Catalan Sheepdog Club of Great Britain

Catalan Sheepdog Club Of GB

14th April 2019

My thanks to The Catalan Sheepdog Club Of GB for the invitation to judge their 10th Anniversary show of KC breed recognition. What an honour.

A super entry of 24 awaited me with no absentees. Overall size seems to be more uniform than when I have judged them before as were head to muzzle proportions, none were over long in muzzle or snipey. All had the required scissor bite with well pigmented gums and lips. I was impressed with the angulation in the majority, particularly rear angulation, which is essential in a functional sheepdog. The double dew claws, in the main, were set low, although they could have been stronger in some and one exhibit had none at all, these are a breed characteristic. Coat texture was good and none were over-coated which could impede doing a days’ work. It was really great to have 9 puppies of quality entered over the 2 classes, this must bode well for the future.

A really enjoyable day spent with a charming, honest sheepdog breed and its band of dedicated followers.

PD (3) 3 promising pups.

1st Shrieves’ Winarose Wanderin Star. Stunning youngster of 8 months and showing great potential. Lovely size and proportions for his age. Excellent head and muzzle, strong pigment and dark eye. Moderate neck. Firm topline. Excellent angulation front and back and totally balanced. Short loin, low tail set and carriage. Moved with reach and drive. Lovely puppy coat, beautifully presented. Could have taken him home! RBD & BPIS.

2nd Winkle’s Peregos Loki’s Mischief. Another promising fawn. Equally good for size and type. Balanced outline, correct head proportions. Good eye. Not the angulation of the winner so, consequently, not the freedom of movement but gave a good account of himself.

3rd Meredith’s Starwell Illusion. A really appealing puppy of lovely type. Once he has mastered the basics of the show ring, could have a great future as he has much going for him.

J (10 1st Burgess’ Gosderlina Mirror Image. Pleasing fawn of 15 months and at that in-between stage. Pleasing head, eye and expression. Medium neck, chest developing well, good angulation. First time in the ring so needs more ringcraft to learn the job. Moved ok when not pacing.

LD (1) 1st Hansford & Donnelly’s Le Magician Doz Du Clos Millette At Peregos. Larger type of dog. Slightly longer in loin. Very good head, excellent eye and pigment. Good reach of neck. Balanced angles both ends. Moved well out and back and covered the ground easily from profile. Tail could be carried lower. Harsh, weather-proof coat, even colour.

OD (1) 1st Osbourne & Thomas’ Int/Ir Ch. Xanthos De Pastors De Blo At Starwell. So pleasing in many aspects and at first look on the stack thought he would take some beating. Bang on for type and size, excellent head piece, strong both in skull and muzzle. Medium neck. Excellent angles both ends. Correct spring of rib and length of loin. Tends to stand rather cow hocked which reflected in weak rear action, good profile movement though. Harsh, double coat but needs attention for the show ring.

KC Good Citizen (1) 1st Int/Ir Ch. La Petit Ranas Aikos Xenia At Kawanna. A favourite of mine that has done well under me in the past. Now 8 years old and still looking and showing well. A strong dog, balanced all through with a pleasing head and expression, excellent pigment and very good confirmation. Just starting to dip slightly in topline now. Well bodied and in good double coat that was well presented. This boys best virtue has always been his excellent movement, still sound out and back with a reachy stride from side gait. Made a worthy BD, RBIS & BVIS.

VD (1) La P R A X At Kawanna.

PB (6) Super class of babies.

1st Fieldsend, Westcott-Smith & Theaker’s Starwell Opps We Did It Again At Rozimba. Pretty, feminine puppy with an attractive coat and colouring. Lovely head and expression. Scissor bite with excellent pigment. Good reach of neck. Well angled front and rear. Good body for her age. Excellent handling and presentation. Easy, free mover. Complimented my PD winner well in the challenge for BPIS. Another that must have a great future. RBB & RBPIS.

2nd Hansford & Donnelly’s Peregos Minerva’s Wisdom.

3rd Green’s Peregos Aurora’s Dawn. Litter sisters of 6 months. Both are of good basic type, correct proportions and well made. Pleasing heads with good eye colour and correctly set ears. Not quite the forward reach on the move as 1st, but both show much promise.

J (2) 1st S Oops We Did It Again At R.

2nd Steggles’ Gosderiina Shes The One. Nice type of bitch. Feminine in outlook. Correct head and muzzle proportions. Moderate angulation. Lacking in body and coat at present and generally needs to fill her frame. Moved well from profile. Correct tail.

PG (1) 1st Farrar’s Kawanna Monlight Sonata. Medium sized fawn of a lovely rich colour. Ok in head. Good eye colour and pigment. A shade stuffy in neck. Balanced angles and a low set and carried tail. Rugged, double coat. Moved freely.

LB (1) 1st Fieldsend’s Tisalmyn Miss Moneypenny By Starwell. Lovely size and excellent proportions, slightly longer than high. Pretty head, balanced with good eye colour and typical expression. Good reach of neck leading to a well angled front. Firm topline at all times, short loin, excellent hind angulation and low hocks. Needs time to finish in body and coat which full maturity should bring. Pleasing mover. Close-up in the challenge.

OB (2) 1st Bland’s Kiandra Little Maggie. This lovely fawn fits the standard so well. Excellent breed type. Medium size but feminine with good bone and body. Well balanced head, dark eye and pigment. Good reach of neck. Firm topline and excellent spring of rib. Muscular quarters and low set hocks. Good croup leading to a low tail set and carriage. Good coat for texture, colour and density. Moved sufficiently out and back with a good depth of stride, covering the ground with minimum effort. A functional, rugged sheepdog that fully deserved BB & BIS.

2nd Fieldsend’s Kawanna Miss Sunshine At Starwell. Another good bitch from this kennel. Liked her overall balance and equally pleasing for size and type. Good conformation. Moved ok.

KC GCB (2) 1st K Moonlight S.

2nd Hansford & Donnelly’s Alvegi Borzas Dona At Peregos. Slightly larger and longer bitch. Pleasing head. Generally well made all through. Needs to settle further out and back on the move but went well from profile. In-between coats at present but what she has is harsh and functional.

VB (2) 1st Theaker’s Int/Ir Ch. Starwell Mistletoe At Tisalmyn. Approaching 9 years. A Lovely fawn who was really enjoying her day out. Liked her size and femininity. Well proportioned all through, correct head and good conformation. Excellent profile movement. Reminded me of her famous dam, Mei, who was a great favourite and did so much to raise the profile of the breed in the early days in the UK.

2nd Bland’s Starwell Ilex At Kiandra. Also nearly 9 years old. Dam of BIS winner and very similar. Much to like on the stack and pleasing for type and function. Although she moved well enough, didn’t have quite the scope of 1st. Good coat. Well presented.

Darren Clarke (Judge)