Boston & District Canine Society

Boston & District Canine Society Open Show

What an incredible show. I was so impressed by every element of the day, from the venue with its immaculate grass and modern facilities, to the friendliness of the committee, and the booming voice of Donald, my super-efficient steward. Thank you for the invitation to judge and to everybody who entered their gundogs under me. One quick note, please do give your dogs a bath or at the least good brush even before an open show - my hands were brown with dirt after judging. I found a couple of suspect mouths and one dog with undescended testicles, but otherwise it was a high quality entry.

JHA 6-11 years

Jackson Kirkwood-Emery, age 9. Very promising young handler with a miniature smooth-haired dachshund. Had a good awareness of my ring position and noticed immediately when I moved his dog’s paw. Moved his dog at the correct pace with straight lines and neat corners. Was very smartly dressed to complement his dog. Just needs to work on controlling the lead a little better.

Annabelle Jones, age 11. Less experienced handler with lots of potential – hope she sticks at it as she was very gentle and had a good rapport with her Sealyham terrier.

JHA 12-16 years

An excellent class of handlers – sure they will change places many times.

Leah Chadwick, age 16. Fantastic handler who will have a bright future in the ring. Showed her Cavalier to perfection. It’s never as easy to freestand as it is to stack, but she got her dog looking perfect each time I glanced their way. Was very gentle and quietly encouraging to her dog, who was obviously very happy to be in the ring with her. Completed her patterns effortlessly, switching hands when needed, and moved her dog at the right pace. Smartly dressed to complement her dog.

Abigail Kirkwood-Emery, age 13. Very talented handler with a miniature smooth-haired dachshund. Well presented, completed patterns effortlessly and kept an eye on my position at all times. Just lost out today as she didn’t notice when her dog moved its back foot out of line.

Emily Windler, age 12 with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Adult Handling 17+

Strong class. Please do remember to check whether your dog has moved its feet and swot up on the golden rule – those things really make the difference in a handling class.

Debra Kay. Everything I look for in a good handler - quiet, unassuming and got the best from her dog without shouting about it. I later learnt she’d only met the Border terrier she was showing earlier that day but you’d never have known. The dog did everything she asked and was clearly enjoying being in the ring with her. Her lines were sharp as a knife, with tight corners but without halting the dog’s movement. Stacked and corrected her dog’s stance effortlessly. Well done.

Amber Sims. Splitting hairs between my winner and this talented handler with a chihuahua. Excellent and unexaggerated handler who never rushed her small dog. Just didn’t come back to my feet at the end of her first movement before starting the next. As I said, splitting hairs!

Patricia McMahon with a Weimaraner veteran who tried to be a puppy in this class!

English Setter

P (1) 1. Danks, Swannell, Littlechild & Littlechild’s Alolfrana All Night Party. What a little cracker! Absolutely loved this 7-month-old tri youngster. So much promise, and much in common with her Sh Ch father, who I later found out won BOB. Clean outline with elegant neck carriage, level topline and correctly set tail. Absolutely dripping in coat for her age. Loved her balanced angulation, tight feet, deep chest and correct spring of rib. Has a very pretty head with dark eye and well-defined occiput. Moved straight and true. One to watch. BP and considered in a very strong puppy group.

SY (3) 1. Morgan’s Latjeata Vivaldi. Class headed by two promising orange roan bitches. Beautiful head with raised brow, defined occiput and correct, fairly square finish to her muzzle. At 23 months, she is well muscled with balanced angulation and good layback of shoulder. Firm topline and move soundly with good drive and head carried correctly.

2. Reid’s Diersett Moon of The Skies. Another lovely youngster, would just prefer more depth of flew.

3. Griffiths’ Tawnymeade Moonshine

L (1) 1. Bromwich’s Ilexeset Primary Colour. Masculine blue belton boy who I was later told hasn’t been shown much and who was clearly enjoying his day out. Has a masculine head, with plenty of depth to it and dark, expressive eye. Liked his cleanly arched neck and level topline. Moved with enthusiasm but tail carriage was a little high.

O (2) 1. Danks, Littlechild & Littlechild’s Sh Ch Ravensett Just An Illusion with Alolfrana JW. A pleasure to judge this beautiful orange belton boy, who I later found out is the sire of my BP. The most immaculately presented English I think I’ve seen - he’s in firm muscular condition and has the most beautiful, silky coat. Loved his masculine head with knowing eye and correct depth of flew, carried elegantly on his clean, well-arched neck. Constructed soundly throughout, with firm, level topline, good spring of rib, muscular loin, straight front and balanced angulation. An absolute picture on the move, totally at one with his handler, and really reaching in front and driving from behind but making it look free and effortless. BOB and shortlisted in a very strong group.

