"Joint Labrador Retriever Clubs' Championship Show"

The Labrador Retriever Club

17 July 2022

Judge: Anthony Allen

My thanks to the committee for inviting me and the exhibitors for entering. I first attended The Labrador Club shows as a young boy when my parents were campaigning Sh Ch Squire Harvey of Allenie. I can clearly remember Mrs Broadley, who was on catalogue duty, welcoming us to the show. Now some forty years later it was my turn to take centre stage. Times have changed since the early eighties, some changes are for the good, others not so. This was my 11th time awarding CC’s in the breed.

Numbers and correspondingly quality is not what it was. In comparison to the last time I judged males there were a few issues that concerned me. The first was the lack of depth of quality in the younger classes and this is a real concern for the future, where is the next generation of top-class Labradors coming from? As a breed we seem to be retaining more bitches and less males and this is adding to the conundrum.

Personally, I think heads are changing for the worse, many are just getting too strong for my tastes, often with round starey eyes. We are losing that lovely kind expression that the breed was known for.

An issue that remains is the shortness in upper arms as this means incorrect front angulation and restricts the ability of the dog to stride out on the move and carry game. They need the angulation to do their job in the field in an efficient manner. A Labrador is an endurance dog and should be able to work all day. Those with shorter upper arm have to expend more energy to do their job and therefore tire sooner.

Another corresponding issue were a number of dogs which were short in leg and in my opinion to deep in body, with the depth of chest coming down below the elbow. This is a significant change to the breed and to me unbalances the dog.

There were also a number of dogs with high ‘gay’ tails, totally straight up which I find very unattractive and for me it spoils the outline of the dog.

Coats were generally ‘on the blow’ so it was difficult to assess if they had the correct coat and I did not penalise those without the correct double coat today.

I was thrilled with my principal winners, I had a number of dogs that I would have happily awarded a CC to, so performance and finish came in to the final decisions.

Special Working

1st Ch Wynfaul the Wizzard

A smart seven-year-old dog. Black boy with a pleasing head, well made through the neck and shoulders and has good front angulation, good depth of chest. Body well-proportioned with a good spring of rib. Quarters well-made and overall presenting a balanced picture. Movement was sound. Not in his best coat today and that cost him in the Veteran class.

Veteran Dog

1st Sh Ch Millroseglen Make My Day with Meadowvillabs

Grand yellow chap who really belied his 9 years of age. He has a pleasing head and the kindest of expressions, a clean reach of neck and well-set shoulders. Correct front angulation with an adequate depth of forechest. Level top line. Well-made quarters which he used to advantage on the move. A quality exhibit Best Veteran Dog. He pushed all the way in the veteran challenge, but he didn’t stride out with the fluidity of the lovely veteran bitch winner today.

2nd Carpenny Ship to Shore J.W.

Smart yellow dog, with good overall balance and movement, I liked his clean outline. Well-made with a masculine head and expression, good reach of neck and good front angulation. Proportionate length of body with the correct spring of rib. Quarters well made with a good bend of stifle. Good action on the move but didn’t have the drive of winner today.

3rd Ch Wynfaul the Wizzard

Minor Puppy

1st Saranden Montgomery

8 month old chap. Good overall outline with correct angles fore and aft. Head still needs to break but has a lovely eye. Front assembly OK, needs to drop in to his front which he will do with age. Stands on well boned legs and feet. Proportionate length of body. Good shape to his quarters with a decent bend of stifle. Accurate footfall once he settled on the move. A promising youngster and with the agreement of my co-judge Best Minor Puppy.

2nd Marchurch Imperial Topaz

I liked this pup, just eight months and everything in the right place. Head is well proportioned, shoulders well laid back, good depth of chest for his age, stands on well boned legs and good feet. Good length of body, quarters developing as they should be. Needs to find his feet on the move but he will do that as he grows up.

3rd Tissalian Just in Time

Puppy

1st Floki The Jester in Linjor. BPD.

