Bitch Critique

Midland Irish Setter Society Championship Show 2020 – Bitches

I would like to thank the society for inviting me to judge this well run show. It is particularly poignant as it was third time lucky as on the previous occasions I was rushed into hospital just days prior to the show. I would like to thank my two ring stewards Julie Greenan and Graham Hart for the professional way they ran the ring and David Hemmings for the photographs.

I was extremely pleased with my entry, however of concern was the number of suspect mouths in the lower classes, also the number of bad fronts, a number of exhibits had either very narrow fronts with weak pasterns or out at elbow. The breed standard call for a level sloping top line, there is a horrible trait creeping into the breed for level top lines, some exhibits had toplines more in kin to an English Setter, also dipping top lines are clearly seen which detracts from an elegant racy appearance.

Minor Puppy Bitch

Puppy Bitch

Veteran Bitch

Junior Bitch

Special Yearling Bitch

Maiden Bitch

Novice Bitch

Undergraduate Bitch

Graduate Bitch

Post Graduate Bitch

Mid Limit Bitch

Limit Bitch

Open Bitch

David Pike  – Judge

Dog Critique     

 Midland Irish Setter Society Championship Show 2020 – Dogs

Such a shame your original judge Sue Ward was taken ill, but thank you to those who accepted me as your replacement and exhibited anyway.
I was delighted to have such a depth of quality in the dogs I assessed. ‘Every show, whatever the level is one person’s opinion on one day of one group of dogs. We all take the best dogs home with us. ‘
The slippery floor made movement quite difficult to assess at times, particularly with the younger dogs who like to bounce their way around the ring. I was very concerned every time I saw a dog slipping as they endeavoured to get around the corners and one or two humans seemed to find it difficult to negotiate too.
Sadly there were several exhibits who were carrying too much weight. Perhaps some of this is due to recent weather conditions, but in some cases the muscle was there underneath but the excess weight caused the dogs to lose their topline on the move. I was disappointed with some of the presentation as quite a few dogs had long nails or hadn’t had their feet trimmed. Whilst conformation and movement is clearly the most important thing, when it comes down to making some close decisions it does impact on the overall picture of the dog.
There were some very close decisions where dogs of differing types each had their own merits. It became a case of balancing an excellent front against a lovely bend of stifle with good muscling and strong hocks, or a lovely outline and overall balance against a lack of forechest.
Overall I was very happy with my winners and I look forward to seeing how some of the youngsters develop as they grow and mature.

MPD

Nice class of babies headed by 3 very different boys, each with their own merits. I’m sure they will all change places many times as they grow up.

1 Bott, Allen & Morgan – QUENSHA JUST LIKE FIRE- This young man has a lovely head with dark eyes and soft expression. His outline is well balanced with a correct topline and tailset. Nice tight feet and well presented. Would prefer slightly tighter elbows, but he drove off well from strong hindquarters.
2 Gutsell- COPPER’S ACROSS THE WATER (IMP SE)NAF – Just 6 months and a real baby but really caught my eye. Lovely outline, well-constructed throughout. Attractive head with soft expression and square finish to muzzle. Well off for bone. Moved soundly for his age. Everything in proportion.
3 Milligan Bott & Bott – OAKDENE SHOW ME THE MONEY (IMP BEL)- This boy has a very attractive head with dark eyes. Excellent neck and shoulder construction, good bone and plenty of spring of rib. Would just prefer slightly more bend of stifle and width of thigh.

PD

1 Nicholls – STRATHMEAD ALEXEI- This dog has a soft expression with good eye shape and colour. Would prefer a little more stop but hopefully this will come with maturity. Low set ears. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Plenty of forechest, correct topline, nice width of thigh with enough bend of stifle. Moved well in his class but went a little haywire in the challenge for BPIS.
2 QUENSHA JUST LIKE FIRE
3 OAKDENE SHOW ME THE MONEY

VD

Lovely class of older gents, very close decision between the first three.

