Berkshire Downs & Chilterns Golden Retriever Club
Open Show, Sunday 3rd July 2011
It was a privilege and honour to be asked to judge at this show. My thanks go to the very hard working committee for making my day so memorable. The venue & weather couldn’t have been better and the standard of exhibits made for some very difficult decisions.
When interpreting the breed standard I look for an animal with obvious breed type,which possesses balance and can display the positive movement that a working breed should. I expect dogs to be in good muscular condition as it’s no secret that I’m a great believerin that their whole wellbeing comes from within and if well fed & regularly exercised it shows in their overall condition both physically and mentally.
I found the dogs, on the day, to be of a better quality and finish than the bitches and this reflected in my final line-up. Lots of lovely girls were short of coat and paid the price.
On the downside, where are these ‘alien’ heads coming from? I realise that heads are a personal preference but there is nothing quite like a beautiful Golden head with those dark faithful eyes looking back at you. Today some of the heads, particularly in the younger classes had more of a Saluki appearance with domed skulls and round eyes.
Movement andin particular, hind movement remains to be a concern.
Special Veteran Dog 2(1)
1 Hill’sGillbryan Ready For Take Off To Sandaula
Stood alone but it would have taken something special to knock him off top spot. Handsome 8 years old boy who just gets better with age. I just loved his zest for life. Very sound, typical, balanced boy who stood before me in full bloom with his rich coat gleaming with condition. Masculine, kind head with the darkest eyes giving a very soft expression. Stands foursquare from all angles. Very little to fault with this boy as his construction is textbook. In hard workmanlike condition which allowed him to really power around the ring. A lovely example of a mature male Golden and I didn’t hesitate in awarding him Best Veteran in Show.
Minor Puppy Dog 5(0)
Lovely class
1 Bridge Kennelridge Kizmet
I really liked thisbaby boy for his overall balanced construction with clean flowing lines. Kind head with good pigmentation. Correct front assembly, well off for bone and standing on neat feet. Correct forehand and layback of shoulders placing the feet well under the body. Good reach of neck flowing neatly onto a level topline and tailset straight off the back. Short over the couplings. Good hind angulation for a youngster. Confident and happy mover covering the ground easily. I think this puppy will grow into a formidable adult male and it will be very interesting to watch his progress.
2 HillDrumkilty Take The High Road To Sandaula
Similar puppy and preferred his head to 1. Maybe not the same balance as 1 as hind quarters need to develop to match the correct front assembly and I’d prefer if he grew a bit on leg to match his length. Handsome all male head with the most appealing, melting expression with dark eyes. Good dentition. Straight well boned legs with neat, tidy feet. Best of front assembly with reachy neck on to level topline. Short over the couplings. Maturity and exercise should help develop the hindquarters. Short neat hocks. Moved positively although slightly close behind. Happy, confident puppy.
Puppy Dog 3(0)
1 CruttwellAshbyglen Zut Alors
11 months pale coated boy who presents a very nice picture standing. Handsome male head of good proportions with a soft expression enhanced with dark pigmentation and correct eye shape. Good dentition. Balanced length of neck flowing into correct front assembly with good forehand and layback. Level topline whilst static but shows a little puppy roll on the move which I hope will strengthen with maturity. Good width of thigh for a youngster with short neat straight rear pasterns. Overall a very nice package and I was very happy to award him Best Puppy In Show.
2 MitchellTashsheen Hamish
Delightful mid gold 11 months old boyof a very typical type. Balanced throughout although his topline slightly falls away over the croup taking your eye. His coat was on the blow today which although a temporary thing nonetheless he paid the price. Lovely head with broad skull and loving dark eyes giving such a nice expression. Good dentition. Well off for bone and neat feet. Good front assembly and corresponding hind quarters. In good muscletone for a baby. He has what I’d say is a typical happy & confident Golden character and displayed that when going around the ring.
Junior Dog 8(2)
1 KellyZenevieva Kiss ‘N’ Tell
This young man catches your eye as soon as he enters the ring. Beautifully balanced and turned out like a new pin! At 14 months old he presented a pleasing picture. Glamorous cream coat in full bloom. Lovely head of the correct shape with good pigmentation, correct dentition. Straight front limbs with ample bone. Lovely forehand and layback with a good flow from neck onto topline which was level and carried the tail straight off the back. A rangier boy but hands on he isn’t out of proportion. Good backend with plenty of width to his second thigh. In hard, fit condition which allowed him to power his way around the ring showing plenty of reach and drive. Expertly handled to advantage.
