Yorkshire Collie Open Show 2013

Yorkshire Collie Club May 2013

Judge Simon Burton

Best Dog : HUTCHINGS Collidach Molloney Ta Tu You

Rest Dog : LISTER Ch Eridor I'm Mr Blu at Newarp

Best Bitch : HUTCHINGS Collidach Molloney Fay Mouse

Res Best Bitch : FRENCH Ch Lilymead Amazing Grace

Best of Breed : HUTCHINGS Collidach Molloney Fay Mouse & Best in Show

Best Puppy : Absent

Puppy Dog
1. Absent

Junior Dog
1. RUSSELL Koczkodan Nosblyth

Post Graduate Dog
1. RUSSELL Foxearth Fashion Guru for Koczkodan
2. HOWES Dawcher Dawns Sunrise

Open Dog
1. HUTCHINGS Collidach Molloney Ta Tu You

2. FRENCH Foxearth Flock Master for Breckamore

Veteran Dog

1. LISTER Ch Eridor I'm Mr Blu at Newarp

Puppy Bitch
1. Absent

Junior Bitch
1. RUSSELL Koczkodan Nos Kerenza

Post Graduate Bitch
1. Absent

Open Bitch
1. HUTCHINGS Collidach Molloney Fay Mouse

2. RUSSELL Manordeifi Satin Doll of Koczkodan

3.LISTER Manordeifi Miss Daisy at Newarp JW

SMOOTH COLLIES –

I was delighted and honoured to be invited to judge the first Smooth Collie classes put on by this society in their Diamond Jubilee Year and would like to thank all exhibitors for the great entry; hopefully this will ensure that classes remain in the future. The friendly, welcoming committee ensured there was a good atmosphere and I hope it was evident that I thoroughly enjoyed my day. Thank you also for the wonderful judging gift which I will treasure. My day was complete when BIS judge, senior Collie specialist Jack Wigglesworth, endorsed my choice for BOB by awarding her BIS. What a cracking debut for the Smooths at Yorkshire Collie Club!

When judging one’s own breed it is of paramount importance that you really do judge as you find the dogs on the day, whatever their record and this was what I endeavoured to do. I had only previously judged two of the entry before (both veterans) which made things all the more interesting.

I was looking for a typy, fit for function Smooth with the correct silhouette, in other words, the right height to length proportions, constructed so that it could still carry out the job they were bred to do, with a flowing outline held on the move. This needed to be coupled with that unmistakeable Collie head and sweet expression, as described in the standard, which once seen is never forgotten. I was pleased to be able to find some quality Smooths who fitted that description to a greater degree.

The show was held in Thorpe Willoughby village hall which was light and airy and the ring had a very good surface, so no excuses for poor movement as it was a nice size as well.

PD (0,0)

JD (1) 1. Bell’s Koczkodan Nosblyth. Young tri dog only a week out of puppy and looking and behaving like it! Delightful temperament though and full of the joys. A little square at the moment and needing to drop into himself which is to be expected. A masculine, typy head developing of good length with good eye and correct stop, hope his ears sort themselves out. Good flow over topline and depth of body with pleasing rear angulation and super length of tail. Shoulder could have a little more layback and this showed through on the move as it restricts his extension in front. Surprisingly accurate up and down for a dog of his age but his well muscled condition would have a lot to do with that. In great coat with a lovely healthy sheen and I did note his lovely feet. Someone works hard on this dog and it shows to their credit – well done.

PGD (2) 1. Russell’s Foxearth Fashion Guru for Koczkodan. Typy, sable male rising 4 years and sire of the JD. Smooth, flowing outline to this boy, not particularly flashy and not a butch lad but very nice to go over. Lean head with good planes, lovely flat skull and sweet eye, well positioned and neat ears. Has a lovely well angulated front with good bone down to neat feet. Liked his body length giving him correct height to length proportions but can still spring in rib to advantage. Has a lovely turn of stifle which is easy on the eye and is short from hock to ground both of which, combined with his good front, means he moves well creating a good shape and once settled he goes easily with a nice rhythm. 2. Howes Dawcher Dawn’s Sunrise. Honest 3 year old sable male of a taller, stronger stamp and I would like to see a bit more length to him to balance this out. Liked his masculine head with its good length and planes, has a good eye shape although expression a touch worried – perhaps not too keen on the hall? Ears are well set and carried. Well laid shoulder but would like more lay back of upperarm. Still not fully mature in body and has enough rear angulation but is a touch steep over the croup and carries his tail on the high side. Lost out to the reach and propulsion of 1 on the move but perfectly sound up and down. Another fit chap with rich sable and gleaming white coat of the correct texture.

