Stafford & District Canine Society

STAFFORD & DCS – 28th September 2024

IRISH RED & WHITE SETTER

OPEN (2, 1 abs)

1st Taylor’s Laoirebay Monte Carlo. BOB.

Liked this boy very much. Was strong and powerful, good bone, balanced body properties, pleasing masculine head with broad skull, pronounced stop and square muzzle. Angle of long shoulder blade was just right, upper arm and elbows allowed freedom of movement, deep chest of good width, well sprung ribs, short strong loin, tail well set on and carried level. Impressive muscle tone to hind quarters, pleasing bend of stifle, hocks close to the ground. Happy attitude, eager to please his careful handler, moved exceptionally well with good reach in front and drive behind, straight legs when standing and when moving towards and away.

IRISH SETTER

PUPPY (2, 0 abs)

1st Harrison’s Clonageera Summer Dreams at Millpoint. BP, PG2.

Quality 6 month old bitch, won here on balance of outline and free flowing true movement. Once she settled she stood well, was happy to be in the ring and showed herself off well. Feminine head, oval skull, obvious stop, very pretty face with kind eye. Excellent shoulders, strong bone, tight feet. Good length of rib cage, pleasing hindquarters with strength, well bent stifles, short hind pasterns. Expertly handled, well presented coat.

2nd Milligan-Bott & Bott’s Thendara Haribo.

Large framed 7 and a half month old male who stood over a lot of ground. Handsome head, well defined occiput, pronounced stop, appealing expression under obvious brows, plenty of work in foreface. Neck of good length, correct slight slope of top line, well ribbed back, very good turn of stifle, stood straight front and back, but front movement coming towards was a little untidy, did not have the forward reach of 1st. Quality coat and in beautiful condition, well handled.

YEARLING (2, 0 abs)

1st Miller’s Alolfrana I Gotta Feeling of Millthyme.

14 month old dog won here on balance of angulation, ideal substance and good quality bone. Masculine head with kind eye and appealing expression, muscular neck of good length, excellent shoulders well laid back and long in blade, straight legs all round. Well ribbed back, pleasing depth and spring of rib cage, short coupled, very good bend of stifle and long from hip to hock. Well presented coat, free flowing true movement was a joy to watch.

2nd Sheldon’s Bardonhill That’s All Right at Delsanto.

This 12 month old dog did not have the substance of 1st, he crabbed at times on the move, but he is still developing, has time on his side. Lovely head, long and lean with brows evident, straight legs all round, nice width between shoulders from the front, strong tight feet. Well sprung ribs but would prefer slightly less length of loin, tail set on just below level of the back. Sympathetically handled.

POST GRADUATE (2, 1 abs)

1st Corless’ Swiftlark Illustrious JW.

Really liked her feminine head, oval skull, deep muzzle, parallel planes, appealing expression. Looked lovely when stacked but movement lacked forward reach today. Good length of neck to slightly sloping top line, straight legs front and back, strong pasterns and neat feet. Deep chest, ribs reaching well back and with good spring, powerful hindquarters, well bent stifles. Beautifully presented coat and very well handled,

OPEN (2, 0abs)

1st Corless’ Swiftlark Spellbinder. BOB.

5 year old quality male in his prime, loved his balance from every angle, full of breed type, handsome and refined. Head long and lean, pronounced occiput, definite stop, well shaped eye, kindly expression, deep muzzle. Muscular neck, pleasing front angulation, well laid shoulders, deep chest and good spring of rib allowing plenty of heart room, good length of rib cage, firm loin, powerful hindquarters which he used well on the move. Strong bone, straight front and back, stood and moved with ideal width between legs, hind pasterns parallel, free flowing movement.

2nd Dale’s Trefaine Aurora of Aubanjon. RBOB.

Feminine and racy in appearance, has strength, substance and good bone, a touch more length to neck would enhance outline. Refined head, skull and muzzle of equal proportions, kind and gentle expression with an obvious desire to please her handler. Plenty of depth through brisket, well sprung ribs, top line firm and well muscled, long from hip to hock, good bend of stifle. Beautifully presented flat coat with good feathering, sympathetically handled. Moved freely with good reach in front and drive from behind.

