Midland Counties Labrador Retriever Club

Such a fantastic entry, both numerically and in quality. Without a doubt, this was the best bitch entry I have judged in the UK, the depth of quality we have in bitches is a joy to see and I could have happily awarded quite a number of CCs today. The ‘negative’ side to this is that so many bitches I liked went home without a card which I think they had deserved.  

VETERAN (10)

1st WOODBURN’S – SH.CH. CENTENALEE SPARKLING SNOW 

8 years old yellow – I gave this bitch her first CC as a youngster and really appreciate her type. Beautiful head shape, with a kind eye, showing a pleasing expression. Strongly set neck, well ribbed body and well turned stifles. Stands on good bone and neat feet, carries a dense jacket and a well clothed tail, carrying a tad too much condition today for me. 
2nd SHIRTON’S - WOOLMAN PROPER STARLIGHT 
Very nice yellow, with a super head piece. In very good nick and carries the correct weight and body condition. Well barrelled ribs having plenty of heart room, balanced through the body maintaining a level topline on the move. Quarters well muscled, moved soundly and with ease.  
3rd DODD’S - SH.CH. BROCKBURROW BREAKING DAWN 

SPECIAL WORKING (4)

1st SCUTCHER’S – WINSLEYWOOD WILD HONEY JW ShCM

Yellow built on very clean lines, lovely in outline and of good breed type. Well shaped feminine head with a kind eye and a decent length of muzzle. Excels in neck and shoulder, leading into a level topline, well ribbed body and well turned stifles. Stands on good bone and neat feet. Showed and moved really well.

2nd COODE’S - WARRINGAH’S GULWARRA JW

Well developed chocolate, not quite the hindquarters of the winner. Such a kind soft expression, Scores heavily in coat and otter tail, and has the most wonderful bone and feet, In very good nick and carries the correct weight and body condition. Balanced through the body with the correct length of leg to body ration.

3rd KING’S - LINTHWAITE CLEOPATRA

MINOR PUPPY (24)

1st HODGE’S – NAIKEN DANCE RHYTHM   

What a smashing black puppy this is, definitely one that will go places I’m sure. 8 months old and already very well grown. Very sweet head and expression, correct eye shape and colour and has a good length of muzzle, Good through the neck and well laid back shoulders, excellent topline and well set tail. Stands on strong bone and neat feet, moved with purpose and drive. Very self assured and showed herself to advantage. In lovely coat and condition, best bitch puppy and in agreement with my co-judge BPIS.

2nd JONES’ - HAFNAU GEORGETTE

Another lovely puppy, very similar in most respects to the winner, a little younger at 6.5 months old and everything just right for age. Pretty head, good forehand and very good topline. Quarters well developed and ribs already well sprung. Showed and moved very well. Another to watch.

3rd BALSHAW & RAWLINSON’S – SHANORRELL SUMMER SEASON AT HALSHIMOOR

PUPPY (25) 

1st RAWLINSON & BALSHAW’S – HALSHIMOOR PERFECT TIMING WITH SHANORRELL  

Very showy compact yellow in super coat and condition. Lovely kind head and expression, Good reach of neck and lay of shoulder, has plenty of rib and is short and strong over the loins. Well made quarters, well off for bone, moved out well, Another puppy I liked a lot.

2nd CHARLTON’S - CLASSICAL ACT AT FOXRUSH

Quality pale yellow of lovely type, built on clean lines and perhaps more my type, but lost out on coat condition to the winner today. Super head piece, so feminine. Correctly placed shoulders which flow into an excellent topline and well set tail. Good width to quarter, neat hocks and feet. Moved well.

3rd FLOCKTON’S - DYLSONLEIGH MISS MUFFETT

SPECIAL JUNIOR (6)

1st KEY’S – KEYDELLA KAFE NOIR

Well built black, up to size and balanced. Especially appreciated her length of leg and the fact that she did not carry any excess weight. Very kind feminine head, good reach of neck flows into a level topline and a well set on tail. Scopey body, plenty of heart room, Very well muscled quarters and second thigh. Not quite in her best jacket today, moved well

2nd MINCHELLA’S - ABBEYSTEAD HOPE

Quite similar in type to the winner. Scored in neck and layback of shoulder. Good depth of brisket and has length of leg. Stands on sound bone and good feet. Quarters well developed quarter and held her topline on the move.

