Windsor

Friday 1st July 2016

Judge: Mrs Christine McDonald (Northey)


Best Of BreedErikachen Conaire At Tollisty JWStrevens

Dog CCErikachen Conaire At Tollisty JWStrevens
Reserve Dog CCSh Ch Trevargh The Entertainer At BrizewoodHarding & Whitehill
Bitch CCAm GCh Kymin Ipso Facto (Re-Imp)Brown
Reserve Bitch CCSh Ch Erikachen Aoife DeargGibson
Best PuppyTivalake TemptationMcAuliffe

Thank you to my excellent stewards. Spectators very enthusiastically clapped all winners. So nice to hear. I found type and size very mixed - as mixed as when I did Crufts prior to CCs being granted. If one takes judging in the show ring as a monitor of how the breed is progressing as to type and conformation, I would say that compliance to these attributes is being compromised by the increase in numbers. I can well understand why the breed is so popular as pets, and for competitive flyball, agility and so on. They are eye-catching, lively and happy and a handy size to have around. Their plumed tail that is forever wagging yet to denote their pleasure, yet is soft and doesn't crash into furniture ...or your legs, and need non-expert grooming and not much trimming even for the show ring. But, please breeders as the breed becomes more popular, make sure a check on health is maintained. I worry that the breed is often listed on search sites as on the Kennel Club Breed as, ".... no current points of health concern reported". But the entries on the KC Breed Specific Requirements and Recommendations demanded of both parents of litters bred by Accredited breeders includes heath screening "Requirements, 1) Hip scoring 2) DNA test - prcd-PRA. Recommendations: 1) Eye Testing - Annual 2) Bitches under two years not to produce 3) DNA test - CEA a litter 3) Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period 4) Dogs under two years not to be used at stud, 5) DNA test - Degenerative Myelopathy." Breeders and buyers beware. Aesthetically, on the subject of colour I've heard several mutterings about 'too much white' or 'too little white', but the standard and authoritative texts on the matter are specific, "Any shade of orange or red. It is usual to have white in at least one of (specified places) as long and the white does not extend beyond pasterns or back of head or neck....lack of white not to be penalised." I only saw a few that had excessive white that bothered me and I would be hesitant about using in a breeding plan, certainly not the proportions of 'incorrect' white I had been warned about. For the purpose of Tolling I think a white tip of the tail would entice a duck more, but it's a personal and minor point compared with the importance of temperament (which was excellent throughout the dogs ...and exhibitors'!) type, jauntiness, a well feathered tail moving constantly, the construction to enable the dog to run speedily along the bank, and a neck of the strength to retrieve ducks or geese and the biddability to repeat the fetching of sticks or balls thrown by the hunter again and again to attract the quarry into the tolling net or within gunshot. I am concerned the Breed Standard gives no guidance about proportions, so I used the silhouette portrayed in the NSDTRC UK presentation and in its recommended reading; Strang and MacMillan's book on the breed and in particular the articles by Canadian The late Robert Cole. Cole was outstanding in the way he portrayed breed type and anatomy as both a wordsmith and illustrator. His book 'An eye for a dog - illustrated guide to judging purebred dogs' is a useful addition to any dog library. Frank Kane's book on Gundogs is also a good source for guidance.


Veteran Dog or Bitch (4 entries, 1 absent)

1stHarding & Whitehill SH CH TREVARGH THE ENTERTAINER AT BRIZEWOOD
An excellent dog so full of breed type. Is such a good ambassador for the breed. To me, he has a classic head that was well nigh impossible to find elsewhere in this entry. Rather than plaudits, I'll repeat the head standard here as a reminder of what is required: "Head And Skull. Clean-cut skull, slightly wedge shaped. Broad, slightly rounded. Occiput not prominent. Cheeks flat. Moderate stop. Muzzle tapers from stop to nose. Nostrils well developed. Nose flesh-coloured or black. Eyes. Medium size, almond-shaped, well set apart. Friendly, alert expression. Brown to amber, blending with coat colour. Eye rims flesh coloured or black. Ears Triangular, dropped ear of medium size. Set high and well back on skull. Base held very slightly erect. Well feathered at back of fold, hair shorter at rounded tips. Mouth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth sound and strong. Softness of mouth essential. Lips tight fitting, flesh-coloured or black". He was in full coat - a thick undercoat covered with luxurious top coat on body and well feathered tail. In the challenge he lacked the easy, jaunty movement of the CC winner, but I was pleased to reward his assets with the RCC.
2ndBaker ERIKACHEN AONGHUS
Good proportions and in fine fettle.
3rdGibson CAMUSMOR ANY DREAM ULDO FOR ERIKACHEN
My BB from Crufts 2007: then a Special Puppy, now a sweet and spritely old lady enjoying her day out. Thank you for bringing her.

