Southampton & District Canine Association

Southampton & District Canine Association Open Show 6th April 2026

It was a pleasure to judge at Southampton & District Canine Association’s show, and my sincere thanks go to the committee for inviting me. The day was beautifully organised and efficiently run in the lovely surroundings of Embley Park, and with the weather on our side the atmosphere remained relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable throughout. My appreciation also goes to the exhibitors who brought their dogs for me to assess; it was a delight to them maturing so well. All exhibits were presented in excellent condition, with sound bites, good grooming and confident handling. Keep up the good work — it was a very pleasing entry to judge.

Bearded Collie

Class 66 Post Graduate (1,1)

1st: 142 Fooks’ Moonhill Blissful Dream: 4-year-old slate grey bitch, fully mature with good bone and a correctly proportioned body giving a pleasing silhouette. Balanced feminine head with well carried ears, wide set dark eyes and a strong muzzle with scissor bite. Good length of neck, shoulders well-laid; forelegs straight and parallel. Level back, strong loin and deep chest. Tail low set and correctly carried. Hindquarters with well developed thighs, low hocks and good placement. Calm and steady on the stack. Sound angulation fore and aft, giving good reach, drive and efficient ground coverage. Shaggy outer coat typical of breed. RBOB.

Class 67 Open (1,1)

1st: 144 Patterson’s Eltimaris Jubilee Hoorah JW: 3-year-old blue bitch of good bone, proportion and balance. Broad, flat, square skull in correct proportion to body, with medium ears dropping neatly. Eyes wide set, slightly light but coat toned, soft and expressive. Strong, proportionate muzzle and neat lips complete an attractive, harmonious feminine head. Neck of good length into well placed shoulders and a level back. Well sprung ribs with a deep chest. Well muscled second thighs with well turned stifles and low hocks. Front and rear feet correctly placed; closed and well haired. Coat of correct texture. Excellent topline on the move. Long reaching, ground covering gait delivered with minimum effort and clean front action. Her athletic, well toned rear and workmanlike body gave her the edge today. Best mover with superior muscle tone. BOB.

Lancashire Heeler

Class 88 Puppy (1,2)

1st: 186 Gamble & Pullen’s Fragarialea Sweet Charlie: 10 month old Black & Tan male of good size and proportion, already showing the outline of a sturdy worker. Masculine, balanced head with parallel planes, correct skull width and dark, almond shaped eyes giving an alert, happy expression. Correct ear carriage. Excellent neck into well laid shoulders with good layback and correct upper arm length. Good chest width for age, firm elbows and ample bone. Pasterns correct. Proportionate body with a level topline and high tail set. Hindquarters well angulated with well turned stifles and a parallel rear. Moves smartly and briskly with balanced ease, sound for age, and will naturally fill out and strengthen with maturity. BPIB

Class 89 Junior (0,1)

Class 90 Post Graduate D/B (2,0)

1st: 187 Gamble & Pullen’s Srenscem Edred’s Ediva At Fragarialea:  4 year old liver bitch of pleasing size with an excellent feminine profile and a head of quality, showing a soft, confident expression. Good neck and muscle tone. Balanced front and rear assembly working in sync, with a correct tail set and a firm, straight topline maintained on the move. with correct angulation fore and aft. She showed freer, more purposeful movement, with front and rear working together cleanly and efficiently. Would prefer a little more length of body to complete the outline, but overall a sound, honest bitch who moves with purpose.

2nd:  190 Webb’s Hoscar Isabella: 4 year old liver bitch, now a fully mature female with a settled outline. Happy, steady temperament, and endearing to see her back in the ring, still her cheerful self with a wagging tail and clearly recognising the judge. Feminine head of quality with correct skull width, well carried ears and liver toned almond eyes giving a soft expression. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Good chest width with well carried ribbing. Straight, firm topline with correct tail set. Well developed thighs and good rear angulation. Neat feet and correct coat texture. While mature and settled, she carried a touch more weight, softening her outline slightly compared to the winner.

Class 91 Open (2,0)

1st 189 Webb’s Foveaux Magic Dance JW: 2 year old Black & Tan male of overall balance, with head and body proportionate and showing masculinity without coarseness. Dark eyes and an alert, confident expression. Good neck length and strength, level back and firm loin with correct height to length proportions, and a tail set that sits naturally on the croup. Correct shoulder well laid back with good return of upper arm, front legs parallel and well boned for his age, and good rib length. Excellent hindquarters with good tone to the thighs, stifles well turned and hocks well let down. Attentive and willing with his handler. Moves like a dog ready for work – free, efficient and coordinated. Still maturing but so promising; my highlight of the day. BOB

2nd 192 Whiteman’s Ch Madincrowd Edred: 7 year old Black & Tan male of overall balance, with a proportionate head to body and an excellent masculine head, muzzle of good strength and correct skull proportions. Dark eyes, confident, steady expression. Moderate neck leading into a well laid shoulder and good chest depth. Correct return of upper arm and well ribbed. Hindquarters show excellent muscle tone to the thighs and correct hock placement. Tail set and carried correctly on the move. A mature male showing the balance, type and construction expected at this age, and one who has clearly held his quality into maturity. Outshone on the day by the winner, younger and fitter exhibit.  RBOB

