Paignton Championship Show 7th August 2021
Irish Setter – Bitches Critique
Thank you to Paignton committee for the invitation to judge Irish Setters, this was my first-time awarding CC’s and despite the damp weather it definitely did not dampen my day. I loved every second of it. Thanks also goes to all the exhibitors for for making the journey down and bringing their beautiful girls under me, a day I will not forget!
Minor Puppy Bitch (4,0 abs)
1st Henderson & Szwajkowski’s – GRENADA LOFTY CZERWONY NAF TAF (Imp Pol)
Very much a baby but lots to like about her and everything as it should be for a 6-month Irish Setter puppy. Lovely head with sweet expression, and nice dark eye. Good length of neck leading into nice straight front with plenty spring of rib for her age leading onto good group and tail set. On the move she was very together for a baby and showing good drive. She is very balanced when stood and should have a very promising future ahead of her.
2nd Heathers – SIXOAKS MY FAIR LADY
Very well bodied puppy, with beautiful dark chestnut coat in good condition. She has a lovely balanced head, again with good unshelled almond eye. Good lay back of shoulder into moderately angulated front. Overall, when stood she presented a lovely balanced outline – however she didn’t show to her best and was a little unsure when on the move on this occasion. I hope she builds on her confidence as she will have a lot of fun ahead of her.
Puppy Bitch (7, 1abs)
1st Stewart-Ritchie -GWENDARIFF THE HAPPY HOOKER
A mature puppy and very much a show girl. Presented in lovely coat and condition. She has a pleasing head and expression but would prefer a little more work over her brows. She has a good straight front, good spring of rib leading onto strong quarters. On the move, she really comes into her own, and moves around the ring with great drive and enthusiasm. Best Puppy Bitch.
2nd Box – FERNSTART HEARTS DELIGHT
Another lovely girl. She has a lovely rich dark coat, again in good condition. She has a good long, lean head with plenty stop. Good low set ears and correct eye shape. Good arch to her neck leading into laid back shoulders. Good angulation both in front and rear. Currently tail set is set on a little lower than I would like, but this will hopefully develop and improve with time. She moved well around the ring.
Junior Bitch (7, 1 abs)
1st Allen, Bott & Morgan’s – QUENSHA CRIMES OF PASSION
Slightly smaller built bitch but everything where it should be and presents good balanced picture. Lovely head and expression, with low set ears. Good length of neck leading into shoulders that are well laid back into great front angulation. Good depth of chest and well off for rib. She has well angulated quarters and correct tail set. On the move she moves freely with good action both coming and going, she wagged her tail all the way round, being a typical show girl. Will watch her mature with interest.
2nd Hall – HARREDS DAISIE
Very close to 1st and lots of similar comments apply. She is slightly shorter coupled than 1, but possesses a beautiful head and melting expression, with good low ears. Good length of neck leading into straight front. She is balanced when stood and moved around the ring with great drive. Another one to watch.
Yearling Bitch (5, 0abs)
This was a lovely class – a lot of very promising young girls coming up.
1st Watt’s -SHENANAGIN HALF A SIXPENCE
This girl is one you need to get your hands on to appreciate. She is a lovely honest girl with nothing to hide. She has a lovely balanced head, with good stop and sweet expression. Correct length of neck leading onto well laid back shoulders, good front angulation. She has plenty spring of rib and plenty rear angulation. On the move she is so true with great footfall. Would prefer a slightly darker coat, but that didn’t detract as she was presented in good condition. Very promising young girl!
2nd Bouttell’s – IXIA SNOW VIXEN
Similar girl to 1, she is not overdone in anyway and everything where it should be. She has a lovely dark coat, melting head and expression and presents a very balanced picture when stood. Not quite the depth at the moment, but that will hopefully come with age. On the move she caught your eye as she moved well both going and coming back and great driving action.
Novice Bitch (9,1abs)
1st Catlings – QUENSHA FAMILY PORTRAIT AT TELERI
A lovely bitch very right for her age, beautiful dark coat presented in lovely condition. She has a good head, dark eye and low set ears. Good layback of shoulder leading into nice straight front. She is slightly shorter made, but still balanced and has good rear angulation. She moves out well and true both coming and going. Both 1 & 2 will have bright futures ahead.
