Cheshire Agricultural Society

The Royal Cheshire County Show 

Premier Open Show 

 

Wednesday 17th June 2026 

Labrador Retriever 

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge Labrador Retrievers at this prestigious county show. The venue was very nice and welcoming, as was the lovely, friendly committee. Thank you to the ring stewards for their assistance with the efficient running of the ring. Finally, thank you to the exhibitors for bringing along such a quality of dogs; it is very much appreciated. 

Class 651 Labrador Puppy 7/0 

1st 1165 DISLEY, MR D R, ACREDAM AGATHA CHRISTIE Lovely yellow puppy bitch who really stood out for her overall balance in this class. She has a very pretty head with good pigment. She has a good clean neck, down into well-placed shoulders with correct front and rear angulation, a good harsh coat and tail. She moved well around the ring carrying a nice topline once she had settled. With time she should mature very well. Just never moved as well in the puppy challenge. 

2nd 1171 Br: Mrs J Down, CHARLSJAYSAM CANDY FLOSS Good sized bitch with a good harsh coat, which was just on the turn. Good headpiece, using her ears to her advantage. She has good rib and nice quarters and moves well. I just preferred the overall balance of puppy one at this stage. 

Class 652 Labrador Junior 5/1 

1st 1195 WILLIAMSON MR S SHAROUNS, GLADYS FRIDAY This bitch immediately caught my eye. She has a good head with correct eye shape and colour, correct length of muzzle and clean cheeks with a good-sized nose. She has a super front and rear angulation to match, which gives a super balance to her outline. She is short coupled with a good, barrelled rib, just the right amount of bone for her super frame. She excelled in movement with both reach and drive, holding a nice top line with her tail set straight off her back. Her coat was correctly double coated, with a harsh texture. I was very pleased to award her BOB. 

  

2nd 1180 PERCIVAL, MRS M A, WYNFAUL, SUDEO LUCKY STRIKE WYNFAUL Another very promising, up-to-size yellow boy; I loved the balance and structure of this boy. Lovely head, good pigmentation and eye colour, good bone, with correct front and rear angulation. He moved very well around the ring, holding his topline and tail set straight off his back. He has super construction, which, with maturity, should fall into place very nicely; unfortunate to meet number 1 bitch today, but still a lovely young dog. I was pleased to award BP, which he won on movement and ability to cover ground well. 

Class 653 Yearling bitch 5/1 

1st 1195 1st Junior bitch 

2nd 1185 RAWLINSON & BALSHAW, MR & MRS M J, MISS L & MR & MRS D P HALSHIMOOR WICKED AT SHANORRELL NAF TAF Tough class with two super yellow bitches. 19-month-old yellow bitch, with a lovely head with good pigment and eye colour; she is short coupled with good front and rear angulation, lovely topline and tail set. She moved well, with reach and drive. Good double coat; I just preferred the feet on number 1. 

Class 654 Novice 16/10a 

1st 1185 2nd Yearling 

2nd 1180 2nd Junior 

Class 655 Graduate 3/2a 

1st 1173 MARKHAM, MS M E L KNOWJOES BWALYA SABINE ANIA Black, smaller type of bitch carrying good condition. She has a good front with super rear angulation and good rib; she has a good double coat with a lovely otter tail. I liked her head, which has super brown eye colour, giving her a lovely, intelligent, kind look typical of the breed. She moved okay. 

Class 656 Post graduate 3/2a 

1st 1173 1st Graduate 

Class 657 Limit 5/5 

Absent 

Class 658 Open 4/2 

1st 1178 O'BRIEN, MR S J & MRS L A, MAXFIELD SERGEANT PEPPER Yellow male of good size. He is short coupled with good strength through the back and loin. He has a good upper arm with a good return of shoulder blade to elbow, which, in turn, gives him good movement to be able to cover ground at a good pace. His head has good pigment and good ears, which he uses to his advantage. I would prefer a bit more muzzle if I was being picky. He is double coated, with strong, straight front legs and good, tight feet. I was pleased to award him RBOB. 

2nd 1172 ENNIS-HOLDEN, MR R S, DEVONSHIRES YELLOWSTONE AT MARIANK (IMP USA) Yellow male with a pleasant, happy temperament, good double coat and a nice head with good pigment and eye colour. I would prefer his ears just a bit smaller, but this does not take away from his lovely, kind look. He has a good fore chest, a good topline and tail set, but is not as short coupled as one. First scored over second in this class with his feet and upper arm return, which gave him better reach and drive to cover ground. 

Cheryl Mitchell