Catalan Sheepdog Club of Great Britain

Catalan Sheepdog Club Open Show (13/04/2025)

I would like to firstly extend my sincerest thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to officiate at your club show today. This was a very special appointment for me given my involvement and interest in the breed over the last 14 years. Many thanks to the sporting exhibitors and 2 very efficient stewards for making this such a memorable appointment. It was a really special touch being given the opportunity to also judge the Debbie Theaker Memorial Open Stakes - all exhibits present were also entered in the main Open Show. I had known Debbie for a long time. Her love of pedigree dogs was unwavering and her desire to put honesty and integrity above all else was always admirable with a ‘say it as it is’ perspective on life.

It has been over 8 years since I last judged the breed. Overall I think there has been great progress made by breeders on making breed type more consistent in terms of overall proportions. Remember, this is a dog that is slightly longer in body than he is tall (9:8) with an equal length of leg to depth of body ratio (1:1). These proportions separate the Catalan from other herding breeds such as the Briard and Pyrenean Sheepdog. Heads, on the whole, are typical in strength, proportions and shape. Overall size is still a little varied with some being bigger than I would prefer, again, a key fundamental that makes correct breed type - a medium sized sheepdog. I was very pleased to see the breed is still being presented rustically (free from sculpting and shaping) and long may this continue!

Correct balance of angulation is something that I mainly picked up as a point for breeders to consider going forward. While the breed should be ‘moderate’ in their balance of fore and rear angulation, I felt that many were verging on too little angulation in the forequarters with shoulders being too upright and upper arms being too steep. This lack of angulation restricts the amount of forward reach on the move and an inability to fully display the lowered head carriage combined with low footlift. This was not helped by handlers encouraging their dogs to keep their heads up on the move rather than relaxing the lead gradually to enable their heads to drop to a more natural position. I hope these comments are taken in the way they were intended, many thanks again to you all for making this day so memorable.

BABY PUPPY DOG (0,0)

PUPPY DOG (1,0)

Peregos Lone Ranger. This 10 month old chap is of good size for his age. Currently a little square in outline for me but still has time on his side. Excellent head with correct skull shape and proportions. He has dark round eyes with excellent pigment. Moderately angled both fore/aft but would prefer just a touch better return of upper arm. Stands firm on his hocks. On the move he is very age appropriate but demonstrated particularly sound hind action for one so young. All wrapped in a very abundant puppy coat of correct texture. BPIS

JUNIOR DOG (1,0)

Hollybeck Jack The Lad Starwell. Very much a teenager at the moment but has all the essentials to grow into. Correct head proportions with strength through his skull and muzzle. Dark eyes and correct black pigment. Would prefer slightly better shoulder and upper arm. Needs to develop through his middle - he has time on his side to do this. Good length to body with enough leg length for balance. Firm topline with correct rear angulation, displaying a slight turn-out of foot. A good mover all round with particularly good profile and hind action. Rustically presented.

POST GRADUATE DOG (0,0)

LIMIT DOG (4,0)

Hollybeck Ticket To Ride to Starwell del Rieu Gost Bel JCh (Imp Esp). A good one for size and overall breed type. Excellent body proportions enhanced his breed-typical shape. Super head with correct 4:3 proportions, blunt muzzle and big black nose. Well bodied up with correct spring of rib and firm underline. Strongly made rear with strong hocks. Profusely coated and in hard condition. Took his time to settle on the move but did display a typical carriage when viewed from the side with excellent hind action going away. Needs to be less proud with his tail.

Starwell Xclusive. Bigger dog all round with an impressive shape. Good overall body proportions. Loved his strength through skull and muzzle, strong jaws and dark eyes. Would prefer slightly more angulation fore/aft. Level topline in excellent coat. Sound mover all round once he got into his stride with a typical lowered head carriage.

Hollybeck Purple Murri

OPEN DOG (2,0)

Int/Bel/Ir Ch. Pacco Du Domaine des Dhalbergs to Starwell (Imp Fra). Upper medium size male who commanded my attention from the moment he entered the ring. An excellent example of correct breed type and body shape. His head is textbook, correctly proportioned, strong with a blunt muzzle and expressive dark eyes. Excellent balance of angulation. Possesses plenty of leg length with straight limbs and correctly shaped feet. To be critical, I would prefer him a fraction shorter in body for ideal balance but this does not at all detract from his exceptional quality. Strongly made hindquarters with firm hocks and width. On the move he demonstrates an excellent breed-typical carriage when viewed from the side with low footlift and a smooth action. Presented in a rustic coat and hard, muscular condition. Delighted to award him BD & RBIS, only beaten by his daughter to the top spot!

Moasdileas Hen Broon. Liked his male very much for type. Excellent head shape and strength with dark eyes and correct ear set. Moderate angles fore/aft with decent body. Correct body proportions with level topline. Needs a stronger rear on the move but does drop his head on the go-round. Rustic coat presentation.

VETERAN DOG (2,0) - Two very different males here.

