Blackpool & District Canine Society

Thank you all for the lovely entry of quality dogs for me to go over.

Conditions in the rain were difficult for all and, although we started the judging outside, it was soon getting too wet to carry on and we were forced undercover until almost the end of judging which was a shame. Had I had some sort of gazebo for my two, super and very efficient stewards, to shelter under I would have stayed outside all day. My sincere thanks to both ladies for all their efforts.

Conditions for exhibitors were cramped inside the tent and there was a lot of noise from terriers in the next ring which unfortunately unsettled some exhibits today.

I think that, on the whole, the breed is in a reasonably good state, however I was concerned by some mouths - there were quite a few uneven bites which seems to be on the increase and also I found some exhibits quite extreme in type with exaggerated long lengths of neck as opposed to the desired ‘Moderately long’ . This, I feel, unbalances the overall outline and something to keep a close eye on I think, as does the fashion for over trimming. I much prefer to see Irish Setters in more natural feathering, being just tidied and not sculpted and scissored into shape particularly underneath.

It was most rewarding to see my Best of Breed winning Gundog Group 2 and both my Best Junior and Best Veteran both winning their respective Gundog Junior and Veteran Groups as well. It finished off a lovely day, Congratulations.

 Minor Puppy – Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1. FORFARIAN DUSTY BOTTOMS (MRS S & MISSES N & J STURROCK)
Very promising 6mths baby, presenting a clean outline over neck and shoulders, and with strong hindquarters which, when he settled, produced glimpses of positive and steady movement and gained him the class. Just needs to break and finish in head to complete the picture. Best Puppy Dog.
2. SWIFTLARK INVINCIBLE (MRS S S CORLESS)
Lovely work in his head with dark eye. In good coat and moved steadily. Rather leggy at the moment needing time to mature and drop in body which will come.
3. DANWISH DANEHILL (MR & MRS A LEE)

Puppy – Dog
Entries: 3 Absentees: 1
1. SWIFTLARK INVINCIBLE (MRS S S CORLESS)
     as above

2. DANWISH DANEHILL (MR & MRS A LEE)
Big strapping boy, a little broad across his skull for me. Great body properties and well off for bone. Rather erratic on the move, preferring to bounce! but I think he thoroughly enjoyed his day.

Junior – Dog
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1. QUENSHA TAKE A BOW (MR P, MR G T & MRS A BOTT, ALLEN & MORGAN)
Just occasionally when you judge there is a youngster in a class that stops you in your tracks and this was one. An impressive young dog built on classic lines, perfect in size with balanced outline, gorgeous masculine head properties, firm topline and strong hindquarters. Exhibited In excellent body condition and super rich dark coat. He looked so stylish moving soundly around the ring. This young dog will without a doubt, and even at this young age, achieve top honours very soon. He went on to win Best Junior in Breed and later in the day the Gundog Junior Group. Congratulations.
2. NOBLETON POBLANO OF GWENDARIFF NAF TAF (MRS D STEWART-RITCHIE)
Younger and just out of puppy who scores with impressive outline, excellent body and well angulated hindquarters and correct set-on of tail. Moved out steadily. Unlucky to meet the above, I liked him a lot.
3. GWENDARIFF TULLYS RED ARROWS (MS R RICHARDSON)

Yearling – Dog 
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1. RIVERBRUE WONDERWALL AT HERNWOOD (MR B A & MISS C CROCKER & LEWIS)
Upstanding dog Presenting an impressive outline Very strong and well angulated hindquarters and in good hard muscular condition. Deep in body with clean neckline and pleasing head and moved soundly. in super coat although I would have preferred less trimming underneath.~
2. ASTLEYVIEW COMING HOME TO PENCLIPPIN (MRS H G BENTLEY)
Built on much smaller lines and finer all through than above. Pleasing in head would have preferred a shade darker eye, shown in good coat.
3. SHENANAGIN OH OH SEVEN (MR D MCCULLOCH)

