Hamilton Canine Club

Hamilton Canine Club

Open Show 11 September 2022

Thank you to the committee of this industrious Club for kindly inviting me to judge at their lovely show; there was a warm welcome from start to finish and the committee are a very friendly lot indeed. It was very appropriate that we had a minute silence at the start of the day, marking the sad loss of Queen Elizabeth II, our Kennel Club’s patron.

Shetland Sheepdog

As a Shetland sheep breeder, it is always a pleasure to judge this lovely breed. Thank you for a lovely entry of them, with no absentees! Whilst I do understand that your breed standard allows for a Sheltie to be reserved with strangers they should not be timid nor fearful, and there were a few in the lower classes who would benefit from some training to improve their confidence both standing and moving.

J (5) 1 Afterglow Goldberg. What a lovely start to the day, with this outstanding puppy! Brand new and fresh to the job, he came into the ring with a confident attitude which never let up all day. Just a youngster, he has bags of appeal and his strength and balance in construction throughout really appealed. Lovely head, well laid shoulders, strength of topline, and balance of hind angles, all presented a typical outline with strength and soundness. Came alive on the move producing a smooth and economic gait, and for one so young he had great accuracy of footfall. His handler worked so well with him, they presented a very professional outfit and I was amazed to learn later in the day that this was their first show together. Suffice to say, I liked him a lot! BP & PG1 and I was absolutely thrilled to see him take a well-deserved RBPIS later in the day under Alexandria Hill. Well done and good luck – exciting future ahead, I’m sure. 2 Donallin Penny Arcade. Very pretty and feminine blue merle with a lovely outline, and presented in decent coat. Sound enough on them move, she could do with a little more confidence when in the ring. 3 Leterikhills Miss Cool.

PG (5) 1 Leterikhills River Lass. Presented the best overall shape and outline in this class, with the characteristic length of body, level topline, and sweep over the loin. Has a keen expression from her dark almond shaped eyes, with a somewhat endearing glint of mischief. Has well laid shoulders, and deep enough in chest with a good spring and length of rib. Well angled and muscled behind, standing on strong straight hocks. Moved out with accuracy and good ground cover. 2 Donallin Magic In Blue. Stronger in head than the winner and didn’t quite match the muscular condition of 1. Sweet in head with a nice expression, she has a lot of positive breed attributes and overall presented a very pleasing outline. 3 Katiedale Kingsman.

O (3) 1 Shellamoyed Simply The Best at Keterikhill. A smart upstanding dog, who presented a typical correct outline and looked as if he could do a job of work. I liked his head, which was masculine and balanced, wedge shaped and of good length. His well-laid shoulders give rise to his clean reachy neck. Very well ribbed up and mature in body, with the correct amount of weight. Holds his topline well both standing and moving. Goes around with a good length of stride, and accuracy of footfall away and back. Presented in first class order, probably one of the fittest dogs I had the pleasure of judging today which is such a job. His coat is in immaculate order too – clearly a very well looked after young man! Delighted to award him BoB & G2. 2 Katiedale Kingsman. Presents a tidy outline, and I liked his head, however this d is obviously very well looked after at home and was carrying rather a lot of excess timber today. 3 Sommerville Magic In Black.

Border Collie

PG (2) 1 Sashdan Diamond Deeva In Glenfound. Typical and active in outlook, I liked the overall size and shape of this young d. Appeals in balance and shape of head and muzzle. Strong neck leading to a long shoulder and level topline leading to wide quarters. Stands over his ground on good strong legs and tight feet. Moved around very well with good length of stride and power from his rear end. BoB. 2 Wizaland Celtic Connection. Little larger and more robustly made than 1, this d also had a nice head and eye. Handler needs to pick up the pace with him away and pack, as whilst his footfall was accurate he had the tendency to side-wind on occasion.

O (2) 1 Anscot Take A Chance On Me. Decent shapely well constructed sort of useful balance and angulation. Keen in outlook, he is masculine all through and looks like he could work well. Stands up on straight limbs and was presented in really excellent order – clearly afforded plenty of exercise to keep him in shape. 2 Bordaquest Snowstorm at Glenfound. Not quite the head of 1, but similar other remarks apply as this is another usefully made sort all through. I thought he was so tremendously fit and in perfect condition.

Collie (Rough)

PG (4) 1 Cambrogan Blowin A Hoolie. Presented the best outline in this class both standing and moving. Liked her head a lot, with the correct wedge shape and strength of jaw, but with femininity and a good expression. She is balanced in her angulation and nothing is to excess, which produces a sound and accurate action on the move; tidy away and back and covering enough ground on the go around. Presented in first class order too. BoB. 2 Cariadhaf Cookies and Cream for Cambrogan. Not quite the same condition as 1, nor the front angulation, but a useful sort who was also presented in good order and fit condition. 3 Thistlewing Fire Dancer at Bryany.

