Kirkcaldy & District Canine Club

Kirkcaldy and District Canine Club

Sat 19th April 2025

I want to say, first of all, a big thank you to the club for my first Pastoral Group appointment. I’ve always enjoyed my Scottish appointments and was delighted to be given this honour. Secondly, a huge thank you to all the exhibitors who entered under me, in either the handling or breed classes (or in one case, both!) Thirdly, to my two stewards who kept both the handling and breed classes running smoothly. 

Junior Handling 6-11 years (16, 8)

WOW! What can I say about this class! I was delighted to receive such a high entry, and despite the absentees, felt that this was still a very strong class. What a smartly turned out and polite group of young people, who were a joy to see trying to get the best out of their charges. Most handlers were attentive to my movements and shadowed well. Just be aware of presenting your dog too close to the judge after moving. All four placed in this class could change places any day, and a couple of those unplaced could have been placed on a different day. 

1st Karson Maver handling a Cocker Spaniel. Melted into the background to show his dog off, which is what handling is all about. Always encouraging the dog, and when his dog decided to sit rather than stand, didn’t make a fuss, simply moved the dog to reposition. Moved at the correct pace for his dog and kept a good eye on where I was to effortlessly shadow my movements around the ring.

2nd Farrah MacDonald handling a Shetland Sheepdog. Another who handled her dog very well today (which I found out later was not her own). I enjoyed her empathy with the dog on the table, giving gentle reassurance. Showed the bite correctly and moved with very neat lines. Shadowed well. 

3rd Evie Brysin handling a Scottish Terrier. A very polite handler, who shadowed well. She was always talking to her dog, which was well placed on the table to reassure the dog. On the floor, her lines were very neat, and she kept an eye on where I was, but I would have liked a little more attention to the dog, who could have done with a little more encouragement on the move.

4th Daphne Bryson handling a St Bernard. It’s always difficult to handle a larger breed, not helped by the small ring size, but this handler did a very good job. She was aware of her dog’s size and stride and left space so as not to get too close to others in the class. Coped well with distractions outside the ring and maintained her composure. Just felt her lines could have been a bit neater, and another where the dog could have benefitted from a little more encouragement.

A special mention to the young handler, who brought her young and excitable Portuguese Water Dog into the class for her first handling experience. Whilst the pup may have been a challenge to control at times, she persevered, and I was delighted to see a marked improvement in the YKC class later.

Junior Handling 12-16 years (1, 0)

1st Keira Angus handling a Pointer. Moved her dog at the correct pace and with straight lines. Shadowed well. Tidiest showing of the bite from all the handling classes. Her dog was fairly young, but very well-schooled, showing a great rapport between dog and handler. Best Junior Handler, as she performed the T-shape in the challenge with perfectly straight lines.

The future of Scottish Junior Handling is very strong based on what I saw in these two classes!

Adult Handling 17-37 years (2, 1)

1st Bex handling a Labrador. Smartly dressed handler who had a good bond with her dog. Moved at the correct pace and worked hard to keep dogs’ attention from distractions on the floor. Just keep an eye on the judge so that you don’t break the golden rule (getting between the dog and the judge). 

Adult Handling 38+ years (6, 4)

1st Jane Ritchie handling a Tibetan Terrier. Smartly turned-out handler with a young dog. It was clear they had a good bond. Moved at the correct pace and positioned the dog at the correct distance from me at the end of the first movement. Best Adult Handler, as she not only performed a T-shape with good straight lines but also kept the pattern symmetrical based on where I was standing in the ring.

2nd Jo Lamb handling a Cairn Terrier. Another handler who shadowed very well and kept good straight lines. Just finished a little too close at the end.

Bearded Collie Junior (2, 1)

1st GALLUS MIDAS TOUCH INTO RAZKAL (Ryan, Mrs C). 7-month-old dog of good size. Lovely expression, with quiet self-confidence. Well-proportioned head with correct skull and muzzle, and well-defined eyebrows. Nice front angulation, which was mirrored at the rear with well bent stifles and let down hocks. Good depth to chest and length of ribcage. Moved well for such a young dog, holding his topline and covering the ground with minimum effort. Could imagine him just going all day. BOB.

Bearded Collie Post Graduate (1, 0)

1st DYCHIX INVICTUS FOR RAZKAL SHCEX (Ryan, Mrs C). Dog with good coat. Good skull and muzzle with correct eyes and ears. Long in body but well-constructed. Moved well, although a little unsettled due to noises outside the ring.

