Irish Setter Association, England

Irish Setter Association 2024

Many thanks for the committee for the invitation to judge Irish setter Association Open Show 2024 Also to my two super stewards, who kept the ring flowing.

The quality today I felt was in the males, some bitches lacked basic good conformation, poor fronts, lack of bend of stifle or poor top lines - The classic racey outline with a ‘firm stright topline gentle sloping downwards’ need to be kept, otherwise Irish setters will become a generic setter. 

A couple of bad bites were present also. However I was pleased to see great temperaments, youngsters who were having a great time showing, beautiful oldies in great order - showing an Irish Setter is a long lasting breed. 

All dogs were presented in good condition, for me to judge. I thanks exhibitors for bringing the dogs under me & sportsmanship that was shown within the breed today. 

Minor Puppy Dog (3,0)

1st. Fulls - Henaleas Go West At Teignestuary - A Super young man, full of quality, shouts ‘racy’, he is balanced all through, with the air of arrogance. Lovely head showing brow, correct eye, nice stop, good long lean neck, leading in to balance angles front and rear. Gently sloping topline, in to excellent tail set, short in hock, correct bone, nice feet, moved with drive and style, BPIS 

2nd Jacobs & Bernard - Forfarian Fancy Footwork - A stronger lad all through, nice type, good head, cheeky eye of correct unshelled almond shape, good neck, in to good shoulders, deep in brisket, width to rear stifle, moving was ok, but he was rather enthusiastic , which made him not as clean on the up and down. Will watch him with interest 

3rd Dewar Gwendariff Bobby Dazzler ( IKC)

Puppy Dog (4,0)

1st Russell - Tiroen Touch Of Magic By Settesoli (IMP KCJ) - Good head, skull oval, balanced, showing brain room, nearly square muzzle, most balanced angles, deep in brisket, muscular loin, slightly arched, good feet, good topline held on the moved, good side gait showing drive, clean on the up & back, to win the class. 

2nd Randles - Danwish Maestro With Rionore - A puppy who really appealed in type, correct lean head, showing brain room, occiput, low set ears, beautiful neck in to good shoulder, deep brisket, correct topline, lovely bend of stifle, short hocks, moved ok but not settled, like better tail carriage too. 

3rd Stevenson - Bardonhill That’s All Right At Delsanto 

Junior Dog (2,0)

1st Richardson Bardonhill Macintosh Red At Montgreenan - Super shape, racy , refined, pleasing head, raised brows showing stop, oval skull, occiput prominent, moderately long arched muscular neck, in to well laid shoulders, deep in rib, well spring, long from hip to hock, coming in to lovely coat. Moved well with a hint of naughtiness 

2nd. Flinders & Robinson Slater - Kerrryfair Misty Moring - Good shape, not the angles of 1st, good head, plenty of stop, raised brows, low set ears, moderate neck, strong topline, short in hock, moved ok.

Yearling Dog (2,0) 

1st Berry & Morris Coppers Midsummer Night Dream JW ( IMP SWE) - The standard calls for most handsome, and he certainly is. Slightly to much skull for my taste, but correct eye, low set ears, he screams racy, so balanced, full of quality, every bit of him flows to the next, super angles, fine shoulder points, deep in brisket, width to thighs, which are long from hip to hock, super gentle sloping topline, when moving he comes alive, with free flowing driving movement , great topline & perfection co ordination, I just like him to be moved faster to show his true Irish setter style off. RBD 

2nd Bentley Penclippin Jubilee Flame JW This young man was unlucky to meet 1st in such fine form, head little long in for face for me, but raised brows, good unshelled almond eye shape, good muzzle, well set on ears, good muscular neck, ok shoulder, excellent topline, in to ok tail set, good length from hip to hock, short in hock, lovely coat , moving ok.  

Madian Dog (1,0)

1st Randles - Danwish Maestro With Rionore - Repeat from Puppy Dog 

Novice Dog (2,0)

1st Randles - Danwish Maestro With Rionore - Repeat from puppy dog, had settled more in to himself. 

2nd Tapper & Leyland Kedalita Steptoe And Sone - Nice overall shape, beautiful head with dark eyes, balanced angles, moved well, nice coat.   

Graduate Dog (8,0)

I found this an interesting class, real mix, of type & size.

1st Rorke Zakhan’s Diamond Jack JW - This young man was the most balanced, of correct shape, nice head, long and lean, plenty brain room, raised brows with good stop, low set ears, good neck, arched in to well laid shoulder, deep in rib, ok tail set, but nice gently sloping topline, true on up & back and steady side gait, nice coat free from wave and curl, with good feather coming. 

