Lichfield Canine Society

Lichfield Canine Society Open Show 3rd January 2026

My grateful thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge these two breeds, and to the breed clubs for supporting my appointment. This show is always very well-organised with ample sized rings to allow assessment of movement. The committee, stewards and other helpers on the day kept the show running without any delays. A big thank you to the exhibitors who entered under me, and particularly to those who had kind words about my judging after I was finished.

Susan Jones (Keltiklan)

Lancashire Heeler

I was looking for a dog that is capable of working in rugged terrain in all weathers. The exhibits shown today were of varying types, but those which placed higher demonstrated strength in body and character necessary for moving livestock and controlling vermin in rural landscapes.

Puppy (4, 0)

1st Hughes RIBBLESPRIDE KRUGER. 11 month old dog, who’s age and maturity won the class today. Lovely shape to the head with well used ears. Good mouth. Moderate neck onto well laid shoulders. Elbows tight against the ample ribs. Good proportions throughout, with correct angulation front and rear. Carried tail proudly which gave a pleasing outline on the stand and on the move. BP

2nd Davies ALICEINWONDERLAND ABSOLEM DE L’ETANG DE PINCEMAILLE AT PIPARLO (IMP) Just 7 months old and still very raw, but a lot to like. Nice head with well set ears and a keen expression. Good length of neck and good angles front and rear. Would prefer the elbows to be a bit tighter, as he was a little loose on the move, but this should come as he matures.

Junior (6, 2)

1st Bellinger FOVEAUX JEAN GENIE AT HEELSTONE JW. Nicely balanced young bitch. Head of good proportions with expressive eyes and ears sensitive in use. Very attentive to handler. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders and good angulation front and rear. Good spring of ribs and elbows tucked tight. Moved with a brisk action.

2nd Grant-Parkes PARABAR PELATORY’S PICHU. Another bitch with a good head of nice proportions. Good front and rear assembly and carried her tail proudly. Just preferred the movement of 1st today, who was a bit more settled in the ring.

Post Graduate (6, 2)

1st Grant-Parkes PARABAR POSY’S POWWOW. Strong 2-year-old dog, who is top size and looking very mature for his age. Lovely head of good proportions. Strong neck and well ribbed, with tight elbows. Enough bone and well-muscled to do a days work. Good angulation at both ends and the tail didn’t stop wagging! Best mover in this class. RBOB

2nd Bradford DROVERSROCK PYRITE. Slighter build to this bitch, which gave her a more feminine look than some of the other bitches shown today. Very attentive to her handler. Good head with expressive eyes and ears used sensitively. Neck of good length. Good front and rear assembly. Moved ok, but didn’t seem to have much enthusiasm for showing today.

Open (5, 0)

1st Grant-Parkes PARABAR POSY’S PAWNEE JW. Litter brother to 1st in PG, and both of equal merit. Sturdy dog of balanced proportions. Good head and expressive ears and eyes. Good neck. Elbows tucked in against a good spring of ribs and depth of chest. Ample bone and well-muscled. Good angulation front and rear. Moved briskly with purpose. BOB, after giving a slightly more balanced performance in the challenge.

2nd Dawes LEYESIDE MISTER WILDS AT DAWESLEAN. Much stronger head than 1st, carried on a well-muscled neck. Well angulated front and rear with good depth of chest and ribs. Moved well.

Kooikerhondje

My first judging appointment for this breed which I have long admired, and I was not disappointed with my entries, or the sportsmanship shown by exhibitors at my decisions. I was delighted to have a pup to go over, and at the opposite end of the age spectrum, an 11-year-old who certainly showed some of the youngsters how it’s done! I’m sure that my placings in all classes could change on another day, such was the quality of the exhibits.

Puppy (1, 0)

1st Dunford GIJS (IMP) Just 6 months old and this pup was very raw, but a lot to like. Lovely head with friendly expression and correctly positioned and shaped ears. Good neck onto well laid shoulders. Nice angulation front and rear. Tail of good length and carried up on the move, with correct action and covering the ground well. One I shall follow with interest. BP

Junior (0)

Post Graduate (4, 2)

1st Guy MIDDANWINTER WAR HORSE AT KERELKOOR JW. Dog of good size, masculine but not overdone. Well-proportioned head, with distinct stop. Kind expression, but always attentive to handler. Correct feathering to ears. Well-muscled neck allowed for high head carriage. Front and rear angulation was good, just needs to drop in chest a little but that will come with age. Long tail carried high on the move, where he flowed around the ring with good extension and rear drive. BOB, beating his kennelmate on movement.

2nd Williams GLADSHEIM PHOENIX RISING. Bitch of balanced proportions. Nice head with distinctly feminine look about her. Good earrings. Nice angulation front and rear. Moved well, covering the ground with ease.

Open (5, 0)

1st Guy GLADSHEIM ELEODORA AT KERELKOOR. Slightly smaller dog in size but still very balanced. Lovely head with a kind face. Very long earrings. Attentive to handler throughout. Good length to neck, good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Lovely angulation front and rear. Carried the tail well on the move. RBOB

2nd Gutteridge BENITIN TROJAN OF GEDULD. Someone didn’t read the breed standard about not being noisy! Masculine dog with a richer colouration than 1st, highlighted by dark ear tips and ringlets. Good head, with ample earrings, attentive to handler. Well laid shoulder. Good angulation front and rear. Moved well with high tail carriage.