Bath Canine Society

BATH

24TH MAY 2008

IRISH SETTER DOGS

My congratulations to the committee for putting on a first rate show with an outstanding layout. An excellent half covered ring gave the dogs plenty of room to move and whilst it was warm and dry the windy conditions unsettled a lot of the youngsters as the tents had an unfortunate tendency to bang as the wind whipped through them. Watching the dogs move across the bottom of the ring gave me ample opportunity to look for the minimum amount of steps to effectively gain maximum coverage of ground. I found a lot of exhibits to be square in outline and therefore without the required balance; and what has happened to shoulders? There should be nothing coarse or rugged about this breed; elegance and quality should abound. I was glad to see that the gay tails which prevailed last time I judged dogs have mostly disappeared. I sought typical racy, balanced and refined dogs with the correct lay back of shoulder, substance and rear angulation that makes them fit for purpose. I found these attributes in all of my winners and am, as always, deeply grateful to all the exhibitors for entering under me.

MPD (11 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: ABBOTT Gwendariff Mr Dontgopastme. Confident baby with correct proportions throughout. Lovely head with low set ears and kind expression .Good front and shoulder assembly, well ribbed up, neat feet. Moved well and expertly handled to take the class.

2nd: LUTO Rappatty Red Alert. Strong in neck with good prosternum, well angulated quarters with good width and second thigh development. Moved freely. Preferred the topline of 1.

3rd: ROSS Autumnglow Onyx

PD (6 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: EDWARDS Gwendariff Rockin Robin. Wow! I loved this puppy. What a grand example of the breed. The loveliest head with such a kind expression in his correctly shaped eye. Excellent front, prosternum developing, correct body proportions. Plenty of sinewy bone, short and strong rear pasterns. Moved like a dream. A most exciting prospect for the future and with complete agreement from my co-judge, Best Puppy in Breed.

2nd: HALL Tykkidyw Sundown. Another nice one but preferred the head and expression of 1. Strong in loin with correct tail set. Would have liked more depth to his coat. Well handled.

3rd: CHILDS Lyrasett Discovery

JD (10 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: LEWIS Lindenjo Lancelot. A dog with substance, portraying the raciness that is a must in Irish Setters. Excellent forehand with plenty of heart and lung room, strong quarters, moved well.

2nd: WATTS Brabrook Star Gazer. Taller dog showing more daylight underneath than is desirable but time is on his side. Covered the ground with easy, driving action.

3rd: CAYTON-LEE Rubratinneh Medicine Man

YD (9 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: MYERS Riverbrue Xanthus By Astrazone Jw. Won this class with some to spare. Presents a striking outline with good reach of neck flowing into well laid shoulders, excellent spring of rib and good depth, powerful back end, neat feet. Covered the ring with ease.

2nd: BURDETT & HUNNYBUN Riverbrue Apollo. I now see is litter brother to 1 so very similar in type. Good layback of shoulder and strong in loin. Moved well when settled.

3rd: NEEDS Covarney Mocha

GD (16 Entries) Abs: 2. Best class of the day.

1st: CROCKER & HAMMICK Riverbrue Dionysus Jw. Racy, balanced and full of quality. Masculine head with soft, kind expression, strong neck into well laid shoulders and well ribbed up. Moved with reach and drive. Considered for Res C.C. but still very young; his time will come. Litter brother to 1 & 2 in last class.

2nd: BUCHAN Loskeran Jitterbug. Liked this dog very much and it was a close call between 1 & 2. Effortless movement, shown and presented beautifully. Deciding factor was tail carriage.

3rd: SWAINSTON Glenvarna Himself JW

PGD (13 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: STUBBS Littleplea Lord Barnabus. Beautifully balanced head, square muzzle and lovely eye and expression. Sound in front with correct angulation throughout. Good lung capacity and strong loin. Another effortless mover.

2nd: RORKE Cataluna Captivatione To Zakhan. Sound dog with positive, efficient movement. Good through head, neck and shoulders but didn’t have the typical topline of 1.

3rd: EDWARDS Henaleas Tuscany

LD (18 Entries) Abs: 3.

1st: COHEN Caispern Vilette with Shushana JW Sh.CM. Had what I was looking for, superb balance throughout with the raciness and gently sloping topline that defines this breed. No loss of substance here and looking like he could go all day. His movement is a joy to behold; free flowing with no wasted effort. Masculine head without coarseness, strong well arched neck flowing into shoulders without any break in topline. All male but with refinement and elegance in abundance. Clearly built for purpose. Delighted to award him his first C.C.

2nd: SWAINSTON Glenvarna Sungod JW. A close and hard decision to make between these 2 dogs. Masculine head of pleasing proportions, sound and well constructed throughout. Rich chestnut coat gleaming in the sunshine and presented in perfect order. Just preferred the hind movement of 1. Res. C.C.

3rd: RICHARDSON Cataluna Smart Alec at Montgreenan

OD (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: BOTT & MORGAN Sh Ch Ember Gene Simmons Sings Quensha (Imp). A worthy champion, shown, presented and handled to perfection. He has nothing to prove. Seriously considered for top honours but preferred the tail set of my eventual Res C.C. winner.

2nd: LORRIMER Sh Ch Danaway Destiny. Soft expression and gently sloping topline but not the flowing lines of 1 being squarer in outline. Shown in lovely coat and condition.

VD (9 Entries) Abs: 4

1st: KING Brenrue Kracker Jack. So well made and balanced with substance and strength behind. Fabulously moving dog but with the most unruly coat. If only his owner/breeder had been able to tame it he would surely have made it to the top.

2nd: SHEPHERD Brackenfield Quadrant Sh.CM. An old favourite of mine looking great for his age and still able to show the youngsters how to move.

3rd: CARTER Brackenfield Flanagan

CHRISTINE MORGAN