Southern Counties Canine Association

Southern Counties – Irish Setters

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Southern Counties Canine Association for their invitation to judge, and to the exhibitors who entered under me. I would also like to thank my stewards for the day.

This was my first appointment at CC level and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I had some quality dogs to judge which made some decisions very difficult. Thank you for giving me a good type of headache! All that being said, I was surprised to find many untypical heads, light eyes and a few suspect mouths. I really felt after the appointment that we are starting to lose the typical ‘Irish’ expression that we all know and love. Whilst it is true that there is more to a dog than its head, I personally feel it is a core characteristic of our breed. Please, let’s not lose sight of this.

Special Beginners (7, 1abs)

1st Bentley’s - Penclippin Jubilee Flame JW – 23 month old dog. Handsome refined head. Good length to foreface and depth to his muzzle. He has a kind eye and expression. He has good length to his loin, good width of thigh and rear angulation. Presents a balanced picture when stood. I would like him to have a slightly stronger topline. Moved ok, could tighten up in front. Presented in good condition.

2nd Bentley’s - Penclippin Celtic Asthore JW - Litter sister to 1st. I preferred the head and eye of 1st, but with them both just nearing two years of age their heads will no doubt continue to change as they mature. She is a nice bitch with many of the same attributes as her brother. She is well bodied, yet refined. She moved out well using her tail to advantage.

3rd Henderson & Szwajkowski’s - Grenada Lofty Czerwony

Minor Puppy Dog (4, 0abs)

1st Murray’s - Henaleas Maximilian with Derrydore – Raw Puppy, but he is made well and presents a balanced picture when stood. His head is long and lean. He has a kind expression and lovely low ear set. Good lay back of shoulder and really moved out well for one so young. Being critical, I would like him to have a slightly better width of thigh and bend of stifle, but he is still very young and hopefully he will drop into his quarters as he matures.

2nd Bott, Allen & Morgan’s - Quensha The One Man Show (ai) – Well this boy was giving his handler a hard time. He was being very naughty – but isn’t that what we all love about Irish?! This puppy is all boy. Well angulated fore and aft. He has a lovely lay back of shoulder, return of upper arm and pronounced sternum. Lovely deep chest. His quarters are wide and well-muscled. Moved ok. He is longer in body than 1st at the moment and today, I preferred the head of 1st.

3rd Sheldon’s – Bardonhill That’s All Right at Delsanto

Puppy Dog (7, 2abs)

1st Russell’s - Tiroen Touch of Magic by Settesoli (imp Kcj) – 11 month old dog. Very sweet head and expression. Lovely kind eye with raised brows with enough stop for his age. He has a lovely low ear set with pronounced occiput. Good lay back of shoulder, good bone and forechest. When his handler has him stood correctly, he is nicely balanced for his age. He has a great topline which was held nicely on the move. He moved out well once settled. BPD.

2nd Tapper & Leyland’s - Kedalita Steptoe and Son – Nicely made boy and lots of similar remarks apply. He too has a nice head and expression, albeit he has an ever so slightly deeper muzzle. Another with a lovely, pronounced sternum and good depth to his chest. He has a good topline and moved out well for his age.

3rd Randle’s - Danwish Maestro with Rionore

Junior Dog (6 , 0abs)

1st Edwards’ - Copper’s Get Off My Cloud Bonhomie (Imp Swe) – 14 month old boy who is well bodied. He has a nice head and expression with lovely raised brows, although I would like a slightly darker eye. He has a nice muscular arched neck that leads neatly into his well laid back shoulders without break. Good depth to his chest and good length to his loin. He also has a good tailset. He is well muscled and moved out well with his handler. Lovely deep rich chestnut coat of super quality and texture and his furnishings are just starting to mature.

2nd Richardson’s - Bardonhill Mcintosh Red at Montgreenan – Nice dog of good substance and type. Handsome refined head. He has good layback of shoulders and depth to his chest. He is nicely balanced with good angulation fore and aft. He moved out true, however I would have liked to have seen a little bit more exuberance from him. Good tailset.

