Cheshire Agricultural Society

Royal Cheshire Agricultural Premier Open Show 16th June 

I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at the Royal Cheshire County Show, and I am grateful to the exhibitors who supported my appointment on a weekday so close to Blackpool Championship Show later in the week. It is always an honour to be involved in this occasion; the dog show forms part of a larger, prestigious regional agricultural event that brings together agricultural interests and the local community.

All exhibits were presented with good bites, professionally groomed, and handled with professionalism. Some f the younger dogs were understandably playful on the move, clearly enjoying their day out and giving their handlers a lively test of their skills, but they all went home happy. My thanks also go to my two stewards, themselves experienced Old English Sheepdog breeder judges, whose knowledgeable and efficient support ensured the ring ran smoothly throughout the day.

With a little spare time after judging, I also used the opportunity to learn more about the specialist coat management techniques required for breeds that do not follow the usual bath and dry routine. An exhibitor kindly talked me through the level of work involved in achieving a true show quality presentation, including the many hours of careful drying and preparation undertaken before a dog even reaches the ring. 

Every show teaches something new, and Cheshire was no exception — I thoroughly enjoyed learning from everyone today.

Old English Sheepdog

Class  104 Puppy (1)

1st Gould’s Merdelaines Instaglam

Six month old female. Square, well boned puppy with a gently rising topline. Square proportionate head with a defined stop. Small ears carried flat, dark eyes, large black nose, and a square muzzle with a good mouth, giving a beautiful head and promising features. Graceful, strong neck flowing into good shoulder placement. Straight forelegs with plenty of bone and elbows close to the body. Deep brisket with ample chest room. Level back, broad loin and a moderate rise to the croup. Natural bobtail. Hindquarters developing well, with toned broad thighs, straight hindlegs, low hocks, and a good turn of stifle. Small, tight feet. Early coat texture evident; groomed and presented beautifully. Carried her head correctly and excellent rear action going around. A happy, cooperative youngster with a bright future. BPIB.

Class  105 Junior (1)

1st Howsam, Howsam & Huggan’s Jandoes Got to Be Rosie 

Twelve month old grey bitch of moderate proportion, with a square outline and an evident pear shaped body. Feminine head, square, capacious skull with a evident stop. Small ears laid flat to the head, wide set eyes, large black nose, and a truncated muzzle equal in length to the skull. Dark lips and a correct bite complete a gentle, feminine profile. Muscular neck leading into a good return of shoulder. Strong forelegs with plenty of bone, good elbows, and an adequately wide forechest. Deep chest and a capacious ribcage for her age. Straight back, short broad loin, and a broad rump, with her tail carried naturally low. Hindquarters still developing, with straight hindlegs, low hocks, and early harsh coat texture. Good front action, carrying her topline well with positive drive. Balanced overall and sound on the move; I preferred her head to the two male winners and believe she will surpass them with maturity.

Class  106 Post Graduate (0)

Class  107 Open (2)

1st Howsam’s Melleonars Keep It Cool Branston At Jandoes (IMP DEW) JW

Two and a half year old grey male approaching full adulthood. Well boned with correct substance and a square, compact body. Proportionate, balanced head with a square, capacious skull, defined stop, and small, flat carried ears. Dark, well set eyes giving a kind, intelligent expression. Large black nose and a strong, truncated muzzle equal in length to the skull. Strong jaws and correct bite, dark lips. Masculine head of clear breed type. Strong neck into well placed shoulders. Well developed forequarters with prosternum and chest width. Straight forelegs with plenty of bone. Deep chest with a well sprung, capacious ribcage. Strong back, broad loin, gentle rise to croup and broad rump forming a correct pear shaped outline. Powerful hindquarters with muscular thighs, low hocks and good stifles. Harsh, shaggy coat completing a natural silhouette. Maintains a level head carriage on the move with effortless reach and drive; the highlight of the breed class on the day. A natural, rustic male of excellent type. BOB.

2nd Fawcett’s Starjanda Mr Bright Sky

Three year old grey medium male with a masculine profile when viewed from the front. Moderate bone and a short, compact outline. Square skull of good capacity, defined stop, flat ears and dark eyes of kind expression. Large black nose complements a truncated muzzle, though a touch more length and strength would enhance balance. Neck could be longer to improve overall outline. Forequarters show developing strength, and I would prefer more bone. Deep chest with sufficient ribbing. Level back, short and broad, with broad loins; more roundness over croup and rump would complete the pear shaped silhouette. Hindquarters with low hocks and a good turn of stifle. Tight feet and gentle pastern slope. Harsh body coat, though additional head and neck coat would improve finish. Very cooperative, moving capably at speed. Stylish, honest mover, needing time to grow into his frame. RBOB.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Class 108 Puppy (0)

Class 109 Junior (0)

Class 110 Post Graduate (0)

Class 111 Open (1,3) Squires’ MYbeards Starstruck

Moderate black and white male, just short of three years old, showing strong bone throughout and a correct rectangular outline. Masculine head, moderately broad with a slight dome, proportionate and balanced. Profuse hair on forehead and cheeks enhances typical expression. Large ears, set moderately high, lying close to the cheeks. Medium oval eyes with dark rims. Short, strong muzzle, firm jaws and tight black lips complete a clean, masculine head without coarseness. Strong neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Straight forelegs with strong bone and good pastern slope. Level back, muscular loin and gentle rise over the croup. Tail continuing from the croup, carried over the back, hanging low when stacked and moving. Deep chest, moderate tuck up. Muscular hindquarters, broad thighs, low strong hocks, straight rear legs and tight feet. Long, harsh, shaggy coat in excellent condition. He could be headstrong to handle at times, but once settled under his handler’s control he moved in a moderate, efficient manner. BOB.

