Border Union Agricultural Society

Border Union Agricultural Society, Saturday, 14 June 2025

German Shepherd Dog

Thank you to the officers & committee for the invitation to judge one of my favourite breeds at a well-run friendly show with and excellent large ring. My two stewards were superb, both helpful and cheerful, thank you. A lovely entry with some variation, it is always a pleasure to watch exhibits gaiting around the ring on loose leads and in a controlled manner and the ringside sportsmanship was just great.

Junior Dog Entries: 1

1ST - Droyales Present Verdandi (Miss R & Miss J Amis & Stanley) 16 month old sable, with a strong masculine head, dark eye and correct bite. Balanced and well angulated. Moved ok. He had been unsettled by an incident outside the ring just prior to judging so was unsettled today.

Graduate Dog Entries: 1

1ST - Rochelles Hawk Warrior (Mrs J & Miss C Brown) 4 year old, masculine head, dark eye with kind expression,a very strong male who was well angulated, front and rear, longer coat and moved out well.

Post Graduate Dog Entries: 1

1ST - Droyales Forever Proper at Echosands (Miss A Gibson) 16 month old, masculine head, strong jaw and correct dentition, a well-balanced exhibit with defined withers,well boned and sound but would benefit from being fitter as was a little loose behind on the move.

Limit Dog Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1ST - Draycore Kenneth (Miss R Mooney) 4 year old with the strongest of heads, so masculine with an appealing expression and correct dentition, a shorter coupled male who was presented and handled to perfection and was in excellent condition but was unsettled on the move today.

Open Dog Entries: 4   

A fabulous class of 3 very typical and impressive exhibits, all sound and moving exceptionally on loose leads

1ST - Windgunn's Blaze to Ashvens (Mrs D J Stevens) What a male, just exactly what the KC breed standard asks for. Super head, eye and expression, correct muzzle and dentition. Strong muscled neck of correct length to his defined withers and then his super topline. His shoulder placement is textbook resulting in effortless forward propulsion, if others are unsure what a 90-degree front angulation looks and feels like then this is the dog to check out! His rear angulation can’t be faulted either, complete with his strong and firm hocks his rear drive cannot be overlooked. Presented to perfection and excels with his free and easy movement on a loose lead. His overall masculinity and look at me attitude just tipped him for BOB. I was told this was his crowning CC – a worthy champion from this kennel who seems to continually keep producing champion after champion. He was super in the group; he might not have got a place but he did the breed proud.

2ND - Ch Chalksville Made of Magic for Brightmeadow JW (Mr J & Mrs M B Stephens) Another textbook standard male and a pleasure to judge him. Super head, eye and dentition correct length of neck, correct topline and length to height ratio, his profile is faultless with required angulation front and rear, strong hocks and covering the ground effortlessly. RDCC

3RD - Ch Windgunn's Firestarter (Mr E Vorrias) On first impression I thought he would be the winner of this class, with his impressive strong head and overall condition and soundness. Masculine, well-balanced boy with strength and style, in superb condition but just did not settle on the move.

Veteran Dog Entries: 2

1ST- Ch Droyale Mister Moo (Mrs J Prydderch) Impressive 9 year old dark sable veteran with much to like, masculine with correct dentition, good length of neck and well angled front and rear, substantial in body and well-muscled throughout with a super gait.

Puppy Bitch Entries: 3

1ST - Zobear Maruzensky (Ms J A T Ashton) A very eye catching 7 month old with a very pretty head and attractive semi long puppy coat. Shorter coupled with strong loin, well boned for age. Just needs to settle in the ring to show off her movement however enjoying her time in the ring. BP

2ND - Kenleap Marble Swirl (Mrs C Nicoll) Although slightly older at 11 mths she was quite immature and needs to body up. Feminine with nice head. She wasn’t moving very fluently today however hopefully once settled and more mature she’ll do just fine.

Junior Bitch Entries: 3

1ST - Windgunn's Phoenix (Miss H Folksman) – Feminine throughout with a balance head and body proportions. Super shape and outline both stood and on the move. Sound and balanced and is in great condition, has the required extension on the move and I thought she would be one of the main winners however in the challenge she wasn’t as settled and was pipped to the post by more mature girls.

2ND- Siskiva This Love (Miss P Taylor) Sound girl with a longer coat which was presented well. Strong bone and well-muscled. Good ground covering action and her young handler really got the very best from her and moved her just at the right pace to show off her easy gait.

3RD- Boscahaus Friday von Emyzgem (Mr M Green)

Yearling Bitch Entries: 1

1ST - Boscahaus Friday von Emyzgem (Mr M Green) Not the strongest of bone and would benefit from a little more muscle, however sound all round and moved in unison with her handle

Post Graduate Bitch Entries: 1

1ST- Kenleap Marble Swirl (Mrs C Nicoll) – see Puppy Bitch

Limit Bitch Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST - Droyales Dancing in The Dark (Mrs J Prydderch) 2 year old with feminine head, dark eye and correct bite, with well laid shoulder and correct topline. Balanced throughout and extended on controlled side gait.

2ND - Kidaforce Corin of Dunningwell (Mrs C O'neill) 5 year old with pleasing head proportions, eye and bite, slightly shorter coupled than 1st. Moved well in unison with her handler.

3RD- Casiann Ate ShCEx (Mrs A Cave)

Open Bitch Entries: 5

1ST - Windgunn's Rio Grande (Mrs B Kenmare) A 5 year old ultra feminine bitch who excelled on the move. She is a stunning example of the breed presented and handled to perfection. Her head was balanced with dark eye and correct dentition. Her neck was strong and well-muscled and flowed into defined withers and her topline continued onto her slightly sloping croup. She had the required angulation front and rear and this really shows as she covers the ground easily with her far-reaching gait. This kennel certainly knows how to produce excellent examples of the breed, with the required temperaments too. CC

2ND - Kidaforce Corin of Dunningwell (Mrs C O'neill) Sound and substantial girl who retained femininity. Pretty almond dark eyes with good head proportions. Balanced body, fit well muscled condition. Another who covered the ground easily with her reaching drive..

3RD - Boscahaus Friday von Emyzgem (Mr M Green)

Veteran Bitch Entries: 3

1ST - Ch Brightmeadow Rags to Riches (Mr J & Mrs M B Stephens) Confident, mature and feminine girl who was in great condition and showing little sign of being in veteran. Good skull, correct bite and lovely dark eyes. Sound and required topline, really good front assembly and deep chest. Well-muscled rear and fabulous mover in all directions. RBCC & BV

2ND - Ballynabola Ria at Casiann (Mrs A Cave) – Another feminine girl with a pretty head and dark expressive eyes. Balanced body with nice topline. Well angulated rear, not the front of winner. Coat in great condition

Diane Mottram (Mybeards)