West of England Labrador Retriever Club
Open Show 28th March 2009
It was a pleasure to judge my first Breed Show where I was hoping to find a number
of short coupled, active dogs who not only possessed balance and type but also had
that most important ‘kind and ever willing’ Labrador expression. As a whole, the
breed is not one that is noted for particularly good movement, therefore the ability to
move with drive and purpose and maybe also do a day’s work if requested, was a
bonus. It was pleasing to find these attributes in my main winners. Thank you a
quality entry and an enjoyable day.
Best in Show Harvey-Major & Allens’ Brockburrow Casanova in Linjor JW Sh.CM
Reserve Best in Show Phillips’ Highfields Belle of the Ball at Sheenaron
Best Puppy in Show Wilmshursts’ Mandamy Rafael
Best Veteran in Show Lesleys’ Steeleigh American Express
Best Chocolate in Show Braddon’s Trendlewood Lets Dance
Minor Puppy Dog 4 (1a)
1st Minchella’s Abbeystead Nimrod
Typey 7 months black. Nice forward puppy with appealing head, dark eye, good
muzzle length and depth, clean neck, strong bone, ribbed well back and level topline.
Sturdy construction throughout with double coat and thick, well set tail. Lively pup
who gave his handler a tricky time, but when more settled, he moved out well.
Promising.
2nd Harvey-Major’s Linjor Raincloud
Yellow, similar age to winner, well up to size puppy. Attractive head with correct
pigmentation and good width and shape to muzzle. Plenty of coat although going
through the ‘fluffy puppy’ stage. Strong through loin, broad quarters, front movement
could be tidier. Preferred profile and balance of 1.
3rd Floods’ Standeridge Speaks Volumes
Puppy Dog 3 (1a)
1st Wilmshursts’ Mandamay Carlos
Quality black of 10 months, balanced and well angulated. Lovely head and
expression with kind brown eye. Good neckline and shoulders, well ribbed back to
firm quarters, strong bone into neat feet. In excellent coat. Stood and moved well,
attentive to handler. Plenty to offer.
2nd Royce’s Tailor of Panama
Strongly built black, similar age to 1. Soft expression, yet masculine head with good
eye colour. Double coat of correct texture, shoulders ok, deep through brisket with
short couplings. Nicely shaped wagging tail, though set could be better. Sound
mover.
Junior Dog 7 (3a)
1st Mills’ Sandylands Toy Boy at Lembas
Well known young yellow with nicely proportioned and broad head, excellent
pigment, brown eye and willing expression. Strongly built frame, compact with good
depth to body, short in loin, correct angles and topline. Stood foresquare with lovely
bone and thick tail. Just starting to lose his jacket. Sound moving. Well handled and
shown.
2nd Wilmshursts’ Mandamay Rafael
Litter brother to puppy winner. Another promising youngster of consistent type from
this kennel who ticked all the boxes for me in the later challenge. Upstanding black
with lovely kind eye, nicely balanced head and happy expression. Shoulders well laid
back, good forechest, ribcage and length of neck, strong bone into compact feet.
Short, dense coat with a thick, well set on and ever wagging tail. Held his topline
when moving off straight hocks with a good length to his stride. Will take time to fill
his frame but has all the right credentials. BEST PUPPY DOG and BPIS.
3rd Hatfields’ Oakglen Mr Bumble
Novice Dog 3 (1a)
1st Wilcox’s Donamick Biddable
Kind headed black with proper length to his muzzle brown eye colour and that
biddable expression! Workmanlike, carrying a dense waterproof coat. Well boned
with good quarters and tail. A little heavy across the shoulders but maturing into a
nice young male. Moved soundly.
2nd Allens’ Tanderswell Sea Biscuit
Darker yellow with gentle outlook and kindly eye, having good balance to head.
Somewhat lighter in frame and longer cast, but strong in loin, well muscled with
adequate bone, strongly developed quarters and a good tail.. Easy action on the
move.
