2025 Championship Show Report

Show report – The Boxer Association of Victoria Inc

Monique Hodgkinson – Tanyati Boxers, South Africa

My sincere thanks to the committee of The Boxer Association of Victoria Inc. for inviting me to judge their 68th Championship Show. I previously judged for the club 12 years ago in August 2013 and it was such an honour to be back doing what I love; judging Boxers. Thank you to my ring steward, Graham Treacey, who did a wonderful job ensuring that everything went smoothly in the ring. Without exhibitors there is no show, so my most sincere thanks to everyone that entered and attended the show, especially those from out of state. It was an honour to go over your dogs and thank you for accepting my judgements with good sportsmanship.

While not as big an entry as I had in 2013, sadly a worldwide issue, I was very happy with my winners and especially excited with the 2 Baby Puppy classes, which had gorgeous puppies entered. This bodes well for the future of the breed.

I really do take my job as a judge very seriously and I feel it is incumbent on a specialist judge to not only highlight the good but also show where breeders may be straying off the path or going in the wrong direction. This is sometimes not very welcome in some circles, but I cannot keep quiet when I could help even one breeder take note and make plans to fix something that is not quite correct. The value of an outside eye is that the breed and its current conformation and state is viewed through completely objective eyes, generally without knowledge of who owns/bred the dog or what the dog has achieved. I have written this report with the very best intentions, and I trust that it will be taken in the spirit in which it is meant. My only loyalty is to this extremely special and beautiful breed.

I was extremely impressed by the temperaments of all exhibits entered under me. There are many comments being made in other parts of the world about less-than-ideal Boxer temperaments in the breed ring, but Australia has a winning formula as without exception all the dogs were outgoing, friendly, and confident.

Pigmentation in general and eye colour in particular was fantastic with not a single light eye seen and almost all dogs had strong mask pigmentation. The majority displayed good balance between substance and elegance with males looking like males and females looking like females.

I was very pleased that most of my class winners showed excellent balance between their forequarter and hindquarter angulation, with several beautifully constructed, correctly angulated dogs presented to me. Movement in these dogs was rhythmical, efficient, true, and balanced with good reach in front and drive from the rear.

Overall, necks were well arched and of correct rounded shape, backs were broad and muscular, tails were of good length, broad at the base and tailset was high.

There is no perfect dog anywhere, but I would like to highlight the following aspects I feel need attention by breeders. An anomaly here and there does not signal a major worry, but when there are more than a couple of dogs displaying the same conformational concern then steps need to be taken to correct this before it gets further entrenched in the gene pool.

I found several exhibits with heavier heads than I would like, with broad skulls and more bulgy cheeks than ideal. There were also a few too many dogs with muzzles quite a bit shorter than the length called for in the Standard. This was in many cases accompanied by narrow nostrils. The combination of a too-short muzzle and narrow nostrils have a serious impact on the health of the Boxer, and we must always be mindful of the fact that either or both these issues can cause Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

Lack of chin is something else that concerned me. The Boxer Standard is very clear with regards the requirement for the chin to be plainly perceptible when viewed from the front as well as the side and I found quite a few Boxers lacking in chin and depth of muzzle as a result.

Proper forequarter angulation is lacking on an alarmingly large percentage of Boxers the world over. Australia has unfortunately not been spared this loss in correct structure and more exhibits than I would have liked needed more layback of shoulder blade and/or return of upper arm. This translates into too abrupt an angle or transition from neck to withers, often with wrinkles over the withers, and dogs not standing with their front feet under them. It also has a negative effect on movement where there is insufficient reach in forequarter and when accompanied by lack of hindquarter angulation, a lack of drive in the rear.

As I have mentioned in reports from previous Boxer judging assignments in other parts of the world, we need to take care that a problem that rears its head in a breed is addressed, and plans made to breed away from that fault. If we do not, we will not only lose the dogs that are correct in this aspect and who are therefore no longer available to correct the problem, but our eyes, and the eyes of the up-and-coming new breeders and judges, will get so used to the ‘new normal’ that the new structure of whatever fault we are dealing with will become the perceived correct representation of that aspect of the breed and the creep in breed type will become ever more difficult to recognise and reverse.

