Gundogs Critique Martyn Rees
Eastbourne & District Canine Society
Open Dog Show – 24TH June 2018
I should like to extend my sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge at this show. It was a very enjoyable day and I very much appreciated the opportunity of this appointment to assess some lovely dogs.
Particularly pleasing was seeing my Gundog Group winner being awarded Best In Show and my Gundog Veteran being awarded Best Veteran In Show.
A V Gundog Veteran (9–3abs)
1ST Osborn, Ms G, SH CH Reedmace Sweetbriar Floss For Elgert JW ShCM (IMP NLD) (Field Spaniel): Very nice bitch of just over 7 years, showing so much breed type, classical head, eye and expression with defined occiput. Correct clean and complete dentition. Excellent shoulder placement and corresponding return of upper arm, ribs moderately well sprung and again correct rib to body proportions, hindquarters strong with moderately bent stifles, very good bone all through, tight round feet. Moved extremely well especially in the heat of the day. Best AV Veteran Gundog, and delighted to see her be awarded Best Veteran In Show.
2NDSmith, Mrs B, SH CH Zavis Miami (Hungarian Vizsla): Medium size bitch of 10 years in very good condition not at all depicting her age. Very good lean and clean head, eye of good shape and pigment, correct, clean and complete dentition, very good moderate neck, shoulder well placed, elbows onto brisket, level back, hocks well let down, balanced in overall appearance and moved well.
3RD Tubb Mr A & Mrs S, Tasheen Island Dream For Alsutu (Golden Retriever)
AVSNC Gundog Junior – (1)
1ST Grantham, Mr A J, Mizani Diora Rose (Lagotto Romangnolo): An extremely smart young bitch of just 10 months, squarely built and of medium size, super head, with eyes that were fairly large and brown in colour, scissor bite with correct clean and complete dentition, short slightly arched neck into well placed shoulders, short compact body, strong hindquarters, woolly rather rough coat with thick ring shaped curls, moved very well once settled. Reserve Best AVNSC Gundog
AVSNC Gundog Post Graduate – (1)
1ST Dunk, Mr, Boniblend Howards Way (Sussex Spaniel): Presented in truly super condition, pleasing overall type with very good substance, bone & muscle. Correct shape & balance to skull, with kind alert eye & expression and showing breed specific frown. Clean and complete dentition but for me his bite is not defined enough. Slightly down on his pasterns, strong hindquarters. Moved very well. Best AVNSC Gundog.
AVSNC Gundog Open – (1)
1ST Grantham, Mr A J, Mizani Dorocco Raffaele (Lagotto Romangnolo): Pleasing overall type although too long cast for me with me being ultra ‘picky’ in keeping with defined breed type. Correctly shaped head and skull, fairly large dark eyes, strong neck, slightly upright in shoulder, good spring of rib, did not move well at all but became very unsettled by outside ring noises.
Gordon Setter Post Graduate – (4-3abs)
1ST Whiting, Mr K, Locksheath Truw Baloo: I thought this bitch to be very typical in type, and very stylish despite leaving her jacket behind. Symmetrical conformation. Super head with defined stop, correct, clean and complete dentition, dark brown eyes, neck long into well placed shoulders, body of moderate length, strong hindquarters, moved very well.
Gordon Setter Open – (4)
1ST Tye, Mr P, Kyuna Olympic Arrow Of Tymora ShCM: This 6 year old dog presented a superbly balanced outline. Super head and expression, narrow cheeks, lips defined and correct, clean and complete dentition. Long, arched neck into well placed shoulders and return of upper arm, elbows close to body, deep brisket, wide strong loin, straight hocks, in good coat and moved very well. BOB
2ND Bryant, Mrs T, Muckypups D’Artagnan JW ShCM: Another 6 year old dog presenting a super outline and the breed type I’m looking for. Typical head and expression, dark eye, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into well placed shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm, elbows close to body, ribs well sprung, stifles well bent, good feet and short nails, moved very well but just pinned slightly on left fore. RBOB
Hungarian Vizsla – Junior (5-1abs)
1ST Credland & Butcher, Mr I & Mr G, Carnlochan Jack Frost: Dog of 18 months age, looking very good and pleasing all through and up to size for me. Balanced head with well developed nostrils, correct eye shape and colour, correct, clean and complete dentition, correct forehand assembly, medium bone throughout, ribs well sprung, showing correct slight tuck-up to body, moderately angulated hindquarters, short coat, tight feet and nails could be shorter. Moved extremely well with lively trot.
