Scottish Breeds Canine Club

CRITIQUE

Scottish Breeds Canine Club Saturday, 28 March 2026

Judge: Lynn Kipps (Wheatcroft)

Golden Retriever Dogs

DCC: BVD BVIB & RBVIS - Linirgor Play My Song for Glenbuie (Mrs L Ogilvie)

RDCC - Sansue Love Flame (re-Imp) (Mrs S, Mr J W I & Mrs H Birkin-Green & Gripton)

BPD: BPIB - Rosechael Sorley Boy NAF (Mr A & Mrs R McCuaig)

BJD: BJIB - Louellabrook Atlantic Star with Sansue JW (Mrs S & Mrs H Birkin-Green & Gripton)

BVD: BVIB - Linirgor Play My Song for Glenbuie (Mrs L Ogilvie)

BSBD - Ambersun Winter Storm (Mr N & Mrs M Mears)

As always, it was an absolute honour to be asked to judge our wonderful breed. My heartfelt thanks must go to the Executive Committee of SBCC for inviting me.

And thank you to all the owners for bringing your beautiful Goldens and accepting my decisions with great sportsmanship—there was such great camaraderie around the ring.

I was looking for True Golden Type. Starting with the classic, beautiful golden head and eye shape: broad in the skull and muzzle, well-chiselled, with a kind and intelligent expression and without any sign of coarseness or narrowness in muzzle and head.

Then I required: The correct balance for the breed:

Being: “moderation”

I was pleased that the recent trends of extreme exaggeration are now diminishing, i.e., over-angulation / turkey fronts / very long second thighs, long bodies and short legs.

The ideal shape is only slightly wider than a square, not a long rectangle. The length from the forechest to the buttocks should be only slightly longer than the height from the floor to the withers, resulting in a “Totally Balanced and Short Coupled Outline”

I always take into account what the breed was originally bred for: “A Retriever of Game Companion Dog”. So the dog should be in good muscular condition and ‘fit for function’ even if not actively worked.

Hence, they should have a good length of neck, as they are bred to carry game.

So these qualities of soundness, symmetry, balance and good muscular condition should enable the dog to carry himself effortlessly, smoothly and correctly around the ring.

Sadly, several otherwise lovely conformation dogs (on the stack) lost out, either because of insufficient muscle tone or carrying too much weight, causing them to roll on the move. The breed has working ability and should have no trouble free-running daily for a good hour in a field or on the beach.

Although I didn’t penalise placings because of grooming, some dogs would benefit from better coat preparation to produce a more striking outline.

And thank you to my co-judge Gordon Hayburn: we agreed on all our decisions.

And last but not least, I must say “a big thank you” to both my excellent stewards, without them, the show would not go on. Both Mary Neil and Sophia Devakumar did a cracking job filling in reams of paperwork and keeping the ring running in perfect order. This was 9-year-old Sophia’s 2nd Championship Show Stewarding Appointment, and today she couldn’t have had a better mentor than Mary.

Retriever (Golden) - Minor Puppy Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST - Rosechael Sorley Boy NAF (Mr A & Mrs R McCuaig)

What a cracker this well-made, confident 8-month puppy is. He has a super head with a gentle expression. Clean neck of good length, correct straight front, balanced front and rear angulation. The epitome of moderation, which proved itself on the move. He was straight and true from whatever angle you viewed him, with perfect foot placement, great reach and drive, with head held proud and maintaining a level topline. So pleased to award him Best Puppy Dog … and with agreement from my co-judge, Best Puppy in Breed.

2ND - Priestside Hungry Heart in Beinangus (Mrs S Beck)

This 8-month-old boy’s static conformation is outstanding. He has a lovely, gentle head with dark pigment, has good length of neck, well laid shoulders, short coupled, excellent depth and spring of rib, balanced front and rear angulation. But at this moment in time, he is very loose on the move, … so he needs to “muscle up” and settle, and when he ‘comes together’ he will trouble the rest.

Retriever (Golden) - Puppy Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1ST - Navilis Shchedryk (Imp Ukr) (Mrs J Gerhold)

Beautifully presented and handled 9-month-old pup with a great showman attitude and a constant wagging tail. Straight bone when viewed from all angles and neat feet. Balanced moderate angulation fore and aft. Well up on leg, but when he deepens in chest with maturity, this will balance his outline. He has a gentle expression with a kind eye of the correct shape, enhanced by super dark pigment. He moved correctly and happily, when viewed from all angles, with great drive and maintaining head and tail carriage.

