SOUTHAMPTON & DCA OPEN SHOW

SATURDAY 30TH JULY 2016

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge at their show. The weather was good, meaning full use could be made of the lovely large ring and it was only towards the end of my judging that it came out really hot. All dogs were presented in show condition and the effort put into grooming and conditioning was evident and appreciated. Thank you to all exhibitors for their entries, I thoroughly enjoyed my day and hope that, win or lose, you did too. It is certainly an outstanding show venue in beautiful surroundings.

ROUGH COLLIE –
Living with and showing Smooths myself, it is always fascinating judging Roughs and seeing what people sometimes get away with under a big coat! In the main I had some well made, functional Collies here today which is how it should be.

J (4,1) 1. Page’s Lynmead Amalie Bring Me Back. Well grown, well proportioned 11 mths s/w. Has a sweet eye and expression, good planes and clean through the cheeks although head needs to finish and for preference would like a little more underjaw. Good ears used well add to his appeal. Well laid shoulder with good return of upperarm, good bone down to neat feet. Liked his length of body and had the best topline in the class with lovely well angulated quarters and just enough length of tail. A smooth, easy mover going round the ring, sound up and down. In lovely coat and presented so well, he was a clear winner of this class and BP. 2. Horsley’s Bahatiview Bewitched for Marchere. Sweet 10 mths tri bitch who just needs to gain confidence in the ring and show environment but apart from that here was nothing wrong with her temperament. Head handles well with a lovely expression for a tri from a well placed eye and when she used her neat ears it completed a very pretty picture. Well constructed front and rear with good length to body. Gives the impression of needing a little more height on the leg but I think, if she was confident and stood up and showed, that would improve. Carrying a little excess weight and rolls a bit on the move but when she settles, she shows light, easy movement on a good length of stride. In full well marked coat of glorious glossy black and rich tan, presented so well. 3. Knight’s Chesterfield at Niknigh (Imp Srb). Instantly appealed for his masculine head and beautiful eye and expression but although well angulated, at this stage in his development he is too short and square in body and was over-reaching badly on the move which in a herding breed gave me no choice but to place him down the line.

PG (3,0) Ross’s Rahlissa Fairytale at Samshernik JW. Glorious rich sable colouring on this 2 yrs s/w bitch and she instantly appealed for her overall proportions and balance. Sweet eye and expression, skull could be a little flatter, good fill of muzzle, well set ears used well. Good well angulated forehand and matching rear with lovely flow over the topline, a slight rise over the loin falling gently over the croup to a well set and carried tail of good length and I noted her good feet. This all translated to easy, flowing movement round the ring, she is sound up and down and has enough coat to enhance her lovely shape. A nice bitch. 2. Swain’s Lexcols Jewel In My Crown. Sweet headed s/w bitch slightly reluctant to use her ears. Would like a little more height on the foreleg for optimum balance and could be firmer in pastern but good length to body. Well angulated fore and aft and moves with ease on a good length of stride although a little lazily. In good coat of correct texture which was well presented. 3. Munday’s Amalie Lynmead Hello Dolly.

O (4,1) Swain’s Linamac Lady Love at Lexcol. This 7yrs b/m bitch was in great form. She has a lovely outline and the evident rapport between dog and handler showed off her virtues to best effect. Had the best head here today for balance and detail. Has the sweetest eye and expression coming from perfect placement and neat, well positioned and used ears. Flat skull, good stop, smoothly moulded through the cheeks with a beautifully rounded muzzle. Head held proudly on slightly arched neck to a super front with well laid shoulder and length and angulation of upperarm. Good mature body, well knit together, and strong well angulated quarters. Holds a firm topline which flows sweetly down over the croup to a well set and carried tail. In good coat, well marked and presented and a beautiful blue, when she moves she goes with such ease, style and rhythm, showing her lovely balance with good reach and drive and sound up and down. For me a standout BOB here today and a testament to her breeder, the late Jean Fry, a dear friend and mentor, who loved her b/ms and would be rightly proud of this bitch from the last Linamac litter. 2. Ross’s Tremarno Star Touch at Samshernik JW. Upstanding 3 yrs bright g/s male of good size who tends to stand a little tucked under which makes him look more square in balance than he actually is. Masculine head and expression. Good lay of shoulder but can still fill in front to advantage. Well angulated rear and on the move really drives out from those quarters with smooth, effortless action which is good to see. 3. Page’s Lymead Amalie Let Me Go.

SIMON BURTON (Judge)