Welsh Corgi League

I take this opportunity to thank The League for the wonderful invitation to judge my beloved breed. It has been the highlight of my almost 40 year judging career and I am so grateful.

Special thanks to Margaret Hoggarth who was so prompt with all her answers to my queries. I really enjoyed the pre-show dinner with you, Val and Simon – lots of laughs and reminiscing! I was looked after well and your hospitality was great – thank you.

I cannot write this critique without saying how disappointed I was with the breed overall. There were some simply lovely bitches but the majority of the dogs were overall well below par. I despair about what you are going to do with those lovely bitches!

There were four aspects that really disappointed me ... feet, heads, ribbing and muzzles. Please read the Standard. The muzzle and skull are 3/5. I found so many dogs (and bitches) whose muzzle was as long as the skull and sometimes longer. It is ugly and not typical. Again with so many, I just don’t know how you are going to fix it.

Ribbing is a problem (as it is with many other breeds). While our standard says not short coupled or terrier-like, we still must have that ribbing to protect the organs. It’s a dangerous problem to have.

Feet – not so much poorly manicured, just horrible splayed feet with soft pads. It can be an hereditary thing but you can also help it by road walking. Just remember that they work on their feet and with splayed feet and soft pads they are not fit for purpose.

I have talked about the muzzle to skull ratio but there were also just so many snipy muzzles. The Standard says that the muzzle should only taper slightly. As a result, the breed here has a big problem with narrow jaws. The Pem should have 6 incisors in a reasonably straight line across the bottom jaw with the canines at each edge. I was repeatedly seeing bottom jaws that were shaped like half moons and the teeth were spread in a semi circle with the canines well back in the jaw. This is so wrong! Please before you breed your bitches, check their mouths and do not under any circumstances put them to a dog with the same problem.

Thank you so much to everyone who made my day memorable with their entries. Remember that at the end of the day each dog we have is the love of our lives.

Class 1 BABY PUPPY DOG 1/1

59. TWINAN THE BEAT GOES ON (Irving)

17 weeks old. Very promising puppy. Lovely chunky bone and great angulation. Super dark eye and expression. Carried his topline so smoothly on the move for one so young. Good luck. I hope he is a great winner for you!

CLASS 2 VETERAN DOG 6/5

        12. INT/FR/LUX/BA CH ABERLEE FOLLOW THAT DREAM (Camboni & Malagre)

Tri Colour 7.5 years old teeming with quality. Lovely length and balance. Fairly long neck blending down into good shoulders and topline. His strong hindquarters enabled him to cover the ground with ease powering from super well let down hocks. Pleasant expression with a kind eye. Put down in lovely condition and so beautifully groomed and handled. BEST DOG, CC, BEST VETERAN IN SHOW, BEST IN SHOW

        41. CH MEITZA DARK N’ DEBONAIR (Haslam)

Another 7.5 year old tri colour. Handsome head, moved with enthusiasm on good quarters. Correctly balanced for bone to size and length to height. I just preferred the neck on the winning dog

        96. INT/BEL/NL/BE/LUX/HUN/RO/SWISS CH JE SUIS AIDEN QUINN DES CONTAMINES (VanElderen & Borai)

Almost 11 years old. Deep red. Up to size but very sound and could not be ignored because of this. Good dark eye with a pleasant expression. Moved keenly. Excellent bone. Very well turned out.

CLASS 3 MINOR PUPPY DOG 2/2

          79. MONARCHCOR CHASE YOUR DREAM AVEC MEITZA (Haslam & Miller)

8 months old. Up to size but very nicely balanced. Good neck running into good shoulders. Carried a strong topline on the move. Good bone and quarters. I would have preferred a little less length of muzzle for ideal head balance but overall a very nice boy with loads of promise and a great ring presence. BEST DOG PUPPY, BEST PUPPY IN SHOW

         68. ELLHAR INDIAN SCOUT FOR SALVENIK (Maddox)

7 months old. Totally different in type to the winner. Moved somewhat close in front. I would like more neck on him and a kinder expression.

CLASS 4 PUPPY DOG 2/2

 My apologies – for some reason the critiques on these two dogs were not recorded.

          17. CHERASTAYNE REAL QUIET (Crichton)

10 months old. R/W dog. Strong hindquarters. Good shoulders and topline. Head could be improved with more ideal proportions.

          58. TWINAN SWING ON A STAR (Irving)

                 My apologies – for some reason the critique on this dog was not recorded.

CLASS 5 JUNIOR DOG 3/2

            76. TOWERNAGLEN I AM MAXIMUS (McCormick)

 A class where I was not comfortable. The winner was more my style of dog. He carries a good topline on the move. He had good breadth of skull and he has a commendable length of neck.

            30. HORTONPOINT BLUE LAGOON (Evans)

For me his head was untypical needing more breadth of skull and less muzzle. Very keen showman. Both dogs would also improve with better hind movement.

