United Retriever Club

UNITED RETRIEVER CLUB

CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

WEDNESDAY 13TH AUGUST 2014

DOGS

A fantastic entry, I found this a challenging yet complementary appointment being presented with Goldens of every type and the full spectrum of colour from palest cream to darkest gold. I was pleased to find overall dogs were more balanced than when I last judged them almost 3 years ago and found none overweight. Movement was also improved, though several who looked impressive standing disappointed by flying their tails, the standard is explicit about tail carriage. The strong age related classes were a joy with many quality youngsters unplaced, Veteran, Open and Working also had quality in depth and I could have awarded many more green cards, being spoilt for choice. On the minus side, I was perturbed to have one veteran growl and also found several level bites and if your dog has runny eyes, they really should stay at home.

Special Veteran 7-9 Years Dog (12, 3 Absent)

1. Bolton’s SH CH STANROPH STORMY WEATHER ShCM. A dog I have long admired, to be super critical would just prefer a darker eye, but he completely fills the eye in every respect. Lovely masculine head, muzzle wide and deep, good length of neck, so well balanced all through, correctly angulated front and rear, level topline and correct tailset. Well-presented mid gold, at one with his handler. Effortless free striding movement, easy action, floats across the ground, a true representative of his breed and a well- deserved Champion. Res CC, Best Veteran & Best Veteran in Show.

2. Morss’ CH XANTHOS ESPIONAGE JW. Exudes personality, such a joyful happy mover with reach and drive, just preferred the length of leg and overall balance of 1, love his beautifully proportioned and well chiselled head, good length of neck, textbook angulation front and rear, well laid shoulders, level topline and tailset, expertly handled and presented. Another worthy Champion.

3. Aulton & Middleton’s WINNATTS WORDSWORTH ShCM, another quality boy, very well proportioned and moves as soundly as he is made, well-handled and presented cream, really nice boy with a pleasing head, very well balanced all through, level topline and tailset, a lot to like, correct in all departments, just preferred the type of 1 & 2, another excellent example of his breed.

Special Veteran 10+ Years Dog (2)

1. Fanning’s JEMSTY SPECIAL EDITION. Two very typical Goldens of differing type, 1 really well presented and handled in beautiful gleaming well-presented rich dark golden coat, well furnished with paler feathering, 1 scored on neck and overall quality, super outline presenting a pleasing picture, balanced masculine head with gentle expression, moderate front angulation, good shoulder layback and bend of stifle, in profile moved stylishly with reach and drive maintaining his topline, moved soundly coming towards, but not so accurate behind.

2. Willmitt’s GOLDENMILL LUCKY LORD. Mid gold, slightly more throaty and although he moved truly and soundly not the style or activity of 1, but overall very correctly made, well angulated front and rear, short coupled, very well balanced, well-let down hocks, good bone and feet, I liked him a lot, a very typical Golden.

Minor Puppy Dog (10,1 Absent)

A really lovely class, splitting hairs over the placings and some deserving puppies left cardless. Age, maturity and movement on the day being the deciding factors, many of these youngsters should have great futures.

1. Cuthill’s MOUSSEGLEN MACLAINE. Well grown, caught my eye on the initial run round for his overall quality and impressive movement, beautifully presented mid gold coat, absolutely flows on the move, good length of stride and easy action, as well balanced standing as on the move, with good length of leg, level topline, well grown, to be super critical head could do with a little more stop, but very good length of neck, good shoulder and upper arm angulation, not overdone in any way, front and rear limbs straight and strong, maintains a super outline. Best Puppy Dog & Best Puppy.

2. Garget & Morriss’ HAYDENGOLD KEEPA SECRET WITH GARVIN. A close decision, similar to 1, slightly shorter in the leg but not unbalanced in any way, they will change places many times I am sure, actually preferred his well-proportioned and balanced head to 1, wonderful expression, portraying intelligence and attentive to his handler, at his best free standing, another mid gold full of quality, good bend of stifle and good length of upper arm, straight front and rear, moved correctly and stylishly, another expertly presented.

