Judge’s Critique:

I would like to thank the Secretary and Committee of Three Counties for inviting me to judge and congratulate them on their well run show. I would also like to thank my wonderful hard-working stewards who had had a very long and hard day coping the scorching heat and rain; and to the exhibitors for giving me their entries and patiently enduring the long, hot wait for the start of judging (Curlies were third breed in the ring). Thankfully, at lunchtime, the chief steward decided that our breed would be judged inside in the cattle sheds. The rings were smaller than outside but it was in the shade and cooler.

PD (4,2)
1. Finch’s Molokain Doing the Do at Cetgueli. Promising black dog of nearly 12 months. Neatly presented and sympathetically handled. Short, tight coat. Nice masculine head with correct planes. Correct mouth, pleasing expression with dark eyes and neat ears. Well bodied and stood on good legs with plenty of bone and neat feet. Good topline and correct tail set. Overall presented a clean outline stacked and on the move. Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy in Breed.
2. Hawtin’s Tessmeme Twist and Shout 9 month old liver dog. I was told that today was his first show and it showed – more practise will benefit both dog and handler, but we all have to start somewhere and I wish them well for the future. Nice dog with good bone, definite fore-chest and body development for age, although carrying a little puppy fat. Correct mouth. Moved well. Coat would benefit from some trimming.

JD (3,1)
1. Finch’s Molokain Doing the Do at Cetgueli.

PGD (2)
1. Hodson’s Rowancurl Gentle Gaelor Smart, well presented 2 ½ year old black dog. Well-muscled throughout, presenting with a good masculine wedge shaped head with correct planes, correct mouth, dark, kind eyes and neat ears, good reach of neck sloping to a good topline and tail set with correct length of tail. Adequate fore-chest. Plenty of bone. Moved with drive and extension. Really pulled out the stops in the challenge to win Best dog and BOB.
2 Dooley’s Rowancurl Pullman Porter. Black dog, litter brother to 1. This was a more compact dog in comparison to his brother. Lovely coat of tight curls. He was slightly precious about showing his teeth, but he did settle and everything was in order. He is well angulated but could use more muscle. He stands on good tight feet. His tail appeared slightly short, but he could have been hunching up as he exhibited a slight dip in his topline. He needs more practice in standing relaxed and showing rear extension. However, he moved well.

OD (2)
1. Edworthy’s Maycourt Heartbreaker 3 year old black dog with a lovely head and expression. He was well presented and had good muscle tone throughout. Beautiful spring of rib. In good jacket. Really happy chap and moved out well but was pipped in the challenge. Reserve Best Dog.
2 Hawtin’s Tessmene Twist and Shout, at 8 months old this lad was out classed. (see puppy)

PB (3, 2)
1. Hutchins’ Foxriever Moondancer 9 month old liver bitch with a pleasing outline and a good coat. Still at the slightly wriggly stage when being gone over. Good planes to head and neat ears. More developed than 2 with better angulation and better coat. On the whole moved well, showing good extension.
2. Driscoll’s Overbore Bombette for HisRiver 7 month old black bitch who was very much a raw baby. Still in puppy coat, but she was confident and moved well and had a really sweet, feminine expression. Nice tight feet. Good prospect for the future.

JB (3, 1)
1. Stephens’ Ravenho Up Town Girl for Brightmeadow 1 year old compact well made black bitch presenting a very pleasing balanced picture: neat head with good mouth and dark eyes, elegant neck and shoulders leading to good topline and neatly set on tail. Good angulation with deep chest, tight feet and good bone. In good coat. Moved well. Reserve Best Bitch.
2.Ravenho Toulouse Latresco at Baddgelert (litter sister to 1) Coat was longer and not as good as her sister’s but there is much to like about this girl: nice topline, good head with neat ears and good mouth. Tight feet and moved well.

OB (3, 2)
1. Perkins’ Tengore Ruby Tuesday 3 year old black bitch. Well angulated body with barrel ribs, adequate fore-chest and neat feet. Good top and bottom lines. She has an absolutely melting sweet expression which is complimented by neat ears and a graceful neck. In the challenge she won on maturity, overall balance and femininity. Best Bitch

Su Carlin