The Golden Retriever Club of Scotland

25 Class Open Show

Saturday November 12^TH 2022

It was a tremendous honour to be invited to judge at this show and I would like to pay my especial thanks to the Officers and Committee for the hospitality that was extended to me.

I was delighted by the size of my entry – and more particularly the quality of depth throughout the classes.  In some cases, I had to split hairs between the winners.  I can honestly say that it was one of the most enjoyable days judging I have ever experienced and will live with me for a very long time to come.  I was also delighted in the sportsmanship amongst all exhibitors and for accepting all my winners with loud applause which made for a very happy atmosphere throughout.

In particular I would like to thank my stewards – Jennifer MacDonald, Fiona Clarkson and Sharon McCormack who kept the ring running so smoothly all day.

Lastly my biggest thank you is to all the exhibitors for their entry and allowing me the honour of judging your dogs.

VETERAN DOG (7, 2abs)

1^ST Gray, Mrs C, Knockothie Fairway: A beautifully balanced male of 9 years of age who definitely belies his age. So well made all through with excellent bone – his feet could have been a fraction tighter for me but he did have short nails. Very good overall balance and good length to height with a very good length of leg. Very good chiselled head, with dark eye, soft expression, strong underjaw and correct, clean and complete dentition. Clean neck into well laid shoulder assembly, very good width and depth of brisket, elbows tight to to chest, well ribbed back into strong loin and strongly made moderate hindquarters with very good width of second thigh. An extremely sound mover who was happy to move whenever asked.

Presented and shown to perfection. My absolute pleasure to award him Best Veteran in Show against a high-quality veteran bitch.

2^nd Mackenzie, Mr T & Mrs H, Tullochmohr Here We Go Again: Another super quality male of nearly 8 years of age, totally balanced and symmetrical. Beautifully presented and shown. Very good clean and balanced head with dark eye and best of expressions. Correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into well placed and correct shoulders, deep brisket, elbows tight to chest, well sprung ribs into strong loin and muscular hindquarters and prominent second thigh and straight hocks. Quality bone all through. Clean tight feet with short nails. Moved soundly and accurately.

3^RD Warden, Mrs A R, Eyevalley Macallan of Glentochty ShCM VW

MINOR PUPPY DOG (4, 1abs)

1^ST Tait, Miss E, Strathlon Here Comes the Sun: What a smart and promising young male of just 7months of age. Very good overall balance and conformation.  Beautifully balanced head with enough chiselling for age. Correct, clean and complete dentition. Well placed ears. Very good shoulder and return of upper arm.  Very good bone. Correct rib to loin.  Well-made moderate hindquarters with good width of second thigh.  Square hock to heel. Tight, neat feet. Moved and handled very well, he only lost out on maturity for Best Puppy in Show – I loved him!  Best Puppy Dog & Reserve Best Puppy in Show

2^ND Gray, Mrs C, Knockothie I Can Boogie: An impressive puppy of just 6 months of age. Very well balanced not exaggerated in any way, good head and expressive with dark eye. Correct, clean and complete dentition and correct bite, correct layback of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm.  Deep brisket and good length of ribcage.  Well-made hindquarters with excellent bone and feet with short nails.  Moved well and extremely soundly but flew his tail above the horizontal which somewhat spoilt a good picture when moving.

3^RD Mcaleese, Mr J & Mrs A, Toseland Rolls Royce

PUPPY DOG (3, 1abs)

1^ST Tait, Miss E, Strathlon Here Comes the Sun

2^ND Hunter, Mrs M, Kadaka Kevin Karrot at Kyleholm: A very well-balanced young male of 10 months of age who presented a very pleasing picture when standing. Balanced head and muzzle but this still needs to finish, correct bite with clean and complete dentition, strong into correct forehand assembly, which was loaded on the day, very good bone and feet with short nails, well sprung ribs into super loin, moderate turn of stifle, straight heel to hock, muscular hindquarters. Moved accurately and soundly BUT I feel he was almost ‘over shown’, with a little more training and trust between dog and handler, this young male could do very well.

