Leeds City & District Canine Association

RETRIEVER (GOLDEN) MALES  

Judge: Mrs Margaret Brown

JUDGE'S CRITIQUE

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Leeds Championship Show for inviting me to judge the Golden Retriever males.

Thank you to all the exhibitors for presenting such lovely dogs. I was impressed by the high quality of the entry and am grateful for the sportsmanship with which everyone accepted my decisions.

Golden Retrievers are renowned for their wonderful temperament, a quality mirrored by their owners. I felt genuinely welcomed and appreciated the warmth and kindness shown throughout the day. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

My thanks go to the experienced stewards, whose efficiency and support ensured the day ran smoothly. Also to my co-judge, Mrs Linda Best, and to the referee, Tim Mather. 

I was looking for a well-balanced dog, exhibiting correct proportions between legs and body. Key breed qualities—appearance, temperament, and behaviour—were essential. I placed particular emphasis on strong, fluid movement with an effortless stride around the ring. The distinctive Golden Retriever head, marked by a kind and intelligent expression, was a priority. As was a good, dense, water-resistant undercoat. I tried my best to place dogs that embodied the Golden Retriever breed's wonderful character.

BEST OF BREED: LAW, Mrs Elizabeth Sh Ch Sandti Back Of The Net

Dog CC: LAW, Mrs Elizabeth Sh Ch Sandti Back Of The Net

Res Dog CC: MCGUGAN, Messrs J & D & K Westlow The Legend Of Fingal To Invergoil Culzean

Bitch CC: MACDONALD, Mrs Jennifer Sh Ch Flyngalee Teppum

Res Bitch CC: ROBBINS, Mrs Deborah & ROWARK, Mrs Pat Brekswood Honey Bee Jw

Best Puppy: NELSON, Mrs V Cadwst Eternal Ember

Best Veteran: MACDONALD, Mrs Jennifer Sh Ch Flyngalee Teppum

Best Special Beginners: LOWTHER, Mrs Nicola & LOWTHER, Mr Ian Vera's Mystery At Evenmint

Class 249 SBD (9 Entries) Abs: 3

1st: MOORE, Miss Sarah Tenfield Klipspringer With Auryngra Sgwc Wgc

This dog is well balanced overall. He has a masculine head and a kind, expressive eye. His eye is of good colour, and his head is well balanced with a defined stop to occiput. He has well-laid shoulders and a firm topline, and is strong throughout without being coarse or overdone. His good bone extends through the pasterns to cat-like feet. He has a well-sprung, deep rib and good angulation in the quarters. He moves with a free, easy stride.

2nd: MEARS, Mr Nigel Ambersun Winter Storm. Jw

I really like this dog for his type and lovely masculine head. He is well-angulated front and rear, has the correct bone and substance for his size and frame, is short-coupled with a good depth of forechest, and carries a strong, clean neck; he occasionally drops his topline when he relaxes but moves out and back soundly.

​3rd: EVANS, Mrs Katrina Rathcloon Boom N Bangin

Res: CARLTON, Miss Louise Thistlegate Sonoma Moon

VHC: KEAY, Mrs Helen Castlegolden Classy Laddy

Class 250 MPD (10 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: ENGLAND, Mrs Sally Jane Amilone Ring Of Fire

​Such a little sweetie, just the right size and development for his age. He has a lovely, kind expression and met my gaze directly when I looked at him. He has a well-proportioned head with good pigmentation and will hopefully keep that balance between the forehead and the skull as he matures. His neck is well proportioned, and his front shows a good layback of shoulder. He has the correct bone and substance for his age, with close-fitting elbows and neat feet. He maintained his topline while moving around the ring and was sound going out and back. His handler let him show himself naturally without asking too much. There is a lot for him to learn about the ring, but he just stole my heart.

2nd: WRIGHT, Mrs Chatarina Ingrid Lena Marie & WRIGHT, Jomiagan Keep On Showing

This puppy is well-grown and has a lovely outline, both when standing and when moving. He has a balanced head, with kind, expressive dark brown eyes and good pigmentation. His neck is strong, with well-placed shoulders and a good return of upper arm. His topline is level, and his tail is well set and carried correctly on the move. He has a good second thigh and well-bent stifles. Excellent feet and pasterns, with good bone and length of leg-to-body proportions. He has excellent movement and covered the ring with a sound, easy stride. He is straight and true in front and rear. The more I watched him in later classes, the more I liked him.