Winners Gallery       Critiques

Winners Gallery

To purchase photos, please email geoff.colson@hotmail.com

Runner-Up In Show, Reserve Bitch CC

Ch Binbella Touch of Spice at Kesdar

Minor in Show

Ludgina Miracle Of Love

Junior in Show

Kesdar Ode To Winter

Dog CC & Open in Show

Sup Ch Kesdar Fifty Shades Darker at Tonmar

Judges Critique

Baby Puppy Dog (5,0)

1st #5, Ms J D Davis & Ms H Keele’s Hogwartz Starbound at Kesdar. Opposite Baby Puppy In Show. Four and a half months old. Very promising attractive brindle and white male with balanced proportions. While still raw, his head shows good promise, with excellent mask pigmentation, and correctly shaped well-placed dark eyes with a mischievous expression. Lovely to see wide opened nostrils. At this stage he could do with slightly more fill under the eyes and could have a slightly broader muzzle. I would like his bite to be less undershot, especially at this age. Lovely clean elegant arched neck of correct length flowing smoothly down over his evident withers, correct straight back to a very good tailset. Correctly laid back shoulder blade with very good return of upper arm, giving him a very well angulated forequarter with evident forechest, which is super to see in such a young puppy. Forelegs straight with correct pasterns but his front feet are currently a bit flat. Depth of chest is correct, reaching to his elbows and he is well coupled which contributes to his square outline. Hindquarter angulation well-balanced to forequarter with strong hock joints and short rear pasterns. As expected for a 4-month-old puppy he is very loose on the move but has great length and evenness of stride and really moved around the ring with purpose, clinching him top spot in a lovely class of babies.

2nd #2, Mr S & Mrs K Masters’ Jaytyry Autumn Glory. Four and a half months old. Eye catching square rich fawn and white male with balance between substance and elegance presented in super condition already showing strong muscular development and definition. Lovely head

piece, with correct rise of skull with a well-balanced muzzle of correct width and depth and visible chin when viewed from all sides. Excellent bite with lower teeth positioned in a straight line, aligned with the top jaw and showing correct degree of undershot for his age. I would prefer broader nostrils. Lovely dark eyes of correct shape and placement with super expression. Well placed ears that he still needs to grow into. Clean arched neck of correct length with good insertion into the shoulder and a flowing transition from neck to withers. There is a slight curve over his back from behind his withers to his croup which I would like to be flatter. Excellent forequarter angulation with a well laid back shoulder blade and good return of upper arm with elbows sitting close to the chest wall and a well-developed forechest. Toes well arched and correctly shaped. Rear angulation correct and balanced to forequarter. Strong hock joint, with short rear pasterns. Moves with good reach and drive and just needs to settle over his back. A quality puppy with many admirable features, showing great promise.

3rd #1, Mr L Bleakley & Mr A Fry’s Lambda Serbian Connection. Four months old. Lovely dark brindle and white male who is well balanced, with strong bone for substance and a clean arched neck of correct length for elegance, flowing smoothly into a very good transition at the withers. While his head still needs to mature, it is clean with a correctly shaped skull. I would like more width of muzzle, but the depth is there, and he has a well-defined chin. Slightly downfaced at this stage but that should correct itself as his head matures. Eyes are well shaped, dark and expressive with one unpigmented third eyelid. His topline is a little soft at this stage, typical of a baby puppy, but the overall construction suggests it will firm up with maturity. Shoulder blade is well laid back with a matching return of upper arm, creating an excellent forequarter assembly. He has good fill between his front legs with visible forechest, and a well-developed chest for his age. His rib cage shows promising development with well laid back ribs. He is well coupled with a correctly angulated rear that balances with his forequarter. Short rear pasterns, and strong hock joints. He is very loose on the move, which is age appropriate at this stage of development.

Puppy Dog (1,0)

1st #6, Mr L Bleakly & Mr A Fry’s Lambda The Gambler. Opposite Puppy In Show. Eleven months old. Brindle and white masculine male well up on size. Attractive well-proportioned head, which could have slightly more chiselling in skull. Excellent mask pigmentation and beautiful dark eyes with one third eyelid unpigmented. Good bite with correct alignment, strong teeth, the right amount of undershot and, as a result, very good lip placement. Well opened nostrils. Powerful muscular neck with smooth transition into well-defined withers, through his muscular back and correctly laid croup all the way down to his correct set on of tail. Shoulder blade correctly angled with good layback. Could have slightly more return of upper arm and slightly more development of forechest. Depth of chest reaches to the elbows, which would lie closer to the chest wall if the upper arm had more return. Correctly flowing underline with long well-angled ribcage and short loins making him lovely and square. Good shelf behind the tail with well angulated rear, broad upper and lower thigh and strong hock joints with well let down rear pasterns. Viewed from behind his hind legs are perfectly straight. A little loose on the move which is no doubt due to his age and the fact that he still has a lot of maturing to do. Very well handled to get the most out of him.

