West Of England Ladies Kennel Society

WELKS 25/04/2026

It was both a privilege and a genuine pleasure to be invited to judge this championship show. I was privileged to go over so many quality dogs, and I would like to thank the owners and exhibitors for entering and affording me such pleasing line-ups in both dogs and bitches. It was particularly satisfying to see so many moderate Labradors, true to type, with calm temperaments and displaying the breed's hallmark features.

However, I was advised partway through the day to speed up the judging in order to meet a 3:30pm deadline, which meant that, as I concluded the dog classes and moved into the bitches, there was increased pressure to hurry. I believe it is important for societies to make such expectations clear in advance, so that every exhibit receives the same careful consideration. Exhibitors invest a great deal of time and money in this hobby, and they deserve a judge who approaches every entry with thoroughness and respect, rather than feeling rushed.

DCC Alkhamhurst Prime Shot (Mrs M A Woodley)

RDCC Llanstinan Roman Reigns (Mrs L Miles)

BCC Crammondkirk Oh My JW (Miss L A Lewis)

RBCC Manorwell Mustang Sally (AI) (Mrs E Grummitt)

BOB Alkhamhurst Prime Shot (Mrs M A Woodley)

BP Clearseasons Lady Bronte Into Timouron (Mrs C & Mr D Allen)

BV Sh Ch Shanorrell Black Sabbath at Halshimoor (Mr & Mrs M J, Miss L & Mr & Mrs D P Rawlinson & Balshaw)

Veteran Dog (3-1)

1. Sh Ch Shanorrell Black Sabbath at Halshimoor (Mr & Mrs M J, Miss L & Mr & Mrs D P Rawlinson & Balshaw) – Black dog. Masculine head with kind expression; correct eye colour and well-set ears. Strong, clean neck leading smoothly into well-laid shoulders and straight front legs with tight feet. Well-developed front and chest, level topline. Tail well set and carried with correct knit. Slightly long in loin for leg length. Well angulated rear. Blowing coat but with a nice, harsh texture. Moved really well, showing balance and drive.

2. Warringah’s The Bluff JW SGWC (Mr D Coode) – Black dog. Stronger head, pleasing eye colour, well-set ears. Strong neck into a heavier front with good bone and feet. Good depth of chest. Shorter in leg length with a level topline. Excellent tail set and carriage, good knit. Short coupled. Good rear angulation. Coat blowing but of good texture. Moved well.

Minor Puppy Dog (5-0)

1. Glenn von Britho (Mrs K Becker) – Yellow dog, six months old, raw and with plenty of scope to grow. Balanced, sweet head with soft expression, hazel eyes, and ears well set. Good reach of neck into well-laid shoulders, straight front legs and tight feet. Proportionate front and chest for age, level topline. Tail well set and carried, presenting a good knit. Short in loin, rear angulation developing. Promising overall structure. Good quality puppy coat. Moved very well for age, showing confidence and balance.

2. Llanstinan Jeeves at Sheenaron (Mrs R M Phillips) – Black dog, presenting a pleasing head with a gentle, kind expression. His neck is of good length, flowing smoothly into well-laid shoulders, straight front legs, and tidy feet. Chest is well developed for his age, and although slightly bum-high today, his topline remains level when settled. Tail is well set and carried, with a neat knit. Loin of correct length, and good rear angulation. The harsh coat, though blowing, was of excellent texture. Moved well, though not quite as fluid as the winner.

3. Warringah Timouron Gundagai (Mr D Coode)

Puppy Dog (7-2)

1. A Sense of Pleasure’s Hey Jude for Balladoole (Imp Deu) (Miss K Druggan) – Yellow, exhibiting excellent overall balance. Lovely, sweet, gentle expression with plenty of room to mature - correct eye colour. Good reach of neck, with an excellent topline and tail flowing nicely off it. Good front and rear angulations. Moved well.

