WELKS 2017

This absolutely charming breed has, for some years, been in the doldrums as far as I am concerned, so it was an absolute pleasure to judge so many really good examples of the breed and see how much the breed has improved. No longer the deep through thick heads, no pinched muzzles, ears always almost perfect, backlines, which I never thought I would see being so correct, no dipping and less square or over sloping croups. I am sure that quite of few of those exhibited under me will go on to gain their deserved titles.

VD (2, 1) 1 Russell's Foxearth Fashion Guru For Koczkodan. 8 years old, this s/w is as fit as the proverbial flea, well balanced head, eyes clear and bright in expression, so well ribbed and bodied, little weight, just muscle and condition! His neck and backline are really eye catching, in spotless jacket and he is still lithe and fluent in action.

PD (6, 1) 1 & BP, Loader's Coneypark Countdown For Allangill. I was really taken with this ever so smart s/w youngster and feel he must have a great future. His head is a delight, little stop, smooth in cheek, neat ears and those lovely, well shaped dark eyes all combine to give him that really correct Smooth expression. He is well constructed, spirit level in backline and was the best mover in this class. 2 Beeney's Coneypark Black Sabbath. This is a most handsome tricolour whose make and shape will always draw the eye. Well laid shoulders, ample spring and depth of rib, enough 2nd thigh and that smooth, well moulded croup line completing the picture. A little deeper through in backskull compared to the winner and not yet quite as settled in front action, though his profile stride is so balanced. 3 Bell & Cowling's Koczkodan Nostromo,

JD (1) 1 Denton's Brackenhaye Fields Of Gold. One to watch as he has that look of being something special. Just 13 months, he has a very good head, beautiful eyes and ears giving that kind, yet intelligent expression. Ample neck, good level back, supple loin and well muscled hindquarters. His profile action is so good, reach and drive, holding his shape so well. Just needs to settle a bit in front when fore viewed but at his age that should be righted.

PGD (2) 1 Eke's Foxearth Flag Day. 2 Vickery's Oakestelle Sebastian Back RL2. Both tricolours and quite hard to separate them. I felt the winner had the better length of ribbing and was that shade heavier in weight of bone. The second I felt had that edge in eye and expression which may have swung the scales his way, but he does stand with that slight dip in his backline, whereas Flag Day is smooth and so clean cut in backline. Both were in such good bloom and matched each other stride for stride when I sent them around.

LD (3, 1) 1 & CC, French's Breckamore By Design. This stunning blue merle looked too good to be in Limit so I expected to find some flaw, but I was wrong! He is a class example of the breed. All male, one piece, wedge head with excellent ears and super eyes which combine to give a gorgeous expression. His construction is all you could wish for, the angles harmonious, that reachy neck and complimentary sweeping croup line to a well set tail. Flawless in coat and body condition and so pleasing watch as he circles the ring with such fluency. I learned that it was not his first CC, but in fact his fourth, having gained his crown at Crufts. And how worthy he is of it! 2 Czyzak's Cuba Libre Smooth Drinks (Imp Pol). Beautifully conditioned and presented s/w, in stunning body and muscle condition and looks like he could work all day. A little strong through in skull for me, but it is flat, the cheeks smooth and he does score in eye shape, colour and expression. Well ribbed and bodied, he is a fluent and very active dog to watch circle the ring.

OD (3) 1 & Res CC, Gay's Yagane's Blue Mist. This smooth striding b/m is a lovely colour, middle sized but all male in outlook. I liked his head so much, a clean one piece wedge, lovely eyes and ears, good width in thigh, ample reach of neck, lovely ribbing and shown in pristine condition. Sound, long striding action and surprised to see that he is not yet ennobled. 2 Cole's Ch Sturtmoor Dream Of Kasvelyn, Such a worthy titleholder. S/w this time, again no doubting his sex, size and substance throughout but retains that air of elegance and style that I like to see. His head planes are good, stunning neck and backline flowing from ear tip to hind feet. His coat was immaculate and he is such a responsive showman. On the day I felt that Mist came towards that but truer. 3 Trundley's Blamorder Back To The Future.

PB (5, 1) 1 & BPB, Flower's Breckamore Butterfingers. Such a smart tricolour which is so well schooled, always standing looking the part, excels in outline, firm in backline, well balanced head, dark eyes full of life and well set and carried ears. Shown in such good coat and she showed a light brisk stride as she circled the ring. 2 Lusty, Williams & Hutch's Blamorder Ice Cream Dream. An ultra feminine b/m which was having a ball!! Stacks well, using that long neck to advantage, level backline, well moulded croup and when fore viewed her legs and straight with a modicum of forechest. Again spotless in coat and she just needs to settle down in front actioon. 3 Trundley's Juniperwood My Dream.

JB (2) 1 B Butterfingers. 2 Beeney's Brackenhaye When We Dance. Flawless presentation on this charming tri which was giving her handler a hard time as she was in a playful mood. Built on such clean lines, nice headpiece with lovely eye and such good ears. Her angles are good both ends and once she can be calmed down to perform, she should move out with a purposeful, even stride.

YB (1) 1 & Res CC, Denton's Brackenhaye Shape O'My Heart. What a promising tricolour this is. Oozes quality, quite beautiful headpiece, with ears perfectly set and carried, smooth cheeked wedge head and stunning eyes. On the stack her shape just flows so sweetly, curves where they matter. Gleaming coat condition, shows so readily and moved out with reach and drive. In super competition I just could not resist her. Surely will go on to her title.

LB (3) 1 French's Breckamore Blossom. S/w just a shade more substantial than I would normally like, but the bits all fit, she is shapely, ultra sound, great outline with the firmest of hocks. Handsome headed, lovely eyes and ears and covers the ground so well in profile. 2 Sweeney's Plaisance Blue Belle. 3 Trundley's Juniperwood Joyful By Comparison. This b/m is ultra feminine, shapely body, pretty headed with a beautiful expression, ample spring of ribs which go to the elbow and she has a decent bend of stifle. A class act for sheer type, but on the move she just did not show the fluency in profile action of the winner.

OB (4, 2) 1, CC & BOB, Hayward's Ch Clingstone's Hot Shot At Foxearth (Imp Fin). I have written at length about this super star before and I was thrilled to have the chance to go over her again. The breed has had some outstanding Champions, especially in bitches and I think this one is the best I have judged. Anyone in any doubt as to just what a great Smooth should look like, should try to see this bitch in the ring. Her owners always have her in fantastic condition, she respond to her handler's every whim and she is a joy to watch on the move. Despite some classy opposition she was a comfortable BOB. 2 Gay's Yagane's Lavender Mist. How unfortunate to being campaigned at the same time as Hot Shot! A really smart blue merle bitch, lovely make and shape, delightful head and expression, spotless in coat and her profile action is a delight to watch. Would certainly be a worthy Ch.