Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

My apologies for the delay in submitting my critique but there have been a few obstacles that got in the way over the past couple of weeks. Soft Coated Wheatens are a breed I have a close affinity with, and I always enjoy judging them. In the main the entry was very sound with excellent temperaments and good colour throughout. I did fine plenty with heavy or not well placed ears which spoils the overall impression of the head and the expression.  Thank you to the exhibitors for their entry and for accepting my decision in a sporting manner. 

Veteran Dog (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: PATTERSON, Mr Gary & PATTERSON, Mrs Christine Ch Snowmeadow Sauls Symphony To Gavleash. This masculine boy is 9 years of age and in excellent condition, lovely type, head of correct proportions, with his large black nose, correct bite. He presents a lovely outline with level topline and excellent tail set and carriage, standing correctly fore and aft. Angulations good, with good spring of ribcage. His coat is an excellent colour and texture. He moves very soundly in front, would prefer a shade more drive behind. A very natural unexaggerated dog. 

 2nd: SATHERLEY, Mrs C & SATHERLEY, Mr C W & BYE, Mrs H UK Am Can Ch Int Silkcroft Freeze Frame (re Import) Jw Bel Jun. Another impressive dog nearing 9 years of age, presented in excellent condition. His head is of good proportions with correct bite and nice eye, would prefer tidier ears. Presenting a balanced outline, good ribcage that is well ribbed back, with a level back and correct tail set. He has plenty of angulations fore and aft and this apparent on the move where he shows plenty of reach and drive. His colour is excellent and coat falls in waves. Well-presented and handled. 

3rd: GRIMES-WATSON, Mrs Joanne & WATSON, Mr Gavin Janeyjimjams Jem Devlin

Puppy Dog (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: DUNHILL-HALL, Miss M Fantasa Blonde Z'one

This 10 month old youngster is masculine with head of good proportions, large black nose correct bite and nice eye, ears need to settle. With good angulations fore and aft, he has a well sprung ribcage, level topline both stacked and on the move, with an excellent tail set and carriage. He moves well in profile with plenty of reach and drive, carrying his head and tail up, sound behind, front action a shade unsettled. His coat is exactly what I would expect for his age and the colour is clear throughout. BPD. One I will follow with interest. 

 2nd SATHERLEY, Mrs C & SATHERLEY, Mr C W Silkcroft Play On Repeat

This male is almost 12 months of age and presents a balanced outline with a level back, he has good head proportions with the correct bite and large black nose. His ribcage is well sprung with a good tail set. He moves soundly with a balanced profile, good colour throughout.   

3rd: SHRIVE, Mrs E M & SHRIVE, Mr R A Clanhanna Stand And Deliver

Junior Dog (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: FALLON, Mrs Alison Snowmeadow Uncle Ugo At Crofftysofty

This 12-month-old boy has a lot of lovely qualities and is a lovely size. His head has good proportions, correct bite and nice eye. He has good angulations, well sprung ribcage and good depth to chest. He stands well and unexaggerated fore and aft with a level topline and good tail set and carriage. He moves very soundly in all aspect, scoring in his front action. He has a lovely coat texture; colour will need to clear on head. Presented and handled well.  

 2nd: LUI, Mrs Laura Norkett Eblanahalls Gold Fascinus JW

Another lovely youngster who is 16 months of age. A different type to one, but that said he has good head proportions, correct bite and lovely eye. His angulations are good fore and aft, good depth to his chest with a well sprung ribcage that is well ribbed back. He holds a level topline both stacked and on the move. He moves with reach and drive and is very sound behind. Just wasn’t fully giving his all on the move today. Well presented with an abundant coat of an excellent colour.  

3rd: FRANCIS, Mr & Mrs K Denzilly Making Waves With Sawheaten

Post Graduate Dog (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WOOLLEY, Mr Nick Imp Amivista's Bunch Excuse Me (Imp NLD)

This 3 year old boy is masculine with head of good proportions with the correct bite and a nice eye and large nose. He has acceptable angulations; a little more return to his upper arm would be to his advantage. He holds a level topline both stacked and on the move with a well sprung ribcage. Moves with drive behind, front action good, but overall could do with more reach. Well-presented and handled.  

Limit Dog (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: GENT, Ms S & LEES, Mr Robert Sumirick Eye Of The Storm (ai)

22 month old dog who is masculine, with head of good proportions, good eyes correct bite. His ribcage is well sprung and well ribbed back, the upper arm is a little steep but has an acceptable lay of shoulder. He holds a level back both stacked and, on the move, and moves soundly. A shade more reach an drive would be to his advantage. Very happy and well-presented and handled. 

Open Dog (5 Entries) Abs: 0

A lovely class of quality males. 

1st: HANNA, Mrs B R & WALSH, Mr A Ch Teaghlach Angel Kinaelan (Sp Imp)

This 3 and a half year old male has a classic head for the breed, with its excellent proportions, ears of a proportionate size to the head that are well placed, correct bite and that large black nose. He presented a well-balanced outline and stood well fore and aft, with good angulations. Nothing exaggerated about this dog, no matter what way I viewed him. He has a good spring of ribcage, good depth of chest and holds a level topline both stacked and on the move. All of this is topped off with his excellent tail set and carriage. On the move he is a joy to watch, shown on a loose lead carrying his head and tail up, he reaches and drives and is sound in all aspects. His coat fall is loose waves and is a wonderful texture and he is a clear colour throughout. He was presented and handled well. This male was my Rec CC winner the last time I judged. Dog CC. Wonderful type.  