OD (2) Class with two quality dogs of differing types 1. Hutchings Collidach Molloney Ta Tu You. Maturity suits this 4 year old tri. Now coming to his best, he was on top form today. What I love about him is his overall correctness; his proportions, flow of outline and harmonious angulation. Not the flashy markings of 2 to aid him but as an example of a well made Smooth male he should rightly be appreciated. He has a quality head shape with good length, planes, fill of muzzle and scored over 2 with a tighter lip line and being less deep through the skull, though 2 has a beautiful eye shape and the tighter ear set. Has enough length of neck which flows into a wonderful front with textbook angulation and good bone and feet which was matched at the rear - he’s the sort you can’t wait to see move. Holds a firm topline with the correct rise over the loin, a gentle sweep to the tail and coupled with the full maturity in body which, as might be expected, the younger 2 does not yet have, he was a hard act to beat. And then he moves – easy smooth reach in front, effortless drive from the rear and he could go on for ever. In good weather resistant coat and condition, handled to his advantage, he was an attentive showman and fully deserved to win this class today. BD. 2. French’s Foxearth Flock Master for Breckamore. Knowing this breeder lives in the county I had hoped that I might get hands on this young tri dog and my wish was granted! Still only 18 months old and has instant impact on the stack as he throws a good, upstanding outline helped by showy markings. No mistaking his sex in head which is masculine with good planes and a lovely eye and expression, perfect ears and he has quite a noble look to him which I loved. Wouldn’t want it any heavier though. Has enough neck, carried well, which flows into a well laid shoulder. For me, he hasn’t quite the length of body at the moment that he had as a baby and I was quite surprised how adolescent he still feels in body. He has lovely bone and I think in a year or so he will have grown into himself, lengthened out again, bodied up and look the finished article. Although he moved with ease and was perfectly sound he doesn’t have the copybook upper arm or rear angulation of 1 and he lacked the length of stride and near perfect kinetic balance of 1 on the day. He could also carry his tail a touch lower which all points to adolescence. I have a feeling maturity will suit him and look forward to seeing him again – one that will make up no problem.

It was only after judging was complete that I realised I hadn’t called Flock Master in to challenge for RBD. With the challenges being held over until after lunch and the judging of the Rough bitches, the consequent break in concentration obviously caused a senior moment, so apologies for that. It certainly wasn’t that I didn’t think that he was worthy of further consideration.

VD (1) 1. Lister’s Ch Eridor I’m Mr Blu at Newarp (Imp Aus). I judged this top quality b/m Ch as a 19 months youngster at one of his first shows in this country and he was my BOB then. Now 8 years old he still retains most of his virtues and it was a pleasure to judge him again. He has such a quality head piece, beautifully moulded with a lovely eye shape and expression and still the willing showman with neatly tipped ears carried alertly. Scored over the OD with his lovely eye, reach of neck and has an equally good shoulder. Again, lovely height to length proportions, that flowing, curvy Collie outline, so balanced and a good size. Still a good weather proof coat, just a bit darker in colour now. In the class he still impressed with his movement; very smooth and light on his feet, retaining that enviable rhythm which comes from balanced angulation and I thought I was going to have a real tussle for BD. In the event, come the challenge, the more I moved them, the more he lost the lightness of foot in front compared to the younger dog. As a consequence I was pleased to award him RBD and with the form the OD was in, this was certainly no disgrace.

PB (1,1)

JB (3,2) 1.Russell’s Koczkodan Nos Kerenza. Quite a classy young tri bitch, litter sister to the JD. She makes a lovely outline with more length than her brother. Has a good clean head with lovely eye shape, placement and expression. Like her brother her ears need to lift and if they do I can see her doing really well. She has a lovely neck and shoulder and better upperarm than her brother. Good topline and depth of body, just needing maturity in ribcage. Has a lovely rear end with impeccable tail carriage and that good construction front and back makes her an easy mover with a pleasing length of stride. Just needs to tighten up a touch up and down but a really promising girl.

