Rhyl Canine Society

Rhyl Canine Society Premier Show

20th July 2025

My thanks to the Shetland Sheepdog Club of North Wales for putting me forward for this appointment, and to Rhyl Canine Society for the invitation to judge. It’s been many years since I frequented shows in North Wales, but I’m pleased that the warm Welsh welcome is just as I remember it!

Thanks on the day go to my stewards in the Shetland Sheepdog and Handling classes, who kept everything flowing, and to all the exhibitors who entered under me. 

Shetland Sheepdogs

Puppy (3, 0)

1st BALIDORN OLYMPIC STAR WITH SOLYRIC (Gamble). Dog pup of top size, but well-proportioned and balanced. Was a little unsettled with the noise in the hall initially, but once he did settle, he moved with the typical breed action, of correct reach and drive. Lovely head and expression. Expressive ears, sensitive in use and very aware of what was going on around the hall. Good arch to the neck, onto a level topline with a nice sweep over the loin. Good angulation front and rear, with correctly placed shoulders and well let down hocks. Well-fitting abundant coat and mane, of correct texture. Shown in excellent condition. BP and RBOB.

2nd SHELCREST BRIGHT STAR (Sapsford). Lovely bitch of feminine qualities. Very sweet expression, with well tipped ears correctly positioned. Nice length of neck onto a level topline with sweep over the loin and correct croup. Good angulation front and rear. Just needs to fill out a little, but this will come with time. Moved well, just wasn’t as smooth as 1st. 

3rd SUTHESLEY PETUNIA (Sutherland)

Junior, (1, 0)

1st BALIDORN OLYMPIC STAR WITH SOLYRIC (Gamble). 1st in Puppy, but was more settled in this class.

Post Graduate (6, 2)

1st BALIDORN OLYMPIC STAR WITH SOLYRIC (Gamble). 1st in previous two classes, but couldn’t deny him this class, as he was the best mover.

2nd SANDWICK SAFFRON GOLD (Mayhew). Petite bitch with very sweet expression. Well tipped ears and expressive eyes, giving very feminine head. Nice length of neck for her size, and good depth of chest, reaching almost to the elbow. When stood and on the move, she was a little wide at the front.

3rd GEMETTE GLACE ICING AT MISTYISLE (Venton)

Open (2, 0)

1st SHELCREST WINTER SOLSTICE AT SUTHESLEY JW (Sutherland). Top size dog, well coated with abundant mane and frill. Good masculine head with expressive eyes, ears a little wide set but correctly shaped and used well. Good depth of chest, giving correct shape and proportions to the overall impression. Good front and rear angulation, with legs parallel when viewed from front and rear, and enough bone to the foot. Moved very well, covering the ground with ease and sufficient reach and drive. BOB.

2nd BALIDORN CHARMER (Botham). Smaller male who was lacking the coat and overall finish of 1st. Well used ears and sweet expression to face. Good neck and topline. Would have preferred better angulation, as everything was a little upright, which impacted his movement.

Handling

My thanks to everyone who entered and stayed until the very end of a long day for the handling classes. It was pleasing to see both Junior and Adult handling so well supported, and to hear congratulations and applause for all the class winners, from both inside and outside the ring. A few of the dogs had clearly decided they were done for the day, so I commend all the handlers who persevered with the not-always co-operative dogs. Whilst most of the handlers were aware of my position in the ring, it is worth a reminder that in handling, the golden rule is to not get between the dog and the judge. It is also worth noting that when returning from any movement, to stand the dog in front of the judge so that they can view it in profile (side on) without needing to step to the side or backwards. Practice pattern work in both directions, and get your dog used to being moved on the “wrong” side, as well as standing still for shadowing.

Junior Handling age 6-11 (7, 1)

A lovely class to judge, and the future of handling looks very promising.

1st Gracie Elizabeth, handling a Whippet. Very smartly turned-out young lady, who had a good rapport with her dog. When asked to move as a group, she allowed plenty of space between the dog in front and moved her dog at the correct pace. On the table, she correctly showed me her dogs’ teeth, and corrected the leg move I made with no fuss. She performed the individual move well, with straight lines, tight turns and finished with a stand an adequate distance away from the judge. 

2nd Imogen Thorburn, handling a Smooth Coat Chihuahua. Another smartly dressed handler. Moved her dog at the correct pace in both the group and individual movements, would just prefer the lines of the dog to be a little straighter. Very good rapport with her dog, always talking to it and reassuring when it was a little hesitant.

3rd Osian Owens, handling a Rough Collie

Junior Handling age 12-16 (1, 0)

1st Livia Boryc, handling a Samoyed. Very smartly turned-out handler. Showed the teeth efficiently and corrected the leg move I made. Moved the dog at the correct pace, with good straight lines and tight turns; not easy to achieve with a slighter larger dog. Also stood the dog at a good distance and position from the judge, so no side steps were required. Best Junior Handler, as she executed the reverse triangle with precision.

Adult Handling age 17-39 (6, 3)

1st Hayley Tasker, handling a Great Dane. Well turned out. Shadowed very well, showing excellent rapport with her dog, who had probably had enough for the day. Showed the teeth correctly. Moved at the correct pace for the dog and maintained a straight line, which is not easy with a giant breed.

2nd Maja Ratajewska, handling a GSD. Showed the teeth correctly and moved the dog at the correct pace. Missed out on correcting the leg move I made, and would have liked to have seen a bit more connection between dog and handler.

3rd Jess Watson, handling a Pomeranian.

Adult Handling age 40 and over (13, 6)

1st Louise Salmon, handling a Havanese. Dressed to complement her dog’s colours and markings, this handler performed the straightest lines of the day. Showed the dogs teeth with minimum fuss, and corrected a leg move quickly. Moved at the correct pace for her dog, and presented the dog at a good distance from the judge. I enjoyed seeing the connection these two had together. Best Adult Handler, as executed the reverse triangle perfectly, with tight corners and straight lines.

2nd Kirstie Venton, handling a Shetland Sheepdog. Smartly turned-out handler, who moved her dog at the correct pace and shadowed well. Final presentation of the dog was correct distance and position from the judge. Gave 1st a good go but was just a little wide on the turn meaning the dog did not return on the same line. 

3rd Craig Rumming, handling a Standard Poodle.

Judge: Susan Jones (Keltiklan)