Isle Of Ely Canine Society

Isle Of Ely Open Show – 7th & 8th February 2026. Frank Borg Judge Critique.

It was indeed a pleasure to be invited to judge at this very well run show. My thanks to the Committee, especially Chris and Linda Pack, for their fabulous hospitality.

RETRIEVER (FLAT COATED).

PD/B (1 Entries) Abs: 0.

1st: CARTER, Mrs Amanda - Harmarlandas Amelia – 7 month old feminine puppy with a lovely head , dark kind eye and sweet expression, good in shoulder, decent front having a deep chest and straight legs with correct bone, good spring of ribs and correct loin length. Hindquarters well constructed with well let down hocks. Ground covering movemet. In good coat and condition. Best Puppy.

JD/B (2 Entries) Abs: 0.

1st: MULLINS, Mrs Pam & MULLINS, Mr M - Seaheart Fabian At Dexanluc – Medium size dog, preferred him in this class due to a slightly better head and eye shape. Lovely expression, correct ears, good in neck and shoulders, good depth of body throughout. Correct hindquarters with moderate turn of stifle. Nice topline and tailset which he holds on the move.

2nd: SMITHERMAN, Miss G & SMITHERMAN, Mr P S W - Seaheart Fia – Close call between the two, just thought the winner had the edge when it came to head properties. Good sized bitch, heavier cast yet still so femminine troughout. Liked her front and feet, good topline and sound movement.

PGD/B (5 Entries) Abs: 0.

1st: CARTER, Mrs Amanda - Seaheart Effie At Harmarlanda JW – Took my eye as soon as she entered the ring with her well balanced outline and overall balance. Feminine head, nicely filled under dark eyes. Strong neck flowing well into her shoulders. Correct chest width and depth, stands on straight well boned legs and round feet. Well ribbed with good topline and correct tail set. Strong hindquarters having the desired muscle tone and well let down hocks. Expertly presented in good cot condition. Moved freely, straight and true fore and aft. BOB.

2nd: LEWIN, Mr M G. - Vynesbrook Ultimate Choice – Another nice female sporting a good head and overall balance. Stands on lovely legs and feet, well ribbed with correct topline, in my opinion the winner had a slightly better movement on the day.

3rd: Gemswin River Of Dreams

Res: Benvellyn Zion At Arrelladorum

 OB (2 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: LEWIN, Mr M G - Vynesbrook Deja Bleu – very nice head with kind eye, neat ears, good neck into a deep body, deep chest, correct front angulations, good bone and feet. Strong hindquarters. Nice topline and tailset which she holds beautifully on the move, Moved really well.

AV GUN/WOR/PAS Puppy Stakes.

1, Howsam & Huggan’s, Jandoes Got To Be Rosie. 8mth old Old English Sheepdog B, an absolute cracker which stood out in the numerous line-up of this class. A sturdy young specimen which was so compact and balanced, keeping the breed’s typical squarish outline both standing and moving, Presented in immaculate condition, this female stood on good legs and strong feet. Moved effortlessly with a rear driven action.

2nd: Mandley. Mrs.V. - MALTQUDOS VANITY FAYRE, Golden Retriever. This 10 month bitch also stood out in the line-up and gave the winner of this class a good run for her money.Pretty feminine head with good pigment, good reach of neck, well constructed front assembly with matching hindquarter angulations. Excellent chest, lovely bone and feet, deep, well-sprung ribs. Level topline, strong loins with tail carried straight off her back. Fabulous mover.

Best In Show Group – Puppy:

1st : PATTISON, Miss Rachel & PATTISON’s Ms Jane - Labrador Retriever, Dylsonleigh Titan For Pattilands - Outstanding puppy of great quality which caught my eye as soon as he appeared in the ring, so sound and balanced throughout. With a head and expression to die for, this 11 month old dog has a broad skull with a defined stop, correct eye shape and colour, correct muzzle proportions and a set of correctly shaped and positioned ears. Beautiful neck and shoulders, complimented with a strong well assembled front quarters standing on well boned, straight legs and round, well padded feet. Good topline and wide loins, short coupled and a correct otter tail, which he used correctly all the time. Powerful hindquarters, with a good turn of stifle and well let-down hocks. In beautiful coat and condition and so well presented. Moved with a ground covering gait, so true fore and aft. Top drawer stuff and one to watch in the future.