O (5,3) This was a challenge of a class, as 1 put on a far better performance and could be easily assessed, however 2 didn’t want to play the game today at all and threw it away at every opportunity. 1 was larger and more sturdy in frame and outline, however I did prefer the overall proportions of 2, but one can only assess what we see in the short time in the ring. 1 Cariadhaf Crazy Dream, 2 Elshajo As If By Magic of Bryany.

Samoyed

O (5,3) These were two lovely Samoyeds here, each having positive breed points and were very close up. Liked both of their heads and pigment, eyes, ear shape and set. Each have balance in their angles for and aft which showed in their outlines when stacked up, and in their neat action when moving away and back and around. 1 just took the edge on being a bit more settled to the job, Mangata Jade Knight, whilst the effervescent naughty youngster Bondsmoor Kiss Me Kate just needed to settle a little in front action today.

Briard

O (2) 1 Cartier Monzeray Miss Matea at Lascaux. A smartly made, upstanding, well made veteran who was presented in excellent order. Liked her head proportions and constructional balance throughout. Has strength throughout but with femininity, and balance in angles without excess. Particularly lovely to go over, as she is so fit. Moved out very well with accuracy of footfall and strong drive from the rear. BoB. 2 Fosterbrie Schmitten Noir. Liked the rugged outline of this young d, who was close up to the winner but for me just a shade long in the body.

GSD

O (1) 1 Beornwulf Scarlett Phoenix. Confident youngster with an appealing character and good attitude towards the job. Liked her head and expression with dark eyes and well sized ears. Stood up nicely to be gone over, and was presented in good condition. Strong in the hock which showed in her accurate rear action when moving away. BoB .

Australian Shepherd

O (2) 1 Aussiepride Veni Vedi Vici at Shloyan. Here we have something special! I just loved this young d, everything about him appealed. A delighted to examine as his head, construction, overall balance, and breed type, stand out. He is soundly constructed all through, nothing to excess, and everything in harmony and balance. Well-sized and growing on nicely, he was presented in fit condition and has a wonderfully positive attitude to the job. When asked to move, he comes alive and uses every inch of his construction to advantage. Produced a sound economic stride going around and is extremely accurate in his footfall away and back. Has wonderful rapport with his talented handler, they work together so well and the great relationship they have together is clear for all to see. Stood out in the group to take G1, and later in the day a well-deserved BIS, in excellent company, under Alexandria Hill. Well done and good luck, I’m sure there will be a title just around the corner. 2 Talard Welcome To The Jungle. Quite different in outline to 1, as this chap is taller, longer, and more rangy, and needs some time to fill in, but he’s just a young dog. Has a superb hindquarter with excellent width of thigh, and stands on good feet. Presented in immaculate order.

AVNSC

O (5,3) 1 Snikkles Bluebeard at Pirateer. This is a really smart bearded collie. Catches your eye on the intial go around as he is in full coat and perfectly presented, and then certainly does disappoint when you go over him. Masculine head, with a kind expression. Strong neck, good shoulders and upper arm length, and well ribbed back. Sound and balanced in his quarters, he stands up on his hocks at all times and when asked to move, produced a strong driving action from them. Going around he is very economic in his footfall whilst maintaining his outline. BNSC & G3 & VG1. 2 Schnaubern Delphinus Star. Attractive Pumi with a very cheeky character! Probably one of the fittest dogs here today, presented in absolutely first class order. Just needs to settle to the job and work with her handler better.

Pastoral Group

A lovely group, with the Australian Shepherd never putting a foot wrong he had to win it. Close up to him was the lovely Shetland Sheepdog who put on a good performance in the group, whilst into third went the veteran Bearded Collie who just couldn’t be denied. Completing the quarter of usefully made pastoral dogs was the Border Collie.

Pastoral Puppy Group

Only three representatives from the breeds today, the puppy group was won by the outstanding Shetland Sheepdog. Into second was the Samoyed, who was co-operating far better with her owner here, than she had done earlier in the day! Taking third place was the GSD.

Pastoral Veteran Group

A lovely group of veterans all of whom were a credit to their owners and great advert for the longevity of pedigree dogs in general. First place went to the Bearded Collie, with the lovely Briard second and the Shetland Sheepdog and Rough Collie taking third and fourth respectively.

AV Pastoral

P (9,6) 1 Bondsmoor Kiss Me Kate. 2 Donallin Penny Arcade. 3 Ferngroves Romeo.

V (7,3) 1 Cartier Monzeray Miss Matea at Lascaux. 2 Janbell One Step Beyond. A well presented Border Collie in fit condition. Shown and handled well, he is lovely to go over and demonstrates a steady kindly temperament. Moved out with purpose and a ground covering gait. 3 Jack To A King Des Terre’s De Khauryaca.

David R. Alcorn (Judge).