Crufts

English Setter - Crufts 2024

Many thanks to the Crufts committee for the invitation to judge English Setters. It has been a long wait after the postponement in 2021 due to COVID.

May I also thank my stewards for their excellent work throughout the day and to all the exhibitors who entered under me and gave me the opportunity to judge their dogs. It‘s good to see that entries appear to be on the rise and with that comes increased competition which should enhance the quality of dogs being shown in the future.

Veteran Dog (12, 0)

A lovely entry of older dogs. It has been a long time since 12 stood in a class together. My first 3 placings were all worthy Sh. Champions and shown in super condition.

1st Sh. Ch. Hartsett Flash Dance (Mr P & Miss L Arkley) - 7 year old orange shown in good coat and condition. Clean in his outline with a lean head and kind eye and expression. Deep chest and tight feet, short body with correct tail set. Held his top line well and used his tail correctly on the move.

2nd Ch/ir Ch/int Ch Gamerights Phoenix from The Flame (Imp Bel) (Mrs O, Mr B & Miss O Carty) - 8 year tri. Lean head with correct oval skull and with a super expression and correct eye. Good length of neck leading to clean shoulder placement. Deep chest, short back and good bend of stifle, giving an overall balanced picture when standing. Another shown in lovely coat. Very much my type, however, in going over him felt he could have carried a little more body weight to his advantage today.

3rd Sh. Ch. Hawklawn Khamsin at Balvenie JW (Mrs A & Mrs I Derry & Schoneville)

Minor Puppy Dog (2, 0)

1st Walshaw One More Night (Mrs C J Tucker) - 8mth orange. Pleasing head, clean in outline, carrying the right amount of body for his age and with good depth. A little leggy at the moment but has good height and I’m sure he will balance out in due course .Moved happily using his tail. Look forward to seeing him as he matures.

2nd Mariglen Here to Eternity (Mr GF & Mrs PA Hughes) - 8mth blue of lovely colour with lean head and pleasing eye. Short coupled. Not as far on in body and substance as my winner. Would have liked him to be carrying more bone. Not as precise in movement as 1 and I found he paced on occasions going across the ring today. Hopefully this will come together as he grows on.

Puppy Dog (3, 0)

1st Bournehouse Sirocco over Marissolo (Mrs M Osman) - 12mth tri. Mature, well grown and has good substance for his age. Masculine head without coarseness and a kind expression. Clean in outline, with plenty of depth. Well off for bone. Shown in lovely coat. Moved well across and back and kept his outline on the move. BPD.

2nd Sharnyx Saxonite (Mr L & Mr M Byrne) - Tri who is not as far on in body and depth and stands a little rangy at the moment. He carries a lean head, and is well boned. Level back and not quite as good a turn of stifle as my winner. Needs time to fill out.

3rd Ravensett Cote D'azur (Mrs K A Ciaputa)

Junior Dog (7, 1)

1st Culverwell Sundancer (Mr K Warrington) - 16mth orange. Pleasing head and eye. Clean in outline, good bone and short coupled. Level topline with a good bend of stifle. Happy true movement fore and aft.

2nd Tattersett Blue Lord (Mr P & Miss L Arkley) - 15mth blue shown in lovely coat and condition. Clean over neck and shoulder. Had a level topline and correct tailset. Needs a little time to fill out and grow on to complete the picture.

3rd Ennydloc Yorkshire Liaison to Rowanmyle (Ms M A Vallance)

Yearling Dog (9, 0)

1st Severnsett Gold Sovereign (Mr N A & Mrs P M Darley) - 19mth orange. Attractive head and eye with soft expression. Another shown in good coat and condition. Good bone, deep chest and well bodied. Kept his outline on the move.

2nd Bushbane Celtic Commander (Mrs G M Craigie) - 2yr tri built on heavier lines all through to my winner. Stronger in head and muzzle. Deep chest with a good tailset and level topline. However found him longer in body and without same reach of neck. Shown in good coat.

3rd Ravensett Calvaro (Mr L Miller)

Post Graduate Dog (14, 1)

1st Mariglen Wilbur (Miss S N Ward) - 3yr old, attractive colour of tri. Shown in good coat. Lean well balanced head with kind eye and expression. Good reach of neck. Clean over shoulder, and deep in chest. Well bodied with a good bend of stifle. He presented an elegant picture when set up. Moved with style to win the class.

