Totnes & District Canine Society

Totnes & District Canine Society Open Show 12th July 2026

IRISH SETTER

Thank you for the invite to judge the breed today and my two stewards who kept the ring in order. Such a shame there were breed Championship and Open Shows on the same day, however I had a small but quality number of dogs to go over, all were clean and beautifully presented. A pet hate of mine, long claws clicking on the floor. Long claws can compromise foot shape and distort movement, especially at the front. ! In general today, I felt there was room for improvement in muscletone and movement appeared a little conservative, probably due to the intense heat and ringsize.

Puppy (2, 1) 1. Pike’s Redclyst Glenury Aoife. 7 months’ who was a little overawed today but what a super baby she is. Pretty feminine head with correct proportions, expression and pigment. Stacked, she showed a good run and natural slope of topline, a well set neck, super shoulder angulation and depth of chest. Her forelegs were straight and feet arched and neat. At the rear her quarters showed proportionate width and length and she stood on straight short hocks. Her movement was what I expected to see from her age and construction, she was straight and true and when settled, showed a balanced length of stride, covering the ground with ease. A lovely prospect, I wish her well. BP 

Post Graduate (3, 1) 1. McDonald’s Sheldonite it Takes Two Baby. 3 year old Dog, well presented and handled and shown in profuse coat. Masculine and classic head with good pigment, lovely depth of chest and spring of rib. Straight and sloping topline falling to strong rear quarters of good width, short strong hocks and a correct bend to stifle. Movement showed good carriage, footfall and length of stride. He had lovely lovely ring presence and showed a balanced picture both standing and on the move. 2. Bridgwater & Goddard’s Bridgella’s Jubilee Queen. 4 year old with a feminine well proportioned head and appealing expression. She has a good straight front and depth of chest. Her neck is clean and nicely arched and flows to a well laid shoulder and firm topline. Her quarters have good width and show a nicely angled stifle and a straight hock. Her topline was held well on the move with gait showing balance and a good length of stride. Not as tidy behind today.

Limit (3, 0) 1. Henderson & Szwajowski’s Grenada Lofty Czerwony (Pol Imp) A quality 4 year old showing substance, femininity and a balanced picture with nothing overdone. Lovely feminine head and muscular neck flowing to a well angled shoulder and a body of required proportions and flow. Her quarters compliment her front in angle, and have good width and a neat straight hocks. She is well muscled throughout which gave her movement the required length of stride and drive. Very well handled, she showed a lovely happy and coordinated picture on the move. RBOB.

2. Pike’s Redclyst The Celt 6 year old Dog showing the shape, outline and balance that that is produced from this kennel. Masculine head, well proportioned with good pigment and a gentle expression. Good front assembly over straight legs and neat arched feet. Firm in body with a good spring of rib, his quarters are well angulated and have good width. Movement was straight and true with a good footfall and length to his stride, just lacking a little in impulsion today. Well presented and handled. 3. Macdonald’s Redclyst Head Full of Dreams.

Open (3, 0) Three super veteran boys, cut from the same cloth and showing good breed type. I expect they have changed places many times over the years. 

1. Pike’s Redclyst Boris At 9 year old this upstanding boy still presents a racy, balanced and symmetrical outline. Lovely masculine head with correct planes, ear set and expression. Super reach of neck which flows into a well placed and angled shoulder, continuing the sloping topline through to his quarters and tail tip. His construction notes a good depth to chest and spring of rib, width to his quarters and short strong hocks, the latter promoting drive and a balanced even stride. Well presented and a lovely overall picture, just wished the ring had been bigger for full movement! BOB 2. Henderson & Szwajowski’s Redclyst Pasha. Dog of 7 years and of similar makeup as 1. Shown in profuse coat and balanced in profile, this boy has a masculine head, a strong neck and topline run and a correct set of tail. A deep chest and well sprung ribs, he stands on straight legs, has correct feet and is strong through his rib run and loin. Quarters are correctly angled and hocks short, and he moved with good footfall and an even stride. A little close behind, his drive could not match that of 1 today. Well presented and handled. 3. McDonald’s Redclyst Maximus

Judge: Kim Clunie - Warrentor