I enjoyed my day very much. It is quite some time since I judged ësmoothies’ at this level, and I really appreciated the lovely entry. The bitch challenge was most impressive! The terrain was a little uneven in places, and most of the exhibits were toe-ing in on the downward slope. This I forgave, but my perception of the standard of any Pastoral Breed is that uneven ground should not present much of a problem to a sound dog. There were some exhibits who would benefit from more exercise. Unfortunately the wind affected the quality of my recording, parts of which are undiscernable, so this critique is taken mainly from video. My apologies.

PD (3). 1 Hindes’ Chicnoir Best Mate. Sable and white of 10 mths, well grown with a nicely textured coat. He has a pleasing head, with good length of neck. Nicely constructed although he still needs to grow into himself a little. Correct length of tail and he moved well. His ears are inclined to be a tad light at the moment; 2 Moore’s Manordeifi Solar Eclipse. 11 mth old tri colour, little brother of the BP and a nice type, being built along the correct lines with a deep brisket, good back length and well let down hocks. Preferred the head properties of the winner.

JD (4). 1 Norman’s Foxearth Flashpast. A sable and white of v pleasing type, having a lovely head and the sweetest of expressions from his soft, dark eyes. Nicely put together with good lay back of shoulder and correctly angulated quarters enabling him to move with drive, foe and aft. Was delighted to award him the RCC; 2 Benton’s Smooth Operator of Oakaville. A handsome tricolour with a really tight fitting jacket of excellent colour. Not quite the charm of the winner, but truly honest and workmanlike. He was shown in good order, being so full of himself made it difficult to assess his movement and ears were not helped by the wind; 3 Hindes’ Chicnoir Snow Wolfe.

PGD (1). 1 Chicnoir Snow Wolfe. Blue merle of pleasing colour and construction. Nicely boned and deep chested, but not putting it all in on the move.

LD (4). 1 Hayward’s Foxearth Flexible Friend. Tricolour shown in lovely order, with gleaming black coat, good head properties with dark eyes and well placed ears. Plenty of heart room and good rear angulation. Needs to settle on the move; 2 Evan’s Southcombe Sunset Shadow. A handsome shaded sable, so typical of this kennel. Well balanced, with a pleasing head pattern, upstanding and eye catching, full of quality, but not quite the shoulder placement of the winner; 3 Breeze’s Ochilview Great Scott.

OD (2). 1 MacGregor’s Ch Moonwalker from Misstoff. An eye catching tricolour shown in beautiful condition. This happy d is so well balanced and presented a breathtaking outline from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. Good depth of chest and nicely boned, calm and collected on the move. Head of correct proportions, with a defined stop and flat skull. Plenty of charisma the stuff of which Champions are made. A worthy CC and BOB winner; 2 Tuck’s Dark Motif from Misstoff. One I have judged before. Shown in nice condition, pleasant head type, having the desired stop and dark eyes. Not as good in ear carriage and as positive on the move as winner.

PB (5). 1 Moore’s Manordeifi Silver Dawn. Have done this 11 mth old blue merle well on a previous occasion, and saw no reason to change my pinion of her here today. Beautifully constructed and giving a balanced picture, her head handles well, having a flat skull and correct amount of stop and well placed ears. Well off for bone, and her colour is broken. Moved well, with a happy personality BP; 2 Clark’s Derbypark Starstruck. A pretty showy tricolour, sure to follow in the footsteps of her illustrious parents (my two CC winners). Outgoing, with head of good type, needs to fill a little in foreface, which should come with maturity. Her tight jacket fitted her well formed body. She moved and showed like a veteran and this was a close decision. Another with a bright future; 3 Hindes’ Chicnoir Solo.

JB (1). 1 Bullion’s Foxearth Flame Of Love at Ostarain. Tricolour with a d fitting jacket. Liked her good conformation, having a deep chest, correct length of back and long tail. Judging by her construction, she should be sound, but her movement was far too difficult to assess, owing to a lack of ring training.

PGB (7). 1 Seldon’s Chicnoir Golden Chara of Meerland. A v pretty sable and white who did not appear to be enjoying her day out. Good head pattern with a flat skull and well placed ears. Has a well matured body with the correct angulation, She perked up quite considerably on the move, and am sure will be heard of again; 2 French’s Chicnoir Eternal Star of Frendet. A pleasing tricolour, blowing her coat, but what there was is close and of good texture. Good wedge head when viewed from side to front. Nice overall balance. Co-operated with handler to move well, although a little close behind; 3 Robinson’s Southcombe Sweet As A Nut.

LB (7). 1 Hayward’s Foxearth Castles In The Sky. An appealing, feminine sable and white. Nicely proportioned with a coat of good texture. Pleasant head, with dark eyes, good deep chest. Her well carried tail was of correct length. Won this class on overall quality but still needs to settle in movement; 2 Hill’s Devern Dark Mistress. A v smart tricolour, with correct head and body profile. Good black coat but would like a darker tan. Took time to get into her stride in a big ring, but appeared sound enough when she did. Shown in good condition; 3 Gibson’s Knipes Shades Of Gold for Pelghart.

OB (2). 1 Clark’s Ch Lowerpark Pandora at Derbypark. Have done this shapely b well before. She oozes charisma and quality, and reinforces these charms with first class showmanship. Her conformation is excellent, covered the a good blue coat, well merle. Beautifully angulated with well let down hocks which enabled her to move with drive and purpose. Although I would still like a little more of her and darker tan markings, I could not resist her obvious feminine charms CC; 2 Lister’s Ch Newarp Jesena Moonlight Sonata. Another favourite of mine who is carrying her years well, and maintaining her lovely coat colour. Built on similar lines to the winner and as usual, co-operating so well with her handler. Just preferred the ear carriage of 1, RCC.

Rene Cozens