A lovely entry and was pleased to see I had some really nice examples of the breed. It is some time since I last judged smooths and I had forgotten just quite how reluctant the breed afficionados are when it comes to applauding those which win! I've never been convinced the excuse that the applause gets the dogs excited so their tails rise. If they do it is momentary and the natural carriage is soon the norm. It is a shame that the winners can't have their success rewarded by the spectators - even more so when in adjacent rings there is much cheering and lots of happy smiling faces. There is still a wide variety of types and really good, quality heads are hard to find, especially in eye and expression. Most were well bodied and of course temperaments were flawless. The breed is intelligent and a couple had the "been there got the T shirt" expression which always makes me smile. However, the day ended well as I have picked up on the internet that the BOB dog was placed 2nd in the group under pastoral specialist Mrs. Jo Bispham. Well done.

VD (2) 1. Randall's Ch. Pelghart Gypsy Prophecy a really nice start to the day with this charming well coloured and coated blue merle. I liked his head planes, well shaped eyes and very good ears. Uses his neck well in stance, he has a lovely ribcage and his backline is as firm as a rock. Moulded croup adds to his appeal and he has an even, thrusting stride. 2. French's Delmbush Crackerjack at Frendet JW another well coloured blue merle and again a nice example of the breed. Pleasing headpiece with a good flat skull, excellent neck and fore assembly, enough forechest and good depth of ribs. He has sufficient bend of stifle and was in good coat. Not quite so firm behind the withers as the winner and in profile his action was a little more laboured.

MPD (5) 1. Fort's Chicnoir Lord of the Ring with Shulune s/w and by far the most forward in body development and maturity. His tail is on the gay side for me and is an obvious detraction, but he is pleasing to go over being so well bodied, good ribbing, level back, excellent hind angulation and he has an excellent reach of neck. Shown in really good coat, he just needs to drop that tail and firm up in front. 2. Hindes' Chicnoir Ice Master blue merle just six months old and at present looks a little on the compact side for me. However, he has a nice head with really well shaped eyes and good ear set. Good reach of neck, backline a bit loose at the moment but he does cover the ground easily when side viewed and once he settles to the task in hand. 3. Hayward's Foxearth Fine Feathers.

PD (2) 1. & BPIB Evan's Manordeifi Smarty Guy at Southcomb I thought this sable and white exceptionally promising and looks like he could be a class item with maturity. Clean one pieced head with just enough stop, the skull flat, the cheeks smooth and clean and he has an underjaw. His eyes, ears and expression all appeal. Add a shapely outline, a neck that is arched, a gently rounded croup and an easy smooth action and you have a winner. 2. Hindes' Snuggletooth Filly's Fellow at Chicnoir a tricolour out of a smaller mould and not quite with the athletic proportions of the first. I liked his head pattern, the skull is lean and flat, really nice eyes and expression. He has enough neck, the back is level but he is another whose tail carriage detracts.

JD (2) 1. Moore's Mandeifi Solar Eclipse tall beautifully conditioned tricolour which scores in reach of neck, fore assembly and outline. He has lovely weighted bone and looks like he should move all day but it took several attempts to get to do other than amble. Eventually he did just enough. Pleasing head which is just that shade deep through in backskull for me. 2. S. Filly's Fellow at C.

SYD (3) Unfortunately the dog which appeared to be the winner had to be withdrawn as he had suffered a cut pad earlier and though his owner hoped it would be alright, he was clearly limping so rightfully was withdrawn. 1. Hindes' Chicnoir Best Mate another sable and white of medium size. He does have a very nice headpiece, the eyes dark, well shaped and so expressive. He has a fair length of neck, holds it well which assists his outline appeal especially when aided by a really well shaped croup. He is somewhat straight in shoulder and lifts his forelegs a bit proudly but he did enough to win. 2. M. Solar Eclipse, still ambling!

PGD (1) 1. C. Best Mate.

LD (5) 1. Evans' Rowvale Stormrising at Southcombe presented in pristine coat condition and he is such a responsive showman. I liked his size, pleasing head shape, eye could be a little more almond shaped for me but it is dark. He is another who knows how to use his neck to advantage, his backline was firm and he is well muscled in hindquarters which was reflected in his driving action. 2. Norman's Foxearth Flash Past sable and white which has lots of impact. I actually preferred his eyes and expression to the winner but regrettably he is not so good in upper arm length and toes in front when coming towards you. Stacked he has a good neck, the topline just dips that bit behind the withers, but his croup is nicely moulded and the tail well set. Scores also in his spring and depth of rib. 3. Hindes' Chicnoir Quartermaster.

