National Gundog Association

National Gundog 2024

Gordon Setters

An enjoyable day judging my original breed. One I hold close to my heart. I was pleased with my main winners. Many thanks to my stewards for keeping the ring moving and making my appointment even more enjoyable. I was disappointed to find a couple of incorrect bites and to see some light tan creeping back into the breed.

Veteran Dog (5,1abs)

1 Gregg’s Locksheath Beach Comber

Such a sound 7 year old moving really well and showing his attributes. Strong but balanced head,arched neck of good length, well laid shoulders. Good width and depth to his body. He has a firm topline and good width to his quarters.

2 Sandiford and Lewis’ Sh Ch Hernwood Neptune Sea

Well known and worthy Champion, well-proportioned head with dark eyes and well placed ears. Long clean neck helps give a pleasing outline. He was presented in good coat and moved well.

3 Smith’s Pegasett Jack The Lad of Boswedden

Minor Puppy Dog (1)

1 Sandiford’s Hernwood Rocket Man

Lovely youngster full of promise, at 9 months is maturing along the right lines. Good length of head which will fill out as he develops. Straight in front. He has a good length to his ribs and is starting to deepen in chest. Correct moderate rear angulation. Moving well to show his virtues to advantage.

Puppy Dog (2)

1 Hernwood Rocket Man

2 Miller’s Cafotaliena heart of A Hero.

Although a bit older than the winner, is currently finer through. He has good length of muzzle, dark eyes and low set ears. Good reach of neck. Moderate rear angulation. He has a positive temperament. Just needing time to fill out in body and tighten on the move

Junior Dog (1)

1 Smith’s Glenmaurangi Apollo at Glenkinchie

Sixteen months and well developed for his age. Strong but balanced head with plenty of stop and a kind eye. Well placed ears. Strong clean neck leads into nicely sloping shoulders. Well boned, straight front legs with elbows nicely tucked in. He has a good width to his chest and ribs go well back. Moderate rear angulation. He moved with plenty of enthusiasm.

Yearling Dog (1)

1 Donovan’s Tighnabo Sgalpaigh

Just out of junior. Decent head although I would prefer a little more length of muzzle. Dark eyes and well placed ears. Good reach of neck and well laid shoulders. Good rear angulation. Moved freely holding his top line well. Would like to see him carrying a little more body.

Graduate Dog (3)

1 Ashton’s Forester's Northern Hunter of Darkmoor with Gadieburn

Lovely boy making his handler work hard today. Balanced in head with plenty of shape and dark eyes. Strong neck leads to sloping shoulders, elbows nicely tucked in. Balanced in body with good length of rib and firm short couplings. He has good rear angulation. The best mover in this class today.

2 Taylor’s Graylacier Blue Marlin

Pleasing in head with dark eyes and good ear placement. Strong neck and well angulated behind. He was shown in full coat. Carrying a little too much body for me today.

3 Marsh’s Kilnrae Black Hawk

Post Graduate Dog (3)

1 Tait’s Forester’s Northern Light of Darkmoor at Muckhart

Promising two year old who edged this tricky class on his better movement. Well made and firmly bodied. He has straight, well boned front legs with his elbows nicely tucked in. Good length of rib. Plenty of width to his quarters and showing a good bend of stifle. Moved to advantage.

2 Passmore’s Beechlake The Gambler

Smaller type and honest without exaggeration. Well proportioned head with typical expression. Balanced in body with firm topline. Moderate rear angulation. Just tended to be a bit proud of his tail today.

3 Fudge’s Fieldberry Secret Weapon at Rufusmoor

Limit Dog (4,1)

1 Henderson’s When I Was Your Man Black Lofty

Well constructed four year old. He has a super head with good stop, dark eyes and low set ears. Strong clean arched neck leads to sloping shoulders and a straight front with elbows tucked in. Good length and depth to his well ribbed body. Short, firm couplings give a correct top line. Strong well proportioned quarters with width to his thigh and correct angulation, not over done in any way. Moved well showing good rear extension. Went on to win best SB and the RCC.

2 Millar and Scobie’s Yennadon Calvay

Mature and well bodied five year old. He has a well shaped head with plenty of work and low set ears. Strong clean neck. Well ribbed with short couplings. He too, had a correct turn of stifle. In decent coat.

3 Miller’s Liric Just The Ticket

Open Dog (5)

1 Mitchell’s Sh Ch Cafotaliena Thief of Hearts by Brobruick

I admired this boy as a youngster but had not had the opportunity to go over him. Now mature he looks the part. He does not disappoint on inspection. Balanced in head with good stop, strong muzzle and well set ears giving that lovely Gordon expression. Well boned through, he has a well constructed front with straight legs and good layback of shoulder. Well ribbed and firm over the loins. He has good width to his quarters and well turned stifles. Hocks are well let down. He moved freely covering the ground easily. Worthy Champion and my CC winner here.

2 Ashley-Turner’s Hernwood The Botanist

Larger dog carrying profuse coat. Correct head with dark eyes and defined stop. Strong clean neck of good length. He has strong legs and well shaped feet. Firm and level top line. He moved soundly.

3 Phillips, Miles and Watkins’ Sh Ch Glenmaurangi Mandalorian

Special Beginners (6)

1 When I Was Your Man Black Lofty

Winner of limit D

2 Tighnabo Sgalpaigh

Winner of Yearling D.

3 Beddall’s Dwensantinis Dora

Veteran Bitch (4,2)

1 Seymour’s Pegasett Miz Guydance

Just seven and defying her Veteran status. Feminine head with kind eyes and soft expression. Straight in front with good length of ribs and good set on of tail. Good rear angulation. She was in full coat, almost too much! Moving well, a pleasure to award her best veteran.

