09/10/2026
WCGB Open show 05/09/2026
Mrs Melissa Suett
WCGB Open Show 5th September 2026
Critique
Judge: Mrs Melissa Suett “Silberliss”
It was a great honour to be offered this appointment, having owned Weimaraners since 2000 this was a wonderful opportunity to judge a breed I am hugely passionate about. Being out on the grass in excellent sized rings with some lovely English weather made the day even more enjoyable, thank you to all who entered their dogs and many thanks to my 2 stewards who kept everything running smoothly for myself & the exhibitors on the day.
Overall, temperaments were sound and feet good. I found the standard within the bi***es to be much higher, I was able to find what I was looking for in my overall winners & had some close decisions. Within the dogs there was more cause for concern & it was my older exhibits that eventually displayed what, to me, are the fundamentals of this breed.
I was concerned at the amount of variation of type within a breed that has so little room for deviation. I was also surprised at the high number of level bites. Key areas for consideration were - The lack of correct outline, as clearly stated in the standard, this is surely one of the more distinguishing features of this breed, Weimaraners should be slightly longer through the body than they are tall (12:10) many of the entries were much more square in shape. Fronts were, overall, far too upright with short upper arms lacking the required reach & return to produce flowing & ground covering movement. Tails were very often set & carried high over the dogs backs. On the whole, exhibits were often at the extremes – either too fine and tall or too heavy and coarse, with very few falling into the desirable area of “moderate.”
I feel, when looking to the current standard, that this special breed is at a bit of a junction and that the actions of those who are equally passionate about its future will now guide which path is selected. Great care must be taken to ensure that success in the ring at all costs does not overshadow a desire to breed good examples and take close note of the key elements within the standard that make a Weimaraner the unique breed they should be!
Class 1 – Minor Puppy Dog 0 Entries
Class 2 – Puppy Dog 0 Entries
Class 3 – Junior Dog 1 Entry
1st: 11. Dobb’s “Theondale Hopeful Heart”
17 months old, well developed & up to size for his age. Lovely silver/grey coat & presented in fit, hard condition. Displaying the correct length to height ratio with a level topline when stacked & on the move. Soft expression with a masculine but not coarse head, correct depth of flew, ear set/fold & length all good. Well muscled neck flowing into correctly laid shoulder, would just like a touch more length & return to upper arm to mirror his rear angles. Good depth of chest for age. Straight front leading to tight feet. Well ribbed back with a short loin, correctly set & carried tail. Correctly angulated rear with well let down, straight hocks. Well handled & moved positively. Reserve Best Dog.
Class 4 – Yearling Dog 4 Entries/1 Absent
3 very different types in this class.
1st: 45. Tullet’s “Rivertone the Wizard”
20 months old male of pleasing silver/grey colour with correct dark pigment. This boy had the best outline in the class & scored for his correct 12:10 proportions, although I would not want him any bigger. Correct head proportions with a gentle expression. Masculine without being coarse, he has an aristocratic look to him that many males were lacking today. Moderate & even angles front & rear which combined well with the length through his body to provide a lovely easy ground covering action when watched in profile. Straight front with tight feet. Level topline when stacked & moving, with a short loin. Correctly set & carried tail. A rangier type who needs time to fill his frame, just a bit loose today.
2nd: 34. Powell’s “Medreliath Odin”
18 months old male at his first show & all a bit raw at this stage. Very different to my winner, more compact and would benefit from a touch more length through his body to complete the picture. Presented in exceptionally hard condition with a pale silver/grey coat. Pleasing head of good proportions with good depth of flew and a soft expression, correct length and set of ears. Plenty of substance with good depth & width of chest. Moderate angles front & rear, but a little unsettled on the move today.