1 Walsh & Foster – MILLCROFT CHASE THE MOON TO SHANOAH –  Balanced outline, looked good both standing and on the move. Nothing overdone, a good honest setter. Deep chest with plenty of forechest. Good angulation both front and rear, drove off well from short, strong hocks.
2 Mitchell – SH CH AMBLINS SWEET WILLIAM – This boy looked a picture today, correct topline and tailset, presented in good coat with lovely tight feet. Good angulation front and rear just preferred the head and neck of 1, very little between them.
3 Cohen – CAISPERN LORENZO WITH SHUSHANA JW SHCM – Another handsome boy with lots to offer. Slightly heavier in the head than 1 & 2 and shorter in the back, but well-made and moved well. Presented in good coat and condition.

JD

1 Cohen LYNWOOD MERRY MAY KING WITH SHUSHANA – Really gave his handler a hard time, but when he settled he looked good both standing and moving. Sweet head with soft expression and dark eye. Well balanced with no exaggeration in any department. Good straight front, nice angulation with well laid shoulders and good width of thigh at the rear. Good spring of rib, and lovely tight feet.
2 Jones – RIVERDANCE OF IRISH SMILING EYE (IMP BEL)- Longer cast dog but shorter in neck. Pleasant head and expression. Enough body for his size.
3 Gardiner SEOWN SNOOPS

YD
Lovely class of promising young boys.

1 Davis – GRAYRIGGE MYSTRAL WIND WITH ALANASETT JW – This boy has a handsome head with dark eyes and soft expression. Good reach of neck, well laid shoulders. Correct topline and tailset. Clean outline, enough bone for his frame, short strong hocks. Moved well, with reach at the front and drive from the rear.
2 Richardson – GWENDARIFF I’M FOOL PROOF – Mature boy with much to admire. Nice finish to muzzle and good proportions to head with correct eye shape and colour giving soft expression. Slightly shorter in neck than 1. Good depth to chest. Clean topline into tailset. Lovely tight feet, short hocks, moved well.
3 Gardiner – GLIMMER NOBLESSE CITIZEN KANE OF BLAYSDELL (IMP SVK)

MD

1 Jones – RIVERDANCE OF IRISH SMILING EYE (IMP BEL)

ND

1 Cohen- LYNWOOD MERRY MAY KING WITH SHUSHANA
2 Jones- RIVERDANCE OF IRISH SMILING EYE (IMP BEL)
3 Rorke – ZAKHANS THE RED LE BARON

UGD

1 Harris- BLAZING BRONZE HAPPY CLAPPY SINGS KONAKAKELA (IMP NLD) JW- Really caught my eye in the line-up. Plenty of work in his head, clean neck into good shoulder angulation. Gently sloping topline into correct tailset. Good depth to chest. Good width to thigh with enough angulation and muscle to help him move soundly. Presented in good coat and lovely condition.
2 Corless – SWIFTLARK SECOND TO NONE WITH MAGEMBAY – Lots to like about this boy, nice head shape, short coupled but balanced frame. Pronounced second thigh and well muscled.
3 ? details not in catalogue – LYNWOOD LOVE POTION

GD

1 Naylor & Morrison- ANLORY DUNCAN JW – Striking young man with lovely outline. Low set ears on a well-shaped head with correct eye shape and colour giving lovely, soft expression. Clean neck and shoulders with good construction and straight front. Good forechest and depth of chest, good spring to rib. Correct topline and tailset. Stands on the tightest of feet with well arched toes. Well muscled throughout with well defined second thigh. Moved very well off strong hindquarters, reaching out from his well angled upper arm as he drove around the ring using his lashing tail to full effect. One to watch for the future.
2 Bailey – DANAWAY DESERT SONG – Very different type to 1 but his balanced construction and unexaggerated outline caught my eye. Strong neck and shoulders, good topline leading back to well constructed quarters. Good width of thigh, with good muscle. Liked his spring of rib and deep chest. Moved well.
3 Dewar – GWENDARIFF WILLY WON’T HE – Handsome boy with lovely expression and good finish to muzzle. Presented in fantastic coat and condition. Plenty of bone for his size. Presented a lovely, balanced picture and moved soundly.

