Flatcoated Retriever Club of Scotland
Critiques Oct 2017
Open Show Sat 21st October 2017 Auction Market Lanark - Critiques
Judge: Mrs Hannah Higginbotham (Howlingale)
Judge: Mrs Hannah Higginbotham (Howlingale)
I wish to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge at their well organised open show. I had a lovely day, with an excellent entry. I also would like to thank my stewards who were very efficient in keeping the ring running smoothly.
I really appreciated all the exhibitors who entered under me.
I felt highly honoured to be able to go over many quality dogs. On a negative note I was disappointed that some of the dogs were carrying too much weight and some feet were not as tight as they should be.
The overall standard was very high and I was pleased with my final line up.
I really appreciated all the exhibitors who entered under me.
I felt highly honoured to be able to go over many quality dogs. On a negative note I was disappointed that some of the dogs were carrying too much weight and some feet were not as tight as they should be.
The overall standard was very high and I was pleased with my final line up.
Puppy Dog (3,1)
1st Plummer & McPherson's Lochkander Bhuachaille Two lovely puppies headed this class, 1st won on maturity and was more balanced. Good head, dark eye and shape. Well developed brisket and good bone. Level topline held on the move with correct tail set. BEST PUPPY DOG
2nd Simpson's Pajanbeck Edge of Glory This youngster is still coming into his own. Very Immature but has plenty of time on his side. He has a nice shaped head with good length of muzzle. He was difficult to go over but a very nice puppy.
1st Plummer & McPherson's Lochkander Bhuachaille Two lovely puppies headed this class, 1st won on maturity and was more balanced. Good head, dark eye and shape. Well developed brisket and good bone. Level topline held on the move with correct tail set. BEST PUPPY DOG
2nd Simpson's Pajanbeck Edge of Glory This youngster is still coming into his own. Very Immature but has plenty of time on his side. He has a nice shaped head with good length of muzzle. He was difficult to go over but a very nice puppy.
Junior Dog (3,0)
1st Malone's Kirkbeck the Man in Black Young dog maturing well. Moulded head with good reach of neck. He has a good strong topline that he held on the move with correct tail set, but tends to stand and move with tail higher which does spoil his outline. Lovely bone, feet ok. Moved freely.
2nd Reekie's Rotherfield Find a Reason Not as balanced or mature as 1st. He has a dark eye with a lovely expression. Oval bone. Feet could be tighter. Moved ok.
3rd Stewart's Ciardubhan Fire Opal
1st Malone's Kirkbeck the Man in Black Young dog maturing well. Moulded head with good reach of neck. He has a good strong topline that he held on the move with correct tail set, but tends to stand and move with tail higher which does spoil his outline. Lovely bone, feet ok. Moved freely.
2nd Reekie's Rotherfield Find a Reason Not as balanced or mature as 1st. He has a dark eye with a lovely expression. Oval bone. Feet could be tighter. Moved ok.
3rd Stewart's Ciardubhan Fire Opal
Maiden Dog (4,1)
1st Malone's Kirkbeck the Man in Black
2nd Manson's Sylkienorrie Neepy Lantern Liver dog. Placed 2nd as he had a more positive movement than 3rd. Straight front legs with correct oval bone. Feet ok. Level topline with tail set correctly coming off back. Moved at one with handler.
3rd Hutchison's Islstrom Torran
1st Malone's Kirkbeck the Man in Black
2nd Manson's Sylkienorrie Neepy Lantern Liver dog. Placed 2nd as he had a more positive movement than 3rd. Straight front legs with correct oval bone. Feet ok. Level topline with tail set correctly coming off back. Moved at one with handler.
3rd Hutchison's Islstrom Torran
Novice Dog (4,0)
1st Malone's Kirkbeck the Man in Black
2nd Manson's Sylkienorrie Neepy Lantern
3rd Reekie's Rotherfield Find a Reason
1st Malone's Kirkbeck the Man in Black
2nd Manson's Sylkienorrie Neepy Lantern
3rd Reekie's Rotherfield Find a Reason
Undergraduate Dog (3,0)
1st Ross's Go with the Flow Ebony in Harmony at Qlocontrail JW Lovely well balanced young dog maturing well, of medium size. Well moulded head with dark almond shaped eye. Good reach of neck and depth of chest. Correct front angulation. Moderate bend of stifle with well let down hocks. Lovely tight feet. Tail set correct. Moved true.
