Mid Western Shetland Sheepdog Club

Midwestern Shetland Sheepdog Club Open Show 

22-02-2026 

I would like to sincerely thank the committee for the invitation to judge their championship show. It is an honour to judge the breed in its country of origin, and I was both proud and grateful to receive such a high entry. The show was well organised, and there was a great atmosphere throughout the day created by the exhibitors themselves, so a big thank you to everyone involved. 

Overall, I found the general type to be good and even. As is often the case, the quality in bitches was particularly strong and I had plenty of choice for Best Bitch, with several I would happily have taken home. My main winners were excellent in breed type and sound in construction. 

After the break, I felt that some dogs were a little more unsure than earlier in the day, but overall temperaments were fine. 

When I judged previously, I commented on dental condition. I was pleased to see improvement in this area, although some exhibitors could still pay closer attention to regular cleaning. I also felt that a number of exhibits would benefit from improved muscle tone and slightly less weight, as it affects overall impression and movement, making them appear heavier than ideal. 

Minor Puppy Dog (4,3a): 

1st Sparks’ Jimdage Golden Nugget, a promising 7-month-old puppy of pleasing type with good proportions and outline. He has a masculine, long wedge-shaped head. The stop still needs to clear, which should come with maturity. His eyes are somewhat deep set and slightly small, but dark and almond shaped. Unfortunately, his ears were rather erect on the day, but I am sure when they are correctly tipped it will soften his expression. Better angulated in the rear compared to the front. Correct substance in body for the age. Sufficient bone and correct substance for his age. I would like a little more reach and drive, but when settled his movement is more balanced. He had the most wonderful temperament and if it was a jumping competition then he would have won. Excellent coat that is well presented 

Puppy Dog (2,1a): 

1st Walker’s Cuilshelties Touch Of Class with Grandgenes, a masculine and mature blue puppy, slightly strong for his age for me. Excellent shape and proportions. Strong wedge-shaped head with masculine expression, nicely rounded muzzle and well-set almond shaped eyes. Correct ear placement and tipping. I hope he does not strengthen further in head. Beautiful arched neck flowing from correct shoulder placement and well angulated in front, with pleasing forechest for his age. Strong bone and correct substance. I would prefer a touch more angulation behind. He moved very well around the ring with balanced reach and drive. Clear silvery blue coat, well broken and of correct texture. Excellent presentation and he showed like a professional. In the challenge for best puppy, I preferred the elegance in head of the bitch. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how he will develop because we lack good blues in the breed. 

Junior Dog (2,0a): 

1st Stafford’s Rannerdale Jammy Dodger, a mature and up-to-size male who has a super shape and excellent proportions. Masculine head retaining sweetness of expression, but I would prefer more refinement. Beautifully rounded muzzle, clean cheeks and excellent ear placement. Eyes well set, just a touch round. I loved everything about him after his ears. Lovely arched neck flowing from excellent shoulder and upper arm placement, giving correct forechest. Strong bone fitting his size and excellent substance. Correct spring of rib and pleasing sweep over the loins with correct tail set. Excellent angulated behind. Superbly presented coat without a hair out of place. He was one of the best movers of the day and because of that he was shortlisted. This is a high-quality male who should gain his title easily. 

 2nd Hughes’ Shadowess If I Can Dream at Cochochr, up-to-size elegant male who is longer in proportions. More refined in head than 1st with a sweet expression. Enough rounded muzzle. Well-set almond eyes and correct tipped ears. Excellent shoulder, bit straight in upper arm. Good bone and feet. Long in loins and carrying a little extra weight today. Enough angulated behind. Moves well from the side but not as precise in front as 1st. Excellent coat texture. Well handled. 

Yearling Dog (1,0): 

1st Hateley’s Mohnesee The Charm Master JW, excellent, typey male who has an elegant outline and is just in that in-between age. Nice proportions in body. Excellent head that is still developing. Sweet expression due to excellent dark almond shaped eyes that are correctly set. Excellent proportions in head with a flat skull that we don’t see often anymore. Needs to develop a bit in muzzle and fill in, but that should come with time. Moderately angulated in front, shoulder placement is OK giving him enough neck. Good substance in body. Excellent sweep over the loins. Well angulated behind, but sometimes he stands a bit close in hocks. Balanced movement with moderate stride, still youthful in front. Sometimes he is high stepping in the front when distracted. In between coats but of correct texture. Excellent temperament. It will be interesting to see how he develops. 