2 Millar’s Balnakeil Carn Na Criche

Another lovely veteran girl of seven years. Finer in head with a good bite. Straight front with nicely sloping shoulders. Good length of ribs. Well angulated quarters, she moved steadily but truly both ways.

Minor Puppy Bitch (2)

1 Sandiford’s Hernwood Relight My Fire

Showing plenty of promise for her age. Lean head which will improve as it breaks and fills out. Good reach of neck and straight in front with good bone and tidy feet. Well ribbed back. She moved well for one so young.

2 Green’s Benbuie Shoshone at Malocomi

Very much a baby but showing a super temperament and enjoying her experience here whilst making life difficult for her handler. Pleasing head and good length of rib. She needs time to fill out and come together.

Puppy Bitch (3)

1 Phillips and Watkin’s Flaxheath Cover Girl at Glenmaurangi

My best puppy today. So stylish and full of potential, moving to advantage. She has a good head with plenty of work round her eyes and correct length of muzzle. Clean in neck with well laid shoulders. Plenty of bone whilst still retaining femininity. She has good length and depth to her ribs and strength over the loins. Correctly angulated quarters with width to her thighs. Just needs time to fill out and develop her body. It will be interesting to watch her future.

2 Lines’ Flaxheath Centrefold

Another lovely puppy who is well constructed and showing plenty of promise. Stronger through than the winner but still feminine through. Lovely head with defined stop and low set ears. Well ribbed with width and depth. She has good width to her quarters. Carrying plenty of coat and moving well.

3 Hardy’s Cafotaliena All Eyes On Me

Junior Bitch (4,1)

1 Flaxheath Centrefold

Second in puppy, moved even better here.

2 Garbett’s Gailiech Beverleydottir

Reserve in SB class and more settled here. Presents a pleasing shape though taller than some. Straight front of good width. She has a balanced body of correct length. Moving well, showing a happy disposition.

3 Speed’s Ronaldsbill Magic Stars

Yearling Bitch (1)

1 Pearce’s Ardnadam Hazelnut

At 20 months, she is taking time to come together. Pleasing head with good bite. Clean in neck, she is long in rib but still needs to fill out. Well angulated quarters. Moved well enough to warrant her place, She will look more balanced as she matures and her coat lengthens.

Novice Bitch (2)

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1 Flaxheath Centrefold

2 Dwensantinis Dora

Third in the SB class. Pleasing head which could do with more work around the eyes. Good layback of shoulder. In good coat condition and moving steadily and truly. Just tended to drop her top line when stacked.

Graduate Bitch (4)

1 Passmore’s Beechlake The Poet in My Heart

Lovely type with plenty to like. Making life difficult for her handler but moving well once settled. Good head with dark eyes and strong neck. Well ribbed and balanced in body. She has enough rear angulation. Just lacked the coat to press for top honours today.

2 Brandon-Lodge’s Cottonstones River Sprite

Taller type than the winner, leaner in head. Good depth of body and firm level top line. Well turned stifles. In good coat. Moved truly but lacked drive.

3 Pearce’s Ardnadam Alaranth

Post Graduate Bitch (3,1)

1 Osborn’s Amscot Air of Success at Boyers

Struck me for her overall balance and outline. Plenty of substance but still feminine and pretty. Balanced head with dark eyes and appealing expression. Correct ear placement. She has a clean neck of good length and super shoulder construction. Well ribbed with plenty of heart room and firm short couplings. Her quarters are well developed with width to her second thigh. Moving economically and correctly driving from the rear. Continued to impress in the challenge. My pleasure to award her the CC and Best of Breed. Should make a worthy Champion.

2 Hardy’s Cafotaliena Hello My Love

Two year old with a good head, neck and sloping shoulders. Firm in body with strong level top line. She has good rear angulation and correct set on of tail. She moved soundly. Would prefer a darker tan and a gentler presentation style.

Limit Bitch (9,2)

1 Leonard’s Painted Lady at Tregarrick

Larger girl but balanced through and so well put together. Lovely head with plenty of stop and well placed ears. She has a good neck and legs are straight and well boned. Balanced body with firmness over her loins as well as good width to her ribs. She moved well once settled and was shown in good coat and condition.

2 Roberts’ Moonglade Lily Mae Magic

Another good one. So good to go over and well put together. Pleasing in head with dark eyes. Strong neck leading to well laid shoulders. Well ribbed with firm top line. Strong quarters enabled her to move soundly. Presented in decent coat.

3 Burke’s Beechlake Hey Jude

Open Bitch (6,3)

Three top class exhibits here who had a lot to offer.

1 Macara, Jamieson and Alcorn’s Sh Ch Cromasaig Daisys Choice

Such a nice type and full of quality. Worthy Champion. Super head with good stop and good length of muzzle. Strong neck of good length leading to well laid shoulders. Well boned with good width to her chest. She is well ribbed showing both length and depth to her body. Correct top line leading to good tail set. She has well developed quarters, her hocks well let down. This enabled her to move with reach and drive which edged her this class and ultimately the RCC

2 Ford’s Liric Just Remember Me

One that I have admired form the ringside previously. Presented a lovely outline with plenty of gleaming coat. Well constructed through with good head, clean neck and balanced in body. Good rear angulation, free from exaggeration. Moved well in profile but just preferred the overall movement of the winner today.

3 Mappin’s Bryerdale Qangeroo

Jane Howarth

Judge