Turriff District Agricultural Association

Turriff District Agricultural Association

Open Show 3 August 2025

Judge: Jenny Campbell (RONEVORG)

Thank you to all the Show Committee for inviting me to judge Best In Show, the Gundog Group and all gundog breed classes, and several other Any Varieties at your wonderful show. Originally a one-day show, Turriff Show (north of Aberdeen) has been in existence since 1864, and is now the largest two-day show in Scotland attracting 24,000 visitors. Thank you to my ring stewards Scott and Tina Williamson who were excellent, battling the inclement weather for the first 2 hours before the sunshine thankfully appeared. Thank you to all the exhibitors who gave me a quality entry of over 280 dogs.

Best In Show

What an honour it was to judge Best In Show, and what a super quality line-up. In my winners I was looking for the dogs that excelled in movement and ring presence. When all the group winners entered the ring, my eye was immediately drawn to the Newfoundland and I thought ‘wow, I love him!’. I was not disappointed when I went over him.

BIS Duff’s Titanbears Excommunicado JW IR JUN CH SHCEX OSW Newfoundland, caught my eye as he entered the ring, so powerful and majestic with a wonderful flat but dense coat. He had lovely large broad head and deep body, super laid back shoulders and was well boned. Just 2 years old he is powerful and muscular and yet moved around the ring with good reach and drive. What a picture.

RBIS Crawford’s CH Mistyholly More Magic For Louiston Australian Shepherd & RBSVIS, hard to believe she is almost 9 years old, so beautiful with a “and I know it” confident attitude. Dense coat, well balanced, good tuck up, intelligent expression, flowed around the ring.

Best Special Minor Puppy In Show Calder’s Glenrioch Toorie Bunnet Golden Retriever, beautiful pale bitch so balanced with a feminine head and soft expression, good forechest, level topline, excellent width of thigh, moved around the ring with an easy free stride.

Reserve Best Special Minor Puppy In Show Hamilton’s Headscrook Heavenly Dancer Skye Terrier, pretty dark grey bitch, good length of coat, long neck into long, low level back, strong rear quarters, moved fluidly around the ring.

Best Special Puppy In Show Kempton’s Borderbrook Final Destiny Border Collie, very smart well-proportioned black and white girl, very alert and responsive to her handler, good deep chest and muscular loin, moved freely around the ring.

Reserve Best Special Puppy In Show Brindle’s Ordhaway Sun Dance Girl Cocker Spaniel, pale gold girl, what a cracker, so classy, beautifully proportioned head with kind dark eye, lovely front, nice overall balance, excellent round feet, good bone moved merrily and confidently around the ring.

Best Special Veteran In Show Hunter & Worthington’s Worthysway Lady In Red, Akita, impressively smart girl, powerful and alert, well boned, wide chest and deep brisket, strong muscular hindquarters, well knuckled feet, moved positively on a good stride around the ring.

Gundog Group

I was really pleased with my line up from the breed classes, super quality. In my winners I was looking for the dogs that continued to demonstrate attitude and driving, true movement. In addition to the winners I shortlisted the Flatcoated Retriever, Golden Retriever, and the German Shorthaired Pointer.

Group 1 Fraser’s Droveborough’s Follow Me At Frenetbull Pointer, had stood alone in her breed classes but my notes say very impressive black and white boy, noble head, stood over the ground really well, long muscular neck, good chest and spring of rib, nice topline, very powerful, moved fore and aft really well and powered around the ring, handled really well - one to watch for the group. He continued to put in his best performance in the Group and was very deserving of this win.

2. Angus’ Calmerell Gie It Laldy Hungarian Vizsla good breed type, balance and substance with a pretty head, intelligent expression, lovely wide front and great lay back of shoulder, moved really beautifully coming and going and around the ring.

3. Sinclair’s Chataway Dress Tartan at Duclarus JW SHCEX OSW Cocker won a nice Open breed class and continued to give of her best in the Group very polished girl in excellent condition, beautiful shiny coat, lovely overall balance, excellent layback of shoulder, good width of chest, good spring of rib, really good bone, confident and very stylish on the move, moved away true fore and aft, really enjoyed watching her.

