Border Union Agricultural Society

Border Union Championship Show

Siberian Huskies Judge: Catherine Lewis (Wayreth)

I would like to say thank you to both the Border Union committee for inviting me to judge at their show and the exhibitors for bringing their lovely dogs for me to assess.

There have definitely been changes in the breed over the 10 years since I last had a judging appointment, but I was delighted to see that there are still standard fitting dogs with excellent breed type around. I would like to make some general observations though as I feel they are important for the way our breed is going.

In general I feel that we are losing the beautiful head type that is one of the hallmarks of a Siberian Husky. While it is absolutely true that no dog runs with its head, one of the things that sets the Siberian apart from the other Arctic breeds is that the ears should be set high on the head with the inner edges almost parallel. The fox-like shape of the head is also specific to the Siberian Husky and both of these features are becoming difficult to find. I noticed quite a few dogs whose heads were very large in relation to their body size and a few short croups, but not as many as in the past. 

If we want to retain our breed as it should be, we need to take a good objective look at how type is changing and aim to breed towards dogs who are both functional and typical so that we can avoid ending up with a well constructed but generic sort of dog who lacks the hallmarks of the Siberian Husky.

On the plus side, movement has improved enormously and there were very few dogs who didn’t show a tendency to single track, another vital element of breed type. It was encouraging to see that structure and soundness are so good and that correct leg length, body proportions and medium bone are being concentrated on. We probably do need to pay some attention to height, especially in dogs, it seemed to me that a lot were taller now than the dogs I saw 10 or 15 years ago, and a bigger dog is less efficient in harness as well as being more prone to overheating when working, so it is an important feature to keep in mind.

Temperaments were excellent, I was delighted with all the entries’ enthusiastic acceptance of a seated judge, this is a really encouraging sign. It was a very windy day which was difficult for dogs and humans alike and we were sited next to a burger van which I know made it difficult for some dogs to concentrate. Despite these difficulties everyone coped beautifully.

Minor Puppy Dog (2/0 Abs)

1st Elleonia Black Diamond to Navajos (Mr and Mrs M R N Emery)

What a lovely start to my day this little lad was! An absolute star in the making, he is so full of type and character and moved around the ring with a loose, long reaching stride. Very good balance, nice angulation for one so young and a super topline with a slight arch over the loin. Croup and tailset were good. A beautifully arched neck of good length was great to see and his lovely foxy head with high set ears and an inquisitive expression were the icing on the cake.

He was a very well deserved Best Puppy In Breed and I will follow his progress with interest.

2nd Forstal’s Vito (Miss J Cooper) 

A pretty grey boy who was very much enjoying his day out and who as a result was a bit difficult to assess on the move. He did show a correct single track coming and going once he settled and had plenty of reach. At the moment he is a little upright in both front and rear, but as his bone lengths are equal and his proportions are all correct this will improve with work and maturity. Nice head and a lovely keen expression. Earset could be higher. Good coat quality and correct medium bone.

Puppy Dog (3/0 Abs)

1st Whitepeak Kinder Scout (Ms S Gibson)

This striking red and white boy impressed me with his good muscle definition and his excellent angulation. He is on the taller side so I hope he doesn’t grow much more, but he is all in proportion and moved very well with a long easy stride. His sloping croup and tailset are excellent. Lovely high set ears with correct shape and nicely set, almond shaped eyes. I would like more refinement in his head and muzzle. Correctly shaped, strong feet and lovely medium bone. Pasterns should strengthen with age.

2nd Forstal’s Aljaz (Ms S Leich, Ms S Leich and Ms A Koops)

A lovely youngster, still very raw with a lot of developing to do, but showing a lot of promise. Especially good shoulder, balanced with his rear angulation and a nice topline with a good arched loin. Rather unsettled by the wind on the day, but very sweet and happy. Super head type, refined and foxy, reluctant to use his ears, but they were well shaped. Nice feet with a good length of pastern which will tighten as he matures.

