Championship Show Critiques 2024

Saturday 2nd March

Held at: One Leisure St Ives, Westwood Road, St Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 6WU


Dogs: Mrs F. Braddon (Trendlewood)

I really enjoyed my day judging Labrador dogs at this lovely, friendly breed club. Thank you to the committee, past and present, for their kind invitation to judge and the wonderful hospitality extended to me. My two stewards, Barbara and Kristie were excellent, kept the ring flowing well and synced with the bitch ring enabling the show to finish in good time. I was very pleased with my winners and my co judge, Mac and I agreed on all the ‘ Best of’ at the end. I thought the quality of the dogs was high and the depth in a number of classes, especially Open dog meant I had to weigh up the finer points to make a decision. I really needed more red cards! I did notice a number of blacks with very dark, almost black eyes which completely ruins their expression and is not correct.


Veteran Dog - 5 entered | 1 absent

1st

Williamson’s Sharouns Ventriloquist for Tempaskell JW. A lovely yellow dog of 7 years with classic head and true Labrador expression. Short coupled, well made all through. Strong hind quarters enabled him to move well with good reach. Showed well once settled. BVIS.

2nd

Young’s Potterspiney Killian. A 9 year old black who was carrying too much weight. Looked good when standing but just loses his topline on the move. Good front angulation, excellent double coat, lovely kind head and expression.

3rd

Kennett’s Magnavalleys Cornishman ShCEx.

Minor Puppy Dog - 7 entered | 1 absent

1st

Metcalfe’s Baileydale Rocket Man. What a super puppy, clear winner here. Excelled in outline, standing and on the move. Very good front and strong rear quarters so he moved soundly, true going and coming. Good coat of correct texture. Has the most beautiful head and expression, just strong enough to say ‘Dog’ and right for his age. Expertly handled to get the best out of him. Best Puppy in Show.

2nd

Charlton’s Foxrush Hot Gossip. A stronger puppy of a different type to the winner. Good head, eye colour and lovely expression. Strong rear quarters with second thigh already developed, neat hocks, good bone and super otter tail. Moved well but not quite as freely as 1. 

3rd

Edwards’ Kimbajak Royal Mint.

Puppy Dog - 5 entered | 1 absent

1st

Perkins’ McFarwin's Grey Legacy by
Keeninspires. A big dog who has stopped growing so now needs to mature and finish. Good conformation front and rear. Level topline standing and on the move. Lovely head and expression. Moved soundly.

2nd

Rawlinson’s Halshimoor Timewarp with Shanorrell. A
promising dog I would like to see in 6 months time once he has finished growing and balanced out. Very nice head and kind Labrador expression. Good front angulation. Was very excited which let down his movement.

3rd

Barthram-Mcmanus’ Danru Typical Male.

Junior Dog - 7 entered | 0 absent

Two super juniors with similar qualities, a close decision and I am sure they will change places many times in the future.

1st

Hopkinson’s Rocheby Squadron Leader Classic. So
typical of this kennel and so like his sire. Excelled in outline – so balanced. Handler moved him at exactly the right pace so he displayed true movement both coming and going. Good front construction, strong, correctly angulated rear quarters, hocks well let down. Such a calm appealing outlook which showed off his lovely head and expression.

2nd

Wiles Richbourne Lion King. A similar type, but an overall stronger dog so not so clean in outline. Very well coated. Lots of bone. Moved very well and kept his topline on the move. Lovely kind head and expression. Always stands right which means he is made right. Good strong rear quarters with well developed second thigh.

3rd

Metcalfe’s Rumhill Bertie Wooster by Baileydale.

Yearling Dog - 7 entered | 0 absent

1st

Allen’s Timouron's Olimpio. A mature yellow who is very well made throughout. Kind masculine head, decent bone. Strong rear quarters – moves well but lacks animation.

2nd

O’Brien’s Maxfield Sergeant Pepper Similar type to 1 - old fashioned with typical Labrador expression. Good front and rear angulation. Moved well but looks bored when standing which spoils his outline.

3rd

Druggan’s Langanhoe Wild Hudson.

Maiden Dog - 9 entered | 0 absent | 3 withdrawn

1st

Metcalfe Baileydale Rocket Man.

2nd

Richbourne Lion King.

3rd

Johnson’s Cremino Celebrity.

Novice Dog - 7 entered | 0 absent | 2 withdrawn

1st

Metcalfe's Baileydale Rocket Man.

