Shetland Sheepdog Club Of North Wales

Shetland Sheepdog Club of North Wales
Open Show

11.04.2026
Breed: Shetland Sheepdog

Thank you so much to the Shetland Sheepdog Club of North Wales for the invitation to judge their April open show. Although it was a last minute change of judge, I am so honoured and grateful for the opportunity - and hope all those who entered had a lovely time. The show was very well run and had a nice atmosphere. I genuinely enjoyed my day judging. A special thank you to my steward for making this a wonderful experience. 

The overall quality of dogs was nice, and there were several exhibits that caught my eye. Compared to Norway, the dogs in the UK seem generally a bit better in head type, which is so important to maintain, as the correct sweetness in head is really what makes a sheltie. They also had slightly better hind angulations and lower set tails. Fronts could be better, but there seems to be a positive trend showing improvement in recent years. Overall I enjoyed the quality of the entry and I hope I am lucky enough to be able to return to judge in the UK in the future.

Minor Puppy Dog (1,0a): 

1 Bray - Lianbray Launcelot
Pretty golden sable puppy of nice type and correct size, 7 months old. Very sweet, well moulded head with a clean wedge and smooth cheeks. Well filled foreface and good depth of underjaw. Ears are neat, though could be a touch lighter. Lovely dark eye with correct placement, giving a charming expression. Excellent bone and substance for his age. Still developing in body as he is still very young, though I would prefer a little more neck and return of upper arm to give him more balance in front. Correct tail set. Well bent stifle. Excellent feet. Very youthful on the move, with good stability coming and going. Wonderful coat, both in colour and texture. Lovely temperament throughout. Overall a very sweet exhibit that shows promise for the future. Best Puppy Dog.

Puppy Dog (1,0a): 

1 Sparks - Jimdage Golden Nugget
Masculine boy with a nice overall shape and substance, 9 months old. Well developed wedge shaped head. Flat skull, though stop could be more defined. Well filled muzzle with good depth of underjaw. Good teeth and correct bite. Nice dark eye, correctly almond shaped and obliquely set. His ears are pricked, but very well positioned. Well matured for his age, with good bone and overall substance of body. Nice length of neck and layback of shoulder. Still developing in front. Firm topline with an elegant sweep over the croup. Correct length of tail. Well bent stifles with well let down hocks. He never got around to showing his movement properly, as he was too busy being a puppy - as puppies often are. Very happy boy with a happy tail, who clearly loves his handler. Playful in temperament. A promising youngster, especially if his ears settle.

Junior Dog (1,0a): 

1 Stafford - Rannerdale Jammy Dodger
Lovely shaded sable with a super flashy exterior. Excellent proportions and overall balance. His head is masculine with a correct wedge shape. Nice balance of skull to muzzle. Well defined stop. Well filled foreface and smooth cheeks. Correct bite. Eyes are dark and well set, though a touch full. Excellent ear set and carriage. Very mature in body for his age. Overall great angulation in both front and rear. Well arched neck and correctly laid shoulder. Firm topline with a lovely length of body. Superb bone and substance, with nice feet and sturdy hocks. When settled he moves freely with excellent drive, really catching your eye on the move. At times he can become overly enthusiastic, losing his single tracking movement and crabbing slightly, but he is young and just needs to settle. Perfectly groomed with a beautiful coat and colour. Expertly handled. Happy temperament. Best Dog and Reserve Best In Show for his construction and overall balance.

Maiden Dog (1,0a):

1 Bray - Lianbray Launcelot

Novice Dog (1,0a): 

1 Bray - Lianbray Launcelot

Graduate Dog (5,2a): 

1 Hughes - Shadowess If I Can Dream At Cochochr
Masculine dog with a smooth outline. Well shaped head with a flat skull and correct stop. Nice foreface with good finish. Decently filled muzzle with good strength of underjaw. Excellent teeth and bite. Almond eye, obliquely set with excellent colour and pigment. Defined brow. Ears well positioned and correctly tipped. Good bone and substance. Excellent layback of shoulder and length of neck. Quite good front angulation. Excellent spring of rib. Lovely topline with a nice sweep over the croup. A touch long in loin. Correctly set tail with good length. Well bent stifle with good hocks and oval feet. Moves with a very clean and smooth side gait with nice reach and drive. Coming and going he singletracks well, though tends to move a little wide when distracted. Coat of elegant length. Well handled. Wonderful temperament.

