Border Union Agricultural Society

Border Union 15th June 2024

Siberian Husky Critique.

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the late submission of this critique and thank everyone for their patience during my period of ill health I am slowly on the road to recovery. I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge Siberian huskies at their 2024 championship show. This was my second time judging this wonderful breed at this level and I had a wonderful day. The hospitality of the show was excellent. Thank you to all the exhibitors for entering their lovely dogs I had some very tough decisions. Unfortunately it must be noted that there was some bad sportsmanship regarding my placings on the day which really tainted the day for me. It’s the judges decision on the day and I thank the majority of the exhibitors for taking my decisions very well. My job as a judge in the ring is to judge the dogs in front of me on the day to the best of my ability, some places could well change as dogs develop.

Minor Puppy Dog.

No entries.

Puppy Dog (2:0)

1st Emery’s NAVAJOS STARMAN. What a delight this puppy was, a 10-month-old grey and white male. Super foxy head, finely chiselled with lovely almond shaped eyes that were obliquely set. Ear set was good with his head gradually tapering towards the end and rounded at the nose, with excellent pigment and mischievous expression. Excellent neck length, slightly arched into well laid shoulders. Correct front and rear angulation with the correct return of upper arm creating a balanced picture on the stand. Nice depth of chest and correct height to length ratios, well ribbed and has a strong loin. Good slope to his croup and a nice tail set giving him an excellent overall shape on the stand and on the move. Currently he is very much a baby and needs time to mature, he unfortunately lost out to the bitch puppy due to condition and maturity but I will watch his progress with interest.

2nd Macathur, Mckenzie + Rees’s’ AMICAL NAXAR a 9 month old black and white male. A nice boy that is slightly heavier set than 1 but much still to like. Head wasn't as finely chiseled as 1 but still foxy with correct eye shape and placement and a good ear set. He has great length to his neck and his shoulders were ok for his age, however I would prefer a little more return on his upper arm which could come with maturity. He did have the most fabulous side profile movement with plenty of reach and drive handled exceptionally well by his young handler. His rear angulation was excellent and his croup and tail set was correct giving a nice overall picture on the move. Like 1st he has plenty of maturing to do and given time will hopefully settle into his front, sound movement from all angles will watch his progress with interest.

Junior Dog (3:0)

This was a very difficult class to judge as they are all going through different stages of development, they could all easily change places on a different day.

1st Wynne’s MYDISA HIELAN WEE BELTER a 15 month old black and white male. On first glance he is just my cup of tea. He has a lovely foxy head with nice eye shape and set and an excellent ear set. He has adequate neck into well laid shoulders and his front angulation is ok for his age. I would prefer a little more slope to his pasterns however as he matures into his front and settles this may improve. He has excellent height to length ratio, good length to his rib and nice length to his loin. He has a good slope to his croup and good tail set on the stand and on the move. His rear angulation can appear to be a little much as he crouches into himself, making him appear to have a sloping topline. I believe if more work is done to stop him doing this it would help his overall appearance. He was sound all round on his movement. I will watch his progress with interest.

2nd Wakker’s KOMAKSIUT’S GLEN DEVON AV RATATUYAK AT CEANNABEINNE (IMP NLD) another 15 month old black and white boy who was unfortunate to meet 1 today. He has a lovely foxy head with correct shape eye and set however I would prefer if he used his ears a little more. He has a good length of neck into well laid shoulders but another that needs to settle into himself. He is balanced in front and rear angulation, and has a free side gait. It will be interesting to see how he develops into adulthood as his front movement was a little erratic at times but this is a very difficult stage to be in they change daily, I just had to judge the dogs on the day.

3rd Mcarthur, Mckenzie + Rees’s’ AMICAL NAXXAR.

Graduate Dog(1:0)

1st Yerrill’s ALEPENKYE FRUIT LOOPS 8 and half year old black and white male, whom I have judged previously as a youngster and I am pleased with how this boy has matured. He has a super foxy head with correct eye shape and placement with a good ear set. His neck length was good leading into well laid shoulders and good front angulation and a nice slope to his pasterns. Nice depth to his chest and correct body proportions with balance angulation fore and aft. Nice slope to his croup and good tail set. Moved well in all directions. Pleased to hear he gained his studbook number on the day, congratulations.

