Manchester Dog Show Society

Manchester Championship Show 2025.

Labrador retriever (Dogs)

An honour to award my first CC’s to the breed at this well organised and prestigious show. My Co Judge, Ian Ganney and myself had drawn an entry of 200 exhibits so competition for the top honours was high. I was pleased that we could agree on the major awards. Thanks to my two efficient stewards, Joanne and Louise who kept things moving and collaborated well between the two rings ensuring that we finished in good time. I was really pleased with my final line up and the overall quality of the winners. Heads were better than I had anticipated with very few short muzzles. Temperaments were first class. Most of the males were in good body and shown in decent muscular condition. I enjoyed my day.

MPD (11, 2 abs)

A lovely class of youngsters at differing stages of maturity. It will be interesting to see how they develop.

1st: HARVEY MAJOR’s State Park In Linjor

Super Yellow with well-shaped head, intelligent eyes and correctly placed ears. Strong neck for his age with nicely sloping shoulders. Well balanced body, firm level top line. Well coupled with good rear angulation and hocks are well let down. He moved soundly.

2nd: DREYFUS’, Dolbia Celtic Twilight

Only 6 months but looking good for his age. Not as forward as the winner but full of promise. Pleasing in head which just needs to break as he develops. Strong clean neck leading to well laid back shoulders. Firm top line. He moved well in profile using his strong quarters to advantage.

3rd: DRUGGAN’s Dolbia Cabo Verde

PD (7)

1st: SMITH’s Binnaig Sea Barnacle On Flyenpyg

This 10 months yellow took time to settle but then looked the part. I was pleased to award him Best Puppy D and with my co-judge’s agreement was Best Puppy in Breed. Broad in skull with good stop and strong jaws. He has a good neck and well boned front with enough width for his age. Well ribbed and firm short couplings give the desired look of strength. He has good rear angulation with plenty of width to his thighs. In decent coat.

2nd: BARON’s Landebec Ventura

Another 10 months yellow with plenty to like and showing promise. Intelligent in eye with good ear placement. He has a clean neck and good shoulder angulation. Straight in front. He has a level top line and correct tail set. Good width to his quarters, he moved freely. It will be interesting to see how he matures.

3rd: BROADBURN, LAWSON & SARTI’s Landebec El Oso Tipibear

JD (13, 4)

1st: DUDKOWIAK’s Jun Ch PL Dolbia Airbus

Free moving 17 months black who looked well standing but edged this good class on his movement. Well shaped head of good width with defined stop and good ear placement. He has a strong neck and good shoulder angulation. Well bodied with both width and depth. He has good rear angulation to complete a nicely balanced picture.

2nd: CLARE’s Oakhouse Otto Trot

This one presented a lovely outline standing and once settled moved to advantage. Balanced in head with alert expression and kind eyes. He has a clean neck which leads into sloping shoulders. In good body and dense coat.

3rd: Landebec Ventura

YD (12, 4)

I was very impressed with the first two here and expect them both to go on to successful careers in the show ring. My winner going on to take the RCC today.

1st: CASEY & JAYES’ Berlan Get Up And Go At Sandylands

Presented a super outline, clean and balanced through. Active in appearance but still shows the desired strength. Good head with plenty of shape and correct ear placement. Ears lying close to his head. Strong neck leads to well angulated shoulders. Elbows tucked in well. Well ribbed with both depth and width. He has firm couplings and well angulated quarters. He moved well here and in the challenge.

2nd: RAWLINSON & BALSHAW’s Shanorrell Seamus Coleman At Halshimoor

Close up to the winner and to top honours. Lovely young Black with a picture of balance and displaying a super temperament. Broad in head with typical expression and good eye colour. Strong neck and well laid shoulders. He is well ribbed up with firmness over his loins and good width to his quarters. Neat and tidy on the move carrying his tail correctly.

3rd: DOUGLAS’ Loretta Rise & Reign Over Talard

GD (6, 3)

1st: BROWN & VILAMO’s Waterline's Change Of Heart

Still a junior and a little unsettled on the move but deserved his win here. Pleasing in head with good width and defined stop. Strong neck and sloping shoulders. He is well bodied for his age with width and depth to his chest. Correct top line leads to well set tail. Won this tricky class on his shoulder placement and width of thigh.

