Bath Canine Society

                                                   BATH CANINE SOCIETY CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW - 31st JULY 2021

                   REPORT FOR LABRADOR RETRIEVERS

Delighted to be invited by Bath Canine Society and the opportunity to give my first CC’s in the breed that I have come to love so much. Congratulations to the team for their warm welcome and attention to detail together with all their efforts after such a long phase of covid, also to my one and only steward, Alan, who then needed to work twice as hard to keep up with all the extra paperwork!

It was a pleasure to go over some lovely dogs so thank you to the exhibitors for a superb entry, the second largest in Gundogs, with the sunny weather helping towards a happy and relaxed atmosphere around the ring.

Some otherwise pleasing bitches had untypical heads and I found a few who were plain and almost ‘doggy’ with too dark an eye and more round in shape which just doesn’t give that melting Labrador expression which we should expect. In both sexes, good hard top coats were not consistent and quite a number of tails had ‘fringes’, even when in good coat… Not many proper otters! Nevertheless, coats do come back and where I found a semblance of correct texture then I did make allowances. Fronts varied from excellent to narrow but also happy to note that there was more fitness than fatness in what should be an active breed with working potential.

I was very pleased with my final line up of dogs and bitches and shortlisted what I considered to be my best in both sexes. Limit Bitch was my 5 Star class of the day but I was splitting hairs in some others. Congratulations on the quality of your gorgeous dogs and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

DOGS:

VETERAN (3,1)

1. Chapman’s Killanow Sentinel At Daisypatch

Solidly built pale yellow carrying his 10 years so well. Such a kind head, held proudly with a lovely brown eye, standing on good bone and with strong quarters and hocks well let down, barrel rib and short couplings with correct coat and a well set thick tail, correctly carried.. He moved like a train!

2. Barnbrook & Harvey-Major’s Linjor Sessile Oak At Ravokar Sh CM. VW.

A different type solid yellow with less coat than 1 but nicely firm to the touch. He had good spring to his ribs and body depth, being strongly made all through when he drove soundly around the ring, not looking his age either at 8 & a half. Another gent with an expressive head and a gentle look.

MINOR PUPPY DOG (7,3)

An interesting collection of puppies in both sexes, all at differing phases of development.

1. Potter’s Harrop Pick Pocket

An enthusiastic typey black baby with a nice hard coat and a proper tail which never stopped wagging! At 7 months, his front is developing and he had a firm topline showing good bone, balance and profile for his age. A friendly and outgoing puppy with a sweet head and eye, sound on the move.

2. Smith’s Flyenpig Pie Eyed

Smaller built black puppy with good planes to his head, correct kind eye and an excellent hard top coat, nicely balanced overall with shoulders well placed, strong through neck, a little more reach would be welcome but he has pleasing depth to his ribs. Should develop into a very nice pup and just needs time to mature.

3. Mount’s Buckholt Imber Court Jester

PUPPY DOG (4,1)

1. MClellan’s Sarendon Shadeuxplay

A promising black pup of 11 months, upstanding and of a very pleasing type, presenting a correct outline. I liked his head shape, profile and sweet expression. He had excellent body proportions and leg length, showing good muscletone for a youngster. He is still developing in front assembly but given time, it should all be there. He was in between coats but his had a hard feel, moving out well for his handler, he kept a firm topline. BPD

2.Davis’ Edwin For Deakie De Loyre De Aralla ( Sp Imp)

Another nice black, different in type from the winner. At 9 months, he had a kind masculine head with reach to his neck into shoulders, with good bone and substance. There was ample depth to his chest & he displayed a nice outline, with a good feel to his topcoat and a decent tail. Maturing well and when settled, he moved out soundly and happily.

3. Flyenpyg Pie Eyed (2nd in MPD)

JUNIOR DOG (5,2)

Druggan’s Balladoole Captain Tom

Super pale yellow boy,15 months, maturing nicely and presenting a very pleasing profile.

Short coupled with very good forehand, strong neck and quarters and in good weatherproof coat with lovely spring of rib and depth to chest. Won on his delightfully soft expression, brown eye and dark pigment plus his sound driving movement and muscletone. A happy showman.

2. Price’s Pencw Running Man For Rowanhol

Another pale yellow, typical and balanced with an appealing head of good proportions, correct pigmentation, decent bone, short through couplings and a strong firm topline. His coat was on the blow today and unlucky to meet 1.

