Three Counties Agricultural Society

Three Counties – Shetland Sheepdogs

It was both an honour and a pleasure to judge Shetland Sheepdogs at Three Counties, marking my first occasion awarding CCs in this beautiful breed after first judging them some twenty years ago. The entry was strong in both numbers and quality, and I thank exhibitors for accepting my decisions with such good sportsmanship.

Before moving into individual critiques, there are two general points that merit attention. Temperaments were, on the whole, very good. However, I noted a number of exhibits with short tails, and fronts in the breed have not improved. Many dogs displayed steep or short upper arms—or a combination of both—resulting in short or high stepping action. This cannot be corrected simply by moving dogs faster around the ring. While heads were generally pleasing, they should not dominate breeding priorities. In my opinion, correct conformation and movement are increasingly being sacrificed for aesthetic appeal. A pretty dog with a good coat but incorrect movement is of little value to the breed’s original purpose as a small herding dog.

That said, the majority of dogs present were of good quality and true breed type, making for some difficult decisions and inevitably leaving some worthy exhibits unplaced.

DOGS

Puppy Dog (PD)

1st Bray’s Lianbray Launcelot – 9 months. Excellent temperament and mouth. Would prefer a stronger head and slightly narrower ear placement. Good reach of neck into an excellent forehand. Stood on ample bone with tight feet. Well balanced with promising angles and proportions. Sound both ways with a steady side gait. 2nd Harrison & Draper’s Myter Moonlight Shadow – 10 months, tri. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and dark eye, well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm a shade steep, limiting forward reach compared with the winner. Sound both ways with a steady side gait. Shown in good coat and condition. 3rd Hill’s Cocaro Van Helsing

Junior Dog (JD)

1st Arnould’s Shadoway Escapade – 17 months, s&w. Excellent temperament and mouth. Stronger head for me, with a nice dark eye and well placed ears. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with ample bone and good feet. Good depth of brisket for age, slightly longer in loin. Well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a steady side gait. 2nd Walker’s Cuilshelties Touch of Class with Grandgenes JW – 13 months, blue. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and eye, ears wider set. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Steep upper arm. Ample bone and good feet. Good depth of brisket and lovely overline. Sound both ways with a steady side gait showing good drive.

Yearling Dog (YD)

1st & RCC Stafford’s Rannerdale Jammy Dodger – 20 months, shaded s&w. Excellent quality and breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head with correct proportions and the darkest of eyes. Strong, well arched neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions. Ample bone, strong pasterns, tight feet. Excellent forehand, good depth of brisket, firm backline, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with an effortless side gait showing reach and drive. Shown in good coat and condition. 2nd Weller’s Evad Halloween Tzar JW – 19 months, s&w, top size. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and dark eye, well placed ears. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Steep upper arm. Ample bone and tight feet. Good depth of brisket and overline. Well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a steady side gait, just short stepping in front. Presented in good coat and condition.

Novice Dog (ND)

1st Conway & Henry’s Mr Blue Skies over Dinmore – 4 years, dark blue. Longer cast and heavier than preferred. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and eye giving sweet expression. Well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with ample bone, strong pasterns, tight feet. Good depth of brisket, lovely overline, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a steady side gait. Coat needs a little more attention.

Graduate Dog (GD)

1st Greaves’ Foxstones Fairy Glen – 22 months, s&w. Excellent temperament and mouth. Would prefer a stronger head and narrower ear set. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm a shade steep. Ample bone, firm pasterns, tight feet. Good depth of brisket, firm back, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a steady side gait. 2nd Cheal’s Faemadra Firestorm – 22 months, shaded s&w, top size. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and dark eye, well placed ears. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm steep and short, affecting forward reach. Good depth of brisket and overline. Well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a steady side gait. 3rd Winfield’s Iskander Bohemia Classic for Oakcroft JW (Imp Cze)

Post Graduate Dog (PGD)

1st Norris’s Ferngrove’s Code Blue JW – 2 years, blue with black overlay. Profuse neck coat gives a stuffy appearance. Excellent temperament and mouth. Well laid shoulders, upper arm a shade steep. Good depth of brisket. Ample bone, tight feet. Strong back, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a steady side gait; would prefer more forward reach. Shown in good coat and condition.