2 Hateley - Mohnesee The Charm Master JW
Charming male of nice type and a lot of promise. Excellent size. Well moulded wedge shaped head with a lovely flat skull and well defined stop. Excellent foreface. Correct bite. Very sweet expression with a lovely eye, correctly almond shaped and obliquely set. Well set ears that he used well. Front is still developing, and I expect he will fill a little more in chest as he matures. Excellent rear angulation with well bent stifles and good hocks. Well set tail. Very youthful on the move with a pleasing side gait. I wanted a little more reach from him, but I suspect he would move more freely outdoors. Coat of nice colour and texture. He should look very flashy when his coat is in full bloom. Well handled. Super temperament. 

3 Gamble - Balidorn Olympic Star With Solyric JW

Post Graduate Dog (1,0a): 

1 Sutherland - Shougies Starmaker at Suthesley
7 year old dog of nice size and proportions. Correct wedge shaped head with a nicely filled foreface and enough underjaw. Good teeth and bite. Dark eye, a little wide set, with a defined brow. Well used ears, correctly set. Good overall substance with nice length of body. Nice length of neck with good shoulder placement. Excellent spring of rib. Lovely tail set with good length. Nice bend of stifle. Moves with good enthusiasm and drive, though I would prefer a little more tightness and stability in front. Nice coat quality with excellent rich tan colouration. Well handled. Friendly temperament.

Limit Dog (1,0a): 

1 Linford - Hillhenry In Your Honour
Elegant tricolour dog with a stylish outline, giving a very pleasant overall impression. Excellent size and level of masculinity. Clean head features with a blunt wedge shape and nice proportion of skull to muzzle. Ears are neat, well tipped and well used. Eyes are dark with well pigmented rims, a touch full but well set. Well proportioned in body. Carries his head proudly with a lovely length of neck and a very well laid back shoulder. Reasonable front angulation. Elegant topline with a nice sweep over the croup. Well bent stifle, though I would prefer a little more stability in hocks. Excellent tail set with good length. Moves very well coming and going. He has a nice stride from the side, a little loose in pasterns, covering the ground well. Beautiful coat with a jet black colour, rich tan markings and a flashy white collar. Excellent handling. Lovely temperament. Shortlisted for his lovely shape.

Open Dog (2,0a): 

1 Stafford - Rannerdale Mister Majic
Beautiful golden sable dog with a striking silhouette. He is overall very typey and has a masculine elegance about him that I really like. His head is well moulded with a correct wedge shape. Well filled muzzle and foreface, with smooth cheeks. Good depth of underjaw. A little deep in skull. Lovely earset, correctly positioned and well tipped. Eyes are dark and expressive, well set. Could benefit from a little more pigment around the eye. He has super body proportions with excellent bone and substance. Lovely length of neck flowing into very well laid back shoulders. Good front angulation and depth of chest. Very elegant and level topline. Excellent rear with strong thighs. He moves very differently between handlers and can at times become a bit loose and low on his feet. However, when settled you can see the smooth and graceful movement he is truly capable of. Gorgeous coat and colour. Well handled. Reserve Best Dog for his masculine style and excellent side profile.

2 Sutherland - Shelcrest Winter Solstice At Suthesley
Very masculine male carrying a pleasing head with plenty of substance and clean lines. Parallel head planes with a nice flat skull. Excellent fill in foreface and muzzle, with smooth cheeks. Very nice strength of underjaw. Excellent teeth. Eyes well set with a nice dark colour. Ears are of nice size and correctly tipped. Good bone and overall proportions. Enough neck and angulation in front. Firm topline, though I would prefer it a touch more level. Strong rear with good muscle tone. Well shaped feet. Good tail set. On the move he was very graceful and clean from the side, covering the ground well. Very tidy coming and going, though a little wide at times. Good quality coat with correct texture. I suspect he will look even better when he is in full coat with longer breeches. Well handled. Friendly temperament.

