Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society

Thame and Oxfordshire County Canine Society 

15th July 2026

Retriever (Chesapeake Bay), Irish Red and White Setters, Italian Spinone.

Firstly, may I take this opportunity to thank Gretel and the rest of her hard-working committee for inviting me to judge at this prestigious Premier Open Show. There are many positives that are to be said with a good location and facilities only topping them off. Everything seemed to run like clockwork on the day, with excellent space available to exhibitors, good size rings, fantastic catering and a well-attended show of over 1000 dogs, despite being mid-week. Many congratulations on running this well-oiled machine so smoothly.

My thanks must also extend to my steward for the day Jeff, who ran the ring well and in a timely manner. Thank you.

I must say that several of the exhibits on show were clearly ones with a bright future and/or of excellent standard. Even on quite a warm day, the movement and presentation were excellent and of a very high standard. The saying goes that it is quality over quantity. Today was no exception. It was a joy to go over. Many thanks to those who brought their dogs under me.

Irish Red and White Setter

Class 34: Puppy (1,0) 

1. 58 – Clark's AISLINGWOOD AMBER FIELDS - A very promising 7-month-old bitch who is still very much a baby and quite raw. Quite a promising youngster. From the off I thought she had an appealing head. Lovely, squared finish to muzzle, of good depth. This was in keeping with the rest of head proportions. These were well-proportioned with lovely head planes, a domed skull, good rise to stop and sufficient depth of flew. A very balanced and appealing head. The most doleful of expressions making her very appealing. Correct in ear set, in line with eye and of good length. She has a moderate neck that was refined and entered well-laid shoulders, all keeping that feminine appearance. Straight in front, with width seen to chest and down at elbow. Proportional in spring to rib. Width across croup and lovely roundness to rear. Moderate in bend at stifle, but good width to upper thigh. She has a good tail set and presents a pleasing overall outline. Tightly knit feet. She moved with a free, steady stride. Good width behind on the away and true footfall on the around. Still just a pup and plenty of maturing to do, but with much promise. RBOB and BP.

Class 35: Special Yearling (0) 

Class 36: Limit (0)

Class 37: Open (1,0)

1. 59 – McDonald, McDonald and McDonald's SH CH ROANJORA CRÉMANT D'ALSACE JW – A 3-year-old bitch that was instantly eye catching in the stack. A girl that was fully mature with so much to admire, showing plenty of substance. She had very nice head proportions showing breadth to skull and balance in ratios of skull to muzzle length. A domed skull and a fairly square finish to clean muzzle. Prominence to stop without losing her femininity, that bridged between her round eye of dark colouration, giving the soft, feminine expression for which I was looking. The rear of the skull fits the hand so well. Ears are correctly set level with the eyes, well back and close to the head. These hung neatly next to a neck of moderate length that was muscular, slightly arched and clean. This flowed into well-laid shoulders, showing good angulation. She was straight in front, prominence to prosternum, strong oval bone, good feet that are close-knit and well-muscled throughout. Depth and width to chest. Strength to body with length to well-sprung ribs and a super strong loin. She held a firm, level topline both standing and on the move. Excellent width across croup and her tail was correctly set on, carried level with the back. Well balanced front and rear angulation, with powerful hindquarters, well-bent stifles and well-let-down hocks, which gave the impression of strength and drive on the move. Nice short hocks. She moved effortlessly around the ring with a long, free, ground-covering stride, driving strongly from the rear while maintaining a firm topline throughout. Good width seen to front and rear on the up and back. BOB.

BOB – 59 SH CH ROANJORA CRÉMANT D'ALSACE JW (from class 37 Open)

RBOB and BP – 58 AISLINGWOOD AMBER FIELDS (from class 34 Puppy)

Italian Spinone

Such a shame to have only one to go over for this fab breed, but I certainly cannot complain about the standard.

Class 43: Puppy (0) 

Class 44: Special Yearling (0)

Class 45: Limit (0)

Class 46. Open (1,0) 

1. 65 - Beecham and Sharp’s AFFILATO JUMP WITH STYLE AT RYDONMIST JW - A super 2-year-old orange roan dog who impressed me with his overall quality as soon as he stepped into the ring. Although he stood alone today, this would not have mattered as he is judged against the breed standard and for me he ticked many of the boxes. He presented a balanced and masculine outline. This was instantly evident from his appealing head. This showed correct diverging planes, well pronounced occiput and clean muzzle finish. Lovely depth to muzzle also. A lean skull of oval shape, sides gently sloping downwards that showed excellent strength. He has a lovely eye in keeping with the colour of the coat that gave the kind, melting expression so typical of the breed. This was further assisted by his lovely facial trim. Triangular ear, correct in positioning and carriage. These folded neatly next to a neck of good length and that showed strength. This seamlessly transitioned into excellent forequarter construction with well-laid shoulders and a straight, well-boned front. He has a deep chest, with excellent width. Well-sprung ribs and strength through the loin was obvious, allowing for a lovely topline rising gently over the loin and a well-made croup of good width and length. Excellent width to upper and second thigh, good bend at stifle and well-let-down hocks completed a balanced hindquarter. This was all in keeping with the rest of his construction. His harsh, coarse coat and thick skin are correct for the breed. From his impressive stack, he did not spoil himself on the move. He covered the ground well and freely with a good stride. His gate was in keeping with the breed showing a fast trot. For me, a quality young dog with much to admire and one I believe has an exciting future as he continues to mature. BOB.

