Boston & District Canine Society

BOSTON & DCS CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

THURSDAY 2ND JULY 2026

LANCASHIRE HEELER – 

Thank you to all the exhibitors for their entries on the occasion of my first CC appointment in the breed. I’d been looking forward to this day although conscious that I had a big entry of Roughs to get through first and I wanted the BOBs etc. from both breeds to make the groups in time if at all possible. I tried to give each and every dog the opportunity to give of their best while not hanging around too much and I was relieved that all was well and I finished both breeds in good time. The ring was a good size and the weather was excellent.

As a non-breed specialist and a pair of fresh eyes assessing the dogs I’d like to make a few general comments on the breed as entered. I have to say I was disappointed with the general quality of the males on show, the bitches were better but across the whole entry type was very mixed, height to length proportions varied, rear movement, which I know isn’t the breed’s strongest point, was generally not great and finding correct toplines wasn’t easy as so many rise to the rear and the standard is very explicit asking for a level topline. 

However, my main discovery, which seemed to be a real problem, is short ribcages. The standard again is very precise in what it asks for, stating, “Well sprung ribbing, extending well back with close coupling”. Finding that was rare even in dogs I know to be top winners and Champions and there was one dog that had such a shockingly short ribcage I was horrified. I feel this is something breeders really need to be aware of and try to improve when having a litter otherwise the breed has a real problem developing. 

Due to the prevalence of this fault, I tried to put up dogs that were closer to the standard on this point and some dogs that I otherwise might have done better found themselves down the line as a consequence. I understand that my DCC and RDCC were both taking their first top award. Finding what I was looking for in dogs was difficult and I had to make reasoned decisions on the priority I was going to give different features without throwing babies out with bathwater. In bitches, things were slightly better and although decisions were still not easy, I found top quality representatives for my top winners but I think it speaks volumes that my BCC & BOB came from MPB and my RBCC from veteran, both excellent examples of the breed I might add. 

Looking back over a difficult assignment and asking myself would I do things differently if I judged the same entry again, the answer is possibly. I never dreamed beforehand that the possibility of withholding would be a consideration but on the day I felt my two male green card winners warranted their awards and I was glad of that. 

Thank you to my hardworking stewards who stuck with me as we went right through both breeds without a break. 

MPD (1,0a) 1. Todd-Gul’s Spawood Perfec’ Soldier. Friendly, well balanced puppy of 7 months. Good head type with correct proportions muzzle to skull and moderate stop. Super dark, almond eye, with happy expression, just needs to learn to use his ears to give the full effect. Moderate length of neck into a well angulated front, correct bone, legs and feet. Spot on for height to length proportions at this stage, needs to develop in body and settle in topline but he has plenty of time for that. Good high tailset, carried in slight curve over back. Neat hindquarters with good turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Correct double coat with short, flat topcoat, super colour demarcation with jet black and bright tan. Moves out easily with a brisk action and although typically puppyish is sound up and down. A quality baby who should mature into a nice dog.

PD (1,0) 1. Musk & Bingham’s Parabar Pumpkin Pie. Well grown, solid boy of 9 months. Good width of skull, moderate stop, Would like a touch more length of muzzle but skull is nice and flat. Almond eyes I wouldn’t want any larger. Lovely erect ears and happy to use them which always enhances the expression. Moderate length of neck into a well angulated front, good bone, legs and small, neat feet. Height to length proportions pretty good, has a good strong body on him, topline is straight but does slope slightly upwards to his tail which is well carried. Could have a little more hind angulation to balance his front. In good, flat, thick double coat, lovely black and rich tan with thumbprints which is always nice to see. A brisk, active mover with good front action who showed well.

