Tay Valley Gundog Association

Tay Valley Gundog Association

11th October 2026

My thanks to Bill, Anne and the committee of Tay Valley Gundog Association for their kind invitation to judge Golden Retrievers at their 50th anniversary show. Their hospitality was superb and I particularly enjoyed being introduced to the culinary delights of a ‘stovie’ which was delicious. My especial thanks go to Ellen Charlish, who was possibly the most efficient steward I’ve encountered – keeping the ring running smoothly throughout and of course to all exhibitors for their entries and for allowing me to go over their beautiful dogs. I am happy to report that all exhibits had clean, correct dentition and whilst one or two were leaning towards the heavier side it was within acceptable parameters.

Golden Retrievers

Puppy (dog) 1,0

1. Brown’s Leynosk Invincible

Leggy cream boy of almost 7 months. Clearly a great deal of development to come but a promising start. Nicely proportioned head with kind eye and soft expression. Dark eye and pigment. Good length of neck leading to well laid back shoulder, level topline and good tailset. Moved with enthusiasm, obviously enjoying himself immensely. BPD.

Special Yearling (dog) 2,1

1. Carlton’s Thistlegate Sonoma Moon JW

Now eighteen months old, this lovely boy continues to impress. Presented in gleaming golden coat, he has a masculine head without being overdone. Kind expression and appropriate eye colour and pigmentation. He is well proportioned and offers the typical profile of a quality golden retriever. Straight, well boned legs, he is well angulated front and rear. A level topline, good tailset and a tail held well whilst moving with precision and power.

Postgraduate (dog) 4,2

1. Williamson’s Ponfeigh Topp Notch with Dawnryan

I really liked this dark gold boy. He has a lovely masculine head, yet such a kindly expression. With great bone, he stood four square on neat feet. Shorter coupled than some, he had a level topline, held on the move and a nice tailset. He covered the ground with ease as he moved around the ring. Nicely balanced. Good width of second thigh. Wild coat!

2. Warden’s Holinbrae Eurastar at Glentochty JW

Also a very nice boy. Slightly lighter bodied than 1 he also has an attractive head and expression. Presented in gleaming pale gold coat. He has good length and reach of neck which proceeds to a level topline maintained on the move. Straight, well boned legs, well let down hocks and neat cat like paws. He also moved well but I preferred the tail carriage of 1.

Limit (dog) 5,1

1. McAleese’s Toseland Rolls Royce

A handsome four year old pale boy with great presence. Very masculine head with dark eye and pigmentation. Strong neck leading to well laid back shoulders and corresponding return. Level topline and good tailset. Well off for bone, well let down hocks and good width of second thigh. Powered around the ring with ease.

2. McFarlane’s Bluebraes Gie It Laldy

Another lovely boy in profuse darker gold coat. Possessing the classic Golden Retriever profile, he is a little shorter in length than 1 but well proportioned and angulated. He has the most beautiful head and expression with dark pigment and eye. Ears correctly set on. Level topline and deep well sprung ribs. Challenged the winner hard, but in the end I preferred the movement of 1.

3. Warden’s Holinbrae Zoom Time at Glentochty

Open (dog) 4,1

1. Warden’s Noblemoon Tak the High Road to Glentochty VW

A nine year old boy who can still show the youngsters a thing or two. Moved beautifully with good reach and drive (although he skipped at the rear in the veteran challenge losing out to the bitch). Beautifully proportioned masculine head, strong neck of good length. Well angulated front and rear. Level topline and good tailset. BD/BVD

2. McFarlane’s King of Swing Qdore of Labgold to Bluebraes (imp Pol)

Another good looking boy with sleek dark gold coat. Shorter in length than 1 but well angulated front and rear. Good tailset. Broad, deep chest with well sprung ribs. Classic head and expression. Preferred the topline of 1.

3. McAleese’s Sheriffmuir Glorious Lad at Glormhorcu

Puppy (bitch) 5,2

1. Finnie’s Thistleyhill Foxglove.

I loved this eleven month old, pretty golden girl in profuse coat. She is well proportioned with good angulation front and rear. Short coupled. She has the sweetest, most feminine head with lovely dark eyes and pigmentation. Good length and reach of neck set on well laid back shoulders. Her level topline was held on the move and she has a good tailset. Good bone, straight strong legs set well under her body and the requisite cat-like feet. Moved out well covering the ground with ease. BPB/BPIB.

2. Williamson’s Sandti Easy On Me

A happy cream girl presented in beautiful coat. A larger framed girl than 1 she has a well proportioned head with dark eye and pigment. Well constructed and powerful hindquarters, good second thigh. Stood four square on well boned legs and neat paws. Moved elegantly around the ring, however I preferred the profile and proportions of 1.

3. Brown’s Leynosk Irresistible

A very promising puppy, I preferred her to her litter brother.

Special Yearling (bitch) 3,2

1. McFarlane’s Bluebraes Voyager JW

Sweet, feminine girl in good lean condition. Lovely head, good ear set, dark eye and pigment. Strong neck with good reach set on well laid back shoulders. Nicely angulated front and rear, level topline and good tailset. Well let down hocks, good bone, neat feet. She moved out well and with confidence. Considered for top honours.

Postgraduate (bitch) 2,1

1. McAlpine’s Drumkilty Zarita

Larger framed cream girl of four and a half years old. Presented in pristine coat. Pretty head with sweet expression and good pigmentation. She is a little longer than some with a very strong neck, good shoulders, level topline. She seemed a little unsure and carried her tail quite high. For me, I like to see a bit more leg.

Limit (bitch) 0,0

Open (bitch) 6,2

A quartet of beautiful girls made this the most difficult decision of the day.

1. Harper’s Tullochmohr Ray of Sunshine at Glynerva JW

Beautiful three year old girl, presented in gleaming gold coat. Most feminine of heads, with dark eye and pigment. Good length and reach of neck. Well angulated front and rear, with a level topline held perfectly on the move. Good tailset. Good bone, straight legs set well under body and neat feet. She moved with enthusiasm around the ring and was having a great time judging by her ever wagging tail. BB/BoB

2. Williamson’s Sandti Tiki Taka JW

Such a close call between these two girls. She also has great proportions and a classic profile. Super feminine head with a melting expression, dark eye and pigmentation. Strong neck leading to well laid back shoulders, level topline and tailset. She also had good bone, straight legs and moved efficiently around the ring. I just preferred the front of 1, but it was a very close run thing.

3. Carlton’s Fhairmhor Moonlight Sonata at Thistlegate

I continue to admire this lovely girl, but there was fierce competition today

4. McFarlane’s Bluebraes Jacobite Lass

Although placed fourth in this class and a veteran, she is still a quality exhibit. I was pleased to be able to award her BVB and BViB as her movement was very good, belied her age and surpassed that of the male veteran.

Curly Coated Retriever

Open 2/0

1. Cummings’ Molokai Enchanted One

Sedate lady of seven years, completely in tune with her handler. Attractive head of correct shape and proportions. Eye and nose colour appropriate to coat colour, coat consisted of the required tight curls. Good neck, well laid back shoulders. Deep chested with oval rib cage. Neat feet with well arched toes. She moved elegantly and precisely around the ring. BoB/BViB

2. Cummings and Stokes’ May Court Island Girl for Breichside JW

I really liked this two year old girl, she had bags of personality. Gorgeous head and a lovely, glossy curly coat. Her construction is exactly what the breed standard requires in profile and from front and rear – she looks so elegant. I did consider her for BoB, but she gave her handler a very hard time and unfortunately she paced a large part of her circuit of the ring.

Jane Booth

16/10/26