Cumberland Canine Association

CUMBERLAND CANINE ASSOCIATION OPEN SHOW 

16 August 2026

Judge: Lini Owen

My thanks to Janice Cumberland and the committee for the opportunity to judge at this well-organised, welcoming show; the delicious cakes, biscuits, and thoughtful judges’ gift were a lovely touch and much appreciated. Thank you also to my stewards Joanne, Linda, and Pauline for keeping the ring running smoothly, and of course to all the exhibitors who entrusted me with the honour of going over their wonderful dogs and accepting my decisions with good grace and sportsmanship. 

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS

Post Graduate (D/B)

(3,0) 1st Turnbull, Turnbull, Clegram & Bridges’ Liskarn You Never Know With Jenkova Striking 16 month old red merle dog; all male with superb ring presence, and in stance presenting a picture of excellent balance and proportions, slightly longer than tall. Good depth and strength to muzzle and slightly rounded skull of equal length punctuated by a nicely defined stop; correct scissor bite. Lovely to go over, in good weatherproof double coat; moderate in bone and in hard condition throughout. He stands on a true front with good width to forechest and strong, straight legs flowing into gently sloping pasterns and correct oval, thickly padded feet. Good length of neck, muscular and arched; shoulders are well laid back and joined to equal-length upper arm at correct angle to bring his elbows under his withers. Topline strong and level, brisket, to elbow and well-sprung ribbing extending well back to a broad and well-muscled loin that flows into a gently sloping croup, terminating in a natural bobtail. His rear angles complement his front beautifully to produce lovely balance, with strength to straight, short rear pasterns. Excelled on the move, covering ground easily with smooth, agile, moderate strides, holding his topline, straight and true on the down and back with convergence in working trot. Pleased to award him Best of Breed and delighted to watch him take Group 1 later (under Clare Stafford) in a strong Group. 

2nd Timperons’ Triforce Inigo Montoya Handsome red tricolour male, 14 months old, with excellent head qualities, cleanly chiselled, having equal lengths of skull and tapering muzzle with good depth and width and correct well-defined stop. He has lovely tight-rimmed obliquely set almond eyes and well-pigmented close-fitting lips that harmonise to produce typical keen expression. Correct scissor bite. His semi-erect ears are set high on the sides of his head and used well give him an attentive and alert outlook. He has moderate oval bone throughout and presented in good muscle, with good spring of rib carried well back, giving strength and firmness to topline. Good depth of chest, with brisket extending to his elbow. Moderate length neck, strong and slightly arched. Well-balanced but slightly more compact in proportions overall and moderate in angulation front and rear, in good double coat of weather-resistant texture. Full tail, nicely feathered, completes the attractive picture. Moved out soundly with balanced moderate strides and pushed hard for the top spot today, he is a quality youngster and should have a bright future. 

3rd Hodges’ Jopium Relight My Fire Appealing 9 month old red tricolour bitch, homebred; still very much a puppy but developing nicely. She has a pretty head, feminine, with a lovely oblique set to tight-rimmed eyes of correct almond shape, and good head proportions. Correct scissor bite. Ears set high and a good width apart, all coming together to give her breed-typical keen and alert expression. Nicely ribbed up with strong topline for her tender age, when settled on the move showed glimpses of sound balanced action with smooth, moderate strides and correct foot placement. Best Puppy in Breed, and very pleased to see her later take Puppy Group 1 under Clare Stafford.

Open (D/B) (2,2)

BORDER COLLIE

Thank you for a lovely entry with plenty of quality in each class, making decisions difficult. This is such an intelligent breed and (unfortunately) very good at anticipating stops and turns in a small ring; I felt several exhibits could have got into their stride more easily in a larger outside ring today. 

