Sunderland & District Canine Society

Sunderland & District Canine Society Premier Open Show

22-03-2026

I would like to thank the committee for the invitation to judge at their well organised show. The hospitality of the committee was excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed my day judging! I would also like to thank my ring stewards, they did a great job, allowing me to focus entirely on the judging. The rings were spacious enough to allow the dogs to move freely. The atmosphere around the rings was positive, and I am glad that all exhibitors accepted their placements with grace.

Shetland Sheepdog

This is the second time I have had the pleasure of judging ‘my’ breed in the UK, and as always, there is no greater honour than judging a breed in its country of origin. I was pleased with my main winners, especially as my Best of Breed went on to win the Pastoral Group.

The quality was somewhat mixed, and I felt some dogs could have been in better condition. Temperaments and body proportions on the day were very good, and I was pleased with my line-up.

P (3,1a)

1st Walker’s Grandgenes Scintillating, shapely shaded sable bitch with a good size and in good coat, perhaps not as feminine as I would have liked to see at this age. Wedge shaped head with a well-rounded muzzle, excellent placed and carried ears, could be a little sweeter in expression. Beautiful topline, excellent angulated in front with a particular good shoulder, good fore chest, excellent bone and substance for her size, typical sweep over the loins, excellent angulated behind, correct set and carried tail. Moves well from the side and behind, typical in front for the age. Nice temperament.

2nd Johnson, Jacobs & Johnson’s Willowthorn Deja Vu, s/w male who is very sweet, but perhaps a bit on the more feminine and smaller side. He portrays the correct type. Wedge shaped head, his muzzle is a bit finer, and he could fill in more beneath the eyes. Lovely dark eyes, almond shaped and obliquely set. Lovely ears that he used well. Incorrect bite. OK neck, OK angulated in front and good behind, good bone for his size, well-shaped rib ribcage, correct set tail, moves well from the side with good reach. Could have more stability in front, but typical for the age. Well-presented puppy coat and good temperament.

J (3,2a)

1st Walker’s Cuilshelties Touch Of Class with Grandgenes, a 10 months old, up-to-size blue merle dog who creates an excellent, sound picture. Beautifull outline. He is quite mature and has a slightly strong head for his age. His head is a nice, clean, wedge with nicely rounded muzzle and a good underjaw, almond shaped blue eyes. His ears are rather large and a bit wide set but correctly tipped. Nice flat skull and good scissor bite. His neck flows smoothly into his back due to his excellent front, excellent ribcage, typical sweep over the loins, excellent angulated behind, beautiful low set and correctly carried long tail. He moves with excellent reach and drive from the side, though a little narrow behind. Beautiful harsh coat with a lovely clear silvery blue colour that is well broken. Excellent junior. BP.

PG (10,4a) A mixed class, and a few dogs in this class were carrying too much weight. 

1st Johnson, Jacobs & Johnson’s Willowthorn’s Roulette JW, pretty s/w young bitch with excellent size and proportions, very feminine. Wedge shaped head, lacking a bit of underjaw and could be more filled in foreface and under her eyes. Almond shaped eyes, obliquely set, dark enough. Flat skull, lovely tipped ears, sweet expression, lovely topline, good shoulder, but a bit steep and short in upper arm. Good bone for her size, good spring of ribs, typical sweep over the loins, well angulated behind, correct tail. Moves very easily and fluently from the side, a touch narrow behind and could mature a little more in front movement. Not in full coat, but what she had was the right texture and was well presented.

2nd Gartland’s Arcot Polished Black JW, a tricolour dog, a touch smaller than ideal but masculine enough with lovely proportions in body and a pleasing type. Shorter head type, lovely rounded foreface, beautiful tan markings and excellent ears. He has dark eyes, but they could be a bit more almond shaped. A bit deep in stop and round in skull. However, he still has a pleasing expression. Lovely, fluent topline with a typical sweep over the loins, well angulated in both front and behind, good fore chest, suitable bone, good substance in body and good spring of ribs. He stands foursquare and moves lovely from the side. I have seen him in better form, and today, he was a bit off in his front and hind movement. I still believe he is a lovely dog.

3rd O’connell Kishdigra Atomic Goddess of Sionnachdu (IKC)

O (8,4a) Nice class, but type varied. 