OD (5) 1. CC BOB & G2 MacGregor's Ch. Moonwalker from Mistoff. A cracking example of the breed. Forgetting everything else this dog has style, is beautifully shaped, stunning in body and coat condition and looks and is presented as a showdog should be. He clearly loves the task in hand, shows his head off (and it is a good one!) moves around the ring with a balanced, far reaching stride. When stopped he immediately pulls himself together using that lovely neck to full advantage and the question is just who is gonna be second. A pleasure to judge and although I do not recall having seen him before, I believe this was his umpteenth ticket. 2. & Res.CC Breeze's Ochilview Great Scot a very good blue merle dog which, with any luck, should get his title. Not the biggest but all male with a lovely head, eyes which are quite beautiful and well placed ears. He is nicely shaped, is well bodied and has a light, free striding action. His neck and backline add to his appeal and like the winner he is such a showman. 3. Tuck's Dark Motif from Misstoff.

MPB (4) 1. Hyde's Foxearth Follow the Dream, won easily here as she is so forward in every respect and gave an assured performance both in stance and on the move. Head doesn't want to strengthen any more but she is a beautiful shape, excellent ribcage, backline and angulation both ends and she was in spanking coat. Moved around the ring with a light, ground covering step. 2. Kinsey's Chicnoir Ice Krystal of Sturtmoor just a 6 months baby and much finer all through. However, she does have a lovely eye set, shape and colour, her skull is flattening nicely, she has a more than useful neck and holds her shape when moving. Lovely temperament and plenty of time on her side. 3. Hindes' Chicnoir Ice Sculptress.

PB (4) 1. Robinson's Hilltarn Valentine & 2. Sewell's Foxearth Farris via Lewarne both tricolours of unquestioned quality. The winner is quite elegant in repose, lots of curves in the right places and with pleasing head planes enhanced by having such excellent eyes. Shown in superb muscle tone, body and coat she had one of the best front of the day and moved easily round the ring. Farris was less confident of her surroundings but handling confirms her reach of neck, good spring and depth of ribs and very good hind angulation. Bit straighter in front than the winner and not as positive in front action. Head has length, well placed ears and clean cheeks. 3. Moores' Manordeifi Party Doll.

JB (5) 1. M. Party Doll, tricolour somewhat reluctant to lift her ears at any price and looking a bit bored by the proceedings which didn't help her backline. Pleasing head,, enough neck, well laid shoulders and adequate bend of stifle. Her action won the class. 2. Chapman's Sharidon Luck Be a Lady another beautifully conditioned smooth tri. Nice flat skull, excellent ears for size, shape and usage, well ribbed and firm in hock. Not the drive behind of the winner and is a bit proud in front action. 3. French's Chicnoir Sabretta at Frendet.

SYB (3) 1. Bullion's Foxearth Flame of Love at Ostarain tri of medium size, excellent bone and feet, scores in spring and depth of rib with good width behind the withers although she tends to dip there in stance which has impact on her outline. Pleasing head planes, very good eye shape and colour and she shows well.

PGB (9) 1. Sewell's Foxearth Flicker of Hope rather a pretty sable and white but she is one of the few which really failed to project herself properly and needs a little more confidence. Standing is shapely and stylish with a winning headpiece and expression. Moved well when circling the ring. Can do better. 2. Gibson's Pelghart Private Dancer a very shapely and well coated tri which shows non stop. She is well angulated both ends and her backline is level with a sweeping croup. Disappointed me going away where she didn't show the hock thrust her confirmation implies she will have. Pleasing in head but not quite the expression of the winner. 3. Hamilton's Alopex Lilliburlero.

LB (12) 1. & Res. CC Robinsons' Southcombe Sweet as a Nut, I really liked this charming sable and white as she just oozes quality in almost every way. Her head handles so well, the muzzle has strength, the skull is flat and the ears beautifully set and carried. Her eyes could be more almond but they are dark, so alive and intelligent looking. In construction her lines are clean cut, smooth and flowing from ear tip to hock and she moves with an unexaggerated, sound action. It was this which annexed her the RCC in the challenge. 2. Gay's Hilltarn Kiri at Yagna slightly heavily marked blue merle of lovely size with the prettiest of headpieces, scoring heavily in eyes and expression. She has a really good neck, her backline is steady and the croup so smooth. I just feel she could have that little more zip in her action. 3. MacGregor's Southcombe Sophisticate at Rowvale.

OB (5) 1. & CC Hayward's Foxearth Fanfare to Oh La La, sable & white of lovely shape and angulations both ends. Has a tremendous reach of neck, good breadth behind the withers, firm loins and well muscled hindquarters. Her head handles well with good length, clean cheeks and the flattest of skulls. Outshone the other bitches on the move. Her 2nd CC and her crown should be secure 'ere long. 2. Hyde's Ch. Foxearth Fondant, standing this superbly conditioned and coated sable was the winner. She looks the part and I admired her head, eyes and everything else about her when I went over her. On the move she just went nowhere, almost plodding when compared to the two bitches which beat her. Whether it was in indoor heat, the noise or the floor I don't know, but she should move with greater athleticism than she showed here. A pity. 3. Gibson's Pelghart Painted Lady

Albert Wight