Crufts

CRUFTS 2024

BASC Gamekeeper Classes

Judge – Alan Meldrum (Rumbleton/Cintal)

It was an honour to be invited to judge the Gamekeepers Classes for BASC at Crufts. Thank you to BASC and my two stewards Paul and Jo for keeping things running smoothly and having the exhibitors ready at the right times. I thank the exhibitors for providing me with quality dogs to assess and for their grace in accepting my decisions.

Class 1464 – AV Pointer, Setter, HPR (10,0)

1st – 6048 – Foreman’s Toberworry Little Lies, 2.5yr old Large Munsterlander bitch, good head, clean eyes, well laid back shoulders, well sprung ribs, good top line which was held well on the move. Strong hind quarters which provided drive.

2nd – 5474 – Briley’s Zoldmali Jodli, 6yr old Hungarian Wire Haired Visla, provided a classic breed outline, good coat, clean head and good bone provided strong front construction. Moved well with plenty drive.

3rd – 5057 – Hjert & Thompson’s Cornibus Mulberry, 2.5yr old German Shorthaired pointer bitch. Good head, well boned with good front construction, good body tone, well muscled. Good ribs and rear angulation which gave plenty drive on the move.

Class 1467 – ESS (2,0)

1st – 9404 – Pickard’s Cuandor Roe and Co, 4yr old L/W English Springer Spaniel dog, energetic dog which contained all the breed characteristic you would want. Fully attentive to the handler. Good head, clean eyes well boned but not heavy, giving an agile and athletic movement. Good muscle tone. Gives the impression of being able to go all day long. Pleased to award Group 2 in the main arena later in the evening.

2nd – 9433 – Thomas & Thomas’s Tigerrock Super Ted, 6.5yr old L/W English Springer Spaniel dog, larger frame than 1, good head, well boned with good muscle. Good front and rear construction with a good topline held on the move. Lost out to 1 on movement.

Class 1476 – AV Retriever (11,5)

1st – 6676 – Peer’s Tweedisle Lindores, 5yr old Flatcoat Retriever bitch, full of breed type, good head with clean lines and clean eyes, good front construction, good ribs, good rear angulation which gave good drive.

2nd – 6366 – Poulton & Poulton’s Passione Knightspool, 2.5yr old Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog, strong head, good bone giving him a sturdy appearance, good coat. Good topline which he held well on the move.

3rd – 6375 – Watts’ Sh Ch Oakmarsh Chestnut VW, 5yr old Chesapeake Bay Retriever Bitch, a bitch full of breed type, plenty to like good head, bone and muscle. Preferred the movement of 1 and 2.

Class 1470 – AV Spaniel (7,2)

1st – 9434 – Thomas & Thomas’s Tigerrock Top Gun, 15mth Welsh Springer Spaniel Dog, good example of the breed. Clean outline, good head, clean eyes, right amount of bone, good front, good ribs, good rear angulation giving plenty of drive. Fluid on the move, graceful. I was pleased to award it Group 3 in the main arena later that evening.

2nd – 8856 – Hempstead’s Sh Ch Riverforrest Irish Eider at Cuvana, 7.5yr old Irish Water Spaniel Bitch, classic breed features, happy on the move, good conformation which gives her a good top line on the move.

3rd – 9332 – Burchmore’s Bowdonia Moon River JW, 6yr old Welsh Springer Spaniel Bitch, good well toned muscular bitch with good bone. Good head with a soft expression. Preferred movement of 1 and 2.

Class 1480 – For Retired Gamekeepers (5,0)

1st – 9385 – Mair’s Highpowley Royal Rose, 2.5yr old black labrador bitch, clean lines, good head, toned body, athletic, moved well out and back with plenty of energy.

2nd – 8741 –Stevens’ Meadowbury Dot To Dot, 2.5yr old L/W English Springer Spaniel bitch, good example of breed, alert – fully focused on handler, toned, moved well but not with quite the same zest as 1.

3rd – 9340 – Dedicoat’s Summer Sky Breeze, 3yr old black labrador bitch, good head, clean eyes, alert and athletic, good topline which she held on the move. Not the same zest as 1.

Class 1473 – Labrador Retriever (12,1)

1st – 9326 – Bamford’s Nithvalley Tweed at Foxhope, 4yr old yellow Labrador dog, a dog full of character, a showman, good classic outline, good head, clean eyes that were focused on handler, athletic, well toned body, moved with drive. I was pleased to award him Group 1 in the main arena later that evening.

2nd – 9334 – Burchmore’s Nevillebriar Olaf, 9yr old black Labrador dog, incredibly free moving for his age, moved like a dog half his age, good head, clean eyes with a soft melting expression, toned body presented in excellent condition.

3rd – 9327 – Bamford’s Paddy Paws For Applause, 7yr old yellow Labrador dog, classic outline, totally focussed on handler, firm toned body, good topline held on the move, moved well out and back. Lacked ring presence of 1.