Hampshire Gundog Society

Hampshire Gundog Club(Premier Open Show)

4th May 2024

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for inviting me to judge Irish Setters at their Premier show. I was fortunate to have a glorious sunny day so was able to judge outside, although some of the dogs were rather too excited about being outside and found it difficult to concentrate.

Puppy 4 (0)

1. Russells’ Tiroen Touch Of Magic By Settesoli (Imp KCJ):- 10 month old dog puppy .Racy and balanced with a gently sloping topline ,deep chest and pronounced sternum. Ribs well sprung and carried well back. Tail set on just below the level of the back and carried well. Head long and lean with an oval skull. Dark eye, low set ears of moderate length. Rich chestnut coloured coat in good condition. Nice bend of stifle with short hocks. Took time to settle on the move but once he did he moved with drive. BPIB

2. Tapper & Leyland’s Kedalita Steptoe and son: -Close decision between 1st & 2nd but I preferred the overall conformation and balance of the 1st dog. Gently sloping topline, correct tail-set, excellent sternum but for me slightly wide in front. Long lean neck, small tight feet. A little excited about being outside and was not so steady on the move as the winner of the class.

3. King & Eccles Zakhan’s Dragonstone At Byztsar.

Special Yearling 4 (1abs)

1. Flinders & Robinson Slaters’ Kerryfair Misty Morning TAF:-16-month-old dog, pleasing head with a dark unshelled almond shaped eye. Good depth of chest with a correct sternum. Gently sloping topline and correct tail-set. Overall, a balanced dog but movement was a little erratic.

2. Atkins ’Orange Starburst: -16-month-old girl who I believe was at her first show. Dog and hander would benefit from attending some ringcraft classes from which they would both learn and get the best out of each other. Sweet expression, dark eye, low set ears of moderate length. Correct tail set which she used well on the move with a nice lashing action. Moved well.

3. Masons’ Cataluna Mad About You In Finity

Post Graduate 6

1. Harris’ Zakhans Rough Diamond By Konakakela:- The last time I judged this dog he was in puppy .He has matured into a racy and balanced dog. Moderately long neck setting cleanly into well laid-back shoulders flowing into a gently sloping topline. Deep chest and pronounced sternum. Long and lean head with dark unshelled almond shaped eyes and a soft gentle expression. A moderately square muzzle with good dentition and correct stop. A rich chestnut coat in good condition and adequate feathering. Gave his owner a hard time but settled and moved with purpose and drive. Delighted to award him BOB.

2. Rorkes’ Zakhans Diamond Queen JW: -Litter sister to the winner of this class. She possesses a sweet head with a soft feminine expression. Low set ears of moderate length. Dark unshelled almond eye, slightly arched clean neck of moderate length into well placed shoulders into a gently sloping top-line. Straight front with good bone, deep chest with a pronounced sternum. Good bend of stifle producing an excellent driving action although moved far too fast.

3. Foster’s Chantries Bel Re

Open 4 (1abs)

1. Harris’ Blazing Bronze Happy Clappy Sings Konakakela JW (Imp NLD):- 6 year old boy who I have judged before. He has matured into an impressive and handsome boy although today the scents outside were proving difficult for him to concentrate on the job in hand. Long and lean head, good stop, with low set ears of medium length and dark eyes like unshelled almonds. Moderately deep muzzle with correct dentition. A strong slightly arched neck of moderate length set into well laid shoulders into a gently sloping topline and correct tail-set. Coat in good condition, dark chestnut in colour and well off for feathering. Good bend of stifle onto low set hocks which he uses to advantage on the move with a nice driving action. In the challenge he had to give way to his son for BOB but was pleased to award him RBOB.

2. Rorkes ’Zakhans Diamond Jack: -Gave away quite a bit in maturity in this class at just 2 years of age. Head long and lean with low set ears of moderate length, dark eye and soft gentle expression. Clean neck of moderate length set into well laid-back shoulders into a gently sloping top-line. Good straight front and deep chest. In good coat and moved well.

3. Foster’s Goldnavarm Endurance.

Patricia Pike

Judge