Yellow Labrador Club

          Yellow Labrador Club Breed Open Show

            100-year celebrations, 25/05/2024

I was truly honoured to have been invited to judge this breed open show. And what a wonderful occasion it was too. A warm welcome, a fantastic entry and 2 super stewards, thank you Lisa and Michael. I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I haven’t been over for a while so almost all the dogs were new to me. Thank you to all the exhibitors for the pleasure to go over your dogs and for accepting my decisions with grace.

It’s a pity the weather was not more reliable so that we could have used the beautiful surroundings of the grounds outdoors, but such is life.

Coats on many dogs were gone or going, I did take this into account, coats are only cosmetic after all. There were a lot of dirty coats, really this should not happen, there should not be a need to clean my hands several times a class. A few were presented with incorrect bites, please watch this, it is not good enough that we pass over a bad bite.

Niamh Callaghan, Bannabeach x

Baby Puppy Dog: 2 (1)

1) CM Smith, Flyenpyg Jurgen Chopp.

What a lovely puppy, just right for his age, Black, the most pleasing head, super outline, excellent coat, plenty of bone standing on lovely tight feet, good in topline standing and on the move, well angulated, excellent tail. He has a glint in his eye this one, I will watch on to see how he grows.

Minor Puppy Dog: 4

1) K Druggan, Balladoole Black Tie.

Black boy, really pleasing in outline showing lovely clean lines, well off for bone, standing on excellent feet, well angulated front and rear, stands four square, holds his topline well on the move, good coat and lovely tail, very promising.

2) DN & SA McLellan, Saranden I’m On Fire.

Dark yellow of different type to one but of equal quality. Really pleasing head with lovely eye shape, colour and pigment, excellent feet and bone, well-made throughout, carrying a lot of coat, moved well with purpose, just not as clean as one on the move. I liked him a lot.

Puppy Dog: 4

1) A&J Metcalfe, Baileydale Rocket Man JW.

Substantial pale yellow of excellent type, strong in body and well-built throughout, Lovely masculine head, super pigment with pleasing expression, strong neck into well placed shoulders, short coupled and well ribbed, well-muscled hind quarters. moves well. (BP)

2) D Tulloch, Tullochmohr Ultimo Finale.

Exuberant black, a lot to like about this boy once he settles, raw and rangy, pleasing outline, everything in the right place and plenty to fill into. Excellent bone and feet. well-made front and rear, lovely head and expression, super coat and tail, good rib cage. Moves well. Time is this boys’ friend.

Junior Dog: 4

1) E Young, Potterspiney My Sovereign.

Yellow boy from puppy class, pleasing head and expression, lovely pigment, clean neck into well placed shoulders, enough bone, nicely angulated, in-between coats, moved with ease.

2) V Findjan, Cremino Capability Rossacre.

Dark yellow, clean in outline, pleasing in head, expression and pigment, good feet, would like a bit more width throughout, moved well when settled, he just needs time to fill out, would benefit from some ringcraft.

Yearling Dog: 3

1) D Tulloch, Binnaig Bonnach for Tullochmor JW.

Super yellow youngster, gorgeous head and expression, every bit a male without a hint of coarseness, strong clean neck into well laid shoulders, super front, lovely bone and feet, good ribcage, excellent rear end, well-muscled second thigh, ideal angulation and strong hocks. Such an easy mover. Full of beans, I really like this boy. (Res.BEST DOG)

2) N&M McDonald, Brownstead Dark Boy of Linenvale JunCH.

Black boy, nice head proportions, good eye colour. Good neck into good front and ribs, a little long in loin, enough bone, moved ok when settled.

Novice Dog: 4

1) D Tulloch, Tullochmohr Ultimo Finale

2) SMB Walton, Gallybob Uno.

Well now didn’t this pair make hard work of it! Yellow boy, super head and expression, lovely eye and pigment, strong neck, excellent bone and feet, well angulated front and rear, good coat, moves really well when he behaves himself, A very promising youngster.

Undergraduate: 1 (1)

Graduate: 6 (2)

1) A&J Metcalfe, Rumhill Bertie Wooster by Baileydale JW.

Chocolate with a super outline, fills the eye, strong clean neck into well laid shoulders, good front construction. Good bone, excellent feet. Lovely head proportions, uses his ears well, acceptable eye colour, good rib cage, strong over the loin, excellent tail, well-muscled rear end, moved ok.

2) HM & D Chapman, Daisypatch Ostratto.

 Pale Yellow, sweetest head and expression, strong neck, would prefer a little more length, in good condition, good bend of stifle, moved ok

Post Graduate: 6 (1)

1) AF & JF Hill, Kimbajak Full Golden Monty of Waggador.

Compact dark yellow, lovely head profile, correct eye shape and colour, biddable expression, well boned, excellent feet well-muscled. Moved well, need to watch his weight.

