THE LADIES KENNEL ASSOCIATION

Judges Critiques

Mr R MORRIS

Judging: Gundog Group, Spaniel (Clumber)

BEST OF BREED - MONAGHAN - Kensesqui Nice At Tweedsmuir Jw
Dog CC - MONAGHAN - Kensesqui Nice At Tweedsmuir Jw
Res Dog CC - NICOLSON & RISK - Clumbus Jolly Jumper Of Taranstigh (Imp Dnk)
Bitch CC - DAWSON & DAWSON - Big Boom's Viking Liv Beskerby Imp Hrv (Imp)
Res Bitch CC - WHD WITHHELD
Best Puppy - BARRASS - Bebecova Uniqueness
Best Veteran - FENWICK, THOMPSON & Langridge - Suelynda Second Edition With Badgesmoon
Best Special Beginner - SAINSBURY & SAINSBURY - Wooliebourne Nick Of Time Among Elskerwoo

My grateful thanks to Graham Taberer and Gina superbly stewarding all three breeds with me on gundog day. 

This was a numerically pleasing first time entry the quality of the dogs was high and I would happily have awarded the dog CC to any one of half a dozen male exhibits. Dogs were well proportioned and generally sound typical dogs, some more masculine than others though, as with the bitches, stronger fuller broader skulls might have been an asset to a few. It is notable that all my top winners were either imports or had imported sires this was also true of some class winners. This may indicate that some knowledgeable breeders are seeking improvements through fresh bloodlines. 

I felt the CC winning bitch complemented my dog CC in many ways though fell short of his superior drive and positive rear action on the day. I do not think it fair to comment overly on individual bitches so I will give my opinion in broad terms on the bitch entry, part of which can be applied, but to a lesser degree, to the dogs.

In terms of outline and balance it is my view that the bitches especially lacked length of body being overly short in back and couplings and also lacking in length of ribbing in some. Legs are to be short in comparison to body but therefore excessively heavy bone detracts from the workmanlike function of the breed in my opinion when coupled with a lack of scope to build and outline. This counts as an exaggeration to me creating a sense of imbalance while some exhibits were clearly carrying excess body condition in my view, and it reflected in their lazy action, others lacked spring of ribcage and body condition detracting from an appearance of strength as required in the standard. More disappointing was a lack of breadth in the skulls on bitches in particular and the absence of a “decided occiput” when instead the back of the skull seemingly fell away into the neck giving a flatten look to the head profile and incorrect head planes. This, in my opinion, when coupled with bland lifeless expressions, evident in some on the day, with only slightly raised brows, detracts from the essence of the Clumber breed the thoughtful, stoical, intelligent, dignified expression. Eyes were clean and excessive haw not an issue a marked improvement over the decades ears also were cleanly presented and tidied. Coats too were commendable for texture, length and abundant fullness on most present. Every exhibit was beautifully presented and I thank all exhibitors for your kind entries.

In summary bitches for me failed to convey a sense of an upstanding breed presence and solidity combined with an enduring workmanlike fitness without exaggerations. Too many were not long enough in body and lacked length of shoulder and upper arm resulting in poor top-lines with overall proportions out of breed balance standing on excessive bone. I hope this goes some way to explaining my reasoning for withholding the reserve bitch CC, something I have never done in thirty five years championship show judging, and in which I took no pleasure in doing on the day.

MPD (1,0)
1. CRITTENDEN & CRITTENDEN - Malbecmogs Tiger Eyes

Rising eight months pleasing for type and breed outline strong bone large round feet sound on the move with lovely presence full of promise. Abundant silky coat head well balanced skull to muzzle with deep stop. Attractive puppy hopefullywith a bright future.

PD (2,0)
1. BENGE & BENGE - Wahnahnish Saint Gilles (imp Nld) (Imp NLD)

Ten months balanced breed outline pleasing for size and depth of brisket in a puppy a sound steady mover I slightly preferred his pleasing proportioned head to the second placed and tail carriage skull broad, square clear stop. Well angulated overall coat silky and dense.

2. GUY - Suelynda Dream Dreamer To Jahanghir

Ten months powerfully built well boned young dog could easily have won this class if just settled on the move. Most promising overall correct body proportions with length and height super solid straight front unfortunately failed to settle standing and on the move on the day.

JD (2,0)
1. NICOLSON & RISK - Jacquelyn & Knockhalon Spooktacular Of Taranstigh

Rising fourteen months pleasing length of body more spring and length of ribbing than the second dog developing thick neck shoulders well placed. Silky coat texture close and straight lying strong bone if slightly down on pasterns in front it appeared to me on the day firm rounded feet. A steady mover with attractive intelligent breed expression.

