Midland Counties Labrador Retriever Club

MIDLAND COUNTIES LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB

OPEN SHOW 11 APRIL 2026

Thank you to the committee of the MCLRC for inviting me to judge at this lovely show, held in conjunction with the championship show. There was a lovely atmosphere throughout the day, and I am very appreciative of all those who entered under me. It was a lovely entry with plenty of quality dogs to choose from. Unfortunately due to timings the open show overran the championship show and there was quite a high number of absentees in the later bitch classes. Special thanks to my stewards Sarah and Vic, who were both amazingly efficient and helpful.

SPECIAL WORKING DOG OR BITCH (3, 0a)

1. WOODLEY’S CH ALKHAMHURST MOMENT OF TRUTH

Strongly-built and masculine black dog, in hard and fit condition, presented well. Kind head and expression with good length of muzzle. Balanced fore and aft, strong forequarters matched with muscular hindquarters with good second thigh. Stands on strong bone and tight feet. Coat of correct harsh texture and lovely otter tail, used to advantage. Moved well, with power and drive.

2. COODE’S WARRINGAH’S THE BLUFF JW SGWC

Black male of smaller frame than winner, but still with good substance, balanced and appealing. Kind head with correct eye colour and good earset. Neat all over with good front construction and depth of chest. Good coat and level topline with well-developed hindquarters and excellent otter tail. Movement was accurate and tidy, holding topline well.

3. PERCIVAL’S CH WYNFAUL THE WIZARD JW

VETERAN DOG (2, 1a)

1. RAWLINSON & BALSHAW’S SH CH SHANORRELL BLACK SABBATH AT HALSHIMOOR

Stood alone in this class but a very worthy winner. Black, slightly longer cast, nicely balanced and presented an attractive picture. Gentle but masculine head, very attentive to handler, using his ears well, showing happily and attentively. Neat feet. Sweeping shoulder and super topline which flowed into a lovely tailset. Strong second thigh. Moved with reach and drive, Not in his best jacket today but adequate coat. BEST VETERAN IN SHOW.

BABY PUPPY DOG (2, 0a)

Two lovely babies in this class.

1. BAILISS’ TISSALIAN JACKS SON

Sweet yellow, typical of this kennel. Loved his breed type. Gentle head and expression with pleasing length of muzzle. Clean lines throughout, everything where it should be. Good layback of shoulder. Well boned forelegs, well balanced with strong hindquarters. Good coat and correct otter tail. Very slightly overawed to begin with but settled nicely and moved well once he gained his confidence. Promising future.

2. BILLS’ RUMHILL JAGERMEISTER

Lots to like about this one, chocolate baby with attractive head and eye of correct colour giving him an appealing expression. Very confident and loved being in the ring! Presented an attractive picture, very slightly bum high at the moment on the stack but looked lovely on the move. Dark coat colour of correct texture. Stood on excellent bone. Moved confidently and with purpose. Another one with a bright future.

MINOR PUPPY DOG (5, 2a)

1. BRADDON’S TRENDLEWOOD FOR ALL WE KNOW

Quality yellow, full of breed type. Kindest of heads with dark pigment and correct eye colour giving a melting expression. Good layback of shoulder and forearm length placing legs well under body. Strong bone and neat feet. Deep through brisket and good barrel rib. Excellent double coat with harsh texture. Strong hindquarters, moved with power pushing off well let down hocks. BEST MINOR PUPPY IN SHOW.

2. BARRETT’S WYNFAUL BOLIVAR

Black of more compact build, well balanced and attractive. Kindest of heads and sweet expression. Well off for bone, stood on good tidy feet. Excellent double coat of correct texture. Good front angulation matched at the rear, with strong hindquarters. Unfortunately was a little spooked by something outside the ring but with calm and sympathetic handling by his owner, settled nicely and moved positively.

