Gundog Society Of Wales

GUNDOG SOCIETY OF WALES CHAMP SHOW - 14th October 2026 English Setter

Thank you to the Society for my invitation to judge at this group championship show and many thanks to exhibitors for a super entry. I was incredibly pleased with my final line-up but felt there was more quality in the bitches on the day. I was disappointed in the appearance of a handful of exhibits with entangled and grubby feathering, having said that I was impressed with the overall condition and superb presentation of the breed.

Minor Puppy Dog 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Wellburn Oshowa Guardian of Dreams

A pleasing blue dog, just six months on the day. Well proportioned head with kind dark eye, adequate stop and correct earset. For his age he has good bone and presented a well-balanced picture when stacked, developing well in chest and good rear angulation. He moved out soundly and steadily for a youngster, gently handled, a very promising puppy.

 Puppy Dog 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Adams Alolfrana Xclusive Party 

A really super orange puppy who excels in head, dark eye and correct finish to muzzle. He has excellent forequarters, correct shoulder lay and already has good body depth. He has a solid frame, level topline and has good bone and substance, well angulated hindquarters and good width to thigh. A confident and happy mover with good head carriage and correct tailset and presented in pristine coat condition. Best Puppy and shortlisted in the puppy group.

2ND Corfield & Derry Balvenie Glen Douglas at Indibrooke 

Another very sound puppy with a clean and balanced outline when stacked, attractive tri-colour. He has a well proportioned head with a kind eye and expression. Well laid shoulders good straight front, body developing well and has correct sweep to stifle. Giving away in age to the more mature puppy as he does not yet have the depth and coat of my winner.

Junior Dog 4 Absentees: 2

1ST Howarth Samelen Enchanto at Moorbrook 

I was really drawn to this young orange dog. He has a classic head with oval skull and adequate stop and correct depth to muzzle. He presents a clean outline, excellent forehand , correct short back, he already has a good coat and underneath he is built on a solid frame and has strong bone. Firm loin, good rear angulation and strong hocks, presented in super condition. Full of character and confidence, he is nowhere near his full potential but he out moved the competition in the challenge, with excellent rear drive to take the Dog CC very well done.

2ND Lawson Summerseve Cezanne JW 

A quality tri-colour with a strong masculine head of correct proportions. Muscular neck of adequate length, shoulders well laid and tight compact feet. He has a solid topline and moderate rear angulation with good thigh width. A little uncoordinated on the move, not as tidy in front as my winner but went much better in his subsequent class to take a very well deserved first place. Presented in lovely coat and condition.

Yearling Dog 4 Absentees: 1

1ST Summerseve Cezanne JW (repeat)

2ND Thacker Peritye Follow The Sun 

Orange dog with pleasing head shape, well defined stop and expressive eyes of good colour. He has a decent amount of bone and moderate angulation both front and rear, Correct body proportions with short level back. Would prefer more drive from the rear, presented in good coat and condition.

3RD Taylor Kanietter Goldmandine of Tattay JW 

Post Graduate Dog 8 Absentees: 1

1ST Arkley Oshowa Dream Lover at Tribulora

A very smart blue dog that presents a very well balanced and clean outline when stacked. Pleasing in head with correct proportions, defined occiput, ears set on low, kind dark eye. Clean over neck with shoulders well laid, has adequate body depth and good sweep to stifle, tail well set. Did enough to win the class, needs to co-operate with handler more on the move.

2ND Hingley Wansleydale Bee Quick 

A quality tricolour dog, well proportioned masculine head, gentle expression with kind eye and good finish to muzzle. Level topline, good depth to brisket, ribs well sprung and correct angulation of forehand and rear quarters which gave him correct balance in profile when stacked. Moved out well holding his topline in profile.

3RD Tompsett Radbrooks Brothers in Arms 

 Limit Dog 8 Absentees: 0

1ST 53 Arkley Tattersett Blue Lord JW

A very mixed class with exhibits that presented well losing out in movement that lacked desired drive. My first was a smart well balanced dog, typical head of correct proportions. Clean and strong through neck, good front assembly with elbows tight in, deep in chest, short firm back, solid loin and correct tailset. Shown in good coat of attractive colour. I really liked him so it was disappointing he threw his chances away in the challenge with poor head carriage and erratic movement as he went well in his class.

2ND Thomas Kanietter Sarka at Hainfield 

An attractive and well constructed blue dog, Masculine head with correct skull shape and adequate stop, low earset and kind expression. Nicely angulated both front and behind with level topline producing a balanced outline. Good depth of brisket, with moderate rear angulation, moved out well but just tending to fly his tail which spoilt him in profile.

