United Retriever

Wednesday 13th August 2003

Judge: Dr Ruth Barbour (Dunlan)
Best Of BreedNarod The Impossible DreamHarding & Whitehill

Best DogNarod The Impossible DreamHarding & Whitehill
Reserve Best DogNarod AroonaHunt
Best BitchNarod The Enchanting DreamHullin
Reserve Best BitchDecoymans Piper Serena At PaludicSanford
Best PuppyNarod AroonaHunt

This was an interesting entry, which showed a great variation of types and quality. Temperament and mouths were all fine. I felt the BOB, Best Bitch and Best Puppy all showed typical Toller construction. Others lacked typical Toller head and expression. Of great concern was the number of small ears, carried well away from the skull that would provide no protection whilst swimming. Equally worrying were a number of dogs in the earlier classes whose front legs had crooks, which resembled those of a Basset Hound. Other all, there were a number with very upright shoulders that were balanced by equally straight stifles. Some were considerably over size. A sizeable minority were shown in a very overweight condition. Having been rather negative, there is obviously a great enthusiasm for the breed, which hopefully if built on will enable this breed to develop in a consistent way to overcome the current problems.


Veteran Dog or Bitch (3 entries)

1stWinwood & Ward FOXDOWN ANGEL OF MELANITTA
Active alert bitch. Won on better shoulders and condition.
2ndWoollerton FOXDOWN GILLIE
Better topline than winner but straighter in shoulder and rather overweight.
3rdBurt & Ashton DECOYMANS SWEDISH DESIGN

Novice Dog or Bitch (4 entries)

1stHunt NAROD AROONA
10 month old. Mature for his age. Lively well made dog. Pleasing head. Good ears. Powerful, well-muscled hindquarters with good turn of stifle. Moved with drive. Perhaps needs to tighten a little in front. Reserve best dog and Best Puppy.
2ndSanford PALUDIC EXTRA PLEASURE
Another puppy. Nice type. Powerful hindquarters. Not so good in front as winner and longer coupled.
3rdBurchell PALUDIC PLEASURE TRIP

Post Graduate Dog or Bitch (10 entries)

1stGrigg DECOYMANS PIPER ARIADNE FOR TANMARK
Won the largest class of the day, the quality of which, unfortunately, did not match the quantity. Alert bitch. Attractive intelligent expression. Good proportions. Good coat. Lively mover.
2ndRogers QUOYGARD SKY
Sound type of bitch. Not in as good coat or moving as well as winner.
3rdWinwood & Ward MELANITTA FAZZINATION

Limit Dog or Bitch (6 entries)

1stMacleod & Hussey NEWFANOVA JEMIMA BEAR AT CAMUSMOR
Won on better angulation front and back. A little unsettled moving.
2ndBaker JABY HEVEA CDEX UDEX
In hard condition but does need more body. Not helped by lack of coat.
3rdDavies DECOYMANS PIPER ICEBERG OF STONEBEECH

Open Dog (4 entries)

1stHarding & Whitehill NAROD THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
Stood out on the day. Overall, a balanced picture with typical head and expression. Good ears. Better lay of shoulder than most. Good topline. Powerful hindquarters. Moved well. In good condition. Best dog and BOB.
2ndMortimore LYONHOUSE BASIL
Overall lacked the quality of the first. Topline runs up to the hindquarters. Straight in stifle.
3rdDavies DECOYMANS PIPER ICEBERG OF STONEBEECH

Open Bitch (5 entries)

1stHullin NAROD THE ENCHANTING DREAM
Very similar in type to the BOB. Good head. Well balanced. Won on overall conformation, hind movement and coat. Perhaps could have a slightly smaller and less prominent eye. Best Bitch.
2ndSanford DECOYMANS PIPER SERENA AT PALUDIC
Nicely proportioned, alert bitch. Good body. Moved a little close behind and lacked drive. Reserve Best Bitch.
3rdForeman FOXDOWN ALFINA OF REEDRUNNER