100th Anniversary Weekend 2025
Centenary Celebrations (open to all Keeshonds & their owners) was held from Friday 2nd May to Sunday 4th May 2025.
Our judge for the Ch. Show was Katrina Santas (Australia) our judge for the Centenary Dog of the Year will remain unknown until the day.
THE KEESHOND CLUB (UK) CENTENARY CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
Judge: Ms Katrina Santas, Hunkeedori Keeshonds, Australia
3 May 2025
Judging Critique
Overview:
Many thanks to The Keeshond Club, the committee, the officials, the members and exhibitors for the opportunity to judge this highly prestigious Championship Show. It was my honour and privilege to be your judge for this significant event.
I was very pleased to judge a large number of Keehsonds not only from the United Kingdom but from those that travelled from abroad to support the occasion, and for that I thank you.
There were a large number of outstanding exhibits, that were not only pleasing to judge, but also provided great choice in many classes and I was certainly very happy with my winners.
For me, my Best in Show winner, excelled in all the outstanding features and hallmarks of the breed. We all as breeders, exhibitors and judges are striving for the perfect Keeshond, but must realise there is no such dog, but there are those that reflect more closely and accurately the desirable requirements of the breed standard although they are still not perfect in themselves … but for me, this female was all class with that bit of wow factor that turned my head the moment I saw her in her class … she is certainly a great example of a female Keeshond fitting the standard ever so closely.
My overall main winners were those Keeshonds that met those breed standard features and requirements, in my opinion, more closely with fewer undesirable components together with their presentation and ring presence that in the end gave them their win.
It was a pleasure to judge the veterans, who have certainly left their mark on the breed. The young up and coming puppies give the breed a great future that will no doubt continue to excel. The current show dogs and bitches certainly reflect the past, the present and the future of this breed in the UK to be in great hands with you, the breeders and exhibitors of our much loved Keeshonds.
Thank you again for the opportunity to share the Centenary Championship Show with you and I look forward to seeing the ongoing success of the breed across the United Kingdom.
Class: Baby Puppy Dog (1/2)
First place: 28 Neradmik First Noel (taf) (Fedeli)
Four month old male. Pleasing wedged shaped head of good proportions. Correct dark eye, small almond shaped. Small ivy shaped ears. Good length of neck into fore quarters, moderate angulation fore and aft. Compact in body. Very high set tail with excellent double curl. Coat is typical of this age grouping and markings are coming through well. Very pleasing out and back, although sidewinds as is just a naughty puppy having fun, but very pleasing to the eye. Congratulations, first place, and a most deserving win today for a first time in the showring.
Class: Baby Puppy Bitch (3/3)
First Place: 66 Torrikees You Wear It Well (Passmore)
BEST BABY PUPPY IN SHOW
Very pleasing young female of excellent head proportions. Correct wedge shaped head. Almond shaped eye, very dark in colour. Good spectacle markings. Small ivy ears of correct proportion. Good length of neck into well angulated for quarters. High set tail. Lovely colour coming through, clean undercoat with all definitions at this stage. A little naughty on the move as was all bitches in the class, but they were young as they were all four months old. Excellent coat texture and well presented today.
Second Place: 74 Neradmik Tinseltown at Baleissa (Ring)
Also a striking picture with very pleasing head and expression. Slightly larger ears, set high on the head. A dark eye that’s a little more open than first place. Correct head proportions, wedge shaped. Little straighter in front than class winner. Compact body. Very high set tail. Good undercoat colour and black markings. Again a little naughty on the move but well muscle and well presented today.
Third Place: 24 Torrikees Maggie May (Downs)
A heavier bitch. Slightly more up on leg, also four months of age. Still possessing a pleasing head with correct shape. Defined spectacle markings, slightly larger eye than desired and lighter in colour. Straighter in front angulation than those placed ahead. Compact in body with high set tail and tight double curl. Colour a darker cream undercoat with adult black coat coming through well for age.
Class: Minor Puppy Dog (3/3)
First Place: 77 Amikirs Uncle Fester (Rose)
BEST OPPOSITE SEX PUPPY IN SHOW / BEST PUPPY DOG
Very compact male, good bone and substance. Well laid neck into shoulders. Moderate angulation. Compact body. Clean wedge shaped headpiece. A little open in eye than desired but still pleasing for age. Ivy shaped ears, well set on head. Correct bite. Darker on the hock than desired but forgiven for the quality and substance of this puppy. High set tail. Abundant and profuse coat for age. Good colour definition coming through already. Excellent texture.