2nd Manson's Sylkienorrie Neepy Lantern
3rd Huyton's Hopevalley Morning Oregon for Hightyne
1st Ross's Go with the Flow Ebony in Harmony at Qlocontrail JW Lovely well balanced young dog maturing well, of medium size. Well moulded head with dark almond shaped eye. Good reach of neck and depth of chest. Correct front angulation. Moderate bend of stifle with well let down hocks. Lovely tight feet. Tail set correct. Moved true.
2nd Manson's Sylkienorrie Neepy Lantern
3rd Huyton's Hopevalley Morning Oregon for Hightyne
Graduate Dog (7,1)
1st Laird's Islstrom Black Grouse of Daicheil I really liked this young dog of medium size, who is maturing well. Good head and dark eye. Very good front angulation with correct oval bone. He has a strong level top line with moderate rear angulation and correct tail set. Well let down hocks. Stands on lovely tight feet. Moved well.
2nd Douglas's Plainfires Quintessential Greenbayhill (Imp Che) This young dog has a lovely head, kind dark eye with mischievous expression. Good reach of neck and front angulation. Movement was true and positive. I just preferred my first's rear angulation.
3rd McConnell's Feldkirk Fearghal at Torrweaving
1st Laird's Islstrom Black Grouse of Daicheil I really liked this young dog of medium size, who is maturing well. Good head and dark eye. Very good front angulation with correct oval bone. He has a strong level top line with moderate rear angulation and correct tail set. Well let down hocks. Stands on lovely tight feet. Moved well.
2nd Douglas's Plainfires Quintessential Greenbayhill (Imp Che) This young dog has a lovely head, kind dark eye with mischievous expression. Good reach of neck and front angulation. Movement was true and positive. I just preferred my first's rear angulation.
3rd McConnell's Feldkirk Fearghal at Torrweaving
Postgraduate Dog (7,1)
1st Laird's Branchalwood Strathearn of Daicheil (AI) Two very different dogs headed this class. Loved this dogs workman like type. He has a classical head with dark eye. Deep chest. Good strong top line with correct front and rear angulation. Straight front legs with good bone. In good coat.
2nd Ross's Islstrom Orrin Larger dog than my first but within the standard. He has a lovely well moulded head with good length of muzzle. I liked his front and forward reach. His tail comes off his back correctly. He is also well coated.
3rd Harris's Highlander z Mokre Hory at Siancala (imp Cze)
1st Laird's Branchalwood Strathearn of Daicheil (AI) Two very different dogs headed this class. Loved this dogs workman like type. He has a classical head with dark eye. Deep chest. Good strong top line with correct front and rear angulation. Straight front legs with good bone. In good coat.
2nd Ross's Islstrom Orrin Larger dog than my first but within the standard. He has a lovely well moulded head with good length of muzzle. I liked his front and forward reach. His tail comes off his back correctly. He is also well coated.
3rd Harris's Highlander z Mokre Hory at Siancala (imp Cze)
Limit Dog (4,1)
1st Blain's Caci’s Just a Gigilo at Steelriver (Imp Swe) Loved this medium sized, well balanced dog showing true flat coat outgoing temperament. He has a well moulded head with dark almond eye. Strong level top line. Correct oval bone. Moderate bend of stifle. Moved as one with handler with lashing tail.
2nd Laird's Seaheart Archibald of Daicheil ShCM Another lovely well balanced dog from this kennel. Well moulded head. Good bone. Correct forward reach. In lovely coat and condition.
3rd McKenzie's Aricdell Leonidas at Damashii
1st Blain's Caci’s Just a Gigilo at Steelriver (Imp Swe) Loved this medium sized, well balanced dog showing true flat coat outgoing temperament. He has a well moulded head with dark almond eye. Strong level top line. Correct oval bone. Moderate bend of stifle. Moved as one with handler with lashing tail.
2nd Laird's Seaheart Archibald of Daicheil ShCM Another lovely well balanced dog from this kennel. Well moulded head. Good bone. Correct forward reach. In lovely coat and condition.
