National Gundog Association

National Gundog 2025 Gordon Setters Many thanks for National Gundog inviting me to judge Gordon Setters at their show, a breed I have now had the pleasure of living with and owning for 25 years. I thoroughly enjoyed giving my third set of tickets in this fabulous breed. One of my main concerns from this judging assignment was temperament of a few dogs in the ring. This I haven’t seen in Gordon Setters for many years and the owners need to take immediate action here.  I also feel we are moving away from the typical Gordon outline, loosing free flowing movement, and classic brick on brick head shape. My main winners I was very pleased with and I was thrilled to see my Best of Breed male get shortlisted to the last 10 in Best in show & my best puppy make the last 8 in Best Puppy In Show. I thank exhibitors for showing on the day & the sportsmanship in their placings. DCC / BOB - Am/int Ch/sh Ch Carnoustie Let The Game Begin (ai) (Imp Aus) (Mr J & Mrs R & Mrs S Newton & Cornum & Timmermann) RDCC - Fieldberry Secret Weapon at Rufusmoor JW Sgwc (Ms C Fudge) BCC - Bryerdale Qangeroo (ai) (Ms A Mappin) RBCC - Amscot Air Born via Kewstoke (Ms W D Smith) BP - Glenquin Phantom (Mr P, Mrs L & Miss N Johnston) BV - Ch/int/ger Vdh Ch Amscot Love Is in The Air JW Ww 18/21 (Mrs J Collins-Pitman) BSB - Kewstoke Sea Biscuit (Ms G M Flanagan) Veteran Dog Entries: 3    Absentees: 1 1ST - Paradise Final Legacy at Ettrick (Mr A J & Mrs D A Harker) Dog of a classic outline, stylish, screams weight carrying hunter, one of the best male heads on the day, brain room, round skull, low set ears, lying close, dark eye under brow, beautiful expression, long lean neck into well laid shoulders, good return of upper arm, depth of brisket , forechest present, flat bone on good well arched feet, body moderate in length, loins strong and wide, excellent bend of stifle set onto short hocks, level topline on stack and moved on a steady free moving gait, straight on the up & back, quality dog.   2ND - Locksheath Beach Comber (Mrs S Gregg) A dog of a smaller frame, but lots to like, good outline, beautiful head, excellent stop, dark eye, brick on brick head, square in muzzle, good neck into ok shoulder placement, strong topline, balanced rear, moved stright up & back, like more angle front and back for my taste, but honest dog.   Minor Puppy Dog Entries: 1    Absentees: 1 Puppy Dog Entries: 1    Absentees: 0 1ST - Glenquin Hurricane Bryerdale (Ms A & Mr J Mappin & Newton) A good shaped puppy for his age, head needs to break & eyes to tighten, but of good dark colour, balance proportions, showing plenty brain room, low set ears, excellent long lean neck, well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, lovely bone for age, deep brisket, well ribbed up, loin wide, like more width to rear & moving slightly close from behind, good coming at me, with good side gait, holding his top-line. Will watch him with interest.   Junior Dog Entries: 7    Absentees: 1 This was a real mixed bag , all different ages & stages of development. 1ST - Lainnireach Star Gazer JW (Miss J Cuthbertson) This dog held the shape of a Gordon that I was looking for, he has a super young head, balanced, head deep rather than broad, good stop, dark eye, fairly long muzzle, of parallel lines, clearly define lip, long lean neck in to well laid shoulder, pleasing upper arm, correct brisket for age, correct flat bone, on good feet, ribs well back, with strong slightly arched loin, balanced rear, long from hip to hock, excellent top-line & effortless movement & straight on the up & back, one for the future.   2ND - Caradilis Fiach Dubh (Mrs S Gregg) This young man let himself down on the stack loosing his top-line, on the move he had a excellent level top-line holding his head correctly, hopefully time & maturity will firm him up. Stylish dog, with a super head, of parallel lines, slight rounded skull, excellent stop, correct dark eye showing keen intelligent expression. Long lean neck in to good shoulder, balanced return, plenty of forechest, deep brisket, slightly longer cast than 1st, matching rear angles, lovely side profile, nice slashing tail.   3RD - Gailiech Wirnpa (Mrs F & Mr A Hogg) RES - Ludstar Placido (Mrs H Rawson) VHC 256 - Kewstoke Ocean Commander at Glendudmoor (Mr I & Miss L A & Mrs E A F Robson) Yearling Dog Entries: 4    Absentees: 0 1ST - Lainnireach Star Gazer JW (Miss J Cuthbertson)  Repeat from Junior   2ND - Cafotaliena Heart of A Hero JW (Mr H & Mrs M Miller) A young dog of a