3.Allen’s Timouron The Gambler

YEARLING (2,0)

1.Mills’ Lembas Maui

A strongly made black with plenty to like and of a lovely breed type, maturing nicely with an attractive head and clean neck sloping so well into a good layback. Deep through the brisket and ribs, well muscled over the loin, firm topline finished with a dense coat and fab tail carried well. On the move, he covered the ground with ease.

2. P Running Man For R ( 2nd in previous class)

NOVICE DOG (6,0)

1.Ellis & Matulla’s Dolwen Stargazer

A most appealing head of pleasing proportions with good pigment and a kind expression on this pale yellow. Strong neck into a correct front assembly with plenty of heart room, well boned into tidy feet. At 18 months, not a big dog but very well balanced, he stood well, displaying a very nice outline & holding his backline level going away, moving soundly from a well muscled rear with plenty of drive.

2.Brooke’s Ruperts Latest Gem

Heavier bodied chocolate with pleasing eye colour to compliment coat with a kind head, good length to muzzle and a willing expression. Showed good strength through neck into shoulders, good spring to ribs, a decent forehand, well muscled with a hard feel to a double coat, a firm topline and a well clothed tail. Not the profile and balance of 1 but with some pleasing attributes.

3. Phillips’ Bowsian Dancing Brave At Sheenaron

GRADUATE DOG (8,2)

1. Dodd’s Carriegame Moonshine

I really liked this young black at 3.5 years and he showed with plenty of character. Again, not a big dog but nicely balanced with a biddable expression and kind eye. He had pleasing strong bone into tight feet, and showed a good turn of stifle and second thigh. He was well ribbed back with strength through neck into shoulders, a level topline and an ever wagging tail. In super correct coat and carrying the right amount of condition. He covered the ground well and at a purposeful pace.

2. Judd’s Harpits True Spirit JW

Another very well put together chocolate, rising 3 years and unlucky to meet 1st on such good form. Handsome head with pleasing brown eye and a kind attentive look, showing masculinity without coarseness and presenting a good outline both standing and on the move. He has balanced body proportions, decent bone, nice tight feet along with a level topline. Coat will always return but what I found was of the correct texture. A positive mover.

3. Kennett’s Magnavalleys Cornishman

POST GRADUATE DOG (10,2)

1. Druggan’s A Sense Of Pleasure’s Get Lucky JW (Imp Deu)

A very nice quality young black of medium size with a good flow of neck into well placed shoulders. He was short coupled, showing plenty of strength and ample depth through his ribcage, completed by a firm topline on the move. His head was masculine with such a gentle expression…maybe a tad more muzzle length for me but shown in super correct and weatherpoof coat and finished with a proper tail that never stopped wagging. He showed his socks off and demonstrated positive driving movement around the ring.

2. Chapmans Daisypatch Jelly Tot JW

This mid yellow boy was well balanced with a kind expression and dark pigment to nicely finish off his head. With a happy disposition and presented in correct coat and condition, he stood fore square on good round bone into neat feet, strong neck into shoulder and upper arm placement, pleasing forehand angulation, firm backline and tailset, moving out well with an easy stride.

Close up examples, just preferred the overall package of 1.

3. Perkin’s Carromer Teguila By Keeninspires

LIMIT DOG (9,2)

1. MCLellan’s Saranden Pensacola

Two super chocolates headed this class, interestingly, both by the same sire but on another day, could swap places. A lovely type 3 year old of medium size with a balanced and appealing head, expression and eye colour, carrying a good coat of hard texture and an otter tail to finish.

Well off for bone, he had a very pleasing and balanced outline with plenty of depth through the body, well ribbed back with clean neck into layback, shown in top condition and muscle tone which was demonstrated in his positive movement.

2. Autey’s Chadrith Alcazaba

Another excellent type choc with plenty of substance. He had the kindest of masculine heads giving correct proportions and eye colour, showing that biddable expression which we love in a Labrador.

Good deep body with plenty of heart room and width over the loin. Well muscled quarters which he used to drive off strong hocks. Not in his best jacket today but I found enough of the correct feel and texture finished with a proper well set on tail. Not quite the neck and shoulders of 1 but there’s lots to admire in this boy and he moved out easily.

3.Godden’s Woodmist Coldplay

OPEN DOG (6,0)

1. Druggan’s Sh Ch A Sense Of Pleasure’s El Toro At Balladoole (Imp Deu)

A class full of quality and some difficult decisions

This was the third male to gain a first placing shown today by this kennel and having first judged him in his early days as a puppy, he has certainly fulfilled my expectations.

