Three Counties Agricultural Society

It was an absolute honour to be invited to judge at Three Counties and to receive the highest entry in the working group. It is 30 years since I awarded my first set of CC’s and it was a true pleasure to judge some fabulous dogs here. The overall quality was excellent and I thank the exhibitors for their amazing support.

Puppy Dog (5,1) – A super class to start the day. All developing at very different rates.

1st: Seward’s Elleonia Take a Chance On Me. Upstanding, impressive young dog. Head is well balanced with a good expression. Needs a little more chiselling as he develops. Super arched neck of correct length and leading to very well laid shoulders. Excellent return of upper arm. Slight slope to pasterns. Lovely bone. Very well proportioned in body. Chest developing well. Topline is firm with slight arch over the loins. Excellent croup, tail set and carriage. Such a very well-balanced young dog. Super reachy mover with great drive too. Really kept catching my eye and thoroughly deserved to be awarded the RCC here. A great prospect indeed.

2nd: Tapper & Leyland’s Icynights Mist A White over Kedalita. Rather more immature than 1st but showing quality throughout. Masculine head with enough chiselling. Almond shaped eyes which are set slightly oblique. High set ears – when he showed them! Lovely tight lips. Good bone. Not quite so well angulated or balanced as 1st at present, but so much development to do. Super length of ribcage. Firm, muscular loins. Slight slope to croup and well set tail. Moved soundly. Pristine condition. Another very promising youngster.

3rd: McInnes Furnesfjorden’s First Ragnar for Inneska

Junior Dog (3,0)

1st: McInnes Furnesfjorden’s First Ragnar for Inneska. Was not disgraced by being placed 3rd in the previous class. Another very high quality youngster. Very handsome head which is well balanced and foxy. Lovely eyes for shape and set. High set ears which are ok for shape and size. Neck at first looks a little short – it isn’t and is purely due to the white patch at the base. Ok in shoulder. Little more return of upper arm would enhance. Chest developing well. Super firm topline and excellent muscular loins. Just a little squarer in outline at present than 1st & 2nd in previous class. Well-turned stifles. Excellent fox brush and well set tail. Moved very soundly. Another good prospect.

2nD: Hooley’s Dokkalfar’s I Am Groot. Very attractive young dog indeed. Masculine head with ideal expression. Neck of moderate length. Moderate, balanced angulation fore and aft. A little narrow in chest. Firm topline. Tail set ok. Moderate bone. Slight slope to pasterns. I would like more substance and muscle. Coat was not in the best condition. Moved ok but needed a little more ‘umph’.

3rd: Spratley’s Winterlumi Wolf Moon

Novice Dog (4,0)

1st: Foard’s Arctictrek Draco at Bifrost. Very ‘Seppala’ in look. Probably quite a marmite dog, and his head, in honesty, could be more foxy but it is in balance for his size. Eyes are good for shape and set. Ears are a tad large but are set ok. What I really liked was his super athletic, well- constructed body. Everything was just in the right place and this gave him a very good reachy, effortless side gait. Deep chest with good width. Excellent topline with slight arch over the loins. Great fox brush, croup and tail set. Lovely muscular condition. Lots to like. More mature than 2nd.

2nd: McInnes’ Furnesfjorden’s First Ragnar for Inneska.

3rd: March & Smith’s Trailhunters Mr Tor

Post Graduate Dog ( 6,0)

1st: Shelfords Polarquest Queens Company. A very typical, standard fitting Siberian. Head is foxy with nice chiselling to foreface. Lovely almond shaped eyes which are set obliquely. Super expression. Excellent ears for set. Reachy neck with slight arch. Well laid shoulders and upper arms angle back very well. Slightly sloping pasterns. Chest needs to drop but has enough width. Ribcage just long enough. Firm muscular loins. Croup a little short and tail set a fraction high. Excellent fox brush. Well bent stifles and low set, firm hocks. Very light on the move. Well-handled and presented.

2nd: Wakker’s Komaksiut’s Glen Devon Av Ratatuyak at Ceannabeinne (Imp Nld). Another nice dog with bags of potential. Attractive, foxy head with enough strength. Correct length of skull to muzzle and degree of stop is perfect. Gorgeous almond shaped eyes. Ears could be slightly higher set. Medium length of neck. Moderate angulation of shoulder and upper arm. Bone ok for size. Chest just reaches above elbows and ribcage is carried well back. Firm topline. Moderate turn of stifles. Low set hocks. Good fox brush. Like 1st, croup a little short. Very sound but didn’t move out quite so well as 1st on the day.