Second Place: 10 Zandvoort Mr Sunshine (Bennett)
More upstanding male than first place. Strong wedge shaped head. Dark almond shaped eye. Clear spectacle markings. Ears larger but of Ivy shape. More moderate in angulation. Slightly longer in body with lower set tail than desired. Coat softer in texture at this age but still is a puppy coat and is profuse. Excellent clean undercoat and beautiful dark black rich markings. Extremely clean in hock and feet colour, virtually no pencil at all, very pleasing to the eye.
Third Place: 87 Amikirs Loki Of Hunnivoles (Wadmore-Smith)
Very compact male. Head is stronger with eyes more open than desired. Would prefer the eye to be almond shaped and obliquely set on the skull as these are more forward placed and distracts from the attraction of the head. This puppy is still a pleasing specimen with excellent small ivy shaped ears. Good scissor bite. Coat texture is typical of puppy age as it is soft and fluffy but define markings are coming through. Tail set a little lower than desired. Would prefer less pencilling on both front and back feet, there is more pencilling on the hock than desired. Overall silhouette reflects a quality young puppy still in development.
Class: Puppy dog (1/2)
First Place: 60 Valindale A Touch Of Royale (Matthews, Matthews & Lee) Quality 10 month old male of good height and substance. In large coat for age. Correct dark almond shaped eye. Wedge shaped head. Ivy shaped ears. Correct bite. A little loose in fore and aft movement as flexes hooks in the rear movement going away but may correct with more muscle tone and development. Slight to moderate angulation in fore quarter and over angled in the hind quarter. Coat texture correct with harsher out coat. Coat is profuse at this age with good defined markings. Clear undercoat. Tail well set. Would just prefer cleaner out and back movement, but at this stage, the side gait is pleasing and will strengthen with age.
Class: Junior Dog (1/2)
First Place: 5 Velvet Snout Des Loups Gris D’Occitanie (Barthes)
Dark coloured male of large portions and substance. Headpiece is a large more wolfspitz type than Keeshond type. Eye more open than desired but good spectacle definitions. Larger ear and is lacking the ivy shape that is desirable. Good neck and well laid shoulders. Longer cast in body than desire but is a taller dog. Darker on the hocks and profuse pencilling on the feet and is more than reflected as acceptable. Tail is very high set. Body has good substance with well barrelled ribs for age. Lacking undercoat at this stage which is typical of this age and development. Coat texture overall is of an adequate harsh nature.
Class: Yearling Dog (1/1)
First Place: 63 Ch Skyline’s Outlander at Lekkerbek (Imp USA) (Miles, Dean, Cullen & Cullen)
Excellent wedge shaped head of good proportions. Defined stop. Defined spectacle marks. Correct ivy shaped ears although are slightly large but not over the top. Dark eye a little more open than desired. Strong scissor bite. Well proportion neck into shoulders with moderate angulation. Very compact body. Very clean in both fore and aft movement. Very clean coloured hocks. High set tail with extremely defined hook in the end of strong double curl. Overall colour is well defined with extremely clean undercoat for age. Excellent texture of coat. Movement very exuberant and a bit of a naughty character but still you can see that the action is correct in moments of good behaviour.
Class: Post Graduate Dog (1/2)
First Place: 7 Neradmik Prince Charming of Kyross (Barton)
Four year old male of very good breed type. Classic wedge shaped head showing full masculinity. Very small ivy shaped ears. Define spectacle markings. Slightly more open in eye than desired and lighter in eye than desire, but within acceptable ranges. Moderately angled fore and aft. Tending slightly longer in body. Very acceptable high set tail. Coat is a little lacking in the rough but overall body coat is profuse with good texture and cream undercoat but would prefer cleaner in definition of markings. Slightly smutty markings on hocks and those are loose on the move.
