Exonian Canine Association

Show – Exonian CA

Date – 7 December 2024

Judge – Lynda Nicholas (Nickarlyn)

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge and for great hospitality at this friendly show. My 2 wonderful solo stewards in rings 1 & 5 – thankyou. Huge thanks to those exhibitors that entered, and especially those that braved the conditions of Storm Darragh and the Red Alert in the area. Understandably there was a high level of absentees across many breeds, but safety is the highest priority.

Border Collies

L (3,1)

B&W litter sisters just out of puppy

1 Lampier – Pencoppen La Parisienne

Good make and shape presenting a pleasing smooth outline. Correct head proportions with a keen eye and distinct stop. I preferred her length of neck and front assembly to 2. Athletic looking balanced body with decent ribs, and correct height/length ratio. Presented in excellent order and condition, attentive to handler. Sadly, ring size was rather restrictive to show her full potential on the move, her angulations were correct. BOB

2 Lampier – Pencoppen My Fair Lady

Not the confidence and showmanship of 1. Nice width to skull and decent stop, good muzzle and oval brown eye gave a pleasant expression. Preferred the balanced front and rear angulations of her sister. A little overwhelmed today in the ring and did not make the best of herself.

O (2,0)

1 Lampier – Taranza Voodoo

18 month B&W female displaying a functional outlook. Pleasing head and expression. Would prefer more slightly more length of neck and layback of shoulder. OK depth of chest and ribbing. Firm topline with enough bone for her frame. Correct coat and presented in good order. Moved true out and back. Tail-set Ok but tendency to carry high slightly spoiled her profile on the move. RBOB

2 Lampier – Pencoppen Good Timin’

6 yr old B&W classically marked dog of heavier type and carrying a bigger coat. Decent head, kind eye but ears set low on head. Matching front and rear angulations but would prefer a little more length to back. Moved OK.

Rough Collies

P (4,3)

1 Hawkins & Flower – Serenlas Edge of Heaven

8 mth blue girl. Parallel head planes, correct stop with almond eye giving pleasant feminine expression, that could be further enhanced with a tighter ear set. Good body, bone and feet. Still has lots of developing to drop into her lovely frame. Presenting a well-balanced outline with good proportions. Well angulated front and rear. Beautifully presented in correct puppy coat that needs to clear a little more. Very unsure of the floor surface today making it difficult to assess movement. BP

PG (3,3)

Op D (2,1)

1 Hawkins – Serenlas Black Magic

Honest tri dog 3yrs old sporting a harsh textured well-fitting jet-black jacket with rich tan. Balanced head with parallel planes, good length to muzzle, decent underjaw but would prefer a sweeter darker almond shaped eye. Good length of neck enhanced by full white collar, decent lay-back of shoulder could benefit from slightly more return of upper arm; straight front with deep brisket. Good ribs reaching well back. Well off for bone, good feet and short below the hock. Moved OK. RBOB

Op B (2,1)

1 Mills – Samhaven Super Natural at Willowcombe

3 ½ year blue. Pleasing make and shape, an attractive flowing silhouette, all curves with a good croup and tail set. Shown in well-fitting coat which emphasised her conformation. Attentive to handler, using her ears to advantage, though I would have preferred them to be a little tighter on top of her beautiful wedge-shaped head. Kindly eye, and well filled foreface, gave a sweet expression. Good depth to brisket, ribs reached well back and rise over loin. Well angled front and rear and nice short hocks. Best mover today. BOB

Shetland Sheepdogs

P (9,5)

1 Moore – Philhope By Your Side at Santiara

Sable boy 7 mths. Head still developing, a sweet expression with good head planes, blunt wedge and fill to muzzle. Well placed ears that he used well. Decent body proportions and good bone ending in correct pasterns and feet. Well set long tail carried low. The most settled on the move in the class – light gait with correct footfall.

2 Waldron – Philhope Just Precious at Frecia

Sibling to 1 but not as advanced. Appealed for overall balance, size and shape at this age. Very feminine head with decent parallel planes and well-placed stop, expression would be enhanced by slightly more almond/oblique eyes. Ears at that difficult stage hopefully they will settle once finished teething to complement her sweet expression. Moved well.

