Bath Canine Society

Bath Championship Show Irish Red and White Setters

May 27th 2024

Many thanks to the committee for the invite to judge IRWS for the first time at this level. Bath has a wonderful show ground, large rings that are well manicured and a lovely, helpful committee.

My entry was not numerically strong, but with so many shows at the moment it was about an average entry size for the breed. I do appreciate that exhibitors have to pick and choose where to spend their money and whose opinion on their dogs they seek. Thank you to all who did enter, your dogs were a delight and honour to judge.

It’s a breed close to my heart, which I have owned for over 20yrs and love very much, I have watched the breed develop in the last 20 plus years but sadly they are a vulnerable breed, which is such a shame as they make a great all-round dog for active people.

Just a couple of observations, feet, we do need to be careful about feet as we are seeing a few splayed feet. Colour is always difficult in a parti colour dog, but we must always be aware of the breed standard and realise the difference between flecking and roaning. Watch tails and tail sets, they should be carried level with back or it does spoil the overall balance and outline of the dog and finally teeth, not only a correct scissor bite, but we also want good size teeth.

All dogs presented to me today were of good temperament and well groomed at the end of judging my hands were as clean as I had started with.

My critique is only my opinion of what I saw and felt on the day and things do change and dogs are a great leveller, they love to make their handlers work.

Puppy Dog

1st Roanjora Cremant De Lux Copperwhite (Mrs L R Ward)

I very much liked this quality puppy the first time I saw him at a few months old and today he didn’t disappoint, he has such a lovely kind expression, masculine broad head without any coarseness, square muzzle and lovely large nostrils. Well constructed front, shoulders well laid back, ample fore-chest. He is lovely to go over, your hands just flow over his body, Correct oval bone, slight slope to pasterns. This puppy had tidy feet which is good to see.

On the move he has a lovely flowing action, impressive front reach and kept his level topline on the move. Clean coat with clear red markings.

One to watch for the future, he just needs to gain in confidence, and he will soon be very competitive against his rather more mature sister.

2nd Rhoswendale Game Is On Again for Viszaset (Imp Fin) (Mr S & Mrs M & Miss N Martin & Green) another smart youngster, head of good type, still needs to break and would like a tad more stop he has a soulful expression with a kind eye, just preferred the head of the winner. Straight front, strong oval bone and another puppy with good feet.

He still has some maturing to do in body, but you would expect this with a puppy, shown in good muscular condition, he moved well with good front reach.

Coat of correct texture and well marked. I am sure you will have fun with him as he matures.

3rd Roanjora Cremant De Savoie avec Eusanit (Miss R & Miss S & Mrs T Mc Donald, Westwood & Westwood)

Junior Dog

1st Roanjora Cremant De Lux Copperwhite (Mrs L R Ward)

Repeat of 1st in puppy.

2nd Roanjora Cremant De Savoie avec Eusanit (Miss R & Miss S & Mrs T Mc Donald, Westwood & Westwood) , slightly taller and rangier puppy at the moment , I loved his head , broad and with good stop , dark brown eye with a cheeky expression, one of these puppies that needs time for everything to come together and strengthen , stands on strong legs ,straight front with oval bone , coat was of silky texture and he was in super muscular condition for a puppy ,moved on a long free stride.

Post Graduate Dog

1st Coolfin Clancy with Ferngate (Mrs A B & Mr S H & Miss P Catton & Cook & Jakins)

Beautiful headed dog, very balanced, broad domed skull with no hint of an occiput. Excellent stop, dark round eye with soft expression. Decent reach of neck which sits into well laid, back shoulders.

Strong bodied dog but still athletic, his ribs are well developed and good width to his second thigh, coat of silky texture and correct clear red patches.

He looks strong on the move, and I just wished he had settled a bit more, tad proud of tail but if he settled, I think that would relax as well. Well handled.

Open Dog

1st Spyefire Reyt Bobby Dazzler (Mr P J & Mrs E A Titterton)

Well, what can I say, I was surprised by this boy, he plays the clown at times, and I’ve probably overlooked him in the open class where I compete against him regularly. I had watched him at the previous show and did think that his handler was starting to pull him together. Mature 6 yr old dog, who has a correct broad head, domed skull, well set ears, dark brown round eyes, giving masculine but kind expression. Ample stop and square finish to muzzle.

His overall outline stood is very balanced and when you go over him you can appreciate his qualities, clean neck sitting into well laid shoulders. Decent spring of ribs, short coupled, excellent width to second thigh, oval bone with slightly sloping front pasterns. Good finish to croup and well-set tail which he carried correctly on the move.

Coat of fine silky texture, clear islands of red on pearly white background. He is obviously well exercised as he has good musculature.

Movement, which is where he can let himself down, not today, he moved true and correct with good footfall. Held his level topline on the move, yes, I would liked to have seen a little more reach and drive but that will come in time, if his handler has the confidence to ask for more.

He is a lovely dog of good type and deserved his CC today. Congratulations to his owners who have worked hard for this reward.