Class: Limit Dog (5/6)
First Place: 79 Liefkees Amore (Saunders) RESERVE DOG CC
Overall balanced male. Pleasing wedge shaped head with good foxy expression. Well defined spectacle markings. Length of muzzle to skull equal proportions. Ivy shaped ears of good proportion to skull. Slightly lighter in eye than desired but does not distract too much from the foxy expression. Good texture of coat. Defined colour markings. Moderate angulation with good length of neck into well placed shoulders. Well filled between the front / very good prosternum. High tail. Very clean in hock. Moves clean out and back, brisk movement on the side action. Could be considered slightly longer than desired but is well in proportion for the height of the dog, ie taller equals longer to be in proportion. Overall very pleasing male.\
Second Place: 23 Liefkees Assisi JW (Downs)
Darker male slightly shorter on the leg. Muzzle and skull length of equal proportions. Well define spectacle markings. Excellent ivy shaped ears though tending too small in natural proportion to the skull. Good scissor bite. Good fill / prosternum between the front legs. Good length of neck into correct moderate angulation. Darker coloured male with light grey / silver undercoat though not as clean in defined markings as the first place but still within acceptable limits. Again, slightly longer than maybe considered desirable and lacking some length of coat around the rough at the moment that accentuates this. Coat texture is of a good natural harshness. Very clean in hock colour. High set tail. Clean mover, brisk side action, although slightly east west from time to time in front on the stand. Moves well out and back. Giving good presence in the showring.
Third Place: 33 Winklestar Alnair via Lacetrom (Gate)
Smaller male. Proportions of skull is slightly shorter muzzle to skull with a more open eye than desired and tending forward placed, would prefer more almond in shape and more obliquely set. Correct ivy shaped ears, very small and compact to the size of the skull. Defined spectacle markings. Moderate angulation though lacks width between the front legs / narrow bodied. Would prefer cleaner fore feet as too much pencilling which is more noticeable on the hock too. Defined body coat markings. Coat softer in texture than desired. High set tail. Brisk mover.
Class: Open Dog (3/3)
First Place: 27 Aragorn Elessar Elfiyskiy Berill (RUS) (Fedeli)
A pretty male although smaller and finer than desired. Very foxy expression. Good almond shaped eyes with well defined spectacle markings, defined stop with correct proportions of muzzle to skull. Pleasing small ivy shaped ears. Would prefer a better lay of shoulder with more angulation in fore quarter as straighter than desired and allows u-neck carriage. Moderate in hind quarter angulation. Very clean colour of hocks. Very high set tail. Very compact in body. Profuse coat of excellent texture, well groomed to the skin and standing well off from the body. Clean in colour. First place in this class but too feminine in nature and Pomeranian in type and carriage, but a very showy show dog that does catch your eye.
Second Place: 75 Ch Dianakees Inspector Morse at Esorkees (Rose)
Correct 1:1 head proportions. Masculine wedge shaped skull. Spectacle markings are defined but not as clear as first place and slightly lighter eye colour. Too small ivy shaped ears, quite tiny compared to skull size but well placed on the skull. Good neck into fore quarters. Moderately compact body for height. High set tail with tight double curl and black tip. Good compact cat feet, very tight. Heavier boned with substance carrying weight. Somewhat naughty on the move that made assessment more difficult than desired. Bouts of seeing clean movement fore and aft. Clean hock colour and fore feet with very little pencilling. Defined body markings and harsh texture to the coat. Would like to see the brush used through the coat more often as was lacking presentation and required the removal of large amounts of loose undercoat coat although texture was present.
Third Place: 11 Phebus Milo Paradise Of The Gray Wolves (FRA) (Boyer)
Heavier style Keeshond male. More Wolfspitz in type. Very strong masculine head. Lighter in eye that detracted from the expression thus tending more wolf like than fox like, which is typical of the wolf type which are larger, heavier, coarser in type. Ears larger and more triangular than ivy shaped. Body proportions were very tall and longer. Darker in the fore feet and hock than acceptable – more than just pencilling. High set tail. Good clean movement out and back. Excellent texture of coat. Well defined very dark saddle markings and clear flashing markings with light grey undercoat. More profuse in length over the body than desired but correct for rough and trousers. Overall still a quality Keeshond, just more Wolfspitz in type for the UK breed standard.
Class: Champion Male (2/3)
First Place: 13 Ch Divnyi Drug Dar (Imp RUS) (Brunt) BEST OPPOSITE SEX IN SHOW / RESERVE BEST IN SHOW / DOG CC
Quality male of excellent proportions. Head displaying masculinity without coarseness and clean wedge shape with excellent defined spectacle markings. Almond shaped eye of dark colour. Correct proportions of muzzle to skull with defined stop. Well placed and well shaped ivy ears. Excellent scissor bite. Moderate fore quarter angulation but would like a little more prosternum in front. Fore feet and hocks are very clean in colour with no distracting pencilling. Profuse coat in all the correct areas that was well groomed and presented with defined markings, clean in under coat colour and very high set tail with good defined hook in the end with black tip. Excellent clean and brisk action from all angles – pleasing to watch move today. A little lazy from time to time with his ears but when motivated by the handler was certainly very alert and expresses himself well. A well deserved winner in this class, congratulations.
