English Shetland Sheepdog Club

English Shetland Sheepdog Club – Single Breed Open Show

20 June 2026

I would like to thank the Committee of the English Shetland Sheepdog Club for inviting me to judge their traditional Single Breed Open Show in June. It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to accept this appointment.

I was delighted to see such an excellent entry of 104 Shelties with very few absentees. The overall quality of the exhibits was outstanding, and the competition was strong in virtually every class. It was a pleasure to judge so many quality Shelties.

Overall, the dogs were of correct size, good dentition, healthy, sound and in good condition with clean, well-prepared coat. I was particularly pleased with the temperaments. The vast majority of the exhibits were friendly, confident, well trained and beautifully presented.

If I may offer one observation, I felt that a few exhibits were carrying a little too much weight and would have benefited from improved muscle tone. Careful attention to diet and regular exercise to develop muscle condition can make a significant difference, not only to the overall appearance of the dog but also to its movement, coat condition and ring performance.

Finally, my sincere thanks go to all the exhibitors for presenting their dogs in such sporting spirit and excellent condition. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to my steward, Linda Nicholas, whose efficient organisation of the ring ensured that the judging ran smoothly and professionally throughout the day.

Minor Puppy Dog (1, 1)

Puppy Dog (2, 0)

1st – Shellamoyed Secret Blend

An appealing youngster with much to like. Correct dentition and a particularly sweet, well-proportioned head complemented by dark, expressive eyes and well-used ears. Presents an attractive outline with super rich coat and moved freely, holding a balanced silhouette at all times. Nicely prepared and confidently handled to take this class.

2nd – Lianbray Launcelot

A promising nine-month-old who is still very much developing. Correct mouth and an appealing expression with pleasing head properties. Although a little unsettled when moving today, he never stopped trying for his handler and showed glimpses of the balanced action to come as he matures. One to watch as he gains confidence and finishes developing.

Junior Dog (4, 0)

1st – Cuilshelties Touch of Class with Grandgenes

Quality youngster with excellent breed type. Correct dentition. Showing beautiful movement, covering the ground with an effortless, flowing action while maintaining a striking outline. Well-angulated throughout with an attractive head and pleasing colour. Although carrying less coat at present, his sound construction showed through, making him a convincing class winner.

2nd – Sheltisha The One and Only

Another quality exhibit, this attractive blue displaying a lovely overall picture. Good mouth, balanced outline and pleasing head with correctly placed eyes and neat ears creating the desired sweet expression. Sound bone and straight front completed the picture, with a good coat enhancing the overall presentation. Just preferred the movement of the winner.

Novice Dog (5, 1)

1st – Milesend Dancing Master at Ketim

A thoroughly honest exhibit who impressed for overall balance and soundness. Correct dentition, pleasing headpiece with well-set ears and expressive eyes, supported by good forequarters, well-sprung ribs and a correctly carried tail. Moved positively with a steady, true action and was presented in excellent condition. A delightful temperament completed the picture.

2nd – Ferngrove’s Onyx

An attractive tricolour who catches the eye when standing. Good mouth and a pleasing outline with a well-presented coat. Has a pleasant head and gentle expression and was shown sympathetically throughout. At times he was a little unsettled on the move, but once relaxed demonstrated the free movement and balance that secured this placing.

Post Graduate Dog (12, 2)

1st – Milesend Black Tartan

A quality tricolour who appealed immediately for his overall construction and breed type. Correct dentition and a well-balanced outline with good ribbing, strong parallel limbs and sufficient bone. Attractive head with expressive eyes and well-carried ears, all enhanced by a coat in excellent order. Moved with purpose and accuracy to complete a very pleasing performance.

2nd – Auberswell Star Trooper

Another well-made dog with much to admire. Correct mouth, balanced throughout and presenting a pleasing overall picture. Sweet expression, aided by well-shaped eyes and neat ears, together with good bone and straight limbs. Carried a quality coat and moved freely around the ring, just lacking the finish and presence of the winner today.

Limit Dog

1st – Runnerdale Jammy Dodger

A very attractive exhibit who excelled in overall balance. Correct dentition, pleasing expression and neat ears all contributed to his typical Sheltie appearance. Moved with freedom and purpose while maintaining an excellent outline. Expert handling showed him to full advantage and secured him the class.

2nd – Hillhenry In Your Honour

A striking dog with exceptional balance and a beautifully moulded head. Presents an impressive silhouette with excellent front construction and a quality coat, all immaculately turned out. A true showman who never stopped performing. Today I just preferred the overall movement of the winner, but this was a close decision between two worthy dogs.

Open Dog (10, 3)

1st – Beldones Just a Hunch

An eye-catching exhibit who impressed from the moment he entered the ring. Correct mouth, beautifully balanced throughout and possessing a lovely head with sweet expression, well-set ears and dark eyes. Moved with exceptional reach and drive, producing the effortless, floating action so typical of the breed. A thoroughly deserving winner of the class and Reserve Best Dog.

2nd – Tooralie’s Tornado

A handsome bicolour shown in excellent condition with coat of pleasing texture and colour. Correct dentition and a well-balanced frame complemented by an attractive head, expressive eyes and neat ears giving the desired gentle expression. Covered the ground with sound, easy movement and pushed the winner hard throughout.

Veteran Dog (6, 1)

1st – Monasys Dream Date of Lizmark

A wonderful veteran who immediately caught my eye for his quality and unmistakable breed type. Correct dentition and a beautifully balanced outline with clean head planes, sweet expression, well-set ears and dark, expressive eyes. Sound front and rear construction with parallel legs and good angulation throughout, enabling him to move with the easy, effortless action. His excellent coat and immaculate presentation completed a thoroughly classy picture. Looking remarkably well for his years and shown to perfection, he fully deserved Best Dog, Best Veteran and ultimately Reserve Best in Show.

