I would like to thank my stewards for their part in keeping the ring moving. I thoroughly enjoyed the day. I attended my first Crufts aged 17, and never in my wildest dreams ever thought I would standing in the middle of the ring – surely every judges ultimate honour. I thank the Kennel Club for this honour & privilege. Although not a large entry by Crufts standards, I was spoiled for choice in many classes, and on completion of class judging I was delighted with my line up. I was looking for a bitch that, whilst being workmanlike in construction, could cover the ground, but retain femininity, with a kind and gentle expression to charm the sheep from the hills. My co-judge and I were in agreement that both the dog and the bitch were fine examples of the breed, either being worthy of a place in the group. Mr Staniland was kind enough to offer me the choice, and I felt the bitch remained calm and moved a tad – and only a tad - better. As this show is the highlight of any exhibitor’s year, I will not accredit obvious faults particular to any exhibit, as these were explained in the line-up to individuals. Suffice to say that I found two overshot mouths, quite a few with a weak underjaw, and far too many that were too short in the back skull.. The head should be balanced, with the foreface the same length as the back skull from the point of the stop. I do feel this should be addressed. Sadly, movement in many cases had to be seen to be believed. The Collie should move with drive. Lack of exercise was evident in many of the higher classes, resulting in sloppy gait. On the plus side as a grooming freak, I was pleased that most were immaculate, but take care that the grooming products do not clog the coat, or the judge’s hands.
Veteran Bitch (11,4)
1st Richters Int.Ch. Scottlyme Demoiselle Lovely 8 year old s/w, who was not showing her age at all. Good reach of neck & well sprung ribs giving an excellent body shape. Most appealing head, foreface & back skull of equal length, well placed stop, lovely almond shaped eyes giving correct expression, topped off with lovely ear placement & carriage. Flowing lines, enhanced by well-presented coat. Moved very well front and behind once settled. Please to have the opportunity to judge her today, as I have previously given her a CACIB in her homeland. Many thanks for bringing her.
2nd Mellish’s Demelewis Raven Moon ShCM Although a little short on coat, this bitch has classic lines which in any competition cannot be denied. In outline she has a good length of back, strong well arched neck. She is jet black and gleaming white, and would love to have had her in full coat today. Her head handles well, correct wedge, with no flaring. Dark eye, very soft expression, good stop, and a balanced head. Good ear placement, which she used well. Moved very well. Gave first a run for her money, with full coat, could easily have taken the class.
3rd Avery’s Lynviews Golden Toffee JW This bitch seems to be eternally young. At 10 ½, she moved well. Lovely outline, coat was well presented. Her head shows no signs of coarseness, she has a good stop, lovely eyes, well placed ears. Retaining her gentle expression, enjoying her day. Shows continually, credit to her owner.
Special Puppy (11,0)
1st Loader’s Redola All Things Nice. First impressions of this shapely bitch were confirmed on handling. She has a lovely outline, enhanced with profuse coat, which was groomed to perfection. Good reach of neck, lovely length of back. I loved her head, so soft and appealing, with well-shaped dark eyes giving such a kind & gentle expression, I was captivated at first look ! She is well angulated in all department, with nothing exaggerated. Lovely neat feet, very well boned legs. Moved very well for such a youngster. Was very keen for the bait in this class and tended to tuck her back legs under herself, but in the challenge, she had a different handler who somehow managed to get her to show her in top form, showing off her beautifully long neck, and so improved her outline in profile, I considered her for the top honours. I shall watch her progress with keen interest.
2nd Margetts Collingvale Caviar. Tricolour who I feel had to be handled to be fully appreciated. Sound in all departments, she was shown in excellent condition, her black gleaming. Not heavily coated, but has a well-fitting jacket. I would like her with a tad more length of back, but she seems to be ‘growing into herself’ as she matures. Her head handles well, with moulded foreface, no flaring, good stop in the right place, lovely dark well shaped eye. Movement was very good, covered the ground with ease, very light footed, which gave her the edge. I found her very sound in all departments.
