Flatcoated Retriever Club Of Scotland

Flatcoated Retriever Club of Scotland Open Show Sunday 20th October 2024 Critiques

Thank you to The Flatcoated Retriever Club of Scotland for the honour of judging at their Breed Open Show, I had a lovely entry and enjoyed my day and was pleased to see that a lot of my main winners were related. A special thank you to my ring steward Rebecca for being so efficient keeping the ring running smoothly and keeping everything on track, especially having to work alongside the Championship Show, and I am very grateful to all the exhibitors who entered and gave me the privilege of judging their dogs.

Minor Puppy Dog - Entries: 3 Absentees: 0 

What a lovely trio of babies these three were and I am sure they will switch places on a different day.

1st Gemswin Innocent Man (Mrs S, Mrs G & Mr M Knight & Jacobs) I loved the overall balance and substance of this young boy which won him the class, he held himself four square on the stand and flowed on the move. Nicely moulded head with a soft expression, dark almond shaped eyes, correct reach of neck leading into well laid back shoulder, gradual spring of rib with good depth and moderate rear quarters. Will watch him with interest. BPD & BPIS.

2nd Rotherfield Made to Last at Steelriver (Mrs W Blain) Another lovely baby, racier than the winner and not quite as balanced today. Typical head with dark eyes, good reach of neck into well laid back shoulder and return of upper arm, fantastic forechest, good length and gradual spring of rib, good bone and had correct width of second thigh, needs to strengthen on his rear quarters which in time I am sure he will.

3rd Westoncruive Stand by Me (Mrs J Grant) 7 months old who was very similar to 2nd, nicely moulded head and dark eye, small neat ears, good reach of neck and lay back, gradual spring of rib with correct depth, another who needs time to strengthen on his back end, excellent tailset, and happy attitude.

Puppy Dog - Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1st Gemswin Innocent Man (Mrs S, Mrs G & Mr M Knight & Jacobs) (1st in Minor Puppy)

2nd Rotherfield Fast or Last to Steelriver (Mrs W Blain) Very much a baby as he should be at this age, typical head with dark eye, good front angulation, gradual spring of rib of correct length, slightly longer in stifle to hock at this age but will strengthen in time, well let down hocks, correct tailset which he wagged with enthusiasm. I just preferred the more moderate backend of the winner.

3rd Steelriver Isle View Raven (Mrs C Stott) 11 month old boy who appears to be all legs at the moment, needing to drop into his chest which will come with time. Lovely head with flat skull and dark almond shaped eye, correct length of neck, good layback, well ribbed up, slightly longer in couplings, moderate rear angulation and well let down hocks. Moved okay but carried his tail high on the move.

Junior Dog - Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1st Hightyne Night Train (Miss M Hall) 15 months old, mature boy for his age, shown in lovely coat and condition, moved well although was a little proud of his tail on the move. Masculine head but slightly loose in eye at this stage, well laid back shoulder with gradual spring of rib leading into moderate rear angulation and well let down hocks, good bone and neat feet. Moved well holding a level topline. 

2nd Steelriver Isle View Raven (Mrs C Stott) (3rd in Puppy Dog)

Graduate Dog - Entries: 5 Absentees: 2 

1st Rotherfield Secret Code (Mrs R & Mr J Anson & Mcmanus) 22 month old typical workman like dog who was balanced all through, showing power without lumber and raciness without weediness. I loved his masculine moulded head, with correct length of muzzle, flat skull and kind dark eye and small well set on ears. Moderate angulation both fore and aft with correct length and gradual spring of rib and correct couplings, well let down hocks, excellent bone and feet. He held a level topline on the stand and on the move, where he moved effortlessly, with straight and true movement. Pleased to award him BD and BIS. 

2nd Kvicksans The Master Piper at Bluewaters (Imp Swe) JW (Mrs J Wild) Up to size moderate dog with pleasing head, dark eye and kind expression, excellent length of neck into well laid back shoulder and level topline, had correct length of rib with gradual spring and short couplings, moderate rear angulation with well let down hocks, moved with drive although was slightly proud of his tail today which spoilt his profile. 

