Crufts

Crufts 2023 Catalan Sheepdogs

Many Thanks to the Crufts committee for inviting me to judge the Catalan Sheepdogs at Crufts and many thanks to the friendly group of exhibitors for a lovely entry and a fun time judging their breed.

Veteran Dog (2)

1. Hansford & Donnelly’s, Le Magicien D’Oz Du Clos Millette at Peregos, 7 years old, a pleasing type, well presented and handled. He is well proportioned, rustic, with a head of good strength. Nice eyes, good ears well carried. He has a good neck and topline, correct coat, typical movement. Best Veteran Male.

2. Marr & Fieldsend’s, Int Ch & Ir Ch La Petit Rands Aikos Xenia at Kawanna, 12 years old and still enjoying his day out on the green carpet. In excellent condition for his age, pleasing head with a lovely eye. Good bone and feet, though his topline is soft now and he stands a little crooked in feet. Still able to get around the ring, very nice old boy..

Open Dog (1)

1. Shrieves’, Ir Ch Winarose Wanderin’ Star, 4 years old medium size boy with a nice shape. He has a balanced head, nice eye, good neck and topline, balanced angulations. Could stand a little better in front, but moved out well. Good coat and condition. Reserve Best Male.

Good Citizen Dog (1)

1. Fieldsend’s, Ir Ch Du Domaine Des Dhalbergs at Starwell. 3 years old, very well presented and handled. Lovely size and shape and presents a very nice outline. Balanced head with a lovely dark round eye, well set ears. Correct neck, good topline and excellent croup, could stand a shade better in front. Excellent coat, good angulations front and rear, nice steady temperament and balanced movement. Pleased to award him Best Dog & Best of Breed.

Veteran Bitch (2)

1. Bland’s, Kiandra Little Maggie, almost 8 years old, lovely size and shape with a feminine head, lovely eye, good neck and topline with balanced angulation front and rear. Moved well in side gait, could be a shade more positive in the rear. Best Veteran in Breed.

2. Hansford & Donnelly’s, Alvegi Borzas Dona at Peregos, almost 10 years old pleasing head of good proportions, nice round eye, level topline, good bone and feet, though stands a little crooked in front. Moved well in side gait, but could be better in the rear moving away.

Puppy Bitch (1)

1. Fieldsend’s, Starwell The Show Must Go On, 9 months old Black & Fawn, she has a balanced head, nice round eye, nice flow from neck into topline, good bone and feet, she just needs to settle on the move. Best Puppy in Breed.

Junior Bitch (2,1)

1. Fieldsend’s, Starwell The Show Must Go On (repeat from the Puppy Bitch Class)

Post Graduate Bitch (2)

1. Bland’s, Peregos Bordeaux Beauty at Kiandra, almost 3 years old, pleasing type with a balanced head and nice eye. Nice outline, excellent bone and feet, angulations are balanced front and rear, moved well when settled.

2. Spice’s, Fuga Sadie Del Gosseria Guindilla Catala, 3 years old quite fine through body, feminine head with a nice eye, good topline. A little unsettled in the ring today. She has good bone and feet, moved well but could be a little more positive on the move in the rear.

Open Bitch (5,1)

1. Pickering’s, Ir Ch Starwell Here We Go Again to Bouviebear, 19 months old and very nice outline. Balanced head of good proportions, nice eye, correct neck and topline was excellent. Angulations are balanced, she was a shade unsettled in the ring today, but was expertly handled, moved typically staying balanced at all times. Best Bitch.

2. Westcott-Smith & Westcott’s, Nld Ch Starwell Opps We Did It Again with Rozimba, 4 years old Black & fawn, medium size, but lots of qualities and handled really well. Feminine head, lovely round dark eye, losing topline slightly. Well angulated in the rear, good bone and feet. Slightly overstepping from behind on the move, Reserve Best Bitch.

3. Lutz’s, Swiss Ch Afra Ayun Vom Habimar, 3 years old, another pleasing female with an attractive feminine head and a lovely eye. Good bone and feet, pleasing topline and croup and presented in good coat, moved freely.

Good Citizen Bitch (1)

1. Spice’s Fuga Sadie Del Gosseria Guindilla Catala (repeat from Post Graduate Bitch class)

Judge; Paul Lawless