4. Logan/Robertson’s Kenoula Big Spender American Cocker, 14m old male won his AV class on attitude and positivity, the young handler showed him extremely well, had such style as he went around the ring, lovely masculine head with long lobular ears, intelligent expression, good bone, compact feet, an abundance of coat, very well groomed and was covered the ground well going around the ring

SPANIEL(COCKER)

Loved my quality entry of cockers.

Junior (5,2)

1.Flowers’ Totenkopf Dutch Devotion 14 month old dog, class headed by 2 black boys, really liked them both, very similar, typical cocker head, square muzzle, sweet dark expression, good forechest, good width of chest, nice spring of rib into short loin, well rounded rump, excellent bone, in good coat and moved positively

2. Lawrie’s Inverella Hugo Boss 13 month old dog also a lovely head and expression, compact body, lovely shape and balance, excellent bone, loved his attitude and merry movement, just a little bit out of coat today

Post Graduate (2,1)

1. Lawrie’s Inverella Tiny Toes,19 month old bitch, stood alone, very sweet expression, dark eyes, presented beautifully, lovely black gleaming coat, good layback of shoulder and good depth of chest, lovely return of upper arm, nice spring of rib, short loin, lovely happy cocker merry movement

Limit (3,0)

1. Flowers’ Totenkopf Driving Me Crazy, black and tan boy, liked them both, 1st just won over 2nd as I felt he had slightly more substance, confidence and finish. Beautiful markings, very nice masculine head, good bite, lovely wide chest and good bone, really good rib to loin, liked his bend of stifle, good body tone, carried himself well with confidence when moving

2. Lawrie’s Totenkopf Dancin On Ceiling, orange roan dog, flat silky coat, not quite as confident as 1. but another from this kennel whose movement I liked epitomising the merry cocker. Good head, noted a slight haw in his eyelids, long low-set ears, bite OK, good shoulders and rib/loin, nice overall balance, round feet.

Open (6,2)

1. Sinclair’s Chataway Dress Tartan at Duclarus JW SHCEX OSW bitch BOB & Gundog Group 3

2. Barry’s Kenwad Katarina at Lindalloch, sweet blue roan bitch, sweet expression dark eye, good dentition, well laid back shoulders, good front angulation, nice bone, merry confident mover, in good coat

RETRIEVER (GOLDEN)

Rear movement (too close) was a feature in these classes.

Junior (3,1)

1. Warden’s Holin Eurastar at Glentochty dog 11 month old pale boy, masculine head, well chiselled, strong neck, dark eyes, good bone, moderate return of upper arm, short- coupled, round feet, moved a little close in rear today.

2. Moir’s Glenrioch Out Of Bounds, 9 month old bitch, feminine head, soft expression, short neck, level topline, slightly longer loin, also moved not so true today, maturity will strengthen.

Post Graduate (4,0)

1. Saunderson’s Drumkilty Rebel Song For Crobeag clear class winner for me, light shaded bitch, well moulded head although would prefer slightly more feminine, beautifully balanced, lovely front, deep chest excellent shape and substance, nice bend of stifle, round strong bone, good second thigh, nice tight round feet, well muscled, presented well, showed and moved with confidence although as with others this one was also a little close in rear today

2. Finnie’s Thistleyhill Elderflower, dark golden girl, a little longer cast, had a good front on her, nice kind head, carried herself well around the ring, appropriate bend of stifle, adequate bone, also moved close in rear but moved well around the ring compared to the rest of the class

Limit (4,2)

1. Warden’s Holinbrae Zoom Time at Glentochty, BOB dark golden boy won the class on more accurate rear movement and better overall shape and balance, good strong front and forechest and width of chest, nice masculine head and good strong neck into well laid back shoulders, good topline, nice spring of rib into short loin, nice bend of stifle, moved reasonably well, the most accurate in rear. Short-listed him in the Gundog Group.

