Ilfracombe & District Canine Society

Due to the arrival of Storm Dennis on the day of this show, there was a high number of absentees but I was very impressed with the quality of the exhibits that did make it to the event. Big respect to the owners who did brave the awful weather and thank for you the extra efforts in drying and cleaning the dogs to an extremely high standard for my assessment.  

Best In Show was Smith's Alaskan Malamute Ch Snowshoes King's Legacy ShCM ShCEx. Caught my eye on entering the ring, as he powered around the ring in an effortless manner and with plenty of rear drive, heavy bone throughout, straight back, well muscled, presented in a thick double coat with plenty of furnishing on his high set tail which was waving to catch my attention! Very attractive broad head with well-set triangular shaped ears and almond shaped eyes.

Reserve Best In Show was Wood's Miniature Schnauzer Penbro The Duchess. Alert and stylish, this compact youngster was showing her little heart out in the final stages of the competition and could not be denied a top award as she commands attention, in typical coat and trim with an appealing head and expression, arched bushy eyebrows, deep in chest, moved freely in all directions.

Best Puppy In Show was Burt's Australian Shepherd Villanyda Flaming Hot NAF TAF (Imp). This puppy stole my heart from the moment I judged her earlier in the morning in her breed class, quality all through, beautifully presented, with attractive markings and an impressive efficient side gait - she's hard not to ignore in any company, although she also featured in the BIS line-up, she looked a little raw up against the older exhibits but settled in BPIS to still have so much personality and bounce to take BPIS in a lovely line-up of pups. She is moving so true for and aft for a youngster too with a good amount of substance but not overdone, topped with a feminine head, with correctly set and shape to ears, an alert expression - she has all the makings to go far.

Reserve Best Puppy In Show was Pughe & Fraser's Wire-haired Dachshund Bystock Best Mate, just over 6 months and really surprised me how together this puppy was at this age, presented in an excellent correct short, straight and harsh coat with fringing over the eyebrows and jaw, excellent length of neck sloping gracefully into a firm topline which he held on the move, ample in forechest, good width to front and good length of tail which he carried just off the ground. Moved with reach and drive. A very nice exhibit.

Best Veteran In Show was Stansbury & Pilgrim's Ch Woodbriar Luciano JW ShCM VW, impressive brown Dobermann who after a rather skippety entrance, just got better and more settled, clean cut head with good depth of muzzle, small neat ears, strong clean neck leading into well placed shoulders and firm topline which he held on the move, strong rear quarters and high well set tail, standing square on compact and tight feet, moved with real purpose and strength, extremely eye catching dog who I'm not surprised to see as all these titles. Reserve Best Veteran In Show was Attwood's Welsh Springer Spaniel Ir Sh Ch Moorash Lady Ygraine of Kylowen ShCM VW Vet Ch. Full of breed type and what a smooth and effortless mover who is not showing her age in any way, I was told I had actually given her a Champion stakes class at this venue some years ago and she still filled my eye, in beautiful coat condition and well muscled all through with strong bone and correct weight. Lovely girl.

AV IMPORT REGISTER - PG 1 & Best Import Condron's Braque d'Auvergne Khyannes Valence at Covarney (Imp), my first of this breed to come across while judging but what a smart and well built youngster, heavy set with a strong head and low set long satiny ears, strong neck with slight dewlap, tail carried horizontally, needs to strengthen in front movement but side gait showing typical supple and springy action. 2 West's White Swiss Shepherd Ghost Rider de L'Aige de la Tournelle Shepalian. Quality exhibit here too with a balanced head, large ears set high on the head, dark eye and pigmentation, medium stop, good width of front, good depth of chest, slightly sloping croup and long low set tail, in excellent coat and condition, moved OK in the ring but think would suit a difference surface. 3 & BP Andrews' Barvarian Mountain Hound Cornishtor Nevek. O - 1 and Reserve Best Import. Wilkinson's Hungarian Pumi Arkosligeti Kocos Milimari (Imp). A little reserved and with correct light and short-striding movement, typical wavy and curly coat and fine in bone and high set tail carried over back, could have straighter front.

