Border Counties Gundog Club

Judges critique of Border Counties Gundog Open Show 3rd May 2026. 

Many thanks to the Border Counties Gundog Club committee for the invitation to judge at their Premier Open Show. I had some super dogs to judge in the AV Gundog classes and was spoilt for choice in the Adult and Puppy Groups.

 AV Gundog.

Veteran Dog (12,8)

1 Jamieson, Macara & Blackburn-Bennet Sh Ch Kanix Peri Peri With Glenfinnan. Almost 8yr old Pointer dog who presents a breed typical outline. Super masculine head of correct proportions. Neck of good length leads to well placed close bladed shoulders. Super angulation all through with a good sweep and width of second thigh. Stands on well boned limbs and tight well arched feet. Level topline held on the move with a well set bee-sting tail which he uses well on the move. BVIS.

2 Barber Sh Ch Foxriever Picture Perfect For Blanshard. 7 yr old Curly Coat dog. Such a sound well made dog. Wedge shaped head with balance of skull and muzzle. Strong neck leads to well laid shoulders. Equal return of upper arm. Deep in brisket with forechest evident. Well sprung ribs reach well back. Level topline held on the move. Well set tail of correct length. Stands on well boned limbs with tight round feet, Super mover from any angle. 

3 Murchison Kerryfair Please Please me Corphin ShCEx. Irish Set.

Veteran Bitch (12,3)

1 Mason Morgan Van Freebreeze (Imp Ned) ShCEx. 7yr old O/W Pointer bitch who has a feminine head with soft intelligent expression. Good reach of neck fits neatly into well laid shoulders with a good return of upper arm. Deep chest. Short coupled with deep loin. Good bone and tight feet. Short rear pasterns. Moved out well using her bee sting tail to good effect.

2 Logie & Braidwood Sh Ch Albadhu Pawsitive Vibes JW.7yr old Large Munsterlander bitch with a correctly proportioned feminine head. Strong neck fits well into her shoulders. Well angulated all through with a firm topline and well set tail. Deep chest and well sprung ribs reaching well back. Presented in lovely coat and condition. Moved well on an easy ground covering stride.

3 Chandler Chanangel Yorkshire Rose. WSS.

Junior (13,4)

1 Calvert Calvdale Lizzie Stark. 9mth ESS bitch with an attractive feminine head. Well set ears and dark eyes. Good reach of neck leads to well placed shoulders. Well angulated all through with a super width of second thigh. Her body is well developed for her age with well sprung ribs and a deep chest. Forechest evident. Moved out well and excels in profile movement keeping a firm topline.

2 Wood As Good as it gets Wavelet With Sinduda.13mth SWD dog. Head of correct proportions. Clean muscular neck. Balanced angulation all through with strength and width of second thigh. Short rear pasterns. Curled coat of woolly texture. Level back with slightly higher withers. Moved well.

3 Hostler Theondale High Hopes JW. Wei.

Yearling (11,7)

1 Logie & Braidwood Albadhu I’m Mad About You.13mth Large Munsterlander bitch. Feminine head with gentle expression. Neck of good length fits neatly into well laid shoulders, good return of upper arm. Good spring of rib reaching well back to a deep loin. Well made rear quarters used to good effect on the move. My notes say, moved out beautifully on a lithe easy stride.

2 Anderson Rowell Daledancer Frances Mullen. 15mth Pointer bitch with a balanced head. Lovely reach of neck into close bladed shoulders. Well sprung ribs reach well back to strong loin. Stands on well boned limbs and tight well arched feet. Uses her bee sting tail well on the move.

3 Booth Lundgarth Fly The Flag JW. Pointer

Graduate (13,6)

1 Booth Lundgarth Ticket To Fly JW. 17mth Pointer bitch. Well made with super angulation all through. Neck of good length, flows into well placed and laid shoulders with a good return of upper arm. Deep chest, well sprung ribs and deep loin. Firm topline leads to well set bee sting tail used well on the move. She uses her well-developed rear quarters to good effect on the move.

2 Daledancer Frances Mullen. Repeat.

3 Balmer Trapaleba Carrera. Wei.

Limit (10,7)

1 Barber Tonispada Vuori Vincent By Blanshard SGWC. 3 yr old Curly Coat dog with the wedge shaped head required. Strong slightly arched neck leads to well laid shoulders. Balanced angulation all through with good width of second thigh. Deep chest, slight tuck up with deep loin. Firm topline held on the move. Moved well.

2 Balmer Trapaleba Dior JW. 2 yr old Weimaraner bitch. Very nice head. Good reach of neck, forechest evident. Balanced angulation all through with strength and width of second thigh. Good bone, well arched toes. Chest depth equal to length of forelegs and correct height to length ratio. Firm topline and well set tail. Moved out steadily.

3 Murray Gingerfox Curlew At Muireatai. 3 yr old Chesapeake.

Group

1 Whittingham, Wright & Bexon Sh Ch Rubino Spinone Del Mucrone With Riccini (Imp Ita) Almost 3 yr old dog who caught my eye for his breed typical outline and balanced, square build. His head is balanced with the required divergent plains and his skull is lean. His neck is powerful and muscular fitting well into well laid shoulders with an excellent return of upper arm placing his forelegs under his body. Deep chest with well sprung ribs. Correct topline rising slightly to strong loin. He uses his well developed rear quarters to good effect on the move. His stride was effortless with super reach and drive.

2 West Sh Ch Gunalt Wavelength JW ShCEx OSW. 5 yr old bitch who has always been a favourite of mine. Super feminine head with a soft expression. Good reach of neck. Again, displaying a breed typical outline of correct length to height ratio. Firm topline and well set tail. Another super mover.

3 Gardner Sh Ch Alanea Game Reserve With Danwish. Lovely 9 yr old dog who is a credit to his breed. Presents a picture of balance and strength. Well made with great angulation all through. Firm topline leads to correctly set tail. Sound from any angle.

4 Chandler Sh Ch Chanangel Jo Sugden JW Sh CEx OSW. 5 yr old dog. Possessing breed type without any exaggerations. Presented in super coat and condition. Moved well showing plenty of reach and drive.

Puppy Group

1 Hill Orchidstar Ruby Sunday. 10 mth GSP bitch with the best of heads. Her neck of good length flows into close bladed shoulders which are well laid. Good return of upper arm. She has the required depth of chest, spring of rib and short deep loin. Her topline is firm with a well set and carried tail. Standing on well boned legs, she has the best of feet. Good width of second thigh with short rear pasterns. She showed super reach and drive on the move. I thought her a very promising puppy.

2 Oddie Sharnphilly Euphoria For Riowood.9 mth Pointer bitch. Another lovely example of her breed showing the grace of outline expected. Feminine head, super reach of neck. Deep chest, well sprung ribs reach well back to short deep loin. Great topline leads to well set bee sting tail carried well on the move. Moved very well. I will watch her career with interest.

3 Alcorn & Ingram Gunalt Stiff Peaks. 9 mth Weimaraner bitch of good breed type, Lovely head well set on neck of good length. Good length to height ratio with a firm topline which she holds on the move. Well angulated all through. Moved out well.

4 Calvert Calvdale Infinity. 9 mth ESS bitch with a feminine head. Deep muzzle and well set ears. Her expression is kind and intelligent. Lovely reach of neck flows into well placed and laid shoulders. Her topline is firm with a well set tail. Deep chest, well sprung ribs. Well angulated rear quarters. Presented in super coat and condition. Moved out well up and down showing a good length of stride in profile.

Val Mann (Judge)