2 November 2024
JUDGE MR I. MILLAR (TURNLAW)
Principal Winners:
BIS – Amalric Butch Cassidy JW
RBIS – Ch. Witchstone Place Your Bets At Capledrae JW ShCEx OSW
Dog CC – Amalric Butch Cassidy JW
Bitch CC – Ch. Nasabe Play The Game JW
BPIS – Lasagesse Kashmir
I was delighted to judge at this show, having been unable to accept earlier invitations. It was gratifying to receive an entry of 66 dogs, and I really looked forward to the event. Much work had clearly gone into the planning and organisation of the day and there were lots of little touches to make things special. My two stewards, Sue and Billy, were a class act and kept me on my toes. Derfel Owen’s cooked lunch was splendid and my gift of two lovely glasses engraved with ETT heads, will be used regularly! Thank you.
The entry presented me with challenges. Over-all, I found a consistent, reasonable level of physical type and despite some variations in size, tail carriage and top-lines, most exhibits displayed a characteristic profile and had typi-cal, balanced heads. All the dogs were in good condition and some had firm muscle tone. There was some breeching and quite thick pencilling but in general, markings and colour were good.
Two things worried me in particular. More than a few dogs, even older, experienced dogs, were uncomfortable and tense on the table. A couple were clearly anxious. Your Standard states that animals must never be “unduly nervous” and I think it is important that a show dog is well socialised and trained. This means more than an occasional trip to ringcraft class. It means saddling up and get-ting down the High Street or in to the park. Exercising small dogs can be an issue if there are larger, boisterous dogs around but all dogs need the stimulation and exposure of being out there and getting corners knocked off. A first-rate dog looking unhappy and apprehen-sive, will struggle to get past a second-rate, confident dog taking an interest in what is going on around him. Then, secondly, there was movement. Wide hind action, little pro-pulsion from the rear, bossy shoulders, tied-in fronts with short-stepping front action, piano-playing, flat feet and no more than three or four dogs revealing anything approaching an extended trot. I am not a breed specialist but I am also not a multi-breed judge who values true, sound movement above all else. It is an intrinsic component of breed type, of course, so please do get someone to move your dogs for you at different speeds and on different surfaces and look objectively at what you see.
I am not indulging in a bout of “breed bash-ing” but I have noted these issues before and feel duty-bound to raise them again. I have enjoyed ETTs for many years and hate to think that these particular problems might become entrenched in your breed.
Having made these observations, most of my comments on individual exhibits are less de-tailed than my normal. I have also had major difficulties in deciphering my audio notes giv-en the continuous high volume of barking in the hall!!
Baby Puppy Dog (3). Three good quality pups, all of them at the teething stage and wary of having their mouths examined. The down side of Baby Classes. 1. Wiles and Argint’s VIDRA’S CELTIC CHARMER. Well put together, this lad presented a good outline with an attractive, balanced head carried on a slight-ly arched neck, decent top-line and sufficient bend of stifle. Ears might be a fraction large but are well-shaped and carried. Not together on the move just now. Little to choose be-tween him and his litter brother whom I mar-ginally preferred but who was unsettled by the table and so stood third but they will change places often. Best Baby Puppy in Show. 2. Warren’s RHYMSWELL FIELDS OF GOLD. A slightly finer exhibit, a touch reluc-tant and altogether not quite as forward at this stage. Did not get his act together on the move but has much to like, not least his attractive head . Has time on his side and will present a more positive image with experience. 3. Wiles and Argint’s Vidra’s CELTIC DREAMER. Baby Puppy Bitch (1). 1. Jackson’s DAN-DYTWEED LILY THE PINK. A pretty, fairly fine bitch with a sweet head and expres-sion and good ears. She was also somewhat all over the place on the move although her con-struction seemed fundamentally sound.
MINOR PUPPY (2). 1. Roskell and Wood’s NASABE SPECIAL BREW. The more robust of these two exhibits, this chap still presents a graceful, curvy outline and his construction is basically correct. The head properties are pleasing with a keen outlook and well-set ears and his neck flows in to decent shoulders. He was a fraction more collected when asked to go round the ring but is a little pleased with his tail just now. 2. Pendlebury’s ETHOLOGY SMALL GODS OF PENDLETHRINE. All over the place on the move in this class but this slightly smaller, finer dog has decent con-structional essentials and is likely to tighten up all round with time. His head is pleasing and typical, he carries his ears well and has well-shaped eyes.. In good condition but also a mite proud of his tail.
PUPPY (1). Dixon’s LASAGESSE DAZED N’ CONFUSED. Pleasing pup with an attrac-tive head and outlook. He is a decent size but is not overdone in any way. His underlying construction ensures a characteristic outline, he has a graceful, curved neck, reasonable lay of shoulder, deepish chest and a cut-up at the loin. Was in good nick and had some drive from the hindquarters but is a little restricted at the front just now.
