National Gundog Association

NATIONAL GUNDOG ASSOCIATION – CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW – 3 AUGUST 2025 - IRISH WATER SPANIEL

Thank you to the Committee of the NGA for the kind invitation to judge on a glorious hot day set at the foot of the Malvern Hills and to my stewards Keith Gordon and Maureen Wilson who ran the ring like clockwork, and to the exhibitors who entered under me with their quality dogs. I was pleased with my CC and RCC winners which in my opinion are very good examples of the breed. My Bitch CC and BOB went to Bradley’s SH CH Stanegate Stage Debut (AI) ShCEx, a top quality bitch and I was delighted to watch her get short listed for BIS, well done.

PD. (1)

1. Davies Stanegate Sweetest Thing At Shelseivad, happy 10 month old full of breed type and IWS character. Lots to like especially when viewed in profile but at this stage appeared more rangy and not so well bodied, however with maturity I am sure he will have a great future. On closer examination I liked his well shaped masculine head, domed skull, square muzzle, low set ears and dark eye giving an alert expression. Strong neck into correct layback of shoulder, is straight in front with elbows in, ribs need to spring, stands on good bone and feet, has rounded hindquarters with a good bend of stifle and low set hocks. Moved out with good forward extension and drive, BPD.

JD. (2)

1. McCallum’s Bogbairns Down The Rabs At Weemaes, 16 month old displaying a balanced outline when stood. Masculine head of good shape with dark kind eyes, low set ears and square muzzle. Strong neck into well laid shoulders, has depth to chest with big barrelled ribs carried back to well muscled hindquarters, good bend of stifle and with low hocks. Presented in dark coat of good curl and texture, moved with drive holding his topline at all times.

2. Bradley’s Nyllaup Oregon Sunstone, nearly 13 month old that I liked for his make and shape but at this stage does not have the finish in coat nor the maturity in body but I am sure given time he will hold his own in the ring. He has a pleasing masculine head with good eye colour and shape, good length of muzzle, correct dentition and low set ears. Strong reachy neck flowing into well laid shoulders, is straight in front, with elbows in, well sprung ribs for age, strong hindquarters and low set hocks, he moved out freely with sound positive movement.

GD. (1)

1. Bradley’s Nyllaup Oregon Sunstone, as before.

PGD. (2)

1. England’s Cuboglach Thistle Forrester, friendly outgoing dog, would benefit from more coat presentation and ringcraft training, having said that once settled he displayed his virtues to win the class. He has a masculine head, dark eye and low set ears. Strong neck, has good depth to chest, elbows in, ribs well sprung and carried back, is strong in loin, well bent stifle, has big feet and low set hocks. Moved better on 2nd attempt but a little proud of his tail today.

2. Bradley’s Nyllaup Oregon Sunstone, as before.

LD. (1)

1. Davies & Margerison’s Foulby The Dark Knight At Kandrelli, quality dog of correct size displaying a balanced outline with nothing overdone. He has a masculine head with slightly domed skull, right amount of chiselling, long square muzzle and dark almond shaped eyes giving an alert expression. Good reach of neck flowing into well laid shoulders, is compact in body with deep chest, is straight in front with well sprung ribs carried back, level topline, moderate hind angulation with well set on and carried tail. Well off for bone and has large well rounded feet, shown in lovely coat and hard condition, he covered plenty of ground with good head carriage and characteristic roll, pleased to award him the RCC.

OD. (3)

1. Smith’s SH CH Goldenacre Jubilee Lord Of Leonardston, another dog of quality of good size, is well constructed and balanced throughout. Masculine head although for me a little broad in foreface and I would prefer a longer muzzle, having said that he has a correctly domed skull, well shaped eyes and low set ears. Proud head carriage on strong arched neck leading into clean shoulders with a good return of upper arm, he is compact in body with deep chest, elbows in, has good barrel ribs, strong quarters and low tail set. Presented in coat of good colour, texture, tight curls and ringlets and covered the ground effortlessly displaying the correct rolling gait, pleased to award him the CC & BOS.