Class 5 – Maiden Dog 0 Entries
Class 6 – Novice Dog 0 Entries
Class 7 – Graduate Dog 1 Entry
1st: 32. Porter-manning & Porter’s “Walleroo Betelgeuse”
17 month old dog of good substance & bone. Correct silver/grey coat. Even & moderate angles front & rear. Displaying a correct length to height ratio but did tend to drop his topline when stacked & on the move. Pleasing head proportions with correct ear set & length. Good depth of brisket. Straight front with tight feet. Moved ok. Tended to give his handler a hard time when being stacked.
Class 8 – Post Graduate Dog 1 Entry/1 Absentee
Class 9 – Limit Dog 2 Entries
Again, 2 very different types. Both dogs needed to have more enthusiasm & drive on the day.
1st: 1. Brown & Filby’s “Desjiem Billy Don’t Be a Hero JW”
4 year old male with the correct silver grey coat colour. Scored in outline today, showing the correct 12
:10 ratio. Correct head proportions, depth of flew & substance. Correctly set ears of good length & fold. Good length of neck into well laid shoulder. I would prefer better fitting elbows. Good depth to his brisket. Straight front leading to tight feet. Correctly set & carried tail. Movement was hard to assess as this boy needed more enthusiasm and drive today to really show his gait. Topline was a little too sloping when stacked, but far more level when seen moving.
2nd: Martinez’s “Meinwg Autumnal Frost AW(S)”
6 year old male, also displaying a lovely pale silver/grey coat but a touch more square in outline. Pleasing head & expression. Shorter in upper arm than 1, moderate rear angulation with well let down, straight hocks. Straight front. Well ribbed back with a short loin. Again, this boy didn’t do himself any favours today as he needed a bit more “go” to be able to assess him on the move.
Class 10 – Open Dog 2 Entries/1 Absentee
1st: 14. Hill’s “ShCh/IrShCh Weipowa Double O’seven JW”
3 year old male of pleasing pale silver/grey colour, I would like to see a little more pigment around his nose & eyes. Unmistakably male but possibly a touch too much breadth to his head giving him a less aristocratic look than is typical of the breed. Correct depth of muzzle/flew with ears of good length, set & fold. Straight front with tight feet. Moderate rear angles & well let down, straight hocks. Well ribbed back with a short well muscled loin. Tail is set and carried touch high with a bit more slope to his croup than I would prefer. This boy is a real showman, presented in extremely fit and hard condition & handled to advantage, he moves positively and never lets his handler down. He just lacks a little in length through his body to give him the correct outline and allow the easy length of stride required for this breed. When coupled with a slightly short upper arm that produces less reach, so although he is positive when moving, there could be more length and coverage to his stride.
Class 1 – Special Breeders Dog 3 Entries
1st: 4. Carpenter’s “Aschfahl Kepanye JW”
3 year old male, masculine without being coarse, displaying a beautiful silver/grey coat. Lovely aristocratic head of correct proportions with enough pigment, correct depth of muzzle & flew. Good length of ear with correct set & fold. Strong neck flowing into well laid shoulder, good length & return of upper arm leading into straight front and down to tight feet. Good depth & width of chest. Even & moderate angles front & rear, coupled with the correct length to his body, gave this boy an easy ground covering stride that was pleasing in profile. Topline was level on the move but handler tended to overstretch him at times and spoil that topline & make him appear straighter through his stifle when stacked. Well ribbed with a short well muscled loin. Correctly set & carried tail. Strongly considered in the dog challenge.
2nd: 33. Porter-manning & Porter’s “Wallaroo Kynki Boots JW”
4 year old male of a different type to 1. More square in outline. Correctly proportioned head with well set ears of good length & correct fold. Even moderate angles front & rear. Good depth of chest. Straight front to tight feet. Likes to fidget & was a bit messy on the move today. A little too proud of his tail.
