Livingston Canine Society

Livingston Canine Association Open Show – Saturday 22. October 2022

Golden Retrievers

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge Golden Retrievers and to my steward Bill for ensuring the smooth running of the ring. Many thanks to the exhibitors for making the journey and giving me the opportunity to assess their dogs. I was very pleased with the depth of quality and final line-up. Puppy (4) Super class of bitch puppies who all oozed quality. 1. Harper’s Tullochmohr Shooting Star at Glynerva JW. My star of the day! 11 month’s eye-catching bitch who was a pleasure to go over. Very feminine with gorgeous head and melting expression, darkest of pigment and dark eyes of good shape. She is well off for bone, well padded cat-like feet and textbook angles front and rear. She has well sprung ribs and strong level topline into well set on tail of correct length. She presents such a balanced picture standing and this is maintained on the move, holding her topline and moving out straight and true. Well-handled and immaculately presented in profuse blonde coat. For me she ticks all the boxes for breed type and in the line-up could not deny her BOB. Delighted to see her winning Gundog Group 1 and Gundog Puppy Group 1. 2. Ellis’s Tenfield Sparkling Sunrise. Another outstanding puppy who is just right for her age. Unlucky to meet my winner today and sure she has a bright future. Lovely feminine head with soft expression, dark pigment and correct dentition. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders. Good bone, well padded feet and straight front with tight fitting elbows. Well bent stifles and hocks well let down. Strong rear quarters, she maintains her level topline and tail carriage on the move. Well handled and presented in gleaming golden coat. This lovely youngster fits my ‘spec’ for a puppy of her age but was denied first place by the winner who is already the ‘complete package’. 3. Bell’s Hoaaloha Kealoha. Junior (2, 1a) 1. Ellis’s Tenfield Sparkling Sunrise.Post Graduate (7, 3a) 1. Hill & Smiths Megarvey Clementine JW. 19 months very feminine bitch, shown in immaculate mid gold coat. She has such a clean outline and is balanced all through with nothing overdone. Lovely head with dark pigment, straight front with good bone. Good length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Excellent front and corresponding rear assembly, spirit level topline, good tailset and carriage held on the move. Moved out straight and true and handled to perfection. 2. Wallis’s Lamancha Roll On Good Times. 22 months dog shown in well presented blonde coat. He has a masculine head but with a soft expression and lovely dark pigment. His neck is strong and muscular into a good layback of shoulders. Straight front, neat cat-like feet, tight elbows and good rear assembly. Would like to see him move with more drive and enthusiasm. A bigger ring would probably help. 3. Lockhead’s Bluebraes Meadow Pipit. Open (5, 3a) 2 mature exuberant dogs. 1. Ellis’s Tenfield Rex Imperator JW. This 4 year-old dog appears to have a big personality and gives his handler a challenge to show him to advantage. Shown free-standing; when relaxed he presents a lovely balanced outline. He is masculine but without a hint of coarseness. Carrying the right amount of weight and shown in full golden well-presented coat. He has a lovely head, mischievous twinkle in his eye, darkest of pigment and strong muzzle. He has a straight front and good forehand construction. Well off for bone, padded cat-like feet, with strong rear quarters, well bent stifles and hocks well let down. Well sprung ribs and short coupled. He has a strong level topline and excellent tailset and carriage but when he gets over-excited he can drop off at the rear temporarilyspoiling his outline. A quality dog of character. Liked him a lot. 2. Wallis’s Blue Gemstone Katrina. 4 year old dog who presents a clean outline, shown free-standing with wagging tail and attentive to handler. Shown in mid gold well-presented coat of good texture; he has a nice masculine head and kind expression with correct bite. Good length of neck though slightly heavy over the shoulders and would prefer more forechest. Moved steadily but not the balance and accuracy of movement of my winner.

Judge : Tina Williamson (Sandti)