MULTI CH OFFORDALE CHEVALIER

MR DARCY

Multi Ch Bell-A-Mir's Elegant Envoy at Spotnik

Ch Offordale White Lady 

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59 Challenge Certificates

17 Reserve Challenge Certificates

6 Best In Shows

Various Group Placings at Championship Shows

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All time UK Breed Record Holder

Crufts Champion

World Dog Show Winner in Dalmatians

European Champion

Norwegian Champion

Amsterdam Winner Champion

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ABOUT MR DARCY

Born on the 6th of May 2010, he is the son of “Zacco” (Multi CH Bell-A-Mir’s Elegant Envoy) from Sweden/Denmark and Jenny’s homebred girl “Zara” (CH Offordale White Lady). Darcy was one of nine in a litter of all black spotted pups. Jenny knew that he was special from an early age but I doubt she had any idea just how amazing he would become, she lovingly refers to him as a bit of a dork who would rather sleep under a blanket than on top.

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His show career started off with a bang. At just six months old he gained Best Puppy, Best Dog and Best Opposite Sex in Show from the Minor Puppy class at the 2010 British Dalmatian Club Open show under Mrs Aase Jakobson from Norway, where she remarked on his excellent movement and solid build. At Crufts 2011, under Peter Bailey, Darcy was awarded Best Puppy Dog, losing out on Best Puppy in Breed to his sister Offordale Sapphire. A month passed and he gained another Best Puppy in show and the Reserve Challenge Certificate at the 2011 Dalmatian Club of Scotland Championship show under Dr Bill Gardner when he was eleven months old, who again noted his movement and substance. A further RCC followed at Leeds Championship show in July 2011 under Mrs Brenda Smith.

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Darcy’s first CC was awarded to him at the age of 14 months by Lesley Suggett (Kintegus), who had this to say about him; “Whilst judging dogs at the North of England Championship Show in 2011 Offordale Chevalier entered the ring for the Graduate class – or rather he strode in! Just occasionally you see a dog coming in to the ring that really takes your eye – much more than catching your attention. I had seen him as a puppy but had not judged him previously. As usual, from this kennel, he was well schooled to present him at his best whilst not detracting from his character. He was a real charmer! Shown in tip top condition, when he set off he powered round the large ring. He was a youngster – I believe still a junior - and I considered carefully whether he had the maturity to overtake the other class winners. In the challenge he seemed to find an extra ounce ensuring that he couldn’t be denied his first Challenge Certificate! Over the past six years I have followed his progress with interest. To see him crowned Breed Record Holder and then going on to win further CCs has been amazing. Sincere congratulations to his owner/handler Jenny Alexander. I am proud to have played a small part in securing Champion Offordale Chevalier’s place in Dalmatian breed history.”

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It wasn’t long to wait for his second CC which was awarded by Brenda Rance (Olbero) at the Scottish Kennel Club, just over a month later. Brenda’s thoughts on Darcy are; “In my lifetime in the breed I have only seen a few great Dalmatians and Champion Offordale Chevalier is one of them. I gave him his second challenge certificate in 2011 at SKC when he was just a youngster over strong competition. Even then he showed potential, with his correct conformation and sound flowing movement, to be a great champion in our Dalmatian breed. He has achieved this by the dedication of his owner and breeder who has campaigned him over the years to win many challenge certificates and be the top winning Dalmatian ever. I look forward to his future and seeing his progeny as this would make the complete picture of such a great dogs’ contribution to our breed.”

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His crowning CC was awarded to him by Sue Parkin-Russell at the British Utility Breeds Association Champ show in December 2011. This judge said he moved effortlessly with drive from his hinds, he was the best mover on the day. She also awarded him Best of Breed and he was shortlisted to the final eight for Best in Show.

