2018 Bitch Critique
GRC Championship show – July 22 2018 The Golden Retriever Club put on a first class day celebrating the breeds 150th birthday. Exhibitors and visitors came from all over the world and were rewarded with a happy, friendly atmosphere in brilliant (rather hot) weather. This was my ‘swan song’ for judging Golden Retrievers, being of
2018 Bitch Critique
GRC Championship show – July 22 2018
The Golden Retriever Club put on a first class day celebrating the breeds 150th birthday. Exhibitors and visitors came from all over the world and were rewarded with a happy, friendly atmosphere in brilliant (rather hot) weather. This was my ‘swan song’ for judging Golden Retrievers, being of a certain age and with the good entries usually found at Championship shows. However, I could not have been more honoured and delighted with the huge number of quality bitches entered at this show. The standard was so high in most classes that it was hard to separate the exhibits on those finer points to make ultimate decisions. I could not have coped without the sterling work of my 3 stewards not only keeping the ring running on time but also keeping me supplied with much needed liquids throughout the day. I wish to thank everyone for making this such a memorable day.
My co-judge and I were quite sure we could agree on those final awards but we were so delighted with our top winners that we had to give the decision to our referee. I think the ultimate BIS and RBIS were superb representatives of our breed. I loved my CC winner & had a very difficult task for RCC as 3 super bitches were in contention.
Bitches:
Veteran (7years+) (13)
1. Ellis’ BRAMBLEBRIAR CLOUDBERRY AT GOLDLEIGH
At almost 8years old she still shows some youngsters how to move! One I have always liked but never judged before so was pleased to find she is indeed correctly made throughout with sweet head and expression, beautifully presented in full coat. Well handled.
2. Watchorn’s SH CH STRALAND SWAN LAKE
Another beautifully presented pale bitch, just a shade longer in loin than the winner but well balanced overall and moving out very well.
3. Jackson-Haines’ LEIGHSHAM TEASIN TINA
So well balanced and still with a trim figure at 9 years. Moving out with long stride.
Special Veteran (9+years) (9)
1.Stanfield’s SH CH THORNYWAIT PUSSYCAT DOLL WITH ROXALI JW
Such a beautifully balanced bitch now 10years but still holding her topline, and in excellent condition. Sweet head and expression, in correct proportions throughout with neat short hocks. Moved extremely well and was still powering round to win Best Veteran bitch & eventually BVIS . A credit to her owner.
2. Loverock’s PUTJADE PINK DIAMONDS FOR LOVISSA JW
Very close up to winner but just not quite so positive in movement. Pale coated beautifully presented & balanced throughout. Also in super condition at 10 years.
3. Bowden’s GILLBRYAN JUST MATILDA ShCm
Lovely darker lady still in gleaming coat for nearly 11 years & in excellent condition.
Minor Puppy: (18)
I was pleased to see all in this class looked like real babies and not over-done in any way.
1. Hawtree’s BREMALYN DORIS DAY
An absolute sweetie with such confidence at only just 6 months. Pretty head with nice eye & correct bite. In balanced proportions all through , level topline & correct tail set. Moved steadily with style and carriage. Well handled. I think she should have a promising future. BPB and was still giving her all at the end of the day.
2. Neil’s MOLOKO EEZZEE TIGER
Another real baby but showing all the promise of a confident show girl. Pretty gold coat, excellent body proportions and moving out very well.
3. Clarkson’s GLITTERS RAINBOW OVER DRUMKILTY (Imp Bel)
Looking more mature than those above in profuse pale coat. Another 6 month old & moving well.
Puppy: (23)
A little worrying to find some slightly incorrect bites in this class even at this tender age.
1. Douthwaite & Wharfe’s GRACEWOOD NIGHT FEVER
Well up to size youngster but well balanced throughout with no exaggerations. Pale attractive coat, sweet head & expression & well handled. Moved out well with good long stride.
