National Gundog Association

National Gundog Association

Sunday, 4 August 2024

Spaniel (Field)

It is such an honour to be chosen by the Gundog Clubs to judge at this prodigious show. Thank you to the society for the invitation and to the exhibitors for a lovely entry of dogs.

It is 5 years since I last judged the breed and I was pleased to see a uniformity of size and substance throughout with bone to match which would enable the dogs to work through cover as they were originally required to do. When judging I endeavour to look at the dog as a whole rather than pick faults but as someone who has a personal involvement in the breed I was a little concerned to see weak pasterns creeping in to the breed along with feet that could be improved with shortening the nails.

That being said I was very impressed with my winners and both Open classes were full of quality.

 Veteran Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Elgert Let's Dance at Benbreac (Mr J & Mrs P Davies) Fabulous make and shape to this 8 year old, he is so correct in size and bone with clean legs and tight feet, standing well over his ground with nothing exaggerated. His head is the epitome of what is called for in the breed standard noble and well chiselled with a grave, calm expression from a well shaped hazel eye. He has a cracking spring of rib, strong topline and is so balanced throughout. He has so much power in his rear it takes him a couple of strides to settle in and then he really covers the ground. In the challenge he was on fire and just demanded the CC, put down in lovely condition a dog who is truly worthy of the title of champion CC BV

 2ND Kingsmist Panther (Ms J M Harris) Well built black dog who was unlucky to meet the winner on such great form, He has a balanced head with a bright eye, good length of muzzle, correct stop and backskull. He is strong in neck with a good forechest, lovely depth and spring of rib. Well muscled he covered the ground smoothly

 Junior Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Irisbel The Greatest Showman at Tymora (Mrs Hj & Miss Sj Tye) 15 month dog of good size with plenty of substance. He has a masculine head with depth of muzzle, kind expression and good width of skull. I liked the flow of his neck and shoulder down to a deep chest, lovely flat bone and good feet. He was very tidy on the move with a steady, unhurried stride.

Novice Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Elgert King for A Day (Mrs D Wheeler) Promising young dog, just turned 18 months, still quite raw when it comes to maturity but he has pleasing angulation throughout. Another one with a lovely headpiece with plenty of chiselling, just the right amount of stop and a bright eye. I was impressed with his bone and tight feet, on the move he held a strong outline, just needs time to fill his frame

 Graduate Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Irisbel The Greatest Showman at Tymora (Mrs Hj & Miss Sj Tye) (Repeat of Junior)

2ND Elgert King for A Day (Mrs D Wheeler) (Repeat of Novice)

 Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Kingsmist Remember Me JW (Mr M J & Mrs A E Harding) Eye catching dark liver who is so correct in size and shape. He has the noble head I was looking for, so balanced with a grave expression but cheeky glint to his eye. He is well made throughout with a cracking front assembly, good depth of rib and plenty of backrib leading to a firm coupling. His firmly muscled rear gave strong steady movement covering the ground well. Still only young and a touch light in condition but in time he could challenge the best.

 2ND Flyenpyg First Sight (Mr & Mrs Houseman) Smaller framed dog but nicely made throughout, clean boned with tight feet. He has a kind eye in a balanced head, not quite as masculine as my winner. Strong through the neck and shoulder with a firm topline. He was carrying a few extra pounds which meant he rolled on the move but showed a good reach of stride.

 Limit Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 2

1ST Clandrift Diplomat (Mrs M & Mr I Trotter) Good sized dog but balanced and in proportion. He has a kind hazel eye, good stop and nicely shaped head. Firm through the neck with a good length of upperarm and pleasing forechest. He has depth of rib and holds his topline well on the move showing good drive and profile action.

 2ND Bogdogs Brynnyth at Winsbrook (Mrs J & Miss V & Ms A Porter & Russell & Palm) Strongly built dog with a head that is a touch broader than my ideal but has a kind eye and defined stop. He is balanced in angulation with a deep chest, not quite the length of rib which showed in a shorter stride on the move in profile but he was tidy in both directions.

Open Dog

What a great class, it was a real pleasure to judge

Entries: 8 Absentees: 1

1ST Sh Ch Fecimus Chase The Dream to Ewtor JW (Mr A D Moss)Fully mature male in his prime, put down in excellent condition. He has a delightful expression, masculine head so well balanced with lovely chiselling and good skull. Clean through the neck and shoulder with a lovely layback and plenty of forechest, excellent depth and spring of rib and clean flat bone with tight feet. His broad thighs are well muscled and he is short from hock to heel. He moved with a steady, ground covering stride but just flagged a little in the final challenge. RCC

 2ND Sh Ch Elgert Disco Inferno at Knightsbay (Mr R & Mrs S, Miss S Mosedale & Rossiter) This black dog was put down in gleaming condition and full coat. He has a lovely outline and strong topline. Good length to his muzzle with a dark eye and low set ear. He flows nicely through the neck and shoulder with width to his chest, clean, straight legs with excellent feet. Covered the ground well, not quite the length of stride as the winner today.