3rd HOBBY’S - ICARUS JEAN GENIE.

JUNIOR (20)

1st WOODBURNS – CENTENALEE SILVER ICE

Eye-catching very pale yellow of a super overall type. Such a kind feminine head, with eyes of good shape and colour. Strongly set neck which flows into a level topline and a well set on tail. Shoulders well laid, and has well sprung ribs, short and strong across the loins, well muscled quarters used well. Excellent bone and feet, with short hocks. In very good coat

2nd STOKER’S - MADGACK MIMOSA

Soundly moving black of good breed type, appreciated her well shaped head and expression. Splendid reach of neck that flows into good layback of shoulder, Well barrelled ribs, short coupled and deep through the brisket. Carries a very good weather resistant coat and otter tail.

3rd LAMBERT’S - MATTAND FRONT PAGE (AI)

YEARLING (28) – this was a truly wonderful class, with many lovely bitches going unplaced 

1st REYNOLD’S - CARROMER SHIMMERING SATIN JW 

Really impressive yellow, pulled out all the stops to win this fabulous class. In full coat and in wonderful condition. Excels in neck, shoulder and length of upper arm. Most lovely through the head, balanced and feminine, Great spring to rib, stifles well turned. Moved so soundly with an easy stride on strong bone and well let down hocks.

2nd POWELL’S –SEATALLAN YELLOW ARCHANGEL (AI)

Another quality yellow, a different type to the winner but she is just as well put together, perhaps just a tad shorter in the body. Very well balanced all through, well ribbed back, super topline and a tail that is correctly set. Good length of leg to body ratio, Quality bone and neat feet, moved and showed very well. Not carrying such a dense jacket as the winner.

3rd O’BRIEN’S - MAXFIELD ARABELLA

SPECIAL BEGINNERS (11)

1st FLOCKTON’S – DYLSONLEIGH MISS MUFFETT

Third in the good puppy class, this yellow is of a lovely type with a typical outline. Really good topline and tailset, Pretty through the head with a feminine expression, good eye shape and colour. Brisket of good depth and well developed quarters, In decent coat and moved well

2nd CHAPMAN’S - ROCHEBY GINGERSNAP FOR DAISYPATCH

Yellow of nice type, in a slightly larger frame than the first placed. Liked her length of leg to body ratio. Super neck and shoulder with a good layback of shoulder. Ribs well sprung and short and strong across the couplings, Adequate width of quarter, moved and showed well

3rd CRELLIN’S - AALINCARREY BLACK PEARLS

NOVICE (18)

1st SHIRTON’S – WOOLMAN PROPER ENCHANTING

Neat black with a lovely head and expression, good length of muzzle. Clean outline and a level topline kept whilst on the move, Medium reach of neck leading to a well laid shoulder, would prefer a slightly longer upper arm. Good quarters and a well set tail. Moved soundly.

2nd CHARLTON’S - FOXRUSH WHOOPS A DAISY.

Just 6 months old and still learning her job. Most feminine head with a kind eye, excellent quarters and stands on sound bone and hocks short. Good lay of shoulder, short coupled with a good depth of chest in decent coat and moved well.

3rd JONES’ - AALINCARREY PUMPKIN AT LADROW

UNDERGRADUATE (12)

1st CHARLTON’S - CLASSICAL ACT AT FOXRUSH

2nd STOKER’S - MADGACK MIMOSA

3rd LEWIS’ - RAMSAYVILLE ROSY OUTLOOK AT CRAMMONDKIRK

GRADUATE (12)

1st WOODLEY’S - A SENSE OF PLEASURE’S YLVIE AT ALKHAMHURST (IMP DEU)

Classic black exuding breed type. A steady sensible type, there is not much you would want to change about this bitch that maturity will not finish. Stunning outline, so clean and balanced and carrying the correct weight. Her head is a just beautiful, she has a correct Labrador melting expression and correct length of muzzle. Splendid reach of neck, and a correct forehand that is seldom seen. Well made through the body all wrapped in a double weather resistant coat and well set otter tail. Moved very well, covering the ground with ease. My notes simply say ‘stunning bitch’ –. It was my pleasure to award her the res CC today. She is deserving of her title and I hope her third ticket is not too far off.

