South Wales Kennel Association

SOUTH WALES KENNEL ASSOCIATION CH SHOW 10.10.2026

FLATCOATED RETRIEVERS

Thank you to the Officers & Committee of SWKA for giving me the honour of judging at their well organised & friendly show.

Additional thanks to my Stewards who were super-efficient & professional throughout and to all the exhibitors who entered, showing great sportsmanship from around the ring throughout the day.

Overall I found plenty of quality both in construction & breed type but I felt some exhibits eyes were lighter than I would have liked and some feet were not as tight or well arched as the breed standard calls for.

DOG CC : CHURCHARD Mr D. FLATCHARM GRIFFON DARK AT CHURCHKING

RES DOG CC : MA Mrs S. RONEVORG DARK ANGEL AT LUSSAC JW SGWC ShCEx OSW

BITCH CC : JONES, Ms L. SH CH BRAEMIST WITCHES FIRE

RES BITCH CC : WILCOX Miss L. FLATCHARM OH MY GOD

BEST OF BREED: CHURCHARD. Mr D. FLATCHARM GRIFFON DARK AT CHURCHKING

BEST PUPPY : MAY Mrs S. LUSSAC COOKIE QUARTZ

BEST VETERAN : BELLAMY Mr & Mrs D & R. CH WOODFINCH MASQUERADE

Class 1569 VD (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: BELLAMY, Mr & Mrs D & R. CH WOODFINCH MASQUERADE

Having judged this dog before, I was pleased to see him just as active in the veteran class. He has a classic one piece head with dark almond eyes & pleasing expression. Good front, correct ribbing, moderate neck into good shoulder placement, has the best of toplines & tailset. Moved with power & constantly wagging tail on best of feet. BVD.

2nd: McDUELL, Mrs H &Mr P. GEMSWIN GLORIOUS

Not quite as racy in outline as one but balanced. Correct head with dark eye & neat ears, Moderate well muscled rear angulation giving good drive in movement once settled.

Class 1570 MPD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: FALKEDON, Mrs H. NEVER TOUCH GROUND SOPHISTICATION AT PERCUIL (IMP SWE)

Quite a raw puppy still developing as would be expected, Liked the eye shape & colour, has moderate neck into good shoulder placement, topline was level into best tailset. Well muscled for a youngster & moved true on good feet.Needs time to mature to give an overall balanced look.

2nd: MAY, Mrs S. COVENSTEAD WHISTLEBLOWER AT LUSSAC

 Very raw baby but good overall balance. Head, eyes & bite were all good as was shoulder placement & angulation both front & rear. Moved well with handler retaining level topline but just preferred the drive of one.

3rd: HOLMAN, Mrs D &Mr R. O’FLANAGAN NEW HORIZONS OF NAMTRESA (IMP SWE)

Class 1571 PD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

As Minor Puppy

Class 1572 JD (No Entries) 

Class 1573 YD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: CHURCHARD, Mr D. FLATCHARM DARK SECRET AT CHURCHKING

Clean racy outline without being over flashy, this youngster had the most pleasing expression with super eye shape & colour. Neck flowing nicely into well laid shoulders, good front, flat forerib into strong square coupling. Rear was correct moderate angulation, hocks were well let down & feet better than many in the breed. Once on the move showed good front reach & power from the rear.

2nd: BOWEN. Mrs V. CLANDRIFT MAKE IT FUNKY JW

Slightly heavier but balanced dog. Pleasing head but just preferred the eye shape of one. Good bone & correct ribbing into strong short loin. Good topline & tailset. Correct front & rear angulation gave him good ground coverage showing off a shiny well feathered coat.

3rd: McILWAINE & REYNOLDS. FLATCHARM MR HECKLES FOR BENOVEOR

Class 1574 PGD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: CAMPBELL & BROWN. RONEVORG KING OF ATTITUDE

Balanced racy outline, best of heads with good eye shape & colour. Good clean neck into well laid shoulders. Deep chest & best of fronts with good ribbing to strong loin. Level topline & pleasing tailset the former held on the move. Really liked the bone quality & the front & rear angulation & well let down hocks.Best mover in class showing off quality coat & feathering with a constantly wagging tail.

2nd: LEIGH. Mrs K. BENVELLYN DENALI AT WILLAURA

Moulded one piece head but preferred the darker eye & the reach of neck of my first, liked front & rear angulation giving level topline, Flat forerib & well ribbed with correct coupling. Today didn’t move with quite the drive of one.

Class 1575 LD (5 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: CHURCHARD. Mr D. FLATCHARM GRIFFON DARK AT CHURCHKING

Previously this dog has caught my eye when entering the ring & today was a similar experience where he really showed ring presence & at one with his handler. Super one piece head with correct depth of muzzle, dark almond eye, strong jaw & good bite, with nothing overdone. Neck flowed beautifully into well laid back shoulders & a strong topline & tailset. Pleasing front & depth of chest with correct ribbing & coupling. Great front & rear angulation gave the overall balance with true power & racy appearance moving on super feet, showing off the best of coat & furnishings. CC & BOB.

