Otley Canine Society

Otley Canine Society Premier Open Show 5th August 2025 Many thanks to the Officers and hardworking committee of Otley Canine Society for their invitation to judge at their Premier Show. It certainly has the wow factor in so many ways. The warm Yorkshire welcome, fabulous food and refreshments, most beautiful rosettes, and really big flat rings to enable free flowing movement. The weather was so challenging and changeable. One minute sunshine, next minute a howling gale doing it’s best to whip everything off the table. However my two stewards, Karyn Wight and Anne Preston, were excellent. They somehow managed to keep all the paperwork in order, and I truly appreciate their help and support. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with you all, and hope we shall meet up again. Irish Red and White Setter Puppy (1) 1. Smith’s Gilliegrae Berry Good Vibes. A super 8 months old chunky puppy, who was very well schooled and seemed to enjoy the limelight. Handsome balanced head with correct dark eye. Straight front, strong bone, deep chest with well sprung ribs, firm back and correct tail set. Well muscled throughout, moved very steadily off strong straight hocks. I really liked this youngster. BP. Special Yearling (3) 1. Jakins' Coolfin Baltic Turn the Page Very feminine young bitch just over 12 months old. Most appealing expression, with eyes that look into your soul. Lovely front, good width to chest, straight firm legs. Strong well muscled hindquarters enabling sound driving movement. 2. Tait’s Talintyre Fomhar Reiver, This dog has a very handsome head, correctly domed with prominent stop. Strong muscled arched neck smoothly fitting into shoulders. Firm back. Well off for bone and substance. Just felt that the bitch had the edge on movement today. 3. Smith’s Gilliegrae Berry Good Vibes. (From puppy) Limit (1) 1. Catton, Cook & Jakins’ Coolfin Clancy with Ferngate. Shown in full, gleaming coat. This dog really scores in front assembly. He stands well over the ground. Good depth to brisket and well ribbed to loin. Strong bone and neat feet, shown in hard muscular condition. Moved with ease around the big ring, displaying true driving movement. Correct patches of colour with freckles on muzzle. RBOB Open (5, 3 abs) 1. Catton & Cook’s Sh Ch Daithi Shadow Dog with Ferngate (Imp. Pol) This dog has sound body properties throughout. He’s not flashy, he’s athletic. A sturdy, sound honest dog. Well constructed, good front, depth of brisket, good ribbing, strong over loin with powerful, firm quarters enabling very efficient driving action. This awarded him BOB. He looked as if he could work all day. 2. Jakins Sh Ch/Int Sh Ch/Multi Ch Terene Des Coris Qualimero at Coolfin (Imp Bel) JW. A striking dog of good size. He possesses a very handsome head. Compact, well proportioned body with short strong back. Gives impression of power and strength. Well muscled throughout. However he was most unsettled on the move, just never seemed to get into his stride. Lagotto Romagnolo Puppy (1) 1. Wilson’s Sikama Stargazing. 9 months old confident puppy. Head developing on right lines, with abundant curls. Fairly large expressive eye. Short, muscular neck into shoulder placement. Well off for bone. Very straight forearms, firm topline. Good bend to stifle, neat feet with arched toes at front. Correctly carrying his tail straight up. Moved steadily. Special Yearling (1) 1. Wilson’s Sikama Starlight, litter sister to Puppy. Very balanced puppy. Just loved her outgoing attitude, she has such intelligent and inquisitive eyes. Super overall shape. Of medium size, good width to chest and depth to brisket. Today her movement was a tad more lively than her litter brother’s, showing good reach and drive. BP. Limit (2) 1. Bell’s Il Granaio Dei Malatesta Valeria Velez of Pendlebrier (Imp ITA). JW She presents an attractive picture of a very sound bitch. Pleasing overall conformation and balance. Really scores in muscular hind quarters and wide croup, enabling smooth steady movement. RBOB 2. Langley’s Nelbekio High Hopes. Head of moderate proportions with kind eyes giving soft expression. Sound body properties, with level topline. Preferred movement of (1) Open (3, 1abs.) 1.Nelson’s Nelbekio Just The Ticket. A quality balanced bitch built on flowing lines. Straight front, tight compact feet with arched toes. Very well built, with muscular square body. She encompasses, strength with femininity. Correct angulation, plus straight, firm topline which she maintained on the move. BOB 2. Wilson’s Emmroche Dancer at Sikama. Pretty headed bitch, having broad skull of good width and length. Short neck, compact body and short in loin creating required square profile. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizla.(1) 1. Byrne’s Enryb Purple People Eater It’s hard to believe that this smart, upstanding puppy is only 7 months old. He’s very well developed, calm and well schooled. Excels in front assembly, angulation and good width of chest. Built with strong bone and shown in tiptop muscular condition. Firm straight back. So steady on the move, using his straight hocks to effortlessly stride around the ring. Adult coat just coming through. BOB, BP and pleased to see him placed PG4. Will watch his show career with interest. Spanish Water Dog Limit (2,1 abs) 1. Woods Pabiagas Sergio Sinduda JW. This dog just oozes character ! Brown and White. Strong elegant head, with kind, expressive hazel eyes. Good angulation to upper arm, straight legs, round feet. Plenty of body and just covered with tight curls. Moved out with purpose and drive. RBOB Open (2,1 abs) 1. Wood’s Chanderhill Eagle Eye Sinuda. An exuberant dog, full of breed type. Well muscled and sound all through. Strong bone. Level topline, and well sprung ribs. Lovely overall silhouette. Pleasing head and expression. Both of these boys moved exceptionally well with reach and drive. BOB. Gordon Setter Special Yearling (2,1, abs) 1. Potter’s Benbuie Chinook at Helian. This young bitch was quite a handful to assess. Her young handler tried to present her as best she could. This bitch has an appealing head and expression, and was shown in gleaming coat and condition. RBOB Limit (2,1) 1. Inglis’ Caradilis Jumping Jack. A 4 year old mature dog shown in full shiny coat. Attractive head of good shape, with low ear set. Firm muscular neck fitting smoothly into well laid shoulders. A well balanced dog. Good angles fore and aft. Stifle was quite straight, however he looked a picture moving, using the large ring to advantage. BOB. Retriever (Flatcoated) Puppy (3,1 abs) 1. Walker & Robert’s Seaheart Frida at Gloi Most promising, very feminine 8 months old puppy. Lovely head with almond eye, flat skull with slight stop. Well off for body. Really liked her racy out line. Good hind quarters and croup. Even though the wind was howling , she just carried on moving so steadily around the Ring. BP and I was delighted to see her placed PG 2 later in the day. Congratulations. 2. Stead’s Steelriver Razza Majazz by Forestoak. This bitch was not as balanced in out line as (1). and not quite as pretty. She scores in having strong neck into smooth shoulder placement, and straight front. Well muscled throughout. Shown in gleaming coat and condition. Special Yearling 1. Walker & Roberts’ Gloi Dubh Mormaer. A young male of 13 months, and I surprised myself by awarding him BOB. He has that certain something that makes him stand out from the rest. Handsome, with a very appealing gentle expression, dark almond shaped eye. He is well constructed and has a super silhouette when stacked. Loved his type. Good bone, and sturdily built, yet maintaining raciness. Deep broad chest , elbows cleanly placed, straight legs and arched round feet. Well ribbed up, firm back. Straight well set on tail that never stopped, especially when powering around the ring, showing great driving action. BOB. Shortlisted to final 6 in the large Group. 