Midland Counties Canine Society

Midland Counties 2026 Irish Red & White Setters. Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge. My thanks go to all exhibitors for presenting their dogs so well. I’d also like to apologise if anyone felt their experience was affected by the stewarding. The stewards do an important job, but a few moments did feel unnecessarily sharp and, if I’m honest, it did ruin my day a little. I appreciate you're understanding. PD. 1. Mr G J & Mrs G A Hart GA Gilliegrae So Berry Excited 10-month-old who is very mature for his age. He stands on good bone with neat feet. I like his head — it is of good breed type, with nice width of skull and correct eye and ear set. He has a lovely reach of neck and plenty of forechest, a little on the wide side, with good depth to elbow and a good return of upper arm, giving him a pleasing front assembly. His ribs go well back, though I’d prefer just a touch more length of loin for overall balance. Level topline with a well-rounded croup, adequate turn of stifle, and good hocks. Coat and colour are lovely. He gave his handler a bit of a hard time on the move today, but he is only a puppy. I just hope he doesn’t go over too much as he matures — when he settles, I’m sure he will have a promising future. JD (2) 1. Miss J E MackayE Coolfin Whisky In The Jar 15m months old — still a little raw, but exactly as they should be at this age. Although not as mature as 2, I preferred his overall outline and balance, which gave a pleasing shape and proportion. He has a lovely head with correct proportions, a nice gentle stop, and a good eye. Lovely reach of neck leading into adequate front angulation for his age. Chest has the correct depth for his stage of development, ribs well back, and a nice length of loin. Good turn of stifle, level topline with a good tail set, and showing some muscle in the thigh. Feathering is coming nicely, with pleasing markings and gleaming coat. Moved well. He’ll just take time to mature — as they should. 2 Mr G J & Mrs G A Hart) Gilliegrae So Berry Excited PG D(2)1. Mr D Sayer Settersay Dragonstone Not as mature 2, but I preferred his head, which is of correct proportion. Ear set is correct with good length. He has a muscular neck, good bone and neat feet. Adequate fore chest, though he still needs to drop a little in chest as he matures. Good furnishings and pleasing markings. Well-muscled and moved well. 2. Mrs J Tait) Talintyre Fomhar Reiver Presents a good outline with a pleasing expression. His head is a little stronger than number one but still correct. Lovely neck flowing into good shoulders, plenty of fore chest, and good depth of chest. Nice spring pf ribs. Level topline with a rounded croup and good tail set. Well-muscled, athletic, and in good coat and condition, although unfortunately today he was not moving at his best. LD (3). Cornwall MR A & Mrs V Settersay Tornado This dog truly caught my eye the moment he entered the ring—exactly what I was looking for! His head shows correct proportions in skull and muzzle, with ideal width and a well-defined stop. At this age, he’s really come into his own and matured beautifully. Lovely reach of neck flows into well laid shoulders and a lovely front assembly. The upper arm shows good bone and correct angulation. Feet are neat and compact; His chest is down to elbow & ribs well-sprung. Excellent rib-to-loin ratio, level topline, and a nice sweep of stifle with strong hocks. Tail set is correct (though the handler needs to lower it on the stack). Coat and furnishings are superb, and his athletic, well-muscled moves with reach and drive. He gave the bitch a real challenge—couldn’t deny him the CC and BOB. 2. Catton&Cook&Jakins Coolfin Clancy with Ferngate Good head, showing breed type, with a nice stop and square muzzle. Athletic, with a good topline and lovely reach of neck. Correct body proportions, good bone, ample forechest, and adequate depth of chest. Rounded croup with good tail set, nice turn of stifle. Moved well. 3. Mrs L R Ward Roanjora Cremant De Lux Copperwhite OD (2.) 1. Mrs A B & Mr S H Catton & Cook Sh Ch Daithi Shadow Dog with Ferngate (Imp Pol). Matured well since I last judged him — he’s really come into his own. Well balanced with a level topline. Good skull and stop, though I would prefer a slightly shorter muzzle; he has a kind expression and correct eye. Nice length of neck into good shoulders and front assembly. Good forechest and depth, ribs carried well back with a good loin ratio. Nice turn of stifle, lovely coat and furnishings. Tail set could be a bit better. Moved well with good reach and drive. 