Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society

My thanks to the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge at this show. Despite the weather doing its best to ruin things it was a wonderful day and the hospitality and organisation first class. My entries across all breeds were wonderful and I had many quality dogs to assess. Thank you to all exhibitors for your entry.

Golden Retrievers

MP D/B (7, 3)

1st Jackson’s Terra Di Siena Lorenzo at Swanavon. Good overall balance with correct head shape and soft expression. Clean neck leading to well laid shoulder and upper arm of equal length. Deep chest with correctly placed elbows. Well ribbed back. Level toppling. Well made hindquarters with correctly bent stifles. Excellent bone and feet. Moved the best to take this class.

2nd List’s Haydengold Rumour Has It. Well balanced with correctly proportioned head and soft expression. Well laid shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm. Level topline leading to correct tail set and well made hindquarters. Moved well - not quite as positive as the winner but could change places on another day.

3rd Archer’s Haydengold Rock Star at Sunandair

P D/B (15, 3)

1st Robbins’ Quakerhall Lady Bountiful by Brekswood. I judged this puppy 3 months ago and the improvement was such that I didn’t recognise her. Three months ago she was very raw but showing a great deal of promise and that promise has held. Extremely well balanced with correct height to length ratio. Her head is correct in proportions with the chiselling evident beneath the eyes and good width and depth of muzzle. Well laid shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm. Deep chest with correct spring of rib. Level top line and strongly made hindquarters with excellent bone and feet. One thing hasn’t changed and that is her movement - it was good then and even better now - true fore and aft and showing good forward reach when viewed in profile. BP and I was thrilled that she was awarded 3rd in a large puppy group.

2nd Terra Di Siena Lorenzo at Swanavon 

3rd Pickup’s Blenstone Texas Blue

J d/b (9, 4)

1st Cruttwell’s Ashbyglen Alfresco. This dog stood out in the class. Excellent overall balance. Head with soft expression and well chiselled beneath the eyes. Clean, slightly arched neck leading to well laid shoulder and correct return of upper arm. Level top line. Correct spring of rib leading to short loin and well muscled hindquarters. Excellent bone and feet. Moved out well

2nd Griggs’ Mulfield Sea of Dreams. Pleasing outline. A little plainer in head than the winner. Well laid shoulder and correct return of upper arm. Strong ribcage and hindquarters. Not quite the movement of the winner.

3rd Walker and Roberts - Gloi Unchained Melody.

Y d/b (11, 3)

1st Williams’ Cesarka Pin Up Girl JW. I was very taken with this bitch and she pushed very hard for the top spot today. Excellent overall balance with a head that has a soft expression and the desired chiselling beneath the eyes. Excellent forehand construction with elbows that a tight to the brisket and showing good depth of chest. Well ribbed back. Correct tailset. Strong, well made hindquarters. Moved well with good drive. RBOB.

2nd Walker & Robert’s Gloi You Know Who JW. Close up to the winner. Excellent overall balance. Well proportioned head with soft expression. Correct lay of shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm. Well ribbed back with strong hindquarters. Not quite as tidy in front movement as the winner today.

3rd Ashbyglen Alfresco

G d/b (17, 8)

1st Plevin’s Bowshella Razzle Dazzle. Very close decision between 1 and 2 in this class. Well balanced all through. Typical head with soft expression. Strong neck leading to correct shoulder and upper arm placement. Elbows tight to the brisket. Level topline leading through to strong hindquarters. Excellent bone and feet. Just had the edge on movement today.

2nd Williams’ Esarka Peggy Sue JW. Another quality bitch with excellent outline. Feminine head of correct proportions. Excelled in her forehand construction. Well ribbed back with short loin and strong hindquarters. Not quite the freedom of movement as the winner today but on another day could easily swap places.

3rd Ashbyglen Alfresco

PG d/b (10, 2)

1st Middleton’s Hessonite Treacle Pudding. Excellent overall balance showing a good length of leg. Head of correct proportions although a little full in eye. Good layback of shoulder with elbows tight to the brisket. Correctly sprung ribcage. Level topline and strong hindquarters. Best mover in this class.

2nd Jackson’s Mavistan Nearco at Swanavon (imp). A little longer cast than the winner. Excellent head and expression. Correct layback of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Elbows tight to the brisket with well sprung ribcage. Level topline and correct tailset. Moved well - just flew tail slightly too high for my preference.

3rd Birkin Green’s Sansue Golden Dream JW.

OD (7, 2)

1st Williams’ Cesarka Limited Edition JW. Good overall balance although slightly heavier than would be my preference. Pleasing head with dark eye and kind expression. Clean neck leading to well laid shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Deep chest with elbows close to the brisket. Well ribbed back. Strong hindquarters with excellent bone and feet. Moved the best in the class.