JUNIOR DOG (4, 2abs)

1^ST King, Mrs G, Cleddans Dreaming of Summer: A really loved this male of 13 months of age for his overall type, construction, balance and symmetry. Beautifully presented. Correct, complete and clean dentition with correct bite. Very good head with a lovely expression and dark eye.  Correct layback of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm.  Good width and depth to brisket and good length of ribcage.  Well-made hindquarters with moderate turn of stifle and good width of second thigh. Excellent quality bone and feet.  Tight, neat feet with the shortest of nails. Moved well and accurately but felt he hand much more potential when moving and was limited by his handler who was recovering from knee surgery. A very pleasing example of this breed.

2^ND Halkett, Mrs, Noblemoon Head Over Heels at Garrellglen: A really was quite taken by this male of 17 months of age. Presented, shown and handled beautifully. Slightly longer cast than my first placed exhibit. Very good head and expression, dark eye and correct nose pigmentation. Correct, clean and complete dentition with correct bite. Correct shoulder placement and corresponding length of upper arm.  Good depth of brisket and close fitting elbows. Well-made hindquarters with good width of second thigh. Excellent bone and feet with short nails.  Moved well and soundly.

SPECIAL YEARLING DOG (4)

1^ST Bolton, Mr C & Mrs J, Megarvey Still Game for Shiresmill JW: Wow! What a super young male of 16 months of age. I thought this dog to be extremely well-balanced and symmetrical all through and free from exaggeration. Correct, clean and complete with full dentition and a scissor bite. Masculine but balanced head that is well chiselled with dark eyes and soft expression. Clean muscular neck. He excels in forehand construction. Brisket of good depth and width and well ribbed with balanced and short-coupled body.  Hindquarters that are moderate, strong and muscular with good width of second thigh.  Moved maintaining a level topline at all times and showing good forehand reach and drive from his hindquarters.  Stands square hock to heel with excellent bone and feet with short nails. Presented in beautiful condition but not in full coat. It gave me much pleasure to award him a well-deserved Reserve Best Dog on the day.

2^ND Wallis, Mr A & Mrs K, Lamancha Roll on Good Times: Very pleasing and balanced male of 23 months of age – again, presented shown and handled extremely well. Head of correct proportions and chiselled with dark eye and soft expression. Correct, clean and complete with full dentition and a scissor bite.  Excellent forehand construction with elbows tight to the brisket which was of good width.  Deep chest and good spring of rib. Very good hindquarters with good width of second thigh. Good bone all through and stood on tight, neat feet with short nails. Moved soundly with drive.

3^RD Salter, Mr G, Rathcloon Safe and Sound

MAIDEN DOG (4, 1abs)

1^ST Halkett, Mrs, Noblemoon Head Over Heels at Garrellglen

2^ND Gray, Mrs C, Knockothie I Can Boogie

3^RD Hunter, Mrs M, Kadaka Kevin Karrot at Kyleholm

NOVICE DOG (4, 2abs)

1^ST Halkett, Mrs, Noblemoon Head Over Heels at Garrellglen

2^ND Gray, Mrs C, Knockothie I Can Boogie

UNDERGRADUATE DOG (2, 1abs)

1^ST Graham, Mr P B, Iparralde De Ria Vela: Pleasing male of 2½ years of age. Excels in quality bone all through. Typical head with dark eye and sift expression. Correct, clean and complete dentition with scissor bite. Strong neck, which could have been cleaner via grooming, good forehand assembly but carrying a little too much weight over his shoulders for me, well ribbed back into moderate hindquarters. Moved soundly.

GRADUATE DOG (2)

1^ST Little, Mrs K, King of Swing Qdore of Labgold to Bluebraes (IMP POL): Another exhibit that caught my eye and impressed me on the day – just over 2 years of age. Extremely well presented, in good coat, with tight feet and short nails. If his handler had had more confidence to slacken his lead and allow him more ‘free’ movement he I believe has potential to do well. Of very pleasing type, balanced. Excellent head, which is chiselled and soft expression with dark eye. One of the very best expressions all day. Correct, clean and complete dentition with scissor bite. Clean neck into excellent forehand assembly, good width and depth to brisket, well ribbed back, super topline, moderate hindquarters with clean hocks and good width of second thigh.

