Flatcoated Retriever Society

Flatcoated Retriever Society Championship Show 5th April 2026.

Bitch Judges Critique.

Firstly I would like to thank the society for inviting me to judge at the show it’s long been a wish on my bucket list! Your welcome and hospitality both on the day and the evening before was wonderful. Thank-you to my ring stewards for keeping me organised, arranging the many seen dogs and enabling the ring to flow so smoothly. Finally thank-you to everyone who entered I went over some lovely bitches and in some classes wished I had more cards to hand out.

Some overall observations from the day, we need to watch the size of our young ladies, in some classes a few exhibits could have given the dogs a run for their money in the height stakes, whilst bites had improved since I last judged I noticed some rounder eyes creeping in and some slightly broader skulls than I would prefer, the head shape is one of the first things that says “Flatcoat” we must be careful not to loose it. All exhibits were presented in good condition with gleaming coats and all displayed the wonderful exuberant personality of our breed.   

Veteran Bitch (11,1)

1st Mrs L Walkers – “Lizzlog Nun on the Run” just 3 days short of her 8th birthday, of correct size and well balanced won the class on her true driving movement. Typical head, excellent reach of neck well set into shoulders with good front and rear angulation, a level topline with tail carried straight off her back both standing and moving, good muscle tone, the correct amount of bone and the tightest of feet. Best veteran bitch.

2nd Mr A Wilsons “Hameldowntor Music of the Night” , at 9 ½ years this lady gave the winner a run for her money! Hardly a grey hair, still animated and enjoying her showing. Feminine head with gentle expression, good lay of shoulder and pronounced sternum, good bone and tight feet good width of second thigh and correct bend of stifle. Presented in good coat with constantly wagging tail she moved well holding a level topline. 

3rd Ms. K. Hollands “ Woodfinch Highland Fairy for Flatcharm” just 7yrs of age, presented in good coat and hard condition very animated and enjoying her day. Well moulded and feminine head with dark eyes, good length of neck set well into shoulders and leading to a level topline with good tail-set, adequate bone and another with neat tight feet. Moved soundly and true.

Special Veteran Bitch (4,2)

2 lovely oldies determined not to give up on a showing career quite yet.

1st Mrs. P Bellamys “Bochilbarley Aurora” 10yrs old, in full coat, pretty head and expression nice dark eye, well angulated all round, good bone, slightly longer in loin, still holding her topline on the move despite her age, moved with more accuracy than 2nd.

2nd Miss D. Warringtons “Bochilbarley Jasmine by Woodavens” 10ys old and litter sister to winner, another with a thick dense coat, carrying slightly more weight than winner and less settled on the move. Classic head shape with dark eye and pretty expression. Well off for bone and with tight feet, correct lay of shoulder, shorter in coupling than her sister, well-muscled for her age, another with no grey hair! 

Baby Puppy Bitch (2,1)

1st Mrs C Price & Mrs L Nicholls “Llantrussa Beretta” at 5 months old a real sweetie, she has a pretty, feminine head with dark eye and correct scissor bite. Well balanced with super all-round angulation, a level topline and tail carried off her back, with the correct amount of bone for her age she is certainly one to watch, a little nervous on the move to begin with but she soon settled and grew in confidence. By the time of the Best Baby Puppy challenge she gave her litter brother a run for the title but he was slightly more together on the day, two super puppies.

Minor Puppy Bitch (13,2)

A class of all shapes and sizes and very different stages of development as would be expected, with some, in my opinion too big for their tender months, I hope they stop growing! 

1st Mrs K & Mr. Y Lutner-Jacholniks “Telurn Heart Skips a Beat” a day short of 7 months, a puppy of correct size and stage of development, very balanced presenting a good profile standing and moving. Feminine head of correct proportions, dark eye and scissor bite, good reach of neck, well set into shoulders, correct rear and front angulation, well off for bone, nice tight feet. Level topline held on the move, best mover of the class. Best Puppy Bitch.

2nd Miss C Chambers “Hototos Edge of Glory” 6 mths, again of correct size, slightly more bodied at this stage, typical head and dark eye, correct dentition, good reach of neck, well angulated shoulders, level topline, carrying slightly more weight than winner. Moved true and with confidence.

