Dundee Canine Club

Dundee Canine Club Open Show

Saturday 7th June 2025

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at their very well organised outside show, good size rings with the grass freshly cut & plenty room outside the rings for the exhibitors. Also, thank you to the owners for supporting the classes & allowing me the opportunity to go over their dogs. Plus, not forgetting my steward, Tina for her help in keeping the ring moving smoothly. Judging took place in perfect weather, finishing minutes before a prolonged downpour!

 Retriever (Flatcoated) : Numerically small entry but nevertheless some quality exhibits present. No issues with bites & all appeared confident. P (3,0) Three promising 11-month-old siblings in this class, each with different virtues but all showing breed type. I’m sure they will swap places as they mature but on the day, I felt 1 had the edge. 1 & 2 appeared to be currently more mature in body than 3, who appeared slightly high on the leg at this stage. All three moved well, with good reach & drive for their age showing good tail carriage. 1. Mackessack-Leitch’s, Badcall Midwinter Dream At Inchstellie, immediately impressed with her nicely balanced outline & size, straight front legs with correct amount of bone, attractive moulded head with a tight eye, good length of clean neck, scored highly on her front angulation with her elbows well under her body, balanced with moderate rear angulation. Happy girl, a little more enthusiastic tail action would complete the picture. Liked her a lot. PG3. 2. Macpherson’s, Badcall Dream Weaver, another nice example with many similar comments as 1, currently slightly more ring presence than 1. But on the day, preferred the cleaner outline & the tighter eye of 1. 3. Thomson’s, Badcall Midsummer Dream. G (1,0) 1. Mackessack-Leitch’s, Caci’s The Jewel Of June At Inchstellie (Imp SWE), judged her as a puppy & was impressed by her movement on that day & now approaching 2 -years- old she certainly continues to display good reach & drive, best mover of the day. Nice size with an attractive profile with no exaggerations, loved her head & eye, good length of clean neck, a picture of balance between her excellent front & moderate rear angulation, correct ribbing & short coupled, good tail carriage when moving. A top-quality bitch full of breed type but again more enthusiastic tail action on the stand would complete the picture. BOB. L (3,1) 1. Macpherson’s, Rachanmill Colombo, 6-year-old male displaying a happy disposition with lots of ring presence, always focussed on his handler. Strong masculine head, clean well set on neck, good front angulation & moderate quarters, tight feet, in profile moved with reach & drive, however slightly untidy when moving away. Very well handled. 2. Mackessack-Leitch’s, Finhamspride Kia At Inchstellie, 4-year-old very happy bitch, attractive typical head, preferred the front of 1, ample bone, nice balance between front & back angulation, enthusiastic tail action. Moved okay. O (1,0) 1.Thomson’s, Sh Ch Caci’s The Dream Catcher @ Badcall (Imp SWE), mature 6-year-old bitch, who shouts breed type. One I have often admired & initially thought she would be my principal winner today. However, felt she was carrying slightly too much weight which caused her to roll when moving in profile, nevertheless a top-quality bitch. Eye catching outline, lovely clean lines, beautifully typical head, textbook front when viewed straight on, balanced rear angulation, strong topline, happy girl, moved soundly forward & aft. Well handled. 

Retriever (Curlycoated): O (1,0) 1. Duff’s, Overbore League Of Their Own, mature 5-year-old male, alone but a worthy winner. Full of breed type with good size & proportions, balanced clean outline, correct wedge -shaped masculine head with an aloof expression, excellent front when viewed straight on, elbows well under the body & muscular hindquarters , black thick tight curls over the body, would like a better tail set, moved well with a powerful gait. Nicely handled. BOB. Retriever (Chesapeake Bay): O (1,1) . 

Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) : O (1,0) 1. Roffey’s, Camusmor Ca Canny With Acanuck, almost 3-year-old bitch, typical in profile, attractive head, straight front legs with white markings on feet, balanced angulation front & back, nice mover with good tail carriage. Ideally, I would have preferred a little more animation. BOB.

Judge : Scott Williamson (Sandti)