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Now a Champion, the CCs did not stop rolling in for Darcy, along with Best of Breeds and Group placings. He was awarded Best of Breed at Crufts 2013 under Lady McDonald of Sleet, followed by Group 4 by Frank Kane. He was also the winner of Dalmatian of the Year twice; in 2012 and 2013. Darcy has been the top winning Dalmatian in the UK several times, including this year (2017). Darcy has been lightly shown abroad, most notably gaining Best of Breed and fourth in Group 6 at the European Dog Show in Oslo in 2015.

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The record for the UK’s Top Winning Dalmatian of all time was broken at Southern Counties under Markku Mahonen. Here Darcy took his 51st CC taking over from the amazing “Magic” CH Dvojica Voodoo JW, owned by Mark Dunnachie. Since becoming a veteran Darcy has won a further eight CCs. As of the end of 2017, his total is 57 CCs with 36 Best of Breeds, Five Best in Show at Dalmatian Specialist Champ shows, one Best in Show at BUBA 2012, three Group 1, one Group 2 and four Group 4 champ show placings. He has also won Best Veteran in Breed (where this was awarded) four times and Best Veteran in Show at Darlington 2017.

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Darcy has not been overly used at stud, siring just three litters in the UK and a few abroad. He is the father to “Rosie” and “Pearl” Australian Champions Whytewood Mr Darcys Ozi Rose (AI) and Whytewood Mr Darcys Ozi Pearl (AI), and “Chiquita” Italian Multi Champion Herbereiensis Heaven Heiress, to name just a few.

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Darcy has also appeared in literature, being mentioned in ‘Hounds: Hunting by Scent’ by David Hancock where he was described as “the epitome of a well-constructed hound of the chase”.

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Over the years many judges have put their hands on him and these are the thoughts of just a few of them.

At Bath Champ show in 2012, Ilex Whiting (Cragvallie) awarded him the CC with Best of Breed; “A really lovely representative of the breed, still holding his own as a veteran and looking just as good as when I judged him as a 2 year old. He has near perfect construction which enables him to move effortlessly and is an outstanding showman. He has done a lot to put the breed on the map at group level. A great credit to the breed and his breeder/owner who shows him unobtrusively and sympathetically.”

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Sue Wilkinson (Hunacres) judged him at Bath 2013; “I first saw Darcy as a baby puppy at the BDC club open show and remember thinking what a fabulous puppy. When I judged him at Bath in 2013 he filled my eye and I loved him for his type and movement. Every so often there are "once in a life time dogs" and Chevalier is one of these. In a highly competitive breed like Dalmatians he has continued to win at the highest level year on year and continuing into veteran... He is a credit to his owner/breeder and to the heritage behind him.”

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Also in 2013, Chris Pickup (Roadcoach) awarded Darcy the CC and, along with her co-judge Dr John Stevenson, Best in Show at the British Dalmatian Club Champ show. In her critique Chris described him as “An outstanding dog; a fine upstanding, stallion type with a huge ring presence that demands attention.” Now, four years later she reiterates that “He is an excellent example of the combination of Scandinavian and English Bloodlines. A worthy winner of the breed record.”

Driffield 2014 was judged by Diana Spavin (Dialynne); “It always makes me so proud when a dog you have given a CC to goes on to become a top winner and a great ambassador for the breed, this dog certainly has. What I love most about him is his overall balance and type plus his undeniable enthusiasm.”

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Windsor 2015 was judged by Nina Fleming (Chandally); “I liked this dog from the very first time I saw him as a raw pup, even then you could see the potential. For me, he has always stood out as a super example of the breed. He went through that gangly stage, as youngsters do, but he still had that extra special something and hardly ever put a foot wrong. One thing is the dog has to be built right to move right but to top it all he has always had that extra spark and that showmanship which is also so important and it really catches a judge's eye. It also helps that he has such affection and rapport for his handler, breeder & owner - Jenny Alexander, they move as one. I think he has just gotten better and better as he matured and, to be honest, I am not surprised that he has finally taken the breed record. To be top dog he must be in top shape and be on his toes in the ring and, yes, he still has it.”