2. T Moonshine. 3rd in SY. Rangy young dog who needs time to mature.

Gordon Setter

SY (1) 1. Poynter & Poynter & Collins-Pitman’s Amscot Angels and Demons JW. What a promising young dog. Stood alone but capable of winning in stiff competition. In top condition with a gleaming coat of coal black with rich chestnut markings. Deep skull with plenty of work and dark, expressive eye. Good depth of chest, correct angulation fore and aft, and level topline, with strong loin, which he maintained on the move. So lovely to see his lashing tail carried correctly - a bugbear of mine in Gordons! Loved everything about him and will be interested to see how he progresses. He really drove from behind on the move, with good reach in front and looked a picture in the outdoor ring in the sunshine. Shortlisted and considered in a strong gundog group but just showed his age and got a little over-excited when moving.

Irish Red & White Setter

How wonderful to see a class of three puppies, all from different litters in this vulnerable breed.

P (3) 1. Gardner’s Alanea Turning Tables Into Danwish. One I wished I could take home. What a promising youngster. Has the most beautiful, gently domed head, with relatively square muzzle, and round, dark hazel eye. There’s a definite glint in his eye and the kind of aloof expression that makes you smile. Despite his age, he is already the perfect balance of strength and athleticism. His outline is everything I look for – balanced and correctly angulated, with well-sprung rib and straight front. Strode out off tight feet, totally at one with his handler. His lashing, correctly carried tail was the perfect finishing touch. Couldn’t deny his confirmation and movement when it came to the challenge. BOB, BP and PG4. Congratulations. 

2. Clark’s Aislingwood Amber Fields. Less mature but very pretty bitch with clean markings.

3. Taylor’s Fiainrua Stormtrooper 

O (1) 1. Taylor’s Laoirebay Monte Carlo VW. Upstanding 8-year-old dog with much to like. The most beautiful head, with balanced width across the skull and a ‘butter wouldn’t melt’ expression. Low-set ear, dark eye. Liked his depth of chest, and he is well angulated fore and aft. Had fun on the move but showed ample reach and drive. Carried his tail correctly. Lovely dog but preferred the tireless movement and straighter front of the youngster in the challenge.

Labrador Retriever 

P (2) 1. Lawrence & Scrimgeour’s Claychalk Costa Genna. Two really promising black pups in this class. It was my winner’s first show at just 6 months. Such a promising baby and so together for her age. Liked her movement – straight and true with a lashing otter tail. Everything in the right place, with strong neck flowing into well laid back shoulders, good spring of rib and correct angulation fore and aft. Loved her clean-cut head with dark eye and mischievous expression.

2. Evans’ Loretta Night Fury over Eminala (Imp Usa). Rangier dog with lots to like. Loved his head and expression. Good bone and angulation. Longer topline than my winner.

SY (1) 1. McKee & Evans’ Eastdew Sky Full of Stars over Eminala. This yellow girl stood alone but could win in strong company. The prettiest of heads – broad with well-set ear, dark eye, wide nostrils, dark pigment and quizzical expression. Liked her neck flowing cleanly into her shoulders. Straight front and rear legs, good topline and spring of rib. Moved soundly, at one with her handler.

PG (6,1) 1. McKee & Evans’ Eastdew Rewrite The Stars with Eminala JW. This pale yellow youngster took my eye immediately in this strong class. Nothing flashy about him but so honest and well made throughout. Loved his head, with a smiling expression, excellent pigment, ear set well back and dark hazel eye. Plenty of breadth across the skull with defined stop and clean-cut foreface. Well laid back shoulders with straight legs set well under his body. Good depth of chest, strong level topline and muscular loins. Hocks well let down and otter tail set on and carried correctly. Hard outer coat with dense undercoat. Moved with coordination, reach and drive. Very promising. Will watch his future with interest. BOB and G3 – congratulations.

2. Manning’s Marchurch Solstice Kiss JW. Such a well balanced bitch, who was unlucky to meet my winner on such fine form. Loved her pretty head, straight front, correct confirmation, level topline and tailset. Moved soundly just felt my winner had more drive from the rear today.

3. Young’s Potterspiney Ahsoka Tano

L (2,1) 1. Scrimgeour’s Velvetine Willow. Again, another who could win in company. Six-year-old black bitch who has reached full maturity. Has the most lovely dark eye, with kindly expression, as well as a clean-cut head with good stop, breadth and balanced with femininity. Moved soundly off tight feet. Level topline, good depth and width of chest, ribs carried well back, balanced angulation and otter tail. Moved out well.

