Golden Retriever Club

The Golden Retriever Club Championship Show July 12 2025 DOGS Thank-you to the exhibitors for a lovely entry overall, where despite the heat keeping quite a few away all the classes were well filled. Thank-you to my stewards for keeping going through the heat and the committee for keeping the iced water coming all day. I was sad to find 3 severely overweight dogs where I could not find a rib or shoulder at all, and several others who need to watch their diet going forward, the podge goes on fast and takes a lot of getting off, as I know too well, so please keep a close eye on your dogs weight. There were a couple of other points that need watching going forward. One is bite, I had several level bites amongst the dogs there on the day, though thankfully no undershot jaws. Correct dentition is important for the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to function as intended. Secondly movement on the whole was disappointing, in several cases from the side it looked fine and in some cases truly excellent but seen for and aft there were too many moving very close behind and or flapping their front feet about. Having said that my winners all moved soundly and given the excessive heat of the day I did not overly penalise lack of enthusiasm where the action was correct. I was looking for a well balanced dog, with no exaggerations whose length of leg and length of body were in the correct proportions, without an overlong loin or short ribcage, who could move soundly seen from both front and rear, and in particular one who gave my heart strings a tug. I found most of these qualities in all of my winners. At the end of the day there were 5 dogs I felt were worthy of top honours sadly I am only allowed to reward two of them so my CC went to the young boy that had my heart strings well and truly plucked earlier in the day. Congratulations to them all. Baby Puppy Dog ( 5, 3, 2abs) 1. Jackson-Haines’, Leighsham Sweeny Todd. A very promising baby of just 4 months who I see is a full brother of my CC winner. A steady accurate mover with a very appealing head and soft expression. Well balanced for his age and with the correct shoulder placement and rear angulation. I will watch his future with interest. Res Best Baby in Show. 2. Vincent’s Always On My Mind du Bois de la Rayere. A slightly larger baby than 1, as he should be at 5 months, and not as well in control of his front legs at this stage, but moving well behind. Well angulated both for and aft and with a good reach of neck topped by an attractive head. Both these boys should have a bright future. 3. Webb and Smith’s Waterbabies Walk Tall at Hectson. Pretty blond boy of almost 6 months who was well presented with good reach of neck and moving steadily, but carrying a tad too much weight for his age today. Veteran 7+ (7, 5, 2 abs) 1. Pastusiak’s Sh Ch /INT/NLD/DK/POL Ch Prince Charming Qdore of Labgold JWW18. There is not a lot I can add to what has already been said about this 8 year old boy. Eye catching well balanced outline with correct angulation both for and aft, firm level top line and an excellent mover. He has a kind head and is a happy relaxed free standing showman. When it came to the challenge he pushed very hard but in the end I just preferred the eye colour on the younger dog. Res CC and Best Veteran Dog and BV in Show. 2. Maynard’s Ch Chinnordale Cue Card JW. Lovely 8 year old boy with the sort of gorgeous head and expression I dream about, I think he was feeling the heat today as he wasn’t carrying himself on the move as well as I know he can, though his movement was accurate both fore and aft. When stacked he has a good well angulated outline without exaggerations and a good level top line. Unlucky to meet 1, who was on top form today. 