2nd Bournehouse Abracadabra (Mrs P D A Williams) - Lovely tri who gave his handler and myself a hard time, but perseverance won through. He has a classic balanced head and soft expression. Clean outline, well ribbed up and shown in lovely coat. Level topline. He comes into his own on the move and when free standing is completely at ease. I hope he soon settles in the show ring. He was still deserving of his place.

3rd Mariglen Nightwish for Walshaw (Mrs C J Tucker)

Limit Dog (11, 0)

1st Dyrham Desert Storm (Mr K & Mrs J Bishop) - Mature orange of good substance. Lean balanced head with good eye shape and expression. Short body with strong topline. Good depth of chest and tight feet.with good bone. Correct tailset. Moved cleanly and with drive.

2nd Rowanmyle Was A Skellum (Ms M A Vallance) - Blue who presented a lovely outline standing. Shown in good coat. More refined in head than 1. Gives an overall balanced picture when set up with a good length of neck leading to clean shoulder placement. Slightly longer cast but with level topline and good tail set. Moved correctly.

3rd Bumblecorn Robin at Daraquist (Mr R H & Mrs G M Sykes)

Open Dog (10, 2)

Super class with all 5 placings going to worthy Sh. Champions of our breed.

1st Sh Ch Severnsett Firecracker (Mr N A & Mrs P M Darley) - Lovely tri. I found him to be elegant in appearance and with the correct amount of substance .Beautifully presented. Lean well balanced head with a well-defined stop, kind eye and soft expression. Strong neck into well laid shoulders which can be seen in his outline. Good depth of chest and tight feet. Lovely bone and a strong topline with correct tailset. Moved the best in the class. Loved his clean outline. In the dog line up he did not disappoint both standing and on the move. Extremely pleased to be able to award him the CC and BOB. Although unplaced in the group he represented the breed well.

 2nd Sh Ch Bournehouse Secret Admirer (Mrs P D A Williams) - Another worthy champion. Tri with classic balanced head with good eye and expression. Clean over neck and shoulder with good depth of chest. Short coupled with a strong level back and correct tailset. In the class did not appear to put his all into his movement .Moved with more enthusiasm when he returned to the ring . Pleased to award him RCC.

3rd Sh Ch Wansleydale Maybee JW (Mrs L Taylor)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (5, 0)

1st Bumblecorn Ash of Tattay (Miss T A Taylor) - 5yr tri dog, unplaced in Limit. Shown in good coat ,well bodied , short coupled and of good substance. Not the elegance in outline I look for when standing and little happy of his tail on the move.

2nd Bramstorm Forest Sprite (Ms A Hopper) - 7yr old orange built on smaller lines to my winner. Lean in head, short coupled. Lacking in coat and showing his age a little.

3rd Gillancette Day Dreamer (Mrs J & Miss A Salmon)

Veteran Bitch (10, 4)

Another lovely class of older bitches.

1st Sh Ch Rachdale Painted Lace at Goldbirch (Mrs S D Loakes) - 8yr old blue bitch carrying her age well. Shown in super coat and condition. Lean head. Clean over neck and still holding her topline with correct tailset In spite of her age moved across the ring with style and verve. Pleased to award her BVIB.

2nd Sh Ch Rachdale Elegance JW (Mrs M Mccabe) - Orange lady, litter sister to my winner. A lot of the same comments apply. Shown in full coat .She is slightly longer cast than 1 and was not as happy on the move, but still a worthy title holder.

3rd Phenset Firefly VW (Mr N S, Miss E M C & Mrs V L Bryant, Bryant & Hollis)

Minor Puppy Bitch (1, 0)

1st Mariglen My Heart Will Go On with Monaysbridge (Mr R & Mrs J, Mrs J Hutchinson & Dennis) - 7mth blue. What a super little puppy. Although standing alone would easily hold her own in any company. She has such a lovely clean balanced outline. Her head and eye are classic with a soft expression. Well bodied for her age with a level topline and tailset. Her movement was a treat to watch, effortless. She was very together for one so young. I look forward to seeing her develop and was delighted to award her BPB and BPIB.

Puppy Bitch (4, 1)

1st Nellasett Velvet Brown (Mrs G Skeggs-Gooch) - 11mth tri shown in good coat and condition. Of good size and bone. Clean over neck and shoulders. Moved steadily.

2nd Tawnymeade Tacazze Sunbird (Mrs S T Parrish) - Dark tri, same age as my winner. Clean in outline however would like more bone and substance overall. Movement was steady but she did not carry her tail well.

3rd Oops I Did It Again at Halliana (Miss E J. Harradine)

Junior Bitch (7, 0)

1st Bournehouse Eternal Love (Mrs P D A Williams) - Orange shown in full coat and lovely condition. Super head, dark eye with a soft expression. Balanced clean outline. Mature for her age. Moved true with slashing tail action.