3. DISLEY’S ACREDAM MAGNUM PI

PUPPY DOG (5, 1a)

1. METCALFE’S BISH BASH BOSH BAILEYDALE

Pale yellow, won this class on overall balance and powerful movement. Kind head with good pigment. Stood foursquare at all times on strong bone and neat feet. Loved his clean lines. Good reach of neck and excellent layback of shoulder. Deep through brisket and well-ribbed. Level topline flowing into well set otter tail, used well on the move. Muscular hindquarters and strong hocks. Movement demonstrated reach and drive. One with a very bright future. BEST PUPPY DOG AND BEST PUPPY IN SHOW.

2. PERCIVAL’S SUDEO LUCKY STRIKE WYNFAUL

Rangier yellow, up to size. Lovely head, kind and intelligent expression and good muzzle length. Another with attractive clean lines throughout. Well boned and powerful, masculine but no trace of coarseness. Sweeping neck and shoulder with both power and elegance. Lovely level topline in the stack and on the move, with good tailset. Good harsh coat of correct texture. Moved straight and true, with drive.

3. GIVAN’S SUDEO GAME CHANGER

JUNIOR DOG (3, 1a)

Two super dogs in this class.

1. SHIRTON’S WOOLMAN FREE AND EASY

Loved this pale yellow boy, his quality and breed type stood out. Ultra clean lines, sweetest of heads with lovely dark pigment. Broad in skull, masculine but not overdone in any way. Used his ears well, presenting intelligence and willingness to please. Correct harsh coat. Good bone, and neat feet. Excellent front assembly, powerful through neck and shoulder, well balanced with strong well-muscled hindquarters. Pushed well off hocks and moved with real drive and precision. RESERVE BEST DOG.

2. PATTISON’S DYLSONLEIGH TITAN FOR PATTILANDS

Another lovely boy, full of quality. Has good substance without being overdone. Darker yellow with lovely balanced head, sweet and gentle expression. Good double coat. Well angled in front, with decent bone. Good neat feet. Super topline. Very strong hindquarters with good second thigh. Well let down hocks. Moved positively and powerfully.

YEARLING DOG (6, 2a)

1. PICKIN’S EDENWOOD HINCH

Well-made chocolate of good substance. Broad in skull with adequate length of muzzle for balance, good eye colour and kind expression. Coat of attractive dark colour, correct texture. Lovely otter tail. Strong bone. Decent angulation front and rear presenting a balanced picture, reflected in steady and precise movement. Would just like to see a little more animation in the ring.

2. MOODY’S TRENDLEWOOD HOMETOWN GLORY

Upstanding yellow of a very different type to winner. Attractive type, still a little raw but everything in the right place, needs to develop into his frame, which he will, just needs time. Kindest of heads with dark eye and good pigment. Good bone and standing on tidy feet. Liked his height/leg length ratio. Well ribbed and firm topline. Strong hocks. Very tidy on the move.

3. RICHARDS’ ROCHEBY ALFIE

NOVICE DOG (6, 4a)

1. METCALFE’S BISH BASH BOSH BAILEYDALE

1st in Puppy Dog.

2. PERCIVAL’S SUDEO LUCKY STRIKE WYNFAUL

2nd in Puppy Dog

UNDERGRADUATE DOG (8, 4a)

Two lovely boys heading this class.

1. ELLIS & MATULLA’S DOLWEN JACKPOT

Beautifully balanced pale yellow, very typy, powerfully built throughout. Broad skull, masculine but not overdone in any way, gentle intelligent expression. Lovely reach of neck, excelled in layback of shoulder. Stood true on strong bone and good tight feet. Deep in brisket and with well barrelled ribs. Super topline flowing into well set tail. Movement steady, powerful, and effortless.

2. JOHNSON’S TANRONENS JACK FROST AT CREMINO

Many similar comments apply as for the winner, lovely breed type and presented a very attractive picture. Yellow. Sweet natured with kind expression and clearly willing to please, very attentive to handler. Super reach of neck and clean lines through shoulder and front giving elegant and graceful appearance but still masculine. Strong bone, stood foursquare. Correct coat. Good barrel rib. Moved positively and tidily.

