Gundog Society of Wales 12 October 2011 - Critique - Dogs

Critique - Judge - Diane Stewart-Ritchie (Gwendariff)

IRISH SETTER DOGS

It was a pleasure to judge at this well run show and most pleasing to be judging outdoors in October.  I really wanted to see upstanding male dogs that had great presence, plenty of type and who could move with precision and animation – all this teemed with an added pinch of style would have been my ideal male.  Sadly todays entry was disappointing in this respect but I was however very pleased with my winners.  
Movement in general was poor and many dogs that looked well on the ‘stack’ completely went to pieces on the move.  Many times I have heard our Gundog Group judges remark on how poor moving our breed has become.  I can now empathise with these comments.
As breeders we have a role to play as custodians of our beloved breed.  As many of you know I am very patriotic about the breed and would defend it to the utmost.  Perhaps when breeding we should try to redress our balance of type versus soundness. One generation of soundness every now and then could help breeders maintain that high quality the breed was once renowned for.  There is nothing so disappointing to a judge than to admire a beautiful dog, full of type and exuding that extra special Irish Setter quality – only to find it to be lacking in the basic essential of sound movement.
Now that I’ve given my thoughts on this entry I would like to commend the principal winners and main prize card winners.  It is quite easy to see those who really make an effort with their dogs. Typical, sound moving dogs with plenty of reach and drive was evident and these were also put down in good musculature order. It’s a very expensive hobby and to emulate some of the very top exhibitors and breeders of the past takes dedication and sacrifice – it’s there for everyone………….. but we’ve got to give commitment.

MPD (4,0)

1 & BPD O’Connors CAISPERN POLONIUS. What a cracking baby.  I absolutely loved him.  He is so full of type and has the most gorgeous head with correct skull and finish to foreface.  Lovely amount of chiselling  throughout and good amount of stop and with lovely raised brows.  A lovely dark well shaped eye completed the picture of quite a stunning headpiece. He is already well put together in body with good amount of forehand and decent shoulder angulation.  Deep well sprung ribs, carried well back.  Good quarters and good amount of bend of stifle.  His flowing top line with good tail set completed the most appealing puppy picture!  His footfalls were positive and correct although he still has that little puppy swagger – no problem, the basics are there.  Good luck with him, he pleased me immensely.  One I could have taken home.  

2. Cohens CAISPERN LORENZO WITH SHUSHANA. Litter brother to 1 and with many similarities – although of a bigger mould.  Still in puppy coat and a little more unsettled on the move but its early days.  Again, a most pleasing head and good through all the basics.  Just preferred the size and moderation of 1 at this point.

3 Gisbys SUTERSETT MR COOL.

PD (2,0)

1. Lutos RAPPATY EXCALIBUR. A very dark coated boy who was put down in the best of order.  He was already in good muscular condition and his coat was gleaming.  Good eye colour and correct shape.  Good ear placement.  Strong neck leading into a clean shoulder line.  Good top line.  Strong in body and good width to hindquarters.  Moved well but I feel there is more in him – handler needs to keep up with this boy as he has so much more to give on the move.  Good bone, neat tight feet. 2 Childs TREDURA CLANDESTINE AFFAIR.  A little plainer in head than 1.  He has lovely width to his hindquarters and is lovely and short from hock to heel.  Good bone, neat tight feet.  Good eye colour and good ear set.  Gave his handler a bit of a hard time but he is still young and learning what it’s all about.

JD (12,4)

A difficult class to assess as these young males are at so many varying stages of development.  The most disappointing thing throughout this class entry was the range of head types with so many lacking in the correct skull shape and finish to foreface.  Heavy flews are so alien and befit another breed.

1. Milligan-Bott & Botts THENDARA POT NOODLE.  A smart boy who is well put together.  Pleasing in head with the kindest of eye.  Correct shape and colour of eye with good amount of chiselling throughout head and enough stop. Clean in underjaw and correct amount of lip.  Reachy neck, good lay of shoulder and good return of upperarm.  Good length of rib but still requiring that little extra spring to his ribs. Moved out well with tail lashing and good amount of reach in front. Drives of short strong hocks.  

