May I start by commending my stewards, especially young Kaycey, one of the best stewards I have ever had, she enabled me to just concentrate on judging. Thank you and well done. My thanks to the exhibitors for a representative entry for the show, and for braving the wet and cold. Sadly the unheated building did not make for a comfortable day. Knowing I was due to judge, I deliberately avoided watching at all the shows for about a year so that I had no preconceptions! But no-one can avoid knowing what is going on to some extent. Whatever anyone may think, my decisions on the day were purely based on how I saw the dogs at that moment in time. Only a couple were just over the desired weight, but not enough to concern, and I was impressed with the bone and substance throughout; no worries for Breed Watch. Colour was never a factor in my choices, although it does look as if I favoured brindle – I only discovered that by double checking each one on the KC website MyKC! There was breed type, and physical size was excellent. Ground clearance and length of leg was adequate and in balance. Temperament was also excellent, with the exception of one, who for whatever reason was very unhappy, head down and not moving out, just not typical for the Mini Wire. In a large class she paid the price, but assuming it was a one off, she will fare much better another day. Presentation was good, clean dogs, just one with a soft coat. I was also happy overall with the heads, expression and the dentition. Lastly, I do not expect puppies to be ‘foot perfect’, as long as I see enough to assess they must enjoy the experience, and I am more than happy for the adults to show their personality rather than just be statuesque. Those who have shown under me in the past will know that my priorities, whatever the breed or variety, are first and foremost construction (conformation) and movement. Particular points which worried me were poor shoulder placement which spoils the neck and head carriage, and the short straight upper arm which directly impacts on front movement. 

MPD (1) 1 Grant’s Pennywave Percy At Granhoward. Brindle, a nicely made happy fellow who did enough to show himself off. Honest construction for his age, and when he chose to, moved out smartly and soundly. Best Puppy Dog, and Best Puppy in Breed. 

PD (1) 1 Kilroy’s Blackvein Cupid At Janacop. Brindle, an eyecatching young dog with a lot to commend him who moved out steadily, however his tail set and carriage spoilt the overall outline, which lost him Best Puppy Dog. 

JD (3) 1 Thorn Andrews’ & Billinghurst’s Drakesleat Kumquat May. Brindle, appealed for overall shape and balance, decent front and good quarters, which was reflected in his movement. 2 Salisbury’s Pennywave Nosey Parker At Brocklewood, brindle, he will have his day, but I found him slightly longer cast and just preferred the front construction of first. 3 Black’s Lordscairnie Cauld Be Love Bassodon. Brindle. 

PGD (2) 1 Salisbury’s Pennywave Nosey Parker At Brocklewood. 2 Phillips’ Gulliagh Loganberry Of Robinswood (IKC). Wild boar, just preferred the topline and hind movement of the winner. 

LD (2) 1 Mills-Jones’ Carlita Sunrise JW. B/Tan brindle, powerfully built, but a good outline, balanced, and the better movement. 2 Clare’s Lordscairnie Love God. Brindle, a nice enough dog, but did not show his best paces today. 

OD (2) 1 Ch Ridanflight Ricardo, brindle, CC & BOB. I was told subsequently this was his 50th CC, so you will not be surprised to learn that I can find nothing additional to add to the plaudits he has already received. He fills the eye, balanced, elegant, sound on the move. It was a privilege to judge him. 2 Thorn-Andrews’ Ch Drakesleat Evan Sent. Brindle, RCC. Another really good dog who has many of the same attributes as the winner, but today I just found the hind action and especially drive from the hindquarters of first was better. 

VD (1) 1 Phillips’ Ch Curtisey Boogy Woogy JW. Red brindle, a really nice dog in his day, now such a happy fellow, but time is just starting to detract from his qualities. 

MPB (1) 1 Selley’s Ubu Tiny Dancer To Heleanne. Wild Boar. A real minor who lacked confidence so did not show herself off to best advantage. She has time on her side. 

PB (1) 1 Howell’s Blackvein Vixen At Fallowmill. Brindle. Best Puppy Bitch, litter sister to the puppy dog, and same comments apply. When it came to Best Puppy in Breed, I found I just could not forgive the tail carriage. 

PGB (7, 1) On the whole not a class which commended itself to me, although they all had qualities – just not necessarily to my priorities. 1 Gilkes’ Ridanflight Rockin Rita At Birichino. Brindle, for me she stood away for overall balance and outline, moved steadily and demanded attention. 2 Weeks’ Beldrew Flora At Avon JW. B/T brindle, her outline was not eyecatching on the stack, but she came into her own on the move. 3 Clare’s Drakesleat Helen Back To Mabellene. Brindle. 

LB (5, 1) 1 Pain’s Russteck Nicely Nicely For Ravensbeech. Dark brindle, a very honest type, with good shape and outline, sound mover, and held her topline at all times. 2 Marston-Teal’s Lordscairnie Lifes New Love. Red brindle, another one with a nice outline, and a slightly better neck than first, but she did not move quite as positively or correctly. 3 Black’s Bassodon Dodecahedron. Brindle. 

OB (6, 1) 1 Dance’s Ch Emem Summer Sunshine JW. Brindle. CC, very close decision again between the first two, I see she is a daughter of Dog CC winner, and has taken on many of his qualities – shape, balance, and reach and drive on the move. 2 Thorn Andrews’ Ch Drakesleat Too Gud To Be True. Brindle, RCC, pushing hard all the way, but I preferred the topline of the winner, especially over the croup, today. 3 Dance’s Ch Emem Constance Sunshine JW. Brindle.