2nd: WYNTER, Miss Poppy & SATHERLEY, Mr CW & SATHERLEY, Lakkas Yankee Sweet Silkcroft (imp Swe) JW. This three old male presented a lovely outline both stacked and on the move. He is masculine with head of good proportions, correct bite. With good angulations fore and aft, well sprung ribcage and chest of good dept. He has an excellent tail set and a clear good colour. He moved soundly in all aspects. Another natural dog, that isn’t overdone. Just preferred the overall type of 1. Res CC 

3rd: CLARKE, Mr J & Mrs P G Flaxela Perfect Storm

Veteran Bitch (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: SATHERLEY, Mrs Cheryl & SATHERLEY, Mr Chris Ch Silkcroft Place Your Bets

She was the one to beat in bitches from the moment I went over her. I found out later she was my open bitch winner and res cc from the last time I judged. What a pretty picture she presents. 7 years of age, with excellent head proportions, correct bite and ears of a lovely size, which were well placed. She has good angulations fore and aft and she is a very natural and unexaggerated. She has a well sprung ribcage, good depth of chest with a good tail set and carriage. She moved soundly in all aspects with her head and tail up. She has a lovely coat texture which is clear in colour throughout. Wheatens in general get better with age and this lady is no exception. In the challenge she never stopped showing making the most of all her attributes. Presented handled well. CC & BOB & Best Veteran

2nd: 4460 LUI, Mrs Laura Norkett Eblanahalls Honeytrap JW

Another lovely veteran who is will soon be 9 years. She is a lovely size, and she has excellent head proportions and large black nose. She stands well fore and aft holding her topline both stacked and on the move. With good angulations, she has a well sprung ribcage and good depth to chest. She is not exaggerated or overdone. Good tail set Moves soundly, just a shade close behind. Good coat texture and colour. Presented and handled well. 

Puppy Bitch (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: SATHERLEY, Mrs C & SATHERLEY, Mr C W Silkcroft Going Viral

This very smart girl of almost 12 months old presents a well-balanced outline, head of good proportions correct bite, nice eye and colour. She is not overdone and has good angulations fore and aft, well sprung ribcage which is well ribbed back. She scores on the move being sound in all aspects, a positive mover. Good coat texture and clear colour for her age. A very smart and happy youngster who just loves herself. Best Puppy. 

Junior Bitch (5 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: MUNN, Mr S & Mrs S Snowmeadow Unforget Ubble

This feminine girl is just 12 months of age of a lovely type. With a head of good proportions, with correct bite, with a large black nose. She has good angulations and stands well fore and aft with a well sprung ribcage and is well ribbed back, holding her topline both stacked and on the move. With a good tail set, a lovely coat, with clear colour throughout. She moves soundly fore and aft, a little more pace to show off her profile action would be to her advantage. Well-presented and handled. A lot to like about this bitch.

2nd: JEFFERIES, Miss Chloe & JEFFERIES, Dr Peter & JEFF Snowmeadow Una Ulisse

Another female of a good type and litter sister to 1st. She has balanced head proportions with correct bite. She stands well fore and aft with ample angulations, good depth of chest with well sprung ribcage. She has a level topline both stacked and on the move with a good tail set. Moving soundly. She has a good coat texture. Presented and handled well. 

3rd: EVANS, HAMMOND, Mr & Ms S V, T J Calvenace Rebel Rebel

Post Graduate Bitch (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: EVANS, HAMMOND, Mr & Ms S V, T J Calvenace Ruby Tuesday

This 4 year old girl is quite a character who made me smile. Head of good proportions, well sprung ribcage that is well ribbed back. She has good angulations in front with a good return of upper arm. Her ribcage is well sprung, and she holds a good topline and has a decent tail set. She was hard to fully assess on the move as she was somewhat unsettled, the front action was true . Hind action could not be fully evaluated. Well presented.

Limit Bitch (5 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: FALLON, Mrs Alison Crofftysofty Bee Yonce

This 2 year old female is feminine of a good size and nice type with good head proportions, correct bite. She stands well fore and aft with good angulations, well sprung ribcage and is well ribbed back. She is a lovely type and with a well-proportioned outline. She moves well in profile and in front, positive behind. She has a lovely coat of good texture. This female is not overdone or exaggerated. Well-presented and handled. 

2nd: 4474 SATHERLEY, Mrs C & SATHERLEY, Mr C W & BYE, Mrs H Silkcroft Just Like Magic

Another lovely feminine girl, with good head proportions, well balanced in outline, with level topline both stacked and on the move and correct tail set and carriage. She has good angulations fore and aft with a well sprung ribcage, that is well ribbed back. She moved soundly and was presented and handled well. Another female not overdone or exaggerated. Good coat texture and clear colour through. Presented and handled well. 

3rd: 4441 DOWDY, Ms & Mr Jl & Gj Denzilly Waking The Witch (ai)

Open Bitch (9 Entries) Abs: 1

A lovely class.

1st: GRIMES-WATSON, Mrs Joanne & WATSON, Mr Gavin Keevasdream Purple Bliss For Spudler

A lovely size, feminine correct bite, large nose and well-placed ears. She stood well fore and aft with a level topline and good tail set. With good angulations she has a good depth to her chest, well sprung ribcage that is well ribbed back. She moved soundly in all aspects and at a good pace. Her coat is a good colour and texture. Not exaggerated or overdone. Well-presented and handled. Res CC

2nd: 4468 SATHERLEY, Mrs C & SATHERLEY, Mr C W Ch Silkcroft Never Miss A Beat

This seven year old is in excellent condition. Here head is of good proportional albeit a little strong for me. Well balanced in outline, standing well fore and aft with good angulations, good depth of chest and well sprung ribcage that is well ribbed back. She holds her topline both stacked and on the move with a good tail set. She moved soundly in all aspects. Great coat texture and colour. 

3rd: 4457 HUGHLOCK, Mrs Carol & HUGHLOCK, Mr Graham Keevasdream Ballerina Blue JW ShCEx OSW