Veteran Dog (4,1a): 

1 Goodwin - Highbrook Hobnob
Lovely veteran male of 8,5 years, very well presented. Perfect size with excellent proportions. I have seen him many times before and have always liked him, but his level of elegance today was superb. He is a little out of coat, but this really emphasises his excellent length of body and lovely neck. Sweet, yet masculine head. Well rounded muzzle. I would prefer a touch more length of head and flatness of skull. Neat earset with excellent placement. Eyes are dark and correctly positioned with a pleasing expression. Elegant neck with excellent layback of shoulder. Good depth of chest. Super level topline with a graceful sweep over the loin. Well set tail, on the shorter side. Excellent rear angulation with good strong hocks. He moved gracefully, covering the ground well from all angles with excellent reach and drive. Excellent coat texture, well groomed. Very well handled. Wonderful temperament that I hope his owner has much joy from for many years to come. Best Veteran Dog and Best Veteran In Show for his movement and elegance. He was a very close contender for Best Dog today.

2 Gamble - Solyric Inaugural Gold JW OSW VW
Nice sable veteran of excellent size, 8,5 years old. Refined head that is well moulded overall with correct parallel headplanes. Nice foreface with a well filled muzzle and good underjaw. Correct bite, teeth showing a little. Sweet eye that is correctly positioned with enough angulation. Nice dark rim and eye colour. Soft expression. Ears nicely sized and well tipped, a touch wide set. Excellent length of body with decent bone. Well arched neck. Firm topline with a correct slope over the croup. Would prefer a little more balance in front, though he is better angulated in rear with a well bent stifle. Nice strong hocks with correct oval feet. Good length of tail. Moves well coming and going. Side gait has good drive, though a little untidy at times. A little out of coat, but he has nice colour and texture. Excellent temperament throughout.

3 Lycett - Iliad Isle Of Ewe

Special Open - Tricolour / Black & Tan / Black & White Dog (2,2a): 

Special Open - Not Bred By Exhibitor Dog (2,0a): 

1 Stafford - Rannerdale The Tramp
Masculine shaded sable dog, 3,5 years old. A little stronger in body and size, but very well proportioned. Excellent head shape with a nice flat skull, well proportioned to his length of muzzle. Very well filled foreface and excellent strength of underjaw. Correctly set ears, well used. Eyes are dark with well pigmented rims, correctly positioned. I would prefer a little more sweetness in head, but I do appreciate his masculine features. Well constructed overall. Strong bone with excellent substance. Elegant length of body. Beautiful well arched neck flowing into well laid back shoulders and a firm, level topline. Good angulation in front, with excellent depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Strong hind angulation. Well shaped feet. Lovely tail set and length. Has a smooth side gait, moving with good strength in his step. Moves well from the front, a touch wide behind. Lovely coat and colour, well presented.

2 Gamble - Balidorn Olympic Star With Solyric JW
Sweet boy of excellent size, 1,5 years old. Wedge shaped head with some nice overall features. Lovely ear set and tip, well used. I would prefer a little more fill in muzzle and underjaw. Nice teeth with correct bite. Dark almond shaped eye with nice placement. Excellent length of body. Still developing in front and overall substance, but he is young. Level topline with an excellent sweep over the croup. Excellent tail set and length. Good bend of stifle. Sturdy hocks and neat oval feet. Moves quite well coming and going, though could benefit from a little more reach from the side. Lovely temperament.

Baby Puppy Bitch (1,0a): 

1 Sapsford - Shelcrest Band Of Gold

I liked this puppy a lot. The shape of her is fabulous, and she outmoved most of the adults today. She has a nice shape of skull and parallel planes, though stop could be a touch more defined. Well moulded foreface and an excellent muzzle and strength of underjaw. Nice ears, very well used. Eyes are dark and correctly placed, though a little round. Excellent pigment around the eye. Overall, her head is really lovely in profile, but I would prefer a little more softness when viewed from the front. Well angulated overall. Excellent bone and substance. Nice forechest and depth of chest for her age. Excellent spring of rib. Superb neck flowing into well laid back shoulders and a lovely topline. Correct tail set. Well angulated in rear with a good bend of stifle and nice strong hocks. Super movement, with great strength in her step. She was really sound for her age, covering the ground well from all angles. Lovely coat and colour. She really has great potential and I see her doing really well moving forward. Best of luck with her! Best Baby Puppy In Show.

