Northern Dog Club

A special thank you to Darren Pearson, the Secretary, for inviting me to judge the whole of the Gundog group for the first time. I was looking forward to the challenge and was not disappointed with the quality or quantity of dogs entered. I was delighted to be able to judge so many champions. There were a fair number of judges and dogs absent due to the forecasted weather. However, Darren, Mark and their team managed extremely well. Thanks to Steff and John, my excellent stewards.

I decided to travel up to Middlesbrough by train from Bristol, the day before. The day, the general public were advised not to travel! It really was an experience I do not want to repeat. Initially, I treated it as an adventure, but it turned into a horror story. I finally arrived in Middlesbrough at 9.00 pm instead of the scheduled time of 2.30, visiting railway stations I had never heard of or likely to visit again!

GUNDOG GROUP

BRACCO ITALIANO

OPEN (4)

1. Bell’s Whitgun Renegade Master at Owlspoint JW. I was very impressed with this dog from the start. He has strength, power and good bone, being well balanced, giving the correct ‘noble appearance’. Almost square in shape and well-muscled. Classic distinctive, sculpted head with facial mask. Large oval eyes with soft expression. Lovely set ears of nice length. Powerful neck, with well-muscled and well laid shoulders. Strong, oval boned forelegs. Broad, deep chest with good fore chest. Muscled body, with slight tuck-up. Well ribbed back with good strong topline. Muscular, strong hindquarters, with good bend of stifle. Strong, well-arched feet. Moved with power and drive but needed a larger ring to get into a real good stride. Presented in excellent condition. BEST OF BREED.

GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER

1. Mann’s Sh Ch Elfrindew Endrick to Valger ShCEx. A very worthy mature champion, giving a noble appearance, showing power and endurance, with good shape and outline. Correct shaped masculine head, with nice dark eyes, giving a bright and intelligent expression. Clean muscular, slightly arched neck and good lay of shoulders. Straight, lean forelegs, sufficiently muscled. Deep chest well developed fore chest and well sprung ribs. Strong, well-muscled hindquarters with well bent stifles. Excellent bone, super substance with a correct topline and in excellent coat. I felt on the day; he did not handle the floor conditions well. He was a super looking dog. BEST OF BREED.

IRISH SETTER

POST GRADUATE (5)

1. Sloane’s Ferasheen Pop the Champers JW. Won on movement and super outline. Very feminine, racy and a good example of the breed. Correct long and lean feminine head, with oval skull. Dark eyes with intelligent expression. Correct ear set. Very good neck, well laid shoulders, deep chest, good fore chest, well sprung body and firm, straight topline. Correctly shaped hindquarters, aiding free flowing movement and drive from the rear. Good stride from the front creating perfect co-ordination. Presented in superb coat and condition. BEST OF BREED.

2. Wheeldon’s Quensha Fine and Dandy at Colemist. Still a very raw puppy dog that needs to develop and body up in his large frame. I hope he will look so different when he becomes a junior as he has real promise. He has a lovely outline, showing off a deep chest and good fore chest. Correctly shaped head. Good arched and tight oval feet. Moved well, but a larger ring would have suited him better. BEST PUPPY.

3. Simmons’ Scokira Starry Night.

4. Scott’s Scokira Emerald Dream.

5. Weatherilt’s Cherrorvale Dublin Bay.

POINTER

POST GRADUATE (1)

1. Bell’s Brent Deville’s Advocate at Owlspoint (AI). A very nice type, well grown with a lovely flowing body. Unfortunately, he did not show himself off on the day. He is of the correct size and substance. I hope he develops well with age. He has a good head with a well-defined stop, good width of skull and pronounced occipital bone. Ears are well set and of the correct size and shape. Strong neck flowing into good layback of shoulders. Well sprung ribs. Well-muscled hindquarters and well-turned stifles, producing smooth movement, covering plenty of ground. Well knitted oval feet with arched toes. BEST OF BREED.

RETRIEVER (GOLDEN)

PUPPY (3)

Two very nice puppies.