At rising 4 years and having gained his title, he possesses super breed qualities and was very balanced in profile .. Just what I was looking for.

He stood fore square with elbows nicely under and has the most handsome and masculine head with a gentle brown eye and a face which expresses real character. He was correctly constructed having good round bone into well padded feet, a strong clean neck leading to a very pleasing lay of shoulder and front assembly. Deep through the rib cage, he was short coupled and had plenty of width over the loin with a good bend of stifle. Shown in excellent condition in black double coat with a firm topline and a super otter tail to complete the picture, he moved out straight and so soundly with reach, showing drive from powerful hindquarters.

Delighted to award him the DCC and BOS

2. Douglas’s Ir GB Sh Ch Talard Cee Pee Ohh Jun Ch An Ch 19

So pleased I called him back to re challenge!

A lovely overall outline on this upstanding mid yellow, all male and a real showman. A different type and a shade taller than 1 with such a kind head of a good shape and proportions, excellent pigment and eye colour giving such a biddable and eager to please expression. Liked him especially through his neck flowing into shoulder, having good angles front and rear, strength over the loin, excellent bone and ribbing and a level topline with another well set on super tail. On the move he came into his own with an easy stride. I had no hesitation in awarding him the RESERVE DCC

Both these Champions were stand out males for me today. Congratulations are due to their Owners/Breeders…They are a real credit to you!

3.Hodge’s Naiken Elite Envoy (Ai) JW Ir J Ch

SPECIAL BEGINNERS DOG /BITCH (8,1)

1. Tipson’s Ffurador First Past The Post

Sweet expression on this chocolate boy who was placed Reserve in Graduate but who appealed much more in this class. With a super brown eye and a gentle outlook he was very well presented giving a balanced appearance with a richly coloured weatherproof coat, correctly textured, moderate reach to his neck into strong shoulders matched with pleasing rear angulation. He had good depth through his forehand with well muscled quarters and a nice turn of stifle, with decent bone into neat feet and a proper thick tail. He strode out soundly for his handler maintaining his topline.

2.Potter’s Harrop On The Horizon

A nicely put together yellow with a huge difference in maturity from winner. Balanced at this young age with a pretty head of pleasing proportions, with a sweet expression, neat ears and kind brown eye of correct shape with dark pigment to compliment. Her shoulders were well placed leading to a developing rib cage, short coupled with neat hocks and a pleasing coat, tailset and quarters. She came to life in this class and gained her place here against different opposition, on her overall type and more positive and confident outlook and movement

3. Potter’s Harrop Pick Pocket

VETERAN BITCH (5,2)

Two very nice older girls

1.Roger’s Woodmist Mimosa

A first Veteran experience today for this ‘young lady’. Medium sized yellow with a pretty feminine head and kind intelligent look with pleasing pigment and having a nicely balanced muzzle length to depth. She was good through neck into shoulder, well ribbed back with enough substance, a firm backline and a well set and carried tail. She presented a clean outline standing and was shown in super tone and coat condition with a happy positive action on the move. BEST VETERAN

2.Wallace’s Tiaja American Dream

Cream bitch and a different style to the winner, of good size and lovely breed type with a sweet feminine head of balanced proportions, enhanced with super dark pigment and a soft expression. Strong neck into well laid shoulders, good depth to forechest and pleasing spring of rib, standing on well boned legs. A lovely lady who at over 9 years, did not have quite the coat & underline of 1 but was a sound mover who was very together on the move.

3. King’s Linthwaite Louisiana

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (10,2)

What a delightful collection of babies in both the following classes. Some quality exhibits had to go away without a card but I am sure that positions will alter in the course of the following months.

1. MCLellan’s Wynfaul Happy New Year For Saranden

I loved this little bitch as soon as she came into the ring! An ultra feminine yellow with a charming head and expression, complimented by dark pigment.

At this young age, she had pleasing forehand and rear angles with a nice reach of neck and return of upper arm and layback, already, showing a good depth to her body with strong rear quarters and pleasing width of second thigh, displaying super balance. She had decent bone into neat feet, with a coat of the correct texture and she didn’t disappoint either when moved with ease from short hocks, holding her topline and tail.

Such a promising baby and I will be following her development with interest! BPB & BPIB

2.Kennett’s Magnavalleys Trebah

A sweet headed chocolate of 7 months. Another well made pup with a pleasing eye and the correct head proportions for her age and what an endearing expression! She had a pleasing reach of neck into shoulders, good angles and depth to her chest with developing spring of rib and a firm topline, a rich colour to her coat finished with a well clothed and nicely set tail. In all, completing a balanced outline when standing and she did moved confidently when settled, both to and fro although I preferred 1’s profile when in action.

