Cheltenham & District Canine Society

Cheltenham & District Canine Society Open Show 22nd February 2026.

I was delighted to receive an invitation to judge at the Cheltenham & District Canine Society Open Show. I had some lovely dogs to assess, which made the appointment all the more enjoyable. The show was very well organised and the judges were looked after extremely well throughout the day. There was a busy, vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of shows from years gone by. I stayed on to watch Best in Show, when lovely Group winners were on display. My stewards were superb in keeping myself and the ring in order! My sincere thanks to the officers and committee for such an enjoyable day.

Border Collie

Special Yearling 4,2

1. Lewis’s Shemella Sky Full Of Stars. B. 15 months. Balanced, appealing head contains attractive eyes. Of pleasing construction. Ample reach of neck. Secure topline. Good for body and ribbing. Sound true mover.

2. Allison’s Wenmap Special Arrival. B. 7 months. Another nice one but giving some away to 1 in maturity. Liked her overall balance and feminine head. Firm topline and well developed body; Moved soundly with good drive from the rear. Close call. BPIB.

Limit 7,2

1. Hodson & Johnson’s Littlethorn Mini Two. B. In lovely condition. Liked her overall size and outline enhanced by being very attentive to handler. Head is balanced being of good size and shape. Well laid shoulders and secure lengthy backline. Impressive on the move.

2. Allison’s Kinaway A Million Dreams (AI). Another nice one being impressive on the stand, producing a balanced outline. Head is well proportioned. Flat skull; appealing eyes and expression. OK for neck. Her movement is free flowing and effortless.

3. Lea’s Calareto All My Loving.

Open 3,2

1. Lewis’s Shemella To The Moon and Back. 15 months and a lot to like. Beautiful black and white coat. Well-proportioned head contains attractive eyes; correct bite. Good for reach of neck. Ribbing is well back; strong loins. Impressive rear angulations aid secure, strong drive. BOB.

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael)

Limit 1

1. Snook & Fowler’s Ugni-Blanc Des Perles Noires At Ashjack (Imp Fra), D. 2 years. Good bone and substance. Head is balanced giving typical expression. Good for body shape; rounded croup and good tuck up. OK for coat. Could be a tad stronger in overall movement.

Open 1

1. Fowler and Mancey’s Toptune Angleeyes. B. 4 years. Liked her size, substance and angulations. Body was short coupled, nice neck. OK for forechest. Impressive head and expression. Moved with confidence and determination. BOB.

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervueren)

Special Yearling 2

1. Brigginshaw’s Domburg Just Love Me At Cashele. B. 9 months. I certainly did love her! This future star is ultra feminine. She cannot help but to capture the eye when standing. Exquisite head which is balanced contains super almond shape eyes. Moderate throughout and unexaggerated. Super body. Balanced angulations both front and rear. Quality double coat of super colour. Brisk, true mover. BPIB, BOB, G2, PG1 and Reserve BPIS.

2. Sutton’s Niavana Simply Red with Kyann. 17 months. D. Masculine, maturing nicely and not overdone. Pleasing overall shape. Dark attractive eyes well pigmented. High set ears. Deep chest and secure topline. A tad unsettled on the move.

Lancashire Healer

Special Yearling 5,2

1. Grant-Parkes Parabar Pelatory’s Pichu. B. 14 months. Pleasing for size and overall proportions. Balanced head; strong muzzle and good dentition. Correct for neck above well laid shoulders. Strong backline. Well angulated hindquarters. Moved very well. Presented in super coat and condition.

2. Gamble & Pullen’s Fragarialea Sweet Charlie. D. Lovely B/T coat and a lot to like in respect to breed type and clearly maturing well. Balanced head contains lovely dark eyes. Well placed ears used to advantage. Enough neck; well laid shoulders. Neat feet. When settled he moved well. At 8 months he was giving a lot away in maturity to 1 but shows great promise. BP.

3. Bailey & Handcocks Parabar Pistachio. D.

Limit 4

1. Bellinger’s Foveaux Jean Genie At Healstone JW. 18 months. She produces a lovely balanced outline. Her well-proportioned head contains lovely eyes. She uses her ears to advantage. Lengthy neck; well-placed shoulders. Body is well ribbed. Nicely angulated forefront and hindquarters. Totally at one with her handler she moved superbly to win this competitive class. BOB.

2. Gamble & Pullen’s Srenscem Edred’s Ediva At Fragarialea B. 3 ½ years. Feminine and nicely constructed. Presented in super coat and condition. Head has a decent breadth of skull and strength to correctly tapered muzzle. Moderate length of neck into well placed shoulders. Good for overall bone and well-padded feet. Tends to stand a tad untidily. Smart mover.

