Critiques April 2022

Championship Show Sat 16th April 2022 Auction Market Lanark

Judge:   Mrs Helen Fox (Blacktoft)

I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at one of my favourite shows, it was a great privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. Also many thanks to my stewards who kept everything in order throughout. I was very happy with my winners, I had a lot of quality in the higher classes which made for some difficult decisions. However, I found that many had wintered far too well which spoiled their outline both standing and on the move and for which some had to pay the price. Another major concern for me is that good feet seem to be becoming the exception rather than the rule, many exhibits had very flat feet which do nothing to enhance movement. A lot of the youngsters are lacking in bone and substance which was disappointing and there seems to be quite a variety of type creeping in which I’m sure is not a good thing. Despite this, as previously stated, I was spoilt for choice in the higher classes.

MPD(4,1a)

1 Warrington Woodavens Water Valet. At just six months old this puppy appealed for breed type, he has a lovely head with correct eye colour and shape. He had excellent well balanced angulation front and rear, with plenty of substance for his age. Although he didn’t make the most of himself on the stand, he certainly did on the move, once into his stride he covered the ground well with ease.

2 McConnell Feldkirk Fahrenheist at Torweaving. This puppy has a typical head with dark eye although I would prefer a little more fill in and length to muzzle. He has a good reach of neck with correct shoulder placement, and adequate upper arm. He has the correct gradual spring of rib and short, square loin and moved ok when settled, but couldn’t match the movement of the winner.

3 Stewart Ciardubhan Living the Dream

PD(6,2a)

1 Warrington Woodavens Water Valet

2 Whittaker & Beevers Bramatha Glenfiddich TAF. A medium sized dog having a masculine head with correct eye colour although he could be a tad tighter in shape. He has enough reach of neck into a good lay of shoulder, stands on good feet, he has good front extension on the move, but at the moment is a little unbalanced in hind action.

3 Turner Torwood Galactic Flyer

JD(6,1a)

1 Wilson Hameldowntor Pedro Ximenez. A well grown dog, he has a well moulded, one piece head, eyes of correct shape and colour. He is very well constructed, well ribbed up with a strong loin, he shows strength throughout. He was shown in excellent coat and condition and moved out well with a ground covering stride.

2 Holmes Finshampride Puma. Although I preferred his size to the winner, he wasn’t quite as positive on the move today. He has a pleasing head with kind, dark eye. Under his profuse coat he has adequate angulation, but would prefer a better return of upper arm. 

3 Whittaker & Beevers Bramatha Glenfiddich TAF

YD(4,1a) 

1 May Ronevorg Dark Angel at Lussac JW. This is a very promising young dog. He has a lovely masculine head, dark eye with soft expression, if picky he could have a little more length to his muzzle. He has a balanced and racy outline, a strong neck into well laid shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm, he has the correct rib to loin ratio and well muscled quarters enabling him to move on a good even stride, in time he should trouble the best.

2 Campbell & Brown Ronevorg Angel Wiv Attitude. Litter brother to the winner and similar remarks apply, not quite the head of the winner, but he has balance and is moderate all through. Not in his best coat today, but that is purely cosmetic, he too was a very sound mover.

3 Wilson Hameldowntor Pedro Ximenez

MD(2)

1 Whittaker & Beevers Bramatha Glenfiddich TAF

2 Ross Pajanbeck Get Rhythm to Qlocontrail (ai). This dog has a beautiful head with kind dark eye and neat ears. He has a clean neck into adequate front construction and plenty of bone for his size. He is well up on his legs at the moment, not quite as balanced in outline and a little uncoordinated in movement.

ND(3)

1 Whittaker & Beevers Bramatha Glenfiddich TAF

2 McNeil Finshanpride Cupid. Not too far from the winner, this dog has a typical male head, although would prefer a darker eye. His shoulder placement is adequate, but he is a little short in upper arm. He has well muscled hindquarters and moved ok, just a little proud of his tail.

