Blackpool & District Canine Society

My sincere thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge and for making me so welcome, and to my excellent stewards for keeping everything running smoothly throughout the day. Most importantly, thank you to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me and for the sporting way in which my decisions were received.

Judging any breed is a privilege, but there is something particularly special about judging a breed that you live with and admire. I very much enjoyed my day and the opportunity to go over so many lovely examples of the breed.

Post Graduate Dog 1st Tarmachan Mac Talla (Mrs F & Mr M Buchanan & Maclaren)

An attractive 18-month-old tricolour hound with much to like and still with further maturity to come. Pleasing head and expression, with a lovely dark eye and well-set ears of good length. Well ribbed, with a strong loin and a well-set tail which he used to advantage. His sternum and front are still developing, as might be expected at his age, and should continue to strengthen with maturity. On the move, he impressed with his purposeful action and drive, using his sound construction to advantage, particularly in the Best of Breed challenge on a very warm day. A promising young hound whose balance, quality and overall breed type earned him Best Dog and Best of Breed

Open Dog 1st Ch Tarmachan Tre Valli (Mrs F & Mr M Buchanan & Maclaren) A quality tricolour hound of good size, presenting a pleasing, balanced outline. His head could have a touch more strength, but it was carried well and complemented his overall shape and breed type. Good chest and shoulder construction, with a strong, level topline which he maintained both standing and on the move. I would prefer a darker eye; nevertheless, he is balanced and sound construction. Moved freely and confidently to win a strong class. 2nd Ir Ch Claela Let's Drink A Toast (Mrs P & Miss C McGregor) A well-made tricolour hound with a balanced outline and pleasing overall construction. He presented a sound, workmanlike picture, displaying good breed character and a strong, active appearance, his coat was of the correct harsh texture and presented in good condition. Moved steadily and purposefully around the ring, maintaining his shape throughout.

Veteran Dog 1st Ch Tioga Lautrec with Grandoreille (Ms D & Mrs B A Machent & Milton) An attractive lemon and white veteran who was a delight to assess. He has a pleasing head and expression, with a lovely dark eye and well-set ears of good length. I particularly appreciated his clean, well-laid shoulder placement, which contributed to his balanced outline, together with a firm, level topline that he maintained throughout. On the move he showed good drive and covered the ground with purpose. I would have liked to see him make slightly greater use of his tail, although it was carried correctly clear of his back. His coat was a little softer in texture on the day, but this did not detract from his overall quality and breed type. A worthy class winner, and I was pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog and Best Veteran. 2nd Ch/Ir Ch Tarmachan Ice Cool VW (Mr R & Mr A R Bailey & Yates) A quality tricolour veteran presented in excellent coat, with a pleasingly harsh texture. He has an attractive head and expression, although a little more strength through the underjaw would complete the picture. His strong, level topline was maintained well both standing and on the move. Active and enthusiastic in performance, he drove well from the rear and retained a pleasing profile as he moved around the ring. A very sound and workmanlike veteran

 Puppy Bitch 1st Goudoulait Du Greffier Du Roi avec Claela (Mrs P & Miss C McGregor) A very promising 10-month-old tricolour youngster who is understandably still immature, with plenty of development ahead of her. She already has many of the essential breed characteristics in place, including a pleasing dark eye and well-set ears of good length. I particularly appreciated her clean, well-laid shoulders and her developing chest, which contributed to her balanced outline. Well ribbed, with increasing strength through the loin and a tail of good length. Still gaining confidence on the move, but her underlying construction is sound and provides an excellent foundation for the future. A lovely young bitch with much promise, whom I was delighted to award Best Puppy

Junior Bitch 1st Tiara Dusza Lesna at Arapelo (Imp Pol) (Ms K A Bayliss) A well-made tricolour hound of sound construction who is still maturing throughout. She has a pleasing head which should gain a little more width and strength through the jaw as she develops. Good length of neck flowing smoothly into the withers, with a clean, well-laid shoulder and good return of upper arm. Straight forelegs, good ribbing and a strong loin combine to produce a balanced, breed-typical outline. Her tail is well set and complements her overall shape. She was not fully settled on the move today, but her quality and sound construction were evident and sufficient to secure the class and Best Junior.

Open Bitch 1st Ch Tarmachan Clootie Dumpling (Mrs F & Mr M Buchanan & Maclaren) A quality tri-coloured bitch of good size and excellent breed type. She has, for me, an ideal head with the correct shape and expression. I particularly appreciated her shoulder placement, well-defined withers and overall front construction. She has a good chest, is well ribbed and possesses a strong loin. Her rear construction is equally pleasing, with a good bend of stifle contributing to her balanced outline. Today I felt she could perhaps have given a little more on the move, especially in the challenge but it was a very warm day, she nevertheless did enough to demonstrate her quality and secure the class. Pleased to award her Best Bitch. 2nd Ch Wilmit Jugeote (Mrs B Milton) A well-made tricolour bitch with much to admire. She has a pleasing head of correct proportions, a strong jaw and well-set ears which enhance her expression. Well constructed through the shoulder, she presented a balanced and breed-typical outline. I would have preferred a slightly harsher coat texture on the day, but this did not detract from her overall quality. She came to life on the move, displaying the active, enthusiastic gait expected of the breed and driving strongly from her well-constructed rear. A quality bitch who pushed hard for top honours and was fully deserving of Reserve Best Bitch. 3rd Wilmit Mirabelle for Boneveon (Mr R & Mr A R Bailey & Yates)

Veteran Bitch 1st Ch/Nld/Int Ch Tarmachan Ice Diamond BW'BE18 BW'NL18 (Mrs F & Mr M Buchanan & Maclaren) An attractive sable and white veteran bitch with good ears and a head of correct proportions. Although I felt she was carrying a little more weight than ideal on the day, she nevertheless held her topline well both standing and on the move. She has a good shoulder and front assembly which contribute to her balanced outline. I would prefer a little more angulation behind. Despite this, she moved soundly and demonstrated many of the qualities that have clearly served her well throughout her career.