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Donna Whincup (Tamilanda) judged Darcy at Richmond in 2016; “It was with great pleasure that I got to judge CH Offordale Chevalier JW at Richmond Championship show in 2016, awarding him top honours with the DCC & BOB. A stallion free standing, with super front assembly and harmoniously angled behind. This combination enables Chevalier to power effortlessly around the ring, with great reach and drive. A true showman demanding attention, he has the elegance of a true carriage dog, very masculine, with a handsome head. A credit to the breed, but most of all a credit to his handler & breeder who has put the hours of training and discipline in to making him what he is today, Our Breed Record Holder.”

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Honorary Secretary of the British Dalmatian Club, Shelagh Stevenson, judged Darcy at WELKS 2017; “CH Offordale Chevalier JW, in my opinion, displays the true qualities of a Dalmatian in so many respects. This has enabled him to achieve the deserved title of Breed Record Holder. He has attained top honours in both CC’s and BOB’s and also other challenges on many occasions. I am pleased to have awarded him his 50th CC when he equalled the then Breed Record Holder.”

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Chris Toynton (Merrybriar) awarded Darcy Best in Show at the Northern Ireland Dalmatian Club Champ show 2017: “I first judged Darcy at Bournemouth Champ Show in 2011 as a junior & awarded him a 3rd out of 5 because the higher placings were more mature in attitude & Darcy bounced around all over the place with Jenny in tow. I stuck my neck out because there was something about him when stood still that made me see why Jenny had faith in him. Three years later I had the honour of assessing him again at Three Counties Champ Show when I gave him a 2nd place in Open behind another great Champion (CH Creaganbrec the Favourite at Miragua). I then wrote ‘Struggled to be able to fully assess his movement today because of his strength, which his handler will have to try to overcome in future.....you cannot ignore his ring presence & true champion quality.’ He then, of course, proved himself winning ‘CC’ after ‘CC’ for the next three years. Watching him outside the showring free-running in his home environment I could see why breed & non-breed specialists put him up every time, he just epitomises the Breed Standard (our benchmark) to perfection. When judging him for the third time, at the Northern Ireland Club Champ Show, this year, in the veteran class, he was a big, grown up level-headed man who proved to be the perfect male specimen that makes him the ultimate Champion of Champions of our day. I am honoured to have been able to award his 55th CC & Best in Show at a Club Championship Show.”

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Darcy has his fans outside of the show ring as well. His trainer, Julie Swallow, has some comments: “I had the privilege of doing some Obedience style Training with Darcy to help him and Jenny to be more relaxed help him shine in the ring. I am immensely proud of how he and Jenny have taken some of these suggestions and delighted that he has gone on to achieve such amazing results in the ring. Most importantly he is a happy, much loved and confident dog whose tail wag shows his delight at being with his Mum and being in the ring.”

Also, from his ringcraft, Angie Challenger (Lyveden Australian Shepherds); “I first met Jenny Alexander about 25 years ago with her first Dalmatian, her dedication to the breed in breeding rearing and training is unsurpassed, her achievements with Darcy have been amazing and I am very proud of her.”

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Throughout the critiques and comments from judges there is one thing that keeps being repeated and that is Darcy’s movement is what draws the judges’ eye to him. He is a true showman, with an endlessly wagging tail and always works hard for his handler. In order to achieve such fantastic results, it is imperative that the bond between handler and dog is strong. Darcy is not just a show dog to Jenny, he is her pride and joy and a big part of her family. For Darcy, it is obvious that Jenny is his world and anyone who sits at the ringside can see his adoration.

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Although he has achieved all of this, Darcy is still just seven years old. There is a lot more mileage left in this boy yet, he is certainly nowhere near finished with his winning ways and I think we are all waiting to see what else he accomplishes before he’s done. So huge Congratulations on your past awards and I look forward to seeing all the future ones, Darcy, CH Offordale Chevalier JW.

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A big thank you to the Judges and trainers who took the time to help me with this article, I am sure your words are much appreciated!

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Breed Record Notes written by Lauran Wheaton