Crufts

Crufts 2026

GORDON SETTERS

Judge Maggy Halliday

DCC 14486 - Yennadon Calvay JW ShCEx OSW (Mrs M & Mr N & Miss L & Mr D Millar & Millar & Millar & Scobie)

RDCC 14463 - Paradise Picking Parsley at Bridgemere (Ms B E Harrison-Street)

BCC 14495 - Int/cze/rom/pol/sk Ch Fazer Manon Lescaut (Mr V Nedavaska)

RBCC 14435 - Ch Beechlake Hey Jude Sgwc (Mr A J Burke)

BOB 14495 - Int/cze/rom/pol/sk Ch Fazer Manon Lescaut (Mr V Nedavaska)

BP 14505 - Empyreal Desert Tempest at Glenmaurangi (Imp Can) (Mrs A & Ms T Phillips & Watkins)

BV 14507 - Sh Ch Flaxheath Top Model at Glenmaurangi (Mrs A & Ms T Phillips & Watkins)

I would like to thank the Crufts committee for the invitation to judge, what a great honour and what I consider the pinnacle of my judging career. Gordons are the breed I have had the pleasure of owning, showing, working and judging for over 40 years, and I feel passionate about the breed conforming to the standard and doing the work they were bred for.

There are a few observations I made.

I was generally disappointed with the younger dog classes which caused me concern. As I have observed before there is more depth of quality in the bitches. The movement was not good with many moving close behind and even crossing, lacking drive, weak hocks and fronts toeing in.

Another point of concern was teeth, again, I found a few level bites and one undershot mouth, this needs to be watched. There are still a few carrying a little too much weight an a few upright shoulders and short upper arms.

Having said that I was happy with my main winners and in some classes I was spoilt for choice with some lovely dogs going cardless. I found when I looked back at last time I judged 4 years ago a few of my class winners were the same dogs that won then. It was a shame there was only one puppy, but this was indicative of there being of very few litters in 2025 let us hope 2026 brings an improvement in registrations. Thank you to the exhibitors for entering and their sportmanship. It was a very memorable experience.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (3)

1st Gailiech Ngalyod (Mrs F & Mr A Hogg)

 A 5 year old who was just 12 months old last time I judged him. A pleasing masculine head with dark eyes. Good reach of neck, level topline into well set tail. Good angulation to quarters. Good clear tan. Would prefer more width to body. Best mover in the class.

2nd Kewstoke Ocean Commander at Glendudmoor (Mr I & Miss L A & Mrs E A F Robson)

A dog I liked for body shape standing. Good head shape in profile just a little broad in skull. Well angulated hind quarters. Level topline. In good coat. Not so good in hind movement.

3rd Locksheath Beach Comber (Mrs S Gregg)

A mature 8½ year old with a lovely classic Gordon head. Just a little upright in shoulder.

Minor Puppy Dog (0)

Puppy Dog (0)

Junior Dog (3)

1st Waseley Lazy Dayz at Stylersetts (Mr K & Mrs L R Macaulay)

 A 15month old who is well bodied with a nice shaped head with a dark eye and kind expression. Decent length of neck into good layback of shoulders. Good spring of rib with good depth. Topline ok did tend to roach a bit on the move, but flattened out when he relaxed more. Good tail set. Well angulated quarters. In good coat for age and good colour tan

2nd Jessie Jnr of Oatfielddreamers (Mrs R O'connor)

16 month old who is smaller, finer and longer cast than 1st. Head not so pleasing with a medium brown eye. Topline ok, a little steep in croup and not a smooth tail run off. Decent bend of stifle but would like more width of second thigh.

3rd Hartenziel Laderach (Mrs J & Mr M Bednarska & Bednarski)

At a leggy stage but only just over 12months old. Would like better hind angulation and more width to hind quarters, short in upper arm.

Yearling Dog (9,1Abs)

Entries: 9 Absentees: 1

1st Caradilis Fiach Dubh (Mrs S Gregg)

 A dog of good substance with a pleasing head with dark eyes. Decent lay back of shoulder , straight front with flat bone. Good depth if ribcage and correct hind angulation. Can tend to dip in topline when stacked but level on the move. Moved well to win the class.

2nd Gailiech Wirnpa (Mrs F & Mr A Hogg)

 A lighter framed dog and not as mature as 1st. I liked his head shape with low ear set. Nice clear tan on legs with some pencilling on toes. Good reach of neck into a level topline. I would like more width and bend of stifle to hind quarters. But he moved true and well.

