GCCF Judge Critique - Steve Crow - Shropshire Cat Club Show 2009

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Steve Crow

GCCF Judge Critique - Steve Crow - Shropshire Cat Club Show 2009

Written by Administrator

Monday, 20 April 2009

STEVE CROW

SHROPSHIRE SHOW

7th February ‘09

Many thanks to Janet and the Committee for the invitation to judge again this year, I had a busy, but very enjoyable day.

AC Burmese Imperial Grand Premier, Male: Four cats entered.

Imp GPC. HALL’S GR PR SANLIS SECRET SAMADHI.

Handsome mature boy, well balanced and of good overall type, looking strong and distinctly masculine. Slender lithe body is heavy and of very good substance, feeling hard and muscular with level back, gently rounded chest and slender well shaped legs ending in compact oval paws in proportion. Head forms short wide wedge, blunt in the muzzle with slightly rounded top between well spaced medium size ear, which are broad at the base and of good shape. Large lustrous golden yellow eyes are of very good shape and set wide apart to give typical Burmese expression. In profile shows good depth to skull, brow is a touch flat, very good break, short nose with leather that falls away at tip, chin is level and of quite good depth. Coat of medium length is fine and lies very close, smooth and satiny in texture and in superb condition with a gleaming shine; medium to dark blue grey in colour, even in tone with lovely silvery edges to head, ears and limbs. Tail tapers evenly to “paintbrush” tip and almost balances. Very calm, contented and good natured – a pleasure to handle and such a super expression.

Res Imp GPC. 27/6/06. WILSHAW’S GR PR ROSSIKHAN CRACKER JACK. 5/1/07.

Handsome young man, who is nicely balanced, elegant and of good overall type, I think he still needs a little more time to mature and reach his fully “finished” potential. Long slender body is sleek, lithe and muscular, of very good weight and substance with straight back, gently rounded chest and slender well shaped elegant limbs ending in compact oval feet in proportion. Head shows short wide wedge with slightly rounded top and well spaced medium large ears, broad at the base and of good shape with rounded tips. Large lustrous palish chartreuse yellow eyes are of very good shape and set wide apart to give typical Burmese expression. Very slight curve to brow, very good break, short straight nose; chin is level and of fairly good depth. Very close lying silky smooth coat is fine and of medium length, shown in beautiful condition and displaying a glistening sheen. Medium to slightly dark dove grey is even in tone with good frosted effect to head, ears and limbs, it was difficult to see pinkish cast in hall light. Tail is a touch thin overall and tapers evenly to rounded tip, length is just short to balance. Calm, friendly and very easy to handle.

AC Burmese Imperial Grand Premier, Female: One girl entered. I.

ImpGPC withheld. WILLIAMS’S UK & IMP GR PR ZAMPETTO LIMITED EDITION. 12/3/03.

Mature attractive lady of very pleasing type. Slender well filled body is of very good weight and substance, feeling firm and well muscled with straight back, gently rounded chest and slim well shaped legs ending in neat oval paws in proportion. Head shows short wide wedge, slightly pointed in the muzzle and sucking in her cheeks giving her a slightly pinched appearance, very slight rounding to top of head, medium size ears are broad at the base and of good shape, well spaced but she did tend to flare them and hold them a little low. Lustrous large pale yellow eyes are of very good shape and set wide apart to give typical expression when she is fully settled; at times she looked rather startled with her eyes quite full and rounded. Brow is flat, very good break, straight nose; level chin needs a little more depth. Coat is of medium length, a touch long on the back, fine and close-lying with a satiny texture and in super condition displaying a healthy shine. Rich warm seal brown colour is just slightly uneven in tone in places. Tail is rather thick in shape overall, tapering slightly to rounded tip; length is noticeably short to balance. Very shy and nervous today and not showing herself at all, it was difficult to get her to relax and settle. Sorry, but too many small faults to award such a prestigious certificate today.

