Southern Cou

Thanks to exhibitors for a “challenging” entry for my first appointment at this level, resulting in difficult decisions in many classes. Quality was good, one or two slightly suspect mouths, but my main concern – as I have seen others writing earlier this year – was heads. Until this appointment I didn’t understand the comment, but a significant number lacked the soft expression we know and love with our breed and for which it is renowned; something, in my personal opinion, we need to watch carefully – it’s not the only aspect of our dogs to consider, but it is an important one. Having said this, I was really pleased with my winners and also many others who went cardless.

MPD (9)
Lovely class of promising youngsters, 1 Tuite’s Rua Henri, mature, almost 9 mths, first time I’ve seen him, really eyecatching, sweet innocent expression, good eye colour, raised brow and chiseled head, good sternum, in fact excellent depth all through - substance with refinement, clean through neck and shoulders to correct topline, well angulated, impressive reach when he moved, like harnessed power to come from his strong quarters, everything really flowed, fantastic coat in quality & type. Very promising, one to watch. With full agreement of my co-judge, BP. Well done,
2 Hopewell’s Davset Mr Loverman, uncooperative, but once he actually stood naturally looked spot on, balanced head, well angulated fore & aft, good depth and topline, movement well co-ordinated, at this stage not quite the finish of 1,
3 Lewis’ Tarandell Pascali, 6 mths, not dissimilar to 2 through the body, appealing type, soft expression, balanced outline, in good coat, moved soundly.

PD (9)
1 Tuite’s Rua Henri,
2 Pullen & Aitken’s Shanoah Jump To It, quite different in type to 1, maturing well, sweet trusting expression - but with that hint of cheeky devilment, good reach of neck into correct shoulder placement, well balanced with good depth and topline, correct tailset, moved soundly with lashing tail, everything in the right place, well presented and shown, unlucky to meet 1,
3 Webb’s Redblush Burnt Orchid, similar age but lacking maturity of 2, good depth, inexperienced handler but once settled looked much better in outline than initially, moved extremely well.

JD (17,2a)
Superb class where good dogs went cardless - pleased with all my placings. Headed by two well-known & well-deserving winners, quite different in type. 1 Ciechonska’s Caskeys Concept At Aoibheanne's. Just 12 months, lovely head from any angle, raised brow over kind expressive eyes, low earset, clean shoulder placement, excellent make and shape throughout, good bone and substance without coarseness, correct angulation and tailset, strong rear enabling him to drive well, lovely coat, so well balanced, very impressive, JW from this win - well done.
2 Frampton’s The Pearlfisher of Strathmead, quite different to the first, older and therefore looks more like a young adult, well defined head, another with a gentle trusting expression, also very balanced, well angulated all through, excellent feet, well up on pasterns, good depth & bone with characteristic refinement, straighter coat, moved with style and flair – I’m sure these boys will tussle regularly.
3 Vant’s Barleydale Hadley, not overly co-operative with his owner, rich darker coat in lovely condition, looked good on the move, very sound, lacked maturity to the others.

SY (10,1)
Difficult decision between first two, appealing for different reasons, 1, Mugford’s Scotselaw Jackson at Lynwood, really impressed with this dog, striking outline, refined head with correct stop, straight front, clean arched neck into good layback of shoulder, all flowing into well balanced construction, super angulation allowing him to extend well on the move with apparent ease, well presented & handled, in good coat & condition, stylish type,
2 Smith’s Reddins Tillerman, another well known youngster with lots to like about him, many of the attributes of 1, handsome head in profile, well balanced throughout, good depth and substance, correct tailset, sound as a bell on the move which he did with that lovely lashing tail which distinguishes some dogs, in good coat,
3 Milligan-Bott & Bott’s Thendara Botticelli, really mature, quite different again in type, appealing head and well constructed, appeared shorter coupled but, possibly, quite difficult to handle so could look different on another day, in lovely coat & condition, moved soundly.

MD (8)
1 Ciechonska’s Caskeys Concept at Aoibheanne's,
2, Vant’s Barleydale Hadley,
3, Pickersgill’s Barleydale Huntsman with Maolruadhan, brother to 2, VHC in strong J class, lovely boy with good construction all through, could do with stretching out a little when stood - a challenge for his sporting owner/handler, moved really well, in superb condition, difficult to find another throughout the entry to top his presentation.

