DARLINGTON DOG SHOW SOCIETY

Judges Critiques

Mr Steve CHIPPERFIELD

Judging:

A huge thank you to the Officers & Committee of Darlington for giving me the honour of judging at this level for the first time.

Also thanks to my Stewards who were efficient & professional throughout and of course to all the exhibitors who entered giving me a super choice in most classes which meant splitting hairs to come to my final decisions.

Overall I found plenty of quality both in construction & breed type but felt some exhibits carried a little too much weight with some having round or lighter eyes.

 I am quite forgiving of the fashion of too much tidying especially in neck which gives an Irish setter outline to me & may look flashy but, in my opinion, does not reflect a true outline of the breed.

Dog CC : 698 FLYNN, Miss J Ballyriver Back To Basics
Res Dog CC : 710 HOLLAND, Miss Kelly Louise Flatcharm Mayhem Miller
Bitch CC : 661 ANDERSON, Ms K Sh Ch Feldkirk Dior Of Kazval
Res Bitch CC : 727 ROSS, Mr Ronnie & ROSS, Mrs Susan Islstrom Aila

BEST OF BREED: 661 ANDERSON, Ms K Sh Ch Feldkirk Dior Of Kazval
Best Puppy : 712 JONES, Mr And Mrs Brian Benvellyn Sequoia
Best Veteran : 690 DAVIS, Mrs Vicky & EGGINTON, Mrs Jan Go with the flow Dynamic Faithful (Imp NLD)

Class 217 VD (6 Entries) Abs: 3
1st: 665 BELLAMY, Miss Abby & BELLAMY, Mrs Penny Bochilbarley Blue Moon ai ShCEx

Super outline of a finished Flatcoat with correct head shape & kind expression. Strong neck & topline flowing into pleasing tailset. Good front & deep chest with correct rib & coupling along with great angulation & bone.Well handled moving with drive on good feet & continually wagging tail.

2nd: 718 MCCORMICK, Mr Scott Steelriver Sun's Up

Well muscled dog in hard condition, good bone & front angulation, deep chest, correct rib & coupling ratio with moderate bend of stifle. Just preferred neck & topline of first but the first of many splitting hairs decisions. Moved with power & drive around the ring.
3rd: 702 FOX, Ms H Ch Black Mica's likes it Hot at Blacktoft SGWC (im

Class 218 MPD (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 668 BLIGH, Mrs Helen Frances RAVENCRAG LIMITED EDITION

I like puppies not to look like a mini finished article as the breed is slow maturing however construction, balance & type must all be there which is what I found in this baby. Really liked the head, eye shape & colour giving a typical Flatcoat expression. Construction was all there with good front, well ribbed & correct angulation front & rear & best of tailset keeping a strong level topline on the move.

2nd: 739 WILD, Mrs JANE KVICKSANS THE MASTER PIPER AT BLUEWATERS (IMP SWE)

Slightly bigger but balanced puppy with a nicely moulded skull, good eye shape & colour and pleasing expression. Good oval bone, flat forerib, level topline but preferred tailset of first. Moved well for one so young.

3rd: 688 CURTIS, Miss E Tallistar Midnight Ash

Class 219 PD (6 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 668 BLIGH, Mrs Helen Frances RAVENCRAG LIMITED EDITION

See MPD

2nd: 739 WILD, Mrs JANE KVICKSANS THE MASTER PIPER AT BLUEWATERS (IMP SWE) As See MPD 

3rd: 705 HARRIS, Mrs A Dymexe Outlander at Siancala
Res: 711 HOWE, Mrs Louise Esined Bright as a Button
VHC: 726 ROBINSON, Mrs A C & ROBINSON, Mr C Benvellyn camdeboo

Class 220 JD (7 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 671 BOWEN, Mrs V Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW

Really liked the outline of this dog and felt his construction revealed power & raciness. This was confirmed when he moved covering the ground effortless. Head & skull were not overdone with that expression of mischief & friendliness. Good bone, correct rib & coupling ratio with super angulation front & rear. Neckline running well into back with level topline & pleasing tailset. Straight front legs with slight bend of pastern to good feet. Impressive movement around the ring.

2nd: 680 BROWN, Miss Michelle Anne & CAMPBELL, Mrs Jenny Ronevorg Firefly Fantasy

Another dog that closely met the standard to my eye. Slightly longer skull & muzzle than one but a balanced one piece head. Good front neck, Chest & rib. Moderate bend of stifle & well let down hocks. Moved with power around the ring showing off good coat with sufficient feathering. 