Cornish Rex Adult: One boy entered, plus one for Best of Breed only.

1CC & BOB. DESOLLA’S INDASIA PHANTOMOFTHE OPERA. Cream. 2/3/08.

Elegant handsome boy, mature and well developed for eleven months and of very pleasing type. Long slender sleek body is of very good weight, feeling firm and muscular with gently rounded chest, and standing tall on elegant slender well shaped legs of good length ending in neat oval paws in proportion. Head forms medium wedge with high cheeks and quite good breadth to gently rounded muzzle, long curled whiskers and eyebrows. Medium large broad based ears are shaped like mussel shells when viewed from behind and held correctly high when he is alert and attentive. Large expressive rounded almond shaped eyes are set wide under straight brows. In profile flat skull curve forward at brow, slight dip in profile line to nose, chin recedes slightly and is of reasonably good depth. Well covered in a fine silky coat, dense and with good curl to hairs giving tight regular waves that can be felt on back, sides and flanks, a little straight along spine-line, neat ripples down chest, on back of neck and across shoulder, well covered tummy with good rexing, plush down legs, loose waves along tail, shown in super condition. Tail tapers evenly to finer tip and balances. Calm, gentle and very sweet natured boy, alert and interested in all around him.

Tonkinese Adult: One girl entered, plus one for Best of Breed only.

1CC & BOB. BERNARD’S MIMAPERKS WINDMILL GIRL. Chocolate. 14/3/08.

Attractive young lady, well developed for her ten and a half months and of very pleasing type. Long slender lithe body is elegant, firm and well muscled, of very good weight and substance with straight back, gently rounded chest and elegant slender well shaped legs ending in neat oval feet in proportion. Head forms medium wedge with good breadth to gently rounded muzzle and defined whisker break; well spaced medium large ears are broad at the base and of good shape. Large lustrous eyes are shaped like rounded almonds and set wide apart and at a slight slant, colour is slightly greenish blue. Very slight curve to brow, very gentle break, chin is just level and of fairly good depth. Fine close lying coat is of medium length and smooth silky texture, in superb condition with a glossy shine. Warm rich quite dark chocolate points merge quite sharply into warm even pale milk chocolate tone on body, but acceptable in such a young cat, lighter still in tone on under-parts. Tail is rather thin is shape overall, tapering evenly from moderately thick base to finer tip; length just balances. Talkative and lively girl, very good natured.

Cornish Rex Kitten: One kitten entered.

1. BOB withheld. MURPHY’S RASTAKESHI POWDER PAINT. Blue. 16/8/08.

Handsome baby boy of very pleasing type, of good size and weight for his age but feeling rather bony especially along spine and around the chest and ribs. Elegant slender body has sound muscle tone, a little lacking in flesh and substance, however, as I say, he does not feel underweight; gently rounded chest and standing tall on slender well shaped elegant legs ending in neat oval paws in proportion. Head forms medium wedge with high cheek-bones and good breadth to gently rounded muzzle, whiskers are short and stubby. Medium large ears are broad at the base and form good mussel-shell shapes when viewed from behind, held correctly high on head when he is settled and alert. Rounded almond shaped eyes appear just large enough for his rather baby-face and are set wide apart under level brows. Flat skull curves forward to brow, slight dip in profile line to nose, chin is level and of quite good depth. Well covered with a fine silky coat, but rather open and untidy in appearance, showing moderate curl to hairs to give only very loose ripples on body, sides and flanks, loose ripples on chest and under-parts and rexing on neck and throat, plush down legs, very slight wave on tail. Tail tapers evenly to finer tip and balances well. Alert, talkative and very lively kitten, affectionate and very sweet natured. A kitten of some promise, who seems to be going through a burst of growth at the moment, I look forward to seeing how he matures.

Brown Burmese Adult: One girl present, plus one to be considered for Best of Breed only.

1CC. VICKERS’S CH BISHOPSTON MISS MARPLE. 11/4/07.