Graduate – Dog
Entries: 11 Absentees: 3
1. KERRYFAIR PLEASE PLEASE ME CORPHIN (MRS L A MURCHISON)
My type of male with the most beautiful head, clean reach of neck and correct topline , presented in good and well presented coat. He and moved out steadily to win this lovely class.
2, GWENDARIFF PLAYS THE FLUTE (G HUGHES)
Slightly different type to above. Well coated dog, pleasing in head and with excellent body
and outline. He was handled and moved well to secure his place in this lovely class.
1. LOGANRISH LETS GO CRAZY (MISS HOLEHAN)

Post Graduate – Dog
Entries: 8 Absentees: 3
1. LYNWOOD HOCUS POCUS AT SETTESOLI JW (MRS J P RUSSELL)
 I have placed this dog highly before and am so pleased to see that all of his early promise has been fulfilled and he is now an outstanding and sound male. No exaggerations here. He has a lovely outline, topline correctly sloping to the end of his tail. Pleasing in head, clean over neckline and good angulation both in front and rear. In full and well presented coat. He moved soundly showing himself off and pushed the eventual CC winner hard. I am sure he will go on to gain his Sh.Ch. title very soon. I was pleased to award him the Res.CC. Congratulations
2. GWENDARIFF SMART RED JACKET JW (MESDAMES LONGBOTTOM & STEWART-RITCHIE)
Built on smaller lines than above. Very appealing in head and expression, correct topline and showed in beautifully presented coat and condition.
3, STARATLANTA SHANKLY'S FIRE (MISS S & MISS N A TUPPER & ROSIE)

Mid Limit – Dog
Entries: 2 Absentees: 1
1. PAWSWORD PAPERBACK WRITER FOR CORPHIN (MRS L A MURCHISON)
Stood alone. Dog of lovely type, with beautiful head and dark expressive eyes. Excels in classic outline, well made throughout and in super coat. He was a little reluctant to show himself off on the move but would have been worthy of a first place in much stronger competition.

Limit – Dog
Entries: 9 Absentees: 1
1. GWENDARIFF UCAN'TMISSME BONHOMIE (MRS S E EDWARDS)
I gave this dog Best Puppy at one of his first shows and his has fulfilled all of his early promise maturing into an impressive adult, having recently gained his Sh.Ch. title. Now in full, excellently presented coat and in super condition. He has an impressive outline with clean reach of neck, firm topline. Nicely angulated front and rear and he moved soundly to win this very hard and high quality class of dogs.
2. PAWSWORD PRICELESS TO KERRYFAIR JW (MRS S & MISSES K, E & T CHORLEY-NEWTON, CHORLEY, FLINDERS & GARDNER)
Pushed the winner hard as I really like his type. Now coming into his own and maturing nicely. Exhibited in super coat. Scores in overall racy outline and he moved soundly.
3. GWENDARIFF I’M COMIN OUT JW (MRS L MUIR)

Open – Dog
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1. SH CH RIVERBRUE ALCHEMIST AMIDST KESPAS JW (MR K & MRS P STOCKTON)
Super, showy male at the height of his show career and shown in top class condition and coat. Beautifully refined head and dark eye. Angulation correct in front. Gently sloping topline. Strong over hind quarters and with neat and tidy feet. A classic Irish Setter who showed himself off on the move with lovely movement in profile going around the ring both here and later in the Group. I was pleased to award him the CC, followed by Best of Breed and he later took Group 2 in the Gundog Group. Many Congratulations
2. GWENDARIFF HERE I COME (MRS L J DEWAR)
Different type from above, shown in full coat and immaculate condition. Firm in topline and pleasing in outline. He moved steadily too.
3. GWENDARIFFS RED LIGHT SHOW FARNFIELD (MR D R & MR G A ALCORN & INGRAM)

Veteran – Dog
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1. STARATLANTA ELLIOTT SHCM (MISS S & MISS N A TUPPER & ROSIE)
I thought this boy looked really well today. A larger type but sound all through. Shown in fabulous coat. Excellent outline and clean over reach of neck and firm topline. Moved out steadily.
2. SH CH LANSTARA SPRING MOON (MR G & MRS D ROWBOTTOM)
Close up to 1 Built In a smaller frame than above. In fabulous and well presented coat. He moved out well. I just preferred head and expression and cleaner neckline of above.
3. ANLORY KELTIC LEGEND (MRS S MOHAN)

