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Bearded Collie Club Championship Show - 2nd December 2023
Judges' Critiques
Dogs
Thank you to the members who voted for me and my daughter Robynne for so ably stewarding. A big thank you to the exhibitors for such an excellent entry and as always it was a privilege to be allowed to get my hands on quality dogs. In some classes the quality meant that I could have done with more red cards and the final decision came down to my own personal preference. I never find it easy to write critiques, as it always feels like you are trying to justify your placings, whilst in my opinion the placings reflect your view of the dog.
I did have some concerns on the day particularly with regard to puppies who did not exhibit descended testicles which also applied to a couple of older dogs. Another observation was the appearance of very small teeth, in some cases worn down to the gums. In a veteran worn teeth is not unexpected but surely not in youngsters. Eyes seem to be getting lighter which does not help with the expression. A number of dogs, handlers and judge had problems with the ring mats either being slippy or ‘rucking up’.
Veteran (5, 0)
1st. Hinchcliffe's Pretty Bear Beautiful Bill At Croftdale (IMP DEU). Lovely shape and well made. Excellent head, although eye could be darker. Shown in first class condition and moved with ease.
2nd. Buswell's Corimist Soul Legend Of Scotesham. What a happy chappy and very proud of his tail. So typical of an ‘old’ type. Pleasing head with gentle expression. Well angulated through and again moved with ease.
3rd. Groenier's NL Ch Braemoor's Party Trick NJK’16 JW’16. Certainly has ring presence. Well made and shown in good hard condition. Nice reach of neck and excellent depth of chest.
Special Vintage (2, 0)
1st. Harrison & Khawaja's Malandex Exceptional Love At Anfranjo Best Veteran Dog. His behaviour and attitude certainly belies his age. Movement was so free and effortless. Good head and dark eye. Correct reach of neck disguised by heavy coat. Shown in first class condition.
2nd. Griffith's Nellbrook It's a Mystery at Whizzbomb. Impressive looking dog. Presented in good condition. Nice angulation and good length of rib. Lost to winner on movement.
Minor Puppy (10, 0)
1st. Jones' Clanwillow Crown And Glory BEST PUPPY DOG. Good overall shape and shows promise for the future. Movement was so free, easy and settled. Good head and expression. Nice reach of neck and well laid shoulders. Sadly, in the BPIS challenge he had wilted and his movement did not reflect what I had seen earlier in the day.
2nd. Busby's Beardoni Dudley Do Right. Chocolate box picture but oh so honest to go over. Good proportions and angulation. Movement not quite as settled as winner which will hopefully come with time.
3rd. Dodgson's Wreckinroc Phoenix. Very raw as is to be expected at this stage. Solid head and promising proportions. Definitely needs time.
Puppy (5, 0)
1st. Harcourt-Brown's Orora's Himself. My notes say brown cuddly bear! Overall a good shape. Correct head and expression. Well angulated which was reflected in his effortless movement.
2nd. Donald's Bramblemead Bubbles Darlin. Unlucky in previous class. He certainly has presence. Good front and correct reach of neck. Loved his proportions.
3rd. Axford's Bramblemead Bollinger Boy. Nice type who shows promise. Correct shape and balance just needs to mature. Movement in previous class was a joy.
Junior (6, )0)
1st. Pickup's Kiltondale Heat Of The Night JW Res CC. What a delight, presence and substance. Nice proportions and angulation all enhanced by correct jacket. Loved his head and expression. Movement so effortless.
2nd. Groenier's Braemoor's Bound To Enjoy. Well made and maturing nicely. Correct reach of neck leading into good lay of shoulder. Good angulation was reflected in his ease of movement.
3rd. Wilding's Breaksea Time Lord At Bendale. For me just at that in between stage before coming into full bloom. Everything was as I would like without any exaggeration.
Yearling (8, 2)
I noted down that this was a particularly nice class.
1st. Moir's Winaria Wellington JW. Pleasing to the eye and to go over. Good front and depth of chest. Solid rear and movement was so easy.
2nd. White's Moonhill Rodney Trotter JW. A tad larger than winner but balanced. Pleasing head and correct dark eye which enhanced his expression. Harsh jacket covering good proportions and angulation. Moved out well.
