British Utility Breeds Association

I would like to thank the BUBA committee, all exhibitors, and my hard-working stewards on this occasion of my first judging appointment awarding CCs, making it altogether an enjoyable day.

PD (1) 1. Thorne & Thorne’s Schipdale Barnaby. This 10-month black boy may a pleasing picture standing with the cobby appearance required for the breed. His coat had a good texture and length, being short and smooth on head, ears and neck, then lying close on back and side. He is already showing a good thick mane and frill and has the required culottes on the back of his thighs. He has a nice masculine head with dark eyes of good shape and topped with neat ears. Teeth have a good bite. He has a very good front-piece standing square fore and aft and that showed in his movement in all directions. A lovely puppy with a good future. Pushed hard for RCC, awarded Best puppy.

Limit dog (3) 1. Wilson’s Schipdale Nightfall at Lyncathmor, 4 years old. The standard states the breed is intensely lively and alert and this describes this boy to a tee, he took a little while to settle when he entered the ring and on the on the move. I would have preferred him to be slightly shorter in back. His coat was good with typical breed demarcation, good length and harsh to the touch. Liked his masculine head, complete with well-shaped eyes of a good colour and small ears. He has a good length of neck leading to well-placed shoulders and elbows tight to chest. Movement , once settled, was brisk and true.

2. Donaldson’s Mazal Tov Bestseller (IMP RUS) NBT 2 years old. Of a smaller size than 1st, well trained with many good breed points, a nice topline and well-rounded rump. I would have preferred a harsher coat texture and less of it as made him look somewhat short in neck and he is not. His head was masculine and he had a lovely shape to his eyes, and neat ears. Standing foursquare he has a good spring of rib. Moved briskly around the ring with good rear action.

OD (4) 1. Cheatham & Cheatham’s Ch Schipdale A Kind Of Magic. 5 years old.

A dog I have had the pleasure of judging before and today he showed his socks off, both standing and on the move. He is of a good size and has a super cobby body shape. His coat is of good texture and is harsh when crinkled between the fingers, although not in the fullest of coats today he still has all the qualities one is looking for in the Schipperke coat pattern. He has a lovely head and expression, dark eyes of correct shape and neat, expressive ears. His neck leads to well-placed shoulders and straight front legs placed well under the body. His chest is broad and deep in brisket. His short back leads to muscular rump and well set on tail. Movement was good in all directions with a brisk gait. Pleased to award him the CC and Best of Breed.,

 2. Massey’s Ristine Magical Spice a 4-year-old cream NBT. I liked this dog as a youngster and today he was unlucky to meet up with the class winner. He is well-balanced, has a good overall shape, good depth of chest and a straight topline. His coat does not have the length of the class winner but it has all the demarcation points required in the breed. His head is outstanding for a cream with super pigmentation and dark expressive eyes and a dark brown/black nose. Moved true in all directions but at a steadier pace. RCC.

VD(4) 1. Philpott’s Ch Aradet Expert Timing AWS VW BV 12.5 years old. Judged him when he was 10 years old and awarded high honours. Today he was beginning to show his age, however he still excelled in character. With that cobby body shape and square outline he showed he still had the qualities to win this class. Excellent coat texture and pattern. Has a lovely masculine head with good eye shape and colour, his well-placed ears were well used. His strong neck led to a good front piece with well let down brisket and nicely placed shoulders. His hocks were well let down with nice cat shaped feet. On the move he was straight and true. Best Veteran.

2. Collier’s Ch Stoneyburn Banna. This 8 year old has a full coat with good texture and coat pattern. Alert and lively character. Nice masculine head and neat ears, very clued into his handler. Good body shape and rear well angulated. Moved steadily but true in all directions.

SBD(1) Finch’s Ristine Starry Night AWS. 5 years of age, lacking of coat today which emphasised him being longer in back and more up in the leg than most, however front and rear angulations were good. He has a nice masculine head although would have preferred a darker eye. Used his ears well. Movement steady but true. Going forward he was awarded SB G3. Congratulations.

JB (1) 1. Forknall, Forknall, Holland & Holland’s Zorbaloo Happy Hour Again At Avidore. 15 months of age and out of coat today but there was evidence of correct coat pattern despite of this. Very lively and alert to her surroundings and her handler brought out the best of her. She has a pleasing head with good eye shape and those well used ears. Good reach of neck leads to correct shoulder placement, good spring of rib and tight elbows. Nice short back, good rear angulations and well-let-down hocks. She moved brisk and true in all directions. Just needs to mature.

LB (2) 1. Holmes & Holmes’ Dencas Hold My Heart. 3-year-old who oozes quality took my eye when she entered the ring. Cobby body with tail tightly curled over her back she presented a lovely picture with her square outline. Well turned out and presented by her experienced handler. Coat is well fitted to her body, of a harsh texture to the touch and the required coat pattern which is so essential in the breed. Her feminine head with its flat skull and muzzle of moderate length has that typical foxy expression. She has a good shape to the eyes which are more oval than round and well-set ears that are well used and show that alert character. Good length of neck leading to good shoulder placement, good depth of chest, spring of rib, and tight elbows. Good length of loin and a well-developed rear of good angulation. She excelled in moving in all direction. Pleased to award her the CC which I am told is her third. A worthy champion.

2. Massey’s Ristine Cinderella 5 years old and a little longer cast than my class winner. Coat displayed typical pattern required in the breed is of good length and texture. She has a feminine head with a moderate length of muzzle and good stop. Her eyes are dark and of a good shape. Ears moderate and well used.

OB (2) 1. McKenna, McKenna & Forknall’s Tredreas Scotia Princess Among Avidore

5 years-old another who left most her coat at home today but despite this her quality shone through, presenting a square shaped body with coat harsh to the touch and correct demarcation still visible. She has the best of heads with a moderate stop, dark eyes more oval than round, and moderately sized ears. Her neck is just the right length reaching her correctly placed shoulders with elbows close to her well let down chest. Standing she stood four-square and moved true in all directions and with conviction . RCC.

2. Thorne & Thorne’e Ch Mardeck’s Shimmering Oasis For Schipdale (IMP CAN) 6 years old and well-schooled. Slightly longer cast in body but has a good coat with the required pattern. Preferred the head shape of my class winner, but she has lovely eyes, ears and reach of neck. Her chest is well let down with tight elbows, balanced in bone correct angles fore and aft. Moved with short brisk steps.

Karen Bugg