2ND Eastham, Mrs E L, Keira Kalon: Pleasing young bitch of just 11 months, well up to size, intelligent expression, skull moderately broad and well proportioned, correct, clean and complete dentition, neck of moderate length, well placed shoulders, coming together well all through, good bone, tight feet and short nails, moved very well. BP
3RD Sutherland, Mr G & Mrs C A, Carnlochan Morning Star LUXJCH.
Hungarian Vizsla – Post Graduate (3-2abs)
1ST Sutherland, Mr G & Mrs C A, Carnlochan Morar To Silvestre: Pleasing type overall with head of correct proportions, correct, clean and complete dentition, slightly steep in shoulder, body of good proportions, strong hindquarters, moved well.
Hungarian Vizsla – Open (6-1abs)
1ST Smith, Mrs B, Zavis Rhapsody: Bitch of 5 years of age. Absolutely fits my template for the breed. Presented in very good condition and muscletone throughout. Lean and noble head, moderately low set ears, correct eye, mouth correct and clean with complete dentition, neck smooth of moderate length, very good shoulder placement and corresponding return of upper arm, elbows et close to chest, chest well developed and of moderate depth displaying prominent breast bone. Moderately angulated hindquarters, short and dense coat. Moved and handled extremely well. BOB In the Group I shortlisted her for further consideration in a high quality and very competitive Group.
2ND Barrett, Mrs L, Karaszy’s Glorious Legacy: Masculine male, well up to size, again presented in super fit and hard condition, lovely head strong jaw, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck, well placed shoulder, back short and level, moderate hind angulation, moved extremely well, I just preferred the overall size and type of my first placed exhibit. RBOB
3RD Sutherland, Mr G & Mrs C A, Carnlochan Sirocco
Irish Red & White Setter – Puppy (2-1abs)
1ST Winterburn, Mr N & Mrs S, Roanjora Lauren Perrier: Extremely feminine and well balanced bitch of just 6 months of age. Very nice head of good proportions for her age with good stop, softest of expressions, correct, clean and complete dentition. Good reach of neck into well placed shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm, Stifle moderately bent with hocks well set down, adequate bone for age, neat feet with short nails, moved very well. BP & well deserved Puppy Group 4
Irish Red & White Setter – Open (4-1abs)
1ST McDonald, Mr R G, Mrs A D & Miss R, Roanjora Montepulciano: Pleasing overall type of bitch of 3 years of age who left her full coat behind. Feminine head and kind expression, good stop, dark eyes, ears set level with eyes, correct, clean and complete dentition, neck of moderate length, deep chest with moderately sprung ribs, moderate bend of stifle, moved well. BOB and shortlisted in a strong Group where 4 quality exhibits could not be denied the places in the Group line-up.
2ND Birch & West, E & C, Corranroo Camero At Hitides: Up to size male of just over 3 years of age. I liked his head, which was broad and proportion to his body, clean muzzle, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into shoulders that were over-loaded in terms of weight, strong bone, deep chest, loin/waist was barely present due to being sadly over-weight, strong hindquarters, in full coat, moved OK. RBOB
3RD Bailey, Miss B, Rustasha Golden Rhythm
Italian Spinone – Post Graduate (1)
1ST Fry, Ms J E, Goldfly Flower Gold Fantasy: Pleasing overall type of bitch of just over 2 years that just didn’t perform today. Lean skull and pronounced occiput, up to size, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong shoulders, deep chest and coarse dense coat. I could not accurately assess the movement on her due to not establishing correct gait speed.
Italian Spinone – Open (2)
1ST Sharp, Mr L & Mrs C, SH CH Afterglow I’m Coming Out For Affilato: Very nice bitch of 2½ years of age and of excellent proportions and bone throughout. Good head with clear divergent head planes, deep muzzle and kind expression. Powerful neck, good well placed shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm, correct topline rising gently to broad loin, good bend of stifle, moved very well. BOB and short-listed in the Gundog Group.
2ND Grief, S A, Goldfly Flowers Gay Gossip: Super bitch of nearly 3 years of age and of good quality. Head correct with oval skull, deep muzzle, correct, clean and complete dentition, good shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm, straight forelegs, broad and deep chest, strong hindquarters, moved very well. RBOB
Retriever (Curly Coated) – Post Graduate (1)
1ST Carrick, Mrs F & Miss C, Tessmene OOO La La: 2½ year old bitch, lacked the quality and overall type that I was looking for, but she had a pleasing head and expression, correct bite with clean and complete dentition, good reach of neck into shoulders that were slightly upright, deep chest and moderate angulation to her stifles. On the move it took some time to get into her natural gait, moved OK BOB
Spaniel (Field) – Post Graduate (1)
1ST Osborn, Ms G, Elgert Gold Dust: I thought this puppy was special when I first judged her a few months ago and she continues to impress me. At 10 months old she has everything in the right place. Beautiful head – lean with a slight stop and defined occiput. Her expression exudes nobility. Correct depth and width of muzzle and scissor bite. Long neck with correct shoulder and return of upper arm. Level topline with correct tail set. Well made hindquarters with moderately bent stifle. Excellent bone and thick, well padded feet. In excellent coat and condition. Sound, positive movement with plenty of rear drive. I had no hesitation in awarding her BOB and later Puppy Group 1.