Postgraduate Dog.(2:0)

1st Yerrill’s APEPENKYE FRUIT LOOPS – Repeat class winner see above.

2nd Beirne’s PENKHALAS PENNINESNODRIFT wow, what a boy he is at 4 years old he is really starting to mature. He was a previous class winner for me in 2022, he could quite easily have been my CC winner I absolutely love him however I couldn't place him any higher as I just couldn't get my hands on him which Is a real shame. He has a super foxy head with lovely almond shaped eyes that are obliquely set with an excellent ear set. Excellent length of neck, good front and rear angulation with excellent height to length ratio. He moved well in all directions. I really hope this boy starts to enjoy showing, it’s a real shame.

Limit Dog (7:1)

1st McInnes’s INNESKA MALACHITE This boy has really come into his own at 4 years old. He has the most gorgeous foxy head with excellent pigmentation, almond shaped eyes that are obliquely set and a good ear set. He has an excellent length to his neck into well laid shoulders and good return of his upper arm and a slightly sloping pastern. He has the correct length to his rib and a strong loin which is slightly arched and excellent balanced rear angulation. His proportions are excellent with his length to height ratio and he had a fabulous double coat. He has a good slope to his croup and a good tail set and carriage. Every part of this boy is sound, straight parallel front and rear on the stand and he moves with such a free light footed movement. Super sound single tracking on the out and back with correct reach and drive. Nothing flashy about this boy but he is just correct, he was looking the best I have ever seen him and he was so deserving of the CC. Well done.

2nd Snelson’s AZGARD MONTICRISTO AT ASHTRAX 4 year old black and white Piebald. A nice boy that was unfortunate to meet 1 today. I would prefer a foxier head he is a tad short in the muzzle and slightly wide in the head. He has a good ear set and an excellent neck length into well laid shoulders and excellent front angulation with the correct amount of return to his upper arm. His chest is deep and well developed with a parallel front and a good amount of slope to his pasterns. His rib length is good with a nice strong loin and good rear angulation. Excellent proportions and a good profile on the stand with the correct tail set and slope to his croup. Excellent free side profile movement.

3rd Carmichael’s PODRICALS THE GAMBLER BY GLENBRANTER JW.

Open Dog (3:0)

1st Cunningham’s ICEBEX DARE TO BE DIFFERENT 4 year old grey and white male. He has a classic foxy head with nice almond shaped eyes obliquely set, good ear set just wish he would use his ears more. Great length of neck into well laid shoulders with the correct amount of return to his upper arm, parallel legs with a slight slope to his pastern. Nice deep chest, a good length to his rib and loin and balanced rear angulation. Correct slope to his croup and a good tail set that was held well on the move. He moved sound in all directions, unfortunately just didn’t seem to have a spark on the day. He looked as if he was giving his owner a tough time and he was being stacked more than I have seen him before. I would have preferred him to get more relaxed and in more of a natural stance I feel it would have shown his qualities a lot more for him to achieve any higher awards.

2nd Snelson’s SALAZKA’S MR ABERNATHY AT ASHTRAX a 6 year old black and white boy another lovey specimen of the breed. Lovely foxy head with almond shaped eyes, obliquely set and good ear set and shape. Lovely length to his neck into well laid shoulders a parallel front and a good slope to his pasterns. Nice deep chest and good propertions, good length to his rib and loin with correct slope to his croup and good tail set. Nice rear angulation and nice rear and side profile movement, unfortunately he was a little bit unsettled on his front movement on the day which lost him the class.

