Scottish Utility Breeds Club

Scottish Utility Breeds – Tibetan Spaniel. It was a pleasure to judge at this show & I would like to thank the committee ,committee, my steward & above all the exhibitors for giving me such an interesting & thought provoking day. The fact that Tibetan Spaniels were the second largest entry here today demonstrates that the breed is certainly doing well in Scotland, and as it is 5 years since I judged, just about every dog was new to me. I was, of course, thrilled to see my BOB go BIS, the Best Junior going Best Junior in show & the lovely Veteran go 4th Best Veteran - I think I can say it is rare for Tibbies to be so successful in the ‘big ring’ & it really was the icing on the cake to finish the day. Overall I was pleased with my entry, the best dogs were certainly of a high standard & I could have signed a CC for at least 6 here today. Whilst bitches were perhaps more consistent in quality it is interesting that it was much clearer for the top spots in this sex. Movement was better than last time I judged & quarters also showed improvement . Shoulders do need watching as a number were rather too upright which does affect front movement with regards reach. Heads were variable. I was pleased that there were very few that I would deem too short in muzzle but eye shape was a concern with quite a lot of round eyes rather than the lovely oval that gives the correct expression. Mouths are also something that need watching. I think we in the show world have a tendency to concentrate on the ‘bite’ rather than the dentition & jaw shape. A number were rather too undershot, a few had rather too curved jaws & I was very disappointed to come across 2 or 3 mouths that were definitely wry – this did unfortunately have to pay a significant part in placings. Additionally, I know Tibbies can be stubborn, but I don’t think I have ever had such a challenge to actually look at the mouths – a bit of training is needed in quite a few cases! Class 160 MPD (2 Entries) Abs: 0 1st: GILLING’s , Talocan Amazing Wizard - 7 months with good coat & body for age, masculine head with a good pigment, slightly full in eye but still has a pleasing expression. Correct length of neck ,neck, sufficient angulation fore & aft with a level topline & good tail set. Moved accurately. 2nd: BAILEY’s ,OldcharmBAILEY’s, Oldcharm Deep In Love With Sagrael- another mature well coated young man just a couple of weeks older than 1 and pushed him hard. I do hope he doesn’t grow much more but he has ahas a masculine head with good overall proportions & I particularly liked his length of back. GenerallyGenerally, well made & showing with confidence. Not quite as developed in movement as 1. Class 161 PD (2 Entries) Abs: 0 1st: OSBORNE’s, Glenbrook Brisa De Jardine At Thistletib (IKC) – 11-month gold dog that really appealed to me. Presented a very nice outline of correct proportions, showing the correct amount of daylight under his body. Lovely head, masculine without coarseness, good pigment & correct dentition. I found his expression. particularly appealing Very nice front construction ,construction, level topline & well angulated rear with well let down hocks. Correct amount of bone, lovely neat hare feet. Moved accurately with drive. Well presented coat of correct silky texture. I will certainly follow his progress with interested. Pleased to award him Best Puppy. 2nd: MCDONALD’s Balgay Phyungba –silver sable & white inwhite in excellent coat, underneath this he is still quite raw but at 10 months has plenty of time. Masculine head with excellent pigment and a good mouth, nicemouth, nice depth of chest, good length of rib with short loin, with good quarters. A bit uncoordinated at the moment on the move .move. Gave his handler a bit of a challenge today – he’s not nervous but hasn’t yet learn to concentrate. He just needs a bit more practice. Class 162 JD (2 Entries) Abs: 1 1st: PROUVE & MORAN,’s Castafiore Givenchy – Presented a pleasing typicalpleasing typical outline with good balance. Masculine ,Masculine, but a bit plain in head due mainly to his slightly longer muzzle that still needs to develop a bit more cushioning. He has excellent dentition, good pigment with a nicely shaped eye & magnificent ear fringes for age so hopefully with maturity this cushioning will come. He is well made with good shoulder angulation. A level topline & correct hind angulation which he used to advantage on the move. One who needs time. Class 163 PGD (4 Entries) Abs: 0 1st: CHRISTIE’s, Balgay Golden Buzzer (a.i)- mature lad of a nice size , typical head with good earfringesear fringes, correct neck, required slight bow & tight at elbow but would prefer a slightly better shoulder, good topline and well angulated behind with good short hocks. Moved with drive. 