2nd

Johnson’s Cremino Celebrity. Very balanced young dog unlucky to meet 1 & 2 in Maiden dog. Very good overall conformation with good depth of chest. Moved soundly. Likely from a line of slow maturers so I am sure he will make a top drawer dog by next year.

3rd

Rawlinson’s Shanorrell Seamus Coleman at Halshimoor Naf Taf.

Undergraduate Dog - 5 entered | 0 absent

1st

Gentleman’s Wynfaul Repeat. Very mature black in full
coat which was double and correct texture. Excellent front. In lovely condition. Moved very well.

2nd

Grummitt’s Manorwell Danny Boy. A yellow dog who once settled moved well. Handler had to rush from the other ring which upset him. Old fashioned type with lovely head and expression. Very balanced dog.

3rd

Hopkinson’s Rocheby Schoolmaster.

Graduate Dog - 9 entered | 0 absent | 1 withdrawn

1st

Williamson’s Sharouns Inspector Gadget JW. Lovely yellow dog with superb outline and shape. Good reach of neck flows into topline which is level on the move. Good strong bone. Displays that true kind Labrador expression – when he uses his ears.

2nd

Harris’ Winsleywood Wellington JW. Rather understated dog which you appreciate more when you go over him. Very balanced. Moved very well with tail flowing straight off his back. Kind head, in good coat.

3rd

Manning’s Marchurch Imperial Topaz JW.

Post Graduate Dog - 11 entered | 1 absent

1st

Boulden’s Rumhill Firecracker JW. This is a real quality chocolate dog. In full coat - dark colour proper burnt sugar eye colour. Good front angulation. Otter tail. Head good not at all overdone whilst still looking masculine. Moved very soundly. So balanced. really sparkled today.

2nd

Hopkinson’s Rocheby Havana. Unlucky to meet 1 in such good form. I have admired this dog from ringside and he is even better when you go over him. Of smaller mould than 1 with a really lovely head and expression. Good front and strong rear quarters which help him move soundly and effortlessly. In hard condition carrying just right amount of weight.

3rd

Bills’ Saranden Thunder Road.

Mid Limit Dog - 3 entered | 1 absent

1st

Perkins’ Carromer Teguila by Keeninspires. Nicely made yellow with lovely head and eye. In good coat. Has reasonable front angulation and very strong rear quarters which means he moves with drive around the ring.

2nd

Mount’s Buckholt Desert Storm Duke. Of good type but seems to completely lack animation. Kind, expressive head, in good coat, excellent bone and feet. Would like to see him with bit more weight and condition.

3rd

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Limit Dog - 7 entered | 2 absent

1st

Digweed’s Willokin's Whistle Blower. Really lovely yellow who caught my eye from when he came into the ring. Super head and expression with dark pigmentation. Excelled in outline standing and moving, true otter tail straight off his back. One of the few with good front angulation and strong rear quarters so moved very well. Overall in very good condition.

2nd

Ennis-Holden’s Devonshires Yellowstone at Mariank (imp USA). A very nice yellow who had a good outline standing. Unfortunately let down by movement - would demonstrate his undoubtable quality if he was moved more slowly. Correct front angulation with good reach of neck. Very strong rear angulation. In good hard condition.

3rd

Finney’s Carpenny Kipling.

Open Dog - 10 entered | 2 absent

1st

Hodge’s SH CH/IR SH CH Naiken East Meets West (AI) JW. Well known top winning Labrador. So pleased to have opportunity to judge him. If anything I appreciated his many qualities all the more once I had gone over him and watched him move. He was on top form today, very fit condition, in super coat, dense and correct texture, proper otter tail. Has good reach of neck and a lovely kind masculine head with true Labrador expression. Deep in chest and barrelled rib. Flows from nose to tail with excellent outline standing and moving. Exactly the right proportion of length of leg to depth of body. Well boned. Definitely merited his CC today

2nd

Johnson’s SH CH Cremino Calabrese. A top quality yellow, unlucky to meet 1 today. Super eye catching outline moving and standing, so balanced with decent length of leg and superb reach of neck. Kind well moulded head and expression. Overall conformation good. Handled to perfection. Just pipped by 1 today on bone and coat. RCC.

3rd

Ayres’ Hannabee To Hull N Back with Musubi.

