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Critique - Judge: Mrs L Armstrong-Rodgers

My thanks first, to the SKC Committee for inviting me to judge at one of my favourite show’s, especially on the occasion of my first appointment awarding C.C’s. Secondly to the exhibitors for such a quality entry with so few absentee’s and finally to my two excellent stewards who worked extremely hard, keeping the ring running so smoothly.

I did feel that the quality of the bitches quite superior to the dogs today. I offer this only as a general comment and not a criticism, as my main winners I thought were of superb quality in both sexes.

MINOR PUPPY DOG ( 2,0 )

1^st. Gilray’s Jonola Xcalibur. What a handsome young puppy, correct head planes, dark eye, raised brow, good finish to foreface. Well off for bone. Lovely topline and correctly set on tail, which he used to advantage on the move. Shows much promise. Best Puppy Dog. Well done.

2^nd. Wood’s Reddins Falcon. Rather naughty today so was a little difficult to assess. Nice type of puppy. Just preferring the head of the winner. Very good rear angulation and correctly set on tail. Presented in very good coat and condition. Did not look as quite together as the winner but has time on his side.

PUPPY DOG ( 2,0 )

1^st. Mazan’s Haremach That’s My Goal. Lovely headed youngster. Pleasing gentle expression, low set ear placement. Reasonable depth of chest. Well off for bone. Good rear angulation. Moved quite well for a baby.

2^nd. Olbinson’s Haremach Sweeney Todd. Another nice headed puppy. Slightly lighter in bone than I would like on a puppy dog. Nevertheless possessing a good depth of chest. Adequate rear angulation. Presented in lovely coat and condition. Moved well enough considering his age

JUNIOR DOG  ( 8,3 )

1^st. Barker-Bell’s Balintyne Wish Me Luck. What a lovely young dog to go over. Typical head, so handsome, super dark eye, correctly shaped. Kind expression with that lovely raised brow. Well-arched neck, correct shoulder placement. Good spring of rib. Firm through the loin with well bent stifles. All presenting a balanced picture. Moved well once settled, holding his tail correctly. Lovely topline which he maintained on the move.

2^nd. Withey’s Bridgella’s Northern Lights. Looked really impressive in profile. Masculine head yet without any coarseness. Raised brow and good finish to muzzle. Well-placed shoulders. Excels in forechest and return of upper arm. Strong well muscled hind quarters. Moved with true drive from behind and with correct forward reach.

3^rd. Laidlaw & Green’s Glencarron Olympic Gold

YEARLING DOG  ( 10,0 )

1^st. Gardner’s Riqitta Authentic. Masculine headed young dog. Dark eye, raised brow, showing stop. Deep chest, well ribbed up. Good strong topline. Well off for bone. Excellent rear angulation which he used to advantage moving effortlessly around the ring. Shown in wonderful coat and condition. A very promising young boy.

2^nd. Barker-Bells Balintyne Wish Me Luck

3^rd. Withey’s Bridgella Northern Lights

GRADUATE  DOG ( 6,0]

1^st. Brown’s Caskeys Hazard. Striking dog in profile of medium size who looked so well balanced. Beautiful head with lots of work, very typical of his breeding. Good reach of neck, correct shoulder placement, nice straight front. Well-boned and neat well padded feet. Strong topline with well angulated quarters. Moved well holding his topline. In wonderful coat both colour and condition.

2^nd. Lucas’s Kerryfair Jays Boy with Amberlight. Another processing such a lovely head, dark expressive eye, raised brow with that all important quizzical look for an Irish. Larger frame than my first placing but still in proportion. Excellent depth of chest with pronounced sternum, good bone. Would just prefer a little more rear angulation to complete the picture. Very well presented.

3^rd. Wood & Kurring’s Reddins Ethan Of Lymish

POST-GRADUATE  DOG ( 12,1 )

A very good class full of quality.

1^s. Randle’s Wickenberry Jack’s Lad At Rionore.. I have judged this dog before and how he has matured. He is full of Irish character. Loved his super head, correct eye shape and colour, raised brow showing stop and such a typical Irish expression. Arched neck of moderate length leading into an excellent front assembly. Nice deep chest. Another dog possessing that so desirable pronounced sternum. Gently sloping topline. Super tailset. Strong hindquarters and short from hock to heel. He looked totally balanced throughout and in super coat today too. Moved with drive and purpose and it was so nice to see his tail lashing throughout. I was pleased to award him the Reserve C.C.

2^nd. Hissitt’s Tatsbro Firestone . Another dog maturing nicely. Very pleasant head with all the essentials. Strong well muscled neck, good shoulder placement. Super bone with straight front.. Deep chested and strong through the loin. Well bent stifles. Moved well with correct tail carriage. Presented in excellent condition

3^rd. Brown’s Caskeys Hazzard

LIMIT  ( 7,0 )

Another super class ! !