Bearded Collie Open (2, 2)

Australian Shepherd Open (1, 0)

1st TALARD SEEIN IS BELIEVIN (Kinnes, Mrs C and Mr R). 6-month-old blue merle, with a feminine head. Correct head proportions, eyes and ears. Front and rear assembly was a bit upright for my preference, and she just needs to fill out a bit, which should come with age. BOB

Belgian Shepherd Dog Groenendael Open (3, 2)

1st REVLOCH TRAPPATONI (Pryde, Mrs E). Young dog of good size. Correct wedge-shaped head and very expressive eyes and ears. Always alert and attentive and certainly demonstrated the proud head carriage required by the standard. Correct angulation front and rear. Moved with brisk action on correct feet. Tail correct length. Just needs to fill out a bit, but a lovely example of the breed. BOB

Belgian Shepherd Dog Tervueren Open (1, 0)

1st CULTLEA JUST SO SPECIAL (Dudds, Mr and Mrs A S). Bitch of correct type. Alert expression, very attentive to her handler. Slightly arched, well-muscled neck. Good angulation front and rear, with long, flat shoulders. Depth of chest reaching elbow. Good length of tail. Moved well. BOB

Rough Colie Post Graduate (3, 0)

1st BRILYN LOOK AT ME FOR FARALIYA (Macdonald, Ms J). Feminine bitch who gave off “great beauty” as described in the standard. Wedge shaped head with correct planes and proportions. Eyes of correct shape and colour, giving a sweet expression. Ears set correctly. Good length of neck, into sloping shoulders. Good angulation front and rear, with correct sweep over the loin. Moved well, with a good stride and appeared effortless. Profuse coat but didn’t detract from the outline. BOB.

2nd UPSIDE DOWN DE REMEMBER OUR LOVE AT EAGLEFALLS (Babiak, Mr E and Mrs M). This dog was a little unsettled, but I saw enough to award 2nd place. Correct head of masculine proportions. Good angulation underneath the profuse coat. Moved ok.

3rd THISTLEWING FIRE DANCER AT BRYANY (Taylor, Mr C)

Rough Collie Open (1, 0)

1st THISTLEWING FIRE DANCER AT BRYANY (Taylor, Mr C). Dog with well arched neck and good depth of brisket. Correct rise over the loin. Felt he was a little upright in his angulation and would prefer hocks better let down.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog (1, 1)

Pyrenean Mountain Dog (1, 0)

1st PENELLCY BENNINGTON BEAR (Blair, Mrs E E). Powerful dog with a look of quiet confidence about him. Strong head of correct proportions. Dark, almond-shaped eyes giving a contemplative expression. Fairly short yet strong neck, onto powerful shoulders. There was sufficient width of stance to allow for a good depth and breadth to the ribs. Broad, muscular loins and correct slope over the rump. Double-dewclaws present. Well boned throughout. Held his topline on the move. Moved in the typical unhurried way, but equally demonstrating his power, which was difficult to achieve in a small ring. BOB

Samoyed Graduate (3,0)

1st BONDSMOOR MOONLIGHT KISS (Dodds, Mr and Mrs D and C). Young bitch with lovely cream tipped ears. Beautiful expression and correct eyes and ears. Proud head carriage. Well angled front and rear, good length of back and broad, well-muscled loin. Good depth of chest. Out moved the rest of the class, really showing off her power and elegance.

2nd ISTRAMAC SHINING ILLUKA (Gregor and McWilliam, Mrs J and E). Dog who really gave his handler a tough time but couldn’t deny him 2nd place. Lovely masculine head with correct eyes and well used ears. Good neck onto good front angulation, which was mirrored at the rear. Once settled, moved well. 

3rd ISTRAMAC TOORIES LASS (Gregor and McWilliam, Mrs J and E)

Samoyed Open (2, 0)

1st BONDSMOOR KISS ME KATE (Dodds, Mr and Mrs D and C). Bitch who exuded intelligence and had that typical smiling expression, always attentive to her owner. Wedge shaped head, with broad skull and medium muzzle. Correct eyes and ears. Short-ish neck but correctly arched to give a proud head carriage. Well angled front and rear, with good bone and muscle. Good feet. Held tail correctly. Moved with agile drive and grace to win the class. BOB, just more settled on the move to beat her younger sister in the challenge. 

2ND ISTRAMAC SERENDIPITY (Gregor and McWilliam, Mrs J and E). Older bitch but still a lot to like. Correct wedge-shaped head and arched neck. Well angled front and rear. Moved well. Just preferred the overall impression of 1st.

Welsh Cardigan Corgi Graduate (1, 0)

1st LIEBEHUND ST TRINIAN AT SCHOLLAND (Maas, D). Nice feminine head with correct ear set, eyes and mouth. Good bone and length of tail. Moved ok but would prefer a little more thrust from the rear.

