Cardigan Welsh Corgi Association

CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI ASSOCIATION, September 26

It was a thrill to be asked to judge the parent club’s 2021 show having followed the breed for some 50 years and been involved with them through my mother’s dogs for about 20 of them. Sensibly, the association opted to hold its 2020 and ’21 shows on consecutive days at the Novotel near Coventry. With Birmingham National on the Friday it was a busy weekend for the breed and all three shows drew good entries by today’s standards.

The specialties were held out on the hotel’s lawn - on both days the weather co-operated which helped contribute to a pleasant atmosphere. There were plenty of specials for the main winners and the anniversary fruit cake made by Ros was scrumptious. A nice idea on the Sunday was a ‘coffee morning’ in aid of the Macmillan charity instead of a lunch break - hope it made a decent sum. My Welsh-themed judge’s gift was rather special - thank you. Our appreciation must go to Huw, Karen and their team and to my stewards Andrew and Helen for all their work.

As far as the dogs were concerned, there’s always a degree of compromise involved when assessing Cardis - we all know how difficult it is to combine type, balance and quality with the distinctive conformation, especially in front, and then to add a bit of showmanship to what is often a rather sensitive breed. With the various lockdowns it cannot always have been easy to give the youngsters the socialisation which can be crucial to the development of the Cardi character, and I’m sure that some will steady down a bit more given some extra time and experience. Nice to see all the colours represented today.

There were quite a few quality males without any one of them today standing away from the rest. In the females I was rather spoilt for choice with several other top class girls to back up the beautiful CC winner and reserve. Like the judge, quite a few would have looked better carrying a little less weight and more muscle tone. ‘The Master’ Mr Clifton always has his dogs in immaculate form and his example is there to be followed.

Best in show was Ch Pi-Et-Ra of Trefilio Borntobe Avalanche, RBIS Ch Liebehund Jakku, BOS Waterdeep Ranger One, BP Markados Pordios Freya for Gowerston and BV Ch Joseter Mr Blobby.

