Border Union Agricultural Society

BORDER UNION

14TH JUNE 2025

GUNDOG GROUP

JUDGE: CHRISTINE MORGAN

I was honoured to be invited to judge the Gundog Group at one of my favourite shows and it being their Golden Anniversary made it even more special. They are a great team at Border Union and pull out all the stops to make everyone welcome; thank you.

I have to thank the judges for sending through some quality exhibits; I enjoyed every single second.

For further consideration I brought in the glamourous and very beautiful English Setter, Sh Ch Tattersett Dark Honey JW; the stylish and racy Irish Setter, Glennara Cherry Cola JW; the balanced and powerful Golden Retriever, Bencoe Just in Time del Avrain JW Ir Jch; the naughty but nice Cocker Spaniel, Sh Ch Wilmerella Outlander and the very pretty and well muscled Portuguese Pointer Swiss Sh Ch Fabpoint Pagan Through Pointoak Ww23 (Imp Prt).

Heading the Group was the very impressive Pointer, Sh Ch Sharnphilly Boondoggle JW. I have previously given him a CC and BOB and the critique I wrote about him then still stands.

He is a true aristocrat and commands attention both on the stack and on the move. He is a picture of strength, endurance and speed and truly is a series of graceful curves. He has the bone and substance required of a dog bred to range widely in pursuit of game and the conformation to ensure he can do this all day long. His head is refined with beautiful chiselling under his expressive eyes and it finishes with wide, soft nostrils to scent the game. He moves so easily on a long stride, driving from his well muscled quarters and has the most perfect tail action; a proper bee sting! I love everything about him.

In the Best in Show ring, he was breathtaking with his perfect front action and ‘look at me’ attitude and thoroughly deserved the top spot. I was thrilled to see him take Best in Show. Huge congratulations.

Group 2 was the Weimaraner, Ch Sireva Emeyefive JW Sgwc. He is a dog I have long admired and is a picture of power, stamina and balance. His body is beautifully proportioned with plenty of heart and lung room, short, firm loin and moderately angulated, well muscled quarters. He has a very noble head with a moderate stop and slight median line that extends well back over his forehead. His long, high set ears frame it perfectly. He moves on a long and easy stride and holds a strong and level topline.

Group 3 was the very feminine and robustly built Hungarian Vizsla, Sh Ch Layways Cinnamon Girl. On the stack she looks every bit the noble and distinguished hunting dog that she is with a taut body, prominent breast bone, well sprung ribs, moderate angles and well developed thighs. Her head is lean and perfectly proportioned and as I looked into her eyes she looked into my soul. She has a beautifully arched neck that fits smoothly into her well laid shoulders. She moves with grace and has terrific reach in front.

Group 4 went to the American Cocker, Nujax Happy Halloween. At 21 months there is much more to come from this very handsome chocolate and tan dog who impressed me with his smooth and easy gait, covering plenty of ground and showing a clean pair of heels as he goes away. His head is simply stunning, well developed and rounded with exquisite chiselling and lush plushing. He was presented to perfection with a lot of dog under that silky flat coat.