Banff Moray & Nairn Canine Club

Banff, Moray & Nairn Canine Club Open Show 31 May 2026

Many thanks to the committee of this club for the invitation to judge some of the Gundog Breeds and the Gundog Group. A lovely venue and a super efficient committee made for a lovely day outdoors. Overall the weather was kind to us throughout the day with just a couple of short showers and the odd gust of wind but otherwise warm and sunny. Thanks to my stewards Morag and Ian for their organisation and of course to the exhibitors, some of whom had also shown under me the previous day at a venue about 150 miles south.

Bracco Italiano Open

1st, BOB, Grp3 Bowley’s Gunsyn Superstitious Quality 2 year old male of excellent type and proportions who presents a pleasing outline, displaying balance and power. Correct masculine head with characteristic divergent planes, well developed nose and typical expression. Good length of neck flowing into clean shoulders, firm topline and correctly sloping croup, which he maintained both standing and on the move. Correct dewlap, excellent bone with well defined tendons, and balanced angulation fore and aft. Moved with purpose, demonstrating the breed's characteristic reach and drive, covering the ground effortlessly whilst maintaining his outline.

Flatcoated Retriever Post Graduate

1st Mackessack-Leith’s Badcall Midwinter Dream at Inchstellie JW 2 year old bitch of lovely breed type, presenting a balanced profile. Attractive, well moulded head with a dark eye carrying that characteristic mischievous, intelligent expression. Strong neck flowing cleanly into well laid shoulders and a firm backline, held correctly through to a well set tail. Excellent depth of chest with ribs correctly sprung, giving the impression of strength. Shown in a glossy, well presented coat that enhanced her outline. Balanced angulation fore and aft allowed her to move freely and true, covering the ground with ease, although just a shade close behind today.

Open

1st, BOB, Grp 2 Thamson’s Sh Ch Caci’s The Dream Catcher Badcall Judged this beautiful girl yesterday and gave her Group 2 then and she also went on to Reserve Best Veteran in Show. Lovely feminine bitch who combines breed type, balance and quality throughout. Attractive head with the soft, intelligent expression so typical of the breed, good reach of neck and well laid shoulders. Excellent depth of body, strong quarters and correct flowing outline. Presented in superb coat and condition. Moved freely and soundly, holding her shape at all times and making the most of the larger outdoor ring. Another showing quality and consistency, once again earning a very well deserved high placing in a quality group.

2nd Mackessack-Leitch’s Caci’s The Jewel of June at Inchstellie JW (Imp Swe) Another really lovely exhibit from this kennel who produce dogs of type and consistency. Very similar comments apply and this young girl of almost 3 years is also in tip top condition and beautifully presented and handled and pushed first hard, she was just outmoved by the fluidity of first today.

3rd Mackessack-Leitch’s Finhamspride Kia at Inchstellie

Labrador Retriever Post Graduate

1st Rolland’s Antonine Summer Solstice at Strathlana At not quite a year old, this black bitch won the class today on her sound and efficient movement. Typical in outline and displaying the balanced proportions called for in the breed. Feminine head with pleasing proportions and expression, strong clean neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Good bone throughout. Deep through the chest with long, well sprung ribs. Good width to both first and second thighs, with moderate and balanced angulation fore and aft, allowing her to move with reach and drive while maintaining a level topline.

2nd Andrew’s Gaddyrow Highland Loonie Nearly 4 year old black male who presents a pleasing, balanced outline. Masculine head with good breadth of skull and kind expression, sufficient strength without coarseness. Soundly constructed throughout, with a good front assembly, strong neck and clean shoulders. Firm topline, which he maintained both standing and on the move, correctly set and carried otter tail. Good depth and substance to body, with balanced angulation fore and aft. Moved soundly, showing reach and drive whilst holding his outline at all times. Pushed hard in a quality class.

3rd Mckittrick’s Millie’s Vanilla Skye of Boggbrae

RES Gunn’s Exelby Finch of Weachyburn

Open

1st & BOB Cameron’s Bowstones Waltzing Matilda Around Camisky Quality 5 year old yellow bitch, fully mature and presented in excellent condition. Appealed immediately for her balanced outline, correct substance and overall breed type. Feminine head with a kind expression. Correct proportions throughout, with depth of body well balanced to her overall height. Deep chest and well sprung barrel ribs carried well back to a strong. Good bone, legs and feet. Soundly constructed fore and aft, with balanced angulation allowing her to move freely and accurately, showing good reach in front and driving power from behind. Maintained a firm topline on the move and carried her tail correctly.