JUNIOR (3). 1. Cadman and Jarvis’ PIPPA-HOUSE TINY SHADDOW. This chap took some time to gather himself but eventually did enough to let me see a typical silhouette and a graceful outline…… at times! If allowed to slacken off, he can flatten out but he and his handler will improve with practice and in the later challenge he was indeed much more composed. Has a characteristic, balanced head, correct ears and an alert expression. He can lose concentration on the move and was somewhat uncoordinated in this class but improved later when he paid attention. Enough to pocket the Best Puppy Dog ro-sette. 2. Roskell’s WITCHSTONE SILENT WISH WITH RAHIMA. This dog appealed instantly but did not sort himself out when asked to move. A bit restricted at front and never really hit his stride. His overall profile is typical although he can carry his tail a fraction proudly. I suspect he is somewhat between stages just now and will come together more completely later on. Very attractive head with well-shaped ears and a sharp expression.. 3. Howard’s LASAGESSE JUMPIN JACK FLASH.
NOVICE (3). I. N. SPECIAL BREW. 2. E. SMALL GODS OF PENDLETHRINE.
3. Shevchenko’s ETTOLOGY MAKING MISCHIEF.
GRADUATE (2,1). 1. E. MAKING MIS-CHIEF. Perked up when he was on his own in this class and showed a little more enthusi-asm. He is quite a typical exhibit altogether and only needs to learn to project himself more. I liked his mum last time I judged and he has some of her qualities, not least in a pleasing head with balance between skull and muzzle.
POST-GRADUATE (2). 1. Partington-Palmer and Palmer’s ETRURIA HEAR
THE WORD. This exhibit was something of a challenge. Did not get himself in the right space all the time and carried his tail awk-wardly, falling away at the croup. Then he seemed to come to his senses , drew himself up and displayed a much more characteristic outline. I liked his head properties, his inter-ested expression and his well-shaped ears. A little limited in front action but showed some power behind. 2. Keylock and Collins’ LA-SAGESSE PAINT IT BLACK. A very pleas-ing dog, arguably a fraction on the fine side and long-cast but I think he has yet to fill his frame completely. And he is clearly male. His head was very attractive, everything in pro-portion and balanced by well-carried ears of the correct shape. Still a Junior, he has time to firm up on the move.
LIMIT (4). 1. Bennett’s IN A SILENT WAY TO CAPELDRAE J.W. Another chal-lenging dog who did not always co-operate with his handler, being inclined to fidget, stretch out and pull away. When he decided to turn his attention to the job in hand, how-ever, he let me see his typical profile with depth of chest, graceful tuck-up to the loins and decent bend of stifle. His head, while balanced and obviously male, was quite strong although his expression was keen and inter-ested., the eyes of a good shape and the ears correctly carried. In good fettle and although he could have a mite more reach at the front, he showed real propulsion behind. 2. Wines’ ETRURIA SAY THE WORD. An attractive, typical dog built on relatively fine lines and in a slightly smaller mould. Another who did not always retain focus but who would pull him-self together every now and then to let me see a very characteristic outline with all the essen-tial components. His head is pleasing, with almond-shaped eyes, tight lips and the oblig-atory “candle-flame “ ears. Did not concen-trate on the move and it was difficult to assess his action satisfactorily. Suspect he might get in to his rhythm outside. 3. Inch’s EDA-LENE UPSIDE DOWN.
OPEN (7,1). A good but difficult class. 1. Imrie’s AMALRIC BUTCH CASSIDY. I was told later that this dog had just gained his title and it is easy to see why. I had only seen him once as a youngster and thought him to be tall and on the big side. He has settled in to himself, and presents a very balanced pic-ture, not overdone in any aspect. I gave his father CC and BOB last time I judged and I think the son is even better. He has a very balanced head, strong and masculine but still with quality and refinement, all the features in harmony. He is very proportionate with decent forequarters, a long, arched neck, good top-line and firm hindquarters with suffi-cient angulation. In good coat and condition and giving it his best shot. Could perhaps have a touch more front extension but he had good drive from behind and showed to advantage. A worthy BIS. 2. Bennett’s CH WITCHSTONE PLACE YOUR BETS AT CAPELDRAE. J.W. A dog whose many breed qualities I have rewarded on two previous occasions. While he had to settle for another RCC from me to-day, he had a grand day out. His son was Best Baby Puppy in Show, another son won Puppy Dog, his daughter was BPIS, another daughter won Junior Bitch and yet another was second in Limit. Last time I judged him, I thought he was rather jaded but to-day he was back on form and cut a fine figure as a mature, well-conditioned and high quality male ETT. Pipped the lovely BCC winner for the RBIS award. 3. Dennison’s CH. ETTOLOGY BOUNTEOUS BARNEY, a very good dog whom I have rated before and it was good to see him carrying his title now.
