Smooth Collie Club Open Show 2018

Judge Maxine Mellish

Best of Breed BENTON Oakestelle Venus de Milo & Best in Show

Best Dog  Denton's Brackenhaye Fields of Gold

Reserve Best Dog - COLE Ch Sturtmoor Dream of Kasvelyn

Best Bitch BENTON Oakestelle Venus de Milo

Reserve Best Bitch BENTON Oakestelle Artemis & Reserve Best in Show & Reserve Best Puppy in Show

Best Puppy - BENTON Oakestelle Artemis

Best Veteran BENTON Alopex Marionette of Oakestelle
 

Minor Puppy Dog (2,1)
1st Datacha Damson

Puppy Dog
No Entries

Junior Dog (1,0)
1st Wynele Sea Captain Garthfield

Novice Dog  (2,0)
1st Jules Vom Palais Brinn

2nd Coneypark Coldplay

Post Graduate Dog (5,1)
1st FORBES Natalian Star Lord at Willowhurst (Imp Rus)

2nd MOORE Manordeifi Bow Regard

3rd BEENEY Coneypark Black Sabbath

Res BELL & COWLING Koczkodan Nostromo

Limit Dog (2,1)

1st DENTON Brackenhaye Fields of Gold

Open Dog (2,1)
1st COLE Ch Sturtmoor Dream of Kasvelyn

Veteran Dog (2,0)
1st RUSSELL Foxearth Fashion Guru for Koczkodan

2nd LEACH Manordeifi Dionysus at Hilltarn

I'd like to say a huge thank you to all the exhibitors for making such a super entry for the Club. To say I was shocked is an understatement! A very big thank you to the officers and committee for the invitation to step in, after the scheduled judge was taken ill. My very best wishes to Mrs Gay for a speedy recovery, and thank you to my stewards; Nigel Price, who was ably assisted by Amy's mum! Overall, there are some very promising youngsters and quite a variation in head type, with a few becoming quite deep through, and several exhibits, both sexes, who were fond of high tails which did spoil many outlines on the move. And dare I say, there were some exhibits with extremely dirty coats. Not only is it awful to have to touch the next dog, which is unfair to other exhibits when one's hands are covered in grease and dirt, it really isn't good for the dog's skin or coat either. I'm well aware that construction, movement and breed type are uppermost when judging any breed, at whatever level of show, but a clean, well presented dog will always fare better when it comes to winning top awards. It was lovely to see so many Smooths taking all but one of the top 'In Show' awards, judged my Mrs Anne Hollywood, with Roughs being judged by John Geddes. Smooth Collies Minor Puppy Dog (2/1) 1st Robinson's Daracha Damson; 6 month old tri baby with a lot of promise. Lovely wedge-shaped head, nice well placed dark eye giving a lovely expression, good ear carriage, ample length of back, loin and tail, good bend of stifle and moved very well. Pleased to award him; Best Minor Puppy Dog, Best Puppy Dog, Best Minor Puppy in Breed and see him take Best Minor Puppy In Show. Good luck with him! Puppy Dog (0) No entries Junior Dog (1/0) 1st Tiranti's Wynele Sea Captain Garthfield; 14 month old b/m in super condition. Lovely masculine head and expression, good shape and eye placement, correct blunt wedge, ample underjaw, flat skull, good ear placement, good length of arched neck, back, loin and tail, super bend of stifle and hocks well let down allowing good drive. This boy covers the ground effortlessly, but needs to be moved a little quicker to allow him to extend that front reach. Novice Dog (2/0) 1st Damerow's Jules Vom Palais Brinn; Almost 2 year old b/m of exceptionally clear colour. Head a more preferable blunt wedge with refinement at cheeks, nicely balanced, flat skull, good underjaw, nice eye placement and size, good ear carriage, good length of neck, back, loin and tail, well placed shoulder, good depth and spring of rib, ample bend of stifle, good strong hocks and super sound on the move. Very attentive to handler and a lovely young boy. 2nd Holloway's Coneypark Coldplay; 18 month old tri boy with a fun, cheeky personality, who thought things were far more interesting outside the ring, so he made his handler work extremely hard - well done! Much heavier head pattern - I much preferred the refinement of class winner. Flat skull, nice dark eye, ample length of neck back and loin, good bend of stifle and plenty of drive from rear. Shoulders allowed good reach and there was a good width to chest. Moved well. Post Graduate Dog (5/1) 1st Forbes' Natalain Star Lord at Willowhurst (Imp. Rus); S/w boy in super hard condition, very well muscled but fairly underweight, due to being more interested in the ladies at home than actually eating. He's a lovely shape and make with the best tail-set today, kept low on the move. Super masculine head and expression, flat skull, good ear carriage, nice blunt wedge with a good chin, nice arched neck, good lay of shoulder, good topline and slight rise over loin giving a nicely rounded croup. Good bend of stifle, powerful hocks giving superb drive. Good reach at front and depth and spring of rib. Effortlessly sound mover, but needs more weight to fill out his frame. 