Minor Puppy – Bitch
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1. SWIFTLARK ILLUSTRIOUS (MRS S S CORLESS)
her sweet expression, dark eye and lovely refined head really appealed. Well made little girl looking just right for her age, good coat coming and controlled and steady movement later carried her through to gain Best Puppy in Breed.
2. SAMETSUZ PILLOWTALK (MS M J HENDERSON)
A much younger puppy who was enjoying her day out and coping well with the noisy conditions. Again a lovely outline and pleasing in head. Nicely proportioned in body and she moved well for a baby.
3. TWOACRES CHOCOLATE DELIGHT (MISS E & MR R KASSUBE & FRENCH)

Puppy – Bitch
Entries: 4 Absentees: 2
1. SWIFTLARK ILLUSTRIOUS (MRS S S CORLESS)
As above
2. WENFLAEN DEJA VU (MR A P & MRS S A JONES)
Pretty head on this girl and show in super coat for her age. Firm over topline and nicely angulated hindquarters. She was a bit erratic on the move though and needing time to settle.

Junior – Bitch
Entries: 9 Absentees: 3
1. FERNSTART HEARTS DELIGHT (MISS R BOX)
Smashing youngster presented in immaculate rich chestnut coat and condition. No trace of coarseness here. She has a feminine head and expression, right amount of flew. Overall a lovely shape with excellent body and carrying just the right amount of weight. She moved steadily and with purpose to win this very strong class.
2. GWENDARIFF WE'LL BE PHAME US (IRE) (MESDAMES LONGBOTTOM & STEWART-RITCHIE)
Gained her place here on her lovely sound movement. Not yet in the coat of the above but a quality exhibit with pretty head and expression and pleasing outline flowing to good tailset.
3. QUENSHA CRIMES OF PASSION (MR P, MR G T & MRS A BOTT, ALLEN & MORGAN)

Yearling – Bitch
Entries: 6 Absentees: 0
1. SAMETSUZ BELIEVE IN ME (MS M J HENDERSON)
Loved her as soon as she came into the ring. Classic shape, attractive head and eye with nice chiselling. A lovely sized and mature girl for her age and exhibited in super, well presented, coat and hard muscular condition hence a sound mover too.
2. RIVERBRUE CLOUDBURST OVER STRATHMEAD (MRS J & MISS H FRAMPTON & PIGGIN)
Slightly less mature than above but a lovely type overall who moved out well. Feminine head and kind correctly shaped eyes. Needs time to finish in coat.
3. FORFARIAN TICKLES YER FANCY (MRS S & MISSES N & J STURROCK)

Graduate – Bitch
Entries: 15 Absentees: 4
1. GWENDARIFF’S UP TO SOMETHIN (MRS L MUIR)
I really loved this girl. Such a pretty head and expression. Balanced all through and strong hindquarters. Shown in full coat and hard condition and she moved off soundly. Was a little apprehensive inside the tent because of all the noise from dogs in the adjacent ring but she was close up to the top winners at the end of the day when she was moved in the challenge in the outside ring.
2. QUENSHA FAMILY PORTRAIT FOR TELERI (MRS P A M CATLING)
 Nice type all through and very attractive in head. Although not in the coat of one, she showed herself off well on the move to gain this place in a strong class.
3. LOGANRISH DIAMONDS N'PEARLS (MISS HOLEHAN)

Post Graduate – Bitch
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1. SIXOAKS LEADING LADY (MR & MRS J E HEATHER)
Refined and feminine in head, this girl was shown in excellent and well presented coat. Won here on her striking outline and overall balance. Correct and sound front angulation and excels in deep body. A little reluctant to show herself off on the move inside which was understandable given the conditions.
2. BRABROOK TRUE VIOLET FOR MONTGREENAN JW (MR J, MRS L & MISS LH RICHARDSON)
Quite a different type to the above, another lovely bitch, excellent in body and outline. Attractive in head and eye, clean over reach of neck and she moved off well and was handled to advantage to secure her place in this quality class.
3. GWENDARIFF JUST THE TICKET FOR LOCHINDORB (MR R S & MRS M I NICOLSON)

