Northern Golden Retriever Association

Vikki Grindey Critiques

Northern Golden Retriever Association Open Show

04 April 2026

Thank you to Angela and the rest of the committee for the invitation to judge our lovely breed. A huge thank you must go to my stewards for all their help. And last but certainly not least thank you to all the exhibitors that entered giving me the opportunity to go over their lovely dogs.

Entry 132/25/107

Veteran Dog (5,0)

1st Roper Mr I, Catnnels Inside Story for Brensham SGWC VW

10 ½ year old golden boy in lovely coat. Loved his masculine head with the kindest of expression. Good reach of neck that flowed into a level topline with correct tail set. Super spring of rib & short coupled, moved soundly around the ring. A credit to his owner. BVD & BVIS

2nd Loverock Mrs M C, Putjade Peaky Blinder at Lovissa

8 ½ year old compact mid golden boy in good condition. Strong masculine head, preferred the reach of neck of 1 but still lots to like. Straight in front, deep in chest with an excellent spring of rib. Nice tight feet, level topline. Good bend of stifle. Moved with drive.

3rd Wright Mr JL & Mrs CILM, Palton Pavarotti VW

Minor Puppy Dog (3,2)

1st Pietrykowski Mr M, It Takes Two Anarchia Box Wondertemple (IMP POL)

9 month old pale boy in good coat. Nice head with a soft expression and dark pigment. Good length of leg. Short coupled, moved ok.

Puppy Dog (7,0)

1st Norris Mrs S, Fenpinque Royal Rascal by Molestream

11 month old pale boy with excellent bone, in full coat. Loved his outline when stood. The kindest of expressions. Lovely reach of neck that flowed into well laid shoulders & level topline. Tight feet, adequate bend of stifle. Moved soundly. BPD & RBPIS

2nd Millington Mrs J, Strettonhills Bring It Home to Jarabees

9 ½ month old mid gold boy. Another with good bone. Lovely masculine head with the softest expression and dark pigment. Super forechest. Straight in front with tight feet. Good bend of stifle, moved ok.

3rd Morss Mrs H & Monteverde Mr G, Olvinglay Polari (IMP ITA)

Junior Dog (5,0)

1st Davis Mrs L, Lynste Dream Boy (AI) JW

Balanced mid gold boy in lovely coat with the most beautiful head and expression with a super reach of neck. Another that flows into a level topline, which he held on the move. Good length of upper arm. Deep chested with good spring of rib. Tight feet, well let down hocks. Moved well.

2nd Carlton Miss L, Thistlegate Sonoma Moon

Mid golden boy in super coat & plenty of bone. Loved his masculine head with the softest expression. Dark pigment, well laid shoulders. Good length of leg & upper arm. Deep in chest, tight elbows. Lovely cat like feet. Level topline, short coupled. Moved well.

3rd Jackson-Haines Mr G & Mrs J, Leighsham Sweeney Todd

Yearling Dog (11,3)

1st Morrs Mrs H & Monteverde Mr G, Oppenheimer Oligarchia (IMP POL) JW

Pale boy in excellent coat. Super bone. Masculine head with the darkest of pigment. Good length of upper arm and depth of chest. Another with lovely tight feet. Short coupled. Level topline, moved very well.

2nd Smith Mr TB & Mrs LG Goldmarker Alderbaran

Mid gold boy in full coat. Lovely head with a kind expression. Loved his outline when stood. Straight in front. Well laid back shoulders, good depth of chest. Lovely bend of stifle, tight feet & correct tail set. Moved with drive.

3rd Knight Mr JH & Cooke Miss MJ, Haydengold Backchat JW

Maiden Dog (3,1)

1st Jackson-Haines Mr G & Mrs J, Leighsham Sweeney Todd

Mid gold boy, lovely masculine head with soft expression & correct ear set. Straight in front with a good length of leg. Short coupled, adequate bend of stifle. Moved ok.

2nd Copley Miss E, Ashbyglen True Colours at Emmabe JW

Mid gold youngster of nearly 12 months old with the darkest of pigment. Lovely reach of neck into well laid shoulders, tight feet, good length of upper arm, short coupled, nice bend of stifle. Carried his tail a little high on the move today.

