Flatcoated Retriever Club of Scotland

Breed Championshipshow of the Flatcoated Retriever Club of Scotland Lockerbie 20.4.24

First I have to thank the show committee for being invited to judge the championship show of the Flatcoated Retriever Club of Scotland. It was lovely to judge so many beautiful flatcoats. What shall I say, I could see the typical happy flatcoat temperament with constantly wagging tail in all of the presented dogs. Some of them where a bit naughty, but don’t we all love it?

The overall quality was very high, all dogs were presented in gleaming condition. They had to run quite a lot, and you could see everything on the ground in the hall. Some movements have been a bit erratic, especially the front movements, this often goes together with an insufficient front angulation.

I was very happy to see that many dogs had great front and rear angulations and were excellent movers. We have to keep in mind that Flatcoats are gundogs that should be able to work all day, which asks for a good construction.

Some feet were a bit flat but especially my BIS winner had the most beautiful feet ever, I like to see it, it completes the picture of a beautiful dog.

Really all shown dogs had beautiful breed typical heads, none was heavy or had too much stop, just flatcoat heads at the first sight.

The competition in many classes was very strong and the winners have been very close together.

The atmosphere was great, all exhibitors accepted my decision with fairness.

Dogs

Baby Puppy

Dog

First: Scott’s Steelriver Isle View Raven

What a pleasure to start with this beautiful baby puppy dog, a most typical flatcoated retriever, very balanced and mature for age. He has a beautiful head, dark almond shaped eyes with an alert expression. Front and rear angulations are excellent and ribcage very well developed for age. He has an excellent, strong topline and an excellent tailset and tail carriage. Movement was excellent, at rear a bit close and he could have done with a bit more drive. I’m sure he will have a bright future.

Bitch

First and BPOB: Stevenson’s Isle View Pippet

She came in the ring with a lot of temperament, obviously enjoying her day. Sister of the baby dog, smaller and more compact at the moment. She has a beautiful head, dark eyes with an alert expression. She has excellent front and rear angulation, excellent bone and feet and is very mature for age. She has an excellent tailset, the tail is wagging all the time. Still a bit naughty which is typical for that age, but moved with a lot of drive. I was happy to award her best puppy, though the 2 siblings were very close.

Puppy Dog

First and best puppy : Varty-Lindsay’s Levliann Big Bang

He caught my eye at the very first moment, he showed a strong presence coming into the ring. He is very mature and well balanced for age. He has a very typical, well moulded masculine head with excellent proportions, dark eyes and neat ears. His long neck goes into well laid back shoulders. His chest is very deep for age. The topline is strong. He showed a strong effortless movement and was very well presented. A real ambassador for the breed.

Second: Hall’s Hightyne Night Train

Masculine head with correct proportions and a slight stop. Dark almond shaped eyes with a kind expression. Short strong neck, well layed back shoulders. The upper arm is a bit straight. He has an excellent chest and forechest. The croup is a bit round and slightly falling. His side movemnt was correct, but he was a bit erratic in front movement. He would look more racy with a bit less weight.

Junior Dog

First: Anson’s  Rotherfield Secret Code

An excellent example of the breed, this dog caught my eye entering the ring. He showed a very typical outline. He has a most typical, well moulded head and dark almond shaped eye with a typical kind expression. The long neck flows into a well laid back shoulder. He has a deep chest and strong bones, just the feet are a bit flat. The topline is strong, the tail well set and carried. He moves very well with a lot of drive. He was shown to perfection.

Second: Sullivan’s Wyrebeck Shockwave

A bit bigger liver with excellent masculine head, strong neck, well laid back shoulder, he is a bit straight in upper arm. He has a level topline and a well set and carried tail, he was shown with a gleaming dark liver coat. He had a lot of drive in the movement, but was paddling a bit in front.

Third: Curtis’s Tallistar Midnight Ash

Very balanced with an excellent masculine head and dark eyes with alert expression. He has a strong neck, and excellent front angulation. He has a strong topline, excellent tailset and tail carriage.He moved with style and drive. I would prefer better feet.

Yearling Dog

First : Clark’s Hurstclough Night Owl at Flanova

Very elegant dog with breed typical outline, typical masculine head. He has a clean elegant neck that flows into well laid back shoulders, upper arm is a bit straight. He kept his strong level topline and the excellent tail carriage on the move. He has excellent bone and feet and moved with drive.

Second : Anderson’s Almanza Late Breaking News

Excellent type with the most beautiful breed typical masculine head. Strong neck, I would prefer better front angulation and a more pronounced forechest. Excellent topline, bone and feet. He kept his from the side with a very good stride, a little bit paddling in front.

