Lothian Canine Club

Lothian Canine Club

Saturday 10th September 2022

Golden Retriever Critiques

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at this show and rescheduling my appointment due to the pandemic. I had a fantastic day with a super (in quality and quantity) entry for a time when entries are decreasing so thank you to all who entered and my two stewards who helped keep the ring running smoothly.

Puppy (8, 0a)

What a super class of puppies! Wish I had more 1st places. I can see my first 3 swapping places many times in their show careers…

1. Ewart’s Parlickview Blaze Of Glory Over Beaupippin. This bitch caught my eye as soon as I looked around the ring with her clean and balanced outline. She has a sweet feminine head with kind expression, a good reach of neck into well laid back shoulders and a solid topline. She stands on straight legs with all angles in moderation which is demonstrated soundly on the move. She is just as I like them to be for 6.5 months - I hope the future is bright!

2. Bell’s Hoaaloha Ahyoka. A 7 month old cream bitch full of substance. She has a nicely balanced, feminine head with good reach of neck into great front construction, well sprung ribs, short coupling and level topline. Would like to see her drop into her stifles which I’m sure will come as she grows as she has it all there. Moved accurately with reach and drive. Loved her wagging tail. 

Yearling (8, 2a)

1. Dunbar’s Linirgor Nine To Five. A cream bitch of 13 months who says ‘look at me’ when she enters the ring. Feminine all through with substance, in tip-top condition. She has a lovely balanced head with dark pigment, equally correct in front and rear construction with a strong topline and tail set. Standing straight on round, cat-like feet she makes a super balanced outline. She drives around the ring so accurately - pin straight - which made her stand out. I would’ve loved to have seen her move around a larger ring. Best of Breed, Group 4.

2. Bolton’s Megarvey Still Game For Shiresmill. A 13 month old gold dog with the most handsome head - kind expression with dark eyes, masculine and well balanced. Plenty of substance throughout, balanced front and rear angles that are in moderation. Straight legs with strong, catlike feet. He held his outline on the move which he did accurately at both front and rear - I’d just like to see him with a little more drive and enthusiasm.

Graduate (6, 2a)

1. Bolton’s Megarvey Still Game For Shiresmill. 2nd in Yearling. There was a big cheer ringside when he won this class as I was later told this was his final JW point - well done.

2. Bradley’s Ceilcaesar Ben Avon. A 2 year old pale gold bitch who came close to 1. Feminine head with soft expression set on a good reach of neck. She has a strong topline which was held with the correct tail carriage on the move. Moved with reach and drive being in great condition. Holds herself very well freestanding with a lovely wagging tail.

Post Graduate (4, 1a)

1. Mcaleese’s Sheriffmuir Glorious Lad At Glormhorcu. 2 year old mid gold dog with a kind expression. He has a good reach of neck into well laid back shoulders. Well sprung ribs with a short coupling. Strong hindquarters with well-bent stifles which he used on the move. Good topline with the correct tailset. Moved with reach, drive and accuracy whilst holding his outline which won him the class.

2. Little’s King Of Swing Qdore Of Labgold To Bluebraes (IMP POL). A 2 year old gold dog with a handsome head which is well balanced and softly chiselled with a kind expression. He has a strong neck of good length, a solid topline and correct tail set. Strong hindquarters which he used to drive his way around on the move soundly. I would prefer more length in his upper arm for a complete balance.

Limit (4, 0a)

1. Grady’s Glenrioch Sengalicious. A 5 year old blonde bitch full of substance and in great condition. She has a lovely feminine head with soft expression, good reach of neck into well laid back shoulders and super forehand construction which is reflected at the rear. Stands straight with round, catlike feet. Moved accurately on a long stride and held her outline. 

2. Mcalpine’s Drumkilty Mairead. Another 5 year old lovely bitch in top condition of very different type to 1. She is feminine all through with a well balanced head with dark pigment. Strong neck into well laid back shoulders and good forechest. Well sprung ribs with short coupling. Solid, level topline and good tail set. Moved with drive. 

Open (10, 1a)

Much like the puppy class, I felt the quality here was very high - wish I had more place cards.

1. Dunbar’s Linirgor Piper’s Song. 4 year old gold bitch in great condition. She has a well balanced head, strong neck into a solid level topline and tail carried straight off her back. Her good spring of rib and short coupling with correct fore and hindquarter angulation presents a super balanced outline. Flowed around the ring with drive. Pipped to the post by her daughter for BOB who shares many of the same qualities.

2. Little’s Bluebraes Jacobite Lass. A 4 year old bitch with good substance who made a lovely outline freestanding with a wagging tail. Very feminine head with kind expression, plenty of reach of neck into well laid back shoulders and good forechest. Strong hindquarters with well-bent stifles. Level topline held throughout the class. She moves around the ring with drive very accurately. She is longer coupled than 1 which separated them today.

Meaylee Lewis (Fairwinds)