ENGLISH SETTER

YEARLING (3, 0 abs)

1st Taylor’s Wansleydale Honey Bee. BOB, G4.

Glamorous bitch in marvellous condition, and with beautifully presented tri coloured coat. Straight legsnd, good bone, impressive rib cage reaching well back and with good spring. Level top line, short couplings, good bend of stifle, muscular thighs, hocks well let down. Superb feet: well padded and tight. Elbows could be slightly tighter, but she is only 13 months old and has plenty of time to firm up and develop further, she was at one with her expert handler.

2nd Corfield, Corfield, Derry & Schoneville’s Balvenie Loch Maree.

Orange bitch displaying great forward reach in profile, and good drive behind, but she needs to steady when coming towards. Well shaped longish head with oval skull, fairly deep muzzle, kind and friendly expression. Long muscular neck set into pleasing shoulders, straight front and good feet. Slightly shorter in rib than 1st, and slightly longer in loin. Broad across thigh, plenty of length from hip to hock, good bend of stifle, hocks low to the ground, ideal width between hind legs from the rear.

3rd Hingley’s Wansleydale Bee Quick.

POST GRADUATE (1, 0 abs)

1st Miller’s Ravensett Calvaro of Millthyme.

2 year old dog who has matured well and was handled to advantage. Masculine head but not overdone, pleasing proportion of skull and muzzle, good length of neck. Impressive front assembly, excellent shoulders, well developed chest, evident breast bone, tight feet with well arched toes. Good spring of rib, tail very well set on. He could do with more bend of stifle, and in the challenge for BOB I preferred the more positive bite and overall balance of angulation of Yearling winner.

OPEN (no entries).

HANDLING CLASSES

I was looking for handlers who listened to my instructions and remembered what I asked them to do. I did not penalize anyone if they needed me to clarify or to further explain what I wanted, I would rather they double check they understood, before continuing. Also important was how the handlers looked after their dogs’ welfare in the ring, and how the handlers managed and reacted to the behaviour of their dogs. It was apparent that on some occasions I could not see the dog because their handler placed themselves in the way, this also formed part of my decision. All in all I was impressed with each and every entrant, there was some real talent on display, in all cases the dog’s welfare was paramount, the dogs were happy as a result, and I had to make some hair splitting decisions.

I apologize for not having the names of the handlers.

JUNIOR HANDLING

6 – 11 years (4, 0 abs)

1st Handling a Kooikerhondje. Expert handler, showed real promise, was attentive to her dog and did everything I asked. Very promising. BEST OVERALL JUNIOR HANDLER.

2nd Handling a Rough Collie. Very good handler, listened well, checked he understood my instructions, looked after his dog very well.

3rd Handling a Lancashire Heeler. Demonstrated patience and did an excellent job of correcting her dog when the dog turned round. Moved at a good speed for her dog.

4th Handling a Lancashire Heeler. Did very well and had a great rapport with her dog. Unfortunately at times she placed herself between her dog and me, this made it more difficult for me to assess her all of the time.

12 – 16 years (5, 0 abs)

1st Handling a Leonberger. Impressed me in many ways. Listened to what I wanted her to do, was attentive to her dog, performed a perfect triangle. Always had her dog ready when I wanted to look in her direction. In the challenge for Best Overall Junior Handler she did not move her dog quite fast enough.

2nd Handling a Golden Retriever. Showed her dog off to advantage, listened to what I asked her to do, she followed instructions and always kept her dog where I could see her. Moved at correct speed for her dog, just wasn’t quite as accurate on the move as 1st.

3rd Handling a Whippet. Was just pipped at the post. Made full use of the ring and did everything I asked of her. Would just have preferred more flow to her movement from triangle to circle.

4th Handling a Rotweiler. Double checked my instructions then moved at a good speed for her dog, unfortunately tended to over stretch her dog on the stack.

5th Handling a German Shepherd Dog. Made sure of my instructions before setting off, but unfortunately movement was a bit erratic. Was patient and kind with dog.

ADULT HANDLING

17 – 40 years (7, 2 abs)

1st Handling a Hungarian Vizsla. Was attentive and kind to her dog at all times. Got the best from her dog, followed my instructions, moved her dog at the correct speed, stood her dog to advantage for me to see at the end of her movement.