2nd – Highbrook Hobnob

Another veteran of considerable merit who presented an attractive, balanced outline. Correct mouth and a pleasing head with sweet eyes and well-used ears giving a gentle expression. Stood beautifully throughout the class and moved soundly on parallel legs, never putting a foot wrong. A quality exhibit who was simply unfortunate to meet such an outstanding winner.

Minor Puppy Bitch (4, 0)

1st – Zaniah’s Chasing the Storm

A delightful baby. Correct dentition and already showing pleasing balance and construction for her age. Well-made throughout with good legs and a confident outline, she moved freely around the ring and responded well to her handler. Still gaining confidence but showed herself beautifully, making her a pleasure to assess.

2nd – Shenachie Merry Dawn

A well-grown sable puppy with much to admire. Correct dentition, good neck and sound limbs supporting an attractive outline. At times a little unsettled, as babies often are, but when relaxed she moved positively and with purpose. Another promising youngster who should continue to improve with experience.

Puppy Bitch (9, 2)

1st – Shellamoyed Secret Love

An outstanding puppy who combines quality with excellent breed type. Correct dentition and lovely overall balance, with the correct size, elegant neck and sound construction. Sweet feminine head and expression, complemented by free, effortless movement that never lost its outline. A thoroughly deserving winner of the class, later awarded Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Show.

2nd – Cocaro The Enchantress

A very attractive youngster with much to like. Correct mouth, firm topline and a rich, well-presented coat. Pretty head with feminine expression and moved soundly throughout. Expertly handled to show her many virtues. On this occasion I preferred the slightly longer neck and overall balance of the winner, but this was another quality puppy.

Junior Bitch (4, 1)

1st – Mohnesee Ria’ly A Dream

A lovely young bitch of excellent breed type. Correct dentition with a particularly sweet head, dark expressive eyes and neatly carried ears creating the desired Sheltie expression. Balanced outline with a pleasing topline and moved freely around the ring with confidence. I was delighted to learn she had completed the requirements for her Junior Warrant today, at just only 10 month of age—many congratulations to her owners.

2nd – Shazbec Dolly Daydream

An attractive tricolour who appealed for her lovely feminine head and expression. Correct mouth, pleasing topline and a particularly strong rear assembly. Front still has a little maturing to do, but she moved well and was presented and handled with great skill throughout.

Novice Bitch (9, 0)

1st – Shadowess Moonlight Blue

An eye-catching blue bitch with excellent breed character. Correct dentition and a balanced, well-constructed frame supported by parallel legs and good angulation. Attractive head with pleasant expression, well-set ears and correctly shaped eyes. Moved with freedom and accuracy while displaying an excellent show temperament throughout. A worthy class winner.

2nd – Highbrook HotPants

Another pleasing exhibit who presented a balanced picture. Correct mouth, good overall outlines and an attractive feminine expression with well-carried ears. Straight limbs and sound construction allowed her to move freely around the ring, giving a consistently pleasing performance.

Post Graduate Bitch (17, 4)

1st – Kishdigra Atomic Goddess of Sionnachdu

A quality bitch who appealed for her overall balance and proportions. Correct dentition with pleasing size and substance without exaggeration. Good ribbing, parallel limbs and sound movement, all enhanced by a coat in excellent condition. Well handled throughout and never stopped showing.

2nd – Willowthorn’s Roulette

A lovely feminine bitch with particularly appealing eyes and expression. Correct dentition and neat ears completing a typical head. Moved freely and with good reach. Although not carrying her fullest coat today, the texture remained correct and her underlying quality was evident throughout.

Limit Bitch (13, 5)

1st – Rowancrest Cinderella

A stylish, well-balanced bitch who impressed with her overall construction and ring presence. Correct mouth, pleasing size and excellent angulation front and rear, with straight, parallel legs supporting a balanced outline. Covered the ground with free, effortless movement and never stopped showing. A deserving winner and later awarded Reserve Best Bitch.

2nd – Rannerdale Queen of Majic

Another quality exhibit with correct dentition with a sweet feminine head and pleasing expression. Good bone, level topline and well-made limbs, moving freely while maintaining a balanced outline. Presented in excellent order throughout.

Open Bitch (4, 1)

1st – Degallo Blonde Ambition

A truly outstanding bitch and my star of the day. Correct dentition and everything I admire in a feminine Sheltie. Beautifully balanced with an elegant topline, excellent front and rear construction, parallel limbs and a wonderfully sweet, refined expression. Her movement was effortless and ground covering, maintaining her classic outline at all times. Presented to perfection and handled with complete understanding. A thoroughly deserving Best Bitch, and one I was delighted to award Best in Show.

2nd – Sonymer Illusive Gold at Rowancrest

A quality exhibit with much to recommend. Correct mouth, beautiful head with sweet expression, well shaped ears. Excellent balance and a particularly good front assembly combined with a well-made body. Moved freely and accurately and was shown in excellent condition throughout. Met an exceptional winner on this occasion.

Veteran Bitch (8, 3)

1st – Mohnesee Sweet Dreams

A lovely veteran who has retained so much quality. Correct dentition with a beautiful feminine head, sweet expression and well-used ears. Well balanced throughout with good ribbing, sound hindquarters, straight limbs and sufficient bone. Moved soundly and with enthusiasm, presenting a thoroughly classy picture that was a pleasure to judge.

2nd – Ristine Emerald

Another lovely veteran in excellent order. Correct mouth and an attractive tricolour with clean head lines and pleasing balance throughout. Strong front and rear construction, level topline and free, positive movement completed the picture. Two quality veterans, with the winner just having the edge in overall finish on the day.

Judge Nataliya Davey, KLASSNA