Russian Blue Breeders Association 04.10.08
Mrs Val AndersonMany thanks to Marlene, Dot & Amanda for giving me the opportunity to judge at my favourite show. Although a smaller entry this year the atmosphere was friendly and there was still plenty of Russians to cuddle. Many thanks to my two stewards Elisabeth Stark and Esther Oudshoom, their enthusiasm for the breed helped to make the day more enjoyable. As Margaret Kidd was unable to judge at the show I was given the honour of choosing the overall Best in Show. My eventual choice was the kitten FURBELL STARGAZER. Many congratulations to his owner/breeder Ann Bond-Wonneberger.
OPEN CLASSES
IMPERIAL GRAND PREMIER FEMALE
IMP GPC PAYNE’S GR PR SERENNOL ANASTASIA (16a) FN 27.04.00A mature lady of 8 years who was a little apprehensive but not a problem to handle. Flat skull, short wedge with a broad muzzle & prominent whisker pads. Good angle & profile, deep firm chin and level bite. Ideally her ears could be a little larger & they are set a fraction too wide apart but held upright. Large almond-shaped eyes of a good green colour for her age. Elegant body with limbs to balance & moderately long tapering tail with a pointed tip. Dense plushy coat with a soft fine texture. Medium blue with a good silvery sheen & colour to the roots, very slightly darker down the spine. 2ND (RES IMP WITHHELD) PARSON’S GR PR DENILLANNE PHINESSE (16a) FN 30.10.98 A mature girl of nearly 10 years with a sweet nature. Not such a typical Russian look. Flat skull & short wedge but her profile is a touch straight. Reasonably prominent whisker pads, level bite with lovely teeth especially for her age. Her ears are set vertically to the head but could be larger & are set a little too wide apart. Pale green eyes of a rounded almond shape. An elegant girl though she is a little lean at present, long body with tail & limbs to balance & small oval paws. Coat a touch long but soft & dense, reasonably sound in colour but a darker overall effect, she could do with more silvery sheen. This girl has improved with age but in my opinion not up to the standard for this high award, sorry.
RUSSIAN BLUE GRAND CHAMPION MALEGCC WILLIAM-ELLISS’S UK GR CH SERENNOL DMITRI (16a) M 27.04.00 A mature boy of 8½ years. Lovely Russian expression, short wedge & flat skull with correct profile & angle. Vertically-set ears that could be a little larger & almond-shaped eyes of a clear green colour though they are set a touch deep. Level bite & lovely teeth especially considering his age. Elegant & muscular body with limbs & tail to balance. Soft dense coat of medium blue with a silvery sheen but a little patchy & thinner down his spine at present. Soppy temperament, he loves to nuzzle your neck though it is difficult to assess him when he is at such a close proximity! RGCC BANDY’S CH SITHEE GENERAL GORDON (16a) M 12.04.07 A young boy of only 17 months & he looks it, he needs to mature. Short wedge, flat skull & good angle & profile plus a slight nose bump. Prominent whisker pads but his muzzle could be a little broader. Level bite & deep chin that rounds off a touch. Elegant & muscular body with long limbs & oval paws. Long tapering tail. Soft dense coat of medium blue with good colour to the roots & a silvery sheen. Excellent temperament, a playful & lively boy.
RUSSIAN BLUE ADULT FEMALE SENIOR A class I took over from Margaret Kidd who sadly was unable to judge today. Four lovely girls, it was very difficult to choose between them as they were all worthy of the certificate! 1ST CC NOBLE’S GR CH SASHOVA DASHKOVA (16a) F 29.11.02 A mature very elegant girl of nearly 6 years. Lovely type, flat skull & short wedge with prominent whisker pads. Level bite but some teeth missing. Large upright ears & lovely large green almond-shaped eyes. Elegant & muscular body with long legs & tail to balance. Short soft & fine coat that ideally could be denser but an even medium blue colour with a silvery sheen. Slight tail rings. She was a little grumbly but OK to handle; shown in lovely condition. 2ND FLEMING’S UK IGR CH SHOELINA MINKUS (16a) F 17.05.03 A mature girl of 5 years with lovely type. Flat skull, short wedge with good angle & profile. Good chin & level bite with lovely teeth. Large vertically-set ears with a broad base & large expressive green eyes of good shape & set. Elegant & muscular body with limbs to balance & small oval paws. Tapering tail that could be a little larger for balance. Soft fine coat, plushy & double. Paler overall colour with lots of silvery sheen but verging on being tipping. A lovely friendly girl shown in lovely condition. Ran the winner close. 3RD CURTIS’S CH DENILLANNE ALECXA (16a) F 05.04.04 A gentle girl of 4 years with a sweet expression, she looks young for her age. Flat skull & short wedge with prominent whisker pads. Level bite & deep chin that rounds off a touch. Large well-set ears & large almond-shaped eyes set wide apart and of a good green colour. Long elegant body with long limbs and small oval paws. Long tapering tail to balance. Dense soft coat of medium blue but I would prefer a little more silvery sheen. Shown in lovely condition. 4TH KAYE’S CH SITHEE LILLIBULLERO (16a) F 08.12.05 Another beautiful girl but not in sparkling condition on the day which was reflected in her weight & coat, perhaps due to kittens or calling? Lovely head with a short wedge & flat skull. Prominent whisker pads, good chin and level bite. Large vertically-set ears & beautiful eyes of a deep green colour. Long elegant body with limbs & tail to balance. Fine coat of medium blue with a silvery sheen but a little uneven at present.
