Crufts

Crufts - 6th March 2020

Labrador Retrievers – Dogs

Judge: Mrs Lucy Kent (Trewinnard)

It feels such a long time ago since that ‘special envelope’ from the Kennel Club arrived. Judging your breed at Crufts, the world’s most prestigious dog show, is something we all dream of and I feel so honoured to have had that opportunity. Sincere thanks to the Crufts committee for your kind invitation. Crufts is something quite special and different to other judging appointments, particularly in relation to the entry numbers. It was quite a shock to receive my entry details a couple of weeks before the show to see how many there were, especially the open dog class with 51. So, it was going to be a balance of giving exhibitors sufficient time without rushing them and getting our Best of Breed to the Group ring in time. This couldn’t have been achieved if it weren’t for my very able stewards – Paul Hayes and Nigel Small. Thank you to them both for your calm and efficient manner, I did appreciate your hard work. Then there was Coronavirus to consider! None of us were to know how this might affect the entry. After much speculation, mostly on social media, there were more absentees than usual, however there is always a plus side and this meant there was slightly more time to assess the dogs present. In most of the classes I found the dogs to be of excellent or good quality. My previous judging appointment in the UK was a breed club championship show where I judged bitches and I commented that some looked good in profile but disappointed on the move. I felt the same again today and as a consequence some went card less in tough opposition. In many classes there were simply not enough prize cards! So I found myself making tough choices over the smallest of detail. Thank you to each and every one of the exhibitors not only for your entry but accepting my decisions. We are constantly striving to breed a ‘better one’, but we always take the best one home, don’t we. It was a pleasure to judge alongside Carol Reynolds who judged the bitches, always lovely to share an experience like this with another breed specialist. Thank you Carol. My final thanks must go to my family who came along to support me and enjoy the day. Of course none of this would have happened without my late father who encouraged me to get involved with the kennel many years ago and the knowledge and ‘feel for a dog’ that he passed on. I appreciate all that you’ve done and hope you were looking down from above with a big smile, I was thinking of you.

The principle winners were:

DOG CC, BOB & BV –

Brown, Todd & Farquharson’s Sh Ch Ramsayville Ruby Walsh.

BOS – Hopkinson’s Sh Ch Hayley Sun In Their Eyes

Res DOG CC – Braddon’s Sh Ch Trendlewood Born To Run JW

Res BITCH CC – Bailiss’ Tissalian Hi Society JW

BP – Coode’s Warringah’s The Bluff

Veteran (32, 16)

1st Brown, Todd & Farquharson’s Sh Ch Ramsayville Ruby Walsh.

What an excellent example of our lovely breed. So good to see a Veteran winning well and in such good shape and fit too. Our breed is a slow maturing one and he is an excellent example of just that. Ruby Walsh has not long turned 8 years old, he is truly mature, he has a masculine and correct head with superb eye colour giving the right kindness in expression. Correctly constructed in front with barrelled ribs, good over the loin which is balanced well with strong hindquarters. Great top line with tail set well. Moved true using his hocks to power off. Liked his length of leg and he has bags of personality giving him that ‘something special’ in the ring. BVD, CC and, on the Referee’s decision, represented the breed in the Gundog group as BOB. I was so delighted to have the opportunity to judge him.

2nd Woodley’s Sh Ch Secret Moment At Alkhamhurst.

Another who is in great shape for a Veteran. A different type to the winner and he is well made in front, is deep in chest and the body with good spring of rib, a fantastic top line and tail set, he is also strong in his hindquarters. He is all male without coarseness. Moved well and handled to perfection.

3rd. Jenner’s Rossacre Trail Blazer At Lyjansen.

Liked this dog for his excellent head and expression. He has the correct proportions of skull to muzzle ratio with good eye colour making his expression intelligent and kind. He is good in fore quarter with correct angulation and is balanced well with a powerful hind quarter. He also has a decent length of leg and lovely tight feet. Moved true coming and going. Very at one with his handler.

Minor Puppy (1, 0)

1st Metcalfe’s Baileykin Smartiepants For Baileydale.

