South Wales Kennel Association

Thank you to SWKA Committee for the invite to judge NSDTRs. I have loved and owned the breed for over 22 years now and from the 27 dogs I have bred there are 3 champions, 2 of which are also international champions and 7 of my breeding have studbook numbers so I have seen many of the varieties of tollers whilst we have been in the rings. 

The direction the breed appears to be going in worries me however. There are 3 areas that concern me, firstly the lack of substance in the breed, although the breed is of a medium size it does need some substance to their bone structure to be able to carry ducks and geese over land and through water. Secondly the movement - movement is essential for this working dog and I have recently seen too many dogs that have very poor rear action or a mincing action being awarded placings – how can they be expected to work all day with poor movement? These first 2 concerns in my opinion affect the fit for purpose criteria that is expected for the breed in my opinion. The 3rd area is the colour, I know that the standard says any shade of orange through to red and I have no problem with a plain “red” dog and to quote a late well respected Canadian toller breeder/judge “an irish setter red colour should be avoided” and I have seen a move to a mahogany brown colour rather than a red creeping into our breed which saddens me . That all being said I was pleased with the entries that exhibited under me and as always it was an honour to judge every toller present.

JD (2,0)

Two quality young dogs in this class

1st Mrs P Barker’s Eusanit Silvr Dream Machine BD & BOB - This young male screams quality toller. He has a super wedge shaped head with well set triangular ears, good length of neck leading to well laid back shoulders and excellent fore angles. Straight forelegs with good bone substance and neat feet. Well sprung ribs and a lovely level topline held on the move and free standing. Good length of strong loin and a well set on tail. Good rear angulation and super muscle tone throughout. Moved with the extension and drive that I wanted to see. A beautiful golden-red double coat finished the picture and he was well presented and handled by his owner. Should have a good future ahead.

2nd Ms AM & Miss AL Adshead’s Afonbach Winter is Coming JW – Another quality toller of a different type. Although older in age he is maturing at a slower rate. He is at the top end of the height range but is in proportion and well balanced. Different head to 1 but fits the standard, nice wedge shaped with well set kind almond shaped eyes, good length of neck. Good angulation in both the fore and rear and moved well. Out of coat today. Well handled.

PGD (9,0)

1st Ms AM & Miss AL Adshead’s Afonbach Winter is Coming JW He is at the top end of the height range but is in proportion and well balanced. Different head to 1 but fits the standard, nice wedge shaped with well set kind almond shaped eyes, good length of neck. Good angulation in both the fore and rear and moved well. Out of coat today. Well handled.

2nd Miss M J Davies’s Katmistsky’s Soul ream RL6 Ex Nice head shape but would prefer a slightly longer muzzle, good length of neck. Well sprung ribs and good depth to chest. Tail well set on Slightly longer in the loin than 1. Good muscle tone throughout. Moved ok. Well presented and handled.

3rd Mrs JP Johnson’s Stellenbosch Alameda of Tarnlaikers (AI) Nicely balanced with good proportions, good spring of ribs and well muscled. Moved Ok but was just not settled today.

Res Mr PD & Mrs MJD Dee’s Melanitta Carelinus

VHC Mrs Ravetta’s Wakaduze Watawicasta

OD (5,1)

1st Mr C Van Brugel & Mrs E Van De Langenberg’s Paparazzi Pickles of Great Pleasure RBD – Very dark red & white dog and a new one to me – Slightly short in the muzzle with a deeper stop. Well set on ears, good length of strong neck, well laid back shoulders, good depth of chest and length of loin. Moved ok, presented in good coat and condition. Well handled

2nd Mr PG & Mrs J Fielder’s Ir ShCh Eusanit Stand and Deliver at Cretshengan – at the taller end of the breed standard. Good head to muzzle ratio, with well set eyes and ears. Strong neck, shoulders could be a little more laid back. Good strong straight legs with neat feet. Well sprung ribs and short loin. Good rear quarters. Well muscled throughout. Moved ok.

3rd Mrs DJ Ede’s Redaurora Festive Dasher – 7 year old male that showed well for his handler. Nicely proportioned but just dropped his topline when free standing. Moved ok.

Res Miss FJO Wilson’s Stacearella Nimbus

JB (4,0)

1st Miss MJ Davies’s Catch First Ylva Garonera (Imp CZE) Sweet girl with a kind intelligent expression. Good head with well set large triangular ears. Good length of neck, well laid back shoulders and well angulated forequarters. Nice straight legs and tight feet. Elbows well in, good depth to her chest and sprung ribs. Level topline on the move and free standing, with a short strong loin and well set tail. Good rear quarters and well let down hocks. Moved with drive

2nd Mrs TM & Miss S Westwood’s Eusanit Gonna Make You A Star – Litter sister to my BOB and shows many of his qualities. She is a smaller bitch which is beautifully proportioned. Whilst she is on the lower end of the standard she has substance and strength which makes her fit for purpose. She has a sweet expression and good wedge shaped head, good length of strong neck leading into well laid back shoulders and good fore quarters. Level topline, short loin and well set on tail. Moved well. Just out of coat today.

3rd Ms AM & Miss AL Adshead’s Afonbach Dance With Dragons – A taller bitch feminine head with good ear set. Kind well set almond eyes. Good length of neck, good fore and rear quarters . Nicely balanced but sadly very unsettled and did not show at her best today

Res Miss P Hunt’s Wakaduze Wapa BP

PGB (3,0)

1st Miss PA Roger’s TollyHimmel Drunkun Duck - Light orange bitch, feminine head with well set almond shaped eyes, well laid back shoulders and good foreangles. Good depth to chest and well sprung ribs. Slightly longer in length to height that the standard calls for but she kept a level topline on the move and free standing. Good rear angulation and she moved with drive.

2nd Miss S Pashley’s Wakaduze Wah Pen Dah Ska – Smaller bitch, and less substance than 1. Nice wedged shaped head with almond shaped eyes whose colour blends with her coat colour. Good fore and rear angulations and moved with good drive and extension. Unfortunately she kept dropping her topline when freestanding.

3rd Ms AM & Miss AL Adshead’s Afonbach Dance With Dragons - A taller bitch feminine head with good ear set. Kind well set almond eyes. Good length of neck, good fore and rear quarters . Nicely balanced but sadly very unsettled and did not show at her best today

OB (4,0)

A good quality class

1st Mrs TM & Miss S Westwood’s Multi ShCh Eusanit Apple of One’s Eye JW This bitch is coming back on form from having a litter the previous year. Mother of my BOB and you can see where the quality is coming from. Beautiful head with good ear carriage, good strong neck leading to well laid back shoulders, straight strong legs and elbows well in. Well sprung ribs leading to strong loin and well angulated rear quarters and well set on tail. Well let down hocks and neat feet. Move with drive and extension.

2nd Mr PG & Mrs J Fielder’s Eusanit Best Of The Bunch At Cretshengan Full sister to 1 from a repeat mating and so much of the above applies to this girl. She is slightly wider in the chest than I, but well muscled and well presented. Moved well. Out of coat today but when in full bloom the result could easily be reversed.

3rd Mrs JP Johnson’s Seahaven’s Gloriana by Tarnlaikers - Another girl of quality, lovely head with the kind, gentle, intelligent expression that a toller should have. Beautiful almond eyes that blended with her coat colour. Well placed shoulders and deep brisket. Good substance throughout. Level toplne leading to a good tail set. Moderate stifle and well let down hocks. Moved well.

Res Ms AM & Miss AL Adshead’s Danehaven Vermilion For Afonbach