Novice Dog (5,0)

1st Norris Mrs S, Fenpinque Royal Rascal by Molestream

Repeat Puppy

2nd Jackson-Haines Mr G & Mrs J, Leighsham Sweeney Todd

Repeat Maiden

3rd Kinchella Mr P & Mrs T, Wynrita Call Me Elder Prince for Honeymill

Undergraduate Dog (9,2)

1st Middleton-Collins Mrs R & Mr D, Berrymeade Dream On with Jasperleigh JW SGWC

Beautifully balanced mid gold boy. Loved his gentle head with kind expression. Dark in pigment & correct ear set. Nice length of neck, well laid shoulders & super topline. Good forechest, deep in chest with excellent spring of rib. Short coupled & well let down hocks. Moved with reach and drive.

2nd Wooden Mrs P & Mr K, Amilone Smokin Barrel at Salako

Pale boy with good bone, a masculine head & the darkest of pigment in full coat. Tight feet, deep in chest, level topline, short coupled, correct tail set. Moved with drive holding his topline.

3rd Norris Mrs S, Fenpinque Royal Rascal by Molestream

Graduate Dog (9.0)

1st McGeoch Mrs AL, Ambersun Glaswegin Nedlezah

Lovely balanced boy with a strong masculine head. Loved his full coat, super length of neck & spring of rib. Level topline and correct tail set. Short coupled with well let down hocks. Moved well covering the ground with ease.

2nd Oughton Miss E, Carubelo Live The Dream JW

Another nicely balanced boy, with a masculine head with kind expression & dark eye. Good length of neck flowing into a level topline which he held on the move. Nice tight feet. Good forechest & spring of rib. Nice bend of stifle, moved well.

3rd Middleton-Collins Mrs R & Mr D, Berrymeade A Fool In Love of Jasperleigh JW

Postgraduate Dog (4,1)

1st Roberstshaw Mrs VA & Miss C, Akenscales Beau Baron JW

Lovely pale boy of good size with plenty of bone. Nice masculine head with a gentle expression. Strong neck into well laid shoulders, good turn of upper arm. Super forechest & spring of rib. Well muscled rear quarters. Moved well covering the ground with ease.

2nd Angell Ms BA, Linirgor Seven Up at Millanza JW

Good size boy with a profuse coat. Lovely masculine head with a kind eye & dark pigment. Nice length of neck into well laid shoulders. Super forechest & deep in chest. Level topline, short coupled & good bend of stifle. Moved well but carried his tail a little high on the move today.

3rd Liggins Miss J & Hodges Mr S, Swanavly Popsy’s Legacy at Nunsbrook (IMP SRB)

Limit Dog (9,1)

1st Archer Miss P, Haydengold Just A Rumour at Sunandair JW

Have admired this dog from the ringside for sometime & was pleased to have a chance to go over him. Love his head, masculine with a gentle expression. Plenty of bone and tight feet. Lovely reach of neck flowing into well laid shoulders & level topline. Super forechest. Deep in chest and good spring of rib. Short coupled. Well muscled throughout. Moved well with reach and drive. RBD

2nd Warden Mrs AR, Holinbrae Zoom Time at Glentochty

Nicely balanced gold boy, smaller in frame than 1. Masculine head with good stop. Darkest of pigment. Strong neck into well laid shoulders. Good forechest & straight in front. Tight in elbows. Level topline & correct tail set. Moved with drive holding his topline.

3rd Liggins Miss J & Hodges Mr S, Sliver Passion Glam Fashion at Nunsbrook (IMP DEU) JW

Open Dog (10,1)

1st Lewis Mrs S & Miss M Fairwinds In Space Man JW

Best moving dog of the day. Powers around the ring effortlessly. Pale boy in full coat, strong masculine head with a kind dark eye & correct ear set. Well laid shoulders with good length of upper arm, super forechest. Straight in front, the tightest of feet. Lovely spring of rib and deep in chest. Straight in hocks. Well muscled throughout. BD & RBIS

2nd Roper Mr I, Catnnels Inside Story for Brensham SGWC VW

Veteran Bitch (6,2)

1st Robbins Mrs D & Rowark Mrs P, Quakerhall Lady Bountiful by Brekswood JW

8 ½ year old mid gold quality bitch balanced and feminine with the prettiest of heads that stood four square. Good forechest & spring of rib. Super topline that she held on the move. Short coupled lovely bend of stifle & tight feet. Moved soundly. BVB & RBVIS

2nd Hush Mr W & Mrs S, Benrowan Esprit

9 year old gold bitch, another balanced & feminine. Dark pigment, well laid shoulders, good forechest. Deep in chest with well sprung rib. Level topline, short coupled. Well let down hocks, moved well.