3rd Yerrill’s APEPENKYE FRUIT LOOPS – Repeat class winner see graduate dog

Veteran dog (2:0)

1st Houston’s RAJARANI DOMINIQUE an 8 year old black and white male, wow what a find. He was so typical and just my cup of tea. Gorgeous foxy head with almond shape eyes, obliquely set and an excellent ear set. Excellent length to his neck onto well laid shoulders and great front angulation with the correct amount of return to his upper arm. Good parallel front and a nice slope to his pastern, good depth to his chest and excellent proportions. Nice length to his rib and loin with the correct slope to his croup with a lovely tail set held well on the move. He has lovely rear angulation giving him a balanced outline totally typical of a Siberian Husky. He really floated around the ring with an excellent reach and drive and sound out and back when he was settled. He was unfortunate to meet the limit winner looking so fabulous. Pleased to award him the RCC I really hope he manages to gain his crown.

2nd Beirne’s PENKHALAS ITASKA a 7 year old grey and white male. He has a nice foxy head with correct almond shaped eyes that are obliquely set with a good ear set. Nice length to his neck into well laid shoulders and good proportions. Nice slope to his pasterns and correct slope to his croup with a good tail set. Preferred the overall shape of the winner. Moved soundly in all directions covering the ground well.

Minor Puppy Bitch (1:0)

1st Allen-Davern & Hughes’s SIBERIADRIFT TRICK OR TREAT FOR ZIMAVOLK what a gorgeous little girl she is. 8 month old black and white girl with a gorgeous foxy head, good eye set and shape with an excellent ear set and shape. Lovely length to her neck which was slightly arched leading into well laid shoulders with great front angulation. Front legs were parallel and straight with a nice slope to her pasterns. Good depth of chest for her age with good rib to loin ratio. Excellent overall balance and proportions with good rear angulation matching her front with the correct slope to her croup and good tail set. Such a delight to watch her move away and excellent side profile movement, she was a tad loose on the front but as to be expected with babies. She will certainly be one to watch when she matures, I really liked her. Best Puppy in Breed.

Puppy Bitch (2:1)

1st Allen-Davern & Hughes’s SIBERIADRIFT TRICK OR TREAT FOR ZIMAVOLK see previous class winner of MPB.

Junior Bitch (2:0)

Another difficult class to judge they could easily change places on another day.

1st Sinclair’s MYDISA HIELAN SASSIE LASS AT LESAMIAN. 15 month old grey and white girl with a gorgeous foxy head with excellent almond shape eyes obliquely set and a good ear set. Good length of neck that was nicely arched which lead into well laid shoulders with good front angulation. She was a little loose in front with a straighter pastern than I would like but as she matures she could easily drop back into herself. She had a lovely overall balance and shape with excellent proportions. Excellent length to her rib and had a firm loin, her topline was level and had a slight arch over loin. Good slope to her croup onto a well set tail with good rear angulation. Excellent movement all around with a super free flowing side gait and sound coming and going. She did take my eye in the challenge and pushed the older dogs hard for the higher awards. I believe her time will come with maturity.

2nd Wynne’s MYDISA HIELAN WEE HAIVER. 15 month old white bitch litter sister too 1st and to first in junior dog also with very much the same attributes. Lovely foxy head with correct eye set and shape with nice ears. Lovely length to her sightly arched neck which lead into well laid shoulders, preferred the front angulation to one but she had a better slope to her pasterns than 1st. Nice overall balance but like her brother was crouching a little on the stand giving the impression of a sloping topline but she held her topline well on the move. She moved well from all directions, will watch her progress with interest a cracking litter, the breeder must be proud.

Yearling Bitch (2:0)

1st Cunningham’s SIBERIADRIFT DARING MINX FROM ICEBEX JW 22 month old black and white girl, nice foxy head with good eye set and shape with a good ear set, if I am nit picking I would prefer a tad more length to her nose to give a better over all head shape. A lovely all around balanced girl with good proportions. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders and good front angulation and parallel legs with a nice slope to her pasterns. Nice length to her rib and good arch over her loin which was of a nice length. Great slope to her croup and a good tail set with good rear angulation. She moved well in all directions just lacked a bit of sparkle today which prevented her from going any further. A nice bitch and will watch her develop with interest as she matures.

