Bath Canine Society

What a super exciting appointment. I had been looking forward to this for a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed my day with this super breed. There was without doubt quality on show and in more depth than many breeds I’ve judged recently. There were a number of outstanding, exciting dogs here, and it was so pleasing to see some real quality youngsters. I feel it is so important as an all-rounder to focus in on the breed specific features that make this breed what it is, and this is what I looked for in my entry. Heads are of course very important for that typical expression. It’s not, however, all about glamour, as this is still a breed that was created to do a job of work and, under that coat, I was looking for a dog that was built like it could do. I was thrilled to watch my BOB go group 3 under Darren Clarke, and my best veteran win the veteran group 2 under Jeff Horswell. Well done to all and thank you to the Bath Committee for inviting me to judge at this fabulous show.

Puppy Dog (4,1)

1st: Haensel’s Sherkarl Sole Diva. I thought this to be a very nice puppy. Up to size. Good masculine head with good strength to underjaw. Good parallel head planes. Blunt wedge. Lovely almond shaped eyes of good colour. Excellent earset. This all gave him a most typical expression. Slight arch to neck. Well laid shoulders. Upper arm a tad straight. Well ribbed. Firm topline and loins. Correct tail for length, set and carried well on the move. In great coat and condition. Excellent mover from all angles. Was a strong contender in the challenge. BP

2nd: Walker’s Grandgenes Kensington by Tooralie. Good parallel head planes with slight stop. Deeper through skull than winner and just a little plainer in expression as present. Nice dark eyes of correct shape and set. Ears are well set. Medium length to neck. Moderate angles fore and aft, Chest still to broaden. Good feet and pasterns. Firm hocks. Tail is well set and of correct length. Moves soundly. Lacking in coat on the day.

3rd: Norris’ Ferngroves Skywalker

Junior Dog (5,0)

1st: Winfield’s Oakcroft The Mandalorian. A dog of very nice shape and outline. Masculine with good degree of underjaw. Well balanced skull to muzzle with well positioned stop. Dark eyes which are almond in shape and set slightly obliquely. Moderate length to neck. Shoulders are well set and he has a good return of upper arm. Bone to develop on. Chest still to drop. Firm topline. Well-turned stifles and firm hocks. Well set tail of correct length. Very sound and precise mover. Promising.

2nd: Fagg’s Valdosta Lionking at Lynscot. Not quite as good in expression as 1st. Eyes are ok for shape and set. Stop is a little too abrupt and skull is slightly rounded. Ears ok for set. Neck a tad short and not as good in shoulder as 1st. Upper arm returns sufficiently. Chest to develop. Topline firm. Well-turned stifles. Not the overall balance of 1st. Sound in action and well presented.

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

Yearling Dog (4,1)

1st: Mitchell’s Valdosta Gracelands JW. I felt this dog had a very nice typical shape and outline. Very nice eyes for shape and set. Blunt wedge tapering to nose. Could perhaps be just a shade stronger in underjaw. Head planes just about parallel. Ears set close together on top of skull and he used them well. Moderate length of neck. Liked his construction very much. Very well balanced with excellent shoulders, return of upper arm, and well-turned stifles. Nice for bone. Deep chest. Well sprung ribs. Typical topline. Excellent mover. Well presented in decent coat. Pushed hard in the challenge.

2nd: Pierce’s Philhope In Good Taste. Masculine head and slightly preferred his expression to 1st. Lovely almond shaped eyes which are set slightly obliquely. Ears are well set and of correct size for head. Excellent head with lovely parallel head planes. Neck a tad short and rather upright in shoulder. Upper arm ok. Topline firm. Well turned stifles. Good feet and pasterns and firm hocks. Not so well balanced as 1st and though sound, not such good footfall or ground coverage as 1st.

3rd: Arnould’s Shadoway Justa Chance.

Novice Dog (4,0)

1st: Haensel’s Sherkarl Sole Diva

2nd: Fagg’s Valdosta Lionking at Lynscot

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

Post Graduate Dog (4,0)

1st: Hirst’s Sundark Scaramouche. Won here on his super construction. Head could be slightly more masculine with a tad more underjaw, but he is quite elegant. Head planes ok. Ears are well set and he used them well on the table. Really nice arch to neck leading to very well angulated shoulders. Super return of upper arm. Deep chest. Well sprung ribs which are carried well back. Firm in topline and loins. Well turned stifles. Lovely proportions and I loved his outline. Well set tail of correct length. Moves very soundly. Black colour in coat could perhaps be more broken.

