SVS Open Show Critiques

Firstly I would like to thank the officers and committee for the invitation to judge at a club 
show, as a fellow exhibitor of the breed it was really interesting to be able to get my hands 
on a good number of Vallhunds and get an idea of how the types within the breed differ 
slightly. As a breed bred to do a herding job, I wanted to find the correct muscle and strength 
in the back and loin that would enable this job to be done first and foremost, I am pleased to 
say most met that criteria. Finally I would sincerely like to thank my fabulous steward Kirsty, 
who kept the ring running smoothly and moving at all times. 

Baby Puppy (3,1) 
1st Linney & Atkinson - Aescwine C’est La Vie. This was the first outing for these two 5 
month old litter sisters and considering that they did very well. Very similar and share a lot of 
the same attributes. Both had good fronts with a correct shoulder lay with good harness 
markings. Still waiting for their topines to settle when on the move but im sure that will come. 
Movement was obviously a little here and there due to it being their first attempt but the bits 
when they were settled showed true movement coming and going and a lovely reach on this 
puppy in particular. Heads are coming along nicely with alert ears, although setting could be 
slightly higher, this puppy also had great mask markings. 
2nd Linney & Atkinson -  Aescwine Cuz everyone talks. Very similar to 1st and not surprised 
to find they were litter sisters, I actually thought this girl had a great coat texture but she lost 
out today mainly on the fact 1st was just slightly more together on the day. 

VD (2,0) 
!st Perry & Etches - CH Starvon Cryptic Spyda. Nearly 8 year old male who doesn't look like 
a veteran. He has the most beautiful head and correct alert ears, eyes and mask. He has 
good bone and muscle tone, which he used to his advantage when going around the ring, 
his reach and topline are just great on profile. BVD & BVIS 
2nd Jones’ - Ch Tanellis Blooming William. 7 year old boy, who has always been a favourite 
of mine but wasn’t in the best of coats today. So much to like, a good ear set and mask, nice 
length of neck leading into good shoulders, correct 2:3 ratio in body, was just unlucky to 
meet 1st today who was in such good form, places could be swapped around easily another 
day. 

PD (1,0) 
1st Lampen & Wilson - Vallhollow Born in the USA ST For Rosco (Imp USA) 10m old boy 
who was very reserved in his class but moved well on profile. He has a good front & bone in 
legs which flowed through into correct shoulders and top line. Correct harness markings, 
head was good with correct dark oval eyes. BPD 

JD (3,0) 
1st Mcardle - Starvon get the drinks in for Monascreebe 15m dog who was one of my 
favourites of the day, strong boy who looks & feels totally fit for purpose when your hands 
flow over him. Good 2:3 ratio, with fabulous bone, he has good rear angulation which 
propelled him with drive around the ring, he held his topline on the move at all times. 
2nd Smith, Smith & Stockbridge - Ruanticx Spyro the Dragon with Valladar. 13m old male 
with a nice dark coat which showed his harness markings off well. Kind head with nice dark 
eyes, strong neck and well laid shoulders, I particularly liked this boys front and he moved 
true coming and going. 
3rd Horsley - Ruanticx Donkey Kong, Litter brother to 2nd with many of the same qualities, 
unfortunately today he was just not as settled in either his stand or movement. He is still a 
very young dog and with practice this will improve, so I look forward to seeing him again in 
the future. 

PGD (2,0) 
1st Jones - Valltineya Red Redemption, 20m male who has come on so much since I last 
saw him and I feel there is still plenty more to come. He demands your attention as soon as 
he enters the ring and when he settles he moves so very well, with great reach and drive 
and true coming and going, all this with a well held topline. When you run your hands over 
him you find an incredibly well put together boy in absolutely fit condition, that feels like he 
could go all day in the field, everything just flows. When stood looking at his owner, you see 
a correct wedge head with well used ears, this is set on a long strong neck and he is 
attentive and alert at all times. His rear end has good angulation and strong low hocks. Was 
pleased to award him BD then BIS. 
2nd Linney & Atkinson - Aescwine Bottom Dollar - 22m strong boy with a good head, again 
another with an alert expression , nice level topline held on the move and good rear 
angulation, I felt today he was a little more unsettled than I have seen him previously and 
was unlucky to meet 1st in such good form. 

LD (1,0) 
1st Paterson - Eriksford Kairisimo - 9 year old boy who is in fabulous condition for his age 
and definitely one who gets better every year. Although he is on the smaller side compared 
to some, everything is in correct proportion. He moves true up and down and has good 
reach in profile, he has good medium sized ears, correctly placed and lovely harness 
markings. 

