Carmarthen Canine Society

Carmarthen Canine Society

Open Show, 4th April 2026

My grateful thanks to the society for the invitation to judge the Pastoral Group at their show. A big thank you to my two stewards, who kept the ring running smoothly, and to all the exhibitors who gave me an entry.

Some of the exhibits required a little more time when being gone over, with several being rather unsettled in the somewhat noisy hall. I hope that the exhibitors with these dogs are able to build their confidence in the show ring, because what I was able to assess, I liked a lot!

Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

Junior 1st FARRAH FOWLER THE PEARL OF TABULA RASA KENNEL CLAIRANTS (Mrs C O’Keefe). 10 month old bitch who was very feminine. Nice head proportions, with flat skull between slightly large ears, but I suspect that she will grow into these as she gets older. Round eyes with a keen alert expression. Good neck. Front angulation good with sufficient bone, elbows tight and good ribs. Good loin, nice rear. Moved well, just needs to tighten up a bit. BP and PG4

Post Graduate 1st CASPER OF ROYAL RAMONDA CLAIRANTS (Mrs C O’Keefe). 3 year old tri with a good coat. Masculine but not overdone. Correct fox-like head, with a wide and flat top to his skull, between correctly set and shaped ears. Correct proportions to his head. Lovely round shaped eyes, giving an alert and intelligent expression, eager to please but also looking for work. Nice length to neck onto well laid shoulders. Front and rear angulation good, and both lower front and rear legs straight with ample bone. Ribs well sprung, with good depth of chest down to the closely fitting elbows. Level topline. Movement was free and active with good thrusting action from the rear. BOB

Open (2, 1) 1st ERMYN STORM AHEAD (Mr D W Jones). 2 year old dog. Good head with expressive round eyes. Good ears. Would prefer a little more length to his neck, front angulation ok, good chest and bone, rear ok, moved ok. 

Shetland Sheepdog

Open 1st GOWDENIN DUCHESS SURPRISE (Miss D J and Mr M E Williams). 9 year old tri bitch. Feminine head starting to show her age a little. Slightly longer muzzle to skull length, but skull flat with sufficient width between correctly shaped ears. Eyes slightly round. Well arched neck, with head carried proudly. Good front angulation with chest reaching to elbows. Level back with graceful sweep over the loins. Moved with the lithe, smooth and graceful action that the breed standard asks for, and certainly not showing her age on the move. BOB

2nd NADISH OF MOST MAJESTIC (IMP HUN) (Dr J Menage) 4 year old tri dog with masculine head. Correct proportions to head. Small ears set correctly, and almond shaped eyes. Good neck, well arched. Front and rear angulation nice, but couldn’t match the reach and drive of 1st. I understand that it was their very first show together – a promising partnership that could benefit from some ringcraft training and guidance from an experienced exhibitor. 

German Shepherd Dog

Post Graduate 1st LIMASMYTHE LOKI (Miss G Pinkard). 4 year old dark boy who caught my eye when he came into the ring. Very attentive and alert to goings on around the ring. Correct head proportions, with slightly domed forehead and wedge shaped, powerful muzzle. Dark eyes, correctly set and medium sized. Ears set high, broad based and almost parallel when carried erect. Strong neck carried at 45 degree angle, onto a firm, well-muscled back of good length. Front angulation good with length of foreleg slightly exceeding the depth of chest. Rear angulation not overdone and well muscled. When viewed from the rear, the hind legs were straight and parallel, allowing him to stand unsupported. Tail of good length. Moved true going and coming, and side gait showed rear drive action and forward reach. BOB

2nd LORNSTONE SIJUR (Ms K Morgan). 24 month old dog oozing masculinity. Nice head with broad, flat skull and good proportions. Almond eyes, Good neck and front angulation. Good depth to chest and ribs well developed. On the move, was a bit loose coming and going. 

