Birtley & District Canine Society

Birtley Premier Open Show

11th April 2026all 

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge all Gundogs (except Goldens) at the recent show at Temple Park, and a huge thank you for you, the exhibitors, who travelled so far to show under me. I was spoilt for choice and although some classes were small the quality was high. 

It was a very busy day and I am so grateful to my very efficient Steward who kept everything on track. 

With over a hundred dogs to judge, I was pushed for time to write lengthy critiques on all of my winners, for which I sincerely apologise. I usually take photos of my winners but time constraints (plus my arthritic knees!) prevented this.

My Gundog Group winners were

1 WEIMARANER Robson’s Kalimor Washington at Robricci JW

Powerful and masculine with plenty of bone and substance, in excellent hard condition. Classic head, reachy muscular neck, good lay of shoulder and straight well boned forehand. Deep body, well ribbed back. Strong , muscular hindquarters with good width and turn of stifle. Covered the ground effortlessly, but could have done with a bit bigger ring top to get into his stride. BOB and Gundog G1

2 AMERICAN SPRINGER SPANIEL

Morris & Jefferson’s Mycalleys Koko JW

Super, compact short coupled body, with well defined head and lovely expressive eyes. Muscular strong rising neck of neck set into sloping shoulders. Compact body, deep through the heart. Muscular hindquarters which gave her true,driving action from the rear when moving. BOB and Gundog G2

3 NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TOLLING RETRIEVER

Roffey’s Camusmor Ca Canny with Acanuckgood 

Lovely type , in full coat with good head, muscular, well laid shoulders, deep body with well sprung ribs, muscular hindquarters with good bend of stifle, which she used to advantage when moving. BOB and Gundog G3

4 POINTER

S J Anderson Rowell’s Daledancer Frances Mullen

Lovely black and white feminine youngster. Loved her shape and outline. Well defined head, muscular neck, excellent front, good depth of body, nice hindquarters with good bend of stifle. Good on the move with correct front action. Winner of Post Grad and Open BOB Gundog G4

GUNDOG PUPPY

1 ENGLISH SETTER

Lawson’s Summerseve Cezanne 

What an outstanding young boy this is! It is a long time since I have seen such quality and promise. Loved everything about him, both standing and moving. Lovely classical head, carried high on the move, flowing neck and shoulders, strong deep body with strong, muscular quarters. In excellent coat and condition. Best Puppy, BOB and Puppy G1

2 GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Gerhold’s Navilis Shchedryk.

 Quality youngster, still maturing. Masculine and balanced with good length of leg ,he has a bright future ahead of him. Super head, good length of neck and well placed shoulders. Short coupled body with excellent topline and tail set. Well developed hindquarters with nice bend of stifle. Covered the ground easily with accurate flowing movement.

3 CLUMBER SPANIEL

D Barrass’ Bebecova Cowboy Carter

Lovely young happy boy. Balanced well defined head, good depth of body and excellent ribs. Strong hindquarters with good bend of stifle. Moved well, covering the ground with ease.

4 POINTER

Collin’s Millpoint Spresd Your Wings Over Vabisbrae

Elegant, aristocratic young orange and white young lady. Well defined, feminine head, clean muscular neck and well laid, sloping shoulder. Good depth of body and muscular hindquarters with excellent bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Should have a bright futur

ENGLISH SETTER

Post Grad

1 Lawson’s Summerseve Cezanne  

What an outstanding young boy this is! It is a long time since I have seen such quality and promise. Loved everything about him, both standing and moving. Lovely classical head, carried high on the move, flowing neck and shoulders, strong deep body with strong, muscular quarters. In excellent coat and condition. Best Puppy, BOB and Puppy G1

2 Taylor’s Kanietter Kocoa 

5 year old, unlucky to meet 1 in such top form. Lovely , old fashioned type head , plenty of bone, body and substance. Preferred movement of 1

Open

1 Taylor’s Kanietter Kocoa

GERMAN SHORT HAIRED POINTER

Open

1 P Cox’s Cushatlaw Serendipity

Lovely shape with clean outline. Clean cut head, muscular neck and shoulders, Deep, well sprung ribs, excellent hindquarters which she used to advantage when moving. BOB

2 P Cox’s Cushatlaw Athena

Very similar in type and shape, later learned they were mother and daughter.

GERMAN WIRE HAIRED POINTER

Post Grad

1 Mr D Cox’s Hermione Vom Holstef at Ovetil 

Stood alone but well deserving of place with nice balanced head, muscular shoulders, and good front. Deep, well ribbed body and wide hindquarters. Movement difficult to assess with such a small ring.

Open 

1 Mr D Cox’s Green Dale Ash at Ovetil

My notes say “full of life”! and he certainly was! With masculine head, correct front and wide, rear conformation , coupled with strong, well ribbed body this completed the overall, powerful, muscular frame, he strode around the ring, covering the ground with ease. BOB

HUNGARIAN VIZLA

Post Grad

1 C Gammon’s Glenbrows Opera D’Arte JW

 Elegant young lady with lovely outline. Pretty, noble head, strong, muscular neck and shoulders. Level short coupled body and correct hindquarters with well let down hocks. Lovely on the move. BOB

2 M T Watson’s Crawcraigs Assumption

A big boy with lots to like about him, especially on the move.

