Northern England Flatcoated Retriever Association

Thank you to the committee for the honour of judging this show, which was originally postponed due to Covid. Thank you also to the exhibitors for a lovely entry.

I mentioned when I judged in 2018 that mouths need to be watched and this is still the case. Feet are also a worry. I found many dogs with over long claws which spoilt what was an otherwise acceptable foot. The good feet stood out and they should be the norm. I found fewer short upper arms than previously which is a move in the right direction.

On the plus side I was pleased to find dogs of the correct medium size and some beautifully moulded heads. I was very happy with my final line up and there were 4 dogs that I was considering for the CC/RCC

My co judge, Frank Whyte, and I were in complete agreement on the main awards. Congratulations to all the winners.

Veteran Dog (4) This was a lovely class of naughty veterans
1st Reynold’s Ch Wiccanssage Hugo’s Dream JW SGWC
He presents a very balanced outline and is in full coat and hard condition. A lovely head and a very naughty expression. He has quality bone, correct depth and length of rib and correct elbows. He won the class and subsequently the RCC & BVIS on his accurate movement, showing plenty of drive and forward reach.
2nd Fox’s Ch Black Mica’s Like It Hot at Blacktoft JW SGWC (Imp Swe)
Taller than one with more leg length. He has enough depth to his rib and he is correct in loin. He has a good front with pronounced brisket and a moderately turned rear. On the move he was steady and accurate.
3rd Neilsen’s Multi Ch Starworkers You Keep Surprising MeThis boy is stronger all through than the first two and not as animated on the move. He has a strong topline and well set tail which never stopped wagging. He has a good length of neck and well laid shoulders.

Special Veteran (1, 1abs)

Minor Puppy Dog (8, 1abs) This was a lovely class and bodes well for the future, all very close in age.
1st Buckley’s Blacktoft Brindisi By Buckleyhill
7mth old with a beautifully moulded head a sweet expression. He won this class on his well developed front and super tight feet. He is at just the right stage of development for his age with deep rib, short loin and moderately angulated rear. On the move he was a little sluggish at first but he came alive when asked to move a little quicker.
2nd Campbell & Brown’s Ronevorg Firefly Fantasy
Taller than 1 but not unbalanced. Another with a lovely head and eye. He has a good length of neck and level topline. He has quality bone and tight feet. He moved well in profile but I preferred the rear movement of 1.
3rd Wild’s Bitcon Alliance With Bluewaters (AI)
Completed a trio of good puppies. This boy is a little rangier at the moment but all the essentials are there. His head is very typical. He has clean lines a stands on excellent bone and feet. His tail is correctly set and on the move he was accurate and carries himself well.

Puppy Dog (4)
1st Colson’s Windyhollows Ragged Robin
What a super puppy of almost 11mths. Once settled he presents a super outline with well placed shoulders and correct length and return of upper arm. His topline is level and leads to his nicely set ever wagging tail. He already shows maturity through the body and in coat with plenty of feathering. His rear is moderate showing good width of second thigh. He covered the ground well on the move maintaining a lovely outline. Happy to award him BPIS over his very beautiful sister. I will watch them both with interest.
2nd King’s Kingsisla Isle Of Lewis
4th in MPD who gave away some in development. He has an attractive head with neat ears. He is moderately angulated all through and is in good condition. I would like a little more animation which would lift his profile. Moved steadily.
3rd Burrough’s I Know Him So Well at Rokaness
This boy is stronger all through than the first 2. He has a dark eye and neat ears. He has strength in his neck and shoulders and depth to his rib. He has a thick coat which makes him look a little stuffy at the moment. Moved well.

Junior Dog (3) This was a difficult class due to all 3 being different in type and size.
1st Bellamy’s Bochilbarley Goblet Of Fire JW
This young boy has an attractive head and naughty expression. Good length of neck to well placed shoulders and super tailset from his level topline. He has a pronounced forechest and is deep enough in rib and good length to his loin. I would like more of him all through for a male and tighter feel but he was the most balanced and accurate mover here which gave him the class.
2nd Churchard’s Flatcharm Griffin Dark at Churchking
Upstanding dog who is rangier at the moment. Pleasing head and expression with good length of neck. He stands on quality bone and tight feet with good body proportions. He gave his handler a very hard time on the move where is was too busy having fun to show himself off.
3rd Gulbis’ Blacklake Lysander For Gayplume
A taller dog, this boy not as together as the first 2. He has a good body with short loin, he has enough bone and good feet. He was steady on the move, being straight both ways.

Yearling Dog (5, 1abs)
1st Youens’ Riverglide Secret Reprieve
Lots to like about this boy from his nicely moulded head to his well set tail. He has excellent lay of shoulder and has good length of body. He has correct length and return of upper arm with well placed elbows. His rear balances his front angulation with good second thigh. Quality bone and well arched toes. He is in excellent coat and condition.
2nd Hessing’s Hoedun Daddy’s Eyes at Montechor
A different type to 1 and not so pleasing in head. He is balanced through the body and has enough angulation both ends. Well boned with tight feet. He was a little erratic on the move today
3rd Turner’s Torwood Galactic Flyer
Not has mature as the first 2, this boy will need time. He has moderation in his body and short loin. He has adequate bone and enough coat I would like more width to his rear and tighter feet. Well schooled and handled.