2nd Gunn’s Exelby Elizabeth of Weachyburn Another lovely quality bitch who shares many of the same virtues. Presented in excellent condition and appealed for overall balance and breed type. Classic head with a kind expression, good strength through neck flowing into clean shoulders and a firm topline. Standing slightly east west in front today which ultimately cost her. Good depth and strength throughout the body with well sprung ribs and strong loin, giving a balanced outline. Moved out well, showing good reach and drive, maintaining her shape on the move, although carrying her tail a shade high at times.

3rd Simpson’s Strathlana Black Jasper JW

American Cocker Open

1st BOB, Grp4 & RSBMPIS Gianntti’s Aftershine Stand and Stare At 8 months old, this youngster has style, attitude and presence in spades. Balanced throughout and presenting an attractive outline, she looked the part stacked and certainly did not disappoint on going over. Correct head with dark eye and typical expression, good muzzle, nose and ears. Clean through neck and shoulders with good return of upper arm, well boned, deep ribs, correctly sprung for age, short strong loin and correct slightly sloping topline flowing through to well set tail. Balanced angulation fore and aft. She displayed ring presence, thoroughly enjoying herself without losing concentration. Moved effortlessly around the ring with reach and drive, holding her outline throughout. Maintained her composure through to the end taking Reserve Best Special Minor Puppy in Show.

Cocker Spaniel Post Graduate

1st, BOB, BSPIS Robertson’s Zheridons Black Mirror Judged this lad yesterday indoors where he got 3rd place. What a difference a day and a change from indoors to outdoors made! Today he came alive and sparkled and was not to be denied. Well constructed throughout with a pleasing outline, good head proportions, clean neck, good forehand, well boned legs and great feet. Compact deep body, well sprung ribs, short coupled, powerful well rounded and muscled rear, correct set on of tail which he used to advantage, and correct coat which gleamed in the sunshine. Moved with greater freedom and purpose on grass, showing good reach and drive, maintaining topline and producing a more fluent performance, which he kept up all day, ultimately securing the Special Best Puppy in Show spot.

2nd Carmichael & Bulmer’s Totenkopf Dutch Mirror Scry A lovely mature black girl who won her well deserved place here in very good company, this was a strong class. Correct profile, compact, sturdy and balanced. Balance in head with well developed skull, square muzzle, dark eye, well set and covered ears all producing a typical expression. Muscular neck fits well into good front assembly, well boned legs and good feet. Deep well sprung ribs carried back to short loin, correct topline held at all times, great rear end which propelled her stylishly with typical cocker gait around the ring, making good use of her tail.

3rd McGowan’sAylesmead Under A Spell

RES Proudler’s Kimapa Kwakers Kwtch

Limit

1st Duncan’s Corralet Condesa III of Dunherl JW Judged this young blue roan lady yesterday and gave her BOB, today she gave way to the lovely young black male. Attractive feminine bitch of good breed type with a lovely head and gentle expression. Balanced throughout with good forechest, deep ribs carried well back, strong quarters and a super correct coat presented in excellent order. Well boned legs, great feet and balanced angulation allow her to make full use of her well muscled rear. Moved with drive and purpose, maintaining her outline at all times.

2nd Carmichael & Bulmer’s Totenkopf Dutch Mirror Scry

Open

1st Sinclair’s Chataway Dress Tartan at Duclarus JW ShCEx OSW Beautiful black bitch of 5 years who I have always admired from the ringside, so was delighted to have the opportunity to get hands on her. She is so well constructed and in great condition, classic and classy in every way. Beautiful balanced head, square muzzle, dark eye, lobular ears, strength in neck, well laid shoulders, well boned, good feet. Correct through backline to well rounded rump and muscular thighs and angulation fore and aft balanced to produce accurate ground covering bustling movement. She was pipped by the youngster who today held a stronger topline.

2nd Proudler’s Kimapa Kwakers Kalon Another who I judged yesterday and he put in a more animated performance outdoors today to secure his place in another lovely class. Liver roan with appealing head with balance to skull and muzzle, correct eye, ears set level with the eye and well covered. Correct forehand, well boned legs and good feet. Depth to chest and sprung ribs carried back to short wide loin, well muscled thighs, short hocks and he moved well displaying reach and drive with a typical merry action.

3rd Carmichael & Bulmer’s Totenkopf Dutch Mirror Scry

RES McGowan’s Aylesmead Peaches ‘n Cream

AVNSC Open

1st & BAVNSC Stevenson’s Spuffing Daiquiri at Gaolchcara JW (ESS) This lovely girl was having a grand day out, certainly displaying the breeds’ happy disposition. She is beautifully balanced throughout. Appeals greatly in head, is correct through neck, well laid shoulders and has well boned legs and tight feet. Depth to chest and ribs sprung and carried back to strong loin. Balanced angulation fore and aft and well developed, well muscled broad thighs and short hocks allow her to power round the ring. She was enthusiastic today enjoying the breeze, sunshine and being outdoors.