OD (2,0) 
1st Drinkwaters - CH Dangas Norton Junkerson in Galerita (imp Swe) 3 year old male who I 
have always admired from ringside and he did not disappoint. Beautiful wedged head, very 
expressive with well used ears, with a lovely strong underjaw. Strong neck on good 
shoulders, and a nice return of upper arm, strong bone with nice knuckled feet. He moved 
true coming and going with tight elbows and held his topline on the move and has great rear 
angulation. Deserved his  RBD and RBIS 
2nd Perry & Etches - CH Starvon Easy on the I Edison - 3 year old boy who is another that 
has so much to like about him, another good head with a fabulous expression watching his 
owner intently and using his ears well, fabulous movement with a natural reach and drive, 
holding his topline at all times, good 2:3 ratio and great harness markings. Although it is 
irrelevant to the breed standard,  I feel I must mention this boys tail, it just doesn't stop going 
and I defy anyone to look at this dog and not smile, it is just so nice to see a dog enjoying 
showing this much. 

VB (5,0) 
Lovely class of quality girls 
1st Diamonds - CH Eriksfjord Aurora Charm Shcm 9 year old girl who defies her age, I loved 
her from the front view as her forequarters are so good, elbows are tight but free still keeping 
her movement true, her head is so expressive and she uses her ears well. On profile she 
has a good harness and holds her topline on the stand and on the move, when you run your 
hands over her you find a lovely strong back and loin. BVB & RBVIS  
2nd Days - Starvon Binit Sinit Dunit with Kirkholme 8 year old girl who I have seen many 
times before but oh my how different she shows with the sun on her back, she was relaxed 
showing off her correct 2:3 ratios and level topline which she held so very well on the move. 
She has a good head with dark oval eye and a watchful expression at all times, strong neck 
into good shoulders with a nice deep oval chest. Strong back and good rear angulation 
keeping her movement true up and back. 
3rd Dodds - CH Tanellis Bloomin Primrose just 7 year girl, who I have always admired but 
felt she was still not back at her best after having a litter 6 months ago possibly. Having said 
that her quality can still be seen and she is a lovely shape and moved with great reach and 
drive on profile, another good head with a strong jaw, correct eyes and well used ears, she 
has good bone and lovely tight feet. 

MPB (3,0) 
1st Conways & Oakdens - Starvon Hello There, 7m old girl who is just oh so pretty, still has a 
lot of growing to do but you can so easily see the potential already. My notes tell me her 
movement won her this class as for one so young she was so true coming and going and 
kept her topline while going around. She has a nice shaped head and is already using her 
ears well, lovely lay of shoulder and already showing good depth of chest, she has bone and 
good feet, was pleased to award her BPB and then BPIS, she is definitely one I will be 
watching in the future. 
2nd Dodds - Tanellis Dare to Love. 6m old girl with lots to like about her but still looking, 
rightly so, like a baby where she needs to fill out to grow into her length. She has a nicely put 
together front and a pleasing head shape. Moved well in profile. 
3rd Stuarts - Tanellis Dare to Dream Litter sister to 2nd and many of the same qualities 
above apply, she also has a lovely head and correct eye set and moved nicely on profile. 

PB (1,0) 
!st Stuarts - Tanellis Dare to dream - 3rd in MP 
JB (1,0) 
1st Days - Starvon Gives me goosebumps . 15m old girl who really caught my eye once she 
settled. Another that felt so good under your hands, shoulders ran smoothly into a strong 
back for one so young, she has a strong loin that flowed into a well muscled rear, which she 
used well on profile giving her great drive. On the stack her head showed the correct wedge 
shape with a nice strong underjaw with a great mask. She was alert to her handler and used 
her ears well. Even though she stood alone she is a very worthy winner, pleased to award 
her RBB and she is another that I feel still has plenty more to come. 

GB (2,0) 
1st Rorbachs Valltineya Bella Starr Under Jodiestar 20m old girl who has a nice head with 
well used ears, good tight lips and bite. She has a strong neck into well laid shoulders with a 
level topline and good rear angulation which she used well on profile. 
2nd Diamonds Forvana go on call me sassy for Finnica, 2 year old girl who has had a break 
from the show ring due to an incident outside of it causing her to be nervous, today she held 
it together pretty well although she would not let me look at her teeth. I was able to go over 
most of her though and there is so much to like, it is really worth this owner doing everything 
she can to get her back into the ring again. Her movement is true and she has good bone 
and nice feet. I truly hope she settles again as she has great potential. 

PGB (2,0) 
1st Brigemans- Valaller Raise the Stakes 22m old girl, although still some maturing to do ,  I 
liked this girl a lot, she had a lovely length of neck, correct shoulders and a good 2:3 ratio, 
she had a nice spring of rib and deep chest, good rear angulation an nice tight feet. Moved 
well in profile and ok coming and going. 
2nd Mcgregor & Griffin - Valltineya Believe in me over Chorgoris nearly 2 year old girl who 
still needs to mature. She has dark eyes and well set ears which she uses well and a keen 
alert expression, she moves well in profile and has good reach. 