Intermediate Dog (1,0)

1st #7, Ms E Imrie’s Ch. Berradell Kiss Me at Elformiq CA. ET. RN. SWA. Best Intermediate In Show. Two years and ten months old. Tall masculine deer red and white male with just the right

amount of elegance, presented in excellent condition. Very good length of muzzle in relation to skull. I would like a bit more angle to the top of the muzzle to bring his nose slightly higher than his stop. Correct amount of wrinkle on his skull and well-set ears. I would like a bit more fill under the eyes and a bit more depth of muzzle. Lovely dark muzzle pigmentation with good lip placement and a good bite with the correct amount of undershot. I would like slightly wider nostrils to really finish off his head. Excellent topline with broad muscular back, correctly laid croup and correct tail set. Forequarter assembly is a bit upright, and I would like more layback of shoulder and return of upper arm to make the transition from his neck to his withers smoother and set his front legs further under him. Forelegs straight with strong bone and compact feet. Depth of chest correct and half the height at the withers. Powerfully muscled correctly angulated rear with lovely broad upper and lower thigh, and strong hock joints. Moves slightly wide in the rear viewed from behind and I would like more reach in front on the go around.

Australian Bred Male (2,0)

1st #8, Miss J Lawton’s Ch. Shownwin I Walk The Line. Opposite Australian Bred In Show. Three years old. Medium-sized compact brindle and white male with good balance between substance and elegance. Masculine head with very good mask pigmentation and gorgeous dark well-shaped eyes. Good rise of skull and correctly shaped and placed ears. I would like a slightly cleaner skull with less developed cheeks. Muzzle a bit too short but with very good width and depth. I would like wider nostrils. Strongly muscled arched neck with good transition over well-defined withers. Very good topline with broad well-muscled back. Very good forequarter angulation with front legs placed well under his body. Straight front legs with correctly angled pasterns. I would like more compact front feet. Good depth of chest, with elbows sitting neatly against the chest wall and good tuckup. Short coupled with good length and lay of ribcage which contributes to his lovely square appearance. Super rear angulation in perfect balance to his forequarter with strong hock joints and short rear pasterns. Movement is rhythmical and balanced and he holds his topline well on the move.

2nd #9, Miss S Hill & Mrs S Dell & Mr A Dell’s Ch. Gencharm A Rebel In Love (AI) CA. N.SPRD. three and a half years old. Tall, dark brindle and white male. Good head proportions with correct balance between muzzle and skull. Very nice to see a dog with correct length of muzzle and healthy well-opened nostrils. Correct bite format but teeth are rather worn down. Neck rounded and well-muscled but rather more loose skin than I would like. Very good topline with well-defined withers, a strongly muscled broad back, correct lay of croup and super tailset. I would like more layback of shoulder blade and return of upper arm to bring his front feet under his body. Forelegs straight, with good bone and correctly angled pasterns. I would like tighter front feet. Very good depth of chest with correct length and lay of ribcage. Lovely shelf behind the tail with broad upper and lower thigh and short rear pasterns. Viewed from behind, back legs well placed and straight. A bit loose on the move and I would like longer strides with more reach in front.

Open Dog (4,1,1 withdrawn lame)

1st #11, Ms J Davis & Ms H Keele’s Sup.Ch. Kesdar Fifty Shades Darker at Tonmar. Challenge Certificate, Best Open In Show. Almost four and a half years old. Quality masculine male of good size. Excellent pigmentation throughout with lovely black mask and the nicest of dark eyes, with a Boxer-typical gleam. Head clean with very good balance between muzzle length and skull, with well-shaped and placed ears. Bite slightly off centre. Would like wider nostrils

as well as more chin to really finish off his head. Powerful round neck, with smooth transition through to well-defined withers. Very good topline, broad muscular back, correct length and lay of croup and perfect tailset. Good length and layback of shoulder blade, but I would like slightly more return of upper arm. Well-filled forechest with straight forelegs, good bone, and correctly angled pasterns with lovely compact feet. Good depth of chest with brisket level with elbows and good length and lay of ribcage. Correct tuck-up and strong well-muscled loins. Rear well angulated with broad upper and lower thigh and a good shelf behind the tail. Movement well balanced and free, keeps his topline on the move.