2. Condrons CAIRACAILIE RUM SIZZLE FOR COVARNEY.  A larger framed dog than 1,  he was bigger all through.  Excellent quarters and width to first and second thigh areas.  Deep chested.  Head pleasant but at that in between stage at the moment – I’m sure it will complete beautifully.  Good dark eye and correct set on of ear with good length.  Good length of neck and good balance all through. Good bone and neat tight feet.  As usual well handled.  

3. Needs THENDARA JOE LE TAXI FOR STOURFORD.

YD (9,3)

1. Needs T JOE LE TAXI FOR STOURFORD. Presented and handled to perfection, as all this exhibitors dogs were.  A dog who was good in basic outline with good top  line and tail set, strong hindquarters.  Good bone, neat tidy feet.  Good ribcage in shape, length and depth.  Good eye shape and colour with enough stop and good raised brows.  A little too heavy in flew but has other attributes to commend.  

2. Sturrocks ARENZANO LIBERATO DE FORFARIAN. Smaller framed dog than 1 and more compact.  Presented in tip top order with good muscle throughout.  In profile he is balanced and is strong in quarters and short from hock to heel.  Small tight feet with good bone of correct shape and quality.  Good skull shape and lovely clean finish to foreface.  Good top line and tail set.  

3. Russells BLAYSDELL KILKENNY OF REDABROOK

ND (3,1)

1. Lutos RAPPATY EXCALIBUR.  
I believe this win gave him his Junior Warrant – so well done.

2. Childs T Outer Limits.  
Put down in good condition.  Good bone, neat feet.  Deep chested, well ribbed back.  Good top line and tail set.

UD (6,1)

1 Vatcher & Jones WYNJILL FARMERS BOY. Lovely style of setter whom I found to be so racy.  Good bone, neat tight feet.  Good eye colour and shape with such a lovely expression.  Good ear set and length.  Good front assembly and good in hindquarters.  Clean in neck and shoulder and with good balance all through.  Just needs some tummy furnishings to complete the picture. Placed 4th in GD as the lack of finish at this next level really matters.  

2 Griffins CORRIEBRAN DIAGEM  Another pleasing exhibit of good style.  Good outline and strong in rear quarters.  Good top line and tail set.  Good skull shape and good amount of stop and brow. Good finish to muzzle.  Ear set correct.  Good bone.

3 Corless’  BARDONHILL SWIFT EAGLE

GD (6,0)

At this point in the day as my senior classes were looming I was less forgiving of incorrect movement and some very nice dogs paid the penalty.  There is plenty of time to warm the dogs up and get the muscles moving so that they can perform in the ring.

1. Prices SEVERNVALE SIMPLY SPECIAL. This dog won on his strong positive movement.  Not once did I ask him to move that he was not foot perfect.  His handler tends to overstretch him which totally changes his profile – this is just not required.  He is very balanced throughout and is in good musculature order.  A most pleasing head with the kindest eye on a boy with no exaggeration.  Good fore and aft and quality bone throughout.  Good feet and strong short rear pasterns. His front movement was effortless.  He does need some work on his coat but that can be worked on. I liked his type and lightness of foot.  

2. Lewis DECONARA DANSE DE BLEU AVEC DOTCOMSETTER JW.  I thought he would be my winner when I looked around the class to start but he lost out on performance on the day. My notes say….’ Smart boy with the most appealing headpiece, lovely type of setter.  Balanced and with all the essentials.’  Pleasing indeed to find he has a very good front assembly. Good width to first and second thighs and good in overall outline.   Good amount of coat with lots of feathering.  Just needs to smarten up on the move.  

3 Grattons BARDONHILL FLOATING MOON INTO GLENLAINE.  One I have admired from the ringside who was presented today in top drawer condition.  Quite a striking outline and good top line and tail set.  Lost out in front development and just not so positive on the move.

PGD (12,0)

A good class with varying different types.  Today I wanted the soundest animals at this level.