1st Johnson & Walker’s CH/SWISS/FR/LUX/INT CH Tooralie Pie In The Sky, shaded sable champion dog whom I would describe as a very honest dog without exaggerations. He is of excellent type, size and proportions. Masculine, yet still retaining the desired refinement. Beautifully moulded, clean, wedge-shaped head, lovely rounded muzzle, flat skull. Well set, a touch heavy tipped ears, dark almond shaped eyes, good pigmentation. All of this gives him the desired sweet expression. Lovely, typical outline, well angulated in front and behind, excellent bone, good depth of chest. He moves so sound and easily from all sides, presenting a lovely total picture. He is excellently presented, in full bloom with an attractive colour and the correct coat structure. I was very pleased to see that he won the pastoral group. A quality dog that deserves his titles. BOB, G1.

2nd Berry, Clegram & Clegram Smiddyshaw Here I Go Again, a dog I have judged before and awarded RBD. My comments still apply to him. However, he was carrying too much weight today which gave him a bit of a heavy impression, and it also affected his movement. He is a beautiful dog when standing and creates a lovely outline. Excellent size and proportions. He has a wedge-shaped head with a well-rounded muzzle, dark, though slightly round eyes. His ears are too heavy which spoils his expression a bit, though it’s still soft. His forte is his conformation as he is so well balanced that he has an elegant arched neck and moves accordingly with long steps that are very easy and effortless. Superbly presented in a lovely coat of good quantity and quality. 

3rd Parker’s Edglonian Prime Target with Tolarock

Basset Fauve de Bretagne

G (1,0)

1st Stevenson-Bramley’s Revenite Mrs Fox, 10 months old bitch with excellent size and proportions, lovely topline, and moves very well, especially for her age. Beautiful head with a strong muzzle, large dark nose with open nostrils, good scissor bite, lovely oval hazel coloured eye fitting the coat colour, slightly domed skull, lovely ear set and not too large, muscular neck, good front with excellent prosternum, sufficient depth in body for age, lovely underline that’s slightly rising. She moved effortless from the side with great reach and drive and correct tail carriage. Lovely harsh, dense coat, well presented. Overall, I thought this was an excellent example of the breed. Congratulations with her placing in the puppy group. BOB, BP, PG3 .

O (2,1a)

1st Pocklington-Hall’s Merlin Do Casal Dos Choupos (IMP PRT) ShCEx VW, 9 years old, masculine male with an excellent size. Beau tiful shaped head with a powerful underjaw, lovely dark oval shaped eye, domed skull, perhaps a touch wide in back skull, ears till nose, he has a lively and intelligent expression. Powerful neck but could be more fluent in transition to the back. Good prosternum, excellent bone, good pasterns and oval feet, he could be stronger in his back as he is dipping a bit, would prefer more angulations behind, too round in croup, long enough carrot shaped tail, moves easy for his age, but a bit wide in front, in good harsh coat.

Basset Griffon Vendéen (Petit)

G (2,0)

1st Fairhurst’s Erylan Fleur, 22 months old, feminine bitch, compact hound, feminine and expressive head, good muzzle and good length in head, lovely eyebrows, slight dome, small ears, really a Petit head, strong neck of sufficient length, could be more fluent to back, sufficient angulated in front, although I would prefer a better shoulder placement, well filled front with good prosternum, tends to turnout her feet a little, good underline, powerful back. High set tail that she carries like a sabre and that’s short enough, carrot shaped, however, it’s a kinky tail. Well angulated behind. Moves effortless and free with excellent reach and drive, a little narrow behind.

2nd Fairhurst’s Valefell Savannah Journey, stronger and longer cast compared to 1st. Masculine head, longer in muzzle than ideal, slightly light eyes that detracts, bigger ears, good strong muzzle with a good scissor bite, good neck and well angulated in front, but he has a crooked front and turns his feet out, could have stronger pasterns. He could be stronger in his back as he dips, too rounded in croup and I could wish for a higher set tail, would prefer more angulation behind, moves sufficiently with sufficient drive and good attitude.

O (1,0)

1st Fairhurst & McAuley’s Erylan Passiflore JW, 22 moths old feminine bitch with a good size and proportions. Sufficient length in body, feminine head with an expressive and intelligent expression. Head with good length, oval shaped eyes, good muzzle, low set ears, slightly domed skull, definite occiput, sufficient neck and angulations in front. Turns out her front feet a bit, upper arm is a touch short, lovely underline, strong back and powerful loins, slightly rounded in croup and I would prefer a higher set tail and more angulations in rear, moves very easy with excellent reach and drive, moves well from front and back. She creates a nice picture. BOB .