3rd Whitepeak Lost Lad (Mr G and Mrs S Fletcher)

Another nice youngster, taller than 2nd, very balanced and moved well with correct single track coming and going. Angles nice and equal front and rear, good sloping croup and a correctly set tail. Front pasterns could have more slope. Needs more refinement in head and slightly tighter lips. Earset could be higher. Good quality coat and medium bone.

Junior Dog (3/0 Abs)

This class was notable that all three youngsters had excellent movement for their age.

1st Whitepeak Kinder Scout (Ms S Gibson)

2nd Vikerkollen’s Ff Vidar for Inneska (Imp Nor) (Mr J and Mrs D McInnes)

This lad was very mature for his age with superb muscle tone. His angulation is balanced front and rear and he had a good length of croup. A little more slope would be ideal and would allow his tail to be set a little lower. Good medium bone and strong pasterns, plenty of reach to his neck and good ear shape, plus nicely set eyes. Ideally he could have a more refined head to balance his good structure and I would prefer tighter fitting lips.

3rd Whitepeak Lost Lad (Mr G and Mrs S Fletcher)

Yearling Dog (3/1 Abs)

1st Vikerkollen’s Ff Vidar for Inneska (Imp Nor) (Mr and Mrs D McInnes)

2nd Penkhalas Oka Snowfall (Mr R J and K I Beirne)

A very beautiful dog with super muscle definition, presented in excellent condition. He has a super shoulder and front, with lovely bone and good pasterns, strong feet of good shape. Nice length of neck with a good arch, strong arched loin. Croup could be longer and more sloped and tailset a bit lower, but he carried himself well. Sound coming and going. Head could be more refined and ear carriage could be higher, although he was reluctant to use his ears so on another day this might look different. Eye shape and set really typical. Well up to height but balanced all through.

Novice Dog (0/0 Abs)

Graduate Dog (3/1 Abs)

1st Inukshuk O’Naniitchuk Kulu (Miss A V Bryson)

This typy dog caught my eye as soon as he walked into the ring, he has such a beautiful head and expression and he sailed round the ring with a lovely easy, light-footed gait. Correct single track coming and going. Angulation very nice and balanced front and rear, good length of pelvis with a sloped croup and tail set on well. His foxlike, chiselled head with high set ears and obliquely set almond shaped eyes is lovely to see and he has a super length and arch of neck. Excellent arched loin and good muscle tone. Just lost out in the challenge because I would have liked a slightly longer leg in relation to his depth of chest.

2nd Vikerkollen’s Ff Vidar for Inneska (Imp Nor) (Mr J and Mrs D McInnes)

Post Graduate Dog (3/0 Abs)

1st Navajos Starman (Mr and Mrs M R N Emery)

Another beautiful dog it was a pleasure to go over. Really good angulation front and rear, nice medium, oval bone and good length of pasterns with strong, correctly shaped feet. Long sloping croup leading to a correct tailset and a very well muscled loin. Good topline, held on the move. Light-footed stride around the ring, he was toeing out slightly coming and going but I expect that this will resolve as he develops maturity. A truly lovely expression with high set ears, beautiful obliquely set eyes and a gentle temperament. Definitely one with promise.

2nd Furnesfjorden’s First Ragnar for Inneska JW (Imp Nor) (Mr J and Mrs D McInnes)

This dog was a nice size all round and had good proportions, correct body condition with excellent muscle tone. Moved well with an easy stride, but didn’t have the front reach of 1. I would like to have seen more front angulation, but this may come with work and maturity. Very good oval ribcage leading to a strong arched loin. A more level topline would be ideal, but there was a good slope to the croup. Very nice arched neck and lovely almond eyes well set into the head. Rather a strong head overall but ears were fairly well set.

3rd Mydisa Hielan Wee Belter (Miss S and Mrs L Wynne)

A well proportioned dog with a kind expression, presented in good coat and condition. Good level topline with a well defined loin. Well proportioned with a correct length of leg and strong, correctly sloping pasterns with well shaped feet. I would prefer to see more length in upper arm as this affected his stride and front reach. He could have been lighter on his feet overall. Well muscled rear and correct tailset.