VD (4) 1 Clifton’s Ch Joseter Mr Blobby, in the past I’ve given this brindle point tricolour one of his countless CCs and he has been a great ambassador for the breed. Now 9, he still looks good - indeed that’s one of the joys of this breed in that if kept in condition they can still be in top form even into double figures of years. His head is well proportioned and if anything has become more masculine with age. Good reach of neck and his shoulders are an object lesson in a breed which often doesn’t excel in this aspect. Super sound in front with just the right degree of turnout. Well bodied without excess weight and made the most of by his handler. Has great reach in front, perhaps not quite matched by equal drive from the rear which just lost him another CC from me today. RCC and BV; 2 Essenhigh and Bishop’s Ch Brynlluan Bilbo Bagins, another classy dog I’ve long admired, nearly 10 years old and looking very fit, slightly bigger brindle with a stronger head to match, good eyes and ears, enough neck, good upper arm, not quite the shoulder of 1 but who has? Typical front, super bone, feet a shade open, well balanced outline, excellent ribbing, looked the part going round, shade close in front; 3 Froggatt’s Gerefa Ghost Rider, attractive headed 9 years blue merle in hard condition, good eyes, ultra typical ears, reasonable front angles, didn’t stand as true in front as winners, enough substance, correct ribbing, could have a shade more hind angulation, not quite the drive and enthusiasm on the move as 1 and 2. MPD (2) 1 James’ Keerside Glenkiln at Bwthyn, 7 months red point tricolour, very much a baby but has the bone and scope to mature nicely. Masculine head with plenty of time to break, correct ears, scored here on his reach of neck, plenty of bone, at this stage legs could mould round the chest a little more, typical feet, needs time to balance out but a jaunty happy mover. Ended up BPD; 2 Lovell’s Flash Of Joy Matrix, smaller more refined brindle of 8 months, about as different from 1 as can be, well proportioned head, a bit more chiselled than 1 but not quite as masculine, more mature in topline, OK stifle, typical front but turns feet a shade much. Difficult decision here, this one didn’t quite get it together on the move today. PD (2) 1 Irving’s Twinan Mercury Rising, 10 months brindle point tricolour, rather a frustrating dog from a judge’s angle at the moment, a super boy in so many ways, well grown masculine dog with a superb outline, masses of bone, strong well shaped head in proportion to his size, excellent ribbing, strong well angulated hindquarters, a real Cardi type. Needs to develop more confidence and could be smoother in front action and this told against him later; 2 Thomas’ Dom Corgi Focus of Gowerston, smaller neater 9 months brindle point tricolour, OK head type, enough neck, good topline, moderate angulation both ends, moved steadily but could have a shade more reach and drive. Today I went for winner’s scope and masculinity but I’m sure this one will have better days. JD (1) 1 Gardiner’s Elmsmere Magical Star, nice type of rich red brindle at 14 months, has a touch of quality, good masculine head with correct skull to muzzle proportions, well bodied, good ribbing and correct length of loin, an area where the Cardis in general seem to have the edge on the Pems if those I’ve judged in recent years are anything to go by. Plenty of bone, Cardi feet, reasonable reach and drive. With time I’m sure he will show himself off with a shade more oomph. YD (3) 1 Down’s Elessar Howling Moon, top quality brindle who with a little more maturity in body should have an exciting future, masculine head, super ears, good proportions of skull to foreface, excellent reach of reck, correct ribbing and body length, super bone and feet, a shade more width in front should come with time, excellent hindquarters and tail carriage, looked a picture going round with a free active gait and plenty of style, hopefully a champion of the future; 2 Taylor’s Elessar Wolf Moon at Tamlin, red litter brother, has a distinct look of his grandsire King George and like him will be a slow maturer, strong masculine head without quite the chiselling of his brother, good reach of neck, well balanced outline, plenty of bone, strong hindquarters, a shade upright in front, plenty of drive from behind but tended to prance a little in front; 3 Burgoyne and Goddard’s Waterdeep Kosh, another of good type and balance, this time a brindle point tricolour. Typical head which I’d prefer a shade more refined, excellent ribbing and topline, OK hindquarters, turns one front foot a little too much, feet slightly open. Moved well behind, OK going round, rather close in front. Looked rather bored with the whole thing, who can blame him! ND (1) 1 W Kosh. PGD (2) 1 Essenhigh and Bishop’s Faarup Yn Syml Coch to Brynlluan, cheerful smart well knit red boy of a sensible size, always interesting how the Cardis have retained the rich bright orange red colour which is seldom seen in the show Pembroke today. Appealing head type, good well placed ears, enough bone for his size, could have a shade more front angulation, well bodied with correct topline, decent hind angles, moved well behind with plenty of drive, might just prefer a little more width and reach in front action but I liked the overall picture; 2 Siviter’s Rubegud Takin The Mick, masculine brindle of good general type with a strong slightly less refined head, OK ears, might prefer a darker eye, plenty of bone, well ribbed, good reach in front but could have a shade more hind angulation and drive. A little less weight would help the overall impression. LD (4) 1 Langford’s Caprian Challenger, very typical brindle whose general outline, balance and steadiness won him the class. His head combines quality and maleness with correct eyes and well carried ears contributing to a very ‘Cardi’ expression, good forechest, reasonable shoulders, plenty of bone, shapely hindquarters, lengthy ribbing, OK side gait retaining his shape, true behind, a shade close in front; 2 Davies’ Ceranda Greatest Showman, another frustrating boy, this brindle has so much to admire and I hope that eventually he will decide to live up to his name, lovely type and quality, beautiful chiselled head with super ears, plenty of scope, nicely arched neck, plenty of bone, OK feet, excellent topline and hindquarters, perhaps could have a shade more front angulation, moved well from the rear, slightly prancy in front action, a classy boy and if he gains in confidence could win further CCs; 3 Lovell’s Liebehund Forest Moon, typy brindle in a smaller mould, has a particularly appealing head, eyes and expression without any hint of coarseness, enough bone for his size, reasonable shoulder, good hindquarters, moved true behind, slightly narrow in front, not so co-ordinated going round today. Is taking an age to mature in body - there are Cardis who come into their own as veterans and perhaps he will be one of them. OD (5) All five good dogs who are or will be worthy champions, not a lot between any of them and it was very much ‘on the day’. 1 Burgoyne and Goddard’s Waterdeep Ranger One, this brindle has matured into a very typical male Cardi of excellent type and overall balance, quality head which is unmistakably masculine without being over-heavy in skull, good ear carriage, super expression, enough neck, enough front angulation, typical front and feet with bone in balance, well ribbed, matching hind angles, true front and rear and the fact that his front and rear stride co-ordinated today won him the class and CC, in each case by the narrowest margin. Like many not in full coat but I think that in his case it suits him; 2 Gardiner’s Elmsmere Star Finale, brindle with a touch of class, good head type if a shade less refined in skull and under the eyes than 1, super neck, excellent ribbing and hindquarters, well boned, typical feet, moved well behind, a shade wide in front. Didn’t quite keep his topline on the move as well as winner but liked him a lot; 3 Clifton’s Ch Joseter Frazer Nash, lovely quality brindle with the most beautiful head type, just the right degree of chiselling, gorgeous ears, super bone with real Cardi feet and ideal turnout, in fact viewed front on he’d be hard to beat. Correct topline, could be a shade stronger behind. Not his day today, have seen him move with a lot more enthusiasm and oomph.