2) DA & TJ Falshaw, Lonicerium Jack Sparra.

Dark yellow of similar stamp to 1 but with a little more length of leg, I just preferred the head of the first, moved well and held topline, would like a little more rib room.

Limit: 8 (1)

1) C Boulden, Rumhill Firecracker JW.

I had judged this boy as a junior and liked him then, I am delighted to see he has improved since, a lovely boy. Choc well up to size, super clean outline, nothing overdone, really well made and lovely to go over, presented in fit condition, masculine head of excellent proportions, eye colour has improved thankfully, strong neck, well laid shoulder, great rib cage, good bone and smashing feet, excellent coat, a lovely mover from every angle. (BD, RBIS, BOS)

2) RS Ennis-Holden, Devonshires Yellowstone at Mariank (IMP USA).

Yellow of a different stamp to one. Fabulous masculine head with good eye colour and pigment, well angulated front and rear, good depth of chest. Short coupled, strong over the loin, moves well, would like a little more muscle tone to finish off the picture.

Open: 7

1) ARV&R Hodge, ShCH/IrShCH Naiken Elite Envoy(ai) JW IrJunCh.

I judged this boy as a junior in Ireland and I have always liked him, presented in fantastic condition, so fit and you can see it in his effortless movement, he just glides around the ring. Best mover of this lovely open class, good head proportions, eye colour ok. Strong neck, good lay of shoulder, well put together front construction, well off for bone, standing on lovely feet. Strong topline, well angulated rear and lovely tail. Considered for top honours but just misses out today.

2) D Coode, Warringah’s the Bluff JW.

This dog is the perfect example of why we really shouldn’t judge from the ringside, its not until you put your hands on him that he stands out and draws you in. Compact black, on the lower end of the size scale. The most pleasing of heads, wonderful soft and gentle expression, beautiful burnt sugar eye. He did make me smile. Well-made throughout, good bone and feet, strong in topline standing and on the move. Good tail. Moves well with ease.

Field Trial: 2

What fun this class was, the 2 dogs did very well if you consider the high jinks of their handlers. I was glad to see them both of breed type (the dogs) with good coats and tails. I would like to see the field trial folk put a little more effort into preparing their dogs for the show ring. They should be able to stand and move without issue. Afterall, us show folk have to do an awful lot of training to join the field and look the part.

1) B Williams, Llangunwood Storm.

Pretty head and expression, in super condition. Plenty of bone and substance, double coat, paced around the ring when moving,

2) B Williams & R Edwards, Llangunwood Cascade.

I did prefer this lady to the first but unfortunately her bite was wrong so that knocked her back into 2nd spot. She has a very pleasing head, well-made throughout and moves well.

Special Veteran: 6 (1)

1) MA Woodley, Sh Ch A Sense of Pleasures Yvie at Alkhamhurst.

I have admired this beautiful bitch since the first day I saw her as a puppy. Thank you so much to her owner for allowing me the pleasure to finally judge her. Black bitch of good size. Fabulous head and expression, super throughout, well off for bone, excellent feet, in super coat, great otter tail, so balanced. Still moving with purpose like a young girl. BVIS

2) D Coode, Warringah’s Gulwarra JW Sgwc.

Chocolate of good size and just lovely to go over. I remember her as a puppy, she was beautiful and still is. Super front construction, good rib cage, strong over the loin, excellent rear and in super condition, lovely tail and good mover.

Baby Puppy Bitch: 3

1) DN & SA McLellan, Saranden Philadelphia.

Yellow, very smart package for her age, lovely head, great coat, well made, really had fun, full of balance. Moved so well

2) S Perkins, Keeninspires Lady Royal.

Black, lovely head, super front construction, nice coat, well angulated rear. Bounced around the ring having a ball just like a baby should.

Minor Puppy Bitch: 8

A lovely class.

1) DN & SA McLellan, Saranden Book of Dreams.

Yellow, full of breed type, good size, well balanced. pleasing head and eye, full of mischief, well made throughout, lovely outline, very easy on the move.

2) K Metcalfe, Trendlewood Its Only Love.

Lovely Black, everything in the right place. Just right for her age, presents a clean outline, Lovely head, good eye shape and colour, good coat, plenty of bone, Super tail, just didn’t move as well as 1 today.

Puppy Bitch: 1

1) E Young, Potterspiney Ahsoka Tano.

Substantial pale yellow. Head is sweet with excellent pigment, but it needs time to catch up with the rest of her. Good forechest and depth of chest, plenty of bone, well ribbed, nice rear angulation, holds her topline well on the move.

Junior Bitch: 8 (4)

1) C Boulden, Rumhill Bossy Boots JW.

This chocolate won this class with ease. Out of coat but still full of quality, very pleasing clean outline, strong bone, good head proportions and kind expression, excellent feet and plenty of leg, strong clean neck of good length, well placed shoulders, well-constructed front, good ribcage, nice rear angulation and well-muscled second thigh. Strong in topline both standing and on the move.