Limit Dog (5/1 Abs)

1st Inukshuk O’Aningan JW (Miss A V Bryson)

A mature pied boy with such good proportions and a really happy personality. He has nice medium bone and good balanced angulation front and rear. His shoulder is so well constructed and he has the classic arched neck with plenty of reach. Such a sweet expression with a nice head shape and obliquely set eyes, ear shape very good but he wasn’t keen to show their set properly on the day. Feet and pasterns good, lovely topline and strong loin. Croup and tailset correct, I would have liked to see a slightly lower tail carriage. So sound on the move with reach and drive and a very nice tendency towards a correct single track. Beautiful coat quality, definitely one to watch.

2nd Charoite Wyatt (Ms M Hannam)

A really lovely dog, everything in the right place and another with both super angulation and medium, oval bone. Overall he has a super outline and just the right amount of refinement. Good length of neck and a beautiful, chiselled head with a foxy expression. Outstanding muscle tone and an arched loin of good length. Rather unsettled on the move which made him difficult to assess coming and going but plenty of reach. Very good sloping croup. Ideally I would like a more level topline, but this could improve once he gains confidence and relaxes more in the ring.

3rd Inukshuk My Way Ward Son (Mrs A and Mr R Houston)

Another dog with a good shoulder and nice outline, very alert and on his toes. Good topline and muscle, angulation balanced front and rear. Moved with drive and purpose. I would prefer a more refined head, but has lovely ears set well and obliquely set eyes. Pasterns strong and correctly sloping, good length of second thigh. Overall body proportions correct. Strong loin and correct oval ribcage.

Open Dog (10/0 Abs)

1st Forstal Xans Ruadhan (Ms S, Ms S and Ms A Leich, Leich and Koops)

This lovely dog caught my eye as soon as he stepped into the ring. He has such presence and his beautiful movement was a joy to see. He was so lightfooted and covered the ground with ease. His muscle tone was great, lean and firm with a well defined, arched loin of ideal length. His angulation was excellent with equal bone lengths front and rear, and his pasterns were strong and correctly sloped. Very good feet. Medium oval bone, great proportions and a really nice neck with a lovely arch. His head is beautiful with a foxy expression, obliquely set eyes and ears set high. His refinement and grace won him the RDCC.

2nd Ch. Inneska Malachite (Mr J and Mrs D McInnes)

A very understated, medium dog with everything in the right place. Shown in good hard muscular condition with balanced angulation front and rear and an excellent topline with a strong loin. His nice, moderate shoulder leads into a lovely arched neck and a typy head with a real foxlike look. Ear and eye set were very typical and he has a bright, alert expression. Nice slope of croup with a well set on tail. He moved well, not quite the ease and drive of 1 but he showed plenty of power. Very nice coming and going with a good single track. Overall a fantastic, workmanlike and standard fitting lad.

3rd Azgard Bolivar at Whitepeak

Another really lovely dog from this strong class. Typical and moderate all through with very good proportions and balanced angulation. Very nice sloping croup of good length with tail set on well and carried nicely on the move. He has a really good level topline and a well defined, slightly arched loin. Lovely arched neck and well angulated shoulder leading to strong front legs with correct medium, oval bone. I loved his head and expression but he could have had a little more chiselling to his muzzle for perfection. Moved soundly with good reach and drive, correct coming and going. 

Veteran Dog (5/0 Abs)

1st Ch. Salazka’s Mr Abernathy at Ashtrax (Mrs H J Snelson)

I have admired this dog from afar for some time and he didn’t disappoint when I got to go over him. He is a picture of moderation and quality, just the right size for an efficient working sled dog, understated and moderate in every respect with the most fantastic lightfooted, ground covering gait. He seems effortless but really covers the ground. His bone is just right, medium, in proportion to his size and oval. He has good pastern lengths front and rear and his angulation is spot on and balanced. Excellent muscle tone, super level topine and a strong arched loin. His bright, mischievous expression was wonderful, head type beautiful with a foxlike shape and lovely high set ears. He radiated sparkle and I was delighted to award him the DCC.