Limit Dog (LD)

1st & CC Rossiter’s Cocaro The Highlander JW ShCEx OSW – 2 years, shaded sable, top size. Excellent quality and breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely, well proportioned head with the darkest eyes. Profuse coat can deceive the eye, but underneath he is beautifully balanced with correct angles and proportions. Strong, well arched neck into well laid shoulders. Ample bone, firm pasterns, tight feet. Lovely depth of brisket, firm overline, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing reach and drive. Handled and presented in excellent condition. 2nd Linford’s Hillhenry in Your Honour – 4 years, tri. Excellent temperament and mouth. Head a shade lighter for me. Well placed ears. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm a shade short, causing forehand lift on the move. Ample bone, firm pasterns, tight feet. Good depth of brisket, lovely overline, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a steady side gait. Shown in good coat and condition, handled to perfection. 3rd Winfield’s Oakcroft The Mandalorian JW

Open Dog (OD)

1st Robinson’s Ch/Nor/Se/Fin Ch Lavika Moonlight Storm JW – 4 years, tri. Excellent male of quality and breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head with correct proportions and the darkest eyes. Well placed ears. Strong, well arched neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions. Ample bone, strong pasterns, tight feet. Excellent forehand, good depth of brisket, firm backline, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a super steady side gait showing reach and drive. Just didn’t give his all in the challenge but a strong contender. Shown in good coat and condition. 2nd Stafford’s Ch Rannerdale Mister Majic – 3 years, shaded sable. Excellent breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. A shade taller and longer in loin than 1. Lovely head with correct proportions and dark eyes. Well placed ears. Strong, well arched neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions. Ample bone, strong pasterns, tight feet. Excellent forehand, good depth of brisket, firm backline, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing reach and drive. Shown in good coat and condition. 3rd Pearson’s Ch Edglonian Golden Graham

Veteran Dog (VD)

1st Goodwin’s Highbrook Hobnob JW – 8½ years. Excellent temperament and mouth. Muzzle a shade shorter. Medium size. Well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm steep, limiting forward reach. Ample bone, good pasterns, tight feet. Good depth of brisket, firm back, well moulded croup, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a steady side gait.

BITCHES

Minor Puppy Bitch (MPB)

1st Powell’s Amethrickeh’s Gold Run at Kimgilee – 6 months. A real baby with a lovely head and expression. Excellent temperament and mouth. Well placed ears. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions. Ample bone, tight feet. Lovely overline, well moulded croup and tail set. Hindquarters well developed for age. Sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing reach and drive. Shown in tip top condition.

Puppy Bitch (PB)

1st & BPIB Rossiter’s Cocaro The Enchantress – 9 months, s&w. Quality female of good breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and expression, ears alert. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions. Ample bone, good pasterns, tight feet. Good depth of brisket, lovely overline, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters. Super sound both ways with an effortless side gait showing reach and drive. Shown in good coat and condition; certainly one to watch. 2nd Ritchie’s Jaelis Mystique Realism – 9 months, rich s&w. Another quality youngster. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and expression, well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm a shade steep, limiting forehand reach. Ample bone, tight feet. Good depth of brisket, lovely overline, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a steady side gait. Shown in good coat and condition. 3rd Hateley’s Mohnesee Ria’ly A Dream

Junior Bitch (JB)

1st Arnould’s Shadoway Minuette – 17 months, s&w. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and expression, dark eye, well placed ears. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm steep, limiting forehand reach. Ample bone, tight feet. Good depth of brisket, lovely overline, well developed hindquarters, firm hocks. Sound both ways with a steady side gait. Shown in good condition. 2nd Sutherland’s Holamber Gold Blonde Diva – 13 months. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and expression. Slightly taller on leg than 1. Ears placed wider than preferred. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Steep upper arm. Ample bone, tight feet. Good depth of brisket, good overline, well developed hindquarters, firm hocks. Sound both ways; would prefer more forehand reach.

Yearling Bitch (YB)

1st & RCC Stafford’s Rannerdale Coco Pop – 20 months, shaded s&w. Excellent female of quality and breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and expression with dark eye, well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions. Ample bone, good pasterns, tight feet. Good depth of brisket, strong back, lovely overline, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters, firm hocks. Sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing reach and drive. Shown in good coat and condition. 2nd Bray’s Lianbray Lucy Locket JW – 23 months, light s&w. Similar to winner but not in full bloom today. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and dark eye, well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm a shade steep. Ample bone, tight feet. Good depth of brisket and forechest, firm back, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways but lacking winner’s forward reach. 3rd Barrowclough’s Shadowess Enchanted Dream

Novice Bitch (NB)

