Merseyside Gundog Club

Retriever (Labrador) 

Merseyside Gundog Club - Premier Open Show

Sunday 1 February 2026

Sutton Community Centre, St Helens

Having originally attended the Show intending to steward, I was pleased to be able to step in as Stand-in Judge for Anthony Trinder and send him my best wishes for a speedy recovery. My thanks also go to my stewards, Rachael Hornby and Jill Baldwin, for their support and efficiency throughout the day.

Puppy Dog (1: 0)

1st Place Bruxinho Ginkgo Biloba (Mrs K & Mrs A & Mrs L Gordon-Smith & Bibby & Gordon-Smith)

Seven-month-old yellow dog, a very promising youngster of pleasing overall proportions and typical outline. Strongly built for his age without excess, showing good breadth throughout and sufficient depth of chest developing well. Attractive head for his age, with good skull and expression, though he still needs to grow into his ears. Excellent pigmentation. Lovely bone and correct, compact feet. Correct otter tail. A happy, lively puppy who moved attractively in profile when settled, though a little loose coming towards at this stage. Beautifully handled and very engaging. Pushed hard for Best Dog, but the overall finish of the winner just tipped the balance today. His day will certainly come. Best Puppy & Reserve Best Dog

Junior Dog (2: 1)

1st Place Exelby Botis at Meadowline (Miss L Thompson)

Fifteen months old yellow dog presenting a masculine, substantial and well-balanced outline with good breadth throughout. Strong, well-shaped head with correct dentition and a typical, pleasing expression, showing plenty of Labrador character. Substantial for age, with good bone, body and ribbing. Balanced front and rear angulations. Pasterns could firm a little but he remains sound on the move. Correct otter tail, carried a little high when moving today. Well presented and beautifully handled. Best Dog & RBOB.

Graduate Dog (3: 1)

1st Place Exelby Botis at Meadowline (Miss L Thompson)

2nd Place Seatallan Damson (Mrs T A & Mr M J Mullett)

Fifteen months old black dog, very well presented and handled. Preferred the more compact outline and stronger overall balance of the first-placed dog. Masculine head, though a touch short in muzzle. Forequarters adequate but not quite the breadth throughout of the winner. Correct coat and reasonably otter-like tail, not as thick at the base as ideal. Nice tight feet and moves well when settles.

Post Graduate Dog (2: 1)

1st Place Exelby Botis at Meadowline (Miss L Thompson)

Limit Dog (2: 2)

Open Dog (0: 0)

Puppy Bitch (1: 0)

1st Place Meadowline Tiger Lily (Miss L Thompson)

Seven-month-old yellow bitch of very pleasing type. Feminine, well-proportioned head with good bite and pigmentation. Showing good breadth throughout for her age, with lovely bone and correct depth of chest developing nicely. Correct coat and well-carried otter tail. Compact feet. Moved straight and true coming and going. Excellent rapport with her handler. Developing well and very well presented. Two really lovely puppies to choose between on the day I preferred the slightly more complete picture presented by the dog for Best Puppy.

Junior Bitch (5: 2)

1st Place Meadowline Whizz Bang at Bruxinho JW (Mrs K & Mrs A & Mrs L Gordon-Smith & Bibby & Gordon-Smith)

Fifteen months old black bitch, slightly longer cast than the second placed bitch but preferred for her cleaner topline and better front construction. Feminine head with pleasing expression and good pigmentation. Nicely placed ears and a pleasing neck. Good breadth throughout and adequate bone, pasterns could be firmer and feet more compact. Tail should be a little thicker at the base. Moved well when settled and showed better front angulation of the two on the move. Well-presented and handled. Reserve Best Bitch

2nd Place Fourjays Sassy Said It All (Miss R L Young)

Seventeen months old black bitch, more compact in outline with good breadth and bone. Attractive head with good expression, ears a little large. Appears a little short in upper arm, affecting front reach. Good otter tail and correct weather-resistant coat. Both bitches moved well when settled and were beautifully presented and handled.

Graduate Bitch (5: 1)

1st Place Lapema Mustang Kati at Brandelle (Mrs H Broughton)

Two-year-old yellow bitch with a pleasing head and kind expression. She has good breadth throughout with sound bone and presents a balanced, workmanlike outline. Her pasterns would benefit from firming up and her feet could be tighter, she appealed for her overall balance and correct otter tail, which helped secure her placing. She moved true coming and going, giving a sound and honest picture on the move.

2nd Place Bruxinho Feeling Epic (Mrs K & Mrs A & Mrs L Gordon-Smith & Bibby & Gordon-Smith)

Two-year-old yellow bitch, attractive and very well presented, with a lovely head and expression and shown to advantage. Of pleasing overall quality with a very correct, weather-resistant coat. I would prefer tighter feet. She tends to carry her tail a little high on the move. Moved true going away, a little untidy coming towards which ultimately placed her just behind the winner today.

Post Graduate Bitch (6: 3)

1st Place Huntress Happy Kiss at Fourjays (Imp Ukr) (Miss R L Young)

Two-and-a-half-year-old yellow bitch presenting a pleasing, typical, compact outline with good breadth and depth of chest. Broad throughout with good bone. Lovely feminine head with well placed ears and wonderful expression. Otter tail and excellent waterproof coat. Feet could be a little tighter. Moved well in profile, showing balance and drive. A very typical Labrador bitch, well-presented and beautifully handled. Best of Breed

2nd Place Harrop Ravenheart of Marlucove (Miss J Bailey)

Four years old black bitch with a compact outline and good length of leg. Would prefer more width and depth of chest, she appears a little narrow from the front. Good spring of rib, correct otter tail and excellent coat. A little high in withers and preferred the front angulation of the winner. Beautifully presented and handled.

Limit Bitch (5: 1)

1st Place Bruadarach Baile Eilidh (Mrs S Parker)

Five years old chocolate bitch with good breadth and depth of chest. Slightly long in loin and carrying a little too much weight today, which affected her topline on the move. Preferred her head proportions to the second, though underjaw could be stronger. Beautiful expression, reasonable otter tail and good bone. Better feet than the second. Correct coat and moved well when settled. Recently back from a litter, according to her handler and should improve further with condition. Very well presented and handled.

2nd Place Lejie Sugar Almond at Penkaric (Mr G & Mrs P Proctor)

Four-year-old yellow bitch with a lovely expression and well-placed ears. She has good breadth to both head and body with well-sprung ribs, giving her a solid, workmanlike outline. Carrying a touch too much weight today, which affected her overall picture. Her feet are not as compact as the winner’s and whilst she moved soundly, the first-placed dog showed the more positive movement. Well presented and sympathetically handled.

Open Bitch (4: 1)

1st Place Harrop Ravenheart of Marlucove (Miss J Bailey)

2nd Place Carpenny Pheya at Baldevs (Miss D Long)

Eight-year-old black bitch in lovely condition for her age, a real credit to her owner. Slightly longer cast in outline than the winner. Shows good breadth throughout but not always making the best use of herself. Moved well in profile when settled but a little untidy going away. Well presented and handled.

E.A. CAMINADE-LAVAULT