2nd: EGGINGTON & DAVIS. PAJANBECK THINK OF ME (AI) 

Slightly larger dog than one but balanced with pleasing masculine head, eye shape & colour giving a typical kindly expression. Moderate clean necklines, good shoulders, strong topline & correct tailset. Movement was with drive from rear with constant wagging tail on best of feet.

3rd: MANTLE, Miss J. RHIEWVALLEY AIN’T GUILTY

Class 1576 OD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: MAY, Mrs S. RONEVORG DARK ANGEL AT LUSSAC JW SGWC ShCEx OSW

A Class where my 1st & 2nd changed places in my head several times in the ring as I thought both closely met my interpretation of the breed standard. Today he was on top form as a showman exhibiting the power & racy outline especially on the move being at one with handler. Liked his moulded masculine one piece head with dark almond eyes & typical Flatcoat expression. Moderate clean neck running into good shoulder placement. Front & rear angulation were super as was his topline & tailset. I though his bone was of quality & in no way overdone and felt he had the best of feet being round tight & having well arched toes. RCC.

2nd: RUMMUNO, Ms C. SHCH FLATCHARM SERIOUS PIG

 So I now have to justify my second place for a dog that also comes so close to the breed standard. He is a very balanced dog with super head, neck, topline & tailset. His front, ribbing and bone all scream quality, as does his front & rear angulation. This becomes apparent when he moves which was with drive showing power from the rear & an overall raciness. So it came down to splitting hairs & today my first just had that extra ring presence.

3rd: HARVEY, Mrs C. MOONTORN BLACK MAGIC

Class 1577 GCD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: EGGINGTON & DAVIS. PAJANBECK THINK OF ME (AI)

See 2nd in LD

Class 1578 VB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: ROMEO-DIESTE, Mrs M. HOPEVALLEY MORNING RAINBOW JW ShCEx OSW VW

8 year old balanced bitch with typical Flatcoat racy outline. Feminine one piece head with super dark almond eyes. Moderate neck, good front, flat foreribs. Liked the front & rear angulation, short coupled & well let down hocks onto the best of feet. Moved true with drive retaining a level topline with a ring presence of ‘done it all before’.

2nd: LEAVY, Mr A & Mrs C. HOPEVALLEY MORNING SHINE OVERWYCHWIZARD

Very similar bitch to one with all the same attributes. Both these two bitches have the racy & powerful construction without being overdone. Just preferred the tailset of my first.

Class 1579 MPB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: MAY, Mrs S. LUSSAC COOKIE QUARTZ

At this stage this bitch was a nice size & balanced. Liked her feminine head & expression, moderate clean neck & developing front. She had quality bone not too overdone & was ribbed well back to a short coupling. When she moved it was true, showing developing racy lines retaining a great topline on the move. BPB & BP.

2nd: YOUNG, Mrs S. MISS MALLORYS FRONTPAGE NEWS OF LARKSBURN (IMP SWE)

Similar age to one but not quite as developed. Liked her very feminine head & expression, had good moderate neck, flat forerib, good front & rear angulation with level topline & correct tailset. Moved well on good feet but not quite the drive of one.

Class 1580 PB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: MAY, Mrs S. LUSSAC COOKIE QUARTZ

See MPB.

2nd: HOLDEN, Miss H. DYMEXEI LOVE TO BOOGIE

Another similar bitch puppy which was the right shape & size at this point in her development. Moulded one piece head with dark almond eyes, neat ears & correct bite. Developing front, clean moderate neck into level topline. Correct coupling & angulation, well let down hocks & neat feet. Free flowing true movement.

3rd: YOUNG, Mrs S. MISS MALLORYS FRONTPAGE NEWS OF LARKSBURN (IMP SWE)

Class 1581 JB (5 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: JONES, Ms L. BRAEMIST CHASE THE STARS

Balanced but slightly larger bitch. Feminine well moulded head with dark almond eye giving a typical Flatcoat expression. The bone was of quality with a good front & correct ribbing. Strong short coupled loin, moderate rear angulation, well let down hocks & best of feet. Best mover in class holding a level topline & displaying a super shiny coat.

2nd: STAFF & POWELL. HEGRIEJOYFUL MELODY AT BONNYHILBRAE

Another pleasing bitch in many ways. Correct skull & muzzle with feminine kindly expression. Moderately long neck into well laid shoulder, level topline & pleasing tailset. Ample bone with good front & ribbing. Moved with drive on good feet showing off a dense shiny coat & ample feathering with constant wagging tail.

