English Shetland Sheepdog Club

English Shetland Sheepdog Club Open Show

22/06/19

Many thanks to the Officers and Committee of the English Shetland Sheepdog Club for the invitation to judge their Summer Open show.

Thanks also to the exhibitors for the flattering entry of 126 and, although there were a few absentees, I had many super Shelties to assess. My stewards were great, keeping the ring ticking along nicely.

Overall the entry was high in quality, particularly the bitches and indeed it was a ‘Ladies Day’ with the girls taking all the top awards.

Heads were generally very good as was eye shape with plenty having the desired ‘sweet’ expression that the breed is renowned for. All had scissor bites and most had full dentition. As expected, conformation and movement varied but I found enough to please me here. Coats too were good, particularly taking into account the time of year.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

MPD (4) 1st Norris’ Sandyvalley Basil Brush. Promising 6 month old baby. Pleasing head and eye shape, dark and gives off a sweet expression. Well set, tipped ears. Excellent reach of neck. Nicely angled front and back. Up to size for his age but probably done most of his growing early. Free mover and a happy showman. Typical coat for age and an even colour.

2nd Woodward’s Esterbon Night Wizard. Liked the size and shape of this 6 month old tri. Equally good in head and expression. Good to go over on the table and a lovely coat. Sound enough on the move in all directions but can settle further.

PD (3) 1st Rutterford’s Kelgrove Midsummer Blue At Stormhead. Approaching a year. Lovely coloured b/m with well broken markings. Balanced outline on the stack. Good head proportions, moderate stop, good eye shape, high set ears, just slightly on the large side but used well at all times. Excellent reach of neck. Good lay of shoulder and upperarm. Well bodied for his age. Good sweep over loin leading to a low tail set. Good hind angulation. Sound mover with plenty of drive. BPD.

2nd Winfield’s Aventurine Bohemia Classic Joins Oakcroft. Loved this sable. Very good head proportions with correctly placed stop. Dark, almond eye and good ears. Not quite the reach of neck of 1st but sufficient. Good angles. Excellent double coat. Low tail carriage. Just needs to settle and relax a bit to show off his virtues to best advantage, great promise though.

3rd E Night Wizard.

JD (5) 1st Pattinson’s Kyleburn Hidden Dream. Appealing sable for type, size and overall outline. Good wedge-shaped head, flat skull and dark eye. Well set ears, tipped and correct size. Moderate neck, good depth of chest, balanced angles, shapely topline and low tail set. In good coat. Sound, easy mover.

2nd K Midsummer Blue At S.

3rd Stock’s Shemist Sea Dragon.

ND (4) 1st K Midsummer Blue At S.

2nd A Bohemia Classic Joins O.

GD (4) 1st Hull’s Mohnesee’s Dream Date Of Lizmark. Promising young sable. Super head piece. Excellent almond, dark eye, well placed giving the sweetest of expressions. Excellent tipped ears. Medium neck leading to a nicely angled front. Good body and topline. Sort loin. Excellent quarters. Moved with reach and drive. Well fitted coat of good texture and colour.

2nd Stockden’s Willowgarth Pure Gold. Close-up to 1st. Equally good in head and expression. Soundly made all through and gives off a typical outline on the stack. Lovely size and masculine but not overdone in any way. Moved well, once settled. Tail set and carriage a bit high. Excellent coat.

3rd K Midsummer Blue At S.

PGD (4) 1st Durant’s Shougies Winter Wizard At Neraklee. Excellent shape and size. A b/m of lovely silvery blue, clear colour with nicely broken markings. Good wedge head, moderate stop, strong under jaw and well balanced. Ears of correct size and used well. Medium neck. Good front and rear angles. Lovely bone and feet. Moved with reach, drive and covers the ground well. Good double coat, well presented and fits his outline.

2nd Pattinson’s Kyleburn Everlasting Dream. Shaded sable boy , pleasing for size and outline. Good head , dark eye but a bit round in shape. Good conformation. Moved well enough from all directions. Not in full coat but what he has is of a good texture and colour.

3rd Mottram’s Lanteague Gold Sovereign At Lochkaren.

LD (5) 1st Mottram’s Midday Sun At Lochkaen. For me, this glamourous sable stood away in this quality entry of boys. Appeals for size, masculinity and type and not overdone in any way. He has the most beautiful head piece. Flat skull, correctly placed stop, smooth, rounded muzzle with strong under jaw and totally balanced. Excellent almond eye, dark and expressive. High set tipped ears, sensitive in use. One of the best necks in the entry. Deep chest, good body proportions and angles both ends. Excellent croup leading to a low tail set. The whole pleasing picture standing on tight, oval feet. Moved soundly with plenty of drive and adequate reach. Excellent coat for texture, density and colour. Pushed the girls all the way for the top awards. Pleased to award him BD and BOS In Show.

2nd Robinson’s Lavika Lush Life. One of a number I admired from this kennel today. So pleasing in many aspects. Lovely head, eye and ears. Reasonable neck, well laid shoulder and return of upper arm. Shapely body and excellent hind angulation. Moved out well, sufficient reach and driving off the soundest of hocks. Beautifully presented and handled to get the best from him.

