West Of England Labrador Retriever Club

WEST OF ENGLAND LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB

OPEN SHOW 6 JANUARY 2024

I would like to thank the committee of the WELRC for the invitation to judge at this lovely open show. I had a fantastic entry with both quantity and quality – thanks to all who entered, and accepted my decisions very sportingly. Thank you also to my very helpful and efficient stewards Rory and Sussie.

MINOR PUPPY DOG (3, 2a)

1. MILES’ BERLAN STAR STRUCK AT LLANSTINAN

Loved this 8 month yellow baby. Strongly built but just right for his age with good bone. Appealing head with good muzzle length and gentle expression, showing kindness. Well angulated front, with level topline flowing into otter tail straight off his back. Neat feet. Excellent coat. Strong hindquarters. Moved with purpose. Very promising youngster. BEST PUPPY DOG AND BEST PUPPY IN SHOW.

PUPPY DOG (2, 0a)

1. JOHNSON’S CREMINO CELEBRITY

Another promising youngster. Very balanced and neat black of 10 months, presented an attractive profile. Outgoing and happy temperament, showed himself with enthusiasm, very attentive to handler. Attractive head with kind expression. Clean through neck and shoulder and with good height/leg ratio and good reach of neck. Neat feet. In good coat. Lovely otter tail used to advantage. Moved smoothly and with drive, holding his topline well.

2. MILLS’ LEMBAS CAPTAIN JACK

10-month black with slightly stronger head, but kind expression showing willingness to please, and very attentive to handler. Presented in excellent condition. Pleasing reach of neck and good front assembly. Excellent double coat and otter tail. Still a touch raw but will come together in time. Took a little time to settle on the move but went well once in his stride.

JUNIOR DOG (1, 1a)

NOVICE DOG (3, 2a)

1. FOSTER’S MIDNIGHT SHADOW MAGIC

Black of finer build, gave his handler a very hard time but did eventually settle. Very outgoing and happy temperament. Sweet head and expression with well-set ears, used well. Good reach of neck and level topline but would prefer better angulation. Presented in very fit condition. Once settled, showed well and moved with drive and enthusiasm.

GRADUATE DOG (2, 0a)

1. BRADDON’S TRENDLEWOOD ONE MORE TIME

Powerfully built pale yellow with instant appeal. Kind head with melting expression, and good length of muzzle. Well boned throughout. Strong and clean through neck and well-angled shoulder, matched well with good rear angulation and strong hocks used to advantage in driving and purposeful movement. Held his topline well at all times. In super coat. Very happy showman. BEST DOG AND BEST OPPOSITE SEX.

2. FOSTER’S MIDNIGHT SHADOW MAGIC

POST GRADUATE DOG (7, 2a)

1. MILLS, MILLS & ROTA’S RODSTAR ROCKS ZERO BULLY AT LEMBAS

Well-built paler yellow with pleasing masculine head, with good length of muzzle and well-set ears. Standing on well boned legs and good feet, with well let down hocks. Short-coupled. In super coat and with good otter tail. Outgoing temperament. Powerful and steady on the move.

2. JACKSON & FITZ-HUGH’S LLANSTINAN HERO

Chocolate of deep rich colour with very appealing head. Clean lines throughout giving elegant appearance. In good coat and presented in gleaming condition. Neat feet. Short coupled and with good rear angulation. Showed well and very attentive to owner. Moved steadily with drive but just a touch wide in front, but overall a very attractive dog.

3. MOODY’S TRENDLEWOOD EBONY AND IVORY

LIMIT DOG (4, 2a)

1. BOND’S CARPENNY PADRAIG

Elegant black dog, masculine but not coarse in any way. Attentive to handler and used ears well. Good bone. Well-muscled and presented in excellent fit condition. Strong and clean through neck and shoulder, flowing topline down to well-set otter tail used to advantage on the move. Good spring of rib. Well angled fore and aft and moved steadily and with drive once settled.

2. EVANS’ CHYANHAL PENTEWAN AT PUDLEIGH

Black, 4th in PG class, lots to like about him. Strong masculine head expressing kindness. Good neck and shoulder placement with level topline. Liked his height/length of leg ratio, looked like he could jump a five-bar gate with ease. Neat feet. In good coat. Lovely otter tail. Held topline well on the move.

OPEN DOG (3, 2a)

1. MILLS’ SH CH LEMBAS MAUI

Well built black, stood alone in this class but very worthy winner. Strongly built throughout but nothing overdone. Masculine head with good width of skull and excellent muzzle length. Well boned and stood four-square at all times on tight feet. In super coat and with lovely otter tail. Good turn of stifle and well let down hocks allowing him to move steadily with real purpose and drive, holding topline at all times. RESERVE BEST DOG.

VETERAN DOG OR BITCH (6, 2a)

Loved judging this class.

