Manchester Dog Show Society

Critique for Border Collies Manchester Championship Show January 2018

A few people to say thank you to, first the Manchester committee for asking me to judge and taking such good care of me, to my two excellent stewards Mrs H Kerr and Mr T Hadley and most importantly all the people who entered their dogs under me, some classes had so many good dogs in and needed more cards, it was great to see all temperaments were good and it was a pleasure to go over so many outstanding dogs.

When judging one of the most important things to me in this breed is movement. The movement of the Border Collie to me is like no other. Construction and movement go hand in hand without one you do not have the other. Quite a few dogs in our breed no longer drop their head when extending out which affects the whole outline. The breed needs to be agile and alert, responsive and intelligent. Presentation, condition as well as temperament on the whole was good. A lot of the dogs today had the correct double coat texture, which our breed needs be out in all weathers. We do still need to be mindful of 'the head' when breeding, on some dogs it is far too course and over done with very rounded cheeks and eyes which is not typical of the breed.

Today some hard decisions had to be made and I felt spoilt for choice in my final challenge line up.

BEST OF BREED : LUCAS, Mr & Mrs R & D & LUCAS Miss H Aculsia Run The World

Dog CC : PORTMAN Mrs S & Mr C Sh Ch Caleykiz Smoke On The Water

Res Dog CC : HALES Miss P Sh Ch Laceway Lone Ranger JW

Bitch CC : LUCAS, Mr & Mrs R & D & LUCAS Miss H Aculsia Run The World

Res Bitch CC : GREEN Mr R K Fayken I Am Love JW

Best Puppy : FAWCETT, Mrs P & FAWCETT Miss H Janbell Out Of The Blu

Class MPD (11 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: RATCLIFFE Miss J Arrodare Hear It For The Boy.

What a lovely puppy. Correct shaped head for a minor puppy nice dark eye with lovely expression. Good scissor bite. A good length of neck and correct top line and gently sloping croup. Moved well coming and going and has a very typical sidegait, holding his topline on the move which won him this good class today. I am sure he has a great future.

2nd: SCHIVENELS & DE CREE Eyes Of The World Que Tal Guapo

Another nice constructed puppy, nothing overdone exactly as you would want your puppy to be at this age. Good scissor bite. A good length of neck and correct top line. Just needed to settle a bit more on the move.

3rd:SMITH Mrs C Borderpride Time To Look

Class PD (6 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: RATCLIFFE, Miss J & GREEN Mr R K Arrodare Let It Be

Correct shaped head, loved the expression and colour of the eye, nothing was over done on this puppy and was exactly as a puppy should be. Correct scissor bite, ears sensitive in use, correct length of neck Correct movement out and back. This puppy won this class on correct breed type and movement.

2nd: WILTSHIRE, Mrs C & WILTSHIRE Miss D Dark Side Of The Moon At Caleykiz

So much to like about this puppy, just needs time to settle. Lovely shaped head, and correct eye shape and colour. Good scissor bite. Just the right amount of bone nothing over done.

3rd:PETTIT Mrs D Redcharisma With Your Smile

Class JD (6 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: POLLARD Mr D Janbell The Force Awakens

A good strong B & W dog of good size. I felt today he did challenge his handler and did at times find it difficult to settle with all the noise going on in the ring but just did enough to win this class. Nice dark eye good length of neck correct shoulders. Correct movement out back.  

2nd: GARLAND Mrs M Tonkory Royale

A different type to my winner and at one stage he was my winner of this class but I think the noise in the venue at one point distracted him. Nice head and correct shape eye. Correct reach of neck. Good shoulders. Moved out and back true.

3rd: KINTON, Mr & Mrs D & K A & DAVIS Mrs V Kinaway All Is Said And Done For Jacamalis JW

Class YD (6 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: LUCAS, Mr & Mrs R & D & LUCAS Miss H Aculsia Rhythm Is A Mystery.

I really liked this blue and white dog which was handled to perfection and yes he does need time but he is overall balanced with excellent breed type. Correct head excellent length of neck, shoulders and upper arm, well angulated rear. Won this class today on effortless movement. One to watch as he matures.

2nd:WILTSHIRE, Mrs C & WILTSHIRE Miss D Caleykiz I Got Rhythm N'black

Again this is a very good specimen of the breed and has so much to like about him, lovely head with alert expression, excellent sidegait, correct tail carriage. Challenged hard today but I just preferred my winner on the move.

3rd: HARPER Mrs A & GREEN, Mr R & RATCLIFFE Miss J Fayken Into Darkness With Arrodare

Class PGD (10 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: HAYWARD Mrs K Laceway Especially For You

Lovely dark head and correct shape eye and colour, good bone excellent shoulder and upper arm, nothing was overdone, his side gait is free and smooth. True out and back. This dog was handled well at the correct speed to show off his tireless movement which won him this strong class.