Post Graduate (D/B)

(6,2) 1st O’Brien’s Jachelm Still Sisters Honest 11 month old black and white bitch who caught my eye early on in this strong class with her stealthy, “low”, ground-covering action. On closer inspection I found a pleasingly well-balanced outline covered with moderate coat of good texture and density, without excess length. Good proportions throughout and enough substance to convey strength and stamina, without any excessive heaviness that would impede the agile and light-footed movement I look for in this breed, which is still the beating heart of the traditional sheep farm. A pretty head, feminine, with well-defined stop, good breadth of skull and short muzzle. Correct scissor bite. She has lovely dark oval eyes set well apart, with kind expression. Semi-erect ears, used well in the ring, convey breed-typical keen and attentive outlook. Angulation is excellent and well balanced front and rear. She has good depth of chest with ribbing carried well back giving strength to her topline, which flows gracefully into a gently sloping croup and low-set tail of correct length that she carried correctly whether moving or standing. Although keenly challenged today she won the class on her effortless, stealthy, “ground-skimming” movement, head carried low, driving rear action suggestive of explosive bursts of speed and direction changes on a dime. She maintained consistency of action to take Best Puppy and Best of Breed and I was delighted to see her go on to win Puppy Group 2 under Clare Stafford.  

2nd Sloan’s Inverstag Tennessee Whisky Charming 16 month old black and white male who is maturing beautifully since I last saw him as a puppy, and on the stand thought I may have found my winner today. He has a lovely head; broad skull with well-set and used ears, kind and intelligent dark oval eyes, a well-formed stop, and short blunt muzzle. Shown in excellent, well-muscled condition, he is well-constructed all through with strong but not excessive bone. Presents a well-balanced outline with good length of neck and well-laid shoulder, broad chest of depth to elbow, and well-furnished tail of good length carried correctly. He has a strong and well-made rear, with long, muscular thighs having well-bent stifle and low, firm hocks. Stands on correct oval, thickly padded tight feet. Unfortunately the smaller ring today just didn’t suit, and although very sound on the move he could not get into his stride to demonstrate the smooth, flowing action I was looking for. Nonetheless a lovely dog who I would like to see again in a larger, outdoor ring where I suspect—given his excellent construction—that the picture movement-wise would look very different. 

3rd Kempton’s Borderbrook Special Legend

Open (D/B) 

(2,0) 1st Kempton’s Borderbrook Final Destiny JW Quality black and white bitch, rising two, presents a graceful and well-balanced typical outline on the stand that drew my eye. Excellent proportions all through with correct length of body for a bitch, good bone and substance without heaviness, and in good condition. Beautifully presented. A very pretty head with typical kind expression, good breadth of skull and strength to equal-length muzzle, punctuated by a well-defined stop. She could be just slightly less full in eye. Strong, medium-length neck flows into well laid shoulder and she has a good length of well-sprung ribcage. Strong, well-made rear with long, muscular thigh, graceful sweep of well-turned stifle, and low, firm hocks. Stands on correct oval, well-padded feet. Excellent double coat, weather-resistant in texture, that was immaculately presented. Shows typical stealthy, light, ground-covering movement with minimal lift of paws and was considered very closely for BOB today; I would just like to see her drop her head on the move a little more for better reach and smoothness of action—I’m sure this would easily come in a larger ring on grass. 

2nd Weiner’s Borderbrook April Blossom Appealing blue merle and white bitch, 2 years old, another pretty girl with a lovely breed-typical outline, slightly taller. Well-set ears and kind, oval eyes give her a kind yet alert outlook, and she sports an excellent double coat of correct weather-resistant texture. Good length of neck, strongly muscled, flows into a long shoulder blade with correct layback, met by equal length of upper arm at almost 90 degree angle to set strong, well-boned forelegs under withers. Well-sprung ribcage carried well back, and nice deep chest with lower edge to elbows, which were set close to her body. Gently sloped pasterns flow into a correct oval, well-padded compact foot. She has the right length of body for a bitch and good strength to topline, with a strong, well-angulated rear. A lovely bitch overall who moved soundly but was unfortunately quite unsettled today and had to concede the class; another who would likely move to much better advantage with more room, given how well put together she is. 

GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG

Open (D/B)

(1,0) 1st Kenmare’s Ch Windgunn’s Rio Grande Superb black and tan bitch, rising 6, beautiful sound example who is full of quality and commands attention. Absolutely feminine but conveying power and endurance, she regards the ring with keen intelligence in her dark brown, almond eyes. She has a powerful wedge-shaped muzzle, equal in length to broad skull, strong white teeth forming a deep scissor bite, with well-developed jaws and tight lips. Triangular ears set and carried high give her a noble and dignified outlook. Her muscular neck is of medium length with proud carriage and straight and firm topline flows into well-laid shoulders well laid, at 45 degrees to the horizontal, matched by upper arm of equivalent length and angulation. She stands on a true front with good width of chest and powerful, muscular straight legs with slightly sloping pasterns flowing into tight, well-arched oval feet. Correct depth of chest, brisket to elbow, and well-sprung ribcage carried well back to a short, broad, and muscular loin, conveying. Her topline slopes very gently and in a straight line, without break, over a long, sloping croup to a low-set sabre tail, tailbone to midpoint of rear pastern. Her rear is well angulated with broad muscular thighs and well-defined hocks, good strength to rear pastern. She sports straight, hard weather-resistant short coat. Stands freely and without assistance, and shows rock steady temperament when ring-tested. When asked to move she continues to impress, with powerful, driving movement, covering plenty of ground with an effortless, enduring gait and holding her topline throughout. Best of Breed and very pleased to see her take Group 3 later under Clare Stafford.

