English Shetland Sheepdog Club

English Shetland Sheepdog Club – Breed Open Show

An honour to judge such a good numeric entry at my first breed club show, my thanks to the committee and my helpful stewards. The overall quality was good and temperaments have improved significantly over the years. Whilst we have lovely heads in the breed, greater emphasis must be put on improving the fronts, so many exhibits today were steep or short in upper arm, resulting in poor reach or lifting on the forehand, not the ground covering gait so desired for this herding breed. That said I found my principal winners to represent all of the qualities desired to do the job they were bred for.

Dogs

MP(3)

1st Rutterford’s Myter BlackTarquin at Stormhead, 8 months Tri male of good quality & breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head & expression from a lovely dark eye, well set ears finishing of the whole picture, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, he was well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, level back into well moulded croup & tail set, strong hindquarters for a youngster. He was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing good reach & drive. Presented in good coat & condition.

2nd Folkes’ Navy Blue of Most Majestic at Dacfolke, 6 months Blue male, a lovely youngster with a sweet head & expression, excellent temperament, good mouth, well set ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, a shade steeper in upper arm, not affording him the forward reach of winner, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet. Squarer in outline with good hindquarters. He was sound both ways with good drive on the move. Not in full bloom, but well handled.

3rd Straw’s Dukeson the Cruzader

P(5)2a

1st Norris’ Ferngroves Skywalker, 11 months s&w male, a quality youngster of good breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece, with nice dark eye and well set ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, he was well proportioned throughout with a good overall body shape, and a strong backline into well-developed hindquarters. Stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket and well sprung rib. He was sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing good reach & drive, shown in good coat & condition. BPIB

2nd Fenton’s Shannmie’s Dark Arches, 11 months shaded sable, excellent temperament, good mouth, slightly snipey in muzzle and slightly lighter in eye, spoiling the overall expression, well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, shade short in upper arm causing him to lift slightly in forehand, stood on ample bone and good feet, good depth of brisket, level back into well moulded croup & tail set, strong hindquarters. He was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing good drive. Shown in good coat & condition.

3rd Folkes’ Navy Blue of Most Majestic at Dacfolke

J(8)

1st Parker’s Eglonian Prime Target with Tolarock, 15 months shaded sable, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head & expression, nice dark eye, well placed ears setting off the picture, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, a shade steep in upper arm, stood on ample bone & tight feet, good depth of brisket, level back into well moulded croup & tail set, well-developed hindquarters. He was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing ample reach but good drive. Shown in good coat & condition.

2nd Winfield’s Oakcroft the Mandalorian, 17 months s&w male, similar in type to winner with an excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece, dark eye & well set ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, steep in upper arm, stood on ample bone, good feet, lovely outline and well-developed hindquarters, level back into well moulded croup & tail set. He was sound both ways but lacked the forward reach of winner. Shown in good coat & condition.

3rd Johnson, Jacobs & Johnson’s Willowthorn’s Happy Gaze

N(10)2a

1st Norris’ Ferngroves Skywalker

2nd Rutterford’s Myter BlackTarquin at Stormhead

3rd Fenton’s Shannmie’s Dark Arches

PG(13)4a

1st Lindford’s Hillhenry in Your Honour, 2 years Tri male of good quality & breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece with a nice dark eye giving a lovely expression, well set ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, he was well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, stood on ample bone with tight feet, good depth of brisket, lovely backline into well moulded croup & tail set, strong hindquarters. He was sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing good reach & drive. Shown in good coat & condition. A pity he didn’t pull out the stops in the challenge.

2nd Revill’s Mosardi Don’t Stop, 2 years blue male, slightly larger than 1 but within size, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece with a nice dark eye & well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, a shade steep in upper arm, not affording him the forward reach of winner. Stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket, level back into well moulded croup & tail set, strong hindquarters. He was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing fair reach & drive, shown in good coat & condition.

3rd Cheal’s Carolelean Composer at Faemadra

L(23)4a

1st Ayres’ Gemette Gone Platinum, 3yrs blue male, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece with correct almond eye, well placed ears setting off the picture. Strong neck of good length into well laid shoulders, a shade steep in upper arm, stood on ample bone, nice tight feet, well-developed chest & brisket, strong backline into well moulded croup & tail set, strong well-developed hindquarters. He was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing good drive. Shown in good coat & condition.

