German Wirehaired Pointer Club

It was both an honour and a privilege to be invited to judge at the German Wirehaired Pointer Club Championship Show this weekend, held in conjunction with the City of Birmingham Show. I would like to thank the GWP Club for the invitation, the warm welcome, and the superb hospitality shown throughout the day. The buffet provided was absolutely fantastic and special mention must be for the delicious mini cheesecakes!

Although entries are generally lower than in previous years, along with most other breeds, I was delighted to find so much quality throughout. Heads were particularly impressive, and I was also pleased to see many good coats and sound feet, so important in a working dog. I did feel, however, that some exhibits were tending towards the larger side. The breed standard calls for a medium-sized gundog, and this should remain an important consideration. That said, when judging the dog as a whole, I would never sacrifice overall quality solely on the basis of size.

Baby Puppy Dog (2) Judging these baby puppy classes was an absolute delight, I couldn't stop smiling throughout! So well behaved for their ages and 2 super puppies in this class.

1st Germanus Leap of Faith, 2nd Beechchillawn Top Secret, just 2 weeks between them but differing size wise. 1st currently just a touch more consistent on the move. 

Baby Puppy Bitch (3) 1st Germanus Faith the Musik, litter sister to the winner of the previous class; another promising youngster who stacks so well for her tender age and moves well. Best BP. 2nd Germanus Gotta Have Faith, another from this litter, slightly larger all round. 3rd Beechchillawn Secret Dream.

Junior Dog (1) 1st Urvum Hero at Beanalrem. Rising 13 months, he is a good size and immediately caught my eye on entering the ring with his excellent outline and balance. He has a well-proportioned head with ample furnishings, a clean neck, and a very good front assembly, with good length of upper arm and elbows well tucked in. His topline is firm, his quarters are muscular, and he moved well. I seriously considered him for top honours and will follow his progress with interest as he matures.

Yearling Dog (1) 1st Caldewriver Kong Quest. At 15 months, this medium-sized male is as hard as nails and presented in super condition. He has a well-furnished head, with skull and muzzle of equal length; to be a little picky, I would prefer a touch more stop. He has good strength of neck, ample bone, a good topline and tailset, with width across the rear and well-bent stifles. He moved with purpose. 

Post Graduate Dog (1)

1st Woodybrook Guy. This two-year-old has pleasing coat texture and an attractive head. He is well made in front, with good depth through the body and muscular quarters. I would prefer him to be a touch longer through the body and to show a little less slope over the croup. He has ample bone, sound limbs and compact feet.

Limit Dog (1) 1st Glenquin Major at Yohenoak. A very masculine dog, shown in hard condition and at the top end for size. He has a super topline and tailset, together with a well-proportioned head, correct eye shape and a well-angulated front assembly. He was expertly handled and beautifully presented.

Open Dog (1) 1st Ir SH Ch Beechillawn Break the Mould (IKC) CPW’24 INT/IR/NLD JCH DW’24 DJW’24. A good-sized dog with excellent body proportions and hard musculature. He has a masculine head with good furnishings, well-sprung ribs and correct hind angulation. On the move he was rather wide going away, although true coming towards me.

Special Beginners Dog (1) 1st Germanus Makin a Point (AI). This lad was rather excitable at first, looking for his owner and finding it difficult to concentrate, but he did settle as the class progressed. He is lighter in frame than many yet remains shapely and well-muscled. I would prefer a touch more layback of shoulder.

Champion Dog (4) A superb class and a real pleasure to judge, with several close decisions. 1st SH CH/BEL CH Glenquin the General. What a dog. I had admired him from the ringside previously and was delighted to have the opportunity to go over him. He is unmistakably masculine without being coarse. His head is well balanced, with a strong muzzle and good furnishings, and his strong neck flows into a correctly angulated front assembly. His body proportions meet the standard, with a firm topline and well-muscled hindquarters, although he does rather enjoy using his tail. He is a joy to watch on the move, covering the ground with ease. I was delighted to award him BD and BIS. 2nd SH CH/IRSH CH Kimmax They Kall Me Mr Tibbs. A dog of super type who commands attention. He is slightly taller than 1st, has a dark eye, good furnishings, and a clean length of neck flowing into a sloping shoulder, with sufficient depth of chest. He stands on straight, strong limbs, with powerful thighs and neat feet, and moves with drive in complete harmony with his handler. Res CC. 3rd SH CH Glenquin the Colonel at Elegram JW.

Yearling Bitch (1) 1st Caldewriver Monkey Bizz. Good for size, this bitch has a feminine head, ample bone, a good bend of stifle and tight feet. Well handled, she gave a confident performance, moving with style.

Limit Bitch (1) 1st Rudishaw Waltzing Matilda of a medium size, she has a beautiful headpiece, a strong neck and good for topline & tailset. However, she is currently a tad portly over the ribs. She wasn’t really concentrating today; her handler had to work really hard. 

Open Bitch (5-1) Super class. 1st Sh Ch Caldewriver Storm N’ Teacup for Katillien JW, this lovely bitch has super bone and stands on good feet. She is of good size, make and shape and is sound as a pound on the move. She is so well muscled up with hocks square to the body and good width of thigh. Pleased to award her the Res CC. 2nd Ir Sh Ch/Int Ch Beechillawn Mint Chip Ir Jch CJW22 Cent JW, an honest bitch with a head of good proportions, well laid shoulders and good depth of chest plus ample bone on her sturdy limbs. Her ribs are well sprung and holds a firm topline. Close up to 1st. 3rd Sh Ch Germanus Stands out a Mile.

Veteran Bitch (3) 1st Sh Ch/Bel Ch Glenquinn Athena, my star of the day, this bitch has breed type by the bucketload and each piece of her fits perfectly into the next, she’s as hard as nails with a coat to match. Strong but feminine, her head is good for furnishings and has well set ears. Perfect length to height ratio, textbook angulation at both ends with elbows tucked in. Super width of second thigh on her well-muscled quarters enabling her to move with a smooth ground covering gait. I could have taken her home. CC & BIS. 2nd Germanus Dutch Delight, has a good make and shape, ok for ribbing and neat feet. Not the bone or coat of 1. 3rd Ir Sh Ch Kimmax Who Kares Wins JW.

Champion Bitch (1) 1st Sh Ch Kimmax Kindly Stand Black, one I have awarded top honours on a previous occasion and the same remarks apply, she continues to impress the second time around, however just preferring the depth of my top two today.

Bred By Exhibitor (1) 1st Glenquin Enyo, the same type as my BIS, this litter sister has many of the same qualities but not the same ring presence. She has ample bone on her sturdy limbs, a good front assembly, strong quarters and moves off well.

Not Bred By Exhibitor (3-2) 1st W Guy, 2nd G Makin a Point.

Progeny (2) 1st Sh Ch Germanus Stands out a Mile 2nd Sh Ch/Bel Ch Glenquinn Athena.

Judge: Penny Sands