Border Counties Gundog Club

Border Counties Gundog Club 28th January 2024 GOLDEN RETRIEVER Judge: Paulina O’Gorman – Berrymeade Many thanks to the Border Counties Gundog Club for the kind invitation to judge at this well-run show and to all Exhibitors who entered their dogs. Thanks to my 2 lovely stewards who kept the ring organised. The quality was very good today and I had to make some rather difficult decisions, I wish there were more red cards to give away. I was looking for a balanced dog with no exaggeration that is fit for function. I was pleased to find that in all the classes and especially my main winners. And to my delight, my BOB went onto winning BIS. Huge congratulations! DOGS PD (5, 0) 1. Cuthill’s MESSANO POP MASTER OF MOUSSEGLEN What a scrummy puppy with the most gorgeous of heads. Just 6 months old and at his first show he really stood out in this class. Balanced throughout with just enough forechest, excellent reach of neck flowing into well laid-back shoulders and firm topline, that for one so young, he maintained on the move beautifully. Short coupled and deep in body with excellent length of leg. Straight front and rear, excellent bone and well-arched feet. Thick, slightly wavy coat and good body condition. His attitude is what I like to see, happy and outgoing with his tail gently wagging. I will watch this youngster with interest as he develops. I really wouldn’t mind taking this boy home. BPD 2. McFarlane, Mrs & Miss BLUEBRAES GIE IT LALDY Another promising youngster presenting a balanced outline, just 8 months old. Lovely, masculine head with dark eye and great pigment. Excellent length of leg, tight feet, straight front and rear, good bone, tight elbows. Moderate angulation, front and rear, level topline that he keeps firm while striding around the ring effortlessly, and so at one with his handler, a pleasure to watch. Excellent depth of body, but just a tad longer than my winner. 3. Beck’s SEANCAER CHASING THE SUN GD (12, 3) 1. Munro’s Mrs C & Mr J LINIRGOR WALK THE LINE OF GLENBUIE This 2.5 year old boy has excellent body proportions. He presents an outline with no exaggeration at all. Beautiful, masculine head with good pigment and dark eye, ears well set and of moderate size. Neck flows into a well laid-back shoulders. Good front and rear angulation, good forechest, legs well under body. Good bone and well-arched, cat-like feet. Strong rear quarters showing no weakness in his short rear pasters. His topline is like a table top, solid and level, equally standing or on the move. Correct set on tail. This boy can move and he does that while gently wagging his tail, such an outgoing personality. I would like to see him freestanding more as sometimes he has a tendency to push too far forward when stacked, which can distract from his balance, which he has in abundance. A really lovely dog that I’d like more out and about. BD & RBOB 2. McDonald’s LAMANCHA TIME TRAVELLER This young boy of rich gold presents a very clean outline with a lovely flow head to the tip of his tail. He has a lovely masculine head with dark eye and kind expression, deep through the muzzle. He has an excellent length of leg and matching front and rear angulation, in no way overdone. Round, tight feet, good bone, straight front and rear. Well-developed chest, deep through to heart. He has a beautiful topline, tail of correct length that he carries level while on the move. He is a true showman while striding around the ring, so focused on his handler, which is wonderful to watch. He just hasn’t got the ‘finish’ of the winner, which is perfectly fine considering his age. If there was a RBD, that would be my choice. 3. Hunter’s GLENRIOCH ROCK OF AGES AT KYLEHOLM LD (6, 2) 1. McDonald’s LAMANCHA TIME TRAVELLER 2. Wright’s PALTON PAVAROTTI This lovely 6.5 years old dark gold boy has a kind expression and softest of heads well-set on a muscular neck of good length. He stands foresquare on well boned straight legs. Just like one shows no exaggeration and presents overall balance with his matching moderate angles, fore and aft. He has short, neat and strong rear pasters, good bend of stifle. Gorgeous wavy coat that I can imagine may be difficult to tame sometimes. He moved out very well, but the winner just really shone in the ring today. 3. Bell’s Mrs & Mr HOAALOHA MAUI JW OD (9, 4) 1. McDonald’s LAMANCHA TAKE A CHANCE A 14 months old boy of good size, a litter brother to the winner of LD but slightly different in type. Masculine head with a kind expression, deep muzzle set on a strong, muscular neck of good length. Presented in super coat and condition, he also has a good length of leg, ample bone, super neat catlike feet. Moderately angulated and like his brother showing no exaggeration. Good bend of stifle, strong rear quarters good set on tail. He moved out with reach and drive. 2. Warden’s NOBLEMOON TAK THE HIGH ROAD TO GLENTOCHTY My notes say: ‘super condition!!!’ which this 6-year-old dog certainly possesses. Hats off to the owner who clearly keeps her dogs in tip top body condition. He has good body proportions and similar remarks as one apply to this dog, he’s balanced and moderate in all aspects. He just lost out on the movement today which the winner really excelled at. 3. Greig’s LARGYMORE LINGER IN THE MIND AT CRANNGARY BITCHES PB (5, 0) What a class! I was truly spoilt for choice here; no doubt more red cards were needed! 