2nd Scholes’ Goldenhicks Churchill at Rossglide JW. Lighter in build than my winner and slightly longer cast. Excellent head shape with soft expression. Well laid shoulder. I would prefer a little more angulation in the upper arm. Level topline with correct tail set and strong hindquarters. Not as tidy in front movement as the winner today.

3rd Bufton’s Wylloch Mr Bojangles.

OB (10, 6)

1st Magson’s Castlegolden Classy Lady JW. Very aptly named bitch. Extremely well balanced throughout and totally free from exaggeration - not flashy in anyway but one is drawn to her because she is so well made. Head of correct proportions with good chiselling beneath the eyes. Strong neck leading to excellent layback of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Deep chest with elbows tight to the brisket. Level topline with correctly sprung ribcage. Correct tail set. Her hindquarters are strong and well muscled with good width of second thigh and well let down hocks. Excellent bone and feet. On the move she is accurate both fore and aft and shows good rear drive and forward extension when view in profile. No doubt at all that she would do a days work with ease. BOB and G3.

2nd Falconer’s Stourcrest Solar Storm of Siatham. Well balanced all through. Correctly proportioned head with soft expression. Not quite the forehand construction of the winner. Well sprung ribcage. Loin could be a fraction shorter. Excellent well muscled hindquarters. Free and sound movement.

3rd Griggs - Mulfield Amethyst.

English Setters

P (3)

1st Lawson’s Wansleydale Dorian Gray. I was very taken with this youngster. At the top end of the standard for size but beautifully balanced and in no way coarse. Excellent head shape with soft expression. Slight stop with strong muzzle. Clean neck leading to good lay of shoulder and return of upper arm. Correct topline and tail set. Well muscled hindquarters. Accurate movement both fore and aft and in profile. In excellent coat and condition. BP and RBOB.

2nd Harding’s Cumbersett Bluebell. Well balanced all through. Pleasing head and expression. Would like a little more chiselling beneath the eyes. Well sprung ribcage. Strong hindquarters. Not the rear movement of the winner today.

3rd Williams - Skippit Sky Full of Stars.

J (3, 1)

1st Wansleydale Dorian Gray

2nd Kelly’s Alofrana Memphis Rock. Well balanced outline. Pleasing head and expression. Not the forequarters of the winner. Correct spring of rib with short loin. Well made hindquarters. Not moving as freely as the winner.

PG (4, 1)

1st Schoneville’s Hawklawn Khamsin at Balvenie JW. Well balanced all through. Pleasing head and expression. I would prefer a little less flew. Clean neck leading to well lad shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Correct depth of chest with well sprung ribcage. Well made hindquarters with good width of second thigh. Moved freely.

2nd Kelly’s Lakecastle Prince Consort. I preferred his head to the winner but felt that the winner scored in his forehand and rear construction. Well ribbed back with good topline. Movement accurate but would like more drive.

3rd Williams’ Bournehouse Soring Violet at Skippet

OD (3, 1)

1st McCabe’s Rachdale Sea Fever JW. Well balanced throughout. Excellent head and expression. Clean neck leading to well laid shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Deep chest and well sprung rib. Strong hindquarters. Moved strongly. In the challenge he didn’t appreciate the change of handler but a lovely dog nonetheless.

2nd Brown’s Mariglen Top Gear At Yendorlech. Heavier in build than the winner and a little strong in head for my preference. Well laid shoulder and return of upperarm. Deep chest and well sprung ribcage. Well made hindquarters. Sound and positive movement.

OB (2)

1st McCabe’s Rachdale Elegance JW. Beautiful Orange Belton. So well balanced all through. Typical head with soft expression and well chiselled beneath the eyes. Good length of neck - free from throatiness. Excellent forehand construction with good depth and width of chest. Well sprung ribcage with short loin. Level topline and correctly set tail which she used well on the move. Strong, well muscled hindquarters. Excellent bone and feet. Moved well both fore and aft and in profile. In excellent coat and condition. BOB

2nd Wlliams’ Bournehouse Starry Night At Skippet. Pleasing head and expression. A little upright in shoulder and carrying a little too much weight. Well made hindquarters with good bone and feet. Not the movement of the winner.

Gordon Setters

A really quality entry of this breed today.