 Novice Dog (2,2a): 

 Graduate Dog (3,1a): 

1st Gartland’s Arcot Polished Black JW, smaller tricolour male who has pleasing proportions and a good shape. Masculine enough head, that is a bit shorter. Rounded muzzle and maximum amount of stop. I would prefer a flatter skull. Well-set dark eyes, slightly round. Excellent ears. Lovely tan markings that give him a sweet expression. Suitable bone for the size. Well angulated all-over. Excellent chest and depth of it. OK substance for age. Moves well from the side and in front, sometimes a bit untidy behind. Correct coat texture with slight wave. Nice temperament and nicely handled. I preferred his proportions over 2nd. 

2nd Hughes’ Shadowess If I Can Dream at Cochochr, placed 2nd in junior. 

Post Graduate Dog (5,2a): 

Interesting class and number 1 and 2 could have been swapped as both possess different virtues. 

1st Potts’ Shadowess Jubilee Prince, excellent type male with correct proportions. Masculine wedge-shaped head with lovely, rounded muzzle. Sufficient almond shaped dark eyes. He was a bit reluctant to show his ears, but when he did, he had that typical masculine and sweet expression. Steep in front and therefore a bit shorter in neck. Stands a little out at elbows. Good bone and substance with excellent sweep over the loins. Well angulated behind. Movement is balanced from the side but he could have a longer stride. Somewhat loose in his front movement. Excellent coat texture and volume that was well presented. Calm and friendly temperament. He won the class for his breed type. 

2nd Clegram’s Smiddyshaw Here I Go Again, nice male who has a lovely shape and excellent proportions. His head could not match 1st, although he has a well-rounded muzzle and clean cheeks. Stop breaks a little low. Bit wide between the eyes. Well set ears that are a bit heavy. Masculine head, but his expression is not as sweet as the one before him. He scores on his construction as he has an arced neck due to his front construction. Excellent bone and substance. Correct sweep over the loins. His rear matches his front construction and therefore moved nicely from all sides. Professionally groomed coat of excellent colour, quantity and texture. Excellent temperament 

3rd Sutherland’s Shougies Starmaker at Suthesley 

Open Dog (2,0a): 

1st Stafford’s Rannerdale Mister Majic, a high-quality male and excellent in all details. I fell in love with him when he entered the ring. Super shape, proportions and he screams breed type. Masculine, yet sweet and elegant wedge-shaped head. Nicely rounded muzzle, clean cheeks and correct amount of stop. Beautiful dark almond shaped eyes. He has such an eye-catching expression when he uses his well-set tipped ears. Excellent arched neck, well angulated front with correct forechest. Excellent bone, substance and sweep over the loins. Excellent angulations behind with a correct tail set. On the move he was rather affected by the surroundings, although he was better when he was handled for BIS. He showed enough to see he covers the ground with reach and drive. Excellent coat in quantity and texture. Beautifull colour. I wished he’d been a little more settled, because he wasn’t making it an easy job. But he is so close to the standard in my eyes, that I forgave him. In the challenge for BIS I preferred his shape and finish compared to the bitch. I could have taken him home because I loved his type! 

2nd Sutherland’s Shelcrest Winter Solstice at Suthesley JW, masculine male who is of correct size and more compact in proportions compared to 1st. Masculine head that is a touch strong in back skull, rounded muzzle. Slightly rounded dark eyes. OK ear placement and carriage. He still has a nice and masculine expression. Moderately angulated in front and rear. The whole front is placed forward. Enough neck. OK bone for size. Nice spring of ribs. Prefer a shorter hock. He had not the same reach and drive as 1st, in front and back he moved a bit wide. Lovely dark sable coat that was well presented. Nice temperament. 

Veteran Dog (3,1a): 

1st Hull’s Mohnesee Dream Date of Lizmark JW, lovely veteran male of excellent quality that screams breed type. Spot on for size. Excellent shape, touch long in proportions. I have judged this dog before, and I liked him then and today he showed with more sparkle. Classic head and expression. Super proportions in head that is a correct long blunt wedge. Dark, somewhat small, almond shaped eyes. Today he showed his ears super, creating such a sweet expression. Excellent neck. Enough angulated in front and back. Enough forechest. Excellent bone, substance and spring of ribs. Nice sweep over the loins with correct set but bit short tail. He shows balanced movement from the side with reach and drive. He now starts to show his age in his front and back movement. Beautiful golden sable coat that was well presented and enhances his shape. Calm temperament. I was happy to award him reserve best dog and best veteran because of his correct size and superb breed type! I hope his owner can enjoy him for a long time! 

