Morecambe & Heysham Canine Association

Thanks to the officers and committee for the invitation to judge at this well-run show – how lovely for exhibitors to be able to enter two events on the same day without fear of missing classes. My overall winners were everything I look for in a gundog – balanced, free from exaggeration and capable of doing the job they were bred for. A few dogs who looked good in profile were carrying too much weight to move properly, and I was dismayed to find many poor fronts – too tight at the elbow and narrow in forechest, with feet turned out as a result. Thank you to my excellent steward for keeping the ring running so efficiently.

Finally, please accept my apologies for the delay in publishing this report – the school summer holidays were not conducive to sitting down and writing!

Gundog Group

Isherwood’s Sh Ch Gunalt Schweppes At Caleydene JW. This three-year-old Weimararner filled my eye completely from the moment he set foot in the ring. Not at all surprised to discover he’s a show champion as he is a wonderful example of the breed. Powered around the ring with an effortless, ground-covering stride and looked as if he could keep going all day. I loved his balanced, clean-cut outline with each part flowing seamlessly into the next. Moderate head with aloof expression and light eye, straight, strong forelegs, level topline, deep chest and well angulated hindquarters with hocks well let down. A real credit to his owner. Congratulations.

Newman’s Olympos Il Mio Elio Del Sole Haunsperg. I loved everything about this three-year-old Bracco Italiano. So well balanced with almost-square outline, correct agulation fore and aft, strong topline with muscular loin, moderate tuck-up and deep, well-sprung chest. Excellent head with balanced planes and plenty of chiselling below the eye. Closest-fitting eyelids I’ve ever seen on a Bracco. Long thigh with good bend of stifle afforded him plenty of drive on the move. I was splitting hairs between these two but felt the Weim had a little more power on the final move – probably as this boy had just taken G1 at the sister show. Congratulations on a wonderful day.

Radcliffe’s Sh Ch Sniperay Edge of Glory JW. Four-year-old orange and white pointer bitch who presented such a balanced picture. Textbook topline, flowing cleanly from her occiput to tip of her tail. Wide nostrils, slightly concave nose, bright eye and ears set close to the head. Muscular, slightly arched neck, well-laid-back shoulders, straight front and read, with muscular hindquarters. Floated around the ring effortlessly with tail carried level with her back. Thank you for bringing her.

4. Hill’s Ceilloch Russian. Mature, four-year-old GSP dog with nothing to hide. Short backed and standing over plenty of ground. Good straight front, correct depth of chest and well muscled throughout, including a strong neck. He’s an economical mover who looked as if he could keep going all day. Liked his low-set ear, correct eye and masculine head and expression.

Gundog Puppy Group

McGuffie’s Auristela Clark Gable with Milltimber. Eleven-month-old Golden Retriever dog. Sadly stood alone in his breed class but shone in the group. Gorgeous, broad head with plenty of chiselling beneath his dark eye and smiling expression. Excellent pigment. He is symmetrical and well balanced throughout with no exaggeration. So well muscled for his age, which allowed him to really drive from behind and reach out in front, holding his topline. Straight front and rear and excellent texture of mid-gold coat. Will watch his future with interest.

Knowles’ Menstonia Endurance. Eight-month-old Welsh Springer Spaniel dog who really caught my eye. Loved his head with low-set ear and dark hazel eye. Already has a striking outline with strong, muscular body, clean neck and slightly arched loin. Correct angulation fore and aft. His rich red and white coat has the desired silky texture, just needs time to develop feathering. Smooth, ground-covering action for one so young. Another one to watch.

Walker’s Seaheart Frida At Gloi. Feminine eight-month-old Flat Coated Retriever bitch with so much potential. Gleaming black coat, appealing head with correct eye and flat skull. Good length of neck flowing into well-laid-back shoulder. Enough depth of chest to allow elbows to still move freely. Well muscled hindquarters. Moved straight and true with lashing tail. Everything as it should be for her age.

