Scottish Kennel Club

SKC All Breed Championship Show

15th May 2025

Gundog Group

I was honoured to be invited to judge the gundog Group at The Scottish Kennel Club All Breed Show 2025 and I sincerely thank the Secretary and Committee for the kind hospitality I received.

I shortlisted nine dogs, and could have easily extended this to fifteen, so hard decisions had to be made. It was a sizeable ring and many of the dogs made full use of it.

I considered the stylish and effortlessly moving Hungarian Vizsla, the beautifully balanced Pointer, the striking Curly Coated Retriever, that just lost her verve on the final look, the handsome and free moving Welsh Springer, the rustic Spanish Water Dog that showed brisk movement and was in such fabulous coat.

My Gundog Group 1, was the well winning Cocker Spaniel Sh Ch Zheridons Blanche, this girl is just a complete showgirl. She came into the ring and she owned it! She has the most beautifully balanced head with an intelligent soft eye but also has a glint of mischief. Strong in body with the best of body tone, on the move she shows perfect footfall, a busy, bustling carriage and an ever wagging tail.

She is one very ‘Sturdy, Merry Cocker Spaniel.’

Group 2 was the strong, active Chesapeake Bay Retriever Sh Ch Arnac Bay Hebe. This 6 year old girl has super proportions throughout. A most appealing broad, round head with an alert expression. Her thick short oily coat was in fantastic condition. On the move she showed a strong and powerful action covering the ground with ease and a perfect tail carriage.

Group 3 was the smart, upstanding compact Irish Water Spaniel Sh Ch Stanegate Stage Debut. Another show off that typifies the character of the breed to perfection. She excels in body proportions and balance. She has dense, tight, crisp ringlets, free from woolliness the breed requires and it is so well presented. On the move she is powerful and free showing a slight roll

Group 4 was the stylish Portuguese Pointer, Swiss Sh Ch Fabpoint Pagan Through Pointoak. One I have judged and done well for previously. Lovely almost square girl who shows balance on the stack and on the move. Lovely head with the shorter muzzle and square finish. She moves with a smooth rhythmic trotting action. Excellently presented.

Christine Schofield