3rd McKenzie's Aricdell Leonidas at Damashii
Open Dog (5,0)
1st Blain's SH CH Rotherfield First Request JW A really strong class of mature flat coats. This dog has a racy outline with true flat coat temperament. He is a lovely medium sized dog with a well moulded head and almond shape dark eye, giving a kind gentle expression. Good front and rear angulation enabling good forward reach with drive from the rear, well let down hocks. moved freely round the ring at one with his handler. RESERVE BEST DOG & RESERVE BEST IN SHOW
2nd Laird's SH CH Branchalwood Tamdhu of Daicheil JW SHCM Another lovely dog of medium size, well balanced who I have judged before and he didn't disappoint. He has a classical one piece head with a dark eye and soft expression, a moderate reach of neck flowing into a level top line. He has a moderate bend of stifle. He also has correct bone. Moved freely.
3rd Ross's Downstream Face the Music
1st Blain's SH CH Rotherfield First Request JW A really strong class of mature flat coats. This dog has a racy outline with true flat coat temperament. He is a lovely medium sized dog with a well moulded head and almond shape dark eye, giving a kind gentle expression. Good front and rear angulation enabling good forward reach with drive from the rear, well let down hocks. moved freely round the ring at one with his handler. RESERVE BEST DOG & RESERVE BEST IN SHOW
2nd Laird's SH CH Branchalwood Tamdhu of Daicheil JW SHCM Another lovely dog of medium size, well balanced who I have judged before and he didn't disappoint. He has a classical one piece head with a dark eye and soft expression, a moderate reach of neck flowing into a level top line. He has a moderate bend of stifle. He also has correct bone. Moved freely.
3rd Ross's Downstream Face the Music
Veteran Dog (7,0)
1st Douglas's SH CH Greenbayhill Black Tuxedo This dog nearly eight years old is a lovely well balanced bright and active dog of medium size. I loved his well moulded head almond shaped dark eye and mischievous expression. He has a good reach of neck leading to a strong top line. His length of upper arm enabled him to move with correct forward reach. He has flat fore ribs which is what the standard calls for. Moderate bend of stifle with well muscled thighs giving him drive from the rear. When standing he stood foursquare. Moved freely around the ring. BEST DOG, BEST VETERAN, AND BEST IN SHOW
2nd Stewart & Holmes Highamhill Fifo Seven years old well balanced medium size dog, with well moulded head and dark eye. Good reach of neck. Straight front legs with good bone. Very happy and outgoing with lashing tail.
3rd Gale's Willowswind Whispering Elm JW ShCM
1st Douglas's SH CH Greenbayhill Black Tuxedo This dog nearly eight years old is a lovely well balanced bright and active dog of medium size. I loved his well moulded head almond shaped dark eye and mischievous expression. He has a good reach of neck leading to a strong top line. His length of upper arm enabled him to move with correct forward reach. He has flat fore ribs which is what the standard calls for. Moderate bend of stifle with well muscled thighs giving him drive from the rear. When standing he stood foursquare. Moved freely around the ring. BEST DOG, BEST VETERAN, AND BEST IN SHOW
2nd Stewart & Holmes Highamhill Fifo Seven years old well balanced medium size dog, with well moulded head and dark eye. Good reach of neck. Straight front legs with good bone. Very happy and outgoing with lashing tail.
3rd Gale's Willowswind Whispering Elm JW ShCM
Puppy Bitch (5,1)
1st Eggington's Pajanbeck Georgy Girl Just six months old, I placed this baby puppy first as she looked more balanced than second. Sweet head, eye and expression. Good reach of neck. Straight front legs with correct bone. Good strong level top line held on the move. She looks very raw at the moment but is at the right stage of development. When asked to move she moved very well for such a baby and was at one with her handler. I will be interested to see how she progresses. BEST PUPPY BITCH , BEST PUPPY IN SHOW
2nd Jones's Blacktoft Sapphire Ice at Benvellyn Different type to first and not as animated. She has a well moulded feminine head with dark eye. Well angulated front. Moderate bend of stifle. She appears to be a little high on the rear at present but that should settle in time with maturity.