1. Williams’ Mrs & Miss LAMHRYN STAR OF THE SEA This young bitch caught my eye immediately as she walked into the ring. Gleaming, pale coat on this very balanced 10 month old girl. Everything here flows. She has a beautiful, feminine head with sweet expression, ears of moderate size, correctly set on. Super front and rear angulation, just enough for her to move smoothly around the ring covering the ground with ease. Straigth front and rear, good bone, catlike feet. Dead level topline and gently wagging tail of correct length. Deep in body with short coupling kept in a perfect condition. She was hard to beat for BPIB. 2. Munro’s Mrs C & Mr J THORNYWAIT ROYAL DESTINY FOR GLENBUIE Different in type to one, but another very impressive girl that is well off for size. She has a kind expression and feminine head set on muscular neck leading into well laid-back shoulders. She stands on strong straight legs with plenty of bone. She has a beautiful, level topline and excellent tailset. Her gleaming, thick coat just finishes her outline off. I just preferred the tad shorter coupling to the winner, but no doubt this girl is full of quality and will go far. She moved effortlessly. 3. Grady, Miss & Mrs GLENRIOCH LILY SAVAGE GB (12, 4) 1. Waddell’s NEW YEAR’S EVE DATE LOYAL GOLD I loved this girl the moment she walked into the ring and I was hoping she would not disappoint. With this bitch, what you see is what you get and that is a very balanced outline with everything flowing, head to tip of her tail. Beautiful head that is ultra-feminine, neck of correct length, excellent front construction with her front legs well under body, dead level topline with a correct tailset. Good bone, well-arched toes on her cat-like feet, tight fitting elbows and legs of correct length. Deep in chest with ribs well sprung and short coupling body. Presented in gorgeous double coat and hard condition. When she moves she does it effortlessly, covering the ground with such ease, it must be a pleasure to watch her work in the field. I seriously considered her for top honours, but I have no doubt her time will come. 2. Martin’s GARLINE GUARDING LOLA Gorgeous expression and head with super proportions, good pigment. Lengthy neck, good forechest and upper arm, tight elbows and correct length of leg that are straight, both front and rear. Deep chest, short coupling and moderate front and read angulation that match. Short neat rear pasterns that are well let-down. She comes alive on the move presenting a good reach and drive, very light on her feet, but more coat would be to her advantage. 3. Clarkson’s DRUMKILTY YOURS TRULY JW LB (8, 3) 1. Dunbar’s LINIRGOR NINE TO FIVE JW One I’ve admired from the ringside. Full of quality bitch presented in beautiful, gleaming coat. Lovely head set on a strong neck of good length. Excellent front assembly and matching rear angulation. Good bone, straight front and rear and round, tight feet. Depp through to the heart and short coupled. She holds her topline level when stacked and while striding freely through the ring presenting a superb reach and drive. This girl is truly a lovely example of the breed and I have no doubt she will go far. Very close to BB today but was outshone but her mother. Beautifully presented and shown to her advantage. 2. Russell’s GRASSYARDS CALL ME MADAM JW I liked this girl a lot. Such a pretty head with good proportions, lengthy neck, well developed forechest, good upper arm and straight legs. Super topline, mature in body with deep chest. Her correct construction allowed her to move around the ring freely and with purpose. She really pushed hard to win this class, but she was unlucky to meet the winner in such great condition. 3. Bell’s Mrs & Mr HOAALOHA MOANA JW OB (8, 2) 1. Dunbar’s LINIRGOR PIPER’S SONG Where has she been hiding - what an absolute gem and completely ‘my cup of tea’ as for me she ticks all the boxes. She has a beautiful outline, a true picture of balance with everything in the right place and excellent body proportions. Very feminine overall starting with her gorgeous head set on a strong neck of excellent length. Super shoulder layback and return of upper arm. She stands on strong, straight legs, both front and rear. Short coupled, well ribbed body and dead level topline. The more she moved, the better she was, making it clear that she owned that ring. I wish she was mine! Well deserved Best Bitch, BOB and then later she was also awarded BIS – huge congratulations! 2. Paterson’s TRYSTINTHORN MISS ELIZA One I’ve judged before and she is still as lovely. Ultra feminine head with good proportions. Lengthy neck set into shoulders well laid-back, level topline. Moderate, matching front and rear angulation. Well-developed brisket, deep in body. Moves well, striding freely around the ring. She matured beautifully since the last time I judged and her rich gold, shiny coat completes the lovely picture she presents. 3. Grady’s Miss & Mrs GLENRIOCH COYOTEUGLY