Scottish Kennel Club

GORDON SETTERS

Thank you to the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge Gordon Setters for the first time with CCs and to the lovely exhibitors whose dogs it was a pleasure to judge. Thanks too to my steward, Duncan, who was very efficient. I was impressed with the depth of quality and immensely pleased with my line up in both sexes. Thank you for giving me such a quality entry.

PD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: HOGG, Mrs F & HOGG, Mr A Gailiech Ngalyod. A very raw 9 month old looking just as he should for his age. He has a typical head it being deep rather than broad, presents a good outline with a level topline and has correct bone. He needs to spring some rib but maturity will bring that. He carries his tail well as he moves on an easy stride.

JD (6 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: PHILLIPS, Mrs A & WATKINS, Ms T & MILES, Ms E Glenmaurangi Mandalorian. As I turned around and saw this dog on the stack the term ‘weight carrying hunter’ sprang into mind. He is full of breed type, has a great forehand, flat bone, body of moderate length and stands on lovely feet. His coat is deep shining coal black and his markings rich tan. No wonder I love him as his dam is my BOB winner. Seriously considered for top honours.

2nd: DONALD, Mrs F Clos Erasmus Black Business (Imp Rus). He has a tendency to throatiness and at times looked a bit hawy but nevertheless his head is pleasing and he has plenty of forechest, good bone and is balanced all through. His tan markings are good and he moves well.

3rd: JOHNSTON, Mr P & JOHNSTON, Mrs L & JOHNSTON, Miss Ludstar Maccabee at Glenquin (Imp) It

ND (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: LODGE, Mrs E Dwensantinis Archie Darwen. A substantial dog whose head is a little broad for my preference but it is well marked with clear tan and his ears are thin and set on low. He shows balance and has well sprung ribs. Moves OK.

PGD (10 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: PHILLIPS, Mrs A & SYKES, Mr N & WATKINS, Ms T Glenmaurangi Storm Trooper. My notes on this dog are almost identical to those of the Junior dog and no wonder as I see now that they are litter brothers. His presentation is first class and his coat is lush and shiny. Another strong and powerful mover who was also considered for top honours.

2nd: HOPE, Mr L & KANE, Mr A & TILLETT, Mr I & TILLETT, Uno Solo Black Lofty (imp pol). Not in his best coat today but he is well made, has strength and depth, a strong topline and moves well.

3rd: MILLAR, Miss L & MILLAR, Mrs M & MILLAR, Mr N & SC Yennadon Calvay JW

LD (10 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BAINES, Mrs P Bryerdale Quantas (A.i) He is impressive on the stack with plenty of dog in front and screams breed type. He is presented in such beautiful coat and condition and moves fabulously. He has terrific flat bone, long well laid shoulders and great length and return of upper arm. His ribs are well sprung and deep and his hindquarters are strong and powerful with a fabulous flare over his hips. I love his handsome well balanced head and he is so clean in back skull. In the challenge he displayed such reach and drive that he had to take the RCC.

2nd: ALCORN, MACARA, JAMIESON, Lourdace Headhunted by Cromasaig JW. A cracking dog, so well made with great bone and substance, a classic head, level topline and great tail set. He was lacking feathering today but that said it hides nothing and he puts on a strong performance.

3rd: MILLAR, Miss L & MILLAR, Mrs M & MILLAR, Mr N Yennadon Benriach JW

OD (4 Entries) Abs: 0. This class was a joy to judge. All 4 exuded type and style.

1st: SANDIFORD, Mr P & SANDIFORD, Mrs C & LEWIS, Miss C Sh Ch Hernwood Neptune Sea. He just stands there and says it all; he is the epitome of a Gordon Setter dog with his style and galloping lines. He is masculine with an air of arrogance about him, has strength all through with plenty of bladed bone, is deep chested without being too broad in front and has strong hindquarters with well bent stifles. His head is so well balanced and he carries it well on the move which adds to his majestic appearance. Immaculately presented he maintains his shape on the move, drives from behind and lashes his well set on tail. It was my great pleasure to award him the CC.

2nd: BOXALL, Mrs F & SALAMON, Dr L Eur SA Sh Ch Ludstar Frederick Frankenstein (Imp). A grand boy of 9 years looking every bit the dog of substance and quality that he should be. He moves on an easy stride and covers plenty of ground. BVIB.

3rd: COLLINS-PITMAN, Mrs J Amscot Raisin Black

VD NO ENTRIES

SBD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BELL, Mrs N & MILLAR, Mrs A & BELL, Miss S Balnakeil Beinn Corradail of Blairbelles. He was Reserve in the good Post Grad class where he didn’t have the front angulation of those placed above him but he is pleasing in head and is balanced. Moves well.

2nd: YATES, Mrs J & YATES, Mr M Gailiech barmstonson. This lad was a real fidget and threw his chances away but I am aware of how lacking in experience some of these dogs are thanks to the pandemic. I did my best to put them and their handlers at ease and hope that they will persevere. His head is typically deep rather than broad and he has a kind and intelligent expression.

3rd: HOGG, Mrs F & HOGG, Mr A Gailiech Ngalyod

GCD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: MILLAR, Miss L & MILLAR, Mrs M & MILLAR, Mr N Yennadon Benriach JW. He is in great coat and condition and has style and symmetry. Fabulous shine to his coat and moves steadily and true.

2nd: MILLAR, Miss L & MILLAR, Mrs M & MILLAR, Mr N & SC Yennadon Calvay JW. A rangier dog who doesn’t have the front of the winner but that said he is a quality exhibit.

