I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Shetland Sheepdog Club of NSW for giving me the opportunity to judge their Championship Show. This is the second time I have done this, although the first one was another lifetime ago:))

I would also like to ask that you forgive me for the delay in this critique as I have been unwell with a few medical problems and I apologise for my lateness.

I hope that you will accept my critique in good faith as all comments are not meant to detract but to aid in the assessment of your Shelties.

I found on the whole that your Shelties were quite sound, I did not mention mouths or feet as I found them all good, except for one. It did worry me somewhat that the muzzles of the Shelties were getting too fine, when in fact they should be well rounded, but this can easily be corrected with the right breeding programme.

I think that the Shelties of NSW are in such good hands, I found so many lovely specimens of our breed that it gave me such delight to go over and assess them. You have all done such a good job, that the future of our breed is in excellent hands.

I leave my judging career on such a highlight. I have judged in NZ several times, Australia several times, Germany several times, Norway, Find/and Sweden twice. I have judged in America, Scotland and Austria and the highlight has been my judging in New South Wales.

Thank you everyone. Leslie

 

 

BABY PUPPY DOG

1. Lyndream Whiskey With A Twist.

A beautifully presented baby, who seemed to love being at the show. Well constructed and as such was a clean and confident mover both coming and going. Beautiful head proportions with lovely ears, which he used at every opportunity. This puppy has so much presence and confidence for one so young, I can see him going on to much bigger wins as he gets older.

2. Timmikin Mr Manoevre

Another nice baby but just not as confident as the first place winner and is very immature. Would like him to have a little more reach and drive but this could come with age. Lovely head proportions although a little heavy in ear and this could be due to teething.

 

 

PUPPY DOG

1. Beauideal Below Zero

A young blue merle puppy of nice shape and size. Very immature at this stage. Quite long and fine in foreface although the muzzle and cheeks blended well, he used his ears well. Lacks depth of chest and therefore has not got the reach and drive I would like. Very immature at this stage. He had a lovely coat and was shown and presented well. I would love to see this puppy again in another twelve months and then he could possibly present a different picture.

Intermediate Dog

1. Charmhill Winstons Choice

What a delight it was to judge this lovely golden sable sheltie, who was presented and shown in excellent condition. Beautiful head proportions which moulded into a lovely long neck and excellent shoulder length which of course enable him to move well both coming and going. I would have liked him to use his ears just a little more than he did on the day.

2. Arajento Leave A Light On

Another nice sheltie who unfortunately seemed very unsure of himself on the day. His head was refined and he used ears well. Shoulder proportions were excellent and he had well sprung ribs which constituted in a super front and good movement. Unfortunately today was not his day with regards to his temperament but had a lovely coat and was shown to the best of the handler's ability.

 

 

AUSTRALIAN BRED DOG

1. Gd Ch Hartly Big Bang

This dog caught my eye as soon as he came into the ring.

A beautiful refined head with all parts in proportion. Lovely dark almond shaped eyes that made one, want to look deeper. He used his ear well and was very alert. His shoulder proportions were a little steep and he was short in upper arm and this resulted in a rather short stride in the rear end. I would have like to see more strength. As per usual with this handler his coat was in excellent condition and he was handled superbly. I gave this sheltie my Res CC.

2. Beauideal Turn On The Charm

Another lovely Sheltie who caught my eye. Lovely head of equal proportions and used his ears well, although his ears were somewhat short. Moved well coming and going. Showed and handled excellently.

3. Ch Sharndah Its Time To Party

Beautiful mahogany Sheltie that was in excellent coat and condition. Nice head and eye and used ear well. A little short in neck and also short in upper arm and this resulted in incorrect movement. Short tail. Body proportiones were incorrect with the body being much longer than his height. Handled well.

 

 

OPEN DOG

1. Sup Ch Hartly How About That

I have seen this dog many times in photos and online and have liked him from afar. I have never seen him in person Today I did and I was not disappointed. He was a lovely balanced golden sable Sheltie is beautiful coat. He had the most beautiful head with correct ear and eye placement which gave him the most beautiful soft expression which melted me instantly. A tad short in upper arm and that was reflected in his hind action where I would have liked a little more strength. He did disappoint me with his lack of showmanship but overall he was a super specimen of our breed. He was shown and handled to perfection. I had no qualms giving him the CC Dog.