BOB – 65 AFFILATO JUMP WITH STYLE AT RYDONMIST JW (from class 46 Open)

Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)

Class 60: Puppy (1, 0) 

1. 105 - Watts’s OAKMARSH MISCHIEF MAKER – A 7-month bitch that in the stack was quite balanced, showing a bitchy/feminine appearance. Presented in a brown coat that is still coming to completion. In head she showed breadth to the skull, with roundness and a medium stop. Length of muzzle like that of skull, tapering without being snipey. Her eye colour matched well with her coat. This all came together to provide a soft and gentle expression. She has a clean neck leading into well-laid shoulders. I would prefer a little more length of upper arm, but she stands on a straight front with good width and excellent bone and feet. She is super straight in front that provided grounds for a good width to chest. This was down at elbow and provided a pleasing topline, good length of body and well-sprung ribs carried well back, giving the correct proportions. Her hindquarters are a particular strength, with well-turned stifles, correctly placed hocks and good overall balance. She moved freely and confidently, clearly enjoying her time in the ring, covering the ground with ease. She was a little fussy to go over on the day and interested in everything going on around her. She still needs a little development, but at this age, she has time on her side. A promising youngster who should continue to improve as she matures. BP.

Class 61: Special Yearling (2,0) 

1. 101 - Baxandall’s BATTSROCK ASHES TO ASHES FOR SHARBAE – A pleasing young bitch of 22 months, presented in an attractive ash coat of correct texture and in excellent condition. Feminine throughout. She had a balanced head with a broad skull, good planes and a soft, super expressive typical expression. This came from good workings below and around eyes, with lovely, raised brows. This accentuated her slightly lighter eye, which was well within the standard and very much in keeping with the rest of the charge. Furthermore, the darker pigmentation around eye and wide nostril assisted this look even further. The expression was complemented by neat, well-placed ears. Her strong neck is of good length and flows into well-laid shoulders with matching return of upper arm, giving her a balanced frontal construction. She stood on a straight front with width, excellent bone and well-rounded feet. Her chest has good depth and width, with well-sprung ribs. She has a firm topline, from a strong loin, decent in hindquarters with pleasing width to upper thigh. Moderate in bend at stifle and a correctly set tail, all contributing to a balanced outline. She moved soundly and true, covering the ground with a free, purposeful stride and maintaining good drive despite the warm conditions. Still with some maturing to do, a lot seems to be in the right place. Best of luck with her continued progress.

2. 105 - Watts’s OAKMARSH MISCHIEF MAKER - (please see 1st class 60 Puppy).

Class 62: Limit (1,0)

1. 102 - Corcoran & Jones’s OAKMARSH KINGSLEY ADSILA – A 3-year-old bitch presented in a rich darker brown coat of excellent texture, who carried the correct dense, oily jacket so characteristic of the breed. She was feminine throughout, with a well-constructed head, broad skull, moderately defined stop and correctly proportioned foreface. Her eye blended well with her coat and pigmentation, giving the kind, intelligent expression I was looking for as was her well-set ears. She had a strong neck that flowed into well-laid shoulders, with balanced front and rear angulation. Her body had good depth and substance, with ribs extending well back into a strong loin and a firm topline that showed the correct slight rise over the loin. She had a well-made croup of good length, a correctly set tail and strong, muscular hindquarters, all contributing to a balanced outline. Well boned throughout and standing on tight, strong feet. On the move she was sound and purposeful, maintaining good width both coming and going, with a free front action and strong rear drive while holding her topline well. A thoroughly pleasing bitch, presented in good condition and a worthy RBOB.

Class 63: Open (1,0)

1. 104 – Watts's OAKMARSH LITTLE ACORN JW RATN – For me, a quality 2-year-old bitch of very good breed type, combining femininity with the substance and strength found of the breed. She is an ideal size with pleasing proportions and presents a balanced outline, without sacrificing power. Her attractive head has a slightly rounded skull of good width, medium stop and correctly proportioned muzzle, complemented by a dark amber eye that harmonised with her rich brown coat colour and gave a kind, intelligent expression. Correctly set, relatively small ears complete the picture and hung neatly next to a strong neck that transitioned seamlessly into well-laid shoulders and a well-constructed forequarter with good forechest, straight front, close-fitting elbows whilst providing good width to chest. This also showed prominence to prosternum. Well boned throughout, she stands on strong pasterns and neat, well-shaped feet. Her body is well proportioned, with deep ribs, a firm topline, strong loin and a correct wide and shapely croup that led to a well-set tail. Muscular hindquarters, with excellent width through the upper and second thigh and balanced angulation fore and aft, provide the strength and drive expected of the breed. She moved freely and effortlessly, maintaining a firm topline with accurate footfall and powerful rear drive, always attentive to her handler and showing a delightful, willing temperament. BOB.

BOB – 104 OAKMARSH LITTLE ACORN JW RATN (from class 63 open)

RBOB – 102 OAKMARSH KINGSLEY ADSILA (from class 62 limit)

BP – 105 OAKMARSH MISCHIEF MAKER (from class 60 puppy)

Dr. Hefin Jones

(Pencastan)