Carluke & District Canine Society

Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, and English Setter -17/12/23

As always, my thanks must go to the entirety of the very friendly committee for asking me to judge at their show. Very well run, with record numbers being achieved, I was warmly welcomed and very well looked after, prior to and throughout the day. The staggered starts and indication of not before times, worked well and was appreciated. Thank you to all the committee.

Also, thanks must go to my stewards on the day, Robert, Laura, and Anya (best of luck with future Stewarding). For me, they kept the rings running well and were so efficient in keeping me to task. Thank you all three of you.

I was very pleased with the standard of the dogs, with some very difficult decisions having to be made in several classes, in more than one breed. Movement was a little difficult to assess for all Setter breeds as the large dogs needed slightly bigger rings, which was not possible on the day and detrimental to some of the exhibits. Nonetheless, many showed their qualities well. Thank you so much to all the exhibitors for bringing their lovely dogs under me.

Gordon Setter

I was a little disappointed to have had several absentees in this breed. Sadly, I was informed that several turned up after their class had been judged and just missed out.

Class 175 - Postgraduate (7,5)

1. 690 - Donald’s LOURDACE LAST HURRAH TO LOCHANSVUE - 8-month dog that has a lot going for him, but needs a little hand to build confidence in the ring. Very raw, but once he got in his stride, showed to be a very good prospect. Strong in male head, that was very pleasing, in correct proportions. Clearly defined stop, good amount of chiselling under eye. Soft in expression. Ears sitting closely next to skull. Front assembly showing correct proportions. Well sprung ribs for age. Strength to level topline even for a young man. Balanced in width of thigh to rest of body. Good length to croup. Well-constructed throughout. Coat very rich, which was lovely to see. Coat will mature in time. A little unsettled on the move, but when he didn’t think, showed his ability to move soundly. Stood well in free stack Just needs to get himself together and time to mature. Smart young man that could do well in the future RBOB & BP.

2. 688 - Brown’s MOSSCRIPT PORT ELLEN – A 3-year-old girl, who certainly knew her job. Kind, feminine expression, with good depth in colour to eye. Correct ear set, of good length. Gentle arch to neck of moderate length. Front construction ok. Would have liked to have seen a little more width to chest. Good depth to brisket. Good width to thigh, with moderate angulation behind. Movement wasn’t her forte today. Ring size might have hampered her. Presented in good coat for age and handled well.

Class 176 – Open (4,3)

1. 638 –Millar and Scobie’s YENNADON CALVAY JW – Although stood alone in this class, this 5-year-old male still made it easy to give him 1st. Both in appearance in the stack, and on the move, this dog showed his best. Correct scissor bite and depth to flews. Good rise to stop. Decent amount of chiselling under eye. All providing a soft expression. Broad, domed skull between ears, providing balance to head. Low set ears hung close to, strong, moderately long neck. This flowed well into good front construction. Nicely angulated, with tight knitting at withers. Excellent in bone. Good depth and width to brisket and chest. Well sprung ribs. Short coupled. Good shape to croup. Good width to thigh, would personally like a little more rear angulation, but still had enough to give best movement of all the Gordons. Went straight and true in the up and back. Smoothly in the around with good footfall. Presented and handled excellently. BOB

BOB - Millar and Scobie’s YENNADON CALVAY JW (from Open)

RBOB & BP - Donald’s LOURDACE LAST HURRAH TO LOCHANSVUE (from Postgraduate)

Irish Setter

One class after the next had lovely Irish Setters. So pleased with not only the number, but the standard of the exhibits throughout, especially at a general Open show.

Class 177 – Graduate (6,1)

1. 437 – Green’s GLENCARRON SHOW MUST GO ON JW – this 21-month dog was instantly eye catching, from his flashy stance in the stack. Attractive in refined, lean head, that gave rise to a soft, male expression. Large dark nose. Good rise to stop, well chiselled under, unshelled almond shaped, dark eye. Skull shape from ear to ear correct. Ear set correct. Elegance was seen from a gently arched neck that was free from throatiness and moderately long. This flowed into shoulders that were fine at point. Well boned throughout. Stereotypical topline into well angulated rear, showing good width to upper thigh. Well-muscled. Moved best in class, particularly on the around. Excellently presented in rich, full coat for age. Will be an interesting watch. Schooled very well. Happy to report that also went 2nd AV Members Open Stakes.