Novice Dog (4)
1st Prior’s Gemswin Shut Up And Dance
An easy winner of this class. An honest workman like dog. He has a typical head and expression. He is moderately angulated front and rear with a full coat which is in great condition. He covered the ground well on a good stride.
2nd Turner’s Torwood Galactic Flyer
3rd Burrough’s I Know Him So Well at Rokaness

Graduate Dog (7,2abs)
1st Crossley’s Wyrebeck Caught By Surprise
This boy presents a very typical out line of moderation with no exaggeration. Nicely moulded head, correct shoulders giving good length of neck. He has lovely length and return of upper arm well placed elbows enabling him to move cleanly in front. He shows good length of rib and short loin. His rear is well developed with short hocks which gives him drive. His profile movement is easy and accurate. In the challenge he continued to take my eye and eventually his first CC. I was delighted when my co judge agreed to him being BIS. Congratulations.
2nd Neilsen’s Black Amandas Xcuse Me Ladies
A liver of good colour who is racier than my winner. He has a lovely head with good eye colour, His rib is deep enough but he is another who will take time to mature and develop but the foundation is there. He stands on good feet and moved well showing good extension.
3rd Campbell & Brown’s Ronevorg Angel Wiv Attitude
A smaller type, in hard condition. He has good eye shape and colour but I would like a little more refinement to his head. His shoulders are well laid and he has a good topline, His front and rear angulation are balanced with good bone and tight feet. He was a little erratic on the move today.

Post Graduate Dog (4,1abs)
1st Flynn’s Ballyriver Back To Basics
Mature dog in full coat, on the smaller side. He has a beautifully moulded head with dark eye. Adequate lay of shoulder with good angulation to his upper arm. He is very deep through the body with a well developed rear and short hocks. In excellent coat and hard condition. He moved with good extension in profile.
2nd Protheroe’s Manteauplat Tom Putt For Ynysddu
This dog has to be done over to be appreciated. He has a classically moulded head with correct fill and eye shape. He has great reach of neck and well laid shoulders, showing correct substance all through. His correct angulation was evident in his movement.
3rd Gulbis’ Blacklake Angelo For Gayplume
Upstanding dog and not as together as the first two. He has adequate angulation at both ends with good depth to his chest. Moved steadily.

Limit Dog (11,1abs)
1st Flynn’s Finhamspride Kovu Among Rodsdream
Beautifully balanced with mature coat and feathering, He has a good topline leading to his correctly set, ever wagging tail. He is well developed in thigh, but I would like a more moderate turn of stifle. Free standing he tends to spoil himself by pushing his head back which cost him in the challenge.
2nd Holland’s Flatcharm Mayhem Miller
Of racier type than one and still only young in Flatcoat terms. He has classic head and super expression. Well laid shoulder and correct length of upper arm. Quality bone and tight feet, good length of back and well set tail. He is full coat and hard condition. He moved out well in profile.
3rd Neilsen’s Toyota Da Real Corte
A workman like boy who is very moderate all through. Good head with kind expression. He shows good body properties and balance. He was steady on the move.

Open Dog (4)
1st Macdonald’s ShCh Derringwood English Oak
Quality dog with a lovely head and kind expression. Lovely forehand angulation with a pronounced forechest and a balanced rear. He has super bone and feet and is in full coat. He moved well covering the ground with ease.
2nd Scaife’s Flatcharm Mr Fix It for Shennanjoy
Another who needs to be gone over to appreciate him. He is moderately constructed all through with good length and return of upper arm. Moved well but I would like to see him outside.
3rd Bellamy’s Bochilbarley Blue Moon (AI)
A different type, he is a medium sized dog with a pleasing head. He has adequate bone and good feet. Deep rib of correct length. He is in good condition but short on coat today. Moved accurately.

Champion Dog (2)
1st Reynold’s Ch Wiccanssage Hugo’s Dream JW SGWC
This class gave me a headache with two boys I liked very much. Both very worthy Champions. 1 just had to edge in profile movement which gave him the class. This could easily change on another day. Thank you for bringing them both.
2nd Macdonald’s ShCh Derringwood English Oak

Special Liver Dog (1)
1st Shepherdson’s Murphy’s Treat
Attractive head with good eye colour. Balanced in angulation. Rich liver coat. Moved steadily and was attentive to his handler.

Special Working Dog (2)
1st Hewison’s Casblaidd Island In The Sky SGWC
Well grown dog in full coat and feathering. He has an attractive head and eye. Good bone but would prefer tighter feet. Mature body and short loin with moderate rear. He moved straight and true.
2nd Gardner’s Kulawand Kookaburra for Svenjack SGWC
Stronger dog from the veteran class and enjoying his day. He was just losing his outline and was a bit tired at the end of the day which reflected in his movement.