National Australian Shepherd Association

National Australian Shepherd Association Special Award Classes

8th June 2024

Thank you so much to the Officers and Committee for their kind invitation to judge at Special Award Classes at their championship show and for their hospitality on the day and to my steward, Kaye, for keeping the ring in order. Lastly, thanks to the exhibitors for their support, I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

SA Yearling D/B (6) 1st Davis & Walsh’s Rosschell Maid You Look, a 14-month-old tri bitch I’ve judged and given a Best of Breed to before. I still love her. She’s just so well-proportioned and balanced throughout. Her head is lovely with a skull of correct width, a well-rounded muzzle of good length, a moderate stop, a lovely eye of good size and shape and well-set ears. Her neck is of good length and flows into a well laid shoulder which has good return of upper arm. Her back is firm and level with a gentle slope to her croup and super hind angulation. She moved beautifully, with reach and drive, covering the ground with ease and was presented beautifully. 2nd Brown’s Shepwood Gazing At Klouds, a 17-month-old blue bitch with a lot to like. Her head is feminine with a skull of good shape and muzzle of equal length, her eye is of good shape giving an alert expression. She has a good length of neck and firm topline and is well angulated front and rear which allowed her to move with ease. Her blue is a clear silver, and she was well presented. Just a touch longer than the winner, but a lovely girl.

SA Open Dog (9,4) 1st Hutchcroft’s Allmark One of These Days, 4-year-old black tri who was on great form today. He’s got a lovely head of good size with a square skull, balanced muzzle and a moderate stop. A lovely dark eye of correct shape and well-set ears. His neck is of good length, and he has super angulation front and rear. In gleaming coat, he really powered round the ring today. 2nd Knott’s Shalako’s Come Hells High Water (Imp USA), a 4-year-old red tri of a very different type to the winner, but with a lot to like. He is very correct throughout with a square skull and strong muzzle and lovely eye. Again, well-constructed under his well-fitting coat and moved well. I just preferred the proportions of the winner.

SA Open Bitch (8,4) 1st Gibbons & Spencer’s Ir Ch, UK Ch, Austrian Dream Cupcake To Go with Wispafete (Imp) JW, Sh CM, Ir J Ch, CJW 16, I loved this 9-year-old red merle bitch, and don’t recall seeing her before. She is very feminine and has a lovely head of good proportions and a nice eye. Her ears are very well set giving her an alert expression. But it was her shape that really stood out for me. A super, well arched neck, with excellent angulation front and rear, a level topline which she held on the move. Good depth of chest and good bone. Really stood out on the move, with reach and drive. Thank you for bringing her. 2nd Blyton & Gibbon’s Wispafete Light My Fire, this 4-year-old red merle bitch is one I judged as a youngster, and I’ve liked her since. So feminine with a lovely head and expression and a super outline. She moved beautifully as her construction would suggest but just seemed a bit unsettled today.

Judge Sophie Wray-Ramsden

Takhisis