Mature attractive girl of good overall type. Slender body is well filled and heavy, firm and of very good substance with firm muscle tone, straight back, correctly rounded chest and slender well shaped legs ending in neat spoon-shaped feet in proportion. Head shows short wide wedge with slightly rounded top between well spaced medium large ears, broad at the base and of good shape. Lovely large lustrous yellow chartreuse eyes are of very good shape and set wide apart to give typical Burmese expression. Very gentle curve to brow, very good break, nose is short and leather falls at very tip, chin is level and of fairly good depth. Coat is fine and very close lying, of medium length and smooth satiny texture, in superb condition and displaying a glossy shine. Rich warm seal brown is even in tone. Tail tapers evenly to “paintbrush” tip and length just balances. Rather grumpy today and offended at being disturbed and handled, swore, but not difficult.

BOB to BOARDMAN’S GR CH NICANORY DAISY MAY. 21/5/04.

Charming girl, mature, nicely balanced and of good type. Slender body is of good weight and substance, firm, lithe and muscular with straight back, gently rounded chest and elegant well shaped limbs ending in neat oval paws in proportion. Head forms short wide balanced wedge, blunt in the muzzle with slightly rounded top between well spaced medium large broad based ears of good shape. Large lustrous rich yellow chartreuse eyes are of very good shape and set wide apart to give lovely Burmese expression. In profile has good depth to skull with slight curve to brow, very good break, short straight nose and level chin of quite good depth. Coat is of medium length, fine and close-lying with a smooth satin-like texture, in beautiful condition with a gleaming shine. Tail tapers evenly to “paintbrush” tip, length is a fraction short to balance. Talkative confident girl, very sweet natured.

Brown Burmese Kitten, Male: Two kittens entered.

1. WRIGGLESWORTH’S SYKRIS AKHENATEN. 3/7/08.

Handsome young man of good size and weight for seven months and showing very promising type. Long slender body is firm and well muscled, feeling firm, muscular and of good substance with straight back, gently rounded chest and slender well shaped legs ending in neat oval paws in proportion. Head forms short wide wedge with very gently rounded top between well spaced medium large broad based ears of good shape. Large lustrous rich yellow eyes are of very good shape and set wide apart to give typical expression, Very gentle curve to brow, good break, nose leather falls away at tip, chin is level and of fairly good depth. Coat is of medium length, fine and very close lying with a super smooth satiny texture, especially for a kitten, in lovely condition with a glossy shine. Warm rich sable brown is even in tone. Tail tapers evenly to tense blunt end, but no fault, a fraction short to balance. Alert, confident and very friendly boy.

2. WARD’S COOMAKISTAN BAZILLE. 2/8/08.

Charming and very friendly boy, who is well grown for six months old. Slender well filled body is of very good weight, firm and well muscled with gently rounded chest and slender sturdy limbs ending in compact oval paws in proportion. Short wide wedge-shaped head has slightly rounded top and well spaced medium size ears, broad at the base and of good shape. Eyes are not quite large enough for his face and are slightly oval in shape, lacking the desirable fuller rounded lower lids, colour is chartreuse yellow. Very gentle curve to brow which is a touch heavily boned over the eyes, good break, nose leather falls away; chin is just level and of fairly good depth. Medium length to coat, a touch long on the back, lies close but is a little soft and kittenish in texture at present; in very good condition with a healthy sheen. Warm rich medium sable brown is even in tone, but rather pale towards the roots. Tail tapers evenly to rounded tip and almost balances. Very affectionate, playful and full of purrs.

Brown Burmese Kitten, Female: Two well-matched kittens present.

1 & BOB. BOARDMAN’S AMABILE BROWN DESDEMONA. 26/10/08.