3rd Eggington's Pajanbeck Angels on my Side
1st Eggington's Pajanbeck Georgy Girl Just six months old, I placed this baby puppy first as she looked more balanced than second. Sweet head, eye and expression. Good reach of neck. Straight front legs with correct bone. Good strong level top line held on the move. She looks very raw at the moment but is at the right stage of development. When asked to move she moved very well for such a baby and was at one with her handler. I will be interested to see how she progresses. BEST PUPPY BITCH , BEST PUPPY IN SHOW
2nd Jones's Blacktoft Sapphire Ice at Benvellyn Different type to first and not as animated. She has a well moulded feminine head with dark eye. Well angulated front. Moderate bend of stifle. She appears to be a little high on the rear at present but that should settle in time with maturity.
3rd Eggington's Pajanbeck Angels on my Side
Junior Bitch (2,1)
1st Gray's Rotherfield Reason to Dream of Aislear Medium sized young bitch who was very exuberant, giving her handler a hard time. Shows balance. Strong top line. Moderate bend of stifle. Tail set correct. I would have preferred a more positive front movement.
1st Gray's Rotherfield Reason to Dream of Aislear Medium sized young bitch who was very exuberant, giving her handler a hard time. Shows balance. Strong top line. Moderate bend of stifle. Tail set correct. I would have preferred a more positive front movement.
Maiden Bitch (6,1)
1st Eggington's Pajanbeck Georgy Girl
2nd Gray's Rotherfield Reason to Dream of Aislear
3rd Ross's Islstrom Fia
1st Eggington's Pajanbeck Georgy Girl
2nd Gray's Rotherfield Reason to Dream of Aislear
3rd Ross's Islstrom Fia
Novice Bitch (3,0)
1st Gray's Rotherfield Reason to Dream of Aislear
2nd Shanks's Gemswin Pretty in Pink Placed this young bitch second as she had a more positive movement than the third. Head well moulded with dark eye. She holds a good top line with tail coming off correctly.
3rd Ross's Islstrom Fia
1st Gray's Rotherfield Reason to Dream of Aislear
2nd Shanks's Gemswin Pretty in Pink Placed this young bitch second as she had a more positive movement than the third. Head well moulded with dark eye. She holds a good top line with tail coming off correctly.
3rd Ross's Islstrom Fia
Undergraduate Bitch (4,1)
1st Huyton's Gladpenny Kiss from a Rose by Hightyne Medium sized bitch. One piece head and dark eye. Straight front legs with correct bone. Good length of rib. Top line held on the move. Feet could be tighter.
2nd Thorpe's Candidacasa Porsche at Montreathmnt Different type to 1st bitch. Stands foursquare. Good top line. Moderate bend of stifle. Tail set correct. Moved ok.
3rd Shanks's Montegrino Naughty But Nice
1st Huyton's Gladpenny Kiss from a Rose by Hightyne Medium sized bitch. One piece head and dark eye. Straight front legs with correct bone. Good length of rib. Top line held on the move. Feet could be tighter.
2nd Thorpe's Candidacasa Porsche at Montreathmnt Different type to 1st bitch. Stands foursquare. Good top line. Moderate bend of stifle. Tail set correct. Moved ok.
3rd Shanks's Montegrino Naughty But Nice
Graduate Bitch (11,2)
1st McDonald's Steelriver Dance in the Sun at Skyloch A very strong class. Medium sized feminine bitch with classical head and dark eye. Good strong top line and reach of neck. Deep chest. Good bone and feet. Moved well with handler.
2nd Stevenson's Steelriver Sun Kissed JW Slightly bigger bitch than first but well balanced. Showing true flat coat outgoing temperament. Loved her head and eye shape. Good top line and tail set. Well let down hocks. Racy in outline.
3rd Gale's Willowswind Nette Lark JW
1st McDonald's Steelriver Dance in the Sun at Skyloch A very strong class. Medium sized feminine bitch with classical head and dark eye. Good strong top line and reach of neck. Deep chest. Good bone and feet. Moved well with handler.
2nd Stevenson's Steelriver Sun Kissed JW Slightly bigger bitch than first but well balanced. Showing true flat coat outgoing temperament. Loved her head and eye shape. Good top line and tail set. Well let down hocks. Racy in outline.