3. WAY’S INCANTATOR FABULINUS

POST GRADUATE DOG (6, 3a)

1. BARON’S LANDEBEC VENTURA JW

Pale yellow, upstanding dog, liked his type. Lovely masculine head with broad skull and nice length of muzzle giving balanced proportions. Liked his layback of shoulder and clean lines. Good level topline held at all times. Correct coat and good otter tail. Well-muscled at rear with good width of second thigh. Moved smoothly with both reach and drive.

2. DOUGLAS’ CENTENALEE WHISKY SOUR AT KYORLI

Smaller framed darker yellow, presented in good fit condition. Appealed for his beautiful head with correct eye colour which gave him a true melting expression. Well angulated fore and aft making him nicely balanced. Good chest and barrel rib. Well developed hindquarters and good second thigh which he used well on the move, went steadily and with purpose.

3. MANNING’S MARCHURCH IMPERIAL TOPAZ

MID LIMIT DOG (8, 2a)

1. FOSTER’S ROCHEVALE BEAL

Powerful yellow, loved his kind but masculine head and expression, used his ears to good effect. Good depth of chest and barrel rib. In good coat. Strong and clean through neck and shoulder. Stood foursquare on excellent bone and tight feet. Level topline held at all times. Well developed hind quarters. Powered around the ring with no apparent effort and showing reach and drive.

2. JOHNSON’S CREMINO CELEBRITY JW

Quality black presented in excellent gleaming condition. Liked his type. Excellent double coat of good texture. More lightly built than winner but filled his frame nicely and presented an attractive outline. Appealing head, gentle expression and demonstrating willingness to please. Lovely through neck and shoulder and with super topline. Balanced throughout with well angulated front matched at the rear. Moved well.

3. ROWLEY’S TREANTAGH HOT SPELL

OPEN DOG (2, 1a)

1. TULLOCH’S SH CH BINNAIG SEA THE STARS OVER TULLOCHMOHR JW

Stood alone but very worthy winner. Took my eye as soon as he entered the ring. Pale yellow, bigger framed but beautifully balanced, giving overall impression of power and masculinity without any hint of coarseness. Kind head with gentle expression and a lovely hint of playfulness. Strong and clean throughout. Excelled in layback of shoulder and good forearm length, placing legs well under him. Super topline, held well, with tail straight off his back. Deep through chest and well barrelled ribs. Good bone and neat feet. Muscular hind quarters and good width of second thigh and well let down hocks. Powered around the ring effortlessly. BEST DOG AND BEST IN SHOW.

SPECIAL GRADUATE (4, 1a)

Three very promising young handlers who all handled their dogs beautifully – the future of our hobby.

1. DARWESH’S TISSALIAN SWEET TREAT FOR ELIZAD

Pale yellow bitch, compact but nicely built with everything in proportion, overall very neat and clean looking. Pretty and feminine head with a kind eye and melting expression. Good topline held well on the move. Correct harsh coat and good otter tail. Moved steadily and with purpose. Handled gently and capably to get the best out of her.

2. CLAYTON’S ROCHEBY ACACIA OF ROCHEVALE

Slightly darker yellow with elegant lines throughout, presented an attractive outline. Gentle head and kind expression. Good bone and neat feet. Well balanced. Strong hindquarters used to good effect on the move where her handler was able to demonstrate her ability to move with style and drive.

3. BRAY’S MARIANK FIRST LADY OF SUTTONPARK

VETERAN BITCH (2, 0a)

1. BARON’S MARIANK VANITY FAIR AT LANDEBEC

7 year old. Clean and upstanding yellow, with sweet feminine head of correct proportions and kind eye. Liked her strong but elegant neck and shoulder, and good height/leg length ratio. Good topline and tailset, with good otter tail which she used to advantage. Well boned with good feet. Moved well.

2. ARTINGSTALL’S HIGHTREVORON FORGET ME NOT

8 year old yellow. Slightly longer cast than winner but many of the same comments apply. Very appealing head and expression. Balanced in profile, with excellent hindquarters and second thigh. Presented in lovely condition with super coat and good otter tail. Pushed off strong hocks and moved very positively.