Attractive and promising puppy of just 8 months. Has a kind head and expression with a good reach of neck. Good in shoulder, he was fairly long cast in body but has strong hindquarters to balance his outline. Another that I liked his length of leg and he has good tight feet too. Moved well. Raw but just right for his age.

Puppy (8, 0)

1st Coode’s Warringah’s The Bluff.

Wish I had one like this! Seen this puppy from the ringside and he did not disappoint when I judged him. Almost 11 months, he is so well proportioned. I thought his head was excellent, so well made with correct eye colour and shape. Good reach of neck and well laid shoulder, this flows through to barrelled ribs, correct length of body and strong in his hindquarters. He carries the correct textured coat and has good tight feet. Moved true and steady (just like his owner!) and handled to advantage. BPD and with my co-judge’s agreement, BPIB. He’s an exciting prospect for the future.

2nd Bailiss’s Tissalian Hi Chaparral.

Most certainly unlucky to meet 1. Another lovely puppy with an exciting future ahead. Great head, built on a bigger frame than 1, he has a superb reach of neck but not quite the same development in hindquarter at the moment. Superb dark pigmentation. Lovely texture to coat and moved well with drive.

3rd. Edwards’ Kimbajack Gentlemen Jack.

Many of the same attributes apply to this puppy too (I notice they have breeding in common on their sire’s side). Kindly head with good expression, lovely reach of neck and well made in shoulder. Good in top line and right amount of depth of chest. Hind quarter developing well and another with good coat of correct texture. Liked his length of hock. Moved steadily.

Junior (18, 3)

1st Andrews’ Creamwood Tea For Two.

An eye catching junior dog, one I’d not seen before. Found many in this class to be losing coat which affected their profiles unfortunately. Cobby, smart youngster who once settled made the most of himself. He is clean in outline. Loved his kindest of heads with excellent pigmentation. Ears set on well and head in good proportion. Balanced right through from head to tail, he stands on well boned legs and tight feet. Moved positively.

2nd South & Reck’s Roslieve Cast A Spell.

Well put together young dog of 13 months, who was attractive in profile. Head of good proportions, with good eye colour and shape. Not quite the reach of neck of 1 however liked his shoulder placement and has strong well boned legs which are placed correctly under his shoulder. Well angulated hind quarters with enough turn of stifle. Enough coat to show the correct texture and shown to advantage, moved true.

3rd. Hopkinson’s Rocheby Old Timer.

No exaggeration with his young dog of 15 months, he is at a real adolescent stage. Lots to like about him as he has a very typical head with great expression and length of muzzle. Good pigment. Well placed shoulder and good ribbing through the body, would have liked more angulation in his hind quarters with a better turn of stifle. Hoped he would make more of himself today as he has real potential.

Yearling (27, 8)

1st Hodge’s Naiken Elite Envoy (AI) JW IR JUN CH.

Nothing flashy about this young chocolate dog. He’s a steady youngster who is great in profile and simply a typical Labrador. Loved his kind head with such a biddable expression. However, wished he used his ears more. He is very well balanced all the way through, good depth of body and fore chest with legs set well under. Correct in coupling and strong hind quarters which he used to advantage on the move. Best mover in the class.

2nd. Druggan’s A Sense Of Pleasure’s Get Lucky JW (IMP DEU).

Another of a similar mould. Again great in profile, with pleasing head and eye, would just prefer more length of muzzle. Good strong neck, correct over the loin, in excellent coat and condition. He moved with purpose, little to separate these two.

3rd Brown’s Ramsayville Revolver.

A bigger framed dog with an attractive outline, he commands attention. Liked his kind yet masculine head and soft expression. He has a good reach of neck and is clean in outline from fore to hind quarters. Correct top line and tail set. Longer in hocks than 1 & 2 but this was set off by his bigger frame. Was untidy on the move in front which was disappointing. Nonetheless, a youngster to watch.

Undergraduate (20, 2)

1st Heron’s Globetrotter Lab’s Valley At Brigburn (IMP SVK)

This class had so much quality in it, I was spoilt for choice.