3rd: Leich, Leich & Koops’ Forstal’s Drifter

Limit Dog (7,2)

1st: Biddlecombe’s Sirocco of Winterspirit at Tsaritsa. A big boy. Very masculine with a very typical head. Well chiselled and showing correct tapering of muzzle. Almond, oblique set eyes. Ears are high set and of correct height compared to width at base. Medium length of neck - would prefer slightly more arch. Well laid shoulders. Excellent upper arms of correct length and angulation. Deep chest of good width. Firm topline and muscular loins. Well-turned stifles. Tail set and carriage ok. Good fox brush. Stands perhaps a tad square in outline. Excellent free action in profile and sound out and back.

2nd: Anderson’s Azgard Cohiba to Uriakin. Such a handsome dog. Masculine but with the correct degree of refinement. Excellent eyes for shape and set and high set ears with inner edges almost parallel. Neck is good for length but I would like slightly more arch. Well laid shoulders and good return of upper arms. Deep chest which is ok for width. Strong topline with slight arch over the loins. I feel he is a little short in upper thigh and long in lower thigh which unbalances him slightly. Well set and carried tail. Slightly better proportions of height to length than 1st but couldn’t match him on the move. In lovely condition.

3rd: Carmichael’s Podricals The Gambler by Glenbranter JW

Open Dog (10,5) – A challenging class with lots of different types.

1st: Foard’s Bifrost Chayka Sound’s. A type I like. Lovely head with correct degree of chiselling and masculinity. Correct width of skull and length of muzzle which tapers correctly. Lovely almond, oblique set eyes. Ears are high set. Neck ok for length. Medium, very well-balanced angulation – I would like more though for my ideal. Deep chest which is carried well back. Muscular loins. Well set tail which he carried nicely on the move. In lovely coat and condition. Moves very soundly around the ring but doesn’t quite cover as much ground as I like. In superfluous condition.

2nd: McInnes Inneska Malachite: Another super attractive dog who was in superb condition. Excellent head – one of the best of the day in the males. Super foxy expression with wonderful eyes. Excellent earset. Like 1st, is well balanced in angulation, but I would prefer more. Smaller dog overall, but very well proportioned. Firm topline and muscular loins. Slight slope to pasterns and low set hocks. Tail a little high set. Super sound on the move and nearly took this class.

3rd: Snelson’s Azgard Monticristo at Ashtrax

Veteran Dog (6,1)

1st: Sargent’s Trailhunters Devon Rock at Keriquel. What a cracker! Super masculine head with the correct chiselling of foreface and balance of skull to muzzle. Lovely tight fitting lips. Lovely almond shaped, oblique set eyes giving a wonderful expression. High set ears which are absolutely perfect for shape and set. Graceful arch to neck. Super angulation fore and aft. Excellent depth of chest and length of ribcage. Lovely bone. Slight slope to pasterns. Correct feet. Muscular loins. Superb proportions. Well-turned stifles. Low set hocks. Super tail set and carriage. There is no part of this dog that jars the eye and this is what truly makes him great. He moves around the ring with that reachy, effortless, lightfooted gait that you just don’t often see in the Sibe ring these days. Superb coat and muscular condition. I thought him quite outstanding here and won the CC with lots to spare. I hope he gains his title – he should!

2nd: Snelson’s Ch Salazka’s Mr Abernathy at Ashtrax. This boy just gets better with age. Really looking good here. Smaller end of the standard – yes- but perfectly proportioned. Lovely head with mischievous expression! So nice to go over with good angulation all through. Had enough depth to chest and he has broadened to advantage. Firm topline with slight arch over the loins. I would like a little more bone for perfection. Lovely lightfooted mover and sound as a pound out and back. Really moved out nicely today despite the heat. Looked fab!

3rd: Robertson’s Chatanika’s Dragonkin

Puppy Bitch (8,2)

All babies in this class showed bags of potential, but I have a feeling we will see much of the first three in the years to come.