Class 12 – Veteran Dog 3 entries/2 Absentees
1st: Kerr’s “ShCh Kalimor Hudson”
7.5 year old male in his prime. A lovely moderate dog of correct 12:10 outline, displaying many of the attributes that were missing in other exhibits today. Finally the “type” I was looking for, with a pale silver grey coat, beautiful masculine head without any coarseness and that characteristic look of refined nobility. Correct dark pigment around his eyes and nose giving him the look of the “Ghost.” Well muscled and arched neck fitting into correctly sloping shoulder, with good length and return to his upper arm. Depth and width to his chest without being overdone, excellent heart room and well fitting elbows. Straight front leading to tight feet. Level topline, well ribbed back into a short well muscled loin. Correctly set & carried tail. Slight slope to his croup leading to a well turned stifle & well let down hocks. Overall the length through this boys body coupled with the moderate & even angulation front & rear comes together to produce an easy, flowing & ground covering action that has both reach and drive – all characteristic of a dog bred to work all day. My Best dog & Best Veteran Dog & ultimately Reserve Best in Show & Best Opposite s*x. Congratulations.
Class 13 – Special Field Trial Dog 0 Entries
Class 14 Special Working Dog 1 Entry
1st: 19. Martinez’s “Meinwg Autumnal Frost AW(S)”
See critique from 2nd in Limit Dog.
Class 15 – Special Begionners Dog 2 Entries/1 Absentee
1st: 19. Martinez’s “Meinwg Autumnal Frost AW(S)”
See critique from 2nd in Limit Dog.
Class 16 – Special Open Longhaired Dog 0 Entries
Best Dog – 17 Reserve Best Dog – 11 Best Veteran Dog – 17
Class 17 – Minor Puppy Bitch 2 Entries
2 very different puppies in this class.
1st: 28. Phillips’ “Stormdancer Sweet Coraline Rivertone”
6 month old bitch. Sweet young lady who scored in her correct outline & substance. A little darker than I would prefer at the moment, this will hopefully lighten as she matures. She has a feminine head that has good substance, correct depth of muzzle and proportions. Well set ears of excellent length with correct fold. Lovely length of neck leading into well laid shoulders and a good length and return of upper arm. Straight front with plenty of bone and good feet. Already developing a good depth to her chest, she is well ribbed back with a short loin. Her handler tended to overstretch her a little which just caused her to lose her topline at times. Good turn of stifle and well let down, straight hocks. She moved well for one so young, in profile her even angles and length gave her a lovely ground covering stride.
2nd: 46. Upton-Lovett & Upton’s “Sharnphilly She’s a Cracker with Roydack”
8 month old bitch. A different type to 1, finer all through and a little more upright in outline. She has a beautiful pale silver/grey coat. Pretty head, although I would like a little more depth to her muzzle. Correct head proportions, set, length & fold of ear. A touch more length & return to her upper arm would be desirable. Straight front leading to tight feet. Well ribbed back with a short loin. Again, I would like to see just a tiny bit more turn to her stifle, well let down & straight hocks. A neat young lady who shows well for her handler.
Class 18 – Puppy Bitch 4 Entries
1st: 16. Kerr’s “Brownbank Florentine”
8.5 month old bitch. Feminine but with plenty of substance. Lovely pale silver/grey coat with correct pigment around eyes and nose. Good depth to her muzzle & flew with correct head proportions, ear length, set & fold. Correct 12:10 outline with moderate & even angles front and rear. Straight front leading to tight feet. Level topline, well ribbed back with a short loin. Correctly set & carried tail. Well let down, straight hocks. Handler tends to faff around the dog quite a bit, but when left alone she stands & moves well with plenty of ground covering length to her stride. Best Puppy Bitch & strongly considered for Reserve best bitch in the challenge. Best Puppy Bitch & Best puppy in Show.
2nd: 46. Upton-Lovett & Upton’s “Sharnphilly She’s a Cracker with Roydack”
(2nd place in Minor Puppy bitch).
Class 19 – Junior Bitch 3 Entries/1 Absentee
1st: 40. Robinson’s “Theondale Ever Hopeful”
My 1st & 2nd in this class were both 17 months old but 2 very different types.