2nd Thomas’s SEPPFIRE ELVIRA OF SLEDSUKA 23 month old black and white with a good foxy head with a correct eye set and shape with good ear set with a good length to her neck. Shoulders were a tad upright at the moment she just needs time to mature and hopefully her front will drop into itself. Good front angulation and excellent slope to her pasterns with a straight parallel front. Would like to see her chest drop slightly as she was a tad shallow in chest as it didn’t quite reach her elbows but she could well do this with maturity. She had a good length of rib and a firm loin that was slightly arched with the correct slope to her croup and a nice tail set. Good rear angulation giving a balance picture and moved soundly in all directions. Be interesting to see her as a veteran and see if she matures into her earlier promise, she just needs time.

Novice Bitch (2:0)

1st Hughes’s SIBERIADRIFT DARING SAGE 22 month old grey and white, wow what a girl she is. Super foxy head with almond shaped eyes obliquely set with excellent ear set and shape. Lovely length to neck which was slightly arched into well laid shoulders and nice front angulation. Nice depth to her chest and good height to length ratio with excellent slope to her pasterns. Nice overall proportions with good rib length and length to her loin. Balanced rear angulation and a good tuck up and underline giving a lovely shape. She moved well in all directions just has a tendency to hold her tail tighter on the move which cost her going any further. One to watch as she matures really has some great potential to go far, liked her a lot.

2nd Allen-Davern & Hughes’s SIBERIADRIFT TRICK OR TREAT FOR ZIMAVOLK see previous class winner of MPB.

Graduate Bitch (2:1)

1st Emery’s SAKINO’S EPIC SASS TO NAVAJOS 23 month old black and white piebald with a lovely foxy head with a nice almond shaped eye that were obliquely set and well set ears. Excellent length to her neck with a slight arch into well laid shoulders and excellent front angulation. Lovely slope to her pasterns and good depth to her chest. Excellent overall proportions with good rib length and length to her loin and good slope to her croup. She was having a tendency of hunching her backend making her look up on the bum when she was standing on the day which just spoilt her overall shape. She really moved well in profile with a light-footed free gait and was sound on the out and back. Another that just needs a bit of time to mature. I will watch her progress with interest.

Postgraduate Bitch (4:1)

1st Donaldson-Buist’s ALOUSTAIR’S GHOST CHILLI 2.5 year old aguti that was unfortunately a little out of coat on the day but it showed her confirmation well. She had a lovely foxy head with lovely almond shaped eyes that are obliquely set and ear set was ok. Has a good length to her neck that was slightly arched which lead into well laid shoulders and adequate front angulation. Stood on parallel front legs with a slight slope to her pastern, excellent height to length ratio and a good depth to her chest. Good length to her rib and loin had a slight rise and was a good length. She was a tad steep in croup and a lower tail set than I would like but had great rear angulation. She moved soundly in all directions but would benefit in more conditioning throughout to achieve her full potential.

2nd Caudy’s ARCTICTREKS GOLDILOCKS AT SNODRAGON 2 year old white and cream girl, very pleasing foxy head with good eye and ear set and shape. She has an adequate length of neck leading into well laid shoulders and good front angulation and a lovely slope to her pastern. Excellent height to length ratio with a good depth to her chest and a good tuck up and underline. She has a nice slope to her croup and a good tail set, I would prefer a bit more rear angulation to give more of a balanced picture this could improve with maturity and conditioning. Moved soundly in all directions.

3rd Shaw’s NORSTE KANGUYAK.

Limit bitch (8:0)

This was a difficult class to assess, some dogs I’ve seen move much better on other occasions just didn’t have it together today. This did unfortunately affect the placings, they could possibly change places on a different day.

1st Hay’s INNESKA CINNABAR OF SURA 4 year old grey and white female who was the litter sister to my DCC winner and much of the same comments apply here too. She had a lovely foxy head with correct almond shaped eyes that were obliquely set, I would prefer a slightly higher ear set to perfect the picture. Lovely length to her neck which was slightly arched that lead into well laid shoulders and excellent front angulation. Parallel front legs with a good slope to her pastern and a lovely depth to her chest. She has a lovely length to her rib and loin her topline was slightly arched over her loin with a good slope to her croup and a good tail set. She had excellent rear angulation giving a lovely over all picture in profile. As with her brother she out moved this class her excellent foot fall on the out and back and in profile is what secured her this placing. I was delighted to hear she gained her studbook number on the day I’m sure with a bit of maturity she will be up there for the higher awards.