Spaniel (Field) – Open (2)
1ST Osborn, Ms G, SH CH Reedmace Sweetbriar Floss For Elgert JW ShCM (IMP NLD): RBOB
2ND Tye, Mr P, Thandiwe Last Tango Of Tymora ShCM: Male of 6 years of age, not really the type and template that I have in my mind, I found his head a little strong for me. Correct, clean and complete dentition, Good forehand assembly, deep well developed chest, ribs moderately sprung, rib to body proportions at the limit of correct, if not fractionally long cast strong hindquarters. Moved well.
Gundog Group:
Group 1: Loakes, Mrs S D, Goldbirch Wings Of Desire JW ShCM (English Setter): I thought this bitch of nearly 2 years to be outstanding. I awarded her Puppy Group 1 some 14 months ago and how she has blossomed! Both elegant and impressive when standing, on the move she is a pleasure to watch, true and accurate fore and aft demonstrating a free and graceful action. Lovely head of correctly proportioned and carried high on muscular and lean neck, soft expression, ears set low, correct and complete mouth/dentition, excels in forehand assembly with shoulders set well back, deep chest, body of moderate length, hindquarters strong and muscular, tight feet. I had no hesitation in awarding her a very well deserved Gundog Group 1 and I was delighted to the watch her be awarded Best In Show
Group 2: Thorogood, Mrs L J, Winhampton Over The Yardarm Of Harrifield JW ShCM (Clumber Spaniel): A super quality Clumber Spaniel that I have judged on many occasions and whose virtues I have extolled equally as much. He exudes breed type and quality in abundance. Perfectly balanced, excels in quality bone all through, correct mouth and dentition, super quality large square head that is not overdone in any way and of medium length, dark full eyes with a little haw showing today. Super correct shoulder placement and corresponding return of upper arm, deep chest and well sprung ribs that are carried well back, powerful hindquarters, large round feet. Moved extremely well but beaten today by an outstanding English Setter.
Group 3: Morrissey & Tappenden, Mrs J & Miss C, Messano Flaming Star JW (Golden Retriever): Super young bitch of 18 months of age. Extremely well balanced, quality head, dark eye and soft expression, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into very well placed shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm, deep chest, elbows onto brisket, moderate spring of rib, well made hindquarters, quality bone all through, super feet and short nails. Moved very well.
Group 4: Dando, Mrs A, Naughty Boris Van T Weimeland (IMP BEL) (Slovakian Rough-Haired Pointer): I could not take my eyes off this dog of nearly 4 years from the moment he entered the ring. True to breed type, distinguished in appearance, head of rectangular profile with marked rise over the eyes and moderate stop. Long ears correctly set below the level of the eye. Correct, clean and complete dentition, well muscled neck into well placed shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm, correct 10:9 body ratio and well developed and prominent forechest. Well angulated and muscled hind quarters, quality bone all through. Moved very well, both balanced and lively holding topline very well.
Gundog Puppy Group:
Group 1: Osborn, Ms G, Elgert Gold Dust (Field Spaniel):
Group 2: Revill & Taylor, Mrs J & Mrs J, Julita Rhubette (Welsh Springer Spaniel): I have judged this beautiful bitch recently and she continues to impress. So easy on the eye to look at with quality at every part of her. Whether standing or on the move she is both elegant and very feminine but could also do a days work if required. She has a head that is very feminine but also of correctly proportionate length, super soft expression, ears set moderately low, correct, clean and complete dentition, super layback of shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm, body balanced and proportionate, tight feet, on the move she showed a smooth ground covering action.
Group 3: Dunsden, Ms T M, Meadowdale Luther Vandross At Seaspring (English Springer Spaniel): Super young puppy dog of just 6 months of age. Pleasing head of good proportions, foreface of proportionate length to skull, eye of medium size giving kind expression, correct, clean and complete dentition and bite, strong neck leading into well placed shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm, deep chest, loin of correct proportions, stifles and hocks moderately bent. In very good coat and moved extremely well.
Group 4: Winterburn, Mr N & Mrs S, Roanjora Lauren Perrier (Irish Red & White Setter)
Martyn J Rees (Judge)