Paignton & District Fanciers' Association

Flatcoated Retrievers

Judge Gill Smitherman

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge this prestigious show and their hospitality. Also to my lovely stewards who were so efficient and a joy to work with.

Whilst I was delighted with my principal winners who all demonstrate sound construction and excellent breed type, overall quality across the breed is an issue, particularly in males. I do not fault judge, as you need to look at the dog as a whole and therefore whilst a tail carried above the height of the back can be distracting and spoil the overall look, there are for me more important constructional issues that affect ‘fit for function’. Long stifles, short upper arms, over angulated hind quarters and open couplings significantly affect the efficiency of the dog on the move, and therefore in the field, as the dog is working. The overall balance for me was more important than if a dog carries its tail straight off its back!

This is a dog show and as such I would expect exhibits to be well presented. I don’t think I have ever judged so many dirty dogs! It does affect the overall picture of your exhibit if their coat is dull and stiff. Please do your dogs justice by bathing them!

I am not a mouth fanatic, however poor dentition is creeping in and should be considered when choosing breeding stock.

Unfortunately, our ring had what can only be described as a gully diagonally across it, whilst all exhibitors were warned, unfortunately it did knock some quality exhibits off balance and caught a couple of dogs out in the challenge.

Special Beginners D/B (6 Entries) Abs: 2

1, Leavy’s Wychwizard Painted Lady. Very feminine bitch who is without exaggeration. She has a lovely feminine one piece head, with soft expression and neat well-set ears. Her neck is of good length and flows into well laid shoulders. She has a good depth of chest and gradual spring of rib, with correct short loin and moderately angulated hind quarters. I would prefer a little more of her all through, but she moved well with free-flowing action. BSBIB 2, Hollingdale & Hedges’ Tikkidui The Walk Of Life. Very raw two year old male who really showed his virtues on the move with a good open side gate. He is up to size but has an overall balanced outline. His head is well moulded with dark eye and good depth of muzzle . Strong bone throughout with good depth and spring of rib. It is always difficult with young males when competing in a mixed class as they are easily distracted by the ladies! However his handler did very well to keep him engaged particularly on the move. Well handled 3,Holden’s Fairwinds Flowertot.

Minor Puppy Dog (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1, Bowen’s Clandrift Make It Funky. Eight month old male of good size and type. He has a lovely classical head and dark almond eye with soft expression. His shoulders are well laid with the best of fronts and strong bone. He needs to strengthen in this topline and hind quarters. Moved ok 2,Mcilwaine & Reynolds’ Flatcharm Mr Heckles For Benoveor. Another promising young male of a similar age to 1 with a happy outgoing disposition. He has a lovely classical well moulded head and sweet melting expression. His neck is of good length into reasonable shoulder and level topline. He needs to drop into himself so looks a little unbalanced at the moment. Moved positively with constantly wagging tail. 3, Taylor-Bain’s Rainesgift State Of Play.

Puppy Dog (4 Entries) Abs: 0

A difficult class to judge as they are at so many different stages in their development.

1, Trotter’s Gemswin Sharp Dressed Man. Lovely classical young male who has a clean balanced outline. He has a well moulded head with good length of muzzle and dark kind eye. His neck is of good length and free from throatiness. His front assembly is well angulated and balanced with quality bone and feet. Correct depth and gentle spring of rib and strong level topline with correctly set tail. Moved well with lovely front extension. 2 Gale & Gale’s Willowswind Countryman. I love this young man’s absolutely classical head and melting expression. He heeds to drop into himself but is developing along the right lines with elegant racy outline and moderately angulated all through with lovely bone and feet. He tends to stand a little awkwardly and shuffle his back legs under himself but comes together on the move with a lovely open side gate. 3 Mcilwaine & Reynolds ‘ Flatcharm Mr Heckles For Benoveor.

Junior D (4 ogEntries) Abs: 0

1, Fox’s Westoncruive Ace Of Spades By Blacktoft. Beautifully balanced young male who is moderately angulated with super bone and strong well muscled hind quarters. He has a masculine one piece head and correct dark eye and neat well set ears. His chest is of good depth and he is well ribbed up with correct short loin and strong level topline. You could imagine him working all day across a ploughed field with ease. Moved with an efficient driving action, just needs coat to finish the picture. 2, Blain’s Rotherfield Made To Last At Steelriver. Really like this boy’s size and type. He is racy and elegant with a classical well-proportioned head and soft melting expression. He has well laid shoulders and strong level topline with correctly set constantly wagging tail. Moderately angulated fore and aft with super bone and feet. Beautifully presented in super coat and condition although a little unsettled on the move.