BABY PUPPY BITCH (6, 2a)

What a lovely class.

1. HOPKINSON’S ROCHEBY PAINTED BLACK

Black of unmistakeable quality, just right for her age. Balanced throughout and presented a very appealing picture. Sweetest of heads with good ear placement. Super layback of shoulder, clean through neck and front, lovely level topline. Excellent double coat and plenty of it. Standing true on strong bone and neat feet. Good otter tail flowing straight off her well angled hindquarters. Showed very happily. Has a bright future.

2. EDWARDS’ KIMBAJAK DAZZLING DIAMOND

Pale yellow of good breed type, more compact than winner, very balanced and appealing. Pretty head with good pigment and melting expression, very willing to please. Strong bone. Neat feet. Lovely double coat. Moved well.

3. DIGWEED’S WILLOKIN’S MAX MARA

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (7, 2a)

1. BRADDON’S TRENDLEWOOD ONLY YESTERDAY

Sweet yellow, balanced throughout. Won this class on her overall balance and femininity. Appealed for her feminine head with good pigment and melting expression. Good layback of shoulder. Well boned. Very tight feet. Strong in hindquarters and good hocks. Good coat of harsh texture, and correct otter tail. Moved positively and with purpose.

2. DISLEY’S ACREDAM NANCY DREW

Very pale yellow giving overall impression of balance and quality. Sweetest of expressions and very attentive to handler. Good front construction with legs placed well under her body. Good barrel rib, strong hindquarters and hocks. Needs a little more confidence but this will come. Moved steadily and neatly.

3. PERCIVAL’S WYNFAUL TANGO

PUPPY BITCH (5, 2a)

1. GIVAN’S SUDEO SASSY SAPPHIRE

Quality black presented in excellent condition. Good head proportions and used her ears well, kind and attentive expression. Excelled in reach of neck with good shoulder giving strong clean lines whilst still feminine. Well boned with good feet. Very good coat and otter tail flowing right off her back. Moved well demonstrating reach and drive. BEST PUPPY BITCH.

2. DISLEY’S ACREDAM AGATHA CHRISTIE

Pale yellow, very neatly made with clean lines. Prettiest of heads with lovely dark pigment giving her a very appealing expression. Presented a very balanced impression with good front construction matched with well angulated hindquarters. Not in her best jacket today but a full coat will complete the picture.

3. FALSHAW’S ROCHEVALE PRIMROSE OF LONICERIUM

JUNIOR BITCH (7, 3a)

1. DAWSON’S ROCHEBY SUNDAY’S GIRL AT BESKERBY

Yellow, well constructed and balanced. Pretty head with gentle expression. Elegant and feminine through neck and shoulder. Good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Good angulation fore and aft. Stood foursquare with hocks held vertical. Correct double coat, with good tailset off a level topline held well on the move. Moved steadily and with purpose.

2. GORDON-SMITH & BIBBY’S MEADOWLINE WHIZZ BANG AT BRUXINHO JW

Black, more powerfully built than winner but still feminine. Head correctly proportioned with typical expression. Well off for bone. Neat feet. Deep through brisket and good barrel rib. Liked her layback of shoulder and good front construction, balanced with strong well angulated hindquarters with good width of second thigh, allowing her to move with drive.

3. GRUMMITT & DEMPSEY’S MANORWELL SWEET CAROLINE

YEARLING BITCH (6, 1a)

1. WALTON’S GALLYBOB WILLO THE WISP

Eye catching pale yellow of lovely quality and breed type. Presented herself well. Powerful but feminine, clean lines throughout. Excellent shoulder and front construction matched with correctly angulated rear, presented a very appealing profile. Standing on good bone and tight feet. Well sprung rib. Short-coupled. Strong topline which she held at all times. Showed reach and drive on the move. Considered her for top honours. In time she will trouble the best.

2. JONES’ HAFNAU ODETTE

Another lovely bitch, black, different type to winner but close decision between these two. Quality through and through. Presented in super condition. Lovely head, broad in skull and with correct foreface giving balance. Powerful through neck and shoulder but still feminine and elegant. Strong bone and good feet. Lovely flowing topline into correct tailset and good otter tail. Well muscled hindquarters and good second thigh gave her power and drive on the move.