This bitch scored in substance and movement. She tended to drop her topline and back off when stacked which just spoiled her outline, I’m sure this will improve with practice. Feminine head of correct proportions, ears well set and of correct length & fold. Even angulation front & rear. Straight front & tight feet. Well ribbed back, good depth & width of chest, short loin. Tail set ok but carried a little high on the move. Wel let down, straight hocks. Held her topline much better on the move.
2nd: 30. Pilatova’s “Sabsky Spilberk”
Feminine bitch of a finer type than 1. Beautiful pale silver/grey coat. Finer muzzle but with correct head proportions. Ears of correct length, well set and with correct fold. A little more upright in overall outline than my winner, even angles front and rear, level topline with a short loin. Straight front and tight feet. Would like to see a little more depth and width to her chest at this stage of her development. A little messy on the move & tended to pace quite a lot.
Class 20 – Yearling Bitch 3 Entires
1st: 36. Rayner & Maskell’s “Enjager Elegance for Brownbank JW”
A standout bitch of almost 2 years of age. Beautiful pale silver/grey colour with plenty of bone & substance but still elegant & feminine. Again, this bitch displayed a lot of attributes that were missing from other exhibits today, she is moderate, with the correct outline coupled with excellent front and rear angulation that produces perfect footfall and a lovely easy side gait. Nothing over or underdone, depth to her muzzle while retaining femininity, correct head proportions, ear set, length & fold. Strong neck flowing into a well laid shoulder and matching return & length of upper arm. Straight front & tight feet, good width & depth to her chest. Level topline, well ribbed and a short well muscled loin. Excellent turn of stifle leading to well let down, straight hocks. Tail set & carried correctly. Best Bitch & she just had that little bit of extra sparkle in the challenge for Best in show to pip my Best dog for overall top honours. Congratulations.
2nd: 40. Robinson’s “Theondale Ever Hopeful”
(1st Junior Bitch)
Class 21 - Maiden Bitch 1 Entry
1st: 48. West’s “Gunalt Reverance”
10 month old bitch. Larger type, taller & a bit more upright in her frame. Feminine and of good colour. A little shy on the stack, she settled more once on the move. Head of correct proportions, good ear length, set & fold. Lacking a little in the length & return of her upper arm and again in turn of stifle at the rear. She has a straight front and tight feet. Enough depth in front for her age. Level topline, well ribbed with a short loin. Correct tail set & carriage. Well let down, straight hocks. Moved ok, needs to gain in confidence.
Class 22 - Novice Bitch 3 Entries
1st: 16. Kerr’s “Brownbank Florentine”
See 1st Puppy Bitch
2nd: 40. Robinson’s “Theondale Ever Hopeful”
See 1st Junior Bitch
Class 23 – Graduate Bitch 2 Entries
1st: 6. Charlish’s “Harelferg Happy Hour”
17 Month old bitch. This class was a close decision between 2 very different types. My winner has better substance all through, although a touch more square in outline. Feminine with head of correct proportions, with depth to her muzzle. Ears of correct length, set & fold. Even angulation front & rear. Straight front. Tended to drop her topline when stacked. Well ribbed back with good depth for her age. Moved ok, a little bit proud of her tail.
2nd: 30. Pilatova’s “Sabsky Spilberk”
2nd Junior Bitch – (A very close decision, but this young lady just didn’t want to move today and paced for a large amount of time).
Class 24 – Post Graduate Bitch 2 Entries
Again, 2 very different types in this class & a close decision.