Graduate Dog 7 (0a)
1st Braddon’s Trendlewood Only to Fly JW
Young black with classic overall shape and style. Nicely proportioned kind head,
good flow of neck into well placed shoulders. Super topline held on the move,
excellent turn of stifle, tight feet and correct tail set. Stands well back, alert to handler
and moved with confidence. Still maturing and has time on his side. Needed more
coat today to complete the picture but still preferred his outline and overall balance in
this class.
2nd S Toy Boy at Lembas
3rd Sidebottoms’ Humaryn Take a Chance
Post Graduate Dog 5 (1a)
1st Harvey-Major & Allens’ Brockburrow Casanova in Linjor JW Sh.CM
It is not too often that you find all the essential qualities required together in one
package ! This young yellow dog had all the attributes that I was looking for. Lovely
expression, broad skull without coarseness, dark pigmentation, correct eye shape
and colour. Body deep and well balanced with clean shoulders and a straight front.
Strong round bone into neat feet, good turn of stifle, short through couplings. Moved
really purposefully, using broad quarters to maintain drive and soundness, with
excellent thickness to tail and topline firm and level. Looked right from any angle.
His best is surely yet to come. Delighted to award him BEST DOG and BIS, his
second consecutive win at this show.
2nd Lesleys’ Steeleigh Express Order JW
Upstanding paler yellow with obvious virtues who was unlucky to meet class winner.
Quality stamp with attractive head, eye and expression, good reach of neck to
correctly laid shoulders. Nicely constructed and balanced throughout, deep body,
ample bone and well bent stifles with sturdy back end and a good tail. Coat just
beginning to lift. Full of attitude today and needed time to settle. Moved soundly
presenting a clean outline.
3rd Barkers’ Deerbrook Solomon
Limit Dog 5 (0a)
1st Mills’ Lembas Top Ranking JW
So much to like about this yellow. Handsome head, darkest of pigment and gentle
expression with correct muzzle length to depth. Strong but clean through neck, deep
forechest, well ribbed back, short coupled with topline level, having good width
across hindquarters finished with a double coat and thick ever wagging tail, carried
correctly. In fit condition, very sound on the move and showing lovely balance
overall.
RESERVE BEST DOG IN SHOW
2nd Braddons’ Trendlewood Moondance JW
Substantial paler yellow of heavier build. Strong through loin, short in couplings with
well sprung rib cage, deep brisket, nice width to powerful quarters, good bone and
substance. Head appealed with kindly expression and broad skull without any hint of
coarseness. In full coat with thickly clothed tail, well set, off a level back. Steady
mover who showed well. Preferred leg to body ratio of 1 but close decision.
3rd Minchellas’ Abbeystead Wager
Open Dog 4 (1a)
1st Playles’ Shardanell Dance Master For Triplecroft
Easy winner of this class. Larger framed mature black with plenty of type and
substance. Lovely balanced head, brown eye and that honest Lab expression. Short
coupled, strong through loin with good width to rear and firm topline. Deep forechest,
stifles well bent and strong hocks. Super tail, excelled in coat which was dense and
waterproof. Presented a very pleasing picture and moved freely. Strong contender
for Res B D.
2nd Phillips’ Sheenaron Merry Windstorm
Willing expression on this black. Medium sized and in fit condition, wearing a
correctly textured jacket, harsh to the touch. Balanced and masculine head with kind
eye. Strong neck and straight front with ample spring and depth of rib. Level
backline, good angles and wagging tail, well set. Carrying a little more weight across
shoulders than I would prefer. Nevertheless, both dogs were sound movers with 1
showing more drive and overall balance. Moved enthusiastically for handler.
3rd Stockman & Watson’s Ludalor Lemon Star with Watstock
Special Veteran Dog or Bitch 8 (5a)
All exhibits in this class were a credit to their owners.
1st Lesleys’ Steeleigh American Express JW
Lovely type black male – A ‘younger’ veteran of 7 ½ years, kindest of expressions,
balanced head in profile, good eye shape and colour. Plenty of solid bone and tight,
well padded feet. Excellent reach of neck into correct front assembly with deep
brisket and nice angulation fore and aft. Has strong topline and quarters and is still
very much together on the move with a thick tail, well set on. Moved freely and
carried himself brilliantly with super tail action. Stood out in this class.
