Darlington & District Canine Society

Darlington & District Canine Society – 11th January 2026

My sincere thanks to the society for the kind invitation to judge at your lovely show, and to my steward Alice for keeping the ring running smoothly and efficiently. It was an unfortunate product of the weather that there were many absentees across all breeds.

Australian Shepherd

PG (2,0) 1 Turnbull, Clegram & Bridges Liskarn You Never Know with Jenkova BOB BP

Upstanding red merle dog, just shy of 9 months, showing good substance for his age. Presents a pleasing, balanced outline with correct proportions, being slightly longer than tall. Clean-cut head with flat skull and well-defined stop, giving a typical and masculine expression. Nicely arched neck flowing into well laid-back shoulders. Well presented in coat and excellent condition. Moved out well, maintaining balance and purpose. Pleased to award him Pastoral Group 1 and Puppy Group 1, and delighted to learn he went on to secure BPIS – congratulations. A very promising youngster with much to look forward to.

2 Tate’s Norcis Ehwaz TAF

Another youngster of similar age, a tri dog of lighter build, yet clearly masculine. Pleasing expression with correct head proportions and a good bite. Shows a good length of neck leading into nicely set shoulders, and a body of correct length. A little over-exuberant today, which affected his overall composure and steadiness on the move, but there is plenty to like and he should continue to develop well with maturity.

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael)

O (3,1) 1 Lawless & Donaldson’s Revloch Kasanova (IKC) JW ShCm VW ShCEx OSW BOB

11-year-old dog presented in outstanding condition for his age and attentive throughout to his handler. He gives an immediate impression of elegance combined with strength. Well-balanced head with correct proportions and well-set eyes, creating a bright, alert, and enquiring expression. Nicely arched neck flowing into a square, well-proportioned body. Deep chest with well-sprung ribs. Sound on the move, maintaining balance and purpose.

2 Bird & Caden’s Hawksflight Paparazzi at Domburg

Another 11-year-old veteran, also presented in excellent condition. Good length to the head with correct skull to muzzle proportions. Almond-shaped eyes contributing to an alert and enquiring expression. Nicely arched neck with correct shoulder placement. Lacks a little of the overall strength of body of the winner. Moved out well.

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervueren)

PG (1,0) 1 Donaldson’s Luavjan’s Moulin Rouge (Imp Ita) BOB

Very typical bitch with much to admire. Feminine head of correct proportions with well-set, oblique eyes giving a true enquiring expression. Skull of correct width with lean cheeks and a moderate stop. Nicely arched neck flowing into correctly placed, flat shoulders. Short-coupled with a gently sloping croup. A little over-exuberant in the hall today, which prevented her from fully showing her movement, but her quality is evident.

Border Collie

PG (1,0) Fisher’s Etherial Diamond lakes (AI) (Imp Aus) BOB

Upstanding young dog of good proportions and pleasing substance. Shows good breadth of skull with correct head proportions, a correct bite, and good strength of underjaw. Well-set ears and a good length of neck flowing into well laid-back shoulders. Well-sprung ribs leading to a balanced rear assembly. Presented in excellent coat and condition. A worthy BOB winner.

O (1,0) Fisher’s Sevnine Diamonds to Cullain

6-year-old dog with an appealing expression, coming from a correct head pattern, well-set eyes, and ears set well apart. Good length of neck flowing into well laid-back shoulders. Correct length and depth of rib, leading to a pleasing tuck-up of loin. Moved out well. Just pipped to Best of Breed by his kennel mate today.

Finnish Lapphund

O (1,0) Fox’s Sambreeze Pingviini at Vixenstar BOB

Young dog presented in excellent coat and condition. Strong, broad head with an appealing expression, coming from dark, oval eyes and well-set ears. Strong neck of correct length flowing into a firm, level topline, showing the correct amount of substance. Good rear angulation with well let-down hocks. Correctly set tail, well carried. Moved out well, showing balance and purpose. Although he stood alone, none-the-less a worthy BOB winner.