BOXER - SY 1 & BOB Cross' Markinshell Pombear at Dajoxx. Strong and masculine dog with straight front coming towards, powerful head with short muzzle and strong underjaw, dark brown eye, holding a firm topline on the move, perhaps could carry a shade more body weight to complete the picture. 2 & BP Sherry & Marsden's Finity Time To Shine with Sherbin. Very promising youngster, square and compact in the stack and ample bone, pleasing head with distinct stop, good shape and noble expression, excellent reach of neck, good tuck up, excellent strength to rear quarters, moved well. PG 1 & RBOB Cowell's Sandexe Aka Chilli Pepper. Stood alone but a worthy example, of good size, free and ground covering movement, correct width of front with deep chest and tight elbows, in good overall muscular condition. O 1 Cowell's Sandexe Red Hot Fever. Pleasing head with high set ears falling forwards, dark brown eyes with dark pigmentation, strong underjaw, front could be straighter but strong bone, good layback to shoulder, carrying correct weight, muscular hindquarters with well bent stifles. 2 Tibbotts' Misstricks Forone Nite Only ShCM ShCEx, makes a square clean outline in profile with ample bone, a little bit throatier under jaw, strong head with good breadth of skull and strong foreface, excellent pigmentation, tight feet, holding a strong and firm topline and moved with plenty of reach and driving from the rear, coming a little wide in front.

GREAT DANE. O 1 & BOB Ryan's Keirkane's Poetry In Motion. Stood alone but what a striking example of this breed, balanced head, flat skull, good length of muzzle, lips hanging square, excellent reach of neck and set on into good layback of shoulder with good length of upper arm, strong and firm back which she holds level on the move, good strength to rear quarters, good turn of hock and moves so soundly and with such an easy action, handled sympathetically to get the best from her.

BELGIAN SHEPHERD DOG (TERVUEREN). PG 1 & BOB Mouncey's Shepherds Of Paradise Pretty Boy. I'm told this was a first time in the ring for the handler and did a good job of keeping this exhuberant and lively 12 month old male together although a little more work on movement would be beneficial to assess properly. Presented in excellent coat and condition and with a very attractive head, well placed erect ears, straight front, strong pasterns, good depth of chest, sloping croup, strong rear hocks.

GROENENDAEL. PG 1 & BOB Allen, Smith and Templeman-Costelloe's Karmidale Black Onyx At Tinolucianna, presents an attractive outline, head finely chiselled, using his ears well, dark eye, strong and slightly tapering muzzle, good width to front, presented in excellent double coat with sufficient ruff around neck, showing brish sound movement but throwing front out a bit coming towards.

ROUGH COLLIE. PG 1, BOB & BP Ware's Poker Face Du Clos De Sea-wind (Imp). Beautifully groomed and well-schooled top size youngster with a profuse coat which slightly detracts from the outline of the body, nevertheless he has a very attractive blunt shaped head, oblique set eyes and tipped ears positioned high on the head, using his ears at all times, a really good mover with an effortless long reaching smooth stride, a lovely prospect for the future. 2 Patman & Grainger's Samhaven Sound Effects. Due to a fallen tree en route to the show, I believe this exhibitor just made it in time but I thank her for making such an effort to clean her dog well before entering the ring, the dog presented a smooth outline with that typical dignified stance, good shoulders, attractive head and expression and good bone, with a slight rise over the loin, she moved very accurately in all directions. O 1 & RBOB Patman's Pick Pocket Via Samhaven. Oblique set eyes which were dark and giving plenty of expression, ears were well placed but she could've used them more, slight tapering of muzzle, good width to front and good shoulder kay back, well ribbed, tail set could be lower but moved positively. 2 Scamp's Aaronwell Ayebeecee at Marketdene. Groomed to perfection, classically marked, medium sized dog with good length and harsher texture to top coat, easy going boy with a more relaxed temperament, would've liked to see him use his ears more, tail could be longer.