Special Beginners Dog - 5 entered | 0 absent

1st

Bills’ Saranden Thunder Road. Strongly made dog with lovely head and expression, very deep in body, but good length of leg so balanced, good rear quarters, in good coat, movement satisfactory.

2nd

Douglas’s Centenalee Whisky Sour at Kyorli. Finer yellow with good front angulation, and strong rear quarters, presenting a balanced outline, in good coat, just not enough of him for me.

3rd

Marchurch Imperial Topaz JW.


Bitches: Mrs M. Percival (Wynfaul)

Sincere thank you to the committee for this invitation to judge bitches. Always an honour and a very great pleasure. Special thanks to all the exhibitors for such a strong, quality entry. I thoroughly enjoyed my day. In particular, the four classes from Post Grad to Open were extremely strong, with many beautiful bitches and not enough cards.


Veteran Bitch - 6 entered | 2 absent

1st

Pattison’s Pattilands Shining Star. 11 and half year old yellow, an absolute credit to her owner. No excess weight, in good hard condition. Clean neck. Well sprung ribs and good double coat, she moved with drive and enthusiasm that belied her years.

2nd

Dawson’s Beskerby Singsong. 8 year old yellow, well proportioned head, defined stop, kind expression. Tight well arched feet and true otter tail. Moved soundly.

3rd

Shirton’s Woolman Proper Dream Maker.

Minor Puppy Bitch  - 8 entered | 0 absent

1st

Digweed’s Baileydale Oops A Daisy For Willokin. Very promising yellow, clean outline which she kept on the moved. Well set on otter tail, double coat. Balanced head, with good pigmentation and eye colour. Tight arched feet, moved soundly, tracking correctly.

2nd

Mount’s Buckholt Misty Mistletoe. Yellow, good depth and spring of rib, shoulders, feet, coat and tail. Pleasing expression. Moved soundly.

3rd

Metcalfe’s Baileydale Blondie

Puppy Bitch - 9 entered | 0 absent

1st

Bailiss’s Tissalian Haughty Mia, BPB. This yellow bitch was first in a very strong class, clean outline, firm topline, finishing in correct otter tail, carrying correct weight & well muscled. She maintained her outline on the move. Good shoulders, deep, well sprung ribs, good pigmentation and well defined stop, kind expression. Moved soundly.

2nd

Woodley’s Alkhamhurst London Girl. Black bitch, firm topline, well set on tail, good depth of body, shoulders well placed, correct weight, sound mover.

3rd

Allen’s Timouron Hush Hush.

Junior Bitch - 7 entered | 2 absent

1st

Lavelle & Wiles’s Crosscroyde Chianti. Yellow, scopey, clean neck, well sprung ribs, good harsh coat and tail, well muscled quarters & let down hocks, balanced head with good eye shape and colour, well defined nostrils. Correct weight, good movement.

2nd

Mount’s Buckholt Jubilee Libby. Black, balanced , good topline, shoulders, and forechest. Neat well arched feet. Moved soundly but not the most confident in the ring. 

3rd

Young’s Carromer Royal Dreamer At Potterspinney.

Yearling Bitch - 10 entered | 2 absent

1st

O’brien’s Maxfield Penny Lane. Eye catching stockier yellow, clean outline & neck, well placed shoulders, good rear angulation. Correct harsh coat and well set on otter tail. Pleasing expression good eye shape and colour, moved well.

2nd

Bailiss’s Tissalian Crepe Suzette. Yellow, clean neck, good depth of body, spring of rib, eye colour and pigmentation. Moved soundly.

3rd

Kennett’s Magnavalleys Moon Dance.

Maiden Bitch - 8 entered | 1 absent | 3 withdrawn

1st

Bailiss’s Tissalian Haughty Mia. BPB.

2nd

Grummitt’s Manorwell Rag Doll. Black, clean neck, well placed shoulders, well set otter tail, balanced head, pleasing expression, moved well.

3rd

Dodd’s Carriegame Loves To Dance.

Novice Bitch - 10 entered | 2 absent | 3 withdrawn

1st

Edwards’s Howcastle Josephine of Chelmscote. Black, strong quarters, deep bodied, neat feet, Attractive expression, balanced head, correct eye shape and colour. Moved soundly.

2nd

Young & Parkes’s Potterzuri Mystic Zena. Black. Longer cast bitch, heavy coated, clean neck and well laid shoulders. Moved well.

3rd

Sadler’s Talifen Human Touch.