2nd Watt’s – SHENANAGIN HALF A SIXPENCE
Graduate Bitch (12, 2 abs)
1st Williamson’s – BLUESPRINGS SUNDAY GIRL
What a well-made bitch, really appealed in this class for type and overall balanced picture. She has a sweet expression, with good head and low ear set. Good arch to her neck leading onto well laid shoulders and good front angulation. She has a good depth of chest and spring of rib leading onto good croup and tail set. On the move she is very true showing good footfall and drive.
2nd Randle’s – ALOLFRANA LADY MILLION AT RIONORE
Another quality well made girl. She has a pleasing head and expression, good front, deep chest and good spring of rib. She excels in rear angulation that she uses to her advantage on the move. I would however prefer to see her carrying a little less weight.
Post Graduate Bitch (8, 2 abs)
1st Edwards – GWENDARIFF ITS NUMERO UNO AT BONHOMIE JW
A well-presented bitch, in beautiful coat and condition. She has a pleasing head and expression, good straight front with ample spring of rib and good rear angulation. Tended to be level in topline when stood, however she was the best mover in the class today and her tail never stopped.
2nd Kennedy-Sloan TWOACRES DESTINY
A balanced bitch when stood. Pleasing head and expression but would prefer a slightly darker eye. She has good layback of shoulder leading into straight front, depth of chest and good rear angulation. Would prefer her tail to be set a little lower, as although she moves well she had a tendency to carry her tail higher than I would like.
Limit Bitch (12,2abs)
What a class – I was honestly spoilt for choice. Thanks to all for allowing me to judge a class of such lovely girls.
1st Catlings – TELERI INDIAN SUMMER JW.
This girl caught my eye on my initial look around the class and when I got my hands on her she just didn’t disappoint. She is so elegant and racy but not overdone in any way. She has the most gorgeous head and expression, correct unshelled almond dark eye. Good arch to her neck leading onto well laid back shoulders and good front angulation. She has great depth of chest and spring of rib, good length of loin leading onto the correct amount of rear angulation. Good croup and tail set, with a gently sloping topline. On the move she was so true, both going away and coming back. She moved around the ring with such purpose and drive and her tail lashing the whole way round. It was a pleasure to award her the CC (her first) and I am sure the others will follow soon. BITCH CC
2nd Elkins – TWOACRES PROMISE OF SPRING WITH AVACET
Slightly different type to 1 but she possesses so many of the same qualities and comments. I have judged her before and did her well and think she has got better with age. Another who is racy and elegant, with a beautiful head and expression. When you get your hands on her she also has everything where is should be without any exaggerations. On the move again is where you can see how well made, she is as she moves out so well, such great drive. BITCH RCC
Open Bitch (4, 0abs)
1st Allen, Bott & Morgan’s – SH CH QUENSHA TUMBLE AND TWIRL JW
Both 1 & 2 in this class are such worth champions. 1 has a lovely head and soft melting expression. Good dark eye, correct arch to neck leading onto good shoulders and straight front. Well off for rib, good forechest and depth throughout. She has great rear angulation and once going she is a good mover, and has good drive around the ring. She has a lovely dark chestnut coat and was presented in beautiful condition.
2nd Hall’s – SH CH RIVERBRUE OPHELIA AT GLENNARA JW
This girl is also so well made and presents such a balanced picture when stood. She has a good dark coat, a lovely head and expression. Another who has great forearm angulation, depth throughout and balanced in angulation at the rear. Today her tail set was a little lower than I would like. She moved out well around the ring.
Veteran Bitch (4, 0abs)
1st Donnelly’s – INT & IR CH MILLCROFT WHISPERING MOON
This 9 year old bitch was presented in wonderful coat and condition. She has a pleasing head and expression, with good dark eye. She has good length of neck leading onto well laid-back shoulders and great forehand angulation. She has great spring of rib, slightly longer than I would like but still racy and balanced in outline. Her profile movement was a joy to watch as she ran around the ring not showing her age at all. Very much a credit to her owner. BEST VETERAN
2ND Andrew’s – MILLCROFT SCARLET MOON
A substantial bitch but another who is well made. Perhaps carrying a little too much weight but she has a good head and expression, with low set ears. Good angulation both fore and aft and presented a balanced picture overall. She moved out well.
Judge Nicola Sturrock
