Eastern Counties Shetland Sheepdog Club

EASTERN COUNTIES SHETLAND SHEEPDOG CLUB 17TH NOVEMBER 2024

I remember attending the inaugural meeting for this club, way back in 1989, and have supported it showing my shelties (and others), here ever since. I was honored to have judged one of their open shows back in 2003, and was delighted to be invited back to officiate at today’s championship show. The entry today, (although minimal), was certainly full of quality and breed type. Some super bitches which I have done well in the past had to take a step back today in their placings, but that is not to say I didn’t appreciate being able to assess them again, as they were in very good company with others they hadn’t likely met up with before. I had some lovely catwalk models in the challenge, and could easily have selected five or more for the green card awards, with challenging compromises being made in my final decisions. Thank you to my stewards Jean and Rosemary, and to you all for your quality entries and kind support.

VETERAN – (4)

1ST: Stanydale Luck be a Lady (Withers) Dark SSW 9 year old who’s construction is a delight to assess. She is balanced fore and aft with ideal body ratios. A well arched neck, lovely shoulder angulation with upper arm of equal length. Deep chest, well sprung ribs, and sloping croup. Her stifles are distinctly angled as are her hocks. Her head is a touch long but is all in proportion. She is well boned and carries a full coat, and she moved very soundly with good reach and drive. BVB & RBVIS. 2nd: Samphrey Sea Breeze (Gruszka) Another dark SS who I judged 2 years ago, (also as a veteran). She is now 11 years, and I can only reiterate what I have written about her before in that she is nicely made, and well angulated but tended to stand a wee bit tucked under at the rear today. Her head is nice, although her eye a little round in shape. Otherwise she can still hold her own up against others younger than herself. 3rd: Shelcrest Starling (Fransham) S/W of 8 years and correct size. She has a sweet head, although shorter in type with a pretty expression. A well ached neck, and good shoulders but a little broad across the chest. Her movement lacked animation, and would benefit more speed to give her better reach and drive. Res: Herds Hallicia at Iliad (Lycett) Another 11 year old who I have judged in her younger years. She was the best headed Sheltie in this class, but today she just wasn’t happy with the surroundings in the hall, and just wouldn’t stand, move or present herself well which was a shame, but I can only judge on how the dogs present on the day. Outside venues are definitely her forte.

 MINOR PUPPY – (6-4)

1st: Lavika Like a Lady (Yaxley) GSW of 8 months who has a wealth of coat and appears quite forward for her age. She has a lovely outline which shows off her long neck, level back and graceful sweep over the loin. Her head is wedged in shape but could be slightly leaner across the skull with a sweeter eye and tighter ear set. Her movement was satisfactory albeit a little loose at present, but I’m sure she will firm up as she matures and gains confidence. Excellent presentation. 2nd: Ferngrove Make a Wish (Peirce) At just under 8 months this blue youngster appeared quite raw up against her competitor today. She is up to size and a little long in body and leg at present and still needs time to drop into herself, and balance out. Her head too is a trifle long, although she has a nicely placed dark eye and correct ear set and carriage. She is alert and was very responsive to her young handler who got the best out of her on the move today.

PUPPY – (6-2)

1st: Una Fortuna for Tooralie (Walker) At 11.5 months this lass is almost at the end of her puppy career having had a good run of awards throughout the summer. She is ideal for size, and has a lovely shape and outline. Her head features maybe a little strong in places and perhaps lacking a little sweetness in expression, and I would prefer a sweeter eye but she does have good filling beneath with a rounded muzzle, and correct underjaw. Her neck is muscular and merges well into her shoulders with good chest room, spring of rib and sweep over the loin. She moved okay albeit a little bow hocked moving away. She won BP on her maturity and soundness against the MP & Novice winner. Also BPB & RBPIS. 2nd: Milesend Gold Silk (Miles) Pale gold sable of 9 months who appealed for her size, shape and correct body ratios. She is all in proportion and has lovely angulations showing off a correct length of neck, well laid shoulder, straight forelegs with rounded bone, and angular hindquarters. Her head features are pleasing, although her expression appeared a little fraught today, as she was unsure of her surroundings which also had an effect on her performance. I hope she continues to gain confidence. 3rd: Achor’s Surprise Himalaya over Samphrey (imp che) (Gruszka) Pretty coloured Merle, just a week off a year old. She has a very nice shape in profile, but is lacking a little in maturity at present, and just needs time to develop and strengthen in bone and substance. Res: Cocaro Contraband (Hill) Tri of 9 months with an intense black and rich tan coloured coat. Just not the body shape or head type I was looking for today.

