BM cream. The beginnings of a lovely head. Houndy outline, excellent neck and shoulder, upper arm OK, good topline and tail. Moderate dog of good type, nice easy mover with good amount of width throughout. Best Minor Puppy in Show
2. Calahorra Waffles N Honey - Oyster brindle. Houndy dog with the most exotic expression. Good leg length but not quite as firm in topline as 1st or as free in movement.
3. Tianze Power Of Magik - BM gold. Overall good outline. Very good neck, shoulder and return of upper arm. Just needs to strengthen and develop a little width in rear to fully co-ordinate movement.
4. Karakush Dot Com Dot A U - Masculine dog. Excellent topline and tail. Good depth and ribbing. A shade upright in pastern at the moment and cycling too much in the rear.

Puppy Dog

1. Gengala Secret Invasion – Black & tan. Lovely head shape, would prefer eye a little tighter. Good neck, shoulder and width to chest. Good scope on the move but would prefer a little more lift and a little more length of leg. Opp. Sex Puppy in Show
2. Kangai Distant Son - Squarer dog with excellent head and eye. Good neck and shoulder but not the set under of 1st. Good topline. Balanced moderate rear. Moved well enough but would have preferred a little more drive

Junior Dog

1. Khandu Va Bene – Self-masked cream. A baby but has that stallion look about him already. Masculine yet no coarseness. Lovely head shape but eye a shade full. Needs to settle into his front. Excellent topline and depth, tail set and carriage. Excellent rear. When settled really pushed himself off the ground. Just needs to learn to go forward on the move, which will come with maturity. Very promising youngster. Best Junior in Show
2. Aviva Heart To Heart - Blue dog with excellent head and eye. Very good neck, shoulder, topline and tail. Close decision but 1st was just a little more up on leg.
3. Quom Mr Begnini - Brindle dog. Houndy all through with excellent detailing to topline and croup. Excellent construction and type. I loved this dog a lot and forgave his lack of tail somewhat. Interesting that he is litter brother to bitch challenge.
4. Khandhu Azzuro Cazone - Blue dog, which has good depth and width throughout. Would just like a shade more leg.
5. Quom Mr Leone - Houndy & appealing type dog. Would like a shade more substance & some training.

Intermediate Dog

1. Ch.Karakush Adrenalin Rush – Brindle. Masculine dog with appeal. Good head shape and eye. Liked his leg length and overall balance, but could maybe be a fraction longer cast to be hypercritical. Love the detail to his croup and tail set. Lovely depth and in excellent condition. Nice easy mover, very light and flowing, just roaches up in topline a little at times which cost him in the final run off. Best Inter. in Show
2. Alaqadar Cobol - BM gold. Houndy type dog, moderate and balanced throughout. Balanced sound moving dog, just breaking slightly in topline due to carrying too much weight. Lovely head and expression.
3. Rajmal Hi Jubilation - Excellent proportions, just needs to develop in width and body. Excellent topline, croup and tail, Good head and eye. Covers good ground in profile.
4. Ch.Karakush In Champagne - Oyster brindle. In good condition, with good neck, shoulder, topline and tail. Good rear. Although head is a good shape, would prefer it more masculine and needs to develop much more width in front. Stylish mover although was over reaching in the rear and not quite fluid in the front.
5. Kjavu Madison Avenue - Black. Honest type dog. I loved his pin bones croup tail set and carriage. Balanced together type dog.
6. Khandhu Ambiance – Black & tan dog. Balanced dog and a decent mover. Lovely expression, but again would just prefer him a little more up on leg.