Third: Bowen’s Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine

Breed typical masculine head with dark eyes and alert expression strong neck which flowed into well laid back shoulders. He has excellent bone and nice round feet. Moves well with a good stride, topline a bit soft on the move.

Novice Dog

First:  Curtis’s Tallistar Midnight Ash

Third in Junior

Second: Curtis’s Tallistar Midnight Oak

Typical dog, still a bit immature and he needs time to develop. He has a masculine head, a strong neck, correct angulations and a level topline and excellent tailset. He could do with a bit more bone. Excellent breed typical outgoing character.

Graduate Dog

First: Armstrong’s Bitcon Jackpot

Most elegant and typical flatcoat with a bautiful classical head, dark eyes, clean neck flowing into well laid back shoulders. He has a level topline and a correct tailset and moved well. He was not very happy in the ring at the day, but was presented very well.

Second:  Walker’s Gloi Dubh Kristofer Robin

Excellent size. Typical masculine head, dark eyes, excellent front and rear angulation. His excellent construction leads to a very strong movement with excellent stride. I would like a bit more bone. He was shown to perfection.

Third: Buckley’s Blacktoft Brindisi by Buckleyhill

A strong and well developed dog, his masculine head is well moulded with dark almond shaped eyes. His strong neck flows into a well set shoulder, he has a very good forechest and a level topline. Moved well and covered the ground with ease.

Post Graduate Dog

First:  Bellamy’s Bochilbarley Goblet of Fire Dog CC and RBIS

This dog has the most typical and elegant outline, medium size, he immediately caught my eye when he entered the ring. The head is very well moulded with a perfect shape. He has dark almond shape eyes with a sparkling expression. He shows a good overall shape with a level topline and good tailset. The front and rear angulations are excellent, bone fit to his type and he has excellent round feet. He moves very well with a great stride. I was very happy to award him the first place and later on the dog CC. Compliments to his handler, who showed him to perfection. He hopefully will go on with his show carrer, I have no doubts about it.

Second: Hall’s Rotherfield Just the Ticket

Medium size, a strong and masculine dog with a masculine head, dark eyes and soft expression. He has well constructed forequarters, excellent bone and feet and is deep through the body. He moves well and was very well presented, he just lost a bit on topline on the move.

Limit Dog

First: Sullivan’s Wyrebeck Caught by Surprise

This dog has a very elegant typical outline. He has a masculine head with a slight stop, dark eyes and neat ears. His long and elegant neck flows into well laid back shoulders, he has excellent front and rear angulations and a typical strong topline. Excellent bone and feet, he moves with a lot of drive and was very well presented.

Second: Walker and Robert’s Gloi Dubh Just One Look

Medium sized moderate flatcoat. He has a typical head with dark eyes and neat ears. His long neck flows into well laid back shoulders. He has well sprung ribs and a deep chest. Moves with ease and drive. Excellent free-standing presentation.

Third: Fox’s Satinbaze Cracksman For Blacktoft

Medium sized, strong and compact dog. He has a masculine head, strong neck, excellent front and rear angulations and a deep brisket. He has a strong topline which he keeps on the move. He has excellent bone and neat feet and moves with a lot of drive.

Open Dog

First: Smitherman and Robert’s Seaheart Crian At Gloi

Very elegant and classy outline. He has a very typical head, dark eyes with soft expression.His long neck flows into a well laid back shoulder. He kept his excellent topline in the move. He has excellent bone and feet and moves with a lot of drive.

Second: Holland’s Flatcharm Mayhem Miller

Well balanced, elegant and typical dog. Most beautiful head with dark almond eye. Long neck into well laid back shoulders, a little straight in upper arm. Would prefer more forechest, excellent depth of chest, well constructed rear quarters. Neat feet, moved with a lot of drive and style from side, a bit paddling in front. Perfectly presented, a real showman.

Third: Grant’s Westoncruive Black Tornado

Strong and compact dog. Beautiful head, strong neck, excellent front and rear angulation. He moved well, but he was a little bit proud of his tail on the move.

Veteran

A class with so many quality dogs, very difficult decision to take.

First and RCC: Strudwick’s Sh Ch Burpham Million Love Songs

I was so happy to see this dog that I have admired for years in the ring and it was a pleasure to go over this veteran. He is a most typical flatcaot with a breed typical silhouette. He has a beautiful head, dark eyes with soft expression, a strong neck, excellent front and rear angulations and excellent bone and feet. He moved with a lot o drive and didn’t show his age, a big compliment to his owner.

Second: Stevenson’s  Sh Ch Plainfire’s The Captain Of My Heart is Steelriver

Very typical dog a size bigger but very balanced with excellent proportions. He has a masculine well moulded head and beautiful dark eyes. Clean neck flows into a well laid back shoulders, excellent forechest, well ribbed and short strong loin. Excellent bone and feet. He moved with a lot drive and style and was very well presented.