JD (3,0) 1. Timmins’ Fragarialea Elsanta. Neat liver and tan dog of 13 months and a slightly more refined type. Appeals for his lovely make and shape. Head is very well balanced and correctly proportioned with skull and muzzle on parallel planes, lovely almond eyes which are a good colour for a liver, super neat, erect ears perfectly set. Moderate length of neck into a super front with forelegs set well back under the withers giving him a nice forechest. Bone is in proportion to his type, with correct pasterns and small, neat feet. Although he still needs to mature in body and fill out he has length of ribcage and is close coupled at the loin as the standard states with a super topline, level with a high set tail carried over back in a slight curve. He has good angulation at the rear, balancing his front with well let down hocks, straight and short from hock to heel. Coat is short, flat and a rich liver with bright tan. He moved out really well, brisk and active with excellent carriage, alert and interested, covering the ground and great out and back. I would like a bit more of him all over but he has quality and I hope he matures on and fills out which will help give him that sturdy look as he definitely has promise. In the challenge I was drawn to him as his virtues are very visible, especially on the move, he was good where many dogs failed and I felt, on the day, that he deserved the RCC ahead of older and more mature dogs lacking those virtues. I will certainly watch his progress with interest. Jones’ Mea Miracles Beom Ragnar of Barleydust (Imp Fin). Masculine boy of 17 months. Preferred the head proportions of 1 who has the better underjaw, good width of skull, moderate stop, good almond shape to eyes but would like them darker and his ears are on the larger side and a bit wide set. Behind the head there is a lot to like. Good strong neck flows into a well angulated front, feet are small and tight with a noticeable turn out at the pasterns, he has more bone than 1, is deeper bodied but a bit long in proportion to height at this stage of his development. Topline runs up to the rear but tail is set correctly high and is carried over back in a curve. Preferred the rear angulation and lower set hocks of 1. Really good double coat, flat and thick and lovely colour demarcation between the black and bright tan with a hint of thumbprints. Moves out well in a balanced fashion but not as good up and down as 1. Interesting boy, one I’d like to see again with maturity.

YD (2,0) 1. Musk & Bingham’s Kavalo Tougher Than The Rest. This chunky 20 month old boy certainly fits the powerful, sturdily built requirement of the standard. Strong, masculine, tapering, one piece head with wide, flat skull, super parallel planes, moderate stop, really strong muzzle which could have a smidge more length for perfection but a good strong jaw, almond, dark eye and neat, erect, well set ears, which, when he uses give him a great expression. There is no denying this is a very well made dog. His strong neck flows beautifully into an excellent front, well angulated, good bone to forelegs which are set back well under his body, lovely forechest, pasterns turn out slightly as permitted and small, tight feet. Good depth of body, spring of rib carried well back with strong, firm loin. He’s a bit of a lazybones standing, relaxing his topline and lowering his tail, which is correctly set, making him look longer proportionally to his height than he actually is. Really good hindquarters with muscular thighs, well bent stifles and super low set hocks. In correct, dense, double coat, in great condition, flat and hard with a soft undercoat. Correct colour distribution with the much prized thumbprints. On the move he suddenly comes alive and pulls himself together giving a lovely outline, smart, energetic and free with some style and very pleasing out and back. He’s not a perfect dog but in the challenge he filled my eye the most, particularly on the move and I was pleased to award him the CC, his first. He is a totally different stamp to the RCC winning JD but both excel where so many failed and so, on the day, they were the ones to triumph. I hope this boy’s virtues are noted by other judges and he goes on to make up as he could be a very useful dog to the breed. 2. Jones’ Mea Miracles Beom Ragnar of Barleydust (Imp Fin). See above.

LD (4,0) 1. Webb’s Foveaux Magic Dance. Lovely type to this 21 month old. Masculine, quality head with good width of skull which can flatten to advantage, tapering to strong muzzle, definite stop, almond eyes of medium size, erect ears which he uses well, wouldn’t want them any larger. Good neck of moderate length flows into a well angulated front with good bone, legs and feet. Maturing well in body with good depth of chest and level topline. Tailset ok, tends to drop it standing which makes him look longer than he is. Well angulated rear with well let down hocks. In super coat and condition, gleaming with health, coat lying nice and flat giving him a clean outline and a real jet black with bright, rich tan. Moves out briskly with good rhythm and one of the ones with better rear movement. A sound boy with lots to like and close up in the challenge. 2. Musk & Bingham’s Lankeela Our Marnie. Happy 3 year old male with good width to his flat skull, moderate stop, tapering to muzzle, good proportions muzzle to skull, almond eyes nicely set, neat, erect ears well positioned. Shorter in neck than 1 and not his front angulation, bone in proportion to his size, front legs turn out more than I like to see and would like better feet. Good spring of rib but could extend further back, not the topline or tailset of 1 and tail is verging on a ring when carried confidently. Preferred the rear angulation of 1. Coat is flat with harsh outer coat, in good condition and clear demarcation between the black and tan. Moves out steadily with balanced action and sound but not the length of stride of 1. Thomas’ Skipest Winter Blues.