PGB (2,2)

OB (5,2) 1. Hutching’s Collidach Molloney Fay Mouse. This lovely b/m bitch is sister to the BD and a real cracker. Not a big girl but such lovely balance and so well made, feminine but well boned, typy but unexaggerated. Her head and expression are beautiful. Lovely length of head, level planes, stop just right, clean through the cheeks and such a lovely eye giving the sweetest of expressions. Good underjaw makes a perfect blunted wedge shape in profile and yes, she could hold her ears tighter but they are perfectly tipped and when she does really bring them up the effect gives you goosebumps – she honoured me with two such moments on the day and that was enough! Good length of neck flows into the same smashing front as her brother, spot on for length to height proportions giving that true Collie outline. Level topline with gentle rise over the loin and equally gentle curve over the croup to a lovely well angulated rear with super width of thigh and a well carried tail. Mature in body, with lovely feet, in tight fitting coat of gorgeous silvery blue, well marbled with black and with a nice bright tan, she poses perfectly in stance. To see her move is a real treat. Her movement is smooth, balanced, effortless, totally co-ordinated and just eats up the ground and I was delighted to award her BB. In the challenge, with a change of handler for her brother, he lost a little concentration while she remained fully focussed and this combined with her exceptional eye and expression won her top honours. BOB and BIS. Well done to her owner breeder on two such typy, grand moving Smooths who are so clearly fit for function. 2. Russells Manordeifi Satin Doll of Koczkodan. Not sure if I have seen this 3½ yrs tri bitch before but she is rather nice and mother of the two juniors. Half sister to 1 and the same workmanlike construction. Quality head with lovely length, level planes and correct placement of stop giving an excellent profile. Eye is a good shape but not quite the expression of 1 as I found her a touch wide between the eyes. Ears correctly tipped and carried better than 1. Well angulated front and good depth of mature body but would like less length of loin. Neat at the rear with well turned stifles and nice short rear pasterns which gave her drive on the move. She goes with easy extension on a good length of stride, perhaps a touch slack in topline but she scored over 3 with her ground coverage and her better length to height proportions. In good coat of correct texture. 3. Lister’s Manordeifi Miss Daisy at Newarp. This striking 2 years tri bitch is made in a taller mould and was in fantastic coat and condition. At this stage in her development my remarks on 2^nd in OD also apply to her as I feel she still needs to drop into herself and lengthen out to look her best as she stands a bit high at the rear. Although she moved soundly and steadily she lacked the length of stride and drive of those above her. She has a good head but could have a tighter ear carriage and just didn’t seem quite on the button on the day. Hear she came into season soon after which could explain things. Will be interested to see the finished article.

VB (2) Two lovely Ch bitches 1. French’s Ch Lilymead Amazing Grace. This nearly 8 yrs b/m has taken her time to come to her best and having a litter did her a world of good. Was so pleased when she was made up earlier this year and also to have the chance to go over her here. She is very feminine, nothing is overdone and she has a real air of quality about her. Her head and expression I found enchanting; everything is perfectly placed and she had the best ear set and carriage of the day. Lovely eye shape and set, perfectly level planes and placement of stop with good underjaw; clean through the cheeks and nicely filled in muzzle. Ideal length of neck into lovely front angulation, mature in body, firm in topline and neat unexaggerated quarters and perfect set and carriage of tail. Handler needs to ensure she shows off her bitch’s lovely bend of stifle and watch she doesn’t stand straighter in the rear than she actually is as it makes quite a difference to her outline. A little narrower and a touch lighter in bone than the BB but perfectly in proportion to her build and she is perfectly sound and moves with a real lightness of foot with low reach and easy drive. In tight fitting coat, well marked but a slightly darker blue now. Not an enthusiastic show girl and when I called her in to challenge the BD for RBOB she lacked the oomph that he displayed, now being back with his owner but I was smitten with her head and expression which I felt warranted further recognition and this is where she excelled over the dog. As she was also a perfectly functional mover, I felt I could not deny her RBOB. When posed together for the photo shoot after judging, the three principal winners made a very typy trio and I was more than satisfied. 2. Hutchings Ch Foxearth Fluorescence at Molloney Sh CM. Delighted to see this 10½ yrs bitch again. The last time I judged her she took BOB and incredibly she still retains that lovely colour she has always had which is rare indeed at this age and she scored over 1 on this point. Different head type to 1 and not the exceptional eye shape and set. Good planes, stop, just enough length of muzzle but ears well set and carried. Still has her super angulation in front and still holds a firm topline. A little heavier in front than 1 but she is 2½ years older. Good body and neat rear end with well carried tail. On the move she was sound as a pound, steady and balanced in profile but looked a bit ‘do I really have to?!’ I can’t say I blame her as she has been there, done that and got the T-shirt and has nothing to prove as she produced the BOB and BIS winning bitch and the BD to boot! Thank you for bringing her, she’s done you proud.