2nd Bastiani & John’s Auberswell Ghost Rider, 4 years light sable male, similar in type to winner, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece although a shade deeper through, with a good eye, well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, a shade steep in upper arm, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket, lovely overall body lines. He was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing fair reach & good drive, just out moved by winner.

3rd Mitchell’s Valdosta Gracelands JW

O(8)3a

1st Robinson’s Lavika Moonlight Storm JW, 2 years Tri male of excellent quality & breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, super head piece, to be hyper critical I would prefer a slightly darker eye, but that said his overall quality shone through. Well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, he was well balanced throughout with lovely angles & proportions, stood on ample bone & nice tight feet, good depth of brisket with well-developed fore chest, strong level back into well moulded croup & tail set, strong well-developed hindquarters. He was sound both ways with a super side gait showing good reach & drive. Shown in good coat & condition and well handled. BD & Res BOB.

2nd Hull’s Mohnesee’s Dream Late of Lizmark JW, 6 years s&w male another of good quality & breed type, similar to winner in many ways. Excellent temperament, good mouth lovely head piece, albeit slightly deeper in stop, a pleasing expression, set off by lovely dark almond eyes, well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, he was well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket & ribbing, level back into well moulded croup & tail set, strong hindquarters. He was sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing good reach & drive. Presented in good coat & condition. Res BD

3rd Goodwin’s Highbrook Hobnob JW

V(4)1a

1st Greenwood’s OmebridGives Warm Hugs, 9 years Tri male, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece, slightly round in eye but dark in colour, well placed ears, strong neck into well laid shoulders, well balanced throughout with good angles, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good fore chest and depth of brisket, level back into flat croup & correct tail set, strong hindquarters, he was sound both ways with a steady side gait.

2nd Riding’s Achor’s Suprise Percy Polaris for Torinska (Imp Che), 9 ½ years blue male similar to winner, lovely head piece with good eye giving a pleasing expression, well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, shade steep in upper arm not affording him the forward reach of winner. Stood on ample bone, nice tight feet, good depth of brisket, level back into well moulded croup & tail set, strong hindquarters. He was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing good drive. Not in full bloom today, nevertheless deserved his placing.

3rd Carr’s Lowick Black Angus of Milesend AW(G)

Bitches

MP(9)5a

1st Sorockyj’s Shazbec Maid of Honour at Sheltisha, 8 months blue female, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely well balanced head piece with a nice dark eye, well set ears, good reach of neck set into well laid shoulders, she was well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, stood on ample bone & nice tight feet, good ribbing, correct backline into well moulded croup & tail set, good width of thigh and firm hocks. She was sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing good reach & drive, shown in good coat & condition.

2nd Rowan’s Rowancrest Cinderella, 7 ½ months sable, slightly deeper in stop than 1, lovely temperament, good mouth, nice dark eye, well set ears, good reach of neck set into well laid shoulders, shade steeper in upper arm, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket, level back into well moulded croup &tail set, lovely hindquarters, she was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing fair reach & good drive. Shown in good coat & condition, promising youngster.

3rd Bray’s Molson Modern Millie

P(7)3a

1st Sorockyj’s Shazbec Maid of Honour at Sheltisha

2nd Hateley’s Mohnesee Lullaby Ice, 9 months’ blue female, lighter in build than I would prefer, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely well balanced head piece with a lovely expression from a nice dark almond eye, well placed ears tipping nicely, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, a shade steep in upper arm, nice tight feet, good depth of brisket, level back into well moulded croup & tail set, strong hindquarters. She was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing good drive, but not the forward reach of winner, presented in good coat & condition.

3rd Happel’s Blenmerrow Viva La Musica

J(10)7a

1st Norris’ Sabema Mayfly at Ferngrove, 12 months shaded sable female, excellent temperament, good mouth, well balanced head piece albeit a shade deeper in stop, lovely expression set off by a nice dark almond eye, well placed ears alert at all times, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, she was well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket and ribbing, lovely backline into well moulded croup & tail set, strong well-developed hindquarters. She was sound both ways with a super side gait, showing good reach & drive, not in full bloom today, nevertheless her overall quality shone through.

2nd Thornley, Thornley & Withers’ Felthorn Good Time Girl, 15 months, blue, lots to like about this girl, she had an excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely balanced & proportioned head piece, almond eye giving a sweet expression, well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, a shade steep in upper arm, not affording her the forward reach of winner. Stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket & ribbing, lovely backline into well moulded croup & tail set, strong well-developed hindquarters. She was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing good drive.

