Birtley & District Canine Society

Thank you to Birtley Canine Society for inviting me to judge at their Premier Open Show. I was very grateful to Bob Potts for his stewarding and the exhibitors for their entries. There were very few absentees and I enjoyed the appointment. Border Collie Border Collie Puppy (2, 0 absent) 1.Bell and Sloans’ – Janbell Look at Me – 11-month-old black and white (B & W) male puppy. Strong, balanced dog. Good broad head piece with lovely dark eyes and correct scissor bite. Liked him for his good shoulder angulation and overall balance. Handler moved him at the correct speed to show off his good movement. Coat is still developing. Pleased to award him BOB and BPIB. Delighted to watch him win 3rd in the Adult group and 2nd in the Pastoral puppy group. 2.Grant’s Simmovan Among the Stars – 9-month-old B & W feminine girl with a nice head, although I would prefer a slightly darker eye. Good ear set. Well balanced throughout and in good coat for her age. Moved well but I just preferred the reachier front movement of the winner today. Border Collie Junior (1) 1. Janbell Look at Me Border Collie Post Graduate (1) 1.Grant’s Simmovan Temptation. Almost 3-year-old B & W dog. I liked his overall head proportions, but another where I would prefer a darker eye. Moved well, but occasionally his tail carriage spoilt the picture in profile. A little close behind, but all in all, a nice young man. Border Collie Open (1, 1 abs) German Shepherd Dog (GSD) GSD Post Graduate (2, 0 absent) 1.Cave’s Cassiann Ate - 3-year-old girl who had a lovely head piece with good ear set. I would have preferred a slightly darker eye. Nice length with a good overall shape and nice sloping croup with no exaggeration. Was on her toes with the other exhibit in the class, but with a bit of ring management I was able to see her balanced movement. BOB. 2.Woodall’s Hundenkraft Kara - GSD Open – (1) 1.Woodall’s Hundenkraft Kara - Second in Post Grad/ Feminine girl, 6 years of age. Very feminine head. Good topline with adequate croup. Front and rear angulation was balanced. A little uncoordinated on the move and just didn’t seem to get herself together on the day. Shetland Sheepdog Shetland Sheepdog Puppy (7, 1 absent) Quite a mixed entry in terms of type and sizes. 1.Jeavons’ Grandgenes Hey Good Lookin’- 9-month-old sable young man who worked his handler hard today and tried his best to throw it away. I liked the overall outline on him. He has a lovely head, the correct almond shaped eyes and a good bite. He is one you need to get your hands on at this stage to appreciate. Really nice layback of shoulder. When settled, he moved smoothly and with grace. His tail was set low but occasionally carried higher when unsettled. Interesting one to watch. 2.Clegrams’ Smiddyshaw all the Glitz – 10-month-old feminine girl, Tricolour. I liked her head piece and sweet expression, made good use of her ears. Balanced front and rear and exceptionally well-schooled for her age. Moved out very well, I just slightly preferred the rear of the winner. 3.Berry and Clegrams’ Smiddyshaw Here I go Again- Shetland Sheepdog Junior (4, 2) 1.Walker’s Grandgenes Kensington by Tooralie – This sable puppy really appealed to me. Lovely head piece, well placed ears, used well. I liked his chest, forefront and balance overall. On the move he really cam in to his own, a demonstration of the standard movement, maximum movement with the minimum of effort. Delighted to award him BPIB and he was close up for BOB. Although Shelties are not my breed, I will keep an eye on him for the future. 2.Arkley’s Amethrickeh Perfect Spirit – 11-month-old dog with a profuse coat for his age. Nice head with the correct bite, used his ears ok. Carrying a little bit too much weight (I know, I have a cheek to say that) which does not help his movement as he was tending to roll a little. Unfortunately, his movement could not match that of the winner today. Shetland Sheepdog Post Graduate (4, 2) 1.Walker’s Tooralie Tornade – Almost 2-year-old dark black and white young man. Well shaped head and ears, which he used to advantage. Presented a lovely expression with toning dark almond shaped eyes. Another who needs to be handled to appreciate his qualities. Liked his topline and overall balance. Moved out very well to win this class. 2.Welford’s Echolynn Polyphonic – Almost 3-year-old blue merle young lady. Strongly built but still feminine. Adequate front angulation. Moved out ok but tended to lose her topline a little. Shetland Sheepdog Open (4) 1.Malone’s Pathaaron After the Storm- 4-year-old male, tricolour, who impressed me when he came in to the ring. Extremely nice head with dark eyes and lovely expression, used his ears very well. Really liked his layback of shoulder and matching good rear. Nice deep chest with well sprung ribs. Excellent topline and good croup. Moved out with the minimum of effort, covered the ground well showing good reach. I was pleased to award him BOB out of this large entry of a local general open show. 2.Welford’s Ristine Emerald – Almost 6-year-old very nice tri. Very feminine with a balanced head, using her ears well. Nice front & rear angulation. Another who moved out well but could not quite match the winner. Very nice girl. 3.Bird & Caden’s Molson Mr Blue Sky Judge - Kay Farrier (Kayanarra)