Bath Canine Society

Bath Championship Show 2024

I would like to say thank you to the committee for considering me as a replacement judge for my specialist breed filling in for Mr R Sillence who had to withdraw due to ill health I hope you recover soon from all Flatcoated Retriever folk. I would also like to thank all the exhibitors for entering their dogs under me at short notice to make a good entry of dogs to judge. Finally a thank you to my ring steward for contributing to an enjoyable day.

There was a lot of hot competition in some classes and those not in cards today will have better days on another time.

 I do not wish to write anything to negative but couple of notes to take on board for future reference.

I was looking for a well-muscled dog /bitch that is fit for function with correct amount of bone, strong well-padded feet, quarters front and back that would enable dog to do days work. My placings reflect that and some dogs that looked good on stand let themselves down on the move.

Loose leads-some could benefit from Ringcraft training to acquire this skill.

Exhibitors could gain knowledge from watching others around the ring.

Heads-Some a little square or domed not flowing in one long piece into a nicely moulded skull. Eyes should be almond shaped not round.

The temperaments I saw in the ring were excellent with confident dogs and a true FCR kindness (an attribute that some humans in the world could aspire too !!)

I would like to thank all the exhibitors who entered under me and allowed me to judge their lovely dogs-a quality entry of 125(155) which made my decisions hard in many classes. Thanks to all for your support.

I was delighted with my BOB as he done every in the show ring before coming under me gaining 3 RCC’s and I was happy to award him his first CC- in time and under the right judges I am sure he will gain the other 2. I would like to thank all those who made this a very pleasurable day.

When judging to type it is hard not to be repetitive in write ups but there were many similar attributes.

All dogs were well presented and with solid temperaments. Many good examples of movement and handlers getting the best out of their dogs on the day.

I was very pleased to see that my winner from VB did well in the BV Group 2

Once again-thank you everyone.

Dog Challenge Certificate - Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW (Mrs V Bowen)

Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate 6366 - Windyhollows Ragged Robin JW (Mr E W, Mrs P J & Miss N E Colson)

Bitch Challenge Certificate - Sh Ch Braemist Witches Fire (Miss L S Jones)

Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate - Gemswin She's Got The Look (Mrs P Matthews)

Best Of Breed - Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW (Mrs V Bowen)

Best Puppy - Steelriver Isle View Pippet (Miss S Stevenson)

Best Veteran - Sh Ch Seaheart Cecilia JW (Miss G & Mr P Smitherman)

Best Special Beginner - Aylawbrook Noones Perfect (Mrs E A Hollingdale)

Flatcoated Retriever

684 VD 6 (2A)

1st SH CH Plainfire’s The Captain of My Heart is Steelriver (Imp Che) ShCEx (Miss S Stevenson) dog with prescence that stood out in this class. The upper range of the scale, high but balanced dog, fit for life, fit for purpose. Lovely head, good front, good reach of neck which comes with correct lay of shoulder, level top line. His hind quarters are strong and well-muscled without being overdone. Great feet. This boy moved so so well, covered his ground and so well put together.

2nd Seahearrt Crian at Gloi JW (Miss G & Dr L Smitherman & Roberts)I have liked this dog from a youngster and placed him second last time. Another classic dog with good qualities- good front and rear angulation a pleasing head and eye, good neck and shoulders, level topline and tail set good just carried the tail tad high. Both 1and 2 stood well and moved with drive just a close call with 1st

3RD Berend Uit DeZwarte Poler For Withybed gave this dog best veteran before still as nice as two years ago just pipped at the post with youngest in veteran. ( Mrs A Kilminster)

 2685 MPD 3

1st Glamour Shine Bravo Six (Miss M & Miss A Racic & Weber) this pup will have a great future in the show ring. On the same as Bath we held the southern Flatcoated Retriever Champ show here he gain Best Puppy boy then 4 days later at Southern Counties he gained the RCC. What a mover for one so young and so confident .Elegant shape he is well balanced all through. He has a lovely head shape with dark eye and kind expression. Good reach of neck, correct lay of shoulder, good bone and feet. Handled very well.

2nd Oiyou Waldorf (Mrs L Gordon) another nice puppy in the making - 1 had the better movement on the day just 2ND carried his tail up high on the move. Appealing head and eye, good body shape and clean outline .On profile moved well covering the ground.