GD (9)
Close decision between first two. 1 Edward’s Barleydale Lumiere, surprised myself with this boy – hadn’t realised how much he’d developed. Kind expression with boyish charm, arched neck to fine shoulder placement, excellent front with depth continuing all through, correct angulation and tailset, really elegant in profile, flows from head to tail, in beautiful condition, well toned, moved soundly.
2 Bott & Morgan’s Ember Gene Simmons Sings Quensha (Imp), boy has this dog come on as well; still a youngster, he was always sound - has now fulfilled that early promise. Slightly smaller in stature than 1, handsome head with good finish to foreface, low earset, good neck to shoulder with excellent depth and angulation, well boned, correct tailset, another in tip-top condition, powerful movement from well muscled quarters,
3 Lucas’ Braidmount Gentle Guy at Amberlight, another well constructed dog, lovely head, impressive outline, good angulation and sound flowing movement, just lacked maturity and furnishings of first 2, promising.

PGD (18,3)
1 Edwards’ Barleydale Lumiere,
2 Rout’s Shaytell Tenor, different in type to 1, but many similar attributes in construction, appealing head with kind eye, clean neck to shoulder extending to correct topline and tailset, good angulation and depth, refined and elegant in outline, lovely mover, not quite the finish of 1,

3 Muir’s Grayrigge Ewan by Romarne, imposing dog, shorter coupled than first two, good bone & substance, moved really well, in lovely dark coat and condition.

LD (22,5)
Super class, with many cracking dogs, making for difficult decisions. 1 CC, Bailey’s Covarney Monello, have admired him many times, commands attention at first glance and the dog under the coat is good too! Balanced masculine head with raised brow and roguish expression, low earset, correct front with excellent forechest, good neck to shoulder, tight feet and raised pasterns, substance all through without coarseness, super angulation and strong hocks allowing him to power impressively around the ring, moved like a train - this boy really wants to go! Add a fantastic coat in good condition, superbly presented, and I was pleased to award him his first CC. Congratulations.

2 Holley’s Danaway Discreet, well known younger dog who also didn’t disappoint, stylish lad - oozes quality, gorgeous head, good tight feet, excellent depth, angulation and topline, moved powerfully with lashing tail, no doubt bound for a successful career, considered for RCC.

3 Lewis & Storey’s Lynwood Pioneer of Seadog, another super dog completed the trio, balanced head, correct earset and neck to shoulder, good topline, tailset and depth throughout, moved really well.

OD (10,3)
Very difficult class, all different types. 1 RCC, Milligan-Bott & Bott’s Sh Ch Thendara Don Corleone, this majestic dog has drawn my eye on many occasions, handsome head with good definition and raised brow, serene expression and low earset, well constructed with excellent angulation, good clean neck to shoulder, topline and tailset correct, good bone, moved really well covering the ground soundly and with style, superb finish as one would expect from this exhibitor, close decision with CC winner,
2 Richardson’s Sh Ch Kirkavagh Fidalgo, last judged as a puppy, has fulfilled his early promise and matured into a worthy champion, balanced head with raised brow and soft expression, well angulated, good depth and substance, hard condition, moved really soundly and with drive,
3 Wicks’ Sh Ch Popeswood Pie in the Sky at Birguma, favourite of mine, has the most lovely head with such a gentle trusting expression, good conformation throughout, looked a picture standing, moved soundly, in lovely coat and condition.

VD (4)
1 Edwards’ Sh Ch Cedrus Solitaire, balanced head with kind expression, low earset, straight front, tight feet, good shoulder placement, topline and tailset, well angulated with excellent bone and depth throughout, moved extremely soundly from strong quarters, in great coat and condition, a credit to his owner.
2 Andrews’ Sh Ch Bonhomie Vaguely Noble, has the head and expression to melt the heart – wish there were more like this, well made dog throughout, everything in the right place, lovely outline, good shoulders, angulation, topline and tailset, moved like he was having a great time, if slightly unpredictable – he was just so pleased to be there, at 9 not the condition of 1, but I truly adore this dog, thanks to his owner for bringing him,
3 Abbott & Milligan-Bott’s Sh Ch Bai Breeze Bi Thendara, balanced head with kind expression, upstanding dog with good angulation and topline, moved soundly, in good condition.

Sandra Waterton

Judge