2. Ashbyglen Zut Alors
Yearling Dog 12(3)
1 AndrewsCatcombe Challenger JW
This young dog is a favourite of mine. He typifies Golden Retriever to me. Beautifully balanced in top form and in the peak of condition. Handsome all male head with broad skull with soft expression enhanced with dark pigmentation and correct eye colour. Good front assembly with correct shoulder placement, reachy neck onto a level topline and good tailset straight off the back. Stood on the best of feet. Short over the couplings and good depth of ribs. Good width to thigh and in the best musculature condition which allowed him to move soundly and correctly. Such a happy disposition and looked like he would do a job all day!
2 Zenevieva Kiss ‘N’ Tell
Novice Dog 6(1)
1Ashbyglen Zut Alors
2Lade & WicklowGillbryan Singapore Sling
Pity to meet 1 in such great form today. Pale coated boy who presented a very pleasing balanced outline. I hope his head develops more width with maturity. Kind dark expressive eyes, good dentition. Stands on lovely feet and has plenty of bone. Textbook front construction giving a lovely flow from neck into a level topline. Good turn of stifle and width of second thigh and standing on short neat rear pasterns. Was slightly disappointed watching him move as felt he slightly lost his topline and was close behind.
Undergraduate Dog 7(1)
1 Ashbyglen Zut Alors
2 Ball Malenbrook Maximus Maximus
A new one to me and I liked him a lot. 2 years old, mid gold boy in beautiful condition. Kind, expressive head all male with good pigmentation. Another with excellent front assembly and correct level topline and good tailset. Square backend with short rear pasterns. Such a happy, confident boy who moved very soundly around the ring showing good drive. Well handled.
Graduate Dog 9(2)
1 Linsell Goffs Dancing Brave JW
A star for the future! Stood away in this class and loved everything about him from his balanced outline to his sound, strong, correct movement. Beautifully balanced static but also holds everything together on the move. In full bloom and in hard, fit condition. Kind head, all male but with those lovely laughing eyes that should typify our breed. Darkest of pigmentation and correct dentition. Stands foursquare on the best of feet. Well off for bone and substance. Good length of neck flowing into correct front assembly. Short coupled and balanced corresponding backend with short rear pasterns. His sound construction made it easy for his movement to appear effortless. A very good example of our breed . Was delighted to award him RBD & Reserve Best In Show
2 Nichols Largymore Lochruan JW
Yet another fine example of a male Golden. Full of character with that hint of naughtiness I just love. In gleaming rich golden coat and in the peak of health. Kind, masculine head, broad skull with good pigmentation. Well off for bone and standing on neat, correct feet. Again this boy is very well constructed fore and aft and it tells on his free flowing movement….when settled!! He did make me laugh with his antics but nonetheless a lovely boy.
Post Graduate Dog 6(1)
1TuckTamsbrook Toe Tapper
Pale coated, mature, very masculine dog in lovely coat and condition. Good construction throughout and in the best of musculature condition. Another good example of how a dog with sound, balanced construction can move correctly and with ease of eye. Pushed hard for the top spots today. Well handled.
2 Howard & SharpeTorsinki Lord Of The Dance At Glenavon
Mid gold boy who was well constructed throughout. In lovely coat and condition and moved soundly. Would prefer a stronger male head.
Limit Dog 5(0)
Tough class for me.
1 Loverock & Loach Putjade Pickpocket JW
Dark coated boy that I felt was slightly lacking in his usual bloom today. Kind, masculine head with good pigmentation, good dentition and correct eye colour. Stands foursquare on well boned limbs with the neatest of feet. Good reach of neck into correct shoulder placement. Level topline when static but although I forgave him his slightly soft topline on the move in this class, he lost out for top honours because of it. Well muscled backend on short neat rear pasterns. Moved with plenty of reach and drive. Well handled.
2Mitchell Tashsheen Hedley
Old favourite of mine and the class would have been his if he had been in full coat and bloom. I just love his type and balance. Proper Golden Retriever male head with broad skull and chiselling with a gentle expression and eyes full of will to please enhanced with his dark pigmentation. Correct dentition. Straight front and standing on neat feet. Correct forehand construction and layback of shoulders. Carries a level topline and tail straight off the back. Short coupled over the loin, good bend of stifle and width of thigh. In hard condition. Moved very well.
Open Dog 7(2)
Very nice class!
1Seamons Messano Urban Myth JW
Beautifully balanced boy whom although today I felt not in his best coat could not be denied this strong class and also Best Dog and Best In Show. Typifies Golden Retriever to me for his overall balanced & soundly constructed body, his easy movement and his confident & happy disposition. He clearly possesses that willingness to please as he barely kept his eyes off his handler. His construction throughout is sound and he was presented today in the peak of condition and obviously gets the correct amount of exercise. A pleasure to judge and a lovely dog. He could easily have come home with me!