SHETLAND SHEEPDOG

My thanks to the Shetland Sheepdog exhibitors for bringing so many superb examples for me to go over today; I was absolutely spoilt for choice and genuinely wished I had more red cards to award. I have to admit I did feel the pressure judging this lovely breed today, knowing the Group judge is a well-respected breed specialist, and so I was thrilled to see my Best of Breed take Group 2 and Best Puppy take Group 3 under her later.

Junior (D/B)

(2,0) 1st Robinson’s Vidlinvoe Vettriano Very appealing dog, 17 months old, sable and white; he sports a lovely straight, harsh coat in abundance. Loved his elegant, cleanly chiselled ‘one piece’ head; dark brown eyes, black-rimmed, set in beautiful oblique lines to give a sweet, melting expression. Flat skull, with small, semi-erect ears set high, and a black nose. He has strong jaws with tight, clean, black lips, underjaw well developed, and a correct scissor bite. A strong, proudly arched neck flows to well laid shoulders matched by upper arm of equal length and return. His forelegs are straight and strong, strength and flexibility to pasterns and correct oval, arched, tight feet. His tail is set on low, length to hock, and rear angles complement his front. On the move he impressed with his lithe, graceful action and convergence to win this class. Strongly considered for BOB today; I am sure a bright future awaits.

2nd Ewing & McFarlane’s Sommerville The Wizard A lovely tricolour 9 month old male; a little raw today, as completely appropriate for his age, and he will develop in body as he grows. He has a sweet, wedge-shaped head, long, with correct width of skull and small, semi-erect ears set high. His dark almond eyes, with black rims, give him a gentle, kind expression. Coat of correct straight, harsh texture, good length, just slightly lacking in undercoat at this stage. Nose, eye rims, and lips black. His well-arched neck enhances his lovely typical outline, and flows into a well-laid shoulder. Tail set on low and carried low, tailbone easily reaching the hock and sweeping gently upwards at the tip. He stands on nicely padded, well-arched oval feet. He was a little unsettled on the move initially but showed glimpses of lovely lithe and smooth action. Overall a quality youngster full of promise: Best Puppy and delighted to see him take Puppy Group 3 under breed specialist Clare Stafford.

Post Graduate (D/B)

(3,1) 1st Robertson’s Edglonian Edge of Glory of Vidlinvoe Elegant and immaculately presented 18 month old male, sable and white, his classic ‘one-piece head’—a long tapering blunt wedge with only slight stop, topline of muzzle and top of skull in parallel planes—giving him a very typical refined outlook. He has a lovely dark almond eye; black nose, lips, and eye rims, with small, semi-erect ears set high. He sports good harsh, straight outercoat and soft, dense undercoat. Good arch of neck giving him proud head carriage, shoulders well laid back and sloping, matched by upper arm of equal length and angulation. Elbow set well under withers. He has good bone, without being heavy. Good spring of rib, with correctly shaped tapering ribcage, well ribbed up and loin is short. His back is level with a graceful sweep over the loins, well set-on tail completing a graceful flowing outline, with gentle swirl at the end and abundantly covered with hair. His strong rear with muscular thighs, well angulated stifles, and low-set firm hocks allowed him to move out to advantage in this class, covering the ground effortlessly, straight and true on the down-and-back, and with correct convergence, winning Best of Breed among a large, quality entry and later Group 2 under Clare Stafford.