3rd Walders Heart of Gold de Cabrenysset for Hanvale (ImpFra), in contrast to second, this bitch has a wealth of coat. She was very well presented and groomed throughout, and sympathetically handled. Very shapely, she flows throughout with well sprung ribs, nice rise over the loins. Well off for bone at this age, with lovely tight feet, neat legs. Her head is very feminine, well placed stop, well-shaped eyes, correct ear placement. She has profuse coat around her head, which I feel would benefit from being stripped a little. Lovely shoulder placement, correctly angulated, good bend of stifle. Her movement was a little sluggish today, which cost her a higher place, but she showed herself to advantage. Made up a trio of lovely bitches.
Special Junior (8,2)
1st Margetts Collingvale Crème Caramel JW. Easy winner of this class for various reasons. Not in my personal view a glamour girl, but she is quite hard to fault. She has a balanced outline, she flows from her head to her tail. Lovely reach of neck, good length of back. Lovely bone, neat feet. Again groomed to enhance her shape, not overly coated. Her head is very clean, lovely wedge shape, just the eye shape I like, topped off with well-placed ears. She is one that I would describe as a good honest bitch, with no exaggerations, easily the best mover in the class with free flowing movement and a driving action.
2nd Annable & Kayes Danfrebek Magics Wildspice. Well shaped in head and body, again not in full coat. Pretty head, would prefer slightly more moulding in foreface, which should come with age. Lovely kind eye, neat ears which she used all the time. Not the presentation of 1 or 3, moved ok behind.
3rd Brand & Reids Roschell Ice Kiss ‘N The Mist at Ronansprey. In contrast this blue was shown with a thick, long coat, which covered her shapely body. She stands out for her lovely colour and well broken markings. Shows very well. I liked her head, lovely moulding to her foreface, her eyes are so dark they almost blended in with her facial markings. They are a lovely shape too. Neat ears, bang on top of her head. If I was being critical I would like just a tad more back skull to balance her head totally. Good length of neck, lovely body shape, good length to tail. Moved with drive but a tad too much gusto, one of the happier dogs here today! Her tail set is good, so was surprised that she carried her tail high, such a shame as it is a personal absolute hate of mine ! I hope you can get it under control, but I loved her happy disposition. Again excellent presentation.
Yearling Bitch (17,5)
1st Shipp's Tremaro Tapestry. This bitch was unfortunately right out of coat, but what she had was absolutely immaculately presented. She catches the eye for her wide brilliant white collar and her lovely rich sable. Her outline was not masked with frills and featherings, so any faults could not be hidden. A bigger girl overall, but still retained her feminity. Her head was balanced and again she had a gentle expression that I like. No flaring to wedge, nice depth of head. Almond shaped dark eye, well placed stop, balanced head, and good underjaw. Used ears continually, well placed. Good reach of neck, lovely length of back. Very attentive to handler, and moved with power and drive from behind, good front extension, but could be tighter in front movement.
2nd Halls Lynmead Amalie Aim for Love Over Sambreeze, smaller all over than 1, and generally finer all round. Again, not in the best of coats, but what she had was well presented. Very pretty head and expression, nicely moulded , slight stop, almond shaped eyes. Excellent ear carriage. This bitch had the best muscle tone of the entry, and this showed in her movement. Stood and showed steadily, looked a real sweetie.
3rd Congdon's Mon Solana Sun wish for Aaron well (Imp. Russ). Profusely coated glamorous youngster. She has an ideal body shape, and pleasing head. Well moulded foreface, good stop, and lovely almond shaped eye. Good balance of foreface to back skull, nice underjaw, ears correctly placed but almost hidden by her profuse coat. Lovely reach of neck, well placed shoulders, nice spring of ribs. Excels in bone, well bent stifle, hocks well let down. Thought she would be my class winner, but didn’t match the drive and extension of the winners.