1. Foster’s Auristela Singing Hinnie JW. I really fell for this lovely bitch puppy. To have earned her JW at such a young age, she must have done a lot of winning! Her movement was the deciding factor. She was so balanced and well-constructed, a very sound mover with a kindly expression. Lovely feminine, well-proportioned head, with broad skull and defined stop. Superb dentition. Correct neck, flowing into well laid-back shoulders. Nicely boned, straight forelegs placed well under her body. Good fore chest for age. Level topline and well sprung ribs. Muscled hindquarters and well bent stifles. Well set tail, carried correctly, of right length. Presented in super coat and condition. Handled well. A sound, positive mover, with good drive and long stride. I WAS SO DELIGHTED THAT SHE WENT RESERVE BEST PUPPY IN SHOW. BEST PUPPY.

2. Sloan & Hunter’s Palmonas Call my Bluff. A very nice puppy dog, with lots of good attributes. A masculine head, with gentle expression. Otherwise, similar to above. Similar front assembly, body and hindquarters as above. He moved very well with reach and drive; a shame his handler could not move him faster. Tail carried too high for me, which spoilt the outline when moving. Well presented in excellent coat and condition. He had lovely round, cat-like feet.

JUNIOR (3)

1. Searles’s Astleyfold Snowy Bell. She caught my eye as she entered the ring and I was not disappointed. She stood out as the best in the class, with her kindly expression. Balanced head with broad skull and defined stop. Dark brown eyes with correct dark rims. Nice length of neck with good layback of shoulders. Well boned, straight forelegs placed well under her body. Lovely fore chest and deep chest with well sprung ribs. Nicely muscled hindquarters, well bent stifles and straight hocks, well let down. Moved with good long stride. Presented in excellent coat and condition, handled well. A very pale coat colour. She is well named! BEST OF BREED.

2. Price’s Jomiagan Storm Warning. A good all-round type, that appeared shorter in body. Nice, masculine head of good shape and proportion, with kindly expression. Great front angulation, with deep chest and nice fore chest. Level topline and super bone. Good hindquarters. Round, cat-like feet. Moved well. I would have preferred a flatter, wavier coat, not so woolly. Perhaps some puppy coat still there.

3. Phillips’ Kenleap Amazing Apple.

POST GRADUATE (7)

1. Williams’ Lamhryn Star of the Sea JW. Another very nice bitch, with a lovely balanced outline. Appealing head, with broad skull, well defined stop, well set ears and dark eyes with excellent pigmentation. Strong neck, leading into super forequarters, placing legs well under body. Lovely length of back, level topline, with short loin and quality bone. Muscular hindquarters with well bent stifles and good hocks. Well set tail, carried correctly. A very good powerful mover. Really nice, correct coat, to finish the picture.

2. Price’s Jomiagan Festival Fantasy. A different type and appeared shorter in body, but a nice all round bitch. Well-proportioned feminine head, with dark pigment and dark brown eyes, giving a happy expression. Strong muscular neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Deep chest and good fore chest. Straight, well boned fore legs. Strong topline. Well-muscled hindquarters and well bent stifles. Moved well when settled. Coat appeared quite hard of a good colour.

3. Phillips’ Kenleap Amazing Apple.

OPEN (3)

1. Williams’ Auristela Lady Luck at Lamhryn. The mother of my Post Graduate winner. A 5-year-old bitch, just carrying a bit more weight than ideal, resulting in her looking stuffy and shorter in back, which is a shame. She has an appealing head of correct shape and proportions. Dark eyes and eye rims, giving kindly expression. Well pigmented nose. Strong neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Straight forelegs of quality bone. Lovely fore chest. Well-muscled body with ribs carried well back and level topline. Well bent stifles. Good tail set and carried level with back. Round, cat-like feet. Presented in lovely condition and coat.