2. Bruxinho Ginkgo Biloba (Mrs K, Mrs A & Mrs L Gordon-Smith, Bibby & Gordon-Smith) – Yellow, very appealing head with excellent expression and eye colour. Lovely reach of neck, good topline, tail well set. Very out of coat. Moved well.

3. Llanstinan Jeeves at Sheenaron (Mrs R M Phillips)

Junior Dog (5-0)

1. Dylsonleigh Oberon over Balladoole (Miss K Druggan) – Yellow dog with a broad mature head at the upper limit for length of muzzle ratio for my liking. Good eye colour and soft expression. Lovely reach of neck, good topline, correct tail. Would have liked longer leg length for the chest depth. Blowing his coat on the day. Moved effortlessly. 

2. Oakhouse One Night Stand (Mrs M Litherland) – Chocolate of good size with a head still to mature. Lovely front and rear angulations, excellent coat, deep chest and correct bone. Good topline. Excellent front movement but lost to #1 on rear movement.

3. Streamanda Winterfell with Jancet (Mrs E A Peggs)

Yearling Dog (5-0)

1. Lakemeadow Gilbert’s Gift (Miss J E Bold) – Black dog who struggles to stand to his full advantage but, once in position, presents a clean outline with a good masculine head, not overdone. Nice reach of neck, good topline, tail could have a better knit. Excellent front and rear angulations. Moved with power and smoothness.

2. Naiken Island Hopping (AI) JW (Mr & Mrs A R V & Miss R Hodge) – Chocolate, presenting out of coat but showing all one wants. Lovely masculine head, not overdone, with excellent proportions and well-set ears. Excellent front and rear angulations, good topline and tail carriage and knit. Moved with a lovely, controlled, powerful drive.

3. Mambrinos Dylan (Mrs K Becker)

Novice Dog (5-0)

1. Naiken Indiana Jones (AI) (Mrs A A & Mr P J Wyatt) – Dark chocolate dog of pleasing type, with a balanced outline and masculine, pleasant head. Eyes are kindly set, ears well placed, and the neck flows into well-laid shoulders and a well-angulated front. Good bone and tidy feet support a deep chest. Level topline maintained throughout, with good tail set and carried correctly. The coat has a good, harsh texture. I would prefer slightly more leg length to better complement his depth of chest. Moved well, showing ease and soundness.

2. Bruxinho Ginkgo Biloba (Mrs K & Mrs A & Mrs L Gordon-Smith & Bibby & Gordon-Smith) - 2nd in puppy

3. Warringah Timouron Gundagai (Mr D Coode)

Graduate Dog

Entries: (6-0)

1. Leospring Extra Special (Mrs J Venturi Rose) - Chocolate dog of moderate size, very pleasing to the eye and presented in perfect weight and athletic condition. He possesses a lovely masculine head of good proportion, enhanced by kind eyes of a good colour and well-set ears, giving a balanced and gentle expression. The neck is of good length, flowing into well-laid shoulders and a strong, well-angulated front with good bone and neat, compact feet. The chest is well-developed, supporting a level topline that is maintained both standing and on the move. His tail is well set and carried correctly, with a neat knit, and the coat is of correct, harsh texture. Moved with purpose and drive, showing true soundness throughout.

2. Potterzuri Mystic Zain (E & E Young) Black dog of a stronger type and heavier weight, displaying a calm and composed demeanour. He has a pleasing reach of neck, leading into a solid topline and a heavier front than the winner. His head is balanced, with a gentle expression and correct eye colour. Front and rear angulations are good, and he stands on strong bone with tidy feet. Topline is level, and the tail is well set, though carried with a little more brush. Coat is harsh and of good quality. Moved steadily, demonstrating soundness.

