Despite the entry being numerically small, I found the quality of the exhibits had improved since I last judged the breed 4yrs ago. I would have preferred to have judged outside, but owing to the fine drizzle found it necessary to judge in the wet weather tent.

JD (1) 1. Hutchings Colidach Molloney Ta to You 13mnth tri male with masculine outlook most appealing for type. Well balanced head, well filled flat skull, moulding in foreface, correct stop with parallel planes, well placed eye, good ears, I would like to see a little more strength in underjaw, he has a balanced outline good front, neck & shoulder, and well muscled hindquarters, moved quite well, see he is sired by the B.O.B. winner, a most promising youngster. Reserve CC

LD (1) 1 Norman & Ratcliffe’ Easy Listening at Seanua. Very masculine sable up to size, a very striking dog with a noble outlook enhanced by all the glamour to take the eye. He has dense coat & has a superb profile with a tremendous reach of neck, good depth and spring of rib, good shoulders, & well muscled hind quarters. He has a perfectly flat skull, superb ears, & well placed eye, however, when viewing his head in profile, I would prefer to see more strength in underjaw, plus a better nose line, on first assessment he appeared rather loose in front, but was a little more positive after moving a second time, unfortunately he was not comfortable being handled behind his head, but gave all when standing, with more confidence could go further.

OD (4,2) 1.Hayward’s Ch Sandcastle’s True Topic tricolour almost six yrs old. He greatly appealed for his clean wedge head, moulded foreface with good underjaw, slight perceptible stop. very good ears, well filled flat skull, correctly placed dark almond eye giving a sweet expression, good front, neck & shoulder, & excellent bodylines, although I would prefer him a little stronger in topline, excellent depth & spring of rib, well muscled thighs, his movement was light with superb front extension and powerful drive from behind completed the picture by good tail carriage CC & B.O.B. 2. Griffiths Alopex Matt Finish on first impression he was much shorter in profile than 1, a medium sized male, despite not having the same muscle tone as 1 he was extremely sound on the move, both in front and behind, he has a balanced head, with flat skull and well filled foreface, although I would have preferred him with a better lipline in profile, and more almond shaped eye

PB (1) 1. Bakers Manordeifi Satin ‘N’ Lace at Tomalca Stood alone, I see she is another offspring of “True Topic” 10months , feminine and a nice size, very good movement being quite true, well angulated shoulder and neat tight front, good neck and outline, well muscled thighs, she has a well placed eye giving a nice enquiring expression, good stop & skull, just needs to fill a little more in foreface, which no doubt will come with maturity, a very nice debut for both owner and exhibit. BPIB.

JB (2) 1. Norman & Ratcliffe’s Foxearth Fashioned in Black 14months tricolour with a stunning outline, jet black coat with rich tan markings enhanced by a full white collar and full white front with neat tight shoulders, she certainly takes the eye, very feminine superb Hindquarters well muscled thighs, moved especially well, she has a refined head correct stop, good underjaw well filled skull, correctly placed eye, and perfectly placed ears, professionally handled by her owner, one whom I think will mature and take her title easily. 2. Hutchings Collidach Molloney Fay Mouse merle slightly smaller than 1, she has a good outline and nicely moulded head, flat skull, good stop, and moulded foreface. However, I would like to see more strength in underjaw, and found her coat a little long with rust overtones.

GB (4,2) 1. Coates Alopex Blue Moon 18 mnths merle of silvery Blue with only a slightly larger black patch over one shoulder, which was not a detriment, I particularly liked this bitch, lovely neck and outline, not too long, very good body and excellent turn of stifle, she has the most lovely wedge head, with moulded foreface., Good stop. Well filled flat skull, blue flecked eye, showing such intelligence in expression, well placed ears, and using herself well, my only reservation about her was the slight kink in her tail, but she had acceptable tail carriage in line with her profile moving, and I found her overall merit gave her the Reserve CC.

PGB (3) 1. Alopex Blue Moon. 2.Giddings All that Jazz at Ryecombe Tricolour a little bigger than 1 another glamorous girl with a full collar, very nice outline, excellent neck & shoulder, good depth & spring of rib, muscled thighs, nicely moulded head, with good stop. Perhaps a little short in underjaw and rounder in eye, she moved out quite well, this was another bitch that appeared to have a kink in her tail. 3. Burton’s Glencorrie Sunsationalle

LB (1) 1. Griffiths Alopex Little Summer quite a feminine sable. Good depth and spring of rib. Very good bone and well bodied, I found her head a little shorter than I would like, although she has a flat skull, good stop, moulding in foreface and strength of underjaw, her ears were two thirds tipped which made her head look shorter and was inclined to toe in a little in front unfortunately she did not have the dark almond shaped eye I was looking for, shown in good condition.

OB (4,2) 1. Giddings Foxearth Gold Filigree most beautiful sable of almost 4yrs presented rather a stunning profile, beautifully presented, she is very classic in stature, very glamorous with superb reach of neck, well angulated shoulder and upperarm, excellent depth & spring of rib, good turn of stifle and well muscled thighs, while she is slightly heavier in head it is a clean wedge, slight stop, well placed dark almond eye, giving an alert intelligent expression, well placed and used ears, she has perfect anatomical formation, and had the slightly stronger topline than Topic, but while she too had excellent forward reach in front, Topic had the slightly more extended front action CC & BOS 2. Gaye’s Manodeifi Sapphire Mist at Yagane 4yr old merle who knows all the ropes, so very competently handled to every advantage, she really moved out well round the ring, while she has a well filled flat skull, she is rather deep in stop, although she has a well filled muzzle, & good body I would have preferred her to be clearer in colour will always command attention and gave of her best throughout.