2nd Goodwin’s Highbrook Hobnob JW, another lovely veteran male who looked very smart today. Excellent shape and proportions. Super masculine and sweet head, that could be a touch more refined in back skull. Super muzzle and eyes. Correct placed but somewhat deep stop. Excellent ears. Clean cheeks. Excellent neck due to well set shoulder. Excellent bone and substance. Well angulated behind with nice sweep over the loins. Tail a bit short. Moves so easily around the ring with ground covering movement and out moved a lot of the younger ones that were entered. Excellent temperament. Lovely colour and really well presented coat. Nicely presented. Shown in excellent condition. I hope the owner can enjoy this quality dog for a long time! 

Special Open Sable & White Dog (1,1a): 

Special Open Tricolour/Black & White/ Black & Tan Dog (2,1a): 

1st Stafford’s Rannerdale King Of The Dark, smaller than ideal, pretty boy who has a lot of Sheltie charm. More compactly built. Shorter head with a deeper stop than ideal. Beautiful rounded muzzle and clean cheeks. Bit round eyes. Small correct tipped ears that are closely set. Still a pleasing expression due to lovely rich tan markings. Slightly forward placed front. Somewhat upright in shoulder and tends to turn in his front legs. Excellent bone for his size. He carries a bit too much weight on him today. Well angulated behind. Shorter, but balanced movement. Toeing-in in front while moving towards, correctly behind. Excellent jet-black coat of excellent quality and quantity. 

Special Open Blue Merle Dog (1,1a): 

Baby Puppy Dog (3,1a): 

1st Bray’s Lianbray’s Launcelot, smaller puppy who is very sweet. More compact in proportions. Shorter head type with dark almond shaped eyes and well-set ears. Enough rounded muzzle which all together gives him a very sweet and melting expression. He could be more angulated in front and rear, but he is balanced. Nice bone and substance for the age. Slightly high hocks and he tends to stand not always parallel behind. Still very puppyish on the move. Promising puppy coat. Won his class because of size and sweetness. 

2nd Mayhew’s Shelcrest Gold Skies over Sandwick, big and strong puppy who has an excellent shape and proportions. He was very much the opposite of 1st. Strong wedge-shaped head. Needs to clear in stop, nice almond shaped eyes. Well set ears. Super neck due to excellent front construction, nice forechest for the age. Excellent bone and spring of ribs. Nice sweep over the loins and correct tail. Excellent hind angulations. Super movement! Very well schooled. It’s a shame that he is already top size and rather strong at this age, because he has so many great attributes in construction and shape. Lovely temperament. 

Baby Puppy Bitch (3,1a): 

1st Sapsford’s Shelcrest Band Of Gold, litter sister to 2nd in baby dog class. She has the same virtues as her brother but has a correct size. Stylish outline. Touch strong in head with clean cheeks. Dark eyes and lovely ears. Enough feminine expression. Excellent bone and substance. Nice spring of ribs and sweep over the loins. She flowed around the ring with excellent reach and drive. She showed like a veteran and had a wonderful attitude. Correct tail set and carriage. Nice temperament but needs some more training on the table. One to watch for the future and I was happy to award her Best Baby Puppy In Show. 

2nd James’ Valmay Serenade, super sweet and feminine puppy with lovely proportions and shape. I preferred her head over 1st, super dark almond shaped eyes, correct stop and ears giving her that typical sweet expression. Better angulated at the rear compared to front. Nice bone and substance for the age. Slightly high stepping in the front. Moves well from the side. Another very promising puppy of excellent breed type who also will be one to watch. 

Minor Puppy Bitch (5,2a): 

Another lovely class of three very promising puppies of excellent type who show a lot of prospects. 1st Ritchie’s Jaelis Mystique Realism, feminine and elegant puppy with correct proportions and nice shape. She was the most mature in this class. Elegant long wedge-shaped head. Needs to clear a little in stop, but that should be alright with time. Lovely eyes and ears creating a feminine expression. Enough rounded muzzle. Lovely neck and shoulder, bit steep in upper arm. Sufficient rear angulation. Nice substance and bone. Moves steadily and balanced from all sides. Promising coat that has a lovely red colour. Excellent presentation and temperament. She won best puppy because of her elegance and type. Good luck with her future show career. 