2. Latheron & Trenchard’s SH CH Fynder Reacher ShCEx, upstanding dog built on larger lines than class winner but is balanced for height to length ratio. Preferred his head which is well shaped and worked with dark almond shaped eyes and long low set ears. Strong arched neck , is deep in chest, straight forelegs, with elbows in, ribs could be more sprung, strong topline, is well off for bone and has large feet. Shown in profuse coat which is dark and of good texture and curl, moved with good forward reach and also when viewed in profile but in the challenge he was moving close behind.

3. Duckmanton’s SH CH Cuboglach Sandy Wave,

VB. (1)

1. Stoddart’s Cuboglach Ruby Tiger, nearly 9 year old bitch showing the younger ones how to move with good reach and drive. Although very feminine in head I would prefer a longer muzzle, eyes are dark and has well set ears. Good length of neck with shoulders laid back, good width in front and well sprung ribs, she is short coupled with strong rounded quarters, has plenty of bone and large rounded feet, BV.

PB. (1)

1. Busby & Busby-Alner’s Stanegate Sweet Dreams At Zakby, 10 month old eye catching puppy of excellent type and should have a bright show career. She has a very feminine head with no sign of coarseness, correct skull shape, dark expressive eyes, good length to muzzle, and long low set ears. Head carried well on strong arched neck leading into well placed shoulders, has a good depth of chest with ribs developing well for age, she is compact in outline with strong well rounded quarters, correct bend of stifle and low set hocks. Shown in a lovely dark liver coat with good crisp curl and strode out with good reach and drive, handler just needs to watch her topline when stood, BPB & BPIB.

JB. (2,1)

1. Busby & Busby-Alner’s Stanegate Sweet Dreams At Zakby, as before.

PGB (2)

1. Hardy’s Cuboglach Tufted Skipper, 2 year old balanced and compact in outline. Pleasing feminine head, skull of good shape, almond shaped dark eye, correct stop, square muzzle of good length and low set ears. Strong slightly arched neck leading into clean shoulders, is straight in front, has depth to brisket, well developed in forechest, good barrel ribs carried well back, level topline and is short coupled, good bone, muscled hindquarters and low set tail. Shown in good textured coat and moved ok once settled.

2. Stoddart’s Cambridgcurl Aileen Fox, a very feminine bitch with pleasing domed head of good proportions with correct eye shape and colour, good length of muzzle and low set ears. Moderate neck, is straight in front, would like more spring of rib, short back, rounded quarters with low set tail. She did not move the best today and dropped her topline which cost her the class.

OB. (3)

1. Bradley’s SH CH Stanegate Stage Debut (AI) ShCEx, a quality bitch straight out of the top drawer, of excellent breed type and a pleasure to go over. She has a very feminine head with slightly domed skull, correct amount of chiselling to give refinement, long square muzzle, dark intelligent eyes and low set ears. Excellent reach of neck flowing into well placed shoulders with a good return of upper arm, good front assembly, deep chest with elbows in, well sprung ribs carried back to short strong loin, well rounded and muscled hindquarters with good bend of stifle and low set hocks. Presented in coat of correct colour, curl and texture and moved out displaying good natural head carriage and correct footfall when viewed from all angles. She has all the breed points to make her a worthy champion and I had no hesitation in awarding her the BCC & BOB.

2. Douglas’s Daffydown Dilly, she has a very feminine head, is long in muzzle, has low set ears but expression spoiled by slightly rounded lighter eyes. Would prefer more length to neck but shoulders are well set, she is straight in front with good depth to chest, has good barrel ribs, is compact in body with firm topline, muscled hindquarters and correct tail carriage. Has plenty of bone and large feet, shown in dense coat of good curl and ringlets and moved well displaying sound movement front and rear, and in the challenge she held her topline both on the move and when stood, RCC.

3. Williamson’s Finchsmill Secret Surprise For Tingleburn,

Graham Stirk