Okehampton & District Canine Society

Okehampton and District Canine Society Open Show

04.05.2024

A big thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge, my stewards for a smooth-running ring, and to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over their quality dogs and for accepting my decisions with sportsmanship and grace; I really enjoyed my entry.

Irish setters

Puppy 2 (1) 

1. Mugford’s Kedalita Abfab For Lynwood Feminine girl, head long and lean with good finish to muzzle, raised brow and dark eye. Well-off for forechest with a straight front and neat feet. Flows from neck cleanly over well-laid back shoulders into a gently sloping topline. Balanced angulation fore and aft. Good width to her quarters and sweeping stifle. A bit unsteady coming and going on the move, but the floor was a challenge; in profile she showed reach at the front and extension from her rear quarters, complete with lashing tail. BP, Group Shortlist, 1st AV Gundog Puppy. 

 Junior 2 (1) 

1. Rutherford’s Clonageera Take A Chance I was really taken with this young bitch, she has fabulous body and bone, coat coming is along nicely, and is well-muscled. Her head holds attractive chiselling, holding femininity, although a tad strong for a bitch to my taste. She excels in forechest with a lovely return of upper arm. Firm topline, well-sprung ribs and muscled loin. Pleasant width to first and second thighs with a moderate bend of stifle. Tidy little mover considering the floor, using her strong hocks, showing extension at the rear. 

 Graduate 9 (5) 

Strong class, all 4 with lots to like. 

 1. Robert’s Polmennor Castaspell JW Took this class on her free-flowing movement, driving round the ring with ample reach, full rear extension and holding her topline; all despite the floor. Very pretty, balanced head, dark attractive eye, and soft expression. Lovely front assembly and forechest. Gentle arch to her neck, flowing cleanly over shoulders into sloping topline, with enough spring of rib. Well-developed first thigh, sweeping stifle, and short rear pasterns complete with tight, arched feet. She is finer all through than I prefer at present, but she will continue to develop. She lost out on maturity and finish for BOB. RBOB. 

2. Mugford’s Lynwood Rather Scrumptious JW Warm brown eyes, still giving a kind expression, correct finish to muzzle, although a touch deep for my preference. Low set ears, with neat, tight fold close to head. Excels in front angulation, ample forechest with a good feel to the sternum and plenty of lung room. Firm topline and well-set tail. Feet were on the flatter side, but her movement was steady and true coming and going. Rich, dark colour to her coat. Could not match 1st on the move today, and I preferred the femininity in head and expression of 1st. 

3. Coleman’s Camaling Rose Royale Had to give this quality bitch a mention, very feminine girl in excellent muscular condition, preferred the head and rear quarters on this exhibit compared to 2nd, but she could not match her movement today and was not as well off for bone. Close call.

Limit 0

Open Dog 7 (5) 

1. Rutherford’s and Prangle’s Clonageera Touch Of Gold When stacked this boy presents a striking picture, shown in excellent coat and condition with ample feathering. Masculine, balanced head, just a shade strong for my liking with a little much flew. He is well-off for bone with a straight front and neat feet, with moderate forechest and strong ribbing. Lovely flow from neck over laid back shoulders to gently sloping topline. Excellent rear quarters with all important width to first and second thigh, well-bent stifle, and strong hocks which he used to move soundly. For BOB, I just preferred the type, and heads and expressions of the bitches. 

2. Robert’s and Cormack’s Sangarah Shared Romance At almost 10 years old this boy is a credit to his owners, very much enjoying his day out with much still to like, although being finer all through than 1st, it is all in proportion. Balanced head, showing stop with raised brow. Balanced angles fore and aft. Strong topline, gently sloping downwards to firm loin and good finish to croup. His rear quarters, albeit lacking muscular condition, are well made with well-bent stifle. Struggling with the floor on the move today, but I saw enough in profile, showing strides with ample reach and full rear extension. 

 Open Bitch 5 (3) 

1. Mugford’s SH CH Lynwood Abracadabra JW Totally fell for this bitch, a privilege to go over. Beautiful head with raised brow, showing stop and giving a knowing expression, lovely work and chiselling to foreface with correctly finished muzzle. Low set ears, with neat tidy fold. Excellent front assembly, ample forechest with pronounced sternum. Well-off for bone and excellent ribbing. She flows from the crest of her neck to the tip her tail, gently sloping downwards. Wide rear quarters, well-bent stifle, with strong hocks, short to heel, which she used to power round the ring with purpose and style, holding her topline. A joy to watch. BOB, Group 2, 1st AV Champion Gundog. 

 2. Coleman’s Devacott Rose Creek At Camaling Giving away a lot in age compared to 1st, this bitch presents a lovely outline in stack. A tad strong in head for my preference, but still balanced and feminine. Well-off for bone with ample lung room from well-sprung ribs, although not as well-off for forechest as 1st. Firm, gently sloping topline and good finish to croup. Balanced angulations fore and aft. Excellent rear quarters, well-bent stifle, and strong hocks. She still possesses good coat and featherings, and does not disappoint on the move either, driving round the ring complete with lashing tail. 

 Lillie Peters – Shirlilah