2^ND Hunter, Mrs M, Glenrioch Rock of Ages at Kyleholm: Again, a well-balanced male of 27 months of age. As with this exhibitors male in a previous class, with practice and some ringcraft, this male could do very well. Symmetrical from all angles when stacked. Very good head and expression with dark eye, scissor bite and correct clean and complete dentition. Excellent forehand assembly, deep chest with elbows tight to brisket, good spring of rib, muscular loin, moderate turn of stifle, clean hocks, tight, neat feet with short nails – moved soundly.

POST GRADUATE DOG (1)

1^ST Mcaleese, Mr J & Mrs A, Sheriffmuir Glorious Lad at Glormhorcu: Stood alone in this class and of just over 2½ years of age. Very well made all through.  Good head and well chiselled beneath the eyes.  He scores in his forehand construction and has good length of leg. Level topline. In very good coat and overall condition. Well-made hindquarters with good width of second thigh. Moved soundly and accurately.

LIMIT DOG (9, 2abs)

1^ST McShane & Laidlaw-Good, Mesdames, Fhairmhor Haud Yer Wheesht at Rigerin: A male who is now in his prime at 4½ years of age. Beautifully presented and expertly shown – thank you. Not flashy in any way but instead excels in overall construction and balance and free from exaggeration. Very good head with requisite chiselling, dark eye, strong clean underjaw, correct, clean and complete dentition and scissor bite, clean, strong neck into well placed shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm, deep chest of good width, well ribbed back into strong clean loin, strong and moderate hindquarters with very good second thigh, good bone, tight neat feet with short nails moved accurately both fore, aft and in side profile when asked. My pleasure to aware him Best Dog and Reserve Best in Show.

2^ND Wallis, Mr A & Mrs K, Blue gemstone Katrina. A dog that I find that I have Judged before at the start of the year after checking my records. Of super type and presented to perfection. A dog of 4½ years of age. Well balanced. The very best of heads with soft expression and dark eye. Correct, clean and complete dentition with scissor bite. Excellent forehand assembly, brisket of very good width and depth, excellent spring of rib into strong loin. Very good hindquarters, clean hocks, good width of second thigh, tight, neat feet with short nails. Moved soundly BUT, he must be slowed down fractionally with his handler as he losses accuracy, which on the day was my deciding factor between first and second placed exhibits. He is a quality male.

3^RD Frater, Mrs I, Sandaula Kilts N’Ceilidhs (AI)

OPEN DOG (2)

1^ST Warden, Mrs A R, Noblemoon Tak the High Road to Glentochty: Fully mature male of 5 years of age. For me on the day whilst he was completely sound and of good type and quality he was rather loaded over his shoulders, which somewhat spoilt his overall outline. Very good clean head and expression with dark eye, teeth correct, clean and complete with correct bite. Well laid shoulder. Good depth and width of chest.  Level top line and well-set tail. Good width of second thigh.  Excellent bone and feet.  Moved well

2^ND McShane, Mrs C, Rigerin Gonnae No Dae That: A 6-year-old male of pleasing overall type. Typical head with soft expression.  Correct, clean and complete dentition and scissor bite. Good shoulder placement, good depth and width of brisket. Well-made hindquarters with good bend of stifle.  Good bone and feet.  Moved well and soundly.

VETERAN BITCH (7, 2abs)

1^ST Ewart, Mrs J H, Beaupippin Dusky Lilac VW: A beautifully presented, shown and handled bitch of 8 years of age. Extremely feminine bitch of pleasing overall type and proportions. Very good head, which was feminine and chiselled but correct with kind expression, dark eye, correct, clean and complete dentition and scissor bite. Strong neck into good forehand assembly, chest of good depth and width, Well ribbed back into strong loin, hindquarters well-muscled and with moderate bend of stifle, defined second thigh good bone and feet with short nails. Moved soundly and accurately. It gave me pleasure to award her Reserve Best Veteran in Show.