2nd: Cheal’s Carolelen Composer at Faemadra. Quite masculine head. Not so good in head planes as 1st. Eyes ok for shape and set. Ears are high set. Not so good in construction as 1st being rather more moderate in angulation. Deep in chest. A little short in rib. Appeared to be dipping in topline on the day. Tail just long enough. Good feet and pasterns. Could be slightly more defined in hocks. Sound, but not the ground coverage of 1st.

3rd: Revill’s Mosardi Don’t Stop

Limit Dog (6,0)

1st: Robinson’s Lavika Moonlight Storm. Such a handsome dog. Masculine head. Very lovely almond shaped eyes which are set obliquely. Ears set on top of skull and he uses them very well. Good underjaw. Blunt wedge and correct proportion of skull to muzzle. Charming expression. Lovely arch to neck and super shoulders and upper arm. At first look, he appears a little short on the leg, but when you go over him, he is well-proportioned and some around him do stand rather tall. Excellent body with well sprung ribs and long ribcage. Firm loins. Typical topline. Excellent turn of stifles and lovely firm, low set hocks. Excellent tail set and carriage and reaches to hocks. Cracking mover from all angles. Really pleases the eye. Just not quite the elegance of my CC winner, but certainly a great showman who moves with consummate ease. Very well handled. RCC

2nd: Norris’ Ferngrove Valentino JW. Very nice masculine head with good underjaw. Blunt wedge and good head planes. Eyes ok for shape and set. Ears are well set and of correct size. Neck a little short. Well angulated fore and aft. Looks a shade long in body. Deep chest. Firm topline. Well set and carried tail. Moved very well with good ground coverage.

3rd: Hirst’s Sundark Scaramouche

Open Dog (5,1)

1st: Mottram’s Lundecock’s Hoopie-Dee at Lochkaren JW (Imp Swe). How nice to see this dog at the show. I judged him at Ruthin show a few years back, where I awarded him BOB as a puppy. He has certainly matured on very well. Like him for size. Blunt wedge head. Could perhaps be just a tad stronger in underjaw. Lovely almond shaped eyes which are set obliquely and dark in colour. Excellent parallel head planes. Well positioned and degree of stop. Ears are well set and he used them ok when he wanted to. Lovely length and arch to neck. Well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Excellent bone. Good feet and pasterns. Deep chest that reaches to elbows. Rib cage well sprung and long enough. Firm loins and typical topline. Well-turned stifles and low set hocks. Excellent tail for set, carriage and length. In super coat. He has a most lovely ground covering, easy gait, but he needs to concentrate more! Super sound. Has lots of style and elegance and bags of breed type. DCC.

2nd: Walker’s Ch/Fr/Sui/Lux/Int Ch Tooralie’s Pie in The Sky. Not as showy as 1st, but very workmanlike. He has excellent eyes for shape and set. Good parallel head planes. Ears are high set. Enough underjaw for me. Overall, he has a quite nice expression. He is very well made and of a nice size. Deep chest. Firm topline and loins. Tail set and carried well and of correct length. Good firm hocks. Moves very soundly. Just not quite the elegance or ‘look at me’ attitude of the CC and RCC winner, but a very good dog indeed with excellent breed type and conformation. Excellent mover.

3rd: Winfield’s Ch Lirren Quickstep to Oakcroft JW

Special Beginners (9,0)

1st Norris’ Sabema Mayfly at Ferngrove. Just a year and looking a very nice prospect indeed. She took my eye straight away with her lovely outline and shape. Beautiful expression with gorgeous almond shaped, dark eyes. Great ear set. Good shoulders. Upper arm a tad straight. Chest to deepen and broaden with maturity. Firm topline. Well-turned stifles. Tail set is good and she carries it well on the move. Very immature and carrying no coat on the day. Super mover. Great prospect.

2nd: Curtin’ Blarney Black Magic. Another I liked a lot. Very good for size, make and shape. Lovey head with good parallel head planes and correct proportion of skull to muzzle. Ears are well set. Super bone. Well angulated fore and aft. Tail set and carriage are good. Another good mover and lovely prospect for the future.

3rd: Purchases’ Puncknowle April Delight.