Australian Bred Dog

1. Ch.Khandhu Pagliache – Blue of excellent type. Lovely head and eye. An athletic dog of medium build throughout with no sign of coarseness who commanded attention. A lovely combination of strength and refinement. His angulation is balanced both ends and not overdone, which is what is needed to move with the effortless gait this dog has. His topline is excellent with again excellent detail, croup and tail. He carries himself with dignity and pride and does not need to race for his movement to be noticed. To be critical would prefer a marginally better shoulder placement but in the final run off I thought he just had a little more spring to his front and a shade more detail in topline. Dog Challenge, Best in Show, Best Australian Bred In Show
2. Ch.Kalutara Code Breaker - Brindle. A similar type dog, which is a little squarer than 1st. Again has nice flowing movement but could not match the athleticism or head type of the winner.
3. Ch Khandhu Bello Bellagio. Blue. This dog I really liked also. Has such good balance and confirmation. Needs to develop some body condition and width but is a nice easy mover with that light springy gait but was a little lethargic. He could have challenged all the way if he was on form.
4. Ch.Taejon Without Limits – Black & tan. Masculine head and eye. Has good scope on the move although is a shade narrow in front. Needs to lose some weight as it was causing him to lose topline.
5. Ch.Khandhu Napapiiri - Nice type dog although would prefer a shade more leg but has nice breed type, with good head, eye, detailing to topline, croup and tail.
6. Ch.Aviva Sacred Heart. A finer type dog than I would like. Has good overall balance and proportions but would like more width throughout and found him a little busy on the move.

Open Dog

1. Ch. Khandhu Amore Amalfi - A houndy shaded mask gold of excellent proportions and balance. He has the most exotic head and expression with perfect balance of strength to refinement. This dog grew on me as the class went on and improved every time he was asked to move. Seemed to pick up a gear every time, but again never raced, he also had a nice easy stride with nothing extreme. Good topline, croup and tail. But did not quite have the same detail to his topline, which was what went against him for best male and R/U to BIS. Reserve Challenge Dog, Best Open In Show
2. Ch.Tahkira What The Hell - Black & tan. Substantial dog who stacks in to a fantastically impressive outline. Has nice type, balance, croup and tail. Good depth and ribbing and is a very powerful mover just too narrow in front for his size. I also found the lack of natural saddle hair very difficult to deal with.
3. Ch Khandhu Ego - Lovely powder blue. Good head and eye. Has lovely detailed topline but was roaching up at times, but another nice light easy moving dog.
4. Ch Wishuz Vintage Crop - Masculine brindle dog.

Baby Puppy Bitch

1. Kjavu Victorias Secret - Lovely black bitch. So up on leg and square and really a raw hound. Lovely head neckline, topline croup and tail. Showed a couple of glimpses of excellence on the move to win a very strong class. Opp. Sex Baby Puppy in Show
2. Aboukir Getting It Right. Black & tan puppy. Lovely head eye and topline. Balanced front and rear and has nice fill in front. Very together for age.
3. Kjavu Reggie Rules. Houndy red. Again very raw with the most exotic head for age. Good balance and nice free stride.
4. Aboukir Kiss Me Kate – Black & cream. Good head eye and topline. Has good front and rear, which was so well balanced, just did not show the scope on the move as her confirmation suggested she would.
5. Kalutara Rush N Ballet - The next two babies were of very nice type but were just real babies. Both showed nice breed type and potential for the future.
6. Kalutara Heavenly Rush

Minor Puppy Bitch

1. Karakush Undeniably U - Brindle of nice proportions and style. Lovely topline, croup and tail. Good expression just needs head to break a little. Moderate throughout. Opp. Sex Minor Puppy in Show
2. Calahorra Ticoled Pink. Lovely head and eye. Houndy outline. Good neck and shoulder. Just needs to coordinate herself.

Puppy Bitch

1. Calahorra Behind Me - Blue of lovely proportions. Feminine throughout. Good head shape with an acceptable eye. Lovely neck with good topline, rear and tail. Really nice mover in profile with good scope and again light on her feet. Best Puppy in Show
2. Kangai Sunset In Venice - Red bitch that moved well in profile with a good rear, head eye and tail. Just needs to gain confidence.

Junior Bitch

1. Quom Miss Rossellini - Houndy brindle bitch. Good head, eye, topline and rear. Good neck and shoulder but a little forward placed in upper arm, however she maintained a really nice easy front action on the move with good drive. Opp. Sex Junior in Show
2. Ch Karakush U Give Me A Reason - Very attractive brindle, squarely built. Feminine with substance. Lovely head, eye, croup and tail. Moved well at times but was a little unsettled and bouncing, causing her topline to break. However a very nice bitch of quality.
3. Khandhu Chiama Naomi - Black with excellent. head and eye. Good topline, balanced and moderate throughout, which showed on the move with good ground coverage. Just preferred houndiness of 1st and 2nd.
4. Khandhu Speciality Maid - Nice type bitch that got better as the class went on. Very houndy with good topline and nice easy mover
5. Pipina Insatiable - Very exotic head and nice type just a shade soft in topline but again good mover.
6. Ch.Karakush Come What May. Lovely proportions and outline and tail. Moved OK but needs a shade more width in front.