Mrs C Staff & Mrs J Powells “Hegrie Joyful Melody at Bonnyhilbrae” 6mths. Typical wiggly puppy, nicely balanced, pretty head and expression, correct amount of bone for age, level topline and tail carried straight off her back when moving, good bend of stifle and muscle tone, moved true when she settled.

Puppy Bitch (6,2)

Another class containing ladies already up to size.

1st Mr P. Dunnetts “Hoedun Does it Matter” 10mths up to size but balanced, lovely moulded head with pretty expression, dark eye and scissor bite, good reach of neck, well laid shoulders, good front with pronounced sternum. Correct amount of bone for age, level topline and correct tailset. Moved true and with confidence.

2nd Mrs. S. Mays “ Lussac Bewitched” 11mths, close decision with winner could easily exchange places on another day. Of correct size and in good coat, well moulded head, feminine expression, good eye colour, neck well set into correctly angulated shoulders. Appropriate level of bone and super tight cat-like feet, level top-line and good bend of stifle. Moved well with constantly wagging tail.

3rd Miss E.Bonners “Flattastic Hey Boo Hey” 11mths, Typical head shape, good eye colour and correct bite. Neck of good length and set well into shoulders, level topline and tail carried straight off her back. Good bone and tight feet a happy girl but less positive on the move than first and second.

Junior Bitch (13,0)

Again a range of shapes and sizes in this class.

1st Miss H Watsons “Rainesgift Fair Play” 16mths A lovely balanced bitch of correct size presented in good coat with all the trimmings, Correct head and melting expression dark eye and scissor bite. Good length of neck set into well angulated shoulders, level topline and correct bend of stifle. Moved true coming and going with wagging tail carried straight off her back.

2nd Ms Walkers & Dr. Roberts “Seaheart Frida at Gloi JW.” 16mths. Another lovely girl similar in size to 1st. Well boned and with tight feet. Presented in good coat and hard condition. Correct all round angulation presented a balanced profile standing and on the move, moved true and with drive.

3rd Miss A. Bellamys “Moontorn Chasing the Dream JW” 16mths, presented in full coat, slightly heavier than first two girls, typical head with hazel eye and correct dentition, well set into neck, good all round angulation excellent bone and cat-like feet drove round the ring holding a level topline, moved true both coming and going.

Yearling Bitch (14,1)

Movement of some exhibits in this class let them down with short upper arms causing a hackneyed style rather than the driving movement and front reach I was looking for. 

1st Mrs S Phillips-Baker & Mr I Bakers “Maddouse Never to Much” 22mths Balanced bitch of correct size, presented in full coat, correctly moulded head with melting expression and correct dentition correct angulation all round with good chest and well pronounced sternum, well off for bone. Level topline and correct tail set enabling carriage straight off the back when moving. Moved true and with drive. 

2nd Mrs S Knight & Mrs G & Mr M Jacobs “Gemswin Handbags n’ Gladrags JW” 19mths, similar to first in size and style but not quite the furnishings today. Nicely moulded head with dark eye and correct bite, good length of neck and front angles, level topline and correct bend of stifle well-muscled and well off for bone displayed true driving movement round the ring.

3rd Mrs J Mcquade “Maddhouse Dimonds R’Forever”22mths, of correct size, pretty head and expression, good front, slightly longer in loin but balanced, level topline and correct tail-set, good bend of stifle and well-muscled. Moved true but not the drive of 1st and 2nd .    

Novice Bitch (15,1)

1st Mr P. Dunnetts “Hoedun Does it Matter”. First in puppy. 

2nd Mrs. S. Mays “ Lussac Bewitched” second in puppy.

3rd Mrs S Knight, Mrs G & Mr M Jacobs “Gemswin Chasing Rainbows” 14mths, 4th in Junior. Pretty feminine head, correct dentition, good length of neck with correct all round angulation and level of bone for age. Moved well but not the finish of one and two.

Graduate Bitch (14,3)

1st Mrs M Romeo-Diestes “Hopevalley Morning Xanadu JW” A lovely balanced bitch in full coat , typical head with dark eye and correct scissor bite. Nice length of neck set well into shoulders and flowing into level topline with correct tail-set. Slightly longer in loin than 2nd and 3rd ,good bend of stifle and width to second thigh, well off for bone with tight feet. Moved straight and true with constant wagging tail.