1. Ciechonskas COPPERS CHAMPAGNE ON ICE AT AOIBHEANNE (IMP SWE) JW. Dual handled and it certainly came together with the runner.  This boy has the most lovely headpiece and is a gorgeous type, of which I have long admired. If ever a kennel was to be admired for consistency of head type – this is it.  Never overdone and always with such lovely expressions and this boy is of the same mould.  Correct skull shape, with good proportions in head.  Correct amount of stop and lovely raised brows which he uses so sweetly as he is being gone over.  Good eye colour with excellent pigmentation.  Large nose again with good pigmentation.  Clean in muzzle with no exaggeration.  Good ear set and length.  The most delicious expression just completes the picture of this boys most handsome, desirable head.  Good angulation fore and aft and good flow of top line into tail set.  Good bone, neat tight feet.  His length to height proportions are not exactly to my taste but then judging is a compromise and he has so many other lovely attributes it would be most unfair to penalise him so heavily on this, especially when he took off with such drive and purpose when I asked his handler to move him.  He showed a clean pair of heels and had a lovely amount of front extension. All effortlessly done and he certainly did make me ‘sit up and take notice’.  He impressed me immensely but I felt he was still a little young for top honours as there is still more to come from him to trouble the best. Thanks for bringing him.  

2.  Knivetons FEYLINCI BEACHCOMER AT ORSTONE.  One I have admired before who was unlucky to meet 1 in such form today. This boy is more my style and has more the balance of body that I look for, length to height.  He is dark coated and presented immaculately.  His head is very appealing and he  has a good eye of dark colour and good shape.  Today he lacked a little pigmentation. Clean in outline with correct top line and tail set.  Deep chested, well ribbed up.  Good bone, neat tidy feet.  Strong rear quarters with good width to first and second thighs.  His musculature is excellent.  A lovely boy who moved well – again I feel there is still more to come.  

3. Kings SEVERNVALE HIGH TIDE AT BRENRUE.  Another from this kennel who is so sound.  Good headpiece with the most  lovely expressive eye.  He moved with precision and drive but he just needs to lengthen out on the stack.

Mid LD (2,0)

1 Needs COVARNEY MOCHA I have done this boy well previously and found him very appealing when I looked at the class.  He is maturing into a handsome boy with all the essentials.  I liked his dark eye and his cleanness through neck and shoulder.  He has strong wide quarters and good bone and neat feet.  His top line and tail set flow. If he is to continue in this winning mould he needs to strengthen up in movement – especially at this level.  I have always liked him but today was slightly disappointed that he didn’t pull out all the stops when it came to the Challenge.  

2 Partridges  KERRYDOWN MY GUY JW SHCM.  A well balanced dog who is well put together.  For my personal taste I just find him a little too much dog for me which takes away that lovely raciness and elegance I look for.  That saying, he has good quarters and short rear pasterns,  a good amount of prosternum and has a pleasing headpiece with good eye shape and colour. He is profusely coated. Perhaps a little less coat would give the illusion of more elegance ?

LD (8,0)  

A hot class.  It was a delight to look at these mature boys, many in full feather and looking like the final article.  Some looked amazing stood and if judging were on a silhouette, decisions would be different.  At this class level tough decisions have to be made.  

1. CC & BOB Gisbys’ & Pikes SUTERESETT MILKY WAY WITH SCARLETTI JW. I remember seeing this boy at his first show – I could not stop talking about his gorgeous head even then. He has matured into a fine boy with so much to commend; with his headpiece being of the top drawer in my opinion. Nothing exaggerated, dark expressive eyes of correct unshelled almond shape. When you look into his face, he melts you, you can almost tell what he is thinking. Raised brow and enough stop. Lots of work throughout his face but still remaining refined and unexaggerated.  He has the most lovely finish to his foreface.  He has a good top line and tail set.  He has good strong well- muscled hindquarters and good bone and neat tight feet. He is deep chested and well ribbed back with his shape and spring of rib also being so correct.  His forehand is good and this is evident when he moves as he reaches out in front.  He carried himself well on the move and never stopped showing once.   Today was his day.  In the Challenge his performance demanded to be the winner! I love that in a dog.  I feel he out showed all the main contenders today so I was most pleased to award this boy his third and crowning CC and in complete agreement with my co judge BOB.  