2nd Ewing & McFarlane’s Sommerville Sandmoon Very pretty sable and white bitch, rising two, in good harsh-textured jacket. Slightly more compact in frame but presents a lovely, balanced outline. She has a sweet, long, wedge-shaped head, carried proudly, with correct width of skull and well-placed small, semi-erect ears, dark, obliquely set almond eyes, giving her a lovely elegant outlook. Nose, eye rims, and lips black. She has a well-defined underjaw and firm lipline. Her proudly arched neck enhances a nice outline, and flows into correctly laid shoulders, with good depth and width of chest; well ribbed, with ribcage correctly tapered from top to bottom. Her back is level with a gentle sweep over the loin, tail carried low, easily reaching the hock, and sweeping gently upwards at the end. She has well-made hindquarters, with muscular thighs and well angulated stifle into clean-cut hock and stands on oval and well padded feet. Loved her head qualities and outline; she looked a definite contender standing but unfortunately she was not particularly happy today; tad unsettled on the move, plenty of drive but I would just like to see her gaited on a looser lead to allow her to reach better and show convergence.

Limit (D/B)

(2,1) Thomsons’ Lochdee Dark Galaxy Appealing 3 year old tricolour male, beautifully put together and in superb double coat of harsh, straight texture with dense undercoat, well presented. Most refined, clean chiselled long wedge head framed with abundant mane and frill gives him typical Sheltie elegance and sweetness. Good width of skull topped by semi-erect ears, set high, could be placed a little close together; unfortunately he was quite sensitive to the noisy hall and reluctant to use them. Expressive dark almond eye, set at an oblique. Strong jaws and good underjaw, with correct bite. He has a proudly arched, muscular neck of good length into well set back shoulders, at correct angle to his upper arm. Forelegs set well under. His well-boned forelegs give impression of strength, without any sign of coarseness, and flow into good pasterns with required slope and flexibility. Forechest of good width and depth to elbow, with tapering ribcage carried well back to a strong loin. His back is level, with gentle rise over loin and slight slope to croup. Correct set and length of tail, covered with profuse coat, carried correctly. His hindquarters reflect forequarters in angulation, producing good balance. Stands on correct oval foot with well arched toes and moved out with smooth, graceful action. A lovely Sheltie with so much to like but would just not use his ears today.

Open (D/B)

(3,1) 1st Clegram’s Smiddyshaw Handful of Stars Impressive sable and white 7 year old bitch, presented in enviable condition, with strength and muscle tone I’d be delighted to find in dogs half her age. She is beautifully put together, proud arched neck flowing into long shoulder of good layback met by equal-length upper arm at 90 degrees, into strong and straight, well-boned forelegs having excellent strength and flexibility to pasterns and ending in strong, oval, well-arched and thickly padded feet. Firm and level backline with graceful sweep over loin, slight slope over croup, and tail set on and carried low, length to hock. A powerful rear complements her front in angulation, again very well-muscled with firm and low-set hocks leading into straight and short rear pasterns. Correct length of body, producing overall beautiful balance and symmetry. She has a pretty head, long and wedge-shaped oblique dark eye and flat skull with high-set, small ears that she used to advantage. Only signs of her age showing as slight frosting of white on her muzzle. In lovely coat, harsh and abundant, with mane and frill framing her elegant features. One of the best movers today, unsurprising given her construction and condition—covered the ring with smooth, lithe, and graceful action, holding a firm topline, with lovely convergence fore and aft. A beautiful sound veteran with staying power to be proud of, well done.

2nd Robertson’s Afterglow Goldberg at Vidlinvoe JW Richly shaded sable male, 4 and a half years old, in immaculately presented profuse, long, harsh coat with ample undercoat. He is a lovely size and has the most pleasing of heads carried on a proudly arched strong neck, refined and elegant, a long wedge with flat skull. Correctly set small ears, with good width at their base, that he used well. Lovely dark oblique almond-shaped eyes give him a sweet, melting expression. He has excellent pigment in all necessary areas, with a close fitting clean lipline and well-developed underjaw. He is nicely balanced all through with a well angulated front and rear; good spring of rib and a long tapering ribcage to give good strength to his topline. Good depth of chest, reaching his elbow. He could just have just a touch more rise over the loin and a little more length and slope to the croup. Lovely correct feet; oval, tightly arched, and well-padded underneath. Tail set on slightly high, profusely coated with gentle upward swirl at the end. Moved with a sound and balanced gait but just tended to bounce slightly today; another I’d love to see again on a more natural surface. 

3rd Barnes’ Highbrook Isle of Dreams