Scottish Breeds Canine Club

After a gap of more than 30 years, I was delighted to be invited to judge again. At times I felt quite emotional. Looking into those gentle snow-clad eyes transported me back to a different era. I loved that so many of the dogs still gave me a welcome wag or a sneaky lick, and one youngster even gave me a proper Beardie hug. I felt impossibly broody by the end and would happily have taken each and every one home with me, if easyJet and the owners allowed it!

I was very pleased with the depth of quality. There may be fewer Beardies than in years gone by, but there is certainly quality if not quantity. I have always preferred to do much of my judging on the move, and my winners excelled. My top winners came with all the finer points, too – I was very much spoilt for choice. Considering the weather outside, the standard of presentation was remarkable.

Thank you to all exhibitors for giving me such a wonderful entry. I was hugely touched to be back again among my favourite breed. I later watched the Best in Show judging remotely thanks to Our Dogs, and I was delighted that my Best of Breed made the final five and did not put a foot wrong. Not yet two! She’s remarkable.

I spent hours afterwards researching all the pedigrees of my winners and was thrilled to sometimes find my own dogs' names very many generations back. To know their genes still live on gives me enormous comfort. We must never lose this very special breed. Well done to all the Beardie guardians for keeping the breed safe.

MPD (0). PD (2) 1 Costello Calkylona Midnite Shadow, a gorgeous pup, brimful of potential, everything was exactly as you would wish at this age. His sister was just slightly more settled on the move in the challenge for best pup. Both delightful. 2 Kuz Farmarens Peter Pan at Strufingill (Imp Swe) showing promise – two cracking pups. JD (2) 1 Burgon Talraz Drumbeat for Lyngem what lovely boys, their dad winning the CC today. Drumbeat was the winner this time, but it was close. 2 Long Talraz Signs of Spring at Bearbria has so much to like, looked much better on the move than static, which means everything must be in the right place. GD (6) 1 Nolan Breaksea Flash Harry in Bricliath, beautifully balanced dog that ticked all my boxes from first circuit of the ring. Nothing exaggerated, just everything where it should be. 2 Burgon Talraz Drumbeat for Lyngem. 3 Gibb Agallaich Full of Beans. PGD (1) 1 Burgon Talraz Drumbeat for Lyngem. LD (8 1) 1 Bramley & Moore Coalacre Do The Hokey Cokey like all my winners - that same blueprint, perfectly balanced angulation, ideal height to length ratio and effortless movement. Melting expression, too. 2 Rudd Lubin's London Calling another excellent Beardie with that lovely typical expression. 3 Pickup Kiltondale Heat of The Night JW. OD (7) A class of real depth, like a selection box but where every option is a favourite! Reserve CC 1 Glasspool & Gray Ch Ungaro De Chester (Imp Fra) a perfectly balanced dog, just so reliable on the move and very impressive standing. Quite literally never put a foot wrong. I am sure he would have been a big winner in any era, just literally nothing to dislike about him! 2 Harcourt-Brown Ch Orora’s Himself all quality, brown boy, unexaggerated and balanced. 3 Whelan & Young Ch Blumaci U Son of The King at Corimist (Imp Fra). VD (6) CC 1 Jay Ch Farmarens Drums of Spring at Talraz (Imp Swe) – nothing flashy about him, just totally balanced and wholesome. He had the distraction of interesting aromas by the time we got to Best of Breed, but it was such a privilege to meet this legend in real life. The father of many of my winners, just in Veteran but still in his prime, he is definitely one of the greats of all time. 2 Robertson Arranbrae Laird of Quothquan JW quality slate, balanced and so much to like. Unexaggerated and classy. 3 Costello Bradiba's Brilliant Nutmeg Muffin at Calkylona (Imp Deu). SBD (1) 1 Gibb Agallaich Full of Beans stood alone but was still a worthy winner. MPB (3) 1 Whelan & Young Corimist Timeless Design what a striking young lady she is, incredibly elegant with a very dramatic neck which will make her a real eye catcher as she matures. Her mum was looking incredible, too - despite not long having maternal duties. 2 Jenkinson Tybury's Arya's Legend for Ellishar NAF TAF this real baby is so well made, totally balanced and is the darkest blue I think I’ve ever seen. So full of promise. 3 Ayrton Briarsfield Little Swan at Aoibh. PB (5 1) Best Puppy 1 Gill & Hosie Calkylona Midnite Melody – I just couldn’t take my eyes of this one, I am sure this is the reincarnation of a dog that’s been here before – but which one of the greats does she most closely resemble? So many echoes of her famous relatives. Her pedigree is like a Beardie hall of fame. This beauty is one to watch, literally nothing I would change – she has it all. I was seriously considering her in the challenge but her day will come soon enough! 2 Duncan Frida De Maeluma at Duncannas what a great mover, tons of potential. 3 Rudd Briery Knob Home to Lubin (Imp Usa). JB (4) 1 Jay Talraz Midnight Lady I believe this gave her the final points needed for her junior warrant - congratulations. Delightful in every way. When she settled into her stride, she was hard to beat, but these first two were really hard to separate. 2 Ballantyne Potterdale Prime N' Proper for Bustroc – gorgeous outline, great quality and potential. Can’t wait to see how these girls grow up. 3 Aitken Irisaddition It's Show Time at Drumjareen. GB (7 2) 1 Jay Talraz Midnight Lady. 2 Savage & Mclean Strufingill Penny Benjamin at Canaich lovely slate girl, moved really well. 3 Robertson Quothquan Aylyth. PGB (4) 1 Harcourt-Brown Orora’s Pearly Princess there were glimpses of greatness, so beautifully constructed. When she moved, I was moved. A complete fidget today but I saw enough to fall in love. 2 Gamble Capelaw Celeste a gorgeous slate girl, feminine and moved so well. 3 Glasgow Viva The Diva De Chester Gallus (Imp Fra) JW. LB (7 2) 1 Jay Matamata Lorien Lady at Talraz very understated, well-balanced slate who appeared to float around the ring effortlessly. 2 Waldron & Gray Une Histoire D'amour De Chester with Snowmead JW another beauty who for some reason looked better today on the move than standing. 3 Glasgow Basnikova Muza Od Plzenskeho Lotra at Gallus (Imp Cze). OB (7 2) 1 CC & BOB 1 Peirson Ch Kiltondale Miley Cyrus JW. I was mesmerised[BC1] by her and fascinated to discover who this young stunner was! When I saw the name on the CC I realised I had heard the name before, it’s so unusual and memorable! And she did indeed come in like a wrecking ball – she totally smashed it today! Still so young, not yet two, but so totally impressive. To quote her namesake, I won’t be writing her name in the sand, she’s already etched in my heart! Just loved everything about her. That face, she’s got it all. 2 Res CC Whelan & Young Ch Corimist Destiny by Design what an amazing class of tremendous quality. Thank you so much for bringing this beauty and wasn’t she looking amazing considering her daughter won minor puppy. A really classy dog, just stunning. 3 Harcourt-Brown Ch Farmarens Imperial Highness at Orora. VB (4) 1 Glasgow Ch Malandex Xpats Gem at Gallus JW exactly my type, effortless mover – everything balanced. Top quality is built to last. 2 Woolley Malandex Xpressly Sweet with Aratika VW, another free-moving, beautifully balanced, feminine lady. Stunning colour. 3 Muir Douglasdale Dream Island VW. SBB (61) 1 Jenkinson Tybury's Arya's Legend for Ellishar NAF TAF. 2 Duncan Frida De Maeluma at Duncannas. 3 Harkess Dosetshyre Abbotsberyl.