1st Ritchie’s Jaelis Mystique Realism 2nd Dowding’s Jorjaleigh Victorian Petal – 9 months, s&w, top size. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head. Upper arm steep, limiting forward reach. Sound both ways. 3rd Stock’s Sapphire Moon for Shemist

Graduate Bitch (GB)

1st Stafford’s Rannerdale Sugar Puff – 20 months, shaded s&w. Excellent quality and breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and dark eye, well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions, lovely overall shape. Ample bone, good pasterns, tight feet. Good depth of brisket and fore chest, firm back, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters with good turn of stifle and straight hocks. Sound both ways with an excellent side gait when not going too fast. 2nd Hill’s Cocaro Contraband for Molson – 2 years, tri. Excellent quality and breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and dark eye, well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm a shade steep. Good overall body lines, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters, firm hocks. Sound both ways with a steady side gait showing fair reach and good drive. Shown in good coat and condition. 3rd Gruszka’s Achor’s Surprise Himalaya over Samphrey (Imp Che)

Post Graduate Bitch (PGB)

1st Thomas’ Myter Luna Eclipse – 3 years, tri, small to medium size. Excellent quality and breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and sweet expression from a dark almond eye. Well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions. Good depth of brisket. Ample bone, tight feet. Firm backline, well moulded croup, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing reach and drive. Needs to tighten slightly in elbows. 2nd Rossiter’s Molson More About Me at Cocaro – 4 years. Quality female of good breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and expression, dark eye, well placed ears. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with excellent angles and proportions. Sound both ways with an excellent side gait showing reach and drive. Not happy with the environment today. 3rd Cheal’s Valdosta Galadriel at Faemadra JW

Limit Bitch (LB)

1st CC & BOB Robinson’s Dippersmoor Dazzling Star JW – 2 years, shaded sable. My star of the day. Excellent quality and breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Beautiful head with the darkest eyes giving the sweetest expression. Well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions, lovely overall body lines. Good depth of brisket. Ample bone, strong pasterns, tight feet. Firm back held on the move, well moulded croup and tail set, well developed hindquarters, strong hocks. Sound both ways with an excellent side gait showing reach and drive, moving effortlessly. Shown in tip top coat and condition and superbly handled. 2nd Hardy’s Sandwick A La Mode – 4 years, tri. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and dark eye, well placed ears used well. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Upper arm a shade steep, limiting forward reach. Quality female with ample bone, firm pasterns, tight feet. Good depth of brisket and forechest, firm back, well moulded croup, well developed hindquarters, straight hocks. Sound both ways with a steady side gait showing good drive. Shown in good coat and condition. 3rd Hateley’s Mohnesee’s Meliya JW

Open Bitch (OB)

1st Robinson’s Ch Lavika Lateca – 4 years, shaded sable. Another quality female from this kennel. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and dark eye, well placed ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Well balanced with good angles and proportions. Lovely overline, well moulded croup, well developed hindquarters. Sound both ways with an excellent side gait showing reach and drive. Shown in good coat and condition; didn’t give her all in the challenge. 2nd Hill’s Molson Mine Till Midnight – 3 years. Quality female, very similar in type to winner, making this a difficult class. Excellent temperament and mouth. Well balanced throughout. Super sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing reach and drive. A pleasure to assess. 3rd Pearson’s Ch Edglonian Golden Glow

Veteran Bitch (VB)

1st & BVIB Robinson’s Ch Lavika Black Beauty JW VW – 9½ years, tri. Good quality and breed type. Excellent temperament and mouth. Lovely head and expression with thedarkest of eyes, well placed ears with a tendency to fly a little, strong neck of correct length into well laid shoulders, so well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, pleasing overall body lines with a firm back and croup giving a pleasing overline, well-developed hindquarters, she was sound both ways with a lovely side gait showing good reach & drive. Shown in good coat & condition.

2nd Hill’s Molson Movie Star, 10 years s&w of good quality & breed type, excellent temperament, good mouth, super head piece with nice dark eye giving a pleasing expression, well placed ears, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, well balanced throughout with good angles & proportions, stood on ample bone with firm pasterns and nice tight feet, good depth of brisket and ribbing, firm back into well moulded croup & tail set, well-developed hindquarters and strong hocks. Just lacking the forward reach of winner today, that said she was sound both ways with a steady side gait and shown in good coat & condition.

3rd Hirst’s Sundark Simply a Star VW 

Judge: Gary Gray