3rd Chapman’s – Sheldonite Typical Male

Yearling Dog (3, 0 abs)

1st Berry & Morris’ - Copper’s Midsummer Nights Dream (Imp Swe) JW – I very much liked this boy for type. He has ample angulation fore and aft and he has a good forechest. His neck is of good length and leads neatly into his shoulders, which are well laid back. His coat is of good colour and condition. At the moment, he is broader in the skull than I would like and is also a little light in the eye. He has the ability to move out well using his tail to advantage on the move.

2nd Bentley’s - Penclippin Jubilee Flame JW – 1st Special Beginners.

3rd Chapman’s - Sheldonite Typical Male

Post Graduate Dog (14, 0 abs)

1st Chorley-Newton, Chorley & Flinders’ - Kerryfair Just Be JW – Lovely male of super type and quality. He has the loveliest of heads with the typical Irish expression I was looking for. His eyes are unshelled almond in shape, and he has the desired amount of stop and a pronounced occiput. He has good length and depth to his muzzle. His neck is moderate in length and leads nicely into his shoulders. He has a super lay back of shoulder. Good forechest and depth of chest. He has good length of body and he has a super strong topline. He moved out well in profile once settled. Good wide powerful hindquarters with ample bend of stifle. All in all a quality male.

2nd Kolbach’s - Kerryfair Zoom in On Pawsword – Litter brother to 1st and many of the above remarks apply to him. He too has a lovely head and expression. His shoulders are well laid back and his chest is deep. He is another that had a lovely gently sloping topline which he held on the move. He really moved out well with his handler. He did not quite have the maturity of his brother today, but they could easily change places on another day.

3rd Webb & Danks-Kemish’s – Alolfrana Azzaro Beside Redeshka

Limit Dog (9, 0 abs)

1st Brown’s - Riverbrue Soldier On – Lovely male of super type and quality. Everything is in proportion. He has a pleasant head and his neck is of ample length leading into his shoulders, which are well laid back. He has a super return of upper arm and ample forechest. His chest is deep. He has a good strong, gently sloping topline. His hindquarters are wide and he used them to advantage on the move. He was the best mover in this class today, really striding out with his runner which is what won him the class in front of another lovely dog in 2nd. Presented a nice balanced picture when stood.

2nd Beresford’s - Jetsetter Wind of Dreams (Imp Rus) – Another really lovely boy who pushed 1 hard. He too is of super quality and there is lots to like about him. He has a good head, albeit it is different to 1st as he is slightly more refined but retains his masculinity. He has a kind, intelligent expression with lovely, raised brows. He has a good length to his neck which is strong and well-muscled. His shoulders are well laid back. He has good forehand angulation, and this is matched by his equally good well angulated hind quarters. I felt he lacked a little enthusiasm on the move today compared to 1, but I really liked him. He was presented immaculately.

3rd Gardner’s - Quensha Walk Me Home to Danwish

Open Dog (4, 0 abs)

A lovely class.

1st Glonekova’s - Sh Ch/Int Sh Ch Glimmer Noblesse Cloud Dancer – What a super quality male. Just my type and so glad I had the opportunity to judge him. He has a lovely head and expression. Just what I was looking for. His eyes were kind and his brows well raised with that classic intelligent, yet quizzical Irish expression. He is masculine, yet racy and refined. He has a super layback of shoulder. His neck simply glides into his shoulders and then onto his topline. There are no lumps or bumps on this boy. His topline is strong and, when his handler has him set up correctly, it is gently sloping. He is well angulated fore and aft and he is balanced. You simply cannot deny how well made this boy is and he is a pleasure to go over. His chest is deep and he also has a good pronounced sternum. His tail simply flows off of his back and he used it to advantage on the move, he powers around the ring with drive and commands your attention. He was presented in fantastic coat and condition. Delighted to award him the CC and later BOB. Thank you for bringing him.

2nd Edward’s - Sh Ch Gwendariff Ucan’tmissme Bonhomie - Another male so full of quality and unlucky to meet 1 today. I have admired him many times from the ringside and he did not disappoint today on further examination. He too has a nice head and expression. He has lovely length to his neck which moves seamlessly into his shoulders, which are laid back. He has a good return of upper arm. His chest is deep. He has good length to his body. His topline is firm and gently sloping. His hindquarters are well bent and powerful. He moved out covering the ground so well. He has a lovely tailset and he uses his tail to advantage on the move. He is a well-balanced dog that was also presented immaculately and without question is a very worthy champion. Another I am pleased to have judged.