Shetland Sheepdog

Class 100 Puppy (1,0)

1st 221 Rossiter’s Cocaro The Enchantress: 7 month old sable & white stunning female of good body length and proportion. Long wedge shaped head tapering cleanly from ears to nose, with skull and muzzle on parallel planes and a slight, correct stop. Well set ears used to advantage, giving a sweet, intelligent expression. Neck of good length into a well placed shoulder; straight forelegs with good bone. Level back with a graceful sweep over the loin and a low tail set. Exceptionally well developed ribcage for her age, giving her a deep, well formed chest. Hindquarters developing well, with defined thigh muscle, low hocks and a pleasing turn of stifle. Coat complements her outline. Clean, effortless movement with good drive. A promising youngster, well-presented and in tune with her handler. BPIB. Pastoral Puppy Group 2nd.

Class 101 Junior (1,0) 

1st 207 Arnould’s Shadoway Minuette: 14 month old sable & white female. Presents an excellent outline with correct body proportions and good overall length. Typical feminine head, well balanced to body, with dark, expressive eyes giving an intelligent, gentle outlook. Neck of good length leading into well laid shoulders. Level back. Croup gently sloped with a low tail set. Good bone throughout. Well constructed front and hindquarters, with strong front pasterns and good angulation fore and aft. A stylish mover, true coming and going. Not in full coat today, yet maintains a level topline on the move. Well handled. Moves beautifully, though momentarily distracted by a scent on the ground. 

Class 102 Post Graduate (3,2)

1st 210 Creamer’s Shezaray Beyond The Galaxy At Lyngarso: 19 month old blue merle bitch. Excellent body proportions and good overall length, with a balanced outline throughout. Stood out for her excellent muscle tone. Wedge shaped head of quality, clean and well balanced to body, with dark, expressive eyes giving a soft, intelligent outlook. Moderate, well muscled neck. Good topline on the move. Well developed chest and correct shoulders, with excellent hindquarters. Strong bone without heaviness. Coat of correct texture; harsh, straight outer coat with a dense undercoat, fitting her body and not overwhelming her outline. Excellent physique and attentive temperament, powering around the ring with reach and drive as if ready to work.

2nd 212 Evans’ Cocaro Pretty in Pink: 2 year old shaded sable female, petite and compact in frame with good height. Feminine, fine headpiece and a soft, appealing expression. Moderately muscled neck, short loin and a gently sloping croup with a low tail set. Thighs well developed. Hindquarters sound and hocks low. Front legs straight with good pastern strength. Overall a neat, tidy outline. However, she would benefit from more reach from the shoulder, which affected her overall extension on the move. On the day, the winner showed the stronger physique and the more efficient, balanced movement, giving her the edge in this class.

3rd 218 Lewis’ Savendie Fortune Cookie For Shemella

Class 103 Limit (1,2) 

1st 222 Rossiter’s Cocaro The Highlander JW: 2 year old shaded sable male with an impressive, balanced outline, body of good length and never overlong. Excellent front profile and masculine throughout, yet showing masculinity without coarseness, elegance without weakness, and balance without exaggeration. Head balanced to body proportions, skull and muzzle on parallel planes, flat cheeks and a strong, well finished muzzle. Expressive dark almond eyes and correctly placed ears used well. Moderate, strong neck into well laid shoulders, straight parallel forelegs and good chest width. Ribs well sprung. Level, strong back, gently sloping croup and low set tail. Hindquarters powerful with well muscled thighs, low hocks and good turn of stifle. Correct harsh outer coat with full undercoat, mane profuse but not heavy. Sound and coordinated on the move with effortless ground coverage. Already correct for his age and will only get better. RBOB.

Class 104 Open (4,1) 

1st 208 Arnould’s Shadoway Rosa Esmeralda: Shaded sable female just short of 11 with well proportioned frame. Excellent coat texture, profuse but not overly coated, fitting her outline well. Feminine profile with a blunt wedge head, correctly shaped and set ears, and expressive dark almond eyes giving a sweet, gentle outlook. Muzzle in proportion to skull. Moderate neck leading into excellent forequarters with good shoulder placement and elbows set correctly to the body. Well ribbed. Back level and carried firmly on the move, tail low. Hindquarters soundly constructed with good hock strength and a correctly turning stifle. Pasterns strong, and front and rear coordinated on the move with nothing excessive. An elegant female, handled well by her owner. Aged like fine wine — the best mover today. BOB.

2nd 219 McShane’s Blenmerrow Ring of Roses: 5 year old shaded sable, a fully matured and proportionate female, not overly long in body. Feminine wedge head with equal skull to muzzle ratio, flat cheeks, dark oblique eyes and a sweet expression. Ears well set and thrown back on the move. Dark nose and tight black lips complete a clean, elegant headpiece. Moderate neck into well placed shoulders, elbows close to body and a good chest. Front legs straight with good pastern action. Well ribbed with a level back and low tail set. Hindquarters sound with defined thigh muscle, low hocks and correct stifle turn. Covers the ground with ease. Harsh outer coat complementing her silhouette, though more volume preferred. Beautifully handled.

3rd 205 Allen’s Sanbrakel Sunshine Breeze

Res 209 Creamer’s Lyngarso Captain Tom