Noticed this exciting young dog on my initial look around the class. He’s the type of dog where the more you look at him, the more you see his quality. Still immature, as he should be at 2 years old, but he is well put together throughout. Particularly liked his head, as he had plenty of length in his muzzle and the correct amount of stop, a kind eye giving a biddable yet keen expression. Good reach of neck, correctly laid shoulder, and good barrelled ribs. Balanced by a strong hind quarter and has good length of leg. In good coat of the correct texture. Will watch his progress with interest.

2nd Rawlinson & Balshaw’s Halshimoor Debonair At Shannorrell (AI)

Lovely yellow dog of a similar age, with great balance in profile. Fantastic reach of neck flowing into good fore quarters, correct length of loin and liked his powerful hind quarters. Moved well using a driving action from good hocks. Preferred the head of 1.

3rd Chapman’s Daisypatch Jelly Tot

Different in type to the winner, built on a smaller frame. Liked his head as he has a good head with right ratio of width of head to length of muzzle. Lovely colour eye and shape. He is clean in outline with good depth of chest and is short in the coupling. Would prefer more second thigh but he has plenty of time to mature. Moved well.

Graduate (18, 2)

Very close decision between 1 & 2.

1st Hutchinson’s Glosmere The Grenadier JW.

A quality eye catching young dog. He is well put together and stands foursquare on tight feet. Would prefer more work to his head but loved his overall balance. Good depth to chest, well laid shoulder and balanced by powerful hindquarters with good second thigh. Coat of a reasonable length. Won on his movement with good reach in front and drive from behind.

2nd Edwards’ Kimbajak Precious Metal JW.

This young dog seemed a handful at times. Similar mould to 1, he was also of a good type. Again, he has a good outline with strong and powerful neck. Liked his head which had good proportions and he also has good pigmentation. Uses his ears well. Has a level top line and carrying the correct amount of weight, I found some to be quite heavy in shoulder. Shows himself to advantage.

3rd Mclellan’s Saranden Pensacola.

Young chocolate dog rising 2 years of age. Similar in type to the winners, still with plenty of time to mature. Liked his head with complimentary eye colour to his coat colour. Attractive in outline, he has a good fore chest and legs set well under his body. He stands on legs with plenty of bone and has correct tight feet. Lovely rich coat colour of the correct texture. Moved well.

Post Graduate (22, 9)

Quite a mix of makes and shapes in this class.

1st Walton’s Gallybob Marmalade.

My winner here is not over done in any way. Still with plenty of time to mature, he has a good Labrador head, masculine yet not coarse and with ears set well. Lovely shape and colour to his eye giving a kind expression. Correct angles both front and rear, he also has a good fore chest. Would prefer more second thigh. Lovely barrelled ribs and short in body. Covered the ground with an easy stride.

2nd Davey’s Clanfield Rosy Outlook.

Correctly coated black dog with the proper texture and undercoat. Of good size and balance throughout, he is constructed well in shoulder giving a deep fore chest and angulation in front. Correct length of loin and good hindquarters to match. He has the right otter tail which was clothed well as he was in full coat. Moved positively.

3rd Campbell’s Kimbajak Bollinger.

This yellow dog is rising 3 years old. Another I thought was of merit and was balanced from head to tail. Just preferred the head of 2. Another with good lay of shoulder giving the correct front assembly. Has a level top line and good length of leg. Slightly longer cast in body than 1 & 2. Good tail set but would have liked the tail to be wrapped better. Steady mover.

Mid Limit (21, 4)

Class of excellent quality. Loved my top 5.

1st Hodge’s Naiken East Meets West (AI) JW.

His chocolate litter brother won the yearling class and I can see why these litter brothers have done so well. A dog of real quality, not yet 2 years old with the benefit of maturity yet to come. He’s put together so well and is all Labrador. Good shape to his head with correct eye colour and eager to please look. Enough reach of neck and he excels in front assembly where his shoulder is correctly laid and his legs are under his body. Lovely barrelling to his ribs and short in loin. Strong hindquarters with strong bone and finished with tight feet. Carries his otter tail just right. Best mover of the class with a free action on the move. Shortlisted to final 4.