3rd: 668 BLIGH, Mrs Helen Frances RAVENCRAG LIMITED EDITION
Res: 675 BUCKLEY, Mrs & Mr H J & I M Blacktoft Brindisi by Buckleyhill
VHC: 686 CLARK, Mr Brian & CLARK, Mrs Lynne Hurstclough Night Owl at Flanova

Class 221 GD (8 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 683 CHURCHARD, Mr Derek Flatcharm Griffin Dark at ChurchKing

A Lovely class of dogs so it came down to minor detail & best performer on the day to get my final line up. This dog came out on top because of balance & movement. Really good one piece head with correct depth of muzzle, dark almond eye, strong jaw & good bite, with nothing overdone. Neck flowed beautifully into well laid back shoulders & a strong topline & tailset. Pleasing front & depth of chest with correct ribbing & coupling. Great front & rear angulation gave the overall balance and a true & racy appearance on the move showing off the best of coat & furnishings.

2nd: 704 HALL, Miss MELANIE Rotherfield Just the Ticket

Another dog with a powerful & racy outline without exaggeration. Slightly longer in head than one but still had all the looks of a one piece flatcoat head Just preferred the length of neck & rear angulation of one but this dog had a really good front, depth of chest and was well ribbed. Moved well at one with handler.

3rd: 666 BELLAMY, Miss Abby & BELLAMY, Mrs Penny Bochilbarley Goblet of Fire JW
Res: 679 HESSING, Mrs M Hoedun Daddy's Eyes at Montechor
VHC: 738 WILD, Mrs JANE BITCON ALLIANCE WITH BLUEWATERS(AI) JW

Class 222 PGD (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 704 HALL, Miss MELANIE Rotherfield Just the Ticket

See GD

2nd: 731 TIERLING, Mrs R & FEWSTER, Mr Steve Lizzlog Moonlighting at Karaholme

Pleasing overall appearance with good one piece head & correct flat skull. Felt one had a more almond shape eye. Pleasing straight front & oval bone. Good chest & rib. Didn’t move with quite the drive of one today.

3rd: 730 SMITH, Mrs J Steelriver Bondi Beach

Class 223 LD (7 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 698 FLYNN, Miss J Ballyriver Back To Basics

Have admired this dog from the ringside and wasn’t disappointed when I got my hands on him. His size, shape & outline filled my eye for me closely meeting the standard. The one piece head with dark almond eye gave that confident & kindly expression with a touch of the aristocrat. Really liked the flowing neck running into a very strong level topline & tail carriage. Very good rib formation with an 80/20 ratio coupling. Felt he had the right amount of bone & the best of angulation both front & rear where the rear moderate bend of stifle gives no exaggerated extension of the rear legs. Covered the ground effortlessly in dense fine feathered coat though I would prefer to see a little less stripping in the neck. DCC, his third I understand and very worthy of SH CH status.

2nd: 743 YOUENS, Mrs A Riverglide Secret Reprieve

Balanced dog with pleasing outline, really liked one piece head with flat skull, super dark almond eyes giving a typical Flatcoat expression. Moderate neck into laid back shoulders with pleasing front & rear angulation. Good ribbing & coupling with deep chest.Moved straight & true but just flew his tail slightly on this occasion.

3rd: 674 BUCKLEY, Mrs & Mr H J & I M Steelriver Hit the Beach with Buckleyhill
Res: 700 FOX, Ms H Satinbaze Cracksman For Blacktoft SGWC (ai) JW
VHC: 728 SCAIFE, Miss V Flatcharm Mr Fix It For Shennanjoy

Class 224 OD (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 710 HOLLAND, Miss Kelly Louise Flatcharm Mayhem Miller

Another dog that I have admired from the ringside that shouts Flatcoat. He has that balance of not being flashy but having that touch of class but also a look of naughtiness.Super head, dark almond shape eye & best of expression. Pleasing flow of neck into well laid back shoulders & strong level topline. Good front, correct forerib, depth of chest & coupling. Finished in fine coat. Covered the ground effortlessly with power from the back & good forward reach on super well arched round feet. Handler certainly knows how to get the best from their dogs!  RDCC.

2nd: 667 BELLAMY, Mr & Mrs D & R Sh Ch Woodfinch Masquerade

This dog is a good example of a Flatcoat as nothing is overdone or exaggerated giving a workmanlike outline. Masculine head with pleasing expression strong jaw & good depth of muzzle. Good front, correct quantity & shape of bone, well ribbed & super deep chest.Good front & rear angulation meant he moved with reach & drive.