2^ND Thomson, Mr H & Mrs L, Gillbryan Danish Pastry: Another bitch of 8 years of age and pleasing overall type. Typical head and soft expression and dark eye. Dentition correct, clean and complete with scissor bite.  Well-made forehand assembly if now a little steep in upper arm.  Good depth of brisket.  Slightly longer cast than I would ideally like.  Well-made and muscled hindquarters.  Excellent bone and feet with short nails.  Moved well and soundly.

3^RD Brown, Miss G, Fenpinque Glitterspelle

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (4)

1^ST Ewart, Mrs J H, Parlickview Blaze of Glory Over Beaupippin: A beautiful bitch of 9 months who presented a very nice clean and balanced overall picture, very good head and soft expression, with dark eye. Correct, clean and complete dentition and scissor bite, clean neck into well placed shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm, very good depth and width of brisket, good bone all through, well ribbed back, moderate hindquarters, very good tight neat feet with short nails.

2^ND Mcneish, Mr M & Miss M, Ambersun Drops of Jupiter: Super quality baby of just 6 months of age. Very well balanced.  Correct, complete and clean dentition with scissor bite. Super head with a lovely kind and soft expression and dark eye. Correct layback of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm.  Deep brisket with elbows placed close to chest and good length of ribcage.  Well-made hindquarters with excellent super quality bone and feet.  Moved well both fore and aft and in side profile on nice feet with short nails. One to watch for the future.

3^RD Higham, Mrs M, Lamancha Splendid Frolic.

PUPPY BITCH (4)

1^ST Ellis, Ms K, Tenfield Sunset Gleaming: A quality bitch of virtually 12 months of age. Presented in absolutely stunning condition. Excellent overall balance.  The most beautiful feminine head and softest of expressions with correct chiselling beneath the eyes. Correct, complete and clean dentition with scissor bite. Good reach of neck with excellent forehand construction.  Correct length of leg. She has a well sprung rib with loin of correct length.  Well-made moderate hindquarters and clean hocks.  Quality bone all through with tight feet and short nails.  Moved well on good stride with accuracy and soundness.  In excellent coat and condition. It gave me great pleasure to award this beautiful bitch, Best Puppy Bitch & Best Puppy in Show.

2^ND Harper, Miss L A, Tullochmohr Shooting Star at Glynerva JW: Another quality young bitch. Lovely feminine head and dark eye and correctly pigmented nose, correct, clean and complete dentition with scissor bite, well placed and carried ears, clean neck into very well-placed shoulders and return of upper arm, close fitting elbows, short coupled, level topline, stifles well bent, very good bone all through, tight, neat feet, moved very well and soundly.

3^RD Ewart, Mrs J H, Parlickview Blaze of Glory Over Beaupippin

JUNIOR BITCH (10, 3abs)

1^ST Carlton, Miss L, Fhairmhor Moonlight Sonata: Outstanding bitch of 15 months of age. Presented, shown and handled extremely well – thank you. I thought this bitch to be extremely well-balanced, free from any exaggeration and symmetrical all through. Dentition correct, clean and complete with full dentition and correct scissor bite. Very feminine but balanced head that is well chiselled beneath the eyes. She has excellent forehand construction, which she used on the move demonstrating good forward extension in side profile.  Deep in brisket of good width and well ribbed back into strong loin. Moderate hindquarters with good width to second thigh.  Moved accurately both fore, aft and in side profile maintaining a level topline at all times and showing drive from her hindquarters.  Stands square hock to heel with excellent bone and feet with the shortest of nails. Presented in beautiful condition.

2^ND Foster, Mr B & Mrs C, Eau My Gold V D Corner Brook for Auristela (IMP NLD) JW: A well-presented and shown bitch of 17 months of age. Balanced and very well made all through, super head and expression with dark eye, correct, clean and complete dentition and scissor bite. Very good forehand assembly. Loin of optimum length. Level topline. Moderate hind angulation with clean hocks.  Excellent bone and feet with short nails.  Moved soundly and accurately both fore and aft.