Smart young man nearly 12 months. Pleasing head and expression. Clean reach of neck which led into well placed shoulders, standing on well boned legs and neat feet. Shoulder well laid back. Proportionate length of body with a good level top line, ribs springing nicely. Well-made quarters with good angles. He moved round the ring positively once settled and was the best in the class in that respect. I was delighted to be able to award him Best Puppy Dog.

2nd Rumhill Firecracker

Nicely made young chocolate man, has potential. He has a pleasing head, his eyes need to darken to enhance his expression. Good reach of neck and decent lay back of shoulder, standing on good legs and neat feet. Good length of body with well-made quarters. Positive mover with a good action in profile, held his topline well, a tad proud of his tail and just needs to settle into his front action.

Junior

1st Potterzuri Chip Off The Old Block

Lot to like about this yellow boy, clean in outline he is just at the in between stage but has all the essentials in the right place. Head has good proportions, kind eye and super pigment. Clean neck into a good front assembly. Stands on good legs and feet. Body of good proportions, decent spring of rib for his age and length of loin. Back end needs to come but he will do that with age. Moved really well to take the class. Really handled to advantage.

2nd Woolman Day Fream Believer

This chap looked good standing but wasn’t as together on the move as the winner which counted against him. Head masculine and plenty of work so should finish. Decent front assembly, clean neck into well set shoulders, decent return of upper arm. Good through the rib and loin and held his topline. Good rear angles with well bent stifles, has a tendency to sink into his hocks and this spoilt his outline at the end.

3rd Lonicerium Jack Sparra

Yearling

1st Willowkin’s Whistle Blower

This yellow chap was just 18 months old but mature for his age. Good clean outline, head of good proportions, clean reach of neck into a good lay back of shoulder, would have liked a little more return of upper arm. Stands on well boned legs and good feet. Ribs well sprung, firm in loin and level topline. Quarters well developed, with a decent bend of stifle. Won this class on movement where he scored in drive. Was rather flat in the challenge, I think he felt the heat.

2nd Carpenny Paddy at Rockledge

Another typy boy who was clean in outline but just wouldn’t play ball on the move today. Good head piece, clean neck into well laid shoulder and a good return of upper arm. Good length of leg, well boned and good feet. Body well proportioned, with ribs well sprung for his age, held his topline well. Quarters good. Needs to settle on the move and once he does, he will do well.

3rd Trendlewood Ebony & Ivory

Maiden

1st R. Firecracker

2nd Saranden Thunder Road

Substantial chap, his head is masculine with good proportions. Strong in neck, decent lay back of shoulder. Stands on good legs and feet. Plenty of depth of chest and good in loin. Well developed hindquarters. Wasn’t the best on the move today and this counted against him in the placings.

Novice

1st Potterzuri Chip Off The Old Block

2nd R. Firecracker

3rd Bogarie Gunner

Undergraduate

1st Buckholt Hornpiper Hector

Nice type of dog, two years old. Lovely gentle temperament on him, a little immature for his age. I liked his angles front and rear, clean in neck into a good front assembly, a shade soft in topline. Quarters well developed with a good bend of stifle. Moved out well, good profile action.

2nd Talifen Gentleman Jack

Clean out line on this two year old chap, he has balanced angles both front and rear. Head of good proportions with a kind eye. Clean reach of neck, shoulder well laid back, a little short in upper arm, Level topline. Moved soundly, with decent footfall. Needs a little more substance and to fill his frame to complete the picture which he should do as he matures.

Graduate

1st Alkamhurst Moment of Truth

Black male who presented a super clean outline, I loved his masculine head and expression, strong reach of neck which led into well placed shoulders. Good depth of chest for his age, stands on well boned legs and the best of feet. Correct body proportions, ribs springing nicely. Quarters well angulated, with a correct bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Really together on the move for his age, with good accuracy of footfall. In full coat, which gave him the finish to complete the picture. Really liked this chap and was very close for the ticket but didn’t have the maturity of the open dog. Delighted to award him the RCC, which I note is the same award I gave his sire. If he carries on developing like this, I think he will have a bright future ahead of him.