2nd #12, Ms J Malloy & Mr R Harrison’s Ch. Quasar Roll The Dice (imp. NZL). Reserve Challenge Certificate. Three and a half years old. Tall, square, dark brindle and white male of good substance. Excellent pigmentation with lovely dark mask and dark correctly shaped and placed eyes. I would like a longer muzzle with a more chiselled skull and less developed cheeks. Powerful arched neck with slightly more loose skin than I would like. Transition from neck to topline could be smoother. Well-defined withers, broad, well-muscled back, with correctly angled croup and excellent tailset. I would like more layback of shoulder blade and return of upper arm. Straight forelegs with good bone. Feet could be more compact. Depth of chest reaching to elbows with correct underline and ribcage of good length and lay. Rear well-angled with good width of upper thigh, strongly developed hock joints and short rear pasterns. Movement is free and rhythmical, but I would like more reach in front and a slightly longer stride.

Baby Puppy Bitch (3, 1)

1st #14, Mr L Bleakley & Mr A Fry’s Lambda Meant ToBe. Best Baby Puppy In Show. Four months old. Very eye-catching brindle and white stylish and elegant baby of super breed type. Head well-balanced to her body with a super head profile, showing correct proportion of muzzle length to skull, and a correct amount of chin visible from the side. Wonderful dark mask pigmentation and the sweetest of dark correctly shaped eyes with a melting expression and well-placed ears of correct shape. Lovely broad muzzle in harmony with her skull with good depth, good bite, and perfect lip placement. Beautifully arched neck flowing smoothly over well-defined withers and a short straight back to correct croup and lovely tailset. Super forequarter angulation with a long, well angled shoulder blade and long correctly angled upper arm. Already well-filled between the front legs. Good bone in forelegs with correct pasterns. Feet could be tighter, but I have no doubt this is due to her age. Very good rear angulation with width in upper and lower thigh and strong hock joints. Nice short rear pasterns. She moved straight and true coming and going with rhythmical strides of good length viewed from the side. Due to her young age, she is very loose on the move, but I am excited to watch her mature and fulfil her great promise. Congratulations to her breeders and this is one that I could have very happily packed in my suitcase to come home with me.

2nd #16, Mrs M Carter & Mrs J Durrance’s Phoenix Celestial Star (AI). Four and a half months old. Another eye-catching deer red and white baby oozing breed type with good bone. Lovely expressive head, with correct balance between length of muzzle and skull and another with evident chin viewed from the side. Beautiful correctly shaped dark eyes and excellent mask pigmentation. Very good proportion between width of muzzle to skull and very correct balance from tip of nose to edge of upper lip and upper lip to chin. Could have slightly broader nostrils. I would like a slightly flatter topline which does affect her profile stacked and on the move. I am hopeful that will settle as she matures and muscles up. Super forequarter angulation with long, well laid back shoulder blade and good return of upper arm with good fill between the front legs. Lovely straight forelegs with correct angle of pastern and lovely tight rounded front feet. Very

good rear angulation balanced to forequarter with good width of upper and lower thigh, strong hock joints and short rear pasterns. Another one I will be watching.

Minor Puppy Bitch (2,1)

1st #18, Mr J Hodgins’ Ludgina Miracle Of Love. Best Minor Puppy In Show. Eight months old. Deer red and white bitch with super head profile. Clean skull with good balance between muzzle and skull and visible chin. Correct ear set. Beautiful dark eyes of good shape. Mask pigmentation could be darker. Good bite with good lip placement, but I would like wider nostrils. Lovely arched neck of good length and correct shape. Well-defined withers, broad muscular back, with correct tailset. I would like more layback of shoulder blade and return of upper arm to give her more angulation in forequarter and a smoother transition from her neck over the withers. Straight forelegs with good bone and lovely tight feet. Depth of chest still needs to develop as she currently has longer front legs than the height from withers to brisket. She is not quite square being taller than long at this stage, so I would like a longer ribcage and more layback of ribs. Well angulated rear with broad upper and lower thigh, nice short rear pasterns and lovely rear feet. Would like more reach in front on the move with longer strides.

