The Lancashire Heeler Club Open Show - 8 February 2026 - Critiques

The Lancashire Heeler Club

Single Breed Open Show

8^th February 2026

Judge Mrs Pam MacLellan.

It was a great honour to be asked to judge the Lancashire Heeler Club Open Show and I would like to offer my congratulations to the committee and helpers for organising and running such a wonderful event. It really was one of the most enjoyable days I have spent judging a breed for which I have such a fond affection 

The Lancashire Heeler is an amazing breed full of attitude and fun which was in abundance on the day. A wonderful day indeed. Credit must go to the breeders and owners of the all the dogs that were of such a high standard.

Junior Dog

1^st Hughes, Mrs P. F. Ribblespride Kruger. Black and tan 13-month-old male of good size and strong body, with good bone. Presented in good condition with correct double coat, short and thick of correct texture. Nice overall shape. Skull flat and giving a good width between the ears. Eyes dark and set correctly. Slight bias in skull. Nice scissor bite, lips held firm. Neck of good length. In front his elbows are held close to the ribs, front legs correct with just enough outward turn. At this stage of his development his topline at the shoulder gives a slight dip. In body he is firm to the touch with nice muscle tone, ribs well back and sprung. Hindquarters strong and well-muscled, hocks well let down. Onset of tail is correct, set high and carried well. Moved out well with that typical brisk no-nonsense attitude.

Post Graduate Dog.

1^st Lagonegro Mrs V. Mr L. Lankeeler Kristi and Eeyore. Liver and tan mature 4-year-old male of good size and stature. Well-muscled throughout with ample bone. Pleasant temperament and shown in nice condition. Skull is flat and has width between the ears which have good lift. Ratios of skull give preference to muzzle. Eyes set well, of lighter colouring correctly matching coat colour.  Lips firm with correct pigmentation.  Scissor bite. Moderate length of neck laid onto well placed shoulder. Front assembly is sound with elbows held close to the ribs that reach well back. chest well developed. Topline gives a slight rise, tail carried correctly.  He is well muscled in the hindquarters with hocks well let down. On the move he is true coming and going.

Limit dog.

1^st Thomas Mr. G. & Mrs S. Skipest Winter Blues. Black and Tan 3-and-a-half-year-old male. Carrying a little more weight than I would prefer, but he is of good size and substance.  Pleasing temperament, with a happy outlook on life. Presented with double coat, the outer being dense and of good texture. Skull is flat giving ample width between the ears which are carried well. Longer in back skull, moderate stop. Eyes dark, set well apart and almond shaped.  Scissor bite, lips and eyes have good dark pigmentation. Neck moderate, elbows held close to ribs, chest of good depth and width. Front legs strong. He has good lay of rib that extends well back, topline strong with slightly low tail set. Hindquarters well developed. Moved out well with free movement.

Open Dog 

1^st McBride Mrs. W. Utthanshavan Wolf moon Man. 4-year-old black and tan male who caught my eye immediately.  He gives a nicely balanced overall picture.  Presented in good condition and coat. Excellent bone displaying sturdiness and strength in a small package, that is required of the breed. Temperament is excellent. Skull to muzzle ratio balanced and in proportion to body, pleasing parallel head planes, flat skull with ample distance between ears tapering gently towards the eyes. Ears carried well with good lift.  Moderate stop. Eyes dark and almond shaped set wide apart. Strength of jaw with firm lips. Correct scissor bite. Neck is of good moderate length and blends into well laid shoulders. Chest well developed with elbows held close to ribs. He stands well in front with just enough turnout of feet. Topline straight, firm and held on the move. Ribs well back giving good symmetry to body proportions being slightly longer than high, with close coupling. Good tail carriage.  Hindquarters are muscular and well developed, with excellent turned stifles, hocks well down, when viewed from the rear clean and parallel. Neat firm feet. On the move he did not disappoint showing me a clean brisk freedom of movement both coming and going. I was pleased to award him Best Dog and BIS.

2^nd. Daws. D. J. Leyeside Mister Wilds at Daweslean. 7-year-old mature Black and tan male presented in good condition and coat. A wonderful temperament, happy, keen and enthusiastic. He has good proportions and is sturdily built with nice length of body. Good bone. Nicely balanced in head with good parallel planes, proportionate to overall body. Moderate stop giving equal distance from nose to occiput. Eyes set well, dark and almond in shape, ears have good lift and used well. Scissor bite. Neck moderate and blends into well placed shoulders.  Elbows held close with good lay of rib. Front assembly is sound with well-placed feet. Chest well developed with spring of rib. Topline tends to give a slight drop at withers when standing. Hindquarters strong with well-defined muscle texture. Correct tail set and carriage.  Hocks well down. Moved out well showing me a nice smart lively movement.