BEST VETERAN IN SHOW.
2nd Stockman & Watson’s Oakingham Perfectly In Tune at Watstock
Popular yellow dog now in his 12th year who can still move purposefully when asked.
Handsome head with pleasing eye colour and pigment, showing that ‘true Labrador
kindness’ in his expression. Good depth to body and has correct angles front and
rear. Carrying a thick but soft coat with good tail. Great to find him still the gentle
showman he always was.
3rd Wallis’ Sandyrosa Beach Comber
Special Beginners Dog or Bitch 4 (1a)
1st Barkers Dolwen Seaholly for Deerbrook
Black bitch not long out of Junior. Has a pretty head of good shape, neat ears, an
expression to please and nice brown eye colour. Ample rib and deep brisket with firm
topline. Soundly built and shown in good coat but no more weight needed. A happy
showgirl who moved ok and was attentive to handler.
2nd Moody’s Trendlewood Fool For You
Large framed young yellow male with correct dark pigment and broad head. Strongly
built forehand, neck and rear, showing good muscletone, plenty of coat and a thick
tail. However, he does not always want to ‘play ball’ making him difficult to assess.
Nevertheless, when he cuts out the nonsense, concentrates and stands, he has an
eager to please expression - His handler has worked hard to settle him in the ring.
3rd Mills’ Trendlewood Sing
Brace Dog or Bitch 1 (1a)
Special Working Dog or Bitch 4 (1a)
1st Allens’ Redbox Gordon of Tanderswell
Active black dog of 4 years with pleasing kindly head, alert expression and good
length and finish to muzzle. Longer in loin, he was built on strong lines with a reachy
neck into straight front. Had a well muscled body with decent tail, moved freely and
was responsive to handler. More positive in movement for me than his kennel mate.
2nd T Sea Biscuit
3rd O Perfectly In Tune at Watstock
Special Chocolate Dog or Bitch 7 (4a)
1st Braddon’s Trendlewood Lets Dance
Another very nice one from this kennel. Litter sister to Graduate Dog winner and of
similar mould. Appealing head, eye could be just a shade darker to compliment coat,
correct stop and length to muzzle. Enough depth through body, pleasing lay of
shoulder, spring of rib and turn of stifle. Level topline and tail well set onto a strong
back end. Although lacking some coat today, she carried sufficient of a solid
chocolate colour with the expected texture, to win this class. Liked her profile, sound
on the move. BEST CHOCOLATE IN SHOW. – her second successive award here !
2nd Raines’ Bramblesend Hot Chocolate
This girl had a typical feminine head with nice alert expression. Sturdy neck and
forehand, decent angulation, bone and feet. Fair ribs and body, strong loin, topline
and quarters. Harsh double coat of an even colour and having correct texture, lovely
tail. Not quite the profile of 1, but a steady mover and well handled.
3rd Phillips’ Keenes Sandpiper
Special Graduate Dog or Bitch 3 (0a)
1st Mills’ & Rodds’ Lembas Help Me Rhonda
Scopy black bitch of 3 years with kind eye and a gentle expression, nice shape and
body proportions, including ample spring and depth of rib and enough bone. Had
good width over hindquarters with firm topline and proper tail. Handled confidently, in
good bloom and well presented. Covered ground easily but lost out on front
movement in a later class.
2nd Wallis’ Sandyrosa Beach Comber
Smaller framed pale yellow girl who belied her 10 years. Placed 3 rd in Veteran class.
Sweet feminine head with an endearing expression and brown eye to compliment.
Compact, short coupled body, ( needs no extra weight ) Nice depth to chest and
good width across back end, dense, close fitting coat and otter tail. Moved somewhat
erratically for her young handler, but I preferred her breed type over 3 rd placed bitch.