2nd: ABERCROMBIE’s, Souska Can We Talk To Tibwood- a bigger boy who still needs time to mature and body up. I liked his outline, correct head with good pigment ,pigment, good lay of shoulder, level topline, reasonable hind angulation but a bit long in second thigh. Good drive anddrive and ok in front movement, not quite so accurate behind today. In good coat & shown to advantage. 3rd: BAILEY’s , Parloueve In The Stars At Sagrael Class 164 LD (7 Entries) Abs: 0 One of those difficult classes where you really like 1 &2 but for different reasons & was probably the hardest decision of the day. Both are very well constructed qualityconstructed quality young dogs with excellent shoulder angulation, level toplines & good quarters. 1 PROUVE & MORAN’s , Castafiore Sibelius -is a very glamourous lad with a lovely head & expression, excellent pigmentexcellent pigment & a very good mouth, 2) MCDONALD’s Balgay Golden Ticket (ai) JW is so typical, of lovely breed type & I particularly liked his size. Both moved round the ring with drive and were accurate in front & rear and were shown & presented to advantage. I have no doubt both will get their titles. 3rd: COUGHTRIE, HENDRY & PATERSON’s Jazpiper Classic Touch Class 165 OD (10 Entries) Abs: 1 This was a really interesting class with quality in depth. Certainly oneCertainly one of the the best open dog classes I have judged. 1st: PROUVE, & MORAN’s, Castafiore Sevastyan – well today he ‘came ,came, he saw , he conquered’ . He really had to be on top form to win this class & he certainly was. It is on the move that this dog can be best appreciated - he has lovely balance , excellent reach & drive & holds an outline that shows the correct breed characteristics. He has a balanced masculine head with correct dentition. Good length of neck flowing into a well contracted front assembly , good long rib cage with short loin , giving him the correct length of back & quarters with the correct angulation. His movement was accurate fore & aft . He has an excellent coat of correct texture & was beautifully presented. Clearly he has personality & a mind of his own (I’m not convinced he thinks he needs a handler) and this self confidence carried him through to the CC , BOB & ultimately BIS. I understand this was his first ticket , but on this form the other 2 can’t be far away. 2nd: 378 JUVONEN,’s Ch Nord Int Ch Fin Est Ch DK Ch Lat Lit Skaidikurun Basse-Beaivi - A mature 4 year old dog. I loved his head & expression with a good length of neck which flowed into well angulated shoulders , good spring of rib with correct depth of chest, level topline with good tail set , good bend of stifle with neat well let down hocks. He moved very well with drive & lovely carriage . He has an excellent coat of good silky texture , but would benefit from slightly less fringing. Much as this is something I look for & treasure , in this instance the abundance & length of his feathering somewhat obscures his outline . Having said that , one I would love to have on my sofa and was pleased to award him the RCC. 3rd: 401 STEED, Mr L & STEED, Mrs A E Ch Gianni Its Gollant – another quality dog that was close up . Class 166 VD/B (3 Entries) Abs: 1 I am very much a ‘veteran person’ & it was a privilege to judge these two lovely ladies . 1st: ADAMS’s Ch Balgay Okurimono ShCEx- 71/2 years &in top condition with excellent fringes & a lovely silky coat. She has the typical outline I look for and is of very nice size. Her feminine head really appealed, good neck, lovely length of back with a strong level topline. Presented & handled to get the best out of her. Best Veteran & I was thrilled to see her do so well in the group . Pressed hard in the challenge. 2nd:THOMSON,’s Tibbiestars Moulin Rouge –10 years old & not showing it at all. Another beautiful bitch of lovely size & balance & it is hard to criticise her construction. She has a lovely rich red coat – a colour that is so rarely seen these days. I’m very surprised this bitch hasn’t got her title. I have to also add that this bitch & her daughter in the later class have the most wonderful endearing temperaments – I really don’t think I have encountered two bitches who so enjoy being in the ring & absolutely demand to be loved! Class 167 MPB (1 Entries) Abs: 0 1st: GILLING’s Talocan All Eyes On Me – litter sister to the MP dog & a real sweetie . Nice size & balance for age, feminine head with a good lift to her ears which have nice fringes. Sufficient angulation with a level topline. Moved well for age. Best Puppy Bitch. Class 168 PB (3 Entries) Abs: 0 1st: ABERCROMBIE,’s Tibwood It Means Beautiful- has a pleasing outline with correct height to length ration. Slightly plain in head for me but has all the correct proportions; pleasing angulation with a good topline. Correct bone for size. Showed well & handled to show off her virtues. 