3rd Dymexe Outlander at Siancala (Mrs A Harris) Masculine head but would prefer more refinement and a tighter eye, good length of neck, moderate front angulation, correct couplings and well muscled rear with good width of both first and second thigh, needs to settle on the move. 

Post Graduate Dog: - Entries: 1 Absentees: 0 

1st Bitcon Alliance with Bluewaters (ai) JW (Mrs J Wild) I have often admired this boy and he does not disappoint, nothing is overdone, he is moderate and balanced with correct height to length ratio. Sweetest moulded head, flat skull and kind expression with almond shaped eyes. Correct length of neck into well laid back shoulder and return of upper arm, pronounced forechest, gradual spring of rib and correct couplings, moderate rear angulation, excellent tailset, good bone and small neat feet. Held a level topline and moved true. Strongly considered for top honours but I was disappointed to see him lose his confidence when his handler briefly changed in the challenge. 

Limit Dog Entries: - 4 Absentees: 1 

1st Rotherfield Just The Ticket (Miss M Hall) Medium sized boy with typical masculine head, dark eye, small neat ears and excellent reach of neck. Fabulous forechest and moderate angulation both fore and aft. Good bone and well rounded feet, moved well. 

2nd Westoncruive Black Tornado (Mrs J Grant) Another of correct size, well moulded head although would prefer more length of muzzle, small neat ears well set on, level topline and tailset, quality bone and neat round feet, just preferred the angulation of the winner. 

3rd Pick Pocket (Mr W Blair) Taller male, masculine head, would prefer a more almond shaped eye, good reach of neck and level topline, deep chest but lacked the breadth all through, which showed in his movement coming and going, good bone and feet, just preferred the angulation of first and second. 

Open Dog Entries: 4 Absentees: 0 

1st Sh Ch/ir Sh Ch Plainfire's The Captain of My Heart Is Steelriver (Imp Che) ShCEx Cw24 (Miss S Stevenson) Quality mature male of type, who although bigger all through excelled in his free flowing movement winning him the class. Well moulded head with correct length of muzzle, kind dark eye, good length of neck into excellent forequarters and prominent forechest, gradual spring of rib and correct couplings, would prefer more moderate rear angulation, well let down hocks, quality bone and feet. RBD. 

2nd Sh Ch Bochilbarley Goblet of Fire JW (Mrs P & Miss A Bellamy) I judged this boy as a junior and he is coming into his own but still needs time to mature. He has a super typical head with a true Flatcoat naughty expression balanced with his kind dark eye, good length of neck, gradual spring of rib and moderate rear angulation with well let down hocks, moved well but did not quite have the reach of the winner. 

3rd Gemswin Erase and Rewind (Mrs S, Mrs G & Mr M Knight & Jacobs) Completed a nice trio of boys, balanced all through with masculine head but would prefer more refinement and a darker eye, good reach of neck leading into a level topline and correct tailset, moderate angulation both fore and aft, good bone and feet, just preferred the heads and expressions of first and second. 

Veteran Dog Entries: 2 Absentees: 0 

Two very nice veterans and it was a close decision between the two. 

1st Casblaidd Island in The Sky Sgwc Kcwgc (Mr C & Mrs C Hewison) Workmanlike dog of correct size and type, typical one piece head with dark almond shaped eye and the kindest of expressions. Good reach of neck leading into well laid back shoulder and return of upper arm, pronounced forechest and gradual spring of rib of correct length and depth, well muscled moderate rear angulation and well let down hocks. Balanced all through with quality bone and in lovely condition. 

2nd Steelriver Sun's Up (Mr S Mccormick) Another lovely veteran who did not act his 9 years of age. Typical head and dark eye, moderate front angulation but would prefer a more moderate bend of stifle. Good depth of chest and correct loin. Moved with drive I just preferred the moderate rear angulation of the winner. 

