SOUTH WETSTERN GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB
38th Championship Show , Weston-Super-Mare, 15-Mar-2015
DOGS Judge Derek L Lade
I was honoured to accept the invitation from SWGRC to judge this, my first Championship Show.
I thank the Committee for their hospitality, and for providing efficient stewards who made my day easier to cope with.
Thanks must also go to the exhibitors for providing me with an entry of 188 from 123 dogs, of which only 11 were absent. Also, for giving me the opportunity to go over some excellent dogs. The overall quality was exceptional, and I felt that there was nothing to report to the Kennel Club under the Breed Watch scheme. There were no dogs overweight, and all were within the standard height for dogs.
That being said, I was disappointed with the rear movement of a number of the younger dogs. In profile I found their outlines well balanced. However, as you do when judging, I picked out a few initially in my mind that caught my eye only to be disappointed by their movement going away from me in the ring. There will always be some looseness in movement in the lower classes, and I would expect this to tighten as they develop into adulthood. But, you must judge what you see on the day and those that didn’t come up to scratch were penalised.
I felt that my winners in all classes represented our breed in all respects.
I was pleased, in agreement with my co-judge, Mary Neil, to award BOB (BIS) to the bitch McCormack’s FLYNGALEE CHITA JW ShCM, who gained her third CC here.
I awarded the DCC to Joy’s SH CH/LUX CH ZAMPANZAR SAY IT AGAIN SHARDANELL (IMP ESP) JW. Sadly, in the BIS challenge he didn’t move as well as in the OD class, and was soundly beaten by the free moving bitch, into RBOB (RBIS) and BOS.
RDCC Cooper’s MEDODAINE ANGUSTAH AT DIKEADAZE JW
BDP Muncey’s KENNELRIDGE BELIEVE IN ME
BVD Brown’s TREBETTYN GI BLUES AT WESTCOMBE ShCM
BPIS went to the bitch, Douthwaite and Wharfe’s GRACEWOOD LAKESHA on the Referee’s decision.
BV the bitch, Smyth’s KADAKA KASSCADE JW ShCM
VETERAN DOG (8 Entries, 1 Absent)
1 Brown’s TREBETTYN GI BLUES AT WESTCOMBE ShCM – I have done this one well in the past. Not an old gentleman yet, having just turned eight years old, but he still has the life and movement of a much younger dog and in full mid-gold gleaming coat, and still showing to perfection.
Dark eyes with an intelligent expression; head not coarse and set on a strong neck of good reach. Shoulders well laid back and correct angulation. Good length of forearm well boned, and nicely rounded feet.
Good depth and spring to his ribs; level topline and tailset. Excellent rear angulation with well-muscled thighs on hocks of good length which gave him his drive around the ring.
Presented a nicely balanced picture.
2 Bufton’s WYLLOH DARK SIDE OF THE MOON ShCM – a nicely balanced dog, very similar to 1, but slightly smaller. Lovely expression, dark eyes. Good reach of neck and correct shoulder angulation. Level topline and tailset, well bodied with strong loins. Good bend to the stifle and upright hocks. Moved well.
3 Merrick’s CH STORMERICK DON SEBASTIAN JW ShCM
MINOR PUPPY DOG (16 Entries, 4 Absent) – a nice class of puppies which, on first appraisal, I thought would present me with a problem choosing a winner. I was mistaken as a few of those who caught my eye did not have the correct rear movement to warrant a place in the cards. However, there was a number of dogs who just needed a little more confidence and concentration to be in the cards, and who will no doubt do better on another day.
1 Merrick’s STORMERICK SHELDON COOPER – definitely made a Big Bang in this class. A big boy for 8 months and I wouldn’t like to see much more size to him, but well balanced and presented nicely on the day.
Dark eyes, and biddable expression; nicely proportioned head on a strong neck. Shoulders of correct angulation onto a good length of forearm with catlike feet and good bone. Under a thick coat there were well sprung ribs with good depth. Short coupled with strong loins. Rear angulation excellent and well-muscled. Good length to the hocks which drove him around the ring with ease. Should do well in the future.
2 Shortman’s STORMERICK BAZINGA AT BRIDGEFARM – brother of 1 and very similar in their make-up. Not quite as mature as 1, but with the same dark eye and intelligent expression, good length of neck into properly angulated shoulders; Good length of forearm. Ribs well sprung, and deep. Level topline and tailset, carried level on the move. Good turn of stifle, nicely muscled. Drove well round the ring.
3 Fenn’s CHALKSVILLE VALENTINO ROSI
PUPPY DOG (21 Entries, 4 Absent)
There are times when you wish you’d never said yes to judging. This class was one of those times. A good number of new dogs of varying, but on the whole good quality. Presented me with a problem in my final placings but could not deny my winner his rightful place.