Graduate Bitch (13,3)
Varying types in this class...
1st Dricot’s – Future Legende Du Secret de Lions. Very glamorous 2 1/2 year old sable. Has the most beautifully kind eye, delightful gentle expression and lovely ear carriage. Good shape to head, again with no flaring, excellent underjaw. Good shoulder placement, nice reach of neck. Excellent body shape, good length of back. Well bent stifle and the neatest of hocks. I found her very similar in type to the puppy class winner. Presented very well, showed calmly and to advantage. Standing she filled my eye, and on the move settled down nicely to take the class. She had the ‘look at me’ factor, and I felt myself drawn to her each time I looked at the line-up. Her enthusiastic owner had entered her in three classes today, which although this allowed her to become more settled in the ML class, she was eventually bored by the open class. Discovered later that I awarded her the RCACIB in Belgium last year. I feel she could easily achieve her UK title. Delighted to award her the RCC in some stiff competition.
2nd McDade's Chelborn She’s The One for Lyndale, b/m with a lovely shape and really good outline in profile. Liked her clear colour, enhanced by being well groomed. Pretty head with stop in the right place, when viewed in profile, but for me front on was a little flared and broader in back skull than I would like. Lovely eye shape and placement, neat ears, which she used to advantage. Flat skull and one of the few with good length to back skull. Well angulated in all departments, stood well. Moved well enough but would benefit from a little weight loss, as this affected her movement.
3rd Boyles Uffspring Upon my Soul over Barrenclough. Pleasing s/w with a nice outline. Pretty head, with kind expression, lovely shaped eye, good stop. Nice depth to head, topped off with well-placed ears, bit reluctant to use them though. Nice length to neck and back, well off for bone. Moved well in front, and behind.
Post Graduate Bitch (12,1)
1st Loaders Redola Nice as Spice. Glamorous s/w that took my eye straight away. Has a most delightful expression so soft and melting, and was wearing her best outfit, which was immaculately groomed fresh coat. Balanced throughout, with lovely wedge shaped head, moulded foreface, adequate stop. Another with such kind well placed eyes, flat skull, well placed ears which she used constantly. Lovely bone, very neat feet. Good shoulder placement, well bent stifle, and neat hocks. Very eager to please, and this showed in her movement, but once settled did enough to take the class. Mother of the puppy class winner, and has passed on her delightful virtues, and the critiques could apply to both.
2nd Coulson's Blucher Vanilla Skye. I really liked for her balance and shape. Although she was in-between coats, she carried a heavy ruff which was deceptive in appearing to show lack of neck. On putting my hands over her, this is not the case. Nice head properties, good stop, nice almond shaped eye and strong underjaw. Ears well placed and used continually. I was drawn to her for overall quality. Moved very well, it was a real tussle between 1 & 2, who stood next to each other and I deliberated for a fair while. It basically came down to better coat and condition of the winner. Look forward to seeing her when she has her adult coat, when she will trouble the best.
3rd Lockyer's Gataj Willow of Surprises. New one to me, another not in her full coat, but what she had was well presented and in good condition. Similar in head to 1, with nice eye, good ear placement, nice length of neck and back. Shown very well, had lovely movement.
Mid Limit Bitch (13,2)
1st Dricot’s– Future Legende du Secret de Lions. Both dog and owner appeared more relaxed in this class, and her movement was much more settled and positive.
2nd Hodges Jopium Dreams in the Mist JW. Lovely blue merle I last judged as a minor puppy. She has matured well, having a classic shape. Excellent presentation as always from this exhibitor. Well shaped head, foreface and back skull balanced, flattest of heads good stop and lovely eye, giving a pleasing expression. My criticism of her if I was being picky would be I would like ears a bit tighter. Good reach of neck, onto strong shoulders. Lovely neat feet, well boned legs. In the run off, just lacked a little bit of fluidity of movement, and animation of the winner.
