SHOW                 :         Alfreton and District Canine Society

VENUE                :         Sharley Park Leisure Centre

DATE                  :         Saturday, 20th. July 2019

Judge’s Critique

I would like to thank the committee of Alfreton and District Canine Society for asking me to judge the Rough Collie Classes at this show. I exhibited at this show last year, and thoroughly enjoyed a very welcoming show in bright sunshine, so I knew I would enjoy myself this time. My thanks also to Bruce, my steward, who had the ring running like clockwork and was very helpful, making my task a lot easier. Also my thanks to the often unsung heroes – the hospitality people who do a great job - often without recognition – for providing a great buffet, and almost endless cups of coffee!!

I had a good entry of 11 dogs in total. Unusually, there were no sable and white entries!  Again, all the entries were very well presented, and a credit to their owners.

JUNIOR (2 entries, 1 absent)

1.         Mejola Physical Attraction
An 18 month old Tricolour bitch in top form. Wearing her “Summer” coat, but still beautifully presented. Loved her head shape, with a lovely flat skull, and stop which wasn’t too deep. Great ear position set just right, and used well. A good, deep, well sprung chest Lots of great bone structure with correct angulation and strong hindquarters, which gave her the power to stride out confidently on the move, making it look effortless. It was a pity she stood on her own in the class, but it would have taken a great dog to beat her today.

POST GRADUATE (3 entries, 0 absent)

1.         Ladnar Trust In Me For Alfsden
A 20 month old blue merle bitch.  I’ve seen this young lady from ringside on many occasions, and although she’s a little ‘petite’ for my personal preference, I couldn’t wait to go over her.  And what a pleasure it was! Her overall look was very pleasing to the eye. Her head needs just a little finishing around the stop, but there’s still time for that. Her top line was wonderful and elegant, and her musculature was just right. Because of her great angulation, she strode out well and had that overall elegance and grace that I like in a bitch on the move. A ‘pocket rocket!! Well done!

2.         Siluto Misterious Girl           
An 18 month old tricolour bitch that I have also seen a lot from ringside, and like the look of. Her head could be a little finer, but she still has that elegance about her. I loved her eye shape, which made her look very appealing. Her ears and stop were just right, and her head shape overall was what I was looking for.  Another well constructed bitch who strode out confidently, but didn’t quite have the smoothness and elegance that my 1st. place had today, otherwise, the placings could well have been reversed.

3.         Siluto Over The Blue Moon
I don’t often do a critique for third place, but I have made an exception for this one. This blue merle bitch is the litter sister of my 2nd. place, and has a lot going for her. If only she had the ring presence of her sister!! I liked everything else about her, and felt it a shame she didn’t show or move quite so well as her sibling. I’m sure that will be worked on for the future!!

OPEN (6 entries 1 absent)

1.         Mejola Fate And Fortune
A two year old blue merle dog. He oozed class from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, and I absolutely loved everything about him. I couldn’t fault anything on his head, his chest was deep and strong, his angulation and musculature were right, his top line fantastic, and his overall appearance just screamed out “look at me!” When he moved, it was confident and elegant and looked effortless. I had no hesitation in awarding him Best of Breed, and my thanks to the group judge Kay Hateley for awarding him Pastoral Group 4, to round off a great day.

2.         Highnol Echoes In The Mist For Welanga
A 3 year old blue merle dog who the owner told me later hasn’t been shown outside for two years. I really liked him. I loved his head shape and it fit well with the rest of him. He had a good deep well filled ribcage, his top line was good, and he was well presented. His lack of being shown may have affected his movement, because he wasn’t for me as elegant as my first place, but he earned his well deserved 2nd place.

Finally, I would like to thank all my exhibitors for having the faith to enter under me.

Denis Beardsworth
Maysinder Collies