3rd Ronevorg Can You Be Serious (Mr DH Clark)

2686 PD 2

1st Oiyou Waldorf (Mrs L Gordon) 2ND IN MPD

2nd Ronevorg King of Attitude (Mrs J & Miss M Campbell & Brown) nice moulded head eye shape and colour. Good reach of neck, good fore chest with good bone and feet just needs the depth of chest to develop but will come later. Moderate angulation in the hindquarters, good tail set and moved well .

2687 JD 9 (2A)

1st Esined Bright Idea (Mr DH Clark) I liked this dog and was considering him for the RCC in the challenge but at the end he was flagging- he was tired like us all. But he has a great future in front of him I will be watching him.He was the most together on the move in this class showing a good stride in profile. I didn’t know he is related to BOB winner. A very clean outline, lovely head and eyes with nice expression. Good reach of neck well placed shoulders with angulated front and hindquarters. Good quality bone with neat feet moving true straight fore and back with drive.

2nd Kulawand Callisto (Mr & Mrs R S & Mrs P Lane & Lane-Ridyard) A medium sized boy, clean in outline, he has a classical well moulded head with dark, almond shaped eye, his neck leads into good front construction.A bit long cast in the body and he has ample bone for his size, stands on excellent feet and moved well. Owner must watch not to over reach his back legs when standing.

3rd Kvicksans The Master Piper at Bluewaters (Imp Swe) (Mrs J Wild)

 2688 YD 4 Two dog of similar type.

1st Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW( Mrs V Bowen) Best of breed. Lovely size and type with a one piece head- nice eye colour with a soft expression and well set ears. Elegant neck and superb forequarter construction with good layback of shoulder, good depth throughout his body, tight elbows, adequate spring in his ribs, good loin to rib ratio ,stable topline well-muscled hindquarters with good width of second thigh, well let down hocks ,lovely bone and very neat feet well set tail that didn’t carry high like some dogs in the ring. Moved out really well with reach and drive by the handlers runner who got the best out of him on the move. In the challenge was covering the ground with ease with a great temperament. He was lovely to go over and I hope the next two CC’s are not too long coming for him happy to award him his first CC . STOP PRESS whilst writing this just heard that he only went and got his 2nd CC at Southern Countries champ Show 3 days later.

2nd Hurstclough Night Owl at Flanova (Mr B & Mrs L Clark ) moulded head with a kind expression, good eye shape and colour. Nice reach of neck leading in to good shoulders and good forefront angulations straight front leg to good tight feet. Nice level topline leading into a nice tail set, fullY feathered and moved well with handler.

3rd Kulawand Casanova (Mrs J A & Mr S Woodhams)

 2689 ND 7(3)

1ST Kulawand Casanova (Mrs J A & Mr S Woodhams) brother to 2nd in Junior I liked his head shape with intelligent expression. He presents a clean racy outline- neck is of good reach and good forechest. Good topline, his body just needs time to mature . He moved with good driving action in profile.

2ND Gemswin I Am Sailing (Mr B & Mrs G Broadbent) heavy in the head with dark eyes. He was carrying a bit of weight so was rolling on the move. He needs time for his fore chest to come through . Topline good leading into a good tail set adequate angulation at rear and good bone.

3rd Ruddleberry Dark Pheonix (Mr M W & Mrs L Smith)

2690 PGD 11 (1A)

1ST Blacktoft Brindisi by Buckleyhill (Mrs H J & Mr I M Buckley )liked this dog from outside ring at shows before so was nice to go over him. Balanced dog of a nice size, correct head and dark eye, well boned legs down to super feet, firm topline & tail straight off all retained on the move which was very sound and sensible.

2ND Hopevalley Morning Phantom Sgwc (Miss H Bright) similar to 1 ,I judged this dog two years ago.Well balanced head with a kind expression and dark eye .Good reach of neck and straight front good body balance with nice topline and tail set nice, good rear angulations straight hocks moved freely .