2nd Moores' Manordeifi Bow Regard; S/w with a classically refined head with no trace of coarseness. Lovely masculine head and expression, lovely dark well placed eye giving a sweet, kind expression, flat skull, super placement of ears - used to advantage, ample reach and crest of neck, good shoulder placement giving good reach on the move, slightly less tightness to topline than 1, good spring and depth of rib, good bend of stifle and hocks well let down. Again, effortlessly sound on the move just unfortunate to meet class winner, but could easily change places. 3rd Beeney's Coneypark Black Sabbath Limit Dog (2/1) 1st Denton's Brackenhaye Fields of Gold; I've judged this s/w boy previously as a youngster - lovely make and shape and a good overall size. Very masculine expression, nice blunt wedge, plenty of underjaw, good reach of neck, back and loin, depth and spring of rib. Good shoulder placement allowing for good forward reach and he is very sound fore and aft. Covers the ground easily. Very pleased to award him; Best Dog, Best Opposite Sex In Breed and see him progress to take Best Opposite Sex in Show Open Dog (2/1) 1st Cole, Kinsley & Martin's Ch. Sturtmoor Dream of Kasvelyn; S/w boy with a lovely overall shape. Pleasing head and expression, nicely shaped and placed dark eye, good underjaw, good reach of neck and back, good loin, bend of stifle and powerful hocks. Perhaps a little straight in shoulder, but nonetheless, he held a firm topline on the move and was very sound. Pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog. Veteran Dog (2/0) 1st Bell's Foxearth Fashion Guru for Koczkodan; 8 year old s/w boy in fabulous condition, head handles well, very pleasing expression and eye placement. Nicely filled muzzle and good ear set. Super reach of neck, back and loin, held a firm topline on the move. Defies his age, certainly one of the fittest here today. Well deserved his award for Best Veteran Dog. 2nd Leach's Manordeifi Dionysus at Hilltarn; 7 year old b/m boy, finer head type, pleasing expression, flat skull, good ear carriage, lovely dark eye, nicely balanced. Good reach of neck, back and loin with a lovely bend of stifle. Good depth and width of chest, ribs well sprung. Didn't quite have the firm topline of class winner, but held it together on the move. Minor Puppy Bitch (3/0) 1st Hooley's Foxearth Fashion for Jagentraum; 7 month old tri raw baby of a nice make and shape. Pleasing feminine expression, nicely placed, shapely dark eye, ears a little heavy yet, but well placed. Nicely balanced throughout and kept a lovely, sound, outline on the move. A very promising future, I think. Delighted to award her Best Minor Puppy Bitch In Breed. 2nd Robinson's Daracha Eclipse; Litter sister of MPD winner, another exquisite tricolour baby with a very feminine expression, good ear set and nice dark eye. Super reach of neck, back and loin, with a lovely bend of stifle. Again, she has overall a very pleasing outline and is a lovely puppy, just unfortunate to meet 1st who was that little bit more mature and steadier on the move. 3rd Johnston's Foxearth Full Moon Puppy Bitch (2/0) 1st Benton & Bemelmans' Oakestelle Asteria; 10 month old tri bitch who excelled in movement. Super sound and fit. Flat skull, nicely filled muzzle, good underjaw, good reach of neck, back and firm loin with a super bend of stifle leding to strong, flexible hocks and nicely shaped feet. Ample width of chest, depth and spring of rib. Lovely topline, held on the move and covered the ground easily. 2nd Johnston's Foxearth Full Moon; Very well presented 7 month old tri girl, balanced skull, ample chin but needs to fill out in foreface. Good reach of neck, back and loin, good bend of stifle and an overall nice shape. Moved well. Junior Bitch (2/0) 1st French's Wynele Alice Blue Gown with Breckamore; 14 month old b/m presented in absolutely immaculate condition. Nicely balanced head and expression, flat skull and good ear carriage, lovely shape and placement of eye, but would have preferred slightly darker. Good strong neck and shoulders, nice width to chest, good length of back, loin and nice bend of stifle. Maturing nicely, a well balanced girl who is very sound on the move. 2nd Lusty's Jalna Bila Kafa for Blamorder; 18 month old tri with a lovely head and very feminine expression. Nice dark eye, set obliquely, good length and depth of skull. Super outline, with a good neck, shoulders, length of back and loin and very muscular. Much finer than winner, she needs to mature throughout and settle in the ring. Movement is very sound and strong. Novice Bitch (3/0) 1st Benton's Oakestelle Artemis; Flashy b/m litter sister of puppy bitch winner, exactly the same shape and make. Immaculately presented, very attentive to handler, super outline, very feminine expression, dark eye obliquely set, balanced, flat skull, blunt wedge, super reach and crest of neck, good shoulder placement, good width and depth of chest, ample spring of rib, length of back and loin. Super movement, covered the ground with ease. Delighted to award her Best Puppy Bitch, Reserve Best Bitch and Reserve Best of Breed and to see her take Reserve Best In Show. I was questioned, after completing my judging, about a white patch on this bitch's side. As I said at the time, the last thing I look at when judging is colour. It did not detract from her construction or movement, which I would prefer to reward, rather than penalise a small white patch - which is perfectly acceptable according to the breed standard. It may not be desireable to some judges, but her shape, construction and movement were undeniable. A very worthy winner, in my opinion. 