Northern Counties Shetland Sheepdog Club

Northern Counties Shetland Sheepdog Club championship show. 02/04/2023. 

Dogs  

It was an honour to be asked to judge dogs at northern counties Shetland sheepdog show. The committee should be commended on this well run show which had a great atmosphere and I must thank the exhibitors for their entries and their sporting manner. And also my hard working and very efficient steward Linda. My co judge and I were in agreement with all the main awards. 

A nice entry awaited me but my main observations was movement on a whole needs to improve, though movement was nicely balanced, many lacked the forward reach and drive requirement by the standard and single tracking was in the minority. We need to be careful as these are the stud dogs of the future. 

Minor Puppy Dog (2) 

1. Hardy, Sandwick Messenger.

A very glamorous S/W 6 mth puppy who has a lovely outline and a good height to length ratio, he has good rounded bone. Lovely head and expression with a long, blunt, wedge shaped head with a flat skull, parallel head planes, correct stop with good fill of foreface for age. Correct almond shaped eye of good size, obliquely set of correct colour and pigmentation. He used his ears nicely and they were well set. Lovely length of neck leading to excellent shoulder placement with very good layback of shoulder with upper arm to match. Chest needs to develop but this should come with time. Straight front and good feet. Level top line with lovely sweep over loin. Very good hind angulation with well let down, strong hocks. Once he’s puppy enthusiasm settled he moved very well with good forward reach and drive from behind. He single tracked correctly. A promising puppy but I wouldn’t want him to grow on any more. 

2. Melvin & Jopson, Katiedale The Piper at Nithview.

A very sweet but masculine S/W of 8 months. Very good for size with correct height to length ratio and nice rounded bone. Lovely refined long, blunt, wedge shaped head, with a flat skull and parallel head planes. He is slightly bold in eye but it’s nicely set of correct dark brown of good size and correct pigmentation. Correct stop with nice fill of foreface for age and nice underjaw. Good ear set, adequate length of neck, steeper layback of shoulder and okay upper arm. Level top line with nice sweep over loin with good hind angulation and well let down, strong hocks. He was a little unsettled on the day but once settled his movement was nicely balanced, singled tracked correctly though didn’t have the forward reach or drive of the winner. 

Puppy Dog (7,1)

Robinson, Lavika Moonlight Storm

A striking 11mth tri colour in lovely coat of correct jet black. A shapely boy of very good size, excellent rounded bone with good height to length ratio. He has a masculine head and expression with a long blunt wedge shaped head, flat skull, parallel head planes. Almond shaped eye, obliquely set of correct size and pigmentation, though eye colour on the lighter side. Lovely fill of foreface giving him a good rounded muzzle. Ears well used and correctly ear set. Lovely length of neck leading to a balanced adequate shoulder placement. Chest needs to develop but he has time on his side. Level top line with an elegant sweep over loin, very good hind angulation with well let down, short, strong hocks. Moved well with decent forward reach and drive from behind, single tracked correctly.

2. Walker, Tooralie’s Tornade 

A very striking black and white. A size bigger than winner he has a lovely outline, excellent height to length ratio with correct rounded bone and in excellent coat for his age of correct jet black. He has a refined long blunt wedge shaped head. Parallel head planes and flat skull. Correct stop with good fill of foreface for age. Almond shaped eye, obliquely set of dark brown and correct pigmentation. Good underjaw. Ears nicely used and correctly set. Lovely length of neck, balanced shoulder placement with okay depth of chest for age. Level top line with lovely sweep over loin leading to very good hind angulation with well let down short strong hocks. Movement was nicely balanced with decent forward reach and drive. Single tracked correctly. 

3. Lindford, Hillhenry In Your Honour 

Junior Dog (6,1)

1. Norris, Ferngrove’s Valentino JW

A very handsome 14mth S/W who is up to size. He has a lovey outline with a good height to length ratio, good rounded bone and not over done for his size. He has a stronger masculine head and expression, long blunt wedge shaped head with a flat skull, parallel head planes. Correct stop, nicely filled foreface for age, almond shaped eye which was obliquely set, of good size and correct pigmentation. Ears nicely used and correctly set. Good length of neck leading to very good shoulder placed with good layback of shoulder and upper arm to match. Depth of chest adequate for age, level top line with lovely sweep over loin. Very good hind angulation with well let down, short strong hocks. When settled he moved well with good forward reach and drive from behind.