Welsh Cardigan Corgi Open (1, 0)

1st LIDOFFAD CELTIC WARRIOR WITH SANJA (Maas and Aynscough, D and Mrs M E). Very masculine and strong head. Correct ears and expression, with distinct stop and eyebrows. Good length of neck for his size. Good angulation front and rear, elbows moulding around chest. Moved well, showing plenty of daylight and with tail carried gayly. BOB

Welsh Pembroke Corgi Graduate (2, 0)

1st CHERASTAYNE REAL QUIET (Crichton, Dr C). 11-month-old dog. Masculine head with well used ears, correctly set. Well-shaped head. Nice length of neck in proportion to body. Well moulded front assembly with good bone to the feet. Level topline leading to good length of tail. Free and active movement, showing good reach in the front and correct thrusting from the rear. BOB.

2nd CALWINI’S AQUA BLOOM JW (Manson, Miss L). My notes say bitch with independent character! Very feminine and nicely used ears. Good neck onto with well moulded front assembly. Correct chest proportions, with well sprung ribs. Moved well.

Welsh Pembroke Corgi Open (2, 0)

1st DALEABBEY’S ANYTHING GOES KELTYBRAE (Hogg, Mrs K). Bitch with good shape to head. Well used ears and attentive to her handler. Well-muscled neck and chest well let down between the forelegs. Well moulded front assembly with correct angulation. Held topline on the move.

2nd UNITA MENTALE DONALD WITH KELTYBRAE (Hogg, Mrs K). Bitch of different type to 1st, lower set but just preferred the overall impression of 1st. Nice head with correctly set ears. Well sprung ribs and chest broad and deep, whilst not detracting from her feminine size. Good level topline. 

AV Pastoral NSC Open (6, 2)

1st AATELI KOIRA VAKKER YUNA AT LUMENICO (Clark, Ms N) Finnish Lapphund. Caught my eye upon entering the ring. 13-month-old bitch with a beautifully feminine head. Well set ears, sensitive in use, and correctly shaped eyes, giving a soft and friendly expression. Correct skull to muzzle ratio. Well-muscled neck of good length. Good angulation front and rear, with ample bone and muscle. Brisket of correct depth and length, underneath a firm, straight and broad back. Good loin. Tail carried correctly, curved over the back. Moved with effortless, brisk action. BAVNSC

2nd ROCHELLES HAWK WARRIOR (Brown Miss C and J) GSD. Longer coated dog, very attentive to his handler. Good masculine head with nice eyes and ears, giving an intelligent expression. Good length of neck, and well-balanced angulation front and rear. Nice long tail. Moved like he could do a day’s work, holding his topline, despite the small ring size. 

3rd KENLEAP MARBLE SWIRL (Nicoll, Mrs C) GSD. 

Pastoral Group

G1 - AATELI KOIRA VAKKER YUNA AT LUMENICO (Clark, Ms N) Finnish Lapphund.

G2 - BRILYN LOOK AT ME FOR FARALIYA (Macdonald, Ms J) Rough Collie

G3 - GALLUS MIDAS TOUCH INTO RAZKAL (Ryan, Mrs C) Bearded Collie

G4 - BONDSMOOR KISS ME KATE (Dodds, Mr and Mrs D and C) Samoyed

AV Pastoral Minor Puppy (7, 2)

1st GALLUS MIDAS TOUCH INTO RAZKAL (Ryan, Mrs C) Bearded Collie. 1st in Bearded Collie Junior. Just got better every time he entered the ring.

2nd BORDERBROOK FINAL DESTINY (Kempton, Ms A) Border Collie. 7-and-a-half-month-old bitch. Dark faced with beautiful ears and expressive eyes. Nice length of neck and good angulation front and rear. Moved very well for one so young, just unfortunate to meet 1st today.

3rd CRAIGYCOR GALWAY (Preston, Mrs L J) Welsh Pembroke Corgi

AV Pastoral Puppy (8, 3)

1st BONDSMOOR MOONLIGHT KISS (Dodds, Mr and Mrs D and C) Samoyed. 1st in Samoyed Graduate.

2nd KENLEAP MARBLE SWIRL (Nicoll, Mrs C) GSD. 10-month-old feminine bitch of good size. Beautiful head with kind, intelligent expression. Nicely set ears sensitive in use, taking everything in. Good angulation front and rear and another whose movement improved with every class.

3rd CHERASTAYNE REAL QUIET (Crichton, Dr C) Welsh Pembroke Corgi

AV Pastoral Veteran (4, 2)

1st INNKALIES MISS MARPLE AT ALLOCHOY IKC VET CH (Higgins, A and L) Shetland Sheepdog. Feminine head with well set ears and expressive eyes. Good length of neck with profuse coat. Nice angulation front and rear, which allowed her to move with correct brisk action.

2nd WIZALAND CELTIC CONNECTION (Heggie, Mrs J and Mr N) Border Collie. Masculine dog with a good head. Nice length of neck. Would prefer a little more drive in the movement but behaved very well for his young handler.