RETRIEVER (LABRADOR)

JUNIOR (2)

2. Smith’s Binnaig Sea Barnacle on Flyenpyg. A 10-month-old, rather ‘naughty boy’ of overall good breed type and typical lovely temperament. Good head with broad skull and defined stop. Correct eye shape and colour, giving soft expression. Ears set correctly, rather far back. Good strong, powerful neck. Shoulders long and sloping. Forelegs well boned and straight. Chest of good width and depth. Good bone and compact feet. Level topline, well barreled ribs, short loin and excellent ‘otter’ tail, continually wagging. Good hind quarters with well let down hocks. Moved well when settled. BEST OF BREED & BEST PUPPY.

POST GRADUATE (4)

1. Smith’s Binnaig Sea Barnacle on Flyenpyg. AS ABOVE.

SPANIEL (AMERICAN COCKER)

POST GRADUATE (2)

Two super American Cokers, hard to choose between them, being brother and sister.

2. Morris’ Mycalleys Sirocco JW. A lovely looking dog, presented to perfection. Typical breed outline that flows from nose to tail. Handsome, well-proportioned head, with well developed, rounded skull. Round eyeballs, giving a soft, intelligent expression. Lobular ears, set correctly. Muscular neck. Correct shoulders and straight, well boned fore legs. Ratio of height at withers to set of tail correct. Deep chest, well sprung ribs and short couplings. Correct slightly sloping topline. Well set tail. Moved very well, covering the ground with ease. In good coat supported by excellent undercoat.

OPEN (1)

1. Morris & Jefferson’s Mycalley Koko JW. She has all the attributes of her brother and more, just having the edge over him. What a lovely pair! She has the most divine of heads and the most melting of intelligent expressions. A wonderful dark eye, a superb, refined back-skull and an excellent plush muzzle with a perfect bite. Her long, slightly arched neck flows into the smoothest of well-laid shoulders which is matched with a long and well-angulated upper arm. Her outline is balanced, she has real depth to her brisket, is well-ribbed, having a firm, short loin, with an excellent tail and tail-set. Appeared shorter in back, giving the look of a compact, sturdy body. Her rear quarters are well-muscled, with her angulation corresponding to her front assembly. This allowed her to really reach out in front and to drive from behind, showing the tight black pads of her compact feet. Both dogs had the ‘merry tail’ action. BEST OF BREED.

SPANIEL (COCKER)

Thank you for the entry, all present except one.

POST GRADUATE (7)

1. Terry’s Shaggylands Midnight Train. Still a puppy, well developed for his age, showing lots of promise. Super outline, showing off a compact shape, lovely to go over, everything just flowed. Well-proportioned masculine head, with skull well developed. Well-constructed front, strong, compact body, with level topline, ribs nicely sprung to short loin. He has adequate depth and width all through. Moved sound both ways and in profile. Covered the ground extremely well with plenty of drive. A true merry cocker. BEST PUPPY.

2. Proudler’s Kimapa Kwackers Kalon. This dog has similar attributes, just a little older. He has a very pretty coloured coat. An impressive head, square muzzle, intelligent eyes and well-placed ears. Correct neck and shoulders. Body with ideal width of chest and impressive rib cage. Hindquarters well rounded and muscled with lovely turn of stifle. Moved very well. Tight feet. Very merry on the move and stack I felt on the day the above dog had a better topline. Another to watch for the future.

3. Dolan’s Snowgate Shine On.

4. Davies’ Annaside’s Star Turn.

5. Cox’s Kimapa Kwackers Kor.

OPEN (4)

1. Cox’s Kimapa Kune Kinch. Won on topline and tail set. Well balanced and compact. Pretty head, with square muzzle and distinct stop and well-developed skull. Lobular ears, well set. Moderate length of neck, good depth of chest, sloping shoulders and well boned fore legs. Strong, compact body. Good spring of ribs and level topline. Well rounded, muscled hindquarters with good bend of stifles. Nice cat-like feet. Super tail set, flowing and extending from the backbone. Moved very well, with great drive from the rear. Presented in excellent coat and condition. A true merry Coker. BEST OF BREED.

2. Proudler’s Kimapa Kwackers Kwtch. Litter sister to 2nd in the previous class, with very similar qualities and taking 2nd for the same reason. Another with a very pretty colour and very nice all over. Good well-proportioned feminine head with correct lobular ears, set low. Good bone and tight feet. Compact body, well ribbed. Wide, well-rounded hindquarters. Moved out well with good tail action.