BEARDED COLLIE. PG 1 & RBOB Cooper's Tybury's Song Of Ice And Fire. Beautifully presented, lively nature, with a pleasing typical strong, straight coat with a slight wave, head in proportion to her size with a sweet and affectionate expression, strong forelegs, well ribbed, good bend of stifle and long tail set low - carrying it a little higher than I'd like. 2 Carter's Victory Wind's Orange Mechanique For Karmeliann (Imp). This dog has the most beautiful movement carrying his head and tail low, holding a firm topline with an effortless long reaching stride, presented in excellent double coat but with plenty of daylight underneath, sadly he was keen to exit the ring and was a little difficult to get my hands on which is such a shame as he's a quality exhibit. Hope he can settle in time. O 1 & BOB Webb's Megamaree Just Amazing JW ShCM. I'd like a little more of this boy all over but he's beautifully put together with good front and rear angulation, straight front, good reach of neck, firm back, strong loin, long tail reaching to hock and moving soundly in all directions, a harsh coat with good length to finish off the picture. 2 Hawkins' Thingamebob Hes All That. I preferred the size and substance of this male and with a balanced head, and prominent eyebrows framing well placed eyes, carrying his long tail a touch high for my liking and not holding his topline as level on the move but moved soundly in all directions.

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD. SY - 1 & BOB and BP Burt's Villanyda Flaming Hot NAF TAF (Imp). Well this little girl was the star of the day, I found her to be rather special! Love how she shows true characteristics of the breed- alert and animated, and very wiggly when going over but puppies don't need to be robots! Clean head with slightly rounded shape to skull with high set, medium sized, triangular ears to frame her face, and almond shaped eyes giving an alert expression, plenty of bone to grow into, straight forelegs, strong neck set well into well laid back shoulders and equal length of upper arm, well ribbed, firm back, loin broad and strong with well bent stifles and good turn of hock, she excels on the move where she lowers her head, is reachy in front and drives powerfully from behind. With no hesitation she was my choice for Best Puppy In Show. I think a very bright future awaits. 2 Lee's Villanyda Wizards Apprentice of Amenbury (Imp). Interesting to see this one from the same breeder and posesses alot of the same attributes as 1, excellent bone and body proportions, pasterns slightly sloping giving that essential flexibility, well sprung ribs, ears flying a little and not falling forward but a very efficient and easy mover in all directions. 3 Cousins' Moortime Mist On The Moors. O 1 & RBOB Cousins' Love In A Mist Of Fender Song For Moortime JW ShCM (Imp). Smaller bitch but compact and with plenty of substance, good reach of neck, compact feet, plenty of depth of chest, well bent stifles, moved positively, not using her ears as well. 2 Lee's Louis Blancett for Amenbury. Bigger and rangier boy, another whose ears weren't set as well on the head so were falling sideways instead of forward but very alert and lively, with a straight front and good width of front, in excellent muscular condition but tending to overreach a little.

FINNISH LAPPHUND - small but quality male entry. PG 1 & RBOB Rudd's Infindigo Lintu Henkka, strongly built dog who showed very well, using his ears and holding his tail up over the back in the stance and on the move, a little narrower in front but with good shoulder lady back, firm back and strong quarters, in excellent coat and condition. O 1 & BOB Beastall & Arscott's Infindigo Mailat Loki ShCM RL1Ex. One who I've given a pastoral group before too and still a real showman and I see his half brother to the PG winner. In profuse coat and with plenty of mane, soft and friendly expression with good strength to foreface, perhaps a touch rounder in eye than the norm, strong back with good spring of rib, firm hindquarters and with tail carried well over back and covered in plenty of coat. 2 Cooper's Ch Pavoskas Aly Arttu JW ShCM. A very worthy champion who came very close to topping the class, of excellent proportions with the best of heads, pricked ears that were always moving, very appealing expression, handled to advantage, in excellent harsh coat and condition, just not holding his tail as high on the move on the day and not the extension of 1.

