South Western Gundog Club

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge and your hard work running a lovely show despite some additional challenges including the torrential rain which saw the show moved indoors. Some of the dogs may have moved better in a larger ring but I tried to take this into account in my placings. Thank you to my steward for working hard to keep things running smoothly and to the exhibitors for entering your wonderful Flatcoats and accepting my placings.

Puppy (2, 1 Absent)

1. McIlwaine, McIlwaine & Reynolds’ Flatcharm Smelly Cat To Benoveor. 11 month old bitch of good breed type. Pretty moulded head of good length and proportions. Well ribbed up with a well defined brisket. Good feet and bone, hocks well let down. Correct tail set and carriage. Moved well when settled, needs to firm up a bit but this should come with age. BP, RBOB.

Special Yearling (3, 1 Absent)

1. Holden’s Fairwinds Flowertot. 18 month old bitch, well balanced with moderate angulation. Feminine moulded head with a dark eye. Enough bone and depth with gradual spring of rib. Short coupled with a level topline but flew her tail slightly at times. Presented in good coat. Unsettled on the move during the class but improved significantly when settled in the challenge and moved well all ways.

2. Stortenbeker’s Flatgold’s Wistle While You Work (Imp Deu). 18 month old dog presented in excellent condition, well muscled throughout. Coat of good quality and correct texture. Head well proportioned but with a slightly more defined stop and lighter eye than I would like. Correct scissor bite. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulder, flowing into a level topline. Good feet. Front and rear angulation straighter than the winner but balanced and this was reflected on the move.

Graduate (3, 1 Absent)

1. McIlwaine, McIlwaine & Reynolds’ Flatcharm Mr Heckles For Benoveor. 11 month old dog. Up to size but good bone and depth and well ribbed up. Moulded head with a dark, almond-shaped eye and a kind expression. A little bit straight in front but good rear angulation with hocks well let down. Level topline and correct tail set and carriage. Moved well in profile.

2. Stortenbeker’s Flatgold’s Wistle While You Work (Imp Deu). 2nd in Special Yearling.

Post Graduate (5, 1 Absent)

1. McCammick’s Montegrino Pied Piper For Saffdales JW. This 2 year old bitch caught my eye as soon as she walked in the ring. Pretty bitch of good breed type, moderate size and presented in excellent coat and condition. Head feminine and moulded, of good length, moderately broad skull and strong jaw. Dark, almond-shaped eye with pleasing expression. Good reach of neck and well laid shoulder flowing into a level topline with correct tail set. Good width throughout, well constructed front with good return of upper arm and gradual spring of rib. Moved well all ways. BOB.

2. Legg’s Ruddleberry Phoenix Song. 4 year old bitch. A size bigger than the winner. Balanced angulation and correct tail set and carriage which were reflected in her profile movement. Head of good length and well proportioned. Good bone and good feet, well ribbed up with a square loin. Dense coat of good texture but preferred the overall conditioning of the winner.

Open Bitch (4, 2 Absent)

1. Lewis’ Llantrussa Tea For Two At Fairwinds. 5 year old bitch, mature and in good coat. Good depth and width throughout, well defined brisket, gradual spring of rib and short coupled. Level topline but tail set a bit high. Moulded head with correct scissor bite. Moderate rear angulation, front angulation a little bit straight but clean movement in profile and some of the best front movement of the day with elbows moving cleanly and evenly.

2. Legg’s Ruddleberry Phoenix Song. 2nd in Post Graduate.