I enjoyed this virtual dog show. I think this virtual dog show is a brilliant idea. Martina wanted to make it easy for me by making a  list with points. The problem is to draw the line . In how many parts are you going to divide  the dog. What is a good stop worth 9 points or 10 points? And what is worth more points, good ear placement or tail set ? So finally I decided not to bother to much about the points and just go for breedtype .

So I decided to write my comments  next to giving points.   Although it was not easy for me to judge. Sometimes the position of the photo was not right and that makes it hard to see the balance . I started with the photo’s but than some dogs moved better than I expected after seeing the photo’s . In real life I could touch the dogs and that could confirm what I saw or not and that would influence my judging. Some dogs I had to see over and over again on the video. Below my final judgement and I like to explain that. Some of the dogs could swap places but just like at real show,  It is the decision I made at that moment in this competition. That makes showing fun and every show is a new opportunity because there will be other dogs.

BABY CLASS

Baby Class: following order: 45,17, 23

Explanation : To choose between nr. 45 and 17  was a hard decision . Both are beautiful in breed type and outline- so also in construction. Both are quality puppies. The blue merle is smashing in colour. So that was an extra bonus for me. He is very sound on the move and was easier to see on the video that he moved extraordinary well for such a youngster.  When I look at the head photo I think the tri girl has a nicer expression – but that could also be a better photo. The final decision was made on the movement. Number 23 and 6 are a bit the same in type but 23 moved better.

These babies are judged considering their age. So I judged them in the way I think they will be . Of course I have no idea  how the coat will develop. I just can see the colour (of the blue and tri) but I can’t say whether it will be a rich coat or not. Coat will mature in time but angulation won’t change much . So a well angulated puppy will be a well angulated adult. It is also hard to say something about size on this age . But a strong puppy won’t stay small.

JUNIOR CLASS

Junior Class: following order: 34,49 ,50, 62, 15 (I also like to mention 51,40 in the line up)

Explanation: Again a hard decision : The two merles are excellent in colour- both clear silvery blue and with nice small patches of black. A colour I see seldom so beautiful!. Both are very elegant in outline.  Both have beautiful refined heads. I do prefer the head and ears of the dog nr. 34 . He is slightly more elegant in head than the bitch. He still needs some time to finish in body . Which is good at this age. This dog is a slow starter and will mature a bit slower than the bitch. He needs to fill in front a bit. Still for the head I make him first. So  the bitch is more finished in body and is overall balanced . She is at this moment is better in front on the move. The third dog nr. 50 is no doubt a litter brother of the bitch nr. 49. I love his excellent type and size. The breeder must be very happy with such lovely quality in a litter. The dog is very similar to the bitch and also has  lots of quality. Nr. 62 is lovely and feminine but had less neck than the first three. I also like to mention nr. 15 – a black and white dog – that is a little stronger in head than the first four but the head is balanced and suits his body that is nice and sound. In the further line up I would select 51 – very feminine and seems to be correct in movement, nr. 40 is a pretty Black and White with ideal size and lovely sweep over the loins. She needs to settle in front.

CHAMPION CLASS

Champion Class: following order: 26,29 22, 31 and 16

No doubt all five entries quality dogs and worthy champions . So to decide how to place them is about minor details. My first place is nr. 26 . No doubt about that, because she is excellent in breed type and also very balanced and sound on the move . for me -as the breedstandard starts with- A small working dog of great beauty ! Lovely feminine although her eyes should not be any smaller (looks into the sun)  . She is beautiful in shape and moves lithe , smooth and graceful . She has a nice long stride in front. She has the maximum amount of coat! I found it hard to decide between the two dogs nr. 29 or 22 . I would like to see nr. 29 a bit more free and happy and I prefer a loose lead on the move.  I love his size  ideal – 37 cm – and bone . I like his movement which is very correct with a long stride. Dog nr. 22 looks a bit bigger (but correct in size) . He has for a tricolor a lovely smiling expression. He is a sound and happy mover but turns a bit in elbows comming . So for the movement I make  nr. 29.second. The two following bitches are both beautiful and could also win easily. I just have to make a decision. And again a blue merle that is wonderful in colour and sound on the move. The tricolor bitch is lovely feminine and very correct in the head and size . (so again I would like to see them in real life to be able to make a decision)

WORKING CLASS

Working Class ( normally we doesn’t see this class at the show) following order: nr. 70, 69 , 64, 2

I choose nr. 70 because he has a nice elegant topline and a lovely head. Sound on the move .  The second one is also a nice quality dog but I prefer a bit more neck and better sweep over the loins. Again this one is very sound on the move.

VETERAN CLASS

Veteran class: following order: 25, 28, 58, 3 and 20

The reason I love Shelties is  that they grow old in a beautiful way and stay sound and healthy until  a very high age . We want dogs to last for a long time because they can become 15 years.  These dogs are an example for the breed and most of them  move like youngsters and the owner took care of the coats and  condition wonderful. So they are a treasure for the breed. The owners should be very proud!!

My first is nr. 25- This bitch is absolute wonderful on the move – She has this lovely smooth and lithe movement I like to see and she has a lovely long stride from the side. She does have the maximum amount of coat for me .

My number two is nr. 28 .I love the balance and expression . The head is  of a shorter type but balances the body. He is a lovely clear silvery blue merle with a more than abundant coat. The coat makes him look slightly low on legs. That is why I need my hands to feel whether that is true or not. But the whole picture is glamorous.  Nr. 58 is wonderful in breedtype, with a lovey head  and overall balance which he shows on the move . He moved happy with plenty drive and stride . You can’t see he is 11,5 years. The blue merle looks a bit richer and that is why I placed him above nr. 58 (I could easily do it the other way) -. Also the other two are beautiful and very sound for their age.