Minor Puppy Bitch Entries: 5 Absentees: 0 

1st Thurwhitt Lyra Belacqua (Mrs S J Thurgood) I loved this young lady, she caught my eye from the start and did not disappoint. 7 months old, she was balanced and held herself together on the move, keeping a flowing outline with reach and drive. Pretty feminine head, with kind dark eye, excellent reach of neck, well laid back shoulder and body was well ribbed up with correct length and depth, moderate rear angulation with good width of second thigh, correct bone and well rounded neat feet. Will watch her with interest. BPB. 

2nd Islstrom Lia Fail (Mr R & Mrs S M Ross) Another lovely baby, finer all through compared to the winner but had many of the same attributes. Feminine head, with correct dark almond shaped eye, giving her that soft expression. Moderate angulation all through, moved beautifully holding a level topline and correct tailset, just lacking in substance at this stage but will come with age. 

3rd Rotherfield Last Forever (Ms Lj Adam) 6 months old, pretty puppy with dark eye, excellent length of neck leading into a level topline, excellent tailset, good bone and substance for her age, just not as balanced as first and second today. 

Puppy Bitch Entries: 3 Absentees: 0 

1st Thurwhitt Lyra Belacqua (Mrs S J Thurgood) (1st in Minor Puppy Bitch) 

2nd Islstrom Lia Fail (Mr R & Mrs S M Ross) (2nd in Minor Puppy Bitch) 

3rd Steelriver Isle View Pippet (Miss S Stevenson) Completed a trio of very nice babies, loved her attitude but unfortunately gave her handler a hard time and let herself down on the move, which I later found out was because she was not with her regular handler, which was a shame. Pretty feminine head with kind dark eye and small neat ears, pronounced forechest, gradual spring of rib of correct length and depth and correct couplings, muscled rear end with good width of first and second thigh, good bone but would prefer tighter feet. 

Junior Bitch Entries: 2 Absentees: 0 

1st Caci's The Jewel of June at Inchstellie (Imp Swe) (Mrs F Mackessack-Leitch) Pretty head with dark eye, small ears well set on, well laid back shoulder and pronounced forechest, correct length of rib and short coupled, moderate rear angulation and well let down hocks, moved well, holding a level topline and carrying her tail level with her back. Shown in good coat and condition. I preferred her movement and overall balance to second today. 

2nd Steelriver Isle View Pippet (Miss S Stevenson) (3rd in Puppy Bitch) 

Graduate Bitch Entries: 7 Absentees: 0 

1st Rotherfield Another Secret (Miss A Rattray) Medium sized, typical in head with dark eye and kind expression, moderate front and rear angulation, would prefer more length of rib but had the gradual spring and correct couplings, well let down parallel hocks, excelled with her topline, tailset and overall balance. 

2nd Rainesgift Luaidh at Lochkander (Mrs N J & Miss R A Plummer & Mcpherson) An up to size bitch, I would prefer more refinement in the head, well laid back shoulder and pronounced forechest, good length of rib but slightly longer in couplings, moderate rear angulation, quality bone and tight feet, moved well. 

3rd Finhamspride Kia at Inchstellie (Mrs F Mackessack-Leitch) Medium sized bitch, good head with blunt muzzle, dark eye, correct reach of neck, not quite the lay back of first and second, well ribbed up with good depth and short loin, moderate rear angulation and correct width of second thigh, good bone and neat round feet. Moved well but carried her tail high on the move which spoilt her profile. 

Post Graduate Bitch: Entries: 6 Absentees: 1 

1st Skyloch Final Say (Mr I A & Mrs A L McDonald) This bitch presented a lovely outline, with the correct length to height ratio, typical one piece head with kind expression and dark almond shaped eye, well laid back shoulder and return of upper arm, correct length of rib of good depth. Well muscled rear angulation with excellent width of first and second thigh. Moved well but would prefer truer front movement. 

2nd Montreathmnt Hotlips (Mrs S Thorpe) Pleasing head although slightly rounder eye, correct length of neck which flowed into a level topline and tailset, moderate front and rear angulation with well let down hocks, gradual spring of rib and correct couplings, adequate bone and tight rounded feet, moved well. 

