Plymouth & District Kennel Association

Plymouth & District Kennel Association

Premier Open Show

Saturday 5th April 2025

The Grange Equestrian Centre, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 3DA

Judge: Meaylee Lewis (Fairwinds)

Many thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge today and for your lovely hospitality. I was pleased with my entries both numerically and in depth of quality. The standard of handling in the South West is always high and today was no exception.

Junior Handling

6-11 years (6, 3a)

1st Lula Stower handling a Briard. My notes say “fabulous handler” - Lula was gentle with her dog, very polite and patient too. Her dog was always neatly stacked and all three sides of the teeth were shown clearly. Lula’s dog liked to have a skip on the move but she managed this well by re-settling her dog and continuing on as she was. Lula also kept her lead tidy and an eye on the judge’s position throughout the class. Best Junior Handler.

2nd Libby Rycroft handling a Standard Smooth Dachshund. A smart, quiet handler who looks at ease in the ring. Libby kept her lead neat and used the ring well whilst moving at the correct pace. Teeth shown very clearly and pattern work completed with straight lines, keeping an eye on my position. 

3rd Evie-May Smart.

12-16 years (3, 2a)

1st Lucas Smart handling a Sheltie. A smartly dressed handler who was a pleasure to judge - very polite and encouraging to his dog. This handler listened to my instructions well and moved his dog at the correct pace with a neat lead. I would prefer a little more of the ring space used with tighter corners which separated my winners for the overall JH. 

Adult Handling

17-24 years (0)

25+ years (6, 1a)

1st Tristan Rycroft handling a Standard Smooth Dachshund. A very smart and polite handler who handles with a gentle, quiet confidence - exactly the personal qualities I look for in a handler. Fortunately, everything else followed too. He stacked his dog neatly, kept a subtle eye on my position and maintained a tidy lead. Moved his dog at the correct pace with tight corners, using the ring space well. Best Adult Handler & Best Overall Handler.

2nd Tieryn Clark handling an Old English Sheepdog. Another handler who had a quietly confident manner and completed everything gently and efficiently. Loved how tidy the lead was kept and how she used the ring space to her advantage on the move with the largest breed, and held back well to give smaller dogs space. Teeth shown nicely and always neatly stacked. 

Golden Retrievers

Puppy (4, 1a)

1st Taylor & Teague’s TREWATER WATSON AT GOLDREALM. 11 month old cream dog. Well proportioned, masculine head with dark pigment. Well made through the body with well sprung ribs and deep chest. Held a level topline with short coupling. Balanced front and rear. Moved freely, though a little untidy at the rear at the moment. Best Puppy in Breed

2nd Thomas’ SANTANDORE MANDALAY AGAIN. A cream dog of 6 months. He has a nicely proportioned head with dark pigment nicely set into his strong neck. He held a level topline and stood foursquare. Slightly longer in loin than 1. Moved with drive. 

Post Graduate (6, 2a)

1st Scuffle & Ennis Van Maren’s RAMCHAINE A RED RED ROSE. A pretty light gold bitch, mature through the body with well sprung ribs and deep chest. Good chiselling to her head with dark pigment and kind expression. Correct reach of neck and well laid back shoulders. Short coupling and moderate hindquarters. Correct tail set, carried level on the move. Covered the ground well.

2nd Williams & Winsor-Williams’ AURGENTIOUS DEAROV IM. Well presented dog with golden coat. Masculine head, nicely chiselled with dark pigment. Good layback of shoulder and strong topline. Tail set correctly and carried level on the move. Not quite as mature through the body as 1, yet to fill his frame. Well bent stifles and well let down hocks. Good bone and catlike feet. Moved well on long strides.

