National Gundog Association

NATIONAL GUNDOG ASSOCIATION

03 AUG 25

What a privilege it was to award my third set of Challenge Certificates not only at National Gundog but under the backdrop of the Malvern Hills. Thank you to my stewards John and Ian, who kept the ring organized with the utmost professionalism and in good humor allowing us to finish in good time.

There were no overriding themes to my notes upon reflection, but I do wonder where overall type is going, the traditional silhouette was not in abundance with some shorter legged spaniels and some quite up on leg. Heads were mixed as was movement, coats in the main were excellent, but we should remember that this is a working breed, and it doesn’t need and shouldn’t be overcoated.

Temperaments were excellent, some required a little more encouragement to embrace the larger ring, I do hope subtle encouragement doesn’t spill over into anything more intrusive.

SPANIEL (WELSH SPRINGER)

VD 2(1)

Cemis’ Sh Ch. Taimere’s Talk About Me. 7-year-old veteran male, scores in body with the most fabulous spring of rib, correct top-line and good proportions, would prefer a little more length of leg, good round feet, kind eye and moved around the ring with ease, super temperament and disposition for age.

MPD 3(0)

1. Knowles’ Menstonia Endurance. Really promising pup, loved his bone and leg, scores in construction to the fore with good length and angle to the upper arm, he has depth and a chest many would envy and is balanced to the rear, his head is developing well, and he moved very soundly, one to watch. BP.

2. Philipson’s Menstonia Endless Dreams. Litter brother to 1 and much the same applies, a little more moderate in angles but he has a type and length of the leg that many lack, he is just right for age and his head is lovely, good dentition to boot, I am sure they will change places many times.

3. Hepworth’s Kamunting’s Danny Zuko.

PD 4(0)

1. Knowles’ Menstonia Endurance. 1st in MPD.

2. Burchmore/Bowd’s Lenamore Renegade (AI). A lovely chap, liked his proportions and top-line, balanced fore and rear with a super hard top-line, shown in perfect order and just the right condition for age, I loved him for type and thought there was nothing overdone but that he oozed Welshie for me, his head had promise with nothing overdone, will be another to watch.

3. Harrison’s Glenbrows Turns Back Time.

JD 4(0)

I was splitting hairs between these two and they could change places.

1. Gaylor/Robertson’s Gilstonia Run Red Rum for Aprilflash. Good length of leg and lovely top-line, super temperament, he is balanced fore and rear, and his ribs are well back but the full spring is yet to develop, his head is as strong as I would like but masculine, a touch restricted behind but super type and temperament.

2. Griffiths’ Merchinetes Padrig. I liked this chap for angles, and he is quality through and through, just my type, I would prefer a touch more stop and a little more maturity for his age, he has bone and type and was excellent on the move, I really liked him and will watch him with interest.

3. Harrison’s Glenbrows Turn Back Time.

ND 4(1)

1. Knowles’ Menstonia Endurance. 1st in MPD & PD.

2. Burchmore/Bowd’s Lenamore Renegade (AI). 2nd in PD.

3. Philipson’s Menstonia Endless Dreams.

GD 3(0)

1. Sutherland’s Jacranella Guardian (AI). A little lower on leg than I would like, but scores in proportions, coat texture and colour and is in an admirable well-muscled condition with a good width of second thigh, he was more mature than the other two, has a lovely long neck and appealing head with nothing overdone and a lovely dark eye to compliment his body coat.

2. Gaylor/Robertson’s Gilstonia Run Red Rum for Aprilflash. 1st in JD.

3. Short’s Toftwood Ziggy Starman.

PGD 1(0)

1. Johnstone’s Glenbrows Erasmus for Gilpeta. Stood alone today but this chap scores in body with leg, substance and rib, he is balanced and has a lovely long neck with nice arch, good feet and a correct coat of good colour, on the move he was a little lackluster today sadly but otherwise gave a good account of himself.

LD 4(1)

1. Harrison’s Glenbrows Amadeus JW. Mature male, liked him for outline, profuse coat of good colour, good length of upper arm into lengthy shoulders complimented by a correct neck and correct top-line, not always putting his best foot forward but when he did his gait was correct and smooth, much to like, good bone and a cheeky challenging disposition, RDCC.

2. Douglas’ Santallina Off and Running JW. I liked this chap, but he didn’t put his back into the job and seems to challenge his handler, he is good to the fore and rear with a lovely top-line, particularly well bent stifles, just needs to get on the game with his handler and he will challenge the best, scores in bone.

3. Stone’s Kidenoan Mark Time for Merrem JW.

OD 3(0)

1. Gaylor/Robertson’s Sh Ch. Heniveruce King of Brewers for Aprilflash ShCEx. This dog is better to handle than I first anticipated, the right bone, a classic appealing head and expression that is mellowing as he matures, lovely leg and proportions, in super condition, beautifully presented, correct ear shape, good bite and dentition, wide ribs and well bent stifles and enough neck, DCC.

2. Douglas’ Chanangel Yorkshire Gold to Santallina. A pleasing mature male, for me I would prefer a little more length of leg to complete the picture, he gives a good account of himself though and has a lovely temperament, lovely tight round feet and super neck into long shoulders, unlucky to meet one today.

