Shropshire Gundog Society

SHROPSHIRE GUNDOG SOCIETY Show held Sunday 26th May 2024, Shrewsbury Sports Village, Shrewsbury. FLATCOATED RETRIEVER (Supported by the North of England Flatcoated Retriever Association) Thank you to the committee of Shropshire Gundog Society for inviting me to judge Flatcoated Retrievers at their open show. I consider it an honour to be asked to judge and I sincerely thank all who came under me for accepting their placings with such good grace. Thank you also to the two lovely ladies who stewarded for me and kept me right. PUPPY (2) 1st. Holman’s Ronevorg Can I Be Famous for Namtressa. 6 month old black bitch. This baby enjoyed her day out and showed well for one so young. She has a beautiful head with well set ears and dark, almond shaped eyes. She has a reasonable reach of neck set on well laid back shoulders. Her chest and ribs are looking good at this stage and I believe will continue to develop nicely. She has a firm top line held well when moving. She has a good length of rib and is short coupled but I’d prefer a bit more of a slope at her croup into her tail. She has a moderate and correct turn of stifle and good feet. She moved confidently and enthusiastically in the ring. I’m sure she will have a great show career ahead of her. 2nd. Blythin’s Angeluspark v Practice Makes Perfect Julesville (Imp Prt). 11 month old black male. A masculine young boy who is well up to size at this stage with a strong head shape. He has a slightly loose eye but this may tighten as his head develops. He has a good reach of neck into a slightly upright shoulder and a good top line however his delight at being in the show ring somewhat hindered me seeing if it was held when moving. He is still developing his depth of chest and he has a good length of ribcage into a short coupling. I would have preferred a tiny bit more angulation at the stifle. JUNIOR (2,1) 1st. Mantle’s Rhiewvalley Ain’t Guilty. 14 month old black male. This young boy has much to like about him with a nicely moulded head with dark eyes and well set on ears. He has a good reach of neck. I would have liked a tiny bit more length to his upper arm. He is a little long in the ribs and coupling and his depth of chest is still to develop but he is still a young dog and this should come as he matures. He has a strong top-line which he held on the move and he moved around the ring confidently and well. POST GRADUATE (4,2) 1st. Turner’s Angel Under Cover Take My Breath Away (Imp Fr). This two year old medium sized black bitch is very feminine with a nicely moulded head, dark eye and well set on small ears. She has a good length to her neck which is set on a good layback of shoulder with a good depth of chest. I would have preferred a tiny bit more length to her ribs. She has a good top-line held on the move with an appropriate length of croup and a good turn of stifle. A pretty girl who I was happy to award RBoB. 2nd. Stephenson’s Llantrussa Peer Gynt at Falahall. A three year old black boy of medium size. Another dog with much to like about him. He is fully mature with a strong, masculine head with good infill, a dark eye and well set on ears. He has a good reach of neck with adequate lay back of shoulder but he could have benefited from a wee bit more upper arm. He is perhaps a tiny bit long in the ribs but he is short coupled. He has a slightly upright stifle but lovely feet. He moved round the ring confidently and well. OPEN (4,2) 1st. Pingree’s Calzeat Gentleman’s Agreement to Heatheridge JW ShCEx (Imp Swe). A medium sized six year old black male. Not an overly masculine dog he ticked many boxes for me because he is proportionate and balanced. He has a nice head, with dark almond eyes and well laid on ears. He has a good length of neck set on a slightly upright shoulder which affected forechest a little. He has the ideal length and depth of rib into a short coupling and a super top line held well on the move. He has a good enough turn of stifle and good first/second thighs. His feet were good and he moved well around the ring. I was happy to award him BoB and delighted to learn he was awarded G3 in a large Gundog group later on. 2nd. Shelley & Luther’s Telurn Fame & Fortune with Rivage. This handsome black male, who is nearly three years old, pushed the BoB for top honours today. He is a larger dog altogether than my BoB. He has a lovely masculine head but I would have preferred a more almond shaped eye and smaller ears. He has a good reach of neck into well angled shoulders. He has a good depth of brisket, good length of rib and he is short coupled. I would have preferred a bit more length to his legs and more first thigh. He has a fabulous luxurious coat and gorgeous tight feet. He moved well holding his top line on the move. Caroline Thomson (Badcall)