2nd Gardiners Glimmer Noblesse Eagle Eye Of Blaysdell ( IMP SVK ) - A honest dog, with balance angles, giving him such a good shape. Lovely head, excellent eye, well sprung ribs, he was a good moving, lovely coat. 

3rd Levene & Lewis Quensha Remember The Name Valasarch

Post Graduate Dog (9,0)

Brothers I can see from my catalogue headed this class, both super examples of the breed. Not much to split them apart. 

1st Chorley-Newton, Chorley & Flinders Kerryfair Just Be JW - So refined, no mistaking all Irish Setter, racy, full of quality, so well put together, super head, lean, oval skull, lovely eye, brain room, muzzle moderately deep, ears hanging neat, set on well, super long neck, set in to best of well laid shoulders, fine at points, deep brisket, ribs well sprung, muscular loin, best well let down stifles, super gentle sloping topline, side profile he moved with such enthusiasm & style, little untidy from behind which cost him later in the challenge, but otherwise super dog. 

2nd Kolbach Kerryfair Zoom In On Pawsword - Many of the same comments as his brother, beautiful head, lovely eye, very well made flowing from one part to another, beautiful coat, moved with style & drive, little lighter in frame than 1st, will watch both with interest. 

 3rd Parsons Quensha Thinking Out Loud At Bransett JW

Limit (6,0)

1st Beresford Jetsetter Wind Of Dreams ( IMP RUS) What a super dog, fills the standard so well, he oozes quality, balanced, racy, most exquisite head, oval skull, long & lean, low set on ears, muzzle moderately square, excellent dark eye, of correct shape, low set ears, long muscular neck, setting cleanly in to well laid shoulders, fore legs straight & sinewy, good bone, deep in chest, super rear angles, long from hip to hock, excellent topline, with good tail set, moved with such style and drive, love him. BD, BIS one for his title for sure. 

2nd Richardsons Bluesprings Now I’m Here At Forestfire - Another good dog, slightly different type, super quality, racy, lovely head, oval skull, excellent stop, almost square muzzle, lovely moderately long neck in to well placed shoulders, balanced angles, deep brisket, well ribbed up, moved on a good length of stride, considered for top honours.  

3rd Cordless Swift Spellbinder, finishing a super trio in this class, classic outline, nice head, in great condition, moved well. 

Open (3,0) 

1st Russell Sh Ch Lynwood Hocus Pocus At Settesoli JW - A beautiful headed dog, long & lean, oval skull, but so refined, excellent stop, eye, low set on ears, good neck in to lovely shoulders, good forechest, deep in brisket, well ribbed, muscular over the loin, balanced rear angles, excellent topline & tail set. Super mover, true on the up and back. 

2nd Williamson Bluespring Picture This JW, Different in type to 1st, but stil pleasing overall shape, good height to length ratio, moved well. Balanced angles, excellent bone & feet. Nice coat. 

3rd Fosters Goldnavarm Endurance At Shanoah 

Veteran (1,0)

1st Russell Strathmead Hucklesberrry of Settesoli - A good honest dog, another lovely head showing excellent skull, unshelled almond eye shape, nice stop, excellent muscular neck in to good shoulder placement, good underline, muscular loin, width to rear, long hip to hock, excellent topline & tailset, movement was excellent for 9 & 1/2 year old. BVIs

Minor Puppy Bitch (2,1)

1st Roffey Gwendariff Skys The Limit - Pretty headed bitch, nice stop, good eye, moderately deep muzzle, well laid shoulder, with return, good breastbone for one so young, deep brisket, well ribbed for a youngster, enough stifle, once settled good side profile & moved true on the up & back. 

Puppy Bitch (4,0)

1st Gibsy Marlland Lily On The Valley By Sutersett( IMP NLD) - A lovely overall shape, super typy bitch, good head, oval in skull, showing brain room, unshelled almond eye, low close set ear, moderately long neck in to good well laid shoulders, another with good fore chest, balanced rear angles, strong topline, excellent tail set, super steady on the move. Lovely coat coming through. BPB 

2nd Borthwick Damwish Aria - A longer cast bitch, but pleasing shape, racy , good eye, low set ears, showing occiput prominence, neck not so clean in to shoulders, excellent topline, long hip to hock, good side gait, not as balanced as 1. 