3rd CHALKSVILLE SUMMER BREEZE BRIXENBURG (Miss G Hince)

Samoyed

Junior 1st ANGELICUS FURNANDO (Mr P and Mrs A Ashbourne). 9 month old dog, very expressive face, aware of what was going on around him, but always with that cheeky ‘smiling expression’. Broad, flat skull, wedge-shaped with a medium length muzzle. Dark pigment to eyes, nose and lips, ears small, set well apart and with ample covering of hair. Nicely arched neck onto well laid shoulders. Front legs straight with good bone. Good depth to chest, with well sprung ribs, under a broad back. Well angulated stifles and hocks well let down, with hind legs straight when viewed from behind. Correctly curled tail carried over the back with profuse coat. Moved with power and elegance, giving the impression of strength and endurance. BP, BOB and PG1

Estrela Mountain Dog

Open 1st ASTEREL MIUCCA PRADA (Mrs C and Miss R Ogborn and Titman) Almost 8 year old dark brindle bitch. Long head, with a broad, slightly rounded skull, slight stop equidistant from nose to occiput. Tapering muzzle ending with a large nose. Oval eyes giving a calm expression. Good pigment to mouth and eyes. Ears small and carried close to the skull. Front assembly good, chest reaching to elbow and sufficiently broad. Good bone, although not heavy. Good rear with hocks well let down and rear pasterns vertical. Moved in the characteristic ‘jog trot’

Hungarian Puli

Coats varied between all four exhibits. 

Post Graduate 1st MOURNEBRAKE PRETTY LITTLE ANGEL EYES AT CELEBROS (Ms M R Gracie). 3 year old bitch. Small head with slightly domed skull of correct proportions, eyes and ears correct. Black eye rims and mouth. Long cords reaching almost to the floor across the body, giving the distinctive almost square outline to the body. Good front with well laid shoulders and forelegs straight. Hindquarters good with correct angulation and a wide pelvis. Rear legs parallel when viewed from behind. Tail carried low due to her being a little unsettled, but her foot placement was correct with balanced short-stepping action.

2nd MOURNEBRAKE HIDDEN AGENDA WITH KEYNELL JW (Mr A K and Miss J Rathband). 20 month old bitch. Slightly larger than 1st, with slightly domed skull of good proportions. Pigment around the eyes and in the mouth good. Slightly short of neck under the chords. Good angulation front and rear. Ribs still to develop and a bit loose on the move, but this will tighten up with age.

Open 1st CHESMES KUTYA MAGYAR GRYFF AT MOURNEBRAKE (Miss H L Thomas). Almost 4 year old dog of good size, presenting a square figure. Head small compared to the rest of his body, but with a relatively large nose emerging from the ample facial hair. Well defined arches of eye sockets, which were dark in colour and gave a lively expression. Eye rims and mouth black. Ears set correctly and of correct length, skull slightly domed. Nice neck length held at a 45 degree angle. Front good, with straight forelegs and tight elbows, with good depth to chest and well sprung ribs. Nice length to his body, slightly higher at the withers than level of back. Good angulation at the rear with a well bent stifle and legs parallel when viewed from behind. Tail curled tightly over the rump, with chords from the tail indistinguishable from those on the body. Moved with a good level of liveliness, brisk and short-stepping but still covering the ground with minimum effort. BOB and G2

2nd MOURNEBRAKE DEAR PRUDENCE AT CELEBROS (Ms M R Gracie). 3 year old bitch. Small head of correct proportions. Good pigment around the eyes and mouth. Ears of correct length set low. Good length of neck onto level back, slightly longer in body than tall. Good angulation and moved well.

Belgian Shepherd Dog Groenendael

Post Graduate 1st EVANGELINE DE L’AMBASSADEUR DES BELGES AT DACFOLKE (IMP HUN)*** (Mrs C J King). 3 year old bitch. Good long head, with muzzle slightly longer than skull. Slight stop, head planes parallel between flat skull and muzzle. Black nose with open nostrils. Almond shaped eyes, which gave a direct and lively expression. Correctly shaped and set ears. Good length of neck, slightly arched. Moderate angulation at the front, flat shoulder blades, with long legs straight and parallel. Body gave a square appearance. Rear angulation moderate, and legs again parallel when viewed from behind. Moved with correct brisk action.

2nd CAIRBAR BACK TO BLACK*** (Ms S K Morris). 14 month old, very feminine, and finer in build than 1st. Head of good proportions. Dark eyes giving a lively expression, ears correctly set and sensitive in use. Would prefer a slightly longer upper arm to balance the front angulation. Rear angulation good. On the move, she was a little unbalanced, but this will likely improve with age as she develops.

