South Of England Gundog Club

South of England Gundog Club Open Show – 30 March 2025

My thanks for Daniela and the Committee for the kind invitation to judge BIS/BPIS and several breeds at their well run 70th Year Anniversary Open Show, I had a super entry in the breeds I judged and was spoilt for choice with the BIS, BVIS & BPIS line-ups. Thank you to my efficient stewards, Shirley & Tina, for keeping things running in the breed classes but most of all thank you to all the exhibitors who gave me the honour of judging your dogs. We were fortunate to have a lovely sunny day which meant judging could take place outside which was lovely for the end of March.

Bracco Italiano

P (2,1 abs): 1. Fisher & Derrett’s Appassionata Belisario (Imp USA) O/W D of 11 months, well grown, masculine head of correct planes, ear set & length, strong clean neck, correct topline & tailset, just needs to drop back down in chest a little more and muscle up throughout, well boned legs, front feet could be a little tighter, moderate angulation, still a little loose on the move but covers his ground well, stook alone but a well deserved BP

SpY (2): 1. Beecham’s Inspirations Lorenza Primavera at Rydonmist (Imp Swe) O/W B rising 2 years, not a big girl but balanced all through, lovely head and expression, strong neck into well laid shoulders, excellent in forechest and depth of chest with plenty of heartroom, good angles fore & aft, strong topline, well boned legs to good feet, moved soundly with drive, pushed the boys hard for top honours 2. Gatfield’s Heinaaraon L’altra Dimensione (AI) (Imp Fin) 13M O/W D, masculine head, good eye shape & colour, moderate neck flowing into a strong topline & correct tailset, he has enough depth of chest but needs a little more infill when viewed from the front, well boned legs to good feet but nails were far too long and spoilt the overall look of his feet, moved out well

PG (2): 1. Beecham’s Gunsyn Hotrod at Rydonmist JW O/W D 2.5Y & coming into his best, strong but not overdone head, correct eye shape, colour, earset & length, strong neck into a strong topline, excellent depth of chest & forechest, nicely angulated, on the move he has excellent reach and drive, just wish he wasn’t so proud of his tail, RBOB 2. Beecham’s Titano Della Casa Di Lombardo at Rydonmist (Imp Fra) another O/W D just turned 2Y, thought this would be my winner of this class, I liked him stood, he has a lovely head and melting expression, another strong neck into a strong topline and good tailset, correct layback of shoulder, nice size dog, with well boned legs and good feet, unfortunately on the move he was over-reaching and this cost him the class

O (5,2): 1. Beecham’s Grafskoe Gnezdo Arlo (Imp) O/W D, I have previously judged this dog when he was just 3.5Y old and on that day awarded him BOB, he’s now just turned 8 and a veteran and I still really like him, good size without being overdone, masculine head of correct planes with a big spongy nose, good eye colour, correct ear set & length, strong, clean neck into well-laid shoulders leading to a strong topline and correct tailset which he holds on the move, he has excellent depth and spring of rib, well boned legs down to good feet with short nails, he still moves with ground covering drive and I was happy to award him BOB 2. Beecham’s Allegro Nord Bohemia Sheram at Rydonmist (Imp Cze) C/W D almost 6Y, not the overall make and substance of 1 but still lots to like, he has a good head and eye, correct earset & length, little upright in shoulder but well angulated behind, moved ok 3. Gatfield’s Heinaaron Tofana Di Rozes

Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling)

P (4,2): 1. Head’s Eusanit Red Rabbit 8M B, compact body, nicely balanced head of correct wedge shape, good eye colour, neat, high set ears, strong medium length neck, strong topline and good tailset, good bone and feet, correct front assembly, depth of chest and spring of rib, rich red coat with ample undercoat, moved well for her age BP 2. Townsend-Bean’s Arthundur Firecracker 9M B, lighter framed than 1, sweet head and expression, eyes still need to darken a little more, up on her legs a little at this stage, just needs to drop back down into herself, well boned legs to good feet, correct coat and undercoat, moved ok, well handled to get the best from her

SpY (5,2): 1. Arthundur Firecracker, rpt 2nd in P 2. Hunt’s Wakaduze Dotame B of just over 12M, pretty head and soft expression, I liked her size but felt she was just lacking a little substance, good depth but needs more infill in front, nicely angulated fore & aft, moved well 3. Holden’s Whenova Etesian

PG (6,1): 1. Strevens Tollisty Shincha JW, B of just 2Y, loved her head & expression, she is so nicely balanced all through, good size, strong moderate length of neck into well laid shoulders, strong topline & correct tailset, good in forechest, well angulated fore & aft, rich red coat & good undercoat, well boned legs to good feet, lovely sensible, sound movement, pleased to award her BOB 2. W. Dotame rpt 2nd in SpY 3. Smith’s Tollisty Raudr

