Thank you for a wonderful entry, 153 dogs, 167 entries, the biggest in the Utility Group. Having judged the breed in Europe and Australia, I have to say the depth of quality in the UK breed ring is unequalled with high quality exhibits right down the line. Small details separating some of my placings. I’m sure if I was to judge the same classes a month later I could end up with a different line up, so close were some of my decisions on the day. I am not a total outsider, this is a breed I’ve owned, bred and shown. I am well aware of the time and effort put in the coat preparation and almost without exception, presentation was world class. 46 ps were entered which hopefully will mean good completion in the year ahead, this was the 4th time I’ve given CCs in the bred and I always enjoy judging this wonderful breed. Limit and Open Bitch I just didn’t have enough cards. My thanks to my two excellent stewards, both worth their weight in gold.

Minor Puppy Dog (13).

1 Waterhouse’s Chataura the X Factor. Black, masculine excellent breed type, overall shape and balance, loved his expression, his white socks can give the wrong impression on his front feet, he is perfectly true in front, thought he shows great promise. V impressive on the move, BPD;

2 Fahey and Shire’s Bentarsna Firefox. A lovely quality gold, excellent breed type, again that typical Apso expression, he also appealed on the move, pleasing front, balanced body in excellent jacket;

3 Lock’s Littondale Palladio.

Puppy Dog (8).

1 Having judged such a good mpd class, I was a little disappointed with this class and could fin nothing to beat third from mp. 1 Lock’s Littondale P. Seeing his breeding I’m not surprised he appealed to me so much, won this class on his strong topline and accurate movement, at 6.5 mths, gold who will have an exciting future, liked him v much;

2 Rout’s Simuje Nartika. Homebred and one to be proud of, much to like and again shows much promise for the future, lovely outline on this grey, preferred his movement, free easy typical action, was fourth in mp;

3 Brown and Stuart’s Zanamop Eye of the Tiger. Gold and White, glamour boy much to like but I did prefer the quarters on the two in front.

JuniorDog (10).

1 Luscott’s Jalus Galileo. Stunning youngster, typy, looked top quality, loved his head, mouth and expression, excellent neck, good front, balanced body shape with an excellent topline, strong quarters, excellent jacket, so well prepared, on the move comes into a class of his own, coming and going absolutely true, in profile going round this ring left the issue in no doubt, an exciting young d who will have no difficulty in gaining his title, RCC;

2 Robinson’s Terendak Supa Luque For Polielin. Black-White again a lovely quality youngster, love his breed type, overall balance and shape, again pleased so much on the move, sure to continue to impress, I liked him a lot, so unlucky to meet the winner of the RCC in this class;

3 Sutherland’s Bolton Khalila Bollinger, gold of top quality and breed type. This was a good class I’m sure these three will have much fun in the coming months.

Novice Dog (4).

1 Lock’s L Palladio;

2 Finn’s Quito Mr Destiny. Dark red, much to like, but not the topline or movement of the winner.

Post Graduate Dog (9).

1 Watson’s Lynruce Prime Suspect JW ShCM. CC quality gold, loved him, excellent quality breed type, overall shape and balance. Scores on neck, shoulders and front construction, in super coat so well prepared, absolutely typical on the move and he pushed the two top winners all the way, should make-up;

 2 Waterhouse’s Chtaura Shadow Dancer, gold brindle, this exhibitor consistently shows a quality and breed type that appeals to me so much. Again a high class youngster, on the day preferred the movement of 1 even so, one always to be considered;

3 Murray, Watson and Dunbar’s, Masta Minstral for Diablalo. Smaller type loved his outline and his excellent movement, secured this placing.

Limit Dog (9).

1 Wright’s Larool Doublet JW. Black, silver overlay, top class, loved his type, shape and masculinity, excellent topline, strong quarters, typical mal in excellent condition, on the move really impressed, never once losing that lovely shape - a male I’d happily sign a CC for, such was the quality present today;

 2 Helslam’s Kutani Alfie Moon. Gold-white, again seeing his breeding I am not surprised I liked him so much, stunning shape and overall balance, shown in first class form and he pushed the winner all the way, sure to win well in the breed;

 3 Church’s Le Choix Catch Me if You Can at Askia JW ShCM. Gold brindle of lovely quality and breed type, gave nothing away on the move, could swap these three round and be just as happy, v close decision.

Open Dog(12.

1 Richardson’s Ch Hello Black Magic From Belazieth. To top this entry of males says it all. Just loved him from head to toe, much my idea of a typical male Apso, loved his masculine expression, excellent neck, good front, strong body with correct topline, loved his quarters and he could use them absolutely true coming, going and in profile, totally filled my eye, in super jacket, of perfect texture and quality, superbly handled not by his owner I’m told. Felt he made a most worthy CC winner, his third apparently, a super campion male Apso;

 2 Corish’s Sealaw Follow Your Dream. Gold of superb quality and balance, in excellent form, my preference was for the breed type of 1;

3 Fahey and Shire’s Ir Ch Ch In, Ch Fin Ch Trinoran Manhatten Dream at Benta. Gold worthy of his many titles, so much to admire and again I’d happily sign a cc for him, no disgrace to stand third in a class like this.