Second Place: 73 Ch Neradmik Shine On Hervey Moon (Ring)
Masculine head with good foxy expression and well defined spectacle markings. Dark almond eye, obliquely set. Larger ivy shaped ears. Straighter in fore quarter angulation to the first place which thus gave the appearance of lacking neck. Longer cast in body with moderate set tail with full plumb. Clean feet and hocks. Good body coat length but softer in texture. Clean and defined in colour. Stands a little east west in front and shorter in foot fall on the go around than first place.
Class: Veteran dog (5/6 – 1 dismissed / unexaminable)
First Place: 40 Ch Kichigai’s Only The Lonely VW (Hickson)
Overall quality male for age. Strong wedge shaped head that is slightly large, 1:1 proportions, but still the size is well in proportion to the overall dog. Excellent almond shaped obliquely set eyes still lovely and dark. Dentition is still excellent for age. Moderately angled front and rear. Correct profuse coat with beautiful light grey undercoat with fine black markings. High set tail. Slightly darker in hocks than desired. Tight compact cat feet. Clean mover out and back and still brisk and easy on the go around. A quality veteran male who is happy to still be in the showring.
Second Place: 50 Ednaaron Moon Light (Lush)
Overall an honest mature male. Handled from a motorised scooter which did not allow this dog in this ring to fully show his movement potential. Correct wedge shaped head of good proportions and dark almond shaped obliquely set eyes with defined spectacles. Colour could be cleaner on the skull. Moderately angled with length of neck. Longer in body than desired. High set tail with full plumb and hook. Clean feet and hocks. Well coated of good texture and markings. Movement harder to assess but appeared correct in most realms.
Third Place: 48 Ch / Int / Bel / Ir / NL Ch Quasars Brilliant Light Van Het Earlskamp Serenaubach (Imp BEL) (Lee)
A well presented mature male. Masculine aging head that is starting to loose muscle tone and fill under the eye but still exhibits those foxy expression qualities. Moderately dark eye, almond shaped, obliquely set, slight weep that can be expected with age. Larger ivy ears set high on the head. More open angled than moderate and thus a shorter stepping male, some convergence in front. Body proportions correct. Well coated and defined in markings slightly softer in texture. Overall a quality male for age.
Class: Vintage Dog (1/2)
First Place: 62 Ch Rossvale’s Legacy for Lekkerbek (Miles, Cullen & Brown) BEST VETERAN IN SHOW / BEST VETERAN DOG
A 12 1/2 year old male castrated. A beautiful and excellent headpiece still for age. Dark almond eye slightly more open than desirable. Good defined spectacle markings for age not hidden by greying off of the muzzle and skull. Correct 1:1 proportion skull to muzzle, well shaped wedge and very foxy in expression. Ivy shaped ear is slightly larger but lack of coat would make them look larger than appearing. Very good fore quarter angulation with well laid shoulder into very compact body. Tight highly set tail with hook, black tip and plumb. Well defined body markings. Overall coat on body and hind quarter extremely clean in colour although not as full likely due to age. Still moves out and back extremely clean. On the around the ring also still a very good mover just slower with age but displays his poise and carriage well. I would have enjoyed judging this dog in his younger day and he certainly seemed to enjoy being in the show ring again.
Class: Breeders Dog (2/2)
First Place: 50 Ednaaron Moon Light (Lush)
Refer to previous critique, Veteran Dog Class
Second Place: 4 Ch Skathki Just Got Wicked (Bardsley)
This male is still a quality Keeshond. This dog has a harsher expression, likely due to aging and slightly lighter eye than the desire. Good wedge shaped head. Define spectacle markings. Correct almond eye. Well shaped ivy ear of good size to skull proportions. Was placed fourth / Reserve in the Veteran class due to being more harsh in expression than I prefer but is still a quality male with typical Keeshond silhouette with moderate angulations of both fore and aft quarters. Excellent profuse coat with defined markings. Would prefer to feel a slightly better texture to the coat as it is a little soft but that can be due to age. Movement at this age is not as clean as desired and hence his placing as he throws a hock on the move, which handler later stated was from a recent injury.
