Crufts

Crufts Critique Flatcoated Retriever Dogs

I would like to thank the Crufts Show Committee for inviting me to judge at this prestigious show, and for enabling me to fulfil a long held ambition. I also thank them for their excellent hospitality both before and during the show.

I thank my two stewards for their support and hard work in keeping the ring running smoothly, and also the exhibitors for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions

It was an honour and a privilege to have an entry of such quality which made for some very close decisions, however it has to be ‘the dog on the day’ and placings could easily change on another day.

I was looking for a medium sized, moderate dog who fitted our Breed standard, who was in fit, hard condition, and whose movement was straight and free flowing. The large Crufts ring provides the opportunity for a dog to make the most of himself on the move. All the dogs were well presented and a credit to their owners.

There are a few areas that I feel we need to be looking at; short upper arms in particular, and overlong couplings which affect the free flowing movement we should expect from our dogs. One area that we can rectify and which I seem to comment on in every critique, is to keep our dogs at an ideal weight as possible, one should be able to both feel the ribs and see the outline of the waist.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day, and was very pleased with my final line up. Both myself and my co judge, Harry Nelson, agreed on the Best of Breed, Best Veteran and Best Puppy, and it was lovely to later watch our Best of Breed win Group 3.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme (11 3a)

1 Romeo-Dieste’s Hopevalley Morning Circus

A beautifully presented dog of medium size. Well moulded head and kind dark eye, with good reach of neck, and good depth of chest. Well constructed front angulation balanced by strong rear quarters with a moderate bend of stifle. Level topline and good tail set. Tight neat feet and good bone. Moved straight and true both going away and coming back on an even stride.

2 Hewisons’ Casblaidd Island In The Sky SGWC, KCWGC,VW

A well balanced workmanlike dog of good substance. Lovely one piece head with almond shaped dark eye giving a soft expression. Super front and good width and depth of chest. Well constructed all through with good length and depth of body, firm topline and good tail set, moderate in stifle. Moved steadily but not as positively as 1st.

3 Vanderstegen-Drake’s Moity Havoc

Minor Puppy (2)

1 Walker’s Rotherfield Lone Ranger

What a confident and outgoing puppy, and at just 8 months old showing a lot of potential. Lovely one piece head, dark eye and soft expression. Quality bone and tight feet. He is nicely balanced with a good front, well laid back shoulder and return of upper arm. Good

length and depth to the body and good couplings. Level topline and correct tail set completed the picture. Moved soundly

 2 Whitakers’ Touch Of Power Black Brianta ( Imp Cze)

Another 8 month old with a bright future ahead of him. Slightly long in stifle at the moment and not quite as balanced as 1 but this will come as he matures. Good head and dark eye showing a hint of mischief. Moderate reach of neck with good shoulders and upper arm, gradual spring of rib and good couplings. Good topline and tail set, moved soundly.

Puppy (6)

1 McQuillans’ Flattastic James Sullivan

An outgoing puppy of 10 months presenting a nicely balanced outline. Lovely moulded head with dark almond shaped eye giving a soft expression. Good bone and feet. Pronounced brisket and good width and depth of chest. Well placed shoulders and good length to upper arm, gradual spring of rib, correct in couplings and well constructed at the rear. Moved out well on an even stride with good profile movement.

2 Salts’ Culcrieff’s Ferntower Glen Of Wetnoses

  Also 10 months old and slightly taller than1, presenting a balanced and racy outline. Good one piece head, lovely dark eye,and mischievous expression. Well constructed all through with good length to the body and gradual spring of rib. Moderate bend of stifle and good couplings. Firm topline held on the move and short correctly set tail. Moved well once he was settled, good profile movement. A youngster showing a lot potential.

3 Tague’s Blacklake Fenyyx Coming Home

Junior (17 2 a)

1 Genco’s Diamanté Blu Nottetempo

The winner of a strong junior class, this stunning 10 month old just caught my eye. Presented a lovely racy outline being slightly longer than he is tall and full of Breed type. Classical head with soft expression. Quality bone and neat feet, he has a super front and good width and depth of chest. Good reach of neck leading to well laid back shoulders and return of upper arm. Strong topline and well angulated at the rear with moderate bend of stifle and short well set on tail. Moved stylishly, and movement was both straight and true. Pleased to award him Best Puppy dog and, with my co judge’s agreement, Best Puppy In Breed.

2 Churchard’s Flatcharm Dark Secret At Churchking

I liked this boy very much too. He is of medium size, with a balanced and clean outline, and of good type. Good head, well filled in and dark eye giving a soft expression. Moderate neck into well laid back shoulders, pronounced forechest and well angulated both front and rear. Level topline and well set on tail which never stopped wagging, a natural showman. Moved straight and true making the most of the big ring.

