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BEARDED COLLIE CLUB OPEN SHOW 4.4.09
I was honoured to be invited to judge the BCC Open Show and enjoyed a very pleasant day with some lovely Beardies and very sporting exhibitors.
The venue was very spacious being a Riding School which gave lots of scope for moving the dogs. The surface was good, having been well flattened beforehand which meant the dogs could show their movement without the fear of slipping. I was very ably kept “up to the mark” by my experienced steward Dave Anderton and his little helper Hannah Hinchliffe ( a star in the making!). The hospitality and catering were excellent and provided by a very hard working committee which was well appreciated.
The entry was mixed but on the plus side I found very few light eyes, no suspect mouths, good heads and toplines and temperaments that were superb. Presentation in the main was excellent with not a knot to be found ( well I didn’t discover any!). As ever there is always a down side and I felt that some Beardies were rather underweight. Lean does not mean thin and I felt some were just not covered enough. If these dogs fell ill they would not have the reserves to assist in their recovery. There were also one or two who were carrying a little too much weight. There were a couple of very straight fronts which luckily were accompanied by straight stifles so at least there was an element of balance to compensate however this will result in a lack of ability to cover the ground economically and will affect the ability to absorb concussion.
I was looking for a sound, typical, well balanced dog that was constructed to work but who possessed ring presence and was fortunate to be able to find these attributes in all my principal winners .
Minor Puppy Dog(1,0)
1. Richardsons’s Caramac Change The Beat. 6 month brown at his first show and enjoying every minute. The raw material and looks promising. Good mouth and head properties, eye should darken .Cheeky expression. Forehand good for age and well ribbed. Correct proportions and when settled moved well with well held topline and good tail carriage. BPD.
Puppy Dog(1,0)
1. Richardson’s Caramac Change The Beat.
Junior Dog(4,2)
2 totally contrasting types.
1.Glasspool’s Diotima From The Heart for Gildenmead. 13months , this very dark slate has a most attractive outline and his rapport with his handler is a joy to watch. Head just needs to broaden in skull, gorgeous dark eye and expression. Good bite. Very nice to go over with well angulated front and rear and good length of rib. Would perhaps like a little more of him in substance and condition but he is very young and I’m sure this will come with maturity. Held a super shape on the move and has very supple ground covering action.
2. Penton’s Ravalonsky’s Elehad of Benfalcon. 17 months, slate. Much heavier type . Preferred his head which was strong and handsome with a dark expressive eye and good bite and width to underjaw. However he could not match the winner on movement as he was not as well angulated. He did have a good length and depth of rib which gave him a strong topline. Sound , honest type of dog .
Yearling Dog(1,1)
Maiden and Novice Dog(1,0)
1. Glasspool’s Diotima From The Heart for Gildenmede.
Graduate Dog(4,1).
1. Morrant’s Elemark Briar. 2 yo. Black with excellent head and eye. Liked this dog for his overall balance both standing and on the move. Lovely to go over, excels in front with matching rear angulation which gives him the ability to cover the ground with little effort. In super condition, just lacking coat on the day otherwise would have been in serious contention in the challenge for RBD.
2. Glasspool’s Natterjack Tranquil Sea for Gildenmede.2yo. Dark blue with very well proportioned head with flat skull, good bite, eye toning with coat. Liked his overall proportions and size but for me could not match the winner for front or overall balance. In good condition and moving in harmony with his handler . Very attentive and alert expression.
3. Gilbert’s Thingamebob My Guy.
Post Graduate Dog(2,1).
1. Glasspool’s Natterjack Tranquil Sea for Gildenmede.
Limit Dog.(1,0).
Open Dog(2).
1. Morrant’s Elemark Jubilo SH CM. 6 yo fully mature slate who fits the bill and is just my type. Strong and masculine with an exceptional head having that elusive square flat skull and strong balanced muzzle with good underjaw and super bite. Gorgeous expression from warm dark eye. Well arched neck leading to the best front of the day arising from the length of bone, lay back and super return of upper arm. Great length and depth of rib, good forechest and strong hindquarters. His balance, well moulded croup and well let down strong hocks allow him to move with long reaching purposeful strides. Good quality jacket, well fitting. Would like to see him carrying a tad less weight. Have seen him a little apprehensive in the ring but today he showed with confidence and could not be ignored. Delighted to award him BD and BIS. This dog has a lot to offer the breed.
2. Brown’s Highglade Arch Angel. 4 yo slate who appealed for his easy action. Strong head with just a little too much length of muzzle for me. Eye toning with coat and good bite. Correct length of neck leading to well placed shoulders. Liked his proportions and outline moving and standing. Not the finish or the front of 1.