2nd Chatanika’s Dragonkin (Mr P and Mrs L Robertson)

This lad was very impressive for his age, a really classically typy dog with great muscle and such good movement with reach and drive. Coming and going he was sound and correct with a nice single track. Lovely bone proportionate to his size and a good topline with a strong arched loin. Good head with nice earset, could perhaps have slightly less stop, but lips and muzzle were correct and he had a kind expression. I would have liked a little more slope to his croup but his tail carriage was good on the move. Angulation correct front and rear with equal bone lengths.

3rd Rajarani Dominique (Mrs A and Mr R Houston)

A really sweet dog full of breed type who was very unlucky to meet 2nd in such good form. He has a lovely expression with obliquely set, almond shaped eyes and a super earset. Good length of neck and an especially well constructed shoulder. Slightly straight in the front pastern but very nice rear pasterns which showed in his drive on the move. Angulation balanced and good medium bone all through. Nice strong arched loin and very good length of croup. Lovely reach and drive from the side, but didn’t have the single track I was looking for coming and going. 

Minor Puppy Bitch (2/0 Abs)

1st Siberiadrift Pretty Women (Miss E Garland)

This little grey lady was very much a puppy and enjoying her day out. Good shoulder and balanced angulation overall, excellent coat and condition. Held her topline going round and had decent reach and drive. Good pastern and nice oval feet. Rather loose coming and going as you would expect of a puppy, plenty of time for her to tighten up with work. Good earset and shape, but I would prefer a more refined and feminine head overall.

2nd Kadexek’s Siberian Snow (Mrs L Blackbird)

Another happy young lady showing well for such a youngster. Very nice earset and expression, her head will widen with maturity to complete the picture. Very good coat and presented in excellent condition. Nice definition of loin, but her topline was rather weak and this meant that she dipped from wither to hip on standing. Croup could be longer and tailset lower, but her rear angulation was good and her rear pasterns strong and straight. Needs more layback of upper arm to balance her length of scapula.

Puppy Bitch (4/0 Abs)

1st Siberiadrift Dirty Dancing (Miss E Garland)

A pretty girl with so much to like about her, good bone and excellent angulation front and rear. She has a good length of croup and her tail is set on correctly, nice loin and topline. Very nice head and expression with well set ears and decent length of neck carried well. A little unsettled on the move, but once she got into her stride she moved nicely and covered plenty of ground.

2nd Whitepeak Higger Tor (Mr G and Mrs S Fletcher)

This young lady is very smart and has both good body to leg proportions and a workmanlike outline. Balanced front and rear, but could benefit from a little more layback of upper arm, which I am sure with come with age and muscling. Nice foot shape. Lovely neck of a good length with a nice arch. Head could have more refinement and a slightly higher earset for perfection. Level topline with good length of pelvis but a little more slope to croup would be ideal. Moved soundly both from the side and coming and going. 

3rd Pocketsibes Mountmakaloo (Dr K and Mr J Brown)

I really liked this girl, she had refinement and poise and she covered the ground so well on the move. Really lovely expression and a good length of neck, well angulated shoulder which was balanced by her matching rear angulation. Good length of croup which sloped down nicely to her tailset. A little straight in the pastern which will hopefully improve with age. Topline strong but perhaps a little too arched on the day, she may have been hunching because of the wind. I look forward to seeing her when she matures, very promising.

Junior Bitch (3/0 Abs)

1st Susikuu Killer Queen at Snodragon (Miss J Caudy)

A beautiful white girl who really took my eye. Such good medium bone, nothing overdone and very well angulated with balance bone lengths front and rear. Excellent long sloping croup and a well defined arched loin. Slightly high at the rear end at the moment, which is to be expected at her age. Lovely length of neck and a very pretty head with a typical expression. Super lightfooted movement in both directions, a girl with huge promise for the future.

