Wickford Basildon & District Canine Society

Wickford, Basildon & District Canine Society Open Show – 17.05.2025

Golden Retrievers

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge Golden Retrievers at their Open Show. What a fantastic show it was, from the friendly hardworking committee to the good-sized rings with grass freshly cut and the great atmosphere around the rings. The perfect weather was the icing on the cake. Many thanks to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs along on the day, I was thrilled with the depth of quality in the entry making for some close decisions. I loved my final lineup who looked a picture with their coats gleaming in the sunshine. Grateful thanks to Stewards Andrea & Kirsty for keeping the ring ticking over and encouraging applause for the dogs placed – much appreciated. No dentition issues were observed and temperament appeared first class as would be expected.

Minor Puppy (5,1)

Lovely class of promising puppies.

1.Maynard’s WEISFORD BORN OF THE SEA TO CHINNORDALE. 6 months bitch full of breed type and looking spot on for her age. Presents a clean outline in profile with nothing overdone. Lovely feminine head with the darkest of pigment and kind dark eye. Straight in front and standing on padded catlike feet. Good length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm placing elbows close to the ribs. Nicely angulated rear quarters. Moved out happily and soundly holding a level topline and tail carriage. Shown in mid gold well-presented coat and very attentive to handler. Liked her a lot. 2.Furbank’s KAYZAELLE KUMBUKA PEACE. Another promising 6 months bitch, at her first show. Of different type to 1 and also full of quality. She has excellent forehand assembly, a little longer in body than 1 but short in the couplings and has nicely angulated quarters with hocks well let down. She has a beautiful head with sweet expression, the darkest of pigment and dark eye. Shown in profuse blonde coat she moved out happily and soundly; bit of rolling over the back which will no doubt reduce as she matures; really liked her. 3 Foreman’s AMBERSUN WINTER TREASURE

Puppy (5, 2)

1.Morss & Monteverde’s OPPENHEIMER OLIGARCHIA (IMP POL) Wow! My unexpected star of the day from the puppy class. This 10 1/2 months dog just fills the eye and oozes quality and breed type from nose to tail. He presents a very pleasing picture of balance and symmetry and just loved his proportions. For me he epitomises the breed standard and I loved everything about him. Lovely masculine head with the softest of expressions, kind dark eye with a hint of mischief and coal black nose. He is free of exaggerations and has textbook angles fore and aft, quality bone, lovely padded cat-like feet and elbows tight fitting to ribcage which is well sprung for a youngster. Short coupled and strong level topline with tail well set on. He looks the business from any angle and stands foresquare; my impression is of a dog who naturally stands correctly. He is very exuberant and gives his handler a hard time to contain this, but once settled he moved with good reach and rear drive, so effortlessly and with accurate footfall. Expertly shown in well presented blonde coat. I believe this win gave him the final point for his Junior Warrant and was happy to also award him 1st in Junior and BEST OF BREED. 2. Furbank’s KAYZAELLE KUMBUKA PEACE 3 Foreman’s AMBERSUN WINTER TREASURE

Junior (3, 1)

1.Morss & Monteverde ‘s OPPENHEIMER OLIGARCHIA (IMP POL) 2. Cook’s BRUNWICKES STYLE SAPPHIRE. Bitch of 17 months who has an attractive outline in profile. Feminine well proportioned head with dark points and sweet expression. Longer cast, her topline is level when standing and moving. Preferred the front angulation of 1. Moved a little close behind and would have liked more rear drive. Well handled and presented in blonde coat of good texture.

Yearling (2, 1)

1.Foreman’s AMBERSUN SUMMER SON JW. Standing alone but nevertheless a worthy first place winner, this 23 month dog has a very attractive balanced outline and is full of quality and breed type. Loved his body proportions with nothing overdone. He has an unmistakably masculine head without a hint of coarseness, kind dark eye and dark pigment. Good bone and straight forelegs with lovely cat-like feet. He has plenty of forechest and elbows close fitting to well sprung ribs. Good length of muscular neck into well laid shoulders. Strongly muscled rear quarters with hocks well let down. Strong level topline and tail well set on, he moved straight and true coming and going on an economical stride holding his topline and at one with handler. Well presented rich gold coat with pale feathering. Liked him a lot and happy to award him RESERVE BEST OF BREED.

