Crufts

CRUFTS 7th March 2020

Catalan Sheepdog

Thank you to the exhibitors for being so very patient as we had an exceedingly long wait before getting into the ring. The steward was excellent as she had been working since first thing without a break and still remained cheerful – thank you. All exhibits had the necessary double dew claws.

A top show dog is like a Christmas fruit cake. First of all you need to get the best possible ingredients - by cleverly selecting the right combination of sire and dam to complement one another both in conformation structure and temperament. Know how to mix these ingredients - in raising the pup with correct feeding, socialisation, training, exercise and love. Be patient, keep adding your best brandy at regular intervals and let mature – keep nurturing and raising the dog in the best possible way so it enjoys life and don’t expect the finished article too soon, slow maturing is better. Decorate the cake with icing – presentation is important, look after the coat, the skin, and muscle tone. Build a rapport with the dog so you get the best performance from it because it wants to perform for you and trusts you implicitly. This is what I see in my Best of Breed today. Yes, she still needs more time to reach maturity but all the initial ground work has been done by clever breeding, ownership and handling.

VD (1) 1. Marr & Fieldsend’s Int/Ir Ch La Petit Rana's Aikos Xenia At Kawanna CJW12 CW12. Attractive 9 year old fawn dog. Scissor bite, black lips and roof of mouth and dark round eyes, ex proportion head and muzzle. He has a short, strong muscular neck. Liked his tail length. Correct texture harsh coat. This boy is full of life, constantly wagging his tail. He moved around the ring covering the ground, displaying ex reach and drive. Very worthy BD & BVIB

PD (0)

JD (1,1a)

PGD (0)

OD (3) 1. Thomas & Osbourne’s Int/Ir Ch Xantthos De Pastor De Blo At Starwell (Imp) CW17 JUN CH. I liked his shape and balance of body proportions. Darkest of nose pigmentation. He has well laid back shoulders and ex neck length, good spring of ribs, nicely sloping croup and ex tail length. His slightly untidy rear movement today affected his chance of a higher award. Very happy to award him RBD. 2. Hansford & Donnelly’s Le Magicien D'oz Du Clos Millette At Peregos (Imp Fra). Of a rangier overall balance with longer loins. I would like him with more width in front. He has lovely dark eyes, a definite central furrow and his coat is of correct rough texture. Where he truly excels is in his movement where he is so very sound. 3. Shrieves’ Winarose Wanderin' Star CW19. Of ex size and balance with a pleasant headpiece. Ex pigment and another with ex coat texture. A tendency to stand cow-hocked and would benefit from a little more weight.

GCD (1) Int/Ir Ch La Petit Rana's Aikos Xenia At Kawanna CJW12 CW12 (see VD)

VB (2,1a) 1. Kitchen’s Sevarna Catalonia's Angel. A most beautiful, quality, mature bitch. Sweetest of expressions, and dark amber round eyes. Liked her prosternum, straight legs and ex topline. Prominent occiput. Well defined withers and ex spring of rib with short loins. Slight slope to croup and stands on neat oval feet. A sound and steady mover who was a real joy to watch. RBB.

PB (0)

JB (1) 1. Hansford & Donnelly’s Peregos Minerva's Wisdom. She was a little head shy today, but settled well. Correct for size, height and balance. Good bite and neck length. Would prefer her not so narrow all though and there is a little too much lift in forelegs. She has an ex rough coat texture with good length. She moves straight and true and has a lovely hook at the end of her tail.

PGB (1) 1. Caudrelier’s Winarose Sound Of Music. A nice shape, size and balance. Lovely dark round eyes and blunt muzzle. Well angulated front and rear, though I would prefer more bone and substance. Not in her best jacket. She was very unhappy with her surroundings. That said she has glimpses of promise every so often on the move. If she builds in confidence she could be a different dog in a year’s time. Well worth persevering with her.

OB (3) 1. Fieldsend, Westcott-Smith & Theaker’s Starwell Oops We Did It Again With Rozimba. Black and tan bitch who is so stunning. Only a youngster and not yet in finished jacket but with so much going for her she can only get better and better as she matures. Exquisite, pretty head with blunt muzzle, slight furrow, dark eyes and kind expression with attractive ear fringes. Loved her bone, prosternum, straight forelegs. Well ribbed and short-coupled. So well muscled. She has everything – made my heart beat faster to watch her moving. Beautifully constructed and has pizaaz on top. A winning combination of clever breeding, training, temperament and handling. Thrilled to learn she is a grand-daughter of my all-time favourite “Mei” and I truly hope she follows in her pawprints in the future. One I would be proud to own. She later took the big ring in her stride. BB & BOB. 2. Kitchen’s Sevarna Delightful Dilys. A well-made girl with so much to like. Her coat is wavy but not curly and of ex texture. A happy girl. Just a little untidy at times in her movement. 3. Bland’s Kiandra Little Maggie. Taller and rangier in overall build. Straight coat. Lovely long ear feathering framing her head.

GCB (4,1a) 1. Sevarna Catalonia's Angel (see VB) 2. Fieldsend, Theaker & Westcott-Smith’s Ir Ch Tisalmyn Miss Moneypenny By Starwell. Liked her forechest, ex layback of shoulder and corresponding rear angulation. Oval feet. A little longer in loin. Ex spring of rib and depth of chest. An animated mover holding her topline. A quality bitch, but just preferred the straight, rear parallel movement of 1st. 3. Sevarna Delightful Dilys (see OB)

JANE PARADISE (Judge)