1st: Freeman & Wakefield’s Siberiadrift Hello Echo at Aloustair. A fabulous young lady. Super attractive foxy head. So feminine but with strength. Excellent almond shaped eyes which are set obliquely. High set ears and always very attentive to her handler. Super arch to neck. Very well angulated fore and aft. Great bone. Slight slope to pasterns. Chest developing well. Strong, firm loins. Well bent stifles and low set hocks. Tail is well set and she carries it perfectly on the move. Excellent lightfooted mover. Super condition and very well handled. A cracker.

2nd: Seward’s Elleonia Wish Upon A Star. Another fab bitch. Very pretty with well balanced head. Not quite as well chiselled as 1st at present. Gorgeous eyes and perfect ear set. Reachy neck. Excellent angulation all through. Firm topline. Body developing so well. Well sprung ribs which are carried well back. Super proportions. In great coat! Super sound, free and easy as she goes around the ring. Not quite as good up and back as 1st on the day. Love her. Narrowly defeated her lovely sister into 3rd.

3rd: Caudy’s Elleonia Perfect Storm at Snodragon

Junior Bitch (5,0)

1st: Amphlett & Sym’s Korva Crazy Noelle ay Sybasprinter (Imp Swe). An impressive, standard fitting bitch. Quite understated but shows herself off enough. Head is feminine enough with almond shaped eyes. Correct balance of skull to muzzle. Ears are set a little far back on the head and are quite ‘bonneted’. Super arched, muscular neck. Well laid shoulders and really good return of upper arms. Deep chest with enough width. Topline is firm with slight arch over the loins. Tends to stand under herself at the back – so handler needs to watch this. She has well-turned stifles and low set hocks. Great fox brush. Muscular condition. Moved out very well. Perfect coat quality. Promising lady.

2nd: Caudy’s Elleonia Perfect Storm at Snodragon. An impressive puppy. Such a lovely head with a cheeky, mischievous expression. Lovely eyes for shape and set. High set ears which are ideal for size and shape. Neck moderate in length. Well angulated fore and aft. Developing well in body. Ribcage could still lengthen more. Firm topline. Muscular loins. Well-turned stifles and low set hocks. Nice bone for size. A real showgirl with an eye-catching outline. Moves soundly with a moderate stride. Another who will have a very great future I’m sure.

3rd: Spratley’s Winterlumi Night Fury

Novice Bitch (9,1)

1st: Platt’s Trailhunters Vixen Tor in Wightflight. A big girl but all in proportion. Feminine head. Skull to muzzle ratio is good. Eyes are almond in shape and set slightly obliquely. Ears look rather large at present. Medium length of neck. Moderate angulation of shoulders. Upper arm could angle back a tad more. Good deep chest and ribcage carried well back. Firm topline with slight arch over the loins. Well-turned stifles. Correct length and angle of croup. Lovely fox brush. Very lightfooted mover.

2nd: Simmons’ Forstal’s Ilsa of Aurorasdream. Pure white with lots of maturing to do. Quite nice breed type. Head needs to develop. Ok for eyes and ears. Neck a tad short, shoulders a little upright. Upper arms of good length. Standing rather ‘hunched’. Loins are muscular. Well angulated stifles. Tail set and carriage ok. Moved soundly.

3rd: Bellcourt’s Valhalroc’s Enchantment

Post Graduate Bitch (14,1) Very nice class

1st: Miles’ Trailhunters Ryders Rock at Pekakicali. This bitch reminded me of a very young Ch Yabet Tamarisk – the bitch I awarded my first bitch cc to in 1995. Beautiful shape combined with athleticism. This is not just ‘another’ pretty grey, she is well angulated all through with correct bone lengths and balance. Great feminine head with foxy expression. Neck moderate in length with slight arch. Excellent angulation fore and aft. Deep chest and moderate spring of rib. Super firm topline with muscular loins. Excellent turn of stifles and low set hocks. Tail a little high set and she can carry it slightly to one side. Excellent side gait with a light, free action that was a joy to watch. Lovely.

2nd: Platt’s Wighflight Insh. Another very lovely bitch. Slightly different in type to 1st, but like her has everything in the right place. Feminine, foxy head. Cheeky expression. Almond shaped eyes. High set ears. Excellent body with lovely angulation. Super topline and tail set. Muscular loins and perfect proportions. Another excellent mover. So much to like and another that will surely win top honours.