BLACK OR WHITE RUSSIAN ADULT ASSESSMENT M/F
MERIT AWARDED TO: NOBLE’S CATWO KIRA (16a 15) F 27.11.07 A young girl of only 10 months with a gleaming jet black coat. Head a little out of balance, I would prefer more strength to the muzzle & more prominent whisker pads. Flat skull, short wedge, angle still developing. Large ears with a broad base & set reasonably well. Eyes of rounded almond shape & set wide apart and of a lovely clear green colour. Elegant & muscular body with long limbs & small oval paws. Tail moderately long & tapering. Her coat ideally could be denser but it is of a fine texture and soft to the touch. Jet black coat colour but it pales a little at the roots, no white. Shown in lovely condition but she had a bit of a grumble. An attractive girl, I loved her eye colour and black coat.
SNOWSHOE ADULT ASSESSMENT M/F
MERIT AWARDED TO: SOUTHALL’S COLDENUFFORSNOW POCAHONTAS (83aw) F 07.05.07 A well-grown friendly blue point girl of 16 months with a good show pattern. Good head, medium in size with slightly rounded contours. Good muzzle. Level bite but rather shallow chin. Well-set ears of medium size with a broad base & rounded tips. Well-set blue eyes of almond shape. Long firm body of a good weight for her size with limbs to balance. Moderately long tail, medium at the base & tapering. Moderately short coat but ideally it could be more close-lying & smooth, resilient texture. Blue points & paler body colour with some shading but it tones with the points. White on all four feet and balanced inverted “V” to the head. Shown in lovely condition & sweet nature. An attractive girl, obviously a Snowshoe and a good example of the breed.
SNOWSHOE KITTEN ASSESSMENT M/F
MERIT AWARDED TO: SOUTHALL’S COLDENUFFORSNOW VILLARS (83aw) F 23.04.08 A well-grown blue point kitten of 5 months with a good show pattern. Head a broad wedge with slightly rounded contours. Good profile but rather shallow chin. Level bite. High cheek bones. Well-set ears of medium size. Eyes set on a slant but a touch deep and they could be a deeper blue in colour. Firm muscular body of a good weight for her size with limbs to balance. Tail of medium length and tapering. Coat of medium length with a glossy sheen and resilient texture. White on all four feet & inverted “V” to the head. Pale body colour & blue-grey points developing. Shown in lovely condition with a gentle nature. She looked better when she relaxed, a pretty kitten with attractive colouration.