VETERAN (2) 1. Francis and Blatchford’s CH. WITCHSTONE NOT APACHE ON ME FOR PEOPLETON V.W. Have judged this boy on several occasions. When he was younger, I considered him to be too tall as his owner knows. Like good wine, he has got bet-ter and better with age , however, and now presents as a completely balanced proportion-ate example of the breed.. At 9 years of age he was in hard muscular condition, moved with verve and was one of the very few to demon-strate front action “akin to an extended trot”. He possesses a quality headpiece with good ear carriage, dark eyes and an interested outlook. BVIS. 2. Howard’s LASAGESSE STARMAN. 7 year old dog with much to like. Did not al-ways pull out all the stops but he has a charac-teristic head and expression, good ears and well-shaped eyes. His tan has faded slightly but he is well-marked and was otherwise in decent coat. When in the mood, he drew himself up to show a typical profile. A little bit untidy at the front to-day but overall, he moved pur-posefully.
SPECIAL BEGINNERS (2). E. SMALL GODS OF P. At this stage of the proceedings, this young guy had settled in to things a bit more and was more collected on the move. BEST SPECIAL BEGINNERS. 2. E. MAK-ING MISCHIEF. I think he was tiring a little here and did not try too hard.
MINOR PUPPY BITCH (3). 1. ETTOLO-GY INTERESTING TIMES. A very attrac-tive puppy who just needs lots of time and practice. She was not at all sure about the whole business but settled sufficiently to let me see a characteristic shape with a decent top-line, arched neck and adequate depth of chest at this early stage. Possesses a balanced, femi-nine head with dark eyes and correctly-shaped ears. Moved with some enthusiasm but has still to come together on the move, a process which more maturity should ensure. 2. Leonard’s WITCHSTONE LIMITED EDI-TION. A very petite bitch who did not really get her act together here, particularly on the move. She is extremely pretty with a refined, balanced head, dark, almond-shaped eyes and well-carried ears. Her overall construction ap-peared sound and when she learns the ropes and starts to project herself, she will have bet-ter days. 3. Oakden and Hall’s SPAWOOD PROUD MARY.
PUPPY (3). 1. Dixon’s LASAGESSE KASH-MIR. One of the few dogs with relatively tight feet. I was drawn to her composed, balanced outline, sleek and curvy and she remained to-tally in the zone and showed it off at all times. Her head is refined, with skull and muzzle in harmony, the eyes are of the required shape and she has high-set ears which she used to enhance her keen outlook. She is put together on sound lines and so presents a pleasing out-line, although she can flatten slightly when really attentive. Moved steadily with some power at the rear. In grand coat and condition and on this performance to-day, I was happy to declare her Best Puppy. 2.Imrie and Leonard’s FERA-MINIS ARGANTE OF AVALON WITH WITCHSTONE. A smaller but very appealing young lady with a clean, typical outline comprised of an elegant neck, a back-line which showed the desired curve from behind the shoulders, a cut-away to the loin and a decent turn of stifle. Curves quite sharply over the croup but not enough to spoil the picture. Has a characteristic head and ex-pression and correct ears. Slightly all over the place on the move but has time on her side. 3. S. PROUD MARY.
JUNIOR (3). 1. Love’s LASAGESSE WHOLE LOTTA LOVE WITH TETTOY. A very attractive exhibit presenting the correct breed outline. She was interested and alert and moved steadily although has yet to tighten up all round. The head is balanced with a sweet feminine expression, dark eyes and good, high-set ears. Possesses sufficient angulation and upward curve to the loin and her hocks are well let down. Good quality bitch in fine coat and condition. 2. Cadman and Jarvis’ PIPPA-HOUSE ANGELIC SOLE. Not quite so out-going and one of several who was a little dis-tracted by the constant sharp barking in the hall. Nevertheless, she collected her wits suffi-ciently to allow me glimpses of her shapely body, deep chest and typical top-line. She has enough length of neck with a graceful arch, a balanced head, dark eyes and good ears, so has a good foundation on which to build as she gains in confidence and experience A mite erratic on the move but has still not reached her first birthday, so no need to panic just yet. 3. Reeves’ GILLINGS CHIFFON BLACK.
NOVICE (5). 1. Haffenden and Wood’s NASABE DEVIL’S BREW. A feminine bitch with a balanced outline, front and rear assem-blies in ratio. She was a tad restricted in front action but went firmly and showed some pow-er behind. I appreciated her lovely, refined head, her sparkling, dark eyes and the lovely candle flame ears. In good nick and just needs maturity to supply the finishing touches to an overall good bitch. 2. E. INTERESTING TIMES. 3.S. PROUD MARY.