3rd: BONNER, Miss E. FLATCHARM MISABEL

Class 1582 YB (9 Entries) Abs: 3

1st: ANDERSON., K. FELDKIRK ROULETTE AT KAZVAL

Another quality bitch from a kennel I admire which consistently turn out exhibits of quality meeting the requirements of the breed standard. This was a very balanced medium sized bitch that caught my eye when she entered the ring. She had the best of heads being nicely moulded & wedge shape with the required very slight stop. Dark eye colour & good shape gave her that confident kindly expression. Moderate clean neckline into well laid shoulders along with correct front & rear angulation. Flat forerib going well back with short strong coupling gave her a level topline & the best of tailsets. Movement around the ring was stylish & free flowing with great extension in front & power from the rear, showing off a full shiny coat & pleasing feathering. 

2nd: BELLAMY, Miss A. MOONTORNCHASING THE DREAM JW

A slightly larger bitch than one but balanced with a typical Flatcoat outline. Lovely moulded one piece head with feminine expression. Moderate clean neck into well laid shoulders, nicely ribbed with short strong coupling. Level topline but just preferred the tailset of one. Handler brought out the best of movement covering the ground effortlessly on good feet showing off a great coat & constantly wagging tail. 

3rd: McILWAINE & REYNOLDS. FLATCHARM SMELLY CAT TO BENOVER

Class 1583 PGB (6 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WILCOX, Miss L. FLATCHARM OH MY GOD

This bitch caught my eye when entering the ring as being the right size & full of type. She was racy without being over flashy but also had the power when on the move. A really pleasing feminine head, nicely moulded & clean with super expression giving that kind & confident look. She has quality bone with clean moderate neck, best of fronts, correct full ribbing into strong short loin & correct moderate rear angulation. Liked her quality bone, good feet & super coat & furnishings. Covered the ground with ease maintaining a level topline & with a constantly wagging tail. RCC.

2nd: THURGOOD, Mrs S. THURWHITT LYRA BELACQUE JW 

Another bitch with a pleasing outline, medium sized but very slightly heavier than one. Liked her one piece moulded head & kindly feminine expression. Had clean neckline into good shoulders, level topline & pleasing tailset. Moved with power from the rear on tight well arched feet showing off a quality coat.

3rd: GALE, Mrs T & Miss C, WILLOWSWIND SKYLARK JW

Class 1584 LB (9 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: HENESEY, Mrs S. MISS MALLORYS TICKETY-BOO AT WRENSMEAD (IMPSWE)

A bitch that for me that was the right size well constructed & had breed type to give a balanced picture. Head was well moulded with clean lines with just the right stop. Expression was feminine & kindly with super eye shape & colour. She had quality bone & was well muscled which showed on the move with strong drive from rear. A good front, flat foreribs & strong short loin gave her a pleasing topline which was held on the move. She had a lovely dense fine coat with ample furnishings. Movement was as the breed standard describes racy & powerful.

2nd: MOXEY, Mr M &Mrs D. DYMEXE MY CHERIE AMOUR JW

Very slightly smaller bitch but very feminine & had enough bone to give a balance picture. Liked her shoulder placement, rear moderate angulation & well let down hocks. Got her placing from overall outline & racy movement with a constantly wagging tail.

3rd: ROMEO-DIESTE, Mrs M. HOPEVALLEY MORNING XANADU JW 

Class 1585 OB (7 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: JONES, Ms L. SH CH BRAEMIST WITCHES FIRE

This lovely bitch immediately caught my eye as breed type. She is not overdone but has the power & racy look but with a true feminine outline. Having hands on revealed the best of construction with quality bone, well laid shoulders, super angulation, deep chest, correct ribs & strong short coupling. Her one piece clean moulded head shape & dark eyes gave her the best enthusiastic & kindly expressions. Watching her move was a real pleasure as it was true & effortless holding a strong level topline & super tail which never stopped wagging. Just missed out on BOB today as her coat was not quite as finished of my best dog. CC

2nd: JONES, Mr B & Mrs J. SH CH BENVELLYN SEQUOIA JW

Another lovely bitch that has so much Flatcoat type with super construction & very feminine. Her one piece head with slight stop screams Flatcoat & her dark almond eyes give the kindly confident expression. She has a good front & deep chest, really pleasing front & rear angulation, correct ribbing & loin ratio & a level topline & good tailset. She flowed with drive around the ring showing off the best of coat & furnishings.

 3rd: MELLOR & HOLLAND. FLATCHARM GUILTY PLEASURE

Class 1586 GCB (7 Entries) Abs: 3

1st: BOWEN, Mrs V. CLANDRIFT FUNKY ANGEL JW

This bitch won the class on movement as she covered the ground effortlessly with power from rear. One piece moulded head with flat skull & slight stop. Good front, flat forerib & short coupled. Good angulation with correct moderate rear & well let down hocks & best feet in class. Pleasing coat and feathering. 

2nd: YOUNG, Mrs S. GEMSWIN JUST LIKE HEAVEN ATLARKSBURN

Quite the racy bitch with a really nice feminine head & expression. Liked the lay of shoulders & angulation in front & rear. Flat forerib & correct rib to short coupling. Good level topline held on the move. Just preferred the front & feet of one.

3rd: COOVES, Mr F & Mrs L. PAJANBECK I HAVE A DREAM BY DRAKETOR

Steve Chipperfield