Could I thank my exhibitors for their entries and for their sporting acceptance of my decisions. Although not the huge entries for the breed of days gone by there was quality within this entry which is more important. The ring was ideal and the weather the best of the day although and even warm by the higher bitch classes but not so much that it had any effect on performance.

Puppy Dog
1ST Souvenir of Sitka’s Unfinished Business avec Dreamwolves NAF TAF (Miss S Wolfe). A handsome young lad with a most pleasing head and expression thanks to good ear and eye placement and a broad well proportioned skull. Good mouth. His body is nicely balanced, with a good deep chest and correct angulation, giving good movement both ways. I hope he goes up a little further on leg as he matures. Tail carriage and set both good. BPIB
2ND Okinastar Powerful Legacy (Mrs A Alexander) Very much a baby but with plenty in his favour. Liked his length of leg and overall make and shape. Head needs to broaden and topline needs to settle. Time is on his side in both respects.

Junior Dog
1ST Black Stripe at Dokkalfar (Mrs S & Mr K Hooley) 17mth old soundly constructed who showed this well on the move with good drive and reach once he settled. Liked his overall balance. Pleasing head and expression withgood eye. Better presentation could enhance further.

Yearling Dog
1ST Samjoe Shadowhunter JW (Mrs S & Miss L Perfitt) At 20 mths this lad is maturing nicely but has a way to go yet, however, time is on his side. Strong hindquarters with good drive and reach in profile but still needs to develop in chest. Head again lacking maturity as yet. Good length of leg and overall body balance.

Open Dog
1ST 19 – Ch Lapema Malizioso (Mrs K L Jelfs) Headed a class of 3 quality males. A stunning example of the breed. Loved his overall balance and moderation. Excellent head giving a beautiful but masculine expression, tight lips, good eye and ear. Well balanced, moderate angulation front and rear giving a deceptively easy, long, ground covering stride which I so love to see, yet so obviously also light and accurate on his feet and with the strength and power to go all day. CC & BOB
2ND Chayo Trust The Magic (Mrs S Ellis-Payne) Plenty of quality in this youngster and he pushed hard all the way. Again, well-proportioned and strongly made, correctly angulated and producing drive and reach and with plenty of power if not quite the accuracy in footfall as his older half brother on the day, this will come as his chest settles with full maturity. Pleasing in both head and expression. RCC

Veteran Dog
1ST Sutarka Fire Storm (Miss Sharr Wolfe) BVIB
2ND Ch Chayo Golden Touch ShCM (Mrs A Nevinson)
2 quality veterans both of whom had far more strengths than weaknesses and are a credit to their owners. This was a difficult and close decision. The winner at 8 years still has the power, stride and neat footfall that I look for and in the final analysis decided this had to count. At 10, I loved 2nd under my hands and standing but today although he could match the younger dog, and did, in rear drive, his front was not quite so positive from elbow and his side gait not as smooth and effortless.

Puppy Bitch
1ST Chayo Love On The Rocks (Mrs S Ellis-Payne)
Very much a baby and rather over awed by her first show but oozing quality and gaining confidence through the class. Gives a good outline in stance and has a most attractive headpiece which she uses expressively. Excellent tail set and carriage once confident and moving soundly, as a result of her balance and correct construction, with the promise of strength as she grows and matures.
2ND Okinastar Destiny Calling at Coldasice (Mr M & Miss L Patrick & Ashman) Very together and well handled. Placed here on her overall balance and moderate angulation. Moved well when settled.

Junior Bitch
1ST Souvenir of Sitkas Une Star Est Née via Dreamwolves (Imp Lux) NAF TAF (Misses Dobson & Wolfe)
Placed 4th in PB Plenty to like. Well balanced and correctly angulated with a good feminine head and expression. Her movement today was very erratic. Time is again on her side and as so learns her trade can only improve.

Yearling Bitch
1ST Samjoe Seelie Queen (Mrs S & Miss L Perfitt) My notes say tidy young lady and she certainly is. Exactly where I would want her in terms of maturity for her age. Pleased in head and expression. Nicely balanced and moving with both purpose and accuracy. Very promising.

Limit Bitch
1ST Samjoe from Russia with Love JW (Mrs S & Miss L Perfitt) Thinking at some point we might have a summer this lovely girl had left most of her coat at home! However, though this is the crowning glory of a good dog it is not essential and has to change at some point. She fitted the bill in terms of construction and movement and I appreciated both her head qualities and her tail set and carriage. RCC
2ND Icewolf Jupiter Rising (Miss T, Mrs R & Mr A Robb) Matched the winner in terms of balance and confirmation, movement, length and strength of stride. A worthy exhibit with plenty of quality.

Open Bitch
1ST Ch Chayo Vasilisa (Mrs S Ellis-Payne) A stunning example of the breed. So feminine yet at no cost to strength and substance. Well balanced with a beautiful head and expression, excellent eye. Correctly angulated to give a strong, free flowing ground covering stride, again she looked as if she could go all day! She gave me the easiest decision of the day – BCC and the hardest decision of the day as she pressed so hard for BOB and I was really splitting hairs!

Veteran Bitch
1ST Sutarka La Dolle Vita (Misses Dobson & Wolfe)