Class: Not Bred By Exhibitor Dog (3/3)
First Place: 39 Ch Amikirs Lover Boy For Watchkees (Harris)
Pleasing foxy expression and well proportion head piece. Muzzle dark still for age. Almond shaped eyes slightly larger but still within proportion to the skull. Excellent ivy shaped ears. Colour a little less defined on the skull then in some of the other exhibits. Moderate in angulation with good length of neck. Coat is of a light grey undercoat with fine black markings. Tight highly set tail with good curl and defined hook on the end. Clean in hock but could do with a wash. Toes slightly long, not a tight cat foot. Slightly longer than desired in body but having said that is a good clean mover out, back and around. Well handled and held his own in this class today.
Second Place: 76 Ch Rossvale Endeavour to Esorkees (Rose)
Very compact male. Correct stronger wedge shape skull. Proportion of 1 :1. Slightly more open in eyes than first place winner. Defined spectacle markings. Correct and in proportion ivy shaped ears place well on the skull. Moderate in angulation. Clean in hock and fore foot. Tight highly set tail. Today this dog’s coat was lacking and therefore it was placed second. The texture of the coat is harder but there was lack of coat and there was breakage of the coat, possibly from being harshly stripped.
Third Place: 55 Arabesque at Devonia ShCEx (Imp RUS) (Marshall)
Heavier longer cast male in very large profuse coat. Stronger wedged shaped skull thus not giving as foxy expression. Dark almond eye with spectacles. Ivy ears well placed. Moderate angulation. Body carrying weight and coat colour although profuse is not as clean in undercoat. On the move rolls due to weight rather than showing brisk clean action and carriage.
Class: Minor Puppy Bitch (2/2)
First Place: 37 Amikirs Karrie (Gregory)
Six months and three day old female. Expression with slightly more open eyes than desired but still a good dark eye with good spectacle markings. Balance of muzzle to skull is in excellent proportion. Ears correct ivy shape, slightly large but still a wonderful shape. Puppy coat at this stage for being young is still developing but is good texture and clean in colour with the cream undercoat and the black tip marking starting to come through into defined areas. Fore quarter angulation on this bitch is very pleasing she has a nice depth of chest. Hock colour is slightly pencil but still within acceptable range. Tail set is very high and tail has a good black tip mark. Well muscled and good bone and substance for her age. Pleasing brisk movement and planted her feet well on the stand.
Second Place: 25 Zandvoort Queen Of Tears (Esland)
Also a lovely young female closer to eight months. Correct dark eye, pleasing expression, a good classic almond shaped eye, obliquely set. Correct proportions of the wedged shaped skull. Ears although they are ivy in shape are larger than desirable for me today. Overall angulation in the front is more slight to moderate and thus does not have the chest of the first place winner. I’d like to see a fraction more hindquarter angulation too. Excellent clean feet in both fore and aft. Tail set is high with a good black tip marking and a defined hook to the end of it. She is more developed in coat than my first place winner as she is more mature. Coat texture of excellent quality and of depth. The clean colour of the undercoat is superb and those defined markings are coming through very well. Still a good mover though not quite as brisk as I would like but having said that still a very nice female.
Class: Puppy Bitch (4/4)
First Place: 86 Bargeway Crystal Clear (Tew) BEST PUPPY IN SHOW / BEST PUPPY BITCHLovely young female. Feminine wedge shaped head with strong expression. Slightly lighter eye than desired, excellent spectacle markings that are well traced to the ear for age. Ears are slightly large although a good ivy shape. Classic colour all over with a beautiful light silver grey undercoat with defined black markings, more developed in coat than my second place winner due to age but also well groomed and extremely well presented today. Tight cat feet, clean in hock and in fore foot. Excellent high tail set with well plumbed coat at this age with a strong defined hook in the end as desired. Moves well around the ring with moderate balanced angulation. Clean mover out and back and also easy and brisk on the way around.
Second Place: 8 Allforus Miracle Of Love (Bell)
Another very feminine young girl. Very pleasing wedge shaped head of correct proportions. Almond eye, obliquely set, defined spectacles and pleasing small ivy shaped ears. Slightly less angled than first place and longer cast in body. High set tail with good plume. Coat of correct texture but not as full today. Cream undercoat and defined markings. Moved well with brisk movement and returned with great stance.