4. Morris’ Riondel Masquerade in Blu. Interesting to see this blue roan Cocker spaniel bitch is the daughter of the dog I gave BV to, as they have many similar qualities. She has the most beautiful head and expression, with square muzzle, plenty of chiselling beneath the eye and low-set ear. Strong, compact body with short loin and gentle slope to the tail. Covered the ground with driving movement. Completed a quartet of lovely pups.

Golden Retriever

P (4,3) 1. McGuffie’s Auristela Clark Gable with Milltimber. BP. See PG1.

J (5, 2) 1. Nelson’s Cadwst Song of Spring. The most beautifully headed bitched with excellent body properties. Needs time to mature but everything is in the right place and she will surely have a bright future. Liked her muscular neck, firm topline, and straight front and hind legs. Again, she was well muscled and moved true with correctly carried tail.

2. McGuffie’s Auristela Clark Gable with Milltimber. Very much a puppy in comparison to the winner here.

Brunt’s Bramstead Lovely Jubbly

PG (7, 2) 1. Magson’s Castlegolden Classy Girl JW. Two-year-old bitch with lovely head, dark eye and kindly expression. Well balanced throughout with correct angulation fore and aft. Correct topline and good depth of rib, well-muscled loin and correct tailset. Moved with drive and coordination off neat feet.

2. Liggins & Hodges’ Swanavly Popsy’s Legacy at Nunsbrook. Dog with lots to like. Masculine head with kind expression, well-sprung rib, well muscled second thigh and tight feet. Just preferred the movement of my winner today.

3. Harvey’s Shebelta Sweet Charlotte JW

O (5, 2) 1. Liggins & Hodges’ Silver Passion Glam Fashion At Nunsbrook JW. Mature dog of 3.5 years with lots to like. Presents a balanced picture with masculine head, correct coat of mid-gold and sound body properties. I like this depth and spring of chest, close-set elbow that was still free to move, and his straight front and rear legs. Has a strong topline, correct angulation, and well-developed second thigh. Presented in excellent coat and condition. Move soundly, driving from the rear and reaching in front with correctly carried tail, to take BOB.

2. Nelson’s Willowlawn Staycation At Cadwst. This bitch was beautifully shown by her young handler. Paler coat with a lovely head, well balanced body with clean, muscular neck, well-set shoulders, correct topline and well-angulated hindquarters. Moved soundly, straight coming and going.

3. Walker & Robert’s Lamancha Trust Your Heart With Gloi JW. Lovely bitch but carrying too much weight today.

Labrador Retriever

P (2) 1. Gordon-Smith & Bibby’s Meadowline Whizz Bang At Bruxinho. This nine-month-old black bitch is so well balanced for her age. Her muscular neck flows cleanly into her well-set shoulders and on to her strong topline with muscular loin. Pleasing head and expression with correct earset and alert expression. Moved with coordination for one so young.Tail set on correctly, although I would prefer it a little thicker.

2. Smith’s Flyenpigs In Blankets. Promising young black dog who just needs more time. Longer on the leg and rangier than one, which I’ve no doubt will prove a good thing in the long run. Very exuberant, which I love to see in a lab! Broad head with correct eye.

J (2) 1. Thompson & Gordon-Smith’s Exelby Botis At Meadowline. Just 10 months old, this yellow boy couldn’t appear in puppy as his handler was already showing the winner of that class. My notes say ‘combines style and substance’. Gorgeous broad head with ears set back and quizzical expression. Muscular neck, good depth and spring of rib, firm topline and correct feet. Well angulated fore and aft. Moved with drive from his well muscled rear with otter tail wagging away. Correct texture of coat and in lovely condition. BP & BOB.

2. Smith’s Binnaig Sea Barnacle On Flyenpyg JW. My notes for this 16-month-old yellow boy say ‘exuberant’, which sums him up! Lovely head with well-defined stop, strong, clean neck, and correct angulation. Sound body properties and nothing exaggerated. Moved with drive and coordination when he decided to behave. Another who needs time.