Super baby girl of good overall type. Slender compact body is of good size and weight for fourteen weeks, feeling firm and well muscle with gently rounded chest and slender well shaped legs ending in dainty oval paws in proportion. Head forms short wide wedge, blunt in the muzzle with gently rounded top between well spaced medium size ears, broad at the base and of good shape. Lovely large lustrous eyes are a rich golden yellow colour and are set wide apart to show typical Burmese expression already. Very gentle curve to brow, very good break, short straight nose and level chin of quite good depth. Fine close-lying coat is of medium length and good texture for such a young kitten, in superb condition and displaying a gleaming shine. Warm medium sable brown, even and quite rich in tone. Tail tapers evenly to “paintbrush” tip and length just balances. Delightful little girl with a temperament to match, full of purrs and very affectionate.

2. COLLIN’S AUREUS SWEETJULIET. 30/9/08.

Another super baby girl of good overall type, who was unlucky to meet the winner today. Slender lithe body is balanced and of very good size and weight for her age, feeling firm and well muscled and of very good substance; straight back, gently rounded chest and slender well shaped legs ending in neat oval paws in proportion. Head shows short wide wedge, quite blunt in the muzzles with very gently rounded top between well spaced medium ears, broad at the base and of good shape. Lustrous large yellow chartreuse eyes are of very good shape and set wide apart to give typical Burmese expression. Very gentle curve to brow, quite good break, short straight nose and level chin of fairly good depth. Coat is fine and of medium length, close-lying and with a smooth satiny texture, in beautiful condition with a glossy shine. Pale to medium sable brown, even in tone but with mask and ears noticeably darker at present. Tail tapers evenly to finer “paintbrush” tip, length almost balances. Very affectionate purrry girl, who was confident and playful.

Asian Smoke or Burmilla Adult: One cat entered.

1CC & BOB. TAYLOR’S PREFERE SABASTIAN YRADIER. Red Shaded Silver with BCR. 15/3/08.

Handsome young man, looking mature for just under eleven months and of pleasing type. Long slender body is lithe, firm and muscular, of very good weight and substance with straight back, gently rounded chest and slender shapely legs ending in compact oval paws in proportion. Head shows short wide wedge, a touch pointed and slightly fine in the muzzle, with slightly rounded top and well spaced medium large ears, which are broad at the base and of good shape. Expressive large lustrous yellow chartreuse eyes are of very good shape and set wide apart. Very slight curve to brow, good break; nose is straight and just a touch long; chin is level and lacks depth. Medium length coat is slightly long on the back, but fine and very close-lying, feeling smooth and satiny in texture and in very good condition with a healthy shine. Mantle of medium shading in warm rich medium tangerine is evenly distributed and lies over a clear silver base, hint of a well broken necklace, a few faint smudged bars on legs. Tail tapers evenly to rounded tip and almost balances. Calm, slightly shy boy, who was very easy to handle; showing a few minor faults but I felt he was just worthy of the Certificate today.

A V Foreign Breeders Adult: A good class with fourteen cats entered.

1. BOND-WONNEBERGER’S FURBELL STARGAZER. Male Russian Blue. 3/3/08.

Handsome lad of good overall type, looking mature and masculine. Long slender graceful body is of very good weight and substance, showing good foreign boning and feeling firm and muscular; slender elegant well shaped legs end in compact oval paws in proportion. Head shows short wedge, muzzle is of good breadth with prominent whisker pads. Top of head is flat between medium large ears, which are broad at the based and of good shape with pointed tips and fairly tall, ears are set vertical to head; I would like them perhaps just a little larger. Large medium-green eyes are almond-shaped and set wide apart and at a slight slant to give typical expression. Straight brow to upper edge of eyes, where it forms correct angle with profile line to nose, this shows a shallow concave curve; chin is level and of fairly good depth. Coat of medium length is double, dense and plush, soft and quite velvety in texture and in super condition. Even medium blue grey with a lovely silvery sheen, some ghost rings towards end of tail. Tail tapers evenly to a finer rounded tip and just balances. Calm, relaxed and friendly boy, who showed himself well.