2nd Handling a GSP. Stretched her dog’s neck out well and presented her dog in a lovely shape. Rectified well when her dog moved on the stack. Her dog was attentive to her, they moved well at a good speed. Just didn’t use the ring quite as well as 1st.

41 years and over (11, 0abs)

1st Handling a Jack Russel Terrier. Showed her dog off to advantage for the whole of the time she was in the ring. Attentive and kind to her dog, checked my instructions, moved at a good pace and made full use of the ring. Had a great rapport with her dog. BEST OVERALL ADULT HANDLER.

2nd Handling a Cocker. Talked to her dog, was kind and reassuring, she got the best performance from her dog, always made sure her dog was comfortable and happy. Moved very well and did what I asked of her, just wasn’t quite as accurate on the move as 1st, her lines were not quite as straight on the triangle.

AV PUPPY STAKES (40, 28 abs)

1st Woods’ Ruletadax Flirtie Gertie. 10 mths. B. Min Smooth Dachshund.

Black and tan with feminine head, balanced properties, slight arch to skull, long muzzle, medium sized eyes, warm and gentle expression. Clean neck to strong forequarters, sloping shoulders, prominent breastbone, elbows close to body, front legs moved freely, good bone, feet faced the front. Strong well ribbed body, short loin, broad well muscled hind quarters, well bent stifles, hind legs straight and parallel from behind. Movement was a joy to watch, effortless and driving from the rear. Well handled, very promising.

2nd Foster’s Fosterbrie Hope’s Sensation. 11 mth. B. Briard.

This impressive bitch was handled to perfection, handler always got the best from her, and she was a willing participant. Very well made, felt well knitted together, carrying just the right amount of weight, dense dark fawn coat added to her rugged appearance. Moved actively with great extension and power on strong legs and tight well padded feet. Slightly rounded skull, square muzzle, high set ears. Level back and deep body, well angulated hind quarters, straight legs front and back. Close up to 1st, just preferred the slightly more accurate movement of 1st on the day.

3rd Harrison’s Millpoint Watson. 11 mt.h D. Pointer.

AV GRADUATE STAKES (38, 25 abs)

1st Amel-Azizpour’s Crofftysofty Hay Jude. 17 mth. D. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Strong and balanced all through, good stop, square muzzle, thin leathers. Strong clean neck, level top line held at all times, deep chest and well sprung ribs. Well muscled hind quarters, hind pasterns short and strong. Straight front and back, free striding, moved well, handled to advantage and well presented.

2nd Searle & Rawlinson’s Reffton Tibalt at Whipsearle JW (imp ESP). 2.5 years. D. Whippet.

Upstanding fawn coloured male, elegant and powerful. Balanced outline with deep chest and very good turn of stifle. Longish head, bright eyes, clean neck with slight arch, well sprung ribs, slight arch over firm loin, hocks well let down. Legs straight all round, moved very well, covered the ground with ease.

3rd Marina’s Marinbox Murder By The Book B. Pekingese.

AV MEMORIAL OPEN STAKES (28, 14 abs)

1st Cutts’ Haresfoot Fates Align JW (NBT) D. Pembrokeshire Corgi.

Well made solid dog, good bone, oval feet, strong toes. Lovely foxy head with clear dark eyes and sparkling expression, attractive black pigment in contrast with fawn coloured coat. Plenty of forechest, deep through brisket, well sprung ribs, medium couplings, strong hindquarters. Movement straight coming and going with elbows neither turning in nor out, free and easy stride, well handled.

2nd Harris’ Vonstry Mr Sunshine D. Lhasa Apso.

Strong, sturdy and well balanced, deep body, straight legs all round with good bone, pleasing equal angulation at both ends. Felt good to go over, everything fitted together well, nothing overdone. Appealing expression from medium sized eyes, well shaped head with medium stop. Well ribbed back, level top line, firm loin. Luxurious pale gold coloured coat, outstanding presentation. Moved well, just glided along, well handled. Very close up to 1st who had slightly more animation today.

3rd Salt’s Levelmoor Blackadder B Flat Coat

Wendy Pickup (judge).