2. O Gorman’s TERRA DI SIENNA ARE YOU WITH ME BERRYMEADE
Fuller coated pretty bitch, well balanced and moving well but not quite so positive in hind movement as 1. Still a very attractive exhibit.
3. O Neil’s LINIRGOR MISTY MORNINGS AT STRATHLON
Another well balanced puppy moving well but dressed more in her underwear!
Junior: (31)
1. Foster’s MOCKINGJAY VAN DE CORNER BROOK TO AURISTELA (Imp Nld)
Eye-catching bitch in full pale coat presented a balanced outline with good length of neck, short coupled body & level topline. She moved very well from correct hind quarters with short hocks & good tail carriage. Pretty head & very attentive to her handler.
2. Smyth’s KADAKA KARNIVAL QUEEN
Appealed for her over-all balance & type. In full shaded gold coat beautifully presented & moving well with reach & drive. Correctly made & with very feminine head & expression.
3. Douthwaite & Wharfe’s GRACEWOOD MAKENZIE
Pretty bitch, short coupled & moving really well. Mid gold full coat well presented.
Yearling: (27)
A lovely class & so little between any of those placed & plenty more here with lots to be proud of.
1. Leonard’s WYNRITA SECRET MAGIC
So difficult to decide between first & second here. Both presented & showing beautifully & absolutely accurate in movement, fore & aft. This one just a bit shorter in loin. Very pretty head, dark eye, excellent proportions & free showing her happy disposition. Surely one for the top eventually.
2 Facq’s MILKY WAY DU BOIS DE LA RAYERE
Gloriously coated mid-gold with super head & expression, excellent proportions throughout & moving with such drive. Sympathetically handled to perfection.
3 Garget & Morriss’ LINIRGOR TEASEL AND TWEED TO GARVIN
Another super bitch with all the required attributes for a successful future.
Novice: (28)
1. Douthwaite & Wharfe’s GRACEWOOD MAKENZIE
Was 3rd in very good Junior class
2.Smyth’s KADAKA KISSAGRAM
A little longer in loin than winner but a lovely coated teenager, beautifully presented. Good construction throughout so she moved very well with good reach & drive.
3. Douthwaite & Wharfe’s GRACEWOOD NIGHT FEVER
Undergraduate: (18)
A number of absentees here & on the whole a rather mixed quality class.
1. McGroarty’s TAMNIARN DIZZY DAISEY
A neat gold coated girl with pretty head, well balanced body, short coupled & level topline, good rear angulation & moving very well.
2. Douthwaite & Wharfe’s GRACEWOOD MAKENZIE
3. Smyth’s KADAKA KISSAGRAM
Graduate: (21)
Maybe the weather was beginning to get hotter by this time but here the bitches were not moving so well as I’d seen in previous classes.
1. Gayler’s CAROLAKE REMEMBER ME JW
Standing & free shown she looks very balanced with good angulations front & rear. Sweet head & expression& holds herself well on the move. In full mid-gold coat well presented.
2. Loverock’s RIERA EMPRESS OF LOVISSA (Imp Rus)
Very similar in outline to winner. Nice head, balanced body, good spring of rib, level tail carriage on the move. Well presented.
3 Williams’ CESARKA PEGGY SUE
Paler bitch with again a balanced outline with good angulation. Moved ok.
Postgraduate: (18)
1. Neil’s MOLOKO HOOTENANNY
Lovely gold coated bitch in excellent condition. Sweet head with dark eye, neat ears, well proportioned neck to body with excellent angulation front & rear. Level topline, good width of stifle & short hocks. Moved very well.
2. Stonebridge’s TOSELAND STAR OF WONDER
Slightly longer in loin than winner but also in good proportions throughout, good bone & feet. Moved out very well.
3. Harvey & Anderson’s ALIBREN HOT SPICE FOR ASHIQUA
Another well proportioned, unexaggerated well bodied bitch. Moved very well with correct tail carriage.
