Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society

Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society

Wed 17th August 2022

My thanks to the committee and Border Collie Club of Great Britain for inviting me to judge at this well attended mid-week show. Thanks also to my two stewards who kept everything in order. I was very pleased with my entry and had a nice selection of Border Collies to judge. 

For breeders, please be aware of incorrect dentition – more than one of the entries had a level bite, which was disappointing to find. Tail length should also be noted “reaching at least to the hock”, with many exhibits only just reaching this length. Overall though, none of the entries were overdone or dripping in coat, which was welcome to see as it appears to have become the norm for our breed. 

Puppy (6 entries, 1absent)

1st. Lea Calareto All My Loving. 11 month old bitch. Correct proportions in head, with tipped ears used sensitively. Well angulated front and rear and excelled on the move. Overall a nice shape and size. BP and delighted to see she went PG1!

2nd Shahmatova Nashdom Lost In Your Eyes. 8 month old bitch. Very feminine head with keen expression. Good angulation front and rear with well let down hocks. Moved well once settled.

3rd Domotori Lucky For You Ritmo De La Noche (IMP HUN)

Special Yearling (5 entries, 2 absent)

1st Lee and Ratcliffe Arrodare Rebel With A Cause. Almost 2 year old feminine bitch. Good head proportions and lovely prick ears used well, with a keen expression and always attentive to her handler. Good angulation front and rear with tight elbows and well let down hocks. Well sprung ribs and correct amount of bone. Moved in the true Border Collie fashion, with minimal lift and ate up the ground easily with good reach and drive. I awarded her BPIS at the Club show last year, and am pleased with how she has matured. RBOB, but was very close between her and her mother.

2nd Shahmatova Nashdom All Eyes On You. 8 month old dog. Masculine head with broad skull and a kind expression. Front angulation a little upright, but this may have been down to his age. Movement was a little loose, but he moved with purpose and this again should improve as he gets older and settles down a bit.

3rd Cribben Nashdom Sun In Your Eyes

Limit (4 entries, 1 absent)

1st Allison Kinaway A Million Dreams (AI). 2 year old bitch. Very flashy head with an alert expression. Good length of neck and correct angulation front and rear with well let down hocks. Held her topline on the move and had good reach.

2nd Lewis Shemella Shepherds Delight. Almost 3 year old bitch. Nice head with alert ears, very attentive to her handler. Good length of neck and well angulated throughout. Moved well with minimal lift.

3rd Walkden and Turns Fyglia Cherished Dream

Open (6 entries)

1st Lee and Ratcliffe Arrodare Royal Flush JW. 4 year old bitch. Very feminine head, broad skull with prick ears used well to convey alert and keen expression. Very attentive to her handler. Excellent front angulation with well laid back shoulder. Well let down hocks to the rear, with a super long tail. Overall impression is of a compact and athletic dog who can’t wait to do a day’s work. On the move, she ate up the ground with a good length of stride and reach. BOB and delighted for her to win the Pastoral Group.

2nd Lewis Shemella Moonlight Skye. Almost 3 year old bitch. Feminine head with alert expression and sensitive ears. Good angulation throughout. Moved well, just felt she was lacking some drive today.

3rd Chance Goytre Chance to Reflect

Susan Jones (Keltiklan)