2nd Miss Kulczyckas “Everblack Euphoria” Similar in size and type to 1st in good coat and hard condition, pretty head with dark eye, correct angulation to front and rear, level topline but tail carried slightly high on the move. Moved true both coming and going.

3rd Mrs J Mcquades “Gemswin River of Dreams” Lacking in furnishings but couldn’t be denied the place on her outline and true movement , lovely moulded head with kind gentle expression and dark eye. Good bone and tight feet, level topline, good rear angles and good width of second thigh, hard condition all round.

Post Graduate Bitch (12,1)

A difficult class, some bitches that looked lovely standing in profile were let down on movement.

1st Mr M & Mrs D Moxleys “Dymexe my Cherie Amour JW” Young lady showing lovely size and balance, presented in good coat, with plenty of bone and tight feet. Well moulded feminine head with dark eye, good length of neck well set into shoulders, super front angles with pronounced sternum, level topline with constantly wagging tail carried straight off her back, well bent stifle with well- muscled hind quarters. Moved true and with drive.

2nd Ms Walker & Dr. Roberts “Goli Dubh Lady Muck JW” Another well balanced lady, not the coat or featherings of winner but of similar size. She too moved very well and was true coming and going. Well moulded head, dark eye and correct dentition good all round angulation good width of chest and pronounced sternum, excellent bone and muscle tone.

3rd Mrs A Carters “ Seaheart Effie at Harmarlanda JW” Typical flatcoat head with melting gentle expression and correct scissor bite. Presented a lovely profile standing, in good coat with all furnishings. Well angled front and rear with well laid shoulder, strong bone and good body tone, not quite the driving movement of 1st and 2nd.

Limit Bitch (13,2)

1st Miss C Chambers “Hototo Pretty Ballerina JW” A lovely bitch of correct size presenting a balanced profile both standing and on the move. Well moulded head dark eye and melting expression, she has good front a rear angulation and correct bend of stifle, her topline remained level standing and moving with her tail carried straight off her back . Moved with drive.

2nd Mr D & Mrs v Orme “ Hurstclough Joy of the Moors at Elmstaock” A very animated young lady, of correct size with good bone and coat, classic head shape with dark eye well bodied good hind angulation and in hard condition. Moved true coming and going when settled.

 3rd Mr B & Mrs L Clarks “Riverglide Santa Barbara at Flanova” Not the coat of the winner but won her place on balance and true driving movement. Typical flatcoat head with correct scissor bite, good length of neck well laid shoulder and good rear angulation, level topline standing although tail carried slightly above her back on the move.

Open Bitch (6,1)

1st K. Andersons “Sh. Ch. Feldirk Dior of Kazval” A lovely bitch of correct size, typical moulded head with kind expression, good reach of neck into well laid shoulder, strong front and well pronounced sternum. A level topline with tail carried straight off her back. Well angulated rear quarters well- muscled helping to produce her true driving movement. The best mover of the class. Reserve CC.

2nd Mrs M Romeo-Diestes “ Sh Ch. Hopevalley Morning Wicked” A close decision with first, just not quite as accurate on the move as winner. A young lady of correct size and balance presented in good coat and in hard condition. She has a lovely head-shape dark eye and kind expression, with good front and rear angulation adequate bone and the tightest of feet. With a level topline she carries her tail straight off her back as she moves.

3rd Mrs K Lutner-Jacholnik & Mr Y Jacholniks “Telurn for your eyes only” A similar bitch to second and another lovely girl from this consistent kennel. She has a very feminine head dark eye and melting expression, her neck is of good length and is well laid into her shoulders. Her topline is level standing and moving, when she is true coming and going.

Champion Bitch (5,0)

A Wonderful class of lovely ladies.

1st Mr P Vrubel & Ms A Vrublovas “H Ch Touch the Sky Oasis of Peace CZE/INT JCH” Caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring and I wasn’t disappointed going over her, she is so well balanced of correct size with super bone and tight feet. She has a well moulded head with melting expression and dark eye. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders, good width of chest with pronounced sternum. Correct length of body a good bend of stifle and rear angulation that enabled her to drive round the ring with a true flowing movement. Delighted to award her Bitch CC and later in agreement with my co-judge BiS.