3. Phillips’ & McKenzie’s Chadrith Kute Encounter At Ryedown

PUPPY BITCH (12,3)

1. Frazer’s Simarillion Gondolin

What a super class of cuties!

A lovely cream of 11 months shown in correct double coat. She had a sweet feminine head, nicely moulded and of balanced proportions with a kind brown eye and dark pigment which were most attractive as was her expression and attitude, giving me the impression that she wanted to please all day!

Her neck into forehand were nicely developed with good spring to ribs and a short coupled body. Hind quarters, bone and hocks were strong and her tail was well clothed and correctly set.

Sound and happy on the move, holding a very pleasing profile, another to watch with interest.

2. McLennan’s Wynfaul Resolution For Saranden

The black litter sister to my MPB winner and what another smasher!

At 7 months, she was very pretty in head which will continue to develop along the right lines. Well balanced and presented in plenty of coat, she stood nicely with pleasing neck, depth to body and spring to her ribcage, contributing to correct angles and a lovely overall shape. As her construction would suggest, she moved positively, with well bent stifles and from short hocks. Very promising.

3.Greenwood’s Harrop Once In A Lifetime

JUNIOR BITCH (7,3)

1. King’s Mikmaqlabs Harmony

A moderately sized black of 16 months with a happy and outgoing disposition and having lots of appeal in this class. She had a good muzzle length, brown eye together with that all important‘ willing to please’ expression. Her head has yet to fully come but was my preference rather than being overdone at this level of maturity. Her leg length to body ratio was pleasing combined with the correct amount of bone and condition. She also possessed decent forehand and rear angulation with good strength over the loin, showing an easy stride with her handler, moving soundly and positively.

2. Evans’s Bowsian Back On Track

A nicely made black, true to type and now almost out of puppy classes with a neat frame and balanced body proportions for her stage of development. She had an endearing expression with the desired eye colour, good reach to her neck into correctly angled front and rear assembly, deep enough through the chest and short coupled. Her coat wasn’t all there but she had enough to determine the texture. She moved out well in profile from strong hocks with a nice width to hindquarters, keeping a pleasing topline and tail carriage.

3.Perkins’s Keeninspires Lady Million

YEARLING BITCH (6,2)

Mills’ Lembas Kakamora

Scopey young black of 20 months presenting a lovely balanced outline and showing a quality stamp throughout. Attractive head with a clean neck into a well made forehand, showing strength through the ribcage and over the loin, firm topline and a correct tailset with well developed rear quarters into second thigh and nice bone. Shown in fab coat and condition, she stood foresquare and moved out straight and true with purpose.

2. Smith’s Exelby Hellebore In Flyenpyg

A pleasing size but smaller and well put together younger black, another good breed type with balanced head planes, an enchanting expression and a kind eye. She was presented in super condition with a topcoat of the correct hard texture and was clean through the neck into nicely angled shoulders into upper arm. With a decent spring to ribs, a good topline and strong quarters, she moved with drive from well let down hocks and showed well for her handler.

3. M Harmony

NOVICE BITCH (14,3)

1. Exelby Hellebore In Flyenpyg (2nd in previous class)

2. King’s Linthwaite Arabella ( Res in MP)

A pretty feminine yellow with good head proportions who in this class had lots of appeal and enough of it to move up against some other more grown up bitches. She had a sweet expression, pleasing muzzle length and depth with an attractive eye colour and pigment, standing on good bone with a decent neck length into shoulder lay and she had depth through the chest with good width over her loin. Short coupled and balanced throughout with a waterproof coat to finish, she showed a gentle temperament and moved soundly. A little more animation would add extras to a very pleasing picture.

3. Trevail’s Menadue Midnight Eve

GRADUATE BITCH (14,4)

1. Lally’s Chyanhal Trezelah

Some close decisions in this class

A lovely quality young black in super bloom and daughter of my Open winner.

She stood out in this class being so balanced with a sweet biddable expression and correct eye, together with a well constructed front, straight forelegs, good bend of stifle and a strong level topline into powerful quarters, all culminating into a super package. Presented in tip top condition with excellent depth and texture to her coat which was complimented with a properly clothed and nicely set, otter tail. Very well handled standing and on the move and a close contender for a top card today.