2. 417 - Richardson’s BARDONHILL MCINTOSH RED AT MONTGREENAN – this boy of just 10-months, certainly is a prospect. Not only from his appearance in the stack, but with his lovely temperament and disposition. Nothing phased him at all, and his tail did not stop wagging throughout the entire time he was in the ring. Good proportions to foreface, with wide nostrils. Raise to stop, good amount of chiselling under eye, defined prominence to occipital protuberance, making for a well-balanced head. Ears set on low, close to head. moderate length to neck. Well laid-back shoulder, providing good front construction. Deep in chest, with good width. Well sprung ribs. Gentle slope to topline. Good rear angulation. Moved with characteristic puppy exuberance. Presented well in rich coat and handled to his advantage. Lost out on maturity and a little on movement, but sure will get there with time. Hope his potential will be reached as he develops. Happy to report 2nd in AV members puppy stakes. BP.

3. 698 – Vallance’s GLENCARRON SECOND EDITION TO CONCENCONE

Class 178 – Limit (7, 2)

Lovely class. Close call between 1st and 2nd.

1. 700 – Henderson’s SAMETSUZ PILLOWTALK – this nearly three-year-old is a lovely young girl. Beautifully sweet expression, as to be expected from this breeder. Nice, fairly square finish to muzzle. Correct head proportions, that are lean. dark eye with pigment to match. Loved the detailing around the zygomatic arch. Correct in ear placement. Strength to an elegant neck, but did not show throatiness. Good width to front. Depth to brisket. Fab spring to ribs. Excellent strength to short, coupled loin. Good width to upper and second thigh. Balanced in front and rear angulation. Well-muscled and neat in feet. Beautiful richness to coat. Presented so well and moved freely. Best mover in the class on the day. On the up and back she drove out well. Her foot fall was very good on the around.

2. 704 - Walker’s GWENDARIFF UCANT TOUCH THIS JW –This two-year-old male is a lovely example and made for a lovely picture in the stack, making the decision to place him 1st or 2nd a difficult one. Presented in glowing coat. Good finish to foreface, correct proportions to muzzle and head. Good amount of working below eye, with lovely rise to stop. Skull oval from ear to ear. All making for a lovely, masculine head and expression. Correct in ear placement and of good length. These were set neatly next to moderate reach of neck. Front quarters nicely put together showing correct angulation. Excellent bone seen throughout. Depth seen to chest and well spung ribs. Good strength to short-coupled loin. Excellently gently sloping topline. Good width to upper and 2nd thigh. Nicely shaped croup and tail placement. I have followed the progress of this man for a little while and he has started to come into his own. However, today, he was beaten to first place on movement. He did not reach out and didn’t drive as I have seen previously. I believe the ring size playing a major part in this. Another one to watch, with interest.

3. 699 – Green’s BRAIDMOUNT DREAMED A DREAM FOR GLENCARRON

Class 179 – Open (5,1)

What a fantastic class at a general open show. Really gave me a headache and had to split hairs to decide the order. Two champions led the group, both of different types, but both showing fantastic quality. Both a credit to the breed and met so much of the Breed Standard well. Thank you for not making my decision easy.

1. 705 - Henderson’s SH CH SAMETSUZ BELIEVE IN ME – Absolutely loved this girl as she entered the ring. From tip of nose to top of tail. Absolutely in her prime, this girl was immaculately presented in full coat. Slightly more robust in stature than that of 2nd. Parallel planes to skull with good prominence to stop. Fairly square in muzzle. Beautiful expression with raised brows, correct shaped dark eye, and excellent working to zygomatic arch. Ears of good length, set on low, closely to head. Strength seen to moderately long neck, and still lacked throatiness. This flowed seamlessly into excellently constructed shoulders that were fine at tip. Overall front and rear angulation were correct and balanced. Well boned throughout. Deep in brisket and excellent spring to rib. Strength seen to loin. Loved the width across the rear/croup. Width also seen to upper and second thigh. Short hocks. Moved so well around the ring and drove out with ease. Came to rest in the free stack well. BOB & Gundog G4.

