Three Counties
Wednesday 12th June 2002
Judge: Mr Chris Bexon (Oldfield)
| Best Of Breed | Int/Ir Sh Ch Winfren Vulpaqula Cadian | Russell |
| Best Dog | Int/Ir Sh Ch Winfren Vulpaqula Cadian | Russell |
| Reserve Best Dog | Lyonhouse Colin | Rees |
| Best Bitch | Decoymans Piper Flisa | Page |
| Reserve Best Bitch | Jaby Lavender At Danehaven | Powley |
| Best Puppy | Foxdown Zillah | Mortimore |
It was a real privilege to judge classes of this endearingly smart breed now they have progressed from the import register. My overall impression of the quality of the breed on the day was quite mixed. I found the majority were certainly very sound, which was reflective of the general construction of the exhibits present. I certainly got the impression on the day that the older dogs were more even in type and the younger ones more mixed. Mouths were good and presentation was excellent. The standard calls for a soft coat, but I have to say that reading my notes I found the coat did not quite fit my idea of soft, but whilst I have to go along with this, I felt the coats had perhaps slightly harsher properties to the touch. Temperament was very good, but I have to admit I expected the breed to be a little more animated considering their role in life, perhaps the show ring does not bring out their natural joie de vivre. I applaud the exhibitors for their sporting attitude, which I hope will stay as the breed advances. I understand, and am sympathetic to the problems encountered by numerically small breeds, I genuinely wish breeders every success for the future development.
Junior Dog (4 entries)
| 1st | Davies DECOYMANS PIPER ICEBERG OF STONEBEECH Won this class on his sound and typical movement. Liked his head, well proportioned with moderate stop. Eye set just right, pleasing expression, correctly set ears with rounded tips. Medium length of neck, straight front legs, would like a little more angulation in front pasterns though, longish body to height proportions, reasonable depth of chest, short loin, correct angle of croup and good tail carriage, shown in quite good coat. |
| 2nd | Hempston ISAC VIKING Lighter framed dog than the winner, although a little more compact, another nice head shape, a dog with medium bone, but could do with a little more neck for me, ultra short coupled and well angulated hindquarters, outstanding mover, shown in good coat. |
| 3rd | Draper DECOYMANS PIPER ICEMAN |
| Res | Lovett CANDEEBAR LEO |
Post Graduate Dog (3 entries)
| 1st | Page & Robbins NEWFANOVA THE NORSEMAN Superbly constructed masculine dog, which could lose a little weight to advantage. Although balanced in appearance, I thought a little on the tall side and a little overdone in head for me, long neck, deep chest and good width, level topline, well sprung ribs, medium length of back, well angulated hindquarters, short strong hocks, well muscled, good coat texture rich colour. |
| 2nd | Draper DECOYMANS PIPER ICEMAN 15 month old youngster of pleasing type, finer than winner, but more typical in head, good front, level topline, good stifle, that so important tail could do with a little more feathering to advantage. |
| 3rd | Mortimore LYONHOUSE BASIL |
Limit Dog (1 entry)
| 1st | Burt & Ashton DECOYMANS SWEDISH DESIGN Very nice type, exudes many good breed points. I felt he was slightly short in foreleg for me, which I think gave me the impression that he looked a little overlong compared to his height. He has a very confident attitude in the ring. I liked the dimensions of his head and his muzzle shape, alert expression, longish neck, pleasing straight bone, Nice lay of shoulders, ultra tight feet, of the correct shape, level topline, good spring of rib, correct tailset, good width of hindquarters and bend of stifle, well muscled, flat coat of good texture. |
Open Dog (4 entries)
| 1st | Russell INT/IR SH CH WINFREN VULPAQULA CADIAN I liked the pure type of this dog. Really pleasing outline, slightly longer in length in comparison to height, totally balanced for me with a quiet attitude when stood. I would like a little more enthusiasm on the move in the breed ring, like he displayed in the group, but its amazing what a difference a bitch in season can make. Really good length of neck, straight forelegs, good front confirmation, plenty of forechest, level topline, positive hind quarters with short rear pasterns. In this dog I can see why the tail is such a feature for this breed. Showing a little grey around muzzle, but not bad for nine years. Could be better muscled though. Coat condition quite good. Best Dog and Best of Breed. |
| 2nd | Rees LYONHOUSE COLIN Unbelievably 12 years of age. A great complement to the owner that he is in such superb condition. A set of teeth to die for! What a superb type and really first rate confirmation, super height to length ratio, perfectly balanced from any angle. Outstanding head and expression for me, strong mature body and what an excellent mover. A very good ambassador for the breed, shame about the socks, but I had no hesitation to give him Reserve best dog. |
| 3rd | Roffey NAROD JOKER JACK |
| Res | Harding & Whitehill NAROD THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM |
Junior Bitch (4 entries, 1 absent)
| 1st | Mortimore FOXDOWN ZILLAH What a superb little mover, accurate fore and aft, with real drive. Correct rich colour, really over the top temperament, which I and the audience just loved, balanced head proportions, moderate stop, very nice tapered muzzle, kind expression. Good reach of neck, good front, straight bone, good shoulder angulation, a little straight in pasterns though, good depth and width of chest, level topline, medium length of back, short loin, tailset on, moderate hind angulation, short hocks, would like more muscle development, which I hope will come with maturity. Good coat texture. |
| 2nd | Page PALUDIC PROMISE TO SEASMOKE Youngest in the class, a real sweety, obviously not the maturity of the winner, and not really as positive in front movement. A little down on her pasterns, which I think, is a shame. Not a bad outline, good bend of stifle, uses her tail well on the move. |
| 3rd | Mortimore FOXDOWN SOMETHING ELSE |
Post Graduate Bitch (3 entries)
| 1st | Powley JABY LAVENDER AT DANEHAVEN Compact, stylish mover, with good drive, correct colour and in good bloom, pleasing head shape, good head carriage on the move, correct ear set and position of eyes, pleasing colour, good reach of neck, nice spring of rib, short strong loin. Could be a little better angled in croup, which tends to effect her topline and tailset. Has abundant tail feathering which enhances her prospects, but slightly spoilt when it touches her back. Reserve best bitch. |
| 2nd | Woollerton FOXDOWN GILLIE Six years of age, liked many typical points of this honest bitch, good over all construction, although very lethargic on the move, a little heavily coated though for me, which spoilt her outline. |
| 3rd | Rogers QUOYGARD SKY |
Limit Bitch (4 entries, 1 absent)
| 1st | Powley JABY LAVENDER AT DANEHAVEN |
| 2nd | Woollerton FOXDOWN GILLIE Six years of age, lighter in colour but slightly finer than winner, a square shaped bitch when standing, presented a little difficulty assessing her on the move, but eventually moved to an acceptable degree. Good head properties, pleasing bone and feet. Level topline. Could have a little more tail feathering to complete the picture. |
| 3rd | Page DECOYMANS PIPER FANTASY IN SEASMOKE |
Open Bitch (1 entry)
| 1st | Page DECOYMANS PIPER FLISA I liked her outgoing temperament, which I feel must be spot on for typical. Body to height ratio very good, nicely balanced feminine head, expressive eyes, longish neck suggesting style, good shoulder angulation, straight forelegs slightly angled pasterns, tight elbows, level topline, good spring of rib, medium length of back, and short loin. Well angulated hindquarters, strong rear pasterns, curved tail does reach her back, in good coat. Best Bitch. |