Third Place: 37 Amikirs Karrie (Gregory)
Refer to previous critique, Minor Puppy Bitch Class
Unfortunately gave a lot away with age to compete in Puppy Bitch Class
Class: Junior Bitch (1/1)
First Place: 69 Eastkees Amber Moon (Pattison)
Classic young female, 16 months of age. Inquisitive and cheeky. Beautiful feminine headpiece with small ivy shaped ears. Lovely spectacle markings and well defined. Proportion of muzzle to skull is exact 1:1. Dark almond shaped eye of good almond shape. Scissor bite. Slight to moderate in fore quarter angulation would prefer a little more depth of chest but still with an adequate range for a female of this age. Light coloured clean hocks with front legs having slight pencil markings. Very high set tail with extremely tight curl and define hook in the end. Coat is going through that junior stage where she has a level of undercoat but not as full in depth as my puppy winner but having said that she is in classic lack of coat for this age but still shows defined markings. The coat colour itself is clean, it’s cream to light grey and the black saddle markings are becoming more defined and will continue to do so as she comes back into coat. Was in the class on her own today but a worthy winner.
Class: Post Graduate Bitch (2/4)
First Place: 85 Bargeway Breeze On By (Tew) RESERVE BITCH CC
Classic young female with beautiful feminine head. Very foxy in expression. Excellent eye shape, dark and set superbly to give that classic Kees look displaying cleanly defined spectacles traced easily to the outer corner of the ear and distinct shading around the eye. Ears small and ivy in shape and of good proportion to the head. Skull to muzzle balanced. Scissor bite. Clean feet both fore and aft. Modern in angulation in front and good use of neck. High set tail not as tightly curled but well held on the body. Lacking undercoat at this stage but topcoat is well defined still and is a good texture and still stands out from the body in her pyjamas as we would say for her age, but the coat is the icing on the cake, her conformation is classic feminine Keeshond and that shows in her easy brisk movement that catches your eye as she moves around the ring. A pleasure to judge and watch today.
Second Place: 56 Devonia’s Hakuna Matata JW (Marshall)
Another lovely female. Good wedge shaped head with dark almond eye and defined spectacle markings. Ears larger but of ivy shape. Balanced in skull to muzzle proportions. Good use of neck into well laid shoulder. Tail a little low set and hind quarter not as angled as front, a slight imbalance. Compact body. Good coat though not in full coat with clean undercoat and defined outer coat in very good texture. Feet clean. Moved well around the ring but not as the first place in the class.
Class: Limit Bitch (7/8)
First Place: 45 Tykees Full Of Chaos (Johnston)
Lovely feminine female. Classic wedge shaped head. Dark almond shaped eye with good spectacle markings, eye lighter in colour. Ears are slightly higher set than desired but not a good ivy shape. Moderate angulation into well laid shoulder and uses her neck well. Has good width between the front legs, not narrow. Very light undercoat, silver grey with well defined black markings. Very high set tail and very tightly held on the back with the define hook in the end. Clean colour in both hock and in fore foot. Moved very well, brisk movement very clean out and back a pleasure to judge today but would prefer less length in body.
Second Place: 14 Zandvoort Grace’s Secret (Brunt)
Another lovely headed female. Foxy and expressive. Dark almond eye with very defined spectacle markings. Ears a little larger than desired which are accentuated by the lack of female mane. Slighter in angulation than first place but balanced to the rear. High set tail in full plume. Coat of good harsh texture and defined in markings. Clean feet. Moved well around the ring with brisk movement but shorter in step than first place. Would prefer less body length which is accentuated by the lack of coat today.
Third Place: 70 Eastkees Lily Of The Valley (Pattison)
A longer bodied female than those placed higher with a pleasing feminine Keeshond head. Good foxy expression. Dark almond shaped eye with defined spectacle markings. Ears well set and ivy shaped. Fore quarter angulation only slight and thus forward placed which then gives a shorter neck and thus accentuates the length of body. High set tail with full plume. Hind quarter well angled and thus not balanced to the front. Very good texture of coat with clean undercoat of cream colouring and lighter but defined outer coat. Not as balanced on the move.
Class: Open Bitch (6/6)
First Place: 34 Ch Winklestar Alsephina via Lacetrom JW (Gate) BEST IN SHOW / BITCH CC
An outstanding female of excellent breed type. Lovely feminine head with clean wedge shape. Proportioned muzzle to skull. Eyes slightly large and slightly lighter in colour than desired but still does not distract from the foxy expression. Excellent spectacle markings, well defined to the outer corner of the ear. Beautiful set on ears, small ivy shape and in excellent proportion to the skull and set just where they should be complimenting the overall look of this female. Balanced in both fore and hind quarter angulation. She has good depth of chest and spring of rib for a female. Shows plenty of prosternum and thus gives an excellent front foot fall. Clean feet. Lovely feminine coat that is not overdone and profuse but just fitted and well groomed through that displays her compact body. Very high set tail with a defined black tip and good hook in the end. Was very clean mover out and back with no pinning in or misalignment of legs. Certainly showed herself well today for her handler. Very brisk around the ring was happily my first place winner today
Second Place: 47 Serenaubach Andromeda (Lee)
A heavier bodied female than my first place. Head finer in foreface and stop not as defined, slopes, but still displays femininity. Eye slightly larger as were ears. Defined spectacles and ears ivy shaped. Moderate in angles. Heavier in body with large coat of good texture but not as defined in markings. Lower set tail which accentuates body length. Rocks on the move due to carrying weight but showed well for her handler.