RUSSIAN BLUE NEUTER MALE (3YRS AND OVER) 1ST PC YOUNG’S SIYKAT LANCELOT (16a) MN 28.05.05 A lively boy of 3 years shown in lovely condition. Good head with a flat skull & shortish wedge. Good angle in profile plus a slight dip created by a small nose bump. Good chin, level bite and prominent whisker pads. Large ears set vertically to the head with a broad base & pointed tips with tufts. Long muscular body with long limbs and oval paws. Very long tail but it is rather thick and only slightly tapering. Short dense coat but rather dark, good silvery sheen on his head but lacking elsewhere. He was very soppy when in his pens but not so keen on being out of it. 2ND JACKSON’S GR PR ILLYRIAN MACDUFF (16a) MN 16.11.01 A mature boy of nearly 7 years who was rather shy & happier in his pen. Lovely type but his coat was not at its best. Lovely broad masculine head with a flat skull & short wedge. Prominent whisker pads & level bite with good teeth. Large ears set vertically to the head & large pale green eyes of almond shape & set wide apart. Long muscular body with elegant limbs & large oval paws. Long tapering tail. Fine coat that could be plushier, medium blue with a silvery sheen but darker spine line. Better when he relaxed but not keen on showing himself today, not his usual self! 3RD WALTON & FLINT’S DENILLANNE BIGGLESWORTH (16a) MN 17.08.01 An elegant & purry boy of 7 years and a lovely weight for his size and a super temperament. Head a little out of balance, flat skull & short wedge with a good angle & a profile. Boxy muzzle with prominent whisker pads & level bite. His ears could be larger and they are set a touch too wide. Large pale green eyes of rounded almond shape. Elegant & muscular body, he stands well on the table with long legs and oval feet. Moderately long tail but it is rather thick at the base. Nice coat, short & dense and soft & fine though the colour is a little uneven and he has a slightly darker spine line 4TH THOMSON’S PR GLASNOST LUKASHA (16a) MN 24.07.05 An elegant boy of 3 years but he was rather long & lean and not in the best of moods. Head a fraction long & narrow overall with reasonably prominent whisker pads. Good angle but a slight dip in profile. Level bite & deep chin that rounds off a touch. Huge ears that are broad at the base but they could be closer together. Almond-shaped eyes of a pale green colour. Long body though he could do with a little more weight, long limbs with oval paws & long tapering tail. Short reasonably plushy coat but flatter down his spine, rather dark overall colour as he is lacking in silvery sheen on his body.
MISCELLANEOUS CLASSES
AV DEBUTANTE ADULT 1ST PINCHEN’S SUHANICATS ROZA (16a) F Russian Blue A young girl of 13 months, she needs to mature & is a little lean on the body. Head out of balance at present, her muzzle is a touch pointed. Large upright ears with a broad base & large eyes that are a touch rounded but of a good green colour. Long body that needs to muscle up with elegant limbs & long tapering tail with a bony tip. Coat a little flat but of medium blue with a silvery sheen and fine texture.
AV SPECIAL LIMIT ADULT 1ST NOBLE’S CH TROIKA NIJINSKA (16a) F Russian Blue A sweet girl of nearly 2 years who looks young for her age. Good Russian expression, flat skull & short wedge with prominent whisker pads. Level bite with lovely white teeth. Large upright ears & lovely green eyes of good shape & set. Elegant & muscular body with limbs to balance. Tail rather thick at the base but tapering though it could be a little longer for balance. Soft & fine, dense coat of medium blue with a silvery sheen though a touch uneven in colour. 2ND OGERMANN’S ADATESH MAYA (16a) F Russian Blue A gentle young girl of 9 months with a sweet nature. Flat skull & short wedge but rounded brow and slight nose bump in profile. Shallow chin that falls off at the tip. Quite large, well-set ears and large green eyes but they are a touch rounded which spoils her look. Elegant body of a good weight for her size with long limbs and a long tapering tail. Soft dense coat of medium blue with a silvery sheen.
AOV ADULT MALE 1ST LACEY’S JENANCA KHUFU (34c) M Thai Lilac A strong masculine boy of 3 years. Heart-shaped head with width between & across the eyes and a rounded muzzle. Level bite. Well-set ears and large eyes of a lovely clear green colour; well-opened and luminous. Strong muscular body, semi-cobby with limbs to balance. Tapering tail of medium length & heavier at the base. Close-lying single lilac coat with silver tipping and pinkish tone. Rather shy and preferring to hide under his blanket. 2ND LACEY’S JUSARKA POINT-TO-POINT (34 40 2) Thai Blue Point A 2 years old boy with huge blue eyes. Heart-shaped head, broad between & across the eyes but his muzzle could be a little broader. Flat forehead and slight stop to the profile. Level bite but his chin could be stronger. Well-set ears and wide open luminous eyes. Strong muscular & semi-cobby body with limbs to balance, medium length tail that could be heavier at the base. Reasonably close-lying single coat with blue-grey points & paler beige body colour. Easy to handle.
AOV BRED BY EXHIBITOR KITTEN FEMALE 1ST SOUTHALL’S COLDENUFFORSNOW VILLARS
AV MAIDEN KITTEN MALE 1ST FLEMING’S SHOELINA ALEXEI RATMANSKY (16a) M Russian Blue A young boy of 4 months. Head developing, slightly pinched at present and his muzzle could be broader but prominent whisker pads. Large vertically-set ears and almond-shaped eyes set wide apart but they could be larger. Elegant body with limbs to balance & long tapering tail with lots of rings at present. Coat developing, fine texture and quite soft.