1. HARVEY-MAJOR’S LINJOR THE SQUIRE

Yellow male, 9 years old, carrying his years lightly. Well-built dog showing power and masculinity, combined with kind and gentle temperament. Clean outline and presented an attractive profile. Strong neck and shoulder with good level topline held on the move. Stood foursquare on strong bone, with neat feet. Super double coat. Good well-set otter tail. Powerful hindquarters which he used well on the move. BEST VETERAN IN SHOW.

2. MOODY’S TRENDLEWOOD MR BLUE SKY

Appealing darker yellow male of 9 years. Clearly enjoying his day and displaying a delightful sense of fun. Sweet head and expression and used his ears well. Well built and balanced throughout, with powerful neck and shoulder. Strong hindquarters. Made excellent use of his tail at all times. Coat just on the blow but overall presented an attractive picture.

3. TREVAIL’S MENADUE KEEP DANCING

SPECIAL BEGINNERS DOG OR BITCH (5, 0a)

1. MOYS’ SMACOM CREAM HONOUR

Neat yellow bitch of lovely type, compactly built but beautifully balanced. Feminine head with pretty expression, well-set ears used to advantage. Clean neck into well-set shoulder keeping her legs nicely under her. Good depth of chest and super spring of rib. Flowing topline. Strong hindquarters with well-turned stifle. Correct double coat and otter tail. Tidy and precise movement, holding her topline well.

2. TREVAIL’S MENADUE LANTIC SEA GEM

Black bitch, just 8 months, very promising baby. Sweet head. Feminine and presented an appealing picture, showed well and very attentive to handler. Good angulation fore and aft giving her good balance. Good bone and neat feet. Level topline held well on the move.

3. HILL’S KIMBAJAK FULL GOLDEN MONTY OF WAGGADOR

BRACE (1, 0a)

1. WALLACE’S BRACE

Nicely matched yellows of 1 year and 6 years, one pale and one slightly darker. Both well built with kind heads and expressions. Handled well and moved together nicely and with enthusiasm.

SPECIAL CHOCOLATE DOG OR BITCH (4, 0a)

1. TREVAIL’S MENADUE KEEP DANCING

Chocolate bitch previously 3rd in Veteran class. Liked her type, quite compactly built but neat and everything in the correct place with good angulation front and rear. Kind head with gentle expression. Nice bone and good feet, stood foursquare. Level topline and tail straight off her back. Good harsh feel to coat. Pushed off strong hocks and moved cleanly and with power. Won this class on movement. BEST CHOCOLATE IN SHOW.

2. JACKSON & FITZ-HUGH’S LLANSTINAN HERO

3. LONGHURST’S HURSTMEON BIT OF A PICKLE

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (5, 0a)

1. METCALFE’S BAILEYDALE BLONDIE

6 month pale yellow baby with beautiful bone. Pretty and feminine head. Clean and strong through neck and shoulder with excellent front construction. Very balanced and stood foursquare at all times. Standing on lovely bone and neat feet. In super coat. Strong hindquarters with good width of second thigh, and well let down hocks. Powered around the ring with well-held topline, didn’t put a foot wrong. BEST PUPPY BITCH.

2. KENT’S TREWINNARD VERITAS

6 month black, of lighter build than winner but very classy. Pretty head with kind expression, and super reach of neck. Well angulated front and rear with clean lines throughout presenting an elegant picture. Neat feet. In good coat. Little unsure of herself on the move but will soon gain her confidence. Very promising puppy, her time will come.

3. TREVAIL’S MENADUE LANTIC SEA GEM

PUPPY BITCH (2, 0a)

1. KEMP’S LEMBAS PEGGY PATCH AT TIMAMSO

Yellow, quite mature and very ‘together’, well built and balanced. Pretty and feminine head, could use her ears a little more at times. Clean neck and good shoulders, powerful throughout with good bone. Good spring of rib. Strong hindquarters and excellent otter tail used well on the move, giving her steady and purposeful movement.

2. KING’S LINTHWAITE MATHILDA (AI)

Lovely baby of excellent type. Paler yellow, pretty and appealing, very elegant with good reach of neck. Clean lines throughout, with good leg length, super topline and tailset. Presented in fit condition. Moved well once settled. Loved her joie de vivre and obvious sense of fun, very happy Labrador temperament. Just a little raw right now but everything is there and she will have a bright future.

JUNIOR BITCH (5, 1a)

1. BISHOP’S THE GIRL IS FUN FROM LINJOR

Balanced yellow with appealing head and melting expression. Enjoying her time in the ring and didn’t always make it easy for her handler, but showed well once settled. Up to height but elegant in appearance with lovely reach of neck flowing into level topline to correct tailset. In fit condition and well muscled. Strong hindquarters and second thigh used to good effect on the move. Overall presented a very attractive outline.

2. MILLS’ LEMBAS BLACK BETTY

Black, different type to winner. Bitch of very good quality. 10 months, smaller cast but neat and balanced throughout. In beautiful condition and with good muscle. Well off for bone and with lovely tight well-padded feet. Excellent coat and a super otter tail. Moved with drive.

