South Of England Gundog Club

Thank you to the SoE Club committee for inviting me to undertake my very first judging appointment in my breed, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. I thoroughly enjoyed my day out. Thank you to my stewards, Sharon and Kayla, and also to the exhibitors for accepting my placings sportingly.

Puppy 1(0)

1. Smith’s Tollisty Jotunn

A very promising 8 month old dog puppy with a delightful character and overall impression of balance. He has a sweet wedge-shaped head and alert Toller expression. On examination, he had a strong neck of correct length flowing into a fabulous layback of shoulder, very good return of upper arm and promising forechest, with matching angulation in his rear assembly, already carrying impressive muscle tone throughout. I particularly liked his substance and bone. He also had ribs well sprung for his age and a profuse, rich red coat. Moved with pleasing reach and drive, holding his topline well, although movement was a little puppyish at times, forgivable at this age. He has much to offer the breed should he continue on this trajectory. Pleased to award him Best Puppy.

Special Yearling 2(0)

1. Ryder’s Shorrocks Game Changer at Finnkova JW

18 month old dog. He has a fabulous wedge-shaped head of pleasing proportions and a melting expression, with almond-shaped eyes and well-proportioned drop ears. He is of medium size, slightly longer than tall, with neat feet. Coat developing well, and although of lighter colour, still within standard. Pleasing feathering to legs and tail for his age. Balanced throughout with sound angulation front and rear. Medium bone with good muscle tone. Moved accurately from all angles with good reach and drive, although his tail did occasionally drop below the topline when moving. At times he tended to lose his topline slightly on the stand when looking up toward his handler, although he held it very well on the move. Won the class on his accuracy on the move and overall maturity.

2. Smith’s Tollisty Jotunn

Postgraduate 2(0)

1. Strevens’ Tollisty You Can’t Decline

4 year old rich red dog with a pleasing outline, slightly longer than tall and of excellent balance. On examination he gives a real impression of power, possessing a strong neck, excellent muscle tone with a firm loin, and ribs well sprung with plenty of lung room. Moved soundly with very accurate footfall, showing balanced reach and drive with powerful, efficient movement. He has an appealing head shape and I particularly liked his focused “at work” Toller expression. Would personally prefer a little more of him all over, as although very balanced throughout, he is slightly on the smaller side. Won this class on his accuracy on the move and overall impression of power.

2. Smith’s Tollisty Couldn’t Careless

4 year old very feminine bitch. She is of a good size and has a pleasing outline, especially on the freestand where she held herself four square. She has an outgoing, lively temperament which catches the eye on the go-round, holding her topline and tail well. Presented in strong muscular condition with medium bone, and a quality coat. She moved with equal reach and drive, and looked very efficient in her movement, giving an overall impression of balance.

Open 6(1)

1. Strevens’ Tollisty Shincha JW

3 year old bitch who immediately commanded attention for her true Toller type, feminine outline and effortless, efficient movement. She presents a very balanced picture throughout, slightly longer than tall, with the substance yet moderation essential to the breed. She has a pretty head, correctly held drop ears, with a sweet and alert expression all combining to give a very typical and undoubtedly feminine Toller appearance. Quality coat of soft texture with good length and abundant feathering to tail, carried well with pleasing lashing action which would certainly attract attention in the field. Presented in fabulous muscular condition with a well-developed forechest, balanced rear angulation and correct tailset, all contributing to her harmonious overall picture, particularly evident on the freestand. What particularly impressed was her consistency on the move, holding her outline at all times and moving accurately coming and going, with balanced reach and drive in profile and correct footfall throughout. The more she moved, the more she appealed. Very pleased to award her Best of Breed, and was thrilled to see her take Best in Show 4 in good company.

2. Strevens’ Sh Ch Tollelkin Caife Gaelach at Tollisty

7 year old workmanlike bitch who on first assessment of the class I thought may well be my winner. Her outline projects real power with excellent bone, and she absolutely gives the impression of being capable of a full day’s work in the field. She possesses lovely angulation with a particularly pleasing front assembly, showing good shoulder layback and return of upper arm, alongside excellent muscle tone throughout. Feminine wedge-shaped head with correct almond-shaped eye, ears perhaps just a fraction large for ideal balance, which led me to slightly prefer the overall expression of 1. Coat of good smooth quality with profuse undercoat. At her best on the move she showed the reach, drive and animation expected of the breed, carrying herself with true Toller character and correct tail carriage. However, today she was not as settled or as accurate in movement as 1, which ultimately cost her the class. Pleased to award her Reserve Best of Breed.

3. Salmon’s Acadiabyrne Tibetan Coral of Quackanova

Amy Jenkins (Whistlefire)