2nd Bournehouse Eternal Flame for Meadowfoot (Mr D & Mrs A Paton) - Another orange, litter sister to my winner with similar qualities. Not showing the maturity of 1 but still clean in outline and shown in good coat. Moved out well.

3rd Nellasett Velvet Brown (Mrs G Skeggs-Gooch)

Yearling Bitch (7, 0)

1st Fishwick Play It Cool (Mr E Deville) - Tri bitch. Lovely lean well balanced head and dark eye. Good length of neck into well laid back shoulders and nice depth of chest. Well ribbed with level back. When standing had a lovely clean outline. True happy mover using her tail well.

2nd Marwessett Ysobel Enigma at Cornsett (Ms P Owen) - Orange, not quite as mature and finished in coat of 1. She did have a clean outline with good reach of neck and level topline. Another who carried herself well across the ring.

3rd Mariglen Wave Dancer for Bondgate JW (Mrs J Stephenson)

Post Graduate Bitch (14, 5)

1st Wansleydale Mayfly with Canteris (Mrs C A & Mr J Jennings-Sharman & Sharman) - Tri bitch, lean head with dark eye and sweet expression. Nicely bodied with good bone and well bent stifles. Shown in good condition. Level back which she held on the move using her tail correctly.

2nd Sharnyx Sparklin Starlight at Cornsett (Ms P Owen) - Orange with pleasing balanced head and eye. Another with a clean outline. Good length of neck into good lay back of shoulder.and well ribbed. Well muscled. Moved well fore and aft.

3rd Mariglen Unwrapped JW (Mesdames J, L & D Dennis, Harris & Morgan)

Limit Bitch (10, 2)

2 very nice bitches headed this class.

1st Goldbirch Hearts Desire JW (Mrs S D Loakes) - Tri bitch in lovely coat and condition. One I have judged as a puppy and did well, she has come on a treat. Beautifully presented and elegant in appearance. Balanced head, lovely oval skull, kind eye and expression. Well ribbed, deep in body and nicely muscled. Sound on the move using her tail well. A well-deserved RCC.

2nd Severnsett Dark Angel (Mr N A & Mrs P M Darley) - Blue bitch in a slightly heavier mould but still showing balance. Pleasing head and eye. Deep in chest with good layback of shoulder. Level topline. Slightly longer cast than 1. Another moving well on the day.

3rd Walshaw Center Stage (Mrs C J Tucker)

Open Bitch (10, 2)

1st Nld Ch Vanquish Opportunity (Imp Nld) (Mr S & Mrs C Pitts & Normansell) - Blue shown in full coat and excellent condition. Lean balanced and correctly proportioned head with a soft expression. Good layback of shoulder, tight feet and deep in chest. Well ribbed with good body cover, correct tailset and well bent stifle. Moved happily, true and with a lashing tail to complete the picture. Did not let her handler down in the challenge to be awarded the CC.

2nd Sh. Ch. Chanina Golden Rose JW (Mr S & Mrs Y Wale) - Orange bitch another shown in excellent condition and good coat. Short coupled and mature in body properties. Lovely head and eye. Settled well for her handler on the move. Preferred the overall outline of my winner, still a worthy champion.

3rd Sh. Ch. Gemsett Ice Cold in Alex at Mariglen JW (Mesdames J, L & D Dennis, Harris & Morgan)

Special Working Gundog Bitch (1, 0)

1st Cz/int Ch Expensive Stone Achát (Mr P Buryan) - Tri bitch. Very much the surprise of the day for me. Although standing alone could easily hold her own in the show ring. She was shown in fabulous condition and this showed in her sound movement around the ring and moving with a lovely lashing tail. Correct in head and eye colour. Clean in outline, good reach of neck, Level topline and correct tailset. I would like to thank her handler for travelling such a long distance to show her.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (4, 0)

1st Wansleydale Amaretto at Latjeata (Mrs L A Beasley) - 6yr old tri.shown in full coat. Pleasing head, well bodied, short coupled and correct tailset. Needs to watch her topline as can dip a little when set up. She appeared better in the line-up and never the less she was the best mover in the class.

2nd Ravensett Golden Charm (Mrs A E & Mr J R Kerr) - VHC in Veteran bitch. Shown in full coat. Clean outline. Level topline. Unfortunately showed her age on the move.

3rd Canisp Lady of Loonbrae (W Johnston)

Judge - Maureen Collier