3. Terry’s Shaggylands Don’t Look Back.

SPANIEL (ENGLISH SPRINGER)

OPEN (3)

Both lovely examples of the breed.

1. Calvert’s Calvdale With Respect JW. I felt this dog really ‘ filled the picture’ for me, everything just flowed! Symmetrically built, balanced and compact. He has a pleasing head and kind expression. Lobular ears of good length and width. Good length of neck flowing into well-laid shoulders with nice bone throughout Superb front assembly, with forelegs swinging straight forward from the shoulders, throwing feet well forward in an easy free manner. Strong topline, well ribbed back and balanced, strong hind quarters, with stifles moderately bent. In super condition. Nice tight, compact feet. Moved very well with long front strides and hocks driving well under body. So stylish! Presented beautifully. BEST OF BREED.

2. Darling’s Elazlan Billy Kimber. An older dog of superb quality. Shown in full coat and excellent condition. An attractive, well-balanced, masculine head, well set almond eyes giving kind expression. Elegant neck with well-laid shoulders and good depth of chest. Well ribbed with a good topline and well-set tail. Compact feet. Moved very well with drive. I just thought on the day, the above dog had a longer front stride. Well boned, with good muscle tone.

SPANIEL (SUSSEX)

OPEN (1)

1. Mowbray’s Sh Ch Gainsmill Lilly Luna Potter at Crumbledor. A very worthy champion, but unfortunately, did not shine today. Lovely colouring, with body, eyes and nose matching so well. Strongly built, with good ‘Sussex’ balanced outline. Correct well-balanced feminine head, with slightly rounded wide skull and pronounced stop. Frowning brows and well-developed nostrils. Good length of neck into well placed shoulders. Deep chest and short well-boned, muscled fore legs, ending with round feet. Well-muscled hindquarters. Not moving at her best today and no undercoat. BEST OF BREED.

SPANIEL (WELSH SPRINGER)

Thank you for showing such wonderful specimens, from the young to the old!

POST GRADUATE (3)

Three lovely puppies.

1. Chandler’s Chanangel White Rose. A very smart puppy bitch who is almost 12 months old. Symmetrical and compact, but not leggy. She has so much breed type with a very typical head. Slightly domed skull of proportionate length and clearly defined stop. Lovely warm hazel eyes. Good ears of correct size and shape. Long, muscular neck, flowing beautifully into sloping shoulders. Muscled body with well sprung ribs and well coupled. Strong and muscular hindquarters, moderate angulation, parallel hocks and good tailset. The best mover in the class. She moved smoothly with great power and drive from the rear. Super colour and silky textured coat. Beautifully presented. BEST PUPPY.

2. Jackson, Ritchie & Jackson’s Slapestones Dominco. Exactly the same comments about this quality puppy dog. I see he is by my BOB and Veteran winner. Inheriting so many of his father’s breed qualities. No point in repeating it all again, but he must have a very bright future following in his father’s footsteps. On the day, I had to decide between all three puppies. I thought my 1st place appeared to have a better flow of neck into shoulders, but it really was ‘splitting hairs’!

3. Graham’s Slapestones Catoca. Sister to the above and another super puppy.

OPEN (3)

1. Ritchie & Butler’s Sh Ch Slapestone’s Diamond Mine JW. My find of the day for me. I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him. I would have liked to have taken him home with me. Such a natural showman. He knows how good he is, obviously loves showing and shows himself off to the full. I was disappointed he did not progress further in the ‘big ring’ because he looked gorgeous. He is so well-made with a body so conditioned and hard. So fit and muscled for a Veteran. Beautifully presented with lovely feathering. A very worthy champion, who I see has done a lot of winning. I do not see much point in saying much more. In my mind, he is wonderful and as near perfect to the breed standard as possible. Very well handled, working well together. BEST OF BREED.