3rd: EVANS, Mr Mark & EVANS, Mrs Marilyn Mardargold Trick Or Treat

Res: FOREMAN, Mr & Mrs Gary & Teresa Ambersun Another Adventure (ai)

VHC: PATERSON, Miss Irene Purple Amethyst Hogmanay At Trabboch

​Class 251 PD (7 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WRIGHT, Mrs Chatarina Ingrid Lena Marie & WRIGHT, Jomiagan Keep On Showing

​2nd: MORSS, Mrs Heather & MONTEVERDE, Mr Giovanni Olvinglay Polari (imp. Ita)

What a striking pale dog this is. I liked his size, overall conformation, leg length, and symmetrical, balanced outline. His masculine head, well developed for his age, shows no hint of coarseness. He carries a level topline and has good chest depth and spring of rib. His presentation was faultless. Observed from the side, he demonstrated smooth and confident movement around the ring. I strongly considered him my winner; however, on the day, I preferred the out-and-back movement of the first dog. It is possible that the uneven ground affected the outcome.

3rd: BELL, Mrs Fiona Hoaaloha Sandpiper

Res: LOACH, Miss S A & ZUBAIR, Mrs SM Berrymeade Merlot

VHC: FOREMAN, Mr & Mrs Gary & Teresa Ambersun Another Adventure (ai)

​Class 252 JD (5 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: GERHOLD, Mrs Joanne Navilis Shchedryk (imp. Ukr) JW

This dog had the most beautiful of heads. His skull is broad and well chiselled, with good balance between foreface, stop and occiput. He has a clean, muscular neck of good length, and his front legs are straight and placed correctly under the body. He has lovely overall balance; his shoulders are well laid back, and he has round, neat feet and strong pasterns. He is short, coupled with a strong and muscular loin, a well-sprung rib, an excellent topline, and well-bent stifles. Hocks well let down—a sound mover.

2nd: JACKSON-HAINES, Mrs J & JACKSON-HAINES, Mr G Leighsham Sweeney Todd

This eye-catching dog has a masculine head of balanced proportions, a kind, expressive eye, and correctly set ears. He has a well-laid-back shoulder and a clean, strong neck. His quarters are well developed, with well-turned stifles and well-let-down hocks. He is longer in the loin than my winner, and his movement may have been affected by the uneven ground; I preferred the winner's out-and-back movement.

​3rd: CARLTON, Miss Louise Thistlegate Sonoma Moon

Class 253 YD (6 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BIRKIN-GREEN, Mrs Sandra & GRIPTON, Mrs Hazel Sh Ch Louellabrook Atlantic Star With Sansue JW

A lovely pale dog who stands out for construction and presentation. He is particularly impressive in profile, and his handler shows him to advantage with minimal fuss. His head is beautiful, masculine, well-chiselled with good length and depth of muzzle, and kind, expressive eyes. I particularly liked his leg-to-body proportions; he is so well balanced, with well-laid-back shoulders, a clean neck, and a strong topline. He moved positively and without exaggeration, with a good long stride and drive from behind. Lovely dog of quality.

2nd: DAVIS, Mrs L Lynste Dream Boy JW (ai)

This is another quality dog, very eye-catching in presentation, with a mid-gold coat. He has a well-balanced head, a broad skull with no coarseness, a well-defined stop, and a kind, confident expression. His leg-to-body proportions are correct, and he has a strong, clean, muscular neck, well-sprung ribs, and close-fitting elbows. He maintains a level topline, has a good second thigh and well-bent stifle, and carries his tail coupled with a strong and muscular loin, well-sprung ribs, an excellent topline, and well-bent stifles. Hocks well let down—sound mover.

3rd: MCCORMACK, Miss S Flyngalee Topsy Turvy JW

Res: MEARS, Mr Nigel Ambersun Winter Storm. JW.

VHC: SMITH, Mrs Louise & SMITH, Mr Trevor Goldmarker Alderbaran

​Class 254 ND (7 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WRIGHT, Mrs Chatarina Ingrid Lena Marie & WRIGHT, Jomiagan Keep On Showing

2nd: BELL, Mrs Fiona Hoaaloha Sandpiper

He won his place here on his overall balance. He has a lovely, well-proportioned head with a kind expression and dark brown eyes, excellent pigmentation, and a strong neck. He is well constructed, with a balanced outline, good width and depth of chest, and a well-set tail that is carried correctly on the move. Although he occasionally lost his topline while moving, he remained sound coming and going.

