National Gundog Association

National Gundog Association – (Spaniel) Irish Water (2nd August 2026)

It was a privilege to judge my first set of tickets at this show and to have been voted to do so is quite an honour and I must say a massive thank you to everyone involved. Another thank you must go to my stewards June & Muriel for keeping the ring going at a steady pace with few pauses, as the day was getting hotter. 

Veteran Dog (2 entries, 2 absent)

Puppy Dog (0 entries) 

Junior Dog (3 entries, 2 absent)

1st Hempstead’s CUVANA RED STREAK 14 month old dog with I think, a very promising future ahead of him. At still quite a young age is maturing very well. Dark almond shaped eye with gentle expression, good length of muzzle, well domed skull. Well boned and muscled, lovely dark coat of curls of correct texture. Moves with ease holding his topline and correct tail carriage. RDCC …. Watch this space, this boy I feel is going places.

Graduate Dog (0 entries)

Post Graduate Dog (1 entry, 0 absent)

1st ENGLAND’S CUBOGLACH THISTLE FORRESTER 3 year old dog. A very masculine boy yet still compact with a good barrel rib, that rolls well on the move. A solid and robust structure with good depth of chest. Good curl to coat. Dark eye, correct scissor bite, low set ears. Moved well once got going, overall picture slightly ruined by high tail carriage.   

Limit Dog (3 entries, 1 withdrawn)

1st Green’s BROWN SNOUT 4 year old dog. An upstanding well muscled boy that could easily do a days work. Masculine head, muzzle of standard length with correct scissor bite. Almond shaped eye of amber tone, would prefer a wee bit darker. A deep chest and well laid shoulder and return, a compact nearly square silhouette. Moved over ground with ease, holding topline, unfortunately tail was proud.

2nd Willoughby’s FOULBY FIRSTY FERRET AT PENDRESCO 3 year old dog. A boy on the smaller side compared to 1, yet still masculine in appearance a compact in profile. A very dark coat of dense curls of correct texture. Movement at times was erratic but had good reach and drive once settled, the whole time carried his tail correctly. 

Open Dog (3 entries, 0 absent)

1st McCallum’s IR SH CH BOGBAIRNS DOWN THE RABS AT WEEMAES 2 year old dog. A striking boy with great movement and presence. A pleasing head of correct proportion, muzzle of good length, dark almond eye with an endearing expression; especially towards his handler. Good lay of shoulder and return, deep chest, good depth of loin, well sprung ribs…… on the move with correct tail carriage. What’s not to love? DCC 

2nd Smith’s SH CH GOLDENACRE JUBILEE LORD OF LEONARDSTON 4 year old dog. A well presented uber masculine boy. Dark coat of amazing texture. Head is on the board and heavy side, yet is well domed. Well laid shoulder and return, deep chest and loin, straight topline. A well barrelled ribcage that gave a good rolling gait on the move. Moved over the ground well and effortlessly with reach and drive.

3rd Latheron & Trenchard’s SH CH FYNDER REACHER ShCEX 

Special Beginners Dog (1 entry, 0 absent)

1st Vallely’s COPLEYBENT DUDLEY 4 year old dog. A very honest yet raw boy. Lovely head, good length of muzzle, dark almond eyes with endearing expression. Ribs are currently slab sided, some Irish Waters are very slow to mature physically as well as mentally, so may develop over time. Had correct lay of Shoulder and return, Chest was deep yet a little narrow. Had a lovely curl and texture to coat. Moved well with reach and drive.

Veteran Bitch (6 entries, 1 absent)

The largest class of the day and was a joy to see mature bitches still in the ring strutting their stuff, showing the youngsters how it’s done.

1st Hempstead’s CH RIVERFOREST IRISH EIDER AT CUVANA SWGC 10 year old bitch. This girl seems very eager to please and she does, being very alert and in tune with her handler. A well build and muscled bitch, with a very strong neck and hind quarters. A well-proportioned feminine head, scissor bite, dark almond eyes, low set ears with long leathers. Straight topline that is maintained on the move as she covers the ground like she’s barely moving. Very much defying her age. RBCC 

2nd Murray’s IR SH CH, INT SH CH STANEGATE SPIRIT AN CH22 CW22 CENT CH 7 year old bitch. A well built girl. Well presented with dark very tight curls. Very feminine overall in head and body. An intelligent gaze from dark almond shape eyes, low set oval shaped leathers. She moved with ease maintaining her topline on the move. 

3rd Willoughby & William’s KANDRELLI SAND PARTRIDGE AT FOULBY

Puppy Bitch (0 entries)

Junior Bitch (3 entries, 1 absent)

1st Hempstead’s CUVANA GILLIFLOWER 14 month old bitch. An initially shy girl, but alas aloofness is in the breed standard and so doesn’t come too much of a surprise with a youngster. We did win her round in the end and hopefully in time her confidence will grow.

2nd Robert’s CURLYCO COSMIC GIRL (IMP FIN) 16 month old bitch. A very sweet natured looking girl. Currently shorter in high and a little long cast in body, but she is still young and has plenty of time to grow and mature nicely. Moved this grace, plenty of reach and drive. Coat lovely and dark. Head very feminine, correct eye, ears set low with plenty of leathers. I will keep a keen eye on this girl as I’m curious to see how she’ll develop in time.

Graduate Bitch (1 entry)

1st Barnes-Moss’ TULLAMORE DEW 1 & ½ year old bitch. Currently maturing as ribs are beginning to spring. She is developing well. A Well formed feminine head and sweet expression. Holds topline on the move, does have a tendency to roach a bit, an issue hopefully ironed out with practice.

Post Graduate Bitch (0 entries)

Limit Bitch (4 entries, 1 absent)

1st Stoddart’s CAMBRIDGCURL AILEEN FOX 3 & ½ year old bitch. Reading back my notes it literally says at the end ‘Loved her’. Nearly square in profile, a very well present girl. Well-muscled. Good assembly front and rear. Coat of profuse curls of amazing texture. Moved with reach, drive and purpose, simply demanding attention as she went round the ring, holding her topline and moving with correct tail carriage. BCC & BOB.

2nd Hardy’s CUBOGLACH TUFTED SKIPPER OF BABANODDRAIG 3 year old bitch. A well built and muscled girl, larger case that 1, yet still feminine. Well spring rib. Holds topline on the move, can move correctly but does have a tendency to pace at times. 

3rd Barnes-Moss’ TULLAMORE DEW

Open Bitch (3 entries, 1 absent)

1st Bradley’s SH CH STANEGATE STAGE DEBUT (AI) SHCEX 6 & ½ years old. At first glace I though this girl was a little on the tubby side but was pleased to find when putting my hands on her it was purely coat. Ribs very well sprung, a well-muscled assembly. Coat of deep profuse curls. Feminine classic head with correct scissor bite, dark almond eye, domed skull. Moved well, tail a little proud. But there is a lot to like about this girl.

2nd Murray’s IR SH CH DONNCARA PRECIOUS JEWELS AN CH 24 CJW25 CW25 JCH Just shy of 3 years old. A very honest bitch with absolutely nothing to hide. A coat of lovely dark ringlets. Extremely feminine overall. Well-developed forechest and front assembly. Strong neck, adequate spring of rib. Strong rear action could fulfil a day’s work with ease.

Helen McLaughlin (Tredinick)