Third: Fox’s Ch Black Mica’s Likes It Hot At Blacktoft

Very balanced racy outline. Beautiful masculine head with dark eyes, bite could be better but acceptable at this age. Good front angulation, excellent forechest, deep chest, short coupled. Tight feet. Level topline moved and flowed well around the ring and didn’t show his age at all, a topfit veteran in best condition.

Special Open Liver

First: Varty-Lindsay’s Levliann Waited For You

Strong liver dog in a bigger frame. Beautiful masculine head, strong neck, excellent front and rear angulation. Topline could be stronger and the tailset is a bit low. He moves with drive and style and has a dark liver colour.

Champion

First: Bellamy’s SH CH Woodfinch Masquerade

Most typical dog with beautiful outlines, very typical masculine head, dark eyes, excellent layback of shoulder,excellent topline, front and rear angulation. He moved with a lot of drive. A very worthy champion.

Bitches

Puppy

First: Varty-Lindsay’s Levliann She Bangs

Very elegant and balanced, typical feminine head,long neck excellent front and rear angulation, level topline, typical tailset. She moved with a lot of drive and was shown to perfection.

Second: Gowland and Gibbon’s Remington River

Balanced bitch, beautiful head with almondshaped dark eyes, long neck, excellent layback of shoulder. Super topline, nice tailset, movement a bit erratic.

Third : Huyton’s Guns And Roses

Excellent outlines, femine head, muzzle a bit snipey. Short neck, excellent front and rear angulation. Topline should be stronger. Excellent bone, moves well.

Junior

First : Jones’s Benvellyn Sequoia

Very elegant and feminine all through, typical head, dark eyes with melting expression, long neck, excellent shoulders and topline, deep well ripped chest, excellent tailset, moved very well for age, should have a bright future.

Second : Hewison’s Benvellyn Marakele into Casblaidd

Elegant, balanced bitch, feminine head, dark eyes, strong neck, excellent front and rear angulations, level topline, moved with a lot of drive, very well presented.

Third :Curtis’s Tallistar Midnight Beauty

Feminine head and dark eyes with a kind expression. Well made throughout with excellent shoulder, deep chest and and level topline. Moved with good drive.

Yearling

First: Douglas’s Kalexas Upper Class at Greenbayhill

Very balanced and feminine with a racy outline. Correctly shaped head with dark eyes. Excellent front and rear angulation, excellent depth of brisket, short loin. Moved steadily with drive.

Second : Orme’s Hurstclough Joy Of The Moor At Elmstock

Very feminine and balanced. Typical head,well moulded, with lovely dark eye. Excellent neck flowing into well laid back shoulders, deep chest, level topline and excellent tailset and tail carriage. She moved free and easy with a good drive.

Third : Hewison’s Benvellyn Marakele into Casblaidd

Second in Junior

Maiden

First: Woodiwiss’s Woodidream Fortune Cookie

Balanced liver, feminine head a little bit throaty, strong neck, excellent front angulation, correct topline, but a little long in loin. Excellent tailset, moves with a lot of drive.

Novice

First and best liver in show : Sullivan’s Wyrebeck Shes My Surprise

Balanced and elegant liver bitch with a breed typical outline. Typical head that could be a bit more feminine. Strong neck, level topline and good tailset, but the tail carried a bit high on the move. Deep chest and short strong loin. Movement was sound , covering the ground well. Excellent presentation.

Second: Curtis’s Tallistar Midnight Beauty

Third in Junior

Third : Macrae’s Candidacasa What A Feelin

Very elegant with a beautiful outline. Feminine head with dark eyes. Long neck flowing into well laid back shoulders. Level topline a little long in loin. Moves and shows well.

Graduate

First : Mellor’s Flatcharm Guilty Pleasure

Beautifully balanced, shown in super condition. Very feminine, well moulded head, and

dark almond eye, soft expression. Good reach of neck into well laid back shoulders,would prefer a bit more forechest. Strong loin, excellent top line and correct tailset. Moved soundly with very good side movement. Excellent presentation.

Second: Prior’s Blacktoft Avelino

Excellent size and type, very typical outlines. Feminine well moulded head with dark eyes. Well defined forechest, excellent front and rear angulation, strong loin and excellent topline. She moves with drive. Excellent bone and feet.

Third: Gale’s Willowswind Fayetta

Very balanced bitch, excellent feminine head, dark almondshaped eye with alert expression, good front and nice bone and adequate depth of chest, short loin. Level topline with excellent tailset, moves well, very well handled.