3RD Braemist Bootlegger at Ravenhall (Mrs S Kearton)

 2691 LD 13(2A) 1st and 2nd Two I have judged before 2 years ago and they have both matured in this time.

1ST Windyhollows Ragged Robin JW (Mr E W, Mrs P J & Miss N E Colson) again I judged him two year ago at the age of 7-month-old when I give him BP in breed and this what I wrote then- what will the future hold for this young dog a good one I hope both working and showing. Lovely masculine head with soft expression and dark eye, good reach of neck correct shoulder placement .Well boned liked his tight feet good bend of stifle all the same just matured in those two years. I was happy to award him the RCC . He was in coat too and a well balanced dog through out .

2ND Riverglide Secret Reprieve (Mrs A Youens) Again I have previously judged this dog . He has a well balanced head with a kind expression and dark eye with good reach of neck. Straight front leading to good body balance nice topline with good tail set , good rear angulation and straight hocks. Moved freely with his runner.

3RD Moontorn Black Magic (Mrs C Harvey)

 2692 OD 5

1ST - Gemswin Erase and Rewind (Mrs S, Mrs G & Mr M Knight & Jacobs) Moved around the ring with ease and drive. Well developed all over nice head with good eye shape and colour good front deep brisket.

2ND Ch Lussac Winter Wizard JW Swgc ShCEx OSW (Mrs M & Mr I Trotter) shame he didn’t move as well as I have seen move in the past. From outside the ring I have loved this dog. BeautIful one piece head with melting expression .Good reach of neck with well laid back shoulders. Nice topline good fore and after angulations good bone nice tight feet and wagging tail. A nice sized dog and his profile on the stand is lovely not too long in the body either.

3RD Ronevorg I Believe in Santa at Montechor (Mrs M Hessing)

 2693 SBD/B 8(2A) All were bitches in this class.

1ST Aylawbrook Noones Perfect (Mrs E A Hollingdale) this liver bitch stood out in her classes with maturity. Good outline good head shape good eye colour for the liver colour. Super coat on this girl, she has a well moulded, feminine head, a clean reach of neck into well placed shoulders, and level topline and well-muscled quarters. She moved well covering the ground with stride. In good hard condition with good bone .

2ND Blacklake Dark Lady for Gayplume (Mr G & Mrs J Goodman) pleasing head and eyes . Stood well with good reach of neck. Nice forechest straight front nice tight feet stood well long cast. Still needs to develop just out of coat at the moment but still glossy. She moved well.

3RD Feldkirk Rose N Roses (Mrs R Stevenson)

 2694 VB 8

1ST Sh Ch Seaheart Cecilia JW (Miss G & Mr P Smitherman) First time in the veteran class quality bitch of excellent type a very classic type all through. A feminine head with a good eye colour nice reach of neck with good forequarter and straight front. Nice length in body with a good topline leading into a nice set tail and great feet. In good gleaming coat happy to hear she got Group 2 in the Veteran Group.

2ND Moontorn Goddess of Love (Miss A Bellamy) Nice bitch lovely type and size and a one piece head .Good reach of neck good front good level top line in a nice tail set moved well around the ring with ease with her handler.

2695 MPB 2

1ST Steelriver Isle View Pippet (Miss S Stevenson) Feminine head with dark eye, a good reach of neck into well placed shoulder with adequate length and return of upper arm. Front very straight for chest come through, gradual spring of rib into correct length of loin. Has a level topline and moderate rear angulation good tail set and stands on tight feet. She moved positively both fore and aft, with good reach in profile which won her Best Puppy in Breed .

2ND Glamour Shine Bombarda Maxima (Miss M & Miss A Racic & Weber) Another nice bitch of type as 1well shaped head with dark eyes. Clean neck leading into well laid shoulders with level topline. Nice forechest just needs depth . Was not so good on the back angulation be careful how she stands too straight. Moved well .

2696 PB 3

1ST Dymexe My Cherie Amour (Mr M R & Mrs D P Moxey) Racy type a good bitch and nicely made .She is pleasing in outline and shape, has a lovely feminine head which is well moulded and of good proportions, a clean reach of neck into good shoulder placement, She holds her topline well and has well developed quarters, and moved well to win this class.

2ND Ronevorg Queen of Attitude (Mrs J & Mr A Singleton) bit heavy in the head to 1st good eyes and colour. Reach of neck good front and straight down with good bone and feet. Topline and tail set good but didnt wag tail it as much as 1st a true FCR has a wagging tail .Both 1st and 2nd were a nice size in height but 1st had the edge on the movement .