P (1)

1st Sandiford’s Hernwood Buffy Summers. Cracking youngster. Excellent balance. Well proportioned head with skull slightly longer than muzzle. Lean neck leading to well laid shoulders and corresponding length of upper arm. Correct depth for age. Level topline with slight flat croup. Long stifles with low hocks. Moved accurately both fore and aft and in profile. Excellent bone and feet. BP

J (3)

1st Sandiford’s Hernwood Aphrodite. Totally loved her and on seeing her breeding I know why! I awarded her sire a group and her dam her first ever puppy group. Excellent overall balance. Super head with broad, slightly rounded skull. Long neck leading to well laid shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Deep chest with well sprung rib cage. Well muscled hindquarters with good width of second thigh. On the move she really excelled and showed an excellent length of stride when viewed in profile - so reminiscent of her sire. In excellent coat and condition - I had no hesitation in awarding her BOB.

2nd Sanford & Lewis - Hernwood Apollo. Litter brother to winner and many of the same remarks apply. A little more forward in the development of his head however not quite the definition of second thigh of the winner nor the forward reach in movement when viewed in profile but on another day could change places.

3rd Davies - Hernwood Athena at Herrera

PG (4, 2)

1st Hernwood Apollo

2nd Wrigley’s Kattandale Canterbury. Well balanced all through with excellent head shape. Good layback of shoulder and corresponding length of upper arm. Slightly slopes in the group and I would like more width of second thigh. Not quite the freedom of movement of the winner today.

O (3, 2)

1st Wrigley’s Kattendale Black Fern. Good overall balance. Correct head proportions with skull longer than muzzle and slightly rounded. Long neck leading to reasonable layback of shoulder. I would prefer a little more length of upper arm. Level topline and group with well made hindquarters. Excellent bone and feet. Good profile movement. Could be a little tidier going away. RBOB.

Cocker Spaniels

MP (2, 1)

1st Annilann Miss Zing. Cracking puppy. Beautifully balanced with square outline. Well chiselled head with soft expression and correct earset. Well laid shoulder with corresponding length of upperarm. Big ribcage and level topline. Short loin. Well set tail which she used well on the move. Well rounded rump. Strong hindquarters. Moved with drive and confidence. BP & RBOB

P (4, 1)

1st Shinkfield & Lester’s Quettadene Touch The Stars. Excellent overall balance. Correctly proportioned head with soft expression and low earset. Clean neck leading to well laid shoulder. Well ribbed back with short loin. Well made hindquarters with well let down hocks. Moved steadily.

2nd West’s Sheigra Stars In Her Eyes. Well balanced with pleasing head and expression. Good layback of shoulder with elbows tight to brisket. Not quite the topline as the winner nor the fluidity in movement.

3rd West’s Sheigra Simply A Star

J (2)

1st West’s Sheigra Super Special. Well balanced throughout showing square outline when stacked. Feminine head with soft expression. Well laid shoulder. Would prefer less sloping topline. Well made hindquarters. Moved soundly.

2nd Hooper’s Spendles Spin In Silver. Larger all through than the winner and not giving her best today. Pleasing head and well laid shoulder. Carrying too much weight which gave rise to rolling movement.

Y (2)

1st Whiting’s Marquell Mister Goodnight By Annilann JW. Excellent overall balance with square outline. Masculine head with good chiselling beneath the eyes. Well laid shoulder and corresponding length of upper arm. Elbows could be a little tighter to the brisket. Well ribbed back with short long. Strong hindquarters. Moved with drive.

2nd Sheigra Super Special.

G (3, 1)

1st Sheigra Super Special

2nd Hooper’s Spendles She’s A Dancer. Pleasing head although her eye could be tighter. Slightly upright in shoulder. Good ribcage and short loin. Well made hindquarters. Movement a little erratic.

OD (2, 1)

1st Wheatley’s Wilmerella Keep Dancing With Melandroy. Well balanced showing a square outline. A little strong in skull and I would like a tighter eye. Well laid shoulder and return of upper arm. Large ribcage and short loin. Moved steadily.

OB (2)

1st Shinkfield & Lester’s Quettadene Startime JW. Lovely bitch - very true to type. Excellent overall balance with square outline. Typical head with melting expression. Clean neck leading to well laid back shoulders and corresponding length of upper arm. Elbows tight to brisket. Well sprung ribcage with short loin. Level topline with correctly set tail which was used to great advantage on the move. Strong hindquarters with rounded rump, well muscled stifles and good width of second thigh. In excellent coat and condition. BOB and G4.

2nd Wheatley’s Wilmerelia Wave Dancer at Melandroy. At 12 years old she is a great credit to her owners. She is well balanced all through. Excellent head and maintains her topline both stacked and on the move. Good ribcage and well made hindquarters. Thoroughly enjoyed her day and was super sound on the move.

Becky A Johnson.