Post Graduate

First and RCC: Orme’s Hopevalley Morning Dream of Elmstock

Very balanced bitch with a feminine, nicely moulded head, dark almond shaped eyes with typical expression. Clean neck into well laid shoulder. Excellent bone and feet. Deep chest short strong loin, excellent front and rear angulation and level topline and excellent tailset. A little bit naughty standing, but moved very well with a lot of drive.

Second : Burpham’s Lotties First Love

Beautiful type and typical racy outlines, beautiful head, dark almond shaped eyes with soft expression, strong neck, excellent front and rear angulation excellent topline and tailset, moved well and steadily. Very close to one, a hard decision.

Third : Egginton and Davis’s Pajanbeck Georgy Girl

A very feminine and typical bitch of correct size with a breed typical outline. Lovely well moulded  head with dark almond eye with a kind expression. Moderate reach of neck, excellent shoulders. Good length and depth of body and short in loin, tailset a bit low. Moved very well with drive, excellent presentation.

Limit

First CC and BIS: Armstrong’s Bitcon Jelly Bean

This outstanding bitch caught my eye at once when entering the ring. She is a true flatcoat, most balanced, feminine with a racy outline. She has a beautiful, feminine head, dark almond eyes with a sparkling expression. Her long clean neck flows to excellent shoulders. She has pronounced forechest,

well ripped chest, strong loin and an excellent topline. Her tail was wagging all the time. She has strong bone and the most beautiful neat feet. She moved with a lot of drive and was shown to perfection. I was very happy to give her BIS later on.

Second: Bellamy’s Moonturn Better Half Of Me

Very balanced, elegant and feminine bitch She has a long well moulded head, dark eye and neat well set ears. She has a deep well ripped brisket. She has an adequate lay of shoulder and has a strong level topline. Moved very well in profile.

Third: Stevenson’s Blacktoft Caress Of Steelriver

Excellent size and type, balanced throughout. Excellent feminine head with beautiful dark almond eye with alert expression. Strong neck, excellent front and rear angulation. Strong topline with well set tail. Excellent bone and excellent neat feet. Moves with a lot of stride from side, a little close behind. Excellent presentation.

Open

First: Stevenson’s Caci’s Magic In Every Moment

Very elegant and balanced bitch. Typical racy outline. Feminine, well moulded head with expressive dark eyes. Long neck,excellent front and rear angulation. Excellent topline, tailset and tailcarriage. Moves with a lot of drive and style. Excellent presentation.

Second: Mantle’s Almanza Ain’t Nobody’s Business At Rhiewvalley

Balanced feminine bitch with breed typical outline. Classic feminine head, dark almond eyes with soft expression. Strong neck, deep brisket, excellent topline and tailset. Moved well.

Third: Bellamy’s Moontorn Goddess Of Love

Nicely balanced, feminine outline of correct size. Typical feminine head, dark eye with kind expression. Excellent front and rear angulation. Good depth of chest, strong loin. Moved well with a lot of drive.

Veteran

First: Holland’s Kvicksans Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

Lovely veteran that doesn’t show its age at all. Most typical classic feminine head dark eyes with soft expression. Strong neck, excellent layback of shoulder, a little straight in upper arm.Excellent topline, tailset and tail carriage. Moves with more drive as some younger ones and was perfectly shown.

Second: Mc Donald’s Steelriver Dance In The Sun At Skyloch

Another very balanced veteran bitch shown in top condition. Very nice head and expression, good reach of neck, good front and rear angulation, compact body and short loin, level topline. Could do with a bit more bone. Moved well with good reach and drive.

Special Open Liver

First: Sullivan’s Wyrebeck Shes My Surprise

First in Novice

Second : Macrae’s Aricdell Lush Life

Well up to size, feminine head with dark amber eyes, short neck, a little bit throaty. Excellent layback of shoulder, would prefer more forechest, deep brisket, a little long in loin, tailset a bit low. Moves well and well shown.

Champions

First : Smitherman’s SH CH Seaheart Cecilia

Seeing the name writing my critics, I remember very well having given her brother in Poland who is very similar in type, first place some years ago. Breed typical outline, very balanced. Excellently moulded feminine head with dark eyes and soft expression. Excellent front angulation,excellent forechest, well sprung ribs. A little long in loin. Excellent topline, tailset and tailcarriage, moves with drive. Excellent presentation.

Second : Jones’s Braemist Witches Fire

Very feminine classic bitch of medium size. She has a beautiful head, kind dark eye and well set ears. She has excellent front and rear angulation, deep chest, short loin, topline a bit soft on the move. Moves with a lot of drive and style, very well presented.



Third: Fox’s CH Blacktoft Dancing The Blues

Balanced, elegant bitch with a very typical, feminine head, nice dark eye, long elegant neck, nice front and excellent angulations. A little long in loin excellent topline and tailset. She moved very well with a lot of drive.