Bred By Exhibitor(1)
1. Brown’s Highglade Arch Angel.
Not Bred By Exhibitor(2,1)
1.Morrant’s Odderwood Giftware. 4yo. brown in good coat. Another with well proportioned and strong head with width to underjaw. Eye could be darker. This dog has a superb front with lovely return of upper arm enabling him to reach on the move . Well proportioned with well set and carried tail however he was carrying far too much weight and was a little unsettled. When he did settle he moved well.
Sp. Beginners Dog (no entries)
Veteran Dog(3).
I love the veterans and these 3 were on good form.
1. Dumbrell’s Bethlyntee Bannock SH CM. Rich dark brown 10 year old totally belying his age. Typical Beardie expression, masculine head with correct bite and eye colour. Well balanced fore and aft with correct shaped rib of good length and depth. This dog is totally unexaggerated and honest ,in super fit condition showing well from all directions. Can lift his tail occasionally which detracts but when concentrating provides an attractive outline on the move. Not quite the length of stride or power of the BD in the challenge. Pleased to award him RBD and BVIS. Owner should be congratulated on keeping him in such good form.
2. Ferrigno’s Chillibears I’m The One. 8yo plain old fashioned slate with lovely temperament. Masculine head and typical expression from warm dark eye. Liked his front and deep rib cage. Good length coming from the rib and well held topline. Moved with ease covering the ground well. Not the finish or condition of 1 today but close up.
3. Feidler’s Snowmead Syncopation.
Sp. Working Dog(1).
1. Crump’s Bethlyntee Black Pepper. 7yo. Black dog with melting expression. Very masculine strong head with the darkest of eyes and good bite. Rather upright and lacking the angulation I was looking for which made him appear a little square. Good length of rib and in good condition. Moved steadily.
Minor Puppy Bitch(2).
1. Richardson’s C’mon Ring My Bell. Slate at her first show at the tender age of 6 months. Litter sister to MPD and having similar attributes in overall make and shape. Very promising, she has a lovely flat skull and beautiful dark eyes . Very pretty and feminine with a most impressive front allowing her to really stride out. Good length of rib and carrying the right amount of weight. Very interested in her surroundings but when settled could see a promising show girl. All the required assets in the raw. Just needs time.
2. Hough’s Seacharmzed Adorabubble. Black , same age as 1 and similar in size and type. Very pretty and well schooled but lost out to 1 as eye needs to darken and not the flat skull or front of the winner. Liked her length to height and she moved well in accord with her handler, very impressive for one so young.
Puppy Bitch(4,1).
1. Pepper’s Megamaree Shear Perfection. 11 months, in mature coat for age. Feminine with well proportioned head, eye toning with coat and correct bite. Well placed shoulders and matching angulation at the rear. Well let down behind with correct tail set and carriage. In very nice condition. She appears a little low to ground at present but may be an optical illusion due to the length of coat. Awarded BPB and BPIS on her maturity and presentation.
2.Holton’s Pattishawl Just The Answer for Leamedo. Little to choose between the 1st and 2nd. Slate with only 2 days separating age. Not quite the maturity of 1 but with similar attributes. Moved well with well held topline.
3. Richardson’s Caramac C’mon Ring My Bell.
Junior Bitch(5).
1. Harkin’s Claudalla Jenny Wren. 15 month slate. Mature and composed, very feminine in profuse coat which when settled should reveal a shapely little lady. Very sweet head of balanced proportions with attentive expression. Correct bite and eye toning nicely with coat. Very well placed shoulders and correct ribbing leading to well moulded croup and well angulated hindquarters. Short strong hocks which she used to advantage showing off her positive movement from all angles. As always presented to perfection by this exhibitor; moved in harmony never putting a foot wrong . Sure she will have a bright future. Had to bow to maturity today for higher honours but her day will come.
2. Ferrigno’s Pelido Disarronno Amaretto. Was quite taken with this young lady. Same age as 1 but not as composed or mature. Her day will come as she is extremely well made with lovely head and expression ,correct neck and super front allowing her to really reach. Well ribbed with matching angulation from the rear she can really cover some ground. Pushed 1 hard. When the partnership get their act together I would expect this one to make an impact. Will watch her with interest.
3. McErlane’s Talraz Touch of Angels.
Yearling Bitch(7)
1. Harkin’s Claudalla Jenny Wren.
2. Brown’s Highglade Blue Angel. Blue tri, 2yo . Very nice bitch with exceptional length to height proportions. Very good front assembly with matching rear. Well ribbed with firm topline. Coat going through change. Moved well just needs to lower her tail to complete a very nice picture. Should mature into a useful workmanlike young lady.
3. Sullivans Navillus Moonlight Shadow.
Maiden Bitch(4).