2. 643 – Sturrocks’s SH CH FORFARIAN SOO LUSH JW – I have had the pleasure of going over this girl, a couple of years ago and gave her best bitch. She has continued to develop so well. However, this time I had real difficulty in placing her second as there is so much to like about her. The only reason she did not get BOB was on personal preference in type. Much of my previous comments stand for this lovely girl, but even better with maturity. A finer specimen, that is racy in appearance, and all over proportionate/balanced. Very appealing in head construction that is long, lean, and showing parallel planes. Dark in beautiful unshelled almond eye. Correct ear placement, which hung close to a moderately long and lean, arched neck, which flowed well into well angulated shoulders of good proportions. Well-boned in straight forelegs. Rather narrow in front, with good depth to chest and well sprung ribs. Gently sloping topline, good shape to croup, with wide first thigh. Nice short hocks. In a full coat for a girl that is nicely feathered, straight and very well presented. Well-toned muscles and moved effortlessly in a difficult ring. In the free stack stood true. Pushed 1st all the way, and some. Happy to report she went RBOB, 1st AV Open Stakes and 1st Gundog RBOB Stakes.

3. 647 – Walker’s GWENDARIFF FLAGS ARE FLYIN – A very honourable mention for this lovely man. Unlucky to come up against two champions in top condition. Very much a boy I will continue to monitor closely.

BOB - Henderson’s SH CH SAMETSUZ BELIEVE IN ME (from Open)

RBOB - Sturrock’s SH CH FORFARIAN SOO LUSH JW (from Open)

BP - Richardson’s BARDONHILL MCINTOSH RED AT MONTGREENAN (from Graduate)

English Setters

Although only one class, I was so happy to go over some lovely dogs and some in the making. Several I have judged a little time ago, who have matured beautifully. This making for a nice headache. My placements for 1st and 2nd in this show were a reverse of a show I carried out a couple of years ago. I stated in that show that I liked both exhibits. I also stated that 1st was pushed all the way and was sure that on a different day that they would be the other way around. This came to fruition for me in this show! Dentition was good on most of the exhibits, which was nice to see.

Class 180 – Open (7,1)

1. 710 – Vallance’s ROWANMYLE WAS A SKELLUM – 4-year-old light Blue Belton male, was one of two that stood out. Fabulously turned out that grabbed your attention. Solid masculine head, soulful expression, with dark-oval eye, surrounded by dark pigmentation, which aided the expression. correct shape to skull. Dark pigment to ear made it look higher than it is, but is correct in set and of good length. Loved the length and strength to neck. Nice angulation in front and back. Good depth to brisket. Well sprung in ribs. Good topline. Previously wrote that I would like to see a fuller thigh, but this man has matured into this and developed well, giving a good balance between front and back. Very nicely turned-out male in lovely condition and free flowing coat, that had gentle wave. Moved with more drive and conviction than 2nd, holding his head high. This gave him the edge this time. BOB.

2. 708 - Thomson’s BUSHBANE RATHLIN CASPELLWYND - 4-year-old, Tri-coloured male, who is most handsome with a lovely expression, with head features that ticked the boxes of the breed standard. Dark brown in eye, with a slightly lighter pigment around. Both eyebrows were brown in making you look into his eyes, and emphasizing that expression. good rise to stop. Nice occipital protuberance. Rather long and strong in neck with a slight arching at crest. Strong in front quarters with correct angulation and proportions. Lovely depth to chest. Well sprung ribs, into muscular, short, coupled loin. Strong, wide rear quarters that had correct angulation, in proportion to front. Presented well in a full coat of soft texture, with wave. Aesthetically pleasing stack. Well feathered feet. Didn’t move with the drive of first on the up and back, but footfall on the around was good. Again, could have been an issue with ring size.

3. 709 - Thomson’s MAURSETT MORGANITE FOR CASPELLWYND

BOB – Vallance’s ROWANMYLE WAS A SKELLUM (from Open)

RBOB - Thomson’s BUSHBANE RATHLIN CASPELLWYND (from Open)

BP – Colton’s ENNYDLOC BELLS AND WHISTLES (from Open) N.B. a lovely puppy with plenty of promise.

Dr. Hefin Jones (Pencastan)