1st: 12. Hay’s “Longlox Celestial Star at Falconwoods JW”
Nearly 3 year old longhair bitch. She really scored in outline, topline & angles to win this class. Feminine but with substance. She has good depth to her muzzle & flews but retains a feminine head of correct proportions with a prominent occiput. Ears of good length with correct set & fold. Good length of neck leading into well laid shoulders and excellent return & length of upper arm. A rangier girl who is taking her time to fill her correct 12:10 frame, but enough depth & width to her chest. Straight front leading to tight feet. Excellent topline, well ribbed back & short loin. Even angles front and rear with good turn of stifle, well let down, straight hocks. Correctly set & carried tail. Coat of good colour, texture & feathering on her legs, ears and tail. When moving she demonstrates a lovely side gait with ground covering, easy length of stride. But! This class was very nearly lost on the up and down, the handler needs to get this sorted or it will hold this lovely girl back from gaining higher awards. Best Longhair in Show.
2nd: 43. Rowbury & Tranquada’s “Stormdancer Goo Goo Doll”
18 Month old bitch of a very different type to 1. A feminine but workmanlike young lady with a more compact and powerful build, she displays a slightly more square outline. Still feminine she has good depth of muzzle and correct head proportions. Good length of ear, correct set & fold. Well muscled and arched neck into correctly laid shoulders with good return of upper arm. She is very deep in the chest which just gave her a very slightly uneven “top heavy” appearance when stacked. Straight, well b***d front with tight feet. Occasionally losing her level topline when stacked, she is well ribbed back with a short loin. I would prefer a touch more turn of stifle to complete the picture and match in with her excellent front angulation. Handled well and moved with purpose. I just preferred the length and overall more balanced outline of my winner today.
Class 25 – Limit Bitch 4 Entries
1st: 41. Robson’s “Kalimor Nancy at Robricci JW”
5 year old bitch. Displayed maturity all through, presented in excellent hard condition. This was a tough decision between my first 2 and I had to be picky! In the end this bitch just had a slightly better depth & width to her chest & a touch more length & return of upper arm. She displays many desirable characteristics, including her correct length to height outline. She is feminine & a good colour. A bit more workmanlike in her head, but still feminine, with plenty of depth and correct proportions. Ears of good length, set & fold. She has great depth & width to her front & brisket. With excellent angulation fore & aft. Well ribbed back with a short powerful loin. Excellent turn of stifle with low, straight hocks. Correct tail set & carriage. She did occasionally drop her topline. True and very settled on the move, displaying good ground covering movement without fuss. You can really picture this girl doing a days work. Pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch.
2nd: 27. Phillips’ “Rivertone Defying Gravity”
18 month old bitch of a different type. She still needs time to mature, but is feminine with the correct amount of substance. Head of pleasing proportions with correct length, set & fold of ear. Excellent reach and arch to her neck, flowing into well laid shoulders, enough length and return of upper arm. Straight front leading to tight feet. Good depth and width through her chest & brisket for her age. Great topline when stacked and moving. Well ribbed back with a short loin. I would like a touch more turn of stifle to finish the picture. Correctly set tail. Short, straight hocks. She was a little wayward on the move, especially the up and down, but displayed a lovely profile movement.
Class 26 – Open Bitch 6 Entries/1 Absentee
1st: 49. West’s “ShCh Gunalt Wavelength JW ShCEx OSW”
6 year old bitch. Presenting a mature picture, she has a feminine head with substance & correct proportions. Ears of adequate length, correct set & fold. She is moderate & presented in well muscled condition. Pale silver/grey colour. Even angles fore & aft with tightly fitting elbows. A little more on the square side in outline than I would prefer. She has a straight front standing on good feet. Well ribbed back with a short loin and correctly set & carried tail. Well let down, straight hocks. Moves true & with purpose. Overall very well handled, although she has a tendency to lean over her forehand on the stack which does just spoil her outline.
2nd: 10. Dobbs’ “Kalimor Summa Love JW”
5 year old bitch. Just missed out on the win here, a very close decision. She just has a little more room at the elbow than I would like. Another mature bitch presented in hard condition & of pleasing colour. She has a lovely head of correct proportions, excellent ear length, correct set & fold. Level topline, with correct length to height ratio. Even angles front and rear with a straight front and tight feet. Well ribbed with a short, well muscled loin. Low, straight hocks. Correct set & carriage of tail. Handled well and moved ok.