3rd: 678 HESSING, Mrs M Ronevorg I Believe In Santa At Montechor

 

Class 225 VB (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 690 DAVIS, Mrs Vicky & EGGINTON, Mrs Jan Go with the flow Dynamic Faithful (Imp NLD)

9 year old medium sized balanced bitch with plenty of type without exaggeration. Liked her overall outline & found really good construction which came through in her movement. A feminine one piece head with good eye shape & colour gave her a kind & intelligent expression. Flowing neck into laid back shoulders with pleasing front angulation. Body length came from correct rib with a good coupling & moderate bend of stifle at the rear angulation. Stood herself four square on good feet. Moved around the ring with ease & at one with handler demonstrating power from the rear & good forward reach. Really thrilled she won the Gundog veteran Group.

2nd: 672 BRANSCOMBE, Miss E A Torinmill Gaelic Aurora
Another nice slightly bigger balanced bitch with pleasing feminine head & kindly expression. Well ribbed with flat foreribs & deep chest. Slightly preferred the angulation & topline of one and today she didn’t move with quite the enthusiasm of the class winner. 

Class 226 MPB (8 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 712 JONES, Mr and Mrs Brian Benvellyn Sequoia

A sweet baby that I believe will be a nice medium size, well balanced bitch when matured but to me looked like a baby puppy should. Best of heads, eye shape & colour giving a mischievous expression. Liked the neckline, shoulder placement, topline & tailset. Pleasing length of rib & coupling with just the right amount of correct shaped bone. Obviously a long way from being finished but as this is a slow maturing breed she looked right for her age & moved the best in this class looking like she was enjoying her day shown by her tail that never stopped wagging. BPIB.

2nd: 724 RATTRAY, Miss Alison Rotherfield Another Secret

Medium sized balanced bitch looking at the right stage in development for a youngster. Feminine head with correct eye shape & colour giving that typical kindly expression.Liked the front & rear angulation , bone & ribbing along with coupling giving a pleasing outline. Just preferred the length of neck of first but topline & tailset were really nice & were kept on the move. Another with racy flowing movement for one so young.

3rd: 723 PUNTER, Mrs Amy Benvellyn Zion
Res: 708 HEWISON, Mrs Caroline & HEWISON, Mr Chris Benvellyn Marakele into Casblaidd
VHC: 676 BUTLER, Miss Florence & COLLINS, Mr Charles Ravensfort Rising Tide at Sootspren

Class 227 PB (6 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 712 JONES, Mr And Mrs Brian Benvellyn Sequoia

See MPD
2nd: 732 WALKER, Mrs E J & ROBERTS, Dr L Gloi Dubh Lady Muck

Slightly more mature puppy than first with correct shape in skull & muzzle & feminine expression. Good neck into well laid shoulders with good front angulation & moderate bend of stifle at rear. Good bone, correct flat forerib with length coming from rib cage. True flowing movement around the ring with constant wagging tail.

3rd: 723 PUNTER, Mrs Amy Benvellyn Zion
Res: 708 HEWISON, Mrs Caroline & HEWISON, Mr Chris Benvellyn Marakele into Casblaidd

Class 228 JB (7 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 721 ORME, Mrs VALERIE E & ORME, MR DENNIS Hurstclough Joy Of The Moors At Elmstock

Close decision between First & second both were medium sized & balanced. Very pleasing one piece head with eye shape & colour giving that typical Flatcoat expression of kindness & intelligence. Good width & depth of chest with correct ribbing & short coupling. Liked the topline & tailset and feet of this bitch that moved around the ring effortlessly on well arched round feet. 

2nd: 714 JOYCE, Mrs Karen P & JOYCE, Mr David Stranfaer One Fell Swoop

Have admired stock from this kennel for a long time & this bitch did not disappoint. Very much a flatcoat in both construction & type with no coarseness in skull, good eye shape & melting expression. Neck flowed nicely into well laid shoulders & a super strong level topline. Front & rear angulation was correct as was length & depth of ribcage. Dense fine coat with proportional furnishing finished the picture. Covered the ground with the typical racy outline.

3rd: 732 WALKER, Mrs E J & ROBERTS, Dr L Gloi Dubh Lady Muck
Res: 693 EGGINTON, Miss Sarah & EGGINTON, Mr Paul & EGGINTO Pajanbeck One Moment In Time AI
VHC: 662 ARMSTRONG, Mrs Kathryn Bitcon Jelly Bean (ai)

Class 229 GB (12 Entries) Abs: 3
1st: 722 ORME, Mrs VALERIE E & ORME, MR DENNIS HOPEVALLEY MORNING DREAM OF ELMSTOCK

This bitch had the outline saying well constructed medium sized, racy & balanced. Nicely moulded head with flat skull super eye shape & colour giving a melting but naughty feminine expression. Lovely neckline into shoulders with strong level topline & good tailset. Correct rib shape & length along with deep chest. Good angulation with moderate bend of stifle at muscular rear which produced the power when moving. Liked the straight front with oval bone & correct pasterns to best of feet. Moved the best in the class with fine dense coat & sufficient furnishings.