CLASS 6 YEARLING DOG 4/3

             51. BORN TO BE YOUR C’EST LA VIE AT TWINAN (Imp Hun) (Irving)

Nicely put together dog. He was up to size. Well let down hocks. Moved a little close in front. Great neck. Carried his topline well on the move. Again, I would prefer his muzzle to be more in proportion with the standard.

94. BROWNIEGLEN HOT SPOON TRIX (Spalding)

A very smart tri dog with a head that is more what look for. Nicely let down hocks and a strong topline. Adequate bone for his size. I preferred the front angulation and the overall movement on the winner.

CLASS 7 NOVICE DOG 2/2

                79. MONARCHOR CHASE YOUR DREAM AVEN MEITZA (Miller & Haslam)

  Won the class on his sounder front movement and I preferred his eye.

   17. CHERASTAYNE REAL QUIET (Crichton)

CLASS 8 POST GRADUATE DOG 3/3

                49. TWINAN RAISE THE BAR FOR FABLECROFT (Hulse)

                 A larger dog than I prefer

                 26. BROWNIEGLENS BWBACHOD (Egan)

This dog was my preferred winner of this class but he acted up his handler and had to be penalised. My type of head. Nice short hocks but so poorly behaved. Desperately needs training.

CLASS 9 LIMIT DOG 9/9

 53. BORN TO BE YOUR HUBLOT BIG BANG AT TWINAN (Imp Hun) (Irving)

Very sound 2 year old dog. Immaculately put down. Clean coming and going. Well boned for his size and correctly balanced. Good feet. Overall a very nice dog.

27. ELLHAR CHIEF SCOUT (Ellwood)

A 2.5 year old dog who is well balanced. Moved around the ring with purpose. He can stand a little soft in topline. Overall a pleasant dog.

48. BANANEIRA KENSINGTON AT FABLECROFT (Hulse)

Deep rich red coloured dog who moved around the ring well holding his topline as he went. Excellent shoulder.

CLASS 10 OPEN DOG 9/7

 15. CH WOODHENGE STAR COMMANDER (Coulson)

My style of dog. Excellent for size. His bone matched his size. He had the best ribbing of all the dogs I judged. Super neck (which he uses well) fitting into good shoulders. Clean coming and going. RESERVE CC

75. CH UNITA MENTALE ERNESTO (Imp UKR) JW (McColl)

Different style of dog – slightly larger. Cuts a very nice outline on the stack. Good angles. Strong topline. Great showman with a good head. I just preferred the hind movement of the winner.

56. CH TWINAN SIGN YOUR NAME (Irving)

Similar style to the second placed dog . Heavy bone, excellent topline. Good coming and going. Very difficult to judge profile movement but no reason to believe that he could not extend himself well because he has a very good shoulder.

CLASS 11 SPECIAL BEGINNERS 7/7

 48. BABANEIRA KENSINGTON AT FABLECROFT (Hulse)

 Dark red dog, carries a very good topline and responds well to his handler

 17. CHERASTAYNE REAL QUIET (Crichton)

 18. HARESFOOT FATES ALIGN (JW) (Cutts)

CLASS 12 GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME 6/5

 17. CHERASTAYNE REAL QUIET (Crichton)

 26. BROWNIEGLENS BWBACHOD (Egan)

CLASS 13 BABY PUPPY BITCH 2/2

        54. TWINAN DANCE TO THE BEAT (Irving)

Oh my goodness! I could put this one in my suitcase and take her home. I love her! Just full of cuteness. Sweet head, lovely eye and expression. Nice chunky muzzle that you should look for at this age. Super bone for her size and carries a lovely topline for such a baby. She has so much promise

 13. DURRCOR LUNA ECLIPSE (Coates)

Another one that I fell for her charms. Equally promising. Just a little longer in hock length than the winner, but again she is well put together and shows every promise. Moved nicely coming and going.

CLASS 14 VETERAN BITCH 7/7

 29. CH. SALVENIK SILK ROSE FOR ELLHAR (Ellwood)

Lovely 7 year old girl who obviously enjoyed her day out. Well balanced for length to height. Clean coming and going. Quality bitch.

82. TOWERNAGLEN CATCH A STAR OVER WILLANDA (Preston)

Tri colour girl also 7 years old. Lovely size girl with a very pretty head. Good topline. Moved with purpose.

 A class of really lovely bitches!

CLASS 15 MINOR PUPPY BITCH 7/7

 72. CRAIGYCOR HONEYMAREN (Mathews)

Quality 8 month old red & white bitch. Well boned. Balanced quarters with a good neck. Holds a good topline on the move. Pretty head and expression. Extremely promising. BEST PUPPY BITCH.

20. CRAIGYCOR SKIES THE LIMIT AT CERANDA. (Davies)

Just 7 months old. Very promising young lady. Very feminine head and expression. Excellent bone for her good size.