Minor Puppy Bitch (4,0a): 

1 Hateley - Mohnesee Ria’ly A Dream
I see so much potential in this puppy, 8 months old. She is really feminine throughout and reminds me a lot of her grandmother. Excellent size and overall balance. Her head is refined and classic, with a nice wedge shape and flat skull. Very well proportioned head features. Excellent fill in muzzle with a good underjaw. Lovely ear set, well tipped and well used. Dark and obliquely set eyes with an ethereal expression. Elegant length of body, with good bone and substance for her age. Superb length of neck with a well laid back shoulder. Still developing in front and a little soft in topline at present, but that will improve with age. Well constructed rear with an elegant sweep over the croup. Good tail set. Overall she covered the ground well, and was well behaved and well handled. Needs time to settle in front movement, but she is a puppy after all. Sweet temperament. Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy In Show for her overall elegance. I am sure she will do very well moving forward, especially when she comes into her adult coat! 

2 Ritchie - Jaelis Mystique Realism
Pretty 8 month old sable of nice size and overall shape. Very well matured for her age. Well moulded head with a flat skull. Stop could be more defined. Well filled foreface and good depth of underjaw. I would prefer a little more softness in head for her age. Well proportioned with a very nice length of body with good substance. Youthful in front with good spring of rib. Well arched neck with well laid back shoulder and elegant topline. Nice sweep over the croup with a good tail set and length. Good angulation in rear. Well shaped feet, though a little soft in pasterns. Overall she moved cleanly from all angles, with nice reach and drive. Excellent coat in lovely condition, very well groomed. Well handled. Charming temperament.

3 Goodwin - Highbrook Hint Of Honey

4 Sandham - Mohnesee Sky Mistress

Puppy Bitch (3,0a): 

1 Hateley - Mohnesee Ria’ly A Dream

2 Ritchie - Jaelis Mystique Realism

3 Mottram - Grandgenes Designed In Gold For Lochkaren

Junior Bitch (3,0a): 

1 Stafford - Rannerdale Coco Pop
Beautiful bitch with a super elegant outline. Well moulded head with a well filled foreface and muzzle. Good teeth and bite. Beautiful earset, well placed and well used. Dark eyes that offer a very sweet expression, though I would prefer a touch more refinement and more pigment around the eye. Very mature in body for her age. Excellent bone and substance, with sound overall construction. Her lovely long neck and elegant topline with excellent sweep over the loin is really what I liked most about her. It just screams elegance to me. Very well balanced angulation in both front and rear. Well set tail. Her own excitement can at times affect her movement coming and going. However, when relaxed she flowed soundly with excellent reach and drive. In that state, she really catches your eye on the move. Well presented with a superbly groomed coat. Lovely temperament. Reserve Best Bitch for her elegant shape and overall style.

2 Goodwin - Highbrook Hot Pants
Very sweet sable bitch with a lovely shape that really caught my eye at a distance. 1,5 years old. Stands very well on her feet. Her head is feminine with a correct wedge shape. Well rounded muzzle. Correctly positioned stop. I would prefer a touch more length in head and refinement in skull. Nice teeth with correct bite. Neat ears, correctly positioned. Sweet but a little full eye with excellent colour and well pigmented rims, very well set. Super bone and substance. Well arched neck with nice layback of shoulder. Reasonable angulation in front and rear. Excellent spring of rib. Elegant topline with a nice sweep over the croup. Well set tail, on the shorter side. Nice strong hocks and neat oval feet. Moved very well overall, sound and graceful from all angles. She could have a little more reach behind, but she had nice drive. Nice coat quality with lovely colour. Excellent handling. Lovely temperament.