2. Stead’s Steelriver Razza Majazz by Forestoak. Limit 1. Walker & Roberts’ Gloi Dubh Lady Muck JW. Stood alone, but a worthy winner. Beautifully constructed bitch having a nicely shaped head and elegant in looks. Good spring of rib and short loin, powerful hindquarters with moderate bend of stifle. In great condition and full coat. Very happy as her tail kept wagging whilst in the ring, demonstrating sound temperament. Open (2,1 abs) 1. Walker & Roberts Gloi Dubh Kristoffer Robin JW. Gave this dog PG1 when he was just into Puppy. Thank you for bringing him so that I could see he has developed into an adult dog full of quality. A dog with a classic shape, good bone and neat feet. Scores in masculine, moulded head and dark, almond shaped eyes. He is well made, with depth to brisket and well muscled hindquarters, correct tail set and a tail that never stopped wagging. Pleasing angulation fore and aft. Moved well on an even stride, with great tail action. RBOB. Retriever (Curly Coated) (3,2 abs) 1. Green’s Ravens Comrade Cymru A most gentle, appealing dog. His coat was a mass of tight curls. Very sound in body. Favourable balanced head with flat skull and dark brown eye. Moderate neck, good depth of brisket, well ribbed up and firm muscular topline. Powerful hindquarters. Compact feet. Coat was correct colour and texture. Moved at a steady pace around the ring. BOB. Brittany (2,1 abs.) 1. Graham & Yarrow’s Sh Ch Bonapartist Pickpocket. Such a sound upstanding exhibit. Well constructed and he has a good clean profile Loved the alert, intelligent expression on his balanced head. Neck fitting neatly into excellent shoulders. Good bone, straight front and neat feet. Well muscled, firm topline to rounded croup. Moved very well in the big ring. He looked as if he could run all day. Shown in tip top condition. BOB. Handling Classes Age 6-11 years (8 entries) It gave me great pleasure to judge this class. I was so impressed with these junior handlers, all concentrating on presenting their dogs to advantage. 1.Jacob Perfitt-Jones, aged 8 years, handling a large two year old Alaskan Malamute. Jacob impressed me with his smiling face, enthusiasm, positive responses to my questions, and wearing a very smart outfit. He showed his large dog to advantage. Jacob’s focus was on the dog, he knew where to place his feet, and was constantly checking his charge. However he won this class by demonstrating star quality on the move. This big strong dog needed the large ring and Jacob used it all to show his dog at his best. Jacob set off with huge strides, to encourage, then mirror his dog. They looked amazing on the move. Very well done Jacob. A well deserved first place. 2. Grace Coddling, aged 7 years. Grace handling a Russian Toy who possessed a very long coat. Both she and her dog were beautifully turned out. She was aware of the need to present her dog to me at all times. Her dog was a little excited on the table and Grace worked well to calm her charge. Grace moved her dog at the right pace and paid attention to where I was standing. A very promising handler. 3. Eleanor Holland, aged 10 years, handling a whippet. Handling Classes Age 12-16 years (5 entries) 1. Darcie Fleming aged 12 handling a whippet. Both dog and handler were excellently turned out. They seemed to have a very good rapport. Darcie presents as a sympathetic handler, always encouraging her dog and watching to see where I was standing in the ring. Darcie ensured that her whippet was in my sight at all times. She performed the triangle perfectly, and followed my every instruction. I thought she was a most accomplished handler. 2. Poppy Phillips aged 14 handling a Pomeranian. A quietly confident handler, who was knowledgable about her dog. Moved her dog at the correct pace, and demonstrated accuracy in her lines and corners. They moved so well together. Well done. 3. Aveline Daniels, aged 16 handling a Cocker. Handling Classes Age 17 plus years (5 entries) 1. Jennifer Bartlett handling a Bassett Bleu De Gascogne. This lady worked tirelessly to ensure her bitch was well presented. She handled her calmly and most professionally. Excellent work during the dog’s examination, then moved at the correct steady pace, ensuring that all my instructions were carried out. Neither of them put a foot wrong. Most impressive. 2. Leigh Gleave. Another confident handler who communicated with her dog at all times, creating a good relationship between dog and handler. On the move she produced a very neat triangle and final presentation to the judge. Good work. 3. Mary Court,Spaniel (Cocker) Adrienne Callister, Judge