Coventry & District Kennel Association

I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge Flatcoated Retrievers and for your excellent hospitality. Thank you to both my stewards for keeping everything flowing, and finally to my exhibitors who entered and accepted my decisions throughout.

Puppy (4, 2 absent)

Two very promising puppies who need time to mature.

1- Gulbis’ Blacklake Angelo For Gayplume

9 month upstanding male, showing lots of promise has a lovely masculine one piece head and kind dark eye. Good front angulation, straight arm feet could be tighter. Moderate depth and good spring of rib. Nice short loin, good rear angulation moderate bend of stifle balanced all through considering he is very young. Level topline held on the move and standing okay tail set. Very excited on the move but settled down in the puppy group. He should be a nice puppy when fully mature and when his coat comes in. Best Puppy in Breed.

2- Jurkowska’s Clocktower Buddha

This 7 month puppy was really enjoying his day out at his first show and giving his owner a hard time unfortunately. Raw baby smaller all round than 1 which I preferred. Masculine head but preferred 1’s overall expression. Good length of neck and moderate lay of shoulder. Preferred feet of this boy. Level topline held most of the time. Good rear angulation and nice tail set and carriage. He moved okay when he settled lacked the drive of 1 but shows lots of promise. Ringcraft training needed and he should get the hang of it. He just needs time to mature.

Post Graduate (5, 3 absent)

1- Walker’s Lizzlog Shotgun Harry

I fell in love with this boys gorgeous expression. Just 14 months he has a superb masculine one piece head and dark eye almond shaped and ears well set on. Well laid shoulders and eve return of upper arm and well defined brisket. Straight leg and the best of feet. Excellent depth of chest good spring of rib and short square loin. Excellently angulated rear with good turn of stifle, slight slope to the croup and tail set and carriage was good. Level topline held strongly on the move and standing. Moved with excellent reach and good drive. Shown in good coat and hard condition. I will watch this boy with interest. Reserve Best of Breed.

2- Gulbis’ Gayplume Vital Spark

Another lovely boy of 7 years unlucky to meet 1 who was on such great form. Slightly longer nose than I would prefer. He has a nice dark kind eye. Ok length of neck good front angulation and excellent depth. Ok feet could be tighter. Short loin and level topline held on the move and standing. Great rear angulation with and excellent bend of stifle straight pasterns well muscled. Excellent coat shown in great condition despite his age. Moved well just lacked the drive of 1 today.

Open (5, 3 absent)

Two lovely bitches in this class

1- Walker’s Lizzlog Chicago Showgirl

I have always admired this girl from the ringside but only realised it was her after judging. A beautifully made 3 ½ year old feminine workmanlike bitch with a gorgeous one piece head and kind eye and expression. She is the correct size and not exaggerated in any way. She has the best of fronts and excellent brisket. Straight front and best of feet super tight. Square loin and well made rear with an excellent bend of stifle, straight pasterns ad well let down hocks. She held her topline so strongly at all times and moved with such presence with excellent reach and drive. Shown in excellent condition. Another I will watch with interest. Best of Breed and later was delighted when she took Gundog Group 4 congratulations and well deserved.

2- Murray’s Araminta Glass at Gayplume

Another lovely bitch of 7 years old just would prefer a shade smaller all round. Pretty head with kind expression. Well laid shoulders and even return of upper arm, straight arm and nice tight feet. Good depth of chest and gradual spring of rib. Good bend of stifle and well made rear with well let down hocks and straight pasterns. Good set of tail which was carried well on the move. Shown in excellent coat and moved with good reach and drive masking her age. Preferred the overall shape and size of 1. Pushed hard for Reserve Best of Breed

Abby Bellamy (Moontorn)