Open

1 Crawcraigs Assumption

2 C Gammon’s Martgarian Zantar

HUNGARIAN WIRE HAIRED VIZLA

Post Grad

1 S Nokes’ Trebus Tanselle at Goldpaw 

Lovely outline with clean neck, excellent front and well placed shoulders. Hind movement not the best today, but our ring wasn’t the best either.

Open

1 S Nokes’ Goldpaw Five To Midnight.

Preferred the overall balance and outline of this girl. Happy disposition, coupled with excellent , muscular front assembly, short coupled, muscular body with level topline. This good conformation, coupled with good movement completed the picture BOB

IRISH RED AND WHITE SETTER

Post Grad

1 E Gibson’s Foreverknox Mo Anam Cara

Very pretty, just a baby still and a little apprehensive. Lovely shape with pretty head, good front. When she settled she moved nicely.

Open

1 J Tait’s Talintyre Fomhar Reiver

What a lovely example of the breed. Fabulous broad head, excellent bone and substance, good depth of body with well sprung ribs, excellent angulation, both front and rear. Although size of the ring limited full extension, movement was everything one would expect. BOB

IRISH SETTER

Junior

1 J McLaren’s Keljaru Taif Rose at Teuschon

My notes say “Just Beautiful” and she certainly was. Feminine and elegant. Lovely classic head with good occiput, excellent front with good clean neck flowing into well placed shoulders. Deep, well ribbed body , good rear angulation and stylish movement.

Post Grad

1 S Nevitt’s Joaodaws Stargazer JW

Lovely outline, mature and upstanding. Excellent front assembly, nice head , deep body with good spring of rib, excellent wide and powerful hindquarters with good bend of hocks and stifles. Moved well with good head carriage. BOB

ITALIAN SPINONE

Open

1 Whittingham’s Sh Ch Rubino Spinone Del Mucrone with Riccini (imp ITA)

Lovely example of the breed, with plenty of bone and substance. Classic shape with flat skull and well shaped head, deep body, with well sprung ribs, correct slope in topline and sloping croup. Muscular hindquarters with well let down hocks. . Movement slightly hampered by ring size. BOB

LAGOTTO ROMAGNOLO

Post Grad

1 Nelson’s Rozebottel’s Mario Tronti (Imp Nld)

What a lovely, happy boy, presented in lovely coat and condition. Very attractive head and good front assembly. Moved with plenty of eye catching animation. BOB

POINTER

Junior

1 S J Anderson Rowell’s Daledancer Frances Mullen

 Lovely black and white feminine youngster. Loved her shape and outline. Well defined head, muscular neck, excellent front, good depth of body, nice hindquarters with good bend of stifle. Good on the move with correct front action. Winner of Post Grad and Open BOB

2 E Huntley’s Kanix Timeless at Jahneemahs. Lovely type with all the credentials and with maturity should have a very bright future.

3 L Collins’s Millpoint Spread Your Wings BP & PG4

Post Grad

1 Daledancer Frances Mullen 

2 L Collin’s RaigmoreHerma of Vasisbrae

Open

1 Daledancer Frances Mullen

FLAT COATED RETRIEVER

1 Post Grad

C Regan’s ExpectoPatronum

Lovely shape with clean outline, classic moulded head, excellent reach of neck. Well ribbed body, short, strong loin, muscular hindquarters hindquarters with well let down hocks. In lovely coat and condition. Beautifully handled, totally at one with and attentive to her handler . BOB

Open 

1 Expecto Patronum

LABRADOR

Puppy

1 Stewards’ Timouron Sign of The Times

Lovely chocolate 11 month puppy. Pleasing head, lovely bone and substance. Deep body with well sprung, barrel ribs, strong topline and correct otter tail BP & BOB

2 Watson's Crawcraigs Faberge 

Nicely balanced yellow, Pretty head, plenty of bone and substance. Nice front with good feet. 

 Junior

1 Crawcraig Faberge 

Post Grad

1 Collin’s Butebrae Wren of Vabisbrae 

Pretty, feminine, black girl in fabulous gleaming coat and hard muscular condition. Fine in body and lacking a little substance but was happy and confident and moved with precision. I congratulate her owner in showing her in such lovely condition.

NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TOLLING RETRIEVER

Open

1 Roffey’s Camusmor Ca Canny with Acanuckgood 

Lovely type , in full coat with good head, muscular, well laid shoulders, deep body with well sprung ribs, muscular hindquarters with good bend of stifle, which she used to advantage when moving. BOB

American Cocker Spaniel

Post Grad

1 Morris & Jefferson’s Mycalleys Jasmine

Quality compact youngster in lovely flowing coat. Good head, nicely rounded with full, rounded eye. Muscular neck into clean sloping shoulders. Short coupled body and nicely angled quarters. Smooth free flowing on the move.