2nd Hart’s PENKHALAS MY EVALINE FROM ZAWKKAST 4 year old grey and white female who was my RCC winner in 2022 and is still one of my favorites. She just wasn’t herself on the day and her movement cost her the class on the day. She is absolutely the epitome of a classic Siberian and just my type. Lovely foxy head with correct eye set and shape with a lovely ear set. Excellent length to her slightly arched neck into well laid shoulders and excellent front angulation. Lovely parallel legs and a slight slope to her pastern with a good depth to her chest. Lovely overall balance with a level topline with a slight rise over her loin with excellent rear angulation and the right amount of slope to her croup and lovely tail set. She really glides around the ring with effortless movement however she was just a little messy going away today which was a real shame. Hopefully its just a one off and she will get back to her sound self again that I know she can be. Will watch her future with interest, she deserves her crown.

3rd Emery’s CHATANIKA’S DRAGONGIRL OVER NAVAJOS.

Open bitch (7:0)

1st Hughes’s SIBERIADRIFT SECRET TO KEEP 4 year old grey and white female what a girl she is. After judging it was interesting to see I had awarded both her parents BOB at open show level, she really is the best blend of the two. I would prefer a finer foxier head with a tad more length to her nose for personal preference but her eyes are almond shape and obliquely set with a lovely ear set. Excellent length to her neck which was slightly arched and led into well laid shoulders and a good depth to her chest. She has a good height to length ratio and nice length to her leg with an excellent slope to her pasterns. Excellent length to her rib and slight arch to her loin which was of the correct length for her body with excellent rear angulation. She has a lovely slope to her croup and good tail set creating a beautiful picture on the stand. She moved with such accurate footfall on the out and back and she had a beautiful side gait with excellent reach and drive. Expertly handled well deserved the CC and BOB on the day and I hear it was her 3rd huge congratulations, she looked great in the big group ring.

2nd Jones’s CH ICYNIGHTS DEVILS DESIRE 4 year old black and white female who you really have to get your hands on to appreciate her finer qualities. A real quality girl that is truly deserving on her champion title. Super foxy head with gorgeous almond shaped eyes that are obliquely set with a cracking ear set. Lovely length to her neck that was slightly arched into well laid shoulders and good front angulation and a nice depth to her chest. Nice parallel front legs with a slight slope to her pasterns and good topline with a slight arch over the loin. Lovely rear angulation creating a balanced picture on the stand. Moved with a good reach and drive light free flowing movement, just prefer the footfall of the class winner coming towards. It was a close decision but well deserved RCC.

3rd Allen-Davern’s MOON ECLIPSE WILCZA DUSZA OF ZIMAVOLK.

Vereran Bitch (4:0)

1st Bowering & Evans’s PENKHALAS KASKA 7.5 year old grey and white female with a lovely foxy head, with correct eye set and shape and nice ear set. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders and a nice depth to chest. Lovely angulation front and rear creating a balance picture on the stand. Nice length of rib to loin with a level topline and a slight arch over the loin. Good slope to her croup and nice tail set. Sound in all angles on the move holding her shape well.

2nd Casola’s SASSICAIA CHOCOLATE LADY AT PODRICAL 9.5 year old black and white with a lovely foxy head and with correct eye set and shape and nice ear set. Unfortunately was out of coat on the day but didn’t detract from her outline. Nice length of neck into well laid shoulders and good front angulation. Would prefer a tad more slope to her pastern, nice length to height ratio good level topline with a slight arch over her loin, good croup and tail set. Moved well on the out and side profile just had a tendency to be a little loose on her front on the day.

3rd McInnes’s CH HUSHWING HAPPY FEET AT INNESKA.

Judge Danielle Seward - Elleonia