3, Durrant’s Glenturret Wet My Whistle

Yearling Dog (6 Entries) Abs: 0

1, Fox’s Westoncruive Ace Of Spades By Blacktoft. 2, Blain’s Rotherfield Made To Last At Steelriver, 3 Clark’s Ronevorg Can You Be Serious At Inglewidden

Post Graduate Dog (8 Entries) Abs: 0

1, Varty-Lindsay’s Levliann Big Bang. Two year old male of the correct size and type presented in super coat and condition. He has a lovely clean flowing outline which is free from exaggeration. His head is well moulded and well filled in with good length of muzzle, kind dark eye and neat well set ears. He has a well defined fore chest with good length and return of upper arm, quality bone and neat well arched feet. He is well ribbed up and correctly coupled with strong level topline and well muscled, moderately angulated hind quarters which allowed him to drive round the ring. Just lost out on movement in the challenge. 2 Wild’s Kvicksans The Master Piper At Bluewaters (imp Swe) Another quality young male and close up to 1. Really loved his classical head and soft expression. He is very racy all though with strong level topline and correct depth and spring of rib. Super moderately angulated hind quarters with hocks well let down. Presented in excellent coat and condition. Moved well. 3, Gordon’s Oiyou Waldorf

Limit Dog (7 Entries) Abs: 2

1, Wild’s Bitcon Alliance With Bluewaters(ai) JW. Stood out in this class with his moderate clean outline and strong level topline. Super classical head with almond shaped dark eye and melting expression. His muzzle is strong and long and neck clean and of good length. He has well laid shoulders and is well ribbed up. Love his strong, moderately angulated, hind quarters with hocks well let down. Good bone and feet. His well set gently wagging tail and gleaming coat finishes the picture. Moved well with free flowing action. 2, Jones’ Hightyne Unforgettable At Braemist. A different type to 1 and his profuse coat hides may of his positive attributes. He has a well mounded one piece head with dark eye. His ribcage is of the correct depth and he is correctly coupled. Well angulated hind quarters and short hock to floor. Super bone and feet. Moved well

3, Wilson’s Hameldowntor Pedro Ximenez

Open Dog (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1, Anson & McManus’ Sh Ch Rotherfield Secret Code. Medium sized bright active dog showing power without lumber and raciness without weediness. He is classical and elegant and just flows from his nose to the tip of his tail both standing and on the move. His head is long, well moulded with dark almond eye, mischievous expression and the neatest of ears. He has a good reach of neck which flows into well laid shoulders strong level topline with well set constantly wagging tail. He is moderately angulated fore and aft with quality bone and feet. Presented in super coat and condition. Moved with an easy free flowing action. Delighted to award him the CC and BOB and I am sure there will be many more to come. 2, Bellamy’s CH Woodfinch Masquerade. Another boy of the correct size and type who again was presented in gleaming coat and condition. Love his beautiful classical head and soft dark eye with such a loving expression. He has a good reach of neck with well laid shoulder and strong topline. Correct moderate angulation and super bone and feet. Moved well with a lovely open side gate. RDCC.

3, May’s Ronevorg Dark Angel At Lussac JW SGWS.

Veteran Dog (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1, Ponsford’s Wheathold Reynard The Fox 7 year old male enjoying his day out. Masculine head with neat well set ears. Well-muscled all through with correct square loin. A little out of coat. Moved ok

Minor Puppy Bitch (5 Entries) Abs: 0

1, Watson’s Rainesgift Fair Play. Very elegant young lady with clean unexaggerated outline. Her head is feminine and well moulded with dark almond eye and sweet expression. She has a well laid shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm, good depth of rib and is correctly coupled. Her hind quarters are moderately angulated and well muscled with good width of thigh and hocks well let down. All topped off with good bone and neat feet. Won the class on her lovely effortless movement. 2, Bellamy’s Moontorn Chasing The Dream. 8 month old baby with a sweet head and hazel eye. She is feminine all through and scores in front assembly and quality bone. Needs to strengthen in topline but has the correct tailset. Needs to tighten in movement as they often do at this age. Well handled. 3, Stevenson’s Steelriver Pure Majness.

Puppy Bitch (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1, Gale and Gale’s Willowswind Skylark. Ultra feminine young lady who just flows with smooth lines. She has a beautiful well moulded one piece head with lovely almond shaped dark eye and is well filled in. Her neck is of good length and flows into super well laid shoulder and level topline. She is moderately angulated all through with quality bone and feet. On the move she really makes the most of her virtues sailing round the ring effortlessly. Delighted to award her Best Puppy. 2, Watson’s Rainesgift Play With Fire. Sweet baby who is well balanced all through. She has a good head and dark eye well laid shoulder and strong topline. Loved her moderately angulated hind quarters with excellent width of thigh and short hock to floor. Super bone and feet. 3, Mcilwaine & Reynold’s Flatcharm Smelly Cat To Benoveor

Junior Bitch (5 Entries) Abs: 1

1, Thurgood’s Thurwhitt Lyra Belacqua. Up to size but feminine all through. She has a lovely well moulded one piece head, good dark eye and a very busy expression! Her neck is strong and of good length and flows into a well laid shoulder and super strong level topline with well set tail. She has a well defined fore chest, good depth and spring of rib and is correctly coupled. Her hind quarters are strong with good width of thigh and moderate sweep of stifle. Stands on quality bone and neat well arched feet. Moved with drive. 2, Stevenson’s Vynesbrook Sapphirea. Another feminine young lady, not as together as 1 at the moment. Love her classical well moulded head with sweet expression. She has a good reach of neck and strong level topline, correct moderately angulated hind quarters, quality bone and neat feet. Just needs coat to finish the picture. Moved well 3, Leavy’s Wychwizard Painted Lady.