3rd Riding’s Achor’s Surprise Percy Polaris For Torinska.

OD (4) 1st Walker’s Tooralie’s Ocho Rios. Promising young dog of a slightly different type. Built on slightly smaller lines and shorter in both head and body proportions. Good wedge shape, flat skull and enough stop. Excellent almond eye and well used, small, tipped ears. Moderate neck. Balanced angles. On the move he is absolutely sound in all directions. Beautiful, attractive shaded sable colour and superbly prepared, as are all from the exhibitor.

2nd Rutterford’s Evad Whougonnacall At Stormhead. 9 years old shaded sable that carries his age well. Larger overall than 1st and not so sweet in eye or expression but he has a good head, well made all through and moves out very well for his age. Attentive to his handler and in excellent coat and condition. BVD.

SP. OD (S/W) (6) 1st Robinson’s Ch. Lavika Luminary. Masculine boy of great type, function, well balanced and of pleasing size. Super head, clean wedge, enough under jaw and a well placed stop. Excellent eye and ears. Deep chest and mature in body. Croup and tail set ok. Moderate bone and tight feet. Excellent mover and not surprised to see he carries his title. In the challenge, just preferred the reach of neck of those above him. Beautiful coat and condition. Close-up. So much quality in a complete package.

2nd Jacob’s Willowthorn Dream Gazer. Different type to 1st. Pleasing enough in head. Good eye and excellent, tipped ears. Medium neck and moderately angled front and back. Lovely bone and tight, oval feet. Would prefer more length of back to balance his outline. Moved well.

SP. OD (Tri, B& T or B/W) (3) 1st Wither’s Ch. Stanydale Shot In The Dark Standing alone here but such an eye-catching tri in beautiful coat and condition. Liked him as a youngster and good to see him again as the finished picture and now carrying his title. Very good head and expression. Well set ears, sensitive in use. Excellent reach of neck leading to a good shoulder and upper arm. Deep chest, good topline and short, firm loins. Good hind angulation. Moves out well, particularly from profile. Stands with good bone on tight feet. Pleased to award him RBD.

SP. OD (B/M) (3) 1st K Midsummer Blue At S.

2nd A Surprise Percy Polaris For T. Another I have liked in the past. Such a lovely clear silver/blue colour. Nicely marked. Pleasing head and good to go over on the table. Correct bone and tight functional feet. Would like a better croup and lower tail set and carriage which spoilt his outline on the move today. Sound in all directions.

VD (6) 1st E Whougonnacall At S.

2nd Gruszka’s Samphrey Moonlight Shadow. Lovely headed 9 year old tri. Liked his size and balanced outline which he kept both on the stack and on the move. Good conformation and in good coat. Easy mover.

3rd Walker’s Dippersmoor Star Gazer By Tooralie.

MPB (6) 1st Mottram’s Mohnesee Such A Dream. Well named s/w pup of just 7 months. Very mature in body and coat for her age. Feminine, shapely head, good clean wedge with excellent stop, eye and ears. Everything to like at this stage with her sound conformation. Moved out soundly once settled with a low tail carriage. Think she will have a great future. BPB & BPIS.

2nd Weller’s Evad Halloween Queen. Similar age to 1st just not as forward as yet. Beautiful head and expression and shows herself to best advantage, even at this tender age. Good conformation, lovely size and a steady mover. Coat coming in well. Another with a bright future.

3rd Jacob’s Willowthorn’s Dream Star.

PB (8) 1st E Halloween Q.

2nd Buxton’s Tooralies Oxiaana For Meisterwerk. A pretty bitch, feminine and pleasing for size. Shapely head, good eye and correctly set and used ears. Good front angulation. Holds her outline well on the stack. Strong rear. A bit short in croup and, consequently, tail set a touch high. Good coat and moved well.

3rd Stock’s Shemist Dark Beauty.

JB (8) 1st Thornley’s Mitchfields Fashion Girl At Felthorn. Beautifully balanced b/m. Good colour and well broken markings. Excellent head piece. Dark, expressive eye. Ears of nice size and used well. Good neck and angles front and back. Sufficent depth of chest. Shapely outline. Correct bone and feet. Moved soundly in all directions.

2nd Robinson’s Lavika Spring Queen. Tri bitch of functional type. Plainer in head than 1st. Good eye and ears. Reachy neck. Well made all through. Excellent movement, plenty of reach and drive but handler could move her a bit slower. Not in full coat but what she has fits her outline well and is of an even, deep colour.

3rd Thornley’s Mitchfields Cover Girl At Felthorn.

NB (4) 1st Kennedy’s Oakcroft Aurora Dream At Donbeley. Stood Reserve in a good Junior class. A feminine s/w. Longer cast and not so firm in topline. Good head and excellent reach of neck. Overall well made. Moved ok once settled.

2nd W Dream Star.

GB (12) A good class of bitches and any of the 5 placed could change places on another day.