2nd Hateley’s Mohnesee Ria’ly A Dream, another very typey and feminine bitch who is slightly longer in proportions but has an elegant shape. She has a lovely head and expression, the best in the class regarding this. Lovely wedge-shaped head with flat skull, dark expressive eyes and correct ears. Nice neck due to correct shoulder, but her front is placed too much forward. Excellent long ribcage. Well angulated behind with nice sweep over the loins. She was sometimes a bit reluctant to show her movement but covers the ground with enough reach and drive. I thought 1st was already a bit more steady in front on the day. Lovely temperament. Good luck with her! 

3rd Goodwin’s Highbrook Hint Of Honey 

Puppy Bitch (2,1a): 

1st Mottram’s Grandgenes Designed In Gold for Lochkaren, 9 months old stylish bitch with and elegant outline. Long wedge-shaped head that could have a touch more width, but that can come with age. Well placed stop. Could fill a bit more under the eyes. Enough rounded muzzle. Well set, slightly heavy ears. Excellent shoulder that gives her that typical arched neck. Correct upper arm. Sufficient bone. Nicely angulated in the back. Lovely low set long tail and correct sweep over the loins. On the move she shows enough drive, but she tends to dive a bit in her front. Still a bit youthful in her front movement. Excellent coat that was well presented. Lovely temperament. 

Junior Bitch (4,0a): 

1st Stafford’s Rannerdale Coco Pop, up-to-size stronger bitch of excellent type and proportions. Very stylish shape. Stronger head that could be a bit more refined. Touch deep in back skull. Lovely, rounded muzzle and clean cheeks. Excellent ears. Touch round, but dark eyes. Maximum amount of stop. She still has a sweet and feminine expression. Like her litter brother she has excellent angulations all-over and good substance. Strong bone. Lovely sweep over the loins. Moves very easily and light. Covers a lot of ground. She is not always relaxed therefore she can move a little loosely in the front. Another one from this kennel who was groomed to perfection. Short listed for best bitch because of her shape and movement. 

2nd Goodwin’s Highbrook Hot Pants, very feminine bitch of excellent type with good proportions and of correct size. Feminine head and expression. The most beautiful dark eyes creating that typical expression. Maximum amount of stop. Enough under jaw. Nice neck. Correct shoulder, but bit steep in upper arm. Excellent bone and substance in body. Bit straight in pasterns. Well angulated in the rear. Balanced movement with enough reach and drive. Little loose in the front. Lovely temperament. Well presented coat with a lovely rich red colour. Shown in a great condition. 

3rd Dawson’s Shadowess Mystic Star 

4th Sutherland’s Suthesley Petunia 

Yearling Bitch (2,1a): 

1st Bray’s Lianbray Lucy Lockey JW, very sweet and typical bitch of correct size, with a lovely shape but a bit long in loins. Super head with ideal proportions. Correct placed and amount of stop. Well rounded muzzle. Jet black almond shaped eyes that create an extremely sweet and feminine expression. OK ears. Excellent shoulder and upper arm giving her a nice neck and forechest. Nice bone. A bit round in ribs due to carrying slightly extra weight. Well angulated in the rear with nice sweep over the loins. She was not completely relaxed today, and it affected her movement. She showed enough reach and drive but missed some stability in the front. She was short listed because of her obvious breed type and super expression. 

Novice Bitch (3,1a): 

1st Ritchie’s Jaelis Mystique Realism, placed 1st in Minor Puppy. 

2nd Hateley’s Mohnesee Ria’ly A Dream, placed 2nd in Minor Puppy. 

Graduate Bitch (10,1a): 

A quality class with some lovely bitches. 

1st Hayhurst’s Keycarm Samba, sable bitch of excellent type, shape and proportions. She is the sister of the best bitch and has a lot in common. Wedge shaped head of correct length and clean cheeks. Dark eyes that could be more almond shaped. Well set but bit heavy ears. Nice proportions in head. Correctly placed stop. Excellent neck that gives her an elegant outline. Very well constructed front with correct depth and amount of forechest. Good bone and substance. Nice spring of ribs and sweep over the loins. Her rear angulation matches her front and therefore she moves balanced and covering a lot of ground. Nice single tracking movement. Nice coat that is well presented. Lovely temperament and well handled. 

2nd Barrowclough’s Shadowess Enchanted Dream, tricolour bitch who is very feminine and has a correct size. Super head and expression, especially for a tri. Long wedged shaped head with ideal proportions. Definite stop. Dark and very expressive almond shaped eyes. Correct ears that help to create a sweet expression. Balanced in her angulations creating a lovely silhouette. She could lose a little extra weight as it affects her front movement, excellent side movement. Nice coat. She could be more settled in temperament. Nicely presented. One I really liked for her type, and I hope to see her back because she has a lot of qualities! 