Yearling Bitch (6 Entries) Abs: 0

1, Romeo-Dieste’s Hopevalley Morning Xanadu JW. Beautiful medium sized bitch who is extremely balanced all through. Loved her feminine well moulded head with dark almond eye and the sweetest expression. Her shoulder is well laid with correct corresponding return of upper arm, well defined fore chest and good depth of ribcage. She has a strong level topline, is correctly coupled and has a well set constantly wagging tail. Her hind quarters are strong and moderately angulated with short hocks. Good bone and feet. She is presented in gleaming coat and condition and moves with a lovely free flowing action. Considered her for top honours. 2, Thurgood’s Thurwhitt Lyra Belacqua 3, Stevenson’s R Vynesbrook Sapphirea

Post Graduate Bitch (11 Entries) Abs: 1

Super class headed up by three very lovely young ladies. 1 Jones’ Benvellyn Sequoia JW. Very feminine medium sized bitch. Super well moulded one piece head with dark almond eye mischievous expression. Her neck is of good length and shoulders well laid with strong level topline. She has a good depth of chest and gentle spring of rib into correct short square loin. Moderately angulated fore and aft with hocks well let down. In the class she moved with a gentle elegance but her exuberance got the better of her in the challenge and she tended to race herself around the ring. 2 Moxey’s Dymexe My Cherie Amour JW. Another beautiful young lady, slightly stronger frame than 1 but still feminine. Really like her well moulded head with melting expression. She has the best of fronts with well defined prow. Good length and return of upper arm and lovely bone and feet. Strong level topline and well ribbed up. Well angulated hind quarters with good width of thigh and well muscled. Moved well 3, Watson’s Rainesgift New Sensation.

Limit Bitch (13 Entries) Abs: 4

1, Watson’s Rainesgift Omega Five year old bitch who is beautifully balanced all through. She has a lovely head which is well moulded, with good length and depth of muzzle, strong jaw and the softest expression. Her neck is of good length and flows into super well laid shoulders and corresponding length and return of upper arm. She has a super depth of ribcage with gentle spring and short square loin the best of toplines with well set constantly wagging tail. Her hind quarters are strong, moderately angulated and balanced with good width of muscle and hocks well let down. She stands four square with the best of bone and feet. She moves effortlessly and had the best hind movement of the day, so straight and true. Presented in gleaming coat and super hard condition. BCC. 2, Thurgood & Holmes’ Finhamspride Clion. She is up to size but very well constructed and balanced. Good head with dark eye and naughty expression. Her shoulders are well laid, however she is carrying a little too much weight which is just sitting on top of her shoulders and just spoils the flowing lines. Her topline is strong with well set constantly wagging tail. She is balanced fore and aft with good bone and feet. Moved well with strong driving action 3, Tagg’s Oiyou Double Espresso JW.

Open Bitch (6 Entries) Abs: 1

1, Anderson’s Sh Ch Kazval Angel In Your Sky Over Feldkirk. Very elegant feminine bitch who is absolutely in her prime. She has a beautiful classical head with dark almond eye and very busy expression, good length and depth of muzzle and neat well set ears. Her neck is of good length and flows into well laid shoulders and strong level topline. She is deep through her rib and correctly coupled. Her hind quarters are moderately angulated and strong which she uses to drive around the ring and strides out with a flowing open side gate. Beautifully presented in excellent coat and condition. RBCC 2, Romeo-Dieste’sSh Ch Hopevalley Morning Wicked. Another beautifully presented young lady who is in full bloom. Love her ultra feminine head with good dark eye and soft expression. She has a good reach of next and strong level topline with well set tail. Her shoulder is well laid and she has a gentle spring of rib. Strong, moderately angulated hind quarters, good bone and feet. Moved elegantly in profile. 3 Lewin’s Vynesbrook Deja Bleu.

Veteran Bitch (4 Entries) Abs: 1

1, Jones’ Caehaidd Lets Go Crazy With Braemist. Very naughty 8 year old bitch who knows her own mind! I really liked her size and type. Good head, with lovely dark eye and neat well set ears. She is balanced fore and aft and moderately angulated all through. Her hind quarters are strong with good width of thigh and hocks well let down. She drives around the ring, full of the joy of living! Delighted to award her Best Veteran which she won with ease. 2, Milton’s Manteauplat Black Pippin. Very classical seven year old bitch with the most feminine of heads, dark eye and neat well set ears. She had a good depth of chest and well pronounced forechest, lovely bone and feet. Moved well 3, Wilsons Hameldowntor Music Of The Night VW.