Aberystwyth & District Canine Society

Thanks to the committee for this invitation to judge and to my capable stewards, Martin and Sue. 

Gundog group, a super line up.

Group 1 – English Springer Spaniel Bullocks Trixhund shut that door 

A compact dog presenting a pleasing outline. He has a classic headpiece, balanced with a dark eye and kind expression, clean cheeks, and good ear length. His strong neck has a slight arch and flows into well-boned forelegs. He is deep-chested and well-ribbed, with strength through the loin and second thighs. He moved freely, with drive from the hocks, while holding his topline.

Group 2 – Vizsla Challis Vizslanya Domenkos JW

Having judged him before, so glad to meet him again. He presents a classic, clean outline, with a masculine, lean head of good proportions, low-set ears, correct bite, and tight-fitting lips. His strong neck leads into well-laid shoulders, deep chested and tight elbows. He has round feet and upright pasterns. On the move, he opened out well, holding a level topline and correct tailset. He was in hard, muscular condition.

Group 3 – Welsh Springer Spaniel Williams Nyliram alibi for Trebettyn JW

I liked the size and shape of this boy. He is compact in body, with a handsome, slightly domed head, clean cheeks, soft, dark eyes, a square muzzle, and good dentition. His neck is clean, and his legs are straight and well-boned. He has a deep brisket and a muscular rear, with strength through the second thigh. He moved with drive from strong hocks and was presented in fabulous coat. He was close up to the winners.

Group 4 – Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Adsheads Afonbach Syrax JW 

She presents a pleasing outline, and I liked her size and shape. Her feminine, wedge-shaped head has clean cheeks and a melting expression. She used her ears well and was attentive to her handler. Her shoulders are well laid, with strong forelegs, and she has a level topline. She has well-bent stifles and strong hocks, and moved with style to secure her place.

Gundog Puppy group, some future stars here. 

Group 1 – Weimaraner Phillips Stormdancer sweet caroline Rivertone 

Shortlisted in the adult group, as she is full of quality, but she ultimately lost out on maturity of body. I liked her classic outline and body proportions. She has a pleasing, feminine headpiece with a hint of aloofness, a slight median line, and a nice eye and expression. Her clean neck leads to a good lay of shoulder and a deep chest. She is well-ribbed back, with a well-angulated rear. She moved out well, holding a level topline, and was in hard condition.

Group 2 – Irish Water Spaniel Stirks Stanegate step to stardom for Grakar 

Also shortlisted in the adult group, as there was much to like. She comes from a well-known kennel that produces quality Irish Water Spaniels. I liked her shape and balanced body. Her head is a good size, with a cheeky expression, and she was attentive to her handler. Her chest and rib were well developed for her age, and she has a powerful rear and round feet. She was presented in good condition, with soft, dense curls. She moved freely, showing drive and holding her topline.

Group 3: Field Spaniel James Bleiddiad Dawn run 

Really liked this young bitch who possesses a typical noble headpiece with correct proportions of skull to muzzle, melting dark eyes, and a low ear set. While she still needs to mature in body, she already displays strong bone and good length of body. She moved with good drive from the hocks whilst holding a firm topline. Her shiny coat just needs its full feathering to complete the picture.

Group 4: Golden Retriever Clunies Solwynhart Nanjizalbay of Warrentor.

A promising pale cream bitch. I liked her head, showing equal lengths of muzzle and skull, with the skull being broad and having plenty of brain room without being overdone. She presents a compact body with good length of leg; chest and ribcage are developing well. Well-angulated front and rear, she moved well while holding her topline and correct tail set. She has a very good coat for her age.

Also very close up was the English Springer Spaniel dog, who just lost out on maturity today, but his day will certainly come.

Welsh Springers. Puppy Class:

Two nice puppies, though both are developing differently at present. I just preferred the overall outline and shape of 1st.

1st: Lewis Dons constant gardener von trannon imp swed. A compact boy with a masculine head, kind eye, correct ear set and shape, and a clean neck. He maintains a level back, has good angles front and rear, and moved with the happy, effortless action expected of a puppy. 2nd: Tuckers Benoveor all I ask of you. A pretty girl, a little rangier in body than 1st. She features a head of correct size and shape, soft eyes, clean cheeks, and good dentition. Also possesses good angles and moved okay.