2nd: LOWTON-HUMPHRIES’S Balgay Dre Ma – smaller bitch with a very sweet feminine head with a lovely expression, good lay of shoulder & stifle, level topline. Lovely silky coat, good bone & very neat hare feet. Moved out well with good tail carriage. She just needs to come up on the leg a little but she has plenty of time. 3rd: GILLING’S , Talocan This Is Me Class 169 JB (4 Entries) Abs: 0 1st: COOPER,S Susu The Show Must Go On- a young lady of 13 month who caught my eye as she entered the ring. I really liked her feminine head, good mouth & pigment & a lovely dark oval eye. Well made with good angulation, a good length of rib with a short loin. Correct bone & lovely neat feet. Beautifully presented with a lovely silky coat. Moved accurately with drive. In spite of her youth , really held her own in the challenge & I was pleased to award her the RCC & Best Junior. I was delighted to see her representing the breed so well in the group & to be awarded Best Junior in Show. 2nd: SMITH’s Torfness Spirit In The Sky- a quality bitch with a very appealing head and expression, good front & shoulder, sufficient hind angulation with nice short hocks. Moved out well. Maturing nicely, she just needs to firm up a little in topline, 3rd: GILLING’s, Talocan Put A Spell On You – possibly my favourite of the 3 sisters, but needs a bigger share of the training time as she hasn’t quite got her act together in the ring. Class 170 PGB (2 Entries) Abs: 1 1st: 385 MCDONALD’s Balgay Rtsod Pa Ngar Po Zhig – parti-colour of nice overall shape. Correct head & good to see pigment on the ‘white side ‘ eye rim. General well made with a good lay of shoulder, firm topline & good rear angulation. Coat of good texture & I liked her bone & very nice hare feet. Still a bit bemused by the show ring- perfectly happy to be handled but she she was unsettled on her own in the ring. Was much happier with companions in the challenge so I am sure she will pull it together. Class 171 LB (8 Entries) Abs: 0 1st: MCDONALD,& O'BRIEN’s Balgay Gold Digga – very typical bitch of excellent breed type & correct size . She particularly appealed for her correct unexaggerated construction & balance. She has a very pleasing feminine head with a good mouth, nice clean muzzle & correct oval eye. Lovely body with good length of rib & short coupled. Moved out strongly with drive & accuracy. Not a glamourous or flashy bitch, but the standard doesn’t ask for this and she was handled sympathetically to emphasise her quiet quality. The sort of bitch we could do with a few more of & I was delighted to give her the CC-her second I believe & hopefully the 3rd won’t be far away 2nd: DOLPHIN’s Castafiore Isadora – Parti-colour , another lovely bitch of correct size , beautiful balance & good construction. I really loved her head & expression which was enhanced by her beautiful fringing. Very little I would like to change, she is clearly a slow maturer who just needs a bit more time to fill out – certainly not a fault in a long living breed but does affect placings ‘on the day’. 3rd: ABERCROMBIE,’s Tibwood She Tells Our Story JW Class 172 OB (8 Entries) Abs: 0 How lovely to see such a spectrum of colours in this class 1st: PROUVE,& MORAN’s , Sommerlyst's Vajra Vanita (imp Dk)- Lovely mature black bitch with a well proportioned, feminine head. I particularly like her length of muzzle & oval eye. Good front , firm at elbow with a good shoulder, strong topline & correctly angulated hind quarters . Correct bone & substance. Nicely shaped hair feet. Moved true with good drive. In the challenge , I just felt she was a little longer in back than I would ideally like, but a quality bitch . 2nd: COOPER,& O'BRIEN’s , Susu Parti Like A Rockstar- a very nicely balanced particolour bitch with much to admire , correct size & substance, good head proportions but I felt would benefit from a bit more in the way of ear fringes which would just enhance her expression for me. Good overall construction & moved out with good drive. 3rd: THOMSON, Tibbiestars Shady Lady Helen Almey