Berkshire Downs & Chilterns Golden Retriever Club

Berkshire Downs & Chilterns Golden Retriever Club Show

Sunday 7th July 2024

Thank you to Berkshire Downs and Chilterns Golden Retriever Club Committee for bringing me out of retirement to judge their well-run Open Show.

Special thanks to the Catering Team for a delicious luncheon.

I had a really lovely time, with many quality dogs to go over, spoilt for choice in many classes. Weather was a bit temperamental, but temperament and presentation of all dogs was excellent.

Class 1 Special Veteran Dog

1 entry (1 absent / ABS)

Class 2 Minor Puppy Dog

4 entries - 4 Quality baby boys

1st Jackson-Haines. Leighsham The Cheeky Elf stood out in this class, standing four square in lovely golden coat. Masculine head with good breadth of skull, dark eyes and pigment. Well ribbed body with excellent front and rear angulation. Well off for bone and neat feet. Moved really well with drive, which gave him the advantage over Puppy Bitch in the Challenge. Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy in Show.

2nd Woodens. Amilone Smokin Barrel. Not so mature as 1st and will take time to fill his frame, gentle head with soft expression and good pigment. Good length of neck, upper arm and topline, kept on the move. Moved well, in pale golden coat.

3rd Clerk Gear. Dewmist Danzatore with Ousevale (Imp Swe).

Class 3 Puppy Dog

5 entries

1st Jackson-Haines. Leighsham The Cheeky Elf

2nd Grainger Miss S. Brekswood Gentleman Jack. Lovely blonde boy, another who is going to take time to fill his frame. Excellent front confirmation, level topline kept on the move, good bone and feet. Gentle head and expression with good pigment, coming back into coat, well shown.

3rd Clerk Gear. Dewmist Danzatore with Ousevale (Imp Swe).

Class 4 Junior Dog

5 entries (1 ABS)

1st Angel. Linirgor Seven Up at Millanza. JW. Blond boy in lovely full coat and good condition. Attractive masculine head with excellent pigment and dark eye. Straight front with excellent angulation and level topline, well-muscled rear, in hard condition. Slightly longer in the back than 2nd but moved true with drive.

2nd Porter Mrs M A and Miss S. Shearstone Janner. Compact balanced boy in mid gold coat, gentle head and expression, good bone, level topline, moved well, not quite drive of 1st.

3rd Forman Mr G and Mrs T. Ambersun Summer Son.

Class 5 Yearling Dog

3 entries (1 ABS)

1st Todd Mrs PT. Van Gogh of Sunshine’s Valley with Toddrosa. JW. (Imp Bel). Another blonde boy in lovely coat condition. Very similar to 1st in Junior, clean outline with balanced angulation front and rear. Good bone and substance, well ribbed body, level topline and tail set, lovely head, moved out well with drive.

2nd Porter Mrs M A and Miss S. Shearstone Janner.

Class 6 Novice Dog

6 entries (1 ABS)

1st Grainger Miss S. Brekswood Gentleman Jack.

2nd Porter Mrs M A and Miss S. Shearstone Janner.

3rd Clerk Gear Dewmist Danzatore with Ousevale (Imp Swe).

Class 7 Undergraduate Dog

3 entries

1st Todd Mrs PT. Van Gogh of Sunshine’s Valley with Toddrosa. JW. (Imp Bel).

2nd Williams KJ. Berrymeade Kilternan of Busheyhall. SGWC. Typical golden, short coupled body, good bone, and level topline. Masculine head with soft expression, in hard condition.

3rd Porter Mrs M A and Miss S. Shearstone Janner.

Class 8 Graduate Dog

4 entries

1st Black Mr MI and Mrs A. Bencoe Just in Time Del Avrain. JW, IR, JCH. Very similar in type to last 2 winners, and same remarks apply, lovely balanced outline, mature depth of body, well ribbed with good bone and neat feet. Carrying a heavy coat and rolling slightly on the move so no more weight! Lovely head, soft expression, well handled.

2nd Ward Mrs LJ. Mitchnel He Who Laughs Last at Buartone. Mid gold boy in good coat, masculine head with gently expression, short coupled, level topline, kept on the move, not so positive in movement.

3rd Porter Mrs M A and Miss S. Shearstone Janner.

Class 9 Post Graduate Dog

5 entries

1st Keightley Mrs GA. Richana Rocket Man. JW. Bigger framed blonde boy and at just over 2 years plenty of time to mature. Just loved his head and gentle expression with dark eyes and pigment. Well balanced, clean outline standing, excellent reach of neck, upper arm and topline. Moved well in hard condition.