2nd Metcalfe’s Carromer Jack Flash To Baileydale JW BEL JNR CH.

Have admired this dog from the ringside so was pleased to have the opportunity to judge him. He too has many of our breed’s attributes. Liked his head with an alert and intelligent expression. Pigmentation is good and he uses his ears to advantage. Lovely reach of neck set into well placed shoulders. Strong through the body and in profile has a great outline. Strong hind quarters with good second thigh. Tail came off back just right and he too was another who moved with reach and drive. Unlucky to meet 1 today.

3rd. Rawlinson & Balshaw’s Halshimoor Pitch Battle At Shanorrell JW.

Another one I liked a lot! A dog who is full of breed type and is great in profile, he commands attention. Shown to advantage as always by this kennel, I loved his kind yet obviously male head. Kind eye, great expression, good pigmentation. Clean in neck and excellent angles both front and rear. Good bone with strong legs and stands on tidy feet. Level topline, held well on the move. Great to see some young dogs, all different, with potential.

Limit (16, 5)

More tough decisions here!

1st Balshaw & Rawlinson’s Shanorrell Straw Boater At Halshimoor.

Upstanding mature yellow dog. Presented a beautifully balanced picture. All male, no sign of femininity. Good head with right amount of stop and good length of muzzle. Strong neck set into well placed shoulder and deep through the body. Short coupled leading to strong hindquarters which he used to advantage when on the move, powering off from his hocks. Best mover in the class.

2nd Bold’s Shaymiloney Senate JW.

Loved the balance of this black dog however preferred the head of 1. This dog is clean in outline and clearly fit for a day’s work with great muscle tone. Lovely in front with correct angulation, good ribs and short in body. Would prefer more second thigh however he stands on well boned legs and feet.

3rd Hodgkiss’s Dinnozo Top Notch Alfie.

Glad to have the chance to judge this yellow dog. More immature than 1 & 2 however so much to like about him. Loved his head for it’s correct proportions, his lovely eye shape and colour and his obvious devotion to his handler. Another who is clearly male but not coarse in any way. Correct angulation in fore quarter and is moderate in construction. Great topline. Clean mover.

Open (51, 22)

This was quite a class to judge. It was excellent quality and I really had to pick at the finer detail in order to make the cuts. Many of these dogs would have been in the line up on another day and I thought they all deserved their place in this class. Interestingly, my 1 & 2 place I had judged in the puppy class at Windsor Championship show in June 2017 and placed them the other way around. They have both matured into the dogs I thought they would and it’s been great to see their development and successes. Judging dogs ‘on the day’ is so important as it’s a snapshot of them at that particular moment.

1st Braddon’s Sh Ch Trendlewood Born To Run JW.

This dog always delivers in performance and has that real ring presence. He has matured so well and is male without any trace of coarseness. Head of good proportions with correct eye colour and shape giving a soft and gentle expression. His good reach of neck flows into correct shoulders with return of upper arm. Well sprung barrelled ribs, correct through the loin and then finished with powerful hind quarters. He has a great top line with tail set well. Powered around the ring using his hocks with drive and purpose. Delighted to award him the Res CC.

2nd Bailiss’ Sh Ch Tissalian Hi Jack JW.

This dog is built on a smaller frame than 1 and there is just so much to like about him. He has the kindest of heads and his pigmentation is as good as ever. He is clean in profile with a great reach of neck. Well constructed fore quarters, would prefer a little more upper arm. Lovely through the body, short coupled and excellent turn of stifle at the rear. Found he was a little untidy in front on the move today, however.

3rd Grummitt & Dempsey’s Ir Sh Ch Dromtacker Made To Order (IKC).

An attractive yellow dog of almost 4 years. Lovely head with good proportions and intelligent and kind eye. Great in profile, he has a strong neck and is correct in shoulder. Deep through the chest and correctly balanced with powerful hind quarters. Had a coat of correct texture. Moved with an easy stride both coming and going. Typical of the breed.

Field Trial (7, 3)

1st Griffiths’ Sarnesfield Trooper.