3rd Gale's Willowswind Nette Lark JW
Postgraduate Bitch (5,1)
1st Rattray's Rotherfield I’m on Time Two different types. Really liked this medium sized outgoing bitch. Loved her head dark eye and shape. She has a good reach of neck, and a good strong top line. Flat fore ribs with short square loin. She looked lovely and balanced on the stand. Would like to see her in full coat. RESERVE BEST BITCH
2nd Thomson's Badcall Petronella Bigger bitch than first, and slightly longer cast. Preferred first's head and eye shape. Moved better in this class than previous class.
3rd Young and Flynn's Ballyriver Sadly Sober
1st Rattray's Rotherfield I’m on Time Two different types. Really liked this medium sized outgoing bitch. Loved her head dark eye and shape. She has a good reach of neck, and a good strong top line. Flat fore ribs with short square loin. She looked lovely and balanced on the stand. Would like to see her in full coat. RESERVE BEST BITCH
2nd Thomson's Badcall Petronella Bigger bitch than first, and slightly longer cast. Preferred first's head and eye shape. Moved better in this class than previous class.
3rd Young and Flynn's Ballyriver Sadly Sober
Limit Bitch (6,3)
1st Malone's Kissock Weesleekit for Kirkbeck JW Loved this medium sized bitch full of quality with her show girl attitude. Really liked her head and eye shape. She has a prominent brisket with the required flat fore ribs, body length coming from the ribs. She has a good strong top line. Well let down hocks. She stands on best of feet with well arched toes. Loved her free flowing movement. BEST BITCH & BEST OPPOSITE SEX
2nd Thomson's Rotherfield Lady of Braeval at Badcall Bigger bitch than first, shows balance. She has a good reach of neck and level top line. Good front angulation and correct bone. Preferred the eye shape of my first.
3rd Reid's ORKHATOS ELECTRA
1st Malone's Kissock Weesleekit for Kirkbeck JW Loved this medium sized bitch full of quality with her show girl attitude. Really liked her head and eye shape. She has a prominent brisket with the required flat fore ribs, body length coming from the ribs. She has a good strong top line. Well let down hocks. She stands on best of feet with well arched toes. Loved her free flowing movement. BEST BITCH & BEST OPPOSITE SEX
2nd Thomson's Rotherfield Lady of Braeval at Badcall Bigger bitch than first, shows balance. She has a good reach of neck and level top line. Good front angulation and correct bone. Preferred the eye shape of my first.
3rd Reid's ORKHATOS ELECTRA
Open Bitch (3,1)
1st Stewart & Young's Ballyriver Flashdance Medium sized bitch with a well moulded head and dark eye. Good reach of neck and length of upper arm. Oval bone. Strong top line and correct tail set. Moved true. Just left her coat at home today. A very nice bitch.
2nd Ross's SH CH Islstrom Torrachilty JW This bitch is medium sized with that lovely outgoing temperament that is typical in flat coats. She is well balanced and stands on best of feet. She has the full feathering of a mature flat coat. I thought that today she was carrying a little extra weight, which is why she was placed second.
1st Stewart & Young's Ballyriver Flashdance Medium sized bitch with a well moulded head and dark eye. Good reach of neck and length of upper arm. Oval bone. Strong top line and correct tail set. Moved true. Just left her coat at home today. A very nice bitch.
2nd Ross's SH CH Islstrom Torrachilty JW This bitch is medium sized with that lovely outgoing temperament that is typical in flat coats. She is well balanced and stands on best of feet. She has the full feathering of a mature flat coat. I thought that today she was carrying a little extra weight, which is why she was placed second.
Veteran Bitch (4,2)
1st McDonald's Steelriver Come Dancing at Skyloch Nine years old. Preferred this bitch's head and eye shape to second .Good reach of neck. Deep chest. Strength in top line held on the move. Lovely tight feet. Well coated.
2nd Reid's Orkhatos Phoebe ShCM Ten and half years old and still active. Medium size. Good top line. Well coated. Moved at one with handler.
1st McDonald's Steelriver Come Dancing at Skyloch Nine years old. Preferred this bitch's head and eye shape to second .Good reach of neck. Deep chest. Strength in top line held on the move. Lovely tight feet. Well coated.
2nd Reid's Orkhatos Phoebe ShCM Ten and half years old and still active. Medium size. Good top line. Well coated. Moved at one with handler.
Brace (5,2)
1st Reid's These two bitches similar in size moved as one, and were attentive to handler.
