Bath Canine Society

DCC 4360 - Sh Ch Sharnphilly Boondoggle JW (Miss Oddie)

RDCC 4312 - Wilchrimane Silent Bounty (Mrs S & Mr I Bailey)

BCC 4370 - Sh Ch Wilchrimane Frankly Darlin (Miss, Mrs & Mrs Siddle, Siddle & Medeiros)

RBCC 4336 - Sh Ch Chesterhope C'mon over to Carmandine (Imp Nzl) JW (Mrs M & Mrs C & Mrs L Gerrard & Bell & Galloway)

BOB 4370 - Sh Ch Wilchrimane Frankly Darlin (Miss, Mrs & Mrs Siddle, Siddle & Medeiros)

BP 4391 - Droveborough Black Magic (Miss S Kennedy)

BV 4363 - Harvestslade Cullinan (Mrs D & Mr N Preece & Gilding)

BSB 4314 - Droveborough Witchy Woman (Mrs L J Barham)

It was privilege to be judging Pointers here today at Bath. As someone who holds this beautiful breed close to my heart, I’d like to share just a few my thoughts and hope you will take them constructively.

There is undeniably a huge variance in both type and quality within the breed at present. While diversity can be a strength, in this case I felt it also a warning sign. A sign that you as custodians of the breed must do that little bit more to pull together.

The future of the Pointer does not lie in the hands of individual kennels working in isolation, guarding their lines. It lies in working together with open-minded breeding, shared knowledge and a genuine commitment to the betterment of the breed above everything else.

There are and have been kennels producing dogs of outstanding beauty, type, and soundness. These dogs should be used wisely and widely and not withheld. When ambition takes precedence over the breeds future, everyone loses.

This is a truly noble, aristocratic and elegant breed and if you want it to survive and thrive in the decades ahead you must stop thinking as individuals and start acting as a collective so that Pointer type doesn’t always have to come with so many other sacrifices and compromises when assessing them.

As has been the case for as many years as I remember, the strength today was in the bitches.

Thank you to all exhibitors for your entries today. Pointer folk are always so sporting and such a pleasure to be around.

Veteran Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST- Harvestslade Cullinan (Mrs D & Mr N Preece & Gilding)

I have always been a fan of this typy, orange and white boy. Very much the make and shape that I go for. He has a lovely head and expression, fine ears, and a good return of lip. Balanced angles front and back and a super topline and croup still. Still light on his feet and using his tail so well. Very close up for the RCC today. I like him enormously. My best veteran in breed.

2ND - Tenshilling Blowin Smoke (Mrs J Bowen-Brooks)

Another very nice veteran that I have placed well before and my opinion hasn’t changed. B/w lad with excellent overall conformation. Balanced, pleasant head with excellent fine ears. Shorter backed than 1st , level topline and very good rear. Still incredibly sound on the move and does so with style. Just felt one had the edge in overall body balance and head type.

 Minor Puppy Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST - Lundgarth Fly The Flag (Mrs S.e & Mrs S. Booth & Oddie)

 Very typy 7mths O/w dog with a beautiful head and expression, excellent open nostrils and fine well-placed ears. Has lovely bone and feet, just enough front, firm back, and plenty of depth. Still needing to settle and drop into his rear more. Obviously babyish on the move but uses his very neat tail well. BPD

Puppy Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST- Lundgarth Fly The Flag (Mrs S.e & Mrs S. Booth & Oddie)

Repeat from MPD

2ND - Sonham Just over The Moon at Oramiss (ai) (Mrs L Clinton)

More upstanding b/w dog that excels in fore chest and upper arm. Masculine head that needs to break. Has good tight skin, good ribbing and a very decent rear. Not quite the head, tail or movement of 1st today. Has time to pull it all together. Needs to settle in front action.

 Junior Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

1ST 4378 - Teisgol Sweet William (Mr P & Mrs D, Mrs L Stilgoe & Fox)

Very well-made orange and white dog with tight skin and a super little tail. Plainer in head than I’d like but has a good expression and well-placed ears. Balanced angles for and aft with excellent muscling already too. A very tide mover that stands on good legs and feet. Just needs to come up a fraction on leg but has it all there.