3. WALLACE’S DREAMMAKE FOR TIAJA JW (IMP DNK)

NOVICE BITCH (8, 1a)

1. KEMP’S LEMBAS PEGGY PATCH AT TIMAMSO

2. MOYS’ SMACOM CREAM HONOUR

3. KENT’S TREWINNARD VERITAS

UNDERGRADUATE BITCH (4, 1 a)

1. COLLINS’ FOXRUSH JOYFULL JW

Sturdily built yellow, standing foursquare on excellent bone. Melting expression and demonstrating kind and biddable temperament. Strong neck and good shoulder placement. Good spring of rib. Well-muscled and powerful hindquarters with good width to second thigh and strong hocks. Movement steady and purposeful. Double coat, just on the blow.

2. CARY’S LANGANHOE LIBERTY BELL IN AQUADELL

Nice black of good quality, presented an elegant picture. In super fit condition. Sweetest of heads with kind expression, very keen to please. Good layback of shoulder and good front flowing into level topline held well on the move. Good turn of stifle and strong hocks. Pleasing tailset. Showed herself well and moved tidily and steadily.

3. MILLS’ LEMBAS CLEMENTINE

GRADUATE BITCH (12, 1a)

Super class.

1. BRADDON’S TRENDLEWOOD TIGER LILY JW

Classy and typy pale yellow, loved her. Feminine and appealing head and expression. Neatly built and beautifully balanced. Excellent substance with strong bone but not overdone in any way. Elegant reach of neck and clean lines throughout. Correct angulation front and back and with strong hindquarters allowing her to move effortlessly, pushing off strong hocks. Good coat. Otter tail used well.

2. HOBAN’S MEADOWLEIGH TURN BACK TIME

Another bitch of super quality. Chocolate, bigger built than winner, but nicely balanced and presented a very appealing profile. Beautiful head with sweet expression. Coat of rich deep colour and of correct texture. Clean lines throughout. Good front construction flowing into level topline held well at all times. Well off for bone and with well-padded and neat feet. Muscular and well angulated hindquarters. Moved with power and drive.

3. PHILLIPS’ ROCHEVALE GYPSY AT SHEENARON

POST GRADUATE BITCH (5, 0a)

1. MILLS’ JAYBECK WINTER WISPA JW

Well-built pale yellow, caught my eye as soon as she came into the ring. Quality bitch with very appealing head with good eye colour and sweet melting expression. Pleasing length of leg with correct proportion to height at withers. Strong and clean throughout neck and shoulder and good front construction matched with well-developed hindquarters with good turn of stifle and strong second thigh. In good coat. Stood true at all times. Showed power and drive on the move.

2. MILES’ LLANSTINAN FANCYPANTS

Classy black, beautiful head with good length of muzzle and gentle expression. Excelled in reach of neck giving her a very elegant and pleasing outline. Standing on strong bone and on neat feet. Liked her height/leg length ratio. Well-set otter tail. Good harsh coat texture. In super muscular condition. Showed steadily and held her topline well on the move.

3. FRAZER’S SILMARILLION GONDOLIN

LIMIT BITCH (11, 3a)

Another fantastic class.

1. METCALFE’S BAILEYDALE HELLO SAILOR JW

Pale yellow, my notes say ‘in cracking condition’. Feminine head with good eye colour giving her kind and gentle expression. Super double coat. Beautifully balanced from nose to tip of tail with clean lines throughout. Well boned and standing on tight feet. Powerful neck and shoulder matched with strong hindquarters and second thigh. Won this class on quality and movement – floated around the ring covering the ground effortlessly, holding topline throughout. BEST BITCH AND BEST IN SHOW.

2. MINCHELLA’S ABBEYSTEAD HOPE

Lovely black built on more classical lines, presented in tip-top gleaming condition. Sweetest of heads demonstrating true Labrador temperament, kind and gentle. Good coat and tail. Lovely sweeping shoulder into flowing topline, matched with well angled hindquarters which gave her balance and drive on the move.

3. COODE’S WARRINGAH’S PIPPINGARA

OPEN BITCH (6, 1a)

1. MINCHELLA’S ABBEYSTEAD PSION OF HASELORHILL

Loved this black of classic type, beautifully made and demonstrating quality throughout. Gentlest of heads with excellent length of muzzle. Correct front construction and with good length of leg. Clean lines throughout. Longer cast than some but none the worse for that, loved her elegance and balance which was reflected in her calm and tidy movement. Good coat and nice otter tail. RESERVE BEST BITCH AND RESERVE BEST IN SHOW.

2. MILLS’ LEMBAS KAKAMORA

Black, more compactly built than winner but balanced throughout. Super coat of correct texture. Kind head, and showed herself gently and calmly. Used her tail well. Clean lines with level topline held well standing and moving.

3. PHILLIPS’ ROWANHOL MOON RIVER AT SHEENARON

Angela Mitchell (Judge)