Crufts 2011

My thanks to the exhibitors for a lovely entry and the Crufts Committee for both the appointment and their hospitality. I was pleased with my winners and it was pleasant to note dental hygiene was good, however I was disappointed in the number of exhibits that had a ears set on the side of their head, this does not assistance in giving the desired collie expression, I also noticed the lack of muscle tone and conditioning on quite a number of exhibits. The depth of quality was greater in bitches than dogs.

VD (3,2) 1 Davies' Sharidon Anything Goes At Keenacre. Tri who for his age, eight and half is in good condition. Nice head to handle but stopped could be more defined. Good front and rear with a strong top line. Moved well.

SPD (5) 1, BP & Res CC, Whites Foxearth Frappuccino. Lovely tri who is mature for his age and in very good condition. Wedge shaped head with parallel muzzle and back skull, eye a little round, good ears that he used all the time, giving a masculine expression. Well constructed front and rear, nice length of neck. Correct height to length ratio, strong top line that he held on the move. Stood and showed really well and moved well in all views, as his construction suggested he would. 2 Howes Dawcher Dawns Sunrise, Sable, pleasant head, eye a little round, good ears that were not always used to his advantage. Good front and rear construction but would have preferred a little more length of body, but this may come with maturity. Moved ok but tail carried gaily on the move and at times whilst standing. 3 Hydes Londers Every Breath I Take. A couple of months older than 1 and 2 but to me however lacked maturity. Nice head, good ears. Moved ok. He is well made and I and sure will develop on, given time.

SJD (1) 1 Henderson & Neils' Norcis Air Of Mystery. Tri who was presented in excellent condition. Correct head pattern that was pleasing to handle, eye set and shape ok, but did not use his ears. Well constructed front and rear, moved well.

PGD (5) 1 Moores Manordeifi Shadow Chaser. Nice Tri who was in good condition. Correct head pattern if a little flaired in back skull, correct stop. Good eye shape and colour, correct ears that he used well. Correct front and rear construction. Moved OK but tended to loose his concentration. 2 Russels Foxearth Fashion Guru. Sable with correct head and stop, ears could be used a little more. Correct front construction but needs more turn of stifle in the rear. 3 Woodstocks Shulune Imperial Warrior at Hylard. A neutered sable who is carrying to much weight. Good head, eye and ears giving correct expression. Movement effected by his extra weight.

LD (9) 1 Norman & Ratcliffe's Easy Listening at Seaua. Sable with a lovely balanced head, correct eye,stop. Well set ears, that he was at times reluctant to use but when he did gave the desired expression. Good length of neck leading to a good front with correct rear construction. Good muscle tone, but carrying a little extra weight that made him role slightly when moving. 2 Hutchings Collidach Molloney Ta Tu You. Tri who has a well constructed and balanced body. Pleasing head, I would however preferred a little extra length, correct stop eyes ok, ears are set a little low and he was reluctant to use them. Moved well. 3 William's Foxearth Forward Thinking for McClelland. Sable with correct head patterns, if a little deep through, correct ears that I would like to see tipped a little more. Good construction front and rear. Moved well.

OD (9,2) 1, CC & BOB Hayward's Ch Sandcastles True Topic (Imp). What can I say about this dog that has not already been said. Over the last year he has been a super ambassador for the breed with his win and placing's at group level. Today I was pleased to see him get short listed in the Pastoral group. Standing and when handled, for me provides the visual picture of the breed standard with may be the very minor exception of ear tip. On the move he has reach from the front and real drive from the rear, always holding his top line and carrying his tail correctly. It was my pleasure to be able to judge him. 2 Gallini's Int/It/San Mar Ch Oneways Private Pluto. Sable with good head, eye and ears giving pleasing expression. Strong neck leading to correct front and rear construction. A little high on the leg but it did not spoil his balance. Unfortunately when called back for the challenge his movement was not at its best. 3 Griffith's Alopex Matt Finnish Tri with a nice head that is balanced and well constructed. Eye is a little fuller than required, correct ears that he was reluctant to use. Correct front and rear construction with strong topline, good muscle tone moved well.