3rd Allum Zakhans Sky Dancer Del Macarica 

Junior Bitch ( 6,0)

1st Williamsons Caskeys United With Bluesprings - Mature bitch, who presented so balanced, racy, full of quality, good head, with pretty expression, lean, lovely eye, correct oval skull, moderately long slightly arched neck, with super muscular appearance, leading in to well laid shoulder, good fore hand, balanced angles, super rear with width to thighs, powered around the ring, with super drive and enthusiasm, exciting young bitch - RBB

2nd Mitchell Kerryfair Misty Love For Amblin - A pretty headed bitch, with lovely eye, super type, more moderate all though, but very balanced. Super top line, tailset, short hocks , moved well. Will watch her with interest. 

3rd Kennedy - Sloane TwoacresContrary Mary. 

Yearling Bitch (1,0)

1st Bentley Penclippin Celtic Asthorne JW - Good head, lean with good stop, showing occiput, enough neck, ok shoulders, short in back, well turned stifles, ok top line, muscular loin, moved well.

Maiden Bitch (2,0) 

1st Borthwick Damwish Aria - Repeat, 2nd puppy bitch 

2nd Atkinson Orange Starburst - Repeat - Stronger headed bitch, plenty of stop, moderate neck, deep in brisket, strong loin, rich chestnut coat with good feather. Excellent bone, nice feet. Moved well. 

Novice (1,0) 

1st Borthwick Damwish Aria - Repeat, 2nd puppy bitch 

Graduate Bitch (6,3)

1st Peters Corranroo Viennese Waltz To Shirlilah - super shaped bitch, racey, good head, almost square muzzle, good stop, raised brows, muscular neck that flows in to shoulders, good top-line, with balanced rear angles, lovely feet, moved well.

2nd Fox Kerryfair Heart To Heart - Super type, head pleasing, little strong in stop for my taste, by correct oval skull, good eye, with raised brown, good lip, good neck in to shoulder, nice topline, and width to rear. Not so balanced as 1. Moved ok. 

3rd Stevenson Lochlorien Unforgotton. 

Post Graduate Bitch (4,0) 

1st Hall Glennara Cherry Cola JW - A super bitch, refined in looks, she is quality, so balanced,nothing to deny her she is all Irish Setter, super head, refined, correct skull, well proportioned, nice stop, correct lip, muscular arched neck in to the best shoulders, with good return, correct pro sternum, good straight correctly boned legs, mature through body, super brisket, well ribbed up to muscular slightly arched loin, correct long hip to hock rear, short hock, moved well, but needs to go faster so show her excellent conformation off to its best. Loved her, BB & BOS

2nd Corless Swiftlark Illustrious JW - A good honest bitch, with lots to like, excellent type, nice head, good shoulders, deep in brisket, muscular loin, good underline, width to rear, good gentle sloping topline, which she held on the move, good bone & feet, lovely coat, moved well & considered for top honours. 

3rd Parsons Forfarian Flutter Yer Lashes At Bransett

Limit (3,1)

1st Heather Sixoakes My Fair Lady JW - Most appealing head in the class, good moderately long neck, deep in brisket, excellent top line & good underline, super rear, with excellent width, short in hock, moved well, true up & back.

2nd Robinson & Rowbottom - Stronger headed bitch, moderate neck, little thick, but set in to well laid shoulders, with good return, plenty of fore chest, good bone, ok top line, moderate angles at rear, moved well, set on good bone & straight legs, nice feet. 

Open (6,2)

1st Williamson Bluespring Sunday Girl - Good overall shape , just enough angles, pretty head, lovely eye, oval skull, good muzzle, good, neck in to ok shoulders, deep in brisket, good topline, balanced rear, moved well. 

2nd Clarke Covarney Dream Time From Bronrians JW - A Bitch that appeal on first glance, she has super body & is racy with plenty of angles, moved with a great stride, with her handler. Head wasn’t as appealing, but set on to super muscular neck. Deep in brisket, slightly arch muscular loin, great topline & tail set. 

3rd Heather Sizoakes Leading Lady JW

Veteran (4,1)

1st Waterton Sandstream Welcome Breeze JW ShCm - Super typey bitch, beautiful head, raised brow, with beautiful eye, head is parallel & of equal length, dark eye making for an beautiful expression. Balanced, with plenty of angles, good fore-chest, deep in brisket , moving very well, with great tail action. Beautiful coat, deep rich chestnut. 

2nd Stevenson Lochlorien True Detective is Andley - A honest bitch, that is balanced all through, good head, lovely dark eye of correct shape, set in to ok shoulders, moderate in body, width to thigh, short in hock, ok top line & tail set, moved well. 

3rd Davie Lochfrae Nina Simone. 

Claire Lewis