Open

1 Morris & Jefferson’s Mycalleys Koko JW

Super, compact short coupled body, with well defined head and lovely expressive eyes. Muscular strong rising neck of neck set into sloping shoulders. Compact body, deep through the heart. Muscular hindquarters which gave her true,driving action from the rear when moving. BOB

2 Morris’s Mycalley’s Sirocco

Similar to my winner but not quite the movement or ring presence. 

 CLUMBER SPANIEL

 Post Grad

1 D Barrass’ Bebecova Cowboy Carter

Lovely young happy boy. Balanced well defined head, good depth of body and excellent ribs. Strong hindquarters with good bend of stifle. Moved well, covering the ground with ease... BP

Open

1 Nesbitt’s Creeaark Austin Healey From Chabrouille  

Super example of the breed. Powerful, well boned with plenty of substance. Lovely square head with good, deep stop. Thick, powerful neck into strong, sloping shoulders. Strong long body with good depth and spring of ribs. Strong hindquarters with good bed of stifle which was evident in his sound, true movement. BOB

2 Pickerings’ Wymeswold Verdejo at Greencourt (imp NLD)

Unlucky to meet I in top form, but still a good representative of the breed. Similar remarks to 1 but lost out on overall type and animation. 

COCKER SPANIEL

 Puppy

1 S J Terry’s Kalispell’s The Sorceress at Shaggylands.Imp PRT)

 Lovely roan baby, brimming with quality. Pretty, clean chiselled, feminine head, clean, muscular neck into sloping shoulders Comact, short coupled body, good hind quarters with nice bend of stifle. Absolutely a dream on the move. BP

2 P Davies’ Annaside Wish upon a Star

Lovely young lady, pretty head, lovely outline in super coat and condition 

3 J Dutchak’s Eastdray Everlasting Star.

Junior

1 P Davies’ Annaside Swing On A Star. 

Quality black and tan youngster, Well defined head, muscular neck and correct shoulders. Well rounded hindquarters with good stifles. Lovely flowing movement.

2 C Barber Ball’s Kalispells King Secret For Brabazonia (imp PRT).

Quality youngster, in lovely coat and condition. Nice head, good neck & shoulder.

 Open 

1 Terry’s Shaggylands Midnight Train

Lovely Black & White Boy, full of quality and full of life! Balanced and compact he caught my eye with his charisma and movement. Super head and forehand assembly, deep compact body, excellent hindquarters with good muscle tone and good bend of stifle. BOB

2 P Davies’Manchela Little Mermaid of Annaside 

Unlucky to meet and similar remarks apply. Balanced and compact with pleasing presence and movement.

FIELD SPANIEL

 Open

1 Hepburn’s Irisbel From Now On

Energetic and full of himself he certainly made an entrance. Well chiselled, masculine head with strong, muscular neck, deep, well ribbed body and strong muscular hindquarters. Although he stood alone he was a worthy BOB

WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL

Post Graduate

1 Lemin’s Highslade Million Reasons For Bonvis

Pretty young lady in lovely coat and condition. Feminine head, clean, muscular neck and good, sloping shoulders. Strong body, deep and well ribbed. Wide hindquarters with well let down hocks. Stood alone, but a worthy winner and BOB

SPANISH WATER DOG

Post Graduate

1 J Wood’s As Good As it Gets Wavelet with Sinduda 

Lovely chocolate and white young boy with gorgeous head, strong topline, good front and excellent stifles. Commanded the ring.

 Open

1 Wood’s Sh Ch Pabiagas Sergio Sinduda JW 

Lovely example of the breed, full of quality with masculine head, excellent neck and shoulders, good bone and strong hindquarters. Positive movement. BOB

WEIMARANER

Super entry of this breed and I was spoilt for choice especially in open. 

Post Graduate

1 Balmer’s Trapaleba Carrer

Lovely pretty bitch, oozing quality. Attractive head, clean reachy neck, and well laid shoulders. Good forehand with strong, straight forelegs.

Level topline with correct slight slope in croup. Well developed hindquarters which she used to advantage when moving.

2 Murray’s Silberblisecret Oktober. 

Lovely outline and balance. Masculine, without being overdone.

OPEN

Robson’s Kalimor Washington at Robricci JW

Headed a super class. Powerful and masculine with plenty of bone and substance, in excellent hard condition. Classic head, reachy muscular neck, good lay of shoulder and straight well boned forehand. Deep body, well ribbed back. Strong , muscular hindquarters with good width and turn of stifle. Covered the ground effortlessly, but could have done with a bit bigger ring top to get into his stride. BOB and Gundog Group 1

Rayner & Maskell’s Enjager Elegance For Brownbank. 

Unlucky to meet one and similar remarks apply. Lovely clean, classic shape, feminine yet still possessing strength, bone and substance, Aristocratic head, clean neck, good shoulder layback and straight forefront. Good depth of body, Nicely angulated hindquarters, stylish, positive movement.

  Robson’s Kalimor Nancy at Robricci

MARGARET WOODS

AMIRENE