JUNIOR – (5)

1st: Dippersmoor Dazzling Star (Robinson) And quite dazzling she is too despite her plainness in colour - she just demands attention with her presence and style. She has a refined head, most feminine and equal in length with an obliquely set dark eye, small correctly placed ears, and correct stop, all combining to produce a sweet expression. She has a lovely outline, but I would prefer to see a little more angulation to her upper arm. She was just 4 days over twelve months which was a shame as I would have likely considered her for the BPB award. She was also a contender during the final challenge and despite moving well, I felt her immaturity up against the older girls was not quite to her advantage today. Having said that, I have no doubt that she will eventually make up. 2nd: Lavika the Perfect Storm (Yaxley) Tricolour of 16 months who fits the limit for top size. She excels in front angulation with a well arched neck merging into well laid back sloping shoulders and good return of upper arm with her elbows placed directly beneath her withers. She has good depth of chest with good ribbing and well muscled hindquarters with strong hocks. In movement she has good front reach, but was a little wide moving away at the rear. Her head is maybe a fraction long and lacks in stop, but otherwise a nice sheltie who should continue to do well. 3rd: Sabema Mayfly at Ferngrove (Norris) Petite GSW just a day off 18 months who also presents with a nice shape in profile. Nothing too much out of place but just young and immature against the two placed above her today. A keen alert showgirl and well handled. Res: Shazbec Maid of Honour at Sheltisha (Sorockyj) 14 months BM who has also had a good puppy career, but with lack of coat is looking immature and puppy like against the other girls in the class today. Vhc: Sandwick Iridescent at Zaniah (Rennison) Another 14 month BM sporting the correct coat colour and markings She has a pretty head, but is a little unbalanced in body being rather long compared to height.

YEARLING – (5-1)

1st: Skeldale Wish Upon a Star over Lindfern (imp nld) (French) S/W of 19 months who is quite well developed for her age. She is well off for bone and substance and has a nice front assembly with sufficient length of neck, shoulder and upper-arm of equal length, good strong brisket with well sprung ribs. Her back is firm with a good tail set, and muscular hind quarters showing good bend of stifle despite the white markings giving an illusory effect. Her feet could be a little more padded, but she stands well, and moved quite soundly in all directions. I see her JW award was confirmed just after this show. Well done. 2nd: Felthorn Athena at Stanydale (Withers) Another 19 month old pale gold sable who has to be handled to appreciate her virtues. She is nice for size and has a well constructed body frame, and balanced in ratios. Compared to one on the day she just lacked a little length in neck. Her head is smooth with parallel planes, with slight stop and dark obliquely set eye. She has a very flat skull with good ear carriage. She moved well, but lacked the finish in coat today. 3rd: Felthorn Material Girl of Fylymeg (Fylyma) Born on the same day as Athena, (and sister to the limit winner), this young blue has come on really well. She is more slight in build than her sister, but has a pleasing shape. She is also nicely marked. I think she and her owner are going to have a lot of fun together. Res: Chalmoor Dancing in the Dark (Ambler) Tricolour who sports a dense black fitting coat. She is also very soundly constructed, but just a wee bit too much of her in size, and like a few others was quite unsettled in the hall today.

NOVICE – (6-1 + 1 tf to opn) This class was a bit tricky to assess. Music coming from a side room in the hall was very loud and unsettling for the dogs.

1st: Milesend Melody Maker (Miles) This 8 months S/W had to be first or last in this class, and I did have her last to start with until the final moment when despite her reluctance to perform, and show off her virtues I felt she was the best in the class for breed type. If she were a shade smaller, she would definitely have troubled the others in the puppy challenge today. 2nd: Macstanryn Back to Black at Mountmoor (Ford) Aptly named feminine tricolour of just over 2 years, who was also unsettled by the conditions mentioned above. She is ideal for size and is also nicely made with a pretty head and expression. She just wasn’t settled on the stance, and was rather hurried on the move. Excellent presentation to her dense black coat. Another who would probably perform better at outdoor venues. 3rd: Felthorn Material Girl at F. Res: Achor’s Surprise Himalaya over S.

GRADUATE – (5-1 + 1 tf to opn) The quality was strengthening even more from this class onwards.