2nd: BARWICK Mrs E A Tobermoray Talk Of The Town JW

I was splitting hairs between my 1 & 2 so much to like about this dog again nothing overdone. He is excellent breed type and on going over him he feels like he could work all day. Correct bone with lovely shaped feet, well angulated rear. Moved round the ring freely holding his topline.

3rd: CHILDS Mrs L Rogansrock Dream Lover

Class LD (8 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: SCHOFIELD Mrs D Rogansrock Beautiful Dream Jw JW

Good head with oval eyes of moderate size with a keen expression. Correct reach of neck ,shoulders and upper arm, just the right amount of bone. Good hindquarters which lead to free, smooth and tireless, movement round the ring with minimum lift of feet, his true sound movement won him this strong class today.

2nd:ATKIN, Mrs L & GREEN, Mr R & RATCLIFFE Ms J Dalguise Dream

Liked this dog as well and and again really was splitting hairs on placings between 1& 2. Correct shaped head with oval eye nothing over done. Good bone excellent shoulder and upper arm. True out and back.

3rd: SMITH, Mr N M & RATCLIFFE Miss J Arrodare Sex On Fire

Class OD (10 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: PORTMAN Mrs S & Mr C Sh Ch Caleykiz Smoke On The Water

What a stunning dog. A lovely head and shaped eye without a trace of coarseness, semi erect ears were sensitive in use, good length neck, strong and muscular, slightly arched and broadening to the shoulders? On the move he showed free and tireless movement with good balanced reach and drive, a super underline and correct minimum lift of feet. Excellent coat which is not always easy to find in a blue. Correct set tail and I must say this dog looks and feels 'fit for function' he was made to work and this showed. All credit to his breeders and owner. I was pleased to award him the dog CC.

2nd: FAWCETT Miss H L Sh Ch Laceway Photo

Really liked this dog as well shown in excellent condition. Good topline. Lovely correct shaped head with no coarseness. Correct amount of bone. I loved his side movement and gait which were a pleasure to watch. I must say handled to perfection.

3rd: RATCLIFFE Miss J Arrodare Hear Me Roar

Class VD (11 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: HALES Miss P Sh Ch Laceway Lone Ranger JW

A lovely 7 and a half-year-old B & W Masculine dog. Head of good proportions but not over done with correct oval shaped eyes. Correct shape of ribcage with elbows properly placed close to the body. Moved out and back well. Coat of good length and density, a proper weather resistant texture. Handled to perfection and challenged hard for the cc it was a pleasure to award him the Res cc.

2nd: SCOTT Mrs M Y & Mr K D Lydeardlea Supersonic Of Belsmard

I really liked this 9 year old B & W who was not showing his age A dark dog with the correct shaped head not over done in anyway lovely shaped eye good reach of neck and correct angulation. Standing in this class he was my winner but he just did not flow on the move as I am sure he can. The tail should be used to balance this breed and it is so important when on the move.

3rd: GRANT Mrs J Sh Ch Janbell Valentino Avec Coussiere JW

Class MPB (6 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WALTERS Ms A Goytre Summer Breeze

What a lovely puppy everything you would want in a puppy of this age. Correct shaped head and eye with a lovely puppy expression. Good scissor bite. A good length of neck and correct top line and gently sloping croup. Moved well coming and going has a very promising future.

2nd: MANN Mrs L H Borderpride Time To Dance

A very pretty puppy, just needs time to settle. Lovely shaped head, and correct eye shape and colour. Good scissor bite. Just the right amount of bone nothing over done.

3rd: GORLEY, Mrs G & RATCLIFFE Ms J Arrodare What A Girl Wants

Class PB (7 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: FAWCETT, Mrs P & FAWCETT Miss H Janbell Out Of The Blue

A lovely puppy who again you need to go over to appreciate. The colour in the cost is excellent. Correct shaped head and eye with a lovely expression. Good reach of neck into a well placed shoulder. She won this class today on her movement minimum him lift of feet very true going out and back and her handler pulled all the stops out in the challenge to win BP.

2nd: COLLINS Mr & Mrs L J & S E Blackgold Dark Crystal

Another lovely puppy. Correct shape head and eye with a lovely expression. It was a very close decision between these two youngsters but just preferred the overall movement on my winner.

3rd: BALDWIN Miss J Breevana Queen Of Hearts

Class JB (14 Entries) Abs: 6

1st: GREGORY Mrs J K Tonkory Some Have It

Lovely feminine head with an alert expression, eyes correct shape and of good colour, ears tipped. Very good length of neck, correctly proportioned shoulders, medium bone with good pasterns with well shaped feet, well balanced body with correct topline, correct tail set and length.

This bitch was well balanced coming and going and her sidegait and movement round the ring won her this class today. Handled to perfection.

