Kirkcaldy & District Canine Club

Kirkcaldy & District Canine Club

Saturday 17th August 2024

Judge: Nicola Dobbin (Donarden)

I would like to thank the committee of Kirkcaldy and District Canine Club for the invitation to judge the Gundog Group at their August show held at Thornton Park. Thank you to the exhibitors for taking my decisions in a sporting manner. You know you are all taking the best dogs home with you anyway! A big thank you to my steward Wilma for all her help.

Gundogs:

Class 76: Retriever (Curly Coated) Open (1,1)

Class77: Spaniel (Sussex) Open (0,0)

Class 78: German Shorthaired Pointer Open (8,6)

1st: McCafferty’s Thorsaig Hades JW. 2 year old dog. Lovely outline and liked him for his depth and balance. Masculine head with good proportions, with correct eye shape and dark eyes. Well off for bone and stood on nice tight feet. Strong through neck. Looked like he could do a days work. Well muscled back end and moved with drive. BOB and Gundog Group 3.

2nd: Maclean, Bowie and McClenaghen’s Richtig Ritz fizz. 16 month old bitch. Very feminine and pretty head. Eyes could be darker but will hopefully darken as she matures. Still young so not as well developed in chest or depth as to be expected. Shown in lovely condition. Moved steady but lacked enthusiasm. Handler needs to stretch her back end more on the stack to show off her shape.

Class 79: Gordon Setter Graduate (1,0)

1st: Miller’s Cafotaliena Heart of a Hero. 10 month old dog. Presents a balanced picture on the stack. Masculine head, very much that of a puppy and needs more work to soften his expression. Has good depth of body and topline level. Stood a little out at the elbows but will hopefully tighten up. Moved well on the move when settled showing reach and drive. Just needs to body up and mature. Has time on his side. Certainly had a lovely outgoing temperament and enjoyed his day out.

Class 80: Gordon setter Open (2,1).

1st: Miller’s Liric Just The Ticket. 5 year old dog who did not look happy in the ring today. Masculine head, eyes a little loose but nice and dark. Deep in flew. Wouldn’t like him any stonger in skull. Good reach of neck and shoulder placement. Well off for bone. Nice feet Good depth of body. Quarters ok but could do with some more muscle tone to strengthen his back movement. Footfall ok but tail down on the move which was a pity. Did wnough to win BOB.

Class 81: Irish Setter Graduate (0,0)

Class 82: Irish Setter Open (1,0)

1st:Murchison’s Kerryfair Please Please Me Corphin. 6 year old dog. Masculine and handsome head of good proportions. Lovely soft expression from dark eyes. Strong in neck. Enough bone. Would have preferred more depth to chest. Balanced in profile. Nice width of thigh and well muscled. Coat in lovely condition. Handled well. Had the tendency to lose his topline on the move. Moved steady with correct footfall. BOB.

Class 83: Pointer Open (2,1)

1st: Gerrard, Bell and Galloway’s Carmandine Oh C’Mon Then JW. 22 month old orange and white dog. Still very much a youngster but certainly catches the eye. Commanded my attention as soon as he entered the ring. Beautiful masculine head, alert expression, kind dark eyes. Strong, slightly arched, well muscled neck. Stood on straight legs and tight feet. Shoulders sloping and well laid back. Fabulous depth of chest, brisket in line with his elbows and strong over the loin holding his topline at all times. Has the tendency to give his handler a hard time pulling forward causing him to look too exaggerated behind, which he is not. Moderate and shown in tip top condition. It is on the move this dog excels. He just flows around the ring effortlessly driving from his rear. BOB and delighted to award him Gundog Group 1.

Class 84: Spanish Water Dog Open (1,0).

1st Gilroy’s Pabiagas’s Easy Feeling Cum Claychalk. 8 year old dog. Presents a lovely balanced picture. Masculine head with desired stop and correct proportions. Dark almond shaped eyes. Short, strong neck. Firm body with deep chest and well sprung ribs. Moderatley angled fore and aft. Correct curl and texture of coat. Handled well and moved parallel with purpose. BOB.

Class 85: Weimaraner Graduate (3,3).

Class 86: Weimaraner Open (4,2).

1st Maclain and Dickson’s Greyspirit Rock Star From Hantzburg JW. 7 year old male who belies his age. Really liked him. Very much a male, presenting a strong, powerful appearance without being overdone or cloddy. Masculine head and lovely eye shape. Stood on straight, well boned legs. Liked his size and well developed chest. Deep in brisket and short over the loin. Good for height to length ratio. Hindquarters moderate with excellent muscle tone and hocks well let down. Balanced in profile and moved purposively covering the ground with ease. Another one with excellent muscle tone and could still do a days work in the field. BOB and Gundog Group 2.

2nd Maclain and Dickson’s Greyspirit Mystique JW. 3 year old bitch. Lots to like about her too. Sweet, feminine head with kind soft expression. Good for bone and feet nice and tight. Moderate, strong neck. Well sprung ribs extending well back. Deep in chest and level topline. Angulation balanced fore and aft. Moved well.