PGD

Very close decision here. A lovely class of handsome boys so splitting hairs for the final placings.
1 Russell – LYNWOOD HOCUS POCUS AT SETTERSOLI JW – Have often admitted this boy from the ringside so was pleased to have the opportunity to go over him. This dog has a refined head with raised brows over dark eyes giving a soft expression. He has a good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. He has forechest and depth of chest under a gently sloping topline into correct tailset. Strong hindquarters with short hocks. Moved well using his tail to full advantage.
2 Lorrimer- KERRIMERE CLASSIQUE – This boy has come on enormously since I last judged him. Very different type to the winner but another lovely dog. Nice head shape with just enough work, nothing overdone. Kind expression with low set ears. Gentle arching to his strong but clean neck leading through to a good lay of shoulder and return of upper arm. Deep, well sprung ribs, correct length of loin and good hind quarters. Lovely tight feet, presented in beautiful coat.
3 Holley – WYNJILL SNAP DRAGON- Very similar comments apply as 1 & 2, loved his shape, his head and outline. Just slightly lacking in forechest for me, but otherwise a lovely dog.

MdLD

1 Muir & O’Connor – GWENDARIFF I’M COMIN OUT JW – Really stood out in this class. Striking outline, well bodied and looking the best I’ve ever seen him. He has a lovely head with square finish to his muzzle, raised brows giving quizzical expression from his dark eyes. Low set ears, clean over neck and shoulders with good shoulder placement and return of upper arm which was evident in his reach on the move. Correct topline and tailset. Well muscled throughout, strong hindquarters with just the right amount of angulation on his stifles. Short, strong hocks, arched toes and tight feet with well kept nails. Beautifully presented in flowing coat and superb condition. Moved with drive and enthusiasm using his tail to full effect. Just slightly over enthusiastic on the final challenge, but definitely considered for top honours. Pleased to award him the reserve CC and with the agreement of my co judge, reserve best in show.
2 Corless- SWIFTLARK FIRST KNIGHT – Heavier framed than 1 but still much to commend. Really like his head and general construction. He was giving his handler a bit of a hard time, but moved very soundly. Well off for bone and everything in proportion. A good honest setter.
3 Weir – KERRIMERE IRRESISTABLE

LD

A difficult class to judge as there were some very different types each with their own merits.

1 Pym- THENDARA THE WATCHMAKER – Impressive, eye catching and heavily coated dog. Beautifully presented in fabulous condition. A little broad in the skull for my taste, but still an attractive head. Well muscled throughout, carrying just the right amount of weight for his frame. Good shoulder placement and straight front. Good spring of rib and depth of chest. Correct length of loin, topline and tailset. Good bend of stifle and width of thigh. Plenty of bone. Short, strong hocks. Drove beautifully around the ring.
2 Davis – PASSWORD PRIAIRIE WIND WITH ALANASETT JW –Completely different looking dog to 1, finer head and slightly longer frame. Really liked his head and expression. Well balanced with good angulation both fore and aft. Dark coated, well presented. Good depth of chest and enough forechest. Well muscled hindquarters.
3 Holley – WYNJILL WINNER TAKES IT ALL

OD

1 Stockton – SH CH RIVERBRUE ALCHEMIST AMIDST KESPAS JW – Have always admired this dog so was delighted to have the opportunity to judge him. He presents a balanced picture with everything as it should be from his lovely head to the tip of his tail. Dark eyes of correct shape and colour which twinkle with mischief. Good reach of neck into clean, well laid shoulders. Good upper arm angulation, straight front with plenty of forechest. Good depth to his chest and spring of rib ending in correct length of loin. Well muscled hindquarters with just the right amount of bend to his stifle. Gently sloping topline and correct tail set. Moved soundly and with drive, flowing around the ring. Well presented and handled. Delighted to award him the CC and on the decision of the referee Best In Show.
2 Longbottom – SH CH GWENDARIFF UNKNOWN SOLDIER JW – Beautifully presented dog in gleaming coat and condition. Shorter coupled than 1. Well constructed although my personal preference would be for slightly less bend of stifle for his frame. Beautiful, tight feet, well off for bone.
3 Danks-Kemish – SH CH ALOFRANA HOTTER THAN U’KNOW JW

Cheryl Stevenson – Judge