3rd. Bramley & Moore's Coalacre Do The Hokey Cokey. Pushed hard for a higher place. Good type and so balanced. Delight to go over and covered the ground with ease.
Maiden (4, 0)
1st. Jones' Clanwillow Crown And Glory
2nd. Groenier's Braemoor's Bound To Enjoy
3rd. Axford's Bramblemead Bollinger Boy
Novice (6, 0)
1st. Groenier's Braemoor's Bound To Enjoy
2nd. Wolley's Aratika Dust From a Distnt Sun. Correct type and balanced just needs to mature.
3rd. Axford's Bramblemead Bollinger Boy
Debutant (3, 0)
1st. Groenier's Braemoor's Bound To Enjoy
2nd. Axford's Bramblemead Bollinger Boy
3rd. Payne's Proamore Skylark. He carries an abundant coat which certainly detracts from all his attributes.
Graduate (5, 1)
1st. Emery's Tybury's Black Magic Liked the look of him when he entered the ring and wasn’t disappointed. Good head and expression. Well made throughout with strength but no exaggeration. Correct harsh jacket. He behaved well in his class but unfortunately this was not the case in the dog challenge and he was removed by his handler.
2nd. Moir's Winaria Wellington JW
3rd. Wilding's Breaksea Time Lord At Bendale
Post Graduate (4, 1)
1st. Ayrton's Aoibh Drummer Boy JW. Judged him as a puppy and not disappointed with how he has developed. Good head with gentle expression. His proportions and angulation are good. Moved out well and certainly makes his handler work.2nd. Skinner's Tamjenta Bendalacreme. More stockily made that winner, but still a well made dog. Excelled in head, correct front and very sound effortless mover.
3rd. Steer-Eldridge's Gwalltasfwyn Rhood Unigryw. Certainly enjoying his day out. Shown in good hard condition with many nice features only enhanced by his jacket.
Mid Limit (4, 0)
1st. Salmon's Potterdale Heritage. Nice type. Strong head with melting expression. Well made and balanced with effortless movement.
2nd. Buswells' Douglasdale Garantus At Scotesham. Lively boy and not giving his handler any easy time. Good proportions and angulation all topped by a harsh jacket.
3rd. Hinchcliffe's Miners Lake Just For Me At Croftdale (IMP DEU). Sadly not moving as well as two above. Not sure if mat was too slippy. Good pigmentation, nice overall picture and shown in good hard condition.
Limit (7, 2)
1st. Peart's Kilfinan Mr Moonlight For Talluarchy CC & BIS Having judged this boy before he certainly didn’t disappoint. Now reached full maturity he was all I could ask for along with a sense of déjà vu as I saw so many of the Beardies of the past in his stance and expression. I can only reiterate my previous critique of him - Not a glamour boy but a good honest type. Good head with gentle expression. Pleasing front and excellent rib. Solid rear and I certainly enjoyed his movement.
2nd. Baker & Van De Hoef's Malandex Most Exquisit. Unlucky to meet winner. Nice type, balanced with good angulation. Moved out well and so much to like about him.
3rd. Savage & McLean's Talraz Comic Relief At Canaich JW. Solid type shown in goo hard condition. Loved his head and presence. Not quite the depth of chest as two above. Moved out well.
Open (9, 3)
My notes say brilliant class and full of quality.
1st. Burscough's Ch Talraz Light Up The Sky For Kilfinan. Solid balanced dog shown in good hard condition. Very honest throughout would have like a little more reach of neck. Good hard jacket and his movement was so easy.
2nd. Atkins & Charles' Ch Snickles Swashbuckler. Unlucky to meet winner. Another with presence and hands on did not disappoint. His movement was a joy and so in accord with his handler.
3rd. Garrity & Tibbets' Ch Potterdale Adante. Another quality dog who was just unlucky to be in the company of the two above.
Special Open (4, 2)
1st. Burscough's Ch Talraz Light Up The Sky For Kilfinan
2nd. Jay's Ch Farmarens Drums Of Spring At Talraz (IMP SWE) JW. Good shape and type. Balanced without exaggeration. Effortless mover.