Open 1st CH DOMBURG CAN’T SAY NO TO CAIRBAR*** (Mrs S K Morris) 5 year old feminine bitch. Head of good proportions, with skull and muzzle roughly equal in length, and skull of correct width. Parallel head planes, with both top of skull and muzzle flat. Almond shaped eyes, dark in colour, and with the direct, yet enquiring expressions asked for in the breed standard – I felt like she was the one judging me! Ears set high, carried erect but sensitive in use. Good length to neck, arched to give a noble head carriage, and broadening to the shoulders. Shoulders blades flat and long, moderately angulated from the long upper arm. Forelegs parallel when viewed from the front. Good depth of chest, reaching to the elbow, with well sprung ribs. Back firm and relatively short, giving a square outline to the body. Good rear angulation, with hind legs straight when viewed from behind. Shown in hard condition, well muscled throughout. Moved with correct brisk motion, super economical covering the ground with ease. BOB

Belgian Shepherd Dog Tervueren

Post Graduate (2, 2)

Open (2, 1) 1st KARMIDALE ETERNAL WISH TO AMBRAJAI (Miss J Davies) 3 year old bitch who was rather unsettled about being gone over. Feminine head of good proportions, flat skull and long muzzle on parallel planes. Dark, almond eyes, ears of correct set and sensitive in use. Moderate length of neck with a slight arch. Front angulation excellent, with long, flat shoulder blades and a long upper arm. Front legs long and parallel. Depth of chest almost to elbows, but ribs well sprung. Rear angulation good, with hocks well let down and legs parallel from behind. Well muscled which allowed her to move really well without exaggeration. Her brisk, light and economical action was a delight to watch. I really hope you persevere with her, as she is definitely one to watch if you can get over her wariness of being gone over. BOB.

AV Import Register

Open 1st VAR DES MONTS LOKIRALGRIS AT PUIDELUP (Mrs J Huntley) Icelandic Sheepdog. 16 month old black and white bitch. I must confess to noticing this girl when she announced herself upon arrival before judging, so can confirm that she meets that part of the breed standard! Very feminine wedge shaped head. Broad skull, slightly domed, with 2/3 muzzle to skull ratio. Almond shaped eyes giving a kind yet playful expression. Ears held erect widely set, of correct shape. Muscular neck of good length. Shoulders well laid back, with forelegs straight when viewed from the front. Depth of chest still has a little way to drop, but this will come with age. Firm level back. Hindquarters moderately angulated, mirroring the front, with hind legs straight and parallel when viewed from behind. Double dew claws present on rear legs. Tail carried correctly, curled over the back. Moved with drive and balance, covering the ground effortlessly. BOB and G3

AVNSC

Post Graduate (1, 1)

Open (2, 1) 1st STRURTMOOR’S GON’N DUN IT JW (Mrs C T Lambert). Norwegian Buhund. 2 year old dog of masculine build and good size. Correct wedge shaped head with distinct stop and almost flat skull. Muzzle tapering slightly to a black nose. Eyes gave a lively expression, while the ears were set high, erect and very mobile. Good arch to neck onto level topline. Good angulation front and rear. Tail carried over back in a tight curl. Movement was light and active with a good stride. BOB

AV Puppy (2, 1) 1st UNDER MOONLIGHT FERARRY STILE FOR CAIEDW (Mr R Field). Cardigan Corgi. 11 month old blue merle tri bitch. Beautiful feminine head with expressive face. Head of correct 3 to 5 proportions, wide and flat skull between ears, which were large (giving the impression of ‘she’ll grow into them’) and of nice shape. Muscular neck onto well-laid shoulders. Good angulation at the front, with tight fitting elbows and front legs of correct short length, but still leaving plenty of room beneath the body. Well sprung ribs and chest fairly broad. Sufficient forechest for her age. Good rear angulation from thigh and second thigh, and hocks vertical when viewed from side and rear. Level topline which flowed into a superbly long tail, well furnished. Moved really well with front legs showing plenty of reach and mirrored by good thrusting action of the hindlegs. PG2

AV Junior 1st VAR DES MONTS LOKIRALGRIS AT PUIDELUP (Mrs J Huntley) Icelandic Sheepdog. See AV Import Register.

2nd GWALLTAFWYN GWENLLIAN (Mrs D Steele-Eldridge) Bearded Collie. 15 month old bitch. Very feminine, head of correct proportions, skull broad, moderate stop with wide muzzle and nose. Nice eyes under arched eyebrows. Ears of medium size and set correctly. Good length to neck and level topline, tail of good length. Legs parallel when viewed from front and rear, with flexible pasterns at the front and well let down hocks to the rear. Floated around the ring with far-reaching gate and minimum effort, but unfortunately wasn’t very happy on the stand.