Minor Puppy Dog (1 entry)

1stBurchell TIVALAKE MAKE 'EM LAUGH
Really lovely surprise to meet such an exciting prospect in the first class of the day. Good type and well put together. Well angulated fore and aft. Level topline. Moved soundly with a jaunty, alert manner. Went on to win first three classes.

Puppy Dog (3 entries)

1stBurchell TIVALAKE MAKE 'EM LAUGH
2ndFuard TOLLELKIN BAY OF ICE
In full coat, perhaps over coated to the extent that it obscured his body proportions. Fair head. Preferred bone of winner.
3rdBaldwin WAKADUZE WAKPA

Junior Dog (6 entries, 1 absent)

1stBurchell TIVALAKE MAKE 'EM LAUGH
2ndWestwood EUSANIT CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Nice as round dog who moved well with well flagged tail. Preferred feet of winner.
3rdRice TOLLERICE CARCILLO
ResFuard TOLLELKIN BAY OF ICE
VHCBaldwin WAKADUZE WAKPA

Yearling Dog (4 entries)

1stStrevens ERIKACHEN CONAIRE AT TOLLISTY JW
I liked his type, proportions and outline. He was fully clothed with dense undercoat and water resistant top coat. Good angulation fore and aft, good spring of ribs carried well back to a firm loin and crop. Level topline. Strong bone yet light on his feet and jaunty on the move. In great condition, fit, well muscled and shown to advantage CC and BOB.
2ndGibson ERIKACHEN CONLAOCH DEARG
Goodish head, well balanced conformation. Dark red and bright white, but no sign of liver or black so is within the standard. However, I would want any more white. Very happy on the move to the extent his tail curled over his back.
3rdWakely RIVERWATCHER KAVIKSUK
ResGrant STACEARELLA TOMAHAWK JACK

Post Graduate Dog (9 entries, 2 absent)

Large class containing all sorts of different type, conformation, heads and movement in this class. Top 3 made the best impression on the snapshot of judging. As with some other classes, I could do with more than 2 minutes a dog to analyse differences to be happy with my decisions.

1stMorgan ERIKACHEN O'RUADH FOR DELTANDAMBA JW
Litter brother to 1st and 2nd in previous class. Good overall shape and moved soundly.
2ndFrench & Penelrick KYMIN MATTER OF FACT
Out of a smaller mould. Nicely balanced throughout with good ribbing and body for his size. Good bone and feet.
3rdAndrews ERIKACHEN CAOIMHIN FOR AFTONMARSH
ResWakely RIVERWATCHER KAVIKSUK
VHCGrant STACEARELLA TOMAHAWK JACK

Limit Dog (6 entries, 1 absent)

1stWakely RIVERWATCHER NUKILIK
Best movement in class, Good overall proportions but a shade heavy in head.
2ndFielder PLAYING THE FIELDER AT CRETSHENGAN
Nice head and overall proportions.
3rdMoult & Savory ACANUCK SOUL REBEL OF CROFTWELL
ResPalfrey FOXDOWN BERTIE ALLSORTS
VHCWard FLUSHPOINT WHATA ARISTOCRAT AT MELANITTA (IMP SWE)

Open Dog (9 entries)

1stBurchell TIVALAKE JINGLE BELL ROCK SHCM RL2
Good outline with optimum angulation in fore and hind quarters. Good depth of brisket. Plenty of heart and lung room and strong over loin. Fair head, moved very well with parallel movement at slow speed then converging as he stepped up in pace. Really nice dog. I thought him well up to CC level. His day will come.
2ndAnstead LUX/INT SH CH RIVERWATCHER ATKA
Nice head, excellent coat, moved coming and going but a shade upright both and ends which would give more extension and drive.
3rdGray SEAHAVEN'S GALACTIC STORM AT WULALOWE
ResParr KYMIN NEPTUNE
VHCHarding & Whitehill GLENDERMACKI FOX CRAGG AT BRIZEWOOD

