Mid Herts Gundog Club

My sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee for the opportunity to judge some of the less numerically strong Gundog breeds today, and to all the exhibitors for so sportingly bringing their dogs for my opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and appreciated the quality of those entered. Floor surfaces at equestrian venues often pose challenges for inquisitive Gundogs, with today being no exception, so I forgave those sniffing the floor and generally messing about (not just the puppies!).

SPANIELS (CLUMBER):

SPECIAL YEARLING (0 entries)

OPEN (3 entries)

1st - Hirst's SH CH CREEAARK FANTASTICA, 6 yrs Bitch, strong outline, balanced head being square, broad & deep in skull with good length & depth of muzzle, kindly expression, large well-set ears, strong neck, powerfully-built body ribbed well back, appreciated her well-developed forechest & deep brisket, plenty of bone, well-developed hindquarters, moved straight & true fore & aft, BOB

2nd - Hirst's SH CH CREEAARK ARTREYU, 6 yrs Dog, litter brother to 1 & same strong outline, masculine square head, just a shade shorter in muzzle than 1 but still deep & square, strong in neck & body with plenty of forechest, well-boned & ribbed, really very little to choose between these two, just preferred slightly deeper flank & steadier movement of 1st today, RBOB

3rd - Shelley's JAUNTY JANUS

SPANIELS (FIELD):

SPECIAL YEARLING (3 entries, 1 absent)

Two very cheeky puppies here, both presenting challenges to their handlers standing & moving!

1st - Adams & Lewis' IRISBEL CHERISH YOU, 7 mths black Bitch, attractive balanced outline, decent feminine head, mischief in her eyes which were dark hazel, still developing in front, good length, width & depth of body, well-ribbed back, level top line, particularly liked her strong thighs, ample bend of stifle, enthusiastic mover, good amount of coat already with plenty of feathering, BPIB & RBOB

2nd - Bird's BRIDUS ABERLOUR, 7 mths liver Bitch, lovely head developing with the promise of the noble appearance typical of this breed, lovely expression, excellent long neck, looked the raw baby that she is in body but everything in the right place with good depth of brisket & level top line, all topped off with a glorious shining jacket, matched 1's charm & enthusiasm, just at a different growth stage

OPEN (1 entry):

1st - Tye's SH CH THANDIWE LAST TANGO OF TYMORA ShCM, 7 yrs liver Dog, mature outline, noble masculine head of good shape, dark eye & kindest of expressions, liked his strong bone, plenty of forechest, deep in brisket, well-ribbed, good length & strength in body, excelled in width of thigh, showed plenty of drive on the move, ample coat, excellent example of the dignity & longevity of this breed, BOB

SPANIELS (IRISH WATER):

OPEN (1 entry):

1st - Morris' CALIWAY DOLLY VARDEN, 15 mths Bitch, very attractive square outline, very pretty head with correct domed skull & length of muzzle, could be slightly darker in eye, but expression full of mischief, long enough in neck, well-angulated fore & aft, good in forechest & deep through body with no tuck-up, excelled in width of thigh, powerful & very exuberant mover carrying her head high, good colour & curl to coat, liked her very much, BOB

SPANIELS (SUSSEX):

JUNIOR (1 entry):

1st - Moon's FOXHAMPTON FIELDS OF GOLD, 9 mths Dog, already showing great strength in build for his age, super masculine head shape with requisite "frown", enough neck, ample forechest, strong bone, big feet, good length & depth in body, well-developed thigh, moderate rear angulation, ever-wagging tail, typically had his head in the sand for much of the time, but eventually showed movement that was straight & true , BPIB & RBOB, considered for BOB

LIMIT (1 entry):

1st - Moon's DEANWAY STORM IN A TEACUP, 4 yrs Bitch, one I have judged recently & still think she is delightful, built on more petite lines than Junior, but in proportion & strong throughout with good bone, feminine well-shaped head & the most charming of expressions, plenty of depth in body, well-ribbed, no "waistiness", excelled in top line & angulation fore & aft, tried handler's patience by pacing, eventually got into her proper stride, BOB on maturity

OPEN (1 entry, 1 absent)

SPANISH WATER DOGS:

SPECIAL YEARLING (2 entries)

1st - Northard's OH SANCHA VOM HAUSE KRISTO, 10 mths B/W Bitch, eye-catching & robust appearance, pretty head with flat skull, kind expression, straight front with good forechest, correct short neck, well-placed front angulation, deep through body with strong loin & level top line, hindquarters developing, slightly close behind but effortless stride in profile, dense curled coat

2nd - Donaldson's ZORRAZO ALTER BRIDGE (IMP HRV), 6 mths Dog, Br/W Dog, as masculine as 1st is feminine, liked his head shape, expression & length of neck, straight front, good in shoulder & has ample forechest, substantial & nicely balanced body properties for one so young, very exuberant on the move making it difficult to assess him, long corded coat, preferred tail set & carriage of 1st

LIMIT (3 entries):

1st - Abraham's ADORMIDERA ZIGGY STAR DUST, 3 yrs Black Dog, quite tall but still nicely balanced in outline, masculine head with correct tight-fitting lips & flat skull, short neck, straight front, enough forechest, deep chest & well sprung ribs, strongly-coupled though loin, firmest of top lines, liked his width of thigh, very sound on the move with a brisk athletic stride, short dense curled coat, RBOB

2nd - OH SANCHA VOM HAUSE KRISTO, as Special Yearling

3rd - Hall's PRIZELANDS BELLA BON NITA

Two mature bitches here in full rustic coat

1st - Abraham's ADORMIDERA PRINCESS LEIA, 6 yrs mature Black Bitch, liked her size & rectangular outline, attractive feminine head with flat skull, big black nose & lovely intelligent expression, short neck, straight in front, deep in brisket & flank with big ribs, excelled in width of thigh, very positive on the move, being straight & true fore & aft, just preferred her size over her son from Limit for BOB

2nd - Hall's ADORMIDERA QUEEN KATHERINE, 5 yrs Black Bitch, built on slightly bigger lines all over than 1, but still balanced & with much to commend her, good head shape, strong neck, straight front, well-angulated front & rear, well-developed body of correct shape with big ribs, could perhaps be a shade firmer in top line, just preferred clearer expression & stronger rear movement of 1

Teresa Dunsdon (Judge)