AV Veteran (5, 2) 1st CAPRIAN THE VIXEN JW (Mrs C A Langford) Cardigan Corgi. 8 year old bitch. Lovely head of good size and width, with plenty of space between the ears. Moderate stop, in between foreface and skull at correct proportions. Dark eyes widely set, giving a kind and watchful expression. Ears of good size and shape. Well developed neck, leading onto a firm back. Plenty of forechest, with the front legs positioned under the withers. Tight elbows, with the front assembly wrapping around the broad chest and deep brisket. Ribs well sprung and extending back to a clearly defined waist. Rear angulation good, well muscled with strong bone to the feet. Moved well in the characteristic style of the breed.

2nd GOWDENIN DUCHESS SURPRISE (Miss D J and Mr M E Williams) Shetland Sheepdog. See Shetland Sheepdog Open

3rd CARTEZZ SUMMER BREEZE (Mrs S Carter) Border Collie.

AV Special Beginner (4, 2) 1st NADISH OF MOST MAJESTIC IMP HUN (Dr J Menage) Shetland Sheepdog. As in breed class, but a slight improvement to his movement in this class. 

2nd LORNSTONE SIJUR (Ms K Morgan) German Shepherd Dog. As in breed class, but would like to see the handler build up a rapport with the dog to really get the best out of him. 

AV Brace 1st Mrs C A Langford – Welsh Corgi Cardigan

2nd Ms M R Gracie – Hungarian Puli

3rd Mrs S Carter – Border Collie

Pastoral Group

1st Bearded Collie – BRAMBLEMEAD BOLLINGER BOY JW (Mrs K, Mr R and Miss J Axford. 3 year old dog of nice size and masculine qualities, without coming across as too strong. Beautiful head, skull broad and square, with correct equal distance between stop and occiput and the set of both ears, showing plenty of brain room. Muzzle strong, of same length as that of the skull, ending in a large and squarish nose. Dark eyes gave a kind and intelligent expression under arched eyebrows. Ears set level with top of skull and of good length. Neck of nice length, slightly arched, and leading onto a level topline. Body shape of correct length to height ratio, with a level back. Well laid shoulders giving good front angulation, legs straight when viewed from the front. Depth of chest almost to elbows, extending back to a strong loin. Rear angulation also good, well muscled and well let down hocks. Moved as the breed should, effortlessly covering the ground with minimal lift of the feet.

2nd Hungarian Puli - CHESMES KUTYA MAGYAR GRYFF AT MOURNEBRAKE (Miss H L Thomas)

3rd Icelandic Sheepdog - VAR DES MONTS LOKIRALGRIS AT PUIDELUP (Mrs J Huntley)

4th Cardigan Corgi – GOWERSTON GERIANT OF CAPRIAN JW (Mrs C A Langford). 2 and a half year old dog of good size. Masculine head, good proportions, wide and flat skull, with widely set ears and dark eyes. Muscular neck onto a level topline. Good angulation front, with plenty of forechest and tightly fitting elbows. Good spring to ribs. Good rear angulation. Moved with brisk action, minimum effort.

Also shortlisted Pembroke Corgi and GSD

Pastoral Puppy Group

1st Samoyed - ANGELICUS FURNANDO (Mr P and Mrs A Ashbourne)

2nd Cardi Corgi - UNDER MOONLIGHT FERARRY STILE FOR CAIEDW (Mr R Field)

3rd Rough Collie – SERENLAS SHE’S ON TREND (Mrs S Flower). Very raw 6 month old bitch, but a lot of potential. Beautiful feminine head, wedge shaped. Flat skull on parallel plane to the muzzle, separated by a slight stop and of equal length. Correct almond shaped eyes gave an inquisitive expression, particularly alert to the goings on around the show. Nicely positioned ears of proportionate size to her head. Nice front and rear angulation, standing on straight legs when viewed from front and rear. Still needs to fill out and for her chest to develop, but this will come as she matures. Movement was a bit erratic as she was enjoying her day out, but when she did get going, she moved well. 

4th Pembroke Corgi - FARRAH FOWLER THE PEARL OF TABULA RASA KENNEL CLAIRANTS (Mrs C O’Keefe)

Susan Jones (Keltiklan)