3RD Derry, Schoneville & Williamson Hawklawn Hazzard County at Balvenie JW 

Open Dog 1 Absentees: 0 

1ST Wilkinson-Sargeant Phenset Firestorm 

Stood alone today but would do well in company, a quality and mature orange dog, I would perhaps like a little more of him but having said that he is well balanced throughout. Attractive head, stop well defined and lovely kind expression. Very sound front with good feet, well ribbed, firm loin and well turned stifles. Moved soundly from all angles, presented in lovely coat of correct texture and super overall condition.

Champion Dog 5 Absentees: 0

1ST Watts Sh Ch Walshaw Brushstrokes 

One I have judged some years ago as a promising youngster and he has definitely fulfilled his early promise. He has a pleasing masculine head, oval skull and kind dark eye. Correct front and shoulders, good return of upperarm, deep ribcage and strong loin and couplings with correct sweep to stifles. He moved with good rear drive holding his topline and has excellent head carriage, presented in excellent muscular condition and a very well presented coat, denies his seven years of age. Res CC and therefore automatically Best Veteran Dog and evenutally Best Veteran

2ND Darley Sh Ch Severnsett Gold Sovereign

A well made and robust orange dog, well off for bone and substance. He is masculine in head yet free from any coarseness, kind expression and good eye colour. Excels in front has correct short back with level topline and is solid throughout body and well ribbed. He has moderate rear angulation and moved out well with a sound striding action, with correct tail carriage. Shown in excellent muscular condition with a well presented jacket.

3RD Osman Sh Ch Bournehouse Sirocco over Marissolo JW ShCEx OSW 

 Veteran Dog 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Bishop Sh Ch Dyrham Desert Storm

I found this dog most attractive and typical in head with correct skull shape, well defined occiput and adequate stop. Strong neck of good length with excellent forehand. He has a solid body of correct proportions is well balanced throughout with pleasing front and rear angles. Moved out well holding his topline using his tail to advantage. A super seven year old, shown in tip top coat and condition. 

Special Beginners 6 Absentees: 0

1ST Stead Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista JW

 A very pretty and feminine blue bitch. Extremely attractive in head with oval skull and well defined stop. Well placed shoulders correct front assembly, well ribbed back and adequate rear angulation standing on strong hocks. She moved with drive and purpose and was very well managed with confidence to get the best out of her. Best SB

2ND Lowe Frennisett Fly Me to The Moon 

A very well made youngster of pleasing body proportions and good bone. I would prefer her more refined in head, but she has a kind eye, well defined stop, with correct earset. Well constructed front, good return of upperarm and correct rear angulation. Moved out well and shown in super coat.

3RD Thacker Peritye Follow The Sun 

 Puppy Bitch 5 Absentees: 1

1ST Schoneville Balvenie Shona

Truly little to choose between 1st and 2nd place when stacked. A very smart tricolour youngster, beautiful head, dark expressive eyes, strong neck and correct straight front, elbows tight in with shoulders well placed. She is clean in outline with a firm topline, short coupled and has adequate rear angulation with strong hocks. Such a sound mover, advantaged by her steady pace. Very well deserved Best puppy bitch but could not match the coat and maturity of my Puppy Dog winner.

2ND Danks & Swannell Alolfrana All Night Party 

Another very promising tri-colour with a feminine pretty head with correct skull shape and adequate stop, lovely expression, correct earset. Clean over neck and shoulders, chest already well developed, well ribbed and has good sweep to stifle. Correct tailset used well on the moved, preferred the front movement of my winner.

3RD Lowe Frennisett Fly Me to The Moon 

Junior Bitch 6 Absentees: 0

1ST Atyeo & Taylor Samelen Ethereal Legacy 

What an eye-catching young bitch, very soundly made throughout and so well balanced from all angles. Beautiful head with defined occiput, kind expression and dark eye. Super well developed forehand, excellent return of upperam and good body depth. Croup is firm with tail well set on and plenty of rear angulation. A sound and precise mover, one for the future when she develops her full jacket. Considered her for Res CC but could not match the older bitch for coat and finish, her time will come. I see she is litter sister to my Dog CC winner.

2ND Schoneville Balvenie Shona (repeat)

3RD Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista JW 

Yearling Bitch 4 Absentees: 0

1ST Rumble Bushbane Celtic Envoy 

A very well constructed orange bitch, feminine head with plenty of work and well defined stop. She is well off for bone and substance, with deep chest, firm short back and well set tail. Behind she is well angulated with strong hocks. Shown in great condition and moved soundly with correct head carriage to win the class.