Undergraduate Bitch - 2 entered | 1 absent

1st

Edwards’s Kimbajak Hip Hop To The Top. Yellow, good sized bitch, level topline, well set on tail. Clean, strong neck, balanced head. Good movement, tracking 4 square.

2nd

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3rd

-

Graduate Bitch - 12 entered | 3 absent

1st

Glaister, Bordacs & Bordacs’s Bellamar Love Me Do. Black, compact clean lines, well set and
shaped otter tail, clean neck, good depth of body & forechest, correct shoulders & weight, balanced
head. Moved soundly.

2nd

Kent’s Trewinnard Bespoke. Yellow. Good bone, clean neck, well placed shoulders, forechest, well arched tight feet. Neat ears, good stop, muzzle length & pigmentation. Sound mover.

3rd

Bishop’s The Girl Is Fun From Linjor JW.

Post Graduate Bitch - 8 entered | 1 absent

1st

Hopkinson’s Rocheby Hickory. Winner of BCC and BIS. Black. No exaggerations, good example of the breed standard. Compact outline, firm topline which she maintained on the move, well set on otter tail. Harsh double coat. Clean neck, well placed shoulders, plenty of depth and forechest. Strong quarters, well angulated front and rear. Balanced head, good length of muzzle, and neat ears. True, kind, Labrador expression. No excess weight, fit
and well muscled. Free an easy mover allowed to adopt her natural head carriage, tracking accurately.

2nd

Druggan’s Balladoole Skyline Black. Slightly smaller than 1, similar comments apply. Clean neck, well placed shoulder, good forechest, firm topline. Correct tail well set on, depth of chest and spring of rib. Neat feet. Balanced head, correct eye shape and colour, another true, kind,
biddable Labrador expression. Moved soundly tracking 4 square.

3rd

Casey & Jayes’s Berlan First In Line At Sandylands.

Mid Limit Bitch - 13 entered | 3 absent

1st

McGill’s Deniangill Almost Had It All JW. Compact, short coupled, balanced, good sized yellow. Outline stayed together on the move, firm topline, well set on otter tail. Good angulation front and back, depth and spring of rib. Balanced head, broad skull, defined stop, good muzzle length. Good pigmentation and kind expression. Moved well. One of the four in the short cut for the Challenge Certificate.

2nd

Hodge’s Naiken Glass Slippers. Chocolate, smaller,
compact, very well made, with plenty of bone. Short coupled, good depth and spring of rib. Firm topline, true tail well set on. Neat well arched feet. Excellent mover.

3rd

Coode’s Warringah’s Pippingara.

Limit Bitch - 7 entered | 2 absent

1st

Kent’s Chyanhal Trevose of Trewinnard JW. Winner of Reserve Challenge Certificate. Black, another good example of breed type. Kept her outline on the move, always the litmus test, not only for conformation but for weight and fitness. Good firm topline excellent tail and
tail set. Well placed shoulders and upper arm giving plenty of forechest. Well muscled first & second thigh, strong quarters and good turn of stifle. Double coat. Balanced head with broad skull balanced by length and breadth of muzzle. Correct eye shape, good colour, and the most appealing of expressions. Moved with drive.

2nd

Tooth’s Ludalor Loquacious Yellow. Balanced and well
proportioned throughout, good length of neck, well laid shoulder, strong topline. Short, strong loin, and first and second thighs, well let down hocks. Balanced head with good stop. Moved soundly.

3rd

Ennis Holden & Lammens’s Stand By Me Of Misty Dreams.

Open Bitch - 8 entered | 1 absent

1st

Metcalfe’s SH CH Baileydale Dizzy Miss Lizzy. Black, well made bitch from head to tail, clean neck well laid shoulders, excellent depth and spring of rib, strong quarters, good coat and tail, balanced head with kind expression. Sound mover. One of final 4 challenging for CC.

2nd

Allen’s Saranden Santee Sioux Timouron. Black, firm topline, good depth and spring of rib, forechest, balanced throughout. Moved soundly.

3rd

Edwards’s SH CH Kimbajak Miss Jazz Swinger JW.

Special Beginners Bitch - 9 entered | 1 absent

1st

Glaister, Bordacs & Bordacs’s Bellamar Love Me Do. Black winner of GB.

2nd

Moys’s Smacom Cream Honour. Yellow, well made with good reach of neck, coat & tail. Neat feet, pleasing head with soft expression, moved well.

3rd

Sadler’s Talifen Human Touch.