2nd Taylor Mr JM and Mrs BM. Alibren Aldaniti at Tannadice. JW. Mature boy in full golden coat, good depth and width of body, bone and substance. Not quite front angulation of 1st, lovely head and ear set. Moved with drive from strong rear quarters.

3rd Gulliver Mrs S. Tonara Moon Walk.

Sadly, had to come indoors for the end of Dog Judging and the Challenge because of heavy rainfall.

Class 10 Limit Dog

2 entries

1st Taylor Mr JM and Mrs BM. Alibren Eccles at Tannadice. JW. A lovely 5 year old mid golden boy, carrying a very heavy coat, not to his advantage. Beneath is a lovely well-made frame with good bone and short coupled body. Very gently head, moved soundly.

2nd Withey Mrs H. Rosinante Major Hero. Darker golden four and half years old with a masculine head, compact body with level topline, very happy mover.

Class 11 Open Dog

5 entries

Lovely class of mature dogs, close decisions between all 5.

1st Simms-Stelling Mrs PA. Penbridge Play Fast and Loose for Stvincent. Lovely boy in full mid gold coat. Clean outline standing, and well-constructed throughout, short coupled level topline and tailset. Masculine head with dark eyes and pigment. Strong mover on well-muscled hind quarters. Best Dog in strong competition.

2nd Clerk-Gear Mrs V. Ousevale Tobermory. JW. Different type to 1, slightly shorter on the leg with good bone and neat feet. Balanced angulation front and rear, with level topline. In lovely cream coat and good condition, with gently head and excellent pigment. Moved with drive.

3rd Barber Miss N. Messano Just Good Friends with Swansreach.

Class 12 Special Working Dog

1 entry

1st Williams KJ. Berrymeade Coeur Blimey at Busheyhall. SGWC, WGC. Very typical golden boy of 5 years. Lovely head, dark eyes and pigment. Good length of neck and shoulder placement. Level topline and tailset. Compact outline, loved his happy disposition, moved strongly from well muscled hind quarters. Well-presented coat, close decision – Reserve Best Dog.

Class 13 Special Veteran Bitch

4 entries

1st Seamons Mr PD and Mrs JL. Messano Double or Quits. JW. At 11 years a neat, compact, cream girl. Pretty head and expression, nicely balanced, in excellent coat and condition, moved out well and happily. Best Veteran in Show.

2nd Gayler Mrs PD. Carolake Remember Me. JW. 8 years young, bigger mature girl in mid gold coat, well off for bone, straight front with neat feet. Good, steady mover and showed well.

3rd Turner Ms R. Grain of Gold’s Arwen of Amilone (Imp Swe). SGWC.

Class 14 Minor Puppy Bitch

9 entries (1 ABS)

Lovely class of quality babies, close decisions between all three. Found out later that 1st and 2nd are litter sisters ands same comments apply. 1st Russel-Bond Mrs SE. Rosinante Guinevere. Best Puppy Bitch.

2nd Russel-Bond Mrs SE. Rosinante Here We Go Again.

Pretty heads with dark pigment, excellent neck and shoulder placement – both moved well, straight front and bone. Hard to choose between them as both very similar, but Guinevere pipped her twin sister to the post as she showed herself off with more confidence.

3rd Wheeldon and Hurry Mr M and Miss K. Dewmist Dolce Vita with Catnnels. Different breeding but same type as 1st and 2nd. Same comments apply with excellent confirmation. Well-presented and handled, not quite so positive on the move.

To those three babies not in the cards, not quite ready regards balance or movement. But promise for the future.

Class 15 Puppy Bitch

10 entries

1st Russel-Bond Mrs SE. Rosinante Guinevere.

2nd Russel-Bond Mrs SE. Rosinante Here We Go Again.

3rd Cole Mrs LP. Rooksbury Aurora.

Class 16 Junior Bitch

8 entries (3 ABS)

1st Falconer Mrs AE. Cheek to Cheek Unbridled Dreams for Siatham (imp Fra). Neat, compact, feminine blonde, in good coat and condition. Very balance angulation, front and rear, level topline and tailset. Straight front with neat feet. Pretty head with dark pigment, moved and handled well. One to watch for the future.

2nd Fosdike Mrs M. Thornywait Royal Design at Meiepere. Bigger framed girl will take longer to mature. All angles correct, well-muscled, moved and handled well.