O (5,2): 1. Strevens’ Tollisty You Can’t Decline, really nitpicking between 1&2 in this class, 1 is a 3Y D, really rich red colour, lovely masculine head with a good eye, not the biggest of dogs but all male, strong neck, correct topline & tailset, well sprung ribs and excellent depth of chest, in good coat with required undercoat, lovely & steady on the move, to be picky I would have liked a fraction more length of leg to balance him but a nice dog overall, RBOB 2. Strevens’ Sh Ch Tollelkin Caife Gaelach at Tollisty almost 6Y B, pretty head with eye colour to tone with her rich red coat, nice size, good neck, well laid shoulder, tight elbows, good depth of chest and well sprung ribs, excellent forechest, moved soundly, well deserving of her title, just preferred the dog today 3. McDowell’s Wakaduze Wapa

Spanish Water Dog

P (2,1): 1. Abrahams’ Fivenineplus Azahara by Adormidera 11M Black B, clipped off coat, head still needs to break at this stage but she has a lovely dark eye giving a gentle expression, solidly built but retaining elegance, short neck into good shoulder, tight elbows, level topline, enough depth and forechest, coat of correct woolly texture, well set tail carried correctly on the move which was brisk and steady, BP

SpY (1): 1. Donaldson’s Prizelands Tickled My Fancy JW 16M W/B B this girl is a lovely shape & make, just slightly longer in body to height, stands well over her ground, loved her head and expressive dark eye, strong neck into correct front assembly with enough forechest, deep chest with well sprung ribs, strong topline and correct tailset, coat of correct woolly texture, really rustic, on the move she had the drive to carry her round effortlessly carrying her undocked tail correctly, BOB

PG (5,2): 1. Abrahams’ Cravessa’s Right On The Dot by Adormidera W/B B of 2.5Y, clipped off coat of good texture, nice head and good eye colour, short, strong neck into well-laid shoulders, moderate angulation, strong topline & correct tailset, moved well, RBOB 2. Clough’s Perrorizado Isla Zuaza Bl B of 2Y, sweet head with a lovely eye colour, strong legs to good feet, correct neck, topline & tailset, another with a clipped off coat but of correct woolly texture, moved ok, not the drive of 1 3. Gardiner’s Perrorizado Isla Gracia

O (7,4): 1. Donaldson’s Prizelands Frosted Fancy W/B B smaller size but still balanced, nice head with dark eye giving a kind expression, short coupled, clipped off coat of good texture, straight front and lovely rear angulation, very sound mover 2. P Isla Zuaza 3. P Isla Gracia

Spaniel (Welsh Springer)

P (1): 1. Mayo’s Helgen Candy Mountain 10M B with the prettiest head & expression, lovely dark eye, rich red and pearly white coat with feathering coming along well, strong neck flowing straight into well laid shoulders, strong topline and correct tailset, all of which was held on the move and standing, on the move she was very sound and steady for a baby and covered her ground well, she’s still a little loose in hock on the move but this should tighten as she matures and muscles up more, a really lovely puppy who I was pleased to award BP and BOB

SpY (1): 1. Doyle’s Helgen Hurricane Dorian 19M B, pretty head & expression, nice dark eye, long, clean neck, well coated with good feathering, unfortunately I found her rather narrow all through with no spring of rib and she wasn’t being too cooperative with her handler, on the move she went ok and looked well in profile but a little wide coming towards

O (2): 1. Gough’s Julita Rukester 9Y D, what a lovely lad, he has a lovely head with the most kind and gentle expression, good reach of neck into a strong topline down to a correct tailset, good in forechest, nicely angulated all round, well boned legs, moved with drive round the ring, RBOB 2. Batey’s Glenbrows Best of Friends 4.5Y D, liked his head and eye, gentle expression, strong neck and good topline, not the spring of rib and forechest of 1., well boned legs and good feet, not being handled to advantage but moved ok

Special Veteran 7-9 Years (23,10)

This was a super class of some excellent veterans, our veterans should be celebrated and many today could give the younger dogs a run for their money in both condition and movement

1. Blay’s Sh Ch Barleyarch Skye at Longbarrow ShCM, GSP I judged this super L/W GSP back in 2021 at a breed club open show, at that time I commented that she was just starting to come into her own and awarded BB & RBIS on the day, since then she certainly has come into her own, gaining her title and winning well in all company, she has a super balanced head with a dark eye giving her the softest expression, just starting to gain a few silver highlights which only add to her distinguished look, she flows from nose to tail, strong neck into well laid shoulders, depth of chest and spring of rib plus a strong topline that she maintains both standing and on the move, balanced angulation fore and aft with well-boned legs to tight feet, well-muscled and on the move she is elegant with reach and drive, delighted to award her BVIS over a very nice American Cocker. Today at almost 8 years old, I could find nothing to beat her and subsequently also awarded her BIS, thank you for giving me the opportunity to get my hands on her once more. 2. Walker’s Sh Ch Dexbenella Atticus Finch ShCEx VW, L/W ESS dog who pushed 1 all the way, I loved his head and soft expression with correctly set on ears of a good length and balance of muzzle to skull, he is so well constructed beneath a coat of correct texture and feathering, I liked him for size, well boned legs to lovely tight, compact feet, on the move he floated round the ring with ease & style, unlucky to meet 1 but another I was so pleased to get my hands on having admired him from the ringside previously 3. Phipps-Baker’s Maddouse Tail Spinner SGWC, Golden