1^st . Lake’s Caskeys Checkmate. Loved this dog for his overall type and an absolute joy to go over, starting from his head to his correctly set on tail. Masculine head without any trace of coarseness. Such a melting expression, dark eye correct in shape, raised brow, good finish to foreface and muzzle. Arched neck of good length leading into well placed shoulders and correct return of upper arm. Excellent depth of chest with super bone and neat cat like feet. Well sprung ribs. Strong in loin and super well muscled quarters. Presented in beautiful coat and handled to perfection. Moved true with super head carriage and driving from strong hocks. Well deserved C.C. When challenging for BOB felt he had just lost a little of his enthusiasm and had to give way to an extrovert young lady

2^nd. Botts’ Bardonhill Ginger Whinger J.W. Beautiful headed boy with that truly wistful expression. Raised brow and good finish to muzzle. Well placed shoulders. Well off for bone and lovely neat feet. Clean topline with his tail just flowing off his back. Well bent stifles, short from hock to heel. In super coat. Moved well covering the ground. Very close up for the Reserve C.C.

3^rd. Sturrock’s Forarian Goodfella

OPEN  DOG ( 6,0 )

1^st . Holehan & North’s Sh.Ch. Erinade Starwars J.W.. A worthy champion with lots to like about him. Pleasant head. Excellent depth of chest and good spring of rib. Strong in loin. Gentle sloping topline with correct tailset. Strode around the ring driving from his powerful hocks and completing the picture with his lashing tail action. Shown in super coat and condition which won him this class over a great favourite of mine.

2^nd. Swainston’s Sh.Ch. Glenvarna Sungod. J.W. How I loved this dogs classic head and melting expression. So well put together. Well arched neck, correct shoulder placement and return of upper arm. Super depth of chest and well ribbed up. Strong quarters. Moved so very well with great forward reach and really driving from behind. Alas, today his coat was totally on the blow and had to pay the price in this good class.

3^rd. Laidlaw’s Sh.Ch./Ir. Sh.Ch. Glencarron Macduff Sh.Cm.

MINOR PUPPY BITCH ( 6,0 )

1^st . Hinslea’s Glenavna Sittin Pretty At Northamber. What a sweetie, seeming to take it all in her stride and not phased by the occasion at all. Prettiest of heads, dark eye, low set ears. Good forehand and depth of chest for her age. Sufficient rear angulation, correct topline. Moved happily and with confidence. Could well be a showgirl in the making.

2^nd. Brady’s Reddins Frolic Among Amberlight. Really liked this promising baby. What a shame that she did not want to co-operate with her very patient handler. However I eventually got to go over her. More mature than the winner. Possessing  a very pretty head, lovely bone and feet. Good topline which she maintained on the move, good angulation front and rear. Hope her confidence grows

3^rd. Abbott’s Anlory Pussy Galore

PUPPY BITCH ( 4,1 )

1^st. Henson’s Millcroft Moon Gypsy For Tatsbro. A very mature puppy having the prettiest of heads Expressive dark eye, raised brow. Arched neck flowing into a good front assembly. Deep chested, well sprung rib, Strong in loin. Reasonable rear angulation. Good tight feet. Complete with a lovely coat. Moved very well for a youngster. Pleased to award her best Puppy Bitch and eventually Best Puppy In Breed.

2^nd. Brady’s Reddins Frolic Among Amberlight

3^rd. Blackshaw’s Lanstara Luscious Lily.

JUNIOR BITCH ( 11,1 )

Super class of young ladies which bodes well for the future of the breed.

1^st. Kavanagh & Bott’s Withersdale Amaryllis. This young lady caught my eye on entering the ring. So full of attitude !.  In beautiful coat and looked so elegant standing. Loved her outline. She is well ribbed up with a pleasing body proportions. Pretty head long and lean  with the kindest of  eye,  low earset. Arched neck of good length, deep through brisket, super angulation at the rear and correct tailset. Moved extremely well, a joy to watch. Handled very well needed to get the best out of her, as you could see she is a very strong willed young lady !

2^nd. Stephenson’s Drumwhaur Summer Song. Another very nice young lady. Similar shape and size to my winner of this class, perhaps a shade longer cast, but still remaining balanced combined with substance. Pretty head and expression, good eye shape, good finish to muzzle. Super topline. Moved very well with super tail action.

3^rd. Barker-Bell’s Balintyne Luck Be A Lady. 

YEARLING BITCH ( 8,1 )

1^st . Wilson’s Danaway Tonya. I do not recall having seen this very pretty headed young lady before. Thought her just right for her age.  Well arched neck into correct shoulder placement. Strong topline and very well muscled rear which she used to advantage. Shown in super dark coat of lovely quality. Very well schooled for a youngster. A credit to her owner 

2^nd. Davie’s Lochfrae Affinity. Slightly different type, just preferring the overall outline of my winner. Prettiest of heads with kind dark eye. Low set ears. Good depth of chest and spring of rib. Nicely angulated. So happy on the move. Very pleasing to go over.

