Shropshire Gundog Society

This was a long-awaited pre-Covid appointment—the gundog club shows are special and this made it even more so. What a great pleasure to have a such quality entry on the day and my thanks to the exhibitors for taking my decisions in good part. My thanks to the club committee and to my steward for all her help.

Puppy (3)

1. Worth’s Sarabande Name Of The Game (AI), 10 month old dog well up to size, lovely head and expression, dark eye, ears well set. Good reach of neck, deep chest, spring of ribs and moderate angles all correct and plenty of bone. Needs time to tighten up in front. A little overawed to start with but moved soundly and used his tail when settled. BP 2. Lewis’ Kidenoan Mark Up Von Trannon, 7 months old. A more compact type than 1. Liked his dark eye, head and expression. Moderately angled and stood on tight feet. Confident in the ring, he was steady when stood, balanced on the move and covered the ground well. Still a very raw baby but has everything in place to give a good account of himself—his day will come.

Junior (3, 1)

1. Clarke’s Tigerrock I’m Your Man. 16 month old substantial dog who won his class on maturity. Longer cast than 2, excellent bone and in full coat. Not quite settled in the ring and gave his handler a fair bit of work to do to show him to full advantage 2. Lewis’ Kidenoan Mark Up Von Trannon.

Post Graduate (1)

1. Clarke’s Heniverous Rainbow By Tigerrock NAF. 2 year old dog well-presented and enjoying his time in the ring today. Attractive boy, to be critical just a bit fine in head for me. Lovely expression, hazel eye, plenty of work. Clean in throat, straight front, good layback of shoulder, well-muscled hindquarters and covered the ground easily, earning him RBOB.

Open (7, 1)

A top quality class—a cliché, but I was spoiled for choice.

1. Clarke’s Tigerrock Magic Woundabout JW. In the biggest class of the day and with several quality dogs to choose from this boy could not be denied. Now almost 2 years old, in the six months since I went over him he has really come on and stands out for type. Beautiful head with clearly defined stop, dark eye and kind expression. Clean throat and length of neck giving sufficient reach, straight front, shoulders well laid back, close coupled, well-muscled rear quarters and low hocks sent him powering round the ring. Used his tail on the move and cut a balanced outline. BOB and later shortlisted for BIS, well deserved success 2. Philipson’s Menstonia Meteor. 4 year old up to size handsome dog of rich colour presented in hard condition and full coat. The kindest of expressions, dark eye, finer in head than 1. Well balanced, moderate angles, plenty of spring of rib, close coupled, strong over the loin, broad bum and deep second thigh. Remembered to use his tail on the move once he got over his initial uncertainty. Movement in profile was sound showing reach and drive.