Hampshire Gundog Society

Hampshire Gundog Society Premier Open Show – Saturday 4th May 2024

Golden Retrievers

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge Golden Retrievers and to my Stewards Daisy & Clara for ensuring the smooth running of the ring. Many thanks to the exhibitors for the opportunity to assess their dogs. I was very pleased with the quality of the entry and with 1 exception (a completely undershot bite) there were no mouth issues, and temperament of all exhibits appeared exemplary.

Minor Puppy (4, 0) 1. Thomas’s Bou’dabor Gin Fizz with Hessonite. Promising 6 months bitch, looking just right for her age; I believe this was her first show. She is very feminine with a sweet head and gentle expression and has excellent pigment. She has good proportions front and rear with no exaggerations. Her outline is clean with level topline held on the move. She moved out well for a youngster displaying a happy and relaxed disposition; loved her tail action. Very much at one with her able handler. Well presented gold coat. Will watch her progress with interest. 2. Norman’s Tonara Silverton. 7 month’s bitch who also has a lovely feminine head with good pigment. She has a good straight front, tight cat-like feet and excellent layback of shoulders. She has good bend of stifle but at this stage of development not the width of 2nd thigh as my winner. She has a clean outline, level topline and good tailset. Movement hard to assess and giving her handler a hard time with her exuberance but did see enough to confirm she moves correctly. Well presented gold coat. 3. Maddock’s Weatherbury Clementine.

Puppy (4) 1. Thomas’s Bou’dabor Gin Fizz with Hessonite. 2. Maddock’s Weatherbury Clementine. Placed 3rd in minor puppy. 8 ½ months bitch with nice head, expression and dark points. She has good angles front and rear and straight front. Tight, well padded catlike feet. Not the outline of 1 at this stage of development but moved out better in this class than previous; straight and true, fore and aft, maintaining good tail carriage. Well presented mid gold coat, carrying a little more weight than preferred.

Junior (2, 1a) 1. Grantham’s Dajumija Esta Surprise. 13 month’s bitch. She has an attractive well developed head with gentle expression and good pigment. Presents a balanced picture with good front assembly, excellent layback of shoulders and front legs placed well under body. Well bent stifles and strong straight rear pasterns. She is short coupled, has a lot of substance and is very well muscled. Topline at this stage not quite level. Has correct tail set and carriage and moved steadily with good reach and drive, Well handled and presented in mid gold profuse coat.

Yearling (4, 1a) 1. Todd’s Van Gogh of Sunshine’s Valley with Toddrosa JW (IMP BEL). 18 months eye-catching blonde Dog who has the most lovely head and melting expression, darkest of pigment and good eye shape. Excellent bone, good front with straight forelegs and well padded cat-like feet. Strong muscular neck and excellent layback of shoulders and return of upper arm. Good spring of rib for a youngster. He is short coupled with well bent stifles and strong well let down hocks and straight rear pasterns. He presents a very balanced outline with dead level topline held on the move and correct tail carriage. Moved well but distracted by looking for his owner especially in the challenge however could not deny him RBOB. 2. Grantham’s Dajumija Esta Surprise. 3. Gaffney’s Dartney Summer Jubilee

Undergraduate (2) 1. Gaylor’s Carolake X’Marks the Spot JW. 19 months bitch of lovely type. Feminine all through and presenting a very balanced picture. She has a sweet head and expression with good pigment. Good front assembly, elbows tight fitting and a good spring of ribs for her age. Excellent rear quarters. Excels on the move with good reach and drive holding a level topline. Well handled and presented in pale gold coat of good texture and condition. Pleased to award her BOB and thrilled that she went on to be awarded BIS 4. 2. Gaffney’s Dartney Summer Jubilee. 23 month’s bitch. Feminine head with excellent pigment and dark eye. Not the bone or substance of my winner. Balanced outline and has correct tailset and level topline maintained on the move. Well handled and presented in gold coat of god condition.

Graduate (0)

Postgraduate (2) 1. Manton’s Chinnordale Dancing Queen. 5 year old bitch of classical type. Well up for size, for me a tad bigger than ideal for a bitch. However she is balanced all through and not overdone in any way. Feminine well chiselled head with dark points and lovely alert expression. She has a good front assembly with elbows close fitting to well sprung ribs and strong rear quarters. Neat well padded feet. Level topline held on the move. Moved with good reach and drive. Attentive to handler and shown in well presented gold coat. 2. Withey’s Rosinante Major Hero. 4 year old male who has a masculine head with soft, happy expression. He has good substance and straight front legs with well padded tight feet. Good amount of forechest and well angled front assembly. Short coupled with good spring of rib and well bent stifles with straight rear pasterns. He has a tendency to drop his croup when standing which spoils his outline. However he does correct this naturally and holds his topline better when moving. Shown in full mid gold well presented coat.

Limit (2) A close decision between these 2 mature bitches. 1. Manton’s Chinnordale Dancing Queen. 2. Grantham’s Reflection of Wizngrace at Dajumija. Bitch of 4 ½ years. Feminine all through with lovely head and excellent pigment. Nicely proportioned with correct length of neck, layback of shoulders and length of upper arm. Straight front legs and neat feet. Moderately angled rear quarters. Level topline held on the move. Gleaming dark golden coat and in hard condition. Moved and handled well. Just preferred the accuracy of movement of my winner today.

Open Dog (1) Brian’s Sarama Ocean Blue. Placed Reserve in puppy this 11 month dog has a big frame to fill. He has a lot of attributes including a lovely soft but masculine head and expression and the darkest of pigment. He is lacking forechest at this stage and tends to stand with forelegs close together as a result. No spring to rib as yet. Movement was difficult to assess in the puppy class as quite erratic but moved much better in this class holding a level topline and with good tail carriage. Practice makes perfect!

Open Bitch (2) 1. Gaylor’s Carolake Remember Me JW. 8 year old bitch full of breed type. Unmistakably feminine with a balanced outline, free of exaggerations. Nice head and expression with good pigment and dark eye, Excellent front and corresponding rear construction. Straight front legs and neat feet. Well sprung ribs. Steady and accurate mover. Shown in mid gold well presented coat. Attentive to handler. 2. Grantham’s Reflection of Wizngrace at Dajumija.

Tina Williamson - Judge