Eurasier

Class 300 Junior (0)

Class 301 Open (1,1)

1st Luckman’s Albionspitz Revel 

Four year old red fawn male of medium size with a balanced outline, clear masculinity and strong bone. Head wedge shaped with parallel planes; triangular ears set high and well furred. Dark, oval, slightly oblique eyes giving a calm, typical expression. Strong muzzle equal in length to skull, firm jaws and correct pigmentation. Neck strong into a well laid shoulder, with evident prosternum, matching forechest and a deep oval ribcage. Forelegs straight and parallel with a gentle pastern slope. Topline level and firm with a strong croup; tail profusely coated and carried high. Hindquarters powerful with well muscled thighs, good stifle and low hocks. Full coat today with harsh topcoat and soft undercoat, giving correct northern spitz appearance. Movement clean with good reach and drive, maintaining his outline. Despite the humidity, he and his handler worked well as a team. BOB

Japanese Akita Inu

Class 318 Puppy (0)

Class 319 Junior (0,1)

Class 320 Post Graduate (0,1)

Class 321 Open (1,0)

1st Duffield’s HR CH Meiho Kensha Akioshiro Go SW25

Medium red fawn male just short of three years old, showing a proportionate body, clear masculinity and a correct compact outline, with good bone that is strong without being overly heavy. Blunt triangular head, clean and free of loose skin, with parallel planes. Well furred, hooded ears set high. Dark, triangular eyes giving an alert expression. Muzzle of good length and strength with tight black lips and strong jaw; cheeks still developing and I would like more fullness to complete the head, as males often mature until four. Medium, muscular neck flowing into a level back. Forechest and ribcage developing well at this age; straight forelegs with a gentle pastern slope. Short loin and moderately broad croup; tail set high and correctly carried. Powerful hindquarters with broad thighs and low, well let down hocks. Well groomed coat; I would like slightly more length at withers and rump to enhance the stand off outline. Rhythmic, resilient movement with excellent rear action. A compact, moderate male of excellent temperament and a highlight mover of the day. BOB.

Japanese Chin

Class 454 Puppy (0)

Class 455 Junior (1)

Holland-Smith’s Sharlarna Constant for Kirdanchi

Fourteen month old black and white bitch with a feminine profile and compact, square outline. Moderately rounded head proportionate to her body. Small, high set V shaped ears carried slightly forward. Dark, well sized eyes set wide apart, showing the characteristic white in the inner corners. Short, well padded muzzle with a good mouth, completing an elegant head. Moderate neck leading into a good return of shoulder. Forequarters show strong fine bone, a wide forechest, and straight, well feathered forelegs. Level back with a high set tail over the back. Well toned thighs, straight hindlegs, good turn of stifle, and hare feet. Still learning her table craft, but once moving she proved sound, straight coming and going, with good reach and rear drive. A very pretty, elegant youngster. BOB

Class 456 Post Graduate (0,1)

Class 457 Open (0, 1)

Keeshond

Class 332 Puppy (0)

Class 333 Junior (0)

Class 334 Post Graduate (0)

Class 335 Open (2,0)

1st Marfleet’s CH Flatmeer Fleur’s Krystal 

Medium sized colour strong three year old female of balanced, well defined head, slightly long in body. Wedge shaped head with a clear stop. Small, high set ivy shaped ears, neat, erect and velvety. Dark almond shaped eyes, obliquely set, with precise spectacle markings giving a vivid, alert expression. Muzzle strong and equal to skull length, with black lips and firm jaws. Neck moderate, well arched, carrying a large ruff. Forequarters well developed with good bone, a well laid shoulder, straight, well feathered forelegs, and a deep, strong ribcage. I prefer compact body. Tail high set, profusely coated, lying close to the body. Hindquarters well-muscled, with good trousers; hocks slightly bent. Harsh coat with clear shoulder markings, well-defined grey-black and presented in excellent condition. Round cream coloured feet. Attentive to her handler. Movement clean, brisk and straight. She’s slightly longer for a mature brood bitch, however, she scored in colour definition and head type. BOB

2nd Bell’s Allforus Miracle of Love

Two year old female with a feminine head and a compact, balanced outline. Wedge shaped skull with high set, erect ivy leaf ears and dark almond eyes showing clear spectacles. Muzzle dark, strong and well balanced, with good jaws and a correct bite. Moderate, well muscled neck with profuse cream- coloured hair. Forequarters of good bone, well laid shoulders, straight feathered forelegs and defined harness markings. Deep, barrelled chest with good ribbing and a short loin. Profuse tail correctly set and lying close to the body. Well muscled hindquarters with slight angulation, strong hocks and well coated trousers. Off standing coat, correctly presented, with cream-coloured round feet. Feminine throughout, and I preferred her compactness to the winner. A touch more leg length would complete the picture, yet she maintains balance and outline on the move. Keen on the stack, composed in action, with clean, straight movement and a pleasing brisk action. RBOB.