2. Graham’s Aindrea Harleyquinn. Another Veteran of very high quality, but the dog just had that little bit extra! A well-balanced bitch and a lot to like about her. Good head with slightly domed well-proportioned skull, defined stop and nice eyes. Correct length of neck flowing into sloping shoulders. Good topline which she held on the move. Very good hindquarters with firm hocks. Moved very well, covering the ground with ease. Presented in good coat and condition.

3. Chandler’s Sh Ch Chanangel Jo Sugden JW ShCEx OSW. Another excellent specimen.

WEIMARANER

JUNIOR (2)

1. Balmer’s Trapaaleba Carrera. Quite a fine bitch, but sufficient bone, may be a slow maturer. Well-proportioned, moderately long head, with moderate stop and rather prominent occipital bone. Long, lobular ears, set high. Good reach of neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Well developed, deep chest and good forechest. Nice topline and spring of ribs. Moderately angulated hindquarters with well-turned stifles. Moved well.

POST GRADUATE (3)

1. Balmer’s Trapaleba Dior. Sister to the above with similar attributes. She presented a very nice outline with good balance. Well-proportioned, moderately long head, correct stop and rather prominent occipital bone. Long, lobular ears, set high. Good reach of neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Well developed, deep chest. Good topline and sprung ribs. Moderately angulated hindquarters with well-turned stifles. Firm topline and finish. Moved true and effortlessly to take top honours. BEST OF BREED.

OPEN (2)

1. Balmer’s Mabanika Omega. Mother of the other two Weimaraners, who unfortunately has lost her figure a bit, but has produced some good offspring. She has very good lines and balance. A true aristocratic head of good proportions, moderately long with correct stop and nice round eyes. Good layback of shoulder. Nice deep chest and good fore chest. Correct length of body and level topline with well-turned stifles. Moved very well and smoothly.

ANY VARIETY NOT SEPARATELY CLASSIFIED GUNDOG

PUPPY (3)

1. Gammon’s Hungarian Vizsla, Glenbrow Opera D’Arte. Just 6 months old, so very young and a bit apprehensive, showing much promise but very much a baby at the moment. Attractive feminine head, with skull a little longer than muzzle. Correct eye shape and stop. Ears moderately low set. Super scissor bite and the desired full dentition. Balanced outline, with strong neck and well-laid shoulders. Firm topline and ribbing carried well back. Chest moderately broad and deep with prominent breastbone. Strong hindquarters with moderate turn of stifle. Stands on rounded cat-like feet. Moved OK when settled. BEST A.V.N.S.C. PUPPY.

JUNIOR (1)

1. Gammon’s Hungarian Vizsla, Glenbrows Reminiscent. Another young bitch, who has a balanced outline, lovely shape with good bone and body proportions. Feminine head with moderate stop. Lovely expressive eyes and moderately low set ears. Full dentition and correct scissor bite. Muscular neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Nice deep chest. Level back, good spring of ribs and short loin. Good hindquarters with moderate angulation and hocks well let down. Moved well. Nicely balanced and presents a nice picture when stacked. Good legs and feet. BEST A.V.N.S.C.

GUNDOG GROUP

BEST GUNDOG:- Bell’s Bracco Italiano, Whitgun Renegade Master at Owlspoint JW.

RESERVE BEST GUNDOG:- Morris & Jefferson’s Spaniel (American), Mycalley Koko JW.

GROUP THREE:- Calvert’s Spaniel (English Springer), Calvdale With Respect JW.

GROUP FOUR:- Cox’s Spaniel (Cocker), Kimapa Kune Kinch.

GUNDOG PUPPY GROUP

BEST GUNDOG PUPPY:- Foster’s Retriever (Golden), Auristela Singing Hinnie JW.

RESERVE BEST GUNDOG PUPPY:- Chandler’s Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Chanangel White Rose.

PUPPY GROUP THREE:- Smith’s Retriever (Labrador), Binnaig Sea Barnacle on Flyenpyg.

PUPPY GROUP FOUR:- Terry’s Spaniel (Coker), Shaggylands Midnight Train.

