Border Counties Gundog Club

What a great show this is! I thoroughly enjoyed my appointment at this well-run show. A super friendly Committee and team of volunteers who put on a great day, and to add to this the quality of the dogs that I was fortunate to judge were superb. Thank you to the Committee for the invitation, to my stewards and to all the exhibitors that entered.

Best In Show:

Wow, it was a real pleasure to judge this BIS, as the overall quality was extremely high. Without doubt one of the best, I have judged! The rings were opened up giving us lots of space to utilise and enabling me to see the exhibits at their best. My final four were all of top quality and I was very lucky to have the oportunity to judge them. 

1st: Hodgkinson-Rutherford & Rutherford, Rainethyme Rerite The Rule for Chanderhill, D Spanish Water Dog.

Yes, it’s a cliché but very fitting – I literally could not take my eyes of him. Such great ring presence, entered with this look at me attitude, and he did not stand wrong at any point. On hands on, he fulfilled all expectations from head to tail. Robust, in excellent muscular condition. Lovely headpiece with correct parallel planes. Excellent front, body and rear construction and angulations. On the move, wow, he covered the ground well,at total ease, holding his shape and super drive from the rear. Loved him and will watch his show career with much interest. I was delighted to also award him Best Puppy in Show.

2nd:Whittingham, Wright & Bexon, Rubino Spinone Del Mucrone With Riccini (Imp Ita), D Italian Spinone

Caught my eye as he moved entered the ring on the move and really excelled, holding his shape, topline and totally at ease. Used the ring to his advantage. On the stack, correct square shape. Lovely to go over, balanced, strong throughout. Excellent front assembly. Another presented in excellent muscular condition. A beautiful head with correct planes, depth of muzzle and shape. Correct eye shape giving without doubt the kindest of expression, lovely! Highly deserving of his place in this strong line up.

3rd: Tait, Sh Ch Talintyre Winter Spice, B Irish Red & White Setter

It was an absolute pleasure to get my hands on this beautiful girl. Excellent type and full of quality. She is athletic without coarseness. Excellent colour. Good head, shape and eye and expression. Correct length and strength to neck flowing into well placed shoulders and straight front. Excellent depth of chest into good spring of rib. Excellent hindquarters used well on the move, which was effortless with both reach and drive. Made it look lie she could keep going and going.

4th: Paton, Bournehouse Eternal Flame for Meadowfoot JW,B English Setter

Lots to like about this girl. A beautiful, pretty, feminine orange belton. Very appealing on the stack with a clean, balanced outline. Loved her head for shape and expression. Super temperament. Well put together throughout. Correct length of neck into well placed forequarters. Good body proportions with level topline. Good bend of stifle and strength and width to thigh. Moved out well and loved to see the constant wagging, happy tail.

Best Puppy In Show:

I absolutely love judging puppies, and this was a strong group, full of exciting youngsters.

1st: Hodgkinson-Rutherford & Rutherford, Rainethyme Rerite The Rule for Chanderhill, D Spanish Water Dog.

My Best in Show winner.

2nd: Rayner & Maskell, Enjager Elegance For Brownbank, D Weimaraner

Beautifully balanced puppy, presenting a clean outline. Excellent headpiece, with correct eye shape and colour, and super expression. Clean and correct length of neck into super front assembly. Lovely depth of chest, good spring of rib. Level topline, held well on the stack and move, into correct slight slope to her croup. Correct rear hindquarters, in excellent muscular condition which really showed on the move; moved with purpose and total ease, she really filled my eye. Very nice!

3rd: Booth, Lungarth Ticket To Fly, B Pointer

An appealing b/w girl, who was full of personality which I love to see in a puppy. Clean in outline. Feminine, balanced head with correct stop and defined occiput. Kind expression. Correct scissor bite. Good length and shape of neck into straight front. In good body for a pup. Correct turn to stifle. Good width and strength to hindquarters. Moved out and back well, full of enthusiasm.

4th: Boyd-McNeil & Edwards, Glennlokhen Chasing Dreams, B Irish Setter

Presented in excellent coat and condition. A lovely balanced, clean outline on the stand. She is racy and super feminine, and so very pretty. Lovely shape to head, dark eye, raised brow giving a lovely expression with a bit of cheekiness that I love. Good length and strength of neck, into well placed shoulders. Needs to tighten up a bit in front. Correct body proportions with good spring of rib. Well-shaped hindquarters and stifles.

AV Gundog

Veteran D: 8 (5 abs)

1st: Jakins, Sh Ch/Int Sh Ch/Multi Ch Terne Des Coris Qalimero At Coolfin (Imp Bel) JW, D Irish Red and White Setter

Liked this 7-year-old male for type overall. Appealing shape on the stand. Athletic and strong throughout, great bone. Lovely colouring and markings, deep red and clear white. Really liked his head, masculine but not coarse. Good eye shape and colour and expression. Well placed ears. Good length and strength to neck. Correct spring of ribs. Good tight feet.

2nd: Wright, Palton Pavarotti, D Golden Retriever

A masculine 7 ½ male, who excelled in bone. Dark coat colouring and a little too heavy in head for me, however he was well made throughout. Lovely temperament. Straight in front, with super feet. Correct topline. Good spring and depth of rib. Moved out soundly.

