Morecambe & Heysham Canine Association

It was a pleasure to be invited to judge for Morecambe and Heysham Canine Association on Saturday 8th August 2026. This was my first judging appointment, and I felt immensely fortunate to officiate at such a well organised and welcoming show. My sincere thanks to the committee for the invitation, and to my stewards for looking after me and keeping everything running without let or hindrance. Most importantly, thank you to the exhibitors for your entries and for your sportsmanship.

Class 73. Lancashire Heeler Puppy (1 entry / 0 absentees)

1. Brown’s Spawood Perfec Surprise

Typical nine month old black and tan bitch, sound in temperament. Balanced head proportions with correct eye shape, size and set. Good reach of neck into a well laid shoulder. I would prefer a fraction more return of upper arm. Forelegs straight with moderate turnout of front pasterns. Nicely coupled. Well angulated hindquarter. Top line needs to settle. Clean coming and going, and sound in profile. I’ve little doubt this girl is capable of a day’s work. Best Puppy.

Class 74. Lancashire Heeler Junior (0 entries)

Class 75. Lancashire Heeler Post Graduate (3 entries / 0 absentees)

1. Hughes’ Ribblespride Kruger JW

Typical 19 month old black and tan dog, sound in temperament. Masculine outlook and balanced proportions; however, a shade more length of leg would go some way to completing the picture. Good head and eye. Good reach of neck. Well angulated fore and aft. Nicely coupled. Clean coming and going, and moved out and back with purpose. Carried himself well in profile. Totally workmanlike, with style and quality. Won today on breed type and soundness of movement. Best of Breed.

2. Turnbull’s Droversrock Tigers Eye

Two year old black and tan bitch, sound in temperament. Balanced head proportions. Good eye shape and size, though I would prefer a shade darker. A little more return of upper arm would help fit of elbows. Well sprung rib and suitably coupled. Well angulated hindquarter with straight hocks. Would prefer a more convincing front action on approach; however, went well away.

3. Lawrence’s Brinscall Moors Bertie

Class 76. Lancashire Heeler Open (3 entries / 0 absentees)

1. Hughes’ Poolheywood Barney JW

Four year old black and tan dog, sound in temperament. Masculine throughout, although top for size in my opinion. Correct eye shape, size and set. Good reach of neck into a well laid shoulder, but would prefer a fraction more return of upper arm. Level top line and well sprung rib, although a touch long in loin for me. Clean coming and going, and covered the ground with little effort. Carried himself well in profile.

2. Lawrence’s Foveaux China Girl JW

Twenty three month old liver and tan bitch, sound in temperament. Unmistakably feminine and moderate throughout. Balanced head proportions with good eye shape, size and set. A little longer in length than the winner and a fraction light in bone. Blade a little upright, though well angulated in rear. Would prefer a little more strength in front pasterns. Clean coming on and covers the ground well, but a little close behind on this occasion. Carried herself well in profile.

3. Wiseman’s Foxthyme Tilly

Class 89. Shetland Sheepdog Puppy (1 entry / 0 absentees)

1. Walker’s Tooralie’s Fortune Teller

Raw seven month old sable bitch, totally feminine with balanced proportions throughout. Characteristic blunt wedge shaped skull into rounded muzzle. Eye size, shape and set satisfactory. Good reach of neck into a well laid shoulder. Well angulated fore and aft. Stood on correct tight oval feet. Needs to grow on and develop a little more depth and substance, but she has time on her side. I look forward to seeing how she matures and finishes. Clean coming on and carried herself well in profile, though a touch close behind today. Best Puppy.

Class 90. Shetland Sheepdog Junior (2 entries / 1 absentee)

1. Ritchie’s Jaelis Mystique Realism

One year old sable bitch of very attractive breed type. Sound in temperament and very feminine, with well-balanced proportions throughout. Characteristic blunt wedge shaped skull into rounded muzzle, with good eye shape, size and set. Good reach of neck into a well laid shoulder. Would prefer a touch more return of upper arm. Good depth of body and well sprung rib. Correct coat texture and volume. A little deliberate coming on, but clean going, and carried herself well in profile, holding her top line on the move. Well-presented and pressed hard in subsequent classes.

Class 91. Shetland Sheepdog Post Graduate (5 entries / 0 absentees)

1. Hughes’ Shadowess If I Can Dream at Cochochr

Intensely typical 21 month old sable dog. Masculine in outlook yet beautifully moderate throughout. Sound in temperament. Depth and substance throughout. Archetypal blunt wedge shaped skull with correct depth into a well-rounded muzzle. Good eye shape, size and set, wonderfully dark in colour; which, when combined with ear size, position and carriage, produces the desired sweetness of expression. Good reach of neck into a well laid shoulder. Held his top line when both stationary and in motion. Well angulated fore and aft. Correct coat type and modest volume combine to produce a very attractive outline. Moved out and back well with typical front action. This dog epitomised the breed for me on the day, and I watch eagerly to see how his show career progresses. Understated handling style showed him to advantage. Pleased to award him Best of Breed, and delighted to see him take top honours in the group.

2. Ritchie’s Jaelis Mystique Realism

Class 92. Shetland Sheepdog Open (3 entries / 0 absentees)

1. Ritchie’s Jaelis Mystique Realism

2. Savage’s Willowthorn Kobalt Star by Savataurus JW JCh VW VCh OSW ShCEx CVW26

Ten year old blue merle dog, sound in temperament. Masculine throughout and the epitome of alertness, intelligence and responsiveness. Would prefer a more gradual stop to soften the head and sweeten expression. Good reach of neck into a well laid shoulder, but would prefer a touch more return of upper arm. Heavier in bone than what is permissible by my interpretation of the breed standard, and would prefer a more oval foot. Front action a little deliberate, but clean both ways, and covered the ground well. Carried himself well in profile.

Class 93. Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) Puppy (0 entries)

Class 94. Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) Junior (0 entries)

Class 95. Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) Post Graduate (1 entry / 0 absentees)

1. Asbridge’s Cherastayne Smarty Jones at Chililabomwe

Two year old sable dog, unmistakably masculine in outlook and presenting a very striking outline. Sound temperament. Good depth of skull with typical foxy expression, though perhaps a touch long in muzzle. Ears well up to size, with correct carriage and placement. Eye set and size combine to produce a soft and attractive expression. Good reach of neck and well laid shoulder and level top line. Chest well let down. Well angulated fore and aft. Stands on ample, yet not excessive, oval bone. Covered the ground well when coming and going, and carried himself well in profile. A highly typical Pembroke, presented today in hard condition and handled to advantage.

Class 96. Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) Open (1 entry / 0 absentees)

1. Asbridge’s Chililabomwe Penny Black

Six year old tricolour bitch who epitomises moderation. Correct head proportions, eye characteristics, and ear size, placement and carriage combine to produce a headpiece of exquisite quality. Balanced in outline. Good reach of neck into a well laid shoulder and level top line, which she carried on the move. Good return of upper arm with close fitting elbows. Stands on ample bone, though I would prefer a slightly more oval foot. Clean coming and going, with a free and active gait in profile. Edged ahead of her kennel mate today on her movement. Pleased to award her Best of Breed, and delighted to see her take G4.

Dr Conor Crichton MRCVS (Cherastayne)