Puppy Bitch (3,0)

1st #20, Ms J Malloy & Mr R Harrison’s Lambda Lucks A Lady. Best Puppy In Show. Eleven months old. Typey, well-sized brindle and white female with lovely balance between substance and elegance. Feminine head with a square muzzle, clean skull and very good ear placement. Very good mask pigmentation and beautiful dark eyes with super expression. I would like bigger nostrils and a slightly longer muzzle, but lovely to see tip-up of nose. Good bite and correct lip placement. Lovely clean arched neck, with smooth transition over well-defined withers, straight firm back, correct croup and super tailset. Good forequarter angulation with very good depth of chest, correct tuck up and nicely short coupled. Well balanced rear with good width of upper and lower thigh, strong hock joints and short rear pasterns with well-knuckled feet. Movement rhythmical, even and efficient. A very worthy BPIS winner.

2nd #21, S & P Evans & S & S Castiglione’s Ch. Caseuro Ivana (AI). Almost ten months old. Fawn and white female, with good substance, of very different style to 1st place. Muzzle, which could be a bit longer, very well developed in width and depth with gorgeous pigmentation, lovely dark expressive eyes and very good ear placement. Beautiful bite and excellent lip placement with evident chin. I would like wider nostrils. Strongly muscled arched neck of correct length and shape. Very good height at the withers, a strong well-muscled back and correct tailset. She has an excellent forequarter made up of a well laid back shoulder blade and correct return of upper arm bringing her feet under her. Well-formed forechest with very good depth of chest, good tuck up with a well-developed ribcage and good length and lay of ribs. Nice and short coupled with a well-angulated rear and excellent width of upper and lower thigh. Strong hock joints and short rear pasterns. She tends to stand cow-hocked which I am hopeful will correct itself once she matures. Movement very powerful with good reach and drive.

3rd #19, Ellen Heinz-Faulkner’s Shownwin Five Leaf Clover. Nine months old. Lovely, elegant fawn and white female of good size. Very feminine head with correct length of muzzle, with lovely tip-up of nose, clean skull and beautiful dark eyes with melting expression. Could have slightly darker mask pigmentation, and I would like wider nostrils. Her bite is slightly narrow, and I would prefer a stronger muzzle with more fill under her eye and a stronger under jaw with more chin. Lovely arched clean neck of correct length. Excellent topline and tailset. She has a

neat front with good forequarter angulation, good forechest, straight front legs, correct angle of pasterns and lovely compact feet. I would like her toenails to have been shorter. Her depth of chest still needs to develop to give her the correct 1:1 ratio of withers to brisket and brisket to ground as she is looking a bit leggy at the moment. I would like a longer ribcage and a slightly shorter loin. Her rear angulation is balanced to her forequarter angulation. I would like stronger hock joints. She has short rear pasterns and lovely feet. Movement is balanced and harmonious.

Junior Bitch (3,1)

1st #24, Ms J Davies & Ms H Keele’s Kesdar Ode To Winter. Best Junior In Show. Thirteen months old. Very typey compact brindle and white female of good size with harmonious balance between substance and elegance. Very pretty head, lovely dark eyes with a mischievous sparkle, and very good mask pigmentation. I would like more open nostrils, a bit more width of muzzle, a tighter bite and more chin. Strongly muscled elegant neck, good height at the wither with a very good topline, broad muscular back and good tail set. Good layback of shoulder blade, but I would like slightly more return of upper arm. Straight forelegs with good bone, and gorgeous compact rounded feet. Very good depth of chest and good tuck up with very good length and lay of ribcage and short loins. Lovely rear with very good width in upper thigh and strong breech musculation, good turn of stifle and lower thigh of correct length. Short rear pasterns and lovely rear feet, but I would like a slightly stronger hock joint. She moves with great purpose displaying lovely happy Boxer temperament.

2nd #23, Mrs M Carter & Mrs J Durrance’s Ch. Phoenix Midnight Eclipse. Fifteen months old. Tall, dark brindle and white female with good balance between substance and elegance. Lovely head with clean skull, good stop, excellent mask pigmentation and lovely dark eyes with super expression. Good width of muzzle and length of nose bridge with well opened nostrils. Good bite with good lip placement. I would like more depth of chin. Lovely arched neck of good length, with good height at the withers and a broad, well-muscled back that could be a touch flatter, with slightly less angle of croup to give her a higher tailset. Forequarter well balanced to hindquarter, but I would like more angle both ends with more layback of shoulder blade, return of upper arm and more width of upper and lower thigh with stronger hock joints. Straight forelegs with good bone, good depth of chest, correct length and lay of ribcage, and well coupled. Her movement is balanced as her forequarter and hindquarter angulation are in harmony, but I would like more reach and drive.