3 Ross Pajanbeck Get Rhythm to Qlocontrail

GD(2,1a)

Stewart Ciardubhan Fire Opal. A medium sized dog, typical in head. He has a moderate reach of neck into adequate shoulders, a little short in upper arm. He moved enthusiastically using his tail well, but I feel he would benefit from being moved a little slower to give him a little more reach and drive. Shown in good coat and condition

PGD(9)

1 Buckley Steelriver Hit the Beach with Buckleyhill. A medium sized dog presenting a pleasing outline, just starting to come into his own, he has the head, eye and expression I look for. Neat ears, a clean reach of neck well set into his shoulders and good return of upper arm. He has good width and depth to his chest, a level topline, well ribbed body and strong loin. He has powerful quarters and moves straight and true, with good profile movement. 

2 Grant Westoncruive Black Tornado. Another lovely example of the breed, true to type, he has a lovely outline both standing and on the move. Not quite the maturity of the winner, he just needs time. He has very sound construction and I found him very light on his feet, moving with ease and style.

3 Knight & Jacobs Gemswin Erase and Rewind

LD(15,2a)

1 Trotter Lussac Winter Wizard JW SGWC. This dog caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring, for me he typifies the breed standard, I found him beautifully balanced throughout. He has a classical head, well moulded with a kind, dark eye and soft expression. A strong, clean neck leads to correct shoulder placement with complementary return of upper arm. He has good depth to his chest, correct spring of rib and strong loin. His well made, powerful quarters allowed him to move showing power without lumber, just eating up the ground. Today was his day and I had no hesitation to award him the CC, which I later found was his third, and in the final challenge he pulled out all the stops to be awarded Best in Show, congratulations to all connections. A worthy full champion.

2 Ross Go With the Flow Ebony in Harmony at Qlocontrail (imp nl) JW ShCM. A dog I have done well before, now at full maturity. He appeals for type and size and is well constructed throughout, but not quite as classical in head as the winner. He was shown in good coat and condition, moving freely on an even ground covering stride. 

3 Jones Hightyne Unforgettable at Braemist

OD(6)

1 Holland Flatcharm Mr Brightside. This dog has a balanced, elegant outline with correct length to height ratio. Presented to perfection, he has a classical head, kind, dark eye giving a soft expression. He is clean in neck leading to excellent front construction, with equally matching hind angulation, but is in no way overdone. He holds his topline on the move which is straight and true and has the best of feet. In the challenge he didn’t quite match the CC winner in profile movement, but was very worthy of the RCC.

2 McCormick Steelriver Sun’s Up. Another who is true to breed type, he also scores in head and dark eye. He has correct front construction and excels in hindquarters used well on the move, just felt he was a bit rushed on the move today. He was shown in good coat, but would prefer less sculpturing on his underline and a more natural look.

3 Reynolds Telurn Can’t Touch This SGWC

VD(4,2a)

1 Laird Seaheart Archibald of Daicheil. Although this dog was carrying a little excess weight, he still appeals for type and sound construction, he moves well for his nine years. He has a lovely head with a soft expression and is well balanced in body and he moved out well. BVD and in the challenge for BVIS I preferred his truer movement coming and going over a very nice bitch. Best Veteran in Show.

2 Davis Pajanbeck Rumour Has It. This dog excels in head, but he doesn’t quite have the balance in body of the winner, I found him deep in chest, but not quite the length through his body to complement this. However he moved well with enthusiasm.

Special Open Liver(2)

1 Varty-Lindsay & Varty Levliann Waited for You. This dog is well up to size, however he is all in proportion, he has a classical head with correct eye shape and colour, is well angulated both front and rear which won him the class, but he is a tad exaggerated in movement which went against him for best liver in show. BLD

2 Whittaker & Beevers Bramatha Brownie TAF. A better size throughout, but not as classical in head, although he has a good eye colour. He has sound construction, but is a little untidy in hind movement and would benefit from a little extra weight.

Champion Dog(4)

1 Savory Ch Hopevalley Morning Arizona SGWC. A mature, well balanced dog, he has a lovely head which is well moulded and of one piece, dark eye of correct shape and alert expression. He has adequate reach of neck and has correct angulation front and rear. He was shown in good coat, but carrying a tad too much weight, however he has strength throughout and was in hard condition which enabled him to move effortlessly, maintaining his topline which was the deciding factor in his win.

2 Reynolds Ch Wiccansage Hugo’s Dream JW SGWC. Very close decision between the top two dogs, another well balanced, eye catching dog shown in great condition, he too shows good, sound construction, but today he was a little too enthusiastic on the move which spoilt his outline and cost him the top spot.

