I was thrilled to be asked to judge Dogs at the ISBC 49th Breed Championship show, held with The National Dog Show at Stafford Show Ground, having been involved
in the breed for some 40 plus years I consider it to be a great honour and privilege.
Thanks to the hard working Committee for your hospitality and hard work, my congratulations to your team.
I really enjoyed my judging, the depth of quality, the presentation and muscle condition was very high, well done to the exhibitors. The ring was spacious and the weather was sunny and warm – there is nothing quite like the sun on an Irish Setter’s coat !
Minor Puppy Dog (3)
1st Sturrock , Sturrock & Sturrock’s Forfarian Dusty Bottoms, 7 month old who just loves life!! What a little cracker, he has a lot of maturing to do but he has a lovely head with well set on ears of good length, beautiful almond shaped dark eye giving such a cheeky look. Excellent outline on the stack, strong quarters and the best of feet. On the move he really enjoyed himself, his footfall was accurate and his tail carriage is excellent. In the challenge for Best Puppy he was just a touch over exuberant,
2nd Greenan & Hopewell’s Lochlorien No Offence Juleset. Pleasing head with a soft expression. Clean neck leading to well laid shoulder and corresponding length of upper arm. Good length of leg and correct depth of chest. Good length and spring of ribcage. Strong hindquarters. Moved soundly.
3rd Corless’s Swiftlark Invincible
Puppy Dog (2)
1st Sturrock , Sturrock & Sturrock’s Forfarian Dusty Bottoms – Repeat
2nd Corless’s Swiftlark Invincible. Honest boy who has breed type. Decent head and good eyes,. A shade long in leg and his ribs need to fill out, but all this will change as he matures. Just never really settled.
Junior Dog (3, 2ab)
1st Berry & Morris’s Brinara Country Boy presented a nicely balanced outline with slightly arched neck, Moderate sloping topline, deep brisket, well ribbed back, short well developed loin and tail of good set. Pleasing head with masculine expression, good planes, medium stop, dark eyes, and raised eyebrows. Moved out well when viewed coming and going and in profile.
Yearling Dog (3, 1ab)
1st Crocker & Lewis’s Riverbrue Wonderwall at Hernwood, Eye catching masculine head, with raised brows and chiselling, correct eye shape and colour. Lovely length to an arch, strong neck, well laid shoulder placement, sloping firm topline, and good angles front and rear, correct tail placement used at all times on the move. He moved freely round the ring, on a lengthy balanced side gait. Handled and presented beautifully.
2nd Brown’s Riverbrue Soldier On. Another who I thought quite lovely and he pushed the winner hard here. Well balanced with neck of correct length, firm topline with slight slope, deep brisket, ribbed well back, short well developed loin and tail set on high. Delightful head and expression, moderate stop, medium-sized dark oval eyes, correctly set ears. Moved well with a confident carriage.
Maiden Dog (1)
1st Corless’s Swiftlark Invincible – Repeat
Novice Dog (6)
1st Fisher’s Quensha Who New. This is a very typy boy. Pleasing head, expressive eyes and good balance of skull and muzzle. He has a well laid shoulder which gives him length of neck. Deep in rib, and well ribbed back. Wide in the second thigh with well let down hocks, On the move he is sound and has good footfall.
2nd Berry & Morris’s Brinara Country Boy – Repeat
3rd Deighton’s Oakdene Schiehallion (Imp Bel)
Undergraduate Dog (1)
1st Webb & Danks- Kemish’s Alolfrana Azzaro Beside (AW 1) Quality boy presenting such a good outline with moderately long neck, firm slightly sloping topline, first class ribbing, good depth to chest, short well developed loin and a good tail set. Most attractive head and expression. Purposeful action, holding his topline as he goes and very well handled. Quality coat and presentation
Graduate Dog (8)
1st Crocker’s Riverbrue Morning Glory . Super head with correct eye and expression, wth raised brows and plenty of chiselling. . Lovely neck length leading into good lay of shoulders, firm top line, lovely moulded croup. Well balanced throughout which gave him the drive to move effortlessly round the ring. In super coat and muscle condition.
2nd Gardner’s Quensha Walk Me Home To Danwish He also presents a well- balanced outline with slightly arched neck, deep brisket, well sprung ribs, firm loin and tail of good set. Lovely head and expression with defined stop and dark oval-shaped eyes. Moving freely with excellent carriage.
