Gundog Society Of Wales

GUNDOG SOCIETY OF WALES CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW - 31 OCTOBER 2018

Irish Setters

I do not see the Irish Setter as a statue but as a vibrant, free spirit, full of joie de vivre and devil may care. The dogs ready for adventure and meeting the world with a generous, friendly camaraderie, happy to share their love of life with you. The bitches equally adventurous with a glamour and beauty that melts your heart. They move with purpose and power, loving the freedom of motion to be found on a grouse moor without boundaries, scenting the air and enjoying the hunt. To condense this essence to a show ring is not the easiest job but with the right dog you get a sense of its potential and power and especially ease of movement.

The Irish Setter should be racy, full of quality, proportionate, balanced and without exaggeration. It should be able to single track when moving at a trot pretty quickly if it is constructed well, in side gait showing reach and drive, at the same time the head should be held proudly, the topline steady with a gentle slope from the withers to the croup, the tail should be wagging with joy. And of course the glory of that deep chestnut, glossy coat shining with health and vitality that adds so much to the beauty of the breed.

Thank you for the opportunity to judge your dogs. I am afraid I have to say that I was shocked at the number of incorrect scissor bites in at least 20% of the entry. How did this happen? More importantly why is it so prevalent? However, there were hardly any dirty teeth! There were more high tail carriages than I remember from last time I judged and there is still the continuing effort needed to improve front construction with decent sternums. The sternum should fit into the palm of your hand rather like a duck egg. I was delighted that all my winners moved with happy wagging tails so typical of the breed's temperament and character.

