Mid Western Gundog Society

My sincerest thanks to the Secretary and Committee for their invitation to Judge here today. As always every appointment for me is a great honour. I was delighted with the overall quality of my entry across both breed and stakes classes.

 Thank you to my steward who was absolutely fantastic and kept things running smoothly and efficiently throughout this appointment across several different rings.

As always, I must extend my deepest thanks and gratitude to all the exhibitors for affording me the privilege of Judging their dogs – thank you.

IRISH WATER SPANIEL

OPEN Dog/Bitch (3, 1abs)

1ST Latherton, Ms L, Fynder Reacher: A very nice male of some 2½ years of age, presented and shown well. Of correct size and balance. Correct, clean and complete dentition. Pleasing head with strong neck. Elbows tight to brisket. Strong hindquarters. Good bone, Moved out well on a good stride. Best Of Breed

2ND Douglas, Mr R & Mrs H, Daffydown Dilly: A very feminine bitch of just over 2 years of age, still with a lot of maturing ahead of her until we would see her at her best – having said this, she moved accurately and freely in all planes. Excellent head with muzzle of good length. Correct, clean and complete dentition. Good depth of chest with well barrelled ribcage and elbows tight to brisket. Well-made hindquarters. Excellent coat texture. Reserve Best Of Breed

A. V. GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME – DOG (4 -2abs)

1ST Kitchen, Mrs J L, Annilann Bhama Mama (Spaniel, Cocker): Upstanding and striking male, presented and shown to an excellent standard – thank you. Dentition, correct, clean and complete, good head with square muzzle, full eyes, moderate length of neck into well placed shoulders and adequate return of upper arm, well sprung ribs, short loin, good bend of stifle, presented a lovely picture, moved extremely well, soundly and accurately. 

2ND Fleet & Webb, Mrs M & Mrs S, Waterbabies Sonic Boom To Eastbury And Hectson (IMP BEL) NAF (Retriever, Golden): I loved this male’s outline and type. Very well balanced not exaggerated in any way, correct, clean and complete dentition and correct bite, correct layback of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Deep brisket and good length of ribcage. Well made hindquarters with excellent bone and feet. In excellent coat and condition. Disappointingly, whilst he moved soundly, he lacked enthusiasm and drive.

A. V. GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME – BITCH (7)

1ST Bradley, Ms E M, SH CH Vizslanya Vivmany By Highforce, JW ShCM, ShCEx, VW (Hungarian Vizsla): A 9 year old bitch who on appearance and overall condition and muscletone does not belie her age. Extremely pleasing and honest overall type of bitch, clean and well-balanced outline when standing. Very good bone all through. Good head, which is moderately wide between the ears, which again are well set. Dentition correct, clean and complete, strong neck into correct forehand angulation, elbows placed close to the body, brisket deep and of good width, well ribbed back, muscular hindquarters. Moved soundly and accurately fore, aft and in side profile. BEST GOOD CITIZEN OVERALL WINNER

2ND Douglas, Mr R & Mrs H, Daffydown Dilly (Irish Water Spaniel)

3RD Davis, Miss Z R, Rochevale Palm Reader JW (Retriever, Labrador)

RESERVE BEST OF BREED STAKES (15)

1ST Clarke & Gaylor, Mrs C L & Ms C J, Tigerrock Tick Tick Boom (Spaniel, Welsh Springer): A very nice young dog, unexaggerated and extremely well presented. Well balanced. Pleasing and correct head, correct clean and complete dentition, clean neck, well laid shoulder and return of upper arm. Elbows tight to brisket. Powerful hindquarters, which he used to advantage on the move. Excellent bone throughout and the very best of feet with short nails.

2ND Bradbury & Preston, Mr L & Miss D, Harasteorra Big Bear JW (Spaniel, Sussex): When standing he produced a very good clean and balanced outline. The best of heads and expressions, dentition correct, clean and complete, strong neck into well placed shoulders, straight firm topline which was held on the move. Feet round and well padded with short nails. Well muscled hindquarters. Moved at exactly the correct speed for this breed. A very good example of the breed.

3RD Wilkinson, Mrs H J, Phenset Firestorm (English Setter): A perfectly balanced and masculine example of the breed, presented super. He has very good quality bone all through. Very good head that was carried high when moving, with soft expression and evident eyebrows, dentition correct, clean and complete, clean muscular, slightly arched neck into well placed shoulders, good width and depth to brisket, elbows set down close to body, strong loin, muscled hindquarters with well bent stifles, moved very soundly and accurately in all planes – presented a to a very high standard and shown very well – thank you.

4TH Jones, Mr & Mrs B, Benvellyn Sequoia (Retriever, Flat Coated): A beautiful bitch of just 9 months of age. Despite her tender age and being shown against many other dogs much older, she scored highly for me for type and absolutely true and sound movement. A great prospect for the future. She is the correct size and beautifully balanced. Excellent head and eye. Correct, clean and complete dentition. Well laid back shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm. Correct rib to loin proportions with well made hindquarters. Good bone and feet. Moved and shown to advantage. In excellent coat and condition. Presented to a very high standard – it did not go without notice the very clear and evident bond and affection between exhibit and handler.

Martyn J Rees (Judge)