Graduate Class: 1st: Griffiths Merchinenetes Padrig, Liked his size and shape. Features a masculine head with a soft expression, well-chiselled under his dark eyes, and a good length of muzzle. Deep chest, well-ribbed back, though a tad long in loin. Level topline, well-boned, in hard muscular condition, and presented in a gleaming coat.

Open Class:A lovely class.1st: (See Group 3 critique).2nd (Reserve Best of Breed): Lewis Eiriandlyis strange magic von Trannon JW, Very close up to 1st, though I preferred the body length of the winner as this bitch is a bit longer in the loin. She possesses a feminine head with a slight dome, dark eyes, low-set ears, and a clean neck. Well-boned with a deep brisket, strong rear, and hocks; moved well, holding her outline.

Gordon Setter

Best of Breed: Crowsleys Bonnienights aurora blaze. 

Just the one present. Liked her head, which has plenty of work in it, complemented by rich tan markings, soft dark eyes, and a deep muzzle. Reasonable chest and rib, she was a bit hesitant on the move today and her coat is a tad dull and needs attention.

Irish Red and White Setter Jones Roanjora crémant Bourgogne 

Best of Breed:Just one present. Handsome lad of a lovely rich colour who presents a pleasing outline, though I would prefer a tad more neck. Masculine head with good proportions, a deep chest, well-sprung ribs, powerful rear, and tight feet. Needs a bit more feathering. moved very well.

Irish Setter

Graduate Class: Reserve Best of Breed: Murrays Quensha I know him so well. A lovely lad presented in good coat and condition. He features a lean neck with a pronounced occiput, with his long neck leading to a good lay of shoulder. Deep chest, well-sprung rib, and good body length. Moved with drive from a powerful rear, but due to a change of handler in the challenge, he unfortunately lost his way.

Open Class: Best of Breed: Murrays Henaleas Maximillian with Derrydore JW. A racy lad who presents a nice outline. He has a balanced head with dark eyes, a keen expression, and a good length of neck. Deep-chested with legs well-placed under the body, well-angulated rear, and moved freely. In great coat and condition.

Italian Spinone

Graduate Class: Reserve Best of Breed: James Piacente uomo Saggio, An orange roan lad. His head is balanced, though I would prefer a tighter eye rim. He has a large nose and strong muzzle, a strong muscular body, deep chest, and large round feet. Does carry and fly his tail on the move.Dense coat of course texture.

Open Class:Best of Breed: Falberg & Buckleys Tolosa Tallegio. O/roan. Preferred his head to the graduate winner as it is more balanced, featuring a deep muzzle with a large nose and plenty of whiskers. He has good strength through the body, is a little down on his front pasterns, has a deep chest with close-fitting elbows. Strong second thighs; moved okay, though he also tends to fly his tail.

Flat Coats. 

Grad, 1st Res BOB Simons Coedylan bambino caro JW, racy looking girl, quite fine in head, good length of neck, deep chest, tight elbows, well ribbed back with short loin, has strength in second thigh, moved effortlessly with wagging tail. 

Open 1st BOB Mantles Rhiewvalley aint guilty. Liked his size and shape, holds pleasing outline, decent head and neck, deep chested and well ribbed,good angles front and rear, well muscled up, happy lad.

 2nd Simons Rainesgift royal mint Coedylan VW JW 9 years young, happy disposition, feminine head, kind eye, good through body, just starting to go down on pasterns, strong second thighs and well muscled rear, lovely coat. 

Golden Retrievers. 

Puppy. BPIB Clunies Solwynhart Nanjizalbay of Warrentor. See PG4. 

Junior. 1st Res BOB. Evans Putjade popster. Gold lad, liked his head as balanced , skull broad but not overdone, dark eye, deep muzzle, clean neck, well boned forelegs which are set under withers, elbows in tight, good bend of stifle, level back with set on tail, in good coat, moved well. 2nd Sellicks Cwmtaff Navigator. Gold lad. Close up to 1st but just slightly preferred head of 1st , he has dark eyes and kind expression, deep muzzle, well boned , deep chest, not quite the front of 1st, good bend of stifle and strong hocks. Level topline but does fly tail a tad on the move. Also in lovely coat. Both happy lads on the move. 