3rd Nelson Mrs VJ, Willowlawn Devon Belle at Cadwst

Minor Puppy Bitch (5,2)

1st Ward Mrs J, Laurenley Lady Sybil

Beautiful 6 ½ month old quality puppy. The most feminine head with a melting expression & super dark pigment. Lovely reach of neck into well laid shoulders & good length of upper arm. Straight in front with tight feet. Level topline, short coupled, correct tail set & good bend of stifle. Moved with drive. BPB, BPIS

2nd Cowper Mrs R J & Mr J B, Laurenley Lady Mary for Garmoran

Another quality 6 ½ month of puppy with an excellent coat. Similar attributes as 1. lovely feminine head with soft expression. Good bone, tight feet, level topline & correct tail set. Moved ok once settled.

3rd Pietrykowski Mr M, Gorsgandrill Mona Lisa

Puppy Bitch (10,3)

1st Cruttwell Miss D, Ashbyglen To Honour You

11 ½ month old mid gold puppy. Feminine head with a kind expression, dark eye & correct ear set. Lovely reach of neck. Straight in front with good length of leg & tight feet. Level topline with correct tail set. Moved ok.

2nd O’Neill Mrs L, Strathlon Angel Eyes

9month old pale puppy. Sweet feminine head with a kind dark eye and the darkest of pigment. Well laid shoulders & good forechest. Neat feet, adequate bend of stifle. Moved ok once settled.

3rd Riley Mrs S F, Strettonhills Quevega

Junior Bitch (9,1)

1st Wood Mrs K P, Alibren Firecracker of Lebuinus JW

Really liked this youngster. So feminine. Lovely balanced outline, sweet head with a kind dark eye. Nice length of upper arm and good forechest. Tight in elbows, neat feet. Level topline which was held on the move. Good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Moved with drive.

2nd Loverock Mrs M C & Waldron-Smith Mrs L, Lovissa Seeing Stars JW

Lovely mid gold 16month old quality girl. Feminine head with kind expression, lovely reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Good forechest. Excellent length of leg & neat feet. Level topline, adequate bend of stifle. Moved well covering the ground with ease.

3rd Cruttwell Miss D, Ashbyglen To Honour You

Yearling Bitch (12,3)

What a super class full of quality. Some weren’t placed today that certainly deserved to be.

1st List Ms L, Haydengold Latest Gossip JW

I have admired this youngster for some time. Super pale girl who oozes quality standing four square on good bone. Such a feminine head with the softest expression. Lovely reach of neck flowing into well laid shoulders & strong level topline with correct tail set. Good forechest and spring of rib with tight feet. Covered the ground easily with reach & drive. RBB.

2nd Wood Mrs K P, Alibren Firecracker of Lebuinus JW

Repeat 1st Junior

3rd Smith Mr T B & Mrs L G, Goldmarker Luminora

Maiden Bitch (7,4)

1st Jackson-Haines Mr G & Mrs J, Leighsham Legally Blonde

Mid gold girl of good size. Shown in full coat. Nice feminine head with a dark eye. Good reach of neck. Well laid shoulders with good foechest & spring of ribs. Level topline, adequate bend of stifle. Moved with drive.

2nd Lewis Mrs S & Miss M, Zenevieva Million Dollars for Fairwinds (AI)(IKC)

Sweet pale girl in lovely coat. Not quite the head of 1, nice length of neck. Straight in front with neat feet. Good spring of ribs & short coupled. Moved well.

