Boston & District Canine Society

Thank you to the Officers & Committee for giving me the honour of choosing the ‘Best of the Best’ at your Xmas Premier Open Show. Congratulations to the ‘Orange’ Team on your judge selection and faultless organisation which exhibitors clearly appreciated given your huge entry. Given the number of dogs to be judged I thought I may still have been judging at midnight but with efficient, respectful judges and a first-class team of stewards (and very attentive and assertive management) the Best in Show ring was ready for action by 4.30pm.

When it came to Best in Show I was really spoilt for choice and would like to thank the Group Judges for your selections. There were three which stood out today and the young whippet bitch coped so will with the freezing conditions. She is so pretty, makes such a typical, elegant silhouette and is foot perfect with has such an effortless, balanced side gait. She just missed out on RBIS which went to the young Chihuahua Smooth Coat dog who I gave the CC & BOB to from puppy at Richmond earlier this year and he was even more impressive today. His cheeky, cocky ‘look at me’ attitude really catches the eye. He showed his socks off …cold…what cold? Beautiful head, compact in body, perfect thick, flat sickle tail and sound as bell. Could have easily taken the top spot despite his young age was it not for the mature and immaculately presented Lhasa Apso, Connett & Cain’s Ch Kutani Daredevil. Approaching his veteran years but not a sign of that at all. His outline is so typical and unmistakeably Lhasa Apso. Beautiful, correctly proportioned head with dark, oval eye and reverse scissor bite. Definite arch to his neck balanced with his high set, well feathered tail carried perfectly over his back. Just longer than tall and holds a level top line. He has fabulous forequarters with well laid shoulders and elbows tight to ribs. Really impressed on the move with his beautiful long heavy coat showing no signs of restricting the freedom of his movement. Parallel away and back. Moved effortlessly in side gait with reach and drive from his well angulated quarters.

For Best Puppy in Show I chose the 6 month old Alaskan Malamute bitch Ellis-Payne’s Chayo Aurelia. Loved her overall balance and her charming disposition. She already has a great rapport with her young handler and never stopped ‘smiling’. She stands so naturally and has good bone and fabulous feet. Loved her broad head and expression created by her large dark almond shaped eyes and small ears set well apart. She was fit and lean, chest still to drop, straight top line with desired slight slope from withers to croup. Harsh coat with guard hairs already well developed for age; tail well covered and makes a definite plum and carried perfectly. Moves with a real rhythmic stride and parallel away and back. Reserve was Lloyd & Webster’s 8 month old Afghan Hound Yassir Del Ghyryo (imp Bel). This baby Afghan caught my eye in his breed classes so I was delighted to see him up close here. He appeals for size and overall balance and even as a minor puppy has that aristocratic air about him. His long narrow head is carried proudly on a strong neck. Loved his dark expressive eyes. Strength to his long muzzle and powerful jaw. Straight front legs and big feet. Had a real spring in his step and held a straight top line with ringed tail carried beautifully. Showed drive from his low hocks and well bent stifles; good reach in front. Fine textured coat well developed on his body and growing nicely on his head and ears.

Best Veteran in Show went to the 7.5 year old Australian Shepherd, Davies & Walsh’s Ch Thornshavn Maid Of Blue for Rosschell JW (imp Pol). Hard to believe she is in her Veteran years as she is in the very best show condition in terms of muscle tone and coat. I noted she had a 12 month old daughter entered so maternity duty clearly did her well. Beautiful feminine head and focussed yet kind expression. Loved her body proportions being just longer than tall. Coat is immaculate with dense undercoat. Really excels on the move with angulation of fore quarters and hind quarters well matched creating a free and easy stride. Holds top line level at all times. Reserve was the handsome Irish Setter dog Holehan’s Loganrish Let’s Go Crazy.

 Appealed for his overall size and shape and makes a typical silhouette stood and on the move with slight slope from withers to croup. Long lean head with kind gentle expression. Slight arch to his long neck. Chest nice and deep with good length of rib. Tail of moderate length carried just below the line of his back. Parallel away and back and moved steadily in side gait.

Best Vulnerable Native Breed in Show went to Blow’s Lakeland Terrier Jodean Tennesse at Coppatrota. Smart, crisp outline and so alert and one his toes. Skull and muzzle balanced with excellent bite and strong jaw. Small, neat v shaped ears. Compact in body with dense harsh coat. Moved parallel away and back. Was permanently ‘on it’ and quite the show man. Reserve went to the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) Dean-Armitt’s Twowayshouse Touch Of Class. Liked her typical overall shape and elegance. Long narrow wedge shaped with almond eye. Arch to her elegant neck and well laid shoulders. Has that often-elusive correct top line with gentle curve from withers to croup and low set tail.Moves soundly away and back and has good reach in front. Would just like her to be a bit more of a show off with more ‘terrier’ attitude.

YKC Members stakes

1st Johnson & Walker’s Shetland Sheepdog Ch/Int/Fr/Lux/Swiss Ch Tooralie Pie In The Sky.6.5 year old. This dog must be a joy to handle and I was not surprised to see his impressive his string of Champion titles. I thought him an ideal size and overall shape. Long blunt wedge-shaped head with dark almond shaped eyes and small high set ears which all combined to give an alert focussed expression. His coat was long and harsh with soft short undercoat with definite mane and frill. On the move he was light on his feet and move with freedom showing drive from behind and reach in front. A great rapport with his smart and talented young handler. 2nd Irving’s Twinan Dance To The Beat. Welsh Corgi (Pembroke). Just out of puppy but showing so much promise and handled sympathetically by her young handler. Beautiful foxy head and expression. Ears of an ideal size to balance and set just right. Liked her body proportions but just needs to finish maturing in chest and top line. Moved away a little close and narrower coming towards. Nice long low stride in front in profile.