​3rd: FOREMAN, Mr & Mrs Gary & Teresa Ambersun Another Adventure (ai)

Res: PATERSON, Miss Irene Purple Amethyst Hogmanay At Trabboch

VHC: WALLINGTON, Mr Des Ambersun Christmas Cracker

​Class 255 GD (11 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WRIGHT, Mrs Chatarina Ingrid Lena Marie & WRIGHT, Palton Platino

This dog has lovely overall balance, with a well-proportioned head, an intelligent expression, and a clearly defined stop-to-occiput. His muzzle has good length and depth. He scores in neck and shoulder placement, with legs correctly positioned beneath the body. He is deep through the chest with well-sprung ribs, strong muscular legs, well-turned stifles, and powerful quarters. His movement is sound and stylish, presenting an impressive profile. He was shown in excellent condition, and his well-carried tail complemented his movement.

2nd: MCGEOCH, Mrs Anne Louise Ambersun Glaswegin At Nedlezah

A dog with lots to like about him: a lovely, typical golden head, balanced and well-chiselled; and kind, expressive eyes. Pigmentation is good, and the ears are correctly set. The neck is strong and clean, with an excellent front and well-placed shoulders. The ribs are deep and well sprung. His rear is well angulated, with strong, well-muscled quarters and a well-set tail. He moved straight and true in front and rear and continued around the ring with a long free stride.

​3rd: MOORE, Miss Sarah Purbarn Friends Together With Auryngra

Res: KNIGHT, Mr John & COOKE, Miss Marilyn Haydengold Backchat JW

VHC: MIDDLETON-COLLINS, Mrs Rebecca & MIDDLETON-COLLINS Berrymeade Dream On With Jasperleigh Jw Sgwc

​Class 256 PGD (10 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: WRIGHT, Mrs Chatarina Ingrid Lena Marie & WRIGHT, Palton Platino

2nd: SMITH, Mrs Nicola Rocamoka Harbour Light

Paler gold coat on this boy, well put together, with a kind, masculine, expressive head. However, I preferred the head of the winner; he has ample length of rib and good shoulder angulation to allow him to move out freely in front, is strong over the neck and topline, and has good bone and substance for his size and frame, he has correctly shaped feet but a little soft in pastern, moved out and back well, and held his topline on the move around the ring.

3rd: VERNON, Mrs D J & VERNON, Mr Mark Graceleigh Legend Of Tarzan

Res: PRATT, Miss T Rosyth Keltic Lord JW

VHC: MACLEOD, Miss Fiona Bluebraes Bidey In At Rocamar

​Class 257 MdLD (8 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: MCGUGAN, Messrs J & D & K Westlow The Legend Of Fingal To Invergoil Culzean

This is a beautiful dog of excellent type. He has a balanced outline and strong overall construction. He has a masculine, well-chiselled head; such a kind expression. I really liked the way he looked at me, with good length and depth of muzzle and another with first-class leg-to-body proportions. He has lovely bone and substance, with strong pasterns, neat, round compact feet, and well-arched toes. He is strong through the neck, with a good layback of shoulder, an excellent topline, a correct, dense undercoat, and a well-carried tail. On the move, he covered the ground with an easy, stylish stride. His lovely breed type and movement won him the class, and he gave my CC winner strong competition. This dog will surely gain his title.

2nd: MCDONALD, Miss M Lamancha Time Traveller JW

​I have watched this dog grow from a raw puppy into a lovely adult just reaching his prime. This dark gold was presented in excellent condition. His coat and overall fitness reflect his owner's care. He has a handsome, masculine head with dark brown eyes that convey intelligence and confidence, and his outline is well-balanced. He has a clean, muscular neck of good length. His shoulders are well set back with a long blade, and his ribs are deep and well sprung. He is strong and muscular in quarters with a good second thigh and well-bent stifles. Lovely cat-like feet, strong pasterns and well-let-down hocks. He moved confidently around the ring, and his handler presented him impeccably.

​3rd: ENGLAND, Mrs Sally Jane Brekswood Gentleman Jack JW

Res: LIGGINS, Miss Jodie & HODGES, Mr Simon Silver Passion Glam Fashion At Nunsbrook Jw (Imp G

VHC: MCALEESE, Mrs Anne & MCALEESE, Mr John Sheriffmuir Glorious Lad At Glormhorcu

​Class 258 LD (10 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: HOLMES, Ms J Ashbyglen Excalibur JW

I was impressed with this mid-gold dog on my first look around the ring. He has undeniable quality and combines strength and masculinity without being overdone. He is well-balanced, with a lovely head of correct proportion, kind, expressive dark brown eyes, and very good pigmentation. His neck and topline are excellent, and he has good bone. His shoulders are well laid back and long in blade. His legs are set well under his body, with elbows close-fitting. He is short-coupled with well-sprung ribs and was shown in first-class condition. He stands on excellent legs and feet, with well-arched toes and well-developed pads. When moving, he holds himself well and looks especially good in profile. He moves with a sound, free, and easy stride. He is strong over the quarters with a good second thigh. Excellent dense undercoat. I liked his size and the length of his legs. He is a lovely dog who won 2nd in the next class, where he was unlucky to meet the winner.