Veteran Dog.

1^st Mrs Fairest C.A. CH. Henson Fairest Lad. Black and Tan male. What a dog. Yes, he is mature in years, but I was not surprised to discover that he has the title of Champion. He still retains many of the desired breed assets. Very classic in type, displaying balance, substance and strength. He has superb temperament cheeky ‘up for anything’ attitude. His overall appearance is proportionate. Head is clean and shows a clear equality between occiput and nose with a moderate stop. Ears are caried and used well with a pleasing lift. Eyes of correct shape, dark and set well apart. Scissor bite. Good length of neck and set onto well placed shoulders. In front he has strength with just enough turnout of foot. Ribs are well sprung with good lay back. Chest well developed. Elbows close in to ribs. Pleasing topline and held on the move. Hindquarters well defined with good bend of stifles, hocks well down, when viewed from the rear he is true. I was please to award him RBVIS

 2^nd. Daws D.J. Ch. Foveaux Storm Revolution. 13-year-old Black and Tan male. I really liked this ‘young man’ another quality male sharing many of the assets of 1. Presented in lovely condition with a wonderfully thick double coat of correct hard texture. He has a pleasing outline and demonstrates proportions well. His head is nicely balanced with the requirement of parallel head planes and balance between occiput and nose.  Well placed eye, dark in colour and of correct shape. Ears have lift and are placed well. Correct scissor bite. Good reach of neck and well-placed shoulders, elbows close in at rib, well sprung and laid back. In front he is correct. Topline firm leading onto good onset of tail. Tail carried correctly over the back. hindquarters are strong with correct angulation. Nice firm feet. When asked to move he did so with determination and attitude showing me his cleanness of foot. He was just out moved today by 1. 

Puppy Bitch. No entries

Junior bitch.

1^st Lord Mrs E. Foxtyme Miss Adventure. 14-month-old Liver and tan female of good size, who gives the impression of strength in a small space. She has a lovely temperament, happy and very affectionate with a little bit of cheekiness mixed in for good measure. I liked this girl a lot she has good balanced proportions throughout with good bone. In head she presents symmetry, flat in skull and sufficient distance between ears which are correctly placed and used. Stop correct. Eyes set wide, of a lighter colour in keeping with coat colouring and pigmentation. Good scissor bite. Her neck is of good length and sits onto well placed shoulders. In front leges are correct with feet turning out moderately. Chest and spring of rib developing nicely. Elbows are close into the ribs which are well back giving her the required length of body to hight proportions. Topline is held level both standing and on the move. Good onset of tail with her tail carriage high with a gentle curve. Hindquarters again developing well with nicely defining muscle tone. Hocks well let down with pleasing small firm feet. When asked to move she did so with plenty of attitude and sparkle showing me nice clean foot fall.

2^nd. Websters Mrs K. Oreiphos feed my sole at Brockbrae. 11.5-month-old Black and tan female. Another well presented female in good condition with a nice short double coat. Pleasing temperament and attitude. Kind expression from a dark eye of almond shape and set well apart. Skull flat with sufficient distance between ears. Ears used well and good lift. Scissor bite and firm lips of nice dark pigmentation. Good reach of neck, front angulation good with ample bone, front feet have gentle outward turn without exaggeration. Ribs developing nicely. Elbows close into rib. Slightly longer in back than I would prefer, with slight slope to croup presenting a lower tail set. Hindquarters developing muscle nicely. On the move she is brisk, although moving a little close behind.

Graduate Bitch.

1^st. Thwaits Mr J. Mrs E. A. Tudorbrook Morgana at Ribblespride. Black and tan 3-year-old female. I really like this girl she is feminine and presents a picture of balance. She has a typical Heeler attitude to life, happy and bold. Head to body proportions are correct. Skull is flat and has good width allowing ears to sit correctly. Moderate in stop with equal distance between occiput and nose, pleasing gentle tapering with good parallel head planes. Eyes dark and set well. Scissor bite, lips firm with dark pigmentation. Nick moderate in length, shoulders well set. Forequarters are strong with correct bone. Chest well developed with elbows held close into ribs, front feet are small and firm with slight outward turn. Ribs well sprung with good lay back and close coupling. Topline is firm and held both standing and on the move. Hindquarters are well defined, hocks well down and parallel. Good set of tail which is carried over her back correctly. She moves beautifully with a brisk air of authority in her stride.

