National Gundog Association

It was a pleasure to judge Irish water spaniels at this prestigious show, the exhibititors  interacted well which made this a enjoyable experience. I was able to assess each dog calmly and in a relaxed manner.

Graduate dog 1

1 ST Foulby the dark knight at Kandrelli (Mr S & Mrs S Davies & Margerison) 

18 months, lovely head low set ear, kind expression, good bone and feet, well ribbed, good lay of shoulders, excellent topline, carried his head well on the move showing a pleasant ballance throughout, well deserved Res. CC

Limit Dog 2

1 ST Fynder Reacher (Ms L Latheron)

Very impressive big lad, well coated with good colour and curl, excellent classic head in eye colour, almond shaped eye and wedge muzzle also low set ear. Good reach of neck slopping to his level top line, straight forearm well boned with big feet, good width and depth to brisket, strong well angulated hind quarters with low set hock, moved effortlessly  as his construction would suggest, C.C.

2D Goldenacre Jubilee Lord of Leonardston (Mr D & Mrs A C Smith)

Lots to like with this well balanced lad, masculine head well proportioned and low set ears, well presented and handled, good coat texture and colour,good bone and rib, not holding his topline on the move today as I would have preferred to see.

Open Dog 2 (1AB)

1ST SH CH Curlyco My Rockstar (Mr J & Mrs A Hackett & Williams)

Well handled a pleasure to see the bond between handler and dog, (this was noted throughout the exhibits today). Abundance of coat in good colour, texture and crisp curl, good bone and rib completing a well balanced dog, as with the class winner movement particularly in the hind quarters could have been better.

Veteran Bitch 1

1ST Kandrelli Sand Partridge at Foulby (Mrs P & Mrs A Willoughby and Williams)

This girl was full of beans, certainly out to enjoy her day, pleasing throughout, lovely size and ballance, good head, neck and shoulder placement, best of rib and well angulated hind quarters with low set hock, moved well after settling.

Junior bitch 1

1St Stanegate Standing Ovation (Mrs Carruthers)

My initial reaction was what a pretty, happy youngster, lovely head with kind expression, well balanced throughout carrying her head well above her level topline, good covering of dark coat, moved well, just needs time to fill out her pleasing frame.

Novice Bitch 2

1ST Finchsmill Secret Surprise (Mrs J & Mr K Williamson)

Feminine throughout, happy disposition well presented and handled to advantage, lovely head of correct proportions, good ballance throughout, moved well, lacking rear leg furnishings (yes it's a bitch thing dropping coat)  this hides her well angulated hind quarters and low set hock, 

2D Woodrocks Marla Mabel at Foulby (Mr J & Mrs A Hackett & Williams)

Nice size, dark coat, would have preferred a more feminine head, good front and rib, level top line, pleasant overall youngster.

Limit Bitch 3

1ST Daffydown Dilly (Mrs R & Mrs H Douglas)

Lovely class of three promising bitches,  Very pleasing caught my eye on entering the ring and did not disappoint on going over her,  her effortless movement was a joy to see,  lovely size lots of dark well textured curly coat, pleasing head and eye, low set ear, good front with width, well angulated shoulder, good depth of rib, level topline, well angulated hind quarters with low set hock, 

2D Famous Crowds Secret Parade at Mudlarks (Mr R & Mrs S Andrews)

Lovely, feminine throughout, good head shape, kind expression, exceptional length of ears, nothing not to like with this  well balanced bitch,  straight forearm, good rib, well angulated hind quarters, moved well with confidence. Res c.c.

Open Bitch 4

1ST SH CH Stanegate Hey It's Bianca JW ShCEx OSW (Mr G Mrs K & Miss Z Stirk)

The overall ballance of this bitch is my interpretation of the breed standard, the slope of her neck and level topline, straight forearm of good bone,  large feet, best of front with good width, also the best of rib and not over angulated hind quarters, good coat texture and curl, moved well with ease accentuating her topline, only maturity tipped the ballance as to not dissimilar to the Res C.C. winner, to be ultra critical I would prefer a more feminine head, still a worthy C.C and B.O.B

2D Weemaes All About Eve (Mr F & Mrs J McCallum)

Lots to like with this 4 year old, feminine throughout, nice size, well balanced, good coat colour, well presented and moved well by attentive handler, well proportioned head, kind expression, level topline, good rib and overall ballance