2. Fisher, Foxtones Take A Chance On Me at Shellamoyed

Another 14 month dog who is very glamorous S/W but left the majority of his coat at home. He is good for size with nice rounded bone, a good outline and height to length ratio. He has a masculine head and expression, with a long blunt, refined wedge shaped head, flat skull with parallel head planes. Excellent almond shaped eye, obliquely set, of correct dark brown and pigmentation. He needs to fill a touch in foreface but this should come with age and he has a good underjaw. Ears were well used and correctly set. Lovely length of neck leading to okay shoulder placement, good depth of chest for age. Level top line, lovely sweep over loin with very good hind angulation with well let down short strong hocks. He moved well with good drive but didn’t match the winners forward reach, single tracked nicely. 

3. Ambler, Gemshells La Ross 

Maiden Dog (4)

1. Robinson, Lavika Moonlight Storm 

2. Hardy, Sandwick Messenger 

3. Ambler, Gemshells La Ross 

Novice (2)

1. Robinson, Lavika Moonlight Storm 

2. Ambler, Gemshells La Ross

A very attractive tri colour, who is a size larger than one, he was in excellent coat of correct jet black and lovely rich tan markings. The boy has a fabulous outline with excellent height to length ratio and good rounded bone for his size. He has a classic head and expression with a refined, long blunt wedge shaped head, flat skull, parallel head planes and correct stop. Almond shaped eye, obliquely set, dark brown in colour with correct pigmentation. Good fill of foreface for age, okay underjaw. Ears well used and correctly set. Very good length of neck leading to a good balanced shoulder placement. Good depth of chest, level top line with a lovely sweep over loin. Very good hind angulation with well let down short strong hocks. Moved very well on profile with very good drive and forward reach. Straight behind. At this time he was weak in pasterns which caused him to move close in front. 

Yearling Dog (3,1)

1. Hardy, Sandwick Masterclass

A 22mth handsome tri colour who is an excellent size, correct height to length ratio a good balanced shape with correct rounded bone for his age. In nice fitted coat of correct jet black and correct rich tan markings. He has lovely refined long blunt wedge shaped head, parallel head planes, flat skull. Stop nice thoigh possible a touch deep for perfection, lovely fill of foreface for age with correct underjaw. Good almond shaped eye, obliquely set of correct dark brown and pigmentation. He used his ears well and has an excellent ear set all combining to give him the sweetest yet masculine head and expression. He has a nice length of neck with decent, balanced shoulder placement. Good depth of chest for his age, level top line with good sweep over lion. Good hind angulation with well let down short string hocks. Movement was nicely balanced but could have done with a touch more forward reach and drive from behind. Single track correctly. Once he matures should present an attractive prospect.

2. Brady, Afterglow Sky Miles to Bordercot

Another very handsome, shapely young lad who is quite the character with a lovely temperament and clearly enjoying himself. In very nice coat, his blue is a good clear silvery blue and correctly marbled. He is a size larger than winner, with correct rounded bone for his size and a nice height to length ratio. He has a masculine head and expression though a touch stronger than winner. His head is a good length, with a flat skull, parallel head planes, touch broad in back skull, he has a lovely fill of fore face with a good stop and correct underjaw. His eye is on the fuller side, nicely placed of good size and correct pigmentation. He has an excellent ear set and used his ears well. A lovely length of neck leading to a balanced shoulder placement, correct depth of chest with a level topline and lovely sweep over loin with an excellent length of tail. Very good hing angulation with well let down short strong hocks. When settled, he moved well with good forward reach and drive from behind, single tracked correctly. 

Post Graduate Dog (7,1)

1. Dimmock, Shougie’s Secret Agent for Fernhill 

Very Shapley and glamorous tri colour of excellent size with correct rounded bone. In very good coat of correct jet black and in excellent condition. Masculine head and expression with flat skull, parallel head planes though a touch broad in back skull, correct stop, could do with a little more fill of foreface but has time on his side, okay underjaw. Lovely almond eye of good size, dark brown in colour, correct pigmentation and nicely set. Ears were well used and nicely set. He has an excellent length of neck leading to very good shoulder placement with an excellent layback of shoulder and upper arm to match, correct depth of chest and level topline leading to excellent hind angulation with well let down short strong hocks. His movement in profile was a joy to watch with excellent forward reach and drive from behind covering the ground well with minimal effort but on the day he was untidy fore and aft. 