3 Dawson - Shadowess Mystic Star

Maiden Bitch (1,0a): 

1 Sutherland - Suthesley Petunia
Excellently sized tricolour bitch, 1,5 years old. Refined head with good substance. Nice smooth cheeks. Well rounded muzzle with excellent underjaw. Nice flat skull, though a little broad. Correct bite. Obliquely set eye, correctly positioned. Well tipped ears. Reasonable length of neck and layback of shoulder. Youthful in front. Good spring of rib. Elegant level topline with a nice sweep over the loin. Lovely long tail. Well bent stifle and sturdy hocks. She has a very sound side gait, with clean daisy cutting movement. A touch narrow from behind, but correct coming towards. Lovely coat texture and excellent tan colouration. Very well handled. Wonderful temperament.

Novice Bitch (1,0): 

1 Hateley - Mohnesee Ria’ly A Dream

Graduate Bitch (9,2a): 

1 Hayhurst - Keycharm Samba
Lovely sable bitch of excellent breed type. Perfect size and proportions. She really caught my eye as the shape of her is really well balanced. Feminine wedge shaped head with excellent proportions. Lovely foreface with nice smooth cheeks. Correct stop, though a touch round in skull. Nice shape of muzzle and underjaw. I would prefer a little more refinement of eye shape and colour, but she still offers a very sweet expression as her eyes are correctly positioned and obliquely set. Her ears are nicely sized and positioned too, though a little heavy. Very balanced in body with good angulation in both front and rear. Excellent bone that suits her very well. Good depth of chest. Beautiful neck flowing into well laid back shoulders and a level topline. Excellent sweep over the croup with a well set tail of nice length. Stands very well on her feet. Moves soundly from all angles, clean and graceful, covering the ground well. Between coats today, but the texture is good. Shortlisted for her excellent balance. With lighter ears and more coat she would be strong competition for her sister who went BIS. 

2 Stafford - Rannerdale Sugar Puff
Pretty sable bitch with a very elegant outline. Sweet head that is well balanced with good substance. Excellent fill to foreface and muzzle. Clean cheeks. Good underjaw. Correct bite. Eyes are dark and well positioned, though I would prefer a touch more refinement to eye shape. Sweet earset, a touch heavy in tip. Excellent bone and substance. Nice length of neck with a well laid shoulder. Excellent depth of chest with typical angulation in front. Excellent spring of rib. Super elegant topline with an excellent sweep over the loin. Well set tail with good length. Very well angulated in rear. Has a nice side gait with nice drive and ground covering movement. Can tend to move broad behind, but moves well from the front. Super flashy coat with rich colour and excellent texture. Very well presented. Lovely temperament.

3 Bladon - Kiemont What A Cracker

4 Diviney - Divinecroi’s Bonny Ailbhe

5 Goodwin - Herds Height Of Fashion At Highbrook

Post Graduate Bitch (3,2a): 

1 - Ribans Starlet Of Milesend (jkc)
Pleasing sable bitch of nice size. Refined head with a blunt wedge and well rounded muzzle. Would prefer a little more parallel head planes. Lovely earset, well set and correctly tipped. Correct bite. Sweet eye with excellent colour and position, though a little full. Feminine overall expression. Good length of body with good overall balance and moderate angulation in front and rear. Good spring of rib. Excellent tail set. Nice length of hocks and well shaped feet. Movement was difficult to assess as she unfortunately paced a lot, where I suspect she may move more freely in a bigger ring with more speed. Very nice quality coat with correct texture. Friendly temperament.

Limit Bitch (5,0a): 

1 Hayhurst - Keycharm Sweet Candy
Beautiful sable bitch of lovely type. Excellent size and proportions. She is really well balanced overall, and presents a very soft and sweet picture. There is not «too much» of her in any regard. She is just very harmonious. Clean cut head with excellent proportions. Nice flat skull, correct stop and a well filled foreface. Well rounded muzzle and good underjaw. Correct bite. Excellent earset, correctly tipped. Very nice almond eye, obliquely set, that could be a touch darker in colour. Sweet and feminine expression. Excellent length of body with good substance. Well arched neck with good layback of shoulder. Decently angulated in front with good depth of chest. Excellent spring of rib. Beautiful topline with a graceful sweep over the croup. Well set tail. Very well angulated behind. Moves with a very smooth side gait, with good reach and drive, and graceful daisy cutting movement. Again, just harmonious in every way. Lovely coat condition, well groomed. Well presented. Sweet temperament. Best Bitch and Best In Show for her overall balance and excellent type.