2nd Sakarladrift Frosty Paws for Azilvix (Miss C I Jackson)

Older and more substantial all through than 1, this young lady moved soundly and with drive. Good angulation and overall proportions, very good muscle tone. Nicely sloped pasterns and strong oval feet. Topline very good with a well arched loin and sloping croup, tail set correct. Overall I would prefer a little more refinement and femininity to be ideal, especially in her head and expression.

3rd Alepenkye Karaback Khan (Ms L J Mckie)

A nice youngster with very good movement, plenty of reach from the side and sound coming and going. Her excellent shoulder angulation is balanced by her well constructed rear and she has good medium bone with nicely sloped pasterns. Good length of neck. Could do with more refinement in head and ears set higher on her head, but she has a bright, mischievous expression. Her topline is rather flat at the moment but this should improve with maturity and muscle.

Yearling Bitch (5/1 Abs)

1st Penkhalas Kanatara (Mr A S and Ms P M Bowering and Evans)

What a little star this girl was! One of those medium sized, understated dogs who have so much breed type and the structure to cover the ground with lightfooted ease. She outmoved the rest of the class in both directions. Good bone, not overdone, with sloping pasterns and perfect proportions. Neck of good length with a lovely arch and a beautiful head with high set ears and a feminine, finely chiselled face. Correct ribcage with a well defined loin, sloping croup and correct tailset. Could do with more arch over the loin but this will come when she muscles up as she matures.

2nd Penkhalas Kinguvaatka (Mrs L and Miss E Howarth and Phillips)

Another eyecatching youngster with beautiful lightfooted movement and lovely structure. Somewhat loose coming and going, as you would expect from a dog of her age, but really good muscle tone. Excellent shoulder with matching angulation in the rear, super length of pelvis with a good slope to her croup allowing that long stride. Tailset just right. Good medium, oval bone and very good feet. Nice length of neck and a lovely head with a melting expression. Earset could be higher for perfection.

3rd Elleonia Perfect Storm at Snodragon (AI) JW (Miss J Caudy)

A pretty little lady with a soft, gentle expression and high set ears of correct shape. Good proportions and bone, correct oval ribcage with flattened sides and a decent length of loin. Slightly more slope needed to croup to be ideal, tail set a little high. Very good angulation, especially in the shoulder which is excellent. Very good shape of chest. Moved well coming and going, but didn’t have quite the reach of 2.

Novice Bitch (2/0 Abs)

1st Inukshuk Hello Darkness (Miss A V Bryson)

This lovely bitch caught my eye as soon as she walked into the ring with her moderate bone and lovely angulation. Really well constructed all through, she has a super ribcage and topline, nice firm loin and a sloping croup. Good oval feet and correct slope of front pastern. Leg to body length ratio good. Very nice front structure overall with a well arched neck when she dropped her head. Absolutely beautiful foxy head and expression with well shaped ears. I would have liked them higher set for perfection. Movement sound and lightfooted, with excellent reach and drive, tending towards a single track coming and going.

2nd Coldfeet’s Non Stop (Mr P and Mrs K Jones)

My notes say this class was close, two very well constructed girls! Very good muscle on this young lady with a strong topline and a good loin. Lovely slope of croup and correct tailset. Angulation balanced front and rear, good medium bone and very nice oval feet. Good ear shape and set, lovely almond obliquely set eyes, perhaps a little more refinement in her muzzle would be ideal. Moved very well with good reach and drive and a lovely single track, but didn’t quite have the scope of 1 in side movement. 

Graduate Bitch (4/0 Abs)

1st Charoite Cassidy (Ms M Hannam)

This girl impressed me with her outstanding angulation and proportions, absolutely spot on for size and leg length. Really good oval bone, not overdone, equal bone lengths front and rear and very good muscle tone. Loin arched and strong, croup sloping nicely to a correct tailset. Feet very good, pasterns strong and correctly sloped. Moved so well with an easy lightfooted stride. Her head is very typical with beautiful obliquely set eyes and a gentle, happy expression. Well shaped ears, could perhaps be set higher, but she was reluctant to use them on the day, perhaps due to the wind.

