National Gundog Association

It was a pleasure and an honour to judge the Best Veteran In Show at National Gundog. My sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee for their kind invitation. Some lovely dogs here today and I was splitting hairs when I chose my shortlist which included the Bracco Italiano, Large Munsterlander, Flatcoated Retriever and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. 

My eventual winner was Hodge’s Sh Ch /Ir Sh Ch/Lux Ch/Int Ch Naiken East Meets West (ai) A quality nearly 8 years old black Labrador Retriever. Good head and expression, very good bone and neat feet. Excellent double coat, good topline and tail set, with good shoulder placement and excellent hindquarters. Moved soundly and purposefully. A worthy Best Veteran in Show winner.

For Reserve Best Veteran In Show I choose Tattersall’s Sh Ch Carrick Shadow Dog at Alanea (Imp Pol) - A quality 8 year old Irish Red and White Setter with a balanced, elegant outline. Masculine head and expression, excellent forechest, deep ribs and firm topline. Strong, well-muscled quarters. Presented in excellent condition and moved powerfully with drive.

3rd Chandler’s Chanangel Yorkshire Rose - A quality 7 year old Welsh Springer Spaniel of pleasing type and outline. Good head and eye, excellent body and ribbing, with strong hindquarters. Shown in excellent condition and handled to advantage by her young handler. Moved effortlessly.

4th Bradbury & Preston’s Sh Ch Harasteorra Aphrodite - A feminine 7 year old Sussex Spaniel of excellent breed type and balance. Feminine head with a soft expression, good ribbing and substance. Strong bone and well-padded feet. Feeling the heat today but still moved soundly, showing the breed's characteristic rolling action.