Third Place: 26 Fr Ch Ostara Vita de la Lumiere D’hemera (Fedeli)
A smaller proportioned female. Harsher in expression with darker head markings. Defined spectacles, dark eye. Ears ivy but slightly large. Fore quarter more forward placed than second place winner. Hind quarter balanced to the fore. High set tail in full plume. Clean cream undercoat with well defined markings. Texture softer but well presented and groomed. Longer in body and shorter on the leg than desired. Shorter stepping on the move due to angles, although brisk, took many steps to go around the ring. Showed well and certainly is in tune with the handler. .
Class: Champion Bitch (2/3)
First Place: 72 Ch Keitakees You Are My World (Redler)
Feminine with correctly proportioned head. 1:1 muzzle to skull. Good spectacle markings. Would prefer a darker eye that would not distract quite so much from the expression. Almond shaped. Ears ivy shape but are too large for the proportion of the head. Well angled in fore quarter and hindquarter producing lovely side movement for this female. Going away and on the stance is a little cow hocked. She’s in her pyjamas today as she’s lacking undercoat but the coat that she has is a good clear light grey undercoat with well define black tip markings. Very high set tail which is very tightly curled with required black tip to the end with hook. Hocks and fore feet are clean in colour. A showy girl for her handler.
Second Place: 59 Ch Winklestar Aurora at Valindale JW (Matthews, Matthews & Lee)
A heavier female than the first place – a doggy bitch. Heavier boned and very large coat. Strong wedge shaped head. Dark almond shaped eyes. Defined spectacles and shadings. Ivy ears set well. Heavier in body and carrying weight today. Balanced angulation. Clean cream undercoat and well defined outer coat but very soft in texture and profuse. Not as clean on the move today with soft musculation due to weight carriage and needs exercising. Showed her heart out for her handler and was very alert and expressive.
Class: Veteran Bitch (7/7)
First Place: 67 Ch Torrikees Lust For Life (Passmore) BEST OPPOSITE SEX VETERAN IN SHOW / BEST VETERAN BITCH
Mature female showing all classic Keeshond signs of being classy, even for her age. Well proportioned head to skull. Define stop. Ears are slightly larger than desirable but still beautiful ivy shape. Eyes slightly lighter than desirable and can distract a little from the expression. This bitch still moves a classic Kees way due to her angles and musculation even for her age. She has good depth of chest and good postern. Excellent angulation both fore and aft which is balanced. Coat in good texture which is quite profuse for her age and showing beautiful clean undercoat of light silver grey and defined black outer coat. High set tail with good hook in the end. Clean coloured feet in both fore and aft. Clean mover out and back for age and brisk movement still all the way around. Well deserved win today.
Second Place: 58 Torrikees Made In Heaven at Devonia VW (Marshall)
Was very close between my first and second place winners today. This bitch was also classic in head. Skull very feminine for her age. Good almond shaped eye, dark. Lovely ivy shaped ears. Correct angles fore and aft. Good level of coat but not quite as clean in undercoat as my first place winner but still very good overall. Carrying a little too much weight today but that’s quite typical of a female of her age as we all know Kees love their food. Good coat and tail. High set tail and good hook in the end, well carried. Clean hocks. Still moves well. Slightly longer in body than my first place, hence my second place today. Her overall quality is very pleasing.
Third Place: 1 Lilli Marlina of Watermyth (Axford & Sherwood)
A smaller finer but feminine female. Darker in colour. Dark eye, almond shaped. Small ivy ears. Greying off of the muzzle through age but still all female. Sloping stop. Slight in angles. Moderate length of body. Lower set tail. Undercoat not as clear with dark over coat, soft texture and of good length. Moved well but not with the presence of my first and second placings today.