3. Sharp & Martin’s GUNHILLS BARNABY RUDGE, Well grown young man, very pleasing masculine head, good pigment, underneath his profuse wavy rich mid gold coat lies a very well-constructed dog, with excellent neck and shoulders, correctly made all through, yet to drop into his angles, straight front and rear, level topline and tailset, drives on the move, another exciting youngster.

Puppy Dog (13, 3 Absent)

1. MOUSSEGLEN MACLAINE.

2. HAYDENGOLD KEEPA SECRET WITH GARVIN

3. Hicks’ STEVAL MUSIC MASTER AT CORNBOROUGH. Mid gold, different type, more compact, absolutely lovely masculine head, good depth and width of muzzle, good pigment, neat ears, good neck and shoulders, very well angulated front and rear and balanced all through, level back though slightly low tailset, moves straight and true in both directions, strides out with confidence and drive, very well handled and presented, overall very pleasing.

Junior Dog (15, 1 Absent)

1. Maddison’s JAYMARDY BAILEY WAY. Another who caught the eye initially in a competitive class for his stylish accurate and level movement and overall quality, correctly made throughout, lovely masculine well balanced head, darkest of pigment, excellent neck and shoulders, level topline and tailset, short coupled and well ribbed, good bend of stifle, straight front and rear, good bone and feet, well presented cream coat and sympathetically handled, this win gave him his Junior Warrant.

2. Shaw & Robertshaw’s AKENSCALES EIRI NA GREINE. Different type, mid gold again caught the eye for his powerful balanced and oh so sound movement, lovely masculine head, good depth and width of muzzle, well placed ears, good pigment, well balanced body, short coupled, good angulation front and rear, not the upper arm of 1, but excellent shoulder layback, deep through the heart, good bone and feet, free standing with a wagging tail.

3. Barber’s STVINCENT GOLDEN GUN FROM SWANSREACH. Pale golden, a little longer in the loin and upper arm could be better, but nevertheless an appealing,freestanding showy and waggy boy with a lovely balanced head, level topline and tailset, straight front and rear, well bent stifles, stylish accurate mover.

Yearling Dog (8, 1 Absent)

1. AKENSCALES EIRI NA GREINE

2. Watterlott’s HIGHLANDER DU CLOS DES FACONS. Super construction on this cream boy and in hard condition enabling him to power around the ring with reach and drive, masculine balanced head, pleasing expression, good length of neck, very good upper arm and shoulder layback, short coupled, straight front and rear, holding his topline at all times, a lovely dog to go over, well presented and handled.

3. Golder’s GEMBAEK'S MIXED MUSIC TO SUMMERAMBA JW. Although he has well-proportioned masculine head, some tear staining detracted from his expression and he was a little more sluggish on the move, though he is so very well balanced and constructed all through, good front and rear, compactly made, level topline and tailset well off for bone and cat like feet well-presented mid gold coat, on another day could trouble the best.

Maiden Dog (8, 1 Absent)

1. HIGHLANDER DU CLOS DES FACONS

2. Morrell’s RAYLEAS INCROYABLE JACQUESSON OF CROWSHOTT. Dark golden with dark eye and pigment, would prefer more length and depth of muzzle, but appealing expression, overall soundly and compactly made, deep through the heart, short coupled, straight limbs, excellent bone and feet, moves as soundly as he is made, freely and actively maintaining his level topline and tailset, well presented and handled.

3. Hughes’ LANDKING PLAY WITH ME. Cream, not yet 7 months old, 4th in the strong Minor Puppy class, so much to like, a quality puppy with a well balanced masculine head, very well made and correctly angulated all through, dead level topline and tailset and moves with precision, style and drive, liked him a lot, must have a great future.