BABY PUPPY BITCH

1. ..Lyndream Tempting Fate

A well presented baby carrying a very nice and well textured coat sprinkled with a little baby fluff:)) Head properties on the whole were correct although a little fine in foreface and combined with the right eye placement, colour and correct ears, presented a very pleasing picture. A little unsure on the move but all of this will come in time.

 

 

MINOR PUPPY BITCH

1. ..Beauideal Party Girl

Another nice sheltie who was very pleasing to the eye. Very well balanced although a small dip behind the withers created an uneven topline. I like to call this "bum high" and it will correct itself as the puppy grows. Correct head type with all features being harmonious and correct. Very showey girl and one to watch as time goes by.

 

 

PUPPY BITCH

1. ._CH Hartly Shine Like That

Another pleasing golden sable. Characteristic head properties are giving such a pleasing and correct expression, although I would have preferred a more rounded muzzle. Movement was correct but a bit more strength is needed in the hindquarters. Beautiful coat, so very well presented and showed to perfection.

Bitch Res CC.

 

 

JUNIOR BITCH

1. Hartly Twist N Shout

A light golden sable girl who was a little up on size for me. A tad long in foreface but the rest of the head properties were ideal. Ears were placed well and she showed them to perfection. Well angulated and this showed in her movement. Very well handled.

2. Happishel Starring Mapeon

A very small sheltie for her age and very out of coat on the day. Because she was small all her head properties reflected this and they were fine and the muzzle appeared to be quite long and snipey. She was however well angulated but because of her size and stature she was somewhat restricted in movement. She was very alert to all the happenings around her.

 

 

AUSTRALIAN BRED BITCH

1. ..Ch Hartly Crystal Clear

Well balanced sheltie with a lovely coat. Equal head properties with neck moulding into well placed shoulders. A little short in ear but used them well. Correct topline with a graceful sweep over the loin. She moved so well, coming and going, her freedom of movement showing off her correct body proportions. She

was happy to be here and certainly showed this with her super ring presence. All in all a lovely sheltie. Bitch Challenge and Best in Show.

2. Ch Juzvee Just Kiss Me

A very alert young lady who was a little out of sorts today but owner thought she was coming into season. Correct head proportion with well placed eyes and ears. Shoulders well laid back with correct angulation and this was reflected in her movement. A little out of coat on the day. However, she presented a very pleasing picture.

3. Timmikin Island Girl

A 5 year old very heavily coated sheltie. She had the correct head proportions and a well placed eye. Her neck was a little short although it moulded into well placed shoulders. I found her to be a little short on leg which made her out of balance and this was reflected in her movement. Such a happy vegemite who had the most super coat of correct texture and the best petticoats I have seen in some time.

 

 

OPEN BITCH

1. Ch Sheldan Give Me Some Time

A shaded sable girl of very pleasing type. She was very well balanced. Head proportions were correct, eyes well placed and of correct colour, giving a very pleasing expression. Her neck was well arched and blended into well placed shoulders of correct proportions and because of this she had the correct length of body. Moved well coming and going and was alert when asked. She presented a pleasing picture. Handled and presented well.

2. Ch Beauideal Fancy Free

Another lovely sable girl who presented well on the day. Head proportions were correct although she was a little small in eye. An enviable long neck moulded well into her shoulders and she moved as a sheltie should, with reach and drive. I found her body proportion to be a little long, thus denying her some flexibility in movement. Presented and handled so well. Lacks depth of chest and therefore has not got the reach and drive I would like.

 

 

Neuter Bitch NIS

1. Gr Ch Neut Ch Beauideal Tres Chic

A gorgeous mahogany girl in such lovely coat. Groomed to perfection and handled so well. She was a super representation of our breed. Her head was refined as it should be and all parts blended together. Correct ears which catered very well to her owner. Well constructed and as such she moved with grace and style. She presented a very pleasing picture.

Res Neuter Bitch RuNIS

2. Neut. Ch Elizadale Out of Style

A very nice tri girl with a very thick and heavy coat. Head properties were adequate although she had a little more stop than I would prefer. She used her ears very well and was very alert to her handler. A little short in upper arm which was reflected by her movement. Level top line, good length of tail. All in all a nice sheltie.