The Scottish Kennel Club (October Show)

Judges Critiques

Dr K BOND

Judging: Gundog Group, Lagotto Romagnolo

Scottish Kennel Club

October 2023

Lagotto Romagnolo

Dr Kirsten Bond 

I would like the thank the committee for kindly inviting me to judge the two breeds that have the most special meaning to me.  I was made to feel welcome and the efficient steward on the day made the ring effortless with no delays whilst getting through the classes.  I would like to thank the competitors who took the trouble to come to Scotland to show under me today. I appreciate your time and trouble irrespective of your placing. The cost of fuel and entries is no small feat so thank you. 

BEST OF BREED : 2475 ROBERTS, Mrs Kerry Havana king of the Truffles to Byphar (imp SRB)
Best Dog : 2471 BELL, Mr David IL GRANAIO DEI MALATESTA DICK DASTARDLY OF PENDLEB
Res Best Dog : Not Awarded
Best Bitch : 2475 ROBERTS, Mrs Kerry Havana king of the Truffles to Byphar (imp SRB)
Res Best Bitch : 2473 MORT, Mrs Lisa Arcticbreeze One And Only
Best Puppy : 2474 MORT, Mrs Lisa Arcticbreeze Keep it Legal


Class 1109 PD/B (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2474 MORT, Mrs Lisa Arcticbreeze Keep it Legal

Loved this little bitch. Squarely built with her measurement from ground to elbow greater than from elbow to withers making her profile proportions look correct. Well laid shoulders and a lovely front reach. Coat correct for a puppy of her age with curls already starting to lead her coat development. Relaxed she looked tireless as she took the ring in her stride. One to watch. Best Puppy. 

2nd: 2471 BELL, Mr David IL GRANAIO DEI MALATESTA DICK DASTARDLY OF PENDLEB
There is a lot to like about this dog. He has a masculine broad head,  slight but evident stop and well-developed eyebrow arches. He is squarely built with a short slightly arched neck and well laid and correct angulation of his shoulder allowing freedom of movement. Good bend of stifle,  lower thigh slightly longer than upper and overall a well balanced looking dog.  Coat dense, curls still a little open but matching his development well. Possibly a little unsettled on the move today as whilst moving away he was “crabbing”  and this affected the assessment of his movement. Otherwise he is developing well and should have a bright future. 

Class 1110 PGD/B (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2475 ROBERTS, Mrs Kerry Havana king of the Truffles to Byphar (imp SRB)

This bitch moved around the ring in a tireless workmanlike manner . Free, smooth and tireless with plenty of drive.. She was a pleasure to watch with her long reaching front step coming from a well laid set of shoulder furnishings. Movement and front construction is her clear strength. Powerful upper thigh long with well-developed musculature all adding to her ability to drive. Good bend of stifle and uphill topline maintained on the move. Skull slightly convex, as wide as it is long with a flattening at occiput and medial-frontal furrow. Length of her skull from occiput to her stop slightly longer than from her stop to nose as the standard asks. Coat dense and within the breed standard, with adequate curl, but her coat and presentation was not her superpower today. Her fortitude lay in her free forward movement and is what pushed her to Best Bitch and BOB. 

2nd: 2472 MACKAY, Mrs Jackie & MACKAY, Mr Alexander & LAROCH Hunting Track Curly Wurly at Emmroche (Imp Serb)
Another very nice bitch. Coat superior to one with woolly rough curls evenly distributed all over the body which were well presented. Not quite the sparkle or drive of 1 on the move. Squarely built sturdy and robust with dense, curly coat of woolly texture is the breed standards general appearance and she certainly fits the brief. Head in depth almost equal to length, with large nose protruding slightly with wide, open nostrils but still feminine looking. Shoulders muscular, moderately well laid back, long in blade and equal in length to upper arm. Turn of stifle adequate and moved straight with some drive. 

Class 1111 OD/B (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 2473 MORT, Mrs Lisa Arcticbreeze One And Only
This bitch certainly demonstrated what a beautiful coat and the best of presentation look like. Slightly more compact than the other adult bitches shown today she is squarely built with a correctly proportioned head and skull.   Lips tight forming a wide semi-circle when viewed from the front, covered with long, bristly whiskers. She has an attentive, intelligent expression and a very feminine head with her triangular ears  set slightly above the level of the eye.  Woolly coat rather rough on the surface forming very thick, ring shaped curls, with visible, waterproof undercoat giving her a very smart outward appearance. Close fitting elbows and depth of chest and adequate turn of stifle gave her a balanced outline which she maintained on the move. Not quite the reach or drive on the move as BOB today but very pleased to award her reserve best bitch. 

Class 1112 SBD/B NO ENTRIES