Novice Dog (15, 6 Absent)

1. HIGHLANDER DU CLOS DES FACONS

2. James’ DANTASSIE DARED TO STARE. Well-presented mid gold, unplaced in the strong Junior class, but no disgrace as he was under consideration there, pleasing head proportions and overall very well made, with good length of leg, presenting a super outline, good length of neck and well laid shoulders, good bend of stifle, straight front and rear, moves with extension and drive.

3. Morrell’s RAYLEAS INCROYABLE JACQUESSON OF CROWSHOTT

Undergraduate Dog (12)

1. JAYMARDY BAILEY WAY

2. AKENSCALES EIRI NA GREINE

3. STVINCENT GOLDEN GUN FROM SWANSREACH

Graduate Dog (8, 1 Absent)

1. Andrews’ CATCOMBE COCONUT JW. Rich dark golden, well presented double coat, lovely type, screams Golden for me, just something about him makes me melt. Lovely well balanced head and softest of expressions from dark eyes with matching pigment, excels in neck and shoulders, level topline and tailset, strongly made and well angulated all through, good bone and feet, biddability shining through, moves accurately with drive.

2. Cooper’s MEDODAINE ANGUSTAH AT DIKEADAZE JW. Quality mid gold expertly presented, close up to 1, just a preference for type, balanced masculine head, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, well sprung ribs, shorter coupled and very well angulated, straight front and rear, in hard condition enabling him to move powerfully and precisely.

3. Williams’ CATCOMBE COUNTRY TZAR OF BUSHEYHALL. Very well constructed mid gold with very good pigment, good neck and shoulders, straight front and rear, moves very soundly and truly, well presented and handled, nothing to fault, liked him a lot.

Post Graduate Dog (18, 1 Absent)

1. Nicholls’ LARGYMORE JUST WILLIAM. The first two caught my eye immediately in this competitive class, eye-catching well-presented dark golden with a lovely outlook, freestanding wagging his tail and attentive to handler who gets the best out of him. Although a little short in upper arm, he is not overdone in any way and presents a balanced picture, yet to mature and deepen all through, pleasing balanced head with good pigment, good neck and shoulders, good spring of rib and well bent stifles, moves freely and smoothly maintaining his level topline and tailset.

2. Cuthill’s MOUSSEGLEN MASTERKEY. Beautifully constructed mid gold, unexaggerated, can’t stand incorrectly as he is so well made, another with a pleasing general attitude, wagging his tail with obvious will to please, balanced head with dark pigment, good reach of neck and shoulder layback, straight front and rear, shown in hard condition, another excellent mover from this kennel, accurate and with reach and drive, a hard decision between 1 & 2..

3. Taylor’s ALIBREN LOVE ME DO AT TANNADICE. Heavier type, masculine dark golden with a well proportioned head, dark eye and pigment, deep through the heart, straight front and rear, correct topline and tailset, not always making the most of himself standing, but correctly made and moves extremely well covering the ground powerfully and freely.

Mid Limit Dog (6, 1 Absent)

1. Golder’s SUMMERAMBA HUMBUG JW. Quality cream dog, today an easy winner, so well balanced all through and correctly proportioned, a masculine yet gentle head with soft expression, soundly made, balanced all through, good spring of rib, correctly angulated front and rear, level topline and tailset, presenting a lovely outline, moves so soundly and freely maintaining that outline, an honest Golden very well presented in full coat and handled to perfection.

2. Tregaskis’ LARGYMORE BURRAIGH AT STEVAL JW. Dark golden, lovely type, pleasing well balanced head, good ear set, good neck, upper arm of good length, well laid shoulders, compact, well ribbed body, well bent stifles, standing on cat like feet and good bone, free standing with a waggy tail, a sound happy mover.

3. Norris’ XANTHOS MILOS COLUMBO JW. Strongly made, larger framed mid gold boy with a bigger though well proportioned masculine head, well balanced all through, shoulders well laid back, deep through the heart, level topline and tailset, moves actively , soundly and truly.