2nd Ms.H Watsons “ Sh Ch Rainesgift Omega” A bitch I have admired for sometime, beautifully presented and in full coat with all the trimmings she has good bone and the excellent feet you come to expect from this kennel. Classic feminine head with dark eye and correct scissor bite, good length of neck well set into shoulders, good all round angulation, level topline with tail carried straight off the back, moved true coming and going but not quite the drive of winner.

3rd Mrs S Phillips-Baker & Mr I Bakers “Sh Ch Never Say Never Oasis of Peace to Maddouse” Typical head and dark eye, correct front and rear angulation, good length of body slightly shorter on legs than winners. Constantly wagging tail carried straight off her back when she moved. Moved true.

Special Beginners Bitch (12,1)

 1st Miss E.Bonners “Flattastic Hey Boo Hey” Third in Puppy & Best Special Beginner in Show

2nd Mrs J Mcquades “ Gemswin River of Dreams” Third in Graduate

3rd Mrs J Paceys “Satinbaze Tea for Two with Shelkaru” In full coat with feathering, slightly taller than 1 and 2 but balanced, lovely head shape correct eye colour, well boned with nice feet, good length of neck and lay of shoulder, level topline tail carried off her back on the move, moved with drive. Also 5th in Graduate.

Special Working Bitch (4,1)

1st Mrs G Jacobs & Mrs B Reynolds “Secret Blue Dress Basteta for Gemswin JW. SGWC” Balanced bitch of correct size, Feminine head, good reach of neck, well angulated all round, Good bone and feet. Level topline with correct tail set. Presented in hard condition, moved with drive.

2nd Mrs S Taggs “Oiyou Double Espresso JW. KCWGC” Well bodied, in good coat and in hard condition. Presents balanced profile when standing but raises her tail slightly on the move which cost her the class. Well moulded head and correct dentition, nice width of chest. She has good body length, correct rear and front angulation and she moved true both coming and going.

3rd Miss A Kiddells “Diamante Blu Regina Della Pace to Hameldowntor JW. SGWC.” Slightly taller but balanced young lady, Feminine head of correct proportions and dark eyes. In full coat with all her feathering. Good front and correct bend of stifle, level topline standing and on the move, not the positivity of movement of 1st and 2nd.

Special Liver Bitch (3,0)

1st Mr & Mrs Holidays “Shashkrox Never Grow Up KCWGC. SGWC.” Lovely head and expression, with appropriate eye colour for liver. Good bone and the tightest of feet, Good reach of neck into well laid shoulder level topline with tail carried straight off her back, well-muscled, moved the best in the class.

2nd Mrs S Taggs “Oiyou Layla Gocek” Darker in coat than 1st with all furnishings nicely moulded head with kind expression, Super front angulation with good width of chest, well off for bone with tight feet, Again in hard condition moved well a little proud of her tail.

3rd Miss A Bellamy & Mr L Nicklins “ Moonstruck I’m on Fire with Moontorn” Darkest liver of the class, good head shape but not the feminine expression of 1st and 2nd Good reach of neck leading to a level topline with correct tail-set and carriage, good rear angles and width to second thigh. Strong bone and tight feet, moved with drive.

Special Shooting Dog Certificate Bitch (2,1)

1st Mrs A Cramptons “Casblaidd Charlotte Cum Cleirwy” A seven year old bitch with dense coat and good bone, classic moulded head and dark eye, correct lay of shoulder and good width of chest, level topline and correct tail set well-muscled, not the accurate movement of others but enjoying her day out.

Bitch CC & BiS Mr P Vrubel & Ms A Vrublovas “H Ch Touch the Sky Oasis of Peace CZE/INT JCH”

Resv CC K. Andersons “Sh. Ch. Feldirk Dior of Kazval”  

Best Veteran Bitch Mrs L Walkers – “Lizzlog Nun on the Run”  

Best Puppy Bitch Mrs K & Mr. Y Lutner-Jacholniks “Telurn Heart Skips a Beat”

Best Special Beginners Bitch & In Show Miss E.Bonners “Flattastic Hey Boo Hey”   

Best Liver Bitch Mr & Mrs Holidays “Shashkrox Never Grow Up KCWGC. SGWC.”  

Best Baby Puppy Mrs C Price & Mrs L Nicholls “Llantrussa Beretta”

Judge Karen Joyce (Stranfaer)