Lancaster & District Canine Society

Lancaster and District Canine Society – 9 August 2025

Critique by: Victoria Wilkins

A huge thank you to Elanor and the committee for inviting me to judge at this wonderful show, and thank you to the exhibitors for understanding and delaying the start time due to unforeseen personal circumstances. It had a lovely atmosphere, committee and exhibitors were all very sportsmanlike and everyone was so polite. Dogs were shown in lovely muscular condition proving they were fit for their original function. Thank you for taking my choices with grace.

Bracco Italiano

Puppy (1,0)

1 Woodhouse’s Elfrindew Bye Baby Buntin at Vixenmoor. Such a pleasure to judge this youngster who was full of life and exuberance, just as they should be at this age. Thought she had lots of promise for one so young. Lovely typey head with good planes, leading into strong neck. Presents a lovely profile when stacked with a square outline. Good topline and powerful hindquarters. Difficult to assess movement in the puppy class, but when she settled in the junior class she showed good drive and reach from the front. Best of luck in the future. Best Puppy.

Junior (1,0)

1 Woodhouse’s Elfrindew Bye Baby Buntin at Vixenmoor

Open (5,3)

Lovely class of two quality males that I had the pleasure of judging.

1 Newman Jones’ Olympos Il Mio Elio Del Sole Haunsperg (Imp Dnk) I thought this by screamed breed type through and through. Masculine throughout and so solid too – full of muscle and strength as you’d expect for a HPR with plenty of bone. He is truly classical for me, typey head with correct planes, good eye and large, spongy nose. Overall he presented such balance – powerful neck, long shoulders which are well-laid back. Ribs well sprung and a powerhouse of a rear! He lit up the ring as he moved around, striding out to show effortless movement. I watched him repeat this performance with extra sparkle in the group and I was delighted to watch him be awarded G1. Thank you for bringing him under me to judge.

2 Warburton’s Owlspoint Loads of Trouble at Heberhouse JW. Another quality male with a lovely head and expression. Good plans and chiselled eyes. Thought he had a super, strong neck and shoulder and well sprung ribs. Shown in really super condition with gleaming coat. I preferred the movement of 1 today as I felt he wasn’t as clean and tidy in rear movement as 1. Good mover in profile.

German Shorthaired Pointer

Puppy (3,3)

Junior (2,2)

Post Graduate (2,0)

1 Bretherton’s Seasham Ring My Bell. Smaller in overall stature to the other exhibit in this clas, but balanced throughout. I thought she had a lovely head and such a kind expression. Good forequarters with well laid shoulders. Good depth and well-ribbed back. Moved well but could benefit from moving on a slightly longer stride to showcase profile movement. A worthy BOB winner.

2 West’s Ceilloch Luck Be a Lady. Sad to hear this dog had a bad experience previously, so it was a shame that she was a little nervous and difficult to assess. I preferred her overall type and balance to the class winner. Because of her nerves she didn’t move as positively as 1, impacting her gait and tail carriage. Good muscular condition and in gleaming coat. Well handled to make this a positive experience. I really hope you persevere!

German Wirehaired Pointer

Junior (2,0)

1 Saint’s Reajeager Stieg. Nice stamp of a youngster and one that was handled really well. Still has plenty of time to develop but showed nice promise. Lovely head proportions and expression with moderate furnishings on the face. A little upright in front but stands on good bone and strong legs. Would prefer to be slightly more ribbed back and length in body. Superb muscling and condition throughout, moved soundly. BOB

2 Geary’s Becka Dreams of Little Prince at Germanus. This youngster was really giving her handler a difficult time today, and definitely wanted to play! Exuberant on the move but showed good length of stride and drive. Good coat texture and lovely overall condition. Good front angles. Needs time to develop, settle and mature. Great tenacity from the handler!

Post Graduate (2,2)

Open (3,3)

Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla

Open (2,1)

1 Hope Cliffe & Hope-Ellenrenshaw’s Redrafi Pacha Gal Vikki. Stood alone in the breed today but worthy winner. Clean neck and well-laid shoulders give her a nice outline. Hindquarters are moderate but strong, with good muscle tone. Moves true and easy—just would’ve liked to see her in a larger ring where she could really open up and show what she’s got. Thought she had a lovely personality! BOB

Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)

Open (2,0)

1 Broomfield’s Glaneils Daydream Believer. She came disguised as the sand! Very much loved the flooring in the equestrian centre which made me laugh. Very attractive bitch with excellent overall balance and correct proportions. Strong and gorgeous head with good width and a pleasing, feminine expression. Well-set ears, clean neck, and well-laid shoulders with correct front angulation. Super in rear. A great exhibit, presented in fine form. Good coat with oily texture. Delighted to award this quality girl BOB.

