Gundog Club Of North Wales

Gundog Club of North Wales (20/11/22)

My sincerest thanks to Secretary, Roger Perkins, and his committee for kindly inviting me to judge at their show. It had such a wonderful atmosphere and was perfectly organised. Thanks also to my 2 stewards, Graham and Eddie for their assistance throughout the day. I was delighted with the quality of my entry across all 5 breeds I judged.

German Shorthaired Pointer Puppy (3,0)

1) Sielski’s, Orchidstar Missing Link. This bitch is longer cast but so feminine while retaining ample strength in bone for her size. Really pretty, well proportioned head with nice shape & shade of eye. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders but would prefer a better return of upper arm. Straight limbs with sufficient room behind the elbows and excellent feet. Good depth to brisket with a strong topline all through. Good bend of stifle with strong hocks and plenty of width over her quarters. On the day, she won the class on her more settled performance on the move. Decent coat. Really good going away with an easy side gait. BPIB, congratulations!

2) Graham’s, Winterwell Tubby Tompkin from Nyliram. A very raw but typy young male who is still learning his trade. Loved his head shape in profile with the softest expression. His neck flows cleanly into a good forehand assembly with straight bone. Plenty of body for age. Short backed with a long croup. Well bent stifles and plenty of width over his rear. Unfortunately, he struggled to relax on the move in such a small ring to show a true representation of what he is capable of but he has time on his side.

3) John & Jones’, Keigame Magnus

German Shorthaired Pointer Junior (2,0)

1) Sielski’s, Orchidstar Missing Link. See puppy class.

2) Graham’s, Winterwell Tubby Tompkin from Nyliram. See puppy class.

German Shorthaired Pointer Post Graduate (3,1)

1) Schoneville’s, Balvenie Eye Candy JW. Really liked the style of this liver & white bitch who impressed on the first go-round for her lithe, smooth action. Her head is feminine and clean with plenty of width over the skull and a slight rise over the muzzle. Slightly arched neck into well laid shoulders with good upper arm. Good bone and decent feet. Deep brisket with a short back. She can lean back when standing which makes her topline look soft. Another with good width over the rear combined with excellent muscling. Would prefer a shade more bend of stifle. Moves well from all angles holding a strong topline. RBOB, congratulations.

2) Wetton & Morris’, Kavacanne Bolt From The Blue. This male is a very different type to my winner, built on rangier lines. An upstanding dog who possesses a masculine head with good breadth over his skull. Moderately long neck with decent angulation both fore/aft. Very good body condition overall. He too had excellent muscle. Steady mover but lacked animation.

German Shorthaired Pointer Open (2,0)

1) Schoneville’s, Balvenie Double Diamond JW. This impressive male is full of type and presence. Really liked his head shape in profile, obviously masculine with correct rise over the muzzle and big nose. Strong neck into well laid shoulders and decent return of upper arm. Straight bone with excellent feet and pasterns. Appealed greatly for his spring and depth of rib while still having room behind the elbows. Short backed with a strong loin and a wide croup. Excellent muscletone with wide thighs, good bend of stifle and firm at the hocks. Parallel going and coming with such excellent deportment on the go-round while holding his topline. Pleased to award him BOB and see him shortlisted in a very competitive BIS line up, congratulations!

2) Sielski’s, Orchidstar Bolts Of Speed. A different style of dog to 1 with lots of appealing features. Slightly longer cast but without exaggeration. Really appreciated his head from all angles, masculine and clean-cut with correct flews. His angulation both fore and aft was balanced with well sprung ribs. Excellent strength of back and loin with correct width over his quarters. Sound from all angles on the move, another with great ring presence and in good coat. Just preferred the croup of 1.

German Wirehaired Pointer Puppy (0,0)

German Wirehaired Pointer Post Graduate (4,2)

1) Donnelly’s, Kimmax They Kall Me Mr Tibbs. This upstanding male appealed in all departments while still having some more maturing to do. Masculine head of correct proportions, moderate stop with strength through his muzzle and skull but with more to come. Dark eyes and sufficient furnishings. His angulation in front and rear was really well balanced, loved his return of upper arm. Good depth of brisket for age with strong bone and correct feet. Strong topline with good width over his quarters. On the move he is firm at the elbows and hocks with an easy stride when viewed from the side. Plenty of coat of the correct texture. RBOB, congratulations!

