German Wirehaired Pointer Club

German Wirehaired Pointer Club Championship Show 

My sincerest thanks to the committee for inviting me to officiate at your show and for the very thoughtful gift. I was awarding my first set of CCs in the breed today and was thrilled to be invited to do this at a club show! For me, judging a breed club show is an honour second only to judging at Crufts and to be invited as a ‘non-specialist’ is something I consider to be an even greater privilege. The ringside camaraderie today was really obvious. The free buffet provided by the committee was such a thoughtful gesture and made for a lovely ‘garden party’ atmosphere - even the high winds didn’t dampen your spirits!

I was really pleased with the quality and felt type was consistent throughout. In particular, I thought heads, toplines and rears in the main were some key strengths displayed by the majority of exhibits today. Temperaments were also excellent and the majority of exhibits were presented in hard, muscular condition.

There were 2 main observations that I consistently noted throughout the day. Firstly, I felt that fronts were a point to mention. Upright shoulders and a variable length/angle of upper arms seemed to be more in the majority today. The angle of the shoulder blade will dictate reach of neck and, as such, have a direct impact on head carriage both standing and in motion. The upper arm impacts the degree of forward reach and lift in the forelimbs that is produced. A short/steep upper arm will cause a high-stepping/hackney action and restricted forward reach. This would not be conducive to producing the long-striding action with low footlift that the standard requires. Naturally, correct neck and head carriage is crucial for a dog bred to air scent and carry (or tackle) game both on land and in the water. 

The second observation I noted was that there were several exhibits where I felt outer coats lacked the true harsh/wiry texture. For me, the coat texture is an essential breed prerequisite and it did become a significant deciding factor in my placings. The outer coat provides an additional layer of protection to help repel water, keep the dog warm when working in harsh conditions as well as protecting the body from damage when working through thick cover. 

These observations are purely my own opinion but I do hope they are taken in the way they are intended. Overall I was very pleased with the quality of my winners and would like to thank all of the exhibitors for your entries. You all made it a most enjoyable and memorable appointment!

BABY PUPPY

DOG (0,0)

BITCH (0,0)

MINOR PUPPY DOG (0,0)

PUPPY DOG (1,0)

Urvum Hero at Beanalrem (Imp Ita). 10 months old, this chap is very age appropriate but impressed greatly for breed type and balance of proportions being slightly longer than he is tall. His head is most typical, possessing correct proportions of muzzle & skull with clean flews. Enough width over backskull for age but he has lots of time for this to develop further. Shows a good reach of neck with excellent flow into his well laid shoulders and corresponding upper arm. Needs to develop through his middle with maturity but what he currently has is excellent for his age. He stands on well-boned limbs and compact feet. Firm in topline with correct slope to croup and tailset. His rear assembly is correct with width over his quarters, well bent stifles and already has a decent width of thigh. Coat texture is really good for one so young. Took his time to settle on the move but he did demonstrate a very smooth and ground-covering action with a typical head carriage. Not finished enough in body to go to the top today amongst the big boys but his type, quality and overall proportions secured him runner up. Must go all the way with a bit to spare once he fully matures! RCC & BPIS

JUNIOR DOG (1,0)

Caldewriver Kong Quest. At just 12 months old, I felt this chap was in a bit of an ‘inbetween stage’ but with lots of potential to develop further. Really liked his overall body shape and that he was absolutely medium-sized. Loved his head and eye with sufficient furnishings. Strong neck that flows into well laid shoulders but would prefer more return of upper arm. His middlepiece needs to still develop further but he has time on his side. Firm topline with correct croup and tail set. Excellent rear assembly with the required width, angulation and firm hocks. Pleasing coat texture. He seemed to enjoy making his handler work hard at times on the move but he eventually settled and showed sound and easy movement.

YEARLING DOG (1,0)

Woodybrook Guy. A bigger male overall that looks very much a teenager at present. Slightly off square in body proportions. Super strength and width through his head with correct eye shape and ample furnishings. Fair reach of neck into a slightly more moderate forehand assembly than preferred with straight well-boned limbs. Excellent spring of rib with brisket reaching to the elbow. Firm topline with width to his hindquarters that are in balance with his front. Coat is of fairly good texture. Needs to firm up both coming/going but displays a steady side gait. He has an excellent temperament, being very much on his toes and his handler gets the very best from him!