3. Wright’s Palton Pavorotti, Good firm top line on this boy who I have admired from the ringside on several occasions He is nicely constructed though a little steeper in upper arm than 1, and not quite the head of 2. Special Veteran Dog 9 years Plus ( 5,3, 2 Abs ) I loved these old boys, baby puppies are adorable, but there is something extra special about the oldies, I could cheerfully take all of them home but decisions have to be made! 1. Scott-Briggs Largymore Langley JW. At almost 10 years old this boy can still show the youngsters how to move. He still has his firm level top line and good strong quarters presenting a balanced outline overall. Soft kind expression and a good eye. 2. Roper’s Catnnels Inside Story for Brensham SGWC, VW. A 9 year old boy with a level top line and good strong well angulated quarters, presenting a pleasing outline and moving well. 3. Clarke’s Haydengold One More Knight JW. Nicely constructed heavy coated boy with a very pleasing head and eye. Not holding his topline so well today and lacking the drive of the others on the move. Minor Puppy Dog (4,4,0 abs) 1 Birkin-Green & Gripton’s Louellabrook Atlantic Star with Sansue. An eye catching blonde boy, beautifully handled and presented. He moved very well holding a firm topline. Stacked he presented a balanced outline with good reach of neck and lay of shoulder. I found his head to be very kind with good eye colour. This boy should have a very bright future. 2 Goddard’s Jorby Eternal Flame at Glansevern. Just 6 months old and in his first minor puppy class so still very raw. He is a happy young boy who needs to steady but, when I could see him, moved well. He was really enjoying his day and that temperament is good to see. He has a very pleasing head and is nicely balanced. 3. Poole & Blckboro’s Cherrimar Vincenzo I liked this puppy a lot but he was rather apprehensive and reluctant to be examined. Please take him out and about and let him meet people he doesn’t already know. He has a good topline, pleasing head and good quarters He moves well and with experience should do well in future. Puppy Dog (6,5, 1 Abs) A class of puppies at very different stages of development. It will be interesting to watch them develop over the next few years 1. Middleton-Collins’ Berrymeade Dream On with Jasperleigh JW Lovely 11 month old boy who won not only this class but Junior, Novice and Undergraduate as well. He presented a well balanced outline, his head is maturing nicely and is very pleasing, he has good reach of neck into well angulated forequarters. He moves well from strong hind quarters and has a good easy to manage coat. he should have a bright future. Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy in Show. 2. Smith’s Goldmarker Alderbaran 9 month old boy with a profuse wavy coat which must be a nightmare to manage. He presented a lovely outline with a short coupled body and good angle of stifle and forehand. His head is promising but still needs time to develop fully, which I am sure it will. He is still growing and at the moment is slightly bum high but I am sure we will hear much more of him as time goes by. He moves well. 3. Henson & Lickham’s Flyngalee Hunky Dory, I liked the head on this 10 month old boy and his firm topline and short coupled body but he lost out on movement to 1 and 2 at this stage of development. Junior Dog (15, 11, 4 Abs) 1. Middleton-Collins’ Berrymeade Dream On with Jasperleigh 2. Main’s Putjade Perron by Gwyngala. I found this boy to have an excellent head and expression and he moved very well. He is slightly overlong in the body for his length of leg which spoils his overall balance but otherwise he is of excellent construction and very much “my cup of tea” He moves very well, carry’s himself well and has a good level topline. So unlucky to meet the super puppy today. 3. De Zutter’s Dunehills X Marks The Spot. This boy has the correct outline, a strong topline and a very pleasing head. He lost out today on accuracy of movement to 1 & 2 but if he tightens up should have a bright future. Yearling. (18, 13, 5abs) This was a superb class with true quality in depth I was quite honestly spoiled for choice and could happily have placed several more than the 5 I had cards for. Strength in depth like this bodes well for the future of the breed. 1. Jackson-Haines’ Leighsham The Cheeky Elf JW. On my first walk round the ring even in this strong class when I saw this boy standing free and presenting the perfect balanced outline my heart skipped a beat and on closer examination I found he lived up to expectations. He has correct angulation at both ends a very pleasing head with strong pigmentation and a dark eye , a strong level topline, a short coupled body and moves accurately both in front and behind. His body length and leg length are exactly in proportion. I recall seeing him at what must have been his first outing as a 4 month baby and thinking “Wow! that is a Champion in the making” Today I was delighted to start him on that journey by awarding him his first CC in very strong competition. 