Over many decades I have had the privilege of witnessing many great Smooths in the ring, many of which could compete at group level. Sadly for me nowadays those times are over & I feel that the Smooth has lost its way both in quality & numbers. Couple this with unsporting attitudes within the ranks I wonder what the future holds for this variety. 

PD (1) 1 Williams & Moes’ Cwmdarian San Andrea, red. Exhibit with so much promise. So correct in head proportions which is of the correct conical shape with a super eye & expression & correct dentition. Excels in neck & front assembly. He is well ribbed with a good underline leading to well angulated quarters. His bone has good quality with neat compact feet. On the stack his general outline is eyecatching while on the out & back his foot falls are true. On the go around its fair to say he is a little loose in topline but with normal maturity this will correct itself. Presented in excellent order. While I was mindful of his tender age in the line up his overall quality warranted the RCC. Should go on to bigger things! JD (0). PGD (3) Poor class! 1 Hunt’s Carpaccio Trouble In Store, b/t. Scores with his correct head proportions which is masculine & of the correct conical shape. Good in eye & expression with good dentition. Correct in neck with a well filled forechest. Excels in rib with a firm topline & correct tailset with well muscled quarters. He has correct bone with good feet. While stacked he gives off a pleasing outline but today I felt he was not giving his handler 100 per cent on the move. As usual from this kennel presentation was excellent & overall maturity won him this class; 2 Valentine’s Moralisa Secret Script Tiffnass, b/t. Has some correct breed attributes but does need to gain more confidence to be seriously considered; 3 Crosbie & Holroyd’s Bonavoir Red Hector. LD (3,2a) 1 Tite’s Phaeland Special Driver at Rijobean, red. Often admired this exhibit from the ringside. On inspection I found him to have a quality head which has correct balance with a kind eye & good expression. Would however prefer more layback in shoulder but he has plenty in forechest & is well ribbed with a good topline & underline. His quarters are well angulated & his bone & feet are OK. Pleasing on the eye when stack & shows good attitude when on the move, if at times a little proud of his tail. Presented in good order. I am aware that he is knocking on the door of the upper house. No doubt his turn will come! OD (3,1) Two exhibits who are similar in type. 1 Armstrong’s Ch Lauralee Nicholas Nickleby, b/t. No mistaking this exhibits gender. Masculine in head which has correct proportions with a dark eye & correct expression with excellent dentition. Correct in neck with a well filled for chest. His elbows are tight to his body with good ribs which are carried well back. Both topline & underline are correct which leads to a well developed rear. He stands on quality bone with neat feet. No form of exaggeration about this exhibit he just gives off a pleasing overall outline when stacked. His movement is so precise on the out & back & holds his outline at all times. Presented in excellent order, a worthy ch indeed. CC today; 2 Higgins’ Ch Leveliss Saucy Sailor, b/t. While many similar comments apply here as to the winner this exhibit is good for overall breed type & was presented in good order. My main concern would be his lack of forward reach on the move due to a very short upper arm, still can’t take his title away!

PB (3) 1 Williams & Moes’ Cwmdarhian Hotoff The Press, red. Wow at last something to smile about. Instant attraction to this exhibit, such ring presence. On inspection she has a super head which is feminine & so well balanced. Excellent in eye & expression with good dentition. Excellent length in neck which flows into a well angulated shoulder. Plenty in rib with a good forechest, topline & underline, so pleasing finishing off with a well angulated rear. She is good for overall size with a stunning profile on the stack. On the move she displays accurate foot falls on the out & back holding an eyecatching outline on the go around displaying good outgoing temperament at all times. Litter sister to the PD winner. Presented in excellent order. Absolutely no hesitation in the line up to award her the RCC & BP. One I’m sure, if judged on merit, should easily wear her crown; 2 Jones’ Adnerbs Lexi Get Fizzical, red. Another quality exhibit with plenty to admire. Feminine in head of correct proportions with a kind eye & gentle expression. Reachy in neck with a correct overall body outline. She stands on good bone with neat feet. Still needs a little more time to fill her frame. With normal maturity this will happen. She moved out with correct foot falls on the out & back. Presented in good order; 3 Valentine’s Tiffwass Robin. JB (1) 1 Murnikovience’s Delvitae Lili Dark Angel, OK for overall breed type. Feminine well proportioned head with a good eye & expression. Reachy in neck with an OK forechest. Ribbing is good with a pleasing topline & tailset. Bone & feet are correct while technically she moves out well she would benefit for more confidence. Presented in good order. PGB (4) 1 Paterson & Paterson’s Phaeland Sent Direct to Ambiesque, red. Quality exhibit to go over. Correct in head which is feminine & of the correct conical shape with a keen eye & expression. Good in neck & forequarters, excels in rib with good topline & underline which leads to a well angulated rear. Moved out with purpose if at times a little proud of her tail. Must admit prefer that kind of attitude against something that lacks confidence. Presented in good order. With normal luck would not be surprised to see her wearing her crown; 2 Jones’ Hampdach in These Arms of Adnerb, red. Another typy exhibit from this kennel. Quality in head which is feminine & well balanced. Correct in eye & expression. General body outline is good with good ribs. She has quality in bone with correct feet. Just not as positive on the out & back as the winner but did hold a good outline on the go around. Presented in good order; 3 Higgins’ Leveliss Hong Kong Garden. LB (3,2) 1 Rodger’s Thundergay Delta Dawn, b/t. Scores with her feminine well proportioned head with a kind eye & expression. Plenty in neck with enough in forechest. Topline is good but prefer a much better underline being short in rib. Bone & feet OK & would benefit for a shorter hock. However did move out soundly & was well presented. OB (6) 1 Williams & Moes’ Aust Ch Cwmdarhian Hot Chocolate, choc/t. Now there is hope. Stunning exhibit of top draw quality. Ultra-feminine head with the correct conical shape. Excellent in eye & expression. Reachy in neck which flows into a well angulated front assembly with plenty in forechest. She excels in rib with the best of topline & more importantly a good underline which so many lack. She stands on quality bone with excellent compact feet. She is well angulated in her rear with good muscletone finishing off with short parallel hocks. On the stack she is breath taking, on the move the issue it put to bed. She displays excellent reach & drive while holding her outline on the go around at all times. Presented in good order. No hesitation CC, her second & took BOB over the male purely on her style & overall quality. A ch just waiting to happen if judged on her merit alone; 2 Bennett’s Shardaroba’s Dream Baby, red. Has so much to admire all through. Correct in head qualities which has good proportions. Kind in eye with a gentle expression. Plenty in neck with a clean shoulder. Scores with her ample ribbing with correct topline & underline. Her bone has good quality with neat feet. She displayed accurate foot falls on the out & back & held her outline on the go around at all times. Unlucky to run into the winner. No doubt will reach the upper house; 3 Hunt’s Ch Sontag Shanda Leah.