3rd Clarke Mrs J M & Mr M P, Sunnyoak String Of Pearls

Novice Bitch (10,5)

1st Jackson-Haines Mr G & Mrs J, Leighsham Legally Blonde

Repeat 1st Maiden

2nd Henshaw Mrs C & Mr S, Kensesqui Calypso

Smaller framed girl than 1 standing four square. Lovely feminine head with dark pigment. Good lay of shoulder & good bend of stifle. Moved and handled well.

3rd Bates Mrs H, Dollymudley Miss Jasmine

Undergraduate Bitch (7,0)

1st Wheeldon Mr M & Hurry Miss K, Dewmist Dolce Vita with Catnnels (IMP SWE) JW

Lovely pale girl of good size. Strong feminine head with a kind eye. Super reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Good length of leg & upper arm, tight feet. Well sprung ribs and deep in chest. Level topline. Well muscled throughout with straight hocks. Presented very well. Moved with reach and drive.

2nd Shaw MR JS, Robertshaw Mrs VA & Miss CA, Aurgentious Melion An Ki at Akenscales JW

Smaller framed than 1. Mid gold girl in full coat, presented beautifully. Feminine head with a soft expression and dark eye. Well laid shoulders, deep in chest with well sprung ribs. Short coupled, well let down hocks & neat feet. Moved with drive.

3rd Cruttwell Miss D, Ashbyglen To Hour You

Graduate Bitch (4,1)

1st Loverock Mrs MC & Waldron-Smith Mrs L, Lovissa Cosmic Girl

Nicely balanced girl, not overdone. Sweet head with a kind dark eye. Lovely reach of neck, good lay of shoulders & super topline. Tight in elbows & neat feet. Short coupled with good bend of stifle. Moved well covering the ground with ease.

2nd Searle Mrs B Astleyfold Snowy Bell JW

Pale bitch, larger framed than 1. Strong feminine head with dark pigment. Good forechest and well sprung ribs. Neat feet, level topline. Good bend of stifle. Moved well.

3rd Staniland Mrs GP, Bermary Sweet Child Of Mine

Postgraduate Bitch (9,1)

1st O’Neill Mrs L, Strathlon April Bonnie Lass

Quality pale bitch. Lovely feminine head with a soft expression, correct ear set & dark pigment. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Straight in front, tight elbows & good forechest. Well sprung ribs. Tight feet. Level topline which she held on the move.

2nd Lochhead Mr P & Mrs C, Kaylaton Heidi Weiss

Mid gold bitch, lovely feminine head with a kind expression. Dark pigment. Good lay of shoulders & length of upper arm. Tight feet, well sprung ribs, short coupled & well let down hocks. Moved with drive & at one with her handler.

3rd Harper Miss LA, Tullochmohr Ray Of Sunshine at Glynerva JW

Limit Bitch (7,2)

1st Robbins Mrs D & Rowarl Mrs P, Brekswood Honey Bee JW

Mid gold, feminine girl. Well presented in full coat, standing four square. Loved her head with a kind dark eye. Good length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders & level topline. Deep in chest & well sprung ribs. Short coupled and good bend of stifle. Flowed around the ring effortlessly holding her topline.

2nd Stanfield Mrs CA, Roxali Cloudsong

Very pretty, mid gold 4 year old. Loved her head with the kindest expression. Straight in front standing on neat feet. Good forechest. Short coupled and adequate bend of stifle. Moved well.

3rd Martin Miss L Garline Love So Deep

Open Bitch (7,2)

1st Clunie Miss K, Warrentor Nohkalikai JW ShCEx OSW

Quality golden bitch with the most beautiful head & kindest expression made all the more by the darkest of pigment. Super front assembly, well boned with the tightest cat like feet. Deep in chest with excellent spring of rib. Dead level topline with correct tail set. Short coupled, well muscled throughout. She moved effortlessly around the ring with reach and drive. Could easily do a days work. BB & BIS.

2nd Smith Mr TB & Mrs LG, Goldmarker Luminess (AI)

Not as heavy in bone as 1 but equally as feminine. Attractive head with a kind dark eye. Lovely reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Good forechest. Well sprung ribs. Neat feet & good bend of stifle. Moved with drive.

3rd Pounds-Longhurst Mrs SH, Mossburn Golly Miss Molly JW

Vikki Grindey