O (1) 1. Smith’s Flyenpyg Jurgen Chopp JW. 21-month-old black dog. Everything in the right place but just felt a little flat today, which is why he missed out on BOB. Well angulated fore and aft with shoulder well laid back and straight front. His hindquarters were well angulated with plenty of muscle and he has good depth and spring of chest. Topline strong and muscular with well-set tail but again this was carried low today. Neat feet and masculine head. Would like to see him shown outside.

English Springer Spaniel 

O (1) 1. Merry’s Gleadsbury It Is Destiny For Anacapa. Stood alone but a very worthy winner. Liver and white dog with a striking outline, flowing from tip of his broad nose, across his gently-rounded skull, down his slightly arched, muscular neck and on to his along his firm topline with muscular loin. Hindlegs well let down with correct angulation providing drive on the move. His well-set tail was also carried perfectly on the move. Would prefer a little more depth of chest.

Welsh Springer Spaniel

P (2) 1. Knowles’ Menstonia Endurance. Two delightful siblings in this class – I’m sure their owner will have lots of fun with them. The dog really filled my eye and is slightly more together than his sister at present. BP & PG2. 

2. Knowles’ Menstonia Endless Mist. Many of the same comments apply – just needs time.

PG (1) 1. Yacoub’s Laithmoor's Felka. Four-year-old bitch who moved smoothly and soundly if not the most enthusiastically. Well angulated fore and aft with correct tailset, tight feet and well-sprung ribs. Hindquarters had well-developed second thigh and I liked her elegant head, with slightly domed skull and chiselling beneath the eye. BOB.

German Shorthaired Pointer

PG (2) 1. No details provided. Workmanlike type with muscular neck, short back and good angulation fore and aft. Clean-cut, aristocratic head. Good width of thigh with well-bent stifles. Moved soundly with plenty of drive.

2. Hill’s Ceilloch Luck Be A Lady. Lovely bitch but longer and lacking the depth of chest of one.

O (1) Hill’s Ceilloch Russian. BOB and G4

AV Import Breed Register Gundog 

O (1) 1. Draj’s Forrests Impah Into Griffonview. Loved this two-year-old Korthals Griffon bitch. So well balanced with excellent body properties and correct coat texture. Well angulated with hocks well let down. Accurate mover with good reach in front and drive from behind and correct tailset. Well developed beard and moustache giving characteristic expression. Thought she would place in the group but sadly ran out of steam after a long day. Best AV Import Register Gundog. 

AVNSC Gundog

P (2) 1. Woodhouse’s Elfrinew Bye Baby Buntin At Vixenmoor. Eleven-month-old Bracco Italiano with lots to like. Strong, well-muscled for age and showing almost-square outline when standing. Liked his straight front, deep chest, well-sprung rib, long thighs with good bend of stifle. Moved a little fast today but will settle with age. BAVNSCP

2. Pilkington’s Albadhu Playing With Fire At Baycross. Seven-month-old Large Munsterlander dog with lots of potential. Broad, slightly rounded skull with high-set ear and intelligent expression. Wide front, firm topline and springy gait, just lacking maturity compared to the winner.

J (2) 1. Kassube & French’s Cararua Spring Pearl. Two Irish setter siblings in this class – I felt the bitch was more together on the day and preferred her topline, which was gently sloping with clean, slightly arched neck and well-set tail. Tight feet and pretty expression with dark eye and low-set ear. Good depth of chest and coat of rich russet beginning to come in. Good width of thigh and moved with good reach and drive – just needs time to mature. 

2. Hignett-Capper, Capper, Kassube & French’s Cararua Pearl Of The North. Many similar comments apply – rangey dog who just needs time.