3rd: Shelfords’ Ceannabeinne Fortysmiles at Polarquest

Limit Bitch (13,2) Lovely class

1st. Tapper & Leylands’ Ceannabeinne Chenariva to Kedalita. Pure white gorgeousness. She is super feminine with well chiselled, foxy head. Her eyes are of a wonderful almond shape but are perhaps set just a fraction too wide apart. Ears are correct for shape with slightly rounded tips - she needs to show them off more! Super arched, reachy neck. Well laid shoulders and good return of upper arms. Enough bone. A little straight in pasterns. Excellent strong topline with slight arch over the loins. Deep chest and I liked her length through the ribcage. Excellent turn of stifles and well let down, firm hocks. Excellent fox brush. In such magnificent condition and glistening in the sun. Moved around the ring with such elegance and grace, but with power and she is so lightfooted. An absolute star. Very pleased to award her the RCC in stiff competition.

2nd: Biddlecombes’ Tsaritsa Oettinger. A favourite of mine and a top class bitch indeed – one of the best around for sure. Love her head which is so feminine but with no weakness. Gorgeous almond shaped eyes which are set obliquely. Wonderful alert, foxy expression. Fab neck and very well laid shoulders. Excellent return of upper arm which really sets the forelegs well under her. Correct depth of chest and length of lower leg. Strong topline with slight arch over the loins. Well bent stifles and low set hocks. In superb coat and condition. Wonderful reach and drive in profile. Was just moving a little wide going away which is where she had to give ground to the main winners. A super bitch -love her. A credit to the breed.

3rd: Wakkers’ Ceannabeinne’s Fast Eddi – Another top quality Siberian!

Open Bitch (14,2)

1st Platt’s Wighflight Einich. A monochromatic black who I have never seen looking so good. I have always adored her, but here she really made my heart miss a beat. Super bitch with wonderful head. Cheeky, mischievous and foxy. So feminine with strength and no excess. Lovely almond shaped eyes which are set obliquely. High set ears of the correct size with slightly rounded tips. Muscular neck with graceful arch. Excellent shoulders and upper arms. Great bone, pasterns and feet. Deep chest. Ribs carried well back which gives her strength. Firm topline with slight arch over the loins. Well angulated stifles and low set hocks. Perfect tail set and she carries it well on the move. Great double coat which was gleaming. Then she moved – just wonderful - breathtaking in fact. This is how a Siberian should move!! Ground covering, reaching and driving with no effort – like a well-oiled machine. I thought her quite outstanding today and it was an absolute pleasure to award her the CC & BOB. I hear this was her 3rd. Congratulations.

2nd: Biddlecombes’ Zarcheski Lornabo at Tsaritsa. Another cracking bitch from this kennel. Absolutely standard fitting in every way. Superb head and expression. Very well built with excellent angulation all through. Deep chest, muscular loins. Super proportions. Excellent tail set and carriage. In wonderful condition, if a little out of coat. Fabulous side gait. Could be a little more precise out and back. Looked an absolute picture.

3rd: Sargent’s Ch Keriquel Rose Royale – Another fave who also looked super here. Such small margins separated them!

Veteran Bitch (5,2)

1st: McInnes Ch Hushwing Happy Feet at Inneska. Like a very fine wine, this girl just gets better and better. Such a super ambassador for the breed. Wonderful head with definite cheeky expression! ‘Feminine with sass.’ Great earset. Lovely arched neck leading to super well laid shoulders. Upper arms angle back nicely. Deep chest with correct width. Ribs carried well back. Strong muscular loins. Well angulated stifles and low set hocks. Gorgeous fox brush, croup and tail carriage. Free, easy, mover who covered so much ground. In fabulous condition and pulled out all the stops to beat the DCC winner to take Best Veteran. Love her.

2nd: Sinclair’s Salazka’s Aleshanee for Lesamian. Another quality girl who is put together so nicely. Super attractive and foxy. Beautiful almond shaped, oblique set eyes. Excellent high earset. Very well angulated and in excellent coat. Level topline with slight arch over the loins. Excellent fox brush. Super sound when she decided to oblige!

3rd: Sargent’s Keriquel Jemima Puddleduck