Postgraduate (4, 2)

1.Manton’s CHINNORDALE DANCING QUEEN. I have judged this 6 year old mature bitch previously, surprised that she is still in the Postgraduate Class and feel she would successfully compete in a higher class. She is of classical type. Well up for size, for me a tad bigger than ideal for a bitch, but perfectly in proportion. Attractive well chiselled head with dark points and gentle expression. Reachy neck and well laid shoulders, strong bone and well padded feet, elbows well fitting, ribs well sprung and strong rear quarters. Level topline maintained on the move with correct tailset and carriage. Moved out very accurately and steadily with correct footfall and at one with handler. Shown in gleaming gold coat. 2.Phipps-Baker’s MADDOUSE MUST BE TROUBLE. 3 year old smaller bitch than 1 who is very feminine all through. Presents an attractive outline with decent angles fore and aft. Lovely head with happy expression and dark points. Gave her handler a challenge to keep her attention when she became distracted. Tail carriage a little high today probably affected by her excitement. Moved OK but preferred the rear movement of 1. Shown in well presented blonde coat.

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Limit (2, 0)

2 lovely examples of the breed in this class making for a hair-splitting decision on placing. Sure they would change places on another day.

1.Foreman’s AMBERSUN LOST IN MUSIC. Mature bitch of 5 years who is full of quality and breed type and presents a balanced and clean outline. Feminine head with good pigmentation and happy alert expression with dark eyes and rims. Reachy neck flowing into well laid shoulders with good length of upper arm. Short coupled, strong level topline with correct tailset; well muscled quarters. Moved straight and true with correct footfall holding her topline. Great rapport with her handler, an ever wagging tail and such a happy disposition. Shown in rich gold coat and in hard condition. 2.Pounds-Longhurst’s MOSSBURN GALLOPING MAJOR JW. 4 year old dog who is also full of quality; a lovely type who presents a very balanced outline. He has excellent body proportions with no exaggerations. Well angulated front and corresponding rear quarters. He has a distinctive masculine head without coarseness, a strong muzzle and a somewhat soft and almost sleepy expression which is very endearing. Well off for bone and standing on super padded catlike feet. Strong short loin and level topline, with tail well set on, and maintained on the move. Shown in deep gold coat of good texture with pale feathering and in hard condition. Moved accurately but 1 just had the edge on rear movement.

Open Dog (5, 3)

Another class with 2 lovely examples of the breed making for a close decision.

1.Barber ‘s MESSANO JUST GOOD FRIENDS WITH SWANSREACH. Mature dog of 5 years presenting a pleasing balanced outline and full of breed type. Handsome well proportioned head with muzzle strong and wide. Good pigment and kind dark eye. Straight in front with good bone and standing on super well padded feet. Plenty of forechest, elbows tight to ribcage which is deep through the heart. Good length of muscular neck and well angulated front and rear assembly. Topline level and held on the move with correct tail carriage. Moved out steadily and at one with handler. Shown in well presented mid gold coat. Wouldn’t want him to carry any more weight but liked him very much. 2. Simms-Stelling’s PENBRIDGE PLAY FAST LOOSE FOR STVINCENT. Another 5 year old male who also looks a picture of balance in profile. Close up to 1 and many of the same remarks apply being of very similar type. With a happy and relaxed disposition he moved steadily and was attentive to his handler. He is currently lacking coat furnishings and just preferred the rear movement of 1 today. Nevertheless I also liked him a lot.

Open Bitch (1, 0)

1.Pett’s RUMWOOD THREE TIMES A LADY. 6 year old bitch standing alone in this class but sure she would compete with the best. Eye catching and very feminine all through, she presents a picture of balance on the stack. Loved her proportions. Attractive head with sweet expression and dark points. Straight forelegs and neat feet. She has a nice reach of neck flowing into well laid shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm. Good spring of ribs with short muscular loin, level topline and correct tail set. Well bent stifles and short neat rear pasterns. Movement was a little erratic today. Would have been nice to see her moving more steadily with better head carriage as I liked her very much. Handled calmly and shown in full blonde coat.

Tina Williamson (Sandti)