Midland Counties Canine Society

Thank you to the Committee for the kind invitation to judge at this year's show. It was a pleasure, made all the more enjoyable by friendly and supportive exhibitors. The camaraderie and good humour around the ring were a real pleasure to see and a credit to the breed. My sincere thanks to everyone for their entries and for accepting my decisions with grace. I am also indebted to my ring stewards, Jodie and David, whose cheerful assistance and efficiency helped make the appointment such an enjoyable one.

891. Catalan Sheepdog - Junior Dog

Entries: 1, Absentees: 0

1st 2927 Bouvibear Emerald Banjo (Mrs T & Mr D Roberts)

Seventeen months old, this young male presents a pleasing, well-proportioned outline. Masculine head with correct pigmentation of the lips and palate, black nose and an attractive, alert expression. Good length of neck, depth of chest and bone. Correct double dewclaws on the hind legs and a pleasing topline. Coat of correct texture and development for his age. Particularly liked his keen interest in everything going on around him, so characteristic of the breed. Excelled on the move, true coming and going, with a smooth and effortless action in profile. A promising youngster with much to like. Well handled. RBD

892. Catalan Sheepdog - Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 2, Absentees: 1

1st 2931 Peregos Lone Ranger (Mrs L & Mr D Stevenson)

Two years old, masculine male presenting a slightly square outline. Well-proportioned head with correct pigmentation of the lips and palate and lovely dark eyes giving a typical, intelligent expression. Good length of neck and depth of chest, correct double dewclaws and a pleasing tail. Coat of correct texture. Tended to stand a little hunched and did not always maintain his topline on the move. However, having answered a call of nature in the ring, I suspect this may have contributed to his somewhat unsettled stance and movement today. Well handled.

893. Catalan Sheepdog - Open Dog

Entries: 3, Absentees: 0

1st 2920 Bouvibear Rockefeller Gem JA (Miss T L Adkin & Mr C M Pickering)

Seventeen months old, a particularly breed-typical male presenting an attractive, well-proportioned outline. Excellent head with well-placed ears, correct pigmentation of the lips, gums and palate and a lovely, characteristic expression. Good topline, correct double dewclaws and a well-carried tail with the typical slight hook at the end. Coat of correct texture. Particularly impressed on the move, showing a smooth, free and effortless gait while maintaining his outline throughout. Beautifully handled and presented. A quality youngster who impressed with his overall breed type and movement. BD

2nd 2924 Ir Ch Holybeck Ticket to Ride to Starwell del Riu Gost (Imp ESP) Bel JCh (Mrs A Fieldsend & Mrs C Kirkland)

Four years old, another very breed typical male presenting a well proportioned, balanced outline. Masculine head with well placed ears, good pigmentation and a black nose. Correct double dewclaws and coat of the required texture. Tends to carry his tail a little gaily on the move but otherwise presents an attractive picture. Just preferred the more positive, effortless movement of the winner today, although two quality males with much to like about both. Well handled.

894. Catalan Sheepdog - Veteran Dog

Entries: 1, Absentees: 0

1st 2925 Le Magicien D'oz Du Clos Millette at Peregos VW (Imp FRA) (Mrs D Hansford & Miss C Donnelly)

Approaching eleven years of age and in wonderful condition for his age, looking and moving like a much younger dog. Masculine head although muzzle and skull are approximately equal in length. Well-placed ears, black nose and a lovely, typical expression. Good pigmentation of the palate. Correct double dewclaws and excellent coat texture, beautifully presented. Still moves with a smooth and easy gait, although just tends to lose his topline a little on the move, perhaps the only indication of his advancing years. A real credit to his owners for maintaining him in such excellent condition. BV

895. Catalan Sheepdog - Special Beginners

Entries: 1, Absentees: 0

1st 2928 Bouvibear Catalina Emerald (Mrs C J & Mr G Sherriff)

Seventeen months old, feminine bitch presenting a pleasing, well-proportioned outline. Pretty feminine head with muzzle and skull approximately equal in length, would prefer a slightly shorter muzzle to give more correct breed proportions. Well placed ears, black nose and correct pigmentation. Moderate but balanced angulations front and rear. Correct coat texture. Tail has the characteristic hook, although carried in a rather tight curl. A little restricted in profile movement today. Sympathetically handled and I am sure that with a little more experience together they will be able to show themselves to better advantage. BSB

897. Catalan Sheepdog - Junior Bitch

Entries: 1, Absentees: 0

1st 2919 Bouvibear Isabella Emerald (Miss T L Adkin & Mr C M Pickering)

Seventeen months old feminine bitch presenting a pleasing, well-proportioned outline. Feminine head with a beautiful, typical expression, lovely dark pigmentation, black nose and correct mouth. Good neck and depth of chest for her age, although would like to see a little more development through the forechest. Correct double dewclaws and a correct tail with the characteristic slight hook at the end. Coat of correct texture for her age. Moves very well in profile once she gets into her stride, showing a smooth, free and easy action. Still some maturing to do, but lots to like. Very well presented and handled. RBB

899. Catalan Sheepdog - Open Bitch

Entries: 1, Absentees: 0

1st 2921 Ir/Bel/Nld/Int Ch Starwell Here We Go Again to Bouvibear CPW22 Ir/Nld/Bel JCh (Miss T L Adkin & Mr C M Pickering)

Five years old, lovely bitch presenting a beautifully balanced, well-proportioned outline. Excellent feminine head, retaining the strength required in the breed with well placed ears, black nose, excellent pigmentation of the palate and an appealing intelligent expression. Good length of neck flowing into a pleasing topline, with balanced angulation front and rear. Tail reaching to the hock with the characteristic slight hook at the end. Correct double dewclaws and coat texture. Really comes into her own on the move, showing beautifully balanced, smooth and effortless profile movement. Moves true coming and going. Beautifully handled and presented. A lovely bitch who particularly appealed for her overall balance, breed type and movement. BB & BOB

900. Catalan Sheepdog - Veteran Bitch

Entries: 2, Absentees: 1

1st 2926 Peregos Minerva's Wisdom (Mrs D Hansford & Miss C Donnelly)

Eight years old, veteran bitch in lovely condition for her age, presenting a pleasing, slightly rectangular outline. Feminine head, would prefer a slightly shorter muzzle to give the desired proportions. Black nose, good pigmentation of the palate and a lovely, typical, inquiring expression. Neck could perhaps be a touch longer but a pleasing topline and good depth of chest. Tail reaching to the hock with a slight hook at the end. Correct double dewclaws and good coat texture. Particularly liked her movement, still showing a smooth, free and effortless gait that belies her years. A credit to her owners for keeping her in such lovely condition.