 2ND 4369 - Wilchrimane Pretzel (Miss H R & Miss M R & Mr W Sheedy & Hand & Siddle)

Lots to like about this typy lad. Taller on leg than 1st and presents a very typical, flowing shape on the stack. Super head shape although eyes can darken still. Very balanced in body with tight skin and an excellent rear. Lengthy ribs and chest still has time to drop a little more. Sound but didn’t use himself as well as first on the move and is too proud of his tail.

Yearling Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

1ST - Wilchrimane Silent Bounty (Mrs S & Mr I Bailey)

New one to me; but what a classy orange and white lad with the most beautiful head, expression, eye colour and shape. It was so delicately chiselled and had such fine ear leathers. For me the best head of the day. Finer in build than some of the other males here today, but he is still young and has lots of time ahead of him. Could benefit from more front angulation but what he lacks in front he more than makes up for in type. Very good rear, topline and tail and skin. On the move he was so light footed and although lifted his tail higher than I like, he had tremendous pointer carriage. Shown in excellent condition and muscle tone. My RCC.

2ND- Hawkfield Happy Feet at Oramiss JW (Mrs L Clinton)

A very well-made o/w, who is excellent for size and balance. Not quite the head of the winner, but an attractive one nonetheless with an excellent dark eye. Very good in topline and croup, but tail could be a little shorter for me. Moved well on the around but needs to settle in front action still. A nice dog.

Novice Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST- Alcazar Excalibur (Mrs L Dunnett)

A smart black and white youngster of pleasing overall type. I preferred his head and expression to the second, showing clean lines and balance, though ideally the tail could be neater and better carried to complete the picture. Front assembly is sound and he moved steadily with a free stride, though his carriage could improve with maturity and confidence. A promising lad with the essentials in place.

2ND - Teisgol Magic (Mr P R & Mrs D E & Mrs L & Miss J G Stilgoe & Stilgoe & Fox & Fox)

Not quite the head type of the winner. Has just enough front and fore chest, level topline but falls away on the croup which affected his outline on the move. Adequate bone for his frame and moved true going away, though narrow coming towards. Needs time to settle and strengthen but should finish ok.

Graduate Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

1ST - Riowood Orange Twist (Mr & Mrs L Millett)

A most attractive orange and white full of Pointer quality. His head is a delight – super expression, fine ears, excellent nose and open nostrils. A touch narrow in front, but otherwise well put together with good skin and balance throughout. His tail is correctly carried and a real asset. A little unsettled by the atmosphere today which cost him in the challenge, but when he relaxed, he moved soundly and with style. A lovely young dog of great promise. Would like to see him again.

2ND- Teisgol Calendula (Miss M & Mr R Saunders & Newton)

 Looked far more settled here than earlier and presented a pleasing overall outline. Head and expression not quite the refinement of one, but he is cleanly made with good skin and a decent topline, though he falls away a little on the croup. Fore chest is well developed and he moved competently, covering his ground. A sound dog who should continue to mature well.

Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST- De Las Navazuelas Stormcloud at Ridanflight (Imp Esp) (Mr S Rose)

A typy black and white who really catches the eye when stacked, showing quality and style. His head could carry a little more chiselling and stop to complete the picture, but balance throughout is very good. Excellent forehand with correct upper arm and fore chest, strongly angulated behind and well proportioned. On the move, he was pleasing in profile with reach and drive, though could be a little tidier fore and aft. Am sure he will carry his title.

2ND- Heartbury Matador JW (Mrs V & Miss S Norbury & Ganney)

Another strong dog, bigger than I ideally prefer, but carrying much quality. His head and expression appealed and were more to my taste than the winner. Forehand is sound and his rear is well constructed with plenty of strength. Not the depth of body and ribbing of one, but shown in tight skin and good condition. Moved freely and truly.

Limit Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST - Joneva Just Imagine JW (Mrs G J & Mr N A Sweeney)

 A typy orange and white of quality, though larger all through than I normally prefer. Very appealing head and expression with fine ears and excellent return of lip, giving him refinement and balance. Front could show more forechest, but he has a good shoulder and excellent topline, finishing in a correct tail. Shapely rear and moved soundly in all directions, holding his outline well on the move. A stylish dog and worthy winner of this class.

