"Joint Irish Setter Clubs' Championship Show"

Thank you to the Club for the invitation to judge, my stewards for their help and laughs and to the exhibitors that entered. I must congratulate the Club on the facilities used; what a great find! The venue was perfect for a breed club show with plenty of space both inside and out. We were blessed with super weather which meant we were all able to appreciate one of the best attributes of this breed, their glorious coat colour.  

There may not have been the quantity of dogs here today and I feel the entry over the two days/three shows might have been impacted by the timing and clash with another Championship show. This is not always in a Clubs control but worth considering for the future to benefit both the club and the exhibitors. As the saying goes its often quality not quantity that matters and that I was certainly fortunate to have top quality today.  

DOGS:

Puppy Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0    

1st:    GWENDARIFF LOOK NO FURTHER (MR A STEWART)

Lots to like about this baby. He is masculine throughout with fantastic bone complemented by the raciness and scope I would want and like at this age. Super head with dark eye, raised brow and typical expression.  Straight front and excellent shoulder angulation.  Strong top line, lovely width to thigh. Has that glint of naughtiness which I love to see and gives a puppy that bit of confidence which came through as he moved with lots of personality, covering the ground really well. I predict an exciting future ahead for this boy. Best Puppy in Show.

2nd:    LEESET ORCHARD ROMANCE (S LEES)

An appealing puppy overall. A bigger frame than the winner. A pleasing head, masculine but not overdone, correct raised brow, good muzzle in shape and depth. Lovely dark eye and gorgeous expression. Strong in body and bone throughout. In great muscular condition. Correct short, straight hocks. Moved well, holding his top line.

Junior Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0    

1st:    KERRYFAIR LOVE ON THE ROCKS AMBERLIGHT JW (MR & MRS P LUCAS)

A well balanced, smart, honest dog. Not overdone in anyway. He has that bit of cheeky Irish personality which I just love, giving his mum that glint in his eye.  A pleasing head with correct raised brow and eye colour and shape with well-set ears.  Lovely slightly arched neck flowing cleanly into well placed shoulders. Good depth of chest and ribs carried well back. Well bent stifles and short hocks. Powerful hind quarters in excellent muscular condition.

Yearling Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0    

1st:    KERRYFAIR LOVE ON THE ROCKS AMBERLIGHT JW (MR & MRS P LUCAS)

2nd:    TOBERBILLY I WISH YOU LUCK IR JUN CH JD (S TOMS)

A lovely rich colour to this boy’s coat. A pleasing head in profile with a good square muzzle and correct ear length and set. A bit coarser in width than I would like front on. A pleasing expression with correct eye shape and colour. Good length of neck with the correct arch flowing cleanly into shoulders, a strong front assembly with super depth of chest. Well ribbed. Would like more width to his thigh to hock.  Holds himself well on the move, with enthusiasm.

Graduate Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0    

1st:    GWENDARIFF D’YA KNOW WHAT I MEAN (MR I ADAMS)

The most beautiful coat colour on this boy caught by the sun with the most endearing temperament and character. A beautiful head with raised brow, giving the most gorgeous expression. Clean neck, pleasing forequarters and hind angulation. However I would like to see him with a lot more weight on him.

Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0    

1st:    GWENDARIFF PICK FLOYD (MRS R JONES)

Presents a really lovely eye-catching outline on the stand. In super coat and condition, gleaming in the sun. A masculine head with raised brow. Lovely length and depth of muzzle, good stop. Correct length and strength of neck, clean into well placed shoulders. Straight front and strong front assembly.  Excellent spring of rib. Muscular lion and good tail set. Nice tight feet. Lovely rear angulation, good width of thigh and short hocks. Strong top line which he holds well on the move.

Mid Limit Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0    

1st:    FERASHEEN PATRIOT GAME (MRS K & MISS G SLOAN)

Pleasing in overall outline and shape, presents a well-balanced picture on the stack. He has an appealing head with good proportions and plains with the correct stop and ear set. A strong front assembly, good top line and well set tail.  When his handler went to stride off, he just did not want to move and that was that, stubbornness kicked in so really didn’t show himself off on the move.

Limit Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st: BARDONHILL ETRNAL FLAME AMONG AMBERLIGHT JW (MRS & MRS P LUCAS)

So much to complement this boy on, I really liked him from first look in the stance to getting my hands on him. Shown in first class condition and her presentation is bang on. It’s obvious the time, work and effort this owner puts into her dogs and this pays off. Appealing shape and definition to his head, lovely eye and expression. Clean, strong neck into well laid back shoulders.  Straight front with correct tight shaped feet. Good bone throughout. Well ribbed and strong in loin and hindquarters with correct width and angulation. Sound on the move, holding is head and top line. In the challenge on the move he just needed to give that bit more against the CC winner, however delighted to award him the Res CC and I am sure he will be taking the larger green cards soon.

