East Anglian Gundog Society

May I firstly extend my thanks to the Committee for asking me to judge Irish Setters at their show. It has been an appointment that has been long in the waiting as this was supposed to have been carried out during that ill-fated Covid Period. I must also extend my thanks to the stewards, but mainly Ruth for stepping in, to run the ring so well and assisting so ably. Many thanks both.

I must admit that I really enjoyed going over the dogs that came under me. Some lovely dogs that gave me a nice headache. Moreover, the construction and movement of them was nice to see. I must thank the exhibitors for coming under me, even if one entry went array and was entered in the AV Open in mistake to Irish Setter Open. This exhibitor will not live it down!

Class 27- Puppy (1,0)

1st Hillock’s Jonola Bellini- this 9-month girl gave her handler a hard time but showed the lovely exuberance an Irish Setter puppy should have. This girl stood alone in this class, but was well worthy of her placement. A slighter girl than I am used to, but this certainly suited her frame and assisted to give her the raciness required for the breed. A fine, feminine head that is long and lean. Good amount of working under eye and good strength to eyebrows that gave a kind expression. Ears set on low that hung close to head. Moderate length to neck that flowed well into a deep body. Gentle slope to topline. Tuck up not over pronounced. Strength to loin. Good width across croup and very nice fall to tail set. Nice width and angulation to hindquarters for age. Still well in her development stage, which will be interesting to see bloom from this well-known breeder. In terms of movement, it was difficult to see, but I think she managed to get 4 paces in at some point, which were sound. Moved much better in the big ring where she was shortlisted in the puppy group. BP.

Class 28- Junior (2,0)

1st Hillock’s Jonola Bellini- Please see critique from first in class 27- puppy.

2nd White’s Paduan Golden Girl- this 15-month girl still has some maturing to do. With an expression that only wants to please. Lean in head, with a well-defined occiput. Correct shape to dark eye. Ears of moderate length. Strength to neck that had the all-important arch. I would personally like to see more wight on this girl. Hopefully will come with time and development. Movement around the ring was ok. Return better than the out run. Seemed to have enjoyed herself in the ring, which was lovely to see.

Class 29- Postgraduate (5,2)

1st Bougen’s Gwendariff Hot Ticket JW- A 5-year-old girl that certainly knew her job. In the stack, made for a very pretty picture. Femininity in head; long and lean with parallel planes, with good proportions to foreface and skull. Loved the amount of occipital protuberance. Nice amount of zygomatic chiselling beneath well-shaped dark eye and framed on top with raised brows. Ear placement was correct and they were held close to elegant, but strong neck. Good font construction, with depth to chest and down at elbow. Shoulders fine at points, that were well laid back. Depth and spring to ribs, held with strong loin. croup showing width and not severe slope. Width to upper and second thigh. Good bend at stifle. Well balanced girl. My first sentence in my notes was “moved well” and I stand by that. Would like to have given BOB but in the challenge, didn’t move with pizazz that was seen in the PG class. RBOB and Best reserve in show stakes.

2nd Box’s Fernstart Hearts delight JW- this girl of 2-years was a little shorter than my first but had the loveliest female expression and head. Lovely shape to eye, capped by expressive eyebrows. Ears of good length and held close to head, well back. Super length to elegant neck into very sound front construction. Lovely width to chest and depth down to elbow. Good spring to ribs and strength to loin. Absolutely dripping in rich, lovely textured coat. Maturing very nicely. Movement not quite as good as 1st when to the corner and back.

3rd Jones’s Gwendariff Gooseberry Fool.

Class 30- Limit (7,2)

1st Jones’s Gwendariff Chilli Powder- Another lovely 5-year-old bitch. Stronger set, but still had grace and raciness. Super expression with raised brow, dark eye and well worked zygomatic arch. Moderate length to neck, that was muscular. Entire front construction sound with good bone and width to front. Depth to ribs at brisket. Length and strength to loin into croup with width and well-shaped. Good width to upper thigh and good bend at stifle. Presented well in good coat. Moved best in class.

2nd Box’s Fernstart Angel’s Kiss- Another one of several fab Irish Setter girls at the show today! Yet again another from this breeder with a fab head. Lovely chiselling to under eye and constantly moving, flirty eyebrows. Parallel head planes once again, with well placed ears. Well-muscled neck that was nicely arched. Nice front construction, with forelegs straight and showing plenty of bone. Well let down. Lovely topline, on ribs that were sprung. Good length and strength to loin. good width to hindquarters. Didn’t quite move as well as 1st in the fore and return.

3rd Sharman and Jennings-Sharman’s Kerrimere Red Ribbon JW

Class 31- Open (3,1)

1st Sharman and Jennings-Sharman’s Kerrimere Indiscreet- A 7-year-old boy that in construction was just fab and lovely to go over. Lots to like about him. Not over done at all. As soon as he was in the stack, he yielded the stereotypical Irish Setter profile. Lovely planes to head, with a stop that was not overly prominent, but just right for him. Good length to fore face and skull, with lovely finish to the jaw. Spot-on amount of chiselling under dark, unshelled almond shaped eye. Good length to, strong/muscular neck that flowed so well into fine points at withers. Well-proportioned in angulation in both front and hind construction, with plenty of bone. Depth and width to chest. Good spring to ribs and such strength to loin, that I double checked. lovely width across the croup. Similarly, to upper and second thigh. Strong pasterns. Muscle tone was good throughout. This handsome boy was a boy! The construction was justified by the movement. He did not put a foot wrong when in the class or the challenge. Moved with drive and width. Although in lighter coat still a very pleasing picture. This boy was balanced. A pleasure to give him BOB.

2nd Crocker and Lewis’s Riverbrue Wonderwall At Hernwood- A very flashy young boy of some 3-years of age. This boy was presented in a rich, dark coat. Good workings around a dark, unshelled almond eye. Lovely, raised brows. Length of ears and their placement spot-on. The arch to neck was super to see on a strong neck. Forelegs straight having plenty of bone. Good spring to ribs. Good width to upper thigh. A winning boy, but today, he did not move so well, which is why he gained this position.

BOB- Kerrimere Indiscreet (from class 31: Open)

RBOB- Gwendariff Hot Ticket JW (from Class 29: Postgraduate)

BP- Jonola Bellini (from Class 27: Puppy)

Hefin Jones (Pencastan)