O (3,2) 1. Young’s Potterspiney Optimist Vision. Absolutely splitting hairs in this class – the most masculine dog and the most feminine bitch, who I’m sure will change places many times. My winner was so typically labrador in his outgoing temperament and was in the hardest muscular condition I’ve ever seen in the show ring. Powered around the ring with lashing tail and smiling expression. Liked his handsome head, firm, level topline, correct angulation fore and aft, front legs set well back and depth of chest. Moved with reach and drive.

2. Evans’ Sh Ch/lux/bel/rom Ch Eminala Star Struck Farnfield ShCEx. The most beautiful girl who is a finer boned type with the prettiest of heads. Longer in the back than my winner but with a strong, level topline. Just felt she moved with less enthusiasm on the day.

AVNSC Gundog

P (3,2) 1. Rigby’s Glaneils Enjoy The Silence, Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Lovely 10-month old whose oily adult topcoat is now coming in. Good breadth of head with lovely amber eye and intelligent expression. Correct length of muscular neck, which flows cleanly into his shoulders. Level topline with round rib carried well back. Free and effortless on the move, moving straight and true. Really promising youngster.

SY (2,1) 1. Logie & Braidwood’s Albadhu I'm Addicted to You. The first of three beautiful Munsterlander bitches, all from the same kennel. This girl is 15 months old and simply floated around the ring on the move, looking as if she could keep going all day. Pretty head with balanced width across skull and length proportionate to her body, and intelligent eye. Ears broad and set on high. Clean over neck, straight front and rear. Slightly sloping topline held on the move. Well feathered and with pleasing markings. Really hope she gets her JW as she’s got so much to offer.

L (1) 1. Logie & Braidwood’s Albadhu I'm Mad About You JW. Litter sister to SY winner and very similar in outline, although different in colour with this girl having more white. Again, excellent outline and mover, with the long, springy gait you look for in a Munsterlander. Well proportioned head with medium eye, feminine expression and broad, high-set ear. Liked her firm, gently sloping topline. Hocks well let down, tight feet and excellent tailset.

O (3,2) 1. Logie & Braidwood’s Sh Ch Albadhu Pawsitive Vibes JW VW. These Munsterlander girls just kept getting better! I absolutely loved this mature seven-year-old who is a picture of balance. Darker marked bitch with the most beautiful black head, so well balanced with dark eye and correct ear placement. Clean, well muscled neck flowing cleanly into well laid back shoulder. Strong, gently sloping topline with good spring of ribs, which are carried well back and tuck-up under loin. Dense, well feathered coat with attractive markings. So light on her feet, belying her years on the move. Moved like an absolute dream, completely at one with her handler – reaching in front and driving from behind. Thank you for bringing her BAVNSC & G4.

Gundog Group

Topliss’ Beresford Stand N' Stare JW, English Springer Spaniel. Won this lovely group on balance, coordination and movement. Honest, well-boned dog with nothing to hide. He moved exceptionally well and looked like he could keep going all day – the mark of a gundog who could do the work it was originally bred for. So well balanced and symmetrical in outline with characteristic swinging motion of his firelegs on the move and an ever-wagging tail. Loved his masculine, rounded head with slightly aloof expression and well-set ear. Good length of neck, strong topline, correct angulation front and back. Deep chest and muscular loin to correctly set tail. Liver and white with abundant silky coat and ample feathering. Beautifully handled and presented – congratulations!

Danks & Kniveton’s Alolfrana Electra, Irish Setter. A really beautiful Irish girl who is in her absolute prime. Her gleaming chestnut coat looked an absolute picture in the sunshine with the gentle breeze in her feathers. Her outline is just beautiful, each part flowing cleanly into the next, from her slightly arched neck along her gently sloping topline to the tip of her well-set tail. Good angulation front and rear, with plenty of depth of chest, straight front and good forechest. Her head is her real calling card – she’s so pretty and feminine with arched brows, low-set ear and well-defined occiput. Moved out well with drive and coordination.

McKee & Evans’ E Rewrite The Stars with Eminala JW, Labrador Retriever.

Logie & Braidwood’s Sh Ch A Pawsitive Vibes JW VW, Large Munsterlander.

Gundog Puppy Group

The strongest puppy group I’ve judged.

Bott, Allen & Morgan’s Glitterati Lofty with Quensha (Imp Pol), Irish Setter. Wow. I always think you are the most critical of your own breed but this girl is just exquisite and I couldn’t deny her top spot in this exceptional puppy group. Irish should be racy, balanced and full of quality, and she’s just that. Her chestnut coat was gleaming in the sunshine and she floated around the ring like she owned it. Her outline is just perfection – elegant, slightly arched neck, well laid back shoulder, gently sloping topline, correct angulation and perfectly set tail. Has the prettiest of heads with dark eye, raised brow and plenty of work on her foreface. Can’t wait to see what she achieves in the ring. RBPIS – congratulations! 

