I thank the Bournemouth association for their hospitality and the way they were able, in the most appaling weather, to prepare and produce a pleasant efficient show. The exhibitors entered into the spirit of the sport, and refreshingly all seemed to enjoy the day.

Thank you. It is some years since I awarded CCs in Longs, and I looked forward to the appointment. Without exception temperaments are second to none, in fact I was in danger of being licked to oblivion by a couple of dogs that thought it necessary. Presentation was a compliment to me and the dogs, and most of the teeth and coats, were clean - well done. A couple of problems that need your attention are hind movement, many of the back ends were so difficult to see owing to the glorious feathers, but close quarters and cow hocks were common, and I feel should be addressed. Size is also a perennial subject well aired and discussed. I personally think that many otherwise lovely dogs are too big.

Perhaps the Breed Clubs should guide the breeders to stay within the perimeters of the standard of Points regarding the size. The heads are quite coarse in some bitches, showing the head, when seen from above, to be a wedge shape as opposed to the desirable conical shape. Sexing of the exhibits used to be easy by looking at the heads and expression, but on the day, in some cases it is difficult to assess without delving into the nether regions. My top winners gave me great pleasure, and reading the breeding later, I see the BPIB is sired by my DCC winner, and out the dam of my BCC winner, so there is obviously something in that line that I admire.

PD. (3). 1. Barrow’s, Metadale Moon Dancer from Frankenwen. BPIB. 10 months old. Well coated dog. His head and mouth is correct. He has a well developed front assembly, well sprung ribs, level topline, correct underline. Good thrust of well constructed hindquarters. Moved well. A good prospect for the future. 2. Lawrence’s, Peverleigh Solo Vision. Similar comments with the exception that the first moved with slightly more precision and fluidity than this dog. 3. Bongiovanni’s, Merrygarth Greve de Lecq avec Ankors.

JD. (2). 1. Pannell’s, Penzown Sorcerer. A shaded red dog that stood alone in this class. He had a nice head, fair shoulders. At 12 months old he has time on his side.

ND. (1). 1. Jordan’s, Resurgam Moonlight Sonata. This black and tan is quite a nice dog to go over. He has a good front, nice body and on the day his crowning glory was his hindmovement, which powered him round the ring with a great thrust.

PGD. (1). 1. Page’s, Chipperfield Brigadier. A lovely shaded red dog. A little lean on the loin. He is unexaggerated in body, and moved well. Handsome head.

LD. (11). 1. Edwards and Pankhurst’s, Danward Sibellus. RCC. I loved the size of this lovely lad. He is b/t and is beautifully balanced. He has a handsome head, flowing into well angulated shoulders. A good strong prosternum. Well sprung and correctly carried back ribcage. Strong hindquarters, used correctly. Good sparkling condition, and he moved and showed well. 2. Oxley’s, Larkhund Latest Destroyer at Owlery. Another b/t in good form. Slightly bigger type, in superb condition. Again with an impressive front. Level, sound and moved well. 3. Vine’s, Albaneys Red Reveille.

OD. (3). 1. Mitchell and Hanney’s, Frankenwen Sundance to Abronia. CC and BOB. Glamour personified without losing an ounce of masculinity. In great form, he boasts a correct and handsome head, an elegant neck into great shoulders and front. Level both standing and moving and the engine is precison built, and used with great power around the ring. Hid coat is a rich shaded red presented in top order, and I thought him good enough fo the days top honours. 2. Burke and Manston’s, Bonavior Seven Sisters. A lovely clear red. A bit out of coat on the day. He has good structure and he moved very well. A nice dog.

PB. (3). 1. Mitchell’s, Darsoms Zophisticate of Bronia. Another jewel by Conquistador. I’m not keen on the colour, but that is a personal thing, the rest of this little bitch is really nice. This 10 months old is very promising as she already is ring wise and shows off very nicely. Her construction is good verging on exceptional, and I shall follow her future with interest, as it should be exciting. 2. Chapman’s, Melminds Melly Mel. A 7 months old baby who dosen’t know whether to gallop or curtsey at the moment, but she will learn and with what I could see, it should be interesting.

JB. (4). 1. Clarke’s, Tekalhaus Kruggerand. RCC. An ultra feminine typy bitch with the most glorious mahogany flowing coat. Her head is correct and conical, the bite perfect. Front and rear angles are correct. The body is well covered and strong. Front movement is fine, and the hind movement needs to settle, but time is on her side. 2. Mitchell’s, Darsoms Zerenity at Bronia. A 10 month old who is very promising. But she still needs time to develop what are her obvious qualites. A black and tan bitch, very feminine. Moved well. 3. Oxley’s, Owlery Golden Splendour.

NB. (1). 1. Hebblethwaite’s, Marshwick Midnight Rapsoiy. A pleasing black and tan who was giving her handler a bad time. I caught glimpses of an excellent, albeit at times erratic, mover, with a pretty head. Fine shoulder, level topline. When she gets her act together, she should be easier to assess.

PGB. (5). 1. Lawrence’s, Peverlay Follow the Vision. A very nicely balanced, feminine bitch with good feet. She is glamorous with a super b/t full coat in top order. Moved well, maintaing a level topline. Well handled. 2. Perry’s, Swansford Tinkadora with Fragglerock. Very glamorous beautifully coated clear red bitch. She has correctly constructed shoulders and hindquarters which she used to advantage. I preferred the size of the first placed bitch. Good ring manners. 3. Sutton’s, Dolan Cupid Golden Dawn at Damal.

LB. (4). Very different types in this class. 1. Grimes’s, Frankenwen Vosne Romanee via Mondricia. An ultra feminine black bitch who moved really well. Has a totally correct coat and is not overdone in that department. Correct movement. 2. Chapman’s, Melminds Melanee. A different type but although she is slightly heavier type, she cannot be denied her place here. Her angles are straighter than first, but she has a pleasing sound movement. 3. Burfitt’s, Dandydayo Melody Maker at Fragglerock.

OB. (5). 1. Mitchell’s, Metadale Moment of Truth at Bronia. CC. I belive a crowning day for this lovely bitch. Slightly out of full coat on the day, but if anything it shows off her lovely construction to an advantage. Pretty head and expression, elegant neck leading into the shoulder area with a gentle sweep. Topline and underlines are correct and held during the movement which is flowing and sound. Only possible with correct construction. Excellent size. 2. Geeson’s, Ch. Abydachs Give me the Future. A glamorous b/t who moved with a great “get up and go” attitude and when standing looked the part. Lovely prominent front and the shoulders are well placed. Hindquarters are correct. Very sound. 3. Burke and Manston’s, Loggeta Laylanna with Bonavior.

Di Moate