2CarterCanaleigh Hot Gospel JW
What a smart package this dog presents. Mid gold coat in lovely condition. Short coupled, balanced and all male. Kind, masculine head with dark expressive eyes. Good & correct dentition. Best of feet on well boned and straight limbs. Loved his front and neckline. Correct shoulder placement allowing the legs to be well placed under the body. Good depth of rib with plenty of heart room. Level topline and correct tailset. Well muscled hind quarters with short very neat hind pasterns. In tip top condition and very much looking fit for function.
Working Dog 4(0)
1CarterCanaleigh Hot Gospel JW
2 MitchellTashsheen Hedley
Special Veteran Bitch 7(3)
What a cracking class with some beautiful bitches in super condition for their age.
1Jackson-HainesLeighsham Careless Whisper
What a fantastic bitch for her age. In beautiful condition and balanced from any angle. What a sweet head and really not showing her 11 years of age. Her construction and presentation are a credit to her breeder.This old lady really enjoyed her day and only lost out to a younger male veteran with more positive movement for best veteran.
2Pounds-LonghurstMossburn Bla Monj JW Sh CM
Yet another lovely senior bitch. In beautiful coat and condition and hiding her years very well. Short coupled, balanced and possessing that lovely typical Golden disposition with ever wagging tail and happy smiling face. Well constructed throughout and moved out covering the ground better than many of her younger counterparts.
Minor Puppy Bitch 9(1)
1 PorterShearstone Lovely Jubbly
This little 8 months old dark coated bitch headed a very exciting class. Lovely balance for a baby, full of quality. Stands foursquare on neat catlike feet and plenty of bone and substance. Feminine head with dark pigmentation and good dentition and a very soft expression. I loved her flow of neck onto her correct shoulder assembly. Short coupled with a level topline held on the move. Good turn of stifle and second thigh and short neat rear hocks. In lovely coat and condition. Slightly erratic on the move and needs to tighten up but she’s only a baby. Softly and kindly handled.
2 BarnesRosinante Tuneful Melody At Millgreen
Ultra feminine pale coated bitch. Slightly longer in the couplings than 1 but a very balanced bitch. Beautifully constructed throughout. Sweet head with such a soft expression. I liked her length of neck that flowed into her correctly constructed shoulder placement. Straight limbs and standing foursquare on the neatest of feet. Solid topline both static and on the move with tailset straight off the back. Good backend with muscled second thigh allowing her to move particularly well for a youngster. Well presented and handled
Puppy Bitch 12(3)
1SimmsStvincent Independence
Just loved this littlemid gold bitch. She presents a beautiful picture and did not disappoint hands on. Attractive head with soft thoughtful expression enhanced with her dark pigmentation and correct eye colour and shape. Lovely flow of neck on to well constructed shoulders with good forehand and layback allowing the feet to be well placed under the body. Good depth of rib and short over the couplings. Strong level topline held whilst standing and on the move. Well muscled hind quarters, standing on neat feet and short hind pasterns. A happy show girl who won this class and Best Puppy Bitch on her positive movement.
2Seamons Messano Expialidocious
Presents a beautiful outline, in lovely balance and symmetry. Very glamorous pale coat with soft feminine head enhanced with dark pigmentation and dark intelligent eyes. Good length of neck flowing into well placed shoulders. Good bone and feet. Short over the couplings and level topline and perfect tailset. In very hard muscular condition over the second thigh , good bend of stifle. Neat hocks. Covered the ground with ease but just preferred the hind movement of 1. Quietly handled.
Junior Bitch 15(8)
1 & 2 Same as Puppy
Yearling Bitch 13(6)
1HaywardGlenlomond Saoirse
My star amongst the bitches. Lovely typical Golden with profuse mid Golden coat with cream feathering. On first going around the ring this little bitch’s movement really impressed me with her effortless ease of action. Short coupled and balanced throughout. Stands foursquare from any angle on good bone and feet. Feminine typical Golden head with those eyes that you get lost in. No coarseness but strength and intelligence and enhanced with the darkest pigmentation. Good dentition and correct eye colour and shape. My only criticism is that better trimming would enhance her front as a heavy coat can give the appearance of stuffiness. However hands on tells a different story. Good flow of neck onto the best of fronts. Good spring of rib with plenty of heartroom. Level topline and correct tail set and carriage held strong on the move. Complimenting backend in well muscled condition. I could really visualise this young bitch happily out doing a days work. Liked her a lot and was delighted to award her Best Bitch.
2ClarkOusevale Where It’s At
Such a pity to meet 1 in such top form as this little bitch is from the top drawer. Stunning outline in beautiful pale coat and condition. Ulta feminine head with gentle expression. Lovely balance as her front assembly compliments her strong well muscled backend. Level topline held well on the move. Expertly and quietly handled. Hard decision but just preferred 1’s movement.