3rd Kewstoke Ocean Commander at Glendudmoor (Mr I & Miss L A & Mrs E A F Robson)

RES Kewstoke Sea Biscuit (Ms G M Flanagan)

VHC Laurelhach Bugatti at Siochail (Ms A K Sinclair)

Post Graduate Dog (11,1)

1st Hernwood Wizard of Oz JW (Ms K Mccarthy)

A dog with a pleasing head and expression but a little broad and domed in skull for me. Decent reach f neck into good layback of shoulders. Level topline and well ribbed. Good angulation to quarters. He moved the best in the class.

2nd Cafotaliena Heart of A Hero JW (Mr H & Mrs M Miller)

I liked this dog when stood. A lovely head and expression, good reach of slightly arched neck into well laid back shoulders. Excellent forechest but a bit wide between front legs. Level topline into correct tailset. Good bend of stifle and straight hock to heel. I liked his size and compactness, in good coat with lovely rich clear tan. Moved well behind.

3rd Caradilis Jumping Jack (Miss E L Inglis)

Like 1st his head is a bit broad and domed for me. He had a deep well sprung ribcage and good front angulation, I would like more angulation to hindquarters. In good coat.

RES Roydack Black Knight at Tymora (Mrs H J & Miss S J Tye)

VHC Cottonstones Dazzling Lad (Mr A J Burke)

Limit Dog (8)

1st Paradise Picking Parsley at Bridgemere (Ms B E Harrison-Street)

I was taken with the size, shape and type of this boy with no exaggerations and good clear tan. A nice shaped head with leanness to it and low set ears. Straight front with good bone, good forechest. Level topline, balanced angulation fore and aft. Moved well to clinch the RCC.

2nd Liric Just The Ticket (Mr H & Mrs M Miller)

 A dog with more substance than 1st with excellent flat bone. I liked his head and his type, I was not surprised to find he was Liric breeding as you could see that. Good depth to ribcage, a bit longer in loin. Well angulated quarters, lovely straight hock to heel. Well off for bone. Tan not as clear as 1st. Moved steady and true.

3rd Caradilis Sky Rocket JW (Ms M Morgan)

Another dog I liked for size and type with lovely clear tan. Just not moving as good as 1st & 2nd today.

RES Burroughtof Loch Leven at Glenarden (Mrs E M Ede)

VHC Beechlake The Storyteller of Finnsfolk (Miss J R Ellington)

Open Dog (10)

This was the best class for movement and some close decisions. There were 2 or 3 carrying too much weight which cost them higher placings.

1st Yennadon Calvay JW ShCEx OSW (Mrs M & Mr N & Miss L & Mr D Millar & Millar & Millar & Scobie)

Loved the correct size and type of this dog. Nothing overdone. In shining coal black coat with rich clear tan. Excellent straight front with well laid back shoulders and good forechest. Level topline with slight rise over the loin of good width. Good depth to well sprung ribcage. Correct well muscled hind angulation giving good width of thigh, straight hock to heel, lovely arched feet. Moved steady and true when he settled into his movement. Delighted to award him the CC, which I understand was his all important 3rd.

2nd Nld Ch Ivar (Mr D Boek)

I loved the head shape and expression on the is boy with a mid brown eye and low ear set. Good reach of slightly arched neck into level topline. Good bone. Hind quarters a tad long, but straight in hock and he moved well. In good coat but tan could be clearer on legs

3rd Sh Ch Forester's Northern Hunter of Darkmoor with Gadieburn JW (Imp Deu) (Miss A Michalak)

A dog I have admired from the ringside and a lot to like, he is just a bit bigger and heavier set than 1st and 2nd. In lovely coat and condition, he has excellent flat bone. Just not giving his all today in the ring.

RES Sh Ch Cafotaliena Thief of Hearts by Brobruick JW (Mr C & Mrs S A Mitchell)

VHC Sh Ch Red Admiral by Rubymoon JW (Mr K D & Mrs C E Butler)

Field Trial Dog (0)

Special Working Gundog Dog (2,1)

1st Fieldberry Secret Weapon at Rufusmoor JW SGWC (Ms C Fudge)

A substantial dog, well up for size. Excellent flat bone and tight feet. Pleasing masculine head with dark eyes. Level topline and short back, slight slope to croup into correct tail set. Well ribbed up with good forechest. I would prefer a slightly longer body to height ratio. In good coat with lovely clear tan. Moved steady and true from well muscled quarters. Well done on the hard work put in to qualify for this class.

Veteran Dog (7,2)

1st Sh Ch Palangor Moonlight Echo at Pangarak (Mrs L Bain)

Another lovely mature dog who I have always liked. Good masculine head and soft expression, good length of neck into well laid back shoulders and level topline and good depth of chest. Good angulation to quarters. Lovely clear tan. Moved well, just preferred the cleaner outline of Limit winner when it came to RCC.