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog or Bitch (4 entries, 1 absent)

1stCarnovale KYMIN ORANGE BLOSSOM OF RHEE
Very pleasing in head, outline and jaunty, sound movement. Looked really well in this class but lost concentration in her later PGB class.
2ndNewson TIVALAKE MORE THAN WISHES
Good type and angulation both ends. Liked her head and she was close up to winner and indeed went on to beat her in PGB.
3rdAndrews ERIKACHEN CAOIMHIN FOR AFTONMARSH

Minor Puppy Bitch (3 entries, 1 absent)

1stMcAuliffe TIVALAKE TEMPTATION
Litter sister to PD. Classy puppy bitch of good type and construction. Pretty head of good proportions. Good angulation both ends which she used well on the move in profile and viewed from rear and front. Good in front. Well ribbed and level strong back. Well feathered and used tail. Well presented in excellent condition. An exciting prospect. BP.
2ndCoe TIVALAKE BEAUTIFUL GIRL
Another litter mate and of same good type. Not as together as winner. The breeder is going to enjoy watching this litter in the ring as they are bound to have success.

Puppy Bitch (4 entries)

1stMcAuliffe TIVALAKE TEMPTATION
The lovely bitch from above.
2ndWest WAKADUZE WI MIMBE
Preferred length of leg of winner to 3rd.
3rdElkin TOLLELKIN WATER DANCER
ResHunt WAKADUZE SKOO

Junior Bitch (5 entries)

1stMoult & Savory EUSANIT NAUGHTY BUT NICE FOR CROFTWELL
Very good prospect. Good head and expression. Good ribbing and body. Moved gaily.
2ndMcAuliffe TIVALAKE TEMPTATION
3rdWestwood EUSANIT BEST OF THE BUNCH
ResElkin TOLLELKIN WATER DANCER
VHCHunt WAKADUZE SKOO

Yearling Bitch (5 entries)

1stMoult & Savory EUSANIT NAUGHTY BUT NICE FOR CROFTWELL
1st in Junior.
2ndWestwood EUSANIT BEST OF THE BUNCH
3rd in last class, pretty head, went more freely than 3rd.
3rdWard MELANITTA GALATINA
ResAnstead RIVERWATCHER PIKPAKTUK JW
VHCFrench & Penelrick KYMIN RED ROGUE

Post Graduate Bitch (5 entries, 1 absent)

1stNewson TIVALAKE MORE THAN WISHES
Was 2nd in GC. Showed really well in this class and caught my eye more than the bitch that had beaten her in a previous class.
2ndClaxton TOLLERICE BERTUZZI BEG EX
Pleasing head and very well balanced. Moved well.
3rdCarnovale KYMIN ORANGE BLOSSOM OF RHEE
ResHunt WAKADUZE SKOO

Limit Bitch (8 entries)

1stRice TOLLERICE AIVAZOFF NOV EX RL2-EX
Pleasing head, well angulated fore and aft and moved freely. Very well presented and handled.
2ndParr DANEHAVEN PELLY ON KYMIN
Pleasing, though different style of head to winner. Didn't move quite as freely. I preferred ear placemant over 3rd.
3rdAnstead RIVERWATCHER IKKUMA
ResWard FLUSHPOINT WHATA ACCIDENT FOR MELANITTA (IMP SWE)
VHCMorgan REDAURORA COMET'S CHRISTMAS OF DELTANDAMBA

Open Bitch (10 entries, 2 absent)

Really nice class to judge. The first three were close up.

1stBrown AM GCH KYMIN IPSO FACTO (RE-IMP)
Mature bitch in excellent condition. Good front, strong neck set into decent shoulders. Good depth of chest, well ribbed up and short well-muscled back and loin. Good tail set. She moved gaily and soundly with well flagged tail. In the challenge for BOB she dropped her topline.
2ndGibson SH CH ERIKACHEN AOIFE DEARG
Daughter of my BB at Crufts 2007. Also a mature bitch in full kettle. Excellent type, good level topline, which she kept on the move, lovely head. Not quite the front of the CC winner, but well worthy of RBCC.
3rdWestwood SH CH/IR SH CH EUSANIT APPLE OF ONE'S EYE JW
Competed a trio of really nice bitches from the best class of the day.
ResBuckingham KYMIN MEDART
VHCAnstead RIVERWATCHER IKKUMA