3rd Stafford’s Rannerdale Sugar Puff 

4th Mayhew’s Sandwick Saffron Gold 

5th Goodwin’s Herds Height Of Fashion at Hightbrook 

Post Graduate Bitch (1,0a): 

1st Jackson’s Ribans Starlet of Milesend (JKC), feminine bitch of good size and proportions. Feminine head that could be more filled in. Prefer more under jaw and more almond shaped eyes. Neat tipped ears. Her stop breaks a bit low. Enough neck. She could be more angulated in front and rear, but she is balanced. Round in ribs due to extra weight. Moves OK from the side but tends to pace sometimes. Could be tighter in front movement. Nice golden sable coat that was well presented. Excellent temperament. Sympathetically handled. 

Limit Bitch (8,6a): 

1st Hayhurst’s Keycharm Sweet Candy, most beautiful and elegant bitch of exquisite breed type. Lovely balanced shape and nice proportions. Nothing overdone in her outline. Super feminine head that is a clean blunt wedge with a flat skull. Most beautiful dark eyes, correct ears (that she could show better), correct placed and amount of stop, creating an ideal sweet expression. She has one of the most correct heads that I have seen. Excellent shoulder placement and enough neck. Nice bone for her size and correct spring of ribs. Elegant sweep over the loins. Well angulated in the back. Moves balanced with reach and drive. Could be tighter in her front movement. Not in full coat, but enough and of the correct texture. Excellent temperament, but she did everything to prevent winning and gave her owner a hard time in the ring. She won best bitch because of her ideal head and expression. I could have taken her home with me and watch her head for days. I was very pleased to award her Best Bitch and Reserve Best In Show! 

2nd Lewthwaite’s & Satfford’s Rannerdale Queen Of Majic, excellent type of bitch who is a bit bigger and longer in loins than 1st but still has an elegant outline. Wedge-shaped head and like her litter brother in type. Lovely flat skull. I prefer more under jaw and she could still fill in a touch more in foreface and under her eyes to soften her expression, but that should come in time. Lovely eyes and feminine expression. Beautiful arched neck due to correct shoulder. Could be tighter in her elbows. Correct spring of ribs and sweep over the loins. Moves nicely from the side, bit loose in her front. She was slightly unsure of her surroundings which affected her movement. Excellent coat quality and very well presented. 

Open Bitch (1,0a): 

1st Pearson’s Ch Edglonian Apricot Lil, high-quality bitch with the most elegant silhouette and proportions that is enhanced by her big white collar. Feminine head and expression. Lovely wedge-shaped head with clean cheeks, well rounded muzzle and correct set and tipped ears. To be critical, I prefer a touch tighter lip line. Her eyes are dark but could be a touch more almond shaped and they are a bit straight set. That said, she still has a quality head and expression. Beautifull neck and excellent front angulations. She still is young and could deepen a bit more in chest but that will come when she further matures. Excellent bone and substance in body. Lovely spring of ribs and sweep over the loins with correct tail. The most beautiful coat that is professionally groomed. Moves with excellent reach and drive from the side. Needs to mature in front movement. This bitch shows so much quality and will be hard to beat when she matures in body. I preferred her shape over the best bitch, but she could not match that exquisite expression of Sweet Candy. Another one who I could have taken home with me! Reserve best bitch. 

Veteran Bitch (6,2a): 

1st Ch Ristine Emerald, quality tricolour bitch who shows much breed type and has a lot of virtues, but I wished she was a touch smaller and more feminine. Excellent shape. Ideal proportions in head with correct stop, clean cheeks and rounded muzzle. Lovely eyes and ears. A very correct head but could be more feminine. Lovely arched neck due to correct front construction. Excellent bone and substance. Her rear angulation matches her front therefore, she moved excellent from all sides. She shows her age a little in rear movement and I just felt she could have moved a little lighter, but the slippery floor didn’t help. Very well-presented coat. Lovely temperament and shown in super condition. I hope her owner can enjoy her for a long time! 

2nd Pearson’s Edglonian Starlet, ‘My type!’ was written in my notes and when she entered the ring I thought I found my Best Of Breed. High quality bitch who is so elegant and fits so well in the breed standard. She screams breed type. I just love her head and expression, and it was one of the best on the day. Super flat skull, long blunt wedge-shaped head and expressive dark almond shaped eyes. There’s nothing I would change on her head that is so classic. Elegant neck that goes into her level topline and sweep over the loins. Enough angulated in front. Excellent bone. Excellent angulations in the rear. Excellent coat that enhances her lovely silhouette. She shows excellent reach and drive but, unfortunately, she started to limp in one of her front legs today. I so wished she moved better, because she is that classic type that we are losing. That said, I am very happy that her granddaughter, who won best bitch, possesses the same head qualities as her. I hope the owner can enjoy her for a long time! 