3rd List Ms L. Haydengold Moment in Time.

Class 17 Yearling Bitch

5 entries (1 ABS)

1st Gayler Mrs PD. Carolake X’Marks the Spot. JW. Mature b in lovely pale gold coat, good balanced confirmation, front and rear, good bone and neat feet. Straight front, short coupled well ribbed body, lovely feminine head, moved out steadily and true.

2nd Fosdike Mrs M. Thornywait Royal Design at Meiepere.

3rd List Ms L. Haydengold Moment in Time.

Class 18 Novice Bitch

4 entries (2 ABS)

1st Seamons Mr PD and Mrs JL. Messano Snap, Crackle and Pop. Reserve in Strong Puppy Class. Compact 11 month old, good confirmation with balanced outline, pretty feminine head, good pigment, level topline, just needs to steady on the move.

2nd Taylor and Tenn Miss C and Mr M. Strettonhill Custom Made. Reserve in Junior. Same remarks as 1st, not so mature. Overall construction ok, just needs more confidence on the move.

Class 19 Undergraduate Bitch

5 entries (3 ABS)

1st Riely Mrs SF. Jasrolyn Doe Ray Me among Wylloh. Nicely made, will take her time to mature. Feminine head with good pigment, moved ok with level topline and tailset.

2nd List Ms L. Haydengold Moment in Time. Compact body and still looks a baby. Mid gold coat, strong topline, not so positive on the move.

Class 20 Graduate Bitch

4 entries (2 ABS)

1st Fosdike Mrs M. Thornywait Royal Design at Meiepere. Second in Junior.

2ndHush Mr and Mrs W. Ousevale Ocean Breeze at Benrowan. Compact typical mid golden girl. Moved ok, balanced outline with level topline, feminine head and nice dark eye.

Class 21 Post Graduate Bitch

2 entries (1 ABS)

1st Foreman Mr G and Mrs T. Ambersun All of My Heart. Mature 3 year old in full mid gold coat, good bone and substance. Balanced angulation, front and rear, level topline kept on the move. Straight front with neat feet. Strong well-muscled hindquarters, gentle head and expression.

Class 22 Limit Bitch

7 entries (2 ABS)

1st Keightley Mrs GA. Richanna A Star is Born. My notes say ‘just lovely, judged her over two years ago she is now the finished picture’. Stood confidently with excellent reach of neck, shoulders and upper arm. Deep mature body, in full cream well-presented coat. Most beautiful head with soft expression and dark eyes. Moved well from strong well-muscled hind quarters. Best Bitch in the Challenge, had the finish and clean outline to complete the picture. Best in Show.

2nd Turner Ms R. Moonshine De Ria Vela over Anilone (import Esp). JW. Unlucky to be against 1st, lovely mid gold girl, mature well ribbed body, feminine head and dark eye. Good strength of bone and nice straight front. Good topline and tailset. Very happy mover.

3rd Buftun and Riley Mrs L and Mrs S. Phoslas Polly Flinders.

Class 23 Open Bitch

6 entries (3 ABS)

1st Fosdyke Mrs M. Meiepere You Are My Sunshine. EST/LVA JACH/BALT JW (imp Est). Closest decision of the day, two beautiful, quality bitches. First, very feminine blond with clean outline, stood shown free, with gently wagging tail. Sweet head and expression, excellent length of neck and shoulders, level topline and tailset. Well-muscled hind quarters. In the Challenge for Best Bitch just felt she was a little tucked up in the loin, and not so positive moving on the uneven grass. Reserve Best Bitch.

2nd Falconer Mrs AE. Contemporary Beguile Again via Siathan. JW. Most attractive, nearly 4 years old, in mid gold coat. Pretty feminine head, and balanced outline, short coupled body with well-muscled rear end, and level topline. Very happy mover. So close, needed two red cards!

3rd Hush Mr and Mrs W. Benrowan Esprit.

Class 24 Special Working Bitch

3 entries (1 withdrawn lame)

1st Harding Mrs LJ. Eveninghill Going Dutch. SGWC. Quality type of golden in full coat. Moved really well and soundly, excellent angulation front and rear. In good hard condition, a credit to her owner on gaining your WC.

2nd Wheeldon and Hurry Mr M and Miss K. Catnnels Gettin Jiggy. SGWC. Finer in bone than 1st, with pretty head, in hard condition, very happy on the move. Enjoying her day out.

JUDGE: Mrs Patricia Tuck