Dogs

Minor Puppy (7/2) 1st Edwards' Gwendariff Ucan'tmissme. Very promising puppy of 7 months. Correct bite, good head, very handsome and balanced. Excellent proportions of body, good front and forechest, correct topline and tailset, well formed quarters. Mature looking for his age I thought him a most appealing puppy. Moved well and will be interested to watch his development. BP. 2nd Pym, Bott & Milligan-Bott's Thendara Marshmello. Also promising puppy of 8 months. Well made all through, head long and lean, still breaking but balanced skull and foreface. Good body properties but not as balanced as 1st. Has lots more to come as he matures. Moved well. 3rd Fauvrelle's Oakdene Remy Martin. Puppy ((4/1) 1st T Marshmello. 2nd Macdonald's Redclyst Head Full of Dreams. Was 5th in MP. 8 months but needs more time to come together. Nice head, long and lean. Proportionate body, front needs to develop, well shaped quarters with good bend of stifle and short hock to heel, movement typical for his construction. 3rd Shepherd's Casachared Red Rory O Connor. Junior (6) 1st Dewar's Gwendariff Willy Wont He. 17 months old super youngster. Really taken with this dog. Racy, quality and great type. Gorgeous head and expression. So well balanced and proportioned, no exaggeration at all in body or coat. Good front, correct topline and tailset and super quarters. In beautiful coat and condition and moved with style, reach and drive. Handled to perfection, well done and good luck in the future. 2nd Russell's Lynwood Hocus Pocus at Settesoli. Another excellent racy and balanced youngster. Handsome head, good reach of neck into well placed shoulder and upper arm, good front and sternum, deep chest, correct topline and strong shapely quarters. Moved well and with style. Liked him very much. 3rd Poole's Teleri Summer Nights. Yearling (8) 1st L Hocus Pocus. 2nd Hill-Decoster's Vicary's Part Time Lover Belg JCh. Racy dog, good head long and lean with nicely raised brows showing stop and good earset. Good reach of neck which showed nice arch, good depth of brisket but would like more forechest, length of rib ok to strong loin and well muscled quarters. Movement not as positive as 1st. 3rd Macdonald's Redclyst Maximus. Novice (6/1) 1st G Willy Wont He. 2nd T Summer Nights. Was 3rd in Junior and another racy and well proportioned youngster. Lovely head, long and lean, balanced skull to foreface, sweet expression and good earset. Good reach of neck to decent front, well ribbed back to strong loin with nice arch, and excellent, well muscled quarters. Moved well. 3rd Corless' Swiftlark Second to None with Magembay. Undergrad (5/1) 1st Dewar's Gwendariff Here I Come. Racy young dog with good topline, super head and expression, good depth of chest and well ribbed back to strong loin. In lovely coat and condition. Elegant and stylish on the move. 2nd R Maximus. Was 3rd in Yearling. Strong dog with reasonable body properties. Pleasant head and expression, strong quarters, flat, rich chestnut coat. Steady on the move. 3rd Hart's Gwendariff inthe Limelight with Gilliegrae. Graduate (9/2) 1st G Here I Come. 2nd Muir & O'Connor's Gwendariff I'm Coming Out. Racy, well coated dog in good condition. Super head and expression. Would have liked more forechest but well ribbed back, nice topline and strong quarters. Moved happily but not as positive as 1st. 3rd Lorrimer's Kerrimere Classique. Post Grad (12/1) 1st Davis' Pawsword Prairie Wind with Alanasett. Elegant, racy dog of excellent size and balance. Gorgeous head and expression, good reach of neck into good front, correct topline, strong loin and super quarters with good length of stifle and short from hock to heel. Well coated with rich chestnut coat in great condition. Moved well. 2nd Prangle's Heathclare American Dollar. Strong masculine dog with great bone and substance. Pleasant head and soft expression. Excellent forechest and well ribbed back to strong loin. Well muscled, powerful quarters, in glorious and gleaming coat and condition. Moved happily and with drive. 3rd Pym's Thendara the Watchmaker. Mid Limit (6/1) Heppell's Deevonville Santana. Really liked this dog he was a joy to go over. Racy and balanced, super head and expression. Good reach of neck into well made front, excellent forechest and depth of brisket, correct topline standing and moving, powerful quarters and nice to see his wagging tail on the move. In gleaming coat and condition and strong true movement won him the class. 2nd Childs' Tredura Val Verdi. Racy, balanced dog with good outline. Pleasant head and expression. Forechest ok, good depth of body and strong shapely quarters. In lovely coat and kept good outline on the move. 3rd Stevens' Follybrook Millenium Star. Limit (9) 1st Gracie's Vistador Diesel in the Dust Summergate. Excellent dog, racy, balanced and first class proportions throughout his body. Handsome head, long and lean, well set ears, excellent neck into first class front construction, good topline and tailset just below the level of the back. Forechest, depth of chest and ribs all excellent, strong loin and great quarters and well muscled first the second thighs. Not overdone anywhere. Flat, chestnut coat of good colour, just needs feathering to finish. On the move his forward reach and drive was stunning and an absolute pleasure to watch. I see I gave his sire BOB when I judged in Finland and he has the same great reach. Well done to his handler for keeping pace with this big moving dog. 2nd Drinkwater's Brabrook Shazalazazoo. Attractive and appealing racy dog of good proportions. Lovely head and expression, correct neck into good front assembly, good depth of chest and strong gently sloping topline to good tailset. Excellent, well muscled quarters. In full rich chestnut coat which looked lovely and although he moved out well he could not match winner's stride on the move. 3rd Lorrimer's Kerrimere Charismatic. Open (6/1) Excellent Class. 1st Crocker's ShCh Copper's War of Roses. CC RBOB 2nd McLarnon's ShCh/IrShCh Gwendariff Nuts Aboutu Glenavana. RCC. 1st and 2nd in this class were outstanding dogs at the top of their game. Excellent in construction and proportion. In superb coat, condition and muscle tone. When moving they single tracked quickly and their side gait was spectacular. I am not going to numerate their many qualities which should be obvious to all but the greatest compliment that I can pay is that they would have been champions in any decade of the Irish Setter including the 1990s which was saturated with some of the breeds most outstanding dogs. It was a hair splitting decision between these two which could easily change on another day. Just thought No 1 showed slightly more panache on the final run off. I congratulate the breeders and owners equally. You can give a first class animal to someone but unless they nurture it, train it, groom it, exercise it, love and care for it, it will never reach it's full potential. Well done. 3rd Stockton's ShCh Riverbrue Alchemist Amidst Kespas. Veteran (8/2) 1st Pullen & Atkin's ShCh Harvancourt Harlem at Jacingail. Best Veteran. Was very impressed with this 9 year old dog. Did not look his age at all. Compliments to his owners on his super condition. Size and shape just right, balanced, racy and no exaggeration. Beautiful head with enough grey to be distinguished, expressive eyes. Good neck into excellent front, correct topline, excellent chest and strong loin to well muscled quarters. He lost none on his charm of the move and really stole my heart. 2nd Milligan-Bott and Bott's ShCh Thendara Pot Noodle. 8 years young in tip top condition, most beautiful head and expression. Really cannot believe his years, typical outline, correct topline, deep chest and strong loin to excellent quarters, Throughout he was in excellent muscle condition and moved as one with his handler. My compliments for his excellent condition and presentation. 3rd Axon's Brinara Back in the Running.