VB (8) 1 Hobbs’ Am Ch Grangefield I’m A Big Spender, a new face to the British scene and I for one was intrigued to find out later who she was! Such a pretty feminine 7 years brindle, most attractive head type with good skull to muzzle proportions and Cardi ears, OK front, not ultra long but still balanced, has an excellent body and topline and is a steady sound mover, perhaps a shade narrow going away. Scored heavily here in overall fitness and hard condition and I wish her well in her belated British career; 2 Greensill’s Ajatiaza Melody Maker for Brynlluan, I can recall admiring this one from ringside as a youngster and she appealed again today at 7 years, another very feminine brindle with a really beautiful head type and a quality look all through, the right bone for her size, correct feet, super topline, sound hindquarters, carrying a little extra weight which made her appear a shade wide in front; 3 Aynscough’s Ch Kincroft Cincardena at Sanja, close up to 2, brindle of a different type with a shade more scope, typical head but slightly longer in muzzle than 2. Super neck and shoulder, true mover. Melody Maker, at 3 years younger, had the edge on topline today. MPB (5) 1 Thomas’ Markados Pordios Freya for Gowerston, was I happy to see a pup like this, only just 6 months but a very comfortable winner of BP today and if fate is kind has tremendous promise for the future. Brindle point tricolour of superb quality, beautiful head and expression, eyes and ears that shout ‘Cardi’, reachy neck, plenty of bone to grow into, proper feet, sound front stemming from some of the best shoulders of the day, well bodied, moved true both ways and cheerfully going round. Best of luck with her; 2 Hunt’s Kalwig Believe In Magic for Huntsville, 8 months red with slight sabling, at this stage her head is somewhat masculine and would prefer a shorter muzzle but behind the collar she’s very nice, excellent neck, shoulder, upper arm and forechest, lengthy ribbing, well angulated hindquarters and is a free, active mover; 3 Aynscough’s Keerside Kirtle Anna with Andersley, another of the 4 red headed tricolours from this litter, all of them naturally rather raw at 7 months but with potential to come on. This one is pretty and feminine, has correct ears and like her sisters and brother has a head type which will take time to come to its best. Good bone for size, well bodied, scored on topline over her littermates, looked well going round, at this stage stood and moved a shade wide in front. PB (1) 1 Irving’s Twinan Hold My Halo, promising brindle point tricolour, very similar in type to her brother and with the same virtues, well grown all through with a quality head, super ears, neck and length of ribbing, well made hindquarters, would prefer a shade more front angulation, typical feet, could be a shade steadier in the ring but is getting there and did well for a new handler in the challenge. Plenty of drive from behind. YB (2) 1 Down’s Elessar Lunar Eclipse, another case of the sister being a feminine version of her brother, brindle of lovely type and style, quality feminine head, particularly good reach of neck, liked her body shape, ribbing and hindquarters, a shade upright in front and feet could be rounder. Moved really well behind with plenty of drive. Very promising and as with her kennelmate I look forward to seeing the fully mature version; 2 Burgoyne and Goddard’s Waterdeep Talia Winter, brindle point tricolour with a good head if slightly stronger in skull, scored in front and feet, well bodied with correct forechest but not so well let down behind as 1 and didn’t keep her topline so well on the move. NB (1) 1 Langford’s Keerside Palmaddy Burn of Caprian, another red point tri baby from this litter, was 5th in PB but only time will tell which of them turns out the better, this one is slightly more mature in head, has plenty of scope, good feet and the best neck of the sisters. Stood slightly wide in front. They all go through different stages as they grow and today she tended to roach slightly on the move, sure this will sort itself out in due course. GB (6) 1 Graham’s Elessar Moon Dancer of Ancksunamun, yet another nice one from this good litter, brindle of a slightly different balance being a shade leggier at this stage. I think there is a place for the slightly taller type in the breed, especially in bitches, as long as they are well put together, after all the history books show that there