Isle Of Wight Gundog Club

Judge’s comments

Thank you to Secretary Shirley Stables and her hard-working committee for the invitation to judge Best in Show at their club. I really enjoyed my appointment on the Island and also the hospitality given. I found some lovely exhibits on show for me to make my awards on the day, and the sportsmanship at ringside was good to see. Thanks also to my steward Julie, who was great company and did a sterling job throughout the day. Wishing Isle of Wight Gundog Club all the very best for the future and continued success.

Best in Show

1 Bellamys Moontorn Chasing the Dream JW — Flat Coated Retriever
This young Flatcoat bitch took my eye on entering the ring. I loved her for breed type and overall balance. She has a feminine head of good shape, kind eye with the best of expressions, ears well set and a neck of length leading to the most pleasing front assembly. Body well ribbed, short loin, scores in rear quarters, muscular and well formed, tight feet, tail set pleased, carried and used like only a Flatcoat can. Coat in top order, dense and of good texture, pleasing in furnishings. Stood, she gave a picture of balance and moved out very positively, sound and true, and at one with her handler. Top-drawer presentation and turned out in muscular tone and condition. She could not be denied top awards. Pleased to make her Best in Show. Well done.

2 Reserve Best in Show Blackley & Salero Wightroche The Bee JW — Cocker Spaniel
This black Cocker bitch reminded me of Anne Webster’s Asquanne type, so I was pleased later to find out she has Anne’s lines on both sides of her pedigree. This bitch has a very good outline and balance of frame. I loved her most feminine head shape and kind, dark eye, giving such a soft expression. Ears well set; neck clean and of moderate length; well-made shoulders; body compact and with good ribbing; short loin; level topline with a slight slope to tail. She has a very good rear assembly with correct stifles, feet firm and well padded, and tail set and carried well. Stood, she really looks the part. She moved out sound with drive, using her tail. A very smart Cocker. Pleased to award her Reserve Best in Show. Well done.

3 Rackett x Wilcox Afanleigh Caitlin Rose of Solencia JW — Hungarian Vizsla bitch
I gave this girl a class when I judged the breed some time ago. Now more mature, she still appeared a feminine, elegant bitch who has a good outline. Head shape of pleasing type, with kind eye and intelligent expression. Well-made neck leading to good front construction; shoulders correct and well laid; body of depth with firm topline; rear quarters muscular and thighs well developed. Stood, she shows balance of frame. Moved out with drive, covering her ground. Presented in good condition and tone.

4 Rorkes Zakhans Diamond Jack JW — Irish Setter dog
Most attractive Irish boy. I loved his head, which is well formed and of good type; best of eyes with kind expression; ears pleased, well set and of good length; neck pleasing, leading to correct front assembly; chest deep, ribbing sprung, firm topline with slight slope. I liked his rear construction, good angulation, muscular and toned. Tail well set and carried correctly on the move. Stood, he looked so together and balanced. Moves out really well, sound and giving good action and drive. His coat and furnishings were very good. I liked him a lot: a lovely Irish male, presented in top condition.

Best Puppy in Show

1 Burgess Sharnphilly Sterling to Hantzburg — Weimaraner dog
What a super prospect. He caught my eye with his quality and balance of frame. Good head shape with most pleasing masculine expression and kind eye of correct colour; ears well set and of good length; firm, moderate-length neck leading to well-formed front construction; body deep and of good proportions; firm in topline; ribbing sprung; rear muscular with well-turned stifle and hocks well let down. Moved out sound and on a good-length stride. Stood and shown very well. I liked him a lot. He should go on to take his fair share. Pleased to award him Best Puppy in Show. Well done.

2 Rackett & Wilcox Solencia Limited Edition — Hungarian Vizsla dog
Promising young Vizsla male, head of good shape, kind eye and expression, ears well set, clean neck leading to chest of depth, shoulders well formed, level in topline, hindquarters with good thighs and pleasing angulation, tight feet. Coat colour good. He presented a balanced frame. Stood and moved OK; just needs to settle all through, which will come as he matures.

3 Whiteheads Foxrievers The Sorceress — Curly Coated Retriever bitch
Well-made young Curly bitch, presented a most pleasing outline. Stood, feminine head of correct shape with lovely dark eye; scores in neck and front construction; good body depth, firm in back, well-angulated rear, tight feet. Coat pleased; plenty of bone for frame but not overdone. Stood, she shows balanced outline. Movement was good once she settled. On what I saw today, I think she will finish well.

AV Gundog MPD (2)

1 Burgess Sharnphilly Sterling to Hantzburg — Weimaraner
Best Puppy in Show.

2 Miller & Millchamp Whiteheads Foxriever The Seeker — Curly Coated Retriever
Head of good shape, kind dark eye, arched neck leading to well-made front, shoulders well laid, body of depth with good ribbing, rear assembly pleased with moderate bend of stifle, plenty of bone for frame, tight feet, coat of good texture. Moved well once settled.

