Border Union Agricultural Society

Flatcoated Retrievers – Border Union Agricultural Society 2018

Thank you to the Border Union committee for this appointment and their hospitality, I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thank you also to the exhibitors for your good humor and sportsmanship. I was delighted with my principle winners and loved watching by BOB and BP represent the breed in their respective groups, they did us proud. However, I was concerned with dentition in a number of exhibits, whilst I am not a bite fanatic I would hate to see level and overshot bites become the norm. Fitness was also an area of concern, this breed should be able to cover a ring of this size with ease, not amble huffing and puffing around the ring, this was particularly poor in bitches with many lovely girls carrying far too much weight which cost them a card in many cases.

Puppy - Dog 2(0)

1, Reynolds’ Telurn Can't Touch This. Nearly 12 months old he is a mature masculine puppy. His head is of good length with dark well shaped eye and good depth and width of muzzle. Reasonable lay of shoulder and forechest, I would prefer a better length and return of upper arm. He is strong through his topline with constantly wagging tail. In profuse coat and carrying the optimum weight which makes him roll a little on the move. 2, Mcconnell’s Kazval Lugano at Torrweaving. Up to size but racy and elegant. He has a lovely well molded head with dark eye, super reach of neck and well laid shoulder. Good topline and is balanced fore and aft, good bone and neat feet. Strong hind quarters with good width of thigh. Unfortunately his exuberance got the better of him on the move.

Junior – Dog 2(0)

1, Stevenson’s Plainfire's The Captain of My Heart is Steelriver (Imp Che) Naf. Powerful yet elegant young dog so full of breed type. Loved his classical head with dark almond shaped eye, correct length and depth of muzzle, good fill in and the gentlest of expressions. He has a good reach of neck and well laid shoulder with correct length and return of upper arm. Well Pronounced forechest, with super depth, length and gentle spring of rib and lovely short square loin. He is strong through his topline with well set and constantly wagging tail. Lovely bone and feet. He just flowed around the ring with great reach and drive. RCC. 2, Reynolds’ Telurn Can't Touch This.

Yearling – Dog 5(2)

1, Stevenson’s Plainfire's The Captain of My Heart Is Steelriver (Imp Che) Naf. 2, Youens’ Riverglide Black Frankel. This young man is still quite immature and had left his coat at home, that said he is well put together and presented in super fit well muscled condition. Good head, with the naughtiest of expressions (I’m sure he was laughing at me or his handler!) strong neck and well laid shoulders. He has a well-defined forechest and super bone and feet. His ribcage is of good length with level topline and well set tail, strong hind quarters with hocks well let down. He moved well in profile with drive but did give his handler a hard time coming and going. 3, Wright’s Aricdell Mr Moon.

Graduate – Dog 8(2)

A really mixed class both in terms of type and development, some exhibits lacked the well-muscled fit condition I was looking for and hence were further down the line. 1, Nicholson & Brown’s Chanangel U'got the Look. At just two years old this boy is very ‘honest’ and sound. He has a good masculine head with correct depth of muzzle. His neck is of good length and well set on. Well laid shoulders and good length of upper arm. He is strong through his ribcage with level topline and correctly coupled. His hind quarters are moderately angulated and superbly muscled. Lovely bone and feet. He does tend to lose his enthusiasm a little when standing but picks up again on the move. Moved with good reach and drive. 2, Reekie’s Rotherfield Find a Reason. I liked this boy’s well molded head and dark eye. Again he is strong through his ribcage and has a good topline and tailset. Moderately angulated through his hind quarters with good bone and feet. He makes the most of himself when standing and on the move, just preferred the front construction of 1. 3, Joyce’s Stranfaer Get Over It JW.

Post Graduate – Dog 12(0)

Again another really mixed class, whilst some exhibits looked lovely when standing they fell apart on the move. 1, Mcconnell’s Feldkirk Fearghal at Torrweaving. Very typie young male with lovely long well molded head and dark eye. His neck is of good length and free flowing, well laid shoulders and strong level topline. His ribcage is of good length with gentle spring and well coupled. Strong well-muscled hind quarters. Stands four-square on the best of feet. Moved very well with good open side gate. 2, Nicholson & Brown’s Chanangel U'got the Look. 3, Mccormick’s Steelriver Sun's Up

Limit – Dog 8(2)

1, Coove’s Draketor Sea Shanty ShCM. Loved this boy’s soft well molded head with gentle expression and dark eye. He is so balanced with well-defined forechest lovely bone and feet. His ribcage is of good length and depth with short square loin and strong moderately angulated hind quarters. In super coat and condition. He moved well in the class but does tend to lose enthusiasm when standing and on the move which cost him in the challenge 2, Jones’ Blacktoft American Smooth at Braemist JW. Very similar in type and size to 1, again he has a good head and dark eye and is very balanced fore and aft with lovely bone and feet. I preferred the length to height ratio of 1 and the slightly racier outline, although 2 has the better tailset. He is tending to drop his topline when standing which spoils outline. Moved ok. 3, Reynolds’, Wiccanssage Hugo's Dream JW.

