Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

It was a pleasure to judge the Gundog Group at my most local all breeds championship show and I thank the committee for the opportunity as well as for the hospitality on the day. As always, the Darlington team had everything ship-shape and working like clockwork.

From a pleasing group, I shortlisted eight dogs which included: the Pointer, Sh Ch Wilchrimane Frankly Darlin; the Flatcoated Retriever, Windyhollows Ragged Robin JW; the English Springer, Sh Ch Calvdale Flutter and the Irish Water Spaniel, Sh Ch Stanegate Stage Debut. All were most typical examples of their breeds, shown in good condition and giving a good performance.

The winner was the golden Cocker Spaniel, Sh Ch Zheridons Blanche who is all Cocker in type and temperament, she has the most super neck and shoulders, well boned with good feet, big ribs and short loin, just right over the croup and super well angulated and muscled hindquarters with well let down hocks. She is such a showgirl with the typical merry Cocker personality on display constantly, on the move is totally sound in all directions, her angulation enabling her to eat up the ground effortlessly in profile, maintaining that super outline at all times. She is a star and she knows it! Continued to put up a great performance minutes later, being rewarded with another BIS win. A pleasure to judge.

Group 2 was the Curly Coated Retriever, Norsk Ch DK Ch Skaringen's First Impression, what a superb example of this breed, totally out of the top drawer, superbly made all through with excellent forequarters, correct bone and feet, well ribbed, excellent topline and very well angulated hindquarters, her coat is textbook being a mass of small, tight curls and her movement is exceptional. She drives from behind and her stride in profile is a joy to watch, not seen one like this since the Darelyn days, loved her and she pushed very hard for the top spot;

Group 3 was the Gordon Setter, Sh Ch Hernwood Gin Fizz, feminine but with the correct substance for the breed and built on galloping lines, beautiful head and eye, super for size and overall outline, well-made forequarters, correct flat bone and correct feet, excellent body properties and super well angulated hindquarters, it is on the move where she really scores, so sound out and back and an excellent profile gait;

Group 4 was the Weimaraner, Sh Ch Gunalt The Hangover, quality young dog with very pleasing and typical head, masculine but without a trace of coarseness, well made front, well boned, correct balance for the breed and with length of back from a long rib and short loin, super hindquarters and totally sound on the move in all directions, shown in great condition;

David Craig (Judge)