GRADUATE (5). 1. Green’s THREE TIMES A LADY. Quite a substantial bitch who could look a fraction long-cast at times but her pro-file was still balanced, elegant and feminine. I thought her to be very typical ETT with an attractive head, all of a piece, lovely neck, cor-rect ears and eyes. Lots to like about this girl who moved steadily if a little tied-in at the front. Still a Junior and I think she will come on well. 2. Dean-Armitt’s TWO-WAYSHOUSE TOUCH OF CLASS. Another good young bitch with a typical, curvy silhou-ette where everything seemed to be in propor-tion. Her head is very attractive although one ear was a little soft to-day but not so bad as to mar the full picture and her expression was keen and enquiring. She is built on sound lines and is another who should finish well. Moved fairly well with just a little restriction at the front. 3. Peters’ ETTOLOGY CHERRY BAKEWELL AT TROYSEL.
POST-GRADUATE (4,1). Three quality bitches, all with much to like. 1. Green and Leonard’s LADY IN BLACK AT WITCH-STONE. Litter sister to the winner of the pre-vious class and very similar overall. A touch finer in head than her sister but not at all weak and her expression was bright and interested. Her sound construction guarantees a breed-specific outline and she was in good body con-dition even if not in her best bib and tucker. Moved cleanly and with some precision. 2. Goodfellow’s NASABE ROYAL ROSE AIRAMBECH. Another feminine girl with typical head properties, sharp expression and good ears. She was cleanly put together, result-ing in a satisfying outline with everything in proportion. In shining coat and moving steadi-ly. 3. Bailey and Hancock’s WITCHSTONE SILENT WHISPER.
LIMIT (5,1). 1. KIKUCHI MULBERRY AMONG TYMI. I have admired dogs with this prefix in the past and this shapely lady immediately caught my eye on a first look round. She can stand a fraction tucked up if she slackens off but her outline is really very typical and proportionate with depth of chest, a gentle curve to the loin and decent turn of stifle. She moved cleanly and with some thrust behind and her head was very characteristic and feminine. 2. Whitehouse’s AMALRIC COCO CHANEL WITH DALMONDE J.W. This lady did not quite put all in but she re-mains a good quality bitch with a pleasing head, graceful neck and decent shoulders. Her overall appearance is balanced and typical, she was in gleaming coat and just needed to move up a gear to-day. Quite pleased with her tail but not enough to detract. Went steadily alt-hough a tad flat on her feet, one of several for whom our weather of recent weeks has doubt-less made exercise a problem. 3. Reeves’ GILLINGS FUTURE STAR.
OPEN (6). Arguably the best class of the day. 1. Haffenden and Wood’s CH. NASABE PLAY THE GAME J.W. I gave her dam the CC the last time I judged and this 2 year old daughter certainly has many of her mother’s qualities. I thought she was very well con-structed, displayed a typical side profile, a flow of curves which ensured a breed specific pic-ture. Her head is lovely, symmetrical and bal-anced with an almond eye and high-set, cor-rect ears, the whole package held on a long, elegant neck. In lovely coat and condition and moving firmly, albeit that her feet could be a little tighter. Very good example of the breed who carried off the CC and the BOS award. 2. Ramsden and Kagzi’s CH. PALLISANDRE POCAHONTAS. I did not altogether recog-nise this bitch but felt sure I had rewarded her virtues before. Her owner had forgotten too but I later realised I had given her RCC from Post-Grad at Windsor in 2022 when I said I thought the best was yet to come. She got the same award to-day and has indeed matured in to a top-notch bitch. She is a half-sister to the bitch ticket winner and shares many similari-ties, not least her beautiful outline and her balanced, elegant head. She was in good coat and firm condition and moved smoothly and with purpose. A worthy title-holder. 3. Wiles and Argint’s CH. WITCHSTONE SHARE THE DREAM WITH VIDRA. Quality bitch.
VETERAN (2,1). 1. Inch’s EDALENE NEVER LET ME GO V.W. A very typy, 8 year old bitch, balanced throughout and in firm condition. She was steady on the move, held her typical head on a long, elegant neck and presented a satisfying, characteristic pic-ture overall. Tan has faded a fraction but her markings are good and it is easy to see how she has attained her V.W. On this form. Good bitch.
SPECIAL BEGINNERS (5). 1.T. TOUCH OF CLASS. 2. Marsden’s GALVIZACH ROYAL AMETHYST OF REGALRIVER. Quite a finely built, pretty bitch who has a balanced, clean profile. Her head is character-istic of the breed with a pert expression and well-shaped eyes and she carries it on a neck of sufficient length to guarantee a touch of elegance. Moved steadily. 3. G. CHIFFON BLACK.