2ND - Glenariff Mojito over Teisgol (Mr P R & Mrs D E Stilgoe)

 This black and white has a lovely outline and is a dog I have placed well before. Still very much admired for his shape and balance, though for me he lacks the head type of the winner which cost him here today. Nonetheless, he is a very pleasing dog, well put together, and carries quality throughout.

Open Dog

Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

1ST - Sh Ch Sharnphilly Boondoggle JW (Miss Oddie)

A black and white of exceptionally high quality. I have not always been his greatest admirer and was somewhat indifferent about him, but today he stood out. His head could carry a little more detail and chiselling for perfection but it’s very handsome and when viewed as a whole he is impossible to deny. His front construction, topline, rear quarters, skin and depth of body are exemplary. On the move he is utterly precise, covering ground with ease, never putting a foot wrong. Awarded the Dog CC and Best Opposite Sex, only marginally missing out on Best of Breed to the superior carriage of the bitch. A cracking dog that I was more than happy to be proved wrong about. A credit to you all.

2ND - Sunhouse You're Nicked (Mrs R M C & Miss R Martin)

 A well-made orange and white of much quality, presented in excellent condition. Stronger in build than I usually favour, but his balance and construction carried him through to this placing. Head is pleasing, topline is firm, and he moved with drive and accuracy. Only my preference in type held him back today. A dog of champion potential and a credit to his owners.

Special Beginners

Entries: 10 Absentees: 3

1ST - Droveborough Witchy Woman (Mrs L J Barham)

 A liver and white of high quality who immediately appealed for her shape and femininity. Very pretty with an excellent head type, soft expression, open nostrils and fine skin. Still a little raw and can come up on the leg, but her outline is curvy and full of promise. Babyish in her movement as one would expect at this stage, but she carries herself well and should mature into a very good bitch. I preferred her overall shape to second.

2ND - Sharnphilly Gingerbread Sgwc (Mrs N Klaiber)

A quality exhibit, free moving with attractive style and carriage. Feminine and typy, though not quite the head properties and body shape of the winner. Nonetheless, a lovely bitch who should do well.

Veteran Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 1

Minor Puppy Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST- Droveborough Black Magic (Miss S Kennedy)

 An outstanding black and white puppy of super make and shape, full of breed quality. Excellent head with good dish and nose, lovely expression, and fine leathers. Well-made front with good shoulder and forehand, balanced throughout with tight skin and an excellent tail. Moved with promise, though still a typical baby Pointer who overthinks her surroundings. Once her confidence grows, she will surely fulfil her potential. Delighted to see her take the Puppy Group later in the day.

2ND Droveborough Witchy Woman (Mrs L J Barham)

 As above

Puppy Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST- Droveborough Black Magic (Miss S Kennedy)

As above

2ND- Lundgarth Ticket to Fly (Mrs S E Booth)

 A very attractive puppy with much to like. Balanced in body with a pretty head and expression, good depth and ribbing for her age, and moved out soundly. Tail carriage was a little high on the move, but overall, she is full of promise and type.

Junior Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

1ST- Riowood C'mon It's Time for Carmandine (Mrs M & Mrs C & Mrs L Gerrard & Bell & Galloway)

A beautiful curvy black and white who shows quality. Feminine head of excellent type with soft expression, well-shaped nose, and fine ears. Super front and fore chest with strong pasterns and neat feet. Enough rear angulation to balance, though croup could fall a little less. Moved with precision and freedom; feeling the cold today which held her back in the challenge. Well-handled and destined for her title with ease.

2ND - Ferndel Sapphire Mist over Stocksfell (Mrs B Wilkinson)

One I have admired from ringside and she did not disappoint. Very pretty headed with lovely rib, depth, and couplings. Excellent bone and feet, pasterns show a slight slope. Carries more skirt than I prefer, but she is sound on the move and stylish. Not quite as relaxed on the stack today, which cost her, but another destined for the upper awards.

Yearling Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

1ST - Teisgol Alohomora (Mr P & Mrs D, Mrs L Stilgoe & Fox)

 A shapely orange and white with curves in all the right places. Super body and outline with a good head shape though expression could be softer. Well-made throughout with an excellent topline and underline, good depth, and overall balance. She moved soundly, true out and back and stylish in profile. Out of coat today, but an attractive bitch of high quality.