OD (2,0) 1. Grant-Parkes Parabar Posy’s Pawnee JW. All of a piece male rising 3 years. Typical head and expression with enough width to skull, moderate stop, good proportions muzzle to skull, almond eyes, neat, erect ears, used well. Could have a little more length of neck but lovely front, well angulated, giving a good forechest. Correct bone, legs and neat feet. Liked his height to length proportions. Maturing in body but very short in ribcage and topline is not level which affects his tailset but he carries it well on the move. Would like a little more rear angulation. Correct double coat with flat, harsh outer and soft undercoat. In good condition with a good black and rich tan. Moves out briskly and soundly with good reach in front but a bit stilted behind. 2. Hughes’ Poolheywood Barney. Athletic looking 3 year old, definitely alert and energetic. More elongated head type, skull is quite flat with moderate stop and good length of muzzle but it is finer than 1. Good almond eye but would prefer it darker, erect, mobile ears. Better length of neck than 1, has a well angulated front with a forechest and legs well back under the body, correct bone to forelegs, pasterns turn out as is permitted, good small, neat feet. Can still deepen a little in chest and I wouldn’t want any more length proportionate to height but his topline is level, his tail is set high and is carried up and over. Preferred his hindquarters to 1 as he has good turn of stifle and really good low set hocks. In good flat, double coat giving him a real sleek look. Moved out well, brisk and free. 

SP/B (1,0) 1. Todd-Gul’s Spawood Perfec’ Soldier. See above.

GCD (2,0) 1. Musk & Bingham’s Parabar Puzzling Pilot. Honest 3 year old male with a good type of head. Skull to muzzle proportions are correct with width to skull, moderate stop and tapering towards the nose. Lovely dark almond eye and erect ears, tends to hold them a bit wide. Good front, well angulated, placing his forelegs well back under his body, good forechest, bone, legs and feet spot on. A little long in body but good depth. Would like a better ribcage to loin ratio, topline is not quite level and tail could be a bit higher set but is carried well. Functional in the rear with good turn of stifle and low set hocks. Correct flat lying double coat in good condition with nice bright tan on his legs. Moved out well with purpose and better behind than 2. 2. Lawrence’s Hoscar Ellis’s Eddie ShCEx. Typical headed boy of 8 years. Good width of flat skull and skull to muzzle proportions, moderate stop, dark almond eye and neat, erect ears, a little wide set. Could have a little more length of neck, good lay of shoulder and reasonable upper arm. Good bone, legs and feet which turn out a touch at the pasterns as permitted. Mature in body with spring of rib, topline ok and tailset is good. Preferred the rear angulation of 1 but hocks are low set. In good condition with harsh texture to topcoat although it is a little crinkly on his back rather than flat. Moves out well with his owner but not great going away and his lack of rear angulation also shows in his stride length in profile. Lovely temperament. BVD.

MPB (2,0) 1. Jones’ Barleydust Dare to Dream. What a lovely typy, top quality puppy this is 8 month old is! Little did I realise when I went over this girl that she would end up being my BCC & BOB. You instantly notice her correct proportions and balance. She has a beautiful, I would say classical head and expression with good width of flat skull with the sides tapering into the muzzle of good length with a moderate stop and parallel planes. Lovely sparkling almond eye and neat, erect ears perfectly set and used constantly. Moderate length of neck flows into a super front, well angulated with forelegs under the withers giving a nice forechest. Good bone, legs and neat, tight feet. Absolutely correct length of leg to height ratio and height to length of body which gives her that super balance. Still to mature in middlepiece as you’d expect but good depth of chest. Super neat rear with well angulated stifles and low set hocks. Can still drop into herself a touch at the rear but topline on the move is excellent, nice and level with a highset tail. Really good flat double coat with harsh outer and dense undercoat, gleaming with condition. Excellent demarcation of markings which are a glossy black and rich tan. Everything comes together on the move where despite her young age she moves smartly, with a brisk, free action with super balance and carriage, covering the ground, sound up and down, ever alert and a natural showgirl to boot. When it came to the bitch challenge my eye kept being drawn to her, that perfect silhouette, super type and quality, outstanding balance and movement and I thought don’t be daft, you can’t give a MPB the CC. But the more I looked, the more I knew I had to be honest with myself and the breed, I had to do what I had to do and so the CC was hers. When it came to the BOB challenge she put on another collected and mature performance, showing her virtues to the full in the sunshine, outshining the dog and she had to be BOB. I watched her in the group judged by breed specialist Jacky Cutler – how often does that happen, a Heeler specialist judging the group at a Ch show – and she put on a joyfully mature display and I was so proud of her, she is special. I will certainly be watching her progress with interest, she is a surefire champion in waiting and I’m pleased to note she has since picked up a couple of RCCs as well. Congratulations! BCC, BOB & BP and she was certainly the one I’d have taken home. 2. Davies & Breakwell’s Ambulator Bellatrix Piparlo. This 6 month old baby was attending her first show and was slightly overawed by the occasion which is understandable. Feminine head and expression, good width of skull tapering at the sides through to the muzzle, preferred the strength of jaw of 1. When encouraged to use her ears they are neat, erect and correctly set. Moderate length of neck, front angulation is not bad, bone in proportion to her size, front pasterns turn out a little as permitted and she has the much prized thumbprints. Plenty of length to body at this stage in her growth and her topline is not her best feature at the moment, not helped by tucking her rear under herself when standing. Tailset is ok and she has decent hind quarters with low set hocks. Good flat, topcoat. She relaxed a little more on the move and strode out well. She is just a bit bum high at the moment which should right itself with maturity.