2nd: MORRISS-GARGET, Mrs Freda & MORRISS, Mr Patrick Goldmarker Coming Home To Garvin (ai) JW

This is another quality dog with a beautiful, rich, dense gold coat. His head shows a lovely balance between the skull and foreface, and he has a strong jaw. He also has a kind expression and an intelligent, confident look. He is well built, with excellent shoulder placement and good balance between his legs and body length. His bone and feet are strong, though I preferred the pasterns of my winner. While I would have liked him to carry a little less weight, he moved around the ring with good reach and drive, from his strong quarters

3rd: MCALEESE Mrs Anne & MCALEESE, Mr John Toseland Rolls Royce

Res: WALLIS, Mrs Katrina & WALLIS, Mr Adrian Lamancha Roll On Good Times

VHC: WARDEN, Mrs A R Holinbrae Zoom Time At Glentochty

​Class 259 OD (8 Entries) Abs: 0 This was a lovely class of quality dogs. My winner was close to my interpretation of the breed standard.

​1st: LAW, Mrs Elizabeth Sh Ch Sandti Back Of The Net

I love this dog for his sheer lack of exaggeration; he is so well-balanced and has a natural stance that never needs correcting. He has that look of quality, both standing and on the move. He has good bone and substance throughout. He has the ideal balance between leg and body. He was presented in excellent muscular condition, and his coat and overall appearance indicated a very fit and healthy dog. Lovely head of correct proportion with an alert expression and that soft and gentle eye synonymous with this lovely breed. He has a clean, well-proportioned neck of good length and correct shoulder and upper arm construction which flowed seamlessly into a strong, level topline. Short, strong loin. His hindquarters were muscular, with well-bent stifles. Legs are straight when viewed from the front, and his hocks are well let down. He carries an excellent dense water-resistant undercoat. First-class animated movement with super carriage. For me, he is the perfect example of symmetry, balance and breed type. His owner/handler gets the very best out of him. In the group, he looked superb with a long, free-and-easy stride; I was very proud and delighted for his owner that he made the cut.

​2nd: HOLMES, Ms J Ashbyglen Excalibur JW

3rd: MORSS, Mrs Heather & MONTEVERDE, Mr Giovanni Oppenheimer Oligarchia Jw (imp.

 Pol)

Res: FOREMAN, Mr & Mrs Gary & Teresa Ambersun Alive And Kicking

VHC: KIPPS, Mrs Lynn & KIPPS, Mr Gordon Wheatcroft Rainbow

​Class 260 VD (8 Entries) Abs: 1

The class featured a lovely group of veterans, all of whom were of good quality. Movement ended up deciding my placements. Some dogs might have moved better if the ring conditions had been more even and less unforgiving.

1st: WRIGHT, Mrs Chatarina Ingrid Lena Marie & WRIGHT, Palton Pavarotti

I was impressed by this dark gold dog's classic, unexaggerated lines. I loved his gentle, unpretentious expression. His head is masculine, balanced, and well chiselled, without coarseness. His ears are set well, and he has a strong jaw and a clean, well-set neck of good length. The upper arm is appropriately long, with close-fitting elbows. He is deep through the heart, short-coupled, and shows good hindquarter development without excessive angulation. He has a good turn of stifle and well-let-down hocks; he carried the right amount of weight for his size and build; had a strong, level topline and moved with a long, free stride.

​2nd: NEIL, Ms M Gildas Amori Infiniti (imp. Swe.).

Earned his spot on his excellent movement. He held his topline well as he moved around the ring. His tail comes right off his back and wags the whole time. He has a well-proportioned head, dark brown eyes, and excellent pigmentation. He is well-built with good bone, strong quarters, and well-let-down hocks. His dense undercoat is another plus. His handler brings out his best qualities, including allowing him to showcase his sound and steady movement.

​3rd: WARDEN, Mrs A R Noblemoon Tak The High Road To Glentochty VW

Res: 639 MCSHANE, Mrs C & LAIDLAW-GOOD, Mrs J Fhairmhor Haud Yer Wheesht At Rigerin

VHC: 705 BATES, Mrs Hayley & BATES, Mr James Akenscales Waterloo