2. Saunderson’s Moloko Izipizi At Crobeag, light golden pretty bitch front ok, a little longer cast and also a little flat in her front pasterns, slightly timid today, moved OK

Open (3,2)

1. Warden’s Noblemoon Tak The High Road To Glentochty, stood alone, lovely masculine head, good layback of shoulder, a little upright in upper arm, nice spring of rib into good loin, moderate bend of stifle, nice tight round feet, great bone, lots of substance and power to him and moved well around the ring, moved accurately in rear

RETRIEVER (FLAT COATED)

Post Graduate (5,2)

1. Thomson’s Llantrussa Winter Dreams at Badcall, elegant girl with feminine head, would prefer slightly darker eye, lovely neck into good layback of shoulder, good front, enough bone, nice bend of stifle, a little long in loin, lovely coat and finish on her, moved well in profile although carrying her tail a little high today, going away was a little close in rear

2. Mackessack-Leitch Badcall Midwinter Dream At Inchstellie only 13 months so she can be forgiven for giving her handler a challenging time, pretty head with nice dark eye, would like more length of neck, good shape and balance, moved well once settled but on the final stack her youthful naughtiness was back!

Open (6,1)

1. Macpherson’s Rachanmill Columbo BOB close between 1 and 2 but loved this boy as soon as he went round on the first round, such a powerful typical flatcoat movement around the ring, he also looked great in profile with a good forechest and lay back of shoulder, good bone, good bend of stifle, in really good coat, head ok, would prefer tighter eye won the class for driving action and ring presence. Short-listed him in the Gundog Group.

2. Thomson’s Caci’s The Dream Catcher Badcall bitch carrying a little extra weight just now which makes her front a little heavy, liked her pretty head and dark eye, another good front, nice bone and tight feet, well laid back shoulders, good bend of stifle, showed herself well, happy and wagging and in very good coat and condition.

GORDON SETTER

Just one class and quite a mix with a puppy and an older bitch and dog. Puppy was lovely but placed 3rd as she wasn’t keen to let me go over her today.

Open(3,0)

1. Munro’s Panthera Bad Medicine Dulmaur (SHCEX) (IMP POL) BOB bitch a bit more finished and in good coat condition than the male, graceful very soft but intelligent expression and very stylish on the move carrying herself well, lovely feminine head, nice front, a lot to like about her

2. Bell Millar Bell & Sheelagh’s Balnakeil Beinn Corradail Of Blairbellles male powered around the ring, looked well and very regal on the last move around, liked his masculine head, strong balanced frame, almost my class winner, well coated up but not the coat condition/finish of 1. today

HUNGARIAN VIZSLA

Graduate (2,1)

1. Aranyvadasz Uccu For Kinharrachie (NAF/TAF) stood alone, very nice bitch, she has a pretty head, good overall balance, in good condition and a lot to like about her, all in proportion, lacked a little bit of concentration with her handler but moved well fore and aft.

Open (4,2)

1. Angus’ Calmerell Gie It Laldy BOB Gundog Group 2

2. Mcdonald’s Donurie’s Quiet Flows The Don (Ai) pretty 5 ½ year old bitch but did not have the substance or style of 1. Feminine head, dark eyes, lean neck, moderate angulation. Well schooled, moved OK.

POINTER

Open (1,0)

1. Fraser’s Droveborough’s Follow Me At Frenetbull BOB & Gundog G1

GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER

Open (2,0)

1. Chrystie’s Bareve Best Done Now BOB, obvious winner on the first go round super quality 6 year old male, powered around the ring, had an excellent front on him, very masculine head, good body throughout, moved true fore and aft, a lot to like about him, considered in the group

2. Zajac’s Brego Borowy Gaj much younger at 18 months, wasn’t quite as certain of himself, masculine head, a bit straight in front, good body, moderate rear angulation, movement away was not very accurate today.

GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER

Open (4,2)

1. Angus’ Edelmidpoint Native River Through Calmerell BOB, male, clear to me on the first stack that this boy had more presence and better profile than 2. Compact in body, good front, nice head, dark eye, good dentition, powered around the ring very well, very fit condition, a lot to like about him. Short-listed him in the Gundog Group.

2. Linridge’s Amidala Aruba Ariba, female, more uncertain of herself, kept her long tail between her legs despite handler coaxing, pretty head, adequate front, longer cast, not showing her best today.

WEIMARANER

Nice class of 8 which I short cut to 4.

Open (12, 4,)

1. Dunherl’s Loch Coruisk BOB, my clear winner as I went through the class, beautiful bitch, very elegant, so balanced, very well handled, she has a beautiful kind head and good bone, I really liked her lay back of shoulder, she moved so gracefully and accurately around the ring.

2. Maclaine’s Greyspirit Rock Star From Hantzburg JW SHCEX OSW VW taller male but a lot to like about him, good male head, not quite as strong in front as the female, good muscle and body condition, was accurate coming towards and also in the rear which 3rd and 4th weren’t.

IRISH SETTER

Open (1,0)

1. Tillett’s Finniche Love Is On The Line BOB, stood alone, pretty bitch, a lot to like about her, racy and balanced, very pretty head with dark hazel eyes, headshape long and lean , deep chest, in lovely coat, her movement was erratic at first, a little over keen to move, but coming back towards me she looked superb and once she got into her stride around the ring she also looked really lovely, her handler struggling to keep up with her!

RETRIEVER (LABRADOR)

Junior (5,1)

To the puppies in this class…. I do fear for the breed to see so much weight on ones so young.

1. Mckittrick’s Millie’s Vanilla Skye – not too heavy! Lovely 13-month old chocolate bitch who moved with the most confidence and poise, she has got a lovely head, a good bite and nice bone, level topline and nice spring of rib, very attentive to her owner, moved well fore and aft

2. Thomson’s Strathhunker Caring Cupid almost 8 month old bitch, a little heavy in head for me for a bitch and carrying plenty of puppy fat. Well balanced and good bone, strong quarters, covered the ground well.

Post Graduate (6,2)

1. Bickerstaffe’s Exelby Grouse, yellow this boy won on his most accurate rear movement, good width to him, liked his overall balance and profile and everything in proportion, nice kind head and expression, lovely brown eyes, happy disposition, level tail, good bone, nice round feet, moved well, liked his weight

2. Gunn’s Exelby Finch black close between 2nd and 3rd but both moved close in rear, this boy for me has slightly too strong a head albeit masculine, lovely balance, good depth of chest, nice rib to loin, strong rear quarters moved well in profile.

Limit (4,1)

2 nice yellow bitch entries here which pushed my winner of PG into 3rd.

1. Gunn’s Exelby Elizabeth BOB these 2 girls were both very nice, I just chose 1 over 2 for her slightly more feminine head otherwise they were both nice although both moved slightly close in rear for me today, this girl was a bit cleaner through the neck and marginally leaner in body than 2, dark eyes, good front, good bone, level topline, kept tail nice and level, a lot to like, covered the ground well

2. Thomson’s Strathhunker Gabrielle very similar comments to 1 apply, this girl just slightly heavier, also liked, close decision.

Open (3,2)

1. Simpson’s Strathlana Black Jasper, 3rd in Post Graduate after moving very close in rear and looking a little heavy but he stands over the ground really well, has a very masculine head, short body, moderate angulation, tail carried level, strong topline.

ANY VARIETY GUNDOG NSC

Junior (2,0)

1. Logan/Robertson’s Kenoula Big Spender American Cocker BOB & Gundog Group 4

2. Tillett’s Glory Road Fan’t Detica (IMP NED) Welsh Springer Spaniel 16 month old male a little bit shy today and not co-operating with his owner. Smart outline, rich red and white coat, a little bit long cast for me, proportionate head, long neck, straight forelegs, nice rear angulation, tail well set on, movement will improve with maturity and confidence.