Minor Puppy Bitch (18). Fabulous class, some really promising babies didn’t manage a card on the day.

1 Church’s Alkia Truly Unruly. Doesn’t suit her name! I thought this baby really precious, even in this big class my eye kept coming back to her, surely has an exciting future, at this stage in her development there is not much I’d change, real class act;

2 Casling’s Yorcliff Reckless Romance with Meranne. Gold white of lovely quality and overall balanced, feminine, loved her expression, so impressive on the move, has a future I’m sure;

3 Anderson’s Tantra Moonlight Serenade. Gold brindle, again a baby of much promise, this was a super class.

Puppy Bitch (7).

1 Hall’s Dimara Mis Izzabella at Shenedene. Gold of stunning quality, loved her femininity, excellent breed type, excellent expression, lovely neck, good front, excellent body shape with strong quarters, lovely jacket, perfectly presented. On the move she came into a class of her own, real attitude and ring presence, if she keeps this promise and balance, I’m sure she’ll go all the way, has that typical Apso attitude to do so, BP;

 2 Wilkes’ Monkspath Harry Met Sally. Black-white, she appealed greatly for her size and femininity, absolutely correct moving, loved the way she used her hocks, liked her v much;

3 Palmer’s Arasmas Init to Winit. Black-White, quality b, preferred movement on 1 and 2.

Junior Bitch (16).

1 Anderson’s Zentarr Elizabeth, gold who headed a super class, just loved her shape, overall balance and that look of pure quality and breeding, nothing really to dislike and I’m sure quite capable of winning Ccs;

2 Waghorn’s Avonbourne Lucy Lastic with Sukisha. Just loved the typical expression and head shape on this black/white, top quality, super on the move;

3 Holland’s Vaderlands Electra-Fy. Gold-blonde with such a strong topline, a typical female, looked quality and balanced, impressed on the move, could swap these three around and be just as correct, they were so close, three top class bs.

Novice Bitch (7).

1 Church’s Askia Truly Unruly;

 2 Priestley’s Admyraster Total Eclipse. Blonde homebred quality girl, much to admire, totally sound just met something quite special in this class;

3 Horne’s Chanceinn Crazy For You. Gold, liked the expression on this girl, much to like;

Graduate Bitch (5).

1 Palmer’s Arasmas Babycake. Gold-white, for me an easy winner of this class, loved her type, overall outline and quality, excellent expression and so good on the move, in excellent form, looked good in the unbeaten line-up;

 2 Waterhouse’s Chtaura Boom Bang a Bang. Smaller type, v feminine, black-white, much to like but out-moved by the winner;

3 Wright’s Larool Daisychain. Gold-white, smaller feminine type, v glamorous, not the next of 1 and 2.

Post Graduate Bitch (12).

1 Dewar’s Thorlby Aarhus the Achiever, top class black, loved her expression and she has such a strong topline, again the breed type, shape and overall balance appealed, just as good on the move, thought her a lovely quality typical female Apso;

2 Philips Dimara Pick A Chick. Gold and so close up to winner, stunning profile, loved her breed type and balance, in excellent form, on the final fun round felt 1 held her shape just a bit better, it was that close, sure to have a future;

3 Murray-Watson’s and Dunbar’s Arasmas Absolutely at Diablo. Black-white, real show girl, loved every minute and what a mover, absolutely true back and front, thought her quite lovely, excellent presentation and handling.

Limit Bitch (19).

1 Luscott’s Jalus Flirty Felicity. Top class, the breed type balance and shape appealed greatly, lovely head, expression, excellent reach of neck giving classic outline, strong quarters, in immaculate form, really used the ring to advantage, never once losing her shape or topline, free easy action, definite CC quality as all five placed in this class were - a statement I don’t make lightly;

 2 Church’s Askia Tantrums N Teardrops JW. Loved her, was my BP last time I judged at this level. Haven’t changed my mind, small feminine and total class wish I could have given her a CC, surely worthy of them;

3 Paradise’s Shardlow Party Popper JW ShCM. Black girl of utmost quality and breed type, just spoiled for choice, bs left this class without a card that were of ticket quality.

Open Bitch (16).

1 Lewis’ Ch Deelayne Indulgence. Perfect example of try again. Last time I judged her I didn’t place her. Today she knocked me dead! Just pure quality, breed, type and absolute balance. Loved her expression, last time she was feeling the heat, today it didn’t bother her one bit. To top this high quality entry says it all, as good an Apso as I’ve ever judged anywhere and I mean just that!! CC and BOB;

 2 Lloyd’s Ir Ch Owenavera Eye Candy. So well named, this gold-white is pure glamour, absolutely sparkling form, loved her breed type but then I’ve given her sire a CC. Not only was she a picture to look at but didn’t disappoint on the move, surely will add her UK title to her Irish one, RCC;

3 Scholes’ Rossgilde Temegans Dream JW ShCM. Smaller type gold, feminine classic outline, excellent on the move, handled to perfection, this again was a class where some lovely bs left the ring with nothing. I can’t ever remember judging a breed that is so strong in depth of quality.

Barrie Croft