3rd Barrowclough’s Shadowess True Blue, a lovely type of blue merle who still got an exceptional good clear silvery blue colour for her age that is well broken! 

4th Deveson’s Milesend Sea Pearl 

Special Open Sable & White Bitch (5,0a): 

A mixed class of bitches with different virtues. This was one of the hardest classes to judge and I could have swapped places any other day. 

1st Ritchie’s Jaelis Mystique Reality JW, feminine, more compactly build bitch of excellent type. Correct size and elegant outlook. Feminine head with correct stop, could have a touch more rounded muzzle. Dark almond shaped eyes, flat skull. Sweet and elegant expression. More moderate angulated in front and back. Enough neck. Prefer more forechest and more depth of chest. OK bone for size. Movement is balanced though slightly short in reach and drive. A bit loose in her front movement, correct behind. Excellent coat with an attractive deep red colour. Well shown and presented. 

2nd Sparks’ Jaelis Mystique Addiction, litter sister of 1st. Very feminine, excellent type, but longer in body compared to her sister. Beautiful head with very sweet expression. She is more rounded in muzzle than 1st. Lovely proportions in head. Dark almond shaped eyes, correct ears. Lovely neck, excellent shoulder, bit steep in upper arm. Her front is placed too much forward. OK bone for size. Well angulated behind but could stand more parallel in her hocks when viewed from rear. Moves OK from the side, but a bit loose in her front. Friendly temperament. Well presented coat that has a lovely colour. 

3rd Gartland’s Arcot Take A Moment JW 

4th James’ Valmay In Vogue JW 

5th Stafford’s Rannerdale Touch Of Majic 

Special Open Tricolour/Black & White/Black & Tan Bitch (2,1a): 

1st Stafford’s Rannerdale Queen Of The Nite, excellent type of bitch with ideal proportions and a lovely shape. Lovely, rounded muzzle and clean cheeks. Definite stop. Excellent ears. Enough almond shaped eyes. Feminine and sweet expression due to lovely tan markings. Well angulated in the front and rear. Excellent forechest. Excellent bone and feet. Level top line and nice sweep over the loins. Movement is very balanced from the side with excellent stride. OK in front movement and a bit narrow in hind movement. Excellent coat quality that was well presented. Nice temperament. She was short listed too because of her lovely proportions and shape. A quality bitch! 

Special Open Blue Merle Bitch (3,1a): 

1st Hughes’ Viola Riviniana for Cochochr, big and somewhat heavy blue bitch who could be more elegant. OK proportions and shape. For me she could be more feminine. Long wedge-shaped head with a good, rounded muzzle and lovely tan markings. Round eyes. OK set ears that are big. Bit deep in back skull. Could be more refined in head. Nice shoulder placement. Enough forechest. Excellent bone. Round in ribs due to extra weight. Short sternum. Well angulated behind. She moves heavily, but with OK reach and drive. Loose in the front due to the weight. I prefer a better coat presentation. Nice colour for the age that was well broken. Nice temperament. Sympethically handled. 

2nd Hughes’ Afterglow Merino at Cochochr, very similar to 1st. Up to size bitch who could be more feminine and elegant. Shapely outline, but too heavy. Correct proportions in head and a touch more refined in head compared to 1st. Round blue eyes. The white blaze gave the illusion that her stop is not correct, but it is. Correct set and tipped ears. I preferred the expression of 1st. She has excellent bone. Round ribs due to extra weight. Excellent angulations behind. Moves with enough reach and drive, loose in front. She could move with more lightness. I prefer a better coat presentation. The blue was well broken but could be better in colour. Nice temperament. The owner did a great job showing her for the first time. 

Brace (2,0a): 

Two very similar braces that could have been an excellent breeder’s group if put together. I was told that the two bitches in both braces are sisters and they were shown together with their son/daughter that are around the same age. Both braces are very similar and very even in type. Both balanced in angulations. I choose Ritchie’s couple as first as they seem a touch more uniform in type and the puppy from Sparks’ was shown with pricked ears. Both combinations demonstrated consistent breeding and were a credit to their owners!  

Xander van Ulsen