2) Donnelly’s, Kimmax Who Kares Wins JW. I see she is the mother of my winner and has passed on so many of her breed-typical features. She is middle sized with such a shapely profile. Her head is so pretty with dark eyes and correct proportions. Excellent shoulder but not quite the upper arm of 1. Excellent topline, depth of rib and length of back. Good rear angles. Sound mover but pulled to one side today going/coming which made her difficult to assess. Her side gait was smooth and ground covering holding her appealing shape. Best coat of the entry!

German Wirehaired Pointer Open (3,0)

This class was an absolute joy to judge, I felt this trio were of the highest quality.

1) Donnelly’s, Sh Ch/Ir Ch. Kimmax Knock Yourself Out JW ShCM. One I’ve judged before as a youngster, not surprised to see he has fulfilled his early promise. He makes an impressive shape when stacked with obvious balance portraying a picture of power and strength. Masculine, well proportioned head with tight fitting lips. Strong neck that flows into an excellent forehand assembly with straight bone and closely fitting elbows. Mature through his body with plenty of rib. Broad over his rear with good angulation. Steady and sound both ways while moving on an easy stride in profile retaining his shape. Excellent coat texture. Pleased to also see he is the sire of my Post Graduate winner. Very happy to award him BOB and see him shortlisted in a competitive BIS line-up, congratulations!

2) McCullough’s, Sh Ch. Kimmax Kindly Stand Back. This bitch is as feminine as my winner is masculine. Still relatively young in comparison to my winner, who pipped her to the post on maturity in body on the day. I loved her type and shape. Beautiful head with such a gentle expression and ample breadth of skull without coarseness. Balanced angulation fore/aft, good body for her angle with correct set and carried tail. Moves well from all angles. Excellent coat texture. Would like to see her with another year on her back.

3) McCullough’s, Kimmax Kort In Action.

Bracco Italiano Puppy (3,1)

1) Goode’s, Braccorion’s Xpressive. This orange bitch was naughty but oh so very nice! Really liked her almost square outline, strong bone and body condition for her age. Lean head of correct proportions with a big nose and divergent planes. Softest of expressions aided by her correct shape and shade of eye. Strong neck into a good forehand assembly with well developed forechest. Plenty of rib for her age with a short loin. Symmetrical angulation in the rear but needs to tighten in hock. She loved the spotlight a little too much on the move but did show glimpses of an elastic side gait with correct head carriage. Very pleased to award her BPIB and see her shortlisted in a very competitive BPIS, congratulations!

2) Hurst’s, You Can Crown The Queen TAF. Chestnut bitch who is slightly finer and longer cast than 1 but has many pleasing breed attributes. Liked her lean head with plenty of chiselling and big spongy nose. Balanced angulation both fore and aft with strength to her topline. Went well from all angles just needs to tighten up all through. Preferred the proportions and strength in bone of 1st.

Bracco Italiano Post Graduate (4,2)

1) Jackson’s, Solwaypoint Portofino. An upstanding orange male who has presence and panache in spades! Almost square in outline with obvious strength in all departments. Head shows good divergence with leanness to skull and muzzle without compromising his strength accompanied by obvious chiselling. Well angulated both fore & aft with a strong topline. Needs to body up with time but was presented in such hard muscular condition. Sound and co-ordinated going/coming with such an impressive profile action, demonstrating correct head carriage. This dog still has more to come I feel. Pleased to declare him RBOB, congratulations!

2) Smith & Fazenfield’s, Konigsbracci Pavey Ark. Another orange male whose a decent overall shape & make. Nearly square with strong bone, excellent feet and pasterns. Head has plenty of chiselling but a shade broader in the skull than 1. His angulation both fore & aft is balanced. Goes on a decent stride with confidence.

