Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

DARLINGTON DOG SHOW SOCIETY 13/9/2025 Pastoral Group Sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee of Darlington for the invitation to judge the Pastoral Group. In addition to the final four exhibits I also shortlisted the Belgian Shephered (Groendael), the Collie (Smooth), the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog The winner of the Group was Akester and Wiltshire’s Border Collie, Sh Ch Thwaitlake Buzzman. He is a dog I have judged and admired in the past and I haven’t changed my opinion of him. Glamorous yet workmanlike and he is beautifully made. Very pleasing head and keen, expression. Strong, length neck and well laid shoulders. Good body and well-set tail. On the move he is hard to criticise as his action is sound and effortless and absolutely typical. In second place was the GSD, Hensley’s Ch Desjiem Van De Herdesfarm (Imp) Deu. A really handsome dog, unexaggerated, masculine with a calm, steady temperament. Clean head with a pleasing expression. Good forehand with strong pasterns and well laid shoulders. Good depth of chest. Strong topline leading to good croup. Moved well with a strong, easy stride. Handled to best advantage. Group 3 was Anderson and Nardone’s Finnish Lapphund, Ch Limishka Kareitar JW. I was really taken with this lovely bitch who I was told afterwards had taken the bitch breed record today. Congratulations. Lovely friendly expression, excellent forehand with good depth of brisket. Well balanced and shows and moves to best advantage. In 4th place the eye-catching Welsh Corgi (Pembroke), Bergmann’s Swiss Dutch HR It Rom Ch Y Ddraig Goch Vermillion. Feminine and most impressive on the with an easy, driving action. Good breadth of skull, well set ears and an intelligent pleasing expression. Good body proportions with a broad deep chest and excellent topline. Judge: Tom Mather