2 Barrowclough - Shadowess Ginger Biscuit
This bitch really caught my eye upon entering the ring, with her excellent type and pretty overall picture. Her head is refined and elegant with excellent proportions from skull to muzzle. Well rounded muzzle and good underjaw. Excellent teeth. A touch deep in stop. Excellent earset with correct tip, well used. Eyes are nice and dark, obliquely set and offer a very sweet expression, though she could benefit from more pigment around the eye. Elegant length of body. Good bone and overall substance. Gracefully arched neck with a well laid shoulder. Adequate angulation in front with good depth of chest. Super elegant topline, nicely leveled with an elegant sweep over the loin. Well set tail with nice length. Well angulated in rear. She moved with good drive, but she was not as tidy as I would prefer as she wasn’t too fond of her surroundings. I suspect she would settle and move more freely outdoors. Lovely quality coat that fits her well. Excellent colour. Well presented.

3 Rowan - Rowancrest Cinderella

4 Hateley - Mohnesee’s Meliya JW

5 Goodwin - Rannerdale Honey Bee At Highbrook

Veteran Bitch (4,2a): 

1 Gamble - Balidorn Solitude At Solyric JW VW
Long and very elegant veteran of 10,5 years, well presented. Pleasing overall balance. Very pretty head of excellent proportions. Parallel planes with a nice flat skull. Good shape of muzzle with good underjaw. Neat, well set ears, though a little heavy. Lovely dark almond eye, obliquely set. Sweet expression. Lovely long neck, well arched with good shoulder placement. Would prefer a little more return of upper arm. Excellent spring of rib. Super elegant topline, still firm despite her age. Beautiful long tail. Reasonable angulation in rear. Elegant and well fitting coat. Overall she moved with nice reach and drive, but quite soft in pasterns, which affected her overall movement. Had this not been the case, she would have been a much stronger contender today as I really liked her overall elegance.

2 Lycett - Herds Hallicia At Iliad
12,5 year old sable veteran of excellent size. Well moulded head with good proportions from skull to muzzle. Correct stop. Nice foreface with smooth cheeks, though I would prefer a little more finish to the muzzle. Good underjaw. Lovely eye shape with excellent colour and placement. Good earset, well sized. Very good bone and overall substance. Front assembly could be better balanced to complete the overall picture. Nice level topline with excellent stability for her age. Reasonably angulated behind with good strong hocks and a correct tail set. On the move she goes well. Her side gait is nice and tidy, though I would prefer more reach behind. Beautiful colour with nice coat quality. Well handled. Lovely temperament. I hope she will continue to bring her owner much joy for years to come.

Special Open - Sable & White Bitch (4,1a): 

1 Sparks - Jaelis Mystique Addiction
Well presented sable bitch of pleasing type. Excellent size. Her head is feminine, especially in profile, with parallel head planes and a flat skull. Lovely muzzle with a good underjaw. Correct bite. Sweet eye, dark and obliquely set. Well pigmented rims. Neatly placed ears that she used very well. Longer in body proportions, but very elegant. Good length of neck with well placed shoulders. Would prefer a little more return of upper arm. Good depth of chest and spring of rib. Graceful and firm topline. Excellent tail set with nice length. Nicely bent stifles. On the move she shows good reach and drive, though could benefit from more stability in rear. Good colour and coat texture. Well handled. Nice temperament.

2 Ritchie - Jaelis Mystique Reality JW
Pretty sable girl of nice type. Gives a pleasant overall picture. She has a refined and balanced head with good proportions. Well shaped head with correct stop. Good shape of muzzle and underjaw. Correct bite. Wonderful ear set and tip. Well set eye, dark and correctly shaped, giving a sweet expression. She has several pleasing qualities in body, though I would prefer more balance in front to complete the picture. Her topline is firm and elegant with a nice sweep over the croup. Good substance. Nice tail set and length. Decent bend of stifle with good hocks. She moved fairly well overall, though could benefit from more tightness in front. Very well presented coat of great quality. Well handled. Sweet disposition. 

