Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

Australian Cattle Dogs - Darlington Championship Show

A pleasing entry of Australian Cattle Dogs, with exhibits generally displaying excellent breed type, sound temperaments and good overall construction. Movement was a strong feature in many of the principal winners, with several exhibiting the free, effortless gait and driving action essential to the breed.

Veteran Dog (1)

1st, CC, BOB & Best Veteran in Breed: Jebson's Ch Austmans Rocky Balboa

7-year-old blue male of excellent breed type and quality. A well-balanced dog presenting a masculine yet typical outline. He has a pleasing head with broad, rounded skull, strong underjaw and well-defined stop. Oval eyes, although I would prefer a slightly darker shade, and well-placed ears that were carried alertly throughout. Strong, muscular neck of good length flowing into well-laid shoulders. He stood on ample bone with strong pasterns and tight, well-arched feet. Good depth of chest, well-sprung ribs and strong loins, though slightly longer than ideal. Strong topline leading to a well-moulded croup and correctly set tail. Well-developed hindquarters with strong, straight hocks. Moved soundly in both directions with a free, easy side gait displaying good drive. Presented in excellent coat and condition. A worthy winner of the top honours today.

Puppy Dog (1)

1st: Greenhill's Didgeridont The Alchemist

7-month-old blue male with creeping tan markings. A youngster of good substance and breed type with an excellent temperament. Pleasing head with strong underjaw and defined stop, complemented by dark oval eyes and correctly placed ears. Strong neck and well-laid shoulders, standing on good bone with strong pasterns and compact feet. Good depth of chest and ribbing, with strong loins. His topline still requires maturity and firmness, and he carries a slightly high tail set. Well-developed hindquarters with straight hocks. Moved soundly, although a little wide behind at this stage, and showed a free-moving side gait with good drive. Presented in good coat and showing much promise for the future.

Post Graduate Dog (1)

1st: Greenhill's Evaland Vuk (Imp Lv)

19-month-old blue male of the upper size range. A quality exhibit with excellent temperament and pleasing breed type. Attractive headpiece with broad skull, strong underjaw and defined stop. I would prefer a darker eye. Strong neck leading into well-laid shoulders and supported by ample bone and strong, compact feet. Good depth of brisket and spring of rib. Strong loins, although slightly longer than ideal, and a sound topline flowing into a well-moulded croup and tail set. Well-developed hindquarters with strong hocks. Moved soundly with good reach and drive, although he took some time to settle and show to full advantage. Well presented in coat and condition.

Open Dog (2)

1st, Reserve CC: Jebson's Ch Austmans Uh Oh

2-year-old blue male of medium size and pleasing proportions. Excellent temperament and breed type. He possesses a good head with broad, rounded skull, strong underjaw and defined stop, complemented by dark oval eyes and alert ear carriage. Strong neck of moderate length flowing into well-laid shoulders. Good bone, strong pasterns and tight feet. Well-developed chest and ribbing with firm loins. Strong back, although rising slightly over the rump. Good width of thigh, though I would prefer a little more turn of stifle. Strong, straight hocks. Moved soundly both coming and going and displayed a steady side gait with good drive. Well presented in coat and condition.

2nd: Greenhill's Didgeridont The Alchemist

Veteran Bitch (1)

1st: Greenhill's Behitha Warrigal Paws

7-year-old blue bitch with creeping tan markings. A feminine exhibit of good breed type and medium size. Pleasing head with dark oval eyes, strong underjaw and defined stop. Correct ear placement and alert expression. Strong neck leading into well-laid shoulders, although shorter in upper arm, resulting in some lift through the forehand on the move. Lighter in bone than preferred but with strong pasterns and compact feet. Good depth of chest and spring of rib, firm loins and a level back leading to a slightly high tail set. Well-developed hindquarters with strong hocks. Unfortunately, she was difficult to assess fully on the move due to her exuberance and the challenge she presented her handler, though she appeared sound and showed good drive in profile. Presented in good coat.

Puppy Bitch (2)

1st, Best Puppy in Breed: Bailey's Alira Redheart Linden Algona at Bryndingo (Imp Svk)

10-month-old red bitch of excellent quality and breed type. A very balanced youngster with pleasing proportions and outline. Feminine head with broad skull, strong underjaw, defined stop and dark oval eyes. Correct ears and a keen expression. Strong neck leading into well-laid shoulders. She stands on good bone with strong pasterns and well-arched feet. Good chest development, well-sprung ribs and strong loins. Slightly longer in body than ideal and carrying a somewhat square croup, but retaining a correct tail set. Well-developed hindquarters with strong hocks. Moved soundly with a free-flowing gait, displaying both reach and drive. Presented in good coat and, with further maturity and development, looks a very promising prospect for the future.

2nd: Greenhill's Didgeridont Evil Edna

7-month-old blue bitch who was extremely excitable and never truly settled, making a complete assessment difficult. Nevertheless, she possesses many attractive qualities, including a pleasing head, strong underjaw, defined stop, dark oval eyes and correct ear placement. Strong neck and good shoulder placement, although somewhat steep in upper arm. Good bone, strong pasterns and compact feet. Well-ribbed body with strong loins and a firm back leading into a well-moulded croup and slightly high tail set. Well-developed hindquarters with straight hocks. Movement could not be properly assessed due to her lack of cooperation on the day.

Limit Bitch (1)

1st: Greenhill's Nymph Carpain Dingo (Imp Sk)

2 1/2-year-old blue bitch of good breed type and medium size. Attractive head with broad skull, strong underjaw and dark oval eyes. Alert ears and a pleasing expression. Strong neck leading into well-laid shoulders, though somewhat steep in upper arm. Good bone, strong pasterns and compact feet. Well-developed chest and ribs with strong, though slightly long, loins. Firm back, well-moulded croup and somewhat high tail set. Strong hindquarters with straight hocks. Moved soundly and steadily with good drive. Presented in hard, fit condition.

Open Bitch (3)

1st, CC & Best Opposite Sex: Sandells' Austmans In My Element at Shawmut

2 1/2-year-old blue bitch of outstanding quality and breed type. Medium sized, beautifully balanced and presenting an excellent outline. Feminine head with broad, rounded skull, strong underjaw and defined stop. Dark oval eyes and correctly set ears carried attentively throughout. Strong muscular neck of correct length flowing into well-laid shoulders. Excellent overall construction with balanced angulation fore and aft. Stood on ample bone with strong pasterns and tight feet. Good depth of brisket, well-sprung ribs and strong loins. Firm topline leading into a well-moulded croup and correct tail set. Well-developed hindquarters with strong hocks. Moved soundly in all directions with a free, effortless stride, combining reach and drive to excellent effect. Presented in hard muscular condition and shown in excellent coat. A deserving bitch CC winner.

2nd, Reserve CC: Jebson's Ch & Swiss Ch Austmans Hold My Beer

4-year-old, another quality blue bitch of good type and proportions. Excellent temperament and presentation. Attractive head with broad skull, strong underjaw, defined stop and dark oval eyes. Strong neck into well-laid shoulders, although slightly steep in upper arm. Good bone, compact feet and strong pasterns. Well-developed body with good depth and ribbing. Strong loins, though a touch longer than preferred. Well-moulded croup and correct tail set. Sound hindquarters with straight hocks. Moved well with good drive but lacked the forward reach and overall fluency of the winner. Presented in excellent coat and condition.

3rd: Jebson's Ch Austmans Truckin' Gold

Judge: Gary Gray