Bitches

Minor Puppy (9/3) 1st Berry & Morris's Quensha What A Girl Wants Via Brinara. 8 months old, very pretty headed baby with a racy elegant outline. Good bone and substance. Well proportioned throughout, elegant neck into good shoulders and return of upper arm, good sternum and nice depth of chest, great quarters with well developed second thigh already, correct topline and steady and elegant on the move. 2nd Kennedy-Sloane's Twoacres Destiny. Another sweet, racy 8 months old baby. Very similar remarks, pretty head, good proportions and well made all through, correct topline and elegant on the move. 3rd Stewart & Jones' Gwendariff Gooseberry Fool. Puppy (6/1) 1st Milligan-Bott & Bott's Thendara Crystal Ice. 9 months old pretty, elegant girl with sweet head she had lovely raised brows showing stop. Good front construction, super bone, excellent chest and strong body for age, great quarters with well developed second thigh. Well coated for her age and moved happily and steadily. 2nd Q What a Girl Wants. 3rd Roberts' Jetsetter Cristalle at Polmennor. Junior (9/1) 1st Gracie's Summergate Holding Hands. Really elegant and racy young bitch, pretty, balanced in head, lovely length of neck into excellent front construction, deep chest and good forechest, correct topline, super quarters. Excellent on the move with best reach and drive which won her this very nice class. 2nd Mugford's Lynwood Abracadabra. Another quality and very pretty bitch, racy and elegant in outline. Lovely head and expression, well constructed and proportioned throughout, well developed quarters, overall strength and elegance. In gorgeous coat and moved well. 3rd Catling's Teleri Indian Summer. Yearling (9) 1st Coleman's Devacott Rose Creek. Won this class on her excellent construction, front, forechest and strong quarters which made her the best and most correct mover in the class. Pretty head and expression. Racy outline with excellent bone and substance losing none of her elegance. 2nd Frampton's Strathmead Noella. Very pretty headed bitch with an elegant outline. Good neck and depth of brisket but would have liked more forechest. Strong loin, correct tailset and shapely quarters and rich chestnut coat, moved happily. 3rd Hall's Glennara Cilleigne Dervla. Novice (6) 1st Bougen's Gwendariff Hot Ticket. Was VHC in excellent junior class. Elegant and racy, very pretty and well balanced head, good neck into well constructed front, correct topline and strong quarters. In excellent coat and condition and free, easy mover and well handled. 2nd Wiggins' Tremonisha Fuchsia. Bitch of great strength and substance, balanced head, excellent depth of chest and good bone. Well developed quarters, coat of deep rich chestnut. Not as precise on the move as 1st. 3rd Corless' Swiftlark Second Nature. Undergrad (3/1) 1st Pallister's Penwyn Rainbows End. A really well made and well proportioned bitch but her heavy coat disguised her outline on the stand but on the move she was super with good reach and drive. 2nd Roberts' Polmennor Spinning Moons. Racy and elegant in outline, very pretty head, nice topline and good quarters. In lovely coat but she could not match movement of the 1st. Graduate (8/1) 1st McDonald's Delsanto Miss Freya. Gorgeous racy and classy bitch, really fell for her. Great size, most beautiful head, good length of neck into excellent front construction, gently sloping topline and correct tailset. Good quarters, loved her deep chestnut glossy coat. Excelled on the move, floated round the ring with an easy free stride. 2nd Begg, Milligan-Bott and Bott's Susie Snapshot by Thendara. Another quality bitch with a racy, balanced outline. Prettiest of heads, good length of neck into well made front construction, deep chest, arched loin to good quarters, correct topline, moved very well. 3rd Humphreys' Crimpington Flirtini to Henaleas. Post Grad (12) Headed by 3 nice bitches. 1st Elkins' Twoacres Promise of Spring with Avacet. Very taken with this elegant and racy bitch, balanced all through. Pretty head, good neck into excellent front construction, nice depth of chest, good forechest, correct topline and strong quarters. In lovely coat and condition, excelled on the move which won her the class. 