Crufts

Many thanks to the Crufts committee for giving me the opportunity to judge Border Collie males, the decision for Best of Breed proved a dilemma, two quality dogs from a cosmopolitan entry, both have outstanding qualities, the decision was made a little easier as I actually gave the bitch her first CC from junior, now fully mature she deserved to make an appearance in the big ring, thrilled to watch her performance, was second to none and earned her Group 3.

VD 15(3)

1. Smith/Ratcliffe’s Sh Ch. Arrodare It’s Now or Never JW. This male presented a good shape which he held on the move, powered into first place, standing on good legs, tight feet, looked like he could do a day’s work.

2. Oneyama’s Int Ch. Borderlane Close To You. While I preferred the head qualities of this male, I felt he was slightly heavier in front and longer in body, moved out well but not the strength of the winner.

3. Felbermaier’s Int/At/Si Ch. Iluvatar Sings The World of Bordertreowe At JCh.

MPD 1(0)
1. Hadden’s Kanamaren I Have The Touch. 8 month old pup, nice shape but top-line rises in the rear, needs to settle on the move for a better assessment, has good bone, would like to see tighter feet.

PD 4(0)

1. Austin/Zolakova’s Hysteps Come By. Lovely prospect, good solid body, holds a nice balanced shape on the stack, good neck, good layback of shoulder, strong in hock, moved out positively to take Best Puppy in Breed.

2. Barwick’s Tobermoray Touch of Class. Rangier male, longer in body, appeared heavy over the shoulder, front could be neater, feet could be tighter.

3. Tunnicliff’s Littlethorn Kona.

JD 10(1)

1. Kempton’s Art of Blossom Drowned in Emotion into Borderbrook (imp ESP). Mature in body, holds a good shape, has a good lay of shoulder and a good turn of stifle giving balance when stood and on the move, has good bone and tight feet, moved with reach and drive, in full coat lying flat to the body and in good condition.

2. Alexander/Macdonald/Turner’s Locheil Freeze Frame (AI). So very close up to the winner today, looked even inch a junior as he was sadly lacking coat today so paid the price, he moved out well and covered the ground with ease.

3. Pollinger-Sorre’s Roseglen Forseti.

YD 22(3)

1. Molnar’s Leclway Kynetic Origin. A male of good shape and nicely balanced, excellent head proportions, good reach of neck, well laid shoulder, good turn of stifle, moved with reach and drive.

2. Portman’s Laceway Black Sabbath. A male very similar to the winner, good head, good neck and top-line, well angulated and moved out efficiently, would prefer more padding to the foot.

3. Paschke’s Alderaan Ace In The Hole (AI) Ger/Lux/Ch/Int JCh.

GD 13(0)

1. Kempton’s Art of Blossom Drowned in Emotion into Borderbrook (imp ESP). Repeat.

2. Walters’ Goytre Born To Be Wild (AI). Good head proportions, good reach of neck, good top-line, holds a balanced shape, nice bone, just not quite the movement of 1.

3. Rabl’s Pukawidgee Premonition.

PGD 14(1)

1. Lewis’ Shemella Moon River. Head has good proportions, appeared stuffy in neck, good bone, good feet, moved ok.

2. Hadden’s Simmovon Temptation. Masculine head, enough neck, long cast, has good bone but feet could be better, in full coat but needs attention as obscures the top-line.

3. Molnar’s Leclway Kynetic Origin.

MLD 21(4)

1. Simmons/Inverno’s Sashdan Pure Imagination with Simmovon JW (imp AUS). This male caught my eye on entering the ring, closer inspection proved I was right, this male could work all day, had excellent angles front and rear, strong bone, tight padded feet, the most efficient on the move while having the best ground coverage, he won the class by a country male and couldn’t be denied the DCC.

2. Hartfield’s Moshanta May Contain Nuts JW ShCEx OSW. A longer cast male, top-line could be stronger, masculine head, moved ok.

3. Green’s Fayken I Am Soul JW.

LD 17(1)

1. Longhurst’s Simmovon Charm Writer at Spotarton JW. Masculine in appearance, enough neck, strong top-line, excellent bone without being coarse, has good feet, moved out with a purpose.

2. Baxter’s Miraje King of The North with Roseley (AI). Not as masculine as 1, good reach of neck, good top-line, enough bone, lacking coat so paid the price, moved out well.

3. Macdonald/Turner/Alexander’s Locheil James Martin.

OD 38(3)

1. Green/Ratcliffe’s Sh Ch. Fayken Truth or Dare with Arrodare JW. This male pulled out all the stops to top this huge class, such a classical border collie in make and shape, everything in the right place and used to advantage, pushed the CC winner very hard but my heart was already taken, RDCC.

2. Oliver’s Simmovon Shockwave at Tambuzi JW. A lovely male full of quality and another full of balance, good bone and strong feet, balanced angulation gave him the ability to move with reach and drive.

3. Akester/Wiltshire’s Sh Ch. Thwaitlake Buzzman.

Sp Working Trial Dog 1(0)


1. Whiting’s Falconmoor Wise Guy Pbegex Cdex Udex Aw(b). Nice head, excellent reach of neck, short in body and flying tail, would prefer more reach and drive.

Sp Show Border Collie Herding Test Dog 1(0)

1. Spencer’s Ch. Tobermoray All About Banksy JW Sbcht. 7 year old male, nice overall shape but very heavy all through, good feet.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog 18(5)

1. Kempton’s Art of Blossom Drowned in Emotion into Borderbrook (imp ESP). Repeat.

2. Hadden’s Simmovon Temptation. Repeat.

3. Stenson’s Malindibeach Woodforde.

MR S ATKINSON