2. TILSTON - Maursett Menelaus

Sixteen months muzzle square flew well formed distinct stop solid fit body condition delightful typical temperament on display. Firm top-line strong back if rather short in length of ribbing I considered sound in action but prone to pulling out of line on the move. The best of the two coats for length fullness and silky texture.

PGD (6,0)
1. BODEN - Suelynda Boom Bang A Bang

Nineteen months same sire as my BOB I note most attractive outline powerfully built balanced overall and well angulated strength throughout. Strong bone typical feet square well formed muzzle and flews strong and broad across the loins deep bodied running well back. Quality and substance on show a very sound true mover with truly effortless drive.

2. PICKERING - Vanitonia Sorcerer

Rising twenty two months typical breed outline with muscular finish and length of body thick strong neck excellent spring of ribcage. Masculine proportioned head flews nicely developed would prefer a slightly darker eye colour personally. Another sound mover.

3. HUSBANDS & HUSBANDS - Bebecova Quicksilver

Typical breed outline excellent strong bone large rounded feet not quite the fullness of ribcage as the winners but carrying an equally good lengthy silky dense coat pleasing top-line and movement.

LD (7,3)
1. MONAGHAN - Kensesqui Nice At Tweedsmuir JW

Three years excellent framed masculine outline with size scope and length solidly built powerful construction along clean lines. Square well formed strong muzzle wide nostrils deep stop brows well formed with thoughtful expression and developing flews clean neck strong and thick well set into shoulders. Plenty of length of muscular body lengthy ribbing in evidence strong bone rounded well padded firm feet. Silky coat dense lying close and plentiful very sound and true in action on the day determined free mover front and rear. for me stood out in the entry on the day well deserving of his first CC I understand & BOB, congratulations.

2. WAREHAM & DUNSTAN - Maursett Melwyn

Three and a half years litter brother to second in OD another lovely quality dog for breed type and typical outline large feet powerful effortless driving action from well muscled hindquarters with deep second thighs. Another excellent textured full coat on show square deep muzzle with lovely flews and finish for me not quite the strength of skull finish of the winner I considered.

3. PICKERING - Vanitonia Sorcerer

OD (5,1)
1. NICOLSON & RISK - Clumbus Jolly Jumper Of Taranstigh (Imp Dnk)

Five years sire of JD winner really fell for the thoughtful expression on this dog intelligent and great-hearted freckled muzzle added to the charming head pleasingly balanced strong neck very well constructed overall with scope height and length to his outline. Typical firm top-line strong bone large thickly padded feet. Well muscled hindquarters the soundest mover in the class in my opinion with style and powerful drive pleasing head and tail carriage. Very well presented RCC, congratulations.

2. WHITEHOUSE & WHITEHOUSE - Sh Ch Maursett Mallachie At Molvonia

Three and a half years highly typical quality exhibit plenty of solid substance on display excellent square deep muzzle and flews deep stop skull broad eye pleasingly coloured set and shaped. Excellent overall angulation super straight true front well sprung ribcage reaching well back good depth of brisket sound mover well presented.

3. REYNOLDS Ir Sh Ch Vanitonia Swashbuckler Of Glenariff

VD (1,0)
1. FENWICK & THOMPSON & LANGRIDGE - Suelynda Second Edition With Badgersmoon

Seven years three months lovely dark eye colour on this handsome dog deep stop full open nostrils thick in neck well sprung ribcage with length of ribbing. Solid firm front plenty of fore-chest on show deep bodied reaching well back strong bone round firm feet broad across the loins but could loose a bit of weight to advantage in my opinion. BV, congratulations.

GCD (1,0)
1. THOROGOOD, Mrs L Anbrook Don't Stop Me Now At Harrifield

Rising five years an excellent flowing profile mover with typical head and tail carriage clean overall well framed outline typical top-line lovely clean mature moulded well proportioned head with wide nostrils on show appealing strength to muzzle and skull deep stop. Excellent front construction straight and solid well sprung ribcage ideally could have carried a tad more condition across the loins for me on the day.
 

SBD (2,0)
1. PICKERING - Vanitonia Sorcerer
2. BENGE & BENGE - Wahnahnish Saint Gilles (imp Nld) (Imp NLD)

MPB (3,0)
1 - SAINSBURY & SAINSBURY - Elskerwoo Cloudy Skies

Seven months pleasing for breed outline typical overall and a sound mover. Head balanced firm top-line strong bone full round feet. Well covered across the loins for her age, promising.