Mid Limit: (18)
1. Beswick & Hearn’s ST VINCENT SPANISH GYPSY
I presumed a fairly novice handler but luckily the bitch knew what to do! She’s a lovely mid-gold coated, well balanced bitch with good angulation front & rear so can stand four-square without assistance. Sweet head & expression & moved out very well in spite of the rising temperature.
2. Johnson’s CHORIAND COUNT ME IN
Happy show girl with lovely head, correct angulation to shoulders & rear end. moved very accurately with good drive. Well handled & presented.
3. Zingg’s LARGYMORE SANTA FLORA AT RAYLEAS
Very sweet bitch. Not a big one but so well balanced in correct proportions so moved really well. Another enjoying the day.
The rest of the judging was inside the KC building as the temperature outside was causing concern for the dogs – as well as myself!
Limit: (20)
1.Stanfield’s ROXALI SUMMER LOVING
Super pale gold bitch with lovely head & expression. So well made throughout so she presented a classic balanced outline then moved extremely well. I see she is out of my best veteran winner so has many of her attributes. She was a top contender for the reserve ticket today & I’m sure she will get her title one day. Sympathetically handled, I liked her a lot.
2. McGroarty’s TAMNIARN MARTHA
Lovely type in deep gold coat. pretty head & well balanced body with excellent hind quarters. Not quite the fore chest of winner but still a lovely bitch & moved out really well.
3. Towers’ ALIBREN TIGGY WIGGY.
Another well made bitch that fills the eye for balance and style. Moved very well from strong hind quarters. In full bloom well presented.
Open: (21)
1. Dunbar’s SH CH LINIRGOR VIOLETS ARE BLUE JW
My CC winner & ultimate RBIS & BOS. Such a lovely quality bitch in every way. No exaggerations she just flows from neck to tail with everything in correct proportions. Lovely shaded gold coat beautifully presented & expertly handled whether she is free shown or stacked. Moved extremely well driving from short hocks. She has the air of one capable of working as she is so alert & responsive to her handler. A pleasure to judge .
2. Sandlund’s SEU(U)CH KAPPLANDETS SHIER NU STEFANIA
Pressed very hard to win this class & for the reserve CC. Gloriously gold coated mature bitch in first class condition. Nice head & expression, balanced throughout & moving extremely well. Just needed a fraction more coat today but a birch of great quality & well deserved her place here.
3. Vermander’s MULTI CH LEGENDARY OF SUNSHINE’S VALLEY JW
Another beautiful bitch of high quality in conformation & good movement. Well deserved her place in this super class of outstanding bitches that was a joy to see.
Field Trial: (2)
Congratulations to both exhibits for entering – I wish we had more from the working fraternity
1. England’s DAIRYCOTT POPULUS TREMULA
7 year old gold bitch with sweet head, well sprung body, good bone & feet. Moved very well.
2. Paulk’s TALLYGOLD MITCHIGAN BLUE
Lighter built but still retaining good balance throughout. Moved ok.
Special Show Gundog/Working Gundog:(6)
1. Beer’s CH TASHSHEEN MARTINIQUE JW
Have always admired this showy bitch. She is so responsive to her handler & oozes the Golden characteristic of ‘willing to please’. Pretty feminine head with intelligent expression, beautifully balanced throughout with constantly happy wagging tail. Moved extremely well with great drive. Just had to reward her with the Reserve CC – she just demands attention & epitomises the ‘fit for purpose’ accolade.
2. Morss’ XANTHOS GIVENCHY JW
Stronger built than winner but also very balanced with sweet head & expression. Excellent angulation front & rear so moved well. Full pale gold coat beautifully presented.
3. Phipps Baker & Baker’s TENFIELD LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE AT MADDOUSE JW
Was VHC in Veteran class but at 7 years is still in excellent condition & moving very well.
Special Working: (1)
1. TomasegovicTomic’s CRO CH GLAMOUR SHINE JUST SHUT UP AND KISS ME
Unplaced in excellent Yearling class but a very impressive youngster with sweet head, good front & rear angulation. Moved happily with enthusiasm! A little lighter built than some. Pretty coat.
Sue Almey (Judge)