 2ND - Priestside Hungry Heart in Beinangus (Mrs S Beck) As MPD

3RD - Strettonhills Bring It Home to Jarabees (Mrs J Millington)

RES - Shelbrèagha Hamcetta (Miss R Ferguson)

Retriever (Golden) - Junior Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST - Louellabrook Atlantic Star with Sansue JW (Mrs S & Mrs H Birkin-Green & Gripton)

At just 17 months, this young boy already epitomises total balance. I loved his head with smiling eyes, giving a soft expression enhanced by his dark pigmentation. His personality showed a confident boy with a happy attitude. Excellent reach of a strong muscular neck into well-laid-back shoulders and return of the upper arm. Corresponding angles at rear, with well-muscled quarters. He has good depth to his chest, is short over his loin and holds his topline level and strong both static and whilst moving. He moved freely and level, with great drive from his strong rear quarters, with correct head and tail carriage. I'm sure he has a great future.

2ND - Terra Di Siena Sunset over The Horizon for Amirene (Mrs M I Woods)

14-month-old youngster with a lovely outline, not overdone in any way. Beautiful head of correct proportion with lovely soft expression, dark eye and pigment. Matching balanced angulation front and rear. In a glamorous coat. He is straight and true when viewed from the front and rear. Has tight, neat feet. Moved well with the runner.

3RD - Pevrilpoint How Soon Is Now (Mr M & Miss M Mcneish)

RES - Thistlegate Sonoma Moon (Miss L Carlton)

VHC - Kaylish Star of The Galaxy (Mrs S & Mr H McCann)

Retriever (Golden) - Yearling Dog Entries: 8 Absentees: 0

1ST - Flyngalee Topsy Turvy JW (Miss S McCormack)

Timeless type, so correct and with no exaggerations. He has the most beautiful of heads, correct skull shape, well chiselled, lovely dark eye and pigment and with a soft and kindly expression. He has great body proportions, with a good, clean neck and excellent layback of the shoulder, leading to the best of toplines. Classic outline with great depth and spring of ribs, short coupled and balanced angulation fore and aft. Great free mover.

2ND - Cadwst Spring River JW (Mrs K Marshall)

Impressive outline from this young, glamorous boy, shown and presented in excellent coat and condition. He is well proportioned, has strength in bone, and has a well-developed body with a firm topline and level tail set, and legs of good length. He has a very impressive front assembly with a super reach of clean, muscular neck, good layback of shoulder and corresponding upper arm. Maturity will balance his rear quarters. He moved soundly, steady and freely.

3RD - Holinbrae Eurastar at Glentochty JW (Mrs A R Warden)

RES - Goldmarker I Dreamed A Dream at Shiresmill (Mr R C & Mrs J Bolton)

VHC - Goldmarker Alderbaran (Mr T B & Mrs L G Smith)

Retriever (Golden) - Novice Dog Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

1ST - Navilis Shchedryk (Imp Ukr) (Mrs J Gerhold) As PD

 2ND - Pevrilpoint How Soon Is Now (Mr M & Miss M McNeish)

(3rd in Yearling) Super young dog with a pleasing construction, who was thoroughly enjoying his day. His desire to carry the lead does make it difficult to assess his movement, but between him jumping about, I could see that he had a super balanced outline, good reach of neck, correct front assembly and corresponding rear quarters. Lovely head and eye with a glint of mischievousness. He had bags of substance and straight bone with neat, tight feet. Despite his antics, I did spot him moving correctly for a short moment! Hope the owner practices with him… he’s definitely worth it.

3RD - Auristela Clark Gable with Milltimber (Mr D McGuffie)

RES - Ponfeigh Topp Notch with Dawnryan (Ms D Williamson)

VHC - Blue Mull of Apollon at Fraserlea (Mrs L & Mr L Fraser & Sear)

Retriever (Golden) - Graduate Dog Entries: 9 Absentees: 0

1ST - Thornywait Bring It Back Glenrioch JW (Miss M & Miss K Grady & Young)

This boy headed a class of lovely quality dogs. He possesses substance and masculinity and won the class not only on his correct conformation but also on his outstanding movement. He just flowed round the ring with long, easy strides, super head carriage, whilst maintaining his level topline and tail carriage. He looked so correct when viewed from all angles. On the stack, there was no denying his super balanced outline, reachy neck, level topline, symmetry in front and rear angulation, topped off with a very handsome head.

2ND - Dewmist Danzatore with Ousevale JW (Imp Swe) (Mrs V Clarke-Gear)

Masculine boy of quality and strength. Presented a lovely outline in full coat and condition. Excellent layback and upper arm angulation, with a prominent forechest allowing his front to stand well under his body. He was short in his couplings, with a matching, balanced, well-muscled rear quarters, which enabled a long, efficient stride. Handled perfectly.