3rd: Murray, Takoda Nathan, D Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Veteran B: 4 (1 abs)

1st: Es/Cze/Swiss Ch/Ir Sh Ch Sarscottah Charizma Ir Jch Lux j Deu Jw/Jnr17WW17/18/20/21/23, B German Longhaired Pointer

She really impressed me, so much to like about her. She was presented in first class condition. Very balanced and was lovely to go over. Her head was exquisite, with correct proportions and shape. Excellent front assembly, strong and shoulder placement spot on. Straight front with visible sternum. Lovely tight feet. Straight back and correct length. Correct bend to stifle. In super muscular condition, moved freely, holding her head, topline and shape. Beautiful girl.

2nd: Aynsley, Sh Ch Recuerdo Monika Of Caorunn JW, B Junahrian Vizsla

An attractive clean, balanced outline, of correct size. Super temperament on her. Very appealing head, lean and with good proportions. Correct length to neck, strong level back, good spring to rib. Sound on the move holding her outline and shape.

3rd:Weaving, Ir Sh Ch Kandalin Golden Storm CW23, B Irish Water Spaniel

Junior: 19 (12 abs)

1st: Murray & Parker, Szelkiraly’s Foolproof, D Hungarian Vizsla

Smart, balanced boy, eye catching outline on the stack. Liked his head shape, masculine but no way over done. Good eye dhape and colour. Correct ear shape, size and set on. Clean neck into good front assembly with desired depth of chest. Lovely feet. Correct body proportions. In good hard condition. Sound on the move.

2nd: Walker, Gwendariff Hanky Panky, D Irish Setter

Presented in tip top coat and condition. Full credit to his owners. Eye catching male in the line up with a balanced outline. He has a good head, lovely eye and brow giving the desired super expression. Correct length and strength to neck into good front assembly. Good bone throughout. Excellent spring of rib. Good bend to stifle and width of thigh. Just dropping his topline on the stack and move.

3rd: McGeachie, Malbecmogs Lady of the Lake at Klanhallion, B Sussex Spaniel

4th: Thomason, Sarscottah Fearless Flame IR JCH, D German Longhaired Pointer

5th: Searle, Astleyfold Snowy Bell, B Golden Retriever

Yearling 9 (6 abs)

1st: Balmer, Trapaleba Carrera, B Weimaraner

Feminine girl, who once got into the stack and settled had a good outline. She came into her own on the move. She was pleasing to go over. Feminine head, good eye and expression. Good in front and rear assembly. Sound on the move

2nd: Searle, Astleyfold Snowy Bell, B Golden Retriever

Overall, a pleasing outline. She has an attractive head which was so pretty, lovely eye shape and colour, beautiful expression. Correct bone throughout. In good body and proportions. Correct level topline. Good angulation to hindquarters and width of thigh. Held shape and topline on the move just a little close behind.

3rd: Mullett, Seatallan Damson, D Labrador Retriever

Graduate: 11 (3 7 abs)

1st: Barber, Tonispada Vuori Vincent By Blanshard, D Curly Coated Retriever

Super smart male. Very eye catching in the line up. Stands and shows with a presence, very well handled to get the very best out of him. In excellent muscular condition which was evident in his powerful yet effortless movement. Masculine but not coarse head, good eye and expression. Well placed shoulders, and correct depth of chest. Good spring of rib. Correct topline. Excellent coat.

2nd: Balmer, Trapaleba Dior JW, B Weimaraner

Full of character and personality. Needs to settle on the move. However, a pleasing type, correct size and feminine. Clean though her neck into a straight front, good body shape and proportions. Moderate desired angulation to her rear.

3rd: Wright, Palton Platino, D Labrador Retriever

4th: Bretherton, Seasham Ring My Bell, B German Shorthaired Pointer

Limit: 9 (5 abs)

1st: Murray & Parker, True Magic of Skyrocket At Szelkiraly (IMP HUN) JW, D Hungarian Vizsla

Handsome dog and really liked him for his overall breed type. Super balanced head, with correct proportions and work. Absolutely gorgeous kind expression. Clean and correct length to neck. Good body proportions and depth of chest and good spring and length of rib. Well-muscled thigh, used well on the move.

2nd: Gerhold, Navilis Vivhat Vivalsi JW (IMP UKR), D Golden Retriever

A well boned and bodied dog throughout. A masculine head that was slightly too much for me but a good dark eye and expression. Straight front and lovely correct tight feet. Nice body shape with deep, wells sprung ribs, proportions and a level topline on the stand. Good hindquarters for bend of stifle and width to thigh. Sound out and back but carried his tail a little high.

3rd: Wood, Pabiagas Sergio Sinduda JW, D Spanish Water Dog

4th: Murray, Muireatai Miricale Of Dreams, B Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Junior Handling:

1st: Mia Craney handling a GSP.

Great job Mia. You handled your dog sympathetically, never over dong it or putting too much pressure on the dog. You were calm and collected, and focused. You spoke to your dog, encouraged and praised. You moved at the correct pace and had it ready in the stance for me to judge. My advice is just watch out not to drop your lead so that you have control at all times and keep practicing your ring patterns. Most importantly it was great to see you enjoying yourself in the ring.