3. Bailey & Handcock’s Selestar Lemon Drizzle.

Open 3,1

1. Grant-Parkes’s Parabar Posy’s Pawnee JW. 2 years. Sturdy young dog of balanced proportions, having ideal bone and well-muscled.

Appealing head; ears used to advantage. Body has a good spring of rib; elbows well placed. Good neck. He has excellent front assembly and complementary hindquarters. Moved briskly with a sense of purpose. Close call in the challenge for BOB.

2. Jones’s Ch Madincrowd Mercy Chant. Another lovely one. Mature at 8 years and in pristine condition. Admired her balanced feminine head and the lovely expression it portrays. She holds a strong topline. Enough for spring rib. Nicely balanced throughout. Moved with enthusiasm and at all times in unison with her handler. Presented in beautiful coat and condition.

Old English Sheepdog

Special Yearling 3

1. Naismith’s Shaggybo Mineral Mist. JW. D. 22 months and immediately caught my eye. Stands so well portraying the desired balanced. Already muscular. Masculine, well balanced head contains lovely eyes. Neck of good length above well laid shoulders. Elbows well placed. Well sprung ribs and deep brisket. Moved superbly and coat presented in fantastic order. Must have a great future. BOB

2. Benussi’s Merdelaines Chimney Sweep. D. 12 months. A happy character! Balanced when standing. Head gives a pleasing expression from attractive eyes; muzzle developing. Nicely arched neck. Enough bone and substance for age. Movement still to settle.

3. Wilkinson’s Kalaju Dream A Little Dream. B. Best Puppy.

Limit 1

1. Wheeler’s Makaylen Savanna Pearl. B. 22 months. Another lovely example of the breed. Good for pigment. Her outline is decidedly square and balanced. Correctly shaped skull contains appealing dark brown eyes. Lengthy neck, well laid shoulders and good brisket. Rear movement to settle. Nicely angulated forequarters produced ideal reach. Must have a promising future.

Open 4,2

1. Adam’s Makaylen Majestic Lady. B. 3 years. Mature and well balanced. Appealing eyes contained in a well-shaped head with correct stop and good finish. Strong bite. Enough neck. Well angulated forequarters. OK for rear movement. Strong body with excellent spring of rib. Well-presented coat.

2. Kirby’s Macopa Moment In Time. D. 8 years. Decidedly mature and masculine and of ample bone. OK for width of body; strong loins. Appealing head; well pigmented. He stands on good feet. Well angulated forequarters. Moved OK.

Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Puppy 3

1. Baverstock’s Kalkasi The Eternal Quest, B. 10 months. Well made for her age and I liked her overall shape. Good coat. She has plenty of bone and substance without being overdone. Attractive head with dark eyes. Correct neck, well placed shoulders with a firm topline. Correct gentle slope to croup. Her movement was mature and impressive. One to watch. BPIB.

2. Kennedy’s Gillandant Harvest Night At Pyrcot. D. 6 months and he appealed for overall balance and shape. Masculine head is nicely proportioned and contains a dark eye and dark pigment. Good for neck, shoulders and depth of chest. Sound true mover. A very close call between two super youngsters.

3. Baverstock’s Eternal Destiny. B

Limit 1

1. Kennedy’s Gamuvel Patou Via Dell Amore At Pyrcot (Imp LAT), B. 2 years. Good for type and pleasing for bone and size. OK for head. Well-constructed throughout with good lay of shoulders. Well bodied with deep chest and secure topline. She is a confident effortless mover.

Open 5,1

A wonderful class to judge.

1. Kenyon & Ward’s Ch Charibere Simply The Sequel At Kaianna JW D. 5 years. Mature, masculine, full of quality and of a lovely size and shape. His head is impressive, well-proportioned and contains super dark almond eyes. Loved his forequarters, shoulder placement and well placed elbows. Well bodied; good depth of chest; excellent ribcage. Sound, stylish and so accurate on the move which gave him the edge over 2. BOB & G1.

2. Baverstock’s Ch Kalkasi Just Because JW. D. Close up on 1. Mature 4 year old. Beautifully presented and in muscled condition. Head contains lovely kind eyes. Well placed neck. Deep chest and well ribbed body. Hindquarters are moderately angulated. Confident, sound mover covering the ground with ease. Coat was well presented and of good texture. Another worthy Champion.

