SKYE BORDER UNION 23
Judge: Mrs M Macdonald-Cross (Tarskavaig)
Dog Challenge Certificate 1982 - Rhoderns Haggis at Marjayn (Miss M Bailey)
Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate 2004 - Ch Esgia The Exciseman ShCEx (Mr T Pringle)
Bitch Challenge Certificate 1985 - Buckwheaters Pictured Perfect (Mr J P Campbell)
Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate 1983 - Kilfinan Nightingail (Mr A Burscough)
Best of Breed 1982 - Rhoderns Haggis at Marjayn (Miss M Bailey)
Best Veteran 1998 - Noap Charoit Madlen Mardzheri at Esgia (Imp Rus) (Mr & Mrs G Mcleod)Mrs G Mcleod)
SKYE JUDGE BORDER UNION 23
I awarded my first CCs in 1966 and have seen a lot of changes. I look back to the halcyon days for our breed, the 80s & 90s when we had large classes and competition was fierce. Judges were able to line up 5 Skyes of breed type in these classes. Now due to the introduction of many imports, size has become variable as has breed type. Nowadays, sadly, the entries in Skyes, like so many breeds, have plummeted
My last Ch show appt was our club show 8 yrs ago and in my critique I mentioned the introduction of several import dogs and saying we would need to see how these new bloodlines would fit in with the British bloodlines.
I thank my sporting exhibitors who had travelled their dogs quite long distsnces and then endured high temperatures on the day.
JUNIOR DOG
1.Taylor's RISKERYTREE RUARIDH AT BILKENSTAR
Black youngster with really good body length and shape. Nicely balanced headpiece with dark eye, correct bite. Ears are well set on but need to strengthen
Good neck leading into nice front assembly. Shown in profuse cost of good quality. Sound mover. Skilfully handled.
YEARLING DOG
1. Bailey's RHODERNS HAGGIS AT MARJAYN - stood alone in this class but as this young man came into the ring my reaction was WOW! I had seen him only once before, a year ago as a bouncy puppy. What a transformation! Lovely masculine male shown in a superb clear cream coat for length and quality, expertly groomed . Lovely balanced head with dark eye, super black ear fringing and pigmentation. Arched neck leads into really good length of level back created by the necessary length of rib to loin ratio. Good bone. When I looked at him I was reminded of many of the great dogs of the past.
He keeps his owner on her toes as he sweeps round the ring oozing character. This is not a dog to be stacked but shows his best free standing. I was delighted to award him his second CC with BoB.
GRADUATE DOG
1. McLean Weir & Weir's RHODERNS HAMISH - Dark silver litter brother to the CC winner and has many of the same good points. Nicely balanced head, well placed ears, dark eye. Again has great body length with strong topline, well boned and is a sound mover. Shown in quality full coat. Another really good dog but lacks the ring presence of his sibling.
LIMIT DOG
1.Burscough & Grimshaw's KILFINNAN GAIL'S LEGACY AT JAMALISON - 4yrs black dog. Very nice breed type, lovely size, so low to ground, level topline thus presenting a nice outline.with correct length to height Just coming into quality body coat but has been rubbing his head hair which spoiled the picture a little. A quality dog that moves soundly both ends
2. McLean Weir & Weir's KOMETA ROSSI NAZARETH - another nice 2 yr old youngster shown in good clear cream coat. Lovely headpiece with well placed ears, good expression. Nice topline. Bit unsettled on the move.
3. McLeod's ESGIA GLEN GARIOCH
OPEN DOG
1. Pringle's CH. ESGIA THE EXCISEMAN - an old favourite of mine. 5yrs cream. A well constructed worthy Champion. Always gives his all in the ring for his owner/handler. Presented in full quality, well groomed coat. Gave way to youth today - Reserve CC.
2. Shuttleworth's WHICHEETA WALK THE WALK - This dark grey 4yrs old is very long and low to ground. Well balanced headpiece, good neck leading into nice front assembly and that long level back which he is passing on to his progeny (sire of today's CC winner etc). I feel his owner/handler could get more out of him in the ring as there is no sparkle. He is a lovely dog and an honest Skye.