AV MAIDEN KITTEN FEMALE 1ST TRODD’S LARKSONG ANGELINA (16a) FN Russian Blue An older kitten of 8 months with lovely type and a sweet gentle expression. Short wedge with a broad muzzle & prominent whisker pads. Rounded chin and level bite. Large reasonably large eyes of a lovely almond shape & a good green colour for her age. Elegant body with long limbs & long tapering tail. Soft fine coat of medium blue, double but ideally it could do with more “oomph”. A promising kitten, I thought she was lovely. 2ND KAYE’S CATWO BIATY PANTERA (16a 14c) F Russian White A younger girl of 5 months but well-grown and of a good size & weight for her age. Short wedge & quite prominent whisker pads. Shallow chin and level bite. Quite large ears with tufts, set a touch too wide apart. Two-tone green eyes of rounded almond shape but they could be larger. Long body with elegant limbs but her tail could be a fraction longer for balance. White coat with a fine texture but it could be plushier. A sweet girl who was easy to handle.
RUSSIAN BLUE KITTEN FEMALE 1ST TRODD’S LARKSONG ANGELINA 2ND EBORALL’S LUBIMIYEH ANYA (16a) F Russian Blue A well-grown kitten approaching adulthood and with a lovely temperament. Nice head with large upright ears, expressive green eyes and prominent whisker pads. Elegant body with long elegant limbs and tiny oval feet. Long tapering tail to balance. Soft fine coat of medium blue with a silvery sheen but lacking in undercoat at present. Excellent temperament and condition.
AV NEUTER NOT BRED BY EXHIBITOR FEMALE 1ST PARSON’S GR PR DENILLANNE PHINESSE 2ND O’CONNOR’S GLASNOST MADAMBUTTERFLY (16a) FN Russian Blue A sweet-natured girl of 2 years though she was happier in her pen. Huge ears and large green eyes though the depth of colour varied according to the hall light. Prominent whisker pads though I would prefer more width to the muzzle. Long body, difficult to assess as she was fidgety but a touch lean at present. Long limbs and tail. Medium blue coat with a silvery sheen. Coat double with a fine texture but it could be denser and plushier. 3RD WILLIAMS’S GOSHENS BLUE PADME (16a) FN Russian Blue
AV LIMIT NEUTER 1ST CHERRY’S BRIGHTLITE NIKITA (16a) FN Russian Blue A well-grown young girl of nearly 18 months. Lovely look to her head face on with a broad muzzle & prominent whisker pads but a rather Roman nose in profile. Well-set ears and expressive eyes of a good shape & set. Long body with long slender limbs & very long tail. Good even blue coat colour with a silvery sheen, reasonably dense and plushy. Shown in lovely condition. 2ND PINCHEN’S DEBROSHKI ANUSHKA (16a) FN Russian Blue A large well-grown girl of nearly 3 years. She was not happy with her neighbour so only came out of her pen briefly and afterwards looked rather cross! Flat skull & short wedge with a good angle & profile but her chin falls away; bite not checked. Expressive green eyes of good shape & set. Strong muscular body with a long tail but it is rather thick. Colour a little dark overall, I would prefer more of a silvery sheen.
AV JUNIOR NEUTER FEMALE 1ST CHERRY’S BRIGHTLITE NIKITA
VAL PRICE (SASHOVA) TEMPERAMENT CLASS It was a privilege to be able to judge this class in the memory of Val Price. I had seen some of the entrants earlier in the day but they were handled again to be fair on the others in the class. Although I was asked to choose just the winner, DENILLANNE BIGGLESWORTH also deserves a mention as he purred for me in this class and also when he was judged in his open. The winner was UK IGR CH SHOELINA MINKUS a friendly girl who insisted on giving me a wash! This reminded me of Sashova Zavidovitch, one of the last cats to be shown by Val, he always tried to lick me to death and it seemed appropriate to use this trait as the deciding factor.
NON-PEDIGREE
ANY COLOUR KITTEN 1ST WILLIAMS’S SOLO SCRIMBLESHANKS M A gorgeous ginger & white semi longhair kitten of only 18 weeks. A well-grown boy of a good weight for his size & shown in excellent condition. Bright expressive eyes & lovely coat of sparkling white contrasting with ginger patches. Charming temperament and a pleasure to judge.
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