Midland Counties Canine Society

Midland Counties Canine Society Championship Show

Sunday 26th October 2025

Judge: Sharon Henesey - Flatcoated Retrievers

I would like to sincerely thank the Officers, Committee and the Member Clubs for their invitation to Judge this breed. Having owned this breed for nearly 40 years, I was absolutely delighted with the super entry I received and I am grateful to all the exhibitors for entrusting me to judge their dogs and in accepting my decisions in such a sportsmanlike manner. Some decisions were very close and could easily change place on another day. However, from my observations I noticed some untypical heads creeping in, the return of upper arm needs improving with some exhibits carrying far too much weight.

MPD (4) 1st and BPD Clandrift Make It Funky, 10 months old, with good head and nice dark eye which should tighten a little when head fully develops. Strong neck into well laid back shoulders, good depth of chest and prow. Good front and rear assembly which is not exaggerated in any way. Moved well. 2nd Flatcharm Dark Secret at Churchking slightly taller 11.5 month black male standing on excellent feet. Good head with nice almond shaped eye, longer neck running into lovely layback of shoulder. Good depth of chest but would prefer a better return of upper arm and a slightly shorter loin, good tail which was carried correctly on the move. 3rd Seaheart Fabian at Dexanluc

JD (5,abs1) Gloi Dubh Mormaer JW 15 month black male of a nice size, lovely head and expression with dark almond shaped eyes. Good layback of shoulder and front assembly, good prow and depth of chest, standing on good bone and round feet. Moved with drive although was a little proud of his tail. 2nd Ronevorg Highland Whisper of Siancala 17 months old presented in good condition. Lovely dark eye but would prefer a little refinement to his head. Good front and rear assembly, neat feet and good depth of chest. Moved out well. 3rd Telurn Ghost of You For Hazeyvasey

YD (6,abs1) Curlycrest’s Sweet Home Chicago (Imp Nor) JW Black medium sized male that demanded attention. Lovely one piece head with dark almond shaped eye together with neat ears, strong neck into well laid back shoulders, good front assembly and depth of chest and stood on round tight feet, A really sound mover carrying his tail level. Considered him for top honours but definitely one to watch. 2nd Hopevalley Morning Magic JW, 21 month black male, lovely head and expression with dark eye, good layback of shoulder, would prefer more return of upper arm, but has good length of body ratio, good rear muscle tone, he has a good tail set which he carries well on the move. 3rd Everblack Enjoying Life

PGD (8,abs3) Gloi Dubh Kristofer Robin JW Another lovely male from this kennel. Medium sized, great one piece head with dark almond eye, strong neck running into well laid back shoulders, good front and rear assembly, deep chest and short loin, good muscle tone, loved his parallel movement, moved well. 2nd Wyrebeck Shockwave, a medium sized liver boy with a good shaped head, lovely hazel eyes complimenting his hint of naughtiness expression. Good feet, layback of shoulder and correctly angled forequarter. Good depth of chest and muscle tone. Moved well but was a little too proud of his tail. 3rd I know Him So Well at Rokaness JW

LD (11,abs3) I was splitting hairs between 1st and 2nd and they could easily change places on another day. 1st Wyrebeck Caught by Surprise lovely mature male of medium size, nice masculine head, good eye shape and ear placement, good front and rear angles and depth of chest, standing on the tightest of feet, short loin, well musceled hindquarters which he used well on the move. 2nd Rainesgift Audemars another lovely head from this kennel, good shaped dark eye, good neck into laid back shoulders, tight feet, correctly angled quarters both front and rear. The best two movers in this class. 3rd Seaheart Daegan At Dexanluc

OD (11,abs3) Ch Woodfinch Masquerade, have judged this boy before and age has definitely been his friend. A mature male full of quality, one of the best classical Flatcoat heads seen on the day with a kind expressive dark almond shaped eye, neat ears, strong neck into well laid back shoulders, excellent front and rear assembly with nice deep chest, strong bone standing on neat tight feet. Good ribcage into a nice short loin. Good tail set complimented by that ever wagging tail. Good width of thigh and bend of stifle. Moved with drive. Presented in full coat and good condition which made the picture complete. It was a pleasure to award him the DCC and BOB and delighted to see that he was awarded Gp4. 2nd Sh Ch Rotherfield Secret Code, one I have watched with interest from the ring side. Slightly heavier male with good bone and tight feed. Lovely masculine head with dark almond eye. Good shoulder placement, complimentary angles both front and rear, deep chest, short square loin, good bend of stifle, moved well. 3rd Gloi Dubh Just One Look

VD (2) 1st Sh Ch/Ir Sh Ch Plainfire’s The Captain of My Heart Is Steelriver (Imp Che) ShCEx VW Have judged this boy before and at 9 years old he is in super condition. A most imposing black male with good one piece head lovely dark almond eye. Good reach of neck and excellent angulation all round. Strong topline, short loin, well muscled hindquarters which he used well on the move. Pleased to award him the RCC and BV. 2nd Seaheart Crian at Gloi JW Correct sized male with good head, nice dark eye but would prefer it more almond shaped, good reach of neck, good front angulation and prow. Well muscled hindquarters which he used well on the move.