2 Rigby’s Sh Ch Chesepi Waco. Seven-year-old male who showed good, hard condition throughout, understandable as his owner told me about his working background. Heavier throughout than I prefer but has quality bone and masculinity. Smooth movement with good tail carriage. Straight, well-boned limbs with excellent feet. Good spring of rib, maintaining a correct topline. Just preferred the overall type of the winner today, but a lovely example of the breed.

Retriever (Flat Coated)

Puppy (1,0)

1 Walker & Roberts’ Seaheart Frida at Gloi. Super smart puppy who I considered for top honours. Really loved her gorgeous expression and everything about her. Showed a pleasing outline on the stack. Clean neck flowing into well-laid shoulders, standing on good legs and feet. Body of correct proportion with nicely sprung ribs and a well-balanced loin. Strong quarters with good angulation and a well-bent stifle. Moved out with balance and even gait. A quality youngster who should have a promising future. BP.

Junior (4,0)

1 Walker & Roberts’ Gloi Dubh Mormaer. This young man headed up a really lovely, quality class. Shown in strong, hard condition with an absolutely gleaming coat. Pleasing head with balanced proportions. Scored in front angulation - clean reach of neck into well-laid shoulders and a good return of upper arm. Well-developed ribs and a strong, proportionate loin. Hindquarters well-muscled with a nicely bent stifle. Tail carried correctly on the move. Displayed the most accurate and true movement of this class. A great future ahead I’m sure.

2 Pierce’s Wychwizard Forester at Tarnmillcrag. Pushed 1st place all the way – another great example who did top the next class. I thought in the next class he performed even better than in this class. Super outline on the stack, with strong, firm topline. Well-boned legs with neat, compact feet. Chest of good depth for his age, well ribbed up with a short, strong loin. Quarters well developed with moderately bent stifles, giving a balanced and functional outline. Well handled.

Post Graduate (5,1)

1 Pierce’s Wychwizard Forester at Tarnmillcrag

2 Whitaker’s Jetstarski I’m On Fire. Pretty liver bitch who was a little bit fidgety but I really liked her for type. Feminine, well-balanced head with a clean reach of neck flowing into well-laid shoulders and a pleasing forechest. Maintains a level topline through to strong, well-balanced hindquarters. Moved with good reach and drive, standing on straight legs and strong feet. Just a slight tendency to come a little close behind.

Open (3,0)

1 Whitaker’s Sh Ch Evening Mist Black Brianta (Imp Cze. What a lovely example of the breed who was truly at one with her handler. My notes say ‘head to die for’! Shown in excellent condition with gleaming coat. Super front with good brisket and strong bone. Powerful, well-developed hindquarters with well let down hocks. Moved with purpose and drive, maintaining a lovely topline and pleasing tail action. BOB.

2 Walker & Roberts’ Gloi Dubh Kristofer Robin JW. Medium-sized dog with a strong, well-balanced head. Powerful neck flowing into well-laid shoulders with good front and rear assembly. Deep chest and short, strong loin with excellent muscle tone. Moved out well with true, parallel movement and an overall balanced outline. Just preferred the overall maturity of 1 today.

Retriever (Golden)

Puppy (4,3)

1 McGuffie’s Auristela Clark Gable with Milltimber. What a character this youngster had! He was full of personality and the pair were having a great time in the ring. Handsome, broad head with good chiselling, pleasing, confident expression. Excellent pigment. A well-balanced, symmetrical dog with no exaggeration. Shows impressive muscle tone for his age, allowing him to drive strongly from behind and reach out freely in front while holding a firm topline. BP.

Junior (4,1)

1 Nelson’s Cadwst Song of Spring. Thought this was another lovely example of the breed. Broad in head, but well-chiselled, gorgeous melting expression with expressive ears. Good forequarters standing on straight legs with plenty of bone. Good width of second thigh and well-bent stifles. Moved with straight and true movement and handled well. In the challenge she really held her own with older, mature dogs. I could really watch her move all day. For me out of the line up she had the most exquisite breed type and I was delighted to award this youngster BOB.

2 Grindey’s Bramstead Lovely Jubbly. Another nice example who pushed 1 hard. I felt 1 was more positive on the move today. Beautifully balanced head with a gentle, appealing expression from her dark eyes. Clean, straight front and well-laid shoulders. Good feet and shown in lovely coat and condition.

Post Graduate (7,2)

1 Harvey’s Shebelta Sweet Charlotte JW. This young lady just ate up the ring today, moved with such drive and with a long, free-striding gait with correct tail carriage. I could’ve watched her all day! Shown in lovely condition, coat was good, dense with plenty of feathering. Skull was broad, with beautiful dark eyes. Clean and strong in neck leading into good shoulders.

2 Magson’s Castlegolden Classy Girl JW. One I have done well in the past and I really do love her. She is shown immaculately. I felt 1 moved with more drive and positivity on the move today. Excellent breed type, well balanced and soundly constructed throughout. Presents a lovely outline with a firm topline and correctly set tail. Short-coupled loin and well-angulated hindquarters complete the picture.