98. MONARCHCOR SWEET DREAMS (Warner)

8 months old. Pretty bitch. Well balanced. Just gave way on her hind movement,

CLASS 16 PUPPY BITCH 3/3

 57. TWINAN STARS ABOVE (Irving)

Quality bitch almost 12 months old. Good proportions and not overdone in any sense. Needs to tighten a little in front. When she pulls herself up she stands with firm topline and makes quite a lovely picture.

87. CHERSTAYNE FALLEN ANGEL (Roberts)

A bigger cut of bitch and completely different style. Very sound on the move and stands with a good neck and topline. She needs to grow into herself.

46. TWINAN RISING STAR AT HIGHASHES (Hollingworth)

Again a very quality, feminine bitch but needs to tighten in front and can stand with a slack topline. Coming and going she is quite clean

CLASS 17 JUNIOR BITCH 4/4

 46. TWINAN RISING STAR AT HIGHASHES (Hollingworth)

 3rd place in the previous class

1. CRAIGYCOR A SWEET TREAT FOR HEADHOLME (Allen)

A bigger style of bitch in a different mould. Good topline. She has particularly good feet – a real problem that I am seeing today! Doesn’t have the front angulation of the winner, but still a nice bitch.

CLASS 18 YEARLING BITCH 7/7

 39. U ARE PEPPER’S POTTS SPIRIT DES CONTAMINES (Guillarmo)

A very quality feminine bitch who is very sound on the move. Clean coming and going. Super dark eye which enhanced her lovely expression. Head proportions exactly what we need to be looking for! Another one of the few with good feet.

40. TWINAN RAISE A GLASS FOR HANDIALLA (Hall)

Another very nice bitch. Not quite the head of the winner. Good bone. Good topline. Clean coming and going.

CLASS 19 NOVICE BITCH 3/3

 46. TWINAN RISING STAR AT HIGHASHES (Hollingworth)

40. TWINAN RAISE A GLASS FOR HANDIALLA (Hall)

CLASS 20 POST GRADUATE BITCH 7/7

 97. MONARCHCOR LADY LOVE (Warner)

A very high quality bitch that I didn’t expect to find in a Post Grad class. I loved the way her neck blends down into her shoulders and a lovely topline. She is perfectly balanced and has a pretty head with a lovely expression. No exaggerations – she is just a lovely moderate girl and she is my type of bitch! RESERVE CC

25. BRYNMAY STAR EXPLOSION (Dickenson)

Similar in type. Clean coming and going. Good topline. Could have a bit more bone for her size.

CLASS 21 LIMIT BITCH 13/13

A difficult class to judge because despite it being the biggest class of the day, there was such a variation in type.

 52. BORN TO BE YOUR DANCING QUEEN AT TWINAN (Imp HUN) (Irving)

 A very classy bitch who is very sound on the move. I just wished she would give a bit more of herself to her handler. Lovely neck and shoulders. Super bone and a particularly nice head.

45. HIGHASHES PLAN BEE JW (Hollingworth)

Great for size. She can stand a little soft in topline which of course completely ruins her outline. But when she pulls herself up she is very nice. Good neck, pretty head and perfect bone for size. I wish she has better feet.

CLASS 22 OPEN BITCH 12/8

 Again, a difficult class to judge because there was so much variety in type.

8. COVENTRY I’M MAD ABOUT ON HER WITH PENLIATH (USA) (Blance, Blance, Robertson & Shelton)

Absolutely correct for size. Very pretty head and expression. Perfectly put down. Moved correctly coming and going. My type completely. Although she was an easy winner of the class she gives her handler a hard time which must lead to much frustration! She deserved her crowning BITCH CC & RESERVE BEST IN SHOW

73. IR CH CRAIGYCOR MY CHERIE AMOR (Mathews)

Again, the correct size. Lovely neck going down into good shoulders and topline. Very good hindquarters and good feet. Quality bitch.

CLASS 23 SPECIAL BEGINNERS BITCH 5/4

 100. BROWNIEGLENS GHILLIE DHU (Winfield)

Soundly put together bitch. Balanced with a strong topline. Well boned. She is a little loose both coming and going. A worthy winner.

95. CADI DOROTHY (Sydykov & Sydykova)

CLASS 24 GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME BITCH 4/4

 92. UNITA MENTAKE KHAMBATTA AT POTBELLI (Imp UKR) (Rutherford)

Pretty head. Moved soundly. I would like her with a little more neck and a little more bone. But overall she is a nice bitch.

64. ANWYL IN THE LIMELIGHT AT SOLAW (Imp Aust) (Legerton)

A bitch in a larger mould but well balanced. Especially good hindquarters.

BEST IN SHOW: I was presented with two fine specimens of the breed. While the bitch is my cup of tea, she had decided that she had done enough to get the Bitch CC and would give her handler little effort, whereas the dog was standing proud giving his all – and as anyone who knows me also knows that I am a sucker for a good tri.

LESLEY CHALMERS

New Zealand