Stafford & District Canine Society

Delighted with my entry today both in number and quality, big thank you to all exhibitors for your support and accepting my decisions. My thanks also to my stewards, Joyce & Jean for being so efficient and to the Committee for the invitation to judge. Delighted to hear my BP went on to win the Gundog Puppy group, congratulations!

Retrievers (Golden)

PD (3): 1. Layland’s Applecote Christmas Magic 9M mid-gold, head just right for age with dark eye and pigment, enough neck into well-laid shoulders, good topline & correct tailset, well-boned legs down to good feet, still a little loose on the move but moved straight and true and was nice to watch in profile, BPD, unlucky to meet the BPB in the challenge but close decision. 2. Etherington’s Elkarima’s Golden Renaissance Raffielo of Gemasu 8M paler boy, heavier in head than 1 but not overdone, nice dark eye and good pigment, good bone and nicely angulated all round, his feet could be tighter, handler needs to stretch his rear out a little more on the stand to make him look more balanced, crabbing on the out and back but moved ok in profile 3. Herrod’s Wylloah Rupert Bear

JD (3): 1. Scott-Briggs Largymore Ravagier 14M mid-gold, lovely head with gentle intelligent expression from dark eyes, he is balanced all through with a strong neck into correct shoulder placement, strong level topline down to correct tailset all of which is held correctly on the move, lovely coat and feathering, to be picky I’d have liked a little more forechest but he has enough, still some maturing to do but definitely one to watch, on the move he is sound with a good length of stride ensuring he covers his ground with ease, although standing alone I this class he deserved this win together with BD and RBOB.

GD (5,1abs): 1. Repeat of JD 2. Wallington’s Ambersun With Hearts of Oak 3Y mature male of a darker gold, broad in skull but balanced with correct length of muzzle, good in forechest, well angulated fore & aft, good depth of chest & spring of rib, correct bone, strong topline, tailset a little high which resulted in him flying it on the move, sound mover, just found him a little heavy for me and preferred the elegance of 1. 3. Loggins & Hodges Swanavly Popsy’s Legacy at Nunsbrook (Imp Srb)

PGD (3,2): 1. Liggins & Hodges Silver Passion Glam Fashion at Nunsbrook JW (Imp Deu) paler gold, correct head, dark pigment and nice dark eye giving a soft expression, good depth and well sprung ribs, strong topline & correct tailset, balanced angulation fore and aft, sound mover

OD (7,2): 1. Millington’s Golmas Guard of Honour at Jarabees JW Lovely masculine head without being overdone, with a gentle expression, strong neck into good shoulder placement, deep through chest with correct spring, well boned legs and lovely tight feet, in good coat and condition, a very sensible, sound mover, RBD 2. Williams’ Eveninghill Detroit Red this boy pushed 1 hard and similar remarks apply, good head and expression, well made and balanced, not quite the coat of 1 and movement not quite as positive.

PB (3): 1. Foster’s Auristela Singing Hinnie very pale gold 7M, pretty head which is right for age, lovely dark eye and dark pigmentation, super front assembly, slightly arched neck, level topline & correct tailset, well off for forechest and correct, balanced angulation, standing she is very balanced for such a baby, her movement was a delight to watch as she flowed round the ring with ease and movement older dogs would be proud of, delighted to award her BPB, BPIB & to hear she later went on to with the Gundog Puppy Group, I will watch her future with interest. 2. Mason’s Wheatcroft China Girl at Nosam 8.5M pale gold, sweet slighty more mature head than 1 and soft expression, not quite the forequarters of one but her angulation fore and aft is good, well boned legs and tight feet, not as strong in topline as 1 at this stage but lots to like about her, moved ok once settled 3. North’s Shinehill Florence at Tippastree

JB (3,1): 1. Taylor & Tenn’s Strettonhill’s Daffodil mid gold of almost 18M, lovely correct head and dark eye, uses her ears well, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, excellent in forechest, balanced angles all round level topline & correct tailset all of which she held on the move, a sound, positive mover 2. S Florence at T 3rd in PB, pretty head with dark eye and good pigmentation, very immature in body at this stage, good length of leg but needs to drop in chest to balance her up, topline & tailset ok, coat in good order, rather erratic on the move

GB (6,2): 1. Taylor & Tenn’s Strettonhill Carolina paler gold with a lovely head, soft expressive dark eyes, excellent forechest, strong neck into correct lay of shoulder and good topline & tailset, moved true and straight out and back and ground covering in profile, well coated, pushed hard for RBOB 2. Trafford’s Astleyfold Spring Primrose dark gold of what I consider a real old-fashioned type, super head with correct ear set, dark eye, well angulated all round, good bone and tight feet, I thought this would be my winner but she lost out on the move as she was crabbing, but a very nice bitch 3. Kelly’s Kenzduo Nephrite with Amordeoro

PGB (1): 1. A Spring Primrose, repeat of 2nd in GB

OB (5,2): 1. Trafford’s Wynrita Misti Daze at Astleyfold my notes say “another old-fashioned type” and I wasn’t surprised to learn after that she is the dam of 2nd in GB, lovely dark gold, most lovely feminine head with a soft expression, excellent front assembly with a strong neck into well laid shoulder, strong topline & good tailset & carriage, she was also probably the best muscled dog of the day and looks like she would be more than capable of a days work, moved with super drive & reach, covering plenty of ground, pleased to award her BB, in the challenge I preferred the tail carriage of this girl and couldn’t deny her BOB 2. Layland’s Applecote Love Affair mid gold who pushed 1 all the way in this class, I like her head and expression, she is well angulated fore & aft, strong topline and well carried tail, on the move she was sound and free-flowing but I just preferred the little extra given by 1., that said, this girl was well deserving of her RBB 3. North’s Soneve Simply Sweet Summer at Tippastree