Herts & Essex Border Canine Society

Thank you to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge at this lovely, well-run show. There was a super, happy atmosphere all day until the rain started in late afternoon. It was such a shame, dampening the ground and people’s enthusiasm. The night before I was asked to be the ‘secret judge’, so had to stay until the end. Thank you to those exhibitors who stayed and presented some lovely dogs for me to assess.

AIREDALE TERRIER

POST GRADUATE (1)

1. Cook’s Settlebeck Heavenly Audra. A very nice type of two-year-old bitch. Well presented, giving an attractive outline. Good, strong mouth. Correct head proportions, with long, flat skull. Nice V shaped ears. Very well-muscled. Nice hard, dense, wiry coat of good colour. RESERVE BEST OF BREED.

OPEN (1)

1. Steinke’s Toulsyork Perfectionist at Temtiz. Another bitch, of a heavier type and more mature. Head OK, muzzle appeared a little longer. Clean neck of moderate length, flowing into well laid back, long shoulders. Straight and level topline. Hard, dense, wiry coat. Not so well muscled as other Airedale, but movement won her BOB on the day. BEST OF BREED.

BORDER TERRIER

PUPPY (4)

1. Heeley’s Thistlemead Scentsation. Nice puppy bitch, easily spannable. Good head with moderately broad skull. Super dark eyes with keen expression. Well placed ears of the correct size. Nicely bodied bitch for her age, with nothing overdone. Good harsh coat and moved well.

2. Southam’s Oatberry Pandora at Southash. Not so spannable, but of a nice type. Good head and ear placement. Nicely bodied. Good coat and outline.

3. Went’s Stone Parks Alfies Girl.

JUNIOR (3)

1. Heeley’s Thistlemead Sundance. Litter sister to the puppy class winner. Absolutely lovely in every way. Perhaps, could be muscled a bit more, but still only a puppy bitch, with time to mature. When gone over on the table, everything flowed, creating a super outline. Well-proportioned head with dark eyes with a keen expression. Moved very soundly with good stride, winning her place. RESERVE BEST OF BREED & BEST PUPPY.

2. Went’s Stone Parks Alfies Girl. Quite a different type and not the style for me. I prefer a more ‘racy’ Border Terrier. Not spannable and thicker in the body. Colour detracts on the head. Moved OK.

OPEN (5)

1. Tuffin’s Hartswelin Veritus with Oatberry. The type of Border I like. Easily spannable and fit to do his work, if required. Super outline and when handled on the table, everything flowed. Correct ‘otter’ type head. Nicely bodied. Presented in excellent harsh, dense coat. Small feet. Moved very well, covering the ground. I was a bit disappointed he was not placed higher in the group. BEST OF BREED.

2. Heeley’s Thistlemead Harmony. A very nice mature bitch, who was spannable. Good head with longer ears. Nicely bodied of a good type. Moved very well.

3. Gwilliam’s Fisherbloom Don’t stop me Now at Louajak.

4. Sutton’s Fisherbloom Kille Queen at Thistlewhiss.

5. Holmes’ Ir. Ch. Barnby Caramel Wafer at Bimandu JW ShCM. An old favourite of mine. Unfortunately, at eight years old had to give way to the younger ones today. Still has some lovely attributes.

CESKY TERRIER

OPEN (2)

I felt the grass and ground did not suit this short-legged breed today.

1. Fewings’ Komidion Rhapsody in Ryme. Lovely type and outline. Long head forming a blunt long, broad triangular shape, with slightly arched skull. Medium sized, rather deep-set eyes. Well placed triangular ears. Super neck of good length, elegant and strong. Correct cylindrical body and toplne. Strong, well-muscled hindquarters, good turn of stifle, giving her propulsive movement. BEST OF BREED.

2. Fewings’ Komidion Passionato. Did not like her day out today, which was a shame. RESERVE BEST OF BREED.

NORFOLK TERRIER

JUNIOR (3)

1. Price’s Watercroft Tea Party. A six-month-old puppy bitch. Super personality and disposition. Correct well-proportioned head with slightly rounded broad skull. Appeared more longer bodied than some. It will be interesting to see her again when matured and bodied up. Moved well. Correct coat. BEST PUPPY.

OPEN (2)

1. Davis’ Watercroft Earl Grey. Super well-proportioned head. Good width between the ears presenting a broad skull. Nice ears, well placed. Compact body with short back. Very muscular throughout. Good turn of stifle, giving correct movement. BEST OF BREED.

2. Price’s Umbrage Red Van. A nice feminine bitch. Good head, broad skull and well-placed V-shaped ears. Correct hard, wiry, straight coat. Appeared longer in body. RESERVE BEST OF BREED.

SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIER

JUNIOR (1)

1. Herbert’s Saffini Smooth Operator at Julibidd. Now eleven months old and maturing very well from when I saw him last. Turning into a great showman, standing ‘four square’. Good well-proportioned head with flat skull and defined stop. Square muzzle and strong jaws. Good shoulder placement and straight forelegs. Compact body, now maturing, with strong, level back. Well-developed hindquarters with well bent stifles, aiding free, graceful movement. Good coat developing well. BEST OF BREED & BEST PUPPY.

OPEN (1)

1. Black & White’s Celtannia Madamex. A nice bitch with feminine head. Clear, bright dark hazel eyes. Ok neck. Compact body. Moderate and well balanced in her angulation. Well sprung ribs. Lost to the puppy for BOB on movement. RESERVE BEST OF BREED.

A.V. HIGH ROLLER STAKES (24)

Thank you so much to those exhibitors and my steward for staying until the end. It was such a shame the weather was so terrible, spoiling a lovely day.

1. Offer’s Bedlington Terrier, Ch Woolytop the Wherryman ShCM ShCEx. Another favourite of mine, who I have placed well in the past. A very worthy champion, presented and handled to perfection. I see I judged him as a puppy and pleased to see he has matured into a lovely dog of good breed type. Super head, deep chest, good neck flowing into flat, sloping shoulders. correct top line with natural arch over loin. Stood well on good bone and hare feet. Moved well, with the distinctive, rather mincing Bedlington movement, light and springy, even in the rain! Lovely Bedlington distinctive thick, linty coat, with silky ‘topknot’ on head.

2. Cross’ Dachshund (Long-Haired), Ch Loggeta Trouble in Texas. A worthy, elegant champion. Good size. Nicely balanced with good proportions. Correct ground clearance. Long masculine head with slightly arched skull and correct eye. Elegant neck, flowing down to good shoulders. Good forechest and prominent breastbone. Well sprung ribs and short loin. Excellent topline, held well. Very good hindquarters. Moved with purpose, using those hind quarter to power him. Presented in immaculate condition.

3. Saich’s German Spitz (Mittel), Hocombewood Hot Toddy for Lindcoly. For ten years old, he was in ‘tip-top’ condition and moved so well, showing up some of the younger ones.

 4. Saich’s Cairn Terrier, Lindcoly Ocean Dream.

 5. Arnold’s Dalmatian, Dalfellin Amore.

Felicity A. Snook

JUDGE