JB (1,0) 1. Felstead’s Oreiphos Ease My Heart at Foveaux. Very well put together 16 month old with the alertness the standard calls for but looking very adolescent at the moment. Feminine head with flattish skull, moderate stop, almond eye, good length of muzzle which is a bit narrow. Ears are well set and erect but one was soft on the day. Good length of neck into a well constructed front with correct bone, straight forelegs and small tight feet. She is quite up on the leg at this stage and needs to deepen and mature in body. Topline is just about level and tail is set on ok and carried well. Very neat quarters, balancing the front, with good turn of stifle and low set hocks. Flat, dense, close-fitting coat with hard weatherproof topcoat. As I expected from her construction, she moved out briskly in a well balanced fashion, very neat and tidy. One I’d be interested to see again in the future with maturity.

YB (4,1) 1. Grant-Parkes’ Parabar Pelatory’s Pichu. Typy, feminine bitch of 19 months who was full of beans – definitely small, sturdy and energetic! Super head proportions with flat skull, good length of muzzle, moderate stop and parallel planes. Dark almond eye, very neat, erect ears and when she uses them she has a lovely expression. Moderate length of neck, well angulated front, bone in accordance with her size, correct length of leg, small feet. Good depth of body and spring of rib, topline rises a touch to the loin but good high set tail. Pleasing turn of stifle at the rear with low set hocks. Correct double coat with hard, flat topcoat and dense undercoat. Good bright tan. Moves out freely; brisk and smart in profile but would like better front movement coming towards. More mature than 2 and preferred her length of leg to depth of body ratio. 2. Felstead’s Oreiphos Ease My Heart at Foveaux. See above.

PGB (3,0) 1. Grant-Parkes’ Parabar Pelatory’s Pichu. See above. 2. Budd’s Kavalo Dancing In The Dark. Sound, honest type of bitch of 20 months. Good head with width of skull tapering at the sides into muzzle, moderate stop, good strength of jaw, lovely almond eye and erect ears. Like her length of neck which flows into a good front, well angulated with forelegs well back under her body, bone in proportion to her size, straight forelegs and feet are ok. Less tan on the legs than some with smoky toes. Quite long in body but good depth, maturing in ribbing, topline rises slightly to the rear, tail is high set and carried well, neat hindquarters with just enough angulation and low set hocks. Good flat, hard jacket in lovely condition. Moves out briskly with energy and very soundly. Litter sister to my DCC. Felstead’s Oreiphos Ease My Heart at Foveaux.

LB (5,1) 1. Lawrence’s Foveaux China Girl. Smart looking, feminine 21 month old bitch. Lovely typy head with flattish skull, moderate stop, parallel planes, tapering at the sides from skull to muzzle with dark, almond eye and neat, erect ears used well. Perfect length of neck into a well constructed front, well angulated, good forechest, bone in proportion to her size and type, straight forelegs and neat, tight feet. Spot on for height to length ratio, good body and ribbing, great to see a level topline, tail is set ok and carried well. Her rear angulation balances her front and she has low set hocks. Close, flat jacket in super condition. Would like better demarcation between the black and tan and the tan tends to leach into the black on the legs. Constructionally, everything is in its right place which shows on the move where she is brisk, free and active with lovely balance and carriage. Very well handled and she shows well. Definitely in consideration for the top awards and in my top four bitches on the day. Look forward to seeing her again in the future. 2. Jones’ Mahogany Dawn of Barleydust. Another bitch of quality with lovely type, sturdily built and rising 6 years. Very well proportioned head with flat skull, moderate stop, parallel planes, almond eye and erect ears correctly set. Moderate length of neck into an excellent front with the correct angulation meaning the straight forelegs are well back under the body with typical small, tight feet. Very shapely body with the advantage of full maturity over 1, Good depth and spring of rib but not the exceptional topline of 1, tailset is ok. Preferred the hind angulation of 1 but well muscled thighs. Good flat, weatherproof jacket, in good condition. Moves out soundly and smartly, with energy. Pleased to see she is the dam of my MPB CC & BOB. 3. Bellinger’s Foveaux Jean Genie at Heelstone.