3. Buckwell’s Killena Shadow Dancing (AI).

SpB D/B 5(2)

1. Griffiths’ Merchinetes Padrig. 2nd in JD. BSpB.

2. Johnson/Langley’s Santallina Coroebus. 11 month old youngster, good length of leg and top-line, size and height just right for age, lovely rear end, moved carefully but smoothly and with eagerness, lovely neck, would like his colour to darken a little but that will come with time.

3. Gough’s Julita Rukester.

VB 5(2)

I must give a special mention to the heads on these three bitches, correct appealing and typy, and well ahead of the dog entry.

1. Reynolds/McIlwaine’s Benoveor Can’t Buy Me Love. Typey and classic, she has well bent stifles, super rib is of lovely size and shape, doesn’t always hold herself to best advantage but there is much to like, I could admire her head all day long and on the move she didn’t disappoint with a lovely temperament to match, BV.

2. Graham’s Aindrea Harleyquinn. Unlucky to meet 1 today, correct top-line, exquisite head with the kindness of eyes, lovely coat, in super order for her age, she moved well and was a real pleasure to handle, she was unlucky to meet 1 today, as such is a worthy winner.

3. Whitfield’s Glenbrows Heart to Heart.

MPB 1(0)

1. Knowles’ Menstonia Endless Mist. 8½ months with the sweetest happy temperament, crucially she is just right for age and size, lovely front assembly, lovely depth of chest and a cracking, but proportionate length of leg, she has the kindest of eyes and a melting expression, she moved with ease but was a little unsettled.

PB 2(0)

1. Harrison’s Glenbrows Timeless. 10 month old bitch, just right for age, I thought she was lovely, she has moderate but correct angles, a lovely coat, ribs that are well back, right feet and arched neck, correct top-line and a lovely head and expression, she showed beautifully and I was rather taken.

2. Knowles’ Menstonia Endless Mist. 1st in MPB.

JB 2(0)

1. Graham’s Slapestones Catoca. Lovely size and shaped exhibit, super coat with a gentle pretty head too, I liked her for size and substance, she won the class on movement where she was engaged and moved with impulsion and ease with a ground covering gait.

2. Cooper/Mullin’s Gilstonia Maggie May. Preferred this bitch for type and she is lovely to handle, today she wasn’t putting her best foot forward on the move and sadly it cost her the class, lovely rib and a super upper arm, well bent stifles, she is well off for rib but was carrying a touch too much weight today.

NB 3(0)

1. Harrison’s Glenbrows Timeless. 1st in PB.

2. Knowles’ Menstonia Endless Mist. 1st in MPB, 2nd in PB.

3. Lockie’s Gwirgariad Shooting Star.

GB 4(1)

1. Short’s Toftwood Jean Genie. Quality bitch of good size and type, would benefit from less weight to better show off her lovely rib, scores in neck and bend of rear stifles, liked her coat and thought she was very pretty, sufficient leg giving her good proportions and moved with real determination.

2. Cooper/Mullin’s Gilstonia Maggie May. 2nd in JB.

3. Cochrane’s Eiriandylis Confusion.

PGB 4(1)

1. Jackson/Palmer’s Tuttington Ginger Snap at Ardinia. Petite pleasing bitch who showed well, I liked her construction and type, she doesn’t always show herself to best advantage and it appears to challenge her handler somewhat, she has super rib and bone and her coat is correct being flat and silky, at an awkward age but one to watch.

2. Lewis’ Eiriandylis Strange Magic von Trannon JW. Pleasing head and expression and gave a good account on the move, has a tendency to appear a little upright in front but scores in top-line and rib and was very well presented, another with correct coat being flat and silky.

3. Buckwell’s Killena One Moment In Time.

LB 11(2)

Lovely to see a well filled class of bitches.

1. Ward’s Glenbrows Flame for Tantaraviz. A bitch I have admired before, today she headed the class on movement, super presentation and beautifully handled, she is of a nice size, balanced with a lovely head and moved very well, very smooth, ribs well back and nice tight feet, RBCC.

2. McIlwaine/Reynolds’ Ferndel Rebecca for Benoveor. Just my type, I adored this bitch, she is absolutely spot on stacked, superb front assembly matched by well bent rear stifles, her neck is long, her expression is melting, and a rib that many should envy, had she moved with more enthusiasm she would have headed the class at the very least.

3. Ferguson’s Julita Raindance at Teaselwood.

OB 3(0)

1. Graham’s Sh Ch. Nyliram Telling Tales JW ShCEx OSW. A mature bitch, lovely to handle, scores in body and is presented to best advantage, pleasing head and expression, is of a good size, good top-line, tight feet and is of a rich red and white, has substance without being overdone, she is most enthusiastic on the move and covers the ground quickly, BCC & BOB.

2. Ritchie’s Sarabande Dancing Queen at Slapestones JW (AI). Lovely bitch to handle, her head and expression is not for my preference but the rest of her is correct, good size, substance, well off for rib with the ribs coming well back, coat of correct texture and the right amount too, showed to full advantage, in the challenge she was less than determined and gave way to the enthusiastic limit winner.

3. Harrison’s Sh Ch. Glenbrows Harmony JW.

JENNIFER MILLARD