good honest shape, another good head, with correct skull, eye, stop, showing brain room, long lean neck, would like better lay of shoulder, but good upper arm, good forechest, good bone & well arched feet. Deep in brisket, shorter in back, wide loin, balance rear angles, good topline, with tail set on correct, moved well, excellent level topline while stacked and on the move. Would prefer less feather on his front to balance him up.   3RD - Ludstar Placido (Mrs H Rawson) RES - Kewstoke Ocean Commander at Glendudmoor (Mr I & Miss L A & Mrs E A F Robson) Novice Dog Entries: 1    Absentees: 0 1ST - Ludstar Placido (Mrs H Rawson)  Repeat (3rd in yearling) - dog built on a much larger frame, pleasing head, soft expression, good dark eye, brain room, well arched neck, in to good shoulder, deep in brisket, flat bone, good oval well knit feet, well ribbed back, longer in loin, would like more width to his thigh, straight on the up and back. Moved ok side profile.   Graduate Dog Entries: 1    Absentees: 0 1ST - Cafotaliena Heart of A Hero JW (Mr H & Mrs M Miller) Repeat 2nd Yearling   Post Graduate Dog Entries: 3    Absentees: 1 1ST Beechlake Somersetter (Mr K J Jarvis) He carries a typical head, with good expression, skull slightly rounded, with brain room, low set ears laying close, lean around the eyes, clearly defined lips, large nose, ok length of neck into ok shoulder, lacks upper arm, like more forechest, flat bone, lovely tan, short in rib, short in back, matching rear angles, tail set ok, would like more angles all through. Moved well.   2ND - Graylacier Blue Marlin (Mr N & Mrs H Taylor) Much shorter cast dog, good rounded skull, heavy over the brow, but with good dark eyes, little short in muzzle, but square in lip. Lovely low set ears, short in neck, flat bone, deep brisket, little overweight, moved ok once settled.    Limit Dog Entries: 5    Absentees: 0 1ST - Fieldberry Secret Weapon at Rufusmoor JW Sgwc (Ms C Fudge)  Super shaped dog, built on a larger frame, a stylish dog, with galloping lines, certainly a weight carrying hunter, he has a pleasing head, brick on brick side profile, good stop, rounded skull, kind eyes, of correct dark colour, low set ear, hanging close, excellent long lean neck, in to well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm, plenty of forechest with good breastbone, flat bone good oval feet, deep in brisket, well ribbed up and back, strong loin, balanced rear with width to thigh, long hip to hock, short in hock, excellent top line which was held on the move, slashing tail showing excellent reach and drive with free flowing movement. RCC    2ND - Liric Just The Ticket (Mr H & Mrs M Miller)  A totally old fashioned dog, nice head, pleasing expression, good neck into good shoulder placement, correct flat bone, longer cast dog, balanced rear, losing his topline on occasion, but moved sound and true.   3RD - When I Was Your Man Black Lofty ShCEx (Imp Pol) (Mrs L Henderson) RES - Gailiech Ngalyod (Mrs F & Mr A Hogg) VHC - Glenmaurangi Apollo at Glenkinchie (Mrs C L Smith) Open Dog Entries: 5    Absentees: 0 1ST - Am/int Ch/sh Ch Carnoustie Let The Game Begin (ai) (Imp Aus) (Mr J & Mrs R & Mrs S Newton & Cornum & Timmermann) A cracking dog, fills the eye with super quality & breed type, he is so stylish, built on galloping lines, he screams weight carrying hunter, with symmetrical conformation throughout. Beautiful head, deep rather than broad, showing brain room, skull rounded, excellent stop, correct shape & colour eye, square in lip, excellent long lean neck, best of shoulder placement, with excellent return of upper arm, straight forelimbs, flat bone, on good feet, good length of back, level top-line, well ribbed up and back, loin wide & strong. Long from hip to hock, stifle well bent, super balanced angles, he moved stright on the up & back, with a super side gait, steady, free moving with plenty of reach, drive and attitude. Super Dog DCC & BOB & Cut in group.   2ND - Locksheath Black Ice (Mr K & Mr J Whiting & Cops) A smaller framed dog, but all male, good head, plenty of brain room, low set ears set close, excellent stop, dark eye, good length neck, well laid shoulders, with upper arm, deep brisket, well ribbed up, balanced rear, excellent top-line & tail set. Moved ok, when got going nice free movement. True on the up & back.   3RD - Ludstar Maccabee at Glenquin (Imp Ita) (Mr P & Mrs L & Miss N & Mrs F Johnston & Johnston & Johnston & Boxall) RES - Sh Ch Palangor Moonlight Echo at Pangarak (Mrs L Bain) VHC - Sh Ch Red Admiral by Rubymoon JW (Mr K D & Mrs C E Butler) Special Beginners D/B Entries: 2    Absentees: 0 1ST - Kewstoke Sea Biscuit (Ms G M Flanagan) Unplaced in Junior Dog, lighter framed, good head piece, square lip, excellent stop, kind expression, good neck into shoulder, shorter case in body, balanced rear angles, narrow in thigh, moved well once settled.   