2. Carter, Leterikhills River Boy

A very glamorous golden S/W. Not the maturity of the winner, he came to the show in his best summer sports wear. Even though he lacked coat it was in very good condition and highlighted his lovely outline. Good for size with nice bone for age and a good height to length ratio. Masculine head and expression with flat skull, parallel head planes, a touch broad in back skull, correct stop with good underjaw, though needs to fill a touch in foreface but this should come with age. Excellent almond shaped eye, nicely placed of correct size, colour and pigmentation. Ears well used and nicely set leading to excellent length of neck which is enhanced by his glamorous shawl collar. He has a decent layback of shoulder with excellent upper arm and correct depth of chest. Level topline with lovely sweep over loin and very good hind angulation with well let down short strong hocks. Moved well in profile with excellent forward reach and decent drive from behind. Single tracked correctly. With time and maturity this lad should develop into a very nice prospect. 

3. Stock, Shemist Sea Dragon 

Limit Dog (9,2)

1. Robinson, Lavika Starlight Salute, RCC 

Upstanding S/W boy who is in his prime. In fabulous coat and condition, he has a very eye catching outline with an excellent height to length ratio, with good rounded bone though he is up to size. He has an attractive masculine head and expression, with a good long, blunt wedge shaped head, though a touch on the stronger side. A good flat skull, with level head planes, correct stop and very good under jaw. Excellent round muzzle with good fill of foreface and correct almond shaped eye, obliquely set, of good size, dark brown and correct pigmentation. Ears well used and correctly set. He has a lovely length of neck leading to text book shoulder placement with excellent layback of shoulder and upper arm to match. Correct depth of chest with a level topline and nice sweep over loin though tail set on the higher side. Excellent hind angulation with well let down short, strong hocks. His movement was a joy to watch with excellent forward reach and drive from behind, covering the maximum amount of ground with minimal effort. Single tracked correctly. His excellent movement won him the RCC 

2. Isdale, Viewdale Cuddly Dudley 

A quality S/W who has a nice outline and must be spot on for size. Lovely rounded bone for his correct height to length ratio. In very good, well presented coat of correct texture. He scores with his excellent head and expression, lovely refined, long blunt wedge shaped head. Correct stop with good fill of foreface giving him a lovely well rounded muzzle. Almond shaped eye, obliquely set correct of size, colour and pigmentation all giving him the most sweetest yet masculine expression. Very good underjaw with out being over done. Ears well used and nicely set. Good length of neck leading to very goo shoulder placement, correct depth of chest, nice sweep over loins and good hind angulation with short strong we’ll let down hocks. He moved very well with good drive and forward reach. Single tracked correctly. He just didn’t quite have the enthusiasm to show off his virtues today but a very nice dog. 

3. Gamble, Solyric Inaugural Gold JW OSW

Open (3,0)

1. Hull, Mohnesee’s Dream Date of Lizmark JW

Lovely red S/W in lovely coat who is full of quality and again another who must be spot on for size. Very good make and shape with correct height to length ratio with nice rounded bone. Masculine head and expression with long, blunt, refined wedge shaped head. Flat skull, parallel head planes, lovely fill of foreface and correct underjaw. Excellent almond shaped eye, obliquely set of correct size, colour and pigmentation all giving him a soft, sweet expression yet masculine. Not one for using his ears but when he did they were nicely set. Excellence length of neck, good shoulder placement with nice layback of shoulder and excellent upper arm. Good depth of chest, level topline with lovely sweep over loin, tail of good length and correctly set. Excellent hind angulation with short, strong, well let down hocks. He has excellent profile movement with very good forward reach and drive from behind. Moved a touch wide in front on the day. Straight behind.

2. Goodwin, Highbrook Hobnob

A shapely S/W who has a well balanced outlook, with correct bone for his excellent size. Masculine head and expression with a long, blunt, wedge shaped head with flat skull and parallel head planes, lovely fill of foreface, though his stop is slightly deeper than ideal. His eye is a touch full shape but of a good size and good dark brown in colour and correct pigmentation. His ears were well used and correctly. He has a nice length of neck with okay shoulder placement and correct depth of chest with a level topline and lovely sweep over loin. He has very good hind angulation with well let down short, strong hocks. His movement was nicely balanced in profile but didn’t quite have the forward reach of the winner and toes in slightly in front. Straight behind. He has an excellent relationship with his owner and showed very well. 