2nd Meacham's Blamorder Curly Wurly Girly at Zellamere; Tri girl with a super overall outline, and another sound mover. Feminine expression, nice dark eye, good reach of neck and back and held a good firm topline when moving. Good depth of chest, spring and depth of rib. Muscular hindquarters, nice bend of stifle and hocks well let down. 3rd Moores' Manordeifi Billi Jean Post Graduate Bitch (8/4) 1st Moores' Manordeifi Button Rose; Exceptionally sound and fit s/w bitch, refined head, nice dark eye, super ear set and carriage, nicely arched neck, good length of back and loin. Very feminine throughout. Good depth and spring of rib. A nicely constructed bitch who moved with ease. 2nd Lusty's Blamorder Sherbet Flirt; B/m of a very different type to winner, Again, very sound, fit, well-balanced and more than capable of a day's work. Lovely overall outline, both standing and on the move, a very feminine girl, but I just preferred the eye and expression on winner, it was a little more sweeter. 3rd Koczkodan Serenity Limit Bitch (7/1) 1st Sweeney's Plaisance Blue Belle; Super sound b/m in fabulous condition, elegant, classic and feminine without any courseness. Refined head, blunt wedge with ample chin, flat skull, well balanced and a very ear set. Nice dark eye, well placed giving a very feminine expression. Super length of neck back and loin, bend of stifle and strong, flexible hocks. Moved easily, very sound. 2nd Lusty, WIlliams & Hutchings' Blamorder Ice Cream Dream; B/m slightly heavier build, with a nicely balanced head, flat skull, good ear carriage. I did prefer the expression on 1st, but this girl also had a lot to offer. Nice length of neck, back with plenty of depth and width to chest. Good spring of rib, very muscular throughout, super fit, sound and effortless on the move. 3rd Foxearth Fandella Open Bitch (6/3) 1st Benton's Oakestelle Venus De Milo; Another quality girl from this kennel. Unbeknown to me, I later discovered she is the dam of both the puppy and novice bitch winners! 4 year old very sound and fit, b/m on top form, presented in immaculate, gleaming condition. Very feminine expression, nicely balanced refined head, flat skull, well placed eye, good chin, super ear carriage, used to advange - very responsive to handler. Super arched muscular neck, nicely placed shoulder giving a lovely length of reach on the move. Good depth of chest, spring of rib and length of loin, nice drop off at croup, low set tail of good length. Good bend of stifle and strong, but flexible hocks that gave this girl the ability to move easily, and which has carried on through to her offspring. Delighted to award her Best Bitch, Best of Breed and thrilled to see her awarded Best In Show. Congratulations! 2nd Peacock's Blamorder Back To The Start for Saraneth ShCM; tri girl with a pleasing, feminine expression, blunt wedge, nice dark eye, flat skull, fair length of neck back and loin, lovely bend of stifle, possibly a tad more upright in shoulder, I just preferred the soundness of winner. 3rd Forbes' Natalain Kilkenny at Willowhurst (Imp. Rus) Veteran Bitch (6/0) 1st Benton's Alopex Marionette of Oakestelle; I've always been a fan of this girl since I first judged her, many years ago as a puppy where, I think, I was first to award her Best Puppy at a Club show. I've watched her career with great interest, so I was delighted to see her again today and as usual, she never disappoints on the move. Not the biggest girl in the ring by any means, but plenty of quality in a small package! Super feminine expression with the most appealing, expressive dark eyes, nicely placed, Good flat skull, blunt wedge and super ear carriage. Strong, muscular neck with a nice arch, super length of back and loin, bend of stifle and hocks well let down. Another veteran who defies her age, so much fitter than many in the ring and still moves so soundly, she can definitely hold her own against the younger exhibits. It was a pleasure to award this special girl Best Veteran In Breed and see her take the coveted title of Best Veteran In Show, for which there will be a special memento; a painting for her owner to treasure for many years to come. 2nd Lusty's Ch Juniperwood Dream Maker at Blamorder; Very fit and sound tri girl, thoroughly enjoying her day out in the sunshine. Lovely dark eye giving a feminine 'kind' expression, nicely balanced head, good underjaw, good length and reach of neck, ample length of back and loin, good bend of stifle, good shoulder placement, depth and spring of rib - this girl could easily do a day's work. 3rd Lister's Manordeifi Miss Daisy at Newarp Brace (4/1) 1st Miss M K Benton 2nd Miss D J Moores 3rd Mrs P Robinson Best Colour Blue Merle: Sweeney's Plaisance Blue Belle Tricolour: Johnston's Foxearth Full Moon Sable & White: Moores' Manordeifi Bow Regard