1 Muncey’s KENNELRIDGE BELIEVE IN ME – and I did. A week short of a year old this young man was a stunner. Light gold with a profuse coat under which was a nicely balanced head with dark eyes. Strong neck into correctly angled shoulders with good lay back. Upper arm of equal length and well boned forearms. Neat catlike feet. Deep in the chest with a good spring to the ribs. Short coupled with a level topline and tailset. Well angled stifles with hard muscled thighs. Well let down hocks which propelled him around the ring effortlessly – BPD and hopefully another with a good futre in front of him.
2 Merrick’s STORMERICK SHELDON COOPER
3 Shortman’s STORMERICK BAZINGA AT BRIDGEFARM
JUNIOR DOG (19 Entries, 1 Absent)
Dogs of good merit were sent away cardless in this class, and again, on another day the order may be different.
1 Garget & Morriss’ HAYDENGOLD KEEPA SECRET WITH GARVIN JW – I saw this dog on his debut in the ring and have wanted to go over him since then. I was not disappointed. This dog presented a well-balanced picture at 15 months. Mid gold coat, softest of heads, and expression with dark eyes, in no way coarse and overdone. Good reach of neck, nice lay-back of shoulder. Legs placed well under the body from correct front angulation, and showing a good length to his forearm. Deep in the chest with well sprung ribs. Short coupled and strong loins. Level topline and tail. Excellent bend of stifle, nicely muscled thighs. Moved with drive, and presented well, as ever.
2 Lambshead’s AUPA DONNICI DI MUSKAN (IMP ESP) JW – Left much of his coat at home today, but that cannot digress from his conformation. Slightly longer than 1 but everything in the right places. Dark eyes, intelligent expression, nicely proportioned head. Good reach of neck, correct front angulation. Deep chest, level topline and tailset. Strong well-muscled stifles provided excellent movement around the ring.
3 Loach’s HALE AND HEARTY IZ DOLINY SOLNCA (IMP RUS)
YEARLING DOG (11 Entries, 0 Absent)
1 Turton-Price’s GRAIN OF GOLD'S SUMMER FEELING AT PALTON (IMP SWE) – Well balanced mid-gold dog, quite an eye-catcher. Dark eyes, lovely expression, strong neck. Good lay back of shoulder, nicely angulated. Good front and cat like feet. Well ribbed with good spring, level topline and strong in the loin. Good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Moved freely around the ring.
2 Joy’s FENPINQUE WILL I'AM SHARDANELL – pale dog presented in good coat. Nice expression with dark eyes. Good reach of neck, good lay back of shoulders, well angulated. Deep in the chest, level topline and tailset. Straight front, well bent stifle. Moved with ease.
3 Whitlock’s CATCOMBE CENTENARY MARKER AT TAOSHAN
MAIDEN DOG (20 Entries, 2 Absent)
1 Merrick’s STORMERICK SHELDON COOPER
2 Fenn’s CHALKSVILLE VALENTINO ROSI
3 Loach’s HALE AND HEARTY IZ DOLINY SOLNCA (IMP RUS)
NOVICE DOG (20 Entries, 0 Absent)
1 Merrick’s STORMERICK SHELDON COOPER
2 Fenn’s CHALKSVILLE VALENTINO ROSI – young, darker dog from MP. Pleasing to look at with good angulation front and rear. Level topline and hard muscled thighs. Well bent stifles. Covered the ground easily on the move.
3 Loach’s HALE AND HEARTY IZ DOLINY SOLNCA (IMP RUS)
UNDERGRADUATE DOG (11 Entries, 0 Absent)
1 Rose’s FENWOOD BEAUJOLAIS GAYTONWOOD - liked this boy shown in good coat, and he standing out above the rest in this class. Dark eyes and intelligent expression. Nice reach of neck. Correctly angulated shoulders and upper arms. Good length to his forearm. Elbows well under his body. Good spring of rib, short coupled with strong loins. Well bent stifles. Level topline. Moved with drive around the ring.
2 Merrick’s STORMERICK SHELDON COOPER
3 Garget & Morriss’ HAYDENGOLD KEEPA SECRET WITH GARVIN JW
GRADUATE DOG (16 Entries, 2 Absent)
Difficult choice here between two well balanced dogs, who were very much alike in all respects, apart from their colour. My preference was for the eye catching darker dog.
1 Golder’s GEMBAEK'S MIXED MUSIC TO SUMMERAMBA (IMP DK) JW – well balanced pale gold boy. Everything in the right places. Expression showing alertness and intelligence, good reach of neck, well angled shoulders with good lay back. Elbows under his body, Ribs with good spring and nicely rounded. Level topline, strong loins, tail straight off his back. Good turn of stifle, well let down hocks. Effortless movement, covered the ground with ease.