3rd. Atkins & Charles' Memorylane Do The Tra-La-Laa At Snickles (IMP FIN) JW. Dripping in coat which for me hid many of his positive attributes. Movement was a tad lazy.
Special Beginners (8, 3)
1st. Bramley & Moore's Coalacre Do The Hokey Cokey
2nd. Axford's Bramblemead Bollinger Boy
3rd. Butcher's Sylvabrae Newtons Law. Immature and needs time. Pleasing shape and moved out well in his earlier class.
Cath Parker (Judge)
Bitches
I enjoyed my day at this very well run Club show and thanks go to the hard working Committee for the excellent arrangements and hospitality. Special thanks to my two hard working stewards and friends, Sue and Jane, who made the day that bit more special with their efficient, unobtrusive management of the ring.
There were lots of girls today who really impressed me and movement was very good overall with most exhibits coping well with the ring and flooring. Heads are still of concern to me. Lack of backskull and strength of foreface being particularly worrying. Thank you to all exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to judge your dogs and for making the journey in such bad weather conditions.
Veteran (11, 3)
A class full of quality, particularly the first three placed.
1st. Bowden's Ch Subessen Blaze of Fire VW Glorious dark slate lady of 9 years. Beautiful head, dark eyes, balanced front and rear angulation. She moves true, gracefully covering plenty of ground with effortless ease. At one with her breeder/handler she never puts a foot wrong and watching her gave me goosebumps. Such a worthy Best Veteran In Show, and in my final line up for the challenge. Thank you for bringing her.
2nd. White's Zoesta Sheer Bliss at Moonhill. Very feminine slate lady of 7 years. Good head, lovely eyes and expression, very balanced in fore and hindquarters, good length of rib, a very honest, totally unexaggerated Beardie of the type I like. Movement was sound and easy.
3rd. Woolley's Malandex Xpressly Sweet with Aratika.
Vintage (5, 1)
1st. Bartlett's Ch Carbonnie Callieco Star for Kelligrews JW ShCM A real favourite of mine, I gave her a CC and BOB some years ago so it was a pleasure to see her again. Lovely head, expressive eyes, good neck and shoulder placement, good ribs and well angulated hindquarters. She still excels on the move, covering the ground easily and with real enjoyment. Ok so her topline was a little slack standing but I could forgive this because of her lovely breed type, movement and sound construction.
2nd. Griggs & May's Sengalas Indiana Eclipse for Amazenridge Slate, slightly larger and more strongly made than 1) and a bitch I have placed well in the past. She is well constructed and very balanced standing. Today I felt she was moved a little fast which resulted in exaggerated hind action.
3rd. Wood's Pipadene Visionary Spirit for Pepperjay
Minor Puppy (11, 2)
1st. Axford's Bramblemead Sparkling Lady What a little cracker!! Blue baby beautifully constructed, good head for age, graceful neck sweeping into very well angulated shoulders and upper arm, correct ribcage, correspondingly well made rear. But what took my breath away was her movement, sound, lithe the ground just melted away underneath her she made it look so easy. A raw baby at the moment but that's just what I like to see and with such potential. She was entered in several classes and off she went every time eating up the ground with so little effort. She must have a very bright future.
2nd. Waldron & Gray's Une Histoire D’Amour De Chester with Snowmead Lovely slate pup, strong head, lovely neck into well laid shoulders and good upper arm. Lovely length of back, strong topline and super neat little rear with strong hocks. She covered the ground soundly and with great purpose. Gently handled to bring out the best in this quality young lady.
3rd. Whelan & Young's Corimist Glitz N’Glamour
Puppy (10, 1)
1st. Harcourt-Brown's Orora's Pearly Princess Oh I do love a naughty puppy! Pretty very feminine slate. Sweet head, good eye colour, elegant neck leading into well laid shoulders and good upper arm angulation, good ribbing, correct length of back, neat rear. Initially moved like a kangaroo, then settled to show excellent long strides covering lots of ground with such ease. The more she moved, the better she went enabling her to win a very good puppy class then eventually, with my co-judge's agreement, Best Puppy In Show.
