Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show Society

Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society

21st August 2013

Golden Retrievers

Whilst overall the entry included some nice dogs, I was disappointed to find a number of exhibits showing short and choppy movement untypical of the breed. The breed standard asks for movement to be ‘long and free with no sign of hackney movement in front’ and unfortunately this was not the case in few dogs here today. Unfortunately I found four dogs with noticeably incorrect mouths and sadly my hands were left dirty at the end of judging.

Puppy 5 (3abs)

Two very nice puppies but just preferred the overall movement of the winner.

1st Clarke’s Bramblebriar Rainbow Rose For Sunnyoak

Very sweet bitch of 10 mths with a lovely feminine head, dark and kind eye with lovely expression.  Good length of neck set on well laid back shoulders with good length of upper arm. Straight well boned forelegs and neat feet. Nice short coupled body with good depth allowing for plenty of heart room and ribs well sprung. Lovely rear angulation with strong quarters and hocks well let down. Moved out freely with a good length of stride keeping a lovely topline and tailset throughout. Together with her quality pale coat completed a lovely balanced picture. Delighted to award her BP. 

2nd Jackson’s Leighsham Sweet Carolini

Junior 5 (3abs)

1st Merrick’s Stormerick Bobby Shafto

Well presented youngster who shows lovely balance with good length to height ratio.  Lovely masculine head with good eye shape, kind expression and dark pigment. Excellent reach of neck flowing into well laid back shoulder and good upper arm. Dead straight forelegs so lovely to see with nice tight feet and well up on pasterns. Good depth of chest and short coupled body with a good turn of stifle complimenting his front making for lovely body proportions. Strong rear quarters which enabled him to move out freely and confidently placing feet correctly. His quality dark golden coat completed a lovely picture, just a shame he lost out on maturity in subsequent classes. One of the best movers of the day. 

2nd Marshall’s Goldenabbey Highland Earl

Post Graduate 11 (4abs)

1st Thurgood’s Jenaway Bonnie Prince Of Pecolstone

Caught my eye on the first look around the ring and wasn’t disappointed when going over him.  Liked him a lot for his overall balance and body proportions. Beautiful yet masculine head with kind dark eyes enhanced by dark pigment giving a lovely expression. Strong clean and muscular neck of good length set on well angulated shoulders. Forelegs straight and well boned placed well under body with tight feet. Deep chest with plenty of heart room with a good spring of rib and short coupled body. Rear angulation matching front with hocks well let down. An easy mover who covers the ground well with his lovely forehand extension. Although not in his full coat this didn’t detract from his overall lovely qualities and so was very pleased to award him BOB. 

2nd Taylor’s Alibren Love Me Do At Tannadice

3rd Merrick’s Stormerick Bobby Shafto

Limit 4 (2abs)

1st Merrick’s Stormerick Bobby Shafto

2nd Taylor’s Rosinante Loverboy At Tannadice JW

Open 8 (3abs)

1st Merrick’s Stormerick Scott Free

Larger framed pale coated male with a nice well chisled head and masculine expression. Good length of neck and forehand construction. Good depth of chest and ribs well sprung. Would prefer better rear angulation. Moved straight and true with drive.

2nd Callow’s Cassatess Heavenly Love

3rd Sakez’s Hillsgolden Dorset Pink Lady

Judge Lesley Layland (Applecote)