2nd Stevenson’s Peasblossom Brogan at Gaolchcara (ESS) 3 ½ year old male who I’ve done well by before. My opinion of him hasn’t changed and there is an awful lot to like here. Masculine without coarseness, balanced all through in angulations and height to length ratios, well bodied, well conditioned, in great coat and a happy disposition. Moved positively displaying typical gait and correct reach and drive.

3rd Mackay’s Testaverde Deal Or No Deal (Spinone)

RES Welsh’s Goldbirch Burning Desire (E Setter)

AV Gundog Minor Puppy

1st Gianntti’s Aftershine Stand and Stare (American Cocker)

2nd Proudler’s Kimapa Kuromi Karrot (Cocker) 8 month bitch who I’ve judged and think her quite lovely. Balanced and compact, coat coming in beautifully. Her constantly wagging tail and happy outlook as so characteristic of the breed. Appeals in her correct head and well placed and feathered ears. Correct neck flows into a well held topline. Good spring to ribs, deep chest and short loin. Good bone throughout, balanced angulation and short hocks which allow for typical merry bustling gait.

3rd McDonald’s Donurie’s Harlekuin (Vizsla)

RES Charlish’s Gunalt Remembrance of Harelferg (Weimaraner)

AV Gundog Puppy

1st Robertson’s Zheridons Black Mirror (Cocker)

2nd Proudler’s Kimapa Kuromi Karrot (Cocker)

3rd McDonald’s Donurie’s Harlekuin (Vizsla)

RES Rolland’s Antonine Summer Solstice at Strathlana (Labrador)

AV Gundog Open

1st Mackessack-Leitch’s Caci’s The Jewel of June at Inchstellie JW (Imp Swe) (Flatcoat)

2nd Cameron’s Bowstones Waltzing Matilda Around Camisky (Labrador)

3rd Carmichael & Bulmer’s Totenkopf Dutch Mirror Scry (Cocker)

RES Proudler’s Kimapa Kwakers Kalon (Cocker)

AV Gundog Veteran

1st & BSVIS Mason, Findlay & Clubb’s Sh Ch Oroshaza Chukkar VW CW18 (Vizsla) Delighted to see this boy today. I’ve long admired him so was pleased to get hands on. The oldest exhibit in gundogs today by almost 2 years, yet you wouldn’t know it to look at him. In excellent condition throughout, the only hint of his age being some white hairs. Noble head, median line with moderate stop, squared muzzle, well shaped eye of correct colour, correct ears with good leathers. Smooth and muscular neck into shoulders which are well laid, balanced depth of body to leg length. Good prosternum, and depth to chest, ribs well sprung and carried back to short loin. Correct underline. Moderately angulated rear with good muscle in first and second thigh, with balanced forehand angulation, good bone and neat tight feet, all of which allowed him to move with reach, drive and purpose. Delighted to see him take Best Special Veteran in Show – Congratulations.

2nd Bowley’s Sh Ch Gunsyn Everywhere (Bracco) Another quality exhibit from this kennel. Lovely 9 year old bitch who is in fabulous condition and belies her age. Typical outline, almost square in profile. Long head with balance between skull and foreface, slight divergence, visible median line, chiselling below the eyes, deep muzzle and large spongy nose. Eyes of good size, shape and colour with a gentle, thoughtful expression. Powerful neck with correct dewlap. Long, well laid shoulders, muscular throughout with good width between the shoulder blades. Oval bone with well defined tendons and strong forelegs. Deep, broad chest with well sprung ribs leading to a wide, well muscled loin. Correct topline rising to croup. Well bent stifles, long muscular thighs and short hocks. Elastic skin and glossy short coat. Moved with reach and drive, a powerful, ground covering mover with excellent scope.

3rd Proudler’s Kimapa Kocka Kaia (Cocker)

RES Carmichael & Bulmer’s Totenkopf Dutch Mirror Scry (Cocker)

Group 1 – Angus’ Edelmidpoint Native River through Calmerell JW – Judged this quality GSP yesterday, so was delighted to see him win through today from the breed judge and he topped the group again today. Masculine and well proportioned throughout. Classic head with dark eye, well set ear, good foreface and flew and kindly expression. Slight arch to strong neck, firm well held topline. Depth and spring to ribs, short coupled, correct underline, correct slope to croup and set on of tail and well muscled thighs with short hocks. Presented in a gleaming, glistening coat in the sunshine, he covered the ground effortlessly with fluidity and accuracy displaying good reach and drive. Congratulations.

Group 2 – Flatcoated Retriever

Group 3 – Bracco Italiano

Group 4 – American Cocker Spaniel

Jo MacLaine (Greyspirit)