2. Mr M I & Mrs W E Taylor Laoirebay Monte Carlo VW Judged this dog before, and I have to say he’s matured well. I preferred his head to the winner — good skull, stop, and correct muzzle proportions. Lovely reach of neck, good shoulder and front angulation. Just not quite the depth of chest and forechest of the winner, but still adequate. Good tail set and nice turn of stifle. Moved well once settled. VD (2) 1. Mrs A TattersallSh Ch Carrick Shadow Dog att Alanea (IMP POL). Well balanced dog with a good topline, well-rounded croup, and correct tail set. Lovely head and expression, in proportion, with good width of skull and correct ear set. Strong neck into good shoulders and front assembly. Chest down to elbow with good forechest and well-sprung ribs, showing excellent body proportions. Lovely hind angulation and strong hocks. In good coat and condition, with good muscle tone in the hindquarters. Moved well with reach and drive — pleased to award him the RCC and BV. 2.Miss P Jakins Sh Ch/Int Ch/Multi Ch Terne DDees Coris Qulimero at Coofin (Imp Bel)JW Ww'23Worthy Sh Ch, presenting good breed type, nice length of neck, level topline and correct tail set. Strong hindquarters with lovely sweep stifles, good coat and condition, moves well with reach and positive front action. SBD Ms D & Mr A O’kelly & Hancock BSB JB (2) Ms D & Mr A O’kelly & Hancock JB (2) 1 Coolfin The Ectasy of Gold at Caradilis . 2.(Miss P Jakins Coolfin Baltic Turn The Page These two litter sisters could change places at any time. I preferred the more feminine head of number two, but at the moment the winner is stronger in front angulation. Both have adequate forechest for their age, dropping nicely to the elbow. Necks are of correct length, and both have good toplines. Number one is slightly better in stifle at present, and today I felt she moved better than number two. Both are still very young, just out of puppy, and will take time to mature as the breed should. PGB (1). Jarvis Miss V Settersay Targayen Lowdon At two years, she’s at that adolescent stage — needs time to fully come together. Very feminine with a kind expression. Lovely neck with good shoulders, level topline, and good tail set. Nice bone, good muscle, and once settled, moved well. LB (5 2 a). 1. Tattersall Mrs A Alanea Savannah Really matured since I last judged her. She has a sweet, feminine expression with a lovely head of good breed type. Skull and muzzle are in proportion with correct ear set. Lovely strong neck, good lay of shoulder, nice return of upper arm, and good front angulation. Ample depth of chest, good spring of rib, and length to loin. Level topline with a well-rounded croup. Hind angulation is good, with a nice turn of stifle and strong hocks. Balanced, well-muscled, and on the move, she floats around the ring with excellent reach and drive. Delighted to award her the CC and happy to be informed it was her crowing CC. 2. Mr G C & Mrs J Bayne Settersay Mrtell by Carranroo Liked her head — she’s feminine, with correct eye, skull, and muzzle proportions. Nice reach of neck, level topline, and correct tail set. Stands on good bone, adequate depth of chest for age, and good prosternum. Nice sweep of stifles. In lovely coat and condition, moved well. Only two years old and still coming on — think there’s more to come and a bright future ahead.3.Mrs R Bootland Ambancy Dancing Queen OB (4 1a). Sayer MR D Setttersay Snowstorm SGWC When she came into the ring, she really caught my eye. I really liked her head — she’s of good breed type. Balanced, with lovely front and hind angulation. Lovely neck into well-laid shoulders, good depth of forechest and prosternum, chest down to close-fitting elbows. Level topline, rounded croup, and good tail set. Well-muscled, moves with reach and drive. Can see why she has a SWGC can definitely see her doing a day's work. Really a hard decision in the challenge — happy to award her the RCC. 2. Barnes Mrs J. Sh Ch Ambacy This Is Me balanced with a level topline, correct croup and tail set. Nice head and expression, good skull, stop, and muzzle. Clean neck of correct length, good lay of shoulder, and good bone. Chest shows good spring and depth. Nice turn of stifle. Moved well. 3(Mrs B & Miss C Allen.Ir Sh Ch Talintyre Winter Starlight at Killora An Ch 22 Cen W VB. 1.Mrs E E Walker Sh Ch Zendarric It's A Kind of Magic Within Wroxham JW (Mrs E E Walke Worthy Sh Ch, worthy SH CH -. impressed with her breed type and not showing her age, she has a kind eye and soft expression. She boasts excellent width of skull, a strong, muscular neck, and a level topline, complemented by substantial bone and overall substance. Her front angulation is well-defined, flowing into an athletic body with a well-sprung ribcage and excellent coupling. Her rear angulation is strong, and her coat markings are beautiful. On the move, she showed good drive and reach, just a touch heavy on the day, so the dog took BV.