3rd Margetts’s Amalie Let Me Be At Collingvale JW. Making up a trio of lovely bitches. Head handled very well, with well-rounded muzzle, defined stop, flat skull. Well shaped dark eye, I found her very similar in expression to the winner. Good shoulder placement, nice length of back, well bent stifle and neat hocks. Very well presented, as were all by this exhibitor. As I had moved each dog again, I felt that she became less settled, and although moved with great drive behind, she was playing up to the occasion when coming towards me. Am sure that on another day could easily change places.
Limit Bitch (15,3)
1st Hawkins’ Brilyn Feel the Difference. Very pleasing s/w, with a super outline. Such a lovely soft expression, from her well moulded foreface, lovely dark well shaped eye, just enough stop. Used her ears well, stood and showed quietly and confidently. Loved her reach of neck, excellent shoulder placement, very shapely body. Again not overdone in the coat department, but what she had was immaculate. On the move, she went soundly and gently round the ring. My surprise of the day, as I do not think I have really noticed her before. I felt there was nothing overdone or exaggerated about this bitch, sound as they come. With more coat would have pushed the winners hard.
2nd Loaders Redola Sugar ‘N’ Spice. Very similar in head to 1, another with that gentle expressive demeanour. Shorter all over than 1, and still very shapely. Benefitting from an immaculately groomed coat, she oozed quality. Moved well with positive driving action in both directions A family affair for this kennel, as this is the mother of the post-grad winner, so this clever kennel had three generations of lovely bitches here today. It was literally down to the wire between the first two, and the quiet confidence of the winner took my preference today. Another I have done well in the past, and pleased she is fulfilling expectations.
3rd Hassocks Camanna Coraline. Quality exhibit, again with a lovely shape and outline. Balanced throughout, good reach of neck, lovely length of back. Stood and showed very well. Clean head, lovely eye shape, good placement, nice stop, all giving good expression. Moved nicely, just on the point of losing her coat, which determined her placing today.
Open Bitch (13,3)
1st Little’s Buebezi Belle Mystique de Cathyja. Blue merle, in good coat of correct texture and super colour. This bitch is so balanced, with correct length of back and neck. Her head again is very balanced, lovely underjaw, well moulded foreface, correctly placed stop .and the femininity to give a lovely picture. Her long arched neck leads in to well angulated shoulders, good length of back and a correctly angulated back end, enabling her to float round the ring soundly and effortlessly. She is well boned, but clearly feminine, she just flows from her head to her tail. She is shown quietly and sympathetically to advantage. Delighted to award her the CC. I was so pleased my co-judge and I were in agreement she be awarded Best of Breed. In the group, she shone against the green carpet and strode out well. A credit to the breed and held her own, and was very relaxed. Well done.
2nd Dricot’s Future Legende Du Secret De Lions. I could not believe this dog was in a third class!! I seriously considered her to win this one too, but by now was showing signs of boredom, and insisted on sitting down on a few vital occasions. Could not deny her the RCC, as she had beaten some quality bitches throughout the day.
3rd Grainger & Mitchell’s Samhaven Classical Music JW ShCM. One I have done well in the past, and she did not disgrace herself at all today. I would like a sweeter eye, but she has all the essentials. Unlucky to have left her clothes behind, she does have a tendency to be out of coat at the wrong times!! I do hope she is not destined to continually be the bridesmaid. Her excellent driving movement and free flowing action will always guarantee her a good placings in any company, so very unlucky in this class. Good head properties, well placed ears, strong neck, into shapely body. Well presented as always and shown sympathetically.
Good Citizen (7,0)
1st Mellish’s – Demelewis Raven Moon ShCM
2nd Hall’s Lynmead Amalie Aim for Love over Sambreeze
3rd Boyle’s Uffspring Unchained Melody over Barrenclough JW ShCM. Unplaced in previous class, and more settled. She has a pleasing head, with good expression, lovely eye shape. Good reach of neck, nice body shape. Moved nicely.
Judge Mrs C Collins
(Triburle)
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