2 Morss’ FELI FEY FLYING DUTCHMAN (IMP NLD) JW - Pale dog similar in outline to 1. Biddable expression, good length to his neck. Shoulders well laid back, and correct angled. Front legs well placed under his body. Tail straight off his level topline. Good bend of stifle nicely muscled. Good free movement.
3 Chapman’s KIDSTON PHOENIX
POST GRADUATE DOG (20 Entries, 2 Absent)
Another difficult choice between first and second. Two dogs that I have admired from the ringside, among a class of some excellent dogs.
1 Cooper’s MEDODAINE ANGUSTAH AT DIKEADAZE JW – Presented in good coat, this mid gold boy was a delight to go over. Dark eyes with an intelligent, alert expression. Good reach of neck, good lay back of shoulders. Correct angulation front and rear. Strong well boned front. Level topline and tailset. Good turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Loved his movement which was free and easy - RDCC.
2 Pickard’s LOVISSA CHANCE OF DIAMONDS JW – The same comments as for 1 can apply to this young man. Much the same in outline, this one was carrying more coat, but I preferred the expression and movement of 1 today.
3 Merrick’s STORMERICK BOBBY SHAFTO JW
MID LIMIT DOG (8 Entries, 0 Absent)
First and second in this class stood out for me here. Done well for 2 in the past, but today he had left his best suit at home and paid the consequence.
1 Swatton’s RUMWOOD RUFUS RULES SUNTIDE JW – Presented today with a good amount of coat which maybe needed a little more off the front to show off his strong neck. Otherwise everything in the right places and correct. Good lay back of shoulder, with correct angulation; straight front, catlike feet. Level topline and tailset. Excellent rear angulation. Movement best in this class by far.
2 Lambshead’s THORNYWAIT TAKE ME HOME TO MUSKAN JW ShCM – I have done this one well previously, and thought he was a stunner. Today, sadly, he wasn’t wearing his best suit. Even so it was not disappointing. What I said about him then still holds true - nicely chiselled head, dark eye, good length to his neck, leading into correctly angled shoulders, well laid back with good length to his upper arm. Straight well boned front on cat like feet. Level topline and tail set. Good spring of rib; well angled stifles straight hocks, all giving that strength to his drive on the move. As previously said, coat let him down today.
3 Callow’s CASSATESS I CAN DOODLE TOO
LIMIT DOG (9 Entries, 1 Absent)
This class of nine top quality dogs really was the most difficult to judge. I could easily have changed the order of my top five over and over, and still not been satisfied with the result. Having had to discard three really nice dogs to fill the places.
1 Hill’s DRUMKILTY TAKE THE HIGH ROAD TO SANDAULA JW ShCM – Saw this one as a “chunky” puppy, and have watched him mature through his adolescence, and handled ably to become a class act.
Nicely balanced young gentleman. Alert expression on a head of good proportion. Good reach of neck, well laid back shoulders, good front angulation. Straight front, with plenty of bone. Deep in the ribs, strong loins at the end of a level topline. Carried his tail level on the move. Good muscle on his well bent stifles. Moved with drive. Pushed hard in the Challenge. His day will come.
2 Simms’ ST VINCENT ROYAL MINT JW – Darker dog in good coat, but not his best. Same comments on conformation as for 1 should be applied here. Good size, excellent front and rear quarters. Hard muscled dog, a real eye-catcher on the move. However, I preferred the overall balance of 1 today.
3 Lees’ DENMARELLA FOLLOW THE SUN JW ShCM
OPEN DOG (5 Entries, 0 Absent)
It was a delight to go over all of the boys in this class, most of whom I have enjoyed seeing from ringside in the past.
1 Joy’s SH CH/LUX CH ZAMPANZAR SAY IT AGAIN SHARDANELL (IMP ESP) JW – this boy caught my eye immediately. Have seen him in the ring but never had the opportunity to go over him. What I saw with my eyes was confirmed with my hands. A balanced boy, with a super expression, dark eyes, well proportioned head on a good reach of neck. Forequarters showing the correct angulation with a good lay back of shoulder. Straight front. Deep in the rib and well sprung. Short coupled; well muscled loins and stifle. Topline level from shoulder to tail tip. Rear quarters again exhibiting correct angulation; straight hocks of good length. His movement was easily the best here today . Pleased to award him DCC.
2 Wild’s SH CH FENWOOD ELL MASTERPIECE AT BLUEWATERS JW – Son of 1, and I really cannot add to what others have said about this dog. Larger frame than 1, but balanced. Good depth to chest , strong loins. Level topline and tailset. Well bent stifles with hard muscle. Moved well. Sadly another favourite of mine who had left his best suit at home, so didn’t quite make top honours today.
3 Flynn’s CAN GR CH POMPANOBAY COPPERMOON
SPECIAL WORKING DOG (4 Entries, 0 Absent)
Two dogs headed this class that again provided me with a challenge. Bearing in mind this is a Working class 1 looked more business-like than did 2 today.