Post Graduate (4,3)

1. Garden’s Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Csovarberki Ravasz Amid Leiborschy stood alone 4 year old bitch, good square head, level bite, well laid shoulders, straight forelegs, upright pasterns, rather erratic on the move today.

Open (3,1)

1. Duncan’s Diggmere Tiger Swallowtail JW Italian Spinone male, I liked both in this class I just felt this boy had a little bit more drive and positivity and a great set of shoulders, strong front, lovely level topline, wanted to drive around the ring, a bit more accurate in rear than 2, lots to like.

2. Johnston’s Wansleydale Beguiled Of Loonbrae English Setter male, lovely masculine head, potentially I think he could be a bit more masculine in body but a nice boy and a close placing, moved well in profile.

ANY VARIETY GUNDOG IMPORT REGISTER

Open (1,0)

1. Broughton’s Parkbalk Ariel Dianell Avec Brwynstep Braque D’auvergne what a lovely breed originating from France that I have not come across before, about 250 in the UK apparently. Short glossy white coat with black mottling, black head and ears. Femine head, slight haw in one eye, lovely body, elbows a little proud, good spring of rib, nice rise of underline. A lot to like about her and moved well around the ring.

ANY VARIETY GUNDOG

Minor Puppy (5,3)

1. Calder’s Glenrioch Toorie Bunnet Golden Retriever and Best Special Minor Puppy In Show

2. Moir’s Glenrioch Out Of Bounds Golden Retriever 2nd in Junior breed class

Puppy (9,6)

1. Brindle’s Ordhaway Sun Dance Girl Cocker Spaniel Reserve Best Special Puppy In Show

2. Warden’s Holin Eurastar at Glentochty – Golden Retriever 1st in Junior breed class

Junior (10, 2)

1. Thomson’s Badcall Daydreamer Flatcoated Retriever – 13 month old girl, very elegant, lots to liked about her, lovely feminine typical, nice dark eyes, would like a little more front but only young, I thought she moved so effortlessly around the ring she has a lot of potential, nice level topline, enough bone, tail straight off the back, movement in the ring won her the class

2. Lawrie’s Inverella Hugo Boss cocker spaniel 2nd in breed class

Veteran (16, 5)

1. Duncan’s Dunherl’s Loch Coruisk Weimaraner BOB in breed class

2. Tillett’s Fieldtalk’s Lady In Red JW Gordon Setter, 7 years old, everything feminine about her, in good condition, she moved with grace and positivity around the ring, she has got a very pretty head and lovely front, nice level topline, good featherings, looked well going around the ring.

Open Dog (8,5)

1. Chrystie’s Bareve Best Done Now GWP BOB

2. Maclaine’s Greyspirit Rock Star From Hantzburg JW SHCEX OSW VW – Vizla 2nd in Open breed class RBOB just pipped on movement but very close

Open Bitch (11,5)

1. Plummer & Torrie-McPherson’s Rainesgift Luaidh At Lochkander 3rd in breed Open – really came into her own in this class on movement, she has a really nice finish to her, head OK although a little light in eye and would prefer more front otherwise very balanced and went around the ring very well with a different handler on her in this class.

2. Maclaine’s Greyspirit Hopes N Dreams JW SHCEX OSW VW Weimaraner 3rd in Open breed class - very close to 1, elbows a little wide, moved well around the ring with a young handler.

ANY VARIETY

Junior (21,13)

1. Laffert’s Jimbren Legacy Lives On Through Tauralord Boxer 13 month old male – out of all this class I felt these 2 had the most ring presence, difficult to choose between the two, quite close but the boxer just had the edge, fine upstanding male, strong and powerful, noble head with dark eyes, powerful jaws and bite, arched neck into round sloping shoulders, straight forelegs with round bone, deep chest, square body, short back sloping off, well muscled, tight feet, good forward reach and driving action.

2. Somerville’s Manzart Jean Genie Dobermann 17 month old bitch, very pretty whilst also being powerful, a good balance of the two attributes. Head in balance with lean body, almond-shaped eyes, small neat ears, good dentition, long lean neck into well laid shoulders, good return of upper arm, elbows close to brisket, long well bent stifles, well arched feet, good reach and power as she went around the ring.