2nd. Baker & Van de Hoef's Malandex Xpression Of Love Slate of great quality. Strongly made but retained femininity. Classic outline, correct front with particularly good forechest, strong rear with short strong hocks and really good length of back with level topline. Moved very soundly but not reaching as well as 1) in front.
3rd. Bramblemead Sparkling Lady
Junior (7, 3)
1st. Costello's Bradiba's Devil In A Bush for Calkylona NAF TAF Sweet brown girl, good head, well angulated forequarters, ribs are deep and long, and she is well balanced. Was a little unsettled but once asked to move did so with an easy ground covering stride which won her the class. Needs to body up but typical for age. Her pale coat had excellent texture and wasn’t excessive.
2nd. Jenkinson's Irisaddition Victorious With Ellishar JW Slate. Good head and eye colour. I would like more length of back and a better ribcage. Moved soundly but very proud of her tail.
Yearling (12, 2)
1st. Patterson's Eltimaris Jubilee Hoorah Blue and my notes say “loved everything about her”. Good head, correct front, good ribbing, strong well angled rear. Her construction was impressive enough but this young lady was poetry in motion, flowing round the ring with long easy strides so had no hesitation in making her my class winner and kept her in the final cut in the challenge. Hopefully she has a bright future ahead of her.
2nd. Fooks' Moonhill Blissful Dream Slate of good breed type who I found very appealing. Very soundly constructed with particularly good ribcage and balance. She moved soundly covering the ground accurately and easily. She just needs a little more confidence and to realise how lovely she is.
3rd. O’Brien's Another Posh Frock at Sammara
Maiden (3, 1)
1st. Bramblemead Sparkling Lady
2nd. Atkins & Charles' ClanwillowCrown Of Roses For Snikkles Slate puppy placed reserve in minor puppy. Lovely head and expression, well made all through but carrying too much weight. Despite this she moved well covering plenty of ground with ease. Would love to see her when she's been to Weightwatchers.
Novice (7, 2)
1st. Eltimaris Jubilee Hoorah
2nd. Bramblemead Sparkling Lady
3rd. Clanwillow Crown Of Roses for Snikkles
Debutant (3, 1)
1st. Bramblemead Sparkling Lady
2nd. Steele's Rocpen Juro Twill Slate. Nice head and lovely eye. Moved soundly.
Graduate (6, 2)
1st. Bevis's Beabeardies Cinnamon Girl Brown young lady I last judged two years ago since when she has matured well. Strong head, good foreface, lovely eyes. Well balanced young lady with decent length of back, super coat correct in texture and length. Movement was ground covering and easy.
2nd. Lee-Finglas's Braemoors Quite The Catch for Richeath (Imp Nld) Dark slate young lady who tugged at my heartstrings. Good head and eye colour. Nice front and rear angulation, good length of back enabled her to move easily. She was a little slack in topline.
3rd. McKelvie's Thingamebob Perfect Pickle
Post Graduate (4, 0)
Despite its size, this was the most difficult class for me to judge because I really liked all four girls.
1st. Jay's Talraz Song Of Summer What a beautiful girl, lovely head and expression, elegant neck and well laid shoulders, correct ribcage, strong well angled rear. Her coat enhanced her lovely outline being of good texture and ideal length. Very good mover, supple snd graceful covering the ground with little effort.
2nd. Hough's Clovabrae Nikita For Seacharmzed Feminine brown lady I have judged before and was pleased to find she had fulfilled her early promise. Ideal size, lovely strong head, good eye colour, good neck, shoulders and upper arm. Ribcage is deep and long and she holds a good topline. Rear is well angled with low set hocks. Moved at the right speed covering plenty of ground with such animation. Beautiful harsh coat enhances her shape.
3rd. Salter's Irisaddition Love Actually
Mid Limit (10, 1)
1st. Rivers's Orora's French Silk At Merrimak JW Absolutely beautiful slate. Her construction leaves nothing to be desired from her strong head with dark eyes through her well angled forequarters correct ribbing and length of back to her strong rear with low set hocks. Coat is correct in texture and length and totally enhances her balanced outline. Movement is just what I look for, sound coming and going and effortless side gait. Liked her a lot.