3 Bellamy ShCh Woodfinch Masquerade

MPB(11,1a)

1 Chambers Hototo Pretty Ballerina. Her name sums her up quite nicely I think. She presents a pleasing outline and has good balance for her age. She has a lovely feminine head, well moulded with correct eye colour and shape. She is well off for bone which I found lacking in this class. She has a good reach of neck and is moderately angulated fore and aft with no exaggerations, holds a level topline into a correct tailset. She has lovely extension on the move once into her stride. BPB. In the challenge with the BPD it was this effortless, free flowing movement that won her Best Puppy in Show.

2 Sullivan Wyrebeck Live Forever. Another well balanced, pretty headed girl, not quite the elegance of the winner, but in proportion for her age and everything to like. She too has adequate bone for her size and age, she moved well, just not quite the stride of the winner.

3 MaCrae Candidacasa What a Feelin’

PB(8,2a)

1 Hewison Selloana Monoceros. A very promising puppy who will take time, but is developing nicely along the right lines. A happy and outgoing girl, she scores in head which is well moulded and all of a piece. She again is moderate all through and moved with purpose using her tail well on the move. In the challenge for BPB she was a little too enthusiastic which made her a little unbalanced and she had to give way to the easier movement of the MPB winner.

2 Thomson Llantrussa Winter Dreams. Another puppy with potential, she is a nice size and has the required bone and substance to develop well. Similar remarks apply, although I preferred the head of the winner. She moved well, but was slightly proud of her tail which spoilt her outline today.

3 MaCrae Candidacasa What a Feelin’

JB(6)

1 Jones Braemist Witches Fire. A beautifully balanced quality bitch of correct size. She excels in head and eye, typifying the breed standard. She has excellent front construction with a particularly good return of upper arm, which is also lacking in many exhibits. Although she was not in her best coat, she moved with style on good feet showing reach and drive which won her the class.

2 Rees Braemist New Moon for Eskwinds. Litter sister to the winner, again with much to like, she was in better coat, but a little too much condition which affected her topline. She gave her handler a hard time on the move, she would benefit from moving a bit more steadily because she has got what it takes.

3 Bosshard Solveigh Never Touching Ground.

YB(6,1a)

1 Campbell Ronevorg Whispering Angel. A medium sized bitch developing nicely. She has a pleasing head with correct eye shape and colour, although I would prefer just a little more refinement. She has good balance and is moderately angulated front and rear, with well muscled quarters, is well off for bone and stands on good feet. She shows power in her movement, her good reach and drive winning her the class.

2 Rees Braemist New Moon for Eskwinds

3 Holmes Rydanah Devils in the Detail

MB(6,2a)

1 Knight & Jacobs Gunoak Solar Flare by Gemswin. Lovely type of bitch with great flatcoat personality, she has a feminine head with dark eye, adequate neck into good shoulder placement. She has depth and width of chest, although she was a little soft in her topline on the move, however she moved with purpose.

2 Branscombe Pajanbeck How we Love with Torinmill (ai). Not quite the substance of the winner, but she has a lovely head and is well proportioned, although her tailset could be better. She was more settled and moved better in this class.

3 Mackessack- Leitch Finshampride Kia

NB(6,2a)

1 Curtis Tallistar Crazy in Love. Won this class easily with her correct size and balance giving her a pleasing outline both standing and on the move. She has a typical feminine head and lovely expression, with excellent construction both front and rear, she moved with ease. Very well presented and handled.

2 Mackessack- Leitch Finshampride Kia. Not quite as together as the winner, at the in between stage of development which reflected in her movement, she has a pleasing head and adequate angulation, she just needs time.

3 Whittaker & Beevers Lucille Snuffles

GB(6,2a)

1 McDonald Skyloch Final Say. Daughter of the CC winner, she shows excellent breed type. She has a feminine head with kind, dark eye, clean reach of neck with good front construction, topline and tailset. Initially she pulled into her lead on the move, but soon settled to show good reach and drive from her hindquarters. I preferred her head and overall balance.

2 Thorpe Montreathmnt Hot Lips. Not quite as classical, but is clean in outline with no exaggeration, although I found her a shade longer and taller than the winner and steadier on the move, but she moves straight and true and has a good length of stride in profile.