Veteran Bitch (3,0)

1st: Robinson’s Lavika Lucky Star JW. Super feminine lady. Beautiful almond shaped eyes. Excellent parallel head planes. Flat skull. Blunt wedge and enough underjaw. Well set ears. Very well put together with excellent angulation throughout. Super proportions. Excellent topline, tailset and carriage. Great bone. Elegant on the move and so sound, covering the ground with ease. So well presented. Coat just a tad woolly for me. BV

2nd: Hirst’s Sundark Simply A Star VW. One I have judged and liked before. Hard to believe she is 10. Excellent breed type. Beautiful eyes for shape and set. Ears a tad large but are well set. Great neck flowing into superb shoulders and excellent return of upper arm. Deep chest and well ribbed. Strong topline. Well-turned stifles. Excellent tail set and carriage. Just not the verve or preciseness on the move as the winner.

3rd: Waldron’s Lavika Good Times at Frecia

Minor Puppy Bitch (4,0)

1st: Tunnicliffe’s Dippersmoor Dazzling Star. And what a star she is! Just gorgeous. Super feminine head but with strength and elegance combined. Excellent head planes. Flat skull. Good proportions of skull to muzzle. Dark eyes which are almond shaped and set obliquely. Ears set on top of skull and close. Super neck. Well laid shoulders and great return of upper arm setting her forelegs right under her. Chest obviously still to mature but shows good length of ribcage to give strength through the body. Typical topline. Well-turned stifles and low set, firm hocks. Super sound on the move. Loved her. BPB

2nd: Hateley’s Mohnesee Lullaby Ice. Another cracker who certainly has everything in all the right places. Super feminine with excellent parallel head planes. Just looking a little pinched in muzzle at the moment but shows good proportion of skull to muzzle and a charming expression. Underjaw to strengthen. Charming expression. Superb construction throughout and I loved her proportions. Firm topline and loins. Good pasterns and low set hocks. Excellent mover from all angles. Great prospect indeed.

3rd: Roberson’s Melwhay’s Promise to Delight

Puppy Bitch (4,0)

1st: Hateley’s Mohnesee Lullaby Ice. As above

2nd: Waldron’ Shellamoyed Moonlight Mia Frecia. Very attractive indeed with very good shape and outline. Parallel head planes. Well positioned stop. Ears are well set and she uses them well. Almond shaped, dark eyes, set obliquely. Lovely arch to neck. Well laid shoulders, excellent return to upper arm. Deep chest. Firm topline and loins. Well-turned stifles. Good bone and feet. In lovely condition. A real eye-catching bitch who just needs maturity. Another lovely prospect.

3rd: Carr’s Hillhenry Hidden Gem

Junior Bitch (4,0)

1st Robinson’s Lavika Sunset Rose. Such an attractive merle. Very feminine head with super parallel head planes. Could have a tad more stop and underjaw could be a little stronger. Lovely almond shaped eyes. High set ears. Beautiful expression. Very well made with good length to neck, well laid shoulders, return of upper arm and well-turned stifles. Very balanced throughout. Deep chest. Well sprung ribs. Typical topline. Well set and carried tail, which is also of correct length. Great mover covering so much ground with such ease and grace. Lovey colour. Shall watch her career with great interest.

2nd: Norris’ Sabema Mayfly at Ferngrove. As above

3rd: Tunnicliffe Dippersmoor In Dreams

Yearling Bitch (4,1)

2 lovely bitches here

1st: Mitchell’s Valdosta Goddess JW. A scrummy bitch. Beautiful head with elegance and femininity, but with strength of underjaw and good blunt wedge. Flat skull. Well positioned stop. Parallel head planes. Dark, almond shaped, oblique set eyes. Ears are well set and of the correct size. Neck of decent length. Well laid shoulders and excellent return to upper arm. Chest reaches to elbows, is of good width and ribs are carried well back. Firm topline and loins. Well set and carried tail, which is correct in length. Well-turned stifles. Firm low set hocks. Great coat and condition. Great mover from all angles. Pushed so hard in the challenge. Her day will come, I’m sure.

2nd: Weller’s Evad Halloween Spice JW. Another cracker. Super head and very similar to 1st in many respects. Superb expression with gorgeous eyes and high set ears, which she uses so well. Super construction with excellent angulation fore and aft. Well developed in body. Her lack of coat today was just making her look a little long in body. Very typical topline. Excellent tailset and first class mover. Loved her. Another one to watch.