Sumila Tico. This grey is absolutely spot on for type and size. Excellent body proportions with good balance of angulation fore/aft. Correct head proportions with proportionate strength and black pigment. Mature through his body with a firm topline and correct width through his quarters. Completely took my breath away on the move, he goes with such great pace with a definite lowered head carriage and is as sound as they come away/back. To be critical, I’d prefer a slightly better coat texture. Thought him to be fantastic for 11 years old, RBD & BVIS.

Le Magicien Doz Du Clos Millette at Peregos (Imp Fra). Much bigger than 1 with good overall body proportions. Strong head, dark eyes and correct finish to muzzle. Well developed in body with a level topline. Excellent rear assembly with firm hocks and correct tail set. Preferred the forehand of 1. Goes with a typical carriage when viewed from the side. Excellent coat texture, in hard condition.

KC GOOD CITIZEN DOG (2,0)

Int/Bel/Ir Ch. Pacco Du Domaine des Dhalbergs to Starwell (Imp Fra).

Hollybeck Purple Murri. Upper medium sized dog with great bone and correct body proportions. Loved his head with correct 4:3 proportions, good width over his muzzle, tight lips and blunt finish. Good length of leg with correct brisket depth. Level topline and moderate angulation. Carries himself well on the move. Presented in first class coat and condition.

BABY PUPPY BITCH (0,0)

PUPPY BITCH (0,0)

JUNIOR BITCH (4,1)

Gosderiina Daffodil Dream. Wow, what a cracking black/fawn youngster! Immediately took my eye for her beautiful body shape and correct proportions. Ultra-feminine head with correct strength through her skull and muzzle, dark eyes and strong jaws. Moderate neck and that flows into the best forehand here today. Excellent bone and feet with well developed chest. Symmetrical rear angulations with correct croup and tail set. On the move she is a lesson in correct breed carriage and low footlift while still being absolutely sound going/coming. All of this wrapped in a rustically presented coat of correct texture. She set the bar high today and came out on top. BB & BIS

Hollybeck Ere I am Starwell. Shorter bodied than 1 but of excellent size and strength. Loved her typical head shape with dark eyes and correctly set ears. Not quite the shoulder of my 1 winner but with a good length of leg. Level topline, moderately angled rear with firm hocks. Drops her head on the go-round with good drive from the rear.

Hollybeck Come This Way.

POST GRADUATE (2,1)

Hillbilly Kira del Gosseria Guindilla Catala (Imp Deu). A very honest bitch of good overall breed type. Needs to body up with age but has all the essentials to grow into. Prettiest of heads while retaining her strength through her skull and correct blunt finish to muzzle. Would prefer a touch more angulation fore/aft but she is balanced. Correct length to height ratios. A really sound mover from all angles with the correct head carriage. In excellent coat of the correct texture, rustically presented. Would be interested to see her as the finished article.

LIMIT BITCH (3,1)

Hillbilly Kira del Gosseria Guindilla Catala (Imp Deu).

Fuga Sadie del Gosseria Guindilla Catala (Imp Deu). Very unfortunate to come up against her kennelmate today. A real cracker for type and rustic outlook. Absolutely medium sized and robust. Liked her head very much with correct proportions and moderate length of neck. Moderately angled fore/aft with strong limbs and correct feet. Correct topline and angle of croup. Firm short hocks when standing. On the move she demonstrated a lowered head carriage but just preferred the trueness of 1st going/coming. Another one with an excellent coat of correct texture.

OPEN BITCH (3,2)

Fuga Sadie del Gosseria Guindilla Catala (Imp Deu).

VETERAN BITCH (4,1) - A really lovely class showing how well this breed ages, thank you for bringing them.

Kiandra Little Maggie. Top size bitch but so full of type and class. Loved her strength in skull and muzzle with the darkest eyes and correct black pigment throughout. Excellent angulation both fore/aft with a strong topline and correct underline. Liked her length and angle of croup with correct tail set. Strongly boned limbs with correct feet. In excellent coat with the correct texture and of rustic presentation. Like my BIS winner, she too demonstrates an absolutely correct head carriage when viewed from the side with good reach & drive. Very pleased to award her RBB & RBVIS, congratulations!

Kawanna Moonlight Sonata. Such a credit to her owners given she is 13 years young and still moves with such a sound and smooth action. Pretty head with dark enough eyes and black pigment. Mature through her body and in excellent muscular condition. In full coat that is obviously well maintained.

KC GOOD CITIZEN BITCH (3,0)

Peregos Minerva’s Wisdom. A bit bigger than I prefer but liked her balance and substance overall. Typical head shape in profile but would just prefer a more blunt finish to her muzzle. Excellent angulation fore/aft with OK body proportions. Well bodied up and in good coat of correct texture. Liked her action from the side on the move, she drops her head well and goes smoothly from all angles. Particularly good rear action.

Fuga Sadie del Gosseria Guindilla Catala (Imp Deu).

Judge: James Newton (Patamoke)