2nd : SANDERS PARKER, Mrs M E Heart & Soul Jp Nashwa Classicus (imp Jpn) – an 11 month old Saluki bitch which commands attention, instantly standing out as soon as she entered the ring with her graceful movement. Gorgeous long and narrow femminine head, with correct large, dark and oval eyes oozing out a dignified yet gentle expression. Her long well-muscled neck flows gracefully into her well laid-back shoulders, correct chest and deep brisket, standing on long straight legs and correct feet. Well ribbed with a nice tuck-up, correct topline and length of loin, hip bones set wide apart, hving a very strong back-end with well developed thighs and hocks set low to the ground. Nice set on of tail which she uses correctly on the move. Both whilst standing and moving, this bitch offers an outstanding picture of a balanced dog, full of graceful lines, curves and correct angulations. Definitely a delight to watch her smooth, effortless movement with splendid reach and drive. I am sure her owner will be having great fun with this gem in the future.

Best In Show Group – Veteran:

1st: MAHON-HUNNS, Mrs M V, HUNNS, Mr J & NEWTON Mr J Sh Ch Armac Bay Huron At Bergelle JW – Impressive 7 1/2 yr old Chesapeake Bay Retriever male, so sound and solidly built. Nice head proportions, super front and chest, standing on straight, tidy feet. Good topline which he maintains on the move, deep body, well-ribbed, super strong hindquarters which propelled the dog to a good hind driven free flowing movement. Presented in excellent coat and good muscle tone.

2nd: PARKER, Miss L V, SAUNDERS, Miss T & MCDONALD, Mr J Ch Silversocks Shot In The Dark With Violis – Miniature Schnqauzer – a really smart black dog, still full of sparkle attitude and style. Good head with neat ears and an excellent typical expression. Slightly arched neck, sloping topline, short, well-developed loins, Very sound back-end, presented in good harsh coat and muscle tone. Great mover.

BEST IMPORT IN SHOW

1st: CARTWRIGHT, Ms L Alto Du Clos D'aria (Imp Fra, A solid yet elegant, handsome 10 month old Picardy Sheepdog male having a nice head with typical ears set high and of moderate size, strong neck, well-assembled front with good leg and bone, correct depth of chest, well-sprung ribs,level topline which he mainatined whether static or performing, Well-muscled back-end, in good coat and condition, moved withe ase and effortlessly.

Best In Show:

BEST : COLLIER, Mr David - Carlincox Knock Ya Socks Off - Handsome and upstanding 22 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback male displaying type, soundness, elegance and strength in one strong and balanced frame. Excellent masculine head having the right proportions, dark eyes and nose with correct muzzle shape. Strong neck and an exceptional front assembly with all the correct angulations, mirrored through to with its powerful hindquarters with matching correct angulations on both ends. Straight, strong and well-boned legs, exceptional feet. Well-sprung ribs, deep chest, very strong and muscled loins, correct topline, underline and tail set. This dog was presented in excellent coat and condition. Correct size. Great easy, powerful movement fore and aft. A very fit for purpose dog which took my attention the minute he stepped into the ring. Expertly handled to perfection.

RESERVE : PARKER, Miss L V & SAUNDERS, Miss T & MCDONALD, Mr J.- Risepark First Stage – Miniature Schnauzer –A very attractive and smart 21 month old p/s dog sporting a well proportioned masculine head with well set ears and dark oval eyes. Good reach of neck which sits well onto his well laid back shoulders, good depth and width of chest, nice straight and well boned legs, excellent topline, excellent hindquarters having all the correct angulations which gave the right propulsion on the move. Lovely harsh coat texture. Moved soundly with good front reach and rear drive.

Frank Borg

Judge

Malta