LB (6,1) 
1st Linney & Atkinson - Aescwine Ampelpgraphy. 3 year old girl who has previously caught 
my eye from outside of the ring and again didn't disappoint when I got my hands on her, she 
feels so smooth and is in great shape and condition, she has a great deep chest with good 
spring of rib and good bone. Her loin and rear are well muscled and she uses these to her 
advantage when she moves on profile.. She has a pretty feminine head with strong 
underjaw, an alert expression and correct set ears. Pleased to award her BB and BOS. 
2nd Pallatinas - Valltineya Lasso your Dreams JW - 20m girl who made her handler work 
today but luckily was with a more than capable handler. Lovely 2:3 ratio and fabulous coat 
and a girl who moves with purpose and drive, just preferred the bone and wedged head 
shape of 1st but this girl is still very young for this class, I am sure her time will come as she 
has lots to like, great ear set, good lay of shoulders, back well muscled, well held topline. 
3rd Paterson & Days - Starvon fits the Standard at Eriksfjord 2 year old girl, another girl I 
really like but was making her handle work today, she is a beautiful shape with a good front 
and shoulder lay. Her head is so feminine and pretty with correct eye and ear set, she has a 
strong neck into level topline, all topped off on lovely tight feet. Moved well once settled. 

OB (2,0) 
1st Cameron & Woods -  CH Bowkol Akasha Fire - This 5 year old girl is what I am looking 
for when I say fit for purpose, she was shown in super fit condition with a fully muscled back 
and loin and strong second thigh. I haven't seen her for a while but think the break has done 
her well.. She looks fabulous head on as she has a good front with strong bone and beautiful 
shaped head with dark eyes and correct ear set. She moved well on profile and kept her 
topline level.  
2nd Amons - Pepperthyme a star is Born. Another quality girl of 5 years old although built 
slightly differently from 1st she caught my eye with her foot perfect movement as she went 
round on profile, another with enough bone and good feet. Correct eyes and ears, good 
shoulders and well held topline, good rear angulation and well let down hocks. A hard 
decision between these 2 but it was just the head on look of first that won this class.

Open Show – 6th April 2025

Special Award Critiques

Judge Peter Young

A warm welcome greeted me from the secretary and committee at this friendly and enthusiastic club at the very suitable venue , surrounded by lots of green fields, full of blossom and bird song . Although it also has a very spacious indoor arena. We were fortunate with the weather being so good to be able to be judged outside  in  a large grass area . Making for a pleasing overall atmosphere. 
         In well filled classes I found a mixer of slightly different variations of Vallhund’s whose temperaments were all happy and showed well and a credit to their owners. 

Special Awards Junior D/B  5 
This class had a mixer of ages in it as you would expect from nearly 18 mths down to a quality and classy 7 mth one , who missed out on the day ,but I feel has much promise for the future . It was headed by a  typy brother and sister who am sure will both make great names for themselves. 
1st Day’s Starvon Gives Me Goose Bumps
Very appealing 16 mth old bitch with a lot of quality about her . Has good overall balance and shape and proportions. Certainly looks able to work easily with her free and sound movement . Her head is wedged shaped , with good balance between muzzle and skull , her ears are neat ,her eyes are dark . She stands well over her front on well knuckled oval feet . Her chest is long and of good depth , and her topline is good which she maintains on the move . Her markings are well defined and her coat harsh . 
2 nd Mcardle’s Starvon Get The Drinks In for Monasscreebe 
So much of the remarks made about 1 st apply here too , but in a more masculine version, he too is  a great mover and looks capable of the work the breed was intended for . He is not quite as well mature as his sister at present, and needs a little more time , but still has so much to offer . His  overall shape and body proportions are to be appreciated.. 
3 rd Smith & Smith Stockbridge’s Ruanticx Spyro The Dragon with Valldar 

Special Award Postgraduate D/B  3/1 
1 st Rornach’s Valltineya Bella Starr Under Jodiestar 
20 mth old bitch of lovely type , strong topline. Feminine head , long well muscled neck into good lay of shoulder and overall good front assembly, with enough width to chest . Her ribcage has ample  spring to it,  was deep enough and with slight tuck up .finishing with neat hindquarters. Her movement was easy and with good drive .
2 nd Linney & Atkinson’s Aescwine Bottom Dollar 
Mature and handsome chap here , with a lovely quality well balanced and laid out head with good expression . Well bodied and stands on good feet , not quite the lay of  shoulder placement as 1 st  , which showed in his movement 

Special Awards Open 9/1 
Real quality class where there were 4 champions present and I was spoilt for choice . 
1 st Perry & Etches’s CH Starvon Easy On The I Edison 
Mature free and easy moving 3 yr old male who is out of the same dam  as my first two in the junior class and who was second in this class to her son . Upstanding and proud dog with masculine typical wedge head , neat ears and dark well placed eyes . Level topline and firm well muscled hindquarters from which he drives well . Good body proportions of height to length of body , pleasing spring of rib and depth to chest and overall width to forequarters . 
2 nd Day’s Starvon  Binit Sinit Dunit with Kirkholme 
Typy 8 yr old bitch and mother of three of my principal winners , including her champion son , who beat her in this class . Lovely balance of front and hind assemblies and good height to body length ratio . Feminine head with good reach of neck , maintains her level topline on the stack and on the move , well bodied with slight tuck up . Who I understand after the show is now a champion too .Certainly fit for function and able to pass on many of her qualities to her offspring . 
3 rd Pallatina’s Valltineya Lasso Ur Dreams