National Working & Pastoral Breeds Society

National Working and Pastoral Breeds Society, Premier Open Show – Bearded Collies 15th February 2025 – Elizabeth Ayrton (Aoibh)

I would like to thank the organizers for inviting me to judge at this well-run show and my stewards for running the ring seamlessly. Also, a big thank you to the exhibitors for the lovely entry and allowing me to go over their dogs. As ever, there were not enough cards and some of the puppies were a little overwhelmed. I don’t feel all the dogs moved as well as they could as they were slipping on the corners which affected some exhibits more than others but was particularly evident in my post graduate class and sadly did affect my placings.

Class 8 – Puppy Dog or Bitch – (8,3)

1. Collins’ Full of the Dickens Winner Takes It All For Kingswud (Imp Deu). Really felt this puppy settled well in the class and was at one with his handler making it easy to evaluate him. Good head proportions with lovely expression and dark eyes. He has a good arch of neck and good length coming from his rib which enabled him to maintain a strong topline at all times. Good layback of shoulder and return of upper arm balanced with his rear angulation. Was the most settled in the class on the move really showing his reach and drive, pleased to award him BPIB.

2. Cooper’s Tybury’s Origin of Hope. Very different type to one and will be slower to mature but lots to like about this little lady. Feminine blue with eye toning with coat and cheeky expression. Another with good length of rib and decent depth to her chest. Good balanced angulation. Just not as settled on the move as 1. Look forward to seeing her develop.

Class 9 – Junior dog or Bitch (2,1)

1. Bevis’s Beabeardies Blue Monday. A raw 8-month-old puppy with lots of developing still to do but was much more settled in this class than in the first. A blue with engaging expression and eyes toning with coat. She has good head proportions with strong underjaw. Nice length of body which needs to broaden but I am sure this will come with maturity. Balanced angulation fore and rear and moved with more confidence in this class.

Class 10 – Post Graduate Dog or Bitch (7,2)

1. Butcher’s Sylvabrae Newtons Law. Not the biggest of dogs but so very well put together. A blue with engaging expression and eyes toning with coat. He has a really good head proportions with broad flat skull. Good reach of neck leading into well laid-back shoulders and length coming from the rib hence he holds his topline well on the move. Easily the best mover in the class today.

2. River’s Breaksea Time Lord at Bendale. A masculine brown dog with very good head proportions and nice expression. Eye toning with coat. He has balanced angulation and really good length of rib. Moved well but not with the front reach of 1, but I felt he was one of the dogs that was affected by the surface today.

Class 11 Limit Dog or Bitch (5,2)

1. Pickup’s Kiltondale Heat of the Night JW. A dog I have admired from ringside many times so it was good to put my hands on him and he does not disappoint in any way. He is at one with his handler. Excellent head proportions with good pigment and strong underjaw. He produces a super outline when freestanding and strong topline which he also carries on the move. Good arch of neck flowing into well laid shoulders, good forechest and good angulation fore and rear without being overdone in any way. His movement is balanced and effortless. Pleased to award him BOB and nice to see him shortlisted in the group.

2. O’Brien’s Another Posh Frock at Sammara. Different type to 1, but lots to like. Feminine bitch handled and presented beautifully. She has an excellent head with correct proportions and lovely expression. Good angulation fore and rear and excellent movement. Not quite the reach of my first place on the move.

Class 12 Open Dog (4,1)

1. Griffiths’ Nellbrook it’s a Mystery at Whizzbomb. Masculine dog of good size who it is difficult to believe is 11 and a half years old, he could out-move many younger dogs. Such a workmanlike unexaggerated dog. He has an excellent head with lovely expression. Good forechest and excellent layback of shoulders and return of upper arm balanced by his rear angulation. Moved around the ring with ease. Pleased to award him RBOB.

2. Waldron’s Ungaro de Chester. Another dog I have seen from ringside and liked the look of so it was nice to be able to go over him. Giving away a lot in years to my first placed dog but he has excellent head proportions and produced a super profile on the stand. Good layback of shoulder and rear angulation and moved well around the ring. Just not the finished picture of 1, but he is not yet two years of age.

Class 13 Open Bitch (5,2)

1. Bevis’ Beabeardies Cinnamon girl. Well-proportioned feminine fawn bitch who was sympathetically handled. Good head with broad flat skull and eyes toning with coat. Good reach of neck leading into well laid-back shoulders and matching angulation behind. Excellent balanced movement around the ring which won her the class.

2. Hough’s Clovabrae Nikita for Seacharmzed. Nice brown with well proportioned head and lovely expression. Balanced angulation fore and rear and harsh coat that enhanced her shape. Good length of rib. Not quite the extension of 1 on the move but nevertheless was very balanced.