2nd:   CLANNRUA BIRCH (S TOMS)

A different shape overall to the winner and different in type, for me I would prefer a more racy outline. A masculine boy who is clearly well exercised, he was presented in excellent muscular condition, strong throughout.  Not the chiselling and definition in his head that I would like but had a very appealing eye in shape and colour giving him a delightful expression.  Good depth of chest and a straight front. Well ribbed. Powerful hindquarters. Sound on the move.

OPEN DOG

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0    

1st:    GWENDARIF WEEKEND WARRIOR (MR A STEWART)

Picture perfect is what my notes say! This was a spot on demonstration of how to handle to get the very best out of a dog and how to present in top condition. He entered the ring with an air of class, that typical regal character that I so love in this breed. His handler letting the dog take the lead and the space, and his handler following. On the stand he has a clean overall outline. The most exquisite head in both front and side profile. Best head of the day for me. Dark correct shape eye with an expression that leaves you not wanting to look away. Super length and strength of neck into correct front assembly. Straight front with deep chest and correct spring of rib. Strong, powerful, well-muscled hindquarters into short hocks. Lovely dog to go over and then wow on the move he just got better and better. I could have watched him move and move. Using both his front to reach and rear to drive, head held high and lovely movement in the tail.

I was very interested in seeing who his sire is, a dog that I also awarded a CC to and I can see many of his qualities have been passed down to this very exciting dog.

CC & RBIS & BOS

2nd:    TOBERBILLY I WISH YOU LUCK IR JUN CH JD (S TOMS)

Champion Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1    

1st:    IR CH CORRADEELISH PHEASANT OF CLOONMINDA JUN CH (IKC) (MISS S HUGHES)

Pleasing overall shape to this gentleman, he is well balanced. Good bone and substance throughout. In hard muscular condition. His head is a little too overdone for me. Straight front. Good depth of chest and spring of rib. Strong lion and wide hindquarters with well bent stifles. Sound on the move and lovely to see his tail lashing.   

BITCHES:

Yearling Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0    

1st:     GWENDARIFF JUST THE TICKET FOR LOCHINDORB (MR RS & MRS MI NICOLSON)

A most appealing feminine racy bitch in outline, beautiful. Overall very well balanced and well-constructed. A lovely head with good stop, nice eye and well set ears. I liked her length of neck into well placed back shoulders, straight front and deep chest. In spot on body and condition. Correct spring of ribs. Good width to strong thigh with short hocks. Holds her head well on the move with an air of grace about her. I would like tighter feet. Beautifully handled and presented to get the very best out of her.  

2nd:    CLONAGEERA SWEET CAROLINE JUN CH (MS I GAWN)

Feminine but with good substance and bone throughout. A lovely head with correct plains and proportions with a very kind eye. Clean in neck. Would like a bit more in return of her upper arm. Straight front and good depth of chest. Sound on the move, just holding her tail a little too high. Super personality shown on the move, a happy young lady.

3rd: FERASHEEN JINDEA (MRS K & MISS G SLOAN)

Novice Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st: FERASHEEN JINDEA (MRS K & MISS G SLOAN)

A feminine, racy bitch throughout. A refined head with elegance and femininity. Good stop and nice eye. Well set ears. Correct arch to neck into a strong front assembly. Good depth of chest. A good top line and spring of rib. Needs to tighten in feet. Her handler was sympathetic and encouraging to try and get the very best out of this bitch but she just wasn’t happy in this environment impacting her overall performance.     

Graduate Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0    

1st:     GWENDARIFF WONDER WOMAN (MR A STEWART)

Another quality bitch from this consistent kennel. A pretty head with good proportions but would like a slightly darker eye. Superb length and arch of neck into well laid back shoulders. Straight front. Clean over the shoulders into a strong top line.  Correct depth of chest and tight elbows. Well angulated hindquarters in super muscular condition. Lovely rich colour coat. Moved very soundly and with style.

Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1    

1st:    FERASHEEN LITTLE BRIDGET (MRS K & MISS G SLOAN)

There me be a Little in her name but she is big in personality. Absolutely adorable happy go lucky attitude which she demonstrated whilst I was going over her with her smiley face and waggy tail. A real elegant feminine bitch. Pretty head with a glint in her eye. Good length of neck. A little wide in front. On the move her head was held high, her tail was wagging and she held her top line well.  Well angulated hindquarters with a well bent stifles and short hocks.  