2nd Kimbajak Full Golden Monty of Waggador

Well-made boy, with a masculine head and expression, he has a clean reach of neck and good front angulation, just would like a little more length of upper arm. Enough depth of chest for his age. Good overall body proportions with the correct spring of rib. Quarters well made with a good bend of stifle. Positive mover, lost his topline in profile at the end and a shade untidy coming toward me.

3rd Mallorn’s Arainn Bogarie (Imp Fin)

Post Graduate

1st Carpenny Kipling

Good overall outline on this three-year-old young man, he is a slow developer and there is still a bit of finish to come in my opinion, he is progressing in the right direction. He has a good head shape and masculine expression. A clean reach of neck and well-placed shoulders. A decent length of body, well-made quarters with good angulation, hocks well let down. Very clean outline on him which he held on the move. Movement was sound, good footfall and with the appropriate amount of drive. As with many he was very out of coat today.

2nd Shaymiloney Saint Signed by Loubert

Black boy, different type to one but still pleasing to my eye. He has a good head shape and proportions with a masculine expression. A clean reach of neck and well placed shoulders, would like a shade more return of upper arm. Plenty of depth of chest, correct length of body with well sprung ribs, carrying a shade extra weight for my tastes. Well-made quarters with good angulation, hocks well let down. Movement was sound, good both fore and aft and in profile.

3rd Dolwen Stargazer

Mid-Limit

1st Shanorrell Black Sabbath at Halshimoor

This chap is not a dog that jumps out at you, so you really need to get your hand on him to appreciate his qualities. He has a pleasing head and masculine expression. A super clean reach of neck and well-placed shoulders. Good legs with a decent amount of bone, decent length of body with well sprung ribs, a shade long in loin, level topline. Well-made quarters with good angulation, hocks well let down. Movement was sound, correct action fore and aft and in profile. He left his best jacket at home today and didn’t quite have the finish in the challenge but close up for top honours.

2nd Glosmere The Grenadier

He has a masculine head and expression, powerful neck which led into correctly placed shoulders. Plenty of depth in forechest, well sprung ribs and correct body proportions, decent length of loin. Quarters are well made, with a good bend of stifle. Just couldn’t match the clean lines of the winner. Movement was positive and driving, but he dropped his head on the move and lost his shape and his fluidity.

3rd Shaymiloney Schinus Afinmore

Limit

1st Ramsayville Revolver

Very smart dog with a clean outline, presenting a balanced picture. He has a pleasing head shape and masculine expression. He has a super clean reach of neck. Standing on good legs and neat feet. A decent length of body with well sprung ribs. Well-made quarters with good angulation and width of second thigh, hocks well let down. Movement was sound, good footfall and he covered the ground well. Very close up for top honours today, just coming back into coat and not quite the bloom of the open and graduate winners. A super dog who I was told later has recently won his title, which is very well deserved in my opinion.

2nd Lembas Maui

Well-made black dog who excels in outline. He has good overall balance and movement. He has a masculine head and expression, a clean reach of neck and good front angulation. Well-developed chest with good depth. Proportionate length of body with the correct spring of rib. Quarters well made with a super bend of stifle. Did enough on the move but not quite as fluid the winner and just was carrying his tail a shade high. I liked him a lot, unlucky to meet the winner today.

3rd Othamcourt Heathcliff

Open

1st It Ch Loch Mor Broderick WW21

This chap has everything I could have asked for today. A class exhibit with free-flowing movement who was handled perfectly at a steady pace to total advantage. He covered the ground superbly both fore and aft and in profile. Masculine head and expression, super clean reach of neck. Well placed shoulders, correct front angulation and deep in forechest and length of body. Level top line and tail correct. Super quarters with good bend of stifle and well developed second thigh, hocks well let down. Shown today in hard condition. I was delighted to be able to award him the CC and then with the agreement of my co judge Reserve Best in Show. Thank you for bringing him.

2nd Carriegame Moonshine

Smart dog with a clean outline, presenting a balanced picture. He has a pleasing head shape and masculine expression. He has a super clean reach of neck. Standing on good legs and neat feet. A decent length of body with well sprung ribs. Well-made quarters with good angulation and width of second thigh, hocks well let down. Movement was sound and he covered the ground well.

3rd Tweedledum Off The Record