2nd Forstal’s Elfin (Mrs L and Miss E Howarth and Phillips)

A really beautiful young Siberian with so much promise, such a pretty, foxy head with a mischievous expression and lovely ear and eye set. Super angulation both front and rear, super medium oval bone and excellent muscle condition. I especially liked the length and slope of her croup and her very well defined, strong loin. Great feet and so sound. Unfortunately she was unsettled on the move and she didn’t have the reach and drive of 1. I am sure she will have a lot of success once she matures.

3rd Inukshuk Ride The Storm (Miss A V Bryson)

Another girl with excellent structure, proportions and angulation. Balanced front and rear, good bone lengths and super shoulder. Lovely muscle tone with a nice arch over the loin and well muscled upper thigh. Sloping croup with a well set tail. Lovely head with a kind, cheeky expression. Ears could be set higher, but very nice shape. Good length of neck with that all important arch. Not quite the reach and drive on the move of 1 and 2, but very sound and correct coming and going.

Post Graduate Bitch (4/0 Abs)

1st Sakino’s Envy at Ashtrax (Mrs H J Snelson)

This super black and white girl impressed me with her sound movement, she has an easy ground covering stride and an economical gait coming and going. Her angulation is excellent with a really good layback of upper arm and very nice, matching turn of stifle. Great slope to her croup and correct tailset. As she matures I expect her chest to drop a little and her topline to tighten, but she has good strong muscle for her age. Nice medium bone and oval feet. Correct length of neck. Ideally I would like to see more almond shaped eyes and a higher earset to match her lovely head shape. Overall one with a lot of promise for the future.

2nd Seppfire Elvira of Sledsuka (T Thomas)

Another outstanding mover, this young lady impressed me so much with her scope and power, plus her single track coming and going was a pleasure to see. Her muscle tone was notable because she had such strong, hard flat muscle all through, nothing overstated but absolutely standard fitting and just what I would want on a good working dog. Good proportions, balanced, moderate angulation front and rear and especially strong feet. Nice slope of croup and good tailset. I liked her length of neck and her keen, mischievous expression. Ideally she could have had a slightly more refined, more feminine head and higher set ears to complete the picture. Very unlucky to meet 1 on the day and places could easily change as she matures.

3rd Tsaritsa’s Atalanta (Mrs L and Miss E Howarth and Phillips)

A nice grey and white girl with a super body, topline and proportions. Overall very typy and has excellent oval bone, not overdone in any way. Good muscle and a really super arch to her loin, plus well muscled thighs. I would have liked a lower tailset but she carried it well and her pelvis is a good length. Very good, oval feet and super arch to her neck. She was quite unsettled on the move which made it a little difficult to assess her stride, but she covered plenty of ground in profile. 

Limit Bitch (8/0 Abs)

1st Sakino’s Epic Sass to Navajos (Mr and Mrs M R N Emery)

What a lovely lady this little pied girl is! Everything in the right place, such good angulation and balance throughout, nice proportions and lovely length and slope of pastern leading to super feet. Her neck has a beautiful arch and she has really good shaped ears well set. Her head is foxy and refined and she has a bright expression full of life. Good muscle tone and a lovely double coat, nice length of croup and well set tail. At the moment she is a little high at the back end which is normal for her age and will resolve with time. She moved with drive and ease, really sound coming and going. I am sure she will go to the very top, she has such sparkle.

2nd Penkhalas Keona (Mr A S and Ms P M Bowering and Evans)

Another very typy girl with everything in the right place. Super shoulder with matching turn of stifle and excellent medium, oval bone. Strong pasterns correctly sloped and good tight, oval feet. Very good topline with a well defined loin. Good croup with a nice slope and correct tailset. Such a gentle expression and a head of good proportions, very nicely arched neck with plenty of reach. A bit out of coat today as is normal at this time of year. Moved with reach and drive, covering plenty of ground, sound coming and going. 