Bracco Italiano Open (4,2)

1) Jackson’s, Polcevera’s Bruma. On the day, this orange bitch ticked all the boxes for being ultra-typy in stance and in motion. She presented a really pleasing shape with correct proportions throughout. Her head is divine, long planes with desired leanness and correct proportions with such a soft expression. Strong neck that flows through onto an excellent forehand assembly with a strong topline, plenty of spring to her ribs and a short loin. Symmetrical rear angulation with strong bone and tight feet. On the move she is impossible to ignore, she displays such breed-typical action on the go round with great carriage. Quite taken with her! Very pleased to award her BOB, congratulations!

2) Jacksons’, Sh Ch Gunsyn Tusk. Very appealing orange male who possessed strength and power throughout. Liked his leanness to skull and muzzle but would prefer a shade more strength for a male. Powerful, well shaped neck and enough dewlap. Correct angulation both fore/aft. Mature through his body and in hard condition. Steady and easy from all angles on the move.

Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) Puppy (2,0)

1) Greenwood’s, Coedhelyg Merry Fisher. A very raw young bitch at her first show who took the whole event in her stride. Pleasing proportions of length to height and enough leg for her age. Prettiest and clean-cut head with a moderate stop and correct shape to skull and muzzle with still room to develop further. Liked her correct balance of front and rear angulation with a strong topline, decent spring of rib for age and moderate tuck up. Plenty of width over her quarters and correct set tail. Her static balance was also obvious on the move with correct reach & drive while retaining her shape. Her strong rear action when viewed from behind secured her the class against her kennelmate. Pleased to award her BPIB, congratulations!

2) Greenwood’s, Coedhelyg Son Shine. This 7 month old male is from a larger and slightly more compact mould than 1. Masculine, clean-cut head with good skull shape for age. Excellent forehand with strong bone and round feet. Well bodied for age. A shade more moderate in rear angulation than 1 and needing to strengthen in hock. Goes on a steady stride from all angles, needs time.

Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) Junior (1,1)

Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) Post Graduate (4,3)

1) Brand’s, Coedhelyg Jingle All The Way. A middle size, honest male with lots of appeal. His head is clean with correct rounding in skull and moderate stop, I’d just prefer a shade more strength for a male. Excellent layback of shoulder and return of upper arm with straight limbs and round feet. Well bodied with a short loin. A little more moderate in rear compared to front with a good tail set. He excels on the move with a true and springy action when viewed from any angle with the desired head carriage.

Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) Open (4,0)

1) Adshead’s, Sh Ch Danehaven Vermillion for Afonbach ShCM. This girl excels in type and overall balance. She really belies her veteran years and not being in her best jacket only meant her many attributes were even clearer to see! Absolutely medium size, powerful and in hard condition. Ultra feminine, clean-cut head with moderate stop and almond shaped eyes. Clean through her neck and shoulders with correct forehand assembly, strong bone with straight limbs. Shows great maturity through her body with well sprung ribs, strong topline and loin with a moderate tuck up. Corresponding rear angulation with short, firm hocks. On the move, she is exquisite. Springy, jaunty and powerful, putting her correct angulation to good use while retaining her shape. Thought her to be absolutely delightful and not surprised to see she has her title! Pleased to award her BOB, congratulations.

2) Adshead’s, Afonbach Winter Is Coming JW. As masculine as my winner is feminine. Built on slightly more compact lines than 1, this dog is unmistakably male. Shows strength in head while retaining the desired tapering through the muzzle. Well shaped eye and correctly set ears create a friendly expression. Excellent forehand with strong bone. Strong topline, shorter in back than 1 with a strong loin. Decent rear angles with correct set and carried tail. Powerful mover who makes his presence felt on the go around with true front/rear action.

3) Brand’s, Coedhelyg Jingle All The Way.