3^rd.  Stephenson’s Drumwaur Summer Song.

GRADUATE BITCH ( 6,0 )

Lovely class of quality bitches.

1^st . Bott’s Bardonhill Days Are Diamond J.W. Such a wonderfully balanced bitch presenting a lovely picture. Beautiful head with so much work. Well placed shoulders,  excellent depth of chest, good bone. Powerful hindquarters and the neatest of feet. Moved with exuberance holding her topline at all times. In the challenge was a little too exuberant and her resulting movement was not quite as positive as I had seen her before.

2^nd. Mortimer & Condron’s Corvarney CoCo J.W. You cannot appreciate the qualities of this bitch until you have gone over her. Liked her head with so much work.. She just flowed from head to toe. Super in outline., and moved so true, fore and aft. However today I felt that she just lacked coat and finish but could trouble the best when in full bloom.

3^rd.  Quinn’s Wickenberry Joanna

POST-GRADUATE BITCH ( 10,2 )

1^st . Hogsflesh’s Lyngor Living Water J.W. Another well known winning bitch and having now gone over her it is easy to understand why. Full of quality with each part just flowing into the next, presenting such an elegant picture. Appealing head with raised brow and that Irish quizzical expression, seemingly to possess you and she did !. Neck flowing into correctly placed shoulders with good return of upper arm. Very well ribbed. Well bent stifles, short from hock to heel. Nice cat like feet. When asked to move she covered the ground with seemingly effortless ease. I thought her qualities so good I was pleased to award her the Reserve C.C.

2^nd. Hinslea’s Northamber Causin A Riot J.W. Possessing an appealing pretty head, , good expression with a nice dark eye. Loved her outline when standing. Correctly  placed shoulders, well sprung  ribs,  nice straight front. Super bone and the  neatest of feet. She  carried her tail correctly,  moving really well from strong quarters. 

3^rd.Condron’s Scoteslaw Memphis Belle At Corvarney

LIMIT BITCH  ( 10,0 )

A really delightful class to judge

1^st. Chorley-Newton and Chorley’s Outfoxed by Kerryfair. I must admit I have seen this bitch in the ring on many occasions and  had not really paid her much attention, but for me today she looked superb. Her coat has never looked better, it was glistening and more profuse than I have ever seen it. She possesses such  a classic head, correct finish to foreface, dark correct shaped eye, with that mischevious expression and raised brow. Good length of neck fitting smoothly into well laid back shoulders, with good return of upper arm. Great depth of chest and  firm through the loin. Well developed quarters Good finish to croup. Her movement was true, both front and rear, with her head held high with that all important lashing tail.. Very well handled and presented . I had no hesitation in awarding her the C.C. Very well done and hope there are many more to follow.

2^nd. Rodda’s Fleur Of The Red Kindness. A really feminine lady, yet still having substance. Lovely head planes with such a soft expression. Clean neck with correct shoulder placement. Lovely bone, straight front, well barreled rib and well muscled rear quarters. Correctly set on tail Another bitch who moved extremely well. Today just lost out on top honours as she had decided to leave her best dress at home. In spite of that I thought her a lovely representative of the breed.

3^rd. Condron and Mortimer’s Corvarney Miss ‘B’ Havin

OPEN BITCH  ( 5,1 )

1^st. Hunter and Brown’s Sh. Ch. Braidmount Geisha Girl. So much has been written about this beautiful bitch and I can only agree  Having now gone over her I can understand why she has done the winning she has. Feminine balanced head with a beautiful expression, kind dark eye. She flows from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail, everything fitting into place correctly. However today I felt, although she moved soundly and true, did not have that extra sparkle and zest of C.C. and R.C.C. winners. A wonderful lady nevertheless. Thank you for allowing me to go over her.

2^nd. Kavanagh and Jowsey’s Kupolas Kandy Pops. A bitch I do not recall having noticed in the ring before and really do not understand why. She looked so very well balanced when stood. Possessing a very pretty head, clean neck, well ribbed up. Good body proportions, gently sloping topline. Well set on tail.  When asked to move went really well, striding out effortlessly. Her super coat completing the picture.

3^rd . Heron’s Sh. Ch. Caskeys Happy Hour

Lesley  Armstrong-Rodgers

Scottish Kennel Club 30 August 2009

Winning her 1st Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed:

Outfoxed by Kerryfair JW

Owned by Mrs S Chorley-Newton and Miss K Chorley

Photo: Marita Bott

Photo: Marita Bott

Millcroft Moon Gypsy for Tatsboro

Was Best Puppy in Breed, owned by Mrs O M Henson