3 Mullings’ Seaheart Fabian At Dexanluc

Yearling (16 1a)

1 Brummelman’s Risky Business Black Brianta

A well balanced 18 month old shown in lovely coat and condition. Well proportioned head with good fill in beneath the eyes and kind expression. Moderate in neck with good shoulder and length to upper arm, body nicely ribbed with a gradual spring. Level topline and good tail set. Moderate bend of stifle, and good width of thigh. Moved well with reach and drive and good profile movement..

2 Blain’s Rotherfield Made To Last At Steelriver

Another lovely dog shown in fit, hard condition, and presenting a racy outline. Classical head with correct dark eye and soft expression. He has a good reach of neck, well defined brisket and is well constructed both front and rear with a good length and spring of rib. Quality bone and the best of feet. He moved well with strong rear drive and lovely tail action.

3 Durrants’ Glenturret Wet My Whistle JW

Undergraduate (8)

1 Tinker’s Kelvincross Smokey Joe

Medium size dog built on racy lines. His coat is in lovely condition, and he is a good dark liver colour. Well moulded head with eye of correct shape and kind expression. Pronounced brisket and good depth to chest, balanced construction both front and rear and level topline, would just prefer a better tail set and carriage. Good positive movement showing reach and drive.

2 Bright’s Hopevalley Morning Magic JW

A medium sized well balanced dog of good type. Handsome well proportioned head and soft expression. Moderate neck with good lay of shoulder and return of upper arm. Strong topline, good length and depth of body and short square loin. Good rear angulation and moderate stifle, neat feet. Moved soundly on an even stride.

3 King’s Kingsisla Isle Of Lewis

Graduate (8 1a)

1 Bells’ Curlycrest’s Sweet Home Chicago (Imp Nor) JW

I really liked this young dog, he is so well balanced in outline showing ‘power without lumber’ and he is certainly ‘bright and active’ Lovely moulded head with almond shaped dark eye, and soft expression. Moderate in neck with well laid back shoulders and good length to upper arm. Gradual spring of rib and short and square across the loin. Good width of thigh, and super feet. All set off by a constantly wagging short well set on tail. Stylish on the move showing both front extension and strong rear drive.

2 Schievink-Smith and Smith’s Steelriver Isle View Swift

Another quality young dog of good type who presents a racy and balanced profile. Lovely moulded head and dark eye, gentle expression. Well constructed both front and rear with good depth and length in body. Good couplings and moderate bend of stifle. Strong bone and tight neat feet. Moving straight and true both going away and coming toward me with a good side gait

3 Hedges’ Tikkdui The Walk Of Life

Postgraduate (13 2a)

1 Jeffries’ Mandaral Meets Jules

Of correct size and type with no exaggerations, I liked his overall shape and balance. Lovely head and eye with a kind expression. Well constructed at the front balanced by well angulated hindquarters. He is moderate in stifle and has good bone and feet. Level topline, and well set and carried tail. Very sound on the move with good rear drive.

2 Gribbles’ Jazzanranga Adventurer

A nicely balanced lovely dark liver dog of medium size with well shaped head and eye. Moderate reach of neck. Good width and depth of chest and good bone and neat feet Well angulated front and rear, body well ribbed and correct in couplings. Firm topline and correct tail set. Moved straight and true showing good rear drive and flowing profile movement

3 Mawson’s Steelriver Isle View Robin

Mid Limit (10 2a)

1 Wild’s Bitcon Alliance With Bluewaters (AI) JW

Up to size but so well balanced and in super coat and condition showing ‘power without lumber.’ Classical in head with correct dark almond shaped eye. Good reach of neck into well placed shoulders and return of upper arm. Deep in chest. Body is of good length and depth with a firm topline, strong hind construction and moderate stifle. Quality bone and super feet. He powered round the ring showing excellent reach and drive and enthusiastic tail action. On top form today, he certainly ‘drew your eye’ and I was delighted to award him the RCC

2 Clarks’ Hurstclough Night Owl At Flanova

Another quality dog with a neat and racy profile and of good type, beautifully presented and in hard condition Lovely proportioned head with soft dark eye, moderate reach of neck and good front construction. Gradual spring of rib with level topline and correct tail set. Well angulated hind quarters. Good bone and super feet. Moved out well on a free and easy stride.

3 Churchard’s Flatcharm Griffin At Churchking

Limit (6 2a)

1 Mullins’ Seaheart Daegan At Dexanluc

A dog of lovely type who stood four square on good feet. Head long and well moulded with a lovely dark mischievous eye. Excellent forechest with good width and depth to chest, well laid back shoulders and return of upper arm matched with strong rear quarters, good width of thigh. Firm level topline and presented in lovely coat and fit, hard condition. Made the most of the big ring when moving, striding out on a free flowing stride showing both reach and drive

2 Moons’ Llantrussa Sorrento Moon

A nicely balanced dog shown in lovely coat and condition. Well proportioned head with good fill in, and lovely dark eye giving a soft expression. Moderate in neck, well defined forechest and good depth to chest. He has well angulated front and rear quarters with good length and depth in body. Moderate in stifle, good bone and tight neat feet. Moved well, straight and true..