2nd. Kneeshaw's Adjucet Stand By Me Brown lady with nice head and lovely warm eye. Well balanced front and rear, good length of back but would prefer a longer rib, movement was free and active covering the ground well. Super coat and texture.
3rd. Edwards's Kelham Like Dreams Do At Roxilyn JW
Limit (12, 5)
1st. Harcourt-Brown's Orora Oriana Plainly marked slate litter sister to my Mid Limit winner but a different type. As with all this breeder's Beardies she is very well constructed and balanced with a good ribcage and very strong rear. Coat is of good texture and not overdone in any way. It is her movement that impressed most, she covers such a lot of ground with absolutely no effort or exaggeration.
2nd. Burscough's Kilfinan Ladybird Slate more strongly made than 1st. Lovely outline with good topline. Strong head, good neck and shoulder placement, correct length and rear compliments her front. Strong yet effortless movement covering ground very easily.
3rd. Cooper's Tybury's Song Of Ice And Fire
Open (7, 1)
A lovely class, full of quality giving me a headache in the nicest possible way. The first three ladies in this class were of exceptional quality and it came down to splitting hairs and going with my heart.
1st. Edwards's Ch Roxilyn Take A Bow JW Slate bitch I judged two years ago when I awarded her the reserve CC. She has only got better since then and has blossomed into a beautiful lady of exceptional balance and breed type. Lovely head and eye, her neck flows into textbook shoulder placement demonstrating refinement over the withers and correct upper arm. Her ribcage is deep and long and she has a lovely neat strong rear. I just love the way your hands flow over her from head to tail, everything feels so correct. Her utter femininity and moderate coat just enhance her appeal for me. She is everything I look for in a Beardie bitch. Movement is sound, positive and ground covering. CC, Res. BIS and BOS.
2nd. Lewis & Moreland's Ch Potterdale Precious Rose Dark slate slightly bigger than 1) but still very feminine. I think this beautiful lady is one of my all-time favourite bitches from this breeder because of her breed type and total lack of exaggeration. Stunning outline, strong head, dark eyes, excellent shoulder placement, very good forechest, correct ribs and strong well angulated rear with short neat hocks. She moves very gracefully with that lightness of foot that typifies the breed. Reserve CC
3rd. Harkin's Corimist Galway Girl At Claudalla
Special Open (6, 1)
1st. Edwards' Ch. Nellbrook Pure Imagination Most beautiful blue, super strong head with fabulous pigment and the best eye colour I’ve seen in a blue for many years. Excellent neck, shoulders and forechest, strong topline and correct ribcage. Well angled rear with strong, short hocks. Overall a very well made lady who moved with such verve and ease. She is quality all through but, for me, just needs a little more length of back.
2nd. Muir's Douglasdale Dream Island Brown with the most gorgeous coat colour. For me, there's nothing like a really good brown coat. Lovely head and eye, balanced front and rear angulation, nice length of back. Moved with drive and purpose.
3rd. Bevis's Beabeardies Xtra Special
Soecial Beginners (7, 0)
1st. Bramblemead Sparkling Lady
2nd. Swaby's Kiltondale Hot Favourite For Marsby Slate with a strong head and reasonable eye colour, she has a good topline and length of back. Moved well.
3rd. Bradiba's Devil In A Bush For Calkylona
Marian Appleby (Judge)
Referee's Report
I would like to thank the committee for all their hard work and I was honoured to be asked not only to referee but also judge our junior handlers.
I was asked for a final decision between the dog and bitch CC winners for Best In Show. Both exhibits were a credit to their owners and showed their attributes to the full. However there can only be one winner (sadly) and I found the dog to have excellent balance front and rear, was light of foot and flowed around the ring effortlessly. It was my pleasure to award him BIS.
Maureen Betts (Pipadene)
Junior Handler Report
Junior Handling 6 - 11yrs - no entries
Junior Handling 12 - 16 yrs - Entries: 1 Absent: 0
Despite standing alone, this young handler didn't put a foot wrong. She showed great ring presence and attention to her dog at all times, alongside maintaining a professional, kind style of handling. I have watched this young lady develop over several years and she certainly is a credit to the dog world. Well done.
Maureen Betts