Mid Herts Gundog Club

Mid Herts Gundog Club, Spanish Water Dog Judges Critique. 30/10/2021.

Ben Egginton, Elantiz.

I would like to thank the committee of Mid Herts Gundog Club for offering me the opportunity to judge the Spanish Water Dog at their premier open show and for putting on such a well run and friendly show. I would also like to thank everyone who entered their dogs and allowed me the opportunity to go over them.

The Spanish Water Dog is one of the breeds closest to my heart and it is always an honour to have the chance to judge them. It was also lovely to see a friendly atmosphere around the ring and between all the exhibitors.

Junior Dog/Bitch,

 Absentees, 302, 304, 308.

Special Yearling Dog/Bitch,

1st. 307, Searles’ ADORMIDERA APACHE ROSE, 22 months old brown and white bitch.

I instantly liked this young bitch, she has a very appealing outline that just screamed Spanish Water Dog. Expressed a lovely character throughout. She has a lovely head of correct 3:2 skull to nose ratio with expressive brown eye and a correct scissor bite. She has strong bone and is well muscled, with correct moderate angulation of the fore and hind quarters. Nice tail set with a natural bob tail. Moved soundly, keeping her top line level on the move, would just like to see her showing herself off more on the move. She was presented with a correct rustic coat which is very important in this breed. Pleased to award her Best of Breed today.

Absentee 302.

Limit Dog/Bitch

1st. 307. Searles’ ADORMIDERA APACHE ROSE. Best of Breed.

2nd. 303. Halls PRIZELANDS BELLA BON NITA, 5 years old brown and white bitch with long tail.

A nice example of the breed who was shown in a short coat today, but still showed the natural curl that is required for the breed. She has a lovely expression with correct eye but I would prefer a slightly stronger skull. Correct proportions of body to height 9:8, nice spring of rib and correct moderate angulation to both fore and rear quarters. Good front action, but a little close when moving away. Like 1 would prefer more drive, carrying a little more weight than 1, which affected her outline on the move. Showed a lovely character whilst being judged as did all the dogs today.

Absentee, 306.

Open Dog/Bitch

1st. 300. Abrahams ADORMIDERA ZIGGY STAR DUST, 5 year old black male with long tail.

Reserve Best of Breed. This male is another nice example of the breed, who has a lovely strong head of correct proportions with nice eye of correct colour for his coat. Correct scissor bite in a strong jaw and good size ears, which are set correctly just above the level of the eye. Strong muscular neck which is well set into the shoulders with a nice deep chest and well sprung ribs. Moderate angulation to both fore and hind quarters which showed with good drive on the move. Lost out on Best of Breed due moving close in the rear and at times dropping his top line on the move. Correct tail set with a tail of nice length, just reaching the hock, which was held nicely on the move. Another dog of lovely character, presented in a short coat.

2nd. 303. Halls PRIZELANDS BELLA BONN NITA.

Absentees, 301, 305.