German Shepherd Dog

PG (3,2) 1 Green’s Boscahaus Friday von Emyzgem BOB

Promising young bitch who will develop further with maturity. Nicely shaped head with good strength of muzzle and correct bite, complemented by well-set eyes giving a keen, intelligent expression. Good length of neck flowing into well-laid-back shoulders. Slightly more depth of chest would enhance her outline, but she already shows a good length of back leading to strong, well-angled hocks. A young dog with plenty of potential to grow into a very balanced adult.

Hungarian Puli

O (1,0) 1 Gilchrist’s Silkata Sosumi BOB

Lovely mature 9-year-old bitch, presented in excellent condition, showing a sturdy, square outline and a beautifully corded coat. Dark, expressive eyes set in a nicely domed skull with a large nose and excellent pigment. Nicely angled neck leading to well-set shoulders and straight, strong forelegs. Deep, well-sprung ribs leading to a pleasing tuck-up of loin. Moved out freely and with purpose, displaying sound, balanced movement. A very typical and attractive example of the breed.

Old English Sheepdog

PG (1,0) 1 Ferguson’s Mellowdee Soul Man with Lexalby JW

Substantial young male, just under two years of age, presented a lovely square outline on the stand. Strong, square head with a well-defined stop and good muzzle strength, correct bite. Good bone and overall substance. Well-laid-back shoulders flowing into a compact, well-ribbed body. Moved out well and shown in excellent condition.

O (1,0) 1 Fawcett’s Starjansa Mr Bright Sky BOB

Another substantial male, showing many qualities to admire. Strong, square head with well-defined stop and firm muzzle. Good length of neck leading into well-laid-back shoulders with close-fitting elbows. Well-rounded, muscular hindquarters with good turn of stifle and well-let-down hocks. Presented in a harsh-textured, high-quality coat. Moved out well, displaying balance and purpose.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

PG (2,1) 1 Crosiers Skaijaks Last N’ Limitless BOB

Nicely sized black and white boy, presenting a typical square profile. Head in proportion to body, broad with equal skull-to-muzzle proportions. Oval, dark eyes give a bright, inquiring expression. Good depth of chest with well-laid-back shoulders. Moderate spring of rib leading to a broad loin. Moved out with purpose, showing balanced, efficient movement.

O (2,1) 1 Crosiers Skaijaks Kind N ‘Klassic

Half-sister to the PG winner, showing similar qualities. Super head with broad skull, correctly shaped and placed eyes giving an appealing, alert expression. Well-laid-back shoulders with good depth of chest. Well-angulated hindquarters with well-let-down hocks. Moved out steadily, demonstrating good balance and soundness.

Pyrenean Mountain Dog

PG (1,0) Holmes Lisjovia Hanky Panky

Appealing young bitch with good breed type, substance, and outline. I would like her just a little bigger overall. Strong head with dark, almond-shaped eyes giving a typical intelligent expression. Well-laid-back shoulders of good bone, broad chest, and well-extended ribs. Moved out freely and steadily.

O (4,1) 1 Holmes Ch Lisjovia Estevez JW ShCM ShCEx VW OSW BOB

I have previously judged this boy, and now at 9 years of age he remains most impressive. Very masculine, with a charismatic expression from a typical wedge-shaped head. Broad chest, good length of back, muscular loin, and strong hocks. Moved out well, showing strength and soundness.

2 Holmes & McBain’s Ch Polar Light Pride of America (Imp USA)

Lovely young bitch, unlucky to meet the winner. Plenty of attractive qualities: good head with gentle slope from muzzle to skull, kind, expressive eyes, well-laid-back shoulders, and matching rear angulation. Moved out well and presented in excellent condition.

3 Cubello’s Night Owl

AV Imported Breed Register Pastoral

O (2,1) 1 O’Connell’s Surtsey’s Bera Dra Sjalandi (Imp Dnk) Icelandic Sheepdog

The first of this breed I have had the pleasure to judge since their inclusion on the Import Register, and what a delight this 6-month-old girl was. Very typical spitz shape and type, showing substance and balance. Strong wedge-shaped head with erect ears set well apart, giving a bright and alert expression. Straight front with well-sprung chest, flowing into nicely angulated hindquarters with the desirable double dewclaws. Moved out with enthusiasm and purpose, fully deserving her Best Import Register Pastoral award.