The FT dogs have quite a different look compared to the show dogs. I liked this dog as he had the best head of the exhibits. His ears were set on well and he had a good ratio of width of head to length of muzzle. Also he has a pleasing expression and kind eye. He was strong in fore quarter with correct lay of shoulder, and was deep in the chest. He had excellent bone and, as all of this class were, was as fit as a fiddle.

2nd Stevens’ Never Disarray At Wylanbriar.

Clearly fit black dog of almost 8 years. Rather timid but allowed me to assess him. Gentle and kind Labrador expression with a pleasant head. Good length of leg with barrelled ribs, not carrying an ounce of fat. Moved well both coming and going.

3rd Newitt’s Ft Ch Diglake Charlie.

Another of almost 8 years and looking fit and well. This pale yellow dog was also not quite as ease as I judged him but in true Labrador spirit allowed me to do so. Finer head than 1 & 2 but has a kind eye giving a lovely willing to please expression. Covered the ground well on the move, and another who is clearly fit for function. It’s always good to have the opportunity to assess Labradors from another discipline, thank you.

Special Working Gundog (23, 7)

Another class of excellent quality. Delighted with my top 3.

1st Lambert’s Ch Mattand Exodus JW.

Not had the opportunity to judge this dog until today and there is no denying his quality. Shown in top condition and in good coat of excellent texture, he never put a foot wrong. Fully mature and all male without coarseness. Lovely head of correct proportions, good eye and expression. Ears set well and used to advantage. Strong neck flows into good shoulders, correct barrelling to the ribs, of correct length and his hindquarters are well developed and angulated. His topline is firm with tail coming off well, which is carried at the correct height. True and steady mover, using his hocks to drive off. Shortlisted to the final 4 in the line up. Lovely dog.

2nd Coode’s Ch Warringah’s Perth JW ShCM.

This dog I have previously given a ticket to, and he also was looking in top form. Vey similar to 1 with a superb head, neck and shoulder. His barrelled ribs are correct with short couplings and the picture is complete with strong hind quarters. Moved with an easy stride both to and fro. He had a change of handler during the class and tried to push the boundaries! Would be happy to have bred either of these lovely dogs.

3rd Percival’s Ch Wynfaul The Wizard JW.

Lovely kind head, eye and expression on this younger black dog. Like the top spotters he was clearly fit for a day’s work and so good to see. Great to have full champions in our breed. Unfortunately he’d left his coat at home, however his quality cannot be denied. Strong neck leads to correct shoulders through to good ribs and another who is short coupled. Great topline on this dog with tail coming off just right. Superb bone, straight legs and lovely tight feet. Moved well.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme (23, 1)

Quality in this class once again.

1st Wyatt’s Ch/Ir Sh Ch Meadowleigh Brown Sugar.

Really lovely chocolate dog who is almost 7 years now. Very mature, presents a great outline. Lovely head with good proportions, superb coloured eye giving a true Lab expression. Deep in fore quarters with legs set well under body, correct angulation in front. Ribs well barrelled, short in loin and complemented by a strong hind quarter with good angulation. Well boned legs with tight feet. In excellent coat with correct texture, he’s probably the sort of dog that looks better when he’s not in full coat as thought he could benefit from losing a kilo. Great easy stride on the move.

2nd Parker’s Sh Ch Poniel Reason To Believe At Bruadarach.

Eye catching black dog, another in tip top condition. He also has a good head and eye shape and colour, but not quite the reach of neck of 1. Good depth in body and level topline with tail coming straight off. Liked his length of leg and good in the hocks. Looked fit as if he could easily do a day’s work.

3rd Young’s Potterspiney Silas JW.

Younger yellow dog who was Reserve in Junior. A real adolescent in his development who looks like he will mature very well. Like his head shape with a good length of muzzle, lovely dark pigmentation, he has a good reach of neck and correctly made shoulder. More development yet to come in his hind quarter especially in second thigh, and he stands on strong boned legs with good feet. Correct otter tail. Good mover.

Once again, thank you for a fabulous day everyone.

Lucy Kent.