2nd Daithi Shadow Dog with Ferngate (Imp Pol) (Mrs A B & Mr S H Catton & Cook,

Dog of good breed type, strong and athletic with good overall balance, when stacked he is balanced, skull broad and in proportion to his body, muzzle slightly long but good finish and enough stop.

Slight arch to neck and flows into well laid shoulders, decent fore chest, well ribbed back. Strong muscular rear quarters and well let down hocks

Now onto to movement and this dog has a good length to stride and powerful rear drive but, on the grass, today he just played the fool!! I can only imagine how frustrating it was for his handler, that’s dogs for you. I could see enough to award him the RCC, but I am sure his day will come.

3rd Sh Ch Cornadore Argyle with Copperwhite (Imp Pol) (Mrs L R Ward)

Veteran Dog / Bitch

1st Sh Ch Cornadore Argyle with Copperwhite (Imp Pol) (Mrs L R Ward)

My favourite head of the day, so very classical and correct, domed broad skull, no sign of occiput and good stop. Dark brown round eye with the softest expression, sire of the BPIB & BPD and he has passed a lot of his attributes to them.

Good shoulder placement, deep in rib and strong muscular rear quarters. He moved well and correct footfall. Delighted to award him BVIB.

2nd Lovenjoel Belle of The Ball (Ms S Soper)

Such a lovely head on this 8yr old girl, doomed skull, good stop, she looks at you with the most mischievous expression. She made me smile, good body proportions and silky coat with deep red patches.

She knew exactly what she wanted to do when she moved around the ring, proper little show off. Carried her slashing tail well. Driving from her short hocks and decent side gait.

Bitches

Puppy Bitch

1st Roanjora Crémant D'alsace (Mr R G, Mrs A D & Miss R Mcdonald)

What a cracking puppy, mature for her age, she presents a lovely outline when stacked, pretty head with broad skull in proportion to her body, gentle expression, well set ears. Ample length to neck which flowed into well laid shoulders, level topline and good finish to her croup. Straight front and enough fore chest.

She is lovely to go over, and she uses that correct construction on the move, covering the ground on a free and easy long stride. Holds her topline and uses her tail correctly. She has a super partnership with her handler.

In good coat of silky fine texture.

Well deserved RCC and will watch her with interest as she matures.

2nd Settersay Martell by Corranroo (Mr G C & Mrs J Bayne)

Giving a lot away in maturity, but another quality puppy, what a pretty, feminine head and expression, she has a clean finish to her muzzle, lovely front construction, shoulders well laid and looks to be developing a decent fore chest. Well ribbed and good rear end with width to her second thigh.

Lovely coat, fine silky texture clear base pearly white colour with red patches.

She has all the essentials to make an impression on the show scene.

Moved steadily and was quite sure footed for her tender age. Handled very sympathetically.

Junior Bitch

1st Roanjora Crémant D'alsace (Mr R G, Mrs A D & Miss R Mcdonald

Repeat of puppy

Post Graduate Bitch

Difficult class as three very different girls. Final decision went on movement.

1st Rubethan Florentine of Aislingwood (Mrs G Hawkins)

This girl is young and still needs time to mature, she is quite old fashioned in type , balanced on the stack, nothing overdone, moderate angulations front and rear.

She has a feminine head and sweet expression, well set ears. Loved the freckles on her muzzle, good stop and lovely big nose.

Body, I would like more rib and more width and finish to croup, but this is a slow maturing breed, and she is only young, these dogs should not be at their prime till 5 or 6.

She won the class on her movement, free flowing easy stride, carrying and using her tail correctly.

2nd Corranroo Consortium (Mr G C & Mrs J Bayne)

Probably more my stature and build I prefer, broad skull, good stop and kind expression. Muscular neck with slight arch, good fore-chest, I just felt she was a little loaded on her shoulders today which may have affected her front movement, just a tad wide in front.

Good width behind and a better turn of stifle and angulations than the first. She moved with drive but just not as fluid as first.

3rd Canterbyred Miss Magic (Ms S Soper)

She was a little bit of a minx on the move.

Open Bitch

1st Ambancy This Is Me (Mr N & Mrs J Barnes

A girl you really have to put your hands on to appreciate all her qualities. She is moderate and balanced but a quality IRWS. Athletic in build with substance, good oval bone and stands on strong legs.

Domed skull, broad in comparison to her body, feminine expression, ears set correctly, super length and slight arch to her neck, well laid shoulders, decent spring to rib, straight front and ample fore chest. She has a level topline, which she held on the move. Tail carried level and used correctly.

Lovely silky, clean, pearly white coat with distinctive red patches.

On the move she has a lovely free stride. She is the epitome of the breed standard, good natured and happy. Sometimes too happy and relaxed could just be encouraged to add a little more drive to her movement.

I was delighted to award her the CC (which was a third) and a well-deserved BOB. I am sure she will gain more top awards.

She gave a good account of herself in the gundog group.

Tania Gardner ( Danwish )

Judge