3rd Bott, Allen & Morgan – Sh Ch Quensha Take A Bow

Veteran (3, 0 abs)

1st Stockton’s - Sh Ch Riverbrue Alchemist Amidst Kespas JW – Gorgeous male. Another that I have admired for some time and very pleased to have had the pleasure to judge him. He is belying his age. His head is refined yet retains masculinity. His slight hints of grey are just lovely and he is so typically Irish. Just my type and a dog who is so full of quality as he has everything in moderation. He is well angulated fore and aft, good depth to his chest and good length to his body. His topline is strong and gently sloping. His tail continues on seamlessly from his topline. When his handler gets him set up right, he presents such a balanced picture that you simply cannot deny him top honours. He was presented in lovely coat and condition. His personality just stole my heart today. RCC

2nd Davie’s - Lochfrae Nina Simone – Nice bitch of 7 years of age. She has a super head and expression, and I loved her white chin. She has a good ear set. I would have preferred a better lay back of shoulder and fore chest, but she is a sweet girl who moved out well holding her topline.

3rd White’s – Swiftlark First Desire at Paduan

Minor Puppy Bitch (3, 1abs)

Two nice puppies. It was a shame that 2nd did not return for the puppy class.

1st Roffey’s - Gwendariff Skys the Limit – What a poppet! She is naughty, but oh so nice. She has a lovely sweet expression, well defined occiput and her neck leads cleanly into her shoulders. She has a good lay back of shoulder and return of upper arm and she has enough bend of stifle for her age. She moved true and steady for a baby. She has a good topline which she held on the move. Her tail never stopped wagging which is just so lovely to see. I will watch her with interest BPB and BPIB.

2nd Danks-Kemish’s - Alolfrana Electra – Another nice baby. She has a sweet expression and a low ear set. She has enough sternum and depth for her young age. She has a nice gently sloping topline and good tail set. Today, 1st was a little tidier on the move, but another promising baby.

Puppy (6, 2 abs)

1st Gardner’s - Danwish Soprano - Nice youngster. She presents a balanced picture when stood and has a beautiful head and expression with a lovely square finish to her muzzle. She has a strong well arched neck leading into her shoulders. Good depth to her chest and forechest is well pronounced. If I was being critical, she is a little round over the croup for me, but this may change as she matures. Her coat is of good colour and texture and moved out steady today to win over her litter sister.

2nd Borthwick’s - Danwish Aria - Much of what I have said above also applies to this young lady. She too has a lovely head and eye. Her neck leads cleanly into her shoulders, she has good depth of chest and forechest. She has a good return of upper arm and a well bent stifle and presents a lovely balanced picture. At the moment, she holds her topline better than her sister, however she is a little proud of her tail. I am sure these girls will swap places in the future.

3rd Mugford’s -Kedalita Abfab for Lynwood

Junior Bitch (9, 2abs)

1st Williamson’s - Caskeys United with Bluesprings Two nice bitches headed up this class. Today I preferred the substance and overall finish of 1st. She has a pretty head, albeit perhaps a slightly lighter eye than is desirable. She has a lovely low ear set. Her neck is strong leading into well laid back shoulders. She has a nice straight front and good forechest. She has a lovely gently sloping topline with enough bend to her stifle at this age. She really moved out well today to win this class.

2nd Mitchell’s - Kerryfair Misty Love – Such a pretty girl with lots to like about her. She is finer made than 1st, but by no means weedy. I am sure she will body up with age. She has a super head and eye. She has well laid back shoulders and enough return of upper arm. She presents a nice balanced picture fore and aft and has a lovely finish to her croup. She is another than moved out well and pushed 1st hard.