 3RD Elgert Break Every Rule at Portsoy (Ms M Elliott)

Veteran Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Sh Ch Sonnetend Faith (Ms M Mcvitty) Mature bitch with the most beautiful headpiece, soft and gentle in expression with the right amount of stop and lovely chiselling. She has a good length of neck and well set shoulder, deep well sprung rib and good bone but feet could be a bit tighter. She had a broad well muscled rear and firm coupling. Move steady just lacked the verve of the dog when it came to best veteran.

  J

Junior Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST Trevorsilk Blue Velvet (Mr & Mrs T J Trevor) Well made bitch, lovely dark liver coat in great condition, she has a promising head which still needs to finish but has a feminine expression and dark hazel eye. Her firm neck leads to a well angulated front with straight flat bone and tight feet. She held her topline well standing and moving with a steady, ground covering stride. She may take time to mature and finish but has the makings of a quality bitch

 2ND Sonnetend Eternal Flame (Ms M Mcvitty) Well built young lady with a kind eye, good stop and the makings of a lovely head. She has a laidback shoulder and enough depth for her age, not as true in front as my winner but she has time yet. Strong rear which she used well on the move just a touch untidy in front.

 3RD Sonnetend It's Meant to Be (Miss Ah & Mr Hj Stone & Parvin)

Novice Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST Trevorsilk Blue Velvet (Mr & Mrs T J Trevor) (Repeat of Junior)

 2ND Sonnetend Eternal Flame (Ms M Mcvitty) (Repeat ofJunior)

 3RD Redeswell Sweet Serendipity (Mrs S M Harnett)

Graduate Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 3

1ST Heartwood Mishules All Is Possible with Calico (S M Shipton) Strongly built B/T bitch, she has the right amount of bone and substance with clean, straight legs and good feet. Feminine in expression with a well shaped eye of good colour just needs to finish in skull but I see she is only just out of junior so has plenty of time. She is balanced in angulation with a strong topline and deep chest. Her strong rear gave plenty of drive

 2ND Sonnetend It's Meant to Be (Miss Ah & Mr Hj Stone & Parvin) Black bitch in gleaming coat, she has a pretty head with a lovely expression and soft eye. She has depth and spring of rib, just needs to tighten all through which showed in her movement but she has a good length of stride and plenty of time on her side.

Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 3

1ST Heartwood Mishules All Is Possible with Calico (S M Shipton) (Repeat of Grad)

Limit Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1ST Nadavin Expectation of Vraibleu (Mr G & Mrs E A Hazell) What a beautiful bitch standing and moving she really filled my eye today. She has such a typy head, feminine with a good length of muzzle, correct stop and lovely chiselling. Firm neck smoothly leading to a cracking front assembly with plenty of depth of rib and a lovely forechest, straight flat bone and tight feet finished everything off beautifully. She has the correct ratio of rib under a firm topline and a strong coupling. Her strong, well muscled rear gave power to her unhurried ground covering movement. In top notch condition I was delighted to award her the CC and BOB. Another who is certainly worthy of the title of champion I will watch her career with interest.

 2ND Heartwood Mishules All Is Possible with Calico (S M Shipton) (Repeat of Grad)

Open Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST Sh Ch Elgert Private Dancer (Ms G Osborn) A true to type bitch who is just the right size and substance with the correct amount of bone and tight feet. She has a balanced head with length of muzzle and well shaped hazel eye. Her neck is of good length and flows smoothly into a lovely layback of shoulder with width and spring to her rib and a firm coupling under a strong topline. Her rear is correctly angulated with well toned muscle which gave her strong, clean ground covering movement and earned her a well deserved RCC

 2ND Kingsmist Miss Marple JW (Mr M J & Mrs A E Harding) Winsome black bitch who is well made throughout. She has an appealing head with a kind expression and good width of skull. She is the right size with a good length of rib and balanced angulation front and rear, straight legs and tight feet. She has a clean steady movement which covered the ground well but was carrying a couple of extra pounds which did give her a slight roll.

 3RD Sh Ch Nadavin Yirki at Tumblebar (E Barker) Completed a trio of lovely bitches

Judge Carol Moore (Gadhelic)