SB (4) 1st Hurstclough Night Owl at Flanova. Medium boy with good head and kind eye, pleasing outline, good depth of chest, nice neat feet, shown in good condition moved well. 2nd Telurn Ghost of You for Hazeyvasey A larger cast boy with masculine head. Good neck and well laid shoulders. Good legs and feet, tail well set and presented in good condition. 3rd Everblack Enjoying Life

MPB (4) 1st Feldkirk Roulette at Kazval lovely quality puppy of 7 months, good bone and feet, feminine head, good layback of shoulder and adequate upper arm, moved well, I am sure she will have a bright future. 2nd Hopevalley Morning Minuet 9 months old, lovely sweet head nice expression, good front assembly, good shape, good tail action, moved well. 3rd Moontorn Chasing the Dream

PB (11) 1st and BPIB Rainesgift Fair Play lovely quality puppy with a most beautiful one piece head, lovely dark almond eye, good front and depth of chest, good topline and strong well angulated hindquarters. Moved soundly and true on the move which won her BPB. 2nd Hopevalley Morning Minuet 

JB (11,abs4) 1st Gemswin Just Like Heaven at Larksburn. Although slightly larger she is a quality 14 month racy bitch, good head, dark eye, lovely expression, good front, well muscled hindquarters which helped to drive round the ring. 2nd Badcall Midwinter Dream at Inchstellie Another quality bitch, medium sized, lovely feminine head and expression, dark eye, good layback of shoulder and depth of chest, short loin, moved out well. Two lovely bitches which could easily swop placed on another day. 3rd Wychwizard Skipper to Casanjay

YB (9,abs2) 1st Hopevalley Morning Xanadu JW Another quality bitch well moulded classical head with nice expression. Very good front nice level topline, layback of shoulders tight feet, good depth of chest, good length through the ribcage, strong hindquarters and tail action moving sound and true. 2nd Everblack Euphoria. One piece head with dark eyes but would prefer a better eye shape, well made throughout with good body and bone, just preferred the head of 1st. 3rd Badcall Midwinter Dream At Inchstellie

PGB (11,abs3). 1st Satinbaze Tranquil Sea, Nice eye, good expression, good front and rear assembly, good depth of chest, short loin, level topline layback of shoulder. Good tail set, moved with drive. 2nd Gloi Dubh Lady Muck JW super head dark eyes, a smaller bitch with well balanced outline. Good shoulder placement, correct angles, standing on good feet. Good tail set and good bend of style lovely parallel movement. 3rd Wyrebeck Live Forever

LB (11,abs4)

1st Hurstclough Joy Of The Moors At Elmstock Smaller bitch but so balanced, lovely feminine head with soft expression, dark almond eyes good front, with corresponding angles, square loin, strong topline, good neat feet, well muscled rear quarters which helped her move so freely around the ring. Was delighted to award her the RBCC

2nd Seaheart Diva JW, Slightly larger than winner but well balanced, good front assembly good head, kind expression, good depth of chest, moved out well. Would just prefer her standing on tighter feet. 3rd Stranraer One Fell Swoop 

OB (8,abs1)

1st Benvellyn Sequoia JW

Well balanced bitch, super classical head, with a kind dark almond eye and melting expression, strong neck into good layback of shoulder and correct layback of shoulder and return of upper arm giving a defined brisket, correct height to length ratio, correct ribcage, square loin, excellent topline and tail set, excellent bone and feet, super well muscled hindquarter giving her the ability to move out sound and true. Was delighted to award her the BCC. 2nd Hopevalley Morning Dream of Elmstock. Lovely workman like bitch, medium sized with good head, dark almond eye, super topline, good angles both fore and aft, good depth of chest just carried her tail a little gaily, presented in great condition, moved with drive. 3rd Sh Ch Hopevalley Morning Wicked

VB (6,abs2)

1st Hopevalley Morning Rainbow

Nearly 8 year old bitch with the tightest of feet, good dark eye, good layback of shoulder, front assembly and depth of chest with defined brisket, good bone, loin and rear assembly, moved with drive around the ring. 2nd Hameldowntor Music of The Night JW 9 years, slightly larger than 1st bitch, nice head, would prefer more return of upper arm, good prow, square loin, level topline, lovely working type bitch moved well

3rd Stranraer Lyin’Eyes

SBB (9,abs3) Kimberfield in Love Again

Smaller black bitch good moulded head, dark almond eye, good bone and standing on lovely feet, good front and rear assembly moved with style. 2nd Gemswin Just Like Heaven at Larksburn