3rd Llantrussa Winter Dreams (Mrs C A Thomson) A quality bitch, smaller in frame and did not quite have the substance of first and second but a lot to like. Feminine head with dark eye of correct shape, small neat ears well set on, well laid back shoulder and return of upper arm, moderate rear quarters with well let down hocks, shown in lovely condition, tailset is set a little high which showed on the move and spoilt her profile. 

Limit Bitch Entries: 7 Absentees: 2 

1st Rainesgift Heaven Sent to Orkhatos (Mrs M A Reid) Pretty head but rounder in eye, neat well set on ear, excellent length of neck and level topline, pronounced forechest, correct length of rib and well muscled rear quarters of moderate angulation, adequate bone and the best of feet. Moved with drive and the best mover in the class. 

2nd Bochilbarley Won't Let You Go to Moontorn (Mrs P & Miss A Bellamy) Racier bitch who was taller in the leg than the winner but balanced with her length. Feminine head with dark almond shaped eye, prominent forechest, did not have the depth of chest and a little loose in elbows on the move, moderate back end angulation, good bone and feet, shown in lovely condition. 

3rd Rodsdream She Doesnt Mind (Miss J Flynn) Feminine head but would prefer a tighter eye, neat well set on ears, excellent length of neck, leading into a level topline and correct tailset. Gradual spring of rib and correct couplings. Lacked the reach and drive today. 

Open Bitch : Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st Evening Mist Black Brianta (Imp Cze) (Mr N, Mrs R & Ms S Whitaker) I liked this bitch a lot, she had the correct length to height ratio and moved with drive which won her the class. Well moulded one piece feminine head, well laid back shoulder with equal return of upper arm, correct length of rib of good depth and good width of second thigh, tailset is correct although on the stand she tends to wag it lower but on the move it was held level with her back. RBB.

2nd Blacktoft Caress of Steelriver JW (Miss S Stevenson) Another lovely bitch I just preferred the length through the body of the winner. Typical in head with dark almond shaped eye, small neat ears well set on, good length of neck leading into a level topline, would prefer more length of rib but she had the gradual spring and correct depth, correct couplings and well muscled rear quarters, adequate bone with neat feat.

3rd Finhamspride Sarafina (Mrs E M & Mr A F Morris & Finlayson) Loved this girls exuberance, she was definitely making her handler work. Feminine one piece head with kind dark eye, good reach of neck and prominent forechest, well ribbed up but slightly longer in the couplings, moderate rear angulation, held a level topline with ever wagging tail, I just preferred the more accurate reach and drive of the first and second.

Veteran Bitch : Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1st Sh Ch Steelriver Dance in The Sun at Skyloch (Mr I A & Mrs A L McDonald) Loved this 9 year old bitch who shone in the challenge out moving all. Moderate all through, with well moulded feminine head, dark almond shaped eye and small neat ears well set on. Correct layback of shoulder and return of upper arm, elbows tight to the body moving cleanly and evenly. Adequate length of rib but being picky would prefer slightly shorter couplings, moderate rear quarters and well let down hocks. Held a level topline with correct tailset. Moved straight and true which won her the class and I was pleased to award her BB, BOS and BVIS.

2nd Sh Ch Moontorn Goddess of Love (Miss A Bellamy) 7 year old bitch, racier in frame than the winner who in profile moves well but not quite as true coming and going. Feminine one piece head with dark eye and small neat ears. Correct length of neck, leading into a level topline which was held on the move. Moderate bend of stifle with correct width of second thigh. Quality bone and small neat feet, shown in good coat and condition.

Brace: Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Mrs S, Mrs G & Mr M Knight & Jacobs Brace class can always be so difficult and I commend anyone that shows two Flatcoats together without being tripped up, especially as this pair were brought from straight out of the car, so they were excitable. These two boys were a well matched pair, similar in size, both were shown in good condition and moving well together, both with drive and enthusiasm. Not quite as sync in profile movement but stayed together well and were both matched in the up and down. Handled very well.

Sarah Egginton (Pajanbeck)