Hampshire Gundog Society

Hampshire Gundog Society 26th July 2025

My thanks to Hampshire Gundog Society for their invitation to judge at their show.

AV GUNDOG PUPPY STAKES 18 (12)

1. Kennedy’s Droveborough Black Magic, 9-month pointer B&W bitch, presented with lovely graceful outline. Good head, lovely expression, dark eye. Strong neck leading to a level topline, and correctly set tail. Straight front with correct angulations fore and aft. Chest has plenty of heart room and leads to a well-muscled loin. Well-muscled second thigh for one so young that when speed was correct helped her flow round the ring.

2. Ball’s Shearstone Live in the Dream at Fivelms, 11 month Golden Retriever bitch. Thought this may have been my winner but played her handler at the end. Balanced, refined head with dark eye giving a kind expression. Good neck, straight front and plenty of bone. Shoulders well laid back, elbows level with base of well spring ribs, level topline leading to short loin. Good bend of stifle, well-muscled rear allowing her to move with drive.

3. Kinchella’s Call Me Elder Prince for Honeywell, 10 month Golden Retriever Dog. A little taller than 2nd but still all in proportion. Good head and expression, strong neck, straight front and well off for bone. Good angulations fore and aft. Level topline. Moved well.

  AV GUNDOG JUNIOR STAKES 17 (7)

1. Rogers’ Clonageera Summer Magic, 16 months Irish Setter bitch. This lady simply oozed quality, elegant but with the muscles to work the moors. Long, lean head with room for a brain. Kind eyes , strong neck leading into well laid-back shoulders. Straight front, correct elbows, deep chest, well spring ribs. Short strong loin, level topline. Good rear angulation with well developed second thigh and short, straight rear pasterns. Moved as if owned the ring.

2. Kennedy’s Drovebouough’s Hells Bells, 17 month L&W pointer bitch. Nicely made overall. Lovely head and expression, strong neck and straight front. Shoulders long and sloping, well spring ribs and short muscular loin, well muscled rear, allowing her to move with drive.

3. Bowen’s Thandiwe Invisible String around Clandrift, 13 month liver Field Spaniel who unfortunately didn’t stay for the critique. Was unlucky to meet the other two on top form.

  AV GUNDOG OPEN STAKES 16 (9)

1. Percival’s Ursa Major of Skyrocket (IMP HUN), 2 year old Hungarian Vizsla bitch. Strong and elegant overall. Head lean with moderate stop, dark eye with gentle expression. Strong muscular neck, leading to good shoulders, straight front with prominent prosternum. Deep chest, leading to strong loin. Moderate angulation with well developed second thigh, allowing her to power round the ring.

2. Page’s Flamris New Creation for Micklemess (IMP SWE) almost 2 year old Clumber Spaniel bitch. Presented a balanced appearance, nothing overdone. Feminine head with heavy brows distinctive of the breed, dark eyes giving a gentle expression. Powerful neck leading to well laid shoulders. Front straight, well boned and strong, good prosternum. Level topline, with deep chest and short loin. Good rear angulation, well muscled thighs. Moved round the ring with the typical Clumber roll.

3. Watt’s Oakmarsh Galatea, 5 ½ year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever bitch. A little wary but lots to like when hands on. Broad head but not overdone, kind intelligent eyes. Strong neck, leading into well laid back shoulders, straight front, prominent prosternum, deep chest and rear higher than withers. Well muscled rear. Had the distinctive harsher outer coat and soft undercoat for this breed, Moved strongly round the ring.

Shula M Shipton