Class 27 – Special Breeders Bitch 4 Entries/2 Absentees
1st: 31. Pilatova’s “Sabsky Svratka JW”
5 year old bitch who was 3rd in Open. A nice type, displaying the correct 12:10 outline. Feminine but also workmanlike and with substance. Pale silver/grey colour with an attractive head of correct proportions. Correct length, set & fold of ear. Well laid shoulder and good angulation, I would prefer slightly tighter elbows. Excellent forechest and width/depth of brisket. Straight front leading to tight feet. Level topline, well ribbed back with a short loin. Corresponding rear angulation which gave a lovely ground covering movement. Correctly set & carried tail. Moved well.
2nd: 9. Dennis’ “Silverweis Sparkler”
7 year old bitch who I have judged several times over the years. She always shows well for her handler and enjoys her time in the spotlight. A lovely pale silver/grey colour. She is feminine with good substance & displays a correct outline. Correct head proportions and length, set & fold of ear. Even angles front and rear, but I would like tighter fitting elbows. She would also benefit from more forechest & depth to her brisket. Straight front leading to tight feet, She has a tendency to drop her topline on the stack, well ribbed back with a short loin. Correctly set & carried tail. Well let down, straight hocks. Moved well.
Class 28 – Veteran Bitch 5 Entries/1 Absentee
1st: 29. Pilatova’s “Sabsky Sasanka”
8 year old bitch who presented the best overall picture on the day. Correct 12:10 outline & plenty of substance. Feminine but also workmanlike head, correct proportions and depth of muzzle. Good length of ear with correct set & fold. Even angles front & rear. Straight front, standing on tight feet. Again, I would like to see tighter fitting elbows. Level topline, well ribbed back with a short loin. Correctly set & carried tail. Low, straight hocks. Moved well. Best Veteran Bitch.
2nd: 9. Dennis’ “Silverweis Sparkler”
2nd In Breeders Bitch
Class 29 – Special Field Trial Bitch 0 Entries
Class 30 – Special Working Bitch 1 Entry
1st: 3. Carpenters’ “Keepa Secret”
3 year old bitch. Pleasing pale silver/grey colour. A workmanlike bitch who retains her feminine looks. Pleasing head of correct proportions. Good length, correct set & fold of ear. Well laid shoulder with good length & return of upper arm. Closely fitting elbows. Good width & depth of chest. Straight front with tight feet. Level topline, well ribbed with a short loin. I would prefer a touch more angulation behind to complete the picture. Well let down straight hocks. Correctly set & carried tail. Moved ok.
Class 31 – Special Beginners Bitch 1 Entry/1 Absentee
Class 32 – Special Open Longhaired Bitch 4 Entries/1 Absentee
1st: 12. Hays’ “Longlox Celestial Star at Falconwoodz JW”
(1st Post Graduate Bitch)
2nd: 39. Reakes’ “IR ShCh Thrihyrne Love Letters”
5 year old mature & well developed bitch. Pretty & feminine with a pale well furnished coat. More compact in outline and not quite the shape of my winner. Correct length, set & fold of ear. Head of correct proportions, although I would like a bit more depth to her muzzle. Even angles front & rear. Adequate depth & width of chest. Straight front, feet ok. Level topline, well ribbed with a short loin. Correctly set & carried tail. She moved positively but didn’t quite have the desired ground covering stride in profile.
Best Bitch – 36 Reserve Best Bitch – 41 Best Puppy Bitch – 16 Best Veteran Bitch – 29 Best Longhair Bitch – 12
Best in Show – 36 Reserve BIS – 17 Best opposite s*x – 17 BVIS – 17 BPIS – 16 Best L/H in Show - 12