2nd Balnakeil Beinn Corradail of Blairbelles (Mrs N & Mrs A & Miss S Bell & Millar & Bell)

A more substantial dog who moved very well. A pleasing head with dark eyes, but a bit broad in skull. Level topline and good depth to body. Would like a bit more length of neck and slightly more lack back of shoulder. Good hind angulation with short straight hocks. Tan could be clearer on legs.

3rd Locksheath Beach Comber (Mrs S Gregg)

RES Benbuie Thornbird of Finnsfolk (Miss J R Ellington)

VHC Hernwood Boston High Flyer (Ms K Mccarthy)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (8,3)

1st Roydack Portrait of A Lady (Mrs S & Miss H Upton-Lovett & Upton)

A mature 6 year old bitch. Much to like about her. Pleasing feminine head with a mid brown eye, long low set ears and lovely shape in profile with parallel lines to muzzle. Excellent reach of slightly arched neck into a level topline. Good in ribcage and angulation of quarters, straight front, perhaps like a little more bone. Lovely coloured clear tan and good coat. Moved well.

2nd Ardnadam Hazelnut (Mrs C Pearce)

 Another nice feminine 3 year old. I like her size and shape, Good spring of rib and forechest, level topline into correct tailset. Lovely rich coloured clear tan. Moved well with her other handler.

3rd Dj Bee Black Ivy (Imp Pol) (Mrs K Clark).

A 20 month old bitch who needs time to mature. A sweet head and level topline. A bit straight in stifle and would like clear tan on legs.

RES Tsruhnova Tante Lille (Mr D & Mrs G Melville)

VHC Cottonstones Daybreak (Miss L Collyer)

Minor Puppy Bitch (0)

Puppy Bitch (1)

1st Empyreal Desert Tempest at Glenmaurangi (Imp Can) (Mrs A & Ms T Phillips & Watkins)

A lovely 9 month old. Excellent forechest and reach of neck into correct lay back of shoulders and level topline. Good depth of ribcage for age and nice coat coming. Perhaps like her muzzle a shade shorter. Good colour and moved very well. Best puppy.

Junior Bitch (5)

1st Waseley Hazy Dayz (Mrs K G Sweryda)

A 15month old who has a good body and coat for age. A pleasing head with dark eyes. Decent length of neck, good depth and spring of rib. A bit short in upper arm but good hind angulation. Well of for bone. Moved ok.

2nd Gordon-Sett Style Rhapsody (E Illuzzi)

 Pleasing head, good front angulation and forchest. Topline a bit slack and stands bum high at the moment. Adequate hind angulation. Moved ok.

3rd Bih/it/sm Ch Gordon Sett Style Riviera Int Jch (Mrs K.g. Orlyk)

I see litter sister to 2nd. She has a better topline, but tail set a little high. Not as good in front angulation and pasterns very upright.

RES Rhiwgerrig Sonatina (Mrs A & Mr D C Jones)

VHC Ronaldsbill Mystical Fire (Mrs L Crowther)

Yearling Bitch (12)

The first 3 looked very similar.

1st Kewstoke Sea Queen Zena (Ms W D Smith)

 A nice size bitch with a feminine head. Straight front but would like more length to upper arm, level topline into well set tail, good spring of rib. Good angulation and straight hock to heel. Moved well.

2nd Waseley Hazy Dayz (Mrs K G Sweryda)

3rd Kewstoke Making Waves (Mrs Cm Hollamby)

Litter sister to 1st and so similar, perhaps not so straight in front.

RES Laurelhach Lotus with Muckypups (Mrs T Bryant)

VHC Kilnrae Back to The Future JW (Mrs K M Marsh)

Post Graduate Bitch (14,2)

1st Samsett First Edition (Mrs S Hamilton-Smith)

Although a bit bigger than I prefer I liked this bitches shape and movement which was best in the class. Her head is not as feminine as 2nd she has a mid brown eye and I would like a more defined stop. Good depth and spring of rib and level topline. Correct hind angulation with very good width and straight hock to heel. Clear tan on legs.

2nd Langstrumpf Hochsommer (Mr Nj & Mrs Bj Garbett)

I Loved this bitches super feminine head with defined stop with leanness to it, her size and overall shape. Level topline into correct tail set, good spring of rib and well ribbed up. Like 1st correct hind angulation with good width and straight hocks. Good coloured tan. Can tend to lean off front on the stand. Moved well with drive.

3rd Ardnadam Hazelnut (Mrs C Pearce)

RES Balnakeil Creag Rainich JW (Mr A M & Mrs S Green)

VHC Marlbeck Maddalena (Mr R Nagaty)

Limit Bitch (7,2)

1st Cafotaliena Hello My Love (Miss N C & Miss C Hardy)

A very nice all round bitch with good angulation and depth of rib. Level topline into gentle slope off to croup. A pleasing head with leanness above and below the eyes. Well coated. Moved well.