Intermediate Bitch (1,1)

Absent.

Australian Bred Bitch (3,0)

1st #27, Mr M E Johnston’s Ch Blueprint Constellation. Challenge Certificate, Best Australian Bred In Show, & Best In Show. Just over four and a half years old. Medium-sized brindle and white female, oozing breed type with just the right balance between substance and elegance. Good stop, clean skull, and well-set ears. Broad muzzle with dark pigmentation, beautiful dark eyes with a very mischievous glint, good bite and correct lip placement. I would like wider nostrils, and a bit more chin. Strongly muscled arched neck with smooth transition over well-defined withers, strong short back, correct length and lay of croup, and well-set tail. Excellent forequarter angulation, with well laid back shoulder blade and long upper arm bringing her forelegs under her body. Straight forelegs with good bone, correct pasterns and

lovely tight front feet. Very good depth of chest with neat elbows held close to chest wall. Flowing underline with good tuck up, well-shaped and sprung ribcage and short loins contributing to her lovely square outline. Well-balanced rear in good harmony to her forequarter with broad and muscular upper thigh, good turn of stifle, lower thigh of correct length, well let down hocks and compact rear feet. Due to her exuberance and clearly loving every minute in the ring, she really kept her handler on his toes on the move, but once she settled, she showed even strides with very good reach and drive, holding her topline on the move. Coming in for Best in Show she had settled nicely, moved effortlessly, and was a very worthy winner of Best in Show.

2nd #28, Ms J D Davis & Ms H Keele’s Ch. Binbella Touch Of Spice at Kesdar. Reserve Challenge Certificate, Runner Up Best In Show. Eighteen months old. Elegant brindle and white female presenting a lovely square outline. Beautiful head with correct length of muzzle, super mask pigmentation, well-shaped dark expressive eyes, clean skull and good ear placement. Good width of muzzle and well-opened nostrils. I would like slightly more chin. Beautiful arched neck of correct length, with flowing line from occiput over well-defined withers, straight well-muscled back, correctly laid croup and very good tail set. Good layback of shoulder blade but I would like a bit more return of upper arm. Straight, well-muscled forelegs with good bone, and lovely tight feet. Very good depth of chest, excellent shape of rib cage with long correctly angled ribs, well tucked up with strong short loins. Strong well-angulated rear with excellent width of upper and lower thigh, good breech musculation, strong hock joints, lovely short rear pasterns and excellent feet. Lovely free movement with good cadence, head held naturally, with topline and tailset maintained on the move. A lovely Boxer girl with great temperament who enjoyed being in the ring with her handler.

3rd #26, Mr L Bleakley & Mr A Fry’s Ch. Lambda Right On Track. Just over four and a half years old. Brindle and white medium sized female with square outline carrying a bit too much weight, which gives the impression of a bit more substance than elegance. Powerful head with excellent mask pigmentation, lovely dark eyes with Boxer-typical expression, and very good ear set. Very good width and depth of muzzle, an excellent wide straight bite with the correct degree of undershot, and very good lip placement. I would like wider nostrils. Smooth transition from neck over well-defined withers, strong broad back, good croup and very good tailset. Excellent forequarter angulation with correct length and layback of shoulder blade and return of upper arm so that she stands well up on her forelegs. Forelegs straight with strong bone, very good fill in forechest, correctly angled pasterns and lovely tight feet. Very good depth of chest. I would like a bit more tuck up. Good length of rib cage and well-coupled. Well balanced rear, with excellent width of upper thigh and shelf behind her tail. Broad lower thigh, strong hock joints, short rear pasterns and super feet. On the move she has efficient ground covering strides but tends to move slightly bum high.