3. Oakhouse Orangutan (Mrs M Litherland)

Post Graduate Dog (5-0)

1. Potterspiney Optimist Vision (Mrs E Young) – Yellow dog of moderate size, presenting a pleasing, well-balanced outline with a perfect weight. His masculine head is complemented by a soft expression, correctly set ears, and good eye colour. The neck is of good length, flowing cleanly into well-laid shoulders and a good front with strong bone and tidy feet. Chest is well developed and in proportion to his frame, supporting a level topline maintained both standing and on the move. Tail flows neatly from the topline with excellent knit and carriage. Coat is of good texture. Excellent angulation front and rear. Moved athletically, covering the ground soundly.

2. Flyenpyg Jurgen Chopp JW (C M Smith) – Black dog with a pleasing head and expression, though I would prefer less droop to the lips. Good reach of neck leading into a deep body and legs could have a touch more length for better balance. Topline is level and tail well set, though slightly feathery. Good rear angulation. Coat is of good quality. Moved very well.

3. Lembas Brooklyn at Mibridge (Mrs B S Jeffery)

Mid Limit Dog (6-0)

1. Shanorrell Seamus Coleman at Halshimoor JW (Mr & Mrs M J, Miss L & Mr & Mrs D P Rawlinson & Balshaw) – Black dog showing clear signs he’s about to blow his coat, with deep chocolate undertones. Displays a lovely, masculine head with a gentle, kind expression and excellent reach of neck flowing into well-laid shoulders. Strong front angulation, correct bone and tight feet. Chest is well developed, topline level, tail set and knit excellent. Coat harsh and of good quality. Moved really well with drive and purpose.

2. Trendlewood Long Time Comin at Pudleigh JW (Mr H J & Mrs I J Evans) – Yellow dog with a pleasing head and expression, showing scope and a lovely ratio of leg length to depth of body. Bone and angulation are excellent throughout. Topline is strong, tail well set and knit. Moved well, demonstrating soundness.

3. Potterspiney Aramis JW (Mrs E Young) 

Limit Dog (8-0)

1. Alkhamhurst Prime Shot (Mrs M A Woodley) – Lovely black dog of excellent stamp, shown in perfect condition. A lovely typical Labrador head with a soft, intelligent expression. Eyes are of correct shape and colour. Correct reach of neck flowing into excellent front angulation and a deep chest. Good bone, leg length, and tight feet. Topline is strong, level and flows seamlessly into a well-set tail with good knit. Harsh coat of quality. Moved with drive and purpose. Delighted to award him the CC and further delighted to find out that he was a fully mature male with no risk of going over the top.

2. Llanstinan Roman Reigns (Mrs L Miles) – Chocolate dog of appealing type with a soft, masculine head and gentle expression. Pleasing reach of neck, good front construction and angulation, topline strong and level. Tail set well off a short-coupled body. Moved well, using his frame efficiently. This dog was a strong contender, and it was a pleasure to award him the RCC.

3. Rumhill Bertie Wooster by Baileydale JW (Mr A & Mrs J Metcalfe)

Open Dog (4-0)

1. Sh Ch Original Soundtrack del Trango for Brupurhat (Mr B J Brackner) – Darker yellow dog with a lovely outline and an engaging, gentle expression. Attentive and alert, with a good reach of neck and excellent front assembly leading into good bone and tight feet. Topline is strong, flowing into a well-knit tail. Rear angulation is good. Moved in harmony and with drive, presenting a complete Labrador picture.

2. Swiss Ch Miles from Nowhere Heavy-Duty (Mrs K Becker) – Black dog of substantial scope, with a lovely head and good reach of neck. Chest is very deep, though legs are shorter than ideal for overall balance. Excellent topline, correct tail set though carried slightly proud on the move. Moved well, displaying soundness and presence.

3. Carromer Teguila by Keeninspires (Mrs S Perkins)

Veteran Bitch (7-3)

1. Llanstinan Lisette (Mrs N Miles-Bevan) – Chocolate bitch in lovely, harsh condition, presenting a feminine, well-proportioned head with a kind expression, correct eye colour, and well-set ears. Good reach of neck flowing

 smoothly into well-laid shoulders and straight front legs, with strong bone and neat feet. Chest is well developed, topline level, tail well set and knit, carried correctly. Rear angulation is good. Moved well with drive and soundness.