3rd Icebex Morning Steeler (Miss K and Miss R Munday and Cunningham)

A very workmanlike girl with great balance and correct bone and proportions. She had such a happy expression and a really classic head with obliquely set eyes. Nice shoulder angulation with a long scapula, I would have liked to see more slope to her front pasterns but her feet are well shaped and strong. Excellent topline with a well defined loin and a long, well sloped croup. Tailset very good. Movement was so good with a lightfooted, easy stride and a correct single track coming and going.

Open Bitch (14/2 Abs)

1st Ch. Inukshuk Iqniq O’The Night JW (Miss A V Bryson)

This lovely lady took my eye as soon as she came into the ring and she didn’t disappoint once I had a closer look. She is just a classic Siberian with everything in the right place, understated but correct, so pretty and yet practical as well. I loved her foxlike head, her mischievous, enquiring expression and her beautiful, proudly arched neck. Her topline is level and strong and her leg to body ratio is super. Lovely sloping croup with a correctly set, fox-brush tail. Her loin is strong and slightly arched, her whole rear assembly is well muscled but not overdone and she sailed round the ring with a fantastic far reaching stride that was a pleasure to watch. RBCC.

2nd Inneska Black Pearl (Mr J and Mrs D McInnes)

Another beautiful bitch with a real air of quality and that lovely spark of mischief in her eyes. Beautiful head with correct high set ears and obliquely set eyes, nice arch of neck and excellent shoulder. Good layback of upper arm and very good pasterns and feet. Her topline is strong and level with a good arch to the loin and she has nice medium bone with a correct slope to her front pasterns. Good rear angulation, perhaps a bit more slope to her croup would be ideal. Moved soundly with excellent reach, very nice coming and going. 

3rd Charmedkelz Sugar Bear at Rozgobel (Mrs A Dyson)

A very pretty girl with such a sweet, happy expression and a very typical head shape. Lovely earset and nice length of neck. Well angulated front and rear, super medium bone and nice body proportions. Good level topline, correct oval ribcage with flattened sides, good turn of stifle and lovely muscle. Needs more slope and length to her croup. Moved very well, plenty of front reach, correct coming and going.

Veteran Bitch (8/1 Abs)

1st Ch. Penkhalas Kaska JW (Mr A S and Ms P M Bowering and Evans)

This beautiful girl took my breath away as she floated round the ring, she is such a lovely Siberian with presence, poise and refinement. Her movement is just outstanding, she appears to move effortlessly but nevertheless covers plenty of ground and she is so sound and lightfooted. Excellent angulation front and rear, leg length to height ratio spot on and all her bone lengths equal. Lovely topline, correct arched loin and super muscle tone. Excellent sloping croup, tailset and carriage, her feet are well shaped and strong. Everything about her construction is medium, moderate and efficient. She has a most exquisite head and expression, so foxlike and finely chiselled with high set ears and those typical obliquely set, almond shaped eyes. I simply couldn’t fault her and was delighted to be able to award her BCC and BOB. I was so proud to see her shortlisted in a strong Working Group later in the day.

2nd Inukshuk Kunik O’Ullaktut (Miss A V Bryson)

A very pretty lady with outstanding front angulation, another with very good proportions and moderate bone, giving an overall picture of an efficient sled dog. Good level topline with a nice arch to her loin, very nice bend of stifle and enough muscle in the second thigh. Good croup and tailset. Oval feet and strong pasterns. Moved soundly with a long stride, correct coming and going. Such a kind, melting expression and good ear shape. Won her placing on her excellent construction and moderate build.

3rd Norste Kanguyak (Mr S and Mrs N Shaw)

Such a beautiful girl, she has a meltingly pretty head with a gentle, timeless expression and a super arched neck. Ears of correct shape set high and a lovely, refined, feminine head. Correct level topline and very good muscle tone. Leg length and bone was very good and she has a well defined, arched loin. Outstanding rear construction with a good length and slope of croup, well set tail and excellent muscling. I would have liked a little more length of upper arm to balance this. She moved well with a lightfooted, ground covering stride.