3rd Kamber’s Achor’s Surprise Cover Girl

N(14)9a

1st Norris’ Sabema Mayfly at Ferngrove

2nd Taylor’s Torinska Ribbon in the Sky, 2 ½ years pretty blue female, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head & expression with good eye, well set ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, steep in upper arm, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket, level back into short square croup, good set on of tail, strong hindquarters. She was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing good drive but lacking the forward reach of 1. Shown in good coat & condition.

3rd Kamber’s Achor’s Surprise Crème Caramelle

PG(24)10a

1st Stock’s Shemist Summer Romance, 4 years petite shaded sable of good quality & breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely well balanced head piece with nice dark eye, well placed ears, alert at all times, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, she was well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, would prefer her slightly stronger in pastern to be hyper-critical, good depth of brisket & ribbing, lovely backline into well moulded croup & tail set, strong well-developed hindquarters. She was sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing good reach & drive. Shown in good coat & condition. Res BB.

2nd Stafford’s Rannerdale Queen of the Night, 19 months Tri female, another of good quality & breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece albeit slightly higher in back skull, nice dark eye, well placed ears, alert at all times, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, a shade steep in upper arm, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket & ribbing, lovely overline into well moulded croup & tail set, strong well-developed hindquarters, clean hocks. She was sound both ways but lacked the forward reach of winner, showing good drive from hindquarters. Presented in good coat & condition.

3rd Barrowclough’s Shadowess Ginger Biscuit

L(23)13a

1st Rosslyn’s Balidorn Golden Amber, 5 years s&w female of good quality & breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head & expression with nice dark eye, well placed ears carried alert at all times, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, she was well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket & ribbing, strong back into well moulded croup & tail set, strong well-developed hindquarters, she was sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing good reach & drive, presented in good coat & condition, just didn’t go as well in the challenge.

2nd Ritchie’s Jaelis Mystique Reality JW, 2 years shaded sable, similar in type to winner, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece with a sweet expression from a nice dark almond eye, well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, a shade steep in upper arm, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket, lovely overline into well moulded croup & tail set, strong hindquarters, she was sound both ways with a steady side gait showing fair reach & good drive, shown in good coat & condition.

3rd Revill’s Mosardi Forget Me Not

O(6)4a

1st Stafford’s Ch Rannerdale Queen of the Dark, 3 years tri female of excellent quality & breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, super head piece with good proportions and a sweet expression from a dark almond eye, well placed ears alert at all times, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, she was well balanced throughout with lovely angles & proportions, stood on ample bone with strong pasterns and nice tight feet, good depth of brisket & forechest, good ribbing, lovely backline into well moulded croup & tail set, strong well-developed hindquarters, clean hocks. She was sound both ways with a super side gait, when we got her moving at the right speed, showing good reach & drive, covering the ground well. Shown in good coat & condition, no hesitation in awarding her the top spot today. BB & BOB.

2nd Atkin’s EsstremereLady Isobel, 3 ½ years another tri female of good breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece with sweet expression from a lovely dark almond eye, ears slightly tipping out, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, a shade steep in upper arm, stood on ample bone, nice tight feet, good depth of brisket, lovely overline into well moulded croup & tail set, strong well-developed hindquarters, she was sound both ways with a steady side gait, showing fair reach and good drive from behind. Shown in good coat & condition.

V(14)8a

1st Gamble’s Balidorn Solitude at Solyric JW, 8 years s&w female of good quality, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head & expression, nice dark eye, well placed ears alert at all times, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, she was well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions albeit slightly longer in loin, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket and forechest, firm back into well moulded croup & tail set, well-developed hindquarters, she was sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing good reach & drive, shown in good coat & condition. BVIB

2nd Whittington’s Tighness the Tide is High VW, 9 ½ years, s&w female, another of good quality & breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, lovely head piece with a sweet expression, lovely almond eye, well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, another who was well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, stood on ample bone with nice tight feet, good depth of brisket & fore chest, level back into well moulded croup & tail set, strong hindquarters. She was sound both ways with a steady side gait just not moving at the right pace to show off her conformation. Shown in good coat & condition.

3rd Withers’ Neraklee Naomi at Stanydale

Judge: Gary Gray