POST GRADUATE DOG (1,0)

Woodybrook Guy. See previous class.

LIMIT DOG (3,2)

Bareve Bronski Beat. Really liked this one for type and shape. He immediately impresses for his strong bone and wide quarters throughout. Loved his head which was correctly proportioned with width through the muzzle and skull while retaining clean flews. Enough reach of neck and decent forehand assembly. Super body with well sprung ribs, correct length of foreleg and strength through his topline and underline. Wide rear quarters with a good bend of stifle and firm hocks. Very good coat texture which was close fitting. While he is a very coordinated and sound mover, I just felt he needed to use himself a bit more to really show what he is capable of. A contender for top honours today.

OPEN DOG (7,0)

It was wonderful to have a class of 7 title holders to assess today. Thank you to everyone for bringing them, a most enjoyable challenge separating you all!

Sh Ch/Bel Ch. Glenquin The General. A real stallion of a dog! Caught my eye on the first look round the class for his overall balance and quality. Typical head with width and shape to backskull, strong muzzle with a big nose and clean lips. Strong neck that flows into an excellent forehand with straight, strongly boned limbs and compact oval feet. Excellent body depth to leg length proportions with well sprung ribs, strong topline and defined underline. His rear is wide with excellent length of bones, well bent stifles and strong hocks. To be critical, I would like his tail to be a fraction lower set - but you can’t have everything! In my opinion, one of the best coat textures of the day. On the move he made his presence firmly felt in such a competitive class. He put his construction to good use producing easy forward reach and powerful hindthrust while retaining his outline. Presented in hard condition. He is still relatively young but I’m unsurprised to see he has his title. I think there will be much more to look forward to as he continues to mature. A very comfortable CC & RBIS today!

Sh Ch. Caldewriver Cold As Ice. A different style of dog to 1 being a bit more medium sized but with lots of appeal and a worthy titleholder. Masculine head with correct eye shape and medium sized ear leathers. Decent neck that flows into a good forehand assembly with strongly boned limbs and compact feet. Good spring of rib and depth of brisket. I would just prefer him slightly longer in the body for ideal balance - but I am being critical! Well-made rear assembly with correct tail set. Dense coat of decent texture. Loved his carriage and panache on the go-round! Just preferred the overall body proportions of 1. 

Sh Ch. Kimmax Kiss Ma Blackside at Beechillawn. 

VETERAN DOG (1,1)

SPECIAL BEGINNERS DOG (1,1)

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (1,0)

Karlejay Gump Forrest Fire. Just 7 months old and very raw. Clean in outline with good overall balance of angulation. Prettiest of heads with correct eye colour and shape complimented by ample facial furnishings. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Needs to develop her middlepiece but she has plenty of time. Excellent topline with strongly made rear quarters. Liked her tailset and carriage. Coat is of good texture for age. Very together on the move showing accuracy both fore/aft with an easy side gait, maintaining her topline. Excellent temperament! RBPIS

PUPPY BITCH (0,0)

JUNIOR BITCH (1,0)

Caldewriver Tiger Lilly via Mustwork. Litter sister to my Junior dog winner of a similar stamp. Liked her strength in bone and overall size very much. Typical head and eye with a feminine expression. Correct forehand assembly with straight limbs and excellent feet. Well-bodied up for her age with a strong topline. Ample rear angulation with a correct tail set. OK coat texture. Made it hard work for her handler to show her off to best advantage on the move but, once settled, she produced precise fore/hind action and demonstrated the ability to cover the ground well from the side. A promising prospect once she gets her act together.

YEARLING BITCH (0,0)

POST GRADUATE BITCH (1,0)

Mustwork Maximum Affect. This one has strength and type in abundance! Loved her overall make and shape. Would prefer her head a touch more refined for a bitch but she possesses correct proportions and super eye shape & colour. Excellent flow of neck into shoulder but would prefer her slightly longer in upper arm. Excellent body with well sprung ribs, firm topline and strength through her loin. Plenty of width over her rear with an unexaggerated hind assembly. Excellent coat texture. On the move she catches the eye on the go-round displaying good carriage and balance overall. Not completely settled at times but did give her a second look today. I would like to see her as the finished article. 