3. Kenyon & Ward’s Charibere Reason To Dream At Kaianna JW. B.

AVNSC Pastoral

Puppy 2

1. Ransome’s Serenlas Dream Maker. Collie (Rough), B. 11 months. Head developing and contains lovely eyes. OK for neck length. Happy and alert. Used her ears to advantage. eye. In lovely coat and condition. She moved very well. Best AVNSC Pastoral Puppy.

2. Thorne’s Chelbrook Look At Me. Collie (Rough), D. 8 months and giving some away in maturity to 1. Balanced wedge shaped head giving pleasing expression, kind medium eye set obliquely; good ears. Rear movement to strengthen but has plenty of time.

3. Cronk & Preddy’s Chelborn Blue Me Away, Collie (Rough). B

Special Yearling 2,1

1. Lusty’s Blamorder The Con Artist, Collie (Smooth), D. Attractive youngster with good angulations which aid the appealing outline on the stand. Lovely wedge shaped head with good finish. Proportioned, well set neck. Attentive to handler and moved well.

Limit 3,1

1. Rodger’s Blamorder High Brow With Jerdoni, Collie (Smooth),B. 4 years. Not the largest but of pleasing shape and of moderate angulations. Head of ample length with good muzzle. Eyes giving feminine expression. Lovely lay of shoulder. Secure topline. Steady mover which gave her the edge over 2.

2. Skinner’s Ladnar Makeithappen For Nikal Collie (Rough), D. 3 years. Typical outline. Balanced head of good shape; well-placed eyes and correct ears. Good for chest. Steady mover but tends ends to carry his tail high which detracts. Well presented. Close call.

Open 4

1. Strong and Clinton’s Ch Ohanaway Having A Blast At Mavkjama. Swedish Vallhund. Judged him as a rangy youngster and now at 6 years he has certainly matured into a most impressive Dog. Masculine, balanced, head. Kind eye giving a lovely expression. Lengthy neck. Correct for depth chest. Body is well ribbed. Moderate angulations throughout. Sound true mover. Best AVNSC Pastoral.

2. Forman’s Ch Kintaro Grace Kelly With Suzdans ShCEx, German Shepherd Dog, 5 years. A dog I have long admired. Excels in breed type. Presented in super condition. Just a tad untidy in rear movement which influenced the decision between two most worth Champions.

3. Rodger’s Blamoorder Mischief Maker With Jerdoni. Collie (Smooth).

AV Imported Breed Register Pastoral

Open Dog 2

1. Henshaw’s Whitehemi’s Charger. White Swiss Shepherd Dog. D. 13 months. Pleasing youngster. Balanced head gives a lovely expression. Good forequarters and rear angulations and being of sound bone. Moved soundly with a parallel gait and impressive reach and drive. Best AV Imported Register (Pastoral).

2. Poole’s Regerstace Jigsaw (Imp IRE), Hungarian Mudi. D. Really fit and well-muscled he was really nice to examine. Medium sized and decidedly moderate in bone, he moved very well and unlucky to meet 1. RBOB.

Open Bitch

1. Huntley’s Var Des Monts Lokiralgris At Puidelup, Icelandic Sheepdog. B. 14 months and a lot to admire. Most attractive full coat presented in wonderful condition. Excellent body. Head portrays the desired keen expression. Well placed ears and good teeth. Secure topline. Nicely angulated. Impressive on the move.

2. Henshaw’s Whitehemi’s Crossley White Swiss Shepherd Dog. B. 13 months is still very much in the developing stage. Appealing head contains dark eyes. Well placed neck. Enough rib and secure backline. OK coat.

AV Pastoral Veteran 11,5

1. Ch Meitza Erik The King, Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

2. Ch Zottells Honey Moon At Shaggybo ShCM (Old English Sheepdog)

3. Ch Madincrowd Gabriel JW. Lancashire Healer.

Pastoral Group

1. Kenyon & Ward’s Ch Charibere Simply The Sequel At Kaianna JW. (Pyrenean Mountain Dog).

2. Brigginshaw’s Domburg Just Love Me At Cashele. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervueren).

3. Naismith’s Shaggybo Mineral Mist JW (Old English Sheepdog)

4. Cutt’s Haresfoot Fates Align (NBT) JW. (Welsh Corgi Pembroke)

Pastoral Puppy Group

1. Brigginshaw’s Domburg Just Love Me At Cashele. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervueren). Reserve BPIS.

2. McGreade’s Vandreem Imperial Ocean For Frostia (Samoyed)

3. Young’s Levisbrooks Lunur Eclipse (Welsh Corgi – Pembroke)

4. Morrison’s Milesend Dancing Master At Ketim (Sheland Sheepdog)

Tony Allcock OBE (Judge)