2ND - Dj Bee Black Ivy (Imp Pol) (Mrs K Clark) Lighter frame bitch, ok head, good eye, good flat bone, nice feet, good deep rich tan, moved well, straight on up & back, losing her topline on the move.   Veteran Bitch Entries: 7    Absentees: 3 1ST - Ch/int/Ger Vdh Ch Amscot Love Is in The Air JW Ww 18/21 (Mrs J Collins-Pitman) A super bitch, one I have liked before & today was no different, excellent overall shape, slighter stronger in head for my taste , but super typy, plenty brain room with slightly round skull, would like a darker eye, lean under brows, good square lip, brick on brick profile, lovely long neck in to excellent lay of shoulder, with good upper arm, deep brisket, well ribbed up & back, strong loin, balanced rear, moved with purpose & drive. BV     2ND - Paradise Final Fling (Mrs J Harrison) Really pleased to get my hands on this bitch, she is a super classic shape, built on galloping lines, appealing head, good slightly rounded skull, kind eye, which is of good colour, like more stop and slightly squarer lip, good long neck, in to well laid shoulders, excellent return of upper arm, deep in brisket, super forechest and breastbone , well ribbed up, level topline, strong loin, super hip to hock rear angles, moved well, holding topline on the stack and moving.    3RD - Dt Ch Locksheath Princess Tiana JW (Mr K Whiting) RES - Sh Ch Cairacailie Night of Love with Ordett JW (Mrs Y Slaughter) Minor Puppy Bitch Entries: 2    Absentees: 0 1ST - Waseley Hazy Dayz (Mrs K G Sweryda)  Lovely headed bitch puppy, dark eye of correct shape, good developing skull, correct proportions, large nose, fairly square lip, excellent stop, good neck, in to good laid of shoulder, like more upper arm, deep brisket, well ribbed back, strong loin, matching rear angles, good topline, good tail set, holding topline on the stack & on the move.   2ND - Ronaldsbill Mystical Fire (Mrs L Crowther) Head needs to break & develop, little loose in eye, low set ear, sitting close, long neck in to ok shoulder, lacks upper arm, deep in brisket, longer cast. Balanced rear angle, like more width to thigh, moved ok once settled.    Puppy Bitch Entries: 3    Absentees: 0 1ST - Glenquin Phantom (Mr P, Mrs L & Miss N Johnston) Super youngster, ticking the boxes for me, pleasant head & expression, showing correct balanced planes for her age, good stop, brain room, excellent long lean neck in to well laid shoulders, correct breastbone, flats bone, nice feet, well bodied for age, super rear angles, though like touch more width, straight on up & back, nice side profile, when handler could keep up with her. Though she was super for her age BP - Top 8 in BPIS   2ND - Waseley Hazy Dayz (Mrs K G Sweryda)  Repeat from MPB - unlucky to meet 1st, who was just more matured & developed though her body.   3RD - Ronaldsbill Mystical Fire (Mrs L Crowther) Junior Bitch Entries: 4    Absentees: 0 1ST - Amscot She’s No Angel (Mrs J Collins-Pitman) She may be no angel, but maybe a little star of the future, loved her head, classic, great eye shape & colour, good head proportions, parallel plains, good stop, lean under brows, square in muzzle, low set ears, slightly rounded skull, lovely expression, super length of neck, in to well laid shoulders, excellent upper arm, flat bone, well arched feet, good fore chest, slightly arched loin, balance but long from hip to hock, she moved straight in up & back, side profile holding a level top-line, with good tail set moving with purpose and drive. Beautiful coat coming, Be watching how she finishes.   2ND - Kewstoke Sea Queen Zena (Ms W D Smith) Good shaped bitch. Head was slightly short in fore face for me, but still pleasing lines and expression. Good eye, low ear set, excellent bone, good front with good upper arm, shorter in back, ribbed up well for age, ok rear angles, little roaching in topline on the move. 3RD - Kilnrae Back to The Future JW (Mrs K M Marsh) RES - Dj Bee Black Ivy (Imp Pol) (Mrs K Clark) Yearling Bitch Entries: 1    Absentees: 0 1ST - Flaxheath Cover Girl at Glenmaurangi JW (Mrs A & Ms T Phillips & Watkins) Stronger bitch all through, good head, like a shade darker eye, excellent stop, good skull, good length neck well arched, in to well laid shoulders, good bone, good length to back, slighter longer in loin, into good rear angles, held top-line on stack & moving. Moving well. Novice Bitch Entries: 0    Absentees: 0 Graduate Bitch Entries: 3    Absentees: 0 1ST - Locksheath April in Paris (Mr K Whiting)  Stronger head bitch, but brick on brick appearance, super stop, balanced through head, good neck in to good shoulders with matching return, enough brisket, ribbed back, now needs to mature through, matching rear angles, moving well holding topline.   