2nd Beechlake Poet in My Heart (Mr Ma & Mrs J Passmore)

Similar to 1st but not quite so good in shoulders. A pretty classic shaped head. Nothing exaggerated about her. Level topline into correct tail set. Good angulation and moved well. A little wide in front

3rd Chartan Maple Mayhem (Mrs S P Thomas)

Lovely head and body shape, good spring of rib, level topline and wide well angulated and muscled hind quarters. Moved well.

RES Roydack The Duchess (Mrs A & Mr D C Jones)

VHC Tsruhnova Tante Lille (Mr D & Mrs G Melville)

Open Bitch (13)

A great class, some lovely bitches went cardless. Very close between my first 3 who all looked similar. Topped by two who have shown their working aptitude as well.

1st Int/cze/rom/pol/sk Ch Fazer Manon Lescaut (Mr V Nedavaska)

My star of the day. I loved her size and type. Feminine head although I would prefer a little more stop. Good reach of a slightly arched neck into well laid back shoulders. Good front angulation and forechest. Well sprung ribcage of good depth and well ribbed up. Level topline with a slight rise over the loin into correct tail set. Well angulated and muscled hindquarters of good width with straight well let down hocks. Nice tight arched feet. Moved so well, true with reach and drive. Delighted to award her CC & BOB. I thought she looked very good in the group taking the atmosphere of the big ring in her stride.

2nd Ch Beechlake Hey Jude SGWC (Mr A J Burke)

I liked her last time I judged when she was a youngster and delighted to see has fulfilled that early potential. Nothing overdone a good honest bitch. Feminine head into decent length of neck, good front angulation, level topline and good ribcage. Moved well and true. Just not as good in hind angulation as 1st. RCC

3rd Sh Ch Moonglade Lily Mae Magic (Mrs E Roberts)

Another bitch I really like, such a feminine head with lovely dark eyes. Good angulation to quarters and stands four square with lovely straight hocks. In good coat with excellent clear tan. Moves well. I would perhaps like a little less weight on her.

RES Am Grchs/can Ch Fenwyck's Glamour (Mrs S. & Dr M. Patterson)

VHC Sh Ch Caradilis Sparks Will Fly JW (Ms D & Mr A O’kelly & Hancock)

Field Trial Bitch (3)

A really family affair this class, Mother, Daughter and Granddaughter. So good to see. It is not easy to qualify for this class, well done to the owner for breeding a consistent line of field trial award winners.

1st Chartan Maple Mayhem (Mrs S P Thomas)

3rd in Limit class. A balanced lovely shaped body to this 5 year old girl. A classic Gordon head showing parallel lines. Level topline, well sprung ribcage of good depth right through. Well muscled, hind quarters of good width. Good rich coloured tan. Moved with good drive.

2nd Chartan Little Black Dress (Mrs S P Thomas)

 Daughter of 1st and just over 2 years old. Not the depth through the ribcage of 1st and a little longer in foreface. Level topline into good tail runoff. Good angulation to hind quarters. Moved well, but a bit wide behind.

3rd Chartan Treacle Tart JW (Mrs S P Thomas)

11 ½ years old and mother of 1st. A lovely older lady. Now grey in the muzzle and not co-operating with her handler today. Like her daughter a deep body and she still has a firm level topline.

Special Working Gundog Bitch (2,1)

1st Myreside Niamh with Clacorick SGWC (Mr W & Mrs B L Smith)

 A 3 ½ year old showing good balance. A lovely feminine head with good stop and dark eyes, set on a long neck into well laid back shoulders. Good topline and tail set. Hind quarters wide with good bend of stifle. A lovely rich clear tan. She moves very well, true with reach and drive.

Veteran Bitch (6,1)

1st Sh Ch Flaxheath Top Model at Glenmaurangi (Mrs A & Ms T Phillips & Watkins)

 A well known bitch and my RCC winner last time I judged. Now 10 years old and still in great shape and condition. You cannot deny her qualities. Good in angulation, straight well boned front, good depth of ribcage. Just dipping her topline a bit and I would prefer her a little shorter in body length. In lovely coat and she moves out very well with drive. Best Veteran

2nd Sh Ch Cairacailie Night of Love with Ordett JW (Mrs Y Slaughter)

 A bitch I have always liked and prefer her for type and size, she was just carrying too much weight for me. Lovely feminine head, balanced good angulation and depth to body. In good coat and lovely clear tan. Moved well.

3rd Paradise Final Fling (Mrs J Harrison)

Another grand 10year old of lovely type and in good condition.

RES Cottonstones Evergreen with Cafotaliena (Miss N C & Miss C Hardy)

VHC Hernwood Athena at Herrera (Mrs M & Mr J Davies)