Mid Limit Bitch:

Entries: 2 Abs: 0

1st: GWENDARIFF RAINBOW GODDESS AT LOCHINDORB (MR RS & MRS MI NICOLSON)

I really liked this bitch who kept catching my eye. Unfortunate to meet such a high quality line up of bitches today as I really had to split hairs. I will watch this young lady with interest. Very eye catching in outline, very clean and well balanced. Gorgeous coat colour. Typifies racy. A beautiful feminine head, lots of expression in her eye. Lovely length and shape of neck into well placed shoulders. A strong top line, with good ribs and wide muscular hindquarters. For me a tad close behind on the move.

2nd:  CLONAGEERA SWEET CAROLINE JUN CH (MS I GAWN)

Limit Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0    

1ST:    GWENDARIFF GUESS WHO’S COMING TO NORTHAMBER JW (MR BJ & MRS E HINSLEA)

A top quality bitch. Judged her as a puppy and watched her with interest. In my opinion she may get overlooked by some from the ringside but she is a dog that you fully appreciate when you have the opportunity to put your hands on her. She is so well put together, beautifully constructed throughout. A feminine bitch throughout but with substance. Loved her head; good proportions and defined stop. The correct raised brow and eye shape giving a super expression. Good length of neck into well placed shoulders.  Straight front with correct tight feet. Deep chest into good spring of rib. Strong in loin and wide hindquarters. Considered her for the Res CC but on the day her coat condition could be a bit smarter.  

2nd:    GWENDARIFF ON A TIC ETT TO LOCHINDORB (MR RS & MRS MI NICOLSON)

Clean, feminine outline from nose to tail. For me not quite the work in her head compared to the winner. Well placed shoulders and lovely angulation in her front assembly. She has a straight front, good bone and well ribbed.   Strong in the lion and good width of thigh. Correct bend of stifle which could be shown a bit more on the stack. Gorgeous rich coat colour enhanced in the sun. Moved soundly would just like to see her move out a bit more.

3rd:    CLONAGEERA SWEET CAROLINE JUN CH (MS I GAWN)

Open Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0    

1st:    GWENDARIFF NUTMEG (MRS R JONES)

What a lovely girl. Presents a very appealing outline on the stack just be careful not to over stretch her. A beautiful head, with lovely definitions.  She has a good eye and endearing expression. A clean neck into correctly placed shoulders. She has great depth of chest, straight front and an excellent spring of rib. She is strong in lion and hindquarters. In really good muscular condition. Preferred the angulation in her hindquarters to second. Lovely rich coat colour and in super condition. Put on a great performance and showed her socks off. Moved with such ease and with power around the ring.

2nd:    GWENDARIFF CARRY’S IT OFF JW (MRS D STEWART-RITCHIE)

I was super spoilt with yet another quality feminine bitch with a super clean outline from this kennel. Presented in tip top condition and handled really well.  Very pretty head with correct raised brow, giving the desired expression. Arched neck into a clean well placed shoulder. Good depth of chest and tight, straight front. Super spring of rib and strong lion.  Given the space and length of lead by the handler to move with great ease, freely covering the ground.

3rd:    CORRANROO JUST ONE KISS WITH RIVERSETT, CJW 18 JUN CH (MRS G STERRITT)

RES:    FEARNLEY FIRE RIBBON OF FERASHEEN (MRS K & MISS G SLOAN)

Open Bitch

Entries 2 Abs 0

1st: SH CH, IR SH CH GWENDARIIF COCO NUT CREAM (D ARMITAGE)

Class act; there are great dogs with the correct breed attributes and then there are those that have these along with the attitude and presence that make them a class act. Look at me she demands and deserves.  100% effort from this stylish lady who did not put a foot wrong from start to finish. Loved her from every angle when stacked and free stood.  Outstanding in outline, well balanced and full of quality. Beautifully put together. Feminine head, lovely raised brow and expression. Correct arched neck of good length flowing into well placed shoulders. Good spring of rib, well back to a strong loin. Powerful hindquarters, short hocks. Moves effortlessly but with power, holding her head high and lashing tail. Quite special and quite outstanding.   An honour to award her the CC and BIS.

2nd: INT & IR CH MILLCROFT WHISPERING MOON (MRS K DONELLY)

I awarded this bitch her first Green Star as a youngster. She has matured into a top quality bitch that has been recognised for her many qualities. The most beautiful feminine head, kind eye and good ear set. Lovely length of neck into correctly angulated front assembly.  Gently sloping topline. Good bend of stifle and width of thigh. In good muscular condition. If I could change something I would like a bit more length on leg to give her the overall balance. Very sound on the move, covering the ground with such ease. Res CC & Best Veteran in Show.