LIMIT BITCH (2,1)

Kimmax Two Kan Play at Elagram (AI). Taller and more leg overall. Really liked the head on this one, very pretty with good proportions, an almost cheeky expression and medium sized ear leathers. Strong neck that flows into a well laid shoulder but would prefer better return of upper arm for ideal balance. Straight, well-boned limbs and neat feet. Good spring of rib with a strong topline. Plenty of power to her rear quarters with good bend of stifle and wide thighs. Goes round with a bit of style and is precise both going/coming. 

OPEN BITCH (4,0)

A really good class of bitches here. All quite different which meant serious consideration was needed to separate them.

Sh Ch/Bel Ch. Glenquin Athena. The complete package! She has type, quality and balance in spades. Medium-sized with strong bone, wrapped in an excellent wire coat and presented in ultra-hard condition. Loved her feminine head with correct eye colour, strong jaws and plenty of facial furnishings. Strong neck that seamlessly flows into a textbook forehand with well laid shoulders and corresponding upper arm. Straight limbs standing on compact, oval feet. Excellent body proportions with a deep brisket, well sprung ribs and firm topline. Her croup and tail set are spot on. Wide rear quarters with symmetrical hind angulation, wide thighs and firm hocks. On the move she is simply undeniable, every element of her construction is used to produce the most accurate, easy and long-striding action with a naturally high head carriage and tail being carried straight off her back. Her shape never once faltered on the move - even when shown on a loose lead. There is only one thing I would prefer… that she was mine! Delighted to be able to award her CC. When challenging for BIS, she continued to never put a foot wrong, only beating her son (who shares many of her qualities!) to the top spot and was also ultimately BVIS. 

Sh Ch. Kimmax Kindly Stand Back. From a slightly smaller mould compared to 1 but still being middle-size with great bone and substance. Like her overall balance and shape. Beautiful head and eye with plenty of facial furnishings, she possesses strong jaws, clean lips and slight rounding over her skull. Strong neck that also flows into well laid shoulders with good return of upper arm. Deep in brisket with straight limbs and compact feet. Excellent flow of topline from her withers to the end of her croup. Correct tail set and carriage on the move. Strong hindquarters with the required breadth, angulations and firmness in hock. Liked her coat density and texture very much. Not quite the panache on the move of 1. However, she still goes on an even, steady stride that covers plenty of ground while being precise going/coming. Presented in hard condition, RCC.

Sh Ch. Caldewriver Storm N’Teacup for Katillien JW. 

VETERAN BITCH (4,1)

A lovely class of ‘young’ ladies! Well done to their owners for keeping them in such excellent condition.

Ir Sh Ch. Kimmax Who Kares Wins JW. I have judged this one previously and was so pleased to see her return today in such fine form! Like her for type with strong, proportionate bone. Feminine head of correct proportions with ample breadth to muzzle and skull with dark eyes. Excellent balance for fore/rear angulations with plenty of breadth over her quarters and firm hocks. On the move she was precise going/coming and covered the ground with efficiency in profile. Her coat is close fitting and she maintained the best topline in the class. 

Sh Ch/Bel Ch. Canis Fortuna Harda. Quite different in style to 1 but with lots of appeal. Very correct in her overall make and shape. Excellent head and eye with a strong neck. Not quite as clean over the shoulders or firm in topline as 1 today. Plenty of depth to her brisket with a well-toned underline. Wide quarters with decent bend of stifle and firm hocks. Quite the showgirl still on the move displaying a very balanced side gait. Very good coat texture. 

Sh Ch. Karlejay Gump Circle Of Life.

SPECIAL BEGINNERS BITCH (1,1)

FIELD TRIAL DOG/BITCH (0,0)

SPECIAL WORKING DOG/BITCH (0,0)

BRED BY EXHIBITOR DOG/BITCH (1,0)

Glenquin Enyo. Litter sister to my BIS winner and comes from the same mould. Liked her very much for type and shape. Feminine head and eye with strong jaws and a big nose. Reachy neck into a fair forehand assembly with well-boned limbs and correct feet. Good spring of rib with a strong topline and underline. Well angulated hindquarters but would prefer more width over her rear, particularly when moving away. Very typical deportment and carriage viewed from the side. Presented in excellent coat and condition. 

Judge: James Newton (Patamoke)