Gundog Club Of North Wales

Gundog Club of North Wales – Golden Retrievers

Sunday 23rd November 2025

I would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Golden Retrievers. It has been 12 months since I have last had the pleasure of judging Goldens, and it was nice to see quality throughout the classes. I acknowledge that the ring was small and this may have made it more difficult to move some of the dogs.

Puppy Dog – (2 entries, 1 absent)

1st. GODDARD, Mr B & Mrs A M, Jorby Eternal Flame at Glansevern. Mid golden boy at 10 months old, still very much a baby puppy but lots of promise. Typical head with correct soft expression. Lovely length of neck into a level topline which he held on the move. Well boned and stood on correct cat like feet. Shoulders well laid back, with good return of upper arm, correct depth of chest. Moved well, although felt he could have done with a larger ring to give him chance to settle. BPD.

Junior Dog - (2 entries, 1 absent)

1st. GODDARD, Mr B & Mrs A M, Jorby Eternal Flame at Glansevern. See critique for 1st PD.

Post Graduate Dog – (5 entries, 4 absent)

1st. Liggins & Hodges, Miss J & Mr S, Swanavly Popsy’s Legacy at Nunsbrook (IMP SRB). My first note here stated ‘would like to see him move in a bigger ring’. This 3 year old pale golden dog, is balanced throughout in good coat and condition. He has a masculine head with correct soft expression into a neck of good length and level topline. His shoulders are well laid back with corresponding return of upper arm. Good dept of chest and well sprung ribs. Carries his tail high when on the move but covered the ground well.

Open Dog – (4 entries – 1 Absent)

1st. Williams, Mr E E & Mrs P C, Cesarka Sea Shanty JW. This 4 year old male is maturing well. He is well moved throughout presenting a balanced picture. He is one that would have really benefitted from a large ring as it was difficult for him to maintain his stride, however he did cover the ground well should both good reach and drive of movement. Correct lay of shoulder and good return of upper arm, he is well boned with cat like feet. His rear angulation matches that of the front and is well muscled with a good second thigh. Best Dog and BOB.

2nd. Liggins & Hodges, Miss J & Mr S, Silver Passion Glam Fashion at Nunsbrook JW (IMP DEU). Another that was well made throughout pushed 1 hard in the class. The tail carriage of 1st on the move was preferable. This boy again had correct head and expression with good front assembly and corresponding rear. With a deep chest, well boned and cat like feet. He moved well covering the ground but carries his tail slightly high.

Puppy Bitch – (1 entry)

1st. Hooton, Miss J E, Jorby Everlasting Love at Penticharm. Litter sister to PD. Mid gold and feminine throughout providing a well-balanced picture for one so young. Lovely head and expression with correct dark eye. Good lay of shoulder and return of upper arm, placing her feet well under and she stands on neat cat like feet. Good rear angulation with nice bend of stifle. She has a level topline and correct tail set both of which she carries well on the move. BPB and BPiB.

Junior Bitch – (1 entry)

1st. Loverock & Waldron-Smith, Mrs M C & Mrs L. Lovissa Seeing Stars. Loved this girl as soon as she entered the ring, she might have been the only one entered but oozes ring presence. She is just out of puppy and exactly where she should be for her age regarding development. Perhaps not in her best clothes today but this only confirmed that there was nothing to hide. Lovely correct feminine head with dark eye and expression. Good length of neck into a level topline and correct tail set. Her shoulders are well laid back with correct return of upper arm, tight elbows. All of this allows her front legs to be placed well under, and standing on neat cat like feet. She was able to cover the ground well showing good reach and drive, another that would have benefitted from a larger ring to be able to really show her movement. Best Bitch

Post Graduate Bitch – ( 3 entries, 1 absent)

1st. Winner of Junior Bitch.

2nd. Nelson, Mrs V J, Cadwst Song of Spring JW. This girl pushed 1 hard and could swap places with 1st on another day. Another that has feminine head and lovely soft expression with dark eyes. She has good lay of shoulders and return of upper arm allowing her legs to be placed well under. Level topline which she carried on the move. Good depth of ribs, into a well angulated rear end. Moved well but preferred the tail carriage of 1st on the move.

Open Bitch – (4 entries, 2 absent)

1st. Loverock & Waldron-Smith, Mrs M C & Mrs L. Lovissa Seeing Stars. Winner of Junior Bitch.

2nd. Griggs, Mrs J, Mulfield Mango Marmalade. Another lovely bitch in good coat and condition. Correct head and expression, along with dark eyes. Good length of neck into a level topline and correct tail set. Good lay of shoulder with short upper arm. Nice deep chest with good spring of rib, and well angled rear assembly. Moved well but I felt a larger ring would allow her to really drive out.