2. - SAINSBURY & SAINSBURY - Elskerwoo Silver Lining

Litter sister attractive similar outline to winner but not quite her standard of movement on show on the day in my view. Firm straight front correct neck well placed to firm shoulders well sprung ribcage reaching well back strong bone. Delightful temperament on show hindquarters strongly developed for her age.

3. HARVEY - Malbecmogs Glitter And Gold

PB (2,0)
1. BARRASS - Bebecova Uniqueness

Nine months a head I preferred over the second placed at this stage for strength and balance pleasing breed expression typical throughout well angulated shoulders firm solid top-line strong bone well padded feet. Well ribbed for spring and length strong across the loins good depth of brisket underline reaching back. BP & Gundog PG3 later under judge Tim Ball, congratulations.

2. WAREHAM - Suelynda Dream On

Ten months clean balanced breed outline on this sweet feminine bitch good depth of body for her age and excellent powerful hindquarters developing still needs to strengthen in pasterns at present in my view. Very strong bone with good length of ribcage on show.

JB (3,0)
1. DRONSFIELD - Knockhalon Hocus Pocus

Rising fourteen months sired by OD winner I see proportionate and balanced breed outline very sound on the move well covered across the loins with spring and length of ribbing. Pleasing clean eyes well set coloured and shaped attractively presented overall with good depth of body on show.

2. KIRKMAN & KIRKMAN - Kirkara Helga Hufflepuff

Rising eighteen months a head I preferred for strength and finish in the skull pleasing clean eye well set coloured and shaped solid body condition throughout notably strong across the loins well muscled strong hindquarters and deep second thighs. In typical close lying silky coat condition a powerful determined mover at the rear but appeared rather unsettled on the day.

3. WAREHAM - Tweedsmuir Moonflower

PGB (4,0)
1. SAINSBURY & SAINSBURY - Wooliebourne Nick Of Time Among Elskerwoo

Three years dam of MPB class winners despite in my view an excess of colour on show won on her overall breed potential excellent solid body condition overall appealing breed outline well sprung ribcage with length settled close dense silky texture coat. Pleasing strength and moulding to proportionate head deep stop clean square muzzle with correct flews lovely bright attractive breed expression distinct occiput on show. Moved determinedly front and rear with effortless drive.

2. DAWSON & DAWSON & DAWSON - Beskerby Flora Finching

Nineteen months both winning bitches beautifully presented balanced feminine head not quite the chiselled finished of the winner won the place on her sound action and powerful rear drive. Good length of body on show firm top-line excellent hindquarter muscling with deep second thighs. 

3. HARVEY - Gracedieu Finest Jewels

LB (6,2)
1. DAWSON & DAWSON & DAWSON Big Boom's Viking Liv Beskerby Imp Hrv (Imp)

Three years eight months this bitch appealed to me for her feminine head proportions with strength of finish and character of expression pleasing clean eyes well placed coloured and set thick strong neck well placed to shoulders typical breed outline with length of body and scope overall upstanding with firm solid front. Ears well shaped and sized firm top-line held correctly standing and moving excellent depth of body well sprung ribcage with length of ribbing powerful muscled hindquarters. In most attractive full lengthy coat silky in texture dense and close stood on strong bone overall pasterns correctly set feet large and well padded. True mover fore and aft I also considered her typical and unexaggerated as a Clumber and deserving of the bitch CC on the day, congratulations.

2. MATTHEWS & MOON - Vanitonia Song And Dance JW

Rising twenty two months also very sound in action with strength in the muzzle and skull which was lacking in the bitches on the day I considered. Well sprung ribcage long well set ears strong bone round firmly padded close feet. Powerfully muscled hindquarters with deep second thighs personally would prefer a slightly darker eye colour and less body condition on show on the day which for me detracted from her top-line in my view.

3. KIRKMAN & KIRKMAN - Kirkara Minerva Mcgonagall

OB (3,2)
1. MONAGHAN - Sh Ch Tweedsmuir She's So Sheek

Four years eight months attractive balanced feminine head and expression with lovely dark eye colour ears long well set and shaped plenty of solid muscled substance on show with excellent strength of powerful hindquarter muscling very strong across the loins with solid finish over the rump. Very well angulated throughout stifles well bent good depth of body and underline sound true mover front and rear, RBB.

GCB (1,0)
1. DRONSFIELD - Knockhalon Hocus Pocus

SBB (2,0)
1. SAINSBURY & SAINSBURY - Wooliebourne Nick Of Time Among Elskerwoo

Best Special Beginners, congratulations.

2. DRONSFIELD - Knockhalon Hocus Pocus
 

Judge - Richard Morris (Lascoed)