2nd Jones' Gwendariff Power Puff. Lovely bitch with gorgeous head and expression. So elegant over neck and shoulders, strong body properties, powerful quarters, substance without losing elegance. Moved well. 3rd Nicolson's Gwendariff Rainbow Goddess at Lochindorb. Mid Limit (7/1) 1st Hall's Riverbrue Ophelia at Glennara. Lovely, quality bitch of great type. Racy and balanced outline, beautiful head, correct length of neck into good front construction, correct topline and great quarters. Coat could be flatter but of good colour and quality and it did not detract from her outline. Moved with style to win the class. 2nd Stevenson's Lochlorien True Detective is Andley. Impressed with this lovely, racy bitch. Elegant outline, pretty, balanced head, correct proportions of head, neck and front. Good depth of chest and good forechest, well ribbed back to strong loin with nice arch and excellent quarters, Correct topline and tailset, in lovely coat and condition and moved with a free and easy gait. 3rd Prangle's Heathclare Que Sera Sera. Limit (9/2) 1st Dale & Wyer's Aubanjon Royal Symphony RCC. Super bitch of great type. Easy to see her on the moors, her head held high air scenting and covering the ground with her easy, powerful stride. I loved watching her move when she really shone. She is so precise and correct and covered the ground with no effort at all. Sweet head and expression, strength and substance in body but retaining elegance of the breed. Correctly made and proportioned all through. One Miss Lennox would have been delighted with. 2nd Bayne's Corranroo Rainbow Kisses. Very close up to 1st. Another racy bitch of great type and quality. Pretty head and well made and correct proportions all through her body. Again a delight on the move with her free and easy stride and fabulous side gait. In lovely coat and condition and very well presented. Just preferred the topline on the winner on the move today. 3rd Waterton's Sandstream Welcome Breeze. Open (11/1) 1st ShCh Riverbrue Gloriana. CC BOB and RBIS. I have judged many, many bitches in the UK and Europe and this is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The proportions of her head, neck, shoulder and upper arm were pretty exact and this proportion carried on throughout her body. Her head is beautiful, correctly balanced, raised brows showing stop, gorgeous eyes, perfectly shaped muzzle. Strong body with correct forechest, depth of chest and well ribbed back to strong loin. Excellent gently sloping topline standing and moving. Correct tailset just below the level of the back. Excellent strong and shapely quarters, short from hock to heel and the most glorious and gleaming rich chestnut coat. Not overdone or exaggerated in any way shape or form. Her movement was fantastic. So easy and free holding her head up and keeping a steady topline not spoilt by her coat bouncing up and down as some that are overcoated can do. She took my breath away and moved me emotionally as the best of this breed should. When it came to best of breed I had thought nothing could beat that wonderful dog but in the dim light of the hall she was a gleaming, glorious creature and I adored her. 2nd Catling's ShCh Shandwick Love in a Mist for Teleri. Impressive bitch of excellent type, easy to see why she is a champion. Loveliest head and expression. Strong neck into excellent front construction, good depth and strength of body without losing any elegance, correct topline and strong quarters. In lovely coat and condition. Moved well on an easy stride. 3rd Gracie's IrShCh Clonageera Walk With Me to Sumergate. Veteran (5/1) 1st Gardner's ShCh Thendara Jacosta. Fabulous 8 year old bitch looking super on the day. So well made, elegant outline, gorgeous head and expression. Strength with substance and no loss of raciness. Sound, happy mover. A really outstanding bitch. 2nd Humphreys' Suteresett Miss Curious About Henaleas. 7 years old. A fully mature bitch with a very pretty head. Well constructed all through her strong shapely body. In full coat of glorious deep chestnut. Moved well. 3rd Stevenson's Lochlorien Scully Foxes Andley.

Rachel Shaw-Rainey