SY (5,4)

1 Robinson S – Dippersmoor Dazzling Star

Shaded sable just out of puppy - stood alone in the spotlight and did indeed dazzle me, fitting the standard from any angle. The most feminine of heads and for me textbook body proportions. Elegance and substance in one exciting package and best mover of the day. Excellent fill of muzzle, good head planes - blunt wedge from all angles. Good under-jaw. Well placed/tipped ears that she used non-stop. Correctly placed shoulders, decent return of upper-arm, good ribbing and strong chest. Balanced body proportions with good bone and lovely feet. Quite the showgirl – even for her substitute handler in the challenge. Loved her BOB / GRP 2

PG (6,2)

1 Robinson K – Lavika Astra Storm

Tri - very feminine in outlook. Wedge shaped head, parallel planes, correct stop and dark eye that could be a little more almond shaped. Good length to head. Lovely body proportions and ribs reached well back with slight rise over loin. Moved with ease and elegance, minimal foot lift with good ground coverage keeping her tail low.

2 Mitchell & Fiddock – Keycharm Cha Cha Cha at Lowenek

Sable - different type to winner. Pretty headed female with well set ears that she used to advantage. Ok for size and enough bone. Coming back into well textured coat. Moved well but not the reach and drive of 1.

L (3,1)

1 Robinson S – Lavika Sign of the Time

2 yr old sable of good proportions and ultra feminine. Well moulded head, correct stop with almond shaped eyes and enough underjaw. Ears used non-stop. Presented a lovely balanced outline, good body proportions with a nicely arched neck, balanced front and rear angulations and a sweep over loins. Well set tail carried well. Enough substance and bone for size. Nicely fitted coat of correct texture. Moderate turn of stifle and short below the hock. Another from this kennel that excelled in movement – graceful, efficient ground-coverage.

2 Hirst – Sundark Spirit Mistress

6 yrs old tri of good breed type though not the lithe elegant silhouette of winner. Head a clean blunt wedge with correct stop but prefer a more almond shaped eye. Good neck into well laid shoulders and return of upper-arm. Stands on good legs and feet. Moved well but not quite the drive and ground coverage of winner.

Op D (2,0)

This class proved my most difficult decision today – two dogs full of quality and breed type.

1 Hirst – Sundark Scaramouche

Upstanding blue. Attractive balanced head properties Good eye obliquely set - well used correctly placed ears made for a sweet expression. Correct bone and substance to complement his top-end size and frame. Good reach of neck and proud head carriage with balanced angulations front & rear. Ribcage extends well back. Sound mover and carried himself with excellent deportment. Shown in super coat and condition though ideally would like less black in his coat. Good tailset and carriage. Moved freely with coordinated reach and drive, holding his topline with rise over loin. Quite the accomplished showman. RBOB

2 Robinson K – Ch Lavika Moonlight Storm

Tri - beautifully constructed and balanced throughout. Great head shape with pleasing eye and lovely expression. Good foreface and underjaw. Well set and used ears. Ideal body proportions. Ample bone and great feet. Good spring of rib and deep brisket. Masculine head and expression. Good angulations throughout. Correctly textured well fitted jet-black jacket that enhanced shape and outline. Decent bone, short below the hock and correct feet. Well-muscled rear quarters and glided around the ring with beautiful tail carriage.

Op B (7,3)

1 Hirst – Sundark Simply a Star VW

Tri lady who really does not show her age (11 1/2 yrs) – just some fading on her tan, really enjoys her time in the ring. Head handled well, sweet expression coming from good eye and correct stop. Carried her head proudly on good neck enhanced by a big white collar that flowed into well placed shoulders. Everything in the correct proportions with balanced front and rear angulations. Length to back and short below the hock. Moved out and back showing reach and drive holding topline with well set/carried tail. Shown in great coat and condition – utmost respect to her owner for keeping her in such amazing condition.

2 Walron – Frecia Golden Times

Sable 4 ½ year old of good type. Parallel head planes, well filled muzzle and decent underjaw. Good neck into well laid shoulders and return of upper-arm. Correct height/length ratio. Balanced angulations front & rear allowed her to moved well – but not the smooth gracefulness of the winner.

