Border Counties Gundog Club

Border Counties Gundog Club 28.01.24

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge Flatcoated Retrievers and for the excellent hospitality. Thank you to my 2 stewards for keeping my ring smooth. Finally thank you to the exhibitors for the entry and accepting my decisions.

Flatcoated Retrievers

Puppy Dog 3 Entries (1 abs)

1st Curtis’ Tallistar Midnight Ash JW

Almost a year old balanced dog. Moulded head with a kind expression and muzzle of the correct length. Good length of neck into well placed shoulders. Would prefer a better length of upper arm. He has a good depth of chest for his age. Straight fore leg of good bone but feet need to tighten. He has good hind angulation with a moderate bend of stifle. His tailset is correct with a slight slope at the croup and tail carried level. He was shown in good coat and condition. Moved ok in profile but a little untidy coming towards and I would like a better length of stride. Best Puppy Dog.

2nd Curtis’ Tallistar Midnight Oak

Litter brother to 1st and similar remarks apply. Lighter all through than 1 but I preferred this males head and eye shape. He has a good lay of shoulder and again slightly short in upper arm. He stands on straight forelegs and on tighter feet than 1st. He has well made rear quarters with well let down hocks which are straight to the floor. Again tail set is correct and carried well on the move. Again lacks the tidiness in front movement coming. Moved soundly but again not the length of stride I was looking for.

Graduate Dog 3 Entries (2 absent)

1st Curtis’ Tallistar Midnight Ash JW

Limit Dog 1 Entry (1 absent)

Open Dog 2 Entries (1 absent)

1st Stevenson’s Sh Ch Plainfire’s The Captain of My Heart is Steelriver (imp Che) ShCEx

Almost 7 years old quality male. There is a lot of substance to him but you can’t deny his construction and soundness. He has a lovely moulded head with a melting expression. Super overall balance from his head to his tail. He has a good lay of shoulder and corresponding upper arm standing on straight forelegs and lovely tight feet. He has a good depth of chest with the correct spring of rib. He has a moderate bend of stifle and well let down, parallel hocks. His tail is set correctly and carried well on the move and never stopped wagging. I just love his temperament. In excellent coat and condition. When he moves he just covers the ground effortlessly holding his firm topline, theres no denying he could move all day. Pleased to award him Best Dog and Best of Breed and thrilled to watch him go Best in Show 3 under Cathy Neil.

Puppy Bitch 2 Entries

1st Huyton’s Hightyne Guns and Roses

Wow what an exciting 6 month old puppy showing so much promise. She has such a sweet head and expression with a dark kind eye. She is the correct size and super balanced for her age. She has a good lay of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Ample bone standing on good feet. She is of the correct length in rib and short loin. She has a moderate bend of stifle with straight rear pasterns. Shes a little high on her hock but is to be expected at this age. She really comes together on the move so tidy coming, going and so sound in profile holding her topline very strong. I’d like a little more enthusiasm on the stand but she must have a bright future which I will follow. Pleased to award her Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Breed.

2nd Curtis’ Tallistar Midnight Beauty

11 months old litter sister to both male puppies all 3 are of very similar shape.She is more mature than 1st just felt 1st was tidier on the move. Kind expression but I would prefer a tighter more almond shaped eye. Shes a little upright in shoulder but has a good length of upper arm. She has ample bone, straight foreleg and standing on tight feet. Shes a little long in body so it spoils her balance but she should come together when shes matured. She has a moderate bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Her tail set and carriage are correct and a tail that never stopped wagging showing typical Flatcoat enthusiasm. Shown in excellent coat and condition just didn't have the length of stride or tidy front action as 1 today.

Graduate Bitch 6 Entries (3 abs)

1st Douglas’ Kalexas Upper Class at Greenbayhill (imp Nor)

Super balance to this 17 month bitch. She has the sweetest face with a super dark almond eye. If i'm being picky I would like a little more length to her muzzle. Good Length of neck into well placed shoulders and even return of upper arm. Her forehand construction is one of the best. Good depth of chest and short square loin. Her feet could be tighter and I would prefer a little more length of leg. She has a moderate bend of stifle and correct length of 2nd thigh. Well let down hocks and straight rear pasterns. In good coat and condition. Her tail set is correct and tail carried level. On the move she is clean coming and going and moves with balanced reach and drive in profile holding her topline level at all times.

2nd Huyton’s Hightyne My Blue Heaven

Another lovely bitch of 2 years old. Preferred the length to height ratio of this bitch. Another from this kennel of beautiful moulded heads. She has a good length of neck into well placed shoulders just needs a touch more length in her upper arm. Ample bone with straight forelegs but another whose feet could be better. Good length of rib and short square loin. Moderate turn of stifle and well let down hocks. She is in excellent coat and condition. She moved very soundly holding her topline level. She just needs a little more drive in the rear but is maturing nicely.

Limit Bitch 3 Entries (2 abs)

1st Stevenson’s Blacktoft Caress of Steelriver JW

A lovely balance bitch of 3 years who I judged 2 years ago and my opinion of her hasn’t changed. She has such a pretty face with that naughty expression. Lovely small ears well set. She has a well laid shoulder and even return of upper arm. I would prefer a little more length to her ribcage but it does not detract from her balance. Good depth of chest and gradual spring of rib into a short square loin. She has a moderate bend of stifle and well let down hocks with straight pasterns. She has the best of feet. She moved well coming and in profile but was moving a little close behind today. Pushed the best bitch hard.

Open Bitch 3 Entries (2 absent)

1st Mellor’s & Curtis’ Tallistar Crazy in Love

This 4 year old bitch presents a beautiful outline, she is maturing nicely but left her jacket at home today. Lovely head and expression although I would prefer a more almond shape eye. Good length of neck into a well placed shoulder, shes just a little short in upper arm. Ample bone and standing on good tight feet. She has a good depth of chest, gradual spring of rib and short square loin. She has the correct height to length ratio. She has a moderate bend of stifle with well let down hocks. She has the typical Flatcoat naughtiness and was giving her handler a hard time when stood. On the move she holds her topline and her tail carriage is correct with an ever wagging tail. Not the tidiest going away today but moved very well in profile. Pleased to award her Best Bitch and Best Opposite Sex, couldn’t match the male on movement today.