Always a breed that gives me much pleasure to judge, particularly when shown in hard condition, which was the case with most of the exhibits on this occasion. Overall the impression given was of a breed that could still carry out its original function. On the downside, however, there were a few that were a little short in leg and others that lacked sufficient tuck up giving the impression of being heavy.

PD (8,2) 1 Carr’s Marandike Star Attraction. 8 months old and advanced for his age with well proportioned head and having a good eye and expression. Well laid shoulder with leg well set under. Good fall away and distance from pin bones to hock. Well bent stifle, moved truly with little effort and lots of extension. 2 Grimshaw’s Jamalison Sonata. At 10 months old has more overall length than the winner. Masculine balanced head with good planes. Attractive topline with good fall away but needs a little more depth. Well angulated behind and another true mover, covering the ground. 3 Trotman and Dockree’s Regalflight Princequillo of Penherald. 

JD (1) 1  Help’s Greyfriars Gille of Beardswood. Stood alone but could certainly take some good competition. At 14 months he was well advanced with a masculine - but still refined - head. Good reach in neck, balanced throughout with good bone. Nice rise over loin formed part of a correct topline. Well muscled with smooth and effortless, true action covering the ground.

PGD (15,5) 1 Peach’s Greyflax the Mighty Quinn to Kilbourne. Balanced throughout, refined but powerful head. Well angulated behind, shoulder well laid and leg well set under. Good depth, very true mover going over a lot of ground without effort. 2 Meer’s Lealla Kinrossie of Lordswell. Close up to the winner. Good head proportions and well furnished with well set ear. Plenty of length in neck and well conformed in front. Rising well over loin and falling away over croup to well set tail of good length. Low, vertical hocks helps him to move truly with an easy and active action. 3 Blackford and Morrissey's Lord Seafield at Hartvalley. 

LD (9,5) 1 Carr’s Wolfscastle Wood Melick. Balanced and masculine head with a good reach of neck. Plenty of depth with well laid shoulders. I would like a little more rise over the loin but a good fall away. Well bent stifle and low set hocks helped to produce true movement, but I would like a little more reach. 2 Cheshire’s Neroche Hennessy of Deeranwith. Good gentle expression on a balanced head with a nice eye and well set ear. Again good depth and falling away well to correctly set tail. Good distance from hip to hock with a well bent stifle. Covered the ground but needs a little more precision in going. 3 Wiggan’s Killoeter Grilse.

OD (6,1) 1 Peach’s Kilbourne Macleod. Balanced overall, head in correct proportions and well furnished. Strong neck set into well laid shoulders,  with well returned upper arm. Well muscled rear angulation with well bent stifles and low set, vertical hock. Good bone, true and active mover with a light, fluid action. CC. 2 Meer’s Kilbourne Comanche of Lordswell. Not much separated him from the winner. Correct head and well conformed with depth and good bone. Croup falling away well to correctly set and carried tail Well angulated behind. Another covering the ground with a true, active and flowing action. Res CC. 3 Help’s Beardswood Marmion.

PB (6,2) 1 Grimshaw’s Jamalison Melody. At 10 months has a beautiful, feminine head complemented by good eye and ear. Correct topline, plenty of reach in neck set on a well laid shoulder. Well angulated behind with low set hocks. Needs to drop in brisket a little and develop a bit more substance, which should come with age. True active and light mover. Best Puppy. 2 Carr’s Marandike Ebony’s Choice to Wolfscastle. At 8 months is close up to the winner. Good overall outline and well furnished head for age, in the correct proportions. Length of neck set onto a well laid shoulder and leg well set under. Croup falling away well to a good tail set. Has truth of movement acting with drive. 3 Janson’s Nixophel Crystal Amethyst. 

JB (2) 1 Bailey’s Greyflax Milly Molly Mandy. 15 months and has a classic outline. Good head with correct eye. Well conformed in front, good depth for age. Correct underline and plenty of distance from hip to hock and nicely angulated. Well muscled and a true and precise mover with a light action, featuring extension and drive. 2 Rhodes’ Kilbourne Charity of Gentom. Another good type with an appealing head. Good length of neck and plenty of depth. Not the outline of the winner and could do with a little more tuck up. Strong quarters with croup flowing away correctly to a well set tail. Covered the ground on the move but lacked the precision of my winner.

PGB (13,4) 1  Williams’ Kilbourne Iduna at Inverclyde. Very elegant lady with plenty of style. Feminine and balanced head with a gentle expression. Good front conformation, strong neck with length. Good depth and bone and well tucked up and falling away well. Strong, well muscled quarters with well bent stifle and low set, driving hocks. Went with precise and easy action without apparent effort.  2 Finnett and Heathcote’s Hyndsight A Box of Dreams. Another elegant lady but lacking a little maturity in this company. Dark, well shaped eye, good length of neck and well conformed in front. Excellent topline and good tuck up. Well bent stifle and also moved over the ground without effort. 3 Peach’s Kilbourne Oh Suzzanah.

LB (14,6) 1 Help’s Beardswood Morwenna. Very typical with beautiful head proportions, strong jaws and a good ear, well set. Plenty of reach in neck, excellent front conformation and plenty of depth. Good topline complemented by a quality fall away. Good strong quarters with well bent stifle and low set hocks. Extravagant mover covering lots of ground with good extension, if a little close behind. Res CC. 2 Bailey’s Greyflax A Kind of Magic JW. Another that is true to type. Well furnished and proportioned head, very good topline and strong bone. Well laid shoulder, strong, hard muscled quarters. Good length from hip to hock. Moved truly and with precision, but lacked the vigour of the winner. 3 Grimshaw’s Greyflax Mystic to Jamalison. 

OB (6) A very good class. 1 Finnett’s Ch Hyndsight Heaven Can Wait. Balanced throughout with a wonderful overall outline. Balanced and correct head with a beautiful dark eye. Strong neck with reach and great front conformation, with legs well set under and a good lay of shoulder. Plenty of depth, correct topline falling away well over croup to well set tail. Excellent hind angulation and covers the ground with drive and reach, but without apparent effort, being light and active. CC and BOB. 2 Bailey’s Greyflax Waterloo Sunset. Another very typical of the breed with a well furnished head and a good set of ear. Great front angulation with good bone and depth. Correct topline with good, strong and well muscled quarters. Plenty of length from hip to hock. Also moved well and covered the ground without effort. 3 Hird’s  Claonaiglen Albyn at Cloweswood.

Nick Bryce Smith