Scottish Kennel Club

Scottish Kennel Club.

19th May 2022

Gundog Group.

What an absolute pleasure to be asked to officiate my first Championship Show Gundog Group. I must thank the Committee for their invite and hospitality, and my fellow judges for putting through their best exhibits, making what was a super strong group. I was very happy with my shortlist and sorry that quite a few good dogs didn’t quite make the final cut. For further consideration I chose the English Setter, the German Wirehaired Pointer, the Hungarian Vizsla, the Irish Setter, the Flatcoated Retriever, the Labrador Retriever, the American Cocker Spaniel, the English Springer Spaniel, the Spanish Water Dog and finally the Weimaraner.

After a final move I couldn’t resist the parti-coloured American Cocker Spaniel owned by Whincup & Glendinning. Am Grand Ch Very Vigie Nobody is Prefect Re (Imp) and I was delighted to award him G1. The most fabulous head with a well defined stop and no hint of coarseness, super front assembly, good rib and gently sloping top line, strong quarters and not over stretched in the stack, came alive on the move with super front action, drive behind and held his topline all the way around. Found him in full coat on the day and couldn’t deny him top honours today.

G2. Armstrong’s Sh Ch Bitcon Imagine That. A beautifully balanced Vizsla bitch, full of breed type, loved her feminine yet noble head and expression, super shape when stacked, square with short back and strong loin, well muscled rear with moderate turn of stifle, good coat of oily texture, loved her profile on the move, drive behind and level topline, slight slip on the corner, but showed enough to warrant G2.

G3. Hodgkinson’s Zorrazo Quest For Success (Imp Hrv). A young Spanish Water Dog of a good shape and size, liked his head planes and correct shape eye, strong neck and well laid shoulders, well ribbed and correct top line, full coat of the correct corded texture, strong loin and balanced quarters of good angulation with well let down hocks, brisk on the move with a power that defied his size.

G4. Alcorn & Ingram’s Sh Ch Gunalt Hendricks. A super Weimaraner, loved his profile when stood, super head shape with moderate stop, good eye shape and earset, strong neck and correct through shoulders and front, well sprung rib and short muscled loin, strong rear quarters which he used to his advantage as he came alive on the move, good reach to forehand and held his topline well.

Mike Blay