PG (3,1) 1. Gilks’ Sutersett Mr Mistofflees At Gochmawr. Two Irish setters in this class, both at very different stages of maturity. My winner is six-years-old and presented a balanced picture with sound movement. Liked his correct angulation, straight front, well-set and carried tail, and tight, cat-like feet. Masculine head with dark eye and low-set ear. Shown in beautiful coat and condition.

2. Kassube & French’s Thendara Hot Diamond And Cararua. Just 23 months old and picking his feet up because of the sandy surface, which made it difficult to assess his movement. Lots to like and would love to see him on another surface.

O (6, 2) Strongest class of the day up until this point – all four would have been worthy winners.

1. Newman’s Olympos Il Mio Elio Del Sole Haunsperg. Bracco Italiano. BAVNSC & G2.

2. Cohen’s Lynwood Merry May King With Shushana. Mature Irish setter dog so typical of his breeding. Well made all through with straight front, gently sloping topline, hocks well let down and balanced angulation allowing him to reach and drive on the move. Beautiful head with masculine expression, raised brows, defined stop and dignified expression. In beautiful coat and condition. Unlucky to meet the winner.

3. Warburton’s Owlspoint Loads Of Trouble At Heberhouse JW. Another quality bracco but lacking the maturity of my winner.

AV Gundog

P (6,2) 1. Walker’s Seaheart Frida At Gloi. PG3.

2. Holden’s Flyenpygs In Blankets - seven-month-old black labrador. Moved much better here than in earlier breed class.

3. Hawkin’s Schonhund Show At The Oscars - 11-month-old weimaraner who completed a trio of lovely youngsters. 

V (16, 4) By far the strongest class of the day – so many I loved went without a place. A couple just started to dip their toplines standing after a long day.

Morris’ Sh Ch Riondell Candyman JW. Seven-year-old blue roan cocker spaniel dog. Wasn’t surprised to discover he was a show champion – so well made and balanced with typical cocker action. It’s testament to his owner that he could be mistaken for a dog half his age. He was presented in gleaming coat and condition and well muscled beneath it. Has the most gorgeous head with square muzzle, raised brows and plenty of chiselling beneath kind, intelligent eyes. Strong, compact body and good length of stifle allowing him to drive from behind. Covered the ground with ease. Delighted to hear he took BVIS. Congratulations.

Cunliffe’s Ir Sh Ch Calvdale I Say Of Fallenleaf VW ShCEx CJW18. Beautiful liver and white English springer spaniel bitch, who again deserves her many accolades. Was splitting hairs between these two as they’re both excellent examples of their breeds – just felt the cocker drove slightly more from behind on the day. Loved her outline, with every part balanced and flowing cleanly into the next thanks to her correct construction. Beautiful clean-cut head with kindly eye. Typical action with forelegs swinging from the shoulder and belying her eight years. A real credit to her owner.

Whitaker’s Sh Ch Evening Mist Black Brianta. This seven-year-old black flat coat completed a trio of worthy show champions.

AV Sporting Vulnerable Native Breeds

Brilliant to see a society providing these classes.

J (1) 1. Roberts’ Puddockswell Imagine This Around Marbledale. Dandie Dinmont. Mustard dog with excellent double coat and ample silky topknot so characteristic of the breed. Well-domed head with round, dark eye. Typical topline with slight arch over loin. Deep chest, well muscled thighs. Free, easy stride with plenty of reach.

O (4,2) 1. Kirkwood’s Cazcade Betty Boop. Glen of Imaal Terrier. Blue bitch with typical rough coat and impression of substance for his size. Well-defined stop, round eye, muscular neck and correct topline rising slightly to the loin. Forelegs slightly bowed around deep chest. Moved freely with good drive.

2. Wood’s Nadavin Nusa At Sagala. Black field spaniel. Balanced bitch with attractive head, featuring raised brows and moderate stop. Strong back and loin, and tail correctly set and carried. Moved with a typical long stride. Would have preferred slightly more depth of chest.

Laura Crombie (Judge)