3. Jacobs, Willowthorn Dream Gazer JW SHCM SHCEX OSW

Veteran Dog (3,2)

1. Hepburn, Shellamoyed Simply The Best at Leterikhills JW SHCM, BVIS

A quality S/W of 7 1/2 years in lovely coat and condition. He is correct for height to length ratio with good rounded bone for his correct size combining to give a lovely outline. He has a long, blunt, refined wedge shaped head, with a flat skull, parallel head planes, good stop and nice underjaw. He has a lovely almond shaped eye of correct colour, size, pigmentation and obliquely set. Ears were well used though the set was a touch wide. Lovely length of neck leading to good shoulder placement with a nice layback of shoulder and very return of good upper arm. Correct depth of chest, level topline with a lovey sweep over loin and good tail set. Very good hind angulation with short strong well let down hocks. Moves very well in profile with excellent drive from behind and good forward reach. Very pleased the co judge and I agreed to give him BVIS 

Special Beginners Dog (1)

1. Saunders, Galateus Bohemia Classic at Torriglen (imp Cze)

A very glamorous S/W in excellent coat which does have a habit of hiding his outline. Excellent rounded bone for his very good height. He has a large blaze on his face but this doesn’t detract from his very appealing masculine yet sweet expression. He has a flat skull with parallel head planes, though a touch broad in back skull. Good underjaw, correct stop with a lovely fill of foreface giving him a good rounded muzzle. Almond shaped eye, of correct size, colour, pigmentation and nicely set. Ears well used though slightly wider in set. Okay length of neck though his rather profuse coat does has the habit of disguising the length of neck. Decent shoulder placement, with good layback of shoulder but slightly short upper arm. Correct depth of chest with level topline and good hind angulation with well let down, short strong hocks. Movement was nicely balanced in profile and single tracked correctly.

Special Open Sable & White (1)

1. Fisher, Ch Shellamoyed Gold Fever

Upstanding quality S/W in huge,very well presented coat. Nice for size with good outline, height to length ratio and rounded bone. Beautiful head and expression, with long, blunt, refined wedge shaped head, flat skull and parallel head planes. Good fill of foreface giving him a lovely rounded muzzle, correct stop and very good underjaw without being over done. Almond shaped of eye of correct size, colour, obliquely set with good pigmentation all giving him a very sweet yet masculine expression. Ears well used and correctly set. Lovely length of neck with decent shoulder angulation and correct depth of chest. Level top line with nice sweep over loin. Good hind angulation with well let down, short, strong hocks, though he does have a tendency to tuck his hind legs under him. Movement was nicely balanced and single tracked correctly.

Special Open Blue Merle (4,1)

Even though numerically a small class, it was oozing quality 

1. Robinson, Ch Lavika Deep Blue Ocean, CC & RBIS 

This blue merle is in his prime, he is an ideal size with a very pleasing outline, very well balanced with excellent height to length ratio and correct rounded bone. He is in fabulous coat in great condition and very well presented in, though a touch heavily marked than ideal, it is fairly well splashed and his blue is a lovely clear silvery blue. 

He has a lovely long, blunt, refined wedge shaped head, nicely balanced, parallel head planes, flat skull with correct stop and of lovely fill of foreface giving him a smooth rounded muzzle, and good underjaw. Lovely almond shaped eye, blue in colour, medium sized, obliquely set with correct pigmentation all combing to give him a gentle yet masculine expression. Ears were very well used and correctly set. Lovely length of neck leading to nicely balanced shoulder angulation with a good lay neck of shoulder and upper arm to match, correct depth of chest. Excellent topline, with lovely sweep over loin, tail of good length and correctly set. Very good hind angulation with well let down, short, strong hocks. He movement was sound and balanced with lovely forward reach and drive from behind, covering the maximum amount of ground with minimal effort and single tracking correctly. He is an excellent showman, never putting a foot wrong. Every time I looked at him, his correct balance and outline stood out and I didn’t hesitate to give him the CC. Well deserved.

2. Hardy, Sandwick Road Runner

Another stunning blue Merle who was very unlucky to come against the winner. He has a fabulous make and shape, excellent height to length ratio with good rounded bone. He is in lovey coat, the colour is a clear silvery blue though does have a larger black patch. He has an excellent head, fabulous long, blunt, refined wedge shaped head, parallel head planes, level head planes and correct stop. Very good fill of foreface for age and nice underjaw. Lovely almond shaped eye, obliquely set, of correct size and pigmentation which gave him the sweetest yet masculine head and expression. He used his ears well but the set was a touch wide. Fabulous length of neck leading to very good layback of shoulder and upper arm to match and correct depth of chest. Level topline with lovely sweep over loin with a good length of tail, well set. Excellent hind angulation with well let down, strong hocks. He moved very well, nicely balanced profile with excellent forward reach and drive from behind and single tracked correctly. He pushed the two main winners hard and I’m sure his day will come. A lovely boy indeed.

3. Bird, Molson Mr Blue Sky JW

Judge: Sharon Main