Class: Vintage Bitch (3/5)
First Place: 15 Ch Vanstrad Quantum Of Solace (Brunt)
Very feminine mature female of around 12 1/2 years of age. Classic in type. Still shows all those feminine qualities and owns the ring. Well proportion head to skull. Correct almond shaped eye, dark still for her age which is fantastic that they have not lightened off. Ears are more triangular than ivy shaped but still well proportion. She’s a taller more upstanding bitch. Excellent angulation and has pro sternum. High set tail with a tight hook on the end. Very clean in the hock and fore foot. Profuse coat of good clean undercoat which is a lighter grey to silver with good define black markings. Moves correct.
Second Place: 35 Ch Amikirs Bubblelicious JW (Gregory)
Also a classic female. Slightly more narrow in skull and fore face. Ears carried a little higher than my first place winner, slightly more Ivy shaped but slightly larger as well. Good dark almond shaped eye with excellent spectacle markings. Good angulation. Extremely good coat for her age. Light grey undercoat with well defined black tipping. High set tail. Slightly longer in body and heavier set in terms of carrying weight. Today moved well around the ring but rolled a little on the out and back movement. Clean in hock and fore foot. A well deserved second place today.
Third Place: 42 Ch Wizzkees Ebony Silver for Plymkees JW ShCM VW (Hill)
A character in the show ring today and so was the owner. Plainer in head and not as foxy in expression. Her eyes are a tending more round rather than almond shaped and thus slightly forward placed hence her placing into third today. Ears are tending more triangular than then ivy shaped but well carried on the skull. Exuberant and happy to be in the ring. Her colour and markings are a silver grey with well defined black tip markings. Longer in body than desired but she’s more upstanding as well, in other words she’s a taller female. Her foot colour is clean with very little pencilling. High tail set. Naughty on the move but eventually walked in the end, well done to the handler.
Class: Breeder’s Bitch (3/3)
First Place: 72 Ch Keitakees You Are My World (Redler)
Refer to previous critique, Champion Bitch Class
Second Place: 36 Ch Amikirs Lovealicious JW (Gregory) A heavier female. Darker in colour. Good proportion of head to skull. Dark almond shaped eye with good spectacle markings. Eye is slightly larger but still in proportion to this female who is a heavier female. Overall her body is longer than desired. Tail set not quite as high as I would wish and therefore she often drops it and has it hanging off on the stack. Colour of hocks is not as clean as desired but the overall colour of the body is well defined in black markings with a darker grey undercoat. Still all classic female and would be an excellent breeding bitch to continue on with. I’m sure has produced lovely puppies.
Third Place: 57 Devonia Black Pearl (Marshall)
Feminine head in lighter colour and markings. Good ivy shaped ears. Eyes are more open than desired, so more rounded than I would like and thus more forward placed that almond and oblique. Muzzle and skull is more narrow than others in this class but proportions are correct. Front angulation is moderate as is hindquarter. Longer in body but is an overall larger female as well. High set tail with good plum and good colour. Hock and fore foot are clean in colour. Hock rolls on the move and toes in coming forward. Not quite as clean and brisk on the move hence why her placing into third.
Class: Not Bred By Exhibitor Bitch (4/5)
First Place: 49 Dianakees Carolina Moon (Lush)
Heavier set female but with slightly more open eyes than desired but still the worthy winner of this class today. Good coat in texture, clean through with cream undercoat and black tip markings. Heavier in bone than desired for a female. Larger than desired. I had placed her further down in a previous class but in this class she had to be the winner today.
Second Place: 3 Kwajongen She’s A Model for Byquy (Axford & Sherwood)
A smaller female. Foxy in expression. Would prefer a cleaner eye, watery and lighter in colour and larger in shape than desired. Head proportions are that she is slightly shorter in muzzle to skull. Body is longer than desired. Not carrying as much coat today as lacking in undercoat. Clean feet and hocks. Tail is high set. Very exuberant female and thus hard to assess. She moved well away, so that I could see the hindquarters but I struggled to see the fore quarter action because of her exuberance and moving around the ring as she was somewhat naughty. There were moments where she displayed that she had a good reach and drive. She struggled to work with her handler today hence the second place.
Third Place: 6 Sweet Paradise Of The Gray Wolves (FRA) (Barthes)
Darker female with more open eye than desired. Larger ears than desired but good wedge shaped head of balance proportion. Lacking in undercoat today. Fore feet east west and flat footed for my liking. Longer cast female than desired. High set tail. Movement was not as clean as desired and hence the third place.