WELSH CORGI (CARDIGAN) 1 & BOB Siviter's Faywaidd Spice. Smaller mould, large ears and large eyes widely set, ample forechest, good length of neck, strong topline and short rear pasterns, long tail, very brisk and animated movement. 2 Siviter's Rubegud Takin The Mick ShCM. Incorrect bite, masculine head with large ears, strong foreface, excellent length to neck smoothly flowing into a well laid back shoulder and good upper arm, good length to back with strong quarters, tends to crab on the out and back. O 1 & RBOB Lee's Wildcard Spot Check for Horcrux. Pleasing head shape, watchful expression and well placed large ears that he was keen to use, medium stop, good forechest, holding topline on the move but a little lacklustre.

GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG. O 1 & BOB Shaw's Astradine Kornishman JW ShCM. Two litermates who posessed many of the same attributes, turned out in excellent hard condition, with pleasing heads, alert high set ears, intelligent expression, straight fronts with ample bone, good depth of chests, slightly sloping pasterns, slightly drawn up bellys, well angulated rears with long strong tails, both moving steady but with reach and drive, preferred overall substance of 1, his slightly sloping croup and underline. 2 & RBOB Astradine Keepsake JW.

POWLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG. O 1 Burdett-Coutts' Dobrany Dorianblue Odyssi at Chrevle ShCM. Balanced, medium size, slightly longer than high, cobby and with a characteristic fairly long shaggy thick coat, attractively marked and moving very straight out and back and with an amble trot.

AV PASTORAL NSC PG 1 & Best AVNSC Jacob's-Pearce Arundall Mithra, Briard. Impressive upstanding male with a super side outline, plenty of substance, in excellent coat and condition, handled to perfection and moving very well in all directions. 2 Lee's Rhiew Ravens Royal Tower, Pembroke Corgi. So much to like about this Corgi who showed very well for the handler, in cracking condition and presenting a smooth and clean outline, built on strong legs, carrying the correct weight and moving with animation. 3 & BP Howe's Valaller Rainchild, Swedish Vallhund. O 1 & Res Best AVNSC Lee's Balletcor Godric Gryffindor for Horcrux, Pembroke Corgi. Another very nice Pem from this owner who was in fantastic coat condition, appealing head with alert expression, ample forechest, plenty of substance and strong long body and moving accurately and positively. 2 Hackney's Starvon Bring It On, Swedish Vallhund. This one looked as if it was raring to go, feels good to go over with a good head, eye placement and using his ears, also being on the tip of his toes, very accurate to and fro and moving very well and sound. 3 Jacob's-Pearce Salieri Heaven Knows at Arundall ShCM, Briard.

PASTORAL GROUP 1 Australian Shepherd. 2 Lampier's Pencoppen All Time Love, Border Collie, classical marked junior bitch with excellent make and frame, topped off with a well fitted double coat and moving with extension and with minimal lift of feet, very attractive in head and moving straight out and back. 3 Finnish Lapphund. 4 Briard

PUPPY GROUP 1 Australian Shepherd. 2 Rough Collie. 3 Border Collie. 4 Shetland Sheepdog.

AV PASTORAL P 1 Haensel's Philhope Summer Hihlights at Shekarl, what a gorgeous puppy with a fabulous outline and in glorious coat, the most prettiest of heads, using her well tipped ears, moved so smoothly and soundly round the ring holding her tail correctly low. A very nice prospect. PG 1 Siviter's Faywaidd Spice, Cardi Corgi. V 1 Carter's Karmeliann Stargazer JW ShCM, Bearded Collie, presented in glorious coat and condition, with a smooth and tireless effective trot holding his tail and head low, Excellent for size, muscle and condition and with lovely eye set, shape and eyebrows framing the face. 2 Cooper's Elbereth Kippis to Pavoskas ShCM VW, Finnish Lapphund, another excellent exhibit from this owner and who was very close to 1, good width to skull and strong muzzle, erect ears constantly being used and with that lively stance, he strode round the ring with a reach and drive holding his well furnished tail high over the back. 3 Hirst's Sundark Tsarina, Shetland Sheepdog.

AV OPEN STAKES - 1 Ryan's K Poetry In Motion, Great Dane. 2 Robinson's Lavika Black Beauty JW, Shetland Sheepdog. Gorgeous dark tri Sheltie who was balanced in profile with a very pretty head, good length of foreface, tipped ears positioned high on the head and straight front, moved really well in all directions.

MARINA SCOTT