Forbes & Sladden’s Silvestre Pop Soda Pop at Canemamans, Bracco Italiano. Loved this boy and he was unlucky to meet my winner on such fine form. Am sure he has a very bright future. So well balanced with plenty of bone and the tightest of feet. Almost square in outline with strong topline, correctly set tail. So well muscled with well-developed second thigh. Balanced angulation and typical, untiring movement covering plenty of ground with head carried high. Gorgeous head with slightly arched muzzle, wide nostrils, low-set ear and oval eye with close-fitting lids. Will watch his future with interest.

Vine & Hassell’s Urvum Hero at Beanalrem, German Wirehaired Pointer. Another promising youngster with everything in the right place and so much potential. Clean outline with muscular neck set into well laid back shoulder. Straight front, correct angulation, hocks well let down, correctly set tail and firm topline. Broad masculine head with high-set ear and charming white blaze. Coat is correct coarse texture and he was another incredible mover for such a youngster – powering around the ring with drive and coordination.

Gardner’s A Turning Tables Into Danwish, Irish Red & White Setter.

AV Gundog

V (14,2) 1. Gardner’s Sh Ch Alanea Game Reserve with Danwish, Irish Red & White Setter. Headed a wonderful class of veterans who are belying their age. Everything a Red & White should be – balanced, athletic and unexaggerated with the most beautiful coat and feathering. Still looks in his prime at 9, as a setter should. Won the class on his movement, demonstrating complete coordination, which comes from correct construction. He’s an upstanding dog with masculine head, kind eye, strong neck, straight front, good depth of chest and balanced angulation. Handled to get the most from him. Later found out he’s the sire of my BOB, BP and PG4, and they have many similarities. RBVIS – well done.

2. Smith’s Isfryn Peeping Tom JW VW, beautiful 9 year old Welsh Springer bitch. Such a lovely example of the breed. Feminine head, balanced construction, lovely markings. Straight front, good spring of rib, strong topline and correctly set tail. Powered around the ring with an ever-wagging tail.

3. McMahon’s Ir Sh Ch Silverkelvin Jupiter over Magdala VW Cw22, completed a trio of lovely dogs.

P (18,11)

Suett’s Silberliss Diamond Cut, Weimaraner. Best mover in the class – has effortless, ground covering movement with so much coordination for a 10-month-old. Liked her lean head with aristocratic expression, high-set ear and pale eye. Good angulation fore and aft, good depth of chest, strong topline, slightly curved croup and well-set tail. Sleek coat and tight feet.

2. Rigby’s G Enjoy The Silence, Chesapeake

3. Tregaskis’ Caithpoint Keep The Heid with Moenfair, Pointer

SY (16,7)

Riley’s Strettonhills Quevega, Golden Retriever. My notes say ‘gorgeous girl’. So well balanced for her age, just needs the coat that will come as she matures. Sound, effortless mover with plenty of drive from behind and reach in front. Balanced head with feminine expression and dark pigment. Correct front angulation and legs set well back under her chest. Well sprung rib, close-fitting elbows and level topline.

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MacFarlane’s Harelferg Macfarlane for Umfrido JW, Irish Setter. A new one to me but really liked him. Balanced, well constructed dog throughout who moved soundly. Has a masculine head with raised brow, dark eye, low-set ear and correct stop. Good topline, neat feet and correctly carried tail. Plenty of dark coat and well presented.

Gammon’s Glenbrows Opera D'arte JW, Hungarian Vizsla

O (6,3)

Lovely class to finish the day – only three present but three good ones.

Pipes and Groves’ Ch Bushwacker Don Juan JW, Bracco Italiano. Noble, upstanding dog – wasn’t surprised to find he’s a Champion. Almost square in outline with strong topline, correct angulation and tight feet. Well boned with strong, masculine head, wide nostrils and long, well-set ear. Moved out with drive and looked as if he could keep going all day. Powerful neck, which meant his head was carried high on the move. Broad, well-sprung rib and good bend of stifle.

Wilson’s Hameldowntor Pedro Ximenez, Flat Coated Retriever. Black dog with a clean outline who is well balanced throughout. In gleaming coat and condition, with correct, well-moulded head and dark eye. Clean neck, deep chest, short loin and correctly set tail. Straight and true on the move. Just preferred the straighter front of my winner.

MacFarlane’s Harelferg New Tricks for Umfrido ShCEx, Irish Setter

Laura Crombie (Judge)