Whippet

What a lovely quality entry! First time judging Whippets in their country of origin and I truly enjoyed it. I would like to express my thanks to the North Eastern Whippet Society who supported the entry. I was told it was a rather good entry, and I would like to thank all the exhibitors who entered under me. I thought the sportsmanship and atmosphere around the ring was excellent.

In general, I thought size and shape were quite good. Also, temperaments were good and I thought most dogs were in good condition. Some dogs that were nice when stacked, were sometimes not as good as I thought on the move: they lacked the reach in front that I would like to see, and some lost their topline while moving.

I was very pleased that my BOB was shortlisted in the group and even placed in the puppy group.

P (8,3a) Some very promising youngsters in this class, headed by two quality dogs. 

1st Johnston & Wilson’s Danluke Legs Eleven, a quality fawn whippet bitch who is very feminine, has a lovely size, excellent proportions and a very elegant outline. She stands naturally over a lot of ground and is so scopey. Feminine head with a good muzzle, perhaps a bit strong in cheeks, dark expressive eyes, fine rose shaped ears, elegant arched neck that runs on so smoothly in her strong back, lovely rise over her loins. Well-constructed front with sufficient in fill for her age, could drop a little bit more in chest but that will come when she matures, sufficient tuck up, well angulated behind, lovely tail set and carriage. Excellent true mover, moving parallel coming and going and with good reach and drive from the side. Excellently presented, and she showed her socks off in the challenge for BOB and I couldn’t deny her for BOB. Congratulations on her placing in the puppy group. BOB, BP, PG4 .

2nd Chaytor & Halliday’s Aarminias Made In Chelsea at Ramita, another quality dog, lovely male with an elegant shape, beautiful shaped head with a dark expressive eye, flat skull, lovely rose shaped ears, elegant neck, well filled front, deep chest, good tuck up, curvy topline, low set tail, moves well but I though 1st was a bit firmer in front movement on the day. Overall, he gave an excellent impression.

3rd Forrester & Macfarlanes’ Collooney Anytime Anyplace at Finix

J (4,1a)

1st Johnston, Wilson & Duddel’s Danluke Duckt And Tucked, a very elegant and stylish, brindle male, litter brother of the puppy class winner with lots to like. Glorious outline, beautiful streamlined, clean head with beautiful dark eyes, lovely ears, flat skull that altogether gave him a lovely expression. Elegant long neck, excellent constructed front with a good shaped chest that’s deep, especially for his age, excellent bone and feet, lovely tuck up and good rise over his loins. He keeps his topline on the move, well set and carried tail. Excellent angulated behind, he moved excellent from the side and quite well for his age in front and behind. He won this class on his movement. 

2nd Schofield’s Bowdonia No Way Jose at Runforest, nice male that I liked as well. Again, an excellent outline on this one, but he is a bit stronger overall. His skull is long with a sufficiently flat skull, rose shaped ears, good underjaw. Good neck and front, good bone, pasterns are a bit straighter, lovely curvy topline and underline, moves a bit wide in front, well set tail.

3rd Campbell & Cannon’s Pursenet Royal Jewel

PG (7,2a)

1st Murton’s Cyangrange Carpe Diem, male of excellent type with a pleasing shape and typical tuck-up. Best mover in this class. Well-shaped head with a sufficiently strong underjaw, oval dark shaped eye, flat skull, good rose shaped ears, nice length of head, good length of neck that goes smoothly over in his back. Good shoulder, OK upper arm, good fill in in front, a little long in his loins, low set tail, moves well from the side, a little too round in his croup, well returned stifle. A lot to like in this dog. 

2nd Mallinson’s Edenwhip A Moment In Thyme, different type then 1st, moved well, feminine bitch, sufficiently powerful in head, dark eye, flat skull, elongated head, long neck that is placed too much upright and because of that she has not the required arched neck, sufficient bone, good pasterns, could fill in more in front, typical underline, lovely rise over the loins, maximum angulated in rear with a rather long second thigh, she is a bit loose in front, but moved with sufficient stride from the side.

3rd Luther & Buckland’s Bohosoul The Crow at Bonnarfyfe

L (4,2a)

1st Luther & Buckland’s Tervanty Dragon Master at Bonnarfyfe, High quality brindle dog, excellent size, masculine but still very elegant, beautiful curvy outline, lovely long and lean head with excellent underjaw, clean, expressive dark almond shaped eye, flat skull, fine and small rose shaped ears, beautiful smooth topline. Excellent shoulder placement, upper arm is placed well, deep chest for his age, lovely tuck up, lovely straight legs with good spring of pasterns and good feet. Perhaps he could have a touch more in fill, lovely rise over his loin, excellent angulated from behind, moves super from the side with excellent reach and drive and shown in super muscle condition. Close call for BOB, but I felt he held in his movement in the challenge, maybe because of the small ring and the amount of dogs. I am sure the owner will do well with this quality dog in the future.

