United Retriever Club

UNITED RETRIEVER CLUB 80th ANNIVERSARY OPEN SHOW. – 21/10/2026

Labrador – Judge Gareth G Proctor (Penkaric)

I would like to thank the Show Secretary, Committee and Officers for their kind invitation to judge Labrador Retrievers at this, their 80th Anniversary Open Show. I would also like to thank my ring Steward Michelle for her excellent attention to detail and for keeping the ring moving nicely in between classes. Also, to the exhibitors for their entries.

It was pleasing to see that the overall quality of the exhibits was really good, however, for me, movement on one or two of the exhibits left a little to be desired. I’m sure this can be improved by some basic ringcraft training and perhaps getting someone else to move your dog, while you observe their fore, aft and profile movement around the ring. A couple of the exhibits would benefit from having their nails trimmed.

Minor Puppy Dog – 5 entries

1st – Percival, Mrs M A - Wynfaul Flamenco – I was really taken with this young dark yellow dog, just 6 months and maturing nicely. His head was well balanced and developing nicely but it still has that puppy look about it. He has well set ears and a good slope to his neck, leading onto a level topline and tailset straight off his back. His forechest still needs to develop, which will come with time. He is well off for bone and has compact tight feet. His overall shape is pleasing at this time and will, I’m sure only get better as he matures. Moved really well with his handler, BPD, BP & RBOB.

2nd – Harvey-Major, Ms L - Linjor Mr Jammy Dodger – A 7 month paler yellow dog, who I have seen previously as a baby puppy and he is showing a lot of promise. Super head, with a lovely overall shape, good length and depth of muzzle, well defined stop, correct scissor bite. Good front angulation and spring of rib, neat feet, good bend of stifle, a little more maturity will see the finished picture. Very attentive to handler, just preferred movement of 1.

3rd – Mell, Mr A & Mrs K - Saranden In My Life.

Puppy Dog - 4

1st – Harvey-Major Ms L - Linjor Mr Jammy Dodger.

2nd – Bills, Mrs B & Mr T - Rumhill Jagermeister at Bourtonfox JW – Another very promising youngster, 11 month old Chocolate, who is making a very handsome dog. Masculine head, while retaining some of his puppy looks at this stage, he has a correct eye colour and shape, which gives him an appealing expression. Good neck and shoulder placement, his chest still needs a little more time. Longer in back than 1, he held a nice level topline on the move, maturity and a full coat will help his overall appearance.

3rd – Edwards, Mrs V - Chelmscote Daddy’s Boy.

Junior Dog – 2

1st – Percival, Mrs M A - Sudeo Lucky Strike Wynfaul – 16 month nicely maturing darker yellow dog, he presents a balanced picture from nose to tail. Super head with a melting expression, one of the dogs to use his ears well when stood. Strong through neck and shoulders with plenty of chest room, he has good angles throughout, which allows him to move around the ring with ease and drive on nice tight feet, with a true otter tail carried well throughout. Pleased to award him BD & ultimately BOB.

2nd – Braddon, Mr D L & Mrs F E M - Trendlewood For All We Know – 13 month strongly built compact yellow, nicely made throughout. Super bone and balance, he has a good strong topline, held nicely on the move with a good bend of stifle and well developed second thigh, tight fee, moved well. His day will come I’m sure.

Yearling Dog – 2 (1)

1st – Moody, Miss J - Trendlewood Hometown Glory JW. Stood alone, but well worthy of his place, 23 month yellow who presents a nice outline. He has a masculine head, without being overdone, strong neck and good front angulation, tended to lose his topline slightly on the move, good bend of stifle, moved OK.

Graduate Dog – 2 (1)

1st Mell, Mr A & Mrs K - Treantagh Nketia – Mature black dog who was full of himself on the day, looked so much better when settled. His head is a little strong for me, but nevertheless it is clean in outline and nicely balanced. Nice shape and colour to eye. He has a good length of neck and nicely made front angles, with a good spring of rib, tailset a little low. He moved OK when settled.