Gordon Setter Puppy (3,0)

1) Fudge’s, Fieldberry Secret Weapon at Rufusmoor. Just 6 months, my notes say ‘outstanding in all departments’! This male has style, type and the desired strength in abundance. His head is masculine, obviously deep all through with ample breadth over his muzzle. Dark eyes with low set ears create such an intelligent but soft expression. Reachy neck onto a textbook forehand with long, well laid shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm. He has plenty of forechest with strong flat bone. Decent spring of rib for age with a strong topline. Flat croup with plenty of width and correct tail set. Long from hip to hock while still possessing wide thighs, well bent stifles and short hocks. For one so young he shows good coordination going/coming with such an easy, balanced stride in profile while holding his topline and using his tail to advantage. Delightful temperament and clean tan markings. An exciting prospect that I shall follow with great interest - my ‘find of the day’. Delighted to award him BPIB and watch him take BPIS4 under a breed specialist, congratulations!

2) Ziegler Atkins, Kilnrae Black Knight. This male is a little rangier than 1. Pleasing head with adequate depth through skull and muzzle with dark eyes. Balanced angulation both fore/aft with a strong topline. Age-appropriate in all departments, needs to develop in confidence. Steady mover from all angles.

3) Markey’s, Evenflow All Your Love.

Gordon Setter Junior (3,1)

1) Palliser’s, Lignum Oro. Middle-sized, stylish bitch. Loved her for breed-typical shape and overall type. Deep through her skull and muzzle with lots of chiselling, obviously feminine with dark eyes and low set ears. Long neck into excellent forehand with decent forechest for age. Cleanest of toplines, absolutely level from her withers through to her flat croup with well sprung ribs and short loin. Long from hip to hock with wide thighs and plenty of width over her rear. A real showgirl on the move with excellent reach and drive, holding her topline and lashing her tail. Enough bone in relation to size with good shade of tan. Excellent coat presentation, really taken with her. Pushed the Open winner all the way. RBOB, congratulations!

2) Hardy’s Cafotaliena Hello My Love. A slightly rangier young bitch who possesses strong bone in relation to her size. Pretty head with lots of work and depth right through. Balanced angulation both fore/aft with a level topline. Preferred the croup of 1. Needs to develop coat but has plenty og time on her side to come together. Goes well from all angles with her very capable young runner!

Gordon Setter Post Graduate (5,2)

1) Hardy’s, Cottonstones Evergreen with Cafotaliena. A very honest bitch with lots of breed type. Classic style of head with slight rounding to skull, ample depth all through accompanied by lots of chiselling. Decent forehand and bone for her size. Level topline, long croup of good angle. Correct length from hip to hock with width over her pelvis. Goes with style steered by her young runner.

2) Fudge’s, Kattandale Black Crusader at Rufusmoor (AI). Obviously masculine dog with good strength in bone and rich tan markings. Well shaped skull, dark eyes and deep muzzle. Good forehand overall with excellent oval feet. Well sprung ribs with width over his croup. Preferred the rear assembly of 1. Steady mover from all angles, lashing his tail.

3) Markey’s, Benbuie Lasting Love.

Gordon Setter Open (4,2)

1) Ashley-Turner’s, Hernwood The Botanist. One I judged as a very raw baby earlier in the year and pleased to see he is now fulfilling his early promise. An upstanding male who possesses plenty of bone and really typical outline. Head is masculine with required depth and ample breadth accompanied by dark eyes and slight rounding to skull with still more to develop. Good reach of neck but would prefer a cleaner throat. Well laid shoulders with good return of upper arm, he has very good width over his quarters with well developed forechest. Mature through his body with a deep brisket, level topline and flat croup. Required length from hip to hock, wide thighs and plenty of muscle. Excellent coat presentation. On the move he is hard to ignore, steady going/coming with such a stylish side gait showing great deportment and a lashing tail action. Very pleased to award him BOB from such a competitive breed entry and see him shortlisted for BIS, congratulations!

2) Harrison’s, Paradise Final Fling. This bitch is just classic Gordon from nose to tail. Medium sized, strong flat bone and such a breed-typical shape. Ultra-feminine head with lots of chiselling and dark eyes. Long neck into excellent shoulder and return of upper arm. Mature through her body with good depth of brisket. Her topline is so clean with a flat croup showing excellent width. Balanced rear angulation with long bones from hip to hock. Sound both going/coming but was unsettled in such a crowded venue which gave 1 the advantage. A great shame, loved her!

Judge: James Newton (Patamoke)