Dukeries [Notts] Gundog Club

Firstly, I’d like to thank the committee of Dukeries (Notts) Gundog Club for their kind appointment to judge. The show is well run and friendly and as both a past exhibitor and judge it’s clear why this show is well supported. I’d also like to thank all the exhibitors for being so accepting and sporting of my decisions on the day and with many promising dogs I’m sure that the placings could change on another day.

Cocker Spaniels

Class 32 – Puppy

4 entered 1 Absentee

1st – Mrs. C A West’s Sheigra Stars In Her Eyes. 11 month old puppy bitch. Happy puppy, balanced, soft expression, good depth of chest for her age, level strong topline with a good tailset. Short from the hock allowing for good drive. Moved with a typical cocker action. BPIB

2nd – Mrs. C A West’s Sheigra Simply A Star. Litter sister to 1st place and many of the same attributes. I preferred the front assembly of her sister and her movement was a little erratic today in comparison. Promising puppy though with a bright future.

3 – Mrs. J E Gilmour’s Chavez Over The Moon

Class 38 – Junior

5 Entered 1 Absentee

1st – Mrs. J H Bray’s Helenwood Illusion. Lovely black bitch with feminine expression, good reach of neck, good front assembly, compact with level topline flowing in to a good tailset and short from hocks down. Moved well. Less settled in the challenge but still was a serious contender for RBOB.

2nd – Mrs. C A Wests Sheigra Super Special. Another nice black bitch with a feminine expression with excellent side profile but at this stage didn’t have the same width as my 1st place but time on her side.

3rd – Mrs. S Hutson’s Stobytill Hippy Hippy Shake.

4th – Mrs. D Brothwell’s Wilanorah Soul Sister at Wissant

Class 39 – Special Yearling Dog Or Bitch

4 Entered 1 Absentee

1st – Mrs. C S & Mr A Wildman’s Reefmill Midnight Blue For Chanmalo. A nice blue dog benefiting from a masculine expression yet still gentle and pleasing. In good coat and condition, good front, moved well. Bigger dog than I’d like but still no mistaking he’s a cocker spaniel. Excellent bone, level topline, good tailset, excellent mover. RBOB.

2nd – Mrs. C A West’s Sheigra Super Special

3rd – Mrs. S Hutson’s Stobytill’s Hippy Hippy Shake

Class 40 – Post Graduate Dog or Bitch

5 Entered 2 Absentees

1st – Mrs. J E Gilmour’s Chavez Royal Ballet. Another nice black bitch with a balanced outline. Feminine expression, good length of neck in to good front assembly flowing in to a compact level topline and good tailset and short from the hock down. Moved well.

2nd – Mrs. C A West’s Sheigra Super Special

3rd – Mrs. D Brothwell’s Candy Pop At Wissant

Class 41 – Limit Dog or Bitch

5 Entered 4 absentees

1st – Mrs. S saunders Moonstryder Eliza Taylor at Oxfordogs. Stood alone but had a feminine head in good coat and condition.

Class 42 – Open Dog or Bitch

4 Entered 1 absentee

1st – Mrs. J H Marris-Bray’s Helenwood Islander. I’ve admired this dog from ringside and was not disappointed. Another super dog from this long-standing kennel. Red dog in good coat and condition. Masculine expression leaving you in no doubt he’s a male but still has a gentle expression oozing intelligence. Good length of neck in to well laid shoulder and level topline with he holds on the move. Good tail carriage and a merry cocker action gaining him a much-deserved Best of Breed.

2nd - Mrs. C S & Mr A Wildman’s Mystical Milow At Chanmalo. A quality 7 year old bitch, pleasing expression, good reach of neck and excellent spring of ribs. Today she was carrying a little too much weight.

English Springer Spaniels

Class 32 – Junior Dog or Bitch

3 Entered 1 absentees

1st – Mrs. T A Sherlock’s Tigerrock Cadburys Twix. 13 month old bitch in good coat and condition. Correct eye colour, good enough length of foreface. Good reach of neck in to adequate front and level topline. I would like more length of leg but stood on good feet and plenty bone. Moved well which won her the class.

2nd – Mrs. J H Marris-Bray’s Wansfell Nightflight. Lovely dark eye, hopefully his head will become balanced with time but this is typical of a black and white. Good length of neck in to a good enough front but more width needed, again maturity could help. Level topline when stood and overall a nice outline. While I preferred his overall build, I could not assess his movement as was very unsettled. This lost him the class. I’m sure with time & confidence he will have a promising career.

Class 33 – Special Yearling Dog or Bitch

2 Entered 1 absentees

Miss Z Wilson’s Zawspring Summer Honey. Pleasing 2 year old bitch in excellent condition and well-muscled. Plenty of work in her head, stands on good feet and plenty bone. Not an overdone bitch in anyway but slightly long in body.

Class 35 – Limit Dog or Bitch

2 Entered 0 absentees

1st- Mr P Richardson & Mrs Y Terry- Richardson’s Cherishym Chara. Super feminine 5 year old bitch with a dark eye, correct size and height, good length of neck in to good enough shoulders and a level topline. Moved well RBOB

2nd – Mrs. S Rose’s Jaraina Justella. Another bitch that’s the correct size with similar attributes of 1 but longer cast than 1 and I would like more bone.

Class 36 – Open Dog or Bitch

3 Entered 1 absentees

1st- Mr P Richardson & Mrs Y Terry- Richardson’s Cherishym Celaneo. Litter sister to the limit class winner. Many of the same attributes as her sister but better front angulation, softer expression and very feminine throughout. Not over done in anyway. Would like better feet and more bone but the overall picture is balanced and moderate in everyway. She won her class and BOB due to her movement and attitude. Can’t disguise she is a quality bitch and one that would fit in my kennel.

American Cocker

Class 51 – Puppy Dog or Bitch

1 Entered 0 absentees

Ms. B Drummett’s Bogestvennaya Skazka Estrella at Almondsbury (IMP). 11 month old dog. Stood alone but in excellent coat and condition. Plenty of work in his head, good length of neck and good spring of rib. Moved with drive. I’m sure this young dog will have a good career ahead of him. BPIB & BOB