Oswestry & District Kennel Association

Oswestry & District Kennel Association 16.08.2026 Thank you to the Association for the invite to judge Golden Retrievers & Flatcoated Retrievers at this very friendly country Open show. My super hard working stewards made the day run very efficiently. Many thanks to you and to the exhibitors for your entries with some beautiful dogs. Although bone dry, the grass was quite slippery in parts and some managed better than others. I saw quality all round, with good character and temperaments. I found one level bite in Flatcoats.  

Flatcoated Retriever

Junior 3 (1)                          1st. Salt Mr DEJ & Mrs MA - Culcrieff’s Ferntower Glen of Wetnoses                      Elegant 15 month old young man presented in quality coat and condition. He was active and racy, as a true Flatcoat should be. This boys head is his forte, one piece well shaped with dark almond eye, with just a hint of naughtiness. He had a correct scissor bite with full dentition, correct ear set, good reach of neck flowing into exc. shoulder placement and correct topline. His ribs had a good spring and he is short in loin. He has correct angulations, front and rear with adequate bend of stifle and good muscling to his hindquarters. His tail set and carriage is correct and his topline was held well on the move, which was straight and true. He sailed around the ring, which won him the class. Considered for RBOB. He now just needs to fill his frame and tighten his feet a little more, to complete the picture. 

2nd. Pierce Mr J & Mrs R - Flatcharm Hobgoblin At Tarnmillcrag                    Young 12 month old cheeky lad, just out of puppy. He presented a super picture on the stack and was beautifully presented. He had an exc. once piece head with moderate width to his skull. He had dark almond shaped eyes with a typical twinkle in his melting expression. Correct scissor bite and full dentition. He had well set ears and exc. reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Good angulations both front and rear with straight front, good bone and gorgeous feet. He has a good topline and correct tail set and carriage. His tail never stopped wagging, unfortunately his movement was rather loose today. I feel sure he has a good future ahead of him! 

Post Graduate 3 (1)              1st. Mantle Miss J - Rhiewvalley Ain’t Guilty          This 3 year old old dog caught my eye as he came into the ring. He had a excellent one piece masculine head of moderate width and size. He had a strong jaw with correct scissor bite and full dentition. He had dark almond shaped eyes with an intelligent expression, correct ear set, good reach of neck into his excellent shoulder placement. This boy had the best forequarters of the day, with a deep chest, exc. heart room and well defined brisket. His front was straight, with exc. bone and tight feet. He had good spring of rib, his loin was a tad long, but it did not spoil his overall balance. He had good strong hindquarters with good muscling, moderate bend into stifle and exc. movement, which was straight and true and he was a joy to watch around the ring. To top it all, he had a good dense coat with full feathering. Beautifully presented and well handled. I was pleased to award him BOB 

2nd. Leavy Mrs C & Mr A - Wychwizard Painted Lady JW Very pretty and lively medium sized bitch of 2 years, who presented a good outline on the stack. She had a well shaped one piece head with lovely dark eyes and nice expression with a good length to her muzzle. She had a correct bite and dentition and correct ear placement. She had a lovely length to her neck placed well into her good shoulder, but was carrying a little extra weight over this area. She had good angulations front and rear, with a nice depth to her chest. I would like to see her topline a little stronger. She had a nice straight front with good feet and a good bend into her stifle. She had a correct tail set and carriage with a happy movement. 

Open 4 (1) 

1st. Salt Mr DEJ & Mrs MA - Levelmoor Acorn Antiques Via Wetnoses                      Well presented very active medium sized bitch and who would know she is a Veteran? Her owner had explained that some years ago she had the removal of one eye. This did not detract in any way in her extremely pretty one piece well shaped head with a super dark almond shaped eye. She had a correct scissor bite and full dentition, correct ear set and good reach of neck into well placed shoulders with well angulated front assembly and nice straight front. She had a good topline, which was held well on the move and in the stack. Good spring of rib and short loin leading to well developed hindquarters. She had a good bend into her stifle, good tail set and carriage. She had a lovely coat and full feathering. Her movement was straight and true and it was a joy to watch her glide happily around the ring. Lovely temperament. RBOB 

2nd. Burroughs Mr RG & Mrs VK - I Know Him So Well At Rokaness JW                      Well presented 4 year old medium sized dog with good masculine head and expression. He had dark almond eyes and correctly set on ears. He had a correct scissor bite and dentition. He had a good reach of neck into well placed shoulders and well angulated front and rear. His topline was strong and held on the move with correct tail set and carriage. Today his coat was a little out of condition. 

3rd. Shelly & Luther Mr F Mrs D & Mrs D & Miss K - Telurn Fame And Fortune With Rivage 

Judge Andrea Kiddell HAMELDOWNTOR