Limit Dog (8, 2 Absent)

This class was my biggest headache, such a variation in type, make and shape.

1. Simms’ STVINCENT ROYAL MINT JW. Darker golden, couldn’t resist his beautiful head, masculine with chiselling, so well proportioned, muzzle wide and deep, dark eye and pigment, gentle intelligent expression, excellent length of neck, though he has good length of upper arm he lacks front angulation, but his other qualities compensate and this did not detract from his free flowing and easy profile movement, just as correct both coming and going with tail well carried. Balanced body, deep brisket, good bend of stifle, straight front and rear, good bone and cat like feet.

2. Hicks’ RYDERS FLAG OFFICER AT CORNBROUGH. This mid golden boy was stunning in profile when stacked, being beautifully balanced all through, correctly angulated with a level topline and tailset, equally his movement, so effortless, powerful, free and true. Though his head did not appeal, the rest of him was all that a Golden should be, from his strong bone and feet to his compact and well ribbed body, very well presented and expertly handled.

3. Bissell’s WARRENTOR WESLEY FOR BISSKIDS. Dark golden yet to mature, unexaggerated, though not the most glamorous, very well balanced and correctly constructed, standing four square, masculine head not overdone, dark eye and soft expression, good neck and shoulders, absolutely sound on the move, free flowing, active and steady, maintaining his level topline and tailset.

Open Dog (7, 2 Absent)

1. Wild’s SH CH FENWOOD ELL MASTERPIECE AT BLUEWATERS JW. Fell for him as soon as I laid my hands on, most beautiful masculine and well-proportioned head, dark eyes giving a soft expression which could melt the soul, at this point I felt I had found what I was looking for and that was before I had affirmed everything else my eyes were telling me, faultless construction from every angle, so well balanced, happy disposition with a gently wagging tail, pale golden coat absolutely gleaming with condition, so sound and free flowing on the move, very well presented, absolute quality through and through, just loved everything about him. CC & Reserve Best of Breed.

2. Gerhold’s SH CH CROSSVIEW SUMMER ALLIANCE JW. What a fantastic dog to go over, everything in the right place, fits the standard, another worthy Champion excelling in overall construction, so well balanced and correctly made, beautifully presented cream expertly handled, nothing to fault and so much to like, from his balanced head with kindly expression to his straight limbs and cat like feet, looked a picture whether stacked or free standing. Strode out with purpose and freedom and perfect foot fall.

. Stevens & Hadon’s SH CH/IR SH CH GUNHILLS JANUARY MASTER JW SHCM. Free standing wagging his tail, this cream boy stands so four square, compactly made and displaying biddability, lovely masculine well proportioned head, level topline, today was carrying his tail a little high on the move, though he moved with activity and drive. Another worthy Champion and a pleasure to judge.

Special Working Dog (8)

1. Morss’ XANTHOS FERRARI JW. In the bloom of youth, dripping in glorious mid gold well feathered coat, masculine gentle head, good neck and shoulders, deep brisket, level topline, short coupled, stands very four square on straight limbs with quality bone and strong feet, moves like a train with powerful action, freedom and drive so straight and true and with correct tail carriage, well handled.

2. Merrick’s’ CH STORMERICK DON SEBASTIAN JW SHCM. Dark workmanlike golden, not the youthful bloom of 1, but so very well constructed, unexaggerated and honest, masculine balanced head with neat ears, good length of neck, deep through the heart, short coupled, level topline and tailset, very good bone and feet,free striding and purposeful, all of which you would expect from a Champion

3. Aulton & Middleton’s WINNATTS RAFAEL JW. Very well balanced both standing and on the move, equally well constructed all through, lovely masculine head, excellent neck and shoulders, straight front and rear, absolutely flows around the ring moving with purpose and drive, dripping in well-presented cream coat, another lovely example of the breed and deserving of top honours, well-handled and unlucky to meet others in top form today.

KIM ELLIS (Judge)