2. Sh Ch Abbeystead Psion of Haselorhill (Mrs S L Minchella) – Black bitch of lovely balance and scope, though carrying a little more weight than ideal for my preference. Presents a well-proportioned outline, with an excellent reach of neck and a deep chest in good ratio to her leg length. Feminine head, though I would prefer a touch more stop and a more typical eye shape. Topline is excellent, tail well set and carried with a good knit. Rear angulation is correct. Moved well.

3. Potterspiney Mystic Zuri (Mrs E Young) 

Minor Puppy Bitch (10-2)

1. Clearseasons Lady Bronte Into Timouron (Mrs C & Mr D Allen) – Lovely chocolate puppy with an excellent feminine head, calm focus, and good eye colour. Reach of neck is excellent, leading into well-laid shoulders and correct front angulation. Topline is level, tail well set and knit, coat of good texture, and rear angulation developing nicely. Moved well for age, showing promise.

2. Trendlewood Only Yesterday (Mr D L & Mrs F E M Braddon) – Yellow puppy, more babyish than #1 but with a lovely sweet head and expression. Slightly shorter in leg at this stage but well balanced. Coat is of good texture, tail well set. Correct front and good rear angulations. Moved well.

3. Rochevale Primrose of Lonicerium (Mr D A W & Mrs T J Falshaw)

Puppy Bitch (6-1)

1. Crammondkirk Made You Look (Miss L A Lewis) – Lovely chocolate bitch with a clean outline, initially a little uncertain but gained confidence as the class progressed. Feminine head, good bone and neat feet. Excellent reach of neck, level topline, tail well set, good front and rear angulation. Deep body for leg length at this stage, but still some growing to go. Moved very well.

2. Rochevale Primrose of Lonicerium (Mr D A W & Mrs T J Falshaw) – Lovely little yellow bitch, out of coat but very feminine throughout. Appealing feminine head and expression with a nice reach of neck, good front angulation flowing into a level topline, tail well set and knit. Nice rear angulations. Moved well, showing sound action.

3. Llanstinan Scarlett Sammie at Bowsian (Mrs S H Evans)

Junior Bitch (10-4)

1. Frewlings Dairy Maid at Bearstone (Mrs A J Edwards) – Black bitch, classic and unexaggerated. Feminine head and gentle expression, excellent coat, and good reach of neck. Balanced depth to leg ratio, excellent topline, tail well knit and carried. Good angulations allowing her to move with soundness and purpose, a true Labrador throughout.

2. Rocheby Highland Fling at Glosmere (Mrs M J & Miss N Hutchinson) – Black bitch of stronger build, well put together with a deep chest for leg length. Coat on the soft side. Moved well and showed well, presenting a pleasing overall picture.

3. Baldevs Keep Sake (Miss D Long)

Yearling Bitch (10-1)

1. Manorwell Mustang Sally (AI) (Mrs E Grummitt) – Black bitch with a lovely head, correct eye colour and gentle melting expression with ears well set. Nice reach of neck with well set shoulders flowing into a strong level top line. Tail well set and carried. Good bone and front and rear angulations, slightly shorter in leg for the depth of body but presents a lovely outline. Shown in excellent harsh coat. Moved with drive and soundness. A well deserving RCC winner.

2. Naiken Inspiral (ai) JW (Mr & Mrs A R V & Miss R Hodge) – Chocolate bitch of similar quality to the winner, head a little stronger for my taste. Balanced throughout, in good coat and condition. Moved well, showing soundness and drive.

3. Shaymiloney Saucy Olive JW (Mrs H J A Brambles)

Novice Bitch (13-2)

1. Crammondkirk’s Oh So Sassy (Miss L A Lewis) – Small black bitch, pleasing to the eye with a clean outline. Pretty head and expression, excellent reach of neck, good bone, coat, topline, tail set and knit, and well-angled both front and rear. Moved very well, covering the ground efficiently.