3rd Montegrino Pied Piper for Saffdales (Mrs R Mccammick)

 2697 JB 12(2A)

1st Benvellyn Sequoia JW (Mr & Mrs B Jones) I was impressed with this bitch- one to watch in the future when more matured. She is of the correct size and shape with lovely moulded head and dark eyes and alert expression. Developed in body and fore chest very balanced throughout moved beautifully around the ring with reach and drive.

2nd Lussac April Shower (Mrs S May) Another nice bitch just needs to mature over the years. Feminine bitch with one piece head good eye shape and colour. Well balanced for her age good reach of neck and front construction with a deep chest. Nice length of body with a good topline nice tail set good bone and tight feet moved well. I liked both 1 and 2 and on another day they may change places with a different judge .

3rd Bochilbarley My Girl (Mrs P Bellamy)

 2698 YB 5(1a)

1st Bryshot Starlight Express (Mr B & Mrs G Izzard) There was much to like about this bitch. Good head shape with nice eye. Good reach of neck into good lay of shoulder with deep brisket and well sprung ribs good hindquarters top line and tail set with tight feet and nice bone. She was sound on the move that moving out well.

2nd Lussac April Shower (Mrs S May) as JB2ND

3rd Bochilbarley My Girl (Mrs P Bellamy)

2699 NB 9

1st Dymexe My Cherie Amour (Mr M R & Mrs D P Moxey) as PB 1ST

2nd Bochilbarley My Girl (Mrs P Bellamy) Once settled to go over nice puppy girl same as 1st but a bit fine in body and head. Moved well with handler once she settled down.

3rd Montegrino Pied Piper for Saffdales (Mrs R Mccammick)

2700 PGB 22 the biggest class on the day lots of nice bitches went without cards today. Plus I note 1st and 2nd are related.

1st Manteauplat Margaux (Mrs A & Mr N Jackson) Another quality bitch she was extremely close to RCC. Beautiful typical one piece head with a melting expression with correct eye shape and colour. Great fore chest and depth straight front on the stand with good bone and feet shape. Moderate length of body with good topline and tail set. On the move she was at one with her handler with a driving fore and back movement.

2nd Burpham Lotties First Love JW (Mrs L M Strudwick) Nice outline to this bitch- medium size with pretty head shape nice dark eyes with good ear set. Nice length of neck into good well placed shoulders good angulation front and back nice topline correct tail set well presented in good coat and moved well .

3rd Hototo Pretty Ballerina JW (Miss C J Chambers)

 2701 LB 15(4A)

1st Gemswin She's Got the Look (Mrs P Matthews) Another in very good condition. Feminine moulded head piece with good eye. Liked her type of balance and size, good neck into well assembled front. Strong loin and covered ground with good profile going around today. Happy to give her the RCC.

2nd - Manteauplat Black Pippin (Mrs A C Milton) A nice bitch of the correct size with classic feminine head - nice dark eye and shape. Excellent front angulation with a deep and well sprung rib, nice length of body good hindquarters. Coat in good condition. Moved with plenty drive.

3rd Moontorn Better Half of Me JW (Miss A Bellamy)

 2702 OB 4

1st Sh Ch Braemist Witches Fire (Miss L S Jones) She is feminine throughout with a classical, well moulded head, correct shaped dark eye showing a bit of mischief. She is clean in neck and has excellent front construction with depth of chest and a pronounced brisket. She has good hindquarters which enabled her to move with drive and style. She was still light on her feet and this in no way detracted from her classical breed type and sound movement which was the deciding factor in awarding her CC she just didn’t drive out for BOB.

2nd Hopevalley Morning Wicked (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste) Beautifully presented, she has a classical, feminine head with eye of correct shape and colour with a soft expression. Her neck leads into a well laid shoulder with good length and return of upper arm, her body has good depth and length, her loin is correct. She has well-made hindquarters and presents excellent balance all through, she stands fore square on tight feet and moved straight and true with good reach.

3rd Sh Ch Bitcon Jelly Bean (ai) (Mrs K Armstrong)