2ND - Flaxheath Centrefold (Ms V L Lines)  Sister to 1st in yearling, many same remarks, stronger bitch, nice head, like shade darker eye, well arched neck in to good shoulder, well ribbed up and back, with good hip to hock length, not settled, creating a roached top-line, straight on up & back, like to see her again, settled and finished.   3RD - Ronaldsbill Magic Stars of Niannseter (Mrs J A & Mr N Speed) Post Graduate Bitch Entries: 2    Absentees: 1 1ST - Dwensantinis Dora of Artiiyo (Miss D Beddall) Her shape greatly appealed, Gordon setter head through & through but feminine, super intelligent expression,lovely eye, brow not to strong, low set ear, super neck in to excellent shoulder, good upper arm, deep brisket, good forechest, flat bone nice feet, well ribbed back, strong slight arched loin, super rear, excellent width to thigh, short hock, like her personality to be bolder, she wasn’t settled moving & looked worried, she ups her game moving & would start troubling the best.     Limit Bitch Entries: 11    Absentees: 1 This was a super class of bitches, top five I was being most picky to sort them out. 1ST - Amscot Air Born via Kewstoke (Ms W D Smith) On my first look round, this was the bitch to beat, she screams classic weight carrying hunter, built on galloping lines, stylish but so balanced in conformation. She has one of the best heads of the day, brick on brick with excellent plains, head is deep rather than broad, but broader than muzzle, super eye, low set ears lying close to head, excellent neck, well laid shoulder, flat bone, straight forelimbs, nice feet, Moderate length to back, deep brisket, ribs well sprung, loins wide, slightly arched. Super length from hip to hock, with plenty of width, moved steady free moving with purpose and drive, true on up & back, in the challenge she lacked the ‘look at me attitude’ of the CC winner, but an outstanding bitch who should get her title. RCC   2ND - Benbuie True Colours at Malocomi (Mrs D Green) Another good headed bitch, who has strength of a Gordon Setter, but is feminine all through, a good overall shape, she is a weigh carrying hunter, with galloping lines, she has super balanced conformation, everything flowing from one piece to the next, one of the best fronts on the day, well bodied up and super rear angles, moved well, but unlucky 1st on very good form. Another who should get her title.   3RD - Laurelhach Renaissance JW (Mrs F Boxall) RES - Amscot Air of Success at Boyers (Miss J Osborn) VHC - Lainnireach A Star Is Born JW (Miss J Cuthbertson) Open Bitch Entries: 4    Absentees: 1 Three outstanding bitches 1ST - Bryerdale Qangeroo (ai) (Ms A Mappin) A super shaped bitch, you can easily compare her to weight carrying hunter, but she remains feminine, a beautifully headed bitch with a kind intelligent expression. Good head deep rather than broad, but broader than muzzle, square in muzzle, super eye, shape & colour, lean under the eye, kind brow, slightly rounded skull between the ear, showing brain room, super low set ear, long arched neck, in to long well laid shoulder blade, super corresponding upper arm, super fore chest & breastbone, straight forelimbs, flat bone, nice feet, she is so well bodied up, ribbed back, strong slightly arch loin, in to one of the best rear assemblies of the day, long from hip to hock, with super width, well muscled, she powered around the ring, using her super conformation, showing free true effortless movement. CC / BOS   2ND - Sh Ch Glenquin Phoenix (Mr P, Mrs L & Miss N Johnston)  I loved the shape and style of this bitch, Appealing head, though a little narrow though the cheeks, dark eye, super neck in to shoulder, lacking fore-chest, good bone, well ribbed up, slightly longer in the back, super matching rear angles, moved well , super side profile,   3RD - Ordett Love Me Do at Keaswood JW (Mr K & Mrs S L Horn) A nice honest bitch, pretty head, good overall body shape, with good angles, moving Ok. Claire Lewis