JUNIOR BITCH
1. Shuttleworth & Winthrop's WONDERSKY WISH YOU WERE HERE - judged this lovely youngster at a recent Open Show where I had a little difficulty going over her but she was much better on the table today. Still a little timid but I'm sure with time and show experience she will be fine. She has a good head with sweet expression, well set ears, reachy neck and level topline.
Shown in a quality black coat, when she settles to the job, she covers the ground with reach and drive. I shall follow her career with interest. Such a promising youngster.
YEARLING BITCH
1. Whitelam's MADAZA STAR - Lovely light silver feminine bitch just out of Junior. Standing she presents a classic Skye outline. Lovely size with nice head and eye, well placed ears. Good neck, tidy front and level topline. Moved smoothly for her handler, a newcomer to the ring, I understand.
2. Curtis' BRAKEMILL MIDSUMMER DREAM - 2 year old typy dark grey shown in very good coat. Good head and expression. She appeared a little unsettled on the move at times
3. Heale's RHODERNS HELENA
GRADUATE BITCH
1. O'Rourke's BORCHO SKOOSH OF STRUANMORE - 2yrs old eyecatching feminine cream in super coat and condition. Lovely head with good dark points, expressive eyes. Reachy neck leading into very level topline, well carried tail. Good bone, moving soundy
2. Roberts' KILFINAN SEREN GAIL AT SUNABIL - 4yrs dark silver fits the standard well in size and balance of length to height. Nice typical headpiece with sweet expression, correct bite, well set ears, good neck and front assembly. Moves soundly but rather too fond of her tail on the move. Well off for bone for her size and very well muscled, but needs to carry more body weight and fuller coat. Excellent breed type..
3. Hamilton''s HEADSCROOK HEADS OR TAILS
LIMIT BITCH
1. Burscough's KILFINAN NIGHTINGAIL - silver litter sister to 2nd in the previous class and again lovely breed type.. Shown in abundant glamorous coat of quality. Very attractive head and eye. Nicely fringed ears with good dark points. Nice neck and shoulders and good level topline. Excellent balance of length to height and bodyweight. Good tail carriage. She really flows on the move. RCC.
2. Roberts' SUNABIL TYWYSOGES O LIBANUS - half sister to 1., I really like this ultra feminine bitch. She fits the standard so well for size and construction. Lovely head with dark eye and sweet expression, well fringed ears. Good neck and front with dead level topline, correct rib to loin ratio and well carried tail on the move. Good bone and muscletone but needs more bodyweight and finish of coat to complete the picture. Lovely sound breed type.
3. O'Rourke's ESGIA GLEN SCOTIA OF BORCHO
OPEN BITCH
1. Campbell's BUCKWHEATERS PICTURED PERFECT - 5yrs dark silver of superb breed type. A glorious mature bitch that has to be judged on the move to fully appreciate her excellent construction as she moves out just in front of her owner/handler - 'Doing it my way!' Perfectly proportioned head with calm expressive dark eye, correct bite and gracefully fringed ears. Her slightly arched neck leads into a lovely length of back, is low to ground with correct tail carriage. Good rib to loin ratio. She carried an immaculately groomed full straight coat and is in super body condition. I congratulate her owner as she produced a litter just six months ago and know that it must have taken a lot of care on his part to produce her in such good order for the showring!
It gave me great pleasure to award this lovely lady her long overdue first CC. She allowed youth to represent her in the group while she rested on her laurels!
2. Curtis' CH.VERUMAMICUS AURORA OF BRAKEMILL JW - well known top winning bitch. Another mature matron also 5yrs. Much has been written about this cream lady. She was, as always, immaculately turned out. She is very well constructed, good bone and a sound mover both ends. She always gives 100% to her owner/handler I preferred the ultra femininity and size of 1.
3. Pringle's CH.ESGIA FIRST AND FAIREST
VETERAN BITCH
1. McLeod!s NOAP CHAROIT MADLEN MARDZHERI AT ESGIA - now coming up 9yrs, i always liked the look of this silver lady ftom the ringside as a youngster, admiring her size, clean trim outline and excellent movement. Like so many of our breed, she has gone on to become an even better old Skye!
Margaret Macdonald-Cross ( Tarskavaig)
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