3rd Mills’ Trendlewood Sing
Best Dog Harvey-Major & Allens’ Brockburrow Casanova in Linjor JW Sh.CM
Reserve Best Dog Mills’ Lembas Top Ranking JW
Best Puppy Dog Wilmshursts’ Mandamay Rafael
Minor Puppy Bitch 5 (1a)
1st Evans’ Bowsian Under The Moonlight
Neatly made darker yellow baby of just 6½ months. Nicely balanced at this young
age with pretty head, super pigment and a sweet expression. Short coupled with
pleasing forechest and shoulder layback. Compact feet , good bend of stifle and leg
length. Level topline, and has a very good tail. Just needs to tighten in front
movement which should come together with time. A happy mover and a lovely start.
2nd Lesleys’ Steeleigh Hot To Handle
Smart black, mature for her age at 9 months. Alert outlook with well proportioned
head, although ,as her name implies, not easy to assess! Good forehand, straight
topline and never stopping tail. Stood foursquare, with good depth to body, strong
through loin and quarters, well angulated with easy moving action. Covered the
ground nicely once she settled into her stride.
3rd Hatfields’ Oakglen Sweet Caroline
Puppy Bitch 5 (1a)
A mixed class of differing shapes and sizes.
1st Lesleys’ Steeleigh Hot Shot
Another good black from this kennel with similar qualities to her litter sister. Strong
topline, front and chest, with super reach of neck Lovely bend of stifle, well boned
legs into neat feet. Hindquarters developing nicely, correct tail. Feminine head with
that important willing expression and good length and depth of muzzle, Like her
sister, was personality plus and needed time to settle in the ring.
BEST PUPPY BITCH.
All puppies called in the later challenge were very promising and it was a close call
between this young lady and the 2nd placed pup in Junior Dog for BPIS.
Expression and balance were the final deciding factors for me today.
2nd Hatfields’ Oakglen Calendar Girl
Pale yellow of smaller build to winner. 8 months and nicely put together with reachy
neck into pleasing front assembly, appealing expression and balance to head , good
eye shape and pigment. Enough bone and nice turn of stifle. Thick, dense coat, firm
topline with tail well set. Should all happen with maturity. Moved well for age. Overall,
a nice puppy.
3rd Harvey Majors’ Crosscroyde Chiyo for Linjor
Junior Bitch 8 (2a)
1st Phillips & McKenzie’s Ryedown McKellar Tartan
Black in good form whom I have judged before. Nice quality throughout with pretty
feminine head, straight front, correct shoulders and spring of rib. Level back and tail
set good. Well angulated behind with adequate bone into neat feet. Shown in
excellent coat with good tail to finish. Stood well back from handler, alert expression.
Presented a pleasing outline with potential for development. Positive movement. Has
time on her side.
2nd Mills’ Lembas Rag Doll
Yellow who has scope and only a day out of the Puppy class. Pretty headed bitch,
with dark pigment and soft expressive eyes. Strong neck, deep, well ribbed body for
age, good bone and substance, coat and tail. Just tends to fall away a little over the
croup. Moved with purpose and has some very pleasing qualities.
3rd Beers’ Tarkabby Embrace
Novice Bitch 5 (1a)
1st Roberts’ Killanow Skinnydip
Upstanding yellow of 20 months with eager to please expression, nice balance to
head, good muzzle length ,ample reach of neck into decent shoulder placement. In
coat of correct texture, level back, stood foresquare and moved with confidence
retaining topline. Happy showgirl.
2nd Sidebottoms’ Humaryn Charlies Angel
Paler yellow with pretty feminine head, dark pigmentation and gentle expression.
Maturing into a nice example of the breed. Deep brisket, good bone and topline with
pleasing angulation. 1 had the edge on outline and movement today.
3rd Phillips & McKenzie’s Ryedown McKerrell Tartan
Undergraduate Bitch 11 (4a)
1st T Lets Dance
2nd R McKellar Tartan
3rd Crowe’s Elmsdyke Honeysuckle
Graduate Bitch 3 (1a)
1st Daveys’ Southridge Grace
Charming young black of lovely type, slightly longer cast. Very pleasing proportions
to head with that melting Lab expression that we must never lose and kind brown
eye. Clean over the neck and shoulders with enough bone and correct balance of leg
length to body. Good ribbing, firm topline, strong over quarters, with pleasing turn of
stifle. Shown in good bloom with proper coat and tail. Moved true and with drive. A
bit more ‘sparkle’ would be to her advantage.