Intermediate Bitch

1. Khandhu Enigma - Typey brindle with excellent Head, eye, neck, shoulder, topline and rear. Moved so well with good scope, and very sound. Would have preferred a shade more leg for perfection but was within an acceptable range for me. Opp. Sex Intermediate in Show
2. Calahorra Gelaton Cciole – A very well proportioned black and silver. Very pretty face but could do with a little more underjaw which altered her expression. Excellent leg length, topline and rear. A nice free moving bitch, just needs a little more finish to her coat which will come no doubt, to compete for top awards.
3. Ch.Rajmal Sweet Infatuation - Well-built brindle with good width throughout. Good depth, moderate and well proportioned. Purposeful mover. Just lost her topline at times.
4. Taejon Forgivnot Forgotn - Up to size but thought her quite excellent in construction, with excellent neck shoulder, return of upper arm and overall balance. Unfortunately she did not move accordingly.
5. Khandhu Whos That Girl - Nice type. I would have preferred a shade more leg, but has good neck and shoulder and lovely big feet and correct coat pattern.
6. Ch Lowenhart Blue Voodoo - Apologies for having no notes.

Australian Bred Bitch

1. Quom Miss Masina - Blue bitch, would not like her any taller but is still totally feminine all through. Excels in front construction. Head is long and feminine although not quite the type I would normally go for. Has good depth and excellent topline with lovely detailing to croup with prominent hipbones. Her rear is balanced with her front and is such a light easy mover with good lift and no wasted energy. Would prefer her a shade shorter coupled but won in bitches with a bit to spare. Bitch Challenge, Runer Up To BIS, Opp. Sex Aust. Bred in Show
2. Ch Furbari Star Diamond - Lovely type black. Excellent balance, outline, topline, depth and croup. Very much my type of bitch but just lost out to winner on not quite using her rear to full advantage, which may have been due to the indoor ring. Also very good front and a lovely bitch.  I would have liked to have judged outdoors.
3. Lowenhart Shes Charmed - A more workmanlike bitch, nice head and eye. Good width throughout, good depth. Soft in topline but had good ground coverage on the move.
4. Quom Ms Sall Ayeshus - Loved the look of this bitch standing. So exotic and her outline enhanced beautifully with her correct coat pattern. Sadly though, lacked animation on the move, otherwise would have been a contender.
5. Ch.Khandhu Capri. BM gold. Attractive head and eye, good front angulation with moderate rear.

Open Bitch

1. Ch.Dzum Hot Chilli Woman - Excellent head. Feminine, long and powerful. Overall good proportions, topline and rear. Good width throughout and depth. Excellent croup and tail. Won class over 2nd on her slightly better length of leg and the better detailing to her croup area. Moved well with purpose but compared to Bitch Challenge she just lacked a little lift. Reserve Bitch Challenge. Opp. Sex Open in Show.
2. Grand Ch.Furbari Tiffany Diamond - Close decision and similar comments apply. I just preferred the detailing to the croup area of winner and slightly more leg length but again a nice bitch with strength and femininity. Excellent rear, low hocks and moved well.
3. Ch Karakush Anastasia - Excellent proportions with excellent topline, croup and tail. Good neck but would prefer a little more depth to chest and width in front. Showed adequately but could have given some more. A nice type bitch throughout.
4. Ch Karakush Spice of Life - Similar shape bitch to 3rd with many similar attributes. Was a little deeper in chest but was carrying too much weight causing her to lose her topline at times.
5. Kalutara Isabella - Black bitch of moderate lines. Good proportions, lovely head and eye and topline, croup and good depth. Just a little narrow and busy on the move
6. Ch.Kjavu Wilful Wilma. Overall nice type but was too low for me. Good croup and tail. Losing topline, moved OK.