3RD - Baricia Bella Divino JW (Mrs S & Mrs M Towers & Henderson)

RES - Ambersun Glaswegin at Nedlezah (Mrs A L Mcgeoch)

VHC - Holinbrae Eurastar at Glentochty JW (Mrs A R Warden)

Retriever (Golden) - Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 9 Absentees: 1

1ST - Hardyllic Jack of Diamonds with Kulawand (Mr & Mrs R S & Mrs P Lane & Lane-Ridyard)

What a superb outline on this young dog. He was beautifully shown and presented in a gleaming coat. He epitomises balance without any exaggeration. Lovely, gentle expression. Cleanest of muscular necks of good length, which flowed onto his firm level topline. He was short and had strength in the loin. Quality throughout, he moved with ease and drive.

 2ND - Westlow The Legend of Fingal to Invergoil Culzean (Mr J, Mrs D M & Miss K McGugan)

There is a lot to like about this boy, from his kind, gentle expression with dark, intelligent eyes to his lovely outline showing strength and masculinity. His body proportions are balanced with no sign of exaggeration. He is short in the loin, deep through the chest, with good spring in his ribs. His front assembly with well-laid shoulders was perfectly balanced with his rear quarters, which were well muscled, allowing his movement to appear as if he glided around the ring effortlessly and with precision.

3RD - Toseland Rolls Royce (Mr J & Mrs A Mcaleese)

RES - Mitcharron Seren's Legacy (Mr D & Mrs P V Parry)

VHC - Ambersun Paper Plane (Mr N & Mrs M Mears)

Retriever (Golden) - Mid Limit Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

1ST - Sansue Love Flame (re-Imp) (Mrs S, Mr J W I & Mrs H Birkin-Green & Gripton)

This boy has a classic outline. Today, he was presented in glorious coat and condition. I liked his body proportions, which portrayed a picture of a very balanced animal. He has the most appealing of gentle heads, broad and deep with a good stop and dark eye. He has a clean, muscular neck which flowed into his textbook shoulder assembly, displaying good length of forehand and correct layback of the shoulder. He has depth of rib with plenty of spring, and is short coupled with the correct length of leg. His rear quarters, showing good width of thigh and well-bent stifles, completed the picture of balance. His movement was positive with reach on the forehand and plenty of drive from his strong rear, whilst maintaining his super outline. If I could add one criticism: his tail needs trimming. It was so long that on the move, it looked like a line of washing on a windy day! But that did not stop me from awarding him the RCC.

2ND - Lamancha Roll On Good Times (Mr A & Mrs K Wallis)

This beautifully presented and expertly shown boy was so very well balanced in all departments. Loved his head, broad and strong, with a gentle, appealing expression and dark eye and pigment. Strong, clean, muscular neck. Correct balanced angulation fore and aft. He is well boned, deep in body and has a good spring of rib. His feet were tight and neat. His movement was effortless, holding a level topline, straight and true on the away and back, displaying reach and drive. He and his owner get the prize for being my smiliest exhibitors.

3RD - Simon Basset De Ria Vela for Beinangus JW (Imp Esp) (Mrs S Beck)

RES - Harmarjoy You’re My Love JW (Mr Grant & Miss S Middlemiss & Brown)

VHC - Bencoe Big Time Operator (Miss J E & Mr A R C Bednall & Milledge)

Retriever (Golden) - Limit Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST - Hoaaloha Simba (Mrs J Allan)

What a super outline on this mature boy. He was expertly shown in a full, glamorous coat. His head is well-proportioned with good chiselling, soft, intelligent expression and a dark eye. He has bone and substance throughout. His neck was strong and clean and of a good length, leading to well-laid shoulders, and corresponding return of the upper arm. His balanced, well-muscled and angulated hind quarters were used to advantage as he moved with an eye-catching style, displaying drive and purpose with correct head carriage whilst taking long, accurate strides, maintaining a level topline.

2ND - Drumkilty Vanadium JW (Ms D Oakes)

It was a very close decision between these two. 1 just cinched it on his movement today. This dog, which I've previously done well, has such a great outline. He's a good-sized dog with strong bone and loads of substance. I liked his body proportions with correct leg length to body dimensions. His lovely head shows masculinity but with softness, displaying a kind eye enhanced by dark pigmentation and correct eye colour. Presented today in top condition in a full and glamorous pale coat and shown to perfection.