2.Greenwood’s Harrop Lady Blackstar

A very nice black of 3.5 years having a pretty head with a soft expression and a correctly shaped kind brown eye. Having a well constructed forehand matched with strong quarters and a firm backline, she presented a balanced picture when stood and on the move around the ring. Very attentive to her handler, another who was fortunate to be in super coat and tail.

3. Hodge & Lapper’s Naiken Evita (AI)

POST GRADUATE BITCH (11,3)

1. Jones’s Hafnau Orabela

Another balanced black that that I liked very much. A very typical bitch, nothing flashy about her but a lovely feminine type. She was well made throughout, with good medium bone into tidy feet, a kind eye and enough length and depth to her muzzle to complete, giving me that bright ‘willing to please’ look’. She excelled in coat texture which had the correct depth and feel, had super muscle tone with strength through her neck into a correct lay and a good length of upper arm which in some others were lacking. Her ribs were well sprung, strong through the loin having good angles with a level topline, finished with a properly wrapped tail, carried level. When asked to move, she kept her outline and went easily and soundly. Shown in beautiful condition and ‘fit for purpose’, I was so pleased that her many virtues appealed enough for me today to award her the RESERVE BCC in very strong competition.

2. Wilmhurst’s Kroppsmarkens Mamma Mia Of Mandamay (Imp Swe)

A more scopey black, well put together and pleasing to the eye. She had an intelligent yet gentle expression with a nicely moulded head of correct proportions, correctly set ears, enough reach of neck into a well angulated front, deeper ribbed than 1, short in couplings with powerfully made quarters and a good dense coat with a thick tail, nicely set on. She was attentive to handler and moved out with good drive from her hocks, holding her topline and tail carriage well.

3. Autey’s Ryedown Karactere Of Chadrith

LIMIT BITCH (10,3)

My class of the day!

Some stunning bitches, just not enough cards and how lovely to see that a trio of all 3 colours headed this excellent line up

 1. O’Neill’s Sh Ch Ramsayville Tali JW

Such a lovely girl viewed from any angle and this eye catching young bitch must surely always be among those at the top. She is so well constructed with everything in proportion having the correct balance to her head and such a sweet expression yet having a mischievous ‘glint’, with neat, well set ears and a strong clean neck that just flows through to the end of her super shaped tail. Good barrel to her ribs, short coupled with pleasing leg length to body ratio with excellent bone down to tidy feet. She was well muscled with correct angles front and rear including width of second thigh and was presented in full bloom. Shown in beautiful dense black coat, standing so naturally with no effort, moving out straight and true with excellent reach and drive.

Presenting such a super picture in profile, indeed, this lovely bitch is a credit to her young owner/handler and of course, her all important breeder. I could not deny her the CC and BOB today. Many Congratulations!

2. Hodge’s Naiken Etoile ( AI)

A contrast in colour to 1, a super chocolate girl of obvious quality stamp with plenty of attributes that appealed for me. She had a kind expression with good breadth to muzzle, pleasing eye and pigment complimenting her even coat colour, a nice reach to her neck, correct lay of shoulder with depth through her forehand with an upper arm of good length and ribcage carried well back to short couplings. She was strong across the loin with super quarters and bone into the neatest of feet, showing powerful action on the move with a level topline topped off with one of the few otter tails I noted today. Presented in excellent coat and muscle tone, she made the most of the ring with an easy stride.

3. Peggs’ Jancet Aurura

OPEN BITCH (5,0)

1. Lally’s Sh Ch Trewinnard Pimlico

A beautiful black who has so much to be admired, the dam of my Graduate winner and another lovely type. So feminine with a kind attractive head, mature in body with a deep brisket and super spring of rib combining a very good forehand and round bone. It is clear to see how nicely made she is being short coupled, with elbows tucked in, having strength over the loin and well let down hocks.

Shown in fab dense coat with a ‘proper’ tail, she moved steadily and was at one with her handler. Another super bitch to be proud of. Short listed and no surprise that she is a Champion.

2.Wallace’s Tiaja Love In The Sun

An eye catching and pretty headed cream with super dark pigment, good proportions and balance to her head, a kind brown eye and a lovely willing expression. She had a firm neck into decent lay and upper arm with good depth and spring to ribs giving a well balanced forehand with a firm topline and rear to match. More depth to her coat would add to her qualities but it’s only a temporary thing. She stood well to show what pleasing conformation she has. Together with her enthusiasm, today she showed good extension and drive on the move.

3. Hodge’s Naiken Carinsia

Anne Hoban (Meadowleigh) 9th Sept 2021

JUDGE