3^RD Ewart, Mrs J H, Parlickview Blaze of Glory Over Beaupippin

SPECIAL YEARLING BITCH (6, 3abs)

1^ST Lang, Mr R & Mrs B, Lanercoste Pink Roses: A very pleasing bitch of 17 months of age. Presented in beautiful condition and shown well. Good overall balance.  Clean, well chiselled head and soft expression with dark eye. Correct, clean and complete dentition and scissor bite.  Well laid shoulder with good return of upper arm.  Good depth and width of chest. Strong Loin.  Well-made hindquarters with good width of thigh.  Square hock to heel.  Tight neat feet and short nails. Moved freely with drive

2^ND Ellis, Ms K, Tenfield Sparkling Sunrise: A pleasing bitch of a few days short of 12 months of age. Balanced and very well made all through, pleasing head and expression, correct, clean and complete dentition with scissor bite. Good forehand assembly. Level topline. Moderate hind angulation.  Excellent bone and feet.  Moved soundly and accurately both fore and aft.

3^RD Mcgeoch, Mrs A L, Nedlezah Highland Lassie

MAIDEN BITCH (7)

1^ST Carlton, Miss L, Fhairmhor Moonlight Sonata

2^ND Bell, Mrs F V & Mr M, Hoaaloha Ahyoka: A very well-balanced young bitch of nearly 10 months of age. Super balanced and well chiselled head. Correct, clean and complete dentition with scissor bite. Correct angulation of forehand assembly.  Good spring of rib leading to moderate loin.  Good hindquarters with correct width of second thigh.  Square hock to heel.  Moved well and soundly.

3^RD Bolton, Mr R C & Mrs J, Megarvey Still Game for Shiresmill JW

NOVICE BITCH (9, 2abs)

1^ST Carlton, Miss L, Fhairmhor Moonlight Sonata

2^ND Ewart, Mrs J H, Parlickview Blaze of Glory Over Beaupippin

3^RD Bell, Mrs F V & Mr M, Hoaaloha Ahyoka

UNDERGRADUATE BITCH (2, 1abs)

1^ST Brown, Miss G, Leynosk Marchesa: A very well-made bitch who the more I looked at her appealed to me with her many virtues. Of 2 years of age. Beautiful head and expression with a dark eye and black nose. Dentition correct, clean and complete with correct bite. Well placed ears, clean neck into well placed shoulder assembly, brisket of excellent width and depth, elbows tight to chest, well sprung ribs into muscular loin, very good hindquarters, clean hocks – on the move she was sound and accurate but perhaps not moved to her best advantage.

2^ND Ewart, Mrs J H, Parlickview Blaze of Glory Over Beaupippin

3^RD Bell, Mrs F V & Mr M, Hoaaloha Ahyoka

GRADUATE BITCH (9, 1abs)

1^ST Hill & Smith, Miss P & Mr D, Megarvey Clementine JW: Outstanding bitch of 20 months of age. Presented, shown and handled to an extremely high standard. Upon entering the ring, she had that extra ‘something’ in her attitude, presence and quality. Standing she has everything that I look for in this breed, character and attitude, balance and oozes type. Completely free from exaggeration especially in the hindquarters. Of medium size, excellent feminine head, well chiselled, dark eye and kind expression, correct, clean and complete dentition with scissor bite, strong neck of moderate length leading into extremely well-placed shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm, brisket deep and of good width, well sprung ribs and short muscular loin, strong hindquarters with excellent width of second thigh, square heel to hock. On the move she was accurate both fore and aft driving from the rear and extending in front and demonstrated a superb side profile. She was very well presented and handled on the day and without doubt very fit. Quality bone all through, tight neat feet and short nails. My absolute pleasure award her Best Bitch and Best In Show.

2^ND Purdie, Mrs G, Dunnybrae Tickety Boo: Another quality exhibit and of 23 months of age. Not flashy in any way but instead of just a very pleasing overall type. Excellent overall construction and balance and free from exaggeration. Good head with requisite chiselling, dark eye and soft expression correct, clean and complete dentition and correct bite, clean, strong neck into well placed shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm, deep chest, well ribbed, strong hindquarters, good bone moved accurately and soundly.

