Tay Valley Gundog Association

Tay valley Gundog Association

Open show 2nd May 2026

Many thanks to Tay valley for the opportunity to judge at their show, we were fortunate that the weather was relatively dry only a few down pours.  A number of difficult decisions, Many of the dogs could changed place on another day. Thank you to the exhibitors. 

Retriever Flat Coat  

Puppy  (1,0abs)

1st  Laird’s Lamesbella Maine of Daicheil  

10 months, still a little raw, pleasing racy outline, head plains developing, flat across skull, with straight bone, adequate rib reasonable bend in stifle presented in good condition, feet round and, moved out ok, but coming towards had a tendency to pin in.

Special yearling (2,0)

Two nice youngsters here, just preferred the topline on 1st.

1st    Thomson’s Badcall Midsummer 

Nicely moulded head, presented a balanced outline, straight in bone, fore & aft. Moved out well with a free-flowing step 

2nd Stevenson’s Steelriver Pure Majness Ir JCh 

Many of attributes are shared by this dog, I just felt he was slightly longer cast  , tail carriage was good , moved out well 

Graduate (1,0)

1st Rotherfield made to last at Steelriver 

Well-made male, typical breed head, good plains dark eye, neck of reasonable length to give a balanced outline into well set shoulder Body well ribbed and deep to a strong short loin, moderately turned stifle, presented in good muscled condition, strong 2nd thigh, moved freely with good ground covering. BOB 

Open  (1,0abs)

1st      Thomson’s Sh Ch Caci’s the dreamcatcher at Badcall 

Overall, this mature lady presented a balanced outline, pleasing head, with dark eye and intelligent expression, body well ribbed and deep. Moved out well.  

Labrador Retriever 

Puppy (2,0)

My notes say two puppies enjoying life, a pleasure to see

1st Parker’s Bruadarach Ballachulish

Strongly made youngster, his character shone through, broad in skull, clean neck, into well laid shoulders, good deep to chest, good tail set, covered the ground well, giving his handler a bit of a time doing so.

2nd Girvan’s Suedo in for a penny 

Pleasing in head, slightly different outline than one, good straight bone, on the move had a tendency to lose topline.

Yearling (6,2abs)

1st Tulloch & Thorpe’s Tullochmorh Take a bow BOB

Broad in skull, powerful jaws, such expressive eyes, body of good depth and shape, presented in such good condition his coat gleamed, strength of muscle, used his tail well on the move, best mover in the class 

2nd Cook’s Exelby Cullinan Diamond

Another excellent example of the breed, good depth of chest and well sprung rib, level topline moved well, just felt the muscle tone was not as good as 1. Presented in good condition.

Graduate (6,2)

1st Tulloch & Thorpe’s Tullochmorh Take a bow 

 2nd Parker’s Bruadarach Ballachulish

Labrador Post Graduate  (1,0)

1st Gunn’s Exelby Finch of Weachyburn

Presented a pleasing outline in the stack, enough bone and spring of rib. Good muscle condition. Moved ok but his tail tended to be carried high on the move

Labrador Limit (3,0)

1st Parker’s Bruadarach Baile Eilidh

Pleasing head, strong neck into adequately placed shoulders, good depth and spring to the body. Not in the best coat today, moved out well, level topline held on the move.

2nd Scrimgeour’s Velvetine Willow

Pretty headed girl , good depth and width to chest,  good layback of shoulder, just not a positive on the move as 1 .

Labrador Open (6,1)

1st Tulloch’s Binnaig Bonnach for Tullochmorh

Masculine in head, clean strong neck, long laid-back shoulders, good depth and width to his chest, level topline, short coupled, Presented in good muscular condition. Covered the ground effortlessly, his otter tail never stopped. 

2nd Cook’s Exelby Norman 

Broad in head, bright in eye, strong neck, good strength in straight bone, just felt he was slightly longer cast  than one. Moved well 

Curly Coated retriever Open (3,1)

1st Cummings’s Molokain Enchanted One

Well-shaped head, lovely dark eye, Strong with slight arch to neck. Deep well sprung ribs, enough turn to the stifle, round well arched feet. Coat a thick mass of tight curls. Moved out with good extension.

2nd Cumming’s Maycourt Island girl for Breichside JW 

Feminine in head, straight front, good depth and width to her body, carried her top line level, lost her sparkle on the move today.

AVNSC Post graduate (3,0)

1st Murray’s Gingerfox Curlew at Muireatai 

Powerful, masculine without coarseness, balanced head, well boned, enough muscular neck leading to laidback shoulders. well sprung ribs, level topline. moved with powerful momentum, Harsh, oily coat 

2nd Garden’s Leiborschy Theano 

Presented in good condition, feminine in head, straight front, well-muscled neck, with good layback of shoulder. Well-proportioned body, level back. Harsh feel to the coat, moved with good covered the ground well. 

AVNSC Open (5,0) 

1st Bowley’s Gunsyn Superstitious 

Presented with an overall appearance of strength, neck powerful and well-rounded shoulders long,, Head with correct arches, lean in cheek, oval bone, moved with powerful drive from rear, showing the extended trot of this breed.

2nd Thomson’s Luc Ch Ir Sh CH Sarscottah Eclipse C.W 25

In lovely condition, pleasing feminine head, forelegs straight and well feathered, broad and deep in body, slightly sloping croup, tail set good. Moved out with free long strides 

Best in Show 

1st Stewarts GSP Macgregor Take it all off Levagrad JW NLJch, NLJW25

What can I say about this stunning young lady, her depth and balance gave her a graceful outline, head of correct proportion, nothing over done. Good length of muscled neck, leading to sloping shoulders. With good bone. Short back with good strength to her loin, well bent stifle, well-muscled. Her muscled condition showed as she smoothly and effortlessly covered the ground with ease. One certainly fit for function 

2nd  Bowley’s Bracco Gunsyn Superstitious  

Presented with an overall appearance of strength, neck powerful and well-rounded shoulders long,, Head with correct arches, lean in cheek, oval bone, moved with powerful drive from rear, showing the extended trot of this breed.

