Midland Counties Canine Society

Midland Counties Championship Show

Friday, October 24th 2008 

Norwegian Buhunds

Judge: Mrs Camille Pentland

I was very pleased to be asked to judge this breed at Midland Counties. I was extremely pleased with my entry considering it was not only a weekday, but there were no CC’s and it was the day before the Club Championship Show! The overall quality of my dogs was quite good, with a few that stood way out in front. BOB was my hardest decision of the day, the dog just losing out to his sister being slightly longer cast.

Generally, I think movement has improved since I last judged. We still have the same old problem of loose tails, which on some barely make a single curl let alone a double curl. Another thing we are losing is angulation. There were several dogs that were very straight in front and rear, which does not give good movement. In a working dog movement and angulation are very important, whilst you do not require a lot of angulation; some is needed for the dog to function effectively. Whilst tails are not so important for working ability, it is very much a breed point which if lost is very difficult to regain. Size and substance has definitely improved, though some are still lacking in this area. The ideal height for a male is 18 inches, which is quite a substantial animal, whilst many think these dogs are ‘too big’, they are actually correct to the standard. Having said this, they still need to maintain the elegance that is required.

I would finally like to thank my exhibitors and stewards for making the day so enjoyable. I hope everyone else enjoyed themselves as much as I did.

Puppy Dog (3 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st Sercombe’s TRELOWEN MYIN – 7 ½ month lovely youngster with a lot to offer. Good dark eye with correct shape and positioning. Ears well set. Nice wedge shaped head and good dentition. Lovely substance, good body proportions and well angulated, just hope he does not gain too much more height. Tail ok, would prefer tighter curl and slightly better set. Moved ok, but needs to settle, still very much a baby as he should be at this age. Was very unfortunate to meet the more mature bitch in Best Puppy.

2nd Marr’s TRELOWEN CONAR TUN – Brother to 1. Not the head of his brother, but with time may come. Good size and substance, nicely angulated, moved ok, again rather erratic. Topline ok, but at times did not hold as well as 1. Would like to see again when older.

3rd Marr & Fieldsend’s TRELOWEN TREAVE AT BRANDYCARR TAF.

Post Graduate Dog (2 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st Deuchar’s TONYLYNN’S CHARLES LAFITTE – 16 mth strong upstanding male at maximum height. Nice head with correct eyes and ears. Good outline and strong topline. Angulation ok, movement not his best aided by narrower front and slightly cow-hocked rear. Super texture coat in lovely condition.

2nd Stonton’s TRELOWEN BYAN FORTYN – 2 yrs with good outline and correct head shape, eye colour and ear set. Would prefer more masculinity throughout. Angulation a little straighter than I would like also needs better tail set. Unfortunately left his jacket at home.

Open Dog (6 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st Stirling’s CH ARNSCROFT DI-CLAUDIUS – I last judged this boy at 6 mths old, when I awarded him BIS & BPIS at the Club Open Show. He has grown into everything I hoped he would. Super outline, beautiful head with correct eyes and ears. Moved very well with strength and purpose yet maintaining the elegance. A little longer cast that I would prefer, and for perfection would like a tighter curl to his well set tail. A very worthy Champion! Was pleased to award him BD. Just lost out to his sister for BOB.

2nd Sercombe’s CH TRELOWEN PISTYLL – Another lovely boy of similar type to 1. Super head with lovely dark eye and well set ears. Substantial body which was shorter coupled than 1 and with better tail set. Moved well, but not as steady as the winner, these two could switch places at any time. RBD.

3rd. Hussey’s – FULLANI FYODA AT SHAMEAD.

Puppy Bitch (1 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st Stirling, Houston, Cross & Evans’ ARNSCROFT DI DI DI DELILAH – 11 mths, super young bitch with loads of potential. Real show girl with lovely overall shape. Super head, well set ears, but would prefer a darker eye. Tail well set. Excellent angulation which aided her good movement which was evident even when not settled. Was pleased to award her RBB and BP.

Post Graduate Bitch (0 Ent, 0 Abs)

Open Bitch (1 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st Cross’s CH ARNSCROFT DI-NAHS-MITE – Another I last judged at 6 mths of age when she didn’t quite have the finish of her brother. Wow, she has matured beautifully! Superb outline, four square with good angulation. Lovely head, super eyes and correct ears. Excellent coat with good texture. Stood four square with no sign of weakness. Movement was a little exuberant at times, but flowed elegantly round the ring. I would however prefer a tighter curl to her tail, but it was very well set. I was proud to award her BB & BOB, which she was pushed very hard for by her brother. She was also later short listed in the Group.

Camille Pentland