Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society

Thank you to the hard-working committee for the invitation to judge at this wonderful show, to my steward, and the lovely exhibitors for such a quality entry; I had a fabulous day in the sunshine. Irish setters Puppy 2 (0) 1. Humphreys’ Henaleas Makinyourmindup This young girl holds an attractive head with dark eye and raised brow. Good work and chiselling on her foreface complete with correctly finished muzzle. Low-set, neatly folded ears. Lovely reach of neck into well-laid shoulders, and she is well-off for forechest. Very well-balanced front and rear angulations for a youngster, paired with plenty of width across her quarters for her age. Firm finish to her croup and well-set tail. She needs to settle on the move but I’m sure this will come with time. Her rich coat is coming along nicely. BP 2. Murray’s Henaleas Maximilian with Derrydore Litter brother to 1st with many of the same qualities to be admired, but not quite as balanced today as he needs to drop into his hindquarters which will come as he develops and matures. However, I did feel he out moved his sister with his steady footfall. He possesses a handsome head, long and lean, with mischievous eyes and expression. Crested neck flows into his well-laid-back shoulders into gently sloping topline. Lovely spring of rib for a young boy with firm loin. Tight, arched feet. His coat is dark and of lovely texture. Special Yearling 3 (2) 1. Williamson’s Caskeys United with Bluesprings Totally fell for this quality young bitch, caught my eye as soon as she came in the ring, not just for maturity but for overall balance and finish. Beautiful head with raised brow, showing stop and giving a knowing expression. Fabulous body and condition, balanced fore and aft, lovely width across the quarters and muscling to her thighs. Her coat was in early bloom, and she should develop on well. She really catches the eye with her free-flowing movement, showing ample reach and extension; being critical I would like to see her move with more drive and tail action. RBOB 2. Mitchell’s Kerryfair Misty Love for Amblin One of the prettiest heads of the day, she really draws you in with her kind expression. Excellent stop and finish to foreface with work and chiselling. Ample reach of neck into correct shoulder placement and strong return of upper arm. Well-finished croup and well-set tail, just needs to drop into her hindquarters slightly. Neat feet. Steady mover on the around but her hocks were weak today, perhaps struggling with the equestrian floor. Her coat is of lovely colour and texture, just needs time to grow. She couldn’t match 1 on the move today, or for maturity and finish. 3. Kennedy-Sloane’s Twoacres Contrary Mary Another quality young girl in stiff competition, well made and out-moved 2 today, just not the upper arm of 2 today and fell away slightly at the croup, but she will mature on well as she bodies up, thank you for bringing her. Post-Graduate 6 (3) 1. Levene and Lewis’ Quensha Remember The Name Valasarch Upstanding dog who was a joy to judge. Handsome, yet masculine head, which is well balanced with correct head planes. Lovely dark eye and low-set ears with neat, tidy fold. Excellent forechest and a strong upper arm. His neck flows into gently sloping topline, excellent ribbing and firm loin. Powerful rear quarters with all important width to first and second thigh, well-bent stifle, and strong hocks which he used to move soundly. A little bit proud of his tail on the move, albeit mixed in with bitches today. Gorgeous dark coat with good movement and texture, however, being critical it could have less wave. Pushed hard for RBOB, I just preferred the finish of the bitches today, very close up. 2. Humphreys’ Riverbrue Ophelia at Henaleas I was really taken with this 2-year-old girl, so well balanced and made, just out moved by the dog on the day but she had lovely tail action. Another pretty bitch with dark eyes and good depth and work to her muzzle. Ample reach of neck into strong front assembly with plenty of bone. Firm topline into well-set croup and tail. Well-bent stifle and short hock to heel. Her coat is of pleasing colour and coming along nicely, I would just like to see a little more of it, but that’s bitches for you! Very close up to 1 today. 3. McMullen’s Siochanna Dutch Domain Unfortunately a little unsettled today as he needed the loo! Would have liked to have judged him on a happier day to be able to assess his movement. Limit 4 (0) Strong class, all 4 with lots to like. 1. Catling’s Quensha Family Portrait for Teleri This bitch presents a lovely outline in stack, so elegant, stylish and feminine, but not flashy. Prettiest head of the day for me, beautiful raised brows and dark eye giving an all intelligent expression, with a few stray greys adding to her charm approaching 6 years old. Moderate depth to her muzzle which is well finished. Her neck shows ample reach which flows into her well-placed shoulders and excellent front assembly. Her topline is gently sloping and she has strong ribbing. Excellent width to her quarters with well-bent stifle and strong hocks. She uses her well-made construction to float round the ring complete with lashing tail, despite the heat. BOB 2. Richardson’s Bluesprings Now I’m here at Forestfire Quality male in full bloom, just out moved by the bitch today in the heat. Lovely, refined head, elegance in abundance with a kind eye. Balanced angles fore and aft. Not the forechest of 1 but enough. Well-laid-back shoulders fit into firm, gently sloping topline with a good spring of rib. Strong hind quarters with plenty of width across his thighs and sweeping stifle. In excellent coat and condition, lovely texture and colour, free from wave. His movement was steady and true. 3. Crocker and Lewis’ Riverbrue Ophelia Winky JW Younger dog at 2 years old, very well-presented and turned out with much to like, just a bit sluggish on the move today in the heat and in stiff competition. Open 1 (5) 1. Catling’s Teleri Here Comes Summer (AI) Pretty girl just starting her veteran years presented in full bloom. Her head holds a melting expression complete with low-set ears in a neat tidy fold close to her head. Lovely reach of neck and well-laid-back shoulders, just a little straight in upper arm and not as well-off for forechest. Ample spring of rib with firm loin and well-set tail. Excellent width to her thighs with well-bent stifle and strong hocks. Tight, arched toes. Her free-flowing movement showed plenty of reach and rear extension, a joy to watch. Very pleased to see she went VG1. Lillie Peters – Shirlilah