1st Reid's These two bitches similar in size moved as one, and were attentive to handler.
Hannah Higginbotham
Special Award Classes
Judge: Mrs Hilary Buckley (Buckleyhill)
Judge: Mrs Hilary Buckley (Buckleyhill)
Firstly I would like to thank the FRCS for inviting me to judge the Special Awards Classes at their Open Show. I had an amazing entry of such quality dogs and I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to assess them. This is always such a friendly show and I enjoyed the day immensely. Thank you also Steve Chipperfield for offering to Steward for me, very much appreciated.
Puppy (6, 2)
1st Pajanbeck Edge of Glory Lovely 6.5 month old puppy. Super head with dark eye and gentle expression. Neat rounded feet. Typical wriggly puppy at this stage but well balanced and once settled he moved well for his handler.
2nd Blacktoft Sapphire Ice at Benvellyn
3rd Pajanbeck Angels On My Side
Res Candidacasa Jelly Baby
1st Pajanbeck Edge of Glory Lovely 6.5 month old puppy. Super head with dark eye and gentle expression. Neat rounded feet. Typical wriggly puppy at this stage but well balanced and once settled he moved well for his handler.
2nd Blacktoft Sapphire Ice at Benvellyn
3rd Pajanbeck Angels On My Side
Res Candidacasa Jelly Baby
Yearling (4, 1)
1st Go With The Flow Ebony in Harmony at Qlocontrail JW 19 month old mature boy. Dark almond shaped eye with soft expression. Ears well set close to head. Deep chest, flat ribbed with gradual spring. Well muscled hind quarters. Stood four-square on neat feet. Moved out well.
2nd Islstrom Fia
3rd Kirkbeck The Man in Black
1st Go With The Flow Ebony in Harmony at Qlocontrail JW 19 month old mature boy. Dark almond shaped eye with soft expression. Ears well set close to head. Deep chest, flat ribbed with gradual spring. Well muscled hind quarters. Stood four-square on neat feet. Moved out well.
2nd Islstrom Fia
3rd Kirkbeck The Man in Black
Postgraduate (13, 3)
1st Steelriver Sunkissed JW Beautiful 2year old bitch of correct size. Super head with dark almond shaped eyes giving a soft expression. Neat ears sitting well to the head. Good length of neck running well to shoulders. Deep chest with well defined brisket. Ribs flat with gradual spring. Well muscled hind quarters. Stood four square with good bone. Level topline. Won this class on her super movement.
2nd Branchalwood Strathearn of Daicheil (AI)
3rd Highlander Z Mokre Hory at Siancala (Imp Cze)
Res Steelriver Dance in the Sun at Skyloch
1st Steelriver Sunkissed JW Beautiful 2year old bitch of correct size. Super head with dark almond shaped eyes giving a soft expression. Neat ears sitting well to the head. Good length of neck running well to shoulders. Deep chest with well defined brisket. Ribs flat with gradual spring. Well muscled hind quarters. Stood four square with good bone. Level topline. Won this class on her super movement.
2nd Branchalwood Strathearn of Daicheil (AI)
3rd Highlander Z Mokre Hory at Siancala (Imp Cze)
Res Steelriver Dance in the Sun at Skyloch
Open (11 entries, 3)
1st Sh Ch Branchalwood Tamdhu JW ShCM This boy belies his 8 years of age. Super flatcoat head with dark eye and intelligent expression. Good length of neck running well to the shoulders. Deep chest flat ribs with gradual spring. Well muscled hind quarters. Stood four square with neat feet and good bone. Powered around the ring with drive, holding his topline on move
2nd Kissock Weeskeekit for Kirkbeck JW
3rd Ballyriver Flashdance
Res Highamhill Fifo
1st Sh Ch Branchalwood Tamdhu JW ShCM This boy belies his 8 years of age. Super flatcoat head with dark eye and intelligent expression. Good length of neck running well to the shoulders. Deep chest flat ribs with gradual spring. Well muscled hind quarters. Stood four square with neat feet and good bone. Powered around the ring with drive, holding his topline on move
2nd Kissock Weeskeekit for Kirkbeck JW
3rd Ballyriver Flashdance
Res Highamhill Fifo
Hilary Buckley