Field Spaniels

P G(3,2)

1 Prew – Redeswell Albus Allure

2 yr old liver boy. Good head with defined occiput and enough chiselling. Dark hazel, tight rimmed eye gave a pleasing expression. Good height to length ratio and OK leg length providing a pleasing silhouette. Well-off for substance and strong bone throughout. Decent ribs reaching well back, wide loin. Sound movement/ good stride length using his strong well-muscled hindquarters. Excellent coat. RBOB

Op B (3,2)

1 Prew – Kingsmist Queen of Hearts at Redeswell

4 ½ year old liver female of good size for frame. Balanced head, well chiselled with a gentle expression. Enough length to muzzle and underjaw. Balanced angulations front and back allowed positive steady movement. Decent neck, level topline, ribs reached well back, strong loin and correct tail. Good bone and feet. Hindquarters had good muscle tone. Lacking in furnishings today but there was nothing to hide. Correct coat texture BOB

Welsh Springer Spaniels

PG (4,1)

1 Lamport – Glenbrows Hopefulness

Feminine, unexaggerated 2 yr old. Pleasing head and lovely expression. Would prefer little more length of neck and layback of shoulder. OK depth of chest and ribbing. Deep brisket and standing of good legs. Firm topline with enough bone for her frame. Correct coat and presented in good order. Moved true out and back. Had the best of temperaments.

2 Best – Amblelight Jasmine

6 mth baby - very feminine. Head developing but handled well with pleasing expression. Good neck and layback of shoulder. Well balanced proportions and chest for age with no exaggerations. Enough bone and good feet. Good ribbing and well balanced angulations. Correct tailset. 100% enjoying her day out and full of puppy bounce and energy (as it should be) made it difficult to assess true movement. BP

Op D (4,3)

1 Attwood – Ir Sh Ch Kylowen Drym ShCM ShEx IR Vet Ch VW

9 yrs in great condition, rich red colour and still looks if he could work for the day. Good head and skull with a kindly eye giving soft expression with chiselling below. Well boned, standing on strong limbs and tight feet, good spring of rib and depth to brisket. Decent front angulations. Held topline on the move but ideally would like to have seen more drive from his rearquarters. RBOB

Op B (4,1)

1 Morgan – Benoveor Endless Love at Rubydown

Presents good make and shape. Pleasing substance and balance – workmanlike in outlook but retains femininity with no exaggeration. Feminine head with dark hazel eye giving typical soft expression. Clean neck, good chest, correct front angulation. Straight forelimbs, well boned and correct patterns/feet. Well ribbed, strong muscular loin. Good width to muscled first and second thigh, moderate bend of stifle., tail correctly set. Very positive on the move with coordinated reach and drive and accurate footfall. BOB

2 Attwood – Ir Sh Ch Kylowen Demmelza VW IR Vet Ch

Litter sister to Open dog winner – another in fit condition. Starting to show her age around her will-filled muzzle but a lovely expression. Strong neck and decent front angulation would like a little more leg length for balanced silhouette. Topline could be firmer, correct tail-set, moved well not quite the drive of winner.

English Springer Spaniels

O (4,0)

2 super siblings – 14 mths - made for a very close decision; movement tipped the balance in favour of the female today. I am sure that these placings will switch and switch again.

1 Hill – TeignValley Rags to Riches

B&W female presenting attractive racy outline, very balanced throughout. Lovely head, good eye with chiselling beneath. Width to skull and depth to muzzle - provided for kindly expression. Strong, slightly arched neck flowing into well set shoulders and return of upper arm. Good forechest, tight elbows and depth to brisket. Correct length/height ratio with balanced front and rear angulation. decent length of leg. Moved purposefully, covering the ground with ease, holding topline and accurate footfall BOB

2 Hill – TeignValley New Beginnings

B&W litter brother to 1 and very similar in type and many of the same comments apply. Very smart lad, all male but nothing coarse about him with lovely size, substance and body proportions and great muscular rear quarters. Loved his head and expression. Thought he would take the class but a little bit of a fidget today and not as composed on the move. RBOB

3 Kibby – Pinhays Princess Sarah.

6 mnth LW&T- pretty head and expression on this baby. Good bone and feet and great ribbing for age. Needs to mature in body but currently balanced. Having a grand day out, such an energy of excitement showed me just enough with 4 paws on the floor to move as her angles suggest – time will be her friend. BP