3 Sullivan Wyrebeck She’s my Surprise

PGB(12,3a)

1 Grant Westoncruive Black Aurora. This bitch doesn’t immediately catch your eye, but hands on she is very well put together, she is clean throughout with a flowing outline, she has a pleasing head, clean neck into well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. She has enough width and depth to her chest, correct spring of rib and rib to loin ratio. She stands four square and moves straight and true with an easy gait, covering the ground well.

2 Rees Ravencrag Jump over the Moon to Eskwinds. This bitch scores in head which is well moulded and of one piece. She is of correct size and has good overall construction, she moved well, but couldn’t match the flow of the winner and needs to make more of herself standing to complete the picture.

3 Rattray Rotherfield Another Time

LB(14,3a)

1 Knight & Jacobs Gemswin Dressed for Success. This bitch is a lovely size, has a well moulded head, clean neck into excellent front construction, her shoulder well laid back and with good length of upper arm. She has a pronounced forechest, is well ribbed to a strong loin. Her hindquarters are well developed and muscled, she moves with reach and drive, although I feel she needs a bigger ring to make the most of her action.

2 Warrington Bochilbarley Heaven Sent to Woodavens (ai). Close decision between these two bitches, again a lovely well moulded head with correct eye shape and colour, she is feminine throughout, has excellent construction, and can certainly move with ease, just not the pace of the winner.

3 Huyton Hightyne Ramblin’ Rose.

OB(10,2a)

Thought this the strongest class of the day, some lovely exhibits here

1 McDonald Steelriver Dance in the Sun At Skyloch. This is exactly the type of bitch I was looking for. Now at full maturity she is of correct size and balance with a classic outline. She has a feminine head with dark eye and soft expression, neat ears, a clean neck of correct length sitting on really well laid shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm. She has a level topline, is well ribbed with both correct rib to loin and length to height ratio and correct tailset. Her hindquarters are well made with a moderate bend of stifle and well let down hocks. She is totally free from exaggeration and has elegance both standing and on the move, but still has the required reach and drive. I was delighted to award her the CC, her third, and subsequently RBIS and BOS. Congratulations to all connections.

2 Johnston ShCh Feldkirk Dior of Kazval. This well balanced bitch has pleasing proportions, she is feminine throughout, but not quite the classical head of the winner. She has excellent front and hind angulation, has a well ribbed body to a correct, strong loin. She has well muscled quarters which she used to advantage on the move, straight and true showing good front extension and rear drive and I loved her tail action on the move. I feel her best is yet to come and she had to give way on the day to the finish of the CC winner, but I liked her enough to award her the RCC.

3 Finlay IrShCh Annbecks Ailis at Aughnaleck

VB(8,3a)

1 Hewison Donascimento Danilo from Casblaidd SGWC KCWGC. This bitch looks well for her age, she is feminine, has balance and is well made all through with excellent muscle tone. She has good profile movement, but is a little untidy going away which cost her in the challenge for BVIS.

2 Knight & Jacobs Moonstruck Macadamia. A more substantial type than the winner with not quite the elegance and although she too has good construction, she was carrying a tad too much weight on her shoulders which showed in profile movement on the day.

3 Branscombe Torinmill Gaelic Aurora KCWGC

Special Open Liver Bitch(3)

1 Varty- Lindsay & Varty Levliann Wait for Rainbows. This bitch had the best head, correct eye colour and shape in the class. She has adequate construction throughout and is well off for bone, although I wouldn’t want her any more substantial. She showed good extension in stride which gave her the class and subsequently best liver in show.

2 Sullivan Wyrebeck She’s my Surprise. I preferred her size to the winner, she has a feminine head, but would prefer a darker eye, she is also well balanced and moved ok.

3 Whittaker & Beevers Lucille Snuffles

Champion Bitch(1,1a)

Brace(4)

A relaxing class to end the day, thank you all for staying. 

1 Reynolds. A well matched pair who stood and moved very well together in unison, I was impressed by their handling, a well deserved win.

2 Knight & Jacobs. This duo, although well matched didn’t have quite the synchronicity of the first placed pair, but did well enough to take second place.

3 Hewison. This brace wasn’t quite as well matched for size and movement, but did well at the end of a long day.

Helen Fox

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