South Western Gundog Club

South Western Gundog Club

Sedgemoor Auction Centre, North Petherton

Saturday 20th October 2024

Golden Retrievers

Judge: Miss L A Harper (Glynerva)

I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at this very well organised show, I was made to feel very welcome and your hospitality was very much appreciated. Thank you to my very capable steward for keeping everything moving along smoothly and efficiently. Thank you to Sue Porter for very generously sponsoring the classes. Finally thank you to the exhibitors who entered and brought their dogs on the day it was a lovely entry and my pleasure to go over them all. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

Minor Puppy (11/1)

What a super class delighted to see so many lovely minor puppies, lots to like about them all and I am sure they will all swap places as they grow and mature

1. Winsor-Williams & Williams – Aurgentious Mena Dhu. What a delightful little package he is at just 6 months he caught my eye on the first look round and didn’t disappoint when I went over him. Sweet head with lovely dark pigment, straight front, good reach of neck, balanced front and back angles, moved true on the neatest of feet and lovely short hocks.

2. Healey – Marsabit Celtic Harp. At 7 months this little lady gave her handler a hard time but she is worth the effort. Just changing into her new coat she has a balanced clean outline and really came into her own on the move with a lovely free flowing stride.

3.Wreford-Brown – Kenleap Aphrodite

Puppy (5/1)

1. Russell-Bond – Rosinante Here We Go Again. Another lovely puppy at 11 months she has the sweetest of heads, good reach of neck onto nicely laid back shoulder with equal return of upper arm. Level topline, short coupled, correct tailset and good rear angulation. She stood four square on the neatest of feet. Moved out very well for her handler pleased to award her BPIB

2. Russell-Bond – Rosinante Guinevere. Sister to the winner of this class. Slightly larger framed girl and lots to like about her just at a different growth stage than her sister who was just more balanced in construction today. I will watch them both with interest.

3. Wooden – Amilone Smokin Barrel

Junior (8/3)

1. Smyth – Kadaka Krumpet. 17 months girl presented in beautify full golden coat she excels in bone. Balanced outline, good spring of ribs, short coupled, good turn and width of stifle, nice short hocks and nice tight cat like feet. Moved well

2. Collis – Tillsun Mistletoe Promises (B) Pretty head on this 13 month old girl. Well-constructed front and similar comments to 1, would just like a little more length of leg for the perfect picture.  

3. Russell-Bond – Rosinante Here We Go Again

Special Yearling (5/1)

1. Taylor & Tenn – Strettonhill Custom Made. About a year ago I judged this girl and gave her best puppy, she is maturing very nicely not over exaggerated in any way. Soft melting expression, lovely reach of neck sweeping onto well laid back shoulders, level topline and correct tailset and carriage. Nice spring of ribs, short coupled, lovely turn of stifle, neat hocks and the neatest of feet. So together on the move and very nicely handled. Delighted to award her RBOB

2. Smyth – Kadaka Krumpet (1st junior)

3. Garbitt – Santandore Toscanini

Graduate (7/2)

1. Clunie – Warrentor Nohkalikai JW. Bit of a fidget today when standing but she has a balance outline and once on the move she absolutely caught your eye, excellent reach and drive and when gone over you could feel she was in hard condition, definitely fit for function.

2. Hurrell – Klassical Legacy from Double Gold among Gillansgold (IMP NLD). Another one who gave their handler a hard time. Shown in full golden coat he has a nicely balanced frame and moved well, he has lots of promise the handler just needs to work with him to reach his full potential.  

3. Taylor & Tenn – Strettonhill Carolina

Post Graduate (5/1)

1. Lockley - Steval Whathappendwas. This boy stood out in the class, on the first move round he grabbed my attention showing himself off to perfection with that just look at me ring presence and he didn’t let me down when going over him. Masculine but kind head with lovely dark pigment, good reach of neck, nice layback of shoulder and marching upper arm, well sprung ribs, Level topline, tail well set on and good turn of stifle. He moved straight and true on the neatest of feet. Delighted to award him BOB, and interested to see he is the sire of my MP 1st, 3rd and 5th places

2. McCammick – Saffdales My Memoir to Inca. When this girl lets her handler show her she has a lot of promise. Rich dark gold coat, good reach of neck, nicely angled front and rear angles, level topline, short coupled and nice tight feet. At 2 years old she has time to mature.    

3. Henson – Cinderbank Move It JW

Open Dog (5/3)

1. Withey - Rosinante Major Hero. This 4 year old boy is shown in full golden coat and is well off for bone. He has a lovely masculine head, nicely angled compact body. He is in well-muscled and moved out with purpose and drive, free stands four square every time. So attentive to his handler and willing to please.  

2. Lewis – Fairwinds in Space Man JW. Close decision between these two he just lost out on maturity today, but at only 2 years he is full of potential. He has a soft gentle expression, good reach of neck, dead level topline and tail set. Expertly presented and handled.    

Open Bitch (6/1)

1. Ives – Balsamina Bellini JW. Presented in fabulous condition this 3 year old girl has a pleasing balanced outline. Very pretty head her neck flows onto well placed shoulders, she has good spring of ribs, short coupled and a level topline which she holds on the move. She moved round the ring with style and at one with her handler.

2. Leeming – Kadaka Kalypso at Iscadu. Similar comments to the winner in this class just lacked the maturity but at only 2 years she has plenty of time for that. I am sure she has a very bright future.

3. Fleming & Scuffle – Gilbryan Fairy Cake