Mid Limit – Bitch
Entries: 4 Absentees: 2
1. GWENDARIFF SMART MOVE BACK TO AOIBHEANNE (MISS E S CIECHONSKA)
Two lovely bitches here, was difficult to separate them. This one has the prettiest of heads. She is of a smaller type overall which appealed together with an attractive outline. Not quite in the coat and finish of 2nd but she came alive when on the move and showed herself off with good driving movement and using her tail happily to win this class.
2. GWENDARIFF ITS NUMERO UNO AT BONHOMIE JW (MRS S E EDWARDS)
Larger type but so sound all through and in superb coat and immaculate condition. Excels in strong hindquarters and super outline and she moved soundly. No criticism of her as I loved both of these bitches

Limit – Bitch
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1. LYNWOOD ABRACADABRA JW (MR R C & MRS J P MUGFORD)
Headed this quality class. In top form. Built on elegant and racy lines and with the prettiest of heads and expression. Just the right amount of finish to her muzzle. Flowing lines from her neck to her tail and standing on small tight feet. Shown in super excellently presented coat, she moved well and soundly. She recently gained her Sh.Ch. title and deservedly so. I loved her and was happy to award her the Res.CC
2. GWENDARIFF COME FLY WITH ME (MRS D STEWART-RITCHIE)
 Again, attractive in head, well proportioned body, firm topline, sound and strong in hindquarters which resulted flowing sound profile movement as she moved around the ring. Shown in super well presented coat and was handled to perfection by her owner.
3. GWENDARIFF RAINBOW GODDESS AT LOCHINDORB (MR R S & MRS M I NICOLSON)

Open – Bitch
Entries: 4 Absentees: 2
1. SH CH QUENSHA TUMBLE AND TWIRL JW (MR R P, MR A C & MRS A H BOTT, ALLEN & MORGAN)
Elegant girl shown in immaculate coat and condition as always from this kennel. This bitch has a pretty nicely defined head and expression and clean neckline. She well angulated hindquarters and overall a pleasing outline. Not so steady on the move today.
2. GWENDARIFF NUTMEG SHCM (MRS R JONES)
Although not quite in the coat of above a bitch of a lovely type with a feminine and pretty head and correct eye shape. She moved off well from her strong hindquarters and well deserved her place.

Veteran – Bitch
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
1. SH CH FORFARIAN HEY SEXY LADY JW (MRS S & MISSES N & J STURROCK)
I have admired this bitch for a long time. Now 8 years old and showing just what ‘lasters’ Irish Setters are. I don’t think I have ever seen her looking better. Elegant and feminine outline all through but, at the same time, looking as though she could do a days’ work. She flows from the top of her neck over her topline down to the tip of her correct tailset. Sound over front and rear perfect length of neck and presented in full coat and superb condition. When she moves around the ring she commands attention with good positive driving hind movement – and I don’t blame her handler for making the most of this advantage as she showed her off to perfection using the whole ring. I was thrilled to award this lovely bitch the CC which, I think, came as a bit of a nice surprise to her handler.
Later in the day she was awarded 1st in the Gundog Veteran group too. Congratulations.

2. SH CH SHANDWICK LOVE IN A MIST FOR TELERI JW (MRS P A M CATLING)
Unlucky to meet the above today as this sound moving and quality bitch is a most worth Sh.Ch. herself. Super outline with firm topline and pretty head and expression, shown in good well presented coat too.
3. KERRYFAIR RHOSYN (MRS R JONES)

This critique was originally submitted to the Kennel Club, as per my judging contract, on 10 September 2021 whilst their website was down. They contacted me on 17 December 2021 to say I would have to upload it myself.

Marita Bott (Judge)