Gundog Club Of North Wales

Gundog Club of North Wales

30/03/2025

On Sunday 30th March 1980 I walked into the show ring for the very first time at Gundog Club of North Wales so it is with extreme pride and honour here I am 45 years later judging Best In Show for the club that has been part of my dog show life for all those years.

I would like to express my thanks to the Committee ( some of whom were in charge when I started all those years ago) for granting me this wonderful opportunity and say a special thank you to my 2 hardworking stewards Colin and Tony who are such a vital cog in the smooth running of a show.

I had an amazing line up of dogs in the challenge for BIS, thank you to my fellow judges for sending such quality through and to all the exhibitors for bringing their beautiful dogs to be judged, I was so spoilt for choice as so many were worthy of top honours which made it extremely difficult to select just 4, my shortlist included the Large Munsterlander, English Springer Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever, Flatcoated Retriever and Cocker Spaniel

BIS ShCH Stanegate Stage Debut (AI) ShCex Irish Water Spaniel. A beautiful bitch from every angle, she has wonderful breed type, excellent conformation and her movement was clean and free flowing. A dense coat of crisp curls and firm muscletone completed the package and even with all that she had to be on top form to take the win today.

RBIS ShCH Maursett Mallachie at Molvonia Clumber Spaniel, a real powerhouse of a dog who impressed me in a huge stakes class and then took it up a notch in the BIS ring, pushed the IWS hard

BIS3 ShCH Inostricani Bell Ragazzo via Krismoor JW Italian Spinoni Another who is a fabulous example of his breed, put down in excellent condition with a lovely harsh jacket and fully bearded head with those oh so expressive eyes. Strong oval bone and the best of feet, on the move he showed that smooth relaxed ground covering trot required of the breed.

BIS4 Ravensett Allegra with Alolfrana English Setter. Only a youngster but absolutely oozing with quality who I am sure has the brightest of futures, put down in fabulous condition with a glorious coat and moved so clean and true in all directions. One to watch for sure.

BPIS Callaiscroft Esprit De Vie for Amicofedele NAF Bracco Italiano. This youngster is certainly well named with plenty of spirit ! He has the most stunning head for a puppy and it doesn’t stop there, beautifully balanced with super bone and substance showing that noble outline already. Yes he was lively on the move but I love to see such character in a youngster and he showed off his ground covering action when he needed to.Will be interested to see him when fully mature.

RBPIS Rainthyme Rerite The Rules for Chanderhill Spanish Water Dog. So typy with a pleasing head, strong flowing topline with a decent body underneath a coat of correct texture and curl. Moved out so well with a lovely clean action.

BPIS3 Gemswin Wherever I Lay My Hat at Finnashember Flatcoated Retriever. Loved her in the breed class and she certainly kept my attention in the BIS ring. Such a pretty girl with bags of enthusiasm on the move with lots of drive.

BPIS4 Oktumi Big Player Cocker Spaniel. Handsome young dog put down in top class condition, he has such a typey head with a lovely front assembly and outline. Still immature but showing the distinctive merry action of the breed every time he moved.

BVIS ShCH Riondel Candyman JW Cocker Spaniel. A cracking example of the breed, his B/R coat is in the most fabulous condition with a top quality dog underneath it, he has a kind, masculine head, well ribbed body and on the move showed reach and drive really covering the ground and so happy with it.

Golden Retriever

Such a shame a breed championship show was scheduled for the same day which depleted the entry, I hope future classification is not affected by this

Post Graduate Dog (1,0)

1st Swaine’s OHANAGOLD APOLLO

Moderate dog of correct size with good bone, he has depth and spring of rib with a firm topline held well in the move. Presented in good condition he showed a lovely profile movement

Open Dog (4,2)

1st Burrows’s DILWORTH SECRET SANTA Fully mature pale gold with a balanced head and kind expression. He has a well laid shoulder with a good length of upperarm, strong bone and right feet. He has depth and spring of rib with a firm coupling and broad muscled stifle. Balanced true moment in all directions BOB

2nd Swaine’s KALLIXEL CARAMEL DELIGHT Older boy with a gentle, wise expression and kind eye. Not quite as angulated in front as my winner but has a good amount of forecast and depth of rib. Moved out well with his handler

Flat Coated Retriever

Puppy (4,1)

1st Prior’s GEMSWIN WHEREVER I LAY MY HAT AT FINNASHEMBER 7 month lovely puppy bitch who topped a pleasing class of youngsters. She has a typey outline with a moulded head and bright eye. She flows nicely through her neck and shoulder to a strong topline with a good amount of rib underneath it. A happy, bouncy puppy who moved out clean and true when she settled. BPIB and Puppy Group 3 in strong company

2nd Whitaker’s JETSTARSKI RUN LIKE HELL Pretty, feminine bitch with a cheeky expression. She has a lovely front with decent bone and tight feet. She was a little 'bum high' when standing today which I'm sure will level out as she grows. She showed a strong profile action covering plenty of ground.