3rd: Straw’s Dukeson It’s Amazing

Novice Bitch (6,0)

1st: Hateley’s Mohnesee Lullaby Ice. As above.

2nd: Waldron’ Shellamoyed Moonlight Mia Frecia. As above

3rd: Carr’s Hillhenry Hidden Gem

Post Graduate Bitch (7,1)

1st: Hirst’s Sundark Symphony in Suede. An attractive bitch with pretty good parallel head planes. Good underjaw. Blunt wedge. Eyes just a tad full for me and ears looking a little large. Like many from this kennel, she really scores in construction with excellent angulation throughout. Lovely neck and topline. Deep chest. Well sprung ribs. Good bone. Nice shape to feet and slight slope to pasterns. Low set hocks. Well set tail of correct length. Moves very soundly indeed, but a shade more verve would have completed the picture.

2nd: Mcshanes’ Blenmerrow Ring of Roses. Feminine. Eyes are almond shaped, dark and obliquely set. Head planes are parallel. Needs more strength to underjaw. Muzzle appears a shade ‘pointy’ for my taste. Ears are well set. Slight arch to neck. Moderate angulation fore and aft. Chest reaches to elbows. Good width to chest. Firm topline. Moderate turn of stifles. Lacking in coat on the day. Moves out soundly.

3rd: Curtin’s Blarney Black Magic

Limit Bitch (7,1)

1st: Robinson’s Lavika Lateca. A cracking bitch in my opinion. Super head and expression. She has lovely parallel head planes, well-proportioned skull to muzzle and well positioned stop. Good underjaw. Blunt wedge. Gorgeous, expressive eyes and very well set ears. Such a typical Sheltie expression – just gorgeous. Lovely arch to neck leading to excellent shoulders. Great return of upper arm, setting her forelegs right under her. Deep chest of perfect width. Ribs are well sprung and carried well back. Typical topline. Well-turned stifles. Low set, strong hocks. Typical feet and slight slope to pasterns. Lovely for bone. Tail reaches to hocks and it is set and carried well on the move. Outstanding mover. What a shame she had no coat today. That would have completed a wonderful picture. I loved her. How is she not a Champion? Super bitch. RCC.

2nd: Straw’s Dukeson Laced with Magic. A feminine bitch. Eyes are good for shape and set. Parallel head planes. Blunt wedge. Ears a tad low set perhaps. Quite nicely put together though not the angulation of 1st. Well balanced fore and aft. Deep chest. Well ribbed. Firm topline and loins. Well set tail which she carries ok on the move. Good feet, pasterns and hocks. Out of coat on the day. She is super sound but needs more verve on the move.

3rd: Cheal’s Carolelen Call My Bluff at Faemadra

Open Bitch (6,2)

1st. Hateley’s Ch Lizmark Lullaby Moon over Mohnesee JW. A stunning merle who I fell in love with as soon as I saw her. Such a super shape and outline – the perfect silhouette I have in my mind when I judge this breed. Looks so impressive. Such an attractive, feminine head. Lovely flat skull of ideal width. Great proportion of skull to muzzle with very well positioned stop. Super parallel head planes. Blunt wedge. Good underjaw. Gorgeous expression, with almond, oblique set eyes. Ears are on top of her skull and she uses them well. Lovely arch to neck leading to very well laid shoulders. Excellent return of upper arm. Ideal bone. Good shape to feet and slight slope to pasterns. Deep chest with ideal width and well sprung ribcage. Good length of ribcage giving lots of strength. Typical topline. Well-turned stifles. Low set, firm hocks. Excellent tailset and carriage. Lovely colour. Superb mover in profile where she reaches and drives with sheer ease. Picture perfect today and honoured to award her the CC & BOB. So pleased to see her go Group 3 under Darren Clarke later in the day.

2nd: Curtin’s Ballynerrin Moonstar. A smaller and more compact bitch all through than 1st. She is of a nice breed type with a typical head and expression. She is very well put together with excellent angulation fore and aft. Deep chest and well ribbed. Firm topline and loins. Well set and carried tail. Low set hocks. Nice bone for size. Really moves out well and with confidence. Presented in tip top form here. Much to like.

3rd: James’ Mohnesee’s Mayd Marion at Valmay JW