Open – Dog 7(2)

Superb class; 1, Wiesener’s, Cie/Nuch/Seuc/Hrch/Estch Altaflats Ain't I''m A Dog Nv-14-17 Nordv-15. Beautiful elegant dog so strong in profile. He has a lovely one piece well molded head with dark eye and such a gentle expression. His neck is clean, strong and of good length into well laid shoulders. Super length of upper arm and well-defined forechest. Good depth and gentle spring of rib and the very best of toplines. His hind quarters are moderately angulated balanced and strong. On the move he gave me goosebumps, he just flows from the tip pf his nose to the end of his tail with a lovely open gate and strong driving hind action. He has a fantastic rapport with his handler who really does get the very best out of him. Delighted to award him the CC and BOB, I understand this gives him his UK title. Lovely to see him go group 4. 2, Blain’s Sh Ch Rotherfield First Request JW. Love this boy’s classical head with super dark almond eye. Again he is clean through his neck with well laid shoulder and good length of upper arm. His has good depth and width of forechest and is strong through his ribcage and topline, well angulated hind quarters and correct short rear pasterns. Good bone and feet and is super well-muscled condition. His joie de vivre is something to behold and his handler did well to keep his feet on the floor, particularly when he came back in to challenge for the RCC. Pushed hard to for top honors but could not match the profile movement for my CC and RCC winners. 3, Ardino’s It Ch Dakotaspirit into the Wild Wh15 JCH.

Veteran – Dog 6(0)

1, Horner’s Pajanbeck Magic Moments. This young veteran has the most classical head with dark eye and soft expression. He is racy and elegant all through with moderate angulation fore and aft. Good quality bone and lovely feet. He is presented in super coat and condition. To be picky I would prefer a little more width of forechest. Moved well with good open side gate. Best Veteran. 2, Douglas Sh Ch Greenbayhill Black Tuxedo. Hard to believe this boy is a veteran, super fun loving personality so typical of the breed. I preferred his forechest to 1 but he could not match his classical head and strong hind quarters. That said he has good depth and spring of rib, short square loin and super bone. In excellent coat and condition. 3 Harris’ Steelriver Heat of the Night ShCM.

Minor Puppy – Bitch 3(0)

1, Calverley’s Gwenadillo Tweety Pie. At just seven months old she is not the most mature baby but I just loved her size and type. She has a clean and balanced outline with a feminine well molded head and good eye. Strong, well set neck and well laid shoulder. Super length and return of upper arm and well-defined forechest. She has a strong level topline with correct tailset and is well ribbed up. Lovely short square loin and moderately angulated hind quarters. She excels on the move, moving straight and true and with excellent reach and drive. BP. She went very well in the group, getting down to the last 7. 2, Huyton’s Go With The Flow Dreams Can Be Joyful By Hightyne. Pretty 7 month old bitch. Good head with sweet expression and neat well set ears. She has a good lay of shoulder but would prefer a little more forechest. Good depth and spring of rib and strong topline. Correct moderately angulated hind quarters and hocks well let down. Moved well. 3 Irvine’s Wistaston Kentuckian Lady at Vbos (Ai)

Puppy – Bitch 4(0)

1, Knight & Jacobs’ Gemswin Land of Make Believe. One day off 12 months and her maturity stood out against the other puppies. Feminine liver bitch with good head, although I would prefer a darker eye and pigmentation. Good reach of neck and well laid shoulder, strong level topline and well set tail. She has strong, well-muscled hind quarters, good bone and feet. Her coat is thick and in good condition but a little bleached by the sun which spoils the overall picture. Moved straight and true to win the class with ease. 2, Jones’ Caehaidd Lets Go Crazy with Braemist. Feminine bitch with good head and dark eye. She has a reasonable lay of shoulder and return of upper arm, strong level topline and good depth and spring of rib. She makes the most of herself when standing with constantly wagging tail but would prefer more drive on the move. 3, Huyton’s Go with the Flow Dreams Can Be Joyful by Hightyne

Junior – Bitch 4(1)

1, Armstrong’s Bourbon Black Kiss at Bitcon. Very elegant young bitch. Feminine head with dark eye, although I would prefer a little more length of muzzle and fill in. Good reach of neck and lovely strong level topline and well set tail. She has a well-defined forechest and good depth and spring of rib. Her hindquarters are moderately angulated with good width of thigh and well-muscled. Lovely bone and feet. Moved effortlessly. 2, Nelson’s Cuillinoir Lunedale at Byeways. Preferred her head to 1 as she has a lovely long well molded head with dark eye and the softest of expressions. Her forequarters are well-developed and she is strong through her ribcage. She still has to develop in her hindquarters and is a little long hock to floor and as a result she does not have the accuracy and drive from behind. 3, Wilson’s Happy Hippolyta.