Limit (3)

1st Main’s PUTJADE PERRAN BY GWYNGALA. Lovely outgoing dog shown in full golden coat. Masculine head with dark pigment, nicely set on his clean and strong neck. Well laid back shoulders and correct forechest with good length of upper arm. Level through his topline, ribs nicely sprung. Well bent stifles and let down hocks. Correct tail set. Moved on an easy, ground-covering stride with reach and drive - more accurately as he settled. Reserve Best of Breed.

2nd Thomas’ SANTANDORE HONESTY. A cream bitch with a typical feminine head, balanced with good chiselling, complete with a soft expression. Strong neck and good forechest. Nice depth through the chest and short coupling. Great topline with correct tailset. Moved freely, holding her profile.

Open Dog (3)

1st Main’s PUTJADE PERRAN BY GWYNGALA. 1st Limit.

2nd Coad’s TINKLERSROC BON BON. Rich gold dog with good substance throughout. Masculine head with dark pigment, though I’d prefer him to be cleaner down through to his neck. Good reach of neck and well laid back shoulders. Strong hindquarters with well bent stifles. Held his profile well with his tail level, moving with good footfall.

Open Bitch (3, 1a)

1st Williams & Winsor-Williams’ FLEUR SO SWEET AT AURGENTIOUS. One I’ve admired from the ringside - I was pleased to have the opportunity to go over her and she didn’t disappoint. Presented in great condition and mid gold coat. Most feminine head without compromising on substance and chiselling, complete with dark pigment and kind expression. She has plenty of reach of neck, following well into her body. Shoulders well laid back with good forechest and upper arm. Very strong through her topline, deep chest and well ribbed back to a short coupling. Well bent stifles and nicely let down hocks. Covered the ground effortlessly and accurately. Best of Breed & Group 2.

2nd Collis’ TILLSUN MISTLETOE PROMISES. A younger mid gold bitch at 18 months, with lots to like about her too. Feminine head with good chiselling and dark pigment. Correct reach of neck and forehand angulation. Very strong through her topline. Good spring of rib with nice depth of chest for her age. Well bent stifles. Stood square on catlike feet. Moved accurately.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Graduate (2)

1st Hughes’ ABACOT HEART OF THE OCEAN. Promising puppy dog of medium size with strong substance. Well-shaped, clean head with intelligent expression. Well placed shoulders of good length and correct forechest. Deep chest with strong topline. Good tail set and carried will on the move. Moved with good spring and accuracy. Best Puppy in Breed.

2nd Boyd’s SKYSARIA ETERNAL FLAME. Not as mature through the body yet but will come in time. Nicely shaped head with kind expression. Ears set well back on the skull. Well balanced length of shoulder to upper arm. Level through his topline. Well bent stifles and well let down hocks. Moved freely with drive, attentive to his handler throughout.

Open (5)

1st Hughes’ ABACOT INTO THE UNKNOWN JW. Lovely head on this 4 year old dog with the slight wedge shape, moderate stop and intelligent, kindly expression. Good length of strong neck. Shoulders well laid back, good forechest and return of upper arm. Deep through the chest and short through the back. Strong hindquarters, in good condition. Moved effortlessly around the ring, holding his profile. Best of Breed.

2nd Ward’s MELANITTA PALMATA JW. Almost 7 year old dog, presented in great condition. Masculine, clean head with intelligent expression and ears nicely set. Strong neck. Well laid back shoulders with good forechest. Well sprung ribs, strong through the loin. Stands foursquare on tight feet with strong pasterns. Moved with reach and drive on a springy stride. Reserve Best of Breed.

English Setter

Post Graduate (2, 1a)

1st Osman’s BOURNEHOUSE SIROCCO OVER MARISSSOLO JW. Unfortunate to stand alone - a worthy winner. Lovely medium size dog of 2 years. Most handsome head with all in good proportion and friendly expression. Deep through the brisket, well laid back shoulders and good length of upper arm. Strong, level topline with tail set correctly. Well angled hindquarters and hocks well let down. Stood straight all round. Moved freely with drive. Best of Breed.

Open (0)