Post Graduate (20,12)

1. Ritchie’s Araki The Devil’s Candy JW Tibetan Terrier – just pipped the boxer from the last class on ring presence, effortless stride and power for a smaller dog, outgoing and alert. Beautifully furnished and presented. Nice head with intelligent expression. Well muscled and compact body, well bent stifles, low hocks and level topline. Large round feet.

2. Lafferty’s Jimbren Legacy Lives On Through Tauralord Boxer – 1st in AV Junior

Limit (15,0)

1. Shorten’s Thistlewings Andromeda At Bracoisla Rough Collie, this 3 ½ year old sable and white boy came into the ring like he owned it, just what you need in such a large class of varieties. He has an abundant coat, groomed to perfection. Head was a good clean wedge, expressive eyes, small neat ears, good neck into sloping shoulders, firm back rising slightly over his loins, well sprung ribs, muscular hind legs, arched toes, had a long effortlessly stride.

2. Cruickshank’s Burnvale Dazzling Diamond At Culsalmond Basset Hound also great ring presence, 4 years old liver and white bitch, full of quality, lovely domed head with beautiful eyes, ears set low and of correct length, well laid back shoulders, short powerful forelegs, long and deep body, muscular hindquarters, well knuckled up feet, smooth effortless action around the ring.

Open Dog (10,8)

1. Warden’s Noblemoon Tak The High Road To Glentochty – Golden Retriever 1st in Breed Open class

2. Thain’s Karamyst Flashlight Tibetan Terrier unplaced in AV PG. 20 month old male, profuse black and white coat, nice head and expression. Compact body with good muscle, level topline, well bent stifles, low hocks. Moved well in profile but was a little erratic in rear.

Open Bitch (19,15)

1. Winnington’s Keelmara Queens English At Fingolfin, Minature Toy Poodle, 2 year old silver bitch, bags of attitude for one so small, I really liked her as she powered around the ring. Very sweet head and expression, good bite, strong nicely laid back shoulders, deep wide chest, well sprung ribs, short back, strong thighs.

2. Cruickshank’s Wychway-Crown’s Ghillie Gins Island At Culsalmond (Imp USA) Bloodhound, almost 3 year old bitch, really impressive in the ring, so noble looking. Good balance of head to body, skull long and narrow, lovely soft ears, good scissor bite, muscular shoulders and thighs, well sprung ribs, strong knuckled feet. On the final move she was pacing a little but then she got herself together on the final run around. A lot to like, very powerful and a lot of ring presence.

Any Variety Scottish Native Breeds Open (18,14)

1. Hamilton’s Headscrook Heads Or Tails Skye Terrier, really liked this 4 years old bitch, I see she is from the same mother as my Reserve Best Special Minor Puppy, another pretty dark grey bitch, well built, nicely matured, good length of coat, good neck into a long, low level back, deep and long ribcage, strong rear quarters, moved elegantly around the ring.

2. Bell Millar Bell & Sheelagh’s Balnakeil Beinn Corradail Of Blairbellles Gordon Setter – 2nd in Breed Open

ANY VARIETY BRACE (19,17)

1. Whyte’s Cheguevar Paddington Bear At Dachienne JW & Stargang Finch Von Zilveraat-Cheguevar Tinkerbell Minature Smoothhaired Dachshunds, a perfectly matched pair of reds on a split lead who went really well around the ring, just looked like a pair of bookends. Long conical heads with intelligent expression, lovely necks into obliquely placed should blades, long well-muscled bodies, long croups slightly sloping, well muscled thighs.

2. Hamilton’s Headscrook Heads Or Tails (winner of AV Scottish Native Breeds Open) & Headscrook Heavenly Dancer (Reserve Best Special Minor Puppy in Show) Skye Terriers, half-sisters 3 years apart, handler had not done a brace class before but gave it a good go once she had gathered herself, well done, 2 very nice girls, this special breed is very close to my heart having grown up with them.