Grad. 1st P Popster see above. 2nd Greenhouse Tyloulbella Avicii. Feminine head which is well proportioned and not overdone in skull. Kind expression, well set ears. Carrying a little weight on shoulders today which made her neck look stuffy, elbows tucked in, deep chest, compact in body, well boned, strong second thighs, moved holding outline. 

Limit. 1st BOB Clunies Warrentor Abeline JW, presents compact balanced outline, feminine headpiece of correct proportions, dark eyes, deep muzzle, good length of neck leads to well placed shoulders, deep chest, good ribbing, well angulated rear, level back and tail set on, in good coat and condition, moved with drive. 2nd Lewis Fenpinque Gabriel for Dasmaks, pale lad, bit too much of him for me. Broader in skull than 1st, but has soft dark eyes, clean cheeks and strong muzzle. Has a decent length of neck but carrying bit of weight on shoulders, compact body, strong second thighs and cat feet. Moved with drive but flies tail at times. 

Open 1st Greenhouses Rumwood endless love, veteran girl just showing her age a little, head of good proportions, dark eye and nose, clean neck, deep chest with elbows tucked in well, level back, strong hocks, moved well in profile but little close behind. Good coat and condition for age. 

Gundog Brace

1st – Harnett's Field Spaniels

A well-matched black pair who impressed with their symmetry and teamwork on the move. They moved around the ring together with drive and purpose, maintaining breed type throughout. Both possess lovely heads and kind expressions and were presented in gleaming coats. Their precision and harmony on the move earned them the top spot today.

2nd – Johnson's Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

Another well-matched pair who ran the winners close. They present a balanced picture together and are very similar in type. Not quite as precise or coordinated in their movement at times as the winning pair, but nevertheless they moved soundly and looked very good together. Well presented and handled throughout.

3rd – Proudler's Cocker Spaniels

A pleasing brace of good type, presented in excellent condition and shown to advantage. On the day I preferred the overall symmetry and coordinated movement of the pairs placed above them.

________________________________________

Vulnerable Native Breeds Puppy

1st – Irish Water Spaniel – Stanegate Step to Stardom at G...

See Puppy Group placings.

2nd – Welsh Springer Spaniel – Don's Constant Gardener

See breed critique.

3rd – Field Spaniel – Bleiddiaid Annie Power

A promising youngster with much to admire. Displays good breed characteristics for age and was presented in good condition. Little unsettled today 

________________________________________

Vulnerable Native Breeds Open

1st – Welsh Springer Spaniel Dons constant gardener. 

See Best of Breed and Group placings.

2nd – James' Kingmist Golden Future for Bleiddiad (Field Spaniel)

A classy black bitch full of breed type and quality. Feminine, noble head with a kind expression and correct body proportions throughout. Strongly boned without exaggeration and well balanced overall. Moved out positively, showing good drive from her strong hocks while maintaining her outline. Presented in excellent coat and condition and pushed hard for the top spot.

3rd – English Setter Thomas Kanietter sarka at Hainfield 

Gundog Veteran

A quality class where several good dogs went cardless, and all exhibits were a credit to their owners.

1st – Vizsla Challis Vizslanya zsa zsa gabor 

A lovely bitch who appealed for her classic outline and overall balance. Feminine, lean head with moderate stop, square muzzle and tight lips. Strong neck flowing into well-laid shoulders, with elbows held close to the body. Well-ribbed with good depth and substance throughout. Strong quarters with well-developed second thighs, enabling her to move effortlessly around the ring. A worthy winner of a quality class.

2nd – Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Fielders Sh Ch Schindow junior cowboy with Cretshengam 

A handsome dog presented in a rich red double coat. I particularly liked his balanced outline and overall proportions. Masculine wedge-shaped head with alert expression, ears attentive to his handler at all times. Good depth of chest, well-laid shoulders and elbows tucked neatly in. Strong through the body with well-bent stifles and sound construction throughout. A worthy champion who pushed hard for the top spot today.

3rd – Golden Retriever, Rumwood endless love, see breed.