3rd Pierce’s WYCHWIZARD FORESTER AT TARNMILLCRAG

Junior (2,1)

1st Romeo-Dieste’s HOPEVALLEY MORNING XANADU JW An exciting young bitch full of promise with the most beautifully moulded head and bright correctly shaped brown eye. She excels in construction with a lovely reach of neck flowing smoothly into a strong topline with plenty of rib underneath. She has good bone and tight feet which along with her well muscled rear gave her strength and drive on the move, pushed hard for BOB but had to give way to the maturity of the open winner who I learnt after was her half sister.

Graduate (5,2)

1st Burroughs’s I KNOW HIM SO WELL AT ROKANESS JW A solid, workmanlike dog with the correct amount of size and substance. There is no doubting his masculinity, he has a nicely moulded head of correct proportions, strong through the neck and shoulder with deep, well sprung ribs. Firm topline leading the broad thighs which he put to good use on the move.

2nd Mantle’s RHIEW AIN’T GUILTY A well made dog, slightly taller on the leg than my winner, he has a clean, well proportioned head with a bright eye and tidy ear, balanced angulation front and rear with depth of rib. Showed strong rear action but not quite as neat in front today.

3rd Whitaker’s JETSTARSKI I’M ON FIRE

Post Graduate (2,1)

1st Salt’s LEVELMOOR BLACKADDER Classic looking bitch, head of correct length and breadth. Eye of very good colour. She is clean through the neck leading to correct lay of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Chest of correct depth with a good length of ribcage and loin that is short and square. Move well with a ground covering action.

Open (5,0)

1st Romeo-Dieste’s SH CH HOPEVALLEY MORNING WICKED The breed standard calls for power without lumber and raciness without weediness which this girl fits to a tee. Beautifully moulded head with flat cheeks and bright eye full of cheek. She has the most beautiful outline with well laid shoulders, developed brisket and correct length of upperarm. Good length of rib under a firm topline and moderate, well muscled quarters. On the move she showed a ground covering stride which was clean and true BOB

2nd Whitaker’s SH CH EVENING MIST BLACK BRIANTA Another quality bitch, close up to the winner, she has a feminine head with a bright expression, neck of correct length, slightly arched leading to well laid shoulder not quite the return of upper arm as my winner but still with a good amount of forechest. She has a strong outline with correct rib and short firm loin, pleasing hindquarters with plenty of thigh gave driving movement.

3rd Buckley’s BLACKTOFT BRINDISI BY BUCKLEYHILL

Weimaraner

Puppy (1,0)

1st Hawkins’s SCHONHUND SHOW AT THE OSCARS. 6 month substantial boy with a good amount of bone and well shaped feet. Balanced, masculine head with pleasing underjaw, firm through the neck and well developed in rib for one so young. Very steady on the move BPIB

Junior (2,0)

1st Buckley’s BROWNBANK JUNIPER Upstanding, mature 13 month dog with lovely substance and shape. His ribs are well sprung and of good depth giving plenty of heart room under a firm level top line with strength over his loins, strong, muscled rear gave drive

2nd West’s GUNALT FREQUENCY BY HANTU Very pretty, feminine bitch who will take time to mature. She has a pleasing head with intelligent expression, clean through the neck to a well made front with bone and tight feet. Moved out clean and steady.

Post Graduate (3,0)

1st Reilly’s SMILEK THERE’S A KIND OF HUSH Strongly built male with the best of fronts, he has a masculine balanced head, firm neck and strong topline. Well made throughout with deep ribs giving heart room, broad muscled thighs gave plenty of drive, he was just a bit hampered by the ring size, would love to see him outside in a big ring.

2nd Buckley’s BROWNBANK JUNIPER (repeat junior)

3rd West’s GUNALT FREQUENCY BY HANTU

Open (3,0)

1st West’s SH CH GUNALT WAVELENGTH JW Classically elegant bitch with the most beautiful of heads, so balanced with strong underjaw. Lovely clean neck, fabulous shoulder and return of upperarm. Plenty of rib under a firm topline with a strong loin and wide, well muscled thighs. On the move she is a delight, so clean and balanced with power and drive. BOB

2nd Reilly’s SMILEK I HAVE A DREAM Another beautiful bitch with stacks of breed type. Feminine balanced head of good proportions, strong outline throughout with balanced angulation and deep ribs. Powerful and true movement.