2) T Lapper, Tomative Annabelle JW.

Black, balanced within herself, would like a little more height and length of neck. Sweet head with pleasing expression and soft eye, standing on neat feet, in good coat, moved well, presented in excellent condition, it took a while for this lady to settle but she gets better as the class goes on.

Yearling Bitch: 5 (2)

1) C Rowe, Centenalee Angelic at Rocheby

Black, clean outline, lovely reach of neck, beautiful classic head and expression, well angulated front and rear, moves with purpose

2) F Mount, Buckholt Jubilee Libby.

Very sweet, needs more confidence and got better as the class went on. Pleasing head, well angulated, good feet, lovely tail, lights up on the move.

Maiden Bitch: 5 (2)

1) D Clayton, Rochevale Harmony.

Yellow full of character and a real show girl. Lovely in profile, the most gorgeous head, beautiful eye and excellent pigment, completely balanced, well made in front, good topline, correct bend of stifle, good tail, lovely feet and well boned, moves with purpose, I could steal her. BMPIS

2) K Metcalfe, Trendlewood Its Only Love

Novice Bitch: 4 (1)

1) K Metcalfe, Trendlewood Its Only Love

2) F Mount, Buckholt Jubilee Kirsty.

Well balanced, sweet head, a little shy, I would love to see her come out of herself, nice front and rear, good ribs, lovely tail, excels on the move.

Undergraduate Bitch: 5 (1)

1) R Ennis-Holden & P Lammens, The Beat Goes on of Misty Dreams (IMP France).

A lot to like about this lady, I would just like to add an inch onto her leg. Compact black, not in coat today, everything in the right place, good head proportions with kind expressive eye, standing on excellent feet with good bone, deep chest, well-constructed front and forechest, good rib cage, strong topline, good tail, strong mover. She just tired in the final bitch lineup.

2) E & E Young & Parks, Potterzuri Mystic Zena.

Black bitch of different type to the first. Classic head, pleasing expression, nicely balanced body. Well made, Moved and handled well.

Graduate Bitch: 9 (3)

1) L Miles, Llanstinan Black Satin.

I Really liked the clean classic outline of this bitch, ultra feminine in good coat. Most pleasing of heads, beautiful expression, uses her ears to her advantage, loved her length of neck into well placed shoulders, good depth, excellent ribcage, good topline, super condition, lovely tail, moved really well. RBB

2) DL & FEM Braddon, Trendlewood Tiger Lily JW.

Nice yellow, not as cleaned lined as one. Sweet head, lovely when she settles and uses her ears, good through neck and shoulders, short coupled, correct rear angulation, good tail, lacking coat, moved well.

Post Graduate Bitch: 8 (1)

1) SH Evans, Brynlluan Black Diamond at Bowsian.

Strongly built black, correct in a lot of ways, well up on size, her head is a little on the strongside for me, but she is still feminine, good forechest, tight elbows and good bone, nice feet, good ribs, nice turn of stifle, excellent muscle, In between coats but her easy movement and strong topline won her the class,

2) RJ& JE Mills, Jaybec Winter Wispa JW.

Lovely pale yellow completely at one with her handler, Presented in pristine condition. Kindest of heads, strong neck, well laid shoulder, strong over the loin, well angulated rear, moved well. I just preferred the front of the first.

Limit Bitch: 9 (5)

1) A Deane, Abbeystead Glamour at Tanronens.

This girl came into the ring, threw me a glance and that was that, Well built feminine yellow full of breed type, Excellent head proportions, good length of muzzle, beautiful eye, well set ears which are used well, strong neck into good shoulders, enough forechest, good depth of body, excellent rib cage, strong over the loin, excellent rear end, super tail, great bone and feet. Moves free and easy on a lose lead, she showed her socks off all day, and I just loved her. BP & BIS

2) ARV&R Hodge, Naiken Glass Slippers.

Lovely Chocolate, very well made, everything in the right place, I would just like more height. Sweetest of heads, good eye colour and pigment. Super strong neck, well placed shoulder, super front, excellent ribs, strong over the loin, good tail set and carriage, excellent bone and feet, in really good condition, moved very well, just unlucky to have met one toady.

Open Bitch: 5 (2)

1) PM Bradley, ShCh Nancy’s Special Treasure.

Strong Black in excellent condition, good head proportions, kind eye of correct shape and colour, well made front and rear, excellent bone and feet, dripping in coat, good ribs, excellent second thigh, moves with ease.

2) D Coode, Warringah’s Pippingarra JW.

Yellow with the gentlest of heads, kind intelligent expression, strong clean neck, well put together front standing on good feet, well off for rib room, correct rear angulation and in good muscle, moved very well, just lacking coat today.