2. Manorwell Sweet Caroline (AI) (Mrs E & Ms A Grummitt & Dempsey) - Black bitch with more scope than the winner, presenting a lovely head and well-made front. Rear angulation is good, and her topline is maintained, with a tail that is well set though slightly feathery. She moved well, holding her outline as she covered the ground. I would, however, prefer a little more bone and leg length to better balance the depth of her chest. Later found out she was a litter sister to the RCC.

3. Keydella Kerfuffle (Mrs I M Key)

Graduate Bitch (13-2)

1. Manorwell Sweet Caroline (ai) (Mrs E & Ms A Grummitt & Dempsey) Second in Notice bitch.

2. Balladoole Black Lace (Miss K Druggan) – Black bitch of smaller size than the winner, with a feminine head and good expression. Correct front angulation, coarse coat, nice reach of neck, good bone and flow. Moved well.

3. Potterspiney Ahsoka Tano (Mrs E Young)

Post Graduate Bitch (6-0)

1. Overmarsh Seventh Hour JW (Mrs W Manning) – Yellow bitch with a pleasing outline and everything in proportion. Lovely head and expression, good front and rear angulation, tail well set, and correct coat texture. Moved well, showing balance and soundness.

2. Lembas Tiana at Serenjar (Mrs F H Jones) – Black bitch with a pleasing head and reach of neck. Could benefit from more leg length and bone to balance her front. Good topline, tail set and carriage, correct front angulation with good rear angulation. Moved well.

3. Kinchyle Bedazzled (Mrs L Park)

Mid Limit Bitch (5-2)

1. Halshimoor Perfect Pitch at Shanorrell (Mr & Mrs M J, Miss L & Mr & Mrs D P Rawlinson & Balshaw) – Lovely yellow bitch in hard, fit condition. Feminine head, excellent reach of neck, good balance throughout. Good bone, excellent angulation front and rear. Moved with drive and purpose. She was another strong contender for top honours.

2. Potterzuri Wanda Vision at Potterspiney JW (Mrs E Young) Yellow bitch of heavier type, with some loose skin evident. Presents a pleasing head and expression, good front angulation, and a topline that holds well on the move. Rear angulation is somewhat exaggerated. Tail is well set and knit. Although there was noticeable skin rolling as she moved, she nonetheless covered the ground well.

3. Rochevale Gypsy at Sheenaron JW (Mrs R M Phillips)

Limit Bitch (6-3)

1. Crammondkirk Oh My JW (Miss L A Lewis) – A lovely black bitch, eye-catching yet discreet, being the perfect description of a Labrador. Presenting with a feminine head and expression, and good eye colour. Good depth of chest and angulation; legs a touch short for perfect balance; excellent strong topline; tail well-knit and rear angulation strong. Moved very well, using the ground to her advantage. A worthy CC winner. It was nice to see I had already given her top honours (BIS) when in junior classes in 2022.

2. Lonicerium Black Pearl (Mr D A W & Mrs T J Falshaw) – Black bitch of pleasing outline, with a nice head and expression. Good reach of neck, strong topline, tail well set with slight feathering, and good rear angulation. Moved well.

3. Harpitts Sugar and Spice at Henissy (Miss C Farrar)

Open Bitch (3-0)

1. Sh Ch Nancy’s Special Treasure (Mrs P M Bradley) – Black bitch on the stronger side, presenting a clean outline and in good harsh coat. Good angulation front and rear, strong topline, tail well set and knit. Moved with drive and purpose.

2. Ch Warringah’s Pippingarra JW SGWC (Mr D Coode) – Yellow bitch of more moderate type, with a lovely head and expression. Good reach of neck, deep chest, could use a little more leg length for balance. Topline strong, tail and knit correct, rear angulation good. Moved very well, showing soundness.

3. Mikmaqlabs Heart’s Desire (Mrs F King)

Kira Leith-Ross