has always been a degree of variation in what has been considered the ideal balance. Such a pretty feminine eye-catching brindle, admired her head and ears, super ribbing, reachy neck, well made hindquarters, excellent topline retained on the move, like her littermates just needs time to fill out a bit more in front, free active mover with good tail carriage; 2 Roberts’ A Ray Of Sunshine at Kogarahs, classy brindle point tricolour, quality slightly stronger head with correct proportions of skull to muzzle, excellent front, enough bone, OK feet, well ribbed back, free active mover. Just preferred hind angles of 1 and didn’t keep her topline quite so well; 3 W Talia Winter. PGB (5) 1 Siviter’s Faywaidd Spice, fell for this brindle and is one I’d have happily taken home, a really good Cardigan with no exaggerations, very typical head and expression coming from the correct muzzle length, the right width of skull and Cardi ears, enough neck flowing through well laid shoulders into a level topline, matching hind angles, all combining to produce an effortless side gait, true coming and going too. Popped up again in the open class and was by no means outclassed up against the two stars, indeed gave Jakku a good run for her money; 2 Clifton’s Joseter Lottie Dod, charming brindle point tricolour with the most beautiful head and eye, utterly feminine all through, excellent reach of neck and topline, correct hind angles, steady mover keeping her topline if not quite the reach and drive of 1, whose front angulation and coat texture I preferred, but this one has great appeal especially in that super expression; 3 A Ray Of Sunshine at K. LB (5) 1 Gardiner’s Mistycor Avantury of Special Target at Elmsmere, comfortable winner here and another who put up a very strong challenge for the RCC. Brindle of obvious quality, plenty of bone and substance yet still feminine, lovely head type, typical Cardi feet, reachy neck, especially good shoulders, strong hindquarters, a pleasure to see her move with a long free stride, just carrying a bit of weight which made the final winners look a shade sleeker in comparison. Sure she won’t take very long to complete her title; 2 Langford’s Caprian The Vixen, substantial brindle, like her brother a good honest Cardi with an attractive head, not quite such a feminine expression as winner, typical front, well made hindquarters, nicely ribbed back. Good topline standing but didn’t retain it on the move quite as well as 1 whose movement was hard to beat; 3 Belcher’s Effybid Rubie, more feminine type of brindle whose overall type and quality appealed, refined head, to be critical might like a marginally darker eye, matching angles, excellent body shape and topline. Moved a shade close coming and going and didn’t put a great deal of effort into it, sure she can and will do better. OB (5) 1 CC and BIS, Irving’s Ch Pi-Et-Ra of Trefilio Borntobe Avalanche, spectacular brindle who was in the most tremendous form and quite dominated proceedings today. Her head handles better than it can appear from the ringside, with a good skull, eyes and ears, but it’s from the collar back that makes her special, just the right angles of shoulder and upper arm giving an appropriate forechest and legs set in the right place, unlike so many. The hindquarters complement the front construction with the right bend of stifle and length of rear pastern. Her ribbing is long and she was perfectly conditioned to give her the right amount of weight. True coming and going and her side gait is exceptional, can think of only a very few I’ve seen in the UK who could match it, absolutely effortless with great but unexaggerated reach and drive, has an extrovert show temperament and tries so hard to please her handler; 2 RCC and RBIS, Lovell’s Ch Liebehund Jakku, have loved this beautiful brindle since I gave her her first CC from the puppy class, she is so pretty and feminine and such a lovely shape, perhaps a shade lighter made all through than 1 but still in proportion to her overall size. Her head is quite superb with that combination of correct shape and colour eyes, Cardi ears and muzzle slightly shorter than the skull. She’s also very well made with clean shoulders, true typical front and well angulated hindquarters. She’s true coming and going and has a smooth side gait though I didn’t get the impression her heart was fully in it today whereas the winner was firing on all cylinders; 3 F Spice.

SIMON PARSONS