3^RD Lang, Mr R & Mrs B, Lanercoste Pink Roses

POST GRADUATE BITCH (8, 2abs)

1^ST Mcdonald, Miss M, Lamancha Question the Truth: A bitch of just over 2 years of age. Presented in super coat and condition and extremely well shown and handled. Super feminine head with the softest of expressions and dark eye.  Correct, clean and complete dentition and requisite scissor bite. Clean strong neck into very good layback of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm.  Well ribbed back leading to strong loin and well-muscled hindquarters and good width of second thigh. Quality bone all through, tight neat feet with short nails. Again, moved and handled extremely well, sound and accurate both fore and aft and demonstrating and excellent open side gate.

2^ND Hill, Miss P, Sandaula This Will Do (AI) JW: An extremely pleasing overall type of bitch of just over 4 years of age. A quality bitch.  Very workmanlike and well balanced with everything in proportion.  Good well chiselled head with dark eye and lovely expression. Correct, clean and complete dentition with scissor bite. Clean neck and well laid shoulder.  Correct spring of rib with strong lion.  Well-muscled hindquarters with good width of second thigh.  Excellent bone and feet.  Moved soundly and with drive.

3^RD Mcalpine, Miss L, Drumkilty Mairead

LIMIT BITCH (9, 2abs)

1^ST Hain, Mr D & Mrs E, Fhairmhor Wee Midden at Strathain: A very workmanlike bitch of 4 years of age – of excellent overall type and quality and caught my eye upon entering the ring. Presented in excellent condition with a lovely coat. Extremely well balanced.  Feminine head with soft expression, dark eye and well-placed ears.  Correct, clean and complete dentition with scissor bite. Very good forehand assembly with very good layback of shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm.  Well ribbed back leading seamlessly into strong loin and well-muscled hindquarters with excellent width of second thigh. Quality bone all through, tight neat feet with short nails. Moved extremely well and soundly – accurate both fore and aft and demonstrating and excellent open side gate. A well-deserved recipient of Reserve Best Bitch.

2^ND Palmer & White, Mrs S, Mr J & Mrs E, Linirgor Perfect Symphony of Cairnglen: What a beautiful bitch she is. Very little to choose from between exhibit 1 and 2, maybe just the experience of the handler and how at one she was with my first placed exhibit. Again, of 4 years of age, Well balanced all through.  Beautiful feminine head with correct chiselling beneath her eyes and the softest expression and dark eye.  Excels in her forehand construction.  Very good depth and width to brisket and well-ribbed back into strong long.  Strong well-made hindquarters with good width to second thigh.  Level topline maintained in movement.  Stands square hock to heel with excellent bone and feet that had the shortest of nails.  Moved soundly with good forward reach and driving from the rear.

3^RD Bradley, Mrs M P, Ceilcaesar Calendar Girl

OPEN BITCH (5, 1abs)

1^ST Purdie, Mrs G, Megarvey Itty Bitty Boo JW: A bitch of 6 years of age and of high quality. Very pleasing on the eye because of her many virtues. Very good head and dark eye, correct, clean and complete dentition and scissor bite, strong neck into very good forehand construction, brisket of good width and depth with elbows tight to chest. Well ribbed back into strong loin of optimum length, strong hindquarters, clean hocks, moved soundly.

2^ND Thomson, Mr H & Mrs L, Clannorach Sweet Dreams: A bitch of 4 years of age. Presented in good overall condition. Feminine head with lovely soft expression.  Correct, clean and complete dentition and scissor bite. Clean strong neck into good forehand assembly.  Well ribbed leading to strong loin and well-muscled hindquarters. Good bone all through, tight neat feet with short nails. Moved well.

3^RD Little, Mrs K, Bluebraes Jacobite Lass

BRACE (4, 3abs)

1^ST Ewart, Mrs J H, Beaupippin Lusky Lilac VW & Parlickview Blaze of Glory Over Beaupippin: Perfectly matched in type and size. Presented in super condition and moved in tandem perfectly symmetrically and in sequence with each other. Handled extremely well.

Martyn J Rees (Judge)