AV Gundog MPB (1)

1 Mathews Arnac Bay Ketch — Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)
Most pleasing youngster. Loved her head shape, which has good balance; kind, expressive eye; ears well set; front made and constructed well for age; body of depth with firm level back; hindquarters good with pleasing angles; plenty of bone throughout; tight, rounded feet. Moved and shown well for her first time out. Coat correct.

AV Gundog PD (3)

1 Miller & Millchamp Whiteheads Foxriever The Seeker — Curly Coated Retriever
Second in AV Gundog Minor Puppy Dog.

2 Mayhew Arnac Bay Kansas — Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)
Pleasing puppy, showing much promise. Good in head and eye; presented a good, clean outline on the stack; plenty of bone for age; body of depth. Stood and shown well. Just needs to settle on the move, which will come with development and maturity.

RKC Good Citizen Dog Scheme (3)

1 Herrings Battsrock Smoke on the Water — Retriever (Chesapeake Bay) dog
23 months old. Pleased in head shape with good eye; strong, clean neck leading into well-formed front with correct shoulders; body of depth and well ribbed; firm in back; muscular rear with pleasing angulation; plenty of bone and substance throughout; coat correct. Stood, shows balance of outline. Movement was sound and true.

2 Baxandall Battsrock Ashes to Ashes for Sharbrae — Retriever (Chesapeake Bay) bitch
Litter mate to 1. Lovely outline. Stood, pleased in make and shape; good bone for frame; head of good type with kind eye and expression. Shown well once settled and movement was sound with drive after a time.

AV Gundog Mem Open Stakes (5)

1 Blackkey x Salero Wightroche Calla Lily — Spaniel (Cocker) bitch
Three-year-old girl of quality, feminine head with super-soft expression; ears pleased and set well; clean neck, moderate in length; good front construction; chest depth pleased; loin short; correct in topline; rear angulation good. Gave a smart, compact outline. Stood and moved very well, at one with her handler. Knows the job in hand: a smart Cocker of good type.

2 Cottons Braccorios Ziga Zig Arh — Bracco Italiano bitch
I liked this bitch for type. Head of good shape, dark expressive eye. She scores with a balanced outline, strong forelegs, body square, ribbing well sprung, rear assembly good, stifles well bent with muscular long thighs, oval feet, pleasing in bone for frame. A nice bitch to go over with much to like. She moved out soundly with drive. Liked her a lot.

3 Smiths Rockcross Rosie Cotton at Abbeyaire — German Shorthaired Pointer bitch

AV Gundog Veteran Stakes (9)

1 Blackley & Salero Wightroche Overtherainbow — Spaniel (Cocker) bitch
I liked this girl for breed type: appealing feminine head of good shape, kind dark eye giving soft expression, clean neck of length, front well constructed, ribbed body compact in make and shape, rear angulation was good. Stood, looked really well. Movement was so breed typical; happy with soundness and drive. Presented in top condition.

2 Burgess Gunalt Vettal to Hantzburg Sh Cex — Weimaraner dog
A smart male of good breed type. Pleased in head and eye; ears set on well; neck clean and muscular; chest deep and well-formed shoulders; correct for height to length; firm topline; well-made rear; tight feet; coat of good colour. Stood balanced and moved out covering ground soundly with drive pushed (1) all the way. Shown in top order.

AV Gundog Open Stakes (7) — 2

1 Wallace Dream Make Fo Ttia JA JW Imp DNK — Retriever (Labrador) bitch
Very smart yellow. Loved her feminine head of pleasing shape, kind eye with lovely expression; scores in front assembly; good neck and well-formed shoulders; chest of width and depth; firm in topline and short coupled; rear constructed in muscular form, stifles well turned and hock down; tail set and carried correctly; tight feet. Stood four-square and balanced, and movement was sound and true. Presented in top condition.

2 Cole Burning Desire Bloom for You at Wightsummer — Spaniel (American Cocker) dog
This exhibit gave a balanced shape and had good breed type. Gorgeous head with well-set ears, kind eye giving a most pleasing expression, very good neck of length leading to correct front assembly, ribbing sprung, nice depth, short coupled, topline pleased, slightly sloping to tail set, well shaped in rear. Moved out very well, positive with drive. Looked together on the stack, shown in good coat and condition.