2nd Mallinson’s Edenwhip Oregano, masculine dog with an excellent size, good shaped head with a very dark eye, typical ears, sufficient neck, well filled front, decent shoulder placement, well placed upper arm, could drop a bit more in body, good legs, pasterns could be stronger, good feet, lovely underline, falling a bit away in his croup, well angulated behind, moves a bit wide in front and could be more powerful in his hocks, well-presented and good temperament.

O (9,0) Very mixed class, even the four I placed were very different. All had different virtues. It did not help it was both dogs and bitches mixed in this class.

1st Johnston & Wilson’s Danluke Drag On A Dime JW, this brindle bitch has a wonderful silhouette and super movement which made her win this class. Such a shapely topline and so feminine with the correct size and proportions. Her head was not her fortune: it could have been longer, and I would prefer a better eye shape and size which would benefit her expression. She had nice small and fine rose shaped ears. She is excellent angulated in front and rear, excellent bone, pasterns and feet, beautiful curvy underline and topline. She moved so easily around the ring with great reach and drive, daisy cutting and so true coming and going, keeping her topline all the time. Her handler got the most out of her. Interesting to see that she is the mother of the winners of the puppy and junior class and they have clearly inherited some of their mother’s virtues.

2nd Barkas’ Citycroft Line Of Duty, Masculine up-to-size male, different in type than 1st, scores high on type, outline, and soundness. Lovely long and lean head with beautiful eyes, a lovely intelligent, soft expression, nice ears, better head than 1st. His topline is so smooth, very good front, lovely tuck-up, very good angulated behind, lovely legs and pasterns, turns in his front feet slightly. Sound mover, but 1st had just that edge on the reach. He is a touch long in loins. I liked his type, but it could be a little less of him.

3rd McNally’sRamita’s Lady Of Slumber at Conekesheved

Tibetan Terriers

I would like to thank all the exhibitors who stayed. Being the third judge appointed due to the cancellations of the other judges, I received the phone call the evening before. Additionally, the breed was moved from the beginning of the day to the end to be judged. There were quite a few absentees, but this was expected. All dogs were well presented and had good temperaments. Some could lose a little bit of weight, and the front movement could have been better in general.

J (3,2a)

1st Torlay’s Routenburn Dileab of Riomhach, junior bitch with a lovely shape, she is a little longer than high. Head with good proportions, slight but definite stop, good foreface, typical bite, semi flat skull, good ears, sufficient neck, well angulated in front and good fore chest, straight legs, big feet, a little round in rib, good topline, typical tail set and carriage, well angulated behind, moves really well from all sides with sufficient drive from her rear, friendly temperament, well presented. Promising coat. I gave her Best Of Breed because she had the best movement on the day. I am pleased she was shortlisted in the group. BOB .

PG (4,1a)

1st Torlay’s Routenburn Dileab of Riomhach, seen.

2nd Pettit’s Rogspa’s Got Yer Back, male, up-to-size, beautiful expressive head, lovely dark eyes, good ears, strong muzzle, well-shaped head, sufficient neck, OK shoulder and upper arm, a little loose in elbows, too round in rib, typical tail, enough angulated in rear, moves narrow in hind and could be firmer in front. Moves with sufficient stride from the side. Good temperament and well presented.

3rd Taylor’s Billkenstar Amazing Story

O (6,3a)

1st Metcalfe’s Pippalata Overtime Magic, male of good size, best mover in this class, free and effortless and with good reach. Well-proportioned head that’s 1:1, large dark round eyes, lovely expression, good bite, good neck, decent front with good fore chest, strong back, good depth and shape of ribcage, well angulated rear, excellent temperament and coot and well presented. The winner of the Junior class had the edge on reach in front.

2nd Taylor’s Layoli Sea Of Secrets at Billkenstar, 7 years old, carrying too much weight today, Excellent bite in super condition, good ears, would prefer a touch more neck and a better shoulder placement. Too round and broad in chest which gave a rather heavy impression. Could have a touch more leg length for a better balance. Nice big feet, well angulated behind, didn’t had the stride on the move of 1st. Well carried tail.

3rd Torlay’s Smart Dezine