3 Hessing’s Hoedun Daddy’s Eyes At Montechor

Open (32 6a)

I have judged bigger classes but I don’t think I have ever judged one with so much depth of quality. To say I was spoilt for choice is an understatement and I could very easily have given out more than the allotted five cards.

1 Andersson’s Int/Multi Ch Caci’s Fifty Shades Of Music WW23/24/25, EUW-25 NORD-25

A dog, who at almost six years of age is at his best. He is of correct size, beautifully balanced and full of breed type presenting a stunning picture both standing and on the move, and what a showman! Absolutely classical in head with a dark almond shaped eye giving an expression that was soft but with a hint of mischief. Well defined brisket and depth of chest. Good reach of neck into excellent shoulders and length of upper arm, good length of body with a gradual spring of rib, and short square loin. Well angulated hindquarters, and well muscled, quality bone and good feet. Firm level topline with well set on tail that never stopped wagging, his movement was straight and true, and so very stylish. Delighted to award him the DCC, and with my co judge’s agreement BOB. He looked stunning and just never stopped showing in a strong Gundog Group and I was delighted to see him awarded Group 3.

2 Genco’s Diamanté Blu Uragano Ubriaco

Another top quality dog, of lovely size and type shown in excellent coat and fit condition. Presenting a racy outline with a touch of elegance, quality bone and super tight feet. Lovely one piece head with the darkest of eyes and kind expression. Moderate reach of neck leading to well laid back shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm, good depth of chest and tight elbows. Firm level topline and good tail set. Good couplings and strong rear quarters. Moved out positively on a free and easy stride in the class with a good side gait, however his movement was not as positive when being considered in the challenge for RDCC

3 Anson and McManus’ Sh Ch Rotherfield Secret Code

Field Trial Dog (2)

1 Ford’s Staverton Yakub Of Percuil

A medium size dog with sufficient bone for his size, well balanced and in fit hard condition. Well moulded head, good dark eye and kind expression. Soundly constructed all through with a firm topline and correct tail set, and correct in the couplings. He moved straight and true with good profile movement

2 Reitmaiers’ POL/LT /SE Ch Miss Mallory’s Let’s Go Crazy

An impressive dog of larger type, but well balanced outline, and also shown in fit, hard condition, very well coated. Masculine head with a kind dark eye, and moderate reach of neck. Chest of good width and depth, and well angulated front and rear quarters. Ample bone and super tight feet. Moved steadily but his rear movement was a little close today.

Special Working Gundog (7)

1 May’s Ronevorg Dark Angel At Lussac JW, SGWC, ShCEx,OSW

I liked this boy’s clean and racy lines, moderate throughout and in lovely coat and very fit condition. Masculine head and soft dark eye, and moderate reach of neck. Good lay of shoulder and length of upper arm, well defined brisket and good oval bone. Body is well ribbed and of good depth. Good width of thigh and well let down hocks which enabled his positive rear drive. Free and flowing when moving with lovely tail action, and this secured his first place.

2 Bright’s Hopevalley Morning Phantom SGWC

Another one shown in fit, hard condition. Lovely moulded head with kind dark eye. Nicely balanced all through, with good width and depth of chest. Good shoulders and upper arm balanced by moderate hindquarters. Level topline and well set on tail. Good bone and tight well arched feet. Movement was straight and true both going away and coming towards me.

3 Bowen’s Ch Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW, KCWGC,SGWC, ShCEx,OSW

Veteran (20 5a)

A lovely quality class to judge, with many youthful veterans and all a credit to their owners, and a good way to end the day..

1 Walker’s Sh Ch Lizzlog Granny Won’t like It JW

Eight and a half year old dog of correct size and type with a super outline. Pleasing head and kind dark eye. Well defined brisket and good width and depth of chest, and tight elbows. Well constructed and balanced both front and rear quarters with good length and depth of body, and correct in the couplings. Firm topline and well set on short tail. Moved straight and true on a good even stride

2 Smitherman and Robert’s’ Seaheart Crian At Gloi JW

At almost nine years he certainly belies his age, shown in lovely coat and condition and beautifully presented. Loved his classical head and almond shaped dark eye which gives such a lovely soft expression. Excels in forechest, well angulated forequarters, and body well ribbed and of good length with correct couplings, well angulated rear quarters. Strong topline and well set on tail, moved soundly showing good profile movement.

3 Jones’ Hightyne Unforgettable At Braemist

Jane Jones

Benvellyn