1st: Evad Halloween Spice (JW) (Weller) Feminine GSW who exudes quality and style. Her outline is symmetrical flowing from her neck down onto her withers, along her level back and over her loins and croup with ideal ratios to her body. Her angulations are well matched and she has a correct tail set and carriage. She has a refined head with a smooth well rounded muzzle, slight but definite stop and dark almond shaped eyes. Her ears are ideally placed, being small in size, and well used, all combining to produce a sweet expression. In movement she covered the floor well, keeping straight and single tracking with good reach and drive. She was up against some super quality bitches in the challenge today, but with her condition and performance on the day just pipped them to the post for the RCC and on the referee’s decision RBIS. Well done. 2nd: Sandwick Valencia (Hardy) This 2 year old immediately took my eye when she entered the class as her merle colouring and markings are of text book inscription. I couldn’t really fault much about her construction either, apart from her not having quite the reach of neck as Spice in profile stance. She did tend to stand a little close to her owner looking up to her, which lost her the arch to her neck. Her head is wedge shaped, with a flat skull, correct stop, and almond eye with lovely smooth rounded muzzle, and correct bite. She also went well on the move with fluent effortless action. Certainly, no reason why she shouldn’t go on to do better things in the future. 3rd: Mohnesee’s Meliya (JW) (Hateley) Shapely tri of 16 months who’s also had a lovely puppy career. It was a delight to go over her, but unfortunately today she was not in her best dress and looked quite juvenile against the two year old’s placed above her today. Her time will come.

POST GRAD – (5) Outstanding Class

1st: Sheltisha Royal Approval (Sorockyj) This lovely Sheltie was my surprise find of the day. As I completed the class my eye just kept coming back to look at her. She is not one that stands out in the crowd at first sight, but coming up close to her one begins to see her virtues, and what she has matches the standard in so many ways. Her head has to be handled to appreciate what a lovely head she has for a blue. It is refined, and equal in width and depth, balanced in length, with correctly placed stop, obliquely set dark almond eye, and correct size, position and carriage of ears. Her neck is muscular and well arched, and shoulders well laid back, and sloping to accommodate a good spring of rib. She has a well angulated upper arm, and her elbows are placed directly beneath her withers. Her forelegs are straight with rounded bone and strong flexible pasterns. She has a level back, firm loins, and sloping croup, with excellent rear angulations, good bend of stifle and clean-cut straight hocks, with oval shaped feet. On the move she displayed a light effortless gait, with the minimal lift of feet, and single tracking in front. Her coat fitted her outline, and was excellently presented. With that little extra charisma and charm she just captivated me today, and therefore I was pleased to award her the CC. (And before I finished this report, and sent it off, she gained her 2nd at LKA). Here’s hoping her 3rd will not be far away. Good Luck!

2nd: Milesend Shadow Dancer (Miles) A lovely wheaten sable who’s colour I quite admire. At 2 years old she still has some developing to do, but she is heading in the right direction. She has a balanced head, very clean in outline with a lovely medium sized dark almond shaped eye, flat skull with an ideal ear set and carriage, and such an endearing expression. She holds herself up well showing off her long neck, level back and sufficient angulations. She moved well, but didn’t quite have the finish as one had today. Just loved her nature, and appealing character. 3rd: Mosardi Forget Me Not (Revill) Pretty blue now rising 6 who I have also judged before. She is also nicely marked and is spot on for size. She just needs a bit more coat to make her looked more finished in appearance. She also moved okay. Res: Tachnamadra Button Moon at Fernfrey (Saunders) This tricolor is a credit to her owner who always turns her out in the best of order. Her coat gleams with not a hair out of place. In profile she looked a trifle long in body today, and I would prefer more slope to her croup, and drive in rear movement. Otherwise she is in good ‘fit for function’ condition. Vhc: Wansvale Beyond Belief (Smee) S/W of 4.5 years also in good form. Her head is a little broad in skull, and she lost her topline a bit on the move, but she is well off for bone and substance, and in abundant well presented coat.

LIMIT – (3) A super class where my decisions for the final placings could easily have been in any order, with (in my opinion), either exhibit worthy of being awarded green cards.

1st: Felthorn Good Time Girl (Thornley) This lovely blue also demands attention with her attractive outline and appearance. At 19 months she still needs time to mature and can only improve as she does. She has a refined head of good width and depth, flat skull, cheeks and parallel planes. Her eye is obliquely set (although I would prefer it a fraction bigger), and I loved the way she kept it on me, as I walked past when judging the class. She is nicely constructed and well angulated, has sufficient bone and substance with strong flexible pasterns which gave fluency to her smooth grace-full movement. Another who no doubt will make up with time. 2nd: Sandwick A La Mode (Hardy) Three year old tri who is also very soundly constructed, and pushed closely for the first place in this class. Again, she has so much to like about her with everything in proportion to her size, shape and appearance. Her head and expression in comparison to one lacks a little in refinement, but she has the maturity in body, and the soundness in movement that could on another day gain her the top place, and awards. 3rd: Lavika Soul for Gold for Lindfern (French) A 3.5 year plain Sable who has come on really well since she was a youngster. She also has an attractive shape and outline, showing off her long neck, good angulations, and body frame. She also has lovely head features and presents with a pretty expression. Looking on top form there is no reason why she shouldn’t go further with future awards too.

OPEN – (3-1 + 2 tf from N & G) Disappointing in quantity for an open class, but much quality in those present.