3rd  Miller’s Gordon Setter Cafotaliena Heart of a Hero 

A boy I have judged before and he did not disappoint today, Balanced head, so symmetrical, long lean neck, into long shoulder blades, moderate body length, deep chest without being overly broad. Flat bone, good length from hip to hock, moved steadily around the ring 

4th McGeachie’s Lux Ch/IrShCH Malbecmogs lady of the lake at Klanhallion  

Wide in skull but so feminine, good length in neck with acceptable throatiness. Strong in bone, good depth to the body. standing on well-padded feet, moved with the roll you would expect on a Sussex. 

Best Puppy In Show  

1st Scotland’s Lynwater Bramble Blossom Cocker spaniel 

Such a happy puppy, feminine in head with good proportions, balanced throughout for one so young, good bone, level topline, good coat texture, moved out well. 

2nd MacFarlane’s Golden Retriever BlueBraes Voyager

Feminine in head with pretty expression, presented a balanced outline, level topline, moved well, I just preferred the movement on one.

3rd Parker’s labrador Retriever Bruadarach Ballachulish

Strongly made youngster, his character shone through, broad in skull, clean neck, into well laid shoulders, good deep to chest, good tail set, covered the ground well, giving his handler a bit of a time doing so. Had settled more now to show off his qualities 

4th Laird’s Flat coated retriever Lamesbella Maine of Daicheil  

10 months, still a little raw, pleasing racy outline, head plains developing, flat across skull, with straight bone, adequate rib reasonable bend in stifle presented in good condition, feet round and, moved out ok, but coming towards had a tendency to pin in.

Best Veteran in Show 

1st Millers’s Gordon Setter Liric Just the ticket 

Strong balanced head, with dark eye and well-set ears.  Flat bone with good substance. Good length to his lean neck, good shoulder placement. Body of moderate length, with good length I hip to hock, moved steadily with drive, so belaying his veteran status 

2nd Mason& Clubb’s Hungarian Vizsla Oroshaza Lucy Locket 

Anoth veteran in good condition, pleasing feminine head, level back, straight bone, moved with elegance when she got into her stride.

3rd MacLaine& Dickson’s Weimaraner Greyspirit Purdue JW SHCM, SHCEX

 Another lovely veteran, like her overall size and balance, pleasing head and expression, moved out well  

4th Johnston’s English Setter Wansleydale Beguiled of Loonbrae

 Presented a typical well shaped head, good strength to his neck and well laid shoulders. Moved out steadily.  

Any variety Special Beginners

1st  Lawrie’s Inverella Bella ragazza Nera  (Cocker Spaniel )

2nd McGrory’s Javal Same old Scene (Italian Spinone)

Any Variety Minor Puppy

1st Blazejczak’s Redgranate Amber Diamond (Cocker spaniel) 

Stood alone, gold girl, very much a baby here, move out ok.

Any variety Puppy

1st MacFarlane’s Golden Retriever BlueBraes Voyager

Feminine in head with pretty expression, presented a balanced outline, level topline, moved well.

2nd Mason’s Lynshow Apache (cocker spaniel)

 Such a pretty head, with a melting expression, well set ears, enough to give a balanced outline, moved soundly.

Any Variety post graduate 

1st Murray’s Gingerfox Curlew at Muireatai 

Powerful, masculine without coarseness, balanced head, well boned, enough muscular neck leading to laidback shoulders. well sprung ribs, level topline. moved with powerful momentum, Harsh, oily coat 

2nd Wardens Holinbrae Eurastar at Glentochty

Balanced fore & aft, Masculine in head without coarseness, good depth of chest, moved out with drive.

Any Variety Open 

1st Mcgeachie’s Lux Ch/IrShCH Malbecmogs lady of the lake at Klanhallion  

2nd Warden’s Holinbrae Zoom time at Glentochty (Golden Retriever) 

 Balanced male, good head with dark pigment, clean neck, short coupled, moved well.  

Any Variety Champion

1st Bowley’s Sh CH Gunsyn Gineva (Bracco Italiano) Much to like about this mature girl, good head angles, strong in neck, straight front with good feet.  Presenting a square outline. Muscular in croup, good turn of stifle, moved with drive from the rear.

2nd Mcgeachie’s Lux Ch/IrShCH Malbecmogs lady of the lake at Klanhallion  

Any Variety Veteran 

1st Bell, Millar, Bell’s Balnakeil Corradail of Blairbelles (Gordon Setter) 

A truly honest Gordon, of good size, kindly expression in a masculine head. Level topline, straight flat bone, good length from hip to hock. Moved soundly. 

2nd Maclaine& Dickson’s Greyspirit Hope n dreams JW, SHCEX, OSW, VW(Weimaraner)

Aristocratic in head, deep Chest, well sprung in rib, enough angulation in the hind quarters to allow her to move effortlessly around the ring. 

Any Variety Vintage 

1st MacLaine& Dickson’s Weimaraner Greyspirit Purdue JW SHCM, SHCEX

2nd Mason & Clubb’s Sh CH Oroshaza Chukar VW CW18 

Head lean, strong neck, Moderate in bone, balanced fore & aft, correct coat texture move well, just preferred the positiveness on one on the move 

Carol Henry

(Judge)