I would like to thank the committee of the National Working and Pastoral Breeds Society for inviting me to judge at this my first Championship Show. Having been out of the country for the last four years, I was very pleased to see the new crop of very promising puppies, and that heads and indeed outlines have improved. Perhaps this is the influence of the imported dogs of the last few years filtering through. On the downside I was disappointed to find front movement poor with many loose fronts, and even a couple of barrel ribs.

PD (6,0) 1 Griffiths’ Alopex Skymaster Blue. A very promising baby of 7 mths, this well marked blue has the makings of a lovely dog. Correct angulation, good bone and neat feet. Head very clean for his age, sweet eye but ears still slightly heavy. Moved very well. 2 Griffiths’ Alopex Matt Finnish. Tri brother to 1. All the same points apply, placed 2nd as his head development is slightly behind his brothers’. 3. Moores’ Manordeifi Storm Breaker.

JD (3,0) 1 Moores’ Manordeifi Storm Breaker. Well developed 11 mth tri, movement reasonable, but head still needs to clear under the eyes.  2 Wallis’ Freejack First Knight at Norfield. 4th in p, this tris angulation is correct but he is still very rangy, and weak pasterns let down his movement. 3 Thompson’s Londer Moonrock.

PGD (4,1) 1 Purvey’s Norfield Silver Knight for Freejack. Well balanced, nicely marked blue, with a clean head, good stop and correct ears when he used them. Movement OK if a little loose, still needs to develop in chest. 2 Winter and Unwin’s Sturtmoor Alexavier Odessy at Snowtrekka. Tri of correct type, head could be a little longer, but his ear and eye placement very good. Front too straight through so again floppy front movement. 3 Loader’s Foxearth Flaming Star.

LD (4,2) 1 Moores’ Manordeifi Solar Eclipse and 2. Wallis’ Norfield Soul Mate. These two were very close. Both boys are made correctly, possess balanced heads with almond eyes and well used ears. Strong bone, harsh coat and both kept their topline on the move. 1 won because his front movement and tail carriage were better than 2 on the day.

OD (5,1) 1. Lister’s Ch Eridor Im Mr Blu at Newarp (imp). This impeccably presented, nicely marked young blue is very well developed for his age, perfect angulation, clean head with sweet eye and well used ears, stop just needs to clear slightly. Impressive on the move, he powers round the ring without faltering. CC and BOB  2. Forbes’ Pelghart Paint It Black At Willowhurst. Slightly larger tri, also with perfect angulation and a good length of back. Correct coat and flashily marked. Head just needs to clean out a little, kept his topline on the move, but just a bit slack on the front. RCC  3. Evans’ Ch Manordeifi Smart Guy at Southcombe.

PB (7,3) 1. Gay’s Manordeifi Sapphire Mist at Yagane. What a sweetie this 11 mth blue is. Balanced, clean head with the sweetest of expressions and neat ears, well grown but very feminine, very tight movement for her age. Colour still needs to clear and I will watch her progress with interest. RCC, BP and PG3.2 Moores’ Manordeifi Silvadora. Litter sister to 1, so many of the same points apply. Slightly longer in back, her movement was a little looser, but her colour clearer. 3 Purvey’s Freejack A Touch Of Magic.

JB (3,1) 1 Moores’ M Silvadora.

PGB (6,2) 1 Coates’ Starlight Spirit at Pencloda. More compact type blue, correct angulation, well developed chest, solid on the move. Clean, balanced head with a sweet dark eye and neat ears when used. 2 Robinson’s Dawcher Dream Searcher. Tri with correct outline, but like 2 in P, a bit overlong in loin meaning her movement was a bit loose. Correct stop and ears but would prefer a sweeter eye. 3. Giddings’ Foxearth Gold Filligree.

LB (4,1) 1. Hills’ Devern Fate a Compli. Tri with clean head, good stop and well used ears. Excellent length of neck, and nicely angulated front, could be better muscled on the rear, but moved well. 2 Moores Manordeifi Silver Dawn JW. Mum of the two lovely bitch puppies, she is a very pretty bitch with a lovely moulded head, and the sweetest of expressions. Body shape and bone correct but unfortunately carrying so much weight, particularly around the ribs, that her movement was compromised. 3 Evans’ Southcombe She’s The One.

OB (4,0) 1 Hills’ Ch Devern Blue Silhouette. At 6 and a half  this elegant blue doesn’t show her age. Up to size but very feminine she possesses a balanced head with correct eye, long arched neck, correct angles and level topline. Strides out on the move looking like she could go all day. CC. 2 Robinson’s Hilltarn Valentine. Another up to size but elegant and gleaming tri. Well boned, correct head and ears, long low tail. Moved well. 3 Gay’s Hilltarn Kiri at Yagane Sh. CM.

Anne Smith