1st: Molson Mine Till Midnight (Hill) Another new one to me from this kennel, who had been transferred from the G class. By doing this, she came up against her dam, and in my opinion I think she is an improvement on her type. At 2.5 years, she still needs time to mature but over-all she has a lot to like about her. She has a lovely head, a blunt wedge of equal length, flat cheeks, rounded muzzle, and good jaw line, with a dark almond eye and perfectly placed ears. She has a well arched neck, with good forehand construction, straight legs and ample bone. Her body is deep in chest with good ribbing and muscular hind quarters with sufficient rear angulation. She moved soundly and was one of my mindful choices for either green cards. I’m sure she is also one for the upper house shortly. 2nd: Molson It’s Morven (Hill) 5 year old who is the dam of one, which I was surprised to find out as I do not think they are anything alike! This lass is slighter in build than her daughter, and her head is of the shorter type. She is quite shapely in outline, but doesn’t have that classic look of her daughter, and was a little diffident which showed in her movement. 3rd: Ch. Mohnesee Sweet Dreams (JW) (Hateley) And very sweet she is too (litter sister to her 4xRCC winning brother). She is one of those cuddly Shelties, and with her cheeky expression aims to please everyone she meets. She is in lovely coat, but is now beginning to lose her topline a little on the move. However, she is the dam of the BPIS winner here today, who I think will have a predictable future with his show career. Res: Sabema Mayfly at F (tf from N) A shame this wee lass had to be transferred to this class, as she is just too young at present to compete against older, mature exhibits. She was placed 3rd in Junior.

SABLE & WHITE (5-3)

1st: Molson Movie Star (Hill) Another S/W who I’ve had the pleasure of judging 2 years ago. She was overall the best shape of the exhibits in this class being very well constructed and angulated, although she would persist in standing tucked under at the rear today. I still love her head type, her ears, eyes, and overall expression being pretty much identical to the standard requirements. Today she just didn’t have that glam look about her or give the overall performance that I have assessed her of in the past. 2nd: Caroleleen Call my Bluff at Faemadra (Cheal) 6.5 year old who presents a nice picture in shape and outline on the stance. She has a well arched neck, laid back shoulders, level back, and sweep over the loin with good tail set and carriage. Her head is all in proportion to her size, although her eye is a little full, and stop a little deep. She moved well, and showed admirably for her owner. 3rd: Rannerdale She’s a Lady at Auberswell (Bastiani & John) Richly coloured sable of 2.5 years. Up to size, she also appeared unsettled in the hall today. Her head is typical of her lines, and her rear angulation is pleasing as she drove well from behind on the move, but I would prefer a bit more angulation to her upper arm at the front. She is in excellent coat and was superbly presented.

TRICOLOUR (3)

1st: Ristine Emerald (Welford) Gosh, it was a lovely surprise to see this lovely sheltie here today. It’s no secret that I adore her type having judged her as a puppy, and as a 4 year when I awarded her the RCC. Nothing has changed my opinions about her. At 6 years old she is still a beautiful sheltie, and is still deserving of top awards. I definitely had her in mind during the final challenge, but I just couldn’t see the point of awarding her the same as I did in the past, but before I had finished this report, I was pleased to see she gained another RCC at LKA. Well done Echo! 2nd: Sandwick Stage Show (Hardy) Another lovely tricolor who’s construction and shape also pleases when assessing her. She is very sound in all departments and excels in bone and substance without appearing heavy or course. She is balanced in ratio being well laid back in shoulder, with a level back, broad muscular thighs, well angulated stifle and hocks with oval well padded feet. She moved soundly. I just found her head features a wee bit stronger and lacking in sweetness in expression compared to one. 3rd: Esterbon Bi Storm at Zaniah (Rennison) 8.5 year old bi-colour. This B/W girl belies her age. She still retains her lovely shape and outline showing off her well arched neck, good shoulders and sufficient angulations fore and aft. Her head is also nice, albeit a little flared along the cheek-line. She moved well, but just didn’t have what it takes to get ahead of the others placed above her today.

BLUE MERLE (2)

1st: Kayla Kiss ze Shetlandu by Zaniah (Rennison) It’s a while since I’ve seen this Bi-Blue girl, and I can still picture her as a baby puppy when she attended an EAB meeting several years ago, but she has matured into a lovely adult. She is well developed in body and in profile shows off her good reach of neck, level back, deep chest, excellent ribbing, firm loins and muscular hind-quarters. Her upper-arm however could be better angulated, which would aid better extension in front action, but she drives well from the rear. Her head is carried proudly although appears a little deep through, and softer face markings would maybe sweeten her expression. 2nd: Felthorn Material Girl at F. Placed 3rd in Yearling & Novice.

JUDGE: Lisa Pettitt