3rd Kennedy-Sloane’s - Twoacres Contrary Mary

Yearling Bitch (5, 0 abs)

1st Bentley’s - Penclippin Celtic Asthore JW – see 2nd Special Beginners

2nd Chapman’s - Sheldonite Only The Best – Pretty bitch. She has a lovely coat and was presented in good condition. She has a good low ear set. She has a nice strong topline. I would have liked slightly more depth to her chest and her croup was slightly rounder than I would prefer.

3rd Atkins’ – Orange Starburst

Post Graduate Bitch (9, 2abs)

1st Hall’s - Glennara Cherry Cola JW – I judged this girl as an 8 month old puppy and I very much liked her then and still do now. This girl is so well made. She has a lovely head and expression with a nice dark eye. She has good finish to her foreface and a good low ear set. Her neck is strong and just glides into her well laid back shoulders. She has a good pronounced sternum and lovely depth to her chest. She has ample angulation fore and aft. Her tail is well set on. I felt she was carrying slightly too much weight today which in turn affected her topline at times. Nevertheless, so much to like about this girl.

2nd Vallance’s - Glencarron Second Edition to Corcencone – Oh my, this girl really pulled at my heart strings today and pushed 1st so very hard. 1st just tipped it on her maturity, but I see after looking at the catalogue there is just over a year between them. Her head and expression are just divine, so feminine and yet with ample work over her lovely shaped eyes and well raised browns. She has sufficient angulation fore and aft and has a lovely strong topline and good tailset. She really moved out well today with her handler. Presented lovely coat and condition.

3rd Mugford’s – Lynwood Rather Scrumptious JW

Limit Bitch (8, 0 abs)

1st Catling’s - Quensha Family Portrait for Teleri – Another I have judged previously and thought her lovely then, but with time and age on her side, she has now matured into a beautiful girl. She is starting to show slight hints of grey, but for me, this only added to her appeal. She is such a lovely bitch and one I feel you need to go over to appreciate her qualities. When looking at my catalogue, and reminding myself of her dam, I immediately realised why I was so drawn to her. So many of her mother’s attributes are apparent in her. She has such a sweet expression with lovely raised eyebrows. She has a strong neck leading into her shoulders. She has good depth with pronounced sternum. Nice straight front, Her topline is strong and gently sloping. She has ample angulation fore and aft. She is well muscled with nice short hocks, which were used to advantage on the move. She was presented beautifully. Her coat was gleaming and she had ample feathering. Delighted to award her the CC.

2nd Hall’s - Harreds Lillie – I could not deny this bitch her place in the class. On the move is when she comes alive. She powers around the ring and is just so eye catching. One of the best movers today. She has a pleasant head, albeit a slightly lighter eye than I prefer. This does not however deter from her overall sweet expression with lovely raised expressive brows. She has a well defined stop with lovely low set ears. She has a lovely depth of chest and pronounced forechest. She has ample angulation and, when stood right, presents a lovely balanced picture. Her topline is strong and she has a well set on tail. I really did like this girl. When called back in for the RCC I felt she was just lacking maturity on the day but I have no doubt in time she will trouble the best.

3rd Mazzuca’s – Rahina Della Magna Sila Jr Ch

Open Bitch (7, 2 abs)

1st Glonekova’s - Int Ch Glimmer Noblesse Darling Hurry Up – From the same kennel as my DCC winner and you can certainly see similar attributes in her. She is a bitch that is well bodied, which gives her the appearance of being big, but crucially, everything is in proportion, and she is balanced. When stood, and not over stretched, you cannot deny her presence. She is so well angulated. She has a lovely layback of shoulder and return of upper arm with ample forechest. She has good depth and her rear angulation very much matches her front assembly. Her topline is firm and strong. She was presented immaculately and in full bloom. You have to see past all her coat to appreciate her qualities, of which there are many. RCC.

2nd Frampton & Piggin’s - Sh Ch Riverbrue Cloudburst Over Strathmead – Another nice bitch and worthy Sh Ch. She too is well bodied, with ample depth and forechest. She has well laid back shoulders and good return of upper arm. Straight front, and her well angulated rear very much matches her forehand. She has a lovely tail set and moved out well. I preferred the head and topline of 1st today, but she lovely bitch. Thank you for bringing her.

3rd Catling’s – Teleri Here Comes Summer (ai)

Jenna Sturrock