2. KEMP’S NATZIKATZ JUBULANI. Female Asian Brown Silver Ticked Tabby. 26/1/08.

Very pretty young lady, just one year old and developing well and showing good overall type. Slender compact body is of medium size and very good weight and substance, feeling firm, lithe and well muscled; straight back, gently rounded chest and slender well shaped elegant limbs ending in neat oval feet in proportion. Head forms short wide wedge with slightly rounded top between well spaced medium large broad based ears of good shape. Lovely large lustrous rich yellow chartreuse eyes are of very good shape and set wide apart to give typical “glowering” expression. Very gentle curve to brow, good break, short straight nose and level chin of fairly good depth. Fine close-lying coat is of medium length and smooth satiny texture, in super condition with a gleaming shine. Pattern of well defined ticking in warm seal brown is evenly distributed over a clear sparkling silver ground, slight spine line, well broken necklace and a few smudged marks on legs, “M” and scarab on forehead, attractive mascara affect to eyes surrounded by light spectacles, faint pencilling on face. Tail tapers evenly to “paintbrush” tip and balances. Sweet natured girl, affectionate and very relaxed.

Extra 2. SHEPHERDS’S MAGICAL ROSYLEE. Female Chocolate Tortie Spotted Tabby Devon Rex. 27/2/08.

Attractive girl, almost a year old and developing well, showing very pleasing type. Slender body is of good weight and feels firm and well muscled, gently rounded chest and slender well shaped elegant limbs ending in neat oval paws in proportion. Head shows broad wide wedge with good width to high cheeks and quite strong muzzle of good breadth with distinct whisker break, short curled whiskers. Quite large wide based ears are of good shape and spaced well apart although could be set just a touch lower, tiny tufts at tips and modest muffs. Large rounded almond shaped eyes are set wide apart and at a slight slant to give super “wicked” expression. Flat skull curves forward, good stop, chin is level but shallow. Fine silky coat covers well and is quite dense, although sparse in places, especially on neck and throat, gentle curl to hairs gives regular fairly shallow waves that can just be felt on back, sides and flanks, plush down legs, rexing on chest and fine down on tummy. Tail tapers evenly to finer rounded tip and almost balances, loose waves along length. Affectionate and sweet natured.

3. DESOLLA’S INDIASIA PHANTOMOFTHE OPERA.

A V Foreign Maiden Adult: Four cats entered.

1. SHORTEN’S THICKTHORN CALYPSO. Female Cinnamon Classic Tabby Ocicat. 3/1/07.

My first Classic Ocicat and I must say I’m impressed with the quality of type and the super pattern. Attractive girl, who is mature, nicely balanced and of very pleasing type. Slender balanced body is firm and muscular, of very good weight and substance with good underlying foreign boning, gently rounded chest and elegant slender well shaped legs ending in neat oval paws in proportion. Head forms modified wedge with good breadth to muzzle which shows definite suggestion of “squareness”. Medium large broad based ears are of good shape with rounded tip, placed correctly with 45% angle between. Large expressive eyes are shaped like rounded almonds and set wide apart and at a slight slant, colour is rich golden yellow. Very gentle curve to brow, slight dip in profile line to nose, hint of bump on nose; chin recedes very slightly and of reasonably good depth. Coat is fine and of medium length, very close-lying with a smooth silky texture, but a little lacking the typical dense resilient feel which should hopefully come with full maturity, shown in superb condition with a glossy shine. Well defined Classic pattern in rich warm cinnamon brown contrasts sharply against paler cinnamon agouti ground, “butterfly” motif clearly visible across shoulders, well defined oysters on flanks, spine line with parallel stripe either side, double necklace is just broken, broken bracelets on legs and broad rings on tail; “M” and scarab on forehead, mascara effect to eyes surrounded by lighter spectacles, well defined pencilling on face. Tail tapers evenly to rounded tip and is a fraction short to balance. Good natured girl, confident and relaxed.