3rd Gisby’s Suteresett Rum Tug Tugger
Post Graduate Dog (7)
1st Willis’s Gwendariff The Grand Master At Jacwillins, young male who stood out in this class so much to like about him in all departments. Super head showing raised brows and chiselling. Almond shaped eye and a soft expression Well balanced, super angulations in front and back. Lovely length to neck leading into a good lay of shoulder, good depth to chest strong quarters that he used to advantage on the move showing easy free flowing movement.
2nd Swainsans’s Glenvarna Monteray JW This boy has a lovely head with plenty chiselling & dark eye, strong neck leading to correct shoulders & straight front. Good depth to chest and well ribbed. Correct hind angulation which gives him drive on the move. Well presented.
3rd Foster’s Goldnavarm Endurance At Shanoah
Mid Limit Dog (6)
1st Gisby’s Suteresett King Of Hearts JW Super boy, lovely head with soft expression from a dark eye of correct shape, lovely ear set. Arched neck flowing to good lay of shoulders, such a well- balanced boy with good angles allowing his free flowing movement round the ring.
2nd Gardner’s Danwish On High (A.I.) JW. Pleased for type and presented a good outline with correct length of neck, Deep oval ribbing, strong loin and well set tail. Masculine head and expression with correct skull and parallel planes, dark oval-shaped eyes. Moved true.
3rd Lorrimer’s Kerrimere Classique JW
Limit Dog (5)
1st Chorley- Newton, Chorley, Flinders & Gardner’s Pawsword Priceless To Kerryfair JW He is of excellent type and presented a well-balanced outline with strong, slightly arched neck, firm backline with the requisite gentle slope, deep chest, ribbed well back, short firm loin and muscular hindquarters, tail set on well. Quality head and expression; masculine with moderate stop, parallel planes, dark oval-shaped eyes, powerful muzzle with good finish. Moved with stylish action with plenty of drive from the rear. DRCC.
2nd Greenan’s Anlory Aidan JW. Another who was good to go over but he didn’t quite have the outline of winner. Strong neck of sufficient length, firm topline with characteristic slope, deep chest, good spring of rib, firm loin and tail good for both set and carriage. Pleasing head and expression dark oval-shaped eyes and well set ears. Moved true and purposefully.
3rd Russell’s Lynwood Hocus Pocus At Settesoli JW
Open Dog (7, 2 ab)
1st Stockton’s Riverbrue Alchemist Amidst Kespas JW. Super masculine boy with no trace of coarseness. Lovely dark eye of correct shape, excellent chiselling and raised brows giving the most melting expression. Good length to neck showing the slight arch, leading into good lay of shoulder, excellent depth to ovel ribs short strong loin and well angled hindquarters. Correct set to tail held to perfection on the stack and on the move. This boy floated round the ring, I could watch him all day. In super condition in coat and muscle tone., DCC & BOB in full agreement with my co-judge.
2nd Alcorn & Ingram’s Gwendariffs Red Light Show Farnfield. Pleased for type and presented a good outline with correct length of neck, Deep in chest and well ribbed back. Short muscular loin and strong quarters. Pleasing head and expression with correct skull and parallel planes, dark oval-shaped eyes, and a soft expression. Moved with accurate footfall and drive.
3rd Edwards’s Gwendariff Ucan’tmissme Bonhomie
Veteran Dog (4, 2ab)
1st Foster’s Millcroft Chase The Moon To Shanoah. . This boy really appeals for type, is good to go over and presented a very good outline. Masculine headpiece, kind eye, correct planes, medium stop and strong muzzle Excellent ribbing, nice short loin and tail set on well. Well -constructed, standing nice and straight in front and firm, muscular hindquarters. Moving freely on the down and back and handled to advantage. In the Challenge for BVIS I think he just wanted to find his bed !
2nd Heppell’s Deevonville Santana Sh,Cm, Another who was good to go over but he didn’t quite have the outline of winner. Strong neck of sufficient length, strong topline with characteristic slope, deep chest, good spring of rib, firm loin and tail good for both set and carriage. Pleasing head and expression with moderate breadth to skull, correct planes, dark oval-shaped eyes, good ear set. Straight in front and moving well.
Special Vintage Dog
No Entries
Special Beginners Dog (3)
1st Deighton’s Oakdene Schiehallion (Imp Bel) This boy possesses a well- balanced
head. Good reach of neck, well laid shoulders. Correct topline and good tail set. Moved
soundly once she got in to her stride and settled.
2nd Poole’s Teleri Summer Nights (A.I.) . Masculine head with a kind eye. Nicely balanced all through. Clean outline with firm topline and well-set tail. Well-made hindquarters. Stands square all round. Moved steadily fore and aft.
3rd Corless’s Swiftlark Invincible
Judge Christine Schofield