Special Veteran 10+ Years (5,2)

1. Walden’s Geenawell Gilmore Girl for Taramount, Am Cocker my notes say WOW! Hard to believe this lovely buff girl is 13 yrs old, attractive head of the correct proportions, dark round eye with soft, intelligent expression, correct mouth and dentition, long clean neck into well laid shoulders, depth of chest and spring of rib and strong topline, tail set on correctly, in fabulous coat and set down to perfection, on the move she was effortless, covering the ground with ease and moving like a dog a fraction of her age, a huge credit to her owner, I thought her quite lovely 2. Barham’s Kenwardgold Minnie Me VW, Pointer L/W 10 yrs old, looks lovely in profile, good head of correct proportions and the required slight concaved muzzle, long muscular neck into good shoulders, enough depth of chest but lacking a little infill in front, correct oval bone to legs & super feet, well angulated hindquarters with well let down hocks, she moved very soundly using her tail 3. Welford’s Othamcourt Penny Lane to Ankari, Lab – 13 yrs

Best in Show

Was delighted to have a full group with the exception of the Labrador & the Irish Setter, I shortlisted the Bracco, Flatcoat, GSP, ESS, IRW, Field, Spinone, and the Sussex for further consideration

BIS: Blay’s Sh Ch Barleyarch Skye at Longbarrow ShCM, GSP also BVIS, see above for full critique. In the BIS line-up I felt she switched it up a gear again and commanded the ring, was delighted to award her BIS to go with the BVIS award I gave earlier in the day.

RBIS: Wallington’s Sh Ch/Int/Multi Ch Nicael Blue Diamond among Ohanava VW, Hungarian Vizsla B, it was a day for the veterans taking top spot today, this girl, like the BIS she is 8 years old, being my own breed I think you are always harder on them at this level and today this girl was the best I’ve seen her and deserved her place, attractive head with dark eye, correct front assembly, strong topline to correct tailset which was carried level off her back on the move, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks, straight front legs with a slightly sloping pastern, she moved round the ring with drive and deserved RBIS

BIS3: Beecham’s Sh Ch Crumbledor Albus Dumbledor at Rydonmist 4.5Y Sussex Spaniel, I awarded this lad BIS3 just over a year ago and he has since gone on to gain his title, his handsome, masculine head is broad and balanced, dark eye with well fitting eyelids, his long, strong neck flows into strong topline down to a low-set tail which is all held on the move, correctly angulated fore & aft with well padded round feet, his rich golden liver coat gleamed in the sun, with his typical rolling action he covered the ground with ease on the move

BIS4: Bowen’s Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW KCWGC 2.5Y FCR who impressed from all angles, super head & expression, strong neck into well-laid shoulders, good forechest and depth, a well-balanced young dog with a short loin, well-muscled hindquarters, in super glowing, well feathered black coat, strong topline & correctly set tail which he used well on the move which was sound and true, a dog that looks like he’d be just as happy doing a days work as being in the showring

Best Puppy in Show

Again, an almost full group to choose from and some very promising puppies, I shortlisted the Spinone, Pointer, Flatcoat, Clumber, Cocker, Field, IWS and the Springer for further consideration

BPIS: Sainsbury’s Elskerwoo Cloudy Skies, Clumber Spaniel, 10M B, what a cracking puppy this is, one of the nicest Clumbers I’ve judged, well made all through with good length of leg which are strongly boned, down to lovely tight feet, large, square, clean head with dark eye and tight eyelids, well set ears, long, strong neck into super front assembly, good depth of chest, well sprung ribs and excellent forechest, low hocks and well bent stifles propelled her round the ring with ease, very together for a youngster, she was pushed all the way by the RBPIS but was just slightly more together which clinched it in the final run off, good luck with her in the future

RBPIS: Beecham’s Affilato Jump with Style at Rydonmist, It. Spinone, 6.5M D, I shortlisted this boy for BIS and thought he would be my BPIS winner, well grown orange roan boy who impressed me with his overall type and construction, head just right for age with good eyebrows, moustache & beard already, strong arched neck into well laid shoulder, front legs straight down, hindquarters with well let down hocks, correct topline with slight rise over the croup, good depth and well sprung ribs, his movement was good coming and going and in profile he has super reach and drive, just not quite as together as BPIS which was the final decision but it was very close, I’m sure he will have a very bright future

BPIS3: Walker’s Dexbenella Livin The Dream, ESS 7M L/W D, another super youngster from this breeder, everything just right at this age, lovely head & expression, strong neck, level topline to correct tailset, super angles fore & aft, coat & feathering coming along nicely, well boned legs to lovely tight feet, another good mover for a young pup

BPIS4: Griffin’s Griffial Back to Black, Cocker Spaniel, 11M black B, smart little girl who was very together, super head and dark eye, correct earset & length, strong neck well set into shoulders, good topline & tailset, well boned legs and lovely tight padded feet, correct angulation providing sound movement with that typical cockery action which is a joy to watch

Elaine Bradley (Judge)