Post Graduate Dog – 1

1st – Pickin, Miss L - Edenwood Hinch – Nicely settled chocolate dog in full coat. He has a pleasing head, enhanced by his rich dark colour and correct eye. Strongly built throughout, he has a good width and depth to his chest, neat feet, a good spring of rib and well-muscled 2nd thigh. Good otter tail coming straight off his back, Moved in a steady, non-rushed style.

Open Dog – 3

1st – Bambrook, Mrs K - Winsleywood Waghorn at Ravoaker JW – A nice mature yellow in fit hard condition. He has the most pleasing head of correct proportions, neat ears (when he chooses to use them), his neck is strong leading down to a good level topline. He has good bone and feet which help him to move around the ring with reach and drive.

2nd – Foster, Mr M - Rochevale Beal JW – Another quality yellow dog, with a well proportioned head of good overall balance, He has a well defined stop and good length of muzzle, Strong through neck and shoulders, you can see that this is a nicely made mature 3 year old dog, who is well put together, and again very attentive to his handler, who helped him to move around the ring really well.

Minor Puppy Bitch – no entries

Puppy Bitch – no entries

Junior Bitch – 6 (1 absent) (1 WD)

1st – Braddon, Mr D & Mrs F E M - Trendlewood Only Yesterday – A very nice pale-yellow bitch, who is just out of puppy. She presents a lovely overall balanced picture. Sweet femine head with neat ears and a good length and breadth of muzzle. Nice scissor bite. She is clean though the neck and keeps a nice level topline on the move. Possibly the best Otter tail on the day. Moved straight and true.

2nd – Percival, Mrs M A - Wynfaul Tango – really well balanced dark yellow, 2 weeks out of puppy, her head is developing nicely with a melting expression and neat ears. She is good through the neck and shoulder. She stands on good strong bone and compact tight feet. She has a good spring of rib and a super otter tail. Tough decision between 1 & 2. 

Yearling Bitch – 3 (1 absent) (1 WD)

1st – Shirton, Mrs Y - Woolman Born Free – Super mature 23 month yellow who was the best mover so far. Lovely balanced femine outline, she has the sweetest of heads, slightly darker neat ears, which I like. Correct angles front and back, allowing her to move with ease, she carries a good true otter tail, straight off her back. 

Graduate Bitch – 2

1st – Manning, Miss E - Marchurch Solstice Kiss JW – A very pretty compact yellow of nice type. She is balanced throughout, with a pretty femine head, good length of neck and correct front construction. Her topline is held nicely on the move, she has a good depth of chest, but to really finish the picture I would like a little more spring of rib. She has a good bend of stifle and well muscled second thigh, and to round it off, a nice tail. Moved well.

2nd – Shirton, Mrs Y - Woolman Wish Upon a Star – a nice black bitch in good hard condition. Her head is femine and well balanced, with a well defined stop, correct eye colour and neat ears. She has a very good reach of neck and plenty of forechest. She carries good angles all round and a nice tailset. I just preferred the topline and feet of the winner.

Post Graduate Bitch – 2 (1)

1st – Braddon, Mr D L & Mrs F E M - Trendlewood It Takes Two JW – a nicely mature dark chocolate bitch in super coat. A pleasing head and correct eye colour, she’s powerful through the neck and forequarters, with a good level topline, good bone and sound feet, strong through 2nd thigh, tailset straight off her back. She moved really well.

Open Bitch – 5 (2) 

1st – Percival, Mrs M A - SH CH Wynfaul Dancing Flame JW – A super balanced darker yellow of excellent breed type. As with all from this kennel, she is in good fit hard condition. She has a lovely femine head which is pleasing from any angle. Attentive to her handler at all times, she has correct angles fore and aft, strong through the neck, sweeping to a lovely level topline, excellent through the chest, in lovely coat and condition, finished off with a super otter tail. Moved OK. BB, & BOS.

2nd – Shirton, Mrs Y - Woolman Carefree – Yellow of excellent type, pleasing head, good length and strength through the neck, good length of back, nice spring of rib, nice tail, moved well. 

Gareth G Proctor (Judge)