2ND Reid Diersett Moon of The Skies JW 

Another quality orange girl who excels in over balance and outline. Attractive head with kind expression, correct earset and kind eye. Clean over neck with shoulders well laid, correct height to length ratio, well ribbed back with strong hindquarters with good thigh width. Not as positive in front movement as my winner.

3RD Wynne-Evans Droveborough One Love 

 Novice Bitch 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Balvenie Shona (repeat)

2ND Alolfrana All Night Party (repeat)

Post Graduate Bitch 6 Absentees: 0

1ST Mcloughlin Arabin Love Maybe

Quality blue bitch with an attractive well shaped head, good finish to muzzle and adequate stop. Good straight front, leading into well placed shoulders with good body depth. Short coupled, strong loin and well turned stifles, well up for size but retains balance, a sound steady mover.

2ND Beasley Latjeata Cup of Kindness JW

A very well constructed orange bitch, Head of correct proportions, balanced skull with stop well defined. Good reach of neck, well placed shoulders and has enough depth of chest. She is well ribbed, firm loin with tail well set. Lovely disposition and moved out soundly with style.

3RD Bayliss Dyrham Girl On Fire 

Limit Bitch 10 Absentees: 1

1ST Stephenson Bournehouse in Dreams at Steeplow 

Without a doubt my best class of the day, full of top quality exhibits, headed by two super orange bitches. My first place has a beautiful head with plenty of work, lean with adequate stop and kind expression. She is so clean in outline, best of shoulders and front, short backed with super body depth. She has a strong loin of good width, correct rear angles and strong hocks. Not a flashy bitch but exudes soundness and she is so precise on the move. She was shown in pristine coat and condition to win the CC and BOB. I was told her third so many congratulations and later heard she becomes the fiftieth English Setter show champion for this kennel, many congratulations to all.

2ND Watkins, Wyatt-Hughes & Phillips Glenmaurangi Celeste

This bitch has a feminine attractive head, correct skull and occiput and ears well set on. Excellent forehand, elbows tight in and good return of upperarm. Deep in chest, level topline and super well developed hindquarters with good width to thighs. On the move she really excels with ground covering action and slashing tail, holding her topline well. Presented to perfection, she displays a lovely elegance about her and is in total tandem with her handler, a well deserved Res CC .

  3RD Williams Bournehouse Keep Dreaming

Open Bitch 5 Absentees: 3

1ST Williams Sh Ch Bournehouse Guilty Secret 

A quality well built bitch well of for bone and substance. Attractive head with dark eye and soft expression, she is clean over neck leading into correct shoulder placement, well ribbed and short coupled. Not the easiest to show as she is such a fidget, a happy sound mover displaying good reach and drive with lovely head carriage, coat could be tidier. 

2ND McLoughlin Arabin Silver Panda 

Another attractive tri-colour, displays a well balanced head with correct proportions, with good finish to muzzle. Clean over neck with shoulders well placed, well boned with good straight front and good depth to brisket. She is firm throughout body with level topline and correct rear angulation. Not as positive in movement as my winner.

Champion Bitch 2 Absentees: 1

1ST Hutchinson & Dennis Sh Ch Mariglen My Heart Will Go On with Monaysbridge JW

I was impressed by this top quality bitch when stacked in the line. She has a beautiful head with melting expression. Excellent balance with an elegance about her, super coat and condition, unfortunately she would not co-operate and I was unable to assess her further, she disappointed on the move as clearly unhappy in the ring.

Veteran Bitch 3 Absentees: 0

1ST Darley Severnsett Dark Angel 

 This class had three pleasing veterans, my first place was an attractive blue bitch with a very pleasing head, long and lean, enough stop and bright expression. Correct front assembly with shoulders well placed, deep brisket and good return of upperarm. Correct height to length ratio with short level back, muscular loin and good sweep of stifle. She won this class with her ground covering movement and holding her topline well.

2ND Dennis, Harris & Morgan Sh Ch Gemsett Ice Cold in Alex at Mariglen JW

Another super veteran in great shape, she is feminine and stylish with a well chiselled head of lovely proportions, dark eyes and soft expression. She is very well balanced overall when stacked with correct angulation fore and aft. Good coat and texture, a sound mover using her tail to advantage.

3RD Beasley Wansleydale Amaretto at Latjeata VW 

Jean Byrne (Judge)