ANY VARIETY GUNDOG

PUPPY (14)

1. Sloan & Hunter’s Retriever (Golden), Palmonas Call my Bluff. AS ABOVE.

2. Jackson, Ritchie & Jackson’s Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Slapestones Dominco. AS ABOVE.

3. Gammon’s Hungarian Vizla, Martgarian Zantara.

4. Simmons’ Irish Setter, Scokira Starry Night.

5. Graham’s Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Slapestones Catoca.

JUNIOR (7)

1. Proudler’s Spaniel (Cocker). Kimapa Kwackers Kalon. AS ABOVE.

2. Searles’s Golden Retriever, Astleyfold Snowy Bell. AS ABOVE.

3. Dolan’s Spaniel (Coker), Snowgate Shine On.

4. Balmer’s Weimaraner, Trapaaleba Carrera.

OPEN (6)

1. Balmer’s Weimaraner, Mabanika Omega. AS ABOVE.

2. Proudler’s Spaniel (Coker), Kimapa Kwarta Korki. Lovely, outgoing, gay Coker bitch. Good head, with square muzzle and distinct stop. Good eyes with expression and low set ears. Moderate reach of neck. Well sprung ribs and level topline. Good tail carriage. Moved well with typical cocker temperament.

VETERAN (5)

1. Ritchie & Butler’s Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Sh Ch Slapestone’s Diamond Mine JW. AS ABOVE.

2. Smith’s Retriever (Labrador), Flyenpyg Snout Like It VW. A super ‘old lady’ of nearly 11 years old. A typical Labrador, strongly built, carrying a bit more weight than ideal, but a super shape for her age. Broad and strong over her loins and hindquarters. Very good feminine head, with broad skull and defined stop. Good, dark eyes, with intelligence expression and ears set rather far back. Strong, powerful neck. Good hindquarters, with well-turned stifles. Presented in hard condition. Very good movement, covering the ground. Reaching out in front and power from the rear.

3. Graham’s Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Aindrea Harleyquinn. Also, a very nice Veteran.

HANDLING CLASSES

These were all of a very high standard and it was hard for me to decide on some of the placings. All very nicely dressed. Smart, but not over the top!

JUNIOR HANDLING ASSOCIATION 11 YEARS

1. Amelia Richardson. This was really an excellent performance. I altered a foot and she noticed it. A perfect up and down. When doing the triangle, she ensured there was no shadowing. I moved and she swapped sides with the dog.

2. Daphne Bryson. Another very good effort, doing most things correctly, but she missed I moved the dog’s foot on the table and did not correct it.

3. Bethany Cannon. She did most things correctly, but did not swap sides when I moved. Her dog was rather too big for her to handle well.

4. Paige Hooley.

5. Arthur Bartlett-Middleton.

12-16 YEARS

1. Sophia Scott. Very nicely dressed. When I moved the dog’s foot, she moved it back. On occasions, she did come between me and the dog.

2. Darcy Boden. She was wearing jeans, which is not ideal. She also stood between me and the dog. I am not sure whether she was really keen on taking part.

YKC MEMBERS’ HANDLING

6-11 YEARS

1. Daphne Bryson. She did everything correctly and was rewarded with first prize.

2. Amelia Richardson. Unfortunately, she forgot to swap hands when I moved, resulting in her dropping a place.

3. Bethany Cannon. Same performance as before.

4. Arthur Bartlett-Middleton.

5. Paige Hooley.

12-17 YEARS

1. Scarlett Costello. It was difficult to move the dog’s feet on the table as it kept moving. She was very attentive to my moves, changing sides when going up and down when I moved. She also ensuring I had full view of her dog at all times.

2. Darcy Boden. She improved from the first time. Changing sides when going up and down when I moved. Also ensuring I had full view of her dog at all times.

3. Sophia Scott.

4. Isabel Rochester.

18-24 YEARS

1. Eryn Williams. Misheard my instructions to do a triangle and joined on the end. Shadowing was OK and changed sides when I moved.

2. Ashley Sutton. Did not change sides when I moved. Shadowing was OK.

Felicity A. Snook

JUDGE