PB (6 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: BOXALL, Mrs F Laurelhach Renaissance. A very eye catching and confident puppy built on galloping lines with a beautiful head, reachy neck, good lay of shoulder and return of upper arm. She has a lovely head, is clean in back skull and moves very well indeed. BPIB.

2nd: RAND, Mrs J Kintalis Winter Jasmine. She doesn’t have the head of the winner but she is good in body with correct lay of shoulder and return of upper arm putting her legs well under her body. Another glossy black coat with rich markings.

3rd: ACKERLEY-KEMP, Ms N Yennadon Highland Heidi

JB (3 Entries) Abs: 0. 3 very nice girls in this class.

1st: BURKE, Mr A Beechlake Hey Jude. She was the most together of the three and I love her head with its clear tan markings. She is strong in muzzle and has thin low set ears. She has a good forehand, long lean neck and is well ribbed back with has strong quarters. Moves well.

2nd: WHITING, Mr K Locksheath Fallen Acorn. She doesn’t have the forehand of the winner but has plenty of flat bone, is well off for substance and is deep in rib. Moves steadily.

3rd: DONALD, Mrs F Clos Erasmus Arabian Night (Imp Rus)

NB (5 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: MUNRO, Mr L & MUNRO, Mrs E Panthera Bad Medicine Dulmaur ( IMP POL ). Super bitch in excellent coat and condition. Powerfully built with a level topline and deep ribs. Great front, beautiful head and eye and well muscled. Moves with an easy gait and has terrific head and tail carriage.

2nd: BAGE, Mrs C Amscot Triple Gin At Maymeral. She doesn’t have the maturity of the winner but holds a good shape that is typically Gordon when settled. Her head and eye are lovely. She is straight in front and has good width over her loins. Moved well.

3rd: PEARCE, Mrs C Ardnadam Alaranth

PGB (5 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: MAPPIN, Ms A Bryerdale Qangeroo (ai). There is no doubt that she is built on galloping lines with her impressive and aristocratic stance. Her head is quite beautiful and her dark eyes tell you of her kindly and even disposition. She has terrific front assembly, I just love it when the brisket falls deep into my hand. Well ribbed back and with strong quarters she moves beautifully. Close up for top honours.

2nd: JUSTICE, Mrs M & FORD, Mrs C Liric Just Remember Me. I really like this one and she was just pipped by the head of 1. She is full of breed type and moves so very well.

3rd: GREEN, Mrs D Benbuie True Colours at Malocomi

LB (10 Entries) Abs: 3

1st: MAPPIN, Ms A Bryerdale Qookaburra (ai). The third one from this litter to win today; their breeder must be immensely proud. She won this class on her outstanding forward reach and strong driving action from behind. She covers so much ground without effort and carries her head proudly. She impresses on the stack with her gleaming fabulously presented coat, is terrifically made and has such a well balanced head and dark brown eye. Another one seriously considered for the ticket.

2nd: DAVIES, Mrs M & Mr J D Hernwood Athena At Herrera. Upstanding well made girl with well laid shoulders, a level back and strong quarters. Another in beautiful coat and condition.

3rd: WHITING, Mr K Locksheath Princess Tiana (JW)

OB (6 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: PHILLIPS, Mrs A & WATKINS, Ms T Sh Ch Flaxheath Top Model At Glenmaurangi

This beautiful girl is right at the top of her game. On the stack she is a picture of symmetry and style and her coal black coat gleams in the light. She has the most beautiful head. It is moderately broad and deep with lean cheeks and almost parallel lines. Her eyes are dark with a keen and intelligent expression and her low set ears frame her head perfectly. Her neck is long with a beautiful crest and it fits seamlessly into her well laid shoulders. She is deep in rib with plenty of heart and lung room and has wide slightly arched loins. Her hindquarters are strong and well muscled and she stands on neat oval feet. Her tan markings are clear and lustrous. Her gait is smooth and powerful and her head and tail carriage give her the required distinguished appearance. I love everything about her and was thrilled to award her the CC and BOB.

2nd: OSBORN, Miss J Ch Amscot Siena Spice. This girl’s head is divine with its lush chestnut red markings and dark, kind eyes. She presents a balanced outline with a strong level topline and terrific front construction. She is so very well muscled and has great drive from behind. Looking back through my previous critiques, I see I did her well as a puppy at an open show when I was impressed by her lustrous tan markings on a coal black coat. My opinion has not changed; she was unlucky to come up against the winner today but nevertheless she was a very worthy RCC winner.

3rd: RAND, Mrs J Hernwood Summer Eclipse at Kintalis

VB (3 Entries) Abs: 0. Three grand ladies.

1st: DIXON, Mrs J Ecameadow Saffron with Wallbank. She has lovely dark eyes and rich chestnut markings. Displays balance and strength, carries a good topline and uses her well muscled quarters to power round the ring.

2nd: GRAY, Ms P Birniehill High Flyer. Holds her topline firmly on the move, has a good forehand and spring of rib.

3rd: COLLINGBORN, Mrs J Graylacier Princess Sophia at Pollyspark

SBB (2 Entries) Abs: 2

GCB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: COLLINGBORN, Mrs J Graylacier Princess Sophia at Pollyspark. A pretty girl with plenty of substance who moves with style.

2nd: PEARCE, Mrs C Ardnadam Alaranth. I tried hard with her but she was so unsettled. Has good tan markings.