1.Pepper’s Megamaree Shear Perfection.
2. McErlane’s Talraz Touch of Angels. Slate, 13 months going through coat change. Nice head and expression with dark eye. Reasonable front angulation balanced with rear. Would like a touch more length to rib but loin firm and holding topline well. Lots of maturing to do yet. Moved in accord with handler.
3. Hough’s Seacharmzed Adorabubble.
Novice Bitch(2)
1. Pepper’s Megamaree Shear Perfection.
2. McErlane’s Talraz Touch of Angels.
Graduate Bitch(2).
1. Richard’s Elemark Guelder Rose. 2yo black pretty feminine girl with eyecatching outline enhanced by close fitting coat. Smaller lighter framed type than 2nd but won through on her quality. Good length of bone contributed to a well constructed front .Correct ribbing and fluid movement, lovely expression and outlook. Should do well when fully mature.
2. Bowden’s Subessen Land of Grace. 3yo typical dark slate. Older and obviously more mature with gorgeous head and expression and super coat texture. Decent outline and moved steadily but for me could not match winner on basic construction having a longer loin and shorter length of bone.
Post Graduate Bitch(7,1)
1. Fiedler’s Saskyadu Magical Moonlight at Malarkey. 3yo dark slate. My “find” of the day. Hard to fault this unexagerrated elegant bitch who did not put a foot wrong. Lovely expressive dark eye giving that typical melting Beardie expression. Head well proportioned with good bite. My hands flowed easily over correct length of neck leading to well constructed forehand , good length and depth of rib and strong loin. Well held tail. Super coat and condition and of a type I admire. In complete accord with her handler who moved her at a sensible working pace to show off her fluid movement; presented a most attractive picture. Unlucky to meet winner of Open in such good form in the Challenge but thought they looked good together. Should have a bright future. RBB.
2. Richard’s Elemark Guelder Rose.
Limit Bitch(3,1)
2 nice bitches of very different type.
1. Sullivan’s Navillus Shooting Star. 4yo slate with lots to like. Lovely head and expression with dark eye and strong muzzle , correct bite. Reasonably well angulated front and matching rear allowed her to move with purpose and enabled her to maintain a firm topline. Excellent tail carriage and strong hindquarters with well let down hocks used well on the move. Very good quality coat with harsh outer covering completed a picture of an honest sound Beardie.
2. Dumbrell’s Chyanullys Kerensa by Bethlyntee. 4yo Plain but striking black who also has a lot to admire. Bigger all through than the winner but with lovely lines, hands flowed over her easily and her superb condition was exemplary. Super head with strength but retaining feminity. Eye tones well with coat and has correct bite. Moderate front angulation matching rear enabled her to move with steady balanced gait. Very firm in topline as well ribbed back with strong loin. Tail lets her down on the move. 1 tipped the scales today on overall shape standing and moving.
Open Bitch(2).
1. Richard’s Elemark Holly Berry. 6 yo dark slate in full bloom. Have judged her before and liked her then but she has improved as expected with maturity. Presented in immaculate condition this very pretty bitch appealed to me for her overall size, type and outlook. Foot perfect she moved in accord with her handler every time asked. Very well balanced head with dark eye and an expression to melt anyone’s heart. Correct length of neck leads to well laid back shoulder and good return of upper arm of good length. Correct shape, length and depth of rib and moderately angulated croup with well bent stifles and well let down hocks. She couldn’t fail to move well and it was very pleasing to watch her gait at a sensible pace keeping her topline at all times. No hesitation awarding her BB and RBIS. In the challenge I felt she lacked the power and length of stride of her litter brother today. Breeder should be proud of these two.
2. Bowden’s Bendale Love Me Tender at Subessen. 5yo slate . Very feminine, smaller type who could not match the balance of head properties of 1 nor the overall finish today. Reasonable front with balanced rear enabled her to move soundly but could lose some weight to advantage. Sporting a good coat and holding topline well she was unfortunate to meet the winner on top form.
Bred by Exhibitor Bitch(5)
1. Richard’s Elemark Holly Berry.
2. Harkin’s Claudalla Jenny Wren.
3. Brown’s Highglade Blue Angel.
Not Bred by Exhibitor Bitch(1).
1.Dumbrell’s Chyanullys Kerensa by Bethlyntee.
Sp. Beginners Bitch (no entries).
Veteran Bitch(1,1).
Sp. Working Bitch(0).
Brace.
2 well matched pairs , handled well.
1. Bowden’s Subessen Land of Grace/ Bendale Love me Tender at Subessen just pipped 2 on familial likeness (mother and daughter).Very similar.
2. Gilbert’s Thingamebob My Guy/ Athemburg New Beginning.
Chris Burscough (Judge).
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