3. DARWESH’S TISSALIAN SWEET TREAT FOR ELIZAD

NOVICE BITCH (7, 2a)

1. DEANE’S TANRONENS YULETIDE ANGEL

Quality yellow, slightly longer cast but retaining balance. Appealing head with sweet expression. Kind and attentive to handler. Good bone, deep through brisket and well ribbed. Standing on good tight feet. In good coat and with correct otter tail. Well-built broad hindquarters, moved with power and purpose.

2. WOOD’S SUNDYKE SECRET ARROW

More compactly built chocolate with pretty head, good eye colour and kind expression. In good fit condition. Good reach of neck. Stood foursquare with adequate bone and neat feet. Held topline well at all times. Moved ok. Still a little raw but will develop well with maturity.

3. PERKINS’ KEENINSPIRES COUNTESS

UNDERGRADUATE BITCH (8, 6a)

1. JURY’S HANDIALLA LADY IN RED AT BALLEREMUERA

Attractive pale yellow of nice type with attractive head. Liked her reach of neck and front construction. Adequate bone. Good length of leg to height ratio. Level topline. Clean lines throughout. Decent coat with good tail. Moved well.

2. BROUGHTON’S LAPEMA MUSTANG KATI AT BRANDELLE

More compactly built yellow of nice type. Good reach of neck, not quite the front angulation of the winner, but clean throughout. Good spring of rib. Level topline held on the move, good otter tail. Neat hocks and moved very tidily.

POST GRADUATE BITCH (10, 5a)

1. GLAISTER, BORDACS & BORDACS’ BELLAMAR LOVE ME DO JW

My notes say ‘gorgeous black’, won this class on overall quality. In gleaming condition and presented a very appealing picture. Broad in skull with good foreface for balance, and kind eye. Excellent layback of shoulder, clean and strong through the neck, legs well under body. Deep through the brisket. Powerful and muscular hindquarters with good width to second thigh. Thick double coat and good otter tail. Powered effortlessly around the ring.

2. DIGWEED’S BAILEYDALE OOPS A DAISY FOR WILLOKIN

Another quality bitch with good breed type, balanced and appealing. Slightly darker yellow. Kind intelligent head. Strong clean lines throughout, with good bone. Deep through chest and good barrel rib. Correct tail used well when moving.

3. GIVAN’S SUDEO OUR ONE N’ ONLY

MID LIMIT BITCH (10, 5a)

1. METCALFE’S BAILEYDALE BLONDIE

Well constructed yellow. Kind head of correct proportions and used ears well. Stood true when viewed from all angles. Well off for bone. Excelled in layback of shoulder and correct forearm giving good reach of neck, level topline. Deep in body and well sprung barrel rib. Lovely tailset coming straight and level off her back. Good tail. Well muscled hindquarters and good width to second thigh. Effortless and smooth movement. RESERVE BEST BITCH.

2. RAWLINSON & BALSHAW’S HALSHIMOOR PERFECT PITCH AT HALSHIMOOR

Quality bitch, longer cast than winner but otherwise many of the same comments apply. Appealing head with good length of muzzle, and typical Labrador expression. Very attentive. Elegant neck and shoulder flowing into strong topline. Well boned. Super double coat of correct texture.

3. PERKINS’ KEENINSPIRES NEWS FLASH

OPEN BITCH (9, 8a)

1. WOODLEY’S SH CH ALKHAMHURST LONDON GIRL

Stood alone in this class but very worthy winner of lovely breed type. Strongly built black, instantly appealed for her clean and balanced lines, presented in excellent fit condition. Very dense double coat of correct texture. Excellent tail. Well boned with good tight feet. Good angulation fore and aft and stood foursquare at all times. Muscular hindquarters and pushed off strong hocks to power around the ring with ease. Never put a foot wrong. BEST BITCH AND BEST OPPOSITE SEX.

Angela Mitchell (Judge)