2nd: SCHEVENELS - DE CREE Mr & Mrs P&I Eyes Of The World Pride And Joy

Another pretty bitch of excellent quality. Good reach of neck sloping croup well set tail and good angulations. This bitch was well balanced coming and going and her sidegait and movement around the ring where excellent.

3rd: WARD Mrs C C Caristan Chocolate Liquor  

Class YB (10 Entries) Abs: 5

1st: GREEN Mr R K Fayken The Devil In Me JW

This bitch took my eye when she came in the ring and did not disappoint. Correct shaped head and eye with correct set ears and correct eye shape and colour. An excellent reach of neck into a well placed shoulder. True coming out and back. I'm sure a champion in the making.

2nd:WETTERN Miss J B Alpana Strike A Pose

A very pretty tri colour. Just needs time. Good shaped head and eye giving lovely expression. An excellent reach of neck into a well placed shoulder. well constructed and moved liked she could work all day. True coming out and back. My type of bitch and can't wait to see how she comes on.

3rd: KERNAHAN & KERR Mesdames K & H Cebelrai Kimah With Borderclan

Class PGB (13 Entries) Abs: 3

1st: WILDMAN Mrs D Chikaramor Kynda Amazyng

A dark bitch with a lovely head, correct alert attentive expression lovely shape eye and colour. semi erect ears were sensitive in use, good length neck, correctly proportioned shoulders, medium bone with good pasterns with well shaped feet, well balanced body with correct topline, strong hindquarters, correct tail set and length. True coming out and back. Liked her a lot and considered her for top hours. 

2nd: FAWCETT Miss H L Laceway Enchanted Voices

Good head and correct shaped eye. An excellent reach of neck into a well placed shoulder. Well balanced body with correct top line. Medium bone with correct shaped feet. Handler got the very best out of this bitch and the more I moved her the better she went.

3rd: 6231 KERNAHAN Ms K Cebelrai Mirzam

Class LB (13 Entries) Abs: 4

1st: GREEN Mr R K Fayken I Am Love JW

This bitch for me has the wow factor and I was really splitting hairs between her and my cc winner.

Lovely feminine head, correct eye colour, semi erect ears were sensitive in use. She has a good reach of neck, good upper arm, and correct straight front, sloping patterns and correct oval shaped feet, well set tail of correct length. Her fabulous movement with minimum lift of feet displayed correct Border Collie movement as she moved around the ring freely, tirelessly and smoothly. Res cc

2nd: ENTWISTLE Mrs J & Mr J Rogansrock Dream Maker At Beesting

A darker bitch in coat to my winner but the handler got this dog moving round the ring really well. Lovely head with nothing overdone correct shape eye with correct colour. A very good reach of neck into well placed shoulders. True coming out and back with the correct extended reach.

3rd: FAWCETT Miss H L Laceway Echo Falls JW

Class OB (12 Entries) Abs: 4

1st: LUCAS, Mr & Mrs R & D & LUCAS Miss H Aculsia Run The World

I watched this bitch come into the ring and she took my eye straightaway and once I got my hands on her she did not disappoint. This bitch has so much quality. Excellent breed type. She has the correct amount of bone and displayed an excellent outline both standing and while moving. Correct oval shaped eye, semi erect ears were sensitive in use. Good front which was completed with well placed shoulders. Her fabulous movement displayed the correct Border Collie movement as she moved around the ring freely, tirelessly and smoothly, giving off the impression she was capable of going all day with minimum lift of feet. She was typical of what our breed should be and I was pleased to award her the CC and BOB.

2nd: KERNAHAN, Ms K & SCOTT Mrs M Cebelrai Aludra Sh.CM

This is a another lovely bitch as well, slightly different in type to my first and until you get your hands on her you can't really appreciate how well she is constructed. Correct shaped head with lovely expression. Correct amount of bone Good front which was completed with well placed shoulders. Handler really does get the best out of this dog.

3rd: RATCLIFFE Miss J Arrodare Fuel To The Flame

Class VB (10 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: FAWCETT Miss H L Sh Ch Laceway Wiggly Giggly

Really liked this bitch she has a lovely expression correct shaped head with a good reach of neck and excellent spring of rib, correct depth of chest, excellent croup and tail set and length, she has a straight front, sloping pasterns, and drops her head on the move making a very balanced overall picture. All credit to her owners keeping this bitch in tip-top condition at the age of ten.

2nd: GRANT Mrs J Locheil All Thats Magical Avec Coussiere

A very pretty bitch not showing her 10 years of age all. Really fit and not carrying any excess weight. Correct shaped head and eye, semi erect ears were sensitive to use, Good front and correct oval feet. Moved round the ting with ease.

3rd: CARR Ms S Rajjinka Safe Bet

Judge Marion Turner.