2nd: 699 FLYNN, Miss J Rodsdream She Doesnt Mind

Slightly larger bitch but balanced that had power & raciness in her outline. Feminine head shape & pleasing expression with best of eye shape & colour. Good neck, shoulder placement, topline & tailset with correct rib & deep chest. Moderate bend of stifle, well let down hocks & good feet. Well handled and when on the move covering the ground effortlessly.

3rd: 719 MELLOR, Miss Georgina May Flatcharm Guilty Pleasure
Res: 682 CHAMBERS, Miss Caroline Hototo Pretty Ballerina JW
VHC: 737 WHITAKER, Mrs Rita & WHITAKER, Mr Nicholas & KILSB Jetstarski I'm On Fire

Class 230 PGB (5 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 673 BRANSCOMBE, Miss E A Pajanbeck How We Love with Torinmill A.I

Mature balanced bitch with good one piece head, dark almond eye & pleasing feminine expression. Good front. Flat forerib & deep chest, moderate strong neck into well laid shoulders, both front & rear angulation meeting the standard. Moved the best in the class with good reach at front & power from the back retaining level topline on the move. Best of feet & fine dense coat with sufficient feathering.

2nd: 664 BELLAMY, Miss Abby Moontorn Better Half of Me JW

Another nicely matured bitch, one piece head with pleasing expression, good eye shape & dark colour. Good front, well ribbed & deep chest. Level topline & good tailset held on the move. Liked the bone, round arched feet & well let down hocks. Racy mover with power from the rear. Just preferred the neckline & coat of one.

3rd: 684 CLARK, Mr Brian & CLARK, Mrs Lynne Kazval Turn Back Time at Flanova

Class 231 LB (7 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 689 CURTIS, Miss E & MELLOR, Miss Georgina Tallistar Crazy in Love

Medium size bitch with sufficient bone to provide the racy outline without any exaggeration. Nicely moulded one piece head with flat skull, correct eye shape & colour. Neck was strong & free form throatiness flowing into well laid shoulders level topline and tail flowing nicely off the croup. Good front & ribbing, deep chest, pleasing angulation & well let down hocks. Flowed around the ring on the move with a constant wagging tail showing off a super fine dense coat.

2nd: 736 WHITAKER, Mrs Rita & WHITAKER, Mr Nicholas & KILSB Evening Mist Black Brianta (CZE)

Balanced workmanlike bitch that had good bone & powerful outline. Pleasing head & expression with dark almond eye & neat ears. Good front & deep chest with flat forerib & well ribbed to short square coupling. Just preferred topline & tailset of one but this was splitting hairs. Moved with power showing off a propensity of quality coat.

3rd: 692 EGGINTON, Miss Sarah & EGGINTON, Mr Paul & EGGINTO Pajanbeck Georgy Girl
Res: 681 CHAMBERS, Miss Caroline Hototo's Polly Toodle
VHC: 729 SCAIFE, Miss V Shennanjoy Walkin Miracle

Class 232 OB (9 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 661 ANDERSON, Ms K Sh Ch Feldkirk Dior Of Kazval

So much has been written about this bitch that it is difficult to add anything new apart from to me she is as near to the breed standard as you will see in the ring today. To my eye this is how I would interpret a medium sized active dog that has the exact balance of power & raciness. Everything about her shouts Flatcoat. Every aspect of construction meets the standard & when you get your hands on, she is without any exaggeration.  Today when she moved she was in a class of her own. I would also say that the presentation & handling play a big part in her success. I was honoured to award her the CC, BOB & it gave me huge satisfaction to see her take the Gundog group.

2nd: 727 ROSS, Mr Ronnie & ROSS, Mrs Susan Islstrom Aila

Another bitch that is so close to the standard in my eyes. Medium sized with good bone & nothing overdone. Beautiful feminine one piece head with pleasing mischievous Flatcoat expression. Moderate length of neck flowing into well laid back shoulders with level topline & pleasing tailset. Length came from being well ribbed with flat foreribs & deep chest. Front & rear angulation were as the standard with no excessive rear extension allowing her to place herself four square. Well-handled around the ring showing off full good quality coat & constantly wagging tail. RCC. Pleased to find she won the special class for Gundog RCC winners which was well deserved.

3rd: 709 HOLLAND, Miss Kelly Louise Flatcharm Bianca Del Rio
Res: 691 EGGINTON, Miss Sarah & EGGINTON, Mr Paul & EGGINTO Pajanbeck Angels on my Side
VHC: 663 BELLAMY, Miss Abby Moontorn Goddess Of Love

Steve Chipperfield