Open Bitch (6,3)

1st #31, Mr L Bleakley & Mr A Fry’s Ch. Lambda Lucky Star. Just over three years old. Striking dark brindle and white female with lovely square outline. Strong head with good stop, good rise of skull, and well-placed ears of good size. I would like a more chiselled skull and less developed cheeks. Lovely dark mask pigmentation, and dark well-shaped expressive eyes. I would prefer more length of muzzle and wider nostrils. Good bite and good lip placement. Powerfully developed neck, which could be a little cleaner, well-defined withers, strong, broad well-muscled back, correct length and lay of croup and excellent tailset. Super forequarter angulation with long well laid back shoulder blade and very good return of upper arm with legs

positioned directly under the withers and elbows close to the chest wall. Well-defined forechest with excellent fill between the front legs. Forelegs straight with good bone, correct pasterns and good feet. Very good depth of chest, well-sprung ribs, and short, taut loins. Super rear angulation with shelf behind the tail, strongly muscled broad upper thigh with excellent breach musculation, good turn of stifle, broad lower thigh, strong hocks and short rear pasterns. One of the best bodies of the day. As would be expected with such balanced angulation and strong musculature, movement is powerful, rhythmical, and efficient with great reach and drive. A well-balanced and typey Boxer who gave the Challenge and Reserve Challenge winners a very good run for their money.

2nd #32, Mr M E Johnston’s Ch. Blueprint Some Like It Hot. Almost seven years old. Elegant dark brindle and white female well presented with well-defined hard musculature. Very good length of muzzle with clean chiselled skull and correctly sized well set on ears. I would like a more defined stop and turn-up of muzzle as she is a bit downfaced. Excellent muzzle pigmentation with beautiful dark eyes, and gorgeous expression. I would like larger nostrils, more chin and more width of muzzle. Lovely clean arched neck of correct length, well defined withers, broad well-muscled back, with correct croup and tailset. Well angulated front with good layback of shoulder blade and return of upper arm, good fill of forechest, straight well-muscled forelegs with good bone, correctly angled pasterns and well-padded feet. Very good depth of chest with elbows close to the chest wall, and smooth correctly tucked up underline. I would like a slightly longer ribcage and shorter loin. Good rear angulation with broad well-muscled upper thigh and very good breech musculation. I would like a slightly wider lower thigh, and a broader hock joint. Well let down rear pasterns and good feet. Straight movement coming and going with balanced strides showing good reach and drive on the go around.

3rd #29, D G Macmillan’s Ch. Milmac Shelby Ford GT AI. Four years and nine months old. Very attractive square deer red and white female, presented in excellent condition. Lovely head profile, with very good length of muzzle, balanced to the length of skull, and lovely to see the topline of the muzzle angled slightly up. Good stop, good rise of skull with clean chiselling in skull and good ear set. Very good tip-up of nose with well opened nostrils, beautiful dark eyes of correct size and shape with lovely expression. I would prefer more fill under the eye and a more well-defined chin. Lip placement suggested a possible bite issue, and I was disappointed on opening her mouth to see that her bite is off-centre. Round strong neck of correct length with elegant arch, very good height at the withers, short, strongly muscled back, with correct croup and high tailset. Excellent front angulation with very good layback of shoulder blade and return of upper arm, with elbows sitting neatly against the chest wall. Well-muscled straight forelegs with good bone, slight slope to pasterns and gorgeous arched feet. Very good depth of chest, correct length and lay of ribcage, lovely underline, short-coupled with strong loins. Good rear angulation but I would like a bit more width of lower thigh and a stronger hock joint. Lovely short rear pasterns and compact hind feet. Movement free and effortless, but I would like more drive from the rear.

Neuter Bitch (1,0)

1st #35, Ms A & Ms C J Ryan’s Kesdar I’ll Be Seeing You at Chardja TD. TSD. Best Neuter In Show. Three years old. Tall well-balanced plain brindle female with super temperament, and good balance between substance and elegance. Lovely head planes with good length of muzzle compared to skull, correct stop, clean skull, and well-placed ears of good size. Excellent mask pigmentation, with well-shaped and correctly set dark eyes with the most wonderful expression. Broad muzzle with a good bite and lovely wide nostrils. I would prefer a slightly more prominent

chin. Elegant arched neck with flowing transition over well-defined withers, strongly muscled broad back, good croup and excellent tail set. Good forequarter angulation with straight well-muscled forelegs, good bone and lovely compact feet. Very good depth of chest, with correct proportion of withers to brisket and brisket to ground. Good length and lay of ribcage, good tuck up, and short taut loins which, with her good height at the withers, makes her perfectly square in outline. Well balanced rear with good width of upper thigh, good turn of stifle, strong hocks, and short rear pasterns. Straight movement on the away and back and very good reach and drive with good length of stride on the go around.