2^nd Cough & Erwin. Mr. I. & Mrs J. Riblespride Freya Fenrir. 2-year-old black and tan female. Presented in good condition with good coat. She is well muscled and stands well. She shares many similarities with 1. Balanced in head and skull with a dark almond shaped eye set well. In front she is correct and has good reach of neck and well-placed shoulders with nice firm level topline. Ribs are well sprung and elbows close to rib. Good length of rib and body proportions. Rear angulation is correct just would prefer a slightly better tail set. Moved well with good foot placement both coming and going.

Post graduate Bitch.

1^st. Howdel Mrs D. Utthanshavan Raven Ripple. 18-month-old black and tan female of good proportions. She stands well and is presented in good body and coat condition. Head of pleasing proportions with good parallel planes. Stop moderate. Skull flat and wide between the ears. Eye shape almond, dark and set well apart. When looked at from the front she has a gentle tapering towards the nose giving a pleasing picture. Scissor bite, dark pigmentation, lips firm.  Ears used and set well. Neck is of good length; shoulders set well, good spring of rib. Chest good. Elbows held close to ribs. Correct in front. Topline firm and level both on the move and standing. Pleasing hindquarters with clearly defined muscle developing good turn of stifle with hocks well let down. Correct tail set and tail carried correctly. Moved out well with nice clean stride.

Limit Bitch.

1^st Wiseman Mrs S. Foxthyme Tilly 3-year-old Black and tan female. There is much to like about this girl, she stands well and gives a lovely balanced picture. She is feminine without sacrificing any of the requirements that the breed demands. She presents herself as strong and sturdy but retains the energetic attitude required. Great temperament. Pleasing head proportions with clean parallel head planes, moderate stop with equal distance from occiput to nose all the while retaining a gentle tapering. Eyes and pigmentation of good dark colour.  Almond shaped eyes and set well apart. Ears used well with good lift and good distance between. Strength of jaw with scissor bite and firm lips. Good length of neck leading in to well placed shoulders. Fore chest good, legs correct with just enough turnout of front feet. Ample spring of ribs and laid well back. Elbows held close to ribs. Pleasing underline. She is close coupled and has a strong level topline. Hindquarters are well developed and muscular. Hocks well let down and good bend of stifle. Feet small and firm.  Tail carried correctly over the back with good onset. When asked to move she did so with a good brisk action all the time alert to her surroundings, true coming and going. I was pleased to award her Best Bitch, RBIS and BOS.

2^nd. Fairest Mrs C.A. Skipest Summer Breeze. 3-year-old Black and Tan female who shares many assets of 1. On the day she was carrying a little more weight than 1. However, her owner did inform me that she had not long had a litter. With that in mind I look forward to seeing this girl again. This dog has quality stamped all over her. She is balanced both in head and body proportions and exhibits a sturdy no nonsense attitude. Fabulous temperament and obviously very affectionate. In head she has a good clean skull to muzzle ratio and pleasing parallel head planes giving a balanced picture. Eyes dark in colour and almond shaped. Dark pigmentation throughout. Lips firm. Neck is moderate in length with good lay of shoulder. Ribs well back giving a proportionate length of body to height. In front she is sound with correct bone. Chest well let down and elbows close to ribs. Topline level and strong both on the move and standing. Hindquarters well-developed, hocks correct with good bend of stifle. She has small firm feet. On the move she did not disappoint me, moving true both coming and going with a clean brisk stride.

Open Bitch.

1^st Thwait Mr J. & Mrs E. A. Ribblespride Masquerade. 2-year-old Black and Tan female. Presented in nice body and coat condition. Standing she gives the impression of what she should be, balanced, proportionate and has a clean outline, suggesting strength and sturdiness all in a small space. Super temperament that is alert to all going on around her. Nothing is exaggerated.  Lovely ratios of skull to muzzle with a moderate stop. Head planes evident and clean. Eyes almond in shape, dark and alert with a keen expression. Dark pigmentation throughout. Ears placed and used well. Scissor bite with good strength of jaw. In front she has well developed chest and good spring of rib. Ample bone and strong legs with slight turn out of feet. Good lay of rib and well back giving correct proportions of length to height. She is close coupled and has a firm level topline leading on to a high tail set. Pleasing underline of body. Hindquarters are well muscled and strong. Hocks straight and well let down. Feet small. On the move she showed a nice free action that is brisk and business like.