2. Holmes Ashbyglen Excalibur JW. This is another top draw dog that I am sure is on his way right to the top. He moves with excellent drive, has a firm level topline and a well constructed forehand balanced by a good turn of stifle he is very slightly longer in the body than one but none the less presents a very pleasing outline. His head is masculine but pleasing, all in all a lovely dog. 3. Scott-Bridges Largymore Ravagier JW. Completed a lovely trio of dogs. This boy has a good firm topline, and is in hard condition which is reflected in his strong driving movement. Not quite the forehand angulation of 1 and 2 but nonetheless a lovely boy. Novice Dog (15, 12, 3 abs) 1. Middleton-Collins’ Berrymeade Dream On with Jasperleigh. 2. De Zutter’s Dunehills X Marks The Spot. This boy was 3rd in junior has the correct outline, a strong topline and a very pleasing head. He lost out today on accuracy of movement to 1 but if he tightens up should have a bright future. 3. Aurgentious Dearov Im. Very nicely put together all round and an excellent mover but sadly pegged himself back by flying his tail if he stops doing that he could do very well in future. Undergraduate Dog ( 10, 6, 4 abs) 1. Middleton-Collins’ Berrymeade Dream On with Jasperleigh. 2. Smith’s Rocamoka Harbour Light. A paler boy at the smaller end of the standard with pleasing outline and good overall construction but not quite the excellent forehand of 1. He has a good head and eye and a firm level topline and good quarters, He is overall a very nice boy who should have fun in the future. 3. Wurft’s Tenfield Royal Salute to Mavenduke. Nicely made dog but a tad on the small side, he has good movement and is in good hard condition and carrying just the right amount of weight and moving well. Graduate Dog (10, 8, 2 Abs) 1. Robertshaw’s Arkenscales Beau Baron JW. Carrying a heavy blonde coat this boy created an eye catching outline. He has a short coupled deep body with the right length of leg to length of body ratio. He has a good reach of neck leading down to a level topline and a well made forehand balanced by strong quarters. I liked this young man a lot. 2. Porter’s Shearstone Janner JW. Pleasing head and eye on this young man. He has a good reach of neck running into a firm level topline and he also has a good turn of stifle and moves well and with drive not quite the length to height balance of 1 otherwise a very close decision. 3. Middleton-Collins’ Berrymeade A Fool in Love of Jasperleigh. Another good dog from this kennel, but this boy was carrying a little too much weight today. He is well constructed with a good level topline and has satisfactory movement, carrying a few pounds less he will do well in future. Post Graduate Dog (19, 13, 6 Abs) This was another class where I was spoilt for choice and genuinely needed more cards. 1. Merrick’s Warrentor Tourmakeady. This boy won this strong class on his strong driving accurate movement and excellent tail carriage.He has a heavy wavy coat that at first glance gives the impression he is overfond of his dinner, but hands on reveals he is actually carrying the correct amount of weight and is in hard condition. He has a strong firm topline and well balanced angulation in both front and rear assemblies and a pleasing head and eye. He was relaxed and happy, obviously enjoying his day at the show. 2. Foreman’s Ambersun I’ll Fly For You. Another lovely well made dog, with a pleasing head and eye, who would have pushed 1harder if he had carried his tail, he appeared to have ‘wet tail’ on the day which spoilt his outline on the move. He is a short coupled young man with a good firm topline, correct leg height balance and is well angulated for and aft. He moves accurately both in front and behind 3. Harvey & Anderson’s Alibren Rock Legend for Ashiqua. This boy is a stylish mover and holds a firm level topline on the move, ideally he would have a little longer legs for his body length but otherwise he has excellent construction. Mid Limit Dog ( 11, 8 3Abs) 1. Taylor’s Laurenly Leon. Very well balanced boy with all the proportions I was looking for. He carries a heavy coat but underneath that he is the correct weight with ribs that are palpable but not protruding. He carries himself well on the move and has an attractive head and eye and the correct construction.In contention at the end of the day, I believe on another day he could well hit the top spot. I will follow his progress with interest. 