2nd LEWIS’ - CRAMMONDKIRK BACK TO BLACK

Another beautiful black, liked her a lot too, presents a very pleasing outline. Superb neck and shoulder with good return of upper arm. Strong across the back, short coupled, super topline. Well sprung ribs and short couplings, she was in excellent coat. This handler knew how to get the best out of this exhibit, standing well off her on a loose lead. Moved and showed well.

3rd SCUTCHER’S - WINSLEYWOOD WILD ANISE JW

POST GRADUATE (27) - another super class, I was spoilt for choice.

1st MITCHELL’S - AFINMORE ARDMORE  

This class was headed by this very good substantial chocolate, well grown and of super type. Workmanline and strong but still retains her femininity. Super outline with a strongly set neck and a well placed shoulder. Liked her headpiece, well balanced with a good eye shape and colour. Well made body with a strong topline and well developed quarters, In very good coat with an otter tail, moved freely

2nd HEPPER’S - MARDAS BLACK SILK JW

This very good black was shown in excellent coat and condition, a very good type of bitch. Loved her head and eye with a kind expression. Well ribbed, short coupled with good quarters, hocks and feet. Good reach of neck and layback with a decent return of upper arm.

3rd McLELLAN’S - SARANDEN ROCK YOUR BABY

MID LIMIT (12)

1st BALSHAW & RAWLINSON’S - SHANORRELL SOIREE AT HALSHIMOOR  

Well presented extrovert yellow shown in great bloom and handled to get the best out of her. Has bags of breed type. Built on clean lines, and carrying the correct amount of weight. Liked her depth of chest, good neck and shoulder, level topline kept on the move. Appreciated her pretty head and expression balanced with a good length of muzzle. Ample bone neat feet with neat hocks. Carrying a good jacket, moved very well.

2nd BELL’S - BRIGBURN SONORAN AT WESTERULSTON

Strongly made black of good breed type, very pleasing head and a good length of muzzle. Good neck leads into a sloping shoulder and a decent length of upper arm. Well off for bone and stands on neat feet. Excellent topline, in super coat with an otter tail, moved soundly

3rd McLELLAN’S – TIMOURON SIOUX FOR SARANDEN

LIMIT (21)

1st STOKER’S - SHAYMILONEY SERENA AY MADGACK

A new one to me, but what a stunning bitch ! Beautifully balanced black, substantial but still retaining femininity. Possesses the correct double coat and super tail and carrying the correct weight. Long sloping shoulders, firm topline kept on the move, good depth of brisket plenty of heart room. Stands on very sound bone and correct feet. Moved very well - another I considered highly in the challenge. She deserves to be campaigned, as in my opinion, she is worthy of her title.

2nd CAMPBELL’S – BINNAIG ATOMIC BLONDE JW

Really excellent yellow, different in type to the winner. Showed her socks off, and was well presented. Beautiful head and expression, feminine throughout. Loved her superb clean outline, good ribbing and correct depth of chest to leg length ratio. Super shoulders, liked her topline and underline, strong bone and neat feet. Quarters well developed. A sound mover.

3rd EDWARD’S - KIMBAJACK LIBERTY LADY

OPEN (12)

1st HOPKINSON’S – SH.CH. KILBURNPARK MISS MAUREEN AT ROCHEBY

Really smashing yellow, she is so well balanced. A classy Labrador that I have coveted since I first saw her at 6 months! Quality all through, from her beautiful head and soft expression right through to her super otter tail. Clean well balanced outline, with a strongly set neck, clean over the shoulders and a well laid shoulder. Ribs well sprung, short coupled and firm over the rear with excellent quarters. Quality bone and stands on neat feet and well let down hocks. Moving freely without effort. She is exactly my cup of tea and I was very happy to award her the CC and in complete agreement with my co-judge, she was also BIS.

2nd COODE’S - WARRINGAH’S GURLEY JW

Thought this black just beautiful, really appreciated her wonderful type. Such a feminine head and expression, kind eye and expression. Scored in reach of neck which flows into a well laid shoulder and good length of upper arm. Body well developed, carrying just the right amount of weight. Moved very true and soundly, covering the ground with ease. In great coat and condition, I liked her a lot and she was a strong contender for the res CC.

3rd HARVEY-MAJOR’S - ANUEDIS EVERYBODY IS FINE IN LINJOR (IMP IT)

Gary Johnson (Judge)