AVNSC Pastoral

PG (4,3) 1 Curren’s Railtown Aura BSD Malinois BP BOB

7-month-old girl, very composed and confident for her age. Typical head pattern with an appealing, alert expression. Correct bite with good width of muzzle and strong jaw. Well-proportioned body with good length of neck flowing into correctly laid-back shoulders. Moved out well, showing balanced, purposeful action. A promising youngster who should continue to develop into a well-balanced, mature female.

Pastoral Group

G1 Australian Shepherd Turnbull, Clegram & Bridges Liskarn You Never Know with Jenkova

G2 Polish Lowland Sheepdog Crosiers Skaijaks Last N’ Limitless

G3 Finnish Lapphund Fox’s Sambreeze Pingviini at Vixenstar

G4 Old English Sheepdog Fawcett’s Starjansa Mr Bright Sky

Pastoral Puppy Group

PG1 Australian Shepherd Turnbull, Clegram & Bridges Liskarn You Never Know with Jenkova

PG2 Bearded Collie Burgons Talraz Drumbeat for Lyngem

Young boy with a kind eye and pleasing expression. Nice head pattern with good width and strength of jaw, correct bite. Well-laid-back shoulders and good depth of chest. Moved out positively with purpose. Would like to see a little more length of back, which I am confident will develop as he matures. A promising youngster with much to look forward to.

PG3 Shetland Sheepdog Walker & Newholme’s Cuilshelties Touch of Class with Grandgenes

8-month-old blue merle boy with plenty of promise. Pleasing, kind expression from a typical head pattern with flat skull, defined cheeks, and obliquely set eyes. Nicely set ears. Well-laid-back shoulders with chest reaching the point of elbow and good spring of ribs. Moved out well, showing balanced, purposeful action. A young dog with much to develop and a bright future in the show ring.

PG4 330 Malinois Curren’s Railtown Aura

AV Pastoral Veteran (10, 5)

1 Hungarian Puli Gilchrist’s Ch Black’N Blue’s Name of the Game at Silkata CJW 14 (Imp Dk)

What a lovely example of the breed, and at 12 years of age, a true testament to the longevity for which the breed is known. Presented in excellent condition. Super head with dark eye, good strength of muzzle, and full, clean dentition – something many younger dogs do not possess. Good length of neck flowing into well-laid-back shoulders. Deep ribs with good length of back, and a muscular rear with correct angulation. Moved out positively and with purpose. Pleased to award him Pastoral Veteran and delighted to hear he went on to win BVIS – congratulations – a credit to both handler and breed.

2 Pyrenean Mountain Dog Holmes Ch Liskovia Estevez JW ShCM ShCEx VW OSW

3 Shetland Sheepdog Bird & Caden’s Molson Mr Blue Sky JW

AV Pastoral Puppy (11,8)

1 Shetland Sheepdog Jeavon’s Grandgene’s Panning for Gold

Refined head with correct skull being wedge shaped and flat. Good stop and lovely pigment. Neat ears correctly placed. Nicely arched neck leading to well laid back shoulders and deep chest with good spring of rib. Level topline, good turn of stifle with low set tail. Moved out well.

2 Malinois Curren’s Railtown Aura

3 Shetland Sheepdog Robsons Shezaray Queen of Hearts

AV Pastoral Yearling (6,4)

1 Shetland Sheepdog Malone’s Di’leila’s Sheltie Amor Mio (Imp Pol)

Young merle boy with a super expression enhanced by a correct head pattern, with correct eyes. Correct bite with strength of muzzle. Nicely laid back shoulders with good spring of rib and well let down hocks. Moved out positively

2 GSD Green’s Boscahaus Friday von Emyzgem

AV Pastoral PG (2,1)

1 OES Ferguson’s Mellowdee Soul Man with Lexalby JW

AV Pastoral O (9,7)

1 OES Fawcett’s Starjansa Mr Bright Sky

2 Shetland Sheepdog Robsons Shezaray Queen of Hearts

A lovely type and shape, but unfortunately was very unsettled on the table which made it difficult to assess. She settled on the move to show a positive gait.

Justine Waldron (Judge)