2. Clunie’s Warrantor Bold as Brass JW, SGWC, WGC. Very attractive boy in good hard condition. He is well constructed throughout and in proportion all through and has a good head and eye. He moved with drive and had good reach but was just a little close behind today which cost him first place. 3. Beck’s Simon Basset De Ria Vela for Beinangus. A very sound dog with a correct topline deep through the heart but in proportion to his leg length. Very sound mover. Limit Dog ( 11, 6, 6 Abs) 1. Foreman’s Ambersun Heart and Soul . Very much my type of dog, beautifully presented with a most attractive head with a good eye, well balanced body carrying just the right amount of weight. Standing well with good bone but not overdone and a dead level topline he moved well and with drive. This boy was in serious contention at the end of the day and is definitely worthy of a title. 2. Williams’ Evening Hill Detroit Red. Standing this boy looked a picture but I think he was feeling the heat and was sluggish on the move which was a pity as I really liked him. He presented a strong level topline and a good outline which balanced for and aft and has a kind head though today his pigmentation was ‘rusty’ 3. Berrymeade Coeur Blimey at Busheyhall SGWC, WGC. A well presented boy , with a kind head. He moved well and was in good hard condition. A level topline and good angulation just a little longer in the body than 1 and 2. Open Dog ( 16, 13, 3 Abs) This was a very strong class full of quality dogs. I short listed 7 and all of those met my basic criteria I just didn’t have enough cards. The three dogs at the head of the class were very similar in type and construction with little to choose between them 1. Towers & Henderson’s Sh Ch Alibren Baker’s Boy. beautifully constructed blond boy who was the best mover in this strong class today holding his firm level topline well and carrying his tail level and straight off the end of his back. He has the correct length to height proportions, the correct amount of weight and unexaggerated angulation. This is complimented be a gorgeous soft head and expression which I just preferred to 2. 2. Bawden’s Sh Ch Balsamina Beachcomber at Darthill JW. I have given this boy a BOB in the past and he came very close up to 1 with little to separate them on the day so it came down to my personal head preference and while this boys is soft and gentle and appealing 1 was just more ‘me’ he is well made all through with good balanced angulation, a good reach of neck into well laid shoulders and a strong topline. He also moved well and with drive despite the heat. A worthy Champion 3. Taylor’s Alibren Eccles at Tannadice JW, SGWC. Litter brother to 1 and with many of the same qualities as 1. & 2. Lovely head and good reach of neck, and moving soundly holding his topline well. I am sure his day will come. Field Trial Dog (0,0,0) What a pity that this class was empty as was field trial bitch. There is no reason a working dog cannot compete with his or her bothers. The breed only has one standard so they should all start on an equal footing. Special Show Gundog / Working Gundog Certificate Dog(6, 5, 1 Abs) 1. Clunie’s Warrantor Bold as Brass JW, SGWC, WGC. Second in Limit Dog. 2. Kinchella’s Ch Honeymill Elder Warrior. There is a lot to like about this boy. He has a good outline and is well angulated but is a tad longer in body than 1 He has a kind head and moves well from strong quarters holding his topline well on the move. 3. Roper’s Catnnels Inside Story for Brensham SGWC, VW. Second in Veteran dog. Special Working Gundog Dog (2, 2, 0 Abs) 1. Bardossy’s Int/Swiss/Aut/Cro/Swe/Ger Ch Shamrock Prince of the Seven Kingdoms. This boy has a gorgeous head and expression and a truly well made body with a good reach of neck and a level topline he moved very well as one would expect from a dog in good hard condition. A very happy showman standing free with a waving tail. He was in consideration in the challenge, one of my five worthy of a CC on the day, and close up to the others. 2. Clunie’s Warrantor Bold as Brass JW, SGWC, WGC. Second in Limit Dog. Carol Gilbert ( Okus ) Judge