3rd McMahon’s IR SH CH SILVERKELVIN JUPITER OVER MAGDALA

Any Variety Imported Breed Register Gundog

Post Graduate (3,1)

1st Draj’s FORRESTS IMPAH INTO GRIFFONVIEW Korthals Griffon Feminine head with good furnishing, kind well set eye and pleasing ear. She is well constructed throughout, balanced in body with plenty of heartroom and strong outline. Precise movement from all angles, her harsh jacket finished the picture off nicely.

2nd Stigoe and Fox’s TEISGOL MORGANA Portuguese Pointer Smart looking bitch, squarish outline but was a bit tense today which spoilt her outline. She has a good head with pleasing ratios and a bright eye. Shown in hard condition with the right amount of bone and depth of rib. On the move she was still showing some tension but covered the ground well.

Open (3,2)

1st Davies’s ADONIS SHEEP ON HUNT AT BARBAMOR Barbet Classically rustic looking square black dog with good size and substance. He has a masculine eye, good head proportions and well set ear. Lovely construction throughout, he is a dog you really need to get your hands on to appreciate, plenty of toned body under a coat of correct texture and curl. On the move he was strong and clean covering the ground well. BOB

Any Variety Stakes

Working Gundog Stakes (4,1)

1st SH CH BALVENIE DOUBLE DIAMOND JW GSP In fantastic tone and condition, every muscle clearly defined. He has a masculine head with good underjaw and a kind eye, Strong through the neck and shoulder with a lovely front assembly and firm topline. His broad well muscled rear gave strong driving movement covering plenty of ground.

2nd ZORRAZO X FACTOR AT LENDEVER SWD just edged into 2nd place over the Clumber on finish and maturity. Balanced construction with a pleasing head and bright eye. Strong through the body with firm muscle and depth of chest. Covered plenty of ground with a good profile action

3rd MAURSETT MENELAUS

President’s Open Stakes (31,16)

1st SH CH MAURSETT MALLACHIE AT MOLVONIA Clumber Spaniel Fabulous looking dog who didn’t disappoint on the move. He has the substance and bone I would expect from this breed with a head to match, that said there is nothing overdone about this boy, everything is in balance. Strong, masculine head with the correct amount of muzzle and bright eye showing little haw. Strong through the neck and shoulder, deep in chest and firm in topline. Standing on clean boned legs with well padded feet it all added up to a quality dog whose powerful eyecatching movement demanded attention.

2nd SH CH NAVAVIN EXPECTATION OF VRAIBLEU Field Spaniel Love the make and shape of this bitch, she has the sweetest of heads with a bright eye and lowset ear. Well constructed throughout with a good length of rib and strong angulation. She has a clean true movement with plenty of drive. One I have judged previously in the breed and my opinion hasn’t changed she is a top quality bitch who I was surprised was not in my BIS line up.

3rd SH CH EVENING MIST BLACK BRIANTA FCR

Veteran Stakes (20)

1st SH CH RIONDEL CANDYMAN JW Headed a class of amazing veterans - See BVIS above

2nd SH CH SONNETEND FAITH Field Spaniel Classic bitch with the most beautiful of heads, she has a soft, gentle expression with a gentle eye. Lovely length of neck leading to a pleasing front assembly which is matched by a broad, well muscled rear. She has the unhurried movement required of the breed but still covers plenty of ground.

3rd SH CH/IR SH CH Kimmax Knock Yourself Out JW ShCM GWP

Peas in a Pod Ultrasound Puppy Stakes (31)

1st TRIXHUND SHUT FOR LUNCH ESS 11 months bitch, my notes say ‘delicious’ she has the most beautiful head with that classic fluting already showing, she has a bright kind eye set well into a chiselled skull. Pleasing through the neck and shoulder with the right amount of leg and clean bone. She held her topline well on the move but started out quite unsettled which I was told after was due to a fright on her way into the ring. Thankfully she regained her composure enough to show true movement and take the class.

2nd JETSTARSKI RUN LIKE HELL F/CR see breed class

3rd EUSANIT REDORA NSDTR

Treasurers Brace Stakes (18)

A fabulous turn out of exhibits in this class, I can see a lot of practising has been going on.

1st Wheeler’s – Field Spaniels Well matched in heads and size, moved out steadily together

2nd Romeo-Dieste’s – Flat Coated Retrievers not quite as balanced in maturity but apart from that they are very well matched

3rd Kibby’s – English Springer Spaniels

Judge: Carol Moore (Gadhelic)