2^nd. Davis Mrs M. CH. Taigwynion Freya Sadie in Ronleydon. 4-year-old liver and tan female of lovely temperament.  Presented in good body condition however a little out of coat on the day. She is well boned and muscled throughout, displays strength of body, stands well. Clean head and of good proportions. Eye colour lighter and in tune with coat colouring. Her eyes are almond in shape and has ample distance between. Skull flat with well placed ears which she used well. In front she has good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Legs strong with out turn of feet. Good reach of neck and well-placed shoulders with firm level topline. Back longer than I would prefer.  Elbows fitting close to rib. Hind quarters well-muscled, rear angulation is correct showing good bend of stifle and hocks well let down. On the move she has a good stride that is brisk and clean.

Veteran Bitch.

 1^st Thwaite Mr J. & Mrs E. A. CH Ribblespride Ladytron. 6 year old Black and tan female, lovely type and of good size and proportions. Exhibited in good condition. This dog has nicely balanced proportions with substance and strength. Temperament is happy and outgoing. Her head has a good ratio of skull to muzzle with moderate stop. Skull is flat and has ample width between the ears which are carried and used well showing good alert lift. Eyes dark and almond shaped, set well apart. Scissor bite and lips firm. Good length of neck and set onto well placed shoulders. Forequarters are strong with chest well let down. Legs strong with good bone, front feet have slight turnout. Ribs well sprung with good lay back.  Elbows held close into ribs. Pleasing level firm topline that was held when standing and on the move. Hindquarters well-muscled, good turn of stifles, hocks well down, when viewed from the rear she is parallel. I was please to award her BVIS.

2^nd. Lord Mrs E. CH Foxthyme True Colour. 10-year-old Black and tan female who displays many qualities required of the breed. She presents a well-balanced outline with pleasing proportions throughout. Presenting a picture of strength and substance. Well-muscled and good bone. Balanced in head and skull with a dark almond shaped eye. Forequarters she has well developed chest, good spring of rib strength of leg and with slight out turn of feet. Good reach of neck and well-placed shoulders with level topline. Elbows held close to ribs. Ribs well back with good body proportions. Hindquarters are well developed and muscled, angulation is correct. Moved well with good foot placement both coming and going.

Special Open Liver and Tan.

1^st Lagonegro Mrs V. Mr L. Lankeeler Kristi and Eeyore.

2^nd. Bowker Mrs R. & Mr. C. Rosie Bouquet. 2-year-old liver and tan female with a pleasing temperament. She was exhibited in good condition both in body and coat which was thick with a hard flat outer coat. Well-muscled throughout. Chest well developed and ribs well sprung, firm topline. Tail carried correctly. Moved out well.

Joy Smith Memorial Open Class.

1^st Wiseman Mrs S. Foxthyme Tilly

2^nd Thwaite Mr J & Mrs E. A. CH. Ribblespride Crakemoor.

Brace.

1^st Thwaite Mr J. & Mrs E. A. CH Ribblespride Ladytron. 

2^nd. Lord Mrs E. Foxthyme Libby

Special Breeders team.

1^st. Lord Mrs E. CH Foxthyme Bradley.

2^nd. Swann Mrs J. CH. Taigwynion Johnnys Boy at Swandale.

Special Open in aid of rescue.

 1^st Mrs Fairest C.A. CH. Henson Fairest Lad Black and Tan male.

2^nd Huges Mrs. P. F. Ribblespride Kruger.

Junior handling Class 12-16 years.

1^st Huges Mrs P. F. Poolheywood Barney JW. Lancashire Heeler of 3 years old. Unfortunately, the young person handling the dog failed to give me his name before leaving the ring. However, I will do my best to critique. This young man was extremely gentle with his dog and showed the dog respect. When asked the age of the dog he was able to answer me correctly. He kept the dog calm and standing while I was able to assess the dog on the table. When asked to move the dog he did so is a controlled and respectful way keeping the dog in a straight line and performing the correct instructions of triangle. Well done.