Open (5,1)

1 Willowlawn Staycation at Cadwst. Dam of my BOB and you can she she breeds out a beautiful type. Handled so well by her young handler who listened to me so well and showed her dog off to its absolute best. Headed up this class on her free and striding movement, completely true and effortless as she moved around the ring, something which she has passed on to her daughter. Good in front and rear assembly, and in good muscular condition. Pipped to the post for BOB, but keeping it in the family!

2 Lamancha Trust Your Heart with Gloi JW. Stands naturally balanced and true, showing a splendid coat of excellent texture and lovely sheen. Attractive head with good front and rear angulation, maintaining a level topline. Moved out freely and with purpose. Shoulders correctly placed, flowing into a deep, strong body. Tail well set and carried, used effectively on the move.

Retriever (Labrador)

Puppy (2,0)

1 Gordon-Smith & Bibby’s Meadowline Whizz Bang at Bruxinho. Two nice babies in this class. Nice and broad in skull with dark, expressive eyes. Clean neck into well-placed shoulders. Well-sprung ribs with ample width across the thigh and well-turned stifles. Tail well set on and of correct otter shape. Delighted to award BP.

2 Holden’s Flyenpygs In Blankets. Today I preferred the rear movement of 1. Taller in leg than 1 placed but still a nice quality baby throughout. Loved the balance for and aft, as well as the coat texture. Handled so expertly well. Moved with confidence covering the ground well. Thought his performance in junior was a lot more settled and promising, so was delighted to award him the class in that instance.

Junior (3,1)

1 Smith’s Flyenpygs In Blankets

2 Thompson & Gordon-Smith’s Exelby Botis at Meadowline. Wasn’t moving at his best today and didn’t seem steady on the move. A strongly made dog with plenty of substance and balance. Front and rear assemblies are well put together, showing good length and angulation throughout.

Post Graduate (2,1)

1 Cannon’s Kensesqui Little Hero. Finer in type throughout but still so well muscled and conditioned. Nice head and expression with dark eye, Good shoulder and held topline on the move. Good round and compact feet and nice angles in hindquarters. Really loved being in the ring with their handler today.

Open (3,1)

1 Smith’s Flyenpyg Jurgen Chopp JW. Well balanced with good angulation both front and rear. Shoulders nicely laid back, straight front, and a deep, well-sprung chest giving strength and substance. Strong, muscular topline with a well-set tail. Masculine head, neat feet, and overall a sound, powerful dog shown in excellent condition. Delighted to award him BOB as he really showed his socks off in the challenge.

2 Cannon’s Kensesqui Little Hero.

Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling)

Puppy (1,0)

1 How’s Sawbridge Cairdeas. Really loved this youngster and they actually pushed hard for BOB. Elegant and eye-catching bitch of lovely proportion and balance. Stands well presenting a classic outline and feminine breed type. Typical head with well-placed ears and a clean neck flowing smoothly into well-laid shoulders. Firm, level topline with balanced angulation fore and aft. Quality coat of correct texture with sufficient undercoat. Moved out freely in profile. Delighted to award BP and pleased to see her placed in a quality puppy group.

Junior (2,1)

1 How’s Sawbridge Cairdeas.

Post Graduate (4,1)

1 Burgess’ Redmanhey’s Comte De La Fere. Another one I really liked on the day. Really loved this boy’s type throughout. Not too overstated, but just enough for me. I thought he had a beautiful head to die for. Won this class on his depth of chest. Well ribbed back, flowing into a correctly set tail and strong, well-developed hindquarters. Possesses good bone and moved out soundly, showing an easy, open side gait when viewed in profile. Shown in excellent coat of good texture.

2 Boyd’s Skysaria Eternal Flame JW. Another quality young male of pleasing size and proportion. Masculine head of correct shape with a dark, intelligent eye. Strong neck flowing into well-laid shoulders and balanced angulation fore and aft. Well-sprung ribs and a firm, level topline, which he held beautifully on the move. Tail well set and carried correctly. Covered the ground with ease and freedom. Just preferred overall picture of 1.

Open (7,2)

1 Adshead’s Afonbach Syrax JW. Finer in type than my personal preference, yet well within the standard and proportionate throughout. Displayed the best movement in this large class. Classic head with a kind, expressive eye. Medium-length neck leading to excellent front and rear angulation. Deep chest with well-sprung ribs and a short, strong back. Moved soundly and with purpose. In the challenge she moved the best, and was totally at one with her handler and looked super. Delighted to award BOB.

2 Burgess’ Melanitta Sinamay JW. Pleasing head and soft, expressive features. Nicely made throughout with good overall balance, though a touch more substance would complete the picture. Well-constructed quarters and clean lines. Moved with confidence and style, showing sound, easy movement.

VICTORIA WILKINS (VELVETQUEST)