3 Whites Lunarpet Born Free — Retriever (Labrador) bitch

AV Gundog Junior Stakes (2)

1 Wainwrights Ashbyglen I Dreamed a Dream JW — Retriever (Golden) dog
16-month-old, lovely masculine head but not overdone; kind dark eye giving best of expressions; ears well set; neck clean and of good length. He has good balance of frame, giving pleasing outline; well made in both front and rear construction; ribbing sprung and deep, firm in back; tail set and carried correctly; tight feet; nice in bone and substance. Takes the eye. Stood and moves out soundly with drive, shown in muscular condition and coat in top order.

2 Coles Dusk Till Dawn Bloom for You at Wightsummer — Spaniel (American Cocker) dog
Well-made head of good type, kind expressive eye, neck of length, pleased in front construction, compact body with correct topline, tail set, plenty of substance for frame, shown well. Movement has drive and soundness; coat and condition was good.

AV Gundog Spec Beg (3)

1 Wainwrights Ashbyglen I Dreamed a Dream JW — Retriever (Golden) dog

2 Herrings Battsrock Smoke on the Water — Retriever (Chesapeake Bay) dog

AV Gundog Spec Working (1)

1 Baxandall Battsrock Ashes to Ashes for Sharbrae — Retriever (Chesapeake Bay) bitch
Moved much better in this class, more settled and controlled.

Owned by Island Resident (4)

1 Wainwrights I Dreamed a Dream JW — Retriever (Golden) dog

2 Drakes Mikette How Far I’ll Go to Clamerkin — Lagotto Romagnolo bitch
Scores in head shape and type, best of expressions with good eye, ears well set, short strong neck leading to pleasing forequarters, forelegs straight and having oval bone, compact in body, short in loin, rear assembly well formed, good stifle, feet compact. Moved out with drive, coat correct, body outline balanced.

3 Baxandall Battsrock Ashes to Ashes for Sharbrae — Retriever (Chesapeake Bay) bitch

Owned by Mainland Resident (5) — 4

1 Gaylers Carolake X Marks the Spot JW — Retriever (Golden) bitch
Quality Goldie bitch with much to like. Loved her head, so feminine with lovely dark eye; scores in neck and front construction; body of substance, well ribbed and firm in topline; rear angulation pleased; tail set and carried correctly; plenty of bone for frame. Stood, looks really well. Moved out true on a good stride with plenty of drive. Nice bitch, one to be proud of.

Bred by Exhibitor (3)

1 Drakes Clamerkin Painted Lady — Lagotto Romagnolo bitch
This bitch has a sturdy, balanced outline of frame, head of pleasing shape and type, kind eye and expression, short neck leading to well-formed shoulders, body compact, topline correct. Her hindquarters were muscular with good stifle, tail carriage and set pleased. Stood and shown well; movement was true with drive. Presented in good coat and condition.

2 Bellamys Wightash Performer — Retriever (Labrador) dog
Liked this male’s head shape of good type; gives kind expression; clean, muscular neck; well-constructed front assembly; shoulders pleased; chest width and depth good; his ribbing was well sprung and he is firm in topline, short coupled, muscular rear, tight feet, good in bone throughout. Stood, gives pleasing outline; sound on the move with drive. Close to (1).

Special Yearling (3)

1 Drakes Il Granaio Dei Malatesta Livia Drusilla Per Clamerkin Imp Ita — Lagotto Romagnolo bitch
Feminine girl, pleased in head shape with good expression, pleasing outline and frame, well-made front, shoulders well laid, elbows in, forelegs straight, chest correct, topline firm, rear assembly shows balance. Stood and shown to advantage; went well on the move with drive; coat of good texture.

2 Baxandall Battsrock Ashes to Ashes for Sharbrae — Retriever (Chesapeake Bay) bitch

Brace (6) — 2

1 Drakes — Lagotto Romagnolo
Both went well, moving in unison with their handler.

2 Whites — Retrievers (Labrador)
Presented a pleasing pair with good type. Show well.

AV CC Winner (4)

1 Bunkers Sh Ch/It Ch Winterwell Little Itch at Karitagan — German Shorthaired Pointer bitch
I had the pleasure to judge this girl at the club show last year, and she was in the frame for top awards on the day. She now has her title, and deservedly so. She still appeals to me with breed type and femininity; scores with well-made front and rear; most pleasing head and eye. She gives a very smart outline on the stack and moves out sound and true with drive. Coat of correct texture and tight feet. A quality bitch and worthy title holder, one to be proud of.

2 Baxandall Battsrock Ashes to Ashes for Sharbae — Retriever (Chesapeake Bay) bitch

3 Burgess Gunalt Vettal to Hantzburg ShCEx — Weimaraner dog

Junior Handling

Aged 6–11 (1)

1 Abigail Rackett, aged 6
Two youngsters learning together, starting out on their showing journey. Keep practising and training and it will all come in time, but most of all enjoy your day out. Good luck for the future.