2nd: KERR’s Trulace Ambassador

Well put together and moving freely and easily. Decent head with good eye colour. Well developed ribs and good angulation behind.

3rd: SMITH’s Meadowline Heartbreaker JW

PGD (7)

1st: O'BRIEN’s Maxfield Sergeant Pepper

Quality Yellow, balanced and so good to go over. Well-proportioned head with good width and enough length of jaw. Clean strong neck. He is well ribbed and short coupled. In super coat, he edged this class on his movement where he showed drive and extension.

2nd: WILLIAMSON Sharouns Inspector Gadget JW

Another well made yellow coming into his own. Lovely head with good eyes and well placed ears giving that typical expression. Well laid shoulders leading to a well ribbed body of good depth and correct length. He has strong, well angulated quarters. Looked well.

3rd: FARRAR’s Henissy Truffle Trifle

LD (13, 5)

Good class headed by two super boys, both deserving of top honours.

1st: BROADBURN, LAWSON & SARTI’s Landebec Happy Hour With Tipibear

What a super dog to go over. He is well put together and for me, true to type. Nothing over done but so correct through. My eye kept getting drawn back to him. Correct in head with width to his skull and strong jaw, ears lying close to his head. Strong clean neck leading to well laid shoulders, elbows tucked in. Well ribbed with good width and depth to his chest. He is firm over the loins and has good width to his second thigh. Well bent stifles and short form hock to heel. He moved to advantage to win this class and continued to do so in the challenge . A pleasure to award him the CC. Deserves his title.

2nd: GAJDA - MEISSNER & MEISSNER’s Weathertop War Dance

Close up to the winner and so many of the same comments apply to this one. Quality head with intelligent expression strong neck and well laid shoulders. He too, is well ribbed and is balanced in body. Strong quarters with good tail and width to his thighs. He moved well away from me. Should go on to do well.

3rd: HOPKINSON’s Rocheby Havana

OD (12, 5)

1st: RAWLINSON & BALSHAW’s Shanorrell Black Sabbath At Halshimoor

I have admired dogs from this kennel before and this boy also fits the bill. Presents a super outline with good angulation fore and rear. He has a strong head and is well constructed through. He has a firm level top line and correct set on of tail. Hocks are well let down and provide the power on the move. He moved truly and soundly showing reach and drive. My RCC today.

2nd: HODGE’s Sh Ch Ir Sh Ch Naiken East Meets West (ai) JW

A worthy Champion, showing well here. Larger type than the winner but balanced through. He has good width to his head, strong neck and good width to his front. Powerful quarters with plenty of muscle development. He moved well in profile and was shown in good coat.

3rd: DAWSON’s Beskerby Pageant

VD (4, 1)

All three present were credits to their owners and the breed in general.

1st: BECKLEY’s Shork's Nordmann At Godruo

Lovely 9 year old black in good body and super coat. Not showing his age at all. Well boned with good head, strong neck and firm level topline. Strong over the quarters. He deserved the win today.

2nd: HASLAM’s Manorwell Buckskin At Lynquest JW

A lot to like about this 8 year old. Also well put together with good body and strong quarters. Just preferred the coat of the winner here but showing plenty of quality.

3rd: BILLS’ Vetybonbetty Chocolate Box

 SBD (3)

1st: FOSTER’s Rochevale Beal

This junior boy presented a tidy picture standing and was good to go over. Head is developing well and he has a clean neck and a well-balanced body. Firm over the loins with level top line He has good quarters with well-turned stifles. Moved steadily but a little proud of his tail today.

2nd: EDWARDS’ Frewlings Gary Player At Bearstone

Another 16-month old showing a positive temperament. In good body, he has dark eyes and well placed ears. Good depth to his chest. He should look well when fully mature.

3rd: ASHURST’s Dragonson Golden Sensation

David Howarth

(Judge)