3 Bladon - Kiemont What A Cracker

Special Open - Tricolour / Black & Tan / Black & White Bitch (2,1a): 

1 Stafford - Rannerdale Queen Of The Nite
Very pretty tricolour bitch with excellent coat and colour. Beautiful overall shape. Sweet head with an excellent foreface and good fill under the eye. Well shaped muzzle. Decent underjaw. Very pretty earset, correctly tipped. Nice dark eye, correctly positioned. Very well boned with excellent substance of body. Nice length of neck with correct layback of shoulder. Lovely topline with an elegant sweep over the croup. Reasonable angulation in front. Good spring of rib. Nicely bent stifle. Well set tail. Moved well from all angles with excellent drive, though could benefit from a little more stability in front pasterns on the move to complete the picture. Perfectly groomed and well presented overall. Friendly temperament. Shortlisted for her balance and feminine style.

Special Open - Blue Merle (3,2a): 

1 Barrowclough - Shadowess True Blue
7 year old blue merle bitch of nice type. Excellent size. Her head is very well balanced with a flat skull and correct stop. Good fill of muzzle and excellent underjaw. Ears are well positioned and correctly tipped, typically sized for blue merles. Sweet eyes, one blue and one brown, correctly positioned though a touch rounded. Good substance and length of body. Reasonable length of neck flowing into a nice firm level topline. Decent angulation in front with good depth of chest and spring of rib. Very nice tail set. Well bent stifle. Moved cleanly coming and going, with enough reach and drive from the side. Nice colour for her age, with balanced markings and a clear blue hue. A little out of coat today, where I think it will add a lot to her level of elegance when she comes into a longer petticoat. Very well handled. Lovely temperament. Best Veteran Bitch.

Special Open - Bred By Exhibitor Bitch (4,2a): 

1 Diviney - Divinecroi’s Bonny Ailbhe
Nice sable bitch that presents a pleasant outline. Good size and overall proportions. Refined head with good balance from skull to muzzle. Nice parallel planes and correct stop. Well rounded muzzle and good length of underjaw. Good earset with correct tip. Her eyes are dark and obliquely set, though I wish she had a little more refinement to eye shape to soften the expression. Reasonable bone that suits her well. Good length of neck and lay of shoulder. Balanced in front and rear with decent angulation. Very nice level topline with good strength. Nice length of tail. Good strong hocks and well shaped feet. Sound movement coming and going. Her side gait was very tidy with decent reach and drive. Well fitting coat with correct texture. Well handled. Very sweet disposition.

2 Gamble - Solyric Original Gold
8,5 year old sable bitch of good type, with nice size and proportions. Feminine head with clean lines and a correct stop. Well filled muzzle. Lovely earset, well used. Very sweet eye, almond shaped and obliquely set. Elegant length of body with good bone and substance. Well arched neck flowing into an elegant level topline. Would prefer a little more return of upper arm. Well angulated rear with nice strong hocks. Excellent feet. Nice length of tail. A little out of coat, but it has lovely colour and correct texture. A little chaotic on the move today, moving with a very happy tail, but she was more settled coming and going.

Special Open - Not Bred By Exhibitor Bitch (1,0a): 

1 Lewthwaite - Rannerdale Queen Of Majic
Stylish 3 year old sable girl with a lovely shape. On the larger side, but very well proportioned. Head is clean and well balanced. Nice flat skull. Lovely foreface and clean cheeks. Good depth of underjaw. Ears very well positioned and well used. Nice dark eye, a touch full but obliquely set with excellent pigment. Excellent bone and substance of body. Lovely long neck with a well laid shoulder and a super elegant topline. Reasonable angulation in front and good depth of chest. A little long in loin, but very elegant. Well angulated rear. Lovely tailset with good length. She moved with good drive, though unfortunately quite loose in movement which detracted from an otherwise very pleasing overall picture. Superb colour and coat texture. Very well handled. Excellent temperament.

Judge: Ida Monsholm