Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd

Thank you to the committee for this invitation, it is always a pleasure to judge at this well run and forward thinking show. I was thrilled with the depth of quality here, so much so that some I rate highly and have done well for in the past did not even make the shortlist. In my shortlist of 9 were the English Setter, Seaman's Mariglen Villanelle, the Gordon Setter, Patterson's Am Gr Ch/Can Ch Fenwyck's Glamour, the Pointer, Wilkinson's Ferndel Sapphire Mist Over Stocksfell, the Irish Water Spaniel, Carruther's Sh Ch Stanegate Standing Ovation and the Portuguese Pointer Taylor's Swiss Sh Ch Fabpoint Pagan Through Pointoak WW'23

My winner was the Flat Coated Retriever. He took my eye straight away with his free and easy profile action. He has excellent carriage and deportment, holding his outline so well at all times. His head is impressive, long and well moulded with dark eyes and such an intelligent expression. Long neck, excellent front with shoulders well positioned, straight well boned legs and the best of feet. His body is well ribbed, he has a short strong loin and a level topline which never falters. Muscular rear with hocks well let down used to advantage on the move. Shown in pristine coat condition and doing everything his handler asked of him. He has quality and charisma in abundance, he just had to win.

G2 was the Clumber Spaniel male who really impressed on handling, masculine and strong but in no way overdone. Large, broad head and pleasing eye colour, well defined stop, square in muzzle. Long and thick neck, short strong legs with well developed bone down to large round feet. His body has good length, he is deep in chest with ribs well sprung and carried well back. His rear is well muscled, thighs broad and with hocks well let down. Firm in topline, tail low set and carried right off his back. Impressed on the move, so accurate fore and aft and moving with an effortless, free action in profile. Quietly and sympathetically handled to get the best from him.

G3 was the beautiful Golden Retriever bitch. I was the referee in the breed ring and could not get past her, I consider her the best of this breed I have judged to date. Striking in outline and totally balanced. Beautiful head of good balance, well defined stop, dark eyes and the best of pigment. Clean through the neck and shoulders and with an excellent forehand. Stands on well boned legs and excellent feet. Her body has correct depth and ribbing, her level topline is firm and never faltered standing or moving. Impresses on the move, especially in profile with a powerful action. Beautifully conditioned and shown to best advantage.

G4 was the well muscled German Wirehaired Pointer bitch of correct proportions, strong and powerful but retaining femininity. Her head is well balanced, broad in skull, moderate stop and with dark eyes. Strong neck, sloping shoulders well positioned, correctly boned legs and well arched feet. Her elbows are set close to her body. Deep in chest, ribs well sprung. Firm in back, thighs strong and well muscled. Comes alive on the move with a sure footed steady action, true coming and going and covering the ground easily in profile.