Class 87: Spaniel (Welsh Springer) Open (1,1).

Class 88: AV Gundog NSC Open (7, 3).

1st: Duncan’s Diggmere Tiger Swallowtail JW. Italian Spinone dog. Just shy of 3 years old. Won this class for his balance and good movement. Handsome masculine head of good proportions. Square muzzle and lovely expression. A picture of strength. Straight forelegs, with strong oval bone. Deep in body and chest. Slightly arched over the loin, Good bend of stifle. Moved steady and handled sympathetically.

2nd: Mason and Clubb’s Betekints Kende With Orshaza IMP HUN. 2 year old male Hungarian Viszla. Not as mature as my winner. Balanced, masculine head with soft expression. Not co-operating with his handler today. Nicely angulated at the front. His front legs are straight and his feet are nice and tight. He tends to roach on the stack spoiling his topline. His chest is developing nicely. He falls away too much over his croup. I would prefer more width to his quarters. He was more relaxed on the moved and looked a different dog.

Class 89: AV Gundog Import Register Open (1,0).

1st: Leitch’s Oljafi Angels Dream. 7 month old Barbet bitch. Very much a baby but confident and well schooled for her age. Not fazed at all. Strong head, with square muzzle and well- defined stop. Feminine, with eyes darkening. Beard coming in nicely. Strong, short neck. Well boned legs. Chest developing nicely. Feet round and well padded. Lovely moderate hindquarters. Coat thick and curls developing well. A little loose on the move she was steady and enjoyed all the attention.

Gundog Group:

1st- Pointer 2nd- Weimaraner 3rd- German Shorthaired Pointer 4th- Italian Spinone

Class 90: AV Gundog Minor Puppy (9, 2)

1st: Gerrard’s Riowood C’Mon It’s Time For Carmandine. My little star of the day! Nearly 7 month old black and white pointer bitch. A little powerhouse of a dog. Beautiful feminine head, correct eye shape and dark eyes. Just right for her age. Nothing overdone or exaggerated. Balance personified. Racy and elegant. Strong moderate neck leading into well sloping shoulders. Chest developing nicely and already deep in brisket. Elbows set tight to body, her ribs are beginning to spring. Correct angulation fore and aft she is very eye catching in profile. Beginning to tone up and moved a treat with grace and poise. Delighted to see her go on to win Best Minor Puppy in Show.

2nd: Maclean’s Lynwater Moon Flower. So unlucky to meet 1. Lovely orange roan cocker bitch. Nearly 9 months old and again like 1 very eye catching. Beautiful feminine head, with correct stop. Chiselling starting to develop. Sweet expression and eyes darkening nicely. Another moderate and balanced girl. Liked her for her size and moderate angulation. Shown in lovely condition with enough feathering for her age. Moved true with an ever wagging tail. Should have a bright future.

Class 91: AV Gundog Puppy (10,0)

1st: Lawrence’s Dunnabbey Funny Girl. 10 month old Chocolate Labrador Retriever bitch. Sweet head although would have preferred slightly more width to her muzzle. Eyes still to darken. Liver coat in lovely condition. Good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Front legs well under her body and nice and straight. A little longer cast which caused her to dip her topline. Moderate, well muscled broad thighs. Moved and handled well. Lovely temperament.

2nd: Ewan’s Craigdean Sloppy Joe. 10 month blue roan cocker dog. Very mature for his age. Handsome, masculine head which he needs to grow into. Lovely eye shape, dark eye and expression. Liked his moderate neck and lay of shoulder. Well off for bone and depth of body. Held his topline on the stack and move. He is a little more angulated at the rear than I like. Profuse coat already and in lovely condition. For me he just needs to refine down a tad which he will hopefully do as he matures. Another one who should have a bright future.

Class 92: AV Gundog Veteran (11,3).

1st: Maclaine and Dickson’s Greyspirit Purdue JW SHCEX VW CJW17 CW22 CVW24. Almost 9 year old Weimaraner bitch. So fit for her age. Feminine head and alert expression. Moderate, strong neck flows into well laid back sloping shoulders. Forelegs stand under body. Enough bone. Excellent depth to brisket and through loin. Balanced angulation fore and aft. Well developed quarters, she holds her topline well and powers around the ring showing the youngsters how it should be done. Delighted to watch her win Best Veteran in Show. A real credit to her owners for keeping her in tip top condition.

2nd: Mason and Clubb’s SH CH Oroshaza Chukar VW CW18. 9 year old Hungarian Vizla dog. Masculine head which was a little strong for me being too deep in flew. Another well balanced and moderate dog. Loved his depth of body and strong topline. Good bone and feet. Wide, well muscled quarters and straight hocks. He really comes into his own on the move with his front extension and driving rear. Lots to like and a worthy champion.