 3RD - Dilworthey Secret Santa (Ms J Burrows)

Retriever (Golden) - Open Dog

Entries: 10 Absentees: 1

1ST - Sh Ch Sandti Back of The Net (Mrs E Law)

What a lovely, honest type of Golden. I found his construction so correct, displaying the moderation the standard requires with bone and substance throughout. His shape is the ideal balance of slightly longer than a square dimension. He was presented in excellent muscular condition, and his coat and condition portrayed a very fit and healthy dog. Lovely head of correct proportion and great alert expression with that soft and gentle eye that is synonymous with this lovely breed. He has a good length of clean neck into correct shoulder and upper arm construction, which flowed seamlessly into a strong, level topline. Short, strong loin. His hindquarters were muscular with a second thigh of correct length. Bone straight when viewed from front and rear, static and on the move. Great animated movement with super carriage. Recognition must go to his owner/handler, who gets the very best out of him.

2ND - Fairwinds in Space Man JW (Mrs S & Miss M Lewis)

Can’t deny this flashy dog his overall quality. He has a super head, broad and well chiselled, with dark eyes and a kind expression. Strong bone with straight legs when viewed from the front and rear. Very balanced front and rear angles. He moved very stylishly around the ring, with correct head carriage. He doesn't have the balance of 1, and is longer in the loin and shorter in the leg than the winner. His coat preparation was superb, but would benefit from thinning the bulk of his shawl around his shoulder and blending it seamlessly into his neck to enhance the look of his reach of neck.

 3RD - Sh Ch Nedlezah Lochlea (Mrs A L McGeoch)

RES - Sh Ch Kulawand Skywalker (Mr & Mrs R S & Mrs P Lane & Lane-Ridyard)

VHC - Sh Ch Bencoe Just in Time del Avrain JW Ir Jch (Mr I M & Mrs A Black)

Retriever (Golden) - Veteran Dog Entries: 8 Absentees: 0

1ST - Linirgor Play My Song for Glenbuie (Mrs L Ogilvie)

8 year old boy in superb muscular condition and absolutely in his prime. He has a lovely classic broad head with evident chiselling, gentle expression and dark eyes. His outline is the absolute essence of moderation: he totally defies some recent show dog trends of exaggeration. He has the correct length of leg to his body proportions: The length from his forechest to his buttock is only slightly longer than the height from the floor to his withers. He is totally balanced and is short-coupled. He certainly appears to tick the box marked 'fit for function’. Thanks to his handler/breeder, he moved soundly at a good pace and displayed perfect reach and foot placement. He was true viewed from all angles and had great head carriage, level topline and tail carriage. Pleased to award him the CC.

 2ND - Blue Gemstone Katrina at Camellis VW (Mr A & Mrs K Wallis)

What a lovely boy, both in construction and personality. Another that defied his age. He never stopped wagging. Absolutely idolises his owner. He was groomed and presented perfectly. He displayed a very balanced outline, with excellent moderate matching angles fore and aft. He is short in loin, has great depth and spring of rib. He scored on his clean, muscular neck of a good length, which flowed on to his level muscular topline. He moved really well.

 3RD - Flyngalee Signature JW (Miss S Mccormack)

RES - Rigerin Gonnae No Dae That (Mrs C Mcshane)

VHC - Happier De Ria Vela at Beinangus (Imp Esp) (Mrs S Beck)

Retriever (Golden) - Special Beginners Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

1ST - Ambersun Winter Storm (Mr N & Mrs M Mears)

What a very lovely young 17-month-old boy. He is so true in conformation, with the correct length of leg for balance. He has a lovely head and adores his handler. He has a strong muscular neck, excellent angle of the upper arm and corresponding angle of layback of the shoulder. He has plenty of fill, and his forequarters sit perfectly under his point of shoulder. His rear was in balance with his front with moderate angulation and in hard muscular condition. He was beautifully presented, in a super mid Golden coat and moved economically when viewed from all angles. He was unplaced in previous classes but came to life in this class. Well done. Pleased to award him Best SBD.

 2ND - Dilworthey Secret Santa (Ms J Burrows)

Another quality boy. This one is 5 years old. He exhibits a very balanced construction, not quite the length of neck of 1, but still a super showman with many attributes. His head is a good shape enhanced by dark eyes and pigmentation, giving a lovely, soft expression. His body dimensions were pleasing with balanced angles front and rear. He held a level, strong topline and possessed plenty of bone and substance and stood on neat, tight feet. On the move, he didn’t disappoint as he strode around that ring with style and purpose.

 3RD - Harmarjoy Gift of Love (Mrs L E & Mr J Nicolson)

RES - Castlegolden Classy Laddy (Mrs H Keay)

VHC - Baricia Bella Dolce (Mr N Ritson)