Yearling – Bitch 3(0)

1, Jury’s Torwood Soft Phocus. This mature well balanced liver bitch stood out in this class. Lovely well molded feminine head with good hazel eye and correct fill in. she has a good reach of neck and well laid shoulder and corresponding length and return of upper arm, lovely well defined forechest. Her ribcage is of good length and she is correctly coupled. Lovely, level topline and correctly set, gently wagging tail. Lovely, moderately angulated strong hind quarters with excellent width of thigh. Super bone and feet. She moved extremely well with strong driving hind action. 2, Graham’s Bitcon Secret with Nyliram JW. Not as developed as 1 and at the moment not in the same coat and condition. She is feminine in outline with a good head although I would prefer slightly more length of muzzle. Good reach of neck and well laid shoulder, strong topline and well set tail. She is well muscled but a little long in stifle which does affect her hind action. 3, King’s Kingsisla Ratharsair.

Graduate – Bitch 11 (3)

Super class really splitting hairs between the first two 1, Mcdonald’s Steelriver Dance in the Sun at Skyloch. Just love her size and type. Feminine classical head with dark eye and correct fill in and neat well set ears. Her neck is of good length, clean thought her throat and well set. Well laid shoulder strong level topline and correctly set, gently wagging tail. She is beautifully balanced fore and aft and well ribbed up with short square loin. In superb coat and condition. She powered round the ring with good reach and drive. Pushed hard for the top honours. 2, Calverley’s Gwenadillo Zoli. Feminine and racy bitch with super bone and feet. She has a good head with dark eye and, as with 1, is very balanced all through. Her topline is strong, ribcage is of good depth and length and is correctly coupled. She has strong well-muscled hind quarters and moves with a lovely long stride. 3, Cowan’s Draketor Dartmore Beauty with Andwalls.

Post Graduate – Bitch 10 (2)

1, Ball’s Gwenadillo Pure Genius at Champunzie. Very feminine bitch, liked her size and type. Good head with the sweetest of expressions. She has a well laid shoulder, strong topline and is correctly coupled. Correct depth and gentle spring of rib. She is strong through her hind quarters with gentle sweep of stifle and hocks well let down. Good tail set carried straight off of her back on the move. Lovely bone and feet. She just floated round the ring. 2, Cowan’s Draketor Dartmore Beauty with Andwalls. 3rd in my graduate class this young lady is again a good size and feminine all through. I liked her head, which is well molded and has a soft expression. She is very balanced with moderate angulation and in super fit condition. A little lacking in coat at the moment but a very honest bitch. Moved very well. 3, Huyton’s Gladpenny Kiss From A Rose By Hightyne.

Limit – Bitch 12 (3)

1, Joyce’s Stranfaer Solitaire JW. This bitch presents a very balanced outline with lovely strong topline and correctly set tail. Feminine soft well molded head with dark eye and gentle expression. Good forechest, well laid shoulder and good return or upper arm. She is well ribbed up and correctly coupled. Gentle sweep of stifle and hocks well let down. Presented in super coat but would prefer more muscle tone to help her drive round the ring, that said when she moved she flowed from top to tail. 2, Griffiths’ Castlerock Cosmic Hattie. Similar sized bitch to 1 although finer all through. She has a very feminine head with sweet expression and neat well set ears. Good reach of neck and reasonable topline. Good depth and spring of rib and strong hind quarters. On the move could not match the front extension of 1. Well handled. 3, Campbell’s I Believe in Angels Oasis of Peace At Ronevorg.

Open – Bitch 9 (2)

1, Johnson’s Downstream Fait Accompli JW. I am probably this bitches biggest fan and strongest critic having watched her develop since she was 4 weeks old. She is strong and elegant and feminine all through with lovely head of good length and with a good dark almond eye and superior expression. Her neck is of good length, free from throatiness and flowing into well laid shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. She has a fairly broad chest with well defined brisket and good quality bone. Good depth and gentle spring of rib, level topline and strong, moderately angulated hind quarters. She does tend to want to control her handler on the move and as a result they sometimes try to move in opposite directions, but when cooperating she moves with a lovely free flowing gait. Presented in superb coat and condition. Delighted to award her the CC, her 3rd and she is very worthy of her title. 2, Youens’ Bitcon Black Caviar at Riverglide. Another bitch in her prime and presented in super fit condition. I loved her head with such a gentle soft expression. Like 1, she has correct balanced moderate angulation fore and aft and super bone and feet. She is well ribbed up and in super hard condition. Again like 1, she tries to direct her handler but when they are working together she moves beautifully with drive. RCC. 3, Drottsgard & Brunnstrom’s Moonstruck Macadamia Jww 15.

Veteran – Bitch 8 (4)

1, Murray’s, Araminta Glass At Gayplume. This veteran is in super fit condition with not an ounce of excess weight. She has a feminine head with good fill in. Good reach of neck and well laid shoulder and strong topline. Correct length depth and spring of rib and short square loin. Best mover in the class. 2, Thomson’s Rotherfield Lady of Braeval Badcall. I really like this lady’s type, unfortunately middle age spread has set in and this cost her the class. Lovely well molded feminine head dark eye and correct flat scull. Well laid shoulder and good length of ribcage with level topline. Very balanced fore and aft with good bone and feet. A little sluggish on the move. 3rd Buckley’s Buckleyhill Venus.

Gill Smitherman