OB (4,0) 1. Budd’s Tudorbrook Hocus Pocus. Really typy 4 year old bitch who is correct in so many aspects. Sturdy yet feminine, great for size and proportions height to length. Lovely tapering head pattern with flat skull of good width, correct equal length of muzzle to skull, parallel planes, moderate stop, strong jaw. Alert expression from almond eyes, correctly set, erect ears used constantly all of which gives her a lovely expression. Perfect length of neck which flows seamlessly into her well angulated front, straight forelegs with good bone and small, tight feet. Good depth of chest, mature in body and ribbing, level topline, high tailset and quite a brush of a tail carried well. Super hindquarters, well angulated with low set hocks. In flat, double coat, a little soft on the day and would prefer a little more tan on the back legs. She looked a picture standing, concentrating on her handler. Moved better and better as the class went on, brisk and freestriding, one of the few to really reach and drive. I loved so much about her and thought she might be heading for the CC at this point. In the challenge she was in my top four but she didn’t quite step up to the plate and just lost out but a quality bitch who topped a class of Champions here and why she isn’t one herself goodness knows. Plus she’s not just a pretty face as I was pleased to see afterwards that she is the dam of my DCC. 2. Felstead’s Ch Foveaux Queens Gambit JW. Another well made bitch and an excellent showgirl, one I’ve admired from the ringside so I was pleased to get my hands on her. She is only 3 years old and still looked immature beside 1. Very feminine with good head ratios, width to skull, tapering at the sides into the muzzle with moderate stop, parallel planes and strength to the jaw. Almond eyes a shade lighter than 1s but with neat, erect ears. Good length of neck and a well angulated front, good bone in proportion to her size, slightly higher on the leg than 1, pasterns turn out slightly as permitted with smallish feet. Can still deepen in chest but maturing in rib. Topline is excellent with a high set tail, carried well on the move. Her rear angulation balances the front and she has lovely short rear pasterns. Good, weatherproof double coat, flat and hard and a raven black with good bright tan. Moved out freely with brisk strides and excellent carriage. Preferred 1 going away. I would like a wee bit more all over of this top quality bitch but good things do just sometimes come in smaller packages. 3. Jones’ Ch Barleydust Fancy Foxtrot. Making up a trio of quality bitches.

VB (1,0) 1. Felstead’s Selestar Salix Lutea with Foveaux. I think this lovely, top quality 7 year old was the only Heeler in the entry that I have judged previously and she was my RBIS when I judged the LHA Open Show. She is such a neat and tidy bitch, very all of a piece, correctly proportioned and sturdily built. Has a lovely flat skull with enough width, cleanly tapering at the sides, correct length of muzzle, strong jaw, parallel head planes, I marginally preferred the eye and stop of the MPB. Ears perhaps a touch wide set but used constantly and she has a very bright, intelligent expression. Super neck and layback of shoulder, good bone and small, tight feet. Lovely body, well ribbed, extending back to a short well muscled loin. Neat rear with well turned stifles and lovely low set hocks. Correct level topline and a high set tail. Great double coat with flat, hard topcoat and fine undercoat in super condition with lovely sheen and a good dense black but with paler tan now. Can still move with the best showing super, brisk, free movement, going with lovely balance and rhythm and so sound out and back. She wasn’t handled by her normal handler and although she was very attentive she was reluctant to use her tail standing which just spoiled her outline a touch. In the challenge she had to be in the top four. She is such a shapely bitch and with her excellent construction, correct rib to loin ratio and her exemplary movement, just had to have the RCC and BVIB behind the exciting MPB. Thank you for bringing her under me again.

SIMON BURTON (Judge)