2ND- Harvestslade Star Ruby (Mrs D & Mr N Preece & Gilding)

A well-made bitch of very good type. Pleasing head though I would prefer smaller ears. Excellent topline and croup, good front assembly, though pasterns a touch upright. Balanced and curvy with quality throughout. Moved well, though not with the same smooth action of the winner.

Novice Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

1ST- Teisgol Rose Campion (Mr Pr & Mrs De & Mrs L Stilgoe & Stilgoe & Fox)

 A quality orange and white with much to like. Head stronger than I prefer, with more lip, and ears could be finer, but expression is still pleasing. Decent body with good depth, curvy outline, and excellent neck into shoulder. Rear is strong and well angulated, coat and skin of good quality. Moved with purpose, placing her feet correctly and holding her shape. A promising girl.

2ND 4314 - Droveborough Witchy Woman (Mrs L J Barham)

Graduate Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST- Lundgarth Jubilee JW (Mrs S E Booth)

 A classy orange and white of elegant type. Beautiful outline with flowing neck into well-laid shoulder and firm topline. Excellent rear with strong quarters. Head is feminine, though front is a touch wide and elbows could be tighter. Just enough fore chest. A little unsettled by the surroundings today, but once she moved off she showed type and style in action. A quality bitch.

2ND- Raigmore Faith Restored (Mrs T & Mr T Crowhurst)

 A curvy orange and white of pleasing type. Not quite the elegance and style of the winner, but a quality Pointer. Head could be more detailed and have a little less lip, but she scores in topline, balance, and a neat little tail. Feeling the cold and out of coat today but nonetheless moved with freedom and soundness.

Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1ST - Teisgol Heaven Sent JW (Mr P & Mrs D, Miss M Stilgoe & Oliver)

 A very good black and white who really made the most of herself today. Feminine head with pleasing dish and expression, excellent forehand and depth of body. Topline firm and level, ribs well sprung, and strong rear. On the move, she used her tail well and showed true drive from behind. A quality bitch full of Pointer character.

2ND - Freebreeze Special Effects JW (Mrs M L Nelis)

Another quality exhibit, feminine and typy. Scores highly for overall carriage and breed outline and moved with style. Plainer in head than the winner and feeling the cold today, which took the edge off her performance, but she is a super Pointer who will shine on another day.

Limit Bitch

Entries: 13 Absentees: 3

1ST- Kanix Smoochie at Stargang (Miss H Blackburn-Bennett)

 A substantial orange and white that’s up to size but beautifully made. She had, for me, the best forehand in the bitch entry today. Superb length and depth of rib, excellent body condition, and a wide, well let down rear with plenty of strength. Head is pleasant though I would prefer larger eyes. Carries more skirt than ideal. However, on the move she was outstanding – sound coming and going, with a huge side gait and effortless carriage. A future champion.

2ND - Clamerkin Jubilee Surprise at Hookwood JW (Mrs S & Mrs J & Miss C Welch & Drake & Hazeltine)

 Another quality bitch, very well put together. Feminine head with fine ears though they could be a little more pointed at the tips. Well angulated fore and aft with a good topline and correct tailset. Shown with tight skin and excellent condition. Could not quite match the sweeping movement of the winner, but nonetheless a very good bitch of good type

Open Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST- Sh Ch Wilchrimane Frankly Darlin (Miss, Mrs & Mrs Siddle, Siddle & Medeiros)

A well-known champion bitch and it is easy to see why. Pointer from nose to tail with curves and balance that for me epitomise the breed. Beautifully chiseled head with fine ears and excellent return of lip, eyes are lighter than ideal. Good front and fore chest, short coupled, firm topline, though croup a little steep for my taste. Strong rear with plenty of drive, tight skin and shown in hard condition. It is on the move that she truly excels, her carriage and style are unmistakably feminine and Pointer to the core. Bitch CC, Best of Breed and Group 2 later in the day.

2ND- Sh Ch Chesterhope C'mon over to Carmandine (Imp Nzl) JW (Mrs M & Mrs C & Mrs L Gerrard & Bell & Galloway)

Another outstanding champion and one of my personal favourites. Classy and feminine with a beautiful head and expression, excellent angulation front and rear and superb balance. Moves with lightness and grace, covering the ground effortlessly. Today she lost her topline at a crucial moment which cost her the class, but nonetheless a top-quality bitch and worthy of the Reserve CC.