2nd Evans’ Bowsian Celtic Indiana Babe
Another nice type of black I have always liked. Of heavier build than 1, well put
together with deep, short coupled body, straight front, well off for bone and tidy,well
padded feet. Level back, broad over quarters, correct tail set and bend of stifle, short
hocks. Liked her appealing head and gentle expression. Harsh feel to double coat.
Sound mover although carrying a little less weight may have altered her placing
today.
3rd Mills’ & Rodds’ Lembas Help Me Rhonda
Post Graduate Bitch 5 (1a)
1st Phillips’ Highfields Belle of the Ball at Sheenaron
I found what I was looking for in this young black. Lovely type with balanced outline,
pretty, well proportioned head having a true Labrador expression. Had plenty of
substance without being coarse, well angulated all through with strong neck,
excellent spring of rib and pleasing depth to body. Level topline, dense, close fitting
jacket with thick, never stopping tail, set on well, complimented by powerful quarters,
neat hocks and compact feet. Kept her shape on the move. Carried just the right
amount of weight, sound and active. BEST BITCH and RBIS.
2nd Hatfields’ Oakglen Christmas Carol
Neat paler yellow with attractive head, sweet expression and dark pigment. Pleasing
reach of neck and shoulder lay, ribs nicely sprung. Standing on good legs and feet,
level topline, tail carried correctly off rounded quarters. Plenty of coat but just starting
to blow. Would like a bit more animation today to finish the picture. A nice bitch who
has obvious qualities.
3rd Farrants’ Lady Hillingdon at Samax
Limit Bitch 7 (1a)
1st Mills’ Lembas Wish Upon A Star
Yellow girl of lovely substance and bone. Stood foursquare, balanced in profile.
Appealing head with kindest expression, good eye colour and pigment. Deep bodied
and well ribbed back, strong over loin, with width to quarters, level topline and thick
tail correctly set. Shown to advantage and so well put together. Just preferred
balance and reach of PG winner today in the finale but a very close call. RESERVE
BEST BITCH.
2nd Streatfields’ Badajos Summer Moon
Compact darker yellow unlucky to meet 1. Have placed her highly before and she
consistently presents a balanced picture. So pleasing to go over, appealing overall
shape and construction with clean neck, correct front assembly with good length to
upper arm, deep, well ribbed body, strong quarters and neat hocks. Though just
casting, carried a correctly textured double coat. Typical tail used to advantage. Her
head expresses kindness with a dark eye. A natural showgirl who always moves with
drive. Another who looked good in the challenge.
3rd Wilmshurts’ Mandamay Blue Stocking JW
Open Bitch 5 (3a)
1st Lesleys’ SH CH Steeleigh Star Performer JW
Quality black with balanced head and lovely eye colour. Solid conformation
throughout, clean sweep of neck into well placed shoulders, strong front and nice
spring of rib. Stood foursquare on good legs and compact feet. Short through
couplings and quarters broad, she covered the ground well. Excelled in coat and tail,
carried correctly off level topline. Showed and moved positively. Seriously
considered in the line up for the Best Bitch Top Spot.
2nd Foxs’ Rocheby Winds of Change to Treburrow
Pretty headed pale yellow with lovely pigment and a melting expression. Not over
done in any way, had a very attractive and well proportioned head, clean through
neck and shoulders with ample bone into neat feet. Ribs well sprung and good
muscletone to quarters, lacking in some today, and a firm, level topline with thick tail
to complete. Showed confidently and moved with purpose, carrying the right amount
of weight. Another girl with a quality stamp, unlucky to meet winner on such good
form.
Best Bitch Phillips’ Highfields Belle of the Ball at Sheenaron
Reserve Best Bitch Mills’ Lembas Wish Upon A Star
Best Puppy Bitch Lesleys’ Steeleigh Hot Shot
Judge Anne Hoban