Pomeranians

An entry of 20 for Miss M Morrison who sadly had to withdraw from judging at the 11th hour. She must have been so thrilled with her entry of Pomeranians; not only in terms of quantity but also quality. It was a pleasure to step in.

P (6,2) A close decision between first and second. The winner just making a better overall shape having a more advanced coat. 1st Boyes Poshdonpoms Dream Maker. Focussed and well-trained with a great rapport with her handler – quite the show-off. Liked her size Super head and expression, dark sparkling eyes and small erect ears. Short neck and compact in body. Tail set high and carried flat and straight over her back; coat already harsh texture and advanced enough to give the desired overall outline. Sound away and back and moved swiftly and accurately in side gait. 2nd Campbell’s Klassna Prime Star at Diemz. Super size for a dog. Showing great promise and once his coat finishes he will make a very typical shape. Lovely head and expression. Small ears set high. Short neck. Well laid shoulders, straight fine boned. Compact body. High set tail carried over his back. Soft dense undercoat with harsh guard hairs coming through nicely. Parallel away and back. Side gait was swift and accurate.

SY (5,0) 1st Sparrow & Moores Chibaya Catch My Vibe with Casarow. Just out of puppy and she is well grown and in super condition. Beautiful head and expression with fine muzzle and perfect neat, scissor bite. Small ears set nicely on top. Short neck and compact body. Ribs well spring for age. Tail set high and profusely feathered. Harsh top coat is of good length and well covered for her age. She is very sound and has super strong hocks which she uses to her advantage allowing her to move briskly. 2nd Hynes Poshdonpoms Touch Of Angels. A smaller, petite bitch with a sweet expression. Eyes a little round but nice and dark. Ears small and set high. Short neck and very compact in body. Fine boned. Tail set high. Coat nice and harsh to touch and well developed. Moved nice and parallel away and had freedom in side gait.

L (4,2) 1st Campbell’s Diemz Noble Soul. A larger frame to this bitch who still picks up well for weight. She was lovely to go over being so well constructed. Well laid shoulders and medium bend of stifle. Straight fine front legs and neat feet. Strength to her hocks. Compact in body. Dark oval eyes of good size. I would like a fine muzzle to give a more foxy outline. Dark sparkling eyes with small ears that could be set a little higher. Coat of super harsh texture with soft under coat. 2nd Reeson’s Angelpom Bianca Dream for Mylriver. Not as compact as the winner in body shape. Moved away soundly and showed strength of hock but moved wide in front coming towards. Foxy outline to her head with Lovely dark eyes but just a fraction full. Small ears of ideal shape and set high. Profuse coat but of a softer texture; tail well covered and carried flat over her back.

O (5,0) Super class including 3 worthy Champions and splitting hairs to separate the top 4.1st Boyes’ Poshdonpoms Shooting Stars. Young 20 month old dog and not yet gained his title but is surely worthy of a green card. Today he ticked all the boxes for me. Makes a very ‘goal scoring’ shape stood and on the move thanks to his overall make and shape and his fabulous coat. He is a perfect size for a male and picks up just right. Nice and compact in body and cannot stand wrong. Loved his head and expression with a typical vivacious personality. Full of himself, Short in neck. Level back and short coupled. Fine bone to his limbs with small, neat feet. Tail set high and covered in profuse harsh coat. On the move he was parallel away and back. He moves with speed and purpose with very accurate footfall in side gait. BOB and later the Group Judge found him worthy of Toy Group 2 only beaten by my RBIS winning SC Chihuahua. 2nd Sparrow’s Ch Sueacres Kiss Of Love to Casarow JW OSW ShCEx. 4.5 year old dog. Such a worthy Champion as well as his other plethora of awards. Beautiful head with intelligent and focussed expression. Small ears set high, dark eyes set just right and fine muzzle. Short neck and definitely short-coupled but just a fraction less compact than the winner when stood. Lovely to go over with well laid shoulders, a nice barrel chest and well covered ribs. Top coat of super harsh texture but just not quite as profuse as the winner especially on his high set tail which detracted from the overall shape. Moved briskly with length of stride in front and drive from his low hocks. Moved away slightly closer than the winner.

Av NSC Toy

P (3,1) 1st Godfrey & Peacock’s Prodigieux The Performer for Godpeakiki. Lowchen. Not so happy today but certainly lively and has an attractive head and expression. Smaller dark round eyes. Nice arch to his neck. Compact in body with level top line. Nice and short in loin. Showed good front extension form his well laid shoulders but moving a little wide behind. Silky coat presented well and neatly trimmed in his lion trim. 2nd Baran’s NovaticaGrey Shimmer at Ubilu. Italian Greyhound from Poland. A blue girl who just needs to gain her confidence. Beautiful head but ears are a little large. She makes a nice overall shape stood which will only get better as her chest drops; tail set and carried low. Her legs are fine and juts turns her front feet out. Moves with good drive and some lift in front. Not so tidy coming towards. Short dense coat and super condition.

O (2,1) Howsam’s Cotonkiss Wotta Girl Wants at Jandoes ShCEx. Coton de Tulear. I really liked her smaller size and overall shape. Such a typical Coton outline with a fabulous coat both in terms of texture, condition and presentation. She has a beautiful head and very typical head and expression. Excellent pigmentation. Correct body proportions being just slightly longer than tall. Top line characteristically rising slightly from withers over the loin to her low set tail. Parallel away and back and with a freedom in side gait.

Nick Gourley (Judge)