GCDSD (4) 1 Winters & Unwin's Sturtmoor Alexavier Odessy at Snowtrekka SHCM, Tri with acceptable head patterns but ears at quarter to three. Correctly constructed and balanced front and rear with good muscle tone. Moved well. 2 Wallis's Norfield Soul Mate. Sable that I have judged before and though well of standing but unfortunately lets himself down on the move. 3 Pages Norfield What A Knight Sable that for me is to fine throughout and his ears are not his fortune, Moved well.

VB (3,1) 1 Hyde's Ch Foxearth Fondant. Sable lady that walked into the ring and immediately stood four square in a lovely show stance without any guidance from her handler and held this until asked to move. This stance showed what a lovely specimen of the breed she is, so well balanced, all the head properties correct and in place. Good eye and ears that she used constantly the whole giving a lovely expression. Good neck leading to correct front and rear construction. Unfortunately on the move she favored her left front leg so could not be consider for top honours. 2 Gibson's Pelghart Private Dancer Tri with nice head, eye and ears. Good neck leading to correct front, good body length but would have preferred a more rounded croup. Moved OK.

SPB (3) 1 McKenna & Bardill's Plaisance Betty La Bell, Lovely young sable bitch. Balanced wedge shaped head, correct stop and eye. Well set ears that she used constantly, giving a lovely sweet expression. Correct front and rear construction. Moved well, if a little erratic at times. 2 Sewells Foxearth Dressed to Frill. Sweet Tri bitch with many similar properties to one, but a little finer all through and I preferred the top line and shape of one. Moved well. 3 Foreman's Cownbred Frosted Rose. Tri bitch that is larger than 1 or 2. Acceptable head pattern but in correct ear set which detracts and prevents having sweet expression. .Balanced body with correct front and rear. Needs to settle on the move.

SJB (2,1) With held in this class. An explanation for this was provided to the handler.

PGB (10,2) 1 Russell's Manordeifi Satin Doll. Lovely type tri bitch with a really well balanced wedge shaped head, correct well placed eye, well set ears that she used well, the all combined to give a feminine expression. Good length of neck leading to a very well balanced and correctly built body. Moved very well in all directions. Very close to top honours. 2 Coate's Alopex Blue Moon. Blue merle with lots of desirable features. Good head eye and ears that she used well. Balance body shape, moved well. 3 Benton's Alopex Marionette of Oakestella Another blue merle, litter sister to 2. Has all the desired features. In profile looks lovely with excellent reach of neck, unfortunately just too fine for me throughout. Moved well. One of the best coats on show today.

LB (9) 1 Russel's Manordiefi Satin Doll. 2 Neff's Hightri Until Blue Merle with good head, dark eyes, very good ears that she used well. Balanced body and moved well. I preferred the overall shape and balance of one. 3 McKenna & Bardill's Shulune Imperial Flower of Plaisance. Nice sable with good head, eye and ears. Lovely shaped and balance body. Reluctant at times on the move.

OB (6,2) A lovely class to judge all champion bitches. 1 & CC Fort's Ch Shulune Imperial Legacy JW. A beautiful sable bitch with quality throughout. Lovely head pattern with all the correct featurese, good eye and ears, feminine expression. Great length of neck lead to front construction, strong top line and good back end. Stood and showed constantly. Moved very well and at one with handler. 2 & BCC Ajmova's Int Ch Anabela of Bohemia. A darker shade of sable with good head patterns. Good length of head with two parallel planes, nice stop, good eye, correct shape and size ears that the handler had work to get up, but did succeed to give required expression. Good reach of neck, correct front and rear a little high on the leg. Moved really well in all directions. 3 Norman & Radcliffe's Ch Foxearth Fashioned in Black. A very nice tri bitch that on other days will change places with one & two. Head attributes very similar to 1st and 2nd. Would prefer more length of neck and today did not move with energy.

GCDS B (4) 1 Gidding's Ch Foxearth Gold Filigree. Another quality sable bitch with a lovely length of head. Good stop, nice eye, correct ears but she is reluctant to us them. Well constructed and balanced throughout. Moved very well. 2 Baker's Manordeifi Satin & Lace at Tomalca Finer construction than one. Nice head pattern with feminine expression. Moved well. 3 Purvey's Freejack a Touch of Magic. Blue merle with acceptable head patterns however she as incorrectly set ears. Well balanced body. Moved ok.

Pictures Here By Tereza Hillebrantová

Pictures Here By Minna Saarinen

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