United Retriever Club

United Retriever Club Show

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Judge Gretel Osborn (Elgert)

14th February 2024

Thank you to the committee for inviting me and especially to the exhibitors for such a lovely entry of good quality dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed my time being totally immersed in NSDTR a breed I have a real soft spot for. Many decisions were hard but topline, movement and balance were my deciding factors. Heads I thought were on the whole lovely and very breed typical. A few I thought had straighter stifles than the standard asks for so from an outsiders perspective perhaps something to keep an eye on in the breed. Mouths were good. Delighted when looking at the catalogue afterwards to see that my BD & BB were litter brother and sister, & my RBOB sired by the same dog.

Puppy Dog (2)

1st Bate-Ash & Ash, Sinsircariad Old Fashioned, 10mth old, nice size and shape. He played up today in the ring but lovely movement when settled. Firm throughout with good bone and topline. Head of good proportions, with the correct expression.

2nd Smith, Tollisty Raudr, a larger and more rangier dog all through, he needs time to settle and ‘drop’ into himself more, thick abundant coat that you have to really feel through to appreciate his qualities. I preferred his head to 1.

Yearling – no entries

Post Graduate (4)

1st Strevens, Tollisty You Can’t Decline, smaller size throughout but all correct. Nice wedge shape to head with good broad rounded back skull . Eye correct colour and nice tight rims with correct colour. Shoulders well laid back with good angulation, nice upper arm allowing for good stride on the move. Tail carried well from a level topline, lovely muscle tone thoughout, my notes say ‘foot perfect’ on the move as he really did show well.

2nd Ryder, Arthundur Dream Come True, another lovely dog who pushed hard for 1st place, lovely happy mover using his good rear angulation to drive out when moved. Head again of good proportions and correct eye and rim. Nice neck of good length & strength, not too long in loin so allowed for solid drive from the rear. Tail used perfectly on the move.

Open Dog (6,1a)

What a cracking class and I must thank you for bringing me such top dogs to go over, such a pleasure to judge them.

1st Elkin, Ch Tollelkin Caife Americano SGWC ShCEx, such a quality dog to go over, full of breed type who just exudes charisma and that extra something that as exhibitors we all hope for and as judges we love to find. Head of good shape and proportions, nice eye with tight rim, correct colour, good expression offset by good shape ear & length. Good muscular neck of correct length going into well laid back shoulder placement, correct upper arm and good angulation. Feet of good size, nicely arched and firm, straight front legs. Deep chest & nicely sprung ribs, short back with correct straight topline. Shown in superb condition, very muscular that just allows him to effortlessly power round the ring, using his tail to full advantage and his ever happy expression. BD, BOB

2nd Newson, Tivalake Let’s misbehave JW, again a really lovely dog to go over. Slightly smaller throughout than 1, but similar in many ways. Such a correct outline on the stack, nothing over done but just correct. Head of lovely shape and proportions, very expressive eye, good colour. Neck correct with good shoulder placement, nice front angulations allowing good footfall on the move, not as strong in loin as 1, he just dropped his topline slightly on the move but such a lovely dog to go over, moved with drive. RBD, RBOB

Puppy Bitch (3)

1st Strevens, Tollisty Shincha, pretty bitch of good size and proportions. Head shape correct giving her a pleasing outline, nice tight eye of good colour & rim correct. For her age well muscled which allowed her to have the best movement in the class. Good reach from front and nice drive from rear. PB,BP

2nd Winship, Stellenbosch Tatiana, certainly enjoyed being in the ring! Good length of back, not too long or too short, with firm loin, nice good width of thigh and well let down hocks. Moved out well when settled. Head is slightly narrower than I would like but nice eye and ear set.

Yearling – no entries

Post Graduate (4,1 WD)

A really lovely class, the first two placings I am sure will swop many times, as nitpicking between them.

1st Smith, Tollisty Couldn’t Careless, such a pretty girl, nice outline on the stack with correct firm topline held on the move. Good proportions in head, eye colour & rim correct. Lovely neck and good shoulders, feet I would like slightly tighter. Nice movement and won the class on her shape, breed type and holding the topline on the move. RBB

2nd Elkin, Tollelkin Dream Dancer JW, another promising youngster. Lovely firm topline on stack but just slightly lost it on the move. Head & expression lovely with correct wedge shape, almond shaped eye with good colour, nice ear set & correct triangular shape. Preferred her feet shape to 1st but both such lovely girls.

Open (7)

1st Strevens, Sh Ch Tollelkin Caife Gaelach at Tollisty , such a lovely girl, head of correct wedge shape and good proportions, but still maintaining that femine look to her. Lovely neck and good laid back shoulder, nice upper arm. Good brisket and nice sprung ribs, just enough tuck up and strong loin. Level topline held well on the move, good drive from rear as great angulation and well let down hock. Happy mover round the ring. BB, BOS

2nd Smith, Tivalake Anything Goes at Tollisty JW, smaller throughout than the winner, her topline not quite as strong as the winners. Lovely shape to her head and kind expression with correct eye colour. Ears well set and correct triangle shape, nice neck and shoulders and good depth of brisket and spring of rib. Moved well and again a happy girl.