2. Mugfords  COPPERS UNDERCOVER AT LYNWOOD (IMP SWE) JW.  Another from this kennel with such a lovely headpiece.  Good planes and correct amount of chiselling throughout.  Clean in lip with no exaggeration at all.  Good eye colour and good shape.  Good ear set.  Nice kind expression.  Well put down, in excellent musculature throughout and not a hair out of place.  Good quality bone, neat tidy feet. Good angulation front and rear but he is just a little square for my preference. Good top line and excellent tail set.  He moved with style, animation and precision.

3. Hunters SAMETSUZ SCRIPTWRITER.  A firm favourite of mine but today he was in a class of top quality boys and just needed that extra bit of precision from his handler to get the very best from him.  He is still young and has enough time to still come into his own.  Although his head is a little strong for me, I find his body most appealing, having all the essentials.  Moved ok.  

OD (3,1)

Disappointing class by way of numbers but great to find these two boys both in full coat and looking like the final picture.

1  &  RCC  Kennedys Ir  Sh Ch GLENNARA COER DE LION JW. This boy has been in direct competition with me many times.  I have judged him also many times and I have been delighted with him on occasions but on other occasions disappointed.  Today he was on top form and was immaculately presented. This experienced handler gets the very best from him also. He is quite my type of boy and has a lovely racy outline.  He stands over a good amount of ground whilst still maintaining good balance through his body proportions.  A little strong in skull for me but still possessing a  good amount of work throughout.  Good raised brows and good eye colour. Soft expression.  Good firm top line and good tail set.  Strong, broad , powerful hindquarters.  Short from hock to heel and moved with drive from the rear.  Good bone.  Deep chested, good shape, length and spring of rib. I would prefer a little more development in front and this became more apparent as the boys moved in the Challenge as he lacked that extra reach I look for. I was pleased to award him the RCC – he is a favourite of mine.  

2. Hunter & Browns SHENANAGIN SCHOLAR WITH BRAIDMOUNT JW.  Very different in type to 1, although they have the same Sire. Pleasing head with correct shaped eye of good colour and pigmentation.  Clean in lip and good amount of chiselling throughout his headpiece.  Good angulation fore and aft.  Good clean shoulder line and correct through top line and tail set.  Short rear pasterns.  In full coat.  Expertly handled.

VD (3,0)  

1. BVIB & RBVIS. Botts  SH CH EMBER GENE SIMMONS SINGS QUENSHA ( IMP ).  

Many congratulations on taking your charge to this very high level at this prestigious Gundog Show.  Having gone over him in the breed it is easy to see why he can compete at this very top level.  This eight year old dog is quite outstanding in coat and condition for his age.  His enthusiasm and precision on the move is also a joy to watch.  He is extremely well made with excellent construction throughout.  His footfalls are near on perfection.  But it is his condition that is most noticeable – still in rock hard condition throughout his whole body and in full feather. An object lesson in maintaining an Irish Setter for the show ring. Unfortunately youth won the day in the Challenge.  Thank you so much for bringing him.

2. Childs BRENRUE OUTLANDER ShCM.  Pleasing headpiece with kind eye.  Good amount of work and clean finish to foreface.  Excellent hindquarters and good width through both first and second thighs with good amount of turn of stifle.  He too moved well today, just lacking the form and sparkle of 1.  

3. Partridges KERRYDOWN LOOK AT ME.  One I have favoured before and I still admire for type and style.  Just lacking in animation today.

Diane Stewart-Ritchie   (Gwendariff)

Gundog Society of Wales

12 October 2011

Judges: Dogs: Diane Stewart-Ritchie         Bitches: Gordon Haran

 Simba wins his 3rd Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed

Sh.Ch.Suteresett Milky Way with Scarletti JW

(Subject to KC Confirmation)

Congratulations to his owners:  Teresa and Gemma Gisby and Rita Pike

Slideshow - Barbara Gladwish

Full Results

Catalogue

Video By Sandra Corless

Gundog Society of Wales

Dog CC

Bitch CC

Sandra Writes Below

Unfortunately the Bitch video is incomplete as the memory space on my card ran out while I was recording it.

However the CC and Res CC winners can be seen.

My apologies to the owners of the younger bitches who may be disappointed by this.