1st Thornley’s Shelbrook Pandora With Felthorn. A really sound bitch. Functional in outlook. Liked her head, Flat skull, moderate stop, smooth, roulded muzzle, almond eye of correct size and gives off a sweet expression. Reachy neck, good angles and correct croup. Excellent mover and low carried tail. In good coat and condition.

2nd L Spring Q.

3rd Whittington’s Esterbon Three Kisses For Tighness.

PGB (5) 1st Hateley’s Sanscott Sweet Serenity At Mohnesee. Loved this one as a youngster. A beautiful s/w that has great appeal. Lovely size and shape, feminine in outlook with the sweetest of expressions. Clean, wedge – shaped head, correctly placed stop, correct muzzle and underjaw. Ears sensitive in use. Excellent conformation and movement. Lovely coat for texture and colour. One of a number from this kennel that I admired today.

2nd Walker’s Tooralie’s No No Nanette. Ultra feminine b/w bitch. Good outline . Pleasing enough in head and uses her ears to advantage. Dark eye of correct shape, just a bit closely set. Good to go over on the table. Lovely coat. Moved out well.

3rd L Spring Q.

LB (5) 1st Stock’s Shemist Starfisher. Feminine b/m. Pleasing head shape, ear set ok. Moderate neck and angles front and back. Firm topline. Good sweep of loin. Low tail set and carriage. Moved very well. Good coat for colour, markings and presentation.

2nd Mohnesee Diamonds ‘N’ Pearls. Another very nice b/m. Similar to 1st for size. Pleasing body shape. Good conformation. Stands on tight, oval feet. Coat fits her body well. Carrying a bit too much weight so not quite the freedom of movement. Sound enough. Well handled and presented.

OB (10) Wow! What a class, spoilt for choice.1st Robinson’s Ch. Lavika Good Luck. Beautiful bitch from any angle. Super outline. Feminine outlook and of lovely type. Excellent head, clean wedge, moderate, well placed stop. Good balance between skull and muzzle. OK in under jaw. Almond, dark eye giving the sweetest of expression. High set, tipped ears. Good neck leading to a well laid shoulder and return of upperarm. Correct topline. Muscular loin. Good croup and tail set. Excellent hind angulation and sound hocks. On the move shows reach, drive and coves the ground with ease. Double coat, fits her outline perfectly, beautifully prepared and handled to bring out her best. No hesitation in awarding her BB and BIS, loved her!

2nd Hateley’s Ch. Willowgarth Tangerine Lace At Mohnesee. Another worthy Ch and has great appeal for size, outline, femininity and overall balance. Gorgeous head and expression. Excellent conformation. Mature body and in lovely coat and condition. Excellent mover from all directions with a low carried tail.

3rd Wollbraaten’s Int. Ch. Kerenza’s Kadenza.

SP.O (S/W) (5) 1st Hateley’s Mohnesee Millybelle. Ultra feminine youngster that must have a great future. Excellent balance both in head and body proportions. Loved her for size. Excellent head piece, small, almond, dark eye. Uses her well set ears and reachy neck to best advantage. Moves as her excellent conformation would suggest, absolutely sound and true in all directions. Low carried tail. Lovely coat, good texture, density and colour. Couldn’t resist her charms today and pleased to award her RBB and RBIS over some lovely Shelties today.

2nd Winfield’s Carolelen Classic Star By Oakcroft. A lovely bitch who was unlucky to come up against 1st today. So much to like from her very nice head through to her excellent rear. Good to go over, a bit long in loin but ok for a bitch. A sound, economical mover. Handled well.

3rd Biswell’s Goldwell Velvet Spells.

SP. OB (Tri, B & T or B & W)(4) 1st Wither’s Neraklee Naomi At Stanydale. Very appealing bitch. Super outline and an excellent showgirl. Good clean wedge shaped head. Good stop and eye shape. Excellent ears, well set and used to enhance her expression. Good neck, front and rear. Correct bone and tight, oval feet. Excellent intense colours and in fabulous condition and presentation. Moved out well. Should have a good future.

2nd L Spring Q.

3rd Boxcer’s Kelgrove Lady In Black.

SP.OB (B/M) 1st Stock’s Shemist Fairy Mist. Smaller and finer made. Keeps her outline both on the stack and on the move. Nice head and eye. Clear silvery blue colour and well broken markings. Sound on the move.

2nd M Diamonds ‘N’ Pearls.

3rd Kennedy’s Lirren Blue Gamble At Donbeley.

VB (5) 1st Whittington’s Tighness Tip The Wink. Lovely mature lady of 10 years. Such a pretty head and expression. Moderate neck, deep chest, Good body and sweep over loin. Excellent quarters. Belies her age and in lovely coat and condition, a credit to her owner. Clearly enjoys the show ring